Week 16 October 3-9, 2016

¡Hola Familia y Amigos!

Well I'll start off by saying that this week one of our investigators told me she wanted to come to the English Class that we teach just so she could understand what I was trying to say. Encouraging words there, Hermana. Hahaha but I'm not worried because I know that through patience, diligence, and the Lord's timing my Spanish will eventually become understandable. :) She also thought I was 25 (probly cause of my height) and was shocked when I said I was almost 19.

After conference last week a family stopped us before we left, and asked for a Priesthood Blessing for the daughter. The girl wanted me to say the blessing, which gave me a slight panic because my Spanish is still so limited. But E. Rodriguez helped me when I struggled with certain words, and I was grateful for that opportunity.

For an originally planned conference with an Area Seventy (it got canceled but I'll still describe the prep), our Zone got assigned to do the Special musical number. They chose the EFY Medley (it's a little different rhythmically cause it's in Spanish), annnnd the Zone Leaders asked me to help direct, because "I knew what I was doing." Yeah right. That's me- Elder Stolle - Choral Director Ph.D. Never directed a choir before, yet here I am, clapping out rhythms and singing my ear poison in front of the whole zone to try to help us sound decent. Even if it's no longer happening, I'm at least grateful that, between orchestra and MCO, Heavenly Father blessed me with a music background to use to help in whatever way I can.

Today we had a neat Zone Activity- we got to go on a hike and see some cascadas (waterfalls) and appreciate the beautiful nature and world our Heavenly Father's given us.

One thing I realized yesterday is how grateful I am for the Word of Wisdom. We were going to teach a family, but had to leave because the husband was drunk, and very out of it. It was kinda funny, not gonna lie. but also made me think. It's kinda scary; It's one of Satan's biggest tools to make us lose our self-control (which is voluntarily relinquished by choosing to get drunk), and when we have no real control, we have no real agency (cause the mind is overpowered/intoxicated by the alcohol), and that's when he can take over. That's when he can cause drunk people to say/do abusive or illegal things that can lead to temporary consequences such as prison or fines, as well as more permanent things like destroying a family. I'm so grateful for the Word of Wisdom, and how, by keeping it, it is a protection against harmful substances, and we can be blessed physically and spiritually.

Well that's my two bits for this week. I love you all and hope you have an amazing week!

Love,

Elder Stolle