Dear Family,
Well, I am sure that you would love to know about how the week went. Élder Gomez and I will be together for at least 6 weeks more as we found out today that we are not going to be transferred. We are very excited for two reasons. First, because we are teaching a super, amazing investigator named William Lerma Vaca. He is from Cali, Columbia and he is just out of control. He is really funny to start out and we are always laughing and having a good time when we are with him. He is very outgoing which has certainly helped in his conversion.
I have found out that it is a little harder for someone to convert to the church if they are not outgoing. Many of the reasons people have drawn closer to the church is because of the members and their friendly character. Luckily, William has felt this warm member spirit and desires to have that in his life. He is very special and is making leaps and bounds to change his ¨evil¨ life and become a saint through baptism. He has dropped smoking, alcohol, and coffee (everyone knows that coffee in Columbia is almost a necessity to life, and very hard to give up). He also has agreed to live the law of chastity and understands everything.
I feel so blessed to be able to associate myself with him because he is doing so much, reading a ton in the Book of Mormon, he has now read more than 20 pages and is marking as he goes. He has read in the Conference Edition in the Liahona, and he believes everything. He believes that Pres. Monson is a prophet, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that the Book of Mormon is true. He feels the Spirit at church( he has come twice, the first time he stayed all three hours without a single complaint - we even found him running up the stairs to get to the third reunion-, the second time he was not able to stay the whole time but wanted too). He has done all of this because of one faith and one hope that he has, and it is a witness that he has been prepared for many years to receive the restored gospel in his life.
From the first day we taught him, we told him, well, more than that, we promised him that he could see his 3 brothers that have passed away. He has stuck to that bit of hope and it has just fanned a flame in his heart and he really is on fire. Everything that he does in regards to the church just throws another log on the bonfire. We gave him a temple tour and he loved the idea of being able to go there after being baptized to do baptisms for the dead.
After that, we had a lesson in the building al lao y ....uuuuuffff increíble. So anyway, we are very blessed to be teaching him. We have set the goal together us three that he gets baptized the 11th of September. So please pray for him that he can keep going and changing his life. He recognizes this as his only opportunity to change, so it is really neat.
I wanted to tell you about two more people but I think there is only time for one more. So remind me to write you about Zuraima, who is going to get baptized this Saturday. We taught her the first 3 times and set a baptismal date with her and then gave her to the Hermanas. She is awesome and are glad that she has done so well. The Hermanas are really good, so it was better that she was with them.
The last story of the day happened a few days ago, last Friday, when I was on exchanges with Elder Cerro, from Argentina, Uruguay, and the Canary Islands. We were in a bus going to a certain place in his area, and when we entered the bus we began to talk to a young man from the Dominican Republic. He accepted the invitation to hear more and then got off. We started talking with each other and then a women of 30 years old got on and sat next to me. I had to talk to her, because I am trying to talk to everyone in whatever situation.
She told us she was from Honduras and began to tell us that only a few days before she had received a phone call from her 10 year old son, who is in Honduras, who was begging her permission to be baptized in our church. Apparently her son is with some uncles and they are members. She told her son no, despite the begging and said that he would have to wait until she got back so she could learn a little bit more about the church. We told her that we didn´t believe in coincidences and that we wanted to talk to her again so that she would be able to learn more about the church. She was excited to her about the church activities that we have her and was excited to learn more.
I count it a blessing to be able to be found worthy to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord. I can just imagine this 10 year old boy begging permission from his mom thousands of miles away to be baptized in the church, and her saying no. Then this boy would tell the missionaries she had said no, but they wouldn´t let him lose hope. I am certain that they told him to prayer for a miracle and that God would work it out. I know that Heavenly Father guided us to that bus and her also to sit next to me. It was really special to realize how many people there are that are so ready to hear the message of the restoration and be baptized.
I probably didn´t explain that very well. Sorry. I love you all so much and am trying to do my best as a missionary. Time is short and can´t have any regrets. This time is prescious and estoy intentando a aprovechar y apreciar este tiempo tan sagrado. Gracias por sus oraciones y su amor.
¡Que Sigan adelante con fe siempre puesto en el Señor, Jesucristo!
con mucho cariño y amor,
su hijo,
Élder Driggs
un representante de Jesucristo en España Madrid
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
August 25, 2010
Dear family,
Well I hope that all is well with everyone. All is well with me and I just love hearing from you every week. It is so much fun to hear all of the incredible events and activities that you do. I am glad that you are busy and happy.
Elder Gomez and I are also busy and happy. Today we woke up and 5:55 to get ready and be at the temple at 8 o clock. We made it perfectly and were able to be in there with a few other missionaries and a sister in our ward. It was a great session and I felt so much peace in the Celestial room. I really do love the temple and am so blessed to have one so close, where I can attend during my mission. It really helps me feel the Spirit and receive answers to my questions. I received a few answers today, to questions that I have had for a little while. So I hope that you are able to go to the temple to. Today while we were in the endowment session, while I was standing up I hit my head on the chair in front of me, I am not sure how still, and my glasses fell off and it left a 1 inch mark on my forehead. It was way embarrassing, but after session Elder Gomez and I shared a few laughs. I have been quite clumsy recently and so we laughed while jogging the memory of that moment. It was rather embarrassing. Haha.
Mom, I am so sorry that you can´t see any pictures for that DVD. It was supposed to be a DVD and not a CD, but I paid 8 euros for that, because there was a ton of pictures. I would love to make another one and send it to you. I am sorry that you can´t see any. I will do that as fast as possible. Pictures from you would also be fantastic. I really do apologize though, that you have had to wait so long to see more pictures of me. I will surely get them to you ASAP. Hopefully this time you will be able to see them.
