11/20/17
Hey guys,
This week has been really good. I really learned some valuable lessons.
We had the baptisms of Rocio and Milagros. Which indeed was a bunch of milagros.
(miracle in spanish) We worked really hard and they wanted to be baptized. Thursday in the afternoon we had the interviews for them. Elder Carreras, one of the zone leaders, did their baptismal interviews and they were excited for Saturday. Friday, I had to do exchanges with Elder Altamirano in his area in 9 de Julio. Leaving my companion with Elder Burnham, who is on his first transfer. My companion called me to tell me that Rocio was backing out and didn´t want to be baptized. I felt pretty useless because I wasn´t in my area and I couldn´t do anything to talk or teach to Rocio before the baptism Saturday. It was just my companion (who is quite new) with an elder who is very new taking care of my area for the day. I had to admit I was in doubt on how they would handle the situation.
I got on my knees and prayed for the guidance on what to do. Then I got that thought to my head.
´TRUST IN THEM.´
I felt that and I knew that they would do what would be necessary to help Rocio to be baptized with her sister. They would accomplish whatever the Lord saw fit. I felt at peace and I knew everything would be alright. Later that night I was doing my nightly verifications with my district and I called Elder Lowe to see what happened. I could feel by the calmness of his voice that Rocio got the help and answers she needed. That was the case. Elder Lowe and Burnham got the job done and helped solve the doubts that Rocio had. I feel like If I was their that Friday Afternoon, Rocio may not have been baptized. The Lord needed those two Elders to help a daughter of God with their doubts.
I learned some valuable lessons that day. I´ve heard a lot growing up that ´´If you want the job done right, do it yourself.´´ When that situation came to my awareness I immediately thought how can I fix this situation. Or dang I should of stayed in MY area so I could of handled this. I´ve really come to learn a lot about working as a team and trusting in those that you work with.
As a missionary we all have different skills, talents, and abilities that make us unique. BUT. The success we have isn´t because we are just so talented as a missionary but rather that the Lord uses us in his way and will to achieve what was part of his plan. We must give our all and he will use us as an instrument in his hands. As missionaries we have to trust in our companions and their abilities and talents. Everyone brings something different to the table. And this work CANNOT be done alone. In life we must trust our companions, spouses, families, any and all who come under our service. The Lord trusts in us. We must trust in them when a task is in front of them or the situation has shown a little adversity. THE LORD TRUSTS US. TRUST THEM.
I feel like I am learning each and everyday about leadership and discipleship. I really feel like I am changing alot in these few weeks. I am happy about my progress and that the Lord is shaping and molding me to become the best Elder Batman I can be.
The Lord is blessing us a lot. Elder Lowe and I are baptizing quite a bit here in El Colmenar. We have a lot of people planned in these next few weeks to enter in to the covenant of baptism. I am happy with the work we are doing and we are going to try to give even more of our effort and focus.
I am thankful to be here, and I am thankful to have had such a great companion in Elder Lowe who has helped me a ton this past transfer. We´ve worked very hard and have achieved much success together. It would be great to stay together one more transfer but it seems like one of us will be transferred from here. I really hope I stay here because this area has so much potential and I have come to love it here.
But whatever the Lord´s will be, I will follow it.
Thanks guys for everything, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love you guys.
Élder Batman
Barrio El Colmenar
San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán
La Misión Argentina Salta
