NEWS
(INVESTIGATOR'S NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO MAINTAIN ANONYMITY)
DECEMBER 23, 2013 - Oh My.... Merry Christmas to you all!
I don't even know where on Earth to begin...
The good news. André Rieu is in Switzerland.. ok. I joke. The GREAT NEWS:
Yovana's Baptised.
And... I can't write any more details without just crying for hours because of how incredible it is. But.. here we go. haha.
Let's just say this is the weirdest, most incredible, most difficult Christmas I've ever experienced in my life. God has a very interesting thing for me to learn this year.
Anyway. Our sweet yovana was baptized on Saturday. Her sister couldn't make it to the Baptism. Yovana has made so many incredible sacrifices already in her life, all of which are focused on providing her and her daughter the opportunity to be an Eternal Family. I couldn't even attempt to adequately express my feelings in words as I got the opportunity to baptise one of my dearest Friends. It's incredible to see how within a matter of 3 weeks, Yovana became my closest friend. And just to get the privilege to help her take that first step on her "journey back home" is simply indescribable. It's been a joy to see how God has prepared her for these three weeks and for the rest of her life. I've never seen or heard of a more perfectly prepared person. But to sum it all up. She had a question. We had an answer. She read the Book. God touched her heart. She changed her life. She made covenants with her Heavenly Father. And I just got to watch as this all played out.
I could talk for hours about how her little daughter has changed in the past 3 weeks as well. Little future Hermana Piscitello. She's going to be a missionary one day.
And I will get to talk about it for hours after my mission. But as for now, there's some other news...
Well. My companion, who happens to be my other best friend. Is going home temporarily. This whole week he's been talking about this incredible stomache ache, but it just kept getting worse. To make a long story short. Last night we went to the Emergency room, and the doctor told him he has a hernia that needs to be operated on as soon as possible. He leaves in 2 hours. :( Sooo.... I'll be teaming up with my last companion Elder Ruiz Garcia and his companion Elder Marson. We'll be doing a little trio until either the next transfer or until Elder Lala comes back--whatever comes first. That means the "work" in the Spanish ward will be a little bit slowed down for a while because we'll be working 2 areas at the same time. Bummer.
Needless to say, I'm just a little bit stressed out. As soon as I'm done writing emails, I'm going to go pack my bags. But, I've learned something already from this experience. A scripture comes to mind. 3 Nephi 13:31-34. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and the rest shall be added unto you." As long as we just try to do what God wants from us FIRST. The rest will all work out. So. We just TRUST in Him and his Divine plan for us, and go with the curve balls he trows in our life. After all, he has a better plan for us and our life than we do.
So... last night me and my companion celebrated Christmas, because he'll be home for Christmas. So.. I opened my package from you my family. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. It was absolutely perfect. I loved all of it. The journal is incredible. The bag works perfectly. The socks rock. And what's all the orange stuff? oh yeah, more recess than any missionary should ever eat. Thank you guys so much.
So.. my christmas this year was December 22. In my little apartment, while my companion packed his bags to go home. We both have been on a bit of a spiritual and emotional rollercoaster this week. It's been fun. But, looking at it. This has been my favorite Christmas of my life. I've had more opportunities to teach of Christ, testify of Christ, introduce people to Christ, and BRING people to Christ, this month than ever in my life. What a blessing.
So, from here in switzerland to you back home, Merry Christmas! Thanks for your prayers, and thoughts. You're the best family a person could wish for.
I Love you all. I love my Savior. I love my mission.
Thanks again,
-Elder Lago
The good news. André Rieu is in Switzerland.. ok. I joke. The GREAT NEWS:
Yovana's Baptised.
And... I can't write any more details without just crying for hours because of how incredible it is. But.. here we go. haha.
Let's just say this is the weirdest, most incredible, most difficult Christmas I've ever experienced in my life. God has a very interesting thing for me to learn this year.
Anyway. Our sweet yovana was baptized on Saturday. Her sister couldn't make it to the Baptism. Yovana has made so many incredible sacrifices already in her life, all of which are focused on providing her and her daughter the opportunity to be an Eternal Family. I couldn't even attempt to adequately express my feelings in words as I got the opportunity to baptise one of my dearest Friends. It's incredible to see how within a matter of 3 weeks, Yovana became my closest friend. And just to get the privilege to help her take that first step on her "journey back home" is simply indescribable. It's been a joy to see how God has prepared her for these three weeks and for the rest of her life. I've never seen or heard of a more perfectly prepared person. But to sum it all up. She had a question. We had an answer. She read the Book. God touched her heart. She changed her life. She made covenants with her Heavenly Father. And I just got to watch as this all played out.
I could talk for hours about how her little daughter has changed in the past 3 weeks as well. Little future Hermana Piscitello. She's going to be a missionary one day.
And I will get to talk about it for hours after my mission. But as for now, there's some other news...
Well. My companion, who happens to be my other best friend. Is going home temporarily. This whole week he's been talking about this incredible stomache ache, but it just kept getting worse. To make a long story short. Last night we went to the Emergency room, and the doctor told him he has a hernia that needs to be operated on as soon as possible. He leaves in 2 hours. :( Sooo.... I'll be teaming up with my last companion Elder Ruiz Garcia and his companion Elder Marson. We'll be doing a little trio until either the next transfer or until Elder Lala comes back--whatever comes first. That means the "work" in the Spanish ward will be a little bit slowed down for a while because we'll be working 2 areas at the same time. Bummer.
Needless to say, I'm just a little bit stressed out. As soon as I'm done writing emails, I'm going to go pack my bags. But, I've learned something already from this experience. A scripture comes to mind. 3 Nephi 13:31-34. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and the rest shall be added unto you." As long as we just try to do what God wants from us FIRST. The rest will all work out. So. We just TRUST in Him and his Divine plan for us, and go with the curve balls he trows in our life. After all, he has a better plan for us and our life than we do.
So... last night me and my companion celebrated Christmas, because he'll be home for Christmas. So.. I opened my package from you my family. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. It was absolutely perfect. I loved all of it. The journal is incredible. The bag works perfectly. The socks rock. And what's all the orange stuff? oh yeah, more recess than any missionary should ever eat. Thank you guys so much.
So.. my christmas this year was December 22. In my little apartment, while my companion packed his bags to go home. We both have been on a bit of a spiritual and emotional rollercoaster this week. It's been fun. But, looking at it. This has been my favorite Christmas of my life. I've had more opportunities to teach of Christ, testify of Christ, introduce people to Christ, and BRING people to Christ, this month than ever in my life. What a blessing.
So, from here in switzerland to you back home, Merry Christmas! Thanks for your prayers, and thoughts. You're the best family a person could wish for.
I Love you all. I love my Savior. I love my mission.
Thanks again,
-Elder Lago