The Work Moves On

What an amazing week this has been! Our key-indicators (numbers we keep track of and report like lessons taught and Books of Mormon given away) have been a record low; all zero’s except the three lessons we taught this week. However, we have worked so hard and enjoyed the Spirit very much this week.

General Conference was amazing! There has been no experience thus far in my mission that has come with such a spiritual high. The announcement of the temple in Hartford brought indescribable feelings of elation. There were only a few people in the chaple with us watching when the announcement was made, but the joy and tears and Spirit there was electric.

Prior to Conference, I wanted to understand my purpose more. As I mentioned earlier, our numbers had been slipping and our pool of investigators has dropped to two people (Emily and Julian). I started to experience discouragement, telling myself that any baboon could stand in my shoes and accomplish the same thing. However, my prayers for a greater understanding and resolve were answered in the priesthood session. Elder Nelson was the opening speaker. He stepped to the pulpit and asked all full-time missionaries to stand, wherever in the world they may be. I stood and he took a moment to offer praise and thanks for the valiant men serving missions. It mad me realize that I am not in this alone; that I am one member of a massive army, moving the word of God forth. It was a great feeling. I’m getting emotional all over again just thinking about it.

Between sessions yesterday, we went to lunch at a Spanish members house with the Spanish Elders and had TOSTADAS!! Before yesterday, I didn’t even know what those were but it brought a smile to my face as I thought of my surrogate brother being chased around by the girl screaming, “Eli, want a tostada?”

This week, as you could probably tell by the numbers, was full of tracting and trying to find people to teach. We still have a few potentials and people we need to follow up with so please pray that Elder Thomas and I can start teaching some of these people.

Today, we are taking the train up to New Haven and going to Yale (Not Harvard…). It should be a neat experience and I’ll let you know how it turns out. Maybe I’ll love it so much that I’ll decide to go there. You never know. Haha.

I hope you are all doing well. Remember how much I love each of you and think about you all. Have a great week!