Week 88 - April 1, 2019

Dear Family,

Well, this week was an excellent week.  On Saturday, we had the baptism of Willians Poso and the Bautista Family (Antonio, Abraham, and Juan.)  And wow, it was amazing!  It was such an amazing special experience to see all of them get baptized.  

Later, they all shared their testimony and it was super special when Willians shared his testimony.  He is kind of a bold guy, but when he shared his testimony, he just teared up and it was such a special moment.  I wish I could describe it better, but words can't describe how amazing it was!:)  On Sunday, we had the confirmation of all of them and it, as well, was super special.  We were able to have a bunch of new investigators come this week, as well.  We finished the week off great, super excited to see what we can do this next week, too!

Not only was that the good news of the week, this week we visited Jessica and Israel and their family.  We went with a member and it turns out that they were already good friends and they got along super well and got them super excited to go to church--more importantly to get married.  We talked about when they could get married on Wednesday, and they said that they would talk and think about it.  Out of nowhere, on Saturday they came up and told us that they are planning to get married in the beginning of May!  As well, that they want to get baptized later on in that week!!  Such a miracle, we are seeing so many miracles here in Atacames.  Israel and Jessica will be a big help to the Branch.  They are both so amazing and willing to help everyone.  I'm so excited how they continue to progress!!

As well, we were able to have inter-changes with the Zone Leaders.  I went with Elder Vega, again haha.  It's always a good time when we get to go and work together.  We were able to have a pretty good day and find some new investigators.  As well, we taught one of the girls they have with a date for baptism, and she was awesome, so that was a pretty good highlight of the week!

This week in the Book of Mormon I read in Helaman.  A part that caught my attention was in Chapter 6:17:  "For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one above another; therefore they began to commit secret murders, and to rob and to plunder, that they might get gain."  I find it interesting that the Lord blessed them basically too much that they decided to sin...  WE all receive blessings in this life, some more than others but I believe that this scripture teaches us how important it is to recognize the blessings that the Lord has given us.  What are the blessings that you received this week?  Write them down and give thanks to Him for everything he has given you.

Love, Elder Co-pa-lan