ok, money issue resolved. The money is in the account. All of those charges looked good. I thought that Mom had put another 200 in at the time of the letter, but it was just that she had put them in after the package. Thank you so much though. I was so relieved when I saw that.
Ok, now for the news of the week. Yes, transfers did happen. I received a call from President Lee that said I would be moving up...... Drumroll.......................
To district leader. Yeah, I don't know if he knew that was already my calling, but it's definitely official now. Haha I'm here, and I was transfered to Santiago south zone AGAIN! So, that makes a grand total of 2 zones for the entire mission. Wow. Ha I do love this zone though.
I am in an area called Pueblo Nuevo. It's really close to everything here in Santiago, as opposed to La Yaguita del Pastor that was kind of on the outskirts. Today we went to a GIANT la sirena (the supermarket here) that was about a 10 minute walk from our house.
My companion is Elder Taylor, a tall American from Utah. He is also adopted, like Elder Johnson. Super friendly, outgoing and bubbly guy. He's a talker, which is so different from Elder Wilkinson it's ridiculous, but he's a great kid, and I love him the same. He's actually from the same group of Elder Wilkinson, so I'm what's called a "step dad", or the comp after the dad. His spanish seems pretty solid already. I barely know him though, so I'll see later exactly how he is.
It's really nice not to have a new missionary.... Well, not brand new at least. I get to focus on being a good district leader, on the training meetings, on the missionaries in my district, instead of tending especially to my comp's needs. It was so fun training.. I wouldn't trade it for the world, and we worked our butts off in Bonao, but it's time to move onto the big city.
Santiago is sooo overpopulated. It's great, it's a little ghetto, yes, in my area, but it's a charming little city. The people are really nice.
Funny little side note, so when I went to La Sirena I ran into a less active that we were teaching in La Yaguita.. Hahaha Elizabeth. That's when you know you have a lot of time in the mission. What a blast from the past.
Let's see.. The new apartment is good. It's not NEAR as big as the other one. Just two bedrooms, one bathroom, but it's good enough. The great part is that it has 24/7 power, it hardly ever goes, so no stress about washing or anything like that. I'll try and take some pictures for next time.
I have an amazing district. Elder De Leon from Fantino is in my district again (we lived in the same house.. now it's just the same district which is still awesome). And we have his comp, Elder Jenks, a solid missionary from Wilkinson's group, and Elder Ruiz, a missionary from my district in Constanza. I don't know the other yet.. we shall see.
My zone is also sweet. Elder Parker, a good friend, is ZL. Elder Cromwell, my old ZL from Bonao, is now training here in the zone. Just a really great group of guys. I'm really happy.
The letter seemed really great and positive this week. I was happy with all the news. I just sort of glanced this week because I couldn't print it off, but it was really upbeat for the most part. I hope mine is too. It's been a good week for the both of us.
Well, it was hard to leave Bonao. It was a great 5 transfers. My goal is always for them to say that I was a great missionary that made a difference, that means I did my job and did it well. A few said I was one of the better missionaries to pass by in quite a while. I love that. Not for pride's sake, but for the sake of the Lord. It wasn't my work there.
I love you two. Be safe and good. I'll see you soon. Soon enough at last. 5 more transfers. I can count them on one hand. Ha see you soon.
Till next week, not a second wasted,
Elder Sweeney
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Final Days in Bonao?
Well, this week has been pretty regular. Nothing too extraordinary.
We´re winding down the training with Elder Wilkinson. You´re exactly right, it´s in exactly two weeks, March 13. Happy leap year, BTW! Greg Sutton turns like.. 17 today or something. Ha he was born on a leap year.
I think we´ll be having 2 baptisms, not this saturday but the next. That´s the hope anyway.. You just never know here. One is almost sure and the other we´ll have to see, but it would be a great way to go out here in Bonao.
You´re right. As great as it´s been here, as marvelous as my experiences have been, as much as I´ve learned, I´m ready to go. 7 1/2 months anywhere is a good time, especially in an area in the mission. Granted, many have spent this time in an area in the mission, including Mike and I'm sure Matt, but it's about the limit I think. Much more than this and they're gonna try and get me to vote for their local leader..
I am still getting along well with Elder Wilkinson. It seems like I've had some of the crazier experiences of my mission with him. He's done well with it, the poor guy. He'll realize when he gets out of here just how great the mission is.. haha Bonao is no comparison, even though it's looking like he's gonna get a decent amount of baptisms. He should get a couple more when I leave.
