Pick Me Up

Sheesh... not sure where to start!! These past two weeks were entirely different than I had planned. I experienced unique and different challenges, while also learning about the divine role of being called to love others. 

So, let's start from the beginning. On October 29th we took an hour drive to visit our friends in the far away land of Villa Ahumada. We went there to get a few things for our families for Christmas, and to help our friends with their Halloween and Dia de los Muertos Activity. It was awesome!! We played a ton of fun games, learned how to make tamales and had a ton of spicy Mexican candy!! (not sure why everything has to be so spicy, but I'm starting to get used to it!!) Then after a long 2 days in Villa Ahumada, we headed home, and hit the ground running. 

On October 31st, we had church with our members!! AND... WE HAD OUR FIRST INVESTIGATOR ASSIST THE SACRAMENT MEETING!! How cool is that!! It's the first one since before the pandemic!! Pretty awesome right?!

On November 1st we went and taught a lesson to an amazing couple. They are actually new investigators!! WOOT WOOT!! We had the opportunity of teaching them about the love of God, which in reality, is the Evangelio de Jesucristo (Gospel of Jesus Christ). The spirit was so strong during the lesson and I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have to help them, "...come unto Christ.'' 

Now, at this point, everything else is kind of a blur. It all went so fast that I don’t really know what happened.... but here's some cool stuff. I'm all done with my training!! I am officially ready to start training others.. HA!! NO WAYYYYY. As much as I'd like to say I'm ready to train another missionary, man I’ve still got a lot to learn!! Fortunately, I've got a pretty great companion who is here to help me every step of the way. For at least one more cycle that is!! (or more... who knows, right?!)

We also took a trip to Ciudad Juárez last Friday. We went with a few of our members to visit the Ciudad Juárez Temple. IT WAS AMAZING!! It's really amazing to see how the gospel really is the exact same no matter where you are in the world. And along with the blessing of going to the temple, Heavenly Father has blessed our efforts here in Benito with 2 baptism dates!! THAT’S RIGHT PEOPLE!!! WOOT WOOT!! I'm so excited, and I know that my companion is equally excited - not because of a baptism, but because we are beginning to see the "...fruits of our labor..."!! Of course, this is not just because of us, this is because of the tender mercy and love of our Heavenly Father!! 

These two weeks have been filled to the brim with blessings, but also, with some very difficult challenges. I am not a perfect missionary nor do I ever expect to be, which makes what I'm doing hard sometimes. Sometimes, when I speak, people don't understand me and likewise, sometimes, when people speak to me, I don’t understand them. Because of this, sometimes I feel insignificant, and stuck. I feel like I'm looking up at a climbing wall, with no way to get up. But fortunately, because of the love that the Savior has for me, for my imperfections, for my broken Spanish, and for my inadequacy, the struggles were momentary because he threw me a rope. He fastened my harness and He is helping me climb this wall. I know that he is really helping me, and He can help you too!! Trust in him, follow Him, and let him be there to carry you. And then, when you are ready, take his challenge to carry others as well. 

Have an amazing week. I love you all so much! But remember, don’t have too much fun, without me!!

Landon