Can you believe that this week I completed 9 months as a missionary?! That means that half of my mission is over. How quickly time seems to pass by. This past week has been full of very spiritual experiences. On Thursday we had our Zone Conference and President Arrignton talked a lot about having the faith to find the people prepared to receive this gospel. During the conferene we had a special activity. President began explaining that two Elders were going to leave the church and find someone in the street willing to enter the church for a few minutes and that while they were searching for someone all of us in the church were going to begin praying that the Elders could find someone. He then explained that we all had to be prepared to show the video Because he lives, then teach a 3 minute lesson because at the last second he was going to one compaionship to teach.
At first I thought he was joking. It seemed so silly that 20 missionaries would begin praying for the Elders to find someone to enter into our conference. It didnt take too long before I realized that this wasnt a joke but we were really expected to have the faith that the Lord would put someone in the path of those two Elders. I began to pray and prepare with my companion. 15 minutes passed and the Elders still hadnt entered. I think President was a little nervous but we all waiting and prayed with faith.
After 20 minutes the Elders enterd with someone named Maxi. He was on his way to study but was willing to enter for a minute. We immeditaly showed him the video and after President chose two elders to teach. I honestly felt the spirit so strongly and left that conferenec feeling a lot more humble. With the Lord all things are possible. We just need to excersise a little bit of faith and put in our full effort. I will remember that expereince forever!
At the end of the week we had the special privelage of listening to Elder Oaks. He was in Santiago and spoke through a broadcast to 4 of the missions here in Chile. He has such a powerful conviction of the truth. I left that conference feeling more motivated to dedicate everything I have, my thoughts and my efforts to the Lords work during this very short time that I have to be a full time representative of Christ.
To end the week we had the baptism of Marcelo. It was such a beauitful experience. He is a pretty shy guy but bore an incredibly powerful testimony at the end of the baptismal service. He is going to be such a great leader in the church one day and has already paid for part of his bus ticket to go to the temple next weekend with his family.
I feel so full of emotion. I love being a missionary and have seen an extreme amount of miracles this week. Thank you everyone for your prayers, love, and support. Please know I am praying for you all too. Have a wonderful week!
Con harto amor,
Hermana Parkin