In all honesty though, it's been one of my favorite areas. When I leave from here I'm probably going to miss the heck out of it.. It may even become holy ground for me. I have poured my blood, sweat and tears into the work here.. Literally. It's cost me two pairs of shoes (for the rain.. ha), and because of having bad shoes many blisters. But, the sacrifice has been tiny compared to the blessings that my comps and I have seen. We've seen miracles here.
We have a District Conference the last weekend I'm here, so that should be great. Elder Viñas is coming down here from the area 70, so it'll be pretty special. Looking forward to it.
I love you two. I'm glad to hear that Mitt Romney is doing well for now, but even happier that mom is doing better. We're praying every day for her. Elder Wilkinson's mom is also sick, so we're praying for her too.
Be safe, don't fall off your fancy bike and break your hip (he he he below the belt that was..)
Till next week, not a second wasted,
Elder C. Rufus. Sweeney
We´re winding down the training with Elder Wilkinson. You´re exactly right, it´s in exactly two weeks, March 13. Happy leap year, BTW! Greg Sutton turns like.. 17 today or something. Ha he was born on a leap year.
I think we´ll be having 2 baptisms, not this saturday but the next. That´s the hope anyway.. You just never know here. One is almost sure and the other we´ll have to see, but it would be a great way to go out here in Bonao.
You´re right. As great as it´s been here, as marvelous as my experiences have been, as much as I´ve learned, I´m ready to go. 7 1/2 months anywhere is a good time, especially in an area in the mission. Granted, many have spent this time in an area in the mission, including Mike and I'm sure Matt, but it's about the limit I think. Much more than this and they're gonna try and get me to vote for their local leader..
I am still getting along well with Elder Wilkinson. It seems like I've had some of the crazier experiences of my mission with him. He's done well with it, the poor guy. He'll realize when he gets out of here just how great the mission is.. haha Bonao is no comparison, even though it's looking like he's gonna get a decent amount of baptisms. He should get a couple more when I leave.
In all honesty though, it's been one of my favorite areas. When I leave from here I'm probably going to miss the heck out of it.. It may even become holy ground for me. I have poured my blood, sweat and tears into the work here.. Literally. It's cost me two pairs of shoes (for the rain.. ha), and because of having bad shoes many blisters. But, the sacrifice has been tiny compared to the blessings that my comps and I have seen. We've seen miracles here.
We have a District Conference the last weekend I'm here, so that should be great. Elder Viñas is coming down here from the area 70, so it'll be pretty special. Looking forward to it.
I love you two. I'm glad to hear that Mitt Romney is doing well for now, but even happier that mom is doing better. We're praying every day for her. Elder Wilkinson's mom is also sick, so we're praying for her too.
Be safe, don't fall off your fancy bike and break your hip (he he he below the belt that was..)
Till next week, not a second wasted,
Elder C. Rufus. Sweeney
Thursday, February 23, 2012
An Inspiring Story of Re-activation
Alright, let me clear up a couple things. first of all, the returned missionary that's writing talley was one of my best friends in the mission. his name is Ryan Shapiro, and he was one of the best, humblest, most obedient elders to pass through this mission, so I gave him the "referral" if you will. I didn't know if anything would come of it, but I thought I'd give it a shot. I should have let talley know what was going one, and I'll let her know now.
Well, as far as this week went it's still been pretty good. It's really hot again. ha not that it ever cooled down a whole lot, but now at night it doesn't even really get that cool. We're just plugging away here, it's been a little rough as far as investigators though. But, one of the less actives that we found (actually.. I would say she found us) is going so strong. Like amazingly strong.
She passed by one day as we were teaching one investigator, humberto. When she passed by, she did so without saying so at first, but then back tracked and asked where the church was. We told her, introduced ourselves, she told us her name was emma, and then we set a date to come back. She spoke perfect english, mind you, so my comp enjoyed that.
