Nov 3 2014

Hey everybody, I hope you all had a great Halloween and that the Prior Lake Cross country team ran fast at state. Were there a lot of people out trick or treating? Because here in Piura I didn't see a single one. Here they don't celebrate halloween much at all. It falls on the same day as a day of the criolle music or however that ord is spelled. But the people barely celebrate that either. So it's pretty much a double holiday and they didn't do much for either, but I think the students celebrate it in their schools.

 Anyway, I had a good week, we taught a less active this week and we met her brother and mother and the mom had listened to the missionaries a year or so back and was going to get baptized but her husband didn't want her to. We taught them about the restoration and the mom remembers a lot and hopes to be able to start going to church again and possibly get baptized with her son. Hna. Angelica, who we started teaching 2 months ago but left to Lima for a month, went to church yesterday! We can only count the attendence if she stays the three hours and she said she had to go home after the sacrament meeting but the bishop and a bunch of members of the relief society welcomed her and they became friends...she ended up staying the three hours. Many times there are investigators that don't wish to stay the three hours or get baptized just because no one takes the time to get to know them and be their friend. I am so glad that the members this week stepped up and made her feel welcome in the church. In a stake priesthood conference yesterday evening a zone leader spoke (Elder Parra who was in the CCM with me) about just that. People, investigators and less actives, need to feel welcome. We have no idea what is going in their lives and a hug or a friendly conversation might be just what they need.

In the same conference the first counselor of the stake presidency talked about the people with testimonies and the people who are converted. Those with testimonies go to church and pay tithing and all but those who are converted are those who change their beliefs, heart, and life to accept the will of the Lord. The true converts don't get tired of doing the right, and if they do, they quickly surpass it and keep it up. It was a great talk. And on the 15th of November the whole mission will come together to listen to Elder Evans ;) he's from the 70.

 

I don't have much time to respond but this week in church the Christmas music has already started. And yesterday I got the 'dear elder' letter you sent in september. Thanks for the letter. And the package. That also arrived. I greatly enjoyed the candy corn and I shared some with my companion. It lasted a day or two I think. Thanks again!!

Have a great week! Love you all!

Elder Evans