Week 56: I Need to Buy Crocs!

A river of chocolate milk decided to show up

I've never been more tired before in my mission but dang has it been a good week. Just really trying to give it everything I have here and it's been so fulfilling.

This week we had MLC and it was incredible and I learned a lot about things I can do to help my area have more success as well as things I can do to be more aware of the missionaries in my zone. I also got a package from my parents that contained nerd clusters and Special K with Strawberries so you already know why it's been a dope week.

Ran up exchanges with a brand new elder named Elder Jackson. He's had a bit of a tough time adjusting to this foreign land of Honduras and it was really cool to help him with some of the necessary and tricks to life here, as well as spanish and other aspects of the work. I made a really good friend and it made me really want to train a gringo soon. We also had a cool experience contacting and started talking to a teenager in the street because he stopped to tie his shoe. Yesterday, we visited him in his house and was SUPER interested in what we taught him and could really progress. He lives just barely outside of our area so we will be passing him off to the sister missionaries but I am so excited to see how he continues to progress all because he stopped to tie his shoe.

After 8 hours in bus in 2 days Elder Reanda and I were exhausted but there's no time to waste on the Lord's errand so we hit the streets and put a baptismal date for Guillermo!! This man is just incredible. Yesterday, we read the doctrine of Adam and Eve which is contained in 2 Nephi 2 and Guillermo just lit up with excitement and gratitude. He told us that he had been pondering this story of the Bible and it's purpose for us and he told us that he knew the Book of Mormon was true and that this church is the true church of Jesus Christ. He has been receiving tons of opposition from his friends of other religions but he always takes his questions to us and after every lesson he tells us that he believes what we teach and that all of the opposition he is facing is proof of the truthfulness of our message because “Satan would only try this hard if this were the truth.” Please pray that he can continue with this inspirational faith so he can enter the waters of baptism the 17th of August!

Other stuff:

● My companion told me I was dropping baptismal invitations in my sleep so that was pretty lit #grinddontstop

● We sacrificed more time this week to focus on the success and wellbeing of the companionships in our zone and I love being able to be a part of these special experiences.

● It rained a lot. Walking in water above our ankles. Rivers in the streets, thunder shaking all the windows, absolutely sprinting to try to find shelter. Lit times.

● Shined my shoes for the first time in my life today. Better late than never right?

● Take note fellow missionaries. Word got out in the street that I have “What would Jesus do?” bracelets and all of the sudden all of the youth in the ward are acting like we've been homies since we were all in diapers and now want to go teaching with us 🤷‍♂️.

Alma 34 is getting added to the official list of the actual best chapters in the Book of Mormon. In the past, verses 32 and 33 always caught my attention but this time around it was 31 and 38.

“31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.”

“38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.”

Now is the time to give it everything we can to seek our own salvation, our family's exaltation, and the happiness of others. The Spirit will guide us to do exactly this and we must not deny it or be lazy. We must accept it and trust that the Lord will help us do what he needs from us. If we ask righteously, the mysteries and powers of heaven will be poured upon us to fulfill the will of God. Joseph Smith was the perfect example of this. Through his efforts to ask righteously, some of the most key questions of this life about God and His Gospel have been answered and we know the truth! Ask for the help you desire, and then pray a little harder, and things get better.

With much love,

Élder Snyder