September 12, 2016

This week was absolutely amazing. We started off by putting our weekly goals (something we do every week) and having them get rejected by our leaders. ¨Why Not?¨ we asked the Zone Leaders. ¨They´re too high, we understand that you´re new in your area but the missionaries in your branch never achieve goals that high. So we´re going to have to ask you to lower them a bit.¨ Well, they´re our leaders. So without arguing we lowered them. But let me just say, I took that conversation as a personal challenge. We worked even harder than we did the week before and were blessed enough to see the fruits of our labors at the end of the week. We brought a total of 10 new investigators to church and they all loved it! We´re here in a branch so there aren´t many active members, maybe 40-60 in a good week. But they quickly embrace new members and help them feel right at home. I am very thankful for that. 

Always remember to reach out to the new people! Everyone needs more friends and everyone needs to feel more brotherly kindness. You never know the influence you might have in their lives.

So anyways, it turned out to be an awesome week. The Lord has truly blessed us here.

One of the families we´re working with is the Sanchez Family. They have 9 kids (6 living with them still) and Sunday was their first time in the church. They have turned out to be an amazing family, willing to do what it takes to find more happiness and peace in their lives. There´s a picture of them below. I can truly say that they are starting to live the gospel and will be blessed for it.

17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

I also got to see more of the Chona. It is exaclty what it looks like on google maps: a small town surrounded by dirt and farms. There are lots of sheep, cows, chickens, and horses too. But it is a wonderful place. I love it here. There may not be grocery stores, but its got everything we need!

Have a wonderful week!

Elder Phillips

Ps. I´m also getting practice on the piano again! Man am I rusty!