Monday, June 13, 2016

So Fam, 

This week we got good news.   Remember two weeks ago when we went to the hospital?  We got word that every person we gave a blessing to is no longer there.  I felt relieved to hear that.  So many people put their fragile faith to the test and wait for their own will to be brought to pass without really thinking about God's will for them.  I am happy that God gave them what they wanted so that their faith and vision of us, and much more importantly the Church of Christ that we represent, would not waiver.

The weeks are passing by quickly and I have little to say.  Actually, I have so much to say I don't know what to say.  Just a thought.  Listening and discerning are prerequisites to talking.  As missionaries we sometimes think about example and reasons that somebody should do what we tell them before we listen to their concerns.  Not to say that their circumstances will justify disobedient behavior, but, if we listen and they can see that we care about where they are coming from. Two things can happen.

1. They will listen.

2. We will know what to say.

In zone conference this week we talked about the difference between us and other churches or missionaries.  The main difference was correct authority from God to Preach the Gospel.  The second was that we NEED the spirit with us.  There is no success without the Holy Ghost.  I have come to love and understand His role in these last few weeks..

Sonriendo Siempre,

Elder Glassett

In "spirit prison" for an activity

With Elder Checketts

Weekly fun

Monday, June 6, 2016 

Hellos to all,

I had a great realization this week which came through an event yesterday.  As Elder Checketts and I were trying to do something during the incredibly busy hours of Peruvian Election Day (yesterday was the final presidential vote here and Church was illegal and no one was home.  That being said it was still a good day.  We worked hard and did some other things that I will get back to.)  I realized that my agenda wasn't in my pocket as usual.  Upset because there are a few directions and numbers that only I had.  Elder Checketts and I decided to search for my agenda hoping for a miracle experience that Elder Goday told us about when he was here.  We retraced our steps of the day and contacted... nothing happened.  Nor did I find my agenda until the night time as is had fallen into a crack between the wall.... Why am I sharing this?  As people we often use excuses to do (or not do) something.  Yesterday was hard and the agenda incident helped us get started and at the end of the day we had taught and had lessons like a normal day!

Yesterday we had a cool experience on Sunday morning.  Like I said Church was illegal.  So, we asked the bishop is WE could do the sacrament and he said that I would be fine as long as we invited the sisters.  So, we did.  And it was beautifully simple!   We had a prayer two hymns and the sacrament between the four of us.  I thought of where it says where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name I also am there. I felt a new importance and love for the sacrament as we did so.

That brings me to today.  We started this day about 6 hours ago at 4 in the morning.  We went to the Huanuco Cross which is a 2 hour hike more of less getting back just in time to eat breakfast and clean the room a little bit.  I would send pictures but the internet is having trouble. 

Last story.  I fell like this is a story week.  On Wednesday we were walking in the hills when I felt like we should go find a guy named Jonathon.  I quickly turned in down,(knowing that he is only home at night and not a 3 in the afternoon).  So, we went to a family that is close-ish in P.S.W.T.H.T. (Peruvian standard walking through the hills time) after they had failed us I was once again told that we should go to Jonathan's.  On the way we found a guy named Alejandro who once he saw us started to talk to us.  HE found US.  We talked and taught about the Book of Mormon until we got to Jonathon's door and saw the pad lock on this door.  We finished talking to Alejandro and have an appointment today.  Hopefully it goes well.  But I learned that God doesn't always send us for the reason we think he does.  We should be open and willing to work in His way.

Well that's it for this week.

Sonriendo Siempre,

Elder Glassett

Another photo found whilst "browsing" the internet...

Hello goodbye hello goodbye

Monday, May 30, 2016

Family and readers,

Today I'm writing in reverse order.  Yesterday, we had two lessons that were opposites.  The first one was a reference a 22 year old named Oliver that is friend's with a guy named Deacons who always helps us.  Oliver has questions about many things that are covered or cleared up by simply teaching the restoration, a lesson I have come to love.  Seeing as Oliver didn't want to keep having questions, he visited with us at 9, went to church at 10, stayed until 1 and was asking questions and involved himself in every way he could.

Edith, a less active we are reactivating with the help of her son Natan. Is Struggling. She has things that she needs to talk about with the bishop and a few changes that she needs to apply to herself.  But, she only goes to church if her son hasn't already left or if she will be late.   We spoke with her yesterday about future goals, arriving to the temple, but she isn't ready to act.  

Newton's law is simple.  An object at rest will stay at rest until acted upon by an outside force.  I would say that a person in a state of confusion or unhappiness will be there until they open their hearts to the power of the Holy Spirit that CAN convert us.  Convert means change.  

As Oliver realized that we didn't know what church was true we took the actions necessary to seek and as we all know, seek and ye shall find.  The more I think about the promise that Christ gave us I think about one said by the prophet Nephi.  "For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do." 

Moroni, "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

People who let the Holy Ghost into their lives learn what they should do and how to do it.  I am grateful for people who can put their pride aside and look for the truth.  People who recognize that they don't know everything but need divine help to know the will of God which will put them in motion and on the path to eternal life once again.

Sonriendo Siempre,

Elder Glassett