Awesome News!!!

¡Hola!

So, I have some awesome news! This Wednesday we have changes and I'm going to re-open Santiago De María AND train a new missionary! I'm pretty stoked, but I'm nervous at the same time! This is part of the letter President Glazier sent us this week:

"Many of you might be nervous, wondering what changes are in store for you. Don't be nervous. Just go to work. Remember Joshua´s counsel to the Hosts of Israel, as they were about to enter the Promised Land. He said: “Sanctify yourselves: for tomorrow [or the day after tomorrow] the Lord will do wonders among you.”  Those of you prepared, committed, and sanctified will see the hand of God on Wednesday and in the days thereafter.

This is the Work of Almighty God. Our Father is mindful of everyone of us. It is impossible for me to understand how He does that. I just know, now more than before, how precious each one of us is to Him. He has specific Plans for each of us.  That is very real and serious. I know that He loves all of us, and all of His children. Sister Glazier and I love you all as well.

Now is the time to go forward, to new heights, with new visions, and greater efforts! He will lead us and sustain us in this work. Re-evaluate your goals with your companion on Wednesday evening, whether you have a change or not, and raise your sights higher!!! Congratulations on those companionships that have already passed the mark of 60 Investigators!!!! Many more baptisms will flow from these efforts. It has been done in two zones in less than 2 weeks from the Challenge Elder Duncan gave us!!  Great job!!  It can be done!!! You can do it also!

Thanks to all of you.  It was an unexpected opportunity in our lives to be here, and you are all blessings to us, and will be forever.  We can´t express enough in words alone how we feel about this mission and all of its wonderful missionaries.  We pray for you daily. God is with us."

As I read that it gave me comfort, strength, and courage in knowing that the Lord has called me and He will qualify me to lead and direct His work in Santiago De María. I know that as my new companion and I work together that we'll learn, grow, and have success! I know that with the Lord everything is possible and we can change the branch into a ward!

Yesterday was pretty crazy. Last night we were walking to visit a less-active family and we saw a drunk guy stumbling around with an ice cream cart. At first we kept walking and laughed a little, but then after a few seconds we couldn't hear the bell anymore so we turned around and he had fallen in a small canal! We ran over and helped him out and he was REALLY wasted. As we helped him out, a family in a truck came over and asked what happened. After we told them what happened, the dad looked at the guy and said he knew him. So, we helped them put him and his cart in the back and they took him home.

It's so great to hear all about the Gilbert Temple and the experiences that all of you have had with the Open House! I know that the Temple is the House of the Lord and that if we attend the temple frequently we'll receive the strength and knowledge we need to press forward!

¡Levantate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

P.S. ¡Feliz Cumpleaños Heather!