Powerful Week

Probably one of the most powerful, most spiritual weeks of my life. I picked up my dear new companion Elder Calderon in Barcelona on Wednesday, and made it back Thursday. We had district meeting on Friday, and I just couldn't believe it. The Lord has just been with me. I

I think the really biggest thing from this week has been the fact that Elder Calderon has been at my side. I, through him, have been thinking about what we are truly doing here. Just thinking of the life I have left behind. The man I once was. What we do in the street, the homes, the testimonies we bear, and live. It has been a amazing experience to think what my companion must be thinking. Just thinking about the immensity of the task, and the faith that every missionary has those before us and those that will come in behind to bring this world the truth.

We have been called to preach repentance. The world needs the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. The things I have learned, and experienced, require a life long dedication. The Lord has slowly but surely been revealing the will He has for His children, and the role that I will play.

Elder Calderon has been amazing. I love him. It is a God given love. He is so pure. Every testimony he gives is powerful, and full of sincerity. He is soft-spoken and polite. Just a huge example to me. He is as anxious for the salvation of these souls as the sons of Mosiah.

He is from Orlando Florida, but his parents are from Mexico, so he is already fluent.

He is waaaay into skating, and honestly my skating knowledge is small. But we have had some great conversations this week with some jovenes I honestly wouldn't have otherwise approached, because they are holding a skateboard. Elder Calderon is just a natural.

I now know the terminology and in some ways can translate skateboard trick names.

Sean our miracle family, has made his way back to church! He and his children love absolutely love hymns. We are going to teach him tomorrow. It has kinda been crazy this last week. We also had a baptism in the district. Elder Calderon is so lucky to be able to see a baptism the first week of his mission. What an amazing opportunity.

I have great hope for this area.

I have learned through, this last transfer, and honestly throughout the mission, each and every member, we are in charge of carrying the will of God forward. Zion must be in every single one of our hearts. Our motives to build the kingdom of God must become an intrinsic one. The apostles are motivated but it is not by their need to return and report to Russell M. Nelson. It comes from a burning love for God and a desire to see the success of His great plan of salvation. They recognize the FACT that this world, poverty, sickness, and inequality is a result of sin.

I am never going back. I may go home, but I never ever will be the same; The Lord is changing me.

This work, the Lords work is what I have always wanted to do. Its who I am. I just never had come to the realization.

I thank God every night for saving me.

Elder Gardner

Another snip-it he sent:

This last week I would have to say one of the biggest miracles would have to be district meeting. At least for me, it was huge. I, as you know have been kinda fighting to maintain some kind of unity here, and this last district meeting the Lord answered my prayers and just poured His spirit into our meeting. After the meeting as we ate together, I felt the feeling of almost family as we ate some good ol' homemade tacos juntos. You can't really beat that.

S our friend from Ghana, came to church again this last week, with almost no provoking on our part. He is probably the most meek man I have ever met. He goes into the sacrament meeting and you can tell he is there to worship God. He comes in with his little plastic bag, gifted hymn book and book of Mormon, and just sits quietly with his head bowed waiting for the meeting to start. It is incredible. The work of the spirit. We met him in the street, it was one of those moments that you know that the Lord just led them to you. He froze, and we sat there looking at one another, until we said hello. He later explained that he felt that he just needed to talk to us. The Lord is amazing.