Thank you so much for sending me another package. You are soooo nice and I love the things that you send me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Also, thank you for sending the driver´s license. Hopefully there were no problems in getting that.
In the future I will try to write more information about the investigators that we are teaching. I am sorry that sometimes I don´t put as much detail as I should. Please tell me if there are things that you want to hear about or no. I am open to all ideas and want you to enjoy my mission as much as possible. So if you have any questions, ask me and I will do my best to respond. Please forgive me for not being so clear in the past, or for not writing so much as to what is happening with us in the work. The miracles that we see everyday should be the main topic of conversation.
I am not sure what the return address was for the letter that I wrote Callie. I wrote that letter a long time ago and the address of the mission has changed recently. So, just so you know the address for the mission office is the one in Calle Fuerteventura. I have given you that address in a past email. That is the one that you should use to send things to me. Whichever the one you used, it should get to me.
I am so glad that Mark is going to receive his patriarchal blessing. I vividly remember when I received my patriarchal blessing and, of course, I still read it fairly often. It has definitely been a source of personal guidance for me and I treasure it, knowing and trusting that the promises within can be received if I am obedient and worthy. So Mark, good luck, and please, do all that you can to prepare for that special day.
That was way sweet to hear about the genealogy that you have done Dad. There is a genealogy center in our church building and hopefully when I get back, and when I am a little older, I can dedicate myself to do that sacred work. That is way exciting and please keep me posted on what you hear and find out about our families origin.
Please do me a favor and congratulate Heather and Ryan for their new baby Austin. How exciting and....weird at the same time that the next generation is starting. Time sure does fly. Life come at you fast. I have always liked the quote that was on our fridge,.I think, for the longest time: Tough Times don´t Last, Tough People do!!!
I am so proud of Cami and all of her hard work this last year. I am glad that she is going to start school again at Timpview and I am confident that she is going to exceed. Go Cami. This Friday, just imagine Cami, that I am there cheering you on. I can´t be there in person but I can in Spirit. I love you and hope that you have a great first couple of weeks at Timpview. Just one thing so important. Never, never stop reading the scriptures every day, even when you are sooo busy or sooo tired. It will make the biggest difference every day and I am sure that you have already found that out.
¨Well, now I have to go. I love you all and hope that you keep working hard and enjoying the lives you lead. It sounds like fun and I assure you that I am very,very happy too. I am even more happy when I receive the letters on Wednesday and they tell me that my family is safe and well, and that they are striving to be faithful to the commandments of God. May the Lord bless you, yet another week.
Love,
Élder Driggs.....Rob J
Corinthians 13:4-8
May we strive every day a little bit more to have more charity. For Charity NEVER Faileth.
Next week I will update you more on the little miracles, spiritual experiences, and the investigators that we have. Thank you for your patience. Love, Rob
Well I hope that all is well with everyone. All is well with me and I just love hearing from you every week. It is so much fun to hear all of the incredible events and activities that you do. I am glad that you are busy and happy.
Elder Gomez and I are also busy and happy. Today we woke up and 5:55 to get ready and be at the temple at 8 o clock. We made it perfectly and were able to be in there with a few other missionaries and a sister in our ward. It was a great session and I felt so much peace in the Celestial room. I really do love the temple and am so blessed to have one so close, where I can attend during my mission. It really helps me feel the Spirit and receive answers to my questions. I received a few answers today, to questions that I have had for a little while. So I hope that you are able to go to the temple to. Today while we were in the endowment session, while I was standing up I hit my head on the chair in front of me, I am not sure how still, and my glasses fell off and it left a 1 inch mark on my forehead. It was way embarrassing, but after session Elder Gomez and I shared a few laughs. I have been quite clumsy recently and so we laughed while jogging the memory of that moment. It was rather embarrassing. Haha.
Mom, I am so sorry that you can´t see any pictures for that DVD. It was supposed to be a DVD and not a CD, but I paid 8 euros for that, because there was a ton of pictures. I would love to make another one and send it to you. I am sorry that you can´t see any. I will do that as fast as possible. Pictures from you would also be fantastic. I really do apologize though, that you have had to wait so long to see more pictures of me. I will surely get them to you ASAP. Hopefully this time you will be able to see them.
Thank you so much for sending me another package. You are soooo nice and I love the things that you send me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Also, thank you for sending the driver´s license. Hopefully there were no problems in getting that.
In the future I will try to write more information about the investigators that we are teaching. I am sorry that sometimes I don´t put as much detail as I should. Please tell me if there are things that you want to hear about or no. I am open to all ideas and want you to enjoy my mission as much as possible. So if you have any questions, ask me and I will do my best to respond. Please forgive me for not being so clear in the past, or for not writing so much as to what is happening with us in the work. The miracles that we see everyday should be the main topic of conversation.
I am not sure what the return address was for the letter that I wrote Callie. I wrote that letter a long time ago and the address of the mission has changed recently. So, just so you know the address for the mission office is the one in Calle Fuerteventura. I have given you that address in a past email. That is the one that you should use to send things to me. Whichever the one you used, it should get to me.
I am so glad that Mark is going to receive his patriarchal blessing. I vividly remember when I received my patriarchal blessing and, of course, I still read it fairly often. It has definitely been a source of personal guidance for me and I treasure it, knowing and trusting that the promises within can be received if I am obedient and worthy. So Mark, good luck, and please, do all that you can to prepare for that special day.
That was way sweet to hear about the genealogy that you have done Dad. There is a genealogy center in our church building and hopefully when I get back, and when I am a little older, I can dedicate myself to do that sacred work. That is way exciting and please keep me posted on what you hear and find out about our families origin.