Anyway, we pass by a couple days later and she explains that she joined the church when she was younger, and she got married and fell away from the church. then she got a divorce and moved from the capital to Bonao to be closer to her family. 14 years of more or less never going to church she decides to stop and as us where the church is, and that brings us to the other day. So, we give her a book of Mormon, she expresses her gratitude because she left hers in the capital and we invite her to read it and ask if it was true. She accepted.
two weeks later, she has been to church twice with her daughter and once with her sister. her daughter is getting baptised in a couple weeks and her sister a little while after. She is talking to a less active neighbor and getting her to come to church. She is talking with her christian neighbors and getting them interested in the gospel message. She is reading every night with her kids, cooking for us on Sundays, and really just filling her home with the sweet spirit of the gospel. It is beautiful. She has been such a miracle, and her energy has not been unnoticed by the branch presidency. She already has a calling... Relief society president!
It's amazing just how quickly she has been pulled back from complete activity to one of the best (if not the best) members of the branch. I asked her what the spark was, and she told me it was that first invitation to simply read and pray about the Book of Mormon, and she's just had an incredible energy ever since. that book is true. It is inspiring people daily, people are discovering and rediscovering that book time and time again.
I am going to wrap this up. I love you two. Be good, safe and happy. Momma, know I'm praying for you and I'll be doing a fast especially devoted to you this weeked. Get well.
till next week, never a second wasted, finding those golder investigators (and less actives)
elder C. Rufus Sweeney
Well, as far as this week went it's still been pretty good. It's really hot again. ha not that it ever cooled down a whole lot, but now at night it doesn't even really get that cool. We're just plugging away here, it's been a little rough as far as investigators though. But, one of the less actives that we found (actually.. I would say she found us) is going so strong. Like amazingly strong.
She passed by one day as we were teaching one investigator, humberto. When she passed by, she did so without saying so at first, but then back tracked and asked where the church was. We told her, introduced ourselves, she told us her name was emma, and then we set a date to come back. She spoke perfect english, mind you, so my comp enjoyed that.
Anyway, we pass by a couple days later and she explains that she joined the church when she was younger, and she got married and fell away from the church. then she got a divorce and moved from the capital to Bonao to be closer to her family. 14 years of more or less never going to church she decides to stop and as us where the church is, and that brings us to the other day. So, we give her a book of Mormon, she expresses her gratitude because she left hers in the capital and we invite her to read it and ask if it was true. She accepted.
two weeks later, she has been to church twice with her daughter and once with her sister. her daughter is getting baptised in a couple weeks and her sister a little while after. She is talking to a less active neighbor and getting her to come to church. She is talking with her christian neighbors and getting them interested in the gospel message. She is reading every night with her kids, cooking for us on Sundays, and really just filling her home with the sweet spirit of the gospel. It is beautiful. She has been such a miracle, and her energy has not been unnoticed by the branch presidency. She already has a calling... Relief society president!
It's amazing just how quickly she has been pulled back from complete activity to one of the best (if not the best) members of the branch. I asked her what the spark was, and she told me it was that first invitation to simply read and pray about the Book of Mormon, and she's just had an incredible energy ever since. that book is true. It is inspiring people daily, people are discovering and rediscovering that book time and time again.
I am going to wrap this up. I love you two. Be good, safe and happy. Momma, know I'm praying for you and I'll be doing a fast especially devoted to you this weeked. Get well.
till next week, never a second wasted, finding those golder investigators (and less actives)
elder C. Rufus Sweeney
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
A worn out sole.....but a happy soul!
Ok, before I mention anything else, I have to tell you.. Neither of my shoes are functioning (see pictures for details...). I don't have any now that work properly.. In other words, I need new ones. I know a pair are coming in the mail, but it would be nice to get a couple more. :) Sorry for the late warning..
Alright, now that that's out of the way (I've been meaning to tell you for a while), WE HAD THE BAPTISM SATURDAY! It was great. Seriously, the kid is a monster already. He has plans of serving a mission, and wants to know when he can do it so he can leave as soon as possible. His name is Frank. I've also included a picture of that. It was a really beautiful day.
Then, Monday we had the priviledge of hearing from Elder Bednar from the quorum of the 12 apostles. The spirit was so powerful in that. I left a different missionary, and a different person. It wasn't super typical, he stood up in front of everyone and just asked the group of missionaries questions about the talks he assigned us to read. He made a point that anything that draws away from the spirit was priestcraft, including just saying that we did a good job in the lesson. It isn't us. It's the Lord.
