Ven oh señor‏

email dated 4-28-08
Well, another week gone by. I spent half of the last week in Montevideo, so I still don't know my area as well as I would hope. But that is alright, because I am here to stay for now. Actually we are going back the P-Day after Mothers Day, but I will only lose another P-day so no biggy. It is time to get down to work here. And I am very excited to work with an AMAZING ward that loves me. I played another musical number in church, my own rendition of Joseph Smith's First Prayer, and I have never seen so many people cry from one of my songs. The speaker after the song couldn't even talk, he cried into the microphone (which actually works in this ward!!!!) for a few minutes and bore a very sweet testimony of the Restoration, and sat down. This old lady, even though members know better than to hug missionaries, tried jumping me and got her tears all over me. Some members told me that they had never felt the spirit more strongly. Music is a marvelous thing if you use it right. And I am really grateful for an in-tune piano in our ward. I love being instantly popular in whatever area I go to. The music makes a difference and helps this missionary work. I am excited to say that our whole calendar for the month of May is already filled every last day for lunches! I am going to gain some weight here. This ward is incredible. I am so STOKED to work in a ward that is already offering me help and telling me to visit their friends and family that aren't members. I didn't even have to ask for the references. This is a good ward. I just have to help my companion to see how amazing it really is and we are going to have some success here.

This week I was pondering the Standard of Truth. You know, the statement of the prophet Joseph Smith about how the work will go forth nobly, boldly, and independent, till it has reached every ear and the great Jehovah will say the work is done. It is a powerful prophecy and promise. I as a missionary am always concerned for my status with the Lord. I want to be a successful missionary. I had an epiphany this week that so long as I am applying the atonement to myself and then inviting others to do the same to the best of my abilities, that is my whole purpose. I invite them to do the same: repent. Allow the Lord Jesus Christ to help them change their lives for the better. I am inviting them to do the very same thing that I myself need to do. I invite them to study and learn and apply the same things I myself am learning to study and learn and apply. We are all investigators of the same message. As a missionary, I am a few steps ahead of some of them and behind some others, but we are all heading in the same direction if we are facing our Saviour Jesus Christ, and his INFINITE atonement will reach all of us no matter where we are on the path, so long as we are ON the path heading the right direction. That is the beautiful doctrine of Eternal Progression. The Gospel is really no more than a plan to better the world one person at a time. Things will never be perfect, but if we are trying to give our hearts to Him that paid for us, we will be improving. Progression: It is a beautiful thing. These are things I always know, but it doesn't hurt to remind myself and enhance my own testimony of these truths. I think that is part of the reason the Lord sends 19-25 year old missionaries out. There are better members who could be better missionaries, but He wants US to grow. His atonement is infinite. He has nothing to lose by sending us out. But He gains future leaders of the church with stronger testimonies and better understanding of the doctrine when He sends us the youth of the church to serve. This work will go forth boldly, nobly, no matter what!! It cannot fail. I personally can fail, but this work cannot. So I don't have time to concern myself with all the imperfect details that I can't understand or change, I only have time to do my best effort and give my heart to the Lord, and everything else will fall into place. The Atonement and the Plan is applied at the PERSONAL level, with every single human soul. So we are in good hands. We have nothing to fear as long as we are trying.

I love Tacuarembo. I am excited to get to know it better and to finally have a full week ahead of me to work here. I am trying to remember to smile to everyone and show them that I am happy to be here. I am happy to be here.

Life is good. I am mostly healthy. It is raining and I love it. My story continues in the land of much sand and many stray dogs. Take care! I love you!!

Andy