April 14, 2010

Dearest family,

Well it sure sounds like life continues to move on in at home. I am glad that things are busy and that people are involved. Always better than having too much free time. I love the aspect of the mission. We always have something that we have to do. Always!!! It was hard at first, as your body isn´t used to always working, but now, it is the other way around. If I find myself unconsciously wasting time, I will realize it very quickly, and will do something more productive. At general conference in between sessions, we had about 2 hours just to eat and hang out with members, investigators, and other missionaries. It was so weird to have so much free time. I like being busy doing good things.


This week has been a harder week as a missionary. We are really trying to get a baptism this month and hardly anyone is willing to act so soon. We are trying to do all we can, but the work is hard. Sunday was probably one of the worst days I have had as a missionary. Church was great and we were able to pick up an investigator before and walk with her to church. She, Giselle, is great. She is from Brazil and has had tons of great experiences that have led her here. We are almost certain that in the near future, she will be baptized.

The first night that we taught her she began to tell us that years ago, in her country, she had listened to missionaries and they had invited her to pray specifically about Joseph Smith, like all good missionaries should do. She said that that night after she had said her prayer, she had a dream, in the which she saw a big white room with lots of chairs. Many of the chairs had people sitting in them dressed in white, but there were a few that were empty. She said that in her dream she knew that the people that were sitting in these chairs dressed in white were holy prophets, and she said that Joseph Smith was among them.

She said also that she knew they were still awaited more holy prophets to come to fill the empty chairs. This was a marvelous dream that she had years ago and we assured her that it was true and that because of it she knew that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God. This is just one experience that I have had that has showed me that we as missionaries are so small in this work, and that the real work, the work of conversion, is done by the Holy Ghost. That God testifies of righteousness and the reality of God the Father and Jesus Christ. This was a miracle and it shows that the Spirit really magnifies your calling as the people you are teaching begin to feel His presence and power.

Another experience that demonstrates the similar concept occurred last night. Michael Alvarez is a cousin of one of the most active families in the branch. He lives here in Aranjuez and has many, many relatives that are members, but he and his family have never really come close to the church. Every missionary that has ever worked her has tried to get him baptized but never have succeeded. Until Now….

Michael has come to church many times, but never consistently. He obviously understands what the church is, because his closest cousins are active members, so they bring him along a lot. About a month before Elder Carr left, we started teaching him pretty seriously with his cousins, but decided that it wasn´t his time. He came to the baptism of Jorge and felt the Spirit really strong there and started crying during the testimony of Jorge after.

So about 1 week ago, well actually last Friday, I asked him, ¨Hey, Michael, I have a serious question for you. When are you going to get baptized?¨ He first laughed and then realized that I was serious. He then asked, when is the service? I told him with a smile April 24th, knowing that it is really soon. He was silent for a little while and I assured him that we knew that he could be ready by that day. I asked him what he thought, and he said, ¨mas probable que sí (Okay, yeah, sure I will).¨

He didn´t come to church and we took that as a bad sign, but last night we saw him and without asking him he asked if we were still good for the 24th. I said, ¨claro que sí (For sure).¨ He told us that he was really sick with a fever and chills and we offered to give him a blessing. We explained what it is and then in front of his cousins, brother, and most importantly, his own mother, we gave him a blessing. In the blessing, I felt prompted to assure him that he is doing the will of God and following Jesus Christ. I also felt to tell him that in the future he would serve as a missionary and help others do the same thing and come unto Christ.

After Elder Dawson and I and a member gave him this blessing, there was silence for about 1 minute. He looked at me and I told him thank you. He explained that during the blessing he felt ¨a renovating force throughout his body.¨ He felt the Spirit as did all present. We had to leave right after, but I told him that one day he will have the same opportunity to hold the priesthood.

After Elder Dawson and I talked and I had a specific feeling that we as missionaries are microscopicly small in the comparison to the power of God. I had the realization as I have known for a long time, but never really understood, that we really don´t do much as missionaries. We are so imperfect and for investigators, Michael, and other people to feel the Spirit so strong, we know that it is not from us.

We surely are instruments in the hands of the Savior. And when we are trying to do His will, be obedient, and seek and follow His Spirit, we have these miracles. Where His love and power are manifest in such glorious experiences. I felt so useless almost, knowing that I did nothing to have that experience, but it was a good feeling, knowing that we are receiving divine help and that there is someone perfect that we can trust. I also felt very grateful and humble that my Heavenly Father let me have that special experience, to feel and know that we are worthy to have the Holy Ghost work through us, being very small and week instruments in the hands of the Master.

The Lord really does make us strong! I love you all, and may we all follow that little voice. That constant companion, even the Holy Ghost.

Love,

Elder Driggs.