Well, first off, I would like to affirm that miracles happen and that because of our faith we receive ¨tender mercies¨ as Nephi explains in the first chapter of the Book of Mormon. I, too, am happy that we can stay in Utah another 5 or 6 months. How fun to be around family and friends for a little longer, and who knows, we might be receiving even more miracles before that time runs out. At least we as a family have been reassured that if we are faithful, things work out, and ultimately we are happy.
I have been thinking about that lately. As we know, the divine purpose of this life is to be happy, and the only way to be happy is to be obedient. Wow, is that really it? Just by obeying God´s commandments are we really happy? Well, I know that that is true. As missionaries true happiness doesn´t depend on how much success you have, how many baptisms a month you are having, how funny your companion is, etc. The times where I have been most happy have been those where I haven´t seen much success but I have tried to be obedient with exactness, not only to the rules and commandments, but also to the Holy Ghost. When I have tried my hardest to follow the small whisperings of God, I have been happy. When that is accomplished, we can step back at the end of the day and see the countless times where we have been instruments in the merciful hands of Christ. These are the days where I feel like I have done my best. I just wish I could live like this every day. It requires a lot of focus, but as it goes with putting every Gospel principle in action, at the end...it´s worth it. Oh if only we could remember this every second of every day, to keep us concentrated on what is actually most important. But anyway...
This week, as many weeks in the mission, has been a week full of surprises. I sure that you would like to know that I am no longer with el Élder Moreno. This last Thursday we received a phone call from the assistants informing us that he was to be transferred. Monday (two days ago) to Torrejón de Ardóz, to be with Élder Jackson, and that the companion of Élder Jackson, el Élder Gomez was to be my new companion. So, on Monday morning, Élder Moreno finished packing up his bags and we left at 11 to arrive at the stake center near the temple at 12, where we were to meet with our new companions. Elder Moreno and I were anticipating the change, as he only has 2 transfers left, I think I told you that last week.
So anyway, Elder Gomez is an animal. He is such a good missionary and I have been wondering for quite some time, why he isn´t a leader in the mission yet, because not only does he speak Spanish fluently, he is just about perfect in every phase of missionary work. So I am very blessed and privileged to be able to have him as a companion. Élder Gomez is from Guatemala, his city is called El Progresso. He will finish the mission in April so has a little bit more time in the mission than me. He actually lived a year in California before the mission in Los Angeles, where he went to school for his senior year. His parents are separated, his dad living in Cali and his mom in Guatemala. He is a great missionary, just to say that again.
It is a little rough right now in Barrio 5 just because there really isn´t much work for us. But we know what we need to do to generate the type of work that we want and we are in the process of doing so. There have also been of few changes in the zone. One of the districts of 4 missionaries has left the zone and now is part of the Leon zone. This means that now there are only 2 districts in our zone or 10 missionaries. This is good for several reasons, mainly because it will allow us to work more specifically with the missionaries and be able to help them on a more personal level. I am excited for the opportunity to serve and to be able to help others.
I am really happy that you had so much fun on the river. However, if I was there, I don´t think I would have supported Cari going on the river. But I am also sure that she swims much better than I did. She probably swims better than I do now. haha. But it sure sounds like you had a rad group up there. I would love to see some pictures.
Speaking of pictures, I have sent Cami and Taryn letters, both containing pictures, and I will be sending the bigger package with the cd and a few other letters in it today. I have a letter for Callie Johansen (I do not know her address, because she sent it to me when she was at Snow), and also a letter for Timpview High School. I don´t know the address for the school, so if you could send it to them that would be great.
Also, I received an email today stating that President Watkins wants several of the missionaries in the mission to get an international driver´s license. I am going to forward you the email that I received, but unfortunately, it is all in Spanish. But I am sure you can understand it just as well as I can. Apparently the only thing that I have to do to be able to have this license, instead of take classes and tests here, is send you my Utah license, two passport photos of me with my signature on the back, and a form filled out by me, and 15 dollars. The thing is that you have to take all of these things to the AAA and they will give you the license. Nothing else. It seems pretty simple, and they also suggested that I do it even faster, so instead of sending all of this stuff in the mail, I could do it all by fax. So I will need you to send me your fax number and I will send you the stuff once I am done with everything.
Just FYI. I am not sure if that makes any sense but I will let you know with further details, but I do need to know if you have any passport pictures of me, because if you don´t I will have to send you some through the mail, and it will take 3 weeks. Which is okay. But if you have them, I can just give you permission to sign them on the back and turn them it with the rest of the stuff. So if you could get back to me on those two things, I would be very grateful. The passport pictures and the fax number, if we still have it?. I think it is 802-8229. I don´t remember.
Well, I have had an excellent week and I hope that the miracles of God continue to lighten your ways and brighten days. Please, never quit smiling and enjoying life. Remember that is why we are here, to be happy. To learn and grow. We can´t ever let Satan distract us from that divine, eternal purpose. It is too important.
I love you all so much and I, too, add to your faith and prayers.
Thanks Cami, for sending me the letter, and don´t you even worry. We will always be best friends, even when I am married and have my family. Just keep focused on reading your scriptures and praying, so when I get back we can go to the temple and participate in Baptisms for the dead. We will always be ¨bestest¨ of friends.
Have a stupendous week,
Con mucho amor y cariño,
el Élder Driggs
P.S. He incluído una foto del Élder Gomez y yo, hace mas o menos una hora y media, en el ascensor de nuestro piso. Así que puedan ver que es super guapo también, y no sólo un misionero de éxito.
con amor,
Rob
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