Week 33: It Was Not a Sign

Popeyes: One of the happiest moments of my mission.

Super good week full of success and let downs but I am honestly so hopeful for this area in the coming future.

I honestly don't remember a ton because I was terrible about writing in my journal this week because I was absolutely exhausted every night from walking countless miles and talking to everyone we saw.

I went to Popeyes today. God is real. That is the only explanation for the Popeyes strawberry cheesecake pie.

I went on divisions with my absolute dawg Elder Rodriguez (he is American) in the beach town of Omoa and it was so lit. He plays guitar too so you already know I brought mine and we jammed out at night. We were also teaching this one guy about baptism and saw the biggest and brightest shooting star any of you will ever see in your life and we thought it was a sign from heaven so we invited him to be baptized and he said no 🤠😅 I kid you not this shooting star was enormous.

The teenage girl we are teaching named Arlette is still progressing towards baptism for this Saturday, but her evangelical mom doesn't quite think she's ready. She hasn't given permission yet, so please please please pray she will trust in the desire and testimony of her daughter and that Arlette will be able to show her mom the desire she has to follow Christ! We had such a special lesson yesterday where we cleared up a lot of the mom's doubts and helped her realize we all want what is best for her daughter and we saw a ton of progress in her but prayers are still so so needed.

We are also teaching a single mother named Jasmin who is soooo prepared. She loves reading the Book of Mormon and asks so many sincere and curious questions (a nice break from the many Bible bashes I found myself in in the week before). Please pray that she will be able to tune out the talk of her family and keep pressing forward with faith.

Something that was on my mind all week is something I have talked about before but it is faith. It is just so important in missionary work and in normal life! We are more positive, kind, and happy as we progress through this life with faith that God will bless us. Faith that people will listen and make changes in their lives. Faith in ourselves. Faith that each disappointment is for our benefit. There two scriptures that have changed my life, 2 Nephi 26:24 and Ether 12:12.

24 He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.

12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

Let God change your life because of your faith in Him, and trust that every challenge is for your benefit. All of us are given the privilege to partake of salvation. Choose to do so. Choose to learn, act, make mistakes, and grow as you follow the will of our Loving and Eternal Father in Heaven.

With so much love,

Élder Snyder