Monday...
Well Last Monday we had our preparation day. After e-mailing our
families we went up to Metarie to play basketball. I forgot to bring my
shows so I played basketball in Sandals instead. And lets just say, it
didn't slow me down. Later on that day we had an appointment, which was
canceled before our preparation day was even over. The reason being was
because There was Tornando Warnings all over Louisiana and we were to
quickly return home. Well we had a good hour drive home with traffic and
there was not much of a storm anywhere. When we arrived home the storm
of rain finally hit us. Thanks to Sis. Hickerson and her many Papa John
points that she got us free pizza! She was soo awesome that she also
gave the other missionaries in our district pizza who were stuck at
home. It was a loong night at the apartment not being to do much.
Unexpected Event #1
Tuesday- I can't really remember what happened
Wednesday-
We had an AWESOME Zone Conference with our mission President! My
companion and I were asked to be Volunteers and there were really sweet
instructions on Unity within one and the companion and then also being
positive and building each other up. At the End President Hansen share a
awesome instruction on Repentance. And It hit me super hard because of a
friend who we are recently teaching. Ruben has been a great
investigator and progressing a LOT. But recently we have come to find
out and we thought him that he has been looking to learn in a more
intellectual way instead of a spiritual way. We told him we could answer
all his question, but they would be of no worth if he does not belief
in the things in which we teach or if he does belief and he does not act
he will not come to know of the truthfulness of the things which we
share with him. So E. Passey and I decided that on Wednesday
night we were going to let him know our purpose and re-evaluate what he
was looking for. When President Hansen shared the Instruction on
Repentance and shared scriptures with us, all that came to my mind was
Ruben and our lesson. Our purpose as missionaries is to invite other to
come unto Christ. And how do we come unto Christ? By repenting and
changing, becoming more Christ-like. So it was perfect. On this Wednesday
night, Elder Passey and I probably had our best lesson yet. It was
powerful, to the point, and super spiritual! We could tell that Ruben
understood and that he felt it. We let him know that we are not forcing
him to do anything or to get baptized. But inviting him to come closer
to our Savior in whom he strongly believes. Now as to what happens next
it is up to him. If anything, that night I received a reminder of my
purpose as a missionary. That we as missionaries are not just here to
hand out information alone to just blow people's minds on what we know
to be true. But our main purpose being to help others know of Christ and
grow closer to him by allowing themselves to be changed for their
benefit, by repenting and following the the commandments which he has
given us. It definitely was a testimony builder for me! - So We had a
lesson planned but it really changed into more detail when we received
that inspiration. And It was completely unexpected!
Unexpected Event # 2
Thursday- I forgot what happened during the day. BUT... we got to go to the MOVIE THEATER!
So
earlier in the week we were informed by our Mission President that we
could no longer go to the movie theater as missionaries for this one
occasion to watch the new MEET THE MORMONS Movie. And we had already set
up a day to go with one of our friends who is investigating the church
(REGGIE). So Elder Passey and I decided to ask personally to our Mission
President if we could get permission. He said YES! And ONLY if we were
NOT paying for ourselves. So we got invited and we got to go to the
movie theaters on the mission! That was WEIRD... Not every day do you
see missionaries at the theater. We as missionaries definitely felt out
of place. We got starred at and talked about. We just completely felt
weird. It was an interesting experience though. We enjoyed it though.
Never did i think i would get permission on my mission to go to a
theater.
Unexpected Event # 3
Friday- Had good appointments. Talked Spanish all day. And it was a day where i cannot remember much of.
Saturday-
Helped our Spanish Branch President. Did service all morning. Had
pizza. Did our West Bank Tradition with the new missionaries of OOGA
BOOGA.
Sunday- Talk about ending the week on a GREAT NOTE! It started out being a regular sweet Sunday.
Then I found out that English and SPanish were combined because of the
primary program which was awesome. We missionaries got the opportunity
to sing with the primary kids the song "I am a child of God" (in
spanish). As i walked up I realized that in the back was somebody I
knew. My sweet friend MCAT was sitting in the back. It hit me completely
by surprise. I never thought that I would see anyone i knew out on my
mission. And yea i was proven wrong. It was an awesome surprise though.
My whole day was thrown off but it was great to see a familiar face!
Unexpected Event #4
So
yea it has been a mind blowing week! So I would say, expect the
unexpected. But I do not think that is completely possible. So My words
of wisdom for the week will be. Receive the unexpected with open arms
and embrace it, learn from it, grow from it. Enjoy each and every
moment. Life is too short to be down.
Keep your head up!
Hope you all have a great week!
Much Love,
Elder Caiña