At the end I was asked to say the closing prayer, so I was able to shake his hand. It was an honor really, because no one was supposed to be able to, with his super tight schedule he didn't have time to shake anyone's hand. But I got to sneak in and do it. ;) I asked him a quick question, if he remembered Tom Cowger from his Purdue days. He played intermural basketball with him. He said the name rang a bell, but couldn't remember well, and I told him he was the proud father of a missionary in Chile. He smiled and said thanks Elder Sweeney. I was happy to remind him that even those who he's possible forgotten about are in this work with him.
That wasn't the end of the day though. We arrived back in Bonao and went to a family home evening. It's the same one we go to just about every week with the same family, so I almost didn't want to go because I was pretty tired and it was getting late, but we went regardless. When we got there, everything seemed normal, but the old man of the house let us now shortly after that it wasn't so normal. He told us that his son, who was married about a year ago and has a baby of about a month old, was having problems with his marriage, and that we should pray for him. We gladly accepted, and started in with the message. In the middle of the spiritual message, that very son walked in from work, and sat down in his usually joking, fun mood. He is always jolly, always fun and joking about everything, kind of like Micheal in a way.
Well, the message finished and we four missionaries (the zone leaders were there as well) were invited by Jose Luna (the son) into his room, where we shut the door and just broke down. He could barely choke out the words, he was crying just like a little boy. It broke my heart.. I could never have seen this tough, young, jolly, light-hearted man break down like this. It was pitiful, and he told us about how his wife left and he was thinking bad thoughts about doing something to himself. He asked for a blessing, and Elder Bort read him a scripture that was followed by a beautiful blessing from Elder Logan. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. I'll never forget that experience. I felt the pure love of Christ in there as we helped out brother from the church out.
Well, I'm gonna wrap this one up. I was thinking about it.. And I think I'd rather go to Europe, that way also I can be SURE to be released from being a missionary beforehand. I've wanted to go to Europe for a LONG time anyway, you both know that. I love you two.
Be safe, be good, you know that I am. I am eating well enough, lots of vegetables now that I know how to wash them appopriately. I love you two.
Till next week, not a second wasted, and always working with the spirit,
Elder C. Rufus Sweeney
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The Power of Example
Hey there family. It's been a pretty crazy week. Let me break it down for you....
Sunday Humberto couldn't make it to church because one of his relatives died (of course, that guy has the strangest things happen to him on sunday.... Like I'm just waiting for him to tell us the road on the way to church was blocked by a giant blue whale). But, he's still pretty solid. Humberto is the 38 year old accountant that was super prepared.
Bad news though, Chinito, one of the young men that was supposed to be baptised, said he doesn't want to now because he went to carnaval (that diabolical festival where you dress up as a demon and get drunk) and he saw a couple of members there. He says he doesn't want to be baptised then make wrong choices like that and not be a true follower of Christ. We're had some intense lessons with him since, but we just can't shake him of his doubt. It's really sad.. I still don't know who the members were, but I must say, it was a HUGE lesson for me about how much an example is worth.
Let's see.. The other baptism is good to go. This Saturday he'll be getting dunked. He was so prepared. He already has a mission as a definite plan. I want to send him packages and all kinds of junk food on the mission.. haha I want him to feel special. He's a great young man.
I've been safe this week, luckily. At least on that end I'm good.
I only have a little bit of time left here in Bonao. It's really astounding how quickly these last couple transfers have gone. The mission as a whole, since a year, has just flown by. I think maybe that's a credit to knowing the language and the area, and being senior comp and trainer, it's all just kept me incredibly busy.. which is great. There really isn't ever a dull moment. We're always looking here for prepared people.
Speaking of which, we found this couple, Luis and Mayelin the other day that are just so cool. At their house, the second time we passed by, they fed us what's called morcilla, or pig intestine which deep fried blood in it. The next time they fed us something a bit less weird.. Some classic dominican cheese and what was called "leche criolla", or the by-product of cheese. It was pretty delicious... As for the pig intestine... well....
Anyway, this family is just awesome. They are super nice, the guy is funny, normal, works as a radiologist, and the woman is studying. They are off on Sunday, and they are really interested in the eternal family concept. I love them already, I'm hoping they keep progressing. They would be a wonderful family for the branch.
More news.. This Monday Elder Bednar is coming to the mission. Aparently there's going to be like a Q and A sesh, but nothing as far as shaking his hand or anything like that. It's going to be good I think regardless. I wanted to ask him if he remembers Tom Cowger from them playing basketball at Purdue, but I think I won't be able to do that. More on how that goes later.
