Week 95: A Stressful Week And Triumphant Easter Weekend

This week was very stressful. Osama is struggling with some things and may not be getting baptized and we had to take Charity off date because we haven't been able to get in contact with her. Once again, many of our friends didn't show up to church and a lot of our lessons fell through. Things have just not been going as planned and Elder Taggart has been quite aloof, taking into account that it is only his second week in the mission field. I'm just absolutely drained. 

BUT, there's always a bright side:

- Jose is set for his baptism on Saturday as far as we can tell. Please keep him in your prayers. 

- We biked in this super heavy mist rain stuff and got absolutely SOAKED. I thought I was going to be upset about it but it ended up being really fun and refreshing. 

- We had lunch on Easter with this random couple we just met and they fed us really good fish. They also fed us shrimp cocktail (without alcohol of course) and I've only ever had popcorn shrimp once in my life (which was also on my mission) so that was a new experience. I've always had an aversion toward shrimp for some reason but I ate it like a champ. You'd be so proud of me Dad. Anyways, their names are Raul and Angelica and they're super nice. We met Raul the other day outside his house and offered to help move some trash and because we were so willing to help he decided to invite us over for lunch! We taught them about the Book of Mormon and they were interested in learning more!

- While tracting one day we met a lady named Nashone and she asked to pray with us. We all held hands and prayed right there outside her apartment. She said a very eccentric prayer and it definitely threw Elder Taggart off cause he had never experienced something like that before hahaha. It was fun.

- Had an impromptu lesson with Chris and Rachelle and the Spirit was so predominant in the room

I also received my flight itinerary for returning home. I'm not sure how to process this. 

One of my favorite talks this last general conference was "Just Keep Going—with Faith" by Elder Cook. He said, "Just as the Savior finished the work He was given to do, He has the power to help us finish the work we have been given. We can be blessed to move forward along the covenant path, no matter how rocky it becomes, and eventually receive eternal life."

This last week I had to truly rely on my Savior for strength, patience, and even the words to speak. It was tough and there were times I wanted to give up. But my thoughts were directed towards my Savior and the pain He endured this very same week. Did He give up? Did He quit? No, He pressed forward with determination to finish His father's work. As we celebrated Easter I reflected on how Jesus Christ has changed my life. Because of His sacrifice and ressurection I can keep going with faith. His grace has helped me accomplish things I never could have done on my own and I'm forever grateful for that. 

- Elder Christensen

Pictures

☆ Max, someone the Elders in my district are teaching, showed us his swords

☆ Mexican restaurant in Lytle

☆ Biking on the rain