Please do me a favor and congratulate Heather and Ryan for their new baby Austin. How exciting and....weird at the same time that the next generation is starting. Time sure does fly. Life come at you fast. I have always liked the quote that was on our fridge,.I think, for the longest time: Tough Times don´t Last, Tough People do!!!
I am so proud of Cami and all of her hard work this last year. I am glad that she is going to start school again at Timpview and I am confident that she is going to exceed. Go Cami. This Friday, just imagine Cami, that I am there cheering you on. I can´t be there in person but I can in Spirit. I love you and hope that you have a great first couple of weeks at Timpview. Just one thing so important. Never, never stop reading the scriptures every day, even when you are sooo busy or sooo tired. It will make the biggest difference every day and I am sure that you have already found that out.
¨Well, now I have to go. I love you all and hope that you keep working hard and enjoying the lives you lead. It sounds like fun and I assure you that I am very,very happy too. I am even more happy when I receive the letters on Wednesday and they tell me that my family is safe and well, and that they are striving to be faithful to the commandments of God. May the Lord bless you, yet another week.
Love,
Élder Driggs.....Rob J
Corinthians 13:4-8
May we strive every day a little bit more to have more charity. For Charity NEVER Faileth.
Next week I will update you more on the little miracles, spiritual experiences, and the investigators that we have. Thank you for your patience. Love, Rob
August 18, 2010
Dearest family in the whole wide world,
Today is Elder Gómez´s birthday, so, to celebrate, we went to El Escorial, a huge palace that Elder Moreno and I and the Hermanas had visited just 3 weeks earlier. But as it was his birthday we let him choose and there were no complaints. It is a beautiful palace and the cathedral at the end is outstanding. It is beautiful in its peculiar form. I took a few pictures, so you can be expecting those in the future. Speaking of pictures, I hope that you are looking in the mail because the package should be arriving in a couple of days, hopefully Friday, with the following items: pictures cd, two letters (one to Callie and one to Timpview), and the driving permit. I hope that you enjoy the pictures as it is all you can see of me.
The reason for the subject heading as it is, is because while I was thinking of what to write that might be able to summarize the efforts of the week, I felt that that fits it perfectly. The past couple of weeks have been trying weeks for Elder Gomez and me. Not extremely hard, just that the results searched for were not found. However, this past week has been one of the best weeks of my entire mission and these past 2 days have been absolutely outstanding.
Finally the outward success, apart from the feelings of joy and peace from hard work and diligence, that missionaries always seek for surely surrounds us now. We do have some much more joy from the work as we see the fruits of our labors. I find myself getting less tired and many times just smiling because I am happy what I am doing. I realize that the joy that we receive as missionaries is a joy that is achieved bit by bit, here a little there a little. As we struggle and work hard week after week, that joy descends upon us and we find ourselves happy and motivated by a new energy that only comes from the knowledge that Heavenly Father is pleased with what we are doing. I love being happy, that is my purpose in life, and the only way to do it is to struggle, obey, strive to do what is right, and the promised blessing always come.
We have started teaching many new investigators and we hope that with the little time that we have now to talk to people in the street, that we can be diligent and focused at always searching for the pure in heart. I count it an extreme blessing to be able to serve with Élder Gomez because he has special gifts that make the work more satisfying and successful. He truly has a love for the Lord, Jesus Christ, and that special love is manifested every time he talks to someone. He has a smile that is so inviting and loving that everyone who sees him feels comfortable and special. He actually has a voice that is very tender and sounds exactly like some of the Spanish recordings for church materials. It is really cool and the people like it too.
Well, what else do you want to know...Oh yeah, here is something really interesting. Two weeks ago we started English classes to find more people to teach, and the first class that we had only 1 person showed up, a member. We decided to mix a few things up and instead of teach English to the member, we decided to let her teach us French. So much fun. I couldn´t keep a straight face and after it was done left the church just laughing my head off. Elder Gomez and I kept practicing the few phrases that we learned and try to do it with the voice of a very serious, educated French man, and it just cracks us up. For us, French is the language of love for life.
I was glad to hear about your trip to Washington and all of the little adventures that entailed. I hope that all goes well with your decision making and realize that parents, and especially fathers have the right to receive this type of revelation for their families. From what I have heard, the complexities of this decision seem to be many. It is a good thing that we do not have to make this decision. The Lord, if we our worthy and ask Him with faith, must respond and tell us what to do. That´s better anyway! He, who is all knowing and all powerful, can make the decision. When we have the faith to hand our lives over to the Lord, things just work out, many times in the strangest ways, never even thought of. But they always work out for our eternal good. So all that I say to you, Mom and Dad, is that, do what you have already mentioned that you were going to do and I will support your decision, which in reality will be the Lord´s decision for the Driggs family at this time. I have a testimony that he can let us know perfectly what we need to do in every moment of our lives.
I love you all and desire that all our happy. I trust all of you a lot and hope that you are doing well. Don´t let me down, as I am trying to do the same. The Lord truly expects much from us, as He has given us so much.
I love you and pray for you,
Élder Driggs
Today is Elder Gómez´s birthday, so, to celebrate, we went to El Escorial, a huge palace that Elder Moreno and I and the Hermanas had visited just 3 weeks earlier. But as it was his birthday we let him choose and there were no complaints. It is a beautiful palace and the cathedral at the end is outstanding. It is beautiful in its peculiar form. I took a few pictures, so you can be expecting those in the future. Speaking of pictures, I hope that you are looking in the mail because the package should be arriving in a couple of days, hopefully Friday, with the following items: pictures cd, two letters (one to Callie and one to Timpview), and the driving permit. I hope that you enjoy the pictures as it is all you can see of me.