Well, see you guys about 8 months. Love you, be safe and happy, I know you are.
Till next week, not a second wasted,
Elder C. Rufus Sweeney
Sunday Humberto couldn't make it to church because one of his relatives died (of course, that guy has the strangest things happen to him on sunday.... Like I'm just waiting for him to tell us the road on the way to church was blocked by a giant blue whale). But, he's still pretty solid. Humberto is the 38 year old accountant that was super prepared.
Bad news though, Chinito, one of the young men that was supposed to be baptised, said he doesn't want to now because he went to carnaval (that diabolical festival where you dress up as a demon and get drunk) and he saw a couple of members there. He says he doesn't want to be baptised then make wrong choices like that and not be a true follower of Christ. We're had some intense lessons with him since, but we just can't shake him of his doubt. It's really sad.. I still don't know who the members were, but I must say, it was a HUGE lesson for me about how much an example is worth.
Let's see.. The other baptism is good to go. This Saturday he'll be getting dunked. He was so prepared. He already has a mission as a definite plan. I want to send him packages and all kinds of junk food on the mission.. haha I want him to feel special. He's a great young man.
I've been safe this week, luckily. At least on that end I'm good.
I only have a little bit of time left here in Bonao. It's really astounding how quickly these last couple transfers have gone. The mission as a whole, since a year, has just flown by. I think maybe that's a credit to knowing the language and the area, and being senior comp and trainer, it's all just kept me incredibly busy.. which is great. There really isn't ever a dull moment. We're always looking here for prepared people.
Speaking of which, we found this couple, Luis and Mayelin the other day that are just so cool. At their house, the second time we passed by, they fed us what's called morcilla, or pig intestine which deep fried blood in it. The next time they fed us something a bit less weird.. Some classic dominican cheese and what was called "leche criolla", or the by-product of cheese. It was pretty delicious... As for the pig intestine... well....
Anyway, this family is just awesome. They are super nice, the guy is funny, normal, works as a radiologist, and the woman is studying. They are off on Sunday, and they are really interested in the eternal family concept. I love them already, I'm hoping they keep progressing. They would be a wonderful family for the branch.
More news.. This Monday Elder Bednar is coming to the mission. Aparently there's going to be like a Q and A sesh, but nothing as far as shaking his hand or anything like that. It's going to be good I think regardless. I wanted to ask him if he remembers Tom Cowger from them playing basketball at Purdue, but I think I won't be able to do that. More on how that goes later.
Well, see you guys about 8 months. Love you, be safe and happy, I know you are.
Till next week, not a second wasted,
Elder C. Rufus Sweeney
Too Much Excitement for one week!
Let me just start in, this week has been pretty crazy. First off, if Romney wins the Primaries, it may just mean Jesus is coming soon, and I´d have to choose me wife pretty quick, don´t you think? haha but seriously, I´m really happy about Florida, South Carolina had me a bit worried.
And about your chest pains.. Seriously, just go to the doctor if you feel even the slightest bit of pain in your chest. THE MOST IMPORTANT ORGANS are there. Ha jeez don´t scare me like that.
Ok, a little bit of news. A story rather. Last Wednesday, just after we had gotten done writing our letters to our families, Elder Wilkinson and I were walking over to a young man's house for a birthday party. His neighborhood is pretty rough, at least for like... Well not missionaries, but it takes up about 2/3 of our area and it's where the vast majority of our investigators are. Anyway, on the way to this area we pass by a relatively safe area (so we think..). We first have to go drop something off at a member's house, so as we pass by a house on our way we see two men shouting pretty intensely at each other. It's really not that uncommon to see fights and stuff here, but then we are passing by again 5 minutes later by the same house, and this time we hear a gun shot. My companion saw the man with a pistol, the same one who was just yelling. We hid behind a wall, and we see the mom of one of our good investigators passing by. We yelled at her to come over, telling her we just saw someone get shot. So, we saw the man with the pistol run the other direction, and two other men running up behind him with machetes. We took the opportunity to escape.
Needless to say we were a bit shaken up, but regardless we went to the birthday party. It was the birthday party of one of our investigators, Alex.
