Family and Friends!

I hope you guys are getting into the Christmas spirit. It is sunny and hot here and does not feel like Christmas at all, but I am trying to adjust. Currently, two missionaries reassigned in the Esperanza district, and now me and my companion are in charge of two areas and it is HUGE. We didn't have any money this past week, so we had to do a lot of walking. It is really insane. Last night we walked all the way to Virgen de Soccorro in the night, which is actually really dangerous, but I didn't know and my companion didn't tell me until AFTER we got back that he was guarding the cell phone because he didn't want them to rob me if we did get into trouble.... so that was kinda interesting!  Hahaha!  I hope we have that divine protection, but I don't want to test how much divinity can protect us!

I have been reading a lot in Alma, and Alma 5 is a pretty intense self reflection chapter. Alma asks all these questions to the people and I have been trying to think about them myself. If I were to die at this moment, can I say I have walked blameless before God? I have been thinking a lot about all these questions Alma asks, and it is something we all have to think about. Are we sufficiently humble, or do we hold on to our pride because we think we are right or that we know better? Do we listen to the priesthood authorities and actually apply their direction into our lives, or do we not take what they have to say as important?

As a missionary, I have been trying really hard to take all the direction the President has to give the missionaries, the Prophets and Apostles, and all. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, they have the keys to guide and direct us! They are literally given the authority to tell us the things we need to hear and do. The Bishop has the keys for the members of his ward, the Stake President for the stake, Area 70 for the area, and so forth all the way to the Prophet and Jesus Christ who is at the head of this church. Isn't it beautiful how the true church is a house of order? This doesn't mean the men are perfect, because no one is perfect, but it is beautiful to see the work of the Lord being hastened and organized in effective ways to maximize the aide for the people. I hope you guys can read this chapter and ask yourself the same questions Alma asks. Internalize it, ponder it, then act upon it!

I love you guys and miss you guys so much. You guys mean the world to me, and I love the support and strength I have from home to rely on. You guys are amazing, ustedes son la maximum.