The reason for the subject heading as it is, is because while I was thinking of what to write that might be able to summarize the efforts of the week, I felt that that fits it perfectly. The past couple of weeks have been trying weeks for Elder Gomez and me. Not extremely hard, just that the results searched for were not found. However, this past week has been one of the best weeks of my entire mission and these past 2 days have been absolutely outstanding.
Finally the outward success, apart from the feelings of joy and peace from hard work and diligence, that missionaries always seek for surely surrounds us now. We do have some much more joy from the work as we see the fruits of our labors. I find myself getting less tired and many times just smiling because I am happy what I am doing. I realize that the joy that we receive as missionaries is a joy that is achieved bit by bit, here a little there a little. As we struggle and work hard week after week, that joy descends upon us and we find ourselves happy and motivated by a new energy that only comes from the knowledge that Heavenly Father is pleased with what we are doing. I love being happy, that is my purpose in life, and the only way to do it is to struggle, obey, strive to do what is right, and the promised blessing always come.
We have started teaching many new investigators and we hope that with the little time that we have now to talk to people in the street, that we can be diligent and focused at always searching for the pure in heart. I count it an extreme blessing to be able to serve with Élder Gomez because he has special gifts that make the work more satisfying and successful. He truly has a love for the Lord, Jesus Christ, and that special love is manifested every time he talks to someone. He has a smile that is so inviting and loving that everyone who sees him feels comfortable and special. He actually has a voice that is very tender and sounds exactly like some of the Spanish recordings for church materials. It is really cool and the people like it too.
Well, what else do you want to know...Oh yeah, here is something really interesting. Two weeks ago we started English classes to find more people to teach, and the first class that we had only 1 person showed up, a member. We decided to mix a few things up and instead of teach English to the member, we decided to let her teach us French. So much fun. I couldn´t keep a straight face and after it was done left the church just laughing my head off. Elder Gomez and I kept practicing the few phrases that we learned and try to do it with the voice of a very serious, educated French man, and it just cracks us up. For us, French is the language of love for life.
I was glad to hear about your trip to Washington and all of the little adventures that entailed. I hope that all goes well with your decision making and realize that parents, and especially fathers have the right to receive this type of revelation for their families. From what I have heard, the complexities of this decision seem to be many. It is a good thing that we do not have to make this decision. The Lord, if we our worthy and ask Him with faith, must respond and tell us what to do. That´s better anyway! He, who is all knowing and all powerful, can make the decision. When we have the faith to hand our lives over to the Lord, things just work out, many times in the strangest ways, never even thought of. But they always work out for our eternal good. So all that I say to you, Mom and Dad, is that, do what you have already mentioned that you were going to do and I will support your decision, which in reality will be the Lord´s decision for the Driggs family at this time. I have a testimony that he can let us know perfectly what we need to do in every moment of our lives.
I love you all and desire that all our happy. I trust all of you a lot and hope that you are doing well. Don´t let me down, as I am trying to do the same. The Lord truly expects much from us, as He has given us so much.
I love you and pray for you,
Élder Driggs
August 11, 2010
Dear Family,
Before I forget, I wanted to wish Dad a great, big, happy birthday. Happy Birthday Dad!!!! I would give you a hug if I was there. I have now missed both of Mark´s birthdays and dad´s. I will not miss your birthdays again, while I am serving this mission. So time flies and I feel a sense of rush and urgency in the work, as I feel more and more each day, that there is an end to these two glorious years. At the beginning it is too big to comprehend and you just work, but when you have been out as long as I have, you decide to work harder, knowing that you will never have these days again.
Well, I wish I had more to report to you from the work. As of about two weeks ago we had 4 investigators, 3 of the which were progressing. Now we have given the 3 progressing to the hermanas that are now in our ward. So, estamos en la búsqueda, or we are in the search, for more investigators, just like Kathia and others that are ready to progress and be baptized. We have received so many blessings this week.
Even though we are not teaching very much, we are talking to a ton of people every day, trying to sort through the fields of people, to find the elect. Some missionaries don´t talk to people in the street until they feel like they should talk to them, or they look elect. I have found that many times, revelation comes in movement, and we come to distinguish those that are teachable to those that are not as we just talk to everyone.
There is a section in Preach My Gospel about talking with everyone and the last two days I have gained a whole new testimony of the importance of doing so, ALWAYS. There is no way we can relax during the day and give ourselves excuses that we don´t have to contact during certain times. It has to be done always. These last two days Elder Gómez and I have been in exchanges with the Elders in Villabla (A city about 30 minutes to the north in bus). We have received permission from President Watkins, that we have the option to have exchanges that last more than the 1 day limit, and so this exchange was the first I have ever had for 2 days.
At first I was hesitant, knowing that the missionary that was going to come to Madrid with me was new. But right from the start I new that this missionary was special. His name is Elder Holub and let´s just say that he is an ANIMAL! He, from the first minute of our exchange until the last minute, talked to everyone in sight. It was great for me, as I have recently set a goal to do the same, but he was so impressive as he started his mission in Provo in April.
This exchange, was actually the first he has had during his mission, including his first time working in the great, big city of Madrid. He had no fear, no doubts. There was nothing that could stop him from talking with the people, and I just loved it! It was one of the most fun exchanges I have ever had, and it is definitely one of the days where I have worked the hardest. It´s Interesting, that my level of fun, is in direct relation with my personal level of effort and hard work.
During the day, as we talked to tons of people, we went to a lesson that we had planned, but unfortunatly, the person was not there. As we were calling his cell phone, a man came out of the building with a trash bag in his hand. We started talking to him and asked if he had a couple of minutes to share a message. He said yes and we started with a prayer right there in the street.