Another nice happening, Sunday we were getting ready to go to church and it starts raining. Every time it rains here on sunday it means it's going to be a poor turnout at church, and it's by the grace of God that you get even one investigator at church. Well, for like 4 weeks we had been inviting this man to go to church who is so good but every time he said he would go something would be presented or he'd have something ridiculous that came up. So, this was the Sunday he seemed the most sure and lo and behold, it was raining. Well, I was complaining a bit, but my comp was very calm, and before leaving the apartment we said a prayer. He simply said "bless the rain to go away so that we can have investigators in church." So simple, and the Lord heard his prayer. By the time we were out the door, it had stopped. And it was strange too, because there were rain clouds that had just passed us, a sliver of blue sky directly above, and then another rain cloud behind that. It was about a 30 minute window and that's all, but it's all that was needed. Every investigator with a baptismal date (except one) went to church, including that man who we wanted there so bad.
Let's see.. I should only have 6 weeks left here in Bonao (God willing). I love this place, but I've GOT to go. I would love to see the coast, as you said, or even to just be in Santiago. That would be enough. Bonao is practically my home, but people leave their home to go on trips about every 9 weeks, and I.. well I don't do that. Ha I'm ready to go.
We put another date for the 3 of March, so if all goes perfectly, we should be getting another few by the time I leave. One is almost sure, not this Saturday but the next. Two are likely for that day. The rest.. We'll see, but I'm hoping for 5 more by the time I'm out of here, we'll see. It would be a miracle for Bonao. For anywhere really.
I know you know it doesn't affect me to hear about the amount of time I have left. It doesn't affect the amount I work, but it does make me think about home a bit more, which is totally your plan, is it not? ha it's working if it is. I want so badly to eat at a Chinese place, and a mexican place, and cracker barrel, and to watch a movie.. or 200, and to go skiing, or just even be alone. Ha it's the one thing I may have taken for granted most before the mission.
I've been doing a lot of exercise of late, trying to get in shape again. My comp is a mad man, he's kind of dragging me along while he works out. ha but it's pretty effective.
I love you two. Stay well, mom and dad. DON'T DELAY GOING TO THE HOSPITAL! I hate finding out i have things wrong with me too but whatever, it's part of life.
Say hi to Grandma and Grandpa for me, I miss them a ton.
Till next week, not a second wasted,
Elder C. Rufus Sweeney
And about your chest pains.. Seriously, just go to the doctor if you feel even the slightest bit of pain in your chest. THE MOST IMPORTANT ORGANS are there. Ha jeez don´t scare me like that.
Ok, a little bit of news. A story rather. Last Wednesday, just after we had gotten done writing our letters to our families, Elder Wilkinson and I were walking over to a young man's house for a birthday party. His neighborhood is pretty rough, at least for like... Well not missionaries, but it takes up about 2/3 of our area and it's where the vast majority of our investigators are. Anyway, on the way to this area we pass by a relatively safe area (so we think..). We first have to go drop something off at a member's house, so as we pass by a house on our way we see two men shouting pretty intensely at each other. It's really not that uncommon to see fights and stuff here, but then we are passing by again 5 minutes later by the same house, and this time we hear a gun shot. My companion saw the man with a pistol, the same one who was just yelling. We hid behind a wall, and we see the mom of one of our good investigators passing by. We yelled at her to come over, telling her we just saw someone get shot. So, we saw the man with the pistol run the other direction, and two other men running up behind him with machetes. We took the opportunity to escape.
Needless to say we were a bit shaken up, but regardless we went to the birthday party. It was the birthday party of one of our investigators, Alex.
Another nice happening, Sunday we were getting ready to go to church and it starts raining. Every time it rains here on sunday it means it's going to be a poor turnout at church, and it's by the grace of God that you get even one investigator at church. Well, for like 4 weeks we had been inviting this man to go to church who is so good but every time he said he would go something would be presented or he'd have something ridiculous that came up. So, this was the Sunday he seemed the most sure and lo and behold, it was raining. Well, I was complaining a bit, but my comp was very calm, and before leaving the apartment we said a prayer. He simply said "bless the rain to go away so that we can have investigators in church." So simple, and the Lord heard his prayer. By the time we were out the door, it had stopped. And it was strange too, because there were rain clouds that had just passed us, a sliver of blue sky directly above, and then another rain cloud behind that. It was about a 30 minute window and that's all, but it's all that was needed. Every investigator with a baptismal date (except one) went to church, including that man who we wanted there so bad.
