Week 54: Finished Tending the Garden

Heading into the Storm

This will be a quick one because I have just got no time.

I'm getting transferred!! I'm honestly heartbroken. I am not ready to leave Jardines but I know the Lord has so many better things in store for my personal development. I still don't know where I'm going but I'm excited to find out tomorrow! Not excited to start packing and run all the errands I gotta run 🫠 But feel free to pray that I get sent to Villanueva (I miss you Elder Evanson)

This week was honestly incredible. So many sweet moments of reflection and goodbyes but also just classic missionary work. I love knowing that I'm growing. That has been one of my goals in all of my mission and I think I have grown the most here in this super blessed area. There have also been incredible examples of consecration and service, namely Hector and Allan, that have changed my life forever.

Sonia and Samuel are still absolutely balling and were already living the Word of Wisdom when we taught it to them. Y'know normal stuff? They came to church and told us that they have to postpone their baptism for a couple of days… so that ALL OF THEIR FAMILY CAN COME!! I won't be here for it but I will be so happy on August 1st no matter where I am.

We have also found some other absolutely elect people thanks to members who keep their covenants and touch the hearts of their friends solely through their example and the light of Christ they have. One thing I have noticed recently is the tangibility of the light of Christ. When people are really trying to fill their hearts with love for the Lord and love for others, this light is physically visible.

Other stuff:

● It RAINED. A lot. We got wet. A lot.

● Drank my first blue powerade in a year. Twas a glorious moment.

● Said bye to a lot of very very loved people. This area is literally my home.

● Said bye to Elder Alvarado who is finishing his mission. He's been in my district the entire time I've been in Jardines and he has helped me learn so much about teaching and also enjoying my mission. He will be missed😔✊️

This week, I heard something I loved in Elders Quorum that has a little bit to do with transfers. The missionaries are always changing. The people in our lives who are our mentors, teachers, and examples come and go. However, there are two constant missionaries, mentors, teachers, and examples here on this earth that NEVER change– the Book of Mormon and the temple and its associated covenants. They teach us unchanging truths in a rapidly changing world. They teach us to live for Christ.

I love my mission, it has been the most difficult, beneficial, stretching, and sacred experience of my life all thanks to these two eternal and perfect constants.

With much love,

Élder Snyder