After the prayer we asked him what his expectations were and then if he had some worries in his life that the word of God could help with. He answered and said that he didn´t have work, he was worried about his family, and that above all he was worried about his personal salvation. He wanted to know what he needed to do to be saved. Obviously, this last answer brought a huge smile to our face, knowing that this man was sincere and wanted to know what he needed to do to be saved.
We explained that there were five steps and he asked for a piece of paper so that he could write them down, and after we were done with the explanation, he shared with us a scripture from the bible in Acts that explains perfectly what we had just taught him. We invited him, there to be baptized the fourth of September, and he said that he was interested in knowing more and if he felt he was ready by that day, he would be baptized.
The whole experience was obviously a huge tender mercy and I thank my Heavenly Father for the blessing of being an instrument in His hands in being able to find him and share with him that message. It isn´t coincidence that his name is Rolando, because we have already nicknamed him ¨ORO¨lando, because he is golden. The whole experience was a feeling of great joy and peace. Every once in a while you need those feelings to know that what you are doing is good, and to confirm your steps.
As a missionary we feel that peace quite a bit and it is a big blessing. I believe that as we had talked to many people before him that day, we were blessed because of our efforts. As we open our mouths and share the message of the Restoration, someone will always listen. That is where the faith comes into play. We talked to someone else that day named Rosa and she too was very interested in the topic of baptism and was willing to learn more so about it. So we are happy with the fruits of our labors and count them as great blessings.
We are happy to be counted worthy to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and to represent Him and His church. We are trying to ¨seek out the righteous where´er they may be,¨ and we are seeing the fast results of that decision. It is fun being a missionary when you realize that you are trying your best. Two nights ago I went to bed with a feeling I have had very few times during the mission. It was a feeling that I had done my absolute best. I couldn´t think of anything that I hadn´t done. There is always a couple of things that I could have done better and a few more people I could have contacted, but that night was something special.
I was so tired and knew that I had done my best. That feeling is driving me to do even more every day and to push away those temptations to slack off, taking advantage of every second possible. This requires an energy that is very rare to me, but I love it. It is so fun just to be thinking, always, who else can I talk to. So that is my goal this week, to talk to every single person possible, and not to waste one bit of time. I am getting to understand that concept a little bit better every day, the concept of using your time wisely and diligently. It is fun being a stickler about it and pushing yourself to never rest or relax but to always be a missionary. It is great stuff.
I love you all, and hope that all continues to go well, and that Heavenly Father continues to bless us.
Tell Grandmother and Granddad and Kelli that I got their letters and tell them thank you. I love hearing from the extended family too. Mom, I am sorry that I still haven´t sent that package. It is hard finding time to do it, as stores close early and are far away, but I will be able to do it this week. Just keep an eye out for it. Thank you so much, everyone, for your love and prayers.
¨Never Give Up, Never Surrender.¨
Love,
Élder Driggs
Before I forget, I wanted to wish Dad a great, big, happy birthday. Happy Birthday Dad!!!! I would give you a hug if I was there. I have now missed both of Mark´s birthdays and dad´s. I will not miss your birthdays again, while I am serving this mission. So time flies and I feel a sense of rush and urgency in the work, as I feel more and more each day, that there is an end to these two glorious years. At the beginning it is too big to comprehend and you just work, but when you have been out as long as I have, you decide to work harder, knowing that you will never have these days again.
Well, I wish I had more to report to you from the work. As of about two weeks ago we had 4 investigators, 3 of the which were progressing. Now we have given the 3 progressing to the hermanas that are now in our ward. So, estamos en la búsqueda, or we are in the search, for more investigators, just like Kathia and others that are ready to progress and be baptized. We have received so many blessings this week.
Even though we are not teaching very much, we are talking to a ton of people every day, trying to sort through the fields of people, to find the elect. Some missionaries don´t talk to people in the street until they feel like they should talk to them, or they look elect. I have found that many times, revelation comes in movement, and we come to distinguish those that are teachable to those that are not as we just talk to everyone.
There is a section in Preach My Gospel about talking with everyone and the last two days I have gained a whole new testimony of the importance of doing so, ALWAYS. There is no way we can relax during the day and give ourselves excuses that we don´t have to contact during certain times. It has to be done always. These last two days Elder Gómez and I have been in exchanges with the Elders in Villabla (A city about 30 minutes to the north in bus). We have received permission from President Watkins, that we have the option to have exchanges that last more than the 1 day limit, and so this exchange was the first I have ever had for 2 days.
At first I was hesitant, knowing that the missionary that was going to come to Madrid with me was new. But right from the start I new that this missionary was special. His name is Elder Holub and let´s just say that he is an ANIMAL! He, from the first minute of our exchange until the last minute, talked to everyone in sight. It was great for me, as I have recently set a goal to do the same, but he was so impressive as he started his mission in Provo in April.
This exchange, was actually the first he has had during his mission, including his first time working in the great, big city of Madrid. He had no fear, no doubts. There was nothing that could stop him from talking with the people, and I just loved it! It was one of the most fun exchanges I have ever had, and it is definitely one of the days where I have worked the hardest. It´s Interesting, that my level of fun, is in direct relation with my personal level of effort and hard work.
During the day, as we talked to tons of people, we went to a lesson that we had planned, but unfortunatly, the person was not there. As we were calling his cell phone, a man came out of the building with a trash bag in his hand. We started talking to him and asked if he had a couple of minutes to share a message. He said yes and we started with a prayer right there in the street.
After the prayer we asked him what his expectations were and then if he had some worries in his life that the word of God could help with. He answered and said that he didn´t have work, he was worried about his family, and that above all he was worried about his personal salvation. He wanted to know what he needed to do to be saved. Obviously, this last answer brought a huge smile to our face, knowing that this man was sincere and wanted to know what he needed to do to be saved.
