22 de septembre, 2014
There are actually many words that I could use to describe this week. Let me just explain the ups and downs.
Monday
through Friday were some of the best days of my mission. Preparing
Alfonso and Maria to be baptized was so special. They got married on
Thursday and I had the opportunity to be a witness to their wedding. It
was cool. I signed some Mexican documents. I got to go to a wedding even
though it was not my sister's. God blessed me with that great
experience. Also that day, the District Leader came by and did the
interview. It went very well. They were ready for Saturday.
Friday
was also a super great day. We found three new families. We also
visited Alfonso and Maria but Alfonso had gone and Maria said he had
gotten a call from work and had to go in but that everything would be
fine for the baptism. So we made the final plans for the baptism. In the
morning, we got up early and headed to the church to get the font ready
and clean up the church a little bit. We also got to the church a
little earlier that night to set up chairs and to greet people as they
came. The other missionaries were also baptizing that day and we share
the church with their ward so we were going to have the service
together. It was going to start at 6. Well when 5:45 rolled around and
Maria and Alfonso had not shown up, we started to worry a little bit.
So we called and called and called. Nothing. 6:05 and still nothing. Then we
got a call from Maria. She was bawling. We could not understand what she
was saying. We only understood that they were not coming. I was already
dressed in my baptismal clothes because they asked me to baptize them.
And the members of the ward were waiting. We were just so shocked. We
did not know what to do. Then a sister in the ward came up and asked us
if everything was okay. We said what had happened and she said LET'S GO! So
we went. The other elders started without us and we went. The sister is
the best sister ever. Returned missionary. She reminds me of Mom in so
many ways. So we got to their house and found Maria with the kids. As
soon as she saw us she just started bawling. It took her a while to calm
down. Then she told us what happened:
The night before after
we had left, Alfonso came home. He was drunk. He had fallen into
temptation. Maria started to yell at him because they had come all this
way and had gone through so much. He hit her in the face and then left.
He had not returned since. When I heard that I just started to cry. We
said a prayer and said we would come back the next day to see her and to
see if Alfonso had returned.
I admit, I was so confused. How
could God have permitted something like this? A lot of thoughts came
through my head. Bad thoughts.
The next day, we went to their
house. Alfonso was there with Maria. There was something different
about him. About the house. It just felt dark. So we begin talking and
he explained his story. That he began to doubt. That's when he started to
drink and lost control. He asked us how could something so bad have
happened if what we taught was really good? He asked us a lot of things.
It just shocked us because he was so firm and stable.
We sat
there in silence for a couple of seconds when I was prompted to share a
scripture in Mosiah 4:9. I love that scripture. Especially the last
part. It gives me comfort that God knows why these things happen. And
sometimes we do not. We also shared that Satan also has power here on
earth. He is stronger than we think. He tears families apart. We told
them how to know if something comes from him or from God. I then shared
my testimony and invited them to pray again to know the truth because He
cannot lie and will not ever lie. He declares the truth through His
Comforter. Then I shared some of my feelings that I had. We were all in
tears. We are going to return tomorrow to see what happens. If
everything goes well, Maria can be baptized this Saturday and Alfonso in
a month.
I have learned a lot this week. Too much at one
time it seems like. I have learned that Satan is real. He exists just as
much as we exist. The amount of hate he has towards us for following
Gods plan is extreme. I have seen him work through many different things
and even people. I have also learned something even more important.
That God knows why these things happen. He understands these things
perfectly. We do not. Sometimes we have no clue and we accuse God for
the bad things that happen in our lives. But we should gives thanks
because these things happen for a reason. Why didn't Maria and Alfonso
get baptized Saturday? I have no idea. But God knows and that is what is
important. Maybe he will help me understand. That would be great.
Well
that was my crazy week. I will keep you all updated. I love you all so
much. Congratulations to Jessica and Allen. Allen, you chose well. My
sister is amazing. And if she chose you, you must be just as awesome.
Can't wait to meet you. Welcome to the family:) Thank you for waiting and
doing it right. God will bless you for that.
Love you all. Have a great week.
Elder George
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| Signing the documents. |
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| Maria and Alfonso's wedding day. |
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