April
23, 2012
Dear family,
My apartment is a lot better that our old
one. I will get to stay in it for
another transfer. I have been here forever but we had interviews with President
Topham and he told me that after I am done training Elder Rivas I will be
transferred to get a new experience. By the time I leave I will have been
in Chambersberg for 9 months.
That is crazy that Trevor and Adam Staples won't
see each other for four years as they serve their missions! I am glad to
hear that Michael Kowalk is doing well in his mission. It sounds like his
dad Mark had some pretty spiritual experiences while on his mission. I
think all missionaries go through some similar experiences. I feel like
the Lord prepared the people for me and that I have a specific purpose
here. There are people all around us that the Lord has been preparing. We
just need to put forth the effort to reach out to them.
My mission has changed my life and I have
experienced many things that I would have never experienced if it wasn't for my
mission. The people here have changed me and I hope I have made an impact
on them. I may never know. I do want to share one experience that I had
this week. By the way, this was one of
the best weeks of my mission. We found and taught lots of Spanish