Mission Conference plus...

Mon, September 13, 2010 7:47:56 PM

We just had mission conference today with Elder Don Clarke of the 70 and it was very inspiring and answered a lot of prayers and questions. I felt a rush of motivation and rededication to why I´m here and it´s almost in a way a fresh start. It is funny how often a person needs that! Remember to be an exceptional you and if you need help finding where you are or what you need, the Book of Mormon is a book of revelation! So much can be opened up to you if you only open the door. Whatever method of study is best for you, do it. It seems like there is never enough time here in the mission to do all the study that I want and feel like I need. Make use of the time that is given to you!

Our baptism this last weekend fell through cuz the mother of Christian (14) denied permission for him to be baptized. So sad.. but we respect the word of the mother. However, remember Anita who was just baptized? Her family is interested and one of her daughters will be baptized this weekend (and possibly her teenage son too). It is amazing to see the gospel work in the lives of this family. They are very excited to be sealed in a temple together one day.. and I´m excited for them as well. We have 7 baptisms lined up for this weeknd. Those 2, an older man, Juaquin y Laura (the young couple who get married on Friday!!), and a couple of tweenagers, who are just great! Their bright and smiling faces are so good to see, after some hard things theyve had to endure in their lives. I´m so happy they are here in this moment making the choices that they are cuz I know the Lord will bless them so much for the rest of their lives.

Random things about Nicaragua:

- Bottled soda is 35 cents, but if that is too expensive, you can buy it in a plastic baggie. Most people do that, and it usually comes with a straw but if not they just tear a corner and drink it that way. They actually use the bag method for a variety of things

- People that live in the concrete block houses pull their car in to their living room. Like.. there´s a ramp from the street going right on in. It is funny sometimes to see haha

- I´ve seen entire families riding on motorcyles, and many on 1 bike. It is not strange to see a guy biking, his wife sitting on the front, carrying a child.

- there´s more but I don´t have time to write about it now haha later with that

Well, the work is good, prayers are answered and things are going well, I´m alive. The weather is annoying, but the sky is absolutely beautiful more often than I ever thought possible of a sky. I loved when I was at Disney World watching the fireworks every night. Here it´s kind of like a natural version of that... the heavens sort of open and colors are everywhere and if there´s a storm aways off, you can see the lightning spark really sharp and that is reaaaaaaally pretty. AND it is so.. big here! The only other place I´ve ever seen it this big is when I was on top of a sand dune in Rexburg.

Oh hey, also, if anyone has any ideas for object lessons or EFY games or anything, please Dear Elder them to me or something! That would be a huge help - we are working on ideas for strengthening the youth here. If the youth become strong, then the country becomes strong and many more great things and opportunities will be able to come to this people.

Well.. gotta run. We´re having family home evening with some investigators. Adios!

- Hna Rashlin