Exchanges and Conference

The beginning of our week started out with me going for a quick exchange with Elder Zeman in Logrono, and while I was out and about my Companion finally got a hold of President who said it might be best if he headed to the Emergency Room. Apparently he spent the day there and the night, and had surgery in the morning. When I arrived back home from my exchange, the two trainers were at the Hospital, which left Elder Gringo and myself, Elder Gringito alone in Piso. Both of us didn't quite know what else to do, so eventually we hit the road in search of some lost sheep.

despite our lack of knowledge in the Spanish language, the city and its streets, and really in general, we began to stop people in the streets to invite them to Christ. Without our trainers this took on a whole new surreal trust and miracle form. We felt like Nephi of old when he climbed into Jerusalem on a last ditch effort to claim the plates not knowing before where to go. It was a miracle to see that my speaking with the people actually worked. I have never, honest, spoken such good Spanish, before that day, and haven't since. Truly, truly a miracle in the form of the gift of tongues.

Now when we arrived back home, all the lights were out and I looked into my room to see my dear dear companion lying face down moaning. He had had a terrible night and morning, the other trainer Elder Salazar had spent the night and morning acting as the spanish speaking guardian for Elder Bown.

All the details of the surgery and such aren't really necessary, but suffice it to say things have gotten better for my companion and he is healing. I love him. He truly is a committed servant of the Lord.

In all this pain, he never asked to slow down. He continued in an all in dedication and trust in the Lord. He even ran home the day before his surgery, to remain perfectly obedient. It hurt me to watch. His attitude, faith, and strength from the Lord pushed us forward. I love him. Ha,ha:)

Oh, goodness, I hope we all realize what a truly truly amazing opportunity it is to have living a prophet and apostles. Their word, is not their own, but of the mouth of God. I know this. Their words are as scripture. We can and should study it as such. I have never been so excited for general conference in my life; it is modern revelation for our day, from an all seeing and all loving God. Read the talks as they come out, and make an honest effort to change yourself. Repent. Align your will with God's in some conscious way.

Want to read the Book of Mormon everyday? Great! How are you going to make that happen? There's always a point between hoping and doing that our dreams get lost. We must right down goals and then feasible plans to acquire them. If not then our intentions become just wishful thinking.

Don't let yourself become just another that at one point "felt to sing the song of redeeming love." then let it far too quickly die away.

Harness the desires that the Holy Spirit placed within your heart this weekend to make a plan, then... oh goodness... I'm sorry...

"Just Do It!"

H,aha well I'm sorry there's no unsubscribe button to these emails :) I doubt you even read this far anyways. Ha,ha I love you all my dear family and friends.

Elder Gardner