Mission week 48

Mission week 48 (09/02/2024)

This week has been a bit different. We had a crazy division that was awesome, but also some sad news in our ward.

i had an epic division and i got to go to the Bonsuccesso area! I went there working with Elder Matamoros and tore up the turf there! we found, tons of people and marked 8 baptismal dates! That is more than i think i have ever done in a day before, so a new record for me! i was super hyped really seeing how the people are ready and we just gotta find them and invite them!

The sad news in our ward was first the death of an elderly man that we had sung to last week. and then the death of a family of 4 and a boyfriend with them due to a car crash. They were good members of the ward and really good friends and close to everybody. I actually knew them pretty well too. It has been a big shock for the whole ward and everyone has been really sad, so please pray for them. Thanks to God's magnificent plan we know that they are happy and can see them again, but it is still sad.

This moment made me think about and remember my good friend Jared. a very sudden event that happened in my life, and all of the sudden a very close friend, almost a little brother was taken out of my life. I was extremely sad, really feeling the loss like I lost a part of me. but what helped me keep going was my Faith in Jesus Christ. My Faith, Hope and Confidence in him, and in our Father in Heaven's great and perfect Plan for us. A few scriptures and talks and prayer gave me a lot of comfort, direction and guidance. Some of those are: Alma chapter 40, Mosiah 4:9, Proverbs 3:5-6, "Think Celestial" talk by our Prophet Russel M Nelson.

The promise he made:

"Your choices today will determine three things: where you will live throughout all eternity, the kind of body with which you will be resurrected, and those with whom you will live forever. So, think celestial."

This promise told me that it is my choice to get to see my good friend Jared again. And the choice to make is to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ truly is the only path to follow to have this hope. His path is a path of Hope, Happiness, Joy, and Eternal Life. So we have to do all we can to follow him, and Serve him. I choose to follow him.

And because of my faith I know that I will see him again, and I will see my brother Evan again, and my great grandparents, and all that I wish to see again when I choose, act, do good, follow the Commandments, Think Celestial and follow Jesus Christ. 

Random stuff of the week:

-People are now joking that the song "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" is dangerous cuz the guy died after we sang it to him. a little insensitive... but it wasn't me who said it.....

-Found taught, invited and marked 10 Baptismal dates! but the 8 I marked were on the litt division in the other area with Elder Matamoros.

-Said bye to my buddy Lucas who moved away to go to the United States.

-Service project, making and laying concrete.

-Temple!! was littt, but we almost missed it cuz my comp automatically turned off the alarm before i woke up and went to sleep haha.

-a Sister here is from where I live! Her name is Sister Kennedy Ridges if any of you know her.

-Big ol Churrasco on friday and sunday was awesome

-Cut our hair on P-day and they cut my hair super good as usual... but they wrecked my comps hair hahahaha, he said make the line straight and they took the line up wayyy past his forehead and did him dirty.

-Gave lots of blessings of comfort trying to help the ward during the sad difficult times. Pray for our ward.

Little cool miracle story that we had no idea about until recently. Irmao Rafyke and Irma Pricsila work making Marmitas which is pretty much food ready to go that they ship out hot and ready. We like to grab those when we don't have lunch in members' homes. So one day they were cooking and the gas was running out and the flame finally died out while they were cooking. They tried everything to start it up but it would not start up. Then they received a message from us, the missionaries asking if we could order 2 plates of food that day. In despair they said just try starting the stove one more time... and it started! They were able to cook food for us and for all the other people that day! But they had no money to buy the new gas! And when we paid them on Monday the amount was the exact amount, no more and no less than the price to get the new container of gas. and got it. The miracle was that when we, the Missionaries needed food magically the stove started, they also told us that every time that we ask them for the food, whatever day it might be, turned into one of the most successful selling days for them and goes super well. so I am glad that we can help bless them in ways we didn't even know, but to help them while they helped us as we are doing the work of the Lord.

This week has had many things happening. lots of dates falling and people being flakey not keeping commitments. but we will continue on!

Right now please just pray for our buddy Abner that he will be able to be baptized and his mom will let him!

Trying to help him be baptized on the 7th of September this week!... and my birthday!

I've felt like I've been beat down in the dirt a bit this week with dates falling, working but things not working out, being a bit sick but well enough to work. But in the middle of all that, the things that stand out to me is that this work, even though it may be tiring and beat me down. really and truly this work is a marvelous work. It is the work of God. And it is the most true and virtuous work that there is. To bring people into the fold of God, and help them prepare to return with God. This is a marvelous work and a true work.

God is Good! God is Great!

Until next week...Tchau!

-Elder Martin

Some good news I learned about and thought I'd throw in here:

-I hit 11 months on the mission!!! Today!!!

-our bishop was sayin a bunch of good stuff about us which is good, and means he likes us and said we are doing good work and he likes it. (But we gotta baptize here soon)

-7 investigators and 6 recent converts went to church

-i was able to see a positive affect i had on people that i did not know, other people in our district.

-Positivity!!! Dont forget to be grateful and positive! luv yall!!