We explained that there were five steps and he asked for a piece of paper so that he could write them down, and after we were done with the explanation, he shared with us a scripture from the bible in Acts that explains perfectly what we had just taught him. We invited him, there to be baptized the fourth of September, and he said that he was interested in knowing more and if he felt he was ready by that day, he would be baptized.
The whole experience was obviously a huge tender mercy and I thank my Heavenly Father for the blessing of being an instrument in His hands in being able to find him and share with him that message. It isn´t coincidence that his name is Rolando, because we have already nicknamed him ¨ORO¨lando, because he is golden. The whole experience was a feeling of great joy and peace. Every once in a while you need those feelings to know that what you are doing is good, and to confirm your steps.
As a missionary we feel that peace quite a bit and it is a big blessing. I believe that as we had talked to many people before him that day, we were blessed because of our efforts. As we open our mouths and share the message of the Restoration, someone will always listen. That is where the faith comes into play. We talked to someone else that day named Rosa and she too was very interested in the topic of baptism and was willing to learn more so about it. So we are happy with the fruits of our labors and count them as great blessings.
We are happy to be counted worthy to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and to represent Him and His church. We are trying to ¨seek out the righteous where´er they may be,¨ and we are seeing the fast results of that decision. It is fun being a missionary when you realize that you are trying your best. Two nights ago I went to bed with a feeling I have had very few times during the mission. It was a feeling that I had done my absolute best. I couldn´t think of anything that I hadn´t done. There is always a couple of things that I could have done better and a few more people I could have contacted, but that night was something special.
I was so tired and knew that I had done my best. That feeling is driving me to do even more every day and to push away those temptations to slack off, taking advantage of every second possible. This requires an energy that is very rare to me, but I love it. It is so fun just to be thinking, always, who else can I talk to. So that is my goal this week, to talk to every single person possible, and not to waste one bit of time. I am getting to understand that concept a little bit better every day, the concept of using your time wisely and diligently. It is fun being a stickler about it and pushing yourself to never rest or relax but to always be a missionary. It is great stuff.
I love you all, and hope that all continues to go well, and that Heavenly Father continues to bless us.
Tell Grandmother and Granddad and Kelli that I got their letters and tell them thank you. I love hearing from the extended family too. Mom, I am sorry that I still haven´t sent that package. It is hard finding time to do it, as stores close early and are far away, but I will be able to do it this week. Just keep an eye out for it. Thank you so much, everyone, for your love and prayers.
¨Never Give Up, Never Surrender.¨
Love,
Élder Driggs
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
August 4, 2010
Dear family,
Well, this week has been a great week. Elder Gómez and I are trying to work hard so we can find more people to teach. We are definitely seeing the blessings of our efforts as well. It is interesting being a missionary in Spain because several times in the past couple of weeks we have run into less active members that haven´t been to church for a lot of time. When we are trying to talk to people in the street we usually get an address or a phone number of the person 1 out of every 4 or 5 people. Sometimes it is better, sometimes worse.
It is not too bad, but the chance that these people will have time to meet with us and that they will have desires to progress, is very slim. So we are trying to sort through the fields and find the elect. It is hard, but I have noticed that as we have been working harder, the Lord is blessing us in other ways.
For example, last night we received a phone call from a less active that said he wanted to return to the church. We set up an appointment for today. Two weeks ago we ran into another less active member that had been here in Spain for 2 months. She is from Peru and didn´t like how there weren´t very many youth members so she didn´t attend church again. We started teaching her and she came last Sunday and bore her testimony. These are some of the examples that we are seeing that manifest to us that Heavenly Father is aware of us and will bless us in our efforts. Maybe not directly, but we will receive those tender mercies. We had nothing to do with finding these two less active people, because they both contacted us. Cool huh? Oh yeah!
I just remembered another little miracle. Last night as we were walking home for the day a women from the Dominican Republic with 2 children stopped us and asked where the ¨Mormon Church¨ was. I immediatley asked her if she was a member, thinking that only a member would stop us and ask us that. She said no, and we wrote down the direction. We said goodbye, and started walking away when I thought, wow, I didn´t even ask for her direction. We turned back and asked her if she would let a couple missionaries came by to teach her about this church. She seemed very enthusiastic and said yes.
I was so glad that we turned around and asked her. Even though she had asked for the direction for the chapel, you never know if she really would have come. This is yet another example of little miracles that we see daily as missionaries. It is fun and neat being able to dedicate ourselves to something so special for two years, where we become so sensitive to little things like these. Some missionaries say that two years is a long time, but I can´t complain.
So I wanted to make sure that you understand what happened with Adam and Ericka Hamblin, to assure you that all is well, and to bring ease to your mind. Last Saturday, my companion and I were in the metro station sol, waiting for the metro to arrive. I was talking to a young man and as the doors to the metro opened, I stepped in expecting Elder Gomez to follow me. I turned around when Elder Gomez yelled at me saying, ¨Elder Driggs, espere (Wait).¨ I said goodbye to my new friend and went to Elder Gomez who appeared to be talking to 2 Americans. (Americans are really easy to distinguish here in Spain, just the way they act, because they are usually lost and when they speak English you can always hear the word ¨like¨ really loud).
So I assumed that they were Americans and that they were members because they said hi Elder when they met us. They told us there story why they were here and, obviously, they didn´t speak a lick of Spanish. They said they were from Georgia and had left on a plane flight to Madrid on a date. The plan when they left was to come to Madrid, 8 hours in plane, and then get on the same plane going back to Georgia, just so they could have some time alone. They had 5 children waiting for them at home, with the babysitter, all of them under the age of 6 or 8, I can´t remember. Luckily the babysitter was an uncle, of 24 years old.
