This week has been a great one, but also kinda crazy because I finally learned what the actual expectations for a missionary are. Let me explain.
The squad eating at a members house we eat at every Thursday
Rice and beans, rice and beans
Eating carne asada at our neighbor, Salvador's house (he's from Guatemala)
When I say expectations for a missionary, I mean more for a consecrated missionary. Jesus has commanded us to be perfect (Matthew 5:48), and that's what we should be striving for, especially as a representative of Christ. So, it's been a little stressful because I'm a bit of a perfectionist, meaning if I do something, I have to do it the right way. Obviously, I can't be perfect, no matter how hard I try, so sometimes I beat myself up. Before this, I read in the scriptures that with faith you can do anything, even to the moving of mountains (don't remember, somewhere in Matthew maybe), and I just didn't see the meaning of that scripture. Obviously, even if I had all the faith in the world, and prayed for all the Utah mountains to go to Kansas, would it happen? I just don't know. I learned, however, that becoming perfect, even as our Father which is in Heaven is perfect, as mountainous of an expectation that is on me, with faith I can move that mountain.
The choir I was a part of for district conference.
Don't worry, we hit our two goals again this week, so we're happy about that. I also did the impossible, I got a cold, in the Dominican Republic. How. That's been a little rough, but I'm still working as hard as I can, I'm not going to let an occasional cough ruin my days. I just want to say, the mission work is amazing. The people here are great people, but they are missing the gospel of Christ in their lives, and I'm the one gets to help them find it. How cool is that? I love it. It's super hard sometimes, and I don't always love it, but I appreciate it. This work for me is like the "refiners fire," and not only because it happens to be super hot here, I am changing into a better person. But this change is a very long and enduring one, like diamonds being made under the most extreme pressure and heat. I know that if I endure the challenges now, there's only good things that will come out of it. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Love you all, talk to you next week!
"Carnival" masks
I must go -Elder Barlow
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