Let's see.. I should only have 6 weeks left here in Bonao (God willing). I love this place, but I've GOT to go. I would love to see the coast, as you said, or even to just be in Santiago. That would be enough. Bonao is practically my home, but people leave their home to go on trips about every 9 weeks, and I.. well I don't do that. Ha I'm ready to go.
We put another date for the 3 of March, so if all goes perfectly, we should be getting another few by the time I leave. One is almost sure, not this Saturday but the next. Two are likely for that day. The rest.. We'll see, but I'm hoping for 5 more by the time I'm out of here, we'll see. It would be a miracle for Bonao. For anywhere really.
I know you know it doesn't affect me to hear about the amount of time I have left. It doesn't affect the amount I work, but it does make me think about home a bit more, which is totally your plan, is it not? ha it's working if it is. I want so badly to eat at a Chinese place, and a mexican place, and cracker barrel, and to watch a movie.. or 200, and to go skiing, or just even be alone. Ha it's the one thing I may have taken for granted most before the mission.
I've been doing a lot of exercise of late, trying to get in shape again. My comp is a mad man, he's kind of dragging me along while he works out. ha but it's pretty effective.
I love you two. Stay well, mom and dad. DON'T DELAY GOING TO THE HOSPITAL! I hate finding out i have things wrong with me too but whatever, it's part of life.
Say hi to Grandma and Grandpa for me, I miss them a ton.
Till next week, not a second wasted,
Elder C. Rufus Sweeney
Thursday, January 26, 2012
A lost cell phone....and an earthquake!
Hmmmm.. The Cameron situation is really intriguing, especially with President Keyes throwing a wrench in there. For sure, anything that happens, keep me posted. I got an email from Vicki today, I'll go check what that says, but for now I'll just be praying.
Today was a really good, productive P-day. My comp and I cleaned, studied, went to La Sirena, took a nap, and came here to respond to emails. That email could not have been more trunk-tastic.. I wasn't very aware of the date. Obviously I knew what day it was, but I barely even think about how much time I have left or anything. 8 months is honestly nothing.. I remember when I had 8 months in the mission, I still felt like a new born.. Now I feel like a toddler I would say, trying to show a newborn how to crawl. It's really a huge priviledge to train though. It's been two of the best experiences of my mission up till now.
Well, this last Monday was interesting. We were on the way back from Santiago because we had a meeting up there and it suddenly hit me that I needed to use the restroom (this story probably won't go in the direction you think it will). Anyway, I'm sitting there in the guagua (essentially a van) and someone calls, so I fish the phone out of my pocket and take it. Well, it was really packed so I couldn't put it back in my pocket, so I put it between my legs. So, we get to Bonao, and the driver makes his rounds all over Bonao to drop everyone off, when finally we get to our stop. At this point I'm about to explode because of how badly I need to go, so I get off the van in a hurry and leave the phone on the van. My comp asks me if I have the phone and I say no, and then we realize it's back on the bus. The bus at this point is JUST out of range to be able to flag it down, so we just decide to go back to the house and use the owner of the house's phone to make a call to the Elders that are in the area of the van station. They pass by and say they didn't have a phone, but, with a little bit of hope we drove over to the station that evening to see if they had one. We asked the driver himself and he said he hadn't seen one... So, it was stolen. It sort of made me sick, but in the morning I called the office and apparently it's not that uncommon. That made me feel a bit better. Still, being phoneless in missionary work is like being gunless in a battle. It's not fun. We're just passing by everyone with the hope that they'll be there.. ha but Friday we're supposed to get another.
But, that was the big occurrence this week. Also, interestingly enough while I was using the restroom (just after leaving the guagua after the phone incident), there was an earthquake. It wasn't too big, but it shook the whole apartment and I felt the earthquake for a good minute and a half (just because the water in the toilet kept the momentum of the inicial shock for a while). It was nerve wracking. Aparently there's been a lot of seismic activity here lately..
What else.. Well our investigators are great. We have two that are especially good, Franc and Alex. They are really impressive young men. Franc is just a mad man, loves church and the people there and Alex is a reference and good friend of Jeury. It's really neat to see the result of the result of the Lord's work in Bonao. Jeury is just on fire. He's changed so much, it's amazing. Also, a middle aged man named Humberto, with a solid job and everything, very intelligent (we're thinking second counselor), is progressing really well and loving everything.
I am shocked at how fast it's gone. You were right, now that I've got more responsibility and more things going on the time seems to just be a blur. I can't remember the last time I had trouble sleeping when I came home at night. I am so tired when night comes it's just unreal. I love it.
It's interesting about what's going on with Cameron but I just have to leave it in the Lord's hands. It's nearly impossible to have any energy or desire to do the work if you don't have a testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet.. It's really what our whole message hinges on.
Love you two. Be safe, be there when I get home (I'm giving you the same commitment you gave me!), I can't wait to see you in 8 months. I'll keep the whole travel thing in mind. It says on my proselyting card thing signed my Thomas S. Monson that my last day is the 9th. Not sure? we'll see how it all pans out. It's hard to know this far away.
But, till next week, not a second wasted,
Elder C. Rufus Sweeney
Today was a really good, productive P-day. My comp and I cleaned, studied, went to La Sirena, took a nap, and came here to respond to emails. That email could not have been more trunk-tastic.. I wasn't very aware of the date. Obviously I knew what day it was, but I barely even think about how much time I have left or anything. 8 months is honestly nothing.. I remember when I had 8 months in the mission, I still felt like a new born.. Now I feel like a toddler I would say, trying to show a newborn how to crawl. It's really a huge priviledge to train though. It's been two of the best experiences of my mission up till now.
Well, this last Monday was interesting. We were on the way back from Santiago because we had a meeting up there and it suddenly hit me that I needed to use the restroom (this story probably won't go in the direction you think it will). Anyway, I'm sitting there in the guagua (essentially a van) and someone calls, so I fish the phone out of my pocket and take it. Well, it was really packed so I couldn't put it back in my pocket, so I put it between my legs. So, we get to Bonao, and the driver makes his rounds all over Bonao to drop everyone off, when finally we get to our stop. At this point I'm about to explode because of how badly I need to go, so I get off the van in a hurry and leave the phone on the van. My comp asks me if I have the phone and I say no, and then we realize it's back on the bus. The bus at this point is JUST out of range to be able to flag it down, so we just decide to go back to the house and use the owner of the house's phone to make a call to the Elders that are in the area of the van station. They pass by and say they didn't have a phone, but, with a little bit of hope we drove over to the station that evening to see if they had one. We asked the driver himself and he said he hadn't seen one... So, it was stolen. It sort of made me sick, but in the morning I called the office and apparently it's not that uncommon. That made me feel a bit better. Still, being phoneless in missionary work is like being gunless in a battle. It's not fun. We're just passing by everyone with the hope that they'll be there.. ha but Friday we're supposed to get another.
But, that was the big occurrence this week. Also, interestingly enough while I was using the restroom (just after leaving the guagua after the phone incident), there was an earthquake. It wasn't too big, but it shook the whole apartment and I felt the earthquake for a good minute and a half (just because the water in the toilet kept the momentum of the inicial shock for a while). It was nerve wracking. Aparently there's been a lot of seismic activity here lately..
What else.. Well our investigators are great. We have two that are especially good, Franc and Alex. They are really impressive young men. Franc is just a mad man, loves church and the people there and Alex is a reference and good friend of Jeury. It's really neat to see the result of the result of the Lord's work in Bonao. Jeury is just on fire. He's changed so much, it's amazing. Also, a middle aged man named Humberto, with a solid job and everything, very intelligent (we're thinking second counselor), is progressing really well and loving everything.
I am shocked at how fast it's gone. You were right, now that I've got more responsibility and more things going on the time seems to just be a blur. I can't remember the last time I had trouble sleeping when I came home at night. I am so tired when night comes it's just unreal. I love it.
It's interesting about what's going on with Cameron but I just have to leave it in the Lord's hands. It's nearly impossible to have any energy or desire to do the work if you don't have a testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet.. It's really what our whole message hinges on.
Love you two. Be safe, be there when I get home (I'm giving you the same commitment you gave me!), I can't wait to see you in 8 months. I'll keep the whole travel thing in mind. It says on my proselyting card thing signed my Thomas S. Monson that my last day is the 9th. Not sure? we'll see how it all pans out. It's hard to know this far away.
But, till next week, not a second wasted,
Elder C. Rufus Sweeney
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