So the problem was that when they wanted to return the plane was full and they couldn´t just hop on. The only other flight that wasn´t booked was going to leave on Monday, meaning that they would be away from their family for 2 days instead of one. So they decided to book a flight that left Sunday morning at 10 or so that left from Valencia, which is 3 hours away from Madrid. They did so and went to the train station to book the train there. Anyway, apparently, they went to take out some money at an ATM and the machine ate their card thinking that it was a stolen card. So they were at that point out of money, no Spanish, foreign country, and needing to get to an airport 3 hours away.
So we went with them to a couple of internet cafe´s to see if they could schedule a train trip on line...that doesn´t work. They then tried to call their bank to see if they could get some money wired to the money transfer places here. That also wouldn´t work until Monday. So after a long time trying every option, and with their 16 euros, we decided that we would buy their train tickets. They almost missed their train when we finally decided that and Elder Gomez bought them with his card. I gave them my email so they could communicate with us and get us the money.
So that is what we did and don´t worry, we didn´t give anyone a credit card number, just an email address. They did send us an email and have put the money in a Western Union and we have the control number to get it out. So, that story probably doesn´t sound very convincing but I wasn´t worried at all. They were members, and I know that doesn´t mean anything but you could tell that they were telling the truth and were going to get us the money. They said they had money, just not a way to get a hold of it then. So we took the chance and all is well.
They probably called you just to double check that or to reassure that they were sending the money. They were really, really nice people and actually sent us more money than we lent them. So, I don´t know what to think about that, but I do find it a blessing to be a help and really an angel in the hands of God. It would have been almost impossible for them to return without us. Really, it was a nightmare for them.
I am very glad that all is well with all of you. It sounds like there is lots of work to be done at home. Keep working hard and the blessings will certainly follow. That is rough, dad, that you can´t return every week, but at least you have work. That is such a BIG blessing. That is also way cool that you ran into the missionaries.
Here is the newletter portion mom, and I will try to send the flat overnight letter tomorrow morning. Thanks for your help.
Queridos consiervos del Señor,
Elder Gómez and I are trying to work hard so we can find more people to teach. We are definitely seeing the blessings of our efforts as well, even though they are not direct blessings.. It is interesting being a missionary in Spain because several times in the past couple of weeks we have run into less active members that haven´t been to church for a lot of time. When we are trying to talk to people in the street we usually get an address or a phone number of the person 1 out of every 4 or 5 people. Sometimes it is better, sometimes worse. So it is not too bad, but the chance that these people will have time to meet with us and that they will have desires to progress, is very slim. So we are trying to sort through the fields and find the elect. It is hard, but I have noticed that as we have been working harder, the Lord is blessing us in other ways. For example, last night we received a phone call from a less active that said he wanted to return to the church. We set up an appointment for today. Two weeks ago we ran into another less active member that had been here in Spain for 2 months. She is from Peru and didn´t like how there weren´t very many youth members so she didn´t attend church again. We started teaching her and she came last Sunday and bore her testimony. These are some of the examples that we are seeing that manifest to us that Heavenly Father is aware of us and will bless us in our efforts. Maybe not directly, but we will receive those tender mercies. We had nothing to do with finding these two less active people, because they both contacted us. Cool huh? Oh yeah! I just remembered another little miracle. Last night as we were walking home for the day a women from the Dominican Republic with 2 children stopped us and asked where the ¨Mormon Church¨ was. I immediatley asked her if she was a member, thinking that only a member would stop us and ask us that. She said no, and we wrote down the direction. We said goodbye, and started walking away when I thought, wow, I didn´t even ask for her direction. We turned back and asked her if she would let a couple missionaries came by to teach her about this church. She seemed very enthusiastic and said yes. I was so glad that we turned around and asked her. Because even though she had asked for the direction for the chapel, you never know if she really would have come. This is yet another example of little miracles that we see daily as missionaries. It is fun and neat being able to dedicate ourselves to something so special for two years, where we become so sensitive to little things like these. Some missionaries say that two years is a long time, but I can´t complain.
Have the best week ever, and remember that we have the decision to be happy. So let´s be happy as we go about doing the work of the Lord, preaching the Gospel of Happiness.
Love,
Élder Driggs
Well, this week has been a great week. Elder Gómez and I are trying to work hard so we can find more people to teach. We are definitely seeing the blessings of our efforts as well. It is interesting being a missionary in Spain because several times in the past couple of weeks we have run into less active members that haven´t been to church for a lot of time. When we are trying to talk to people in the street we usually get an address or a phone number of the person 1 out of every 4 or 5 people. Sometimes it is better, sometimes worse.
It is not too bad, but the chance that these people will have time to meet with us and that they will have desires to progress, is very slim. So we are trying to sort through the fields and find the elect. It is hard, but I have noticed that as we have been working harder, the Lord is blessing us in other ways.
For example, last night we received a phone call from a less active that said he wanted to return to the church. We set up an appointment for today. Two weeks ago we ran into another less active member that had been here in Spain for 2 months. She is from Peru and didn´t like how there weren´t very many youth members so she didn´t attend church again. We started teaching her and she came last Sunday and bore her testimony. These are some of the examples that we are seeing that manifest to us that Heavenly Father is aware of us and will bless us in our efforts. Maybe not directly, but we will receive those tender mercies. We had nothing to do with finding these two less active people, because they both contacted us. Cool huh? Oh yeah!
I just remembered another little miracle. Last night as we were walking home for the day a women from the Dominican Republic with 2 children stopped us and asked where the ¨Mormon Church¨ was. I immediatley asked her if she was a member, thinking that only a member would stop us and ask us that. She said no, and we wrote down the direction. We said goodbye, and started walking away when I thought, wow, I didn´t even ask for her direction. We turned back and asked her if she would let a couple missionaries came by to teach her about this church. She seemed very enthusiastic and said yes.
I was so glad that we turned around and asked her. Even though she had asked for the direction for the chapel, you never know if she really would have come. This is yet another example of little miracles that we see daily as missionaries. It is fun and neat being able to dedicate ourselves to something so special for two years, where we become so sensitive to little things like these. Some missionaries say that two years is a long time, but I can´t complain.
So I wanted to make sure that you understand what happened with Adam and Ericka Hamblin, to assure you that all is well, and to bring ease to your mind. Last Saturday, my companion and I were in the metro station sol, waiting for the metro to arrive. I was talking to a young man and as the doors to the metro opened, I stepped in expecting Elder Gomez to follow me. I turned around when Elder Gomez yelled at me saying, ¨Elder Driggs, espere (Wait).¨ I said goodbye to my new friend and went to Elder Gomez who appeared to be talking to 2 Americans. (Americans are really easy to distinguish here in Spain, just the way they act, because they are usually lost and when they speak English you can always hear the word ¨like¨ really loud).
So I assumed that they were Americans and that they were members because they said hi Elder when they met us. They told us there story why they were here and, obviously, they didn´t speak a lick of Spanish. They said they were from Georgia and had left on a plane flight to Madrid on a date. The plan when they left was to come to Madrid, 8 hours in plane, and then get on the same plane going back to Georgia, just so they could have some time alone. They had 5 children waiting for them at home, with the babysitter, all of them under the age of 6 or 8, I can´t remember. Luckily the babysitter was an uncle, of 24 years old.
So the problem was that when they wanted to return the plane was full and they couldn´t just hop on. The only other flight that wasn´t booked was going to leave on Monday, meaning that they would be away from their family for 2 days instead of one. So they decided to book a flight that left Sunday morning at 10 or so that left from Valencia, which is 3 hours away from Madrid. They did so and went to the train station to book the train there. Anyway, apparently, they went to take out some money at an ATM and the machine ate their card thinking that it was a stolen card. So they were at that point out of money, no Spanish, foreign country, and needing to get to an airport 3 hours away.
So we went with them to a couple of internet cafe´s to see if they could schedule a train trip on line...that doesn´t work. They then tried to call their bank to see if they could get some money wired to the money transfer places here. That also wouldn´t work until Monday. So after a long time trying every option, and with their 16 euros, we decided that we would buy their train tickets. They almost missed their train when we finally decided that and Elder Gomez bought them with his card. I gave them my email so they could communicate with us and get us the money.
So that is what we did and don´t worry, we didn´t give anyone a credit card number, just an email address. They did send us an email and have put the money in a Western Union and we have the control number to get it out. So, that story probably doesn´t sound very convincing but I wasn´t worried at all. They were members, and I know that doesn´t mean anything but you could tell that they were telling the truth and were going to get us the money. They said they had money, just not a way to get a hold of it then. So we took the chance and all is well.
They probably called you just to double check that or to reassure that they were sending the money. They were really, really nice people and actually sent us more money than we lent them. So, I don´t know what to think about that, but I do find it a blessing to be a help and really an angel in the hands of God. It would have been almost impossible for them to return without us. Really, it was a nightmare for them.
I am very glad that all is well with all of you. It sounds like there is lots of work to be done at home. Keep working hard and the blessings will certainly follow. That is rough, dad, that you can´t return every week, but at least you have work. That is such a BIG blessing. That is also way cool that you ran into the missionaries.
Here is the newletter portion mom, and I will try to send the flat overnight letter tomorrow morning. Thanks for your help.
Queridos consiervos del Señor,
Elder Gómez and I are trying to work hard so we can find more people to teach. We are definitely seeing the blessings of our efforts as well, even though they are not direct blessings.. It is interesting being a missionary in Spain because several times in the past couple of weeks we have run into less active members that haven´t been to church for a lot of time. When we are trying to talk to people in the street we usually get an address or a phone number of the person 1 out of every 4 or 5 people. Sometimes it is better, sometimes worse. So it is not too bad, but the chance that these people will have time to meet with us and that they will have desires to progress, is very slim. So we are trying to sort through the fields and find the elect. It is hard, but I have noticed that as we have been working harder, the Lord is blessing us in other ways. For example, last night we received a phone call from a less active that said he wanted to return to the church. We set up an appointment for today. Two weeks ago we ran into another less active member that had been here in Spain for 2 months. She is from Peru and didn´t like how there weren´t very many youth members so she didn´t attend church again. We started teaching her and she came last Sunday and bore her testimony. These are some of the examples that we are seeing that manifest to us that Heavenly Father is aware of us and will bless us in our efforts. Maybe not directly, but we will receive those tender mercies. We had nothing to do with finding these two less active people, because they both contacted us. Cool huh? Oh yeah! I just remembered another little miracle. Last night as we were walking home for the day a women from the Dominican Republic with 2 children stopped us and asked where the ¨Mormon Church¨ was. I immediatley asked her if she was a member, thinking that only a member would stop us and ask us that. She said no, and we wrote down the direction. We said goodbye, and started walking away when I thought, wow, I didn´t even ask for her direction. We turned back and asked her if she would let a couple missionaries came by to teach her about this church. She seemed very enthusiastic and said yes. I was so glad that we turned around and asked her. Because even though she had asked for the direction for the chapel, you never know if she really would have come. This is yet another example of little miracles that we see daily as missionaries. It is fun and neat being able to dedicate ourselves to something so special for two years, where we become so sensitive to little things like these. Some missionaries say that two years is a long time, but I can´t complain.
Have the best week ever, and remember that we have the decision to be happy. So let´s be happy as we go about doing the work of the Lord, preaching the Gospel of Happiness.
Love,
Élder Driggs
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