I hope everyone is doing well! I know I am doing well up here in Campanas!
This week, the other elders had 2 baptisms, a mother and her teenaged daughter, and I had the privilege to do their baptismal interviews. These two were found by my dear friend Elder Abarca many months ago and they had finally decided to take this step of faith. Their baptismal interviews were some of the most spiritual experiences of my mission as I got to watch these people share their testimonies with me and as I got to share my testimony with them. Yesterday, everything went well in their baptism and the ward showed out to support them.
Speaking of sharing testimonies, this week, we found a young man named Alex. He works for a cruise ship company so he knows fluent English and is familiar with many different cultures and peoples of this world. He has so many questions about the church and the Book of Mormon and it is just a pleasure to teach him. A couple of days ago, Elder Prior began to testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and although his Spanish is already fantastic, he had to stop and think for a little. In this pause, Alex told him he could share his testimony in English if he desired. Elder Prior finished in Spanish but I felt such a strong desire to share my testimony in my native language. I did and it was very special for me. There was something so different and so much more meaningful to me to testify of my favorite part of this Gospel in my native language. Take advantage to testify in whatever language you can- whether it be in English, Spanish, music, art, technology, or service- testify. It will change you as it has changed me.
María (mama coco) is still progressing incredibly fast and it is just so fun to teach her. The other day we asked her how it's going with coffee and she was like “I have a crazy bad headache but it's chill I've been worse.” A few days later she said she no longer has any pain and feels no need for coffee. She is constantly cracking jokes during the lessons based on the principles we are teaching and, to me, that shows better than anything that she is understanding the Restored Gospel. I truly love the elderly. I love hearing their histories and their past times. I love seeing them continue to learn and to have such an eternal perspective on life. She told us how her children were telling her that it is ridiculous that at her age she is making all these changes and taking the risk to go to church (she is very fragile) but she told them, “No. I want to save my soul before I part from this life. I know that this church is the only way to do that. There is no other place where I feel such love and sincerity. I am getting baptized!” Thank you for your prayers for María!
Other things:
— Today is our pensionista's birthday so we just filled her apartment with balloons and bought her some Nutella (a delicacy here) so that was fun. We'll see how she reacts though haha
— Our recent convert Joshua received the Priesthood and will be going to the temple this Saturday with his grandpa’s name!!
— Had the multizona and performed a musical number with Elder Evanson once again. It was awesome to catch up again with some great friends.
This week in my studies, I have truly come to learn about the importance of daily feasting on the words of Christ. I love the Book of Mormon and everything it teaches about Christ's nature as well as Satan's nature. Reading the Book of Mormon is one of the most efficient ways I think we can develop the ability to discern between what is righteous and what is subtly evil. I love the Gospel and this church because of all of the scriptures and knowledge available. It brings me peace.
With so much love,
Élder Snyder
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