Mission lessons

My week was a bit hectic but it was really good. Its so crazy to me that I literally dread p days because they seem to drag on forever and its the only day I ever think about home. The rest of the week I just dont really have time. This week we were caught up in function of Transfers and another Caxias trip. Routine, but the drive home from Caxias was unforgettable. As President gets closer to going home he seems to be much more open to story telling and passing wisdom to his Assistants. He re counted a bunch of incredible experiences that he has had on the mission that strengthened my faith. My president is an inspired man, and there is no doctrinal question that his wife cant answer. They are the type of people that just make you want to be a better person, kind of like my grandparents. They have taught me countless lessons on how to live the gospel. I will miss them.

Its funny how the Lord always seems to let you fall flat on your face before he lifts you up. In our spare time this week we planned well and had a few important visits all marked to be with members. It was incredible how badly they didnt work out. Thursday night I just felt stupid, pretty much everything I had worked so hard to plan had fallen, and I had wasted the members time and money. What of the things that most frustrates me on the mission is that other´s free agency affects my ability to be successful. Being here in Brasil where punctuality and fulfilling your word doesnt mean a whole lot that can really spiral a missionary into depression. But I´ve also learned on the misison that it is not prudent to make decisions off a hot head, and that a good nights rest and a cold coke can solve a lot of life´s problems. After stepping back and taking a look at things we were able to re group and make everything work out Friday to set us up to have a good p day. We had a great lesson with Rubia last night (that lady that had the Joseph Smith dream.) 

I was super frustrated because we had already marked twice to have a family night at this couple´s house, they had made food and everything, and both times she didnt show up, totally making us look like slacker freeloaders. I was so nervous to try it again last night because of my pride but the spirit confirmed that that was the right decision to be made. We showed up at this couple´s house awkwardly smiling and he just opened the door and started laughing, but he was cool about it and told us we could bring her up. We ran down to her apt startled when she opened the door dressed in something I would expect to see in Las Vegas at 3 in the morning. After declining to step outside of hell´s corrider and entering into the doorway of wily temptation, we told her we needed to go up to the other apt to teach her. To my bewildered amazement she replied "How am I supposed to go to a family visit dressed like this?" As me and my companion stood there in silence not knowing what to say.. (You don´t feel comfortable going to visit a lady in your building but you´re okay to recieve 2 missionaries??) She helped us out and told us to wait while she changed. (She apparently was going to a Night Club.) Moral to the story the moment we arrived there I realized why we felt we needed to go; They totally hit it off, the lesson was awesome, full of the spirit, and her countenance immediately changed. She went from the most worldly woman I had taught in months to an incredibly elect investigator. When we do what is right and endure, the Lord will bless us one way or another. 

Im grateful for my mission and everything its taught me. I can honestly say that when my time is done here in about 10 weeks I should come back a slightly better person. 

Stay Classy.