Buenas tardes familia,
Well, it was a pretty average week for my companion and I this week. We worked pretty hard and definitely got our share of riding our bikes in the hot sun and sandy desert. We found a lot of people in their houses and were able to teach a ton of lessons. We have four people right now with baptismal dates and basically we're just trying to help them the most that we can to get to church on Sundays. They're great people and have a ton of potential but just need that little push to get them going really.
On Thursday we did splits as a zone with the assistants (Elder Child and Elder Rodeback) and honestly had a really good time. We went with Elder Child in our area and worked pretty well together in a trio.
The work has been going great for us lately, definitely super tiring because of the bike riding but definitely worth it. Pretty sure my thighs are always sore or about half dead but that should be a good thing right?
My comp and I are getting along awesome and I'm hoping President leaves us together another transfer so I can finish the mission with him.
We're having interviews tomorrow with President and I'm actually really excited to talk to him.
We went to a place called Flavio's a little bit ago today and ate some awesome Mexican food by the beach for free. He's a member that owns a dock-side restaraunt and let's us eat there on P-days for free. It's always a great time.
Spiritual thought of the week is a part of Samuel the Lamanite's preaching to the Nephites.
24 Yea, wo unto this people, because of this time which has arrived, that ye do cast out the prophets, and do mock them, and cast stones at them, and do slay them, and do all manner of iniquity unto them, even as they did of old time.
25 And now when ye talk, ye say: If our days had been in the days of our fathers of old, we would not have slain the prophets; we would not have stoned them, and cast them out.
26 Behold ye are worse than they; for as the Lord liveth, if a prophet come among you and declareth unto you the word of the Lord, which testifieth of your sins and iniquities, ye are angry with him, and cast him out and seek all manner of ways to destroy him; yea, you will say that he is a false prophet, and that he is a sinner, and of the devil, because he testifieth that your deeds are evil.
27 But behold, if a man shall come among you and shall say: Do this, and there is no iniquity; do that and ye shall not suffer; yea, he will say: Walk after the pride of your own hearts; yea, walk after the pride of your eyes, and do whatsoever your heart desireth—and if a man shall come among you and say this, ye will receive him, and say that he is a prophet.
28 Yea, ye will lift him up, and ye will give unto him of your substance; ye will give unto him of your gold, and of your silver, and ye will clothe him with costly apparel; and because he speaketh flattering words unto you, and he saith that all is well, then ye will not find fault with him.
29 O ye wicked and ye perverse generation; ye hardened and ye stiffnecked people, how long will ye suppose that the Lord will suffer you? Yea, how long will ye suffer yourselves to be led by foolish and blind guides? Yea, how long will ye choose darkness rather than light?
I love the last line about choosing darkness rather than light. It is so important to follow the prophet and live by their teachings, and not those of the people of the world. I hope each of you commit to always follow the prophet, even when it's hard. I love you guys and hope you have a great week!
Con amor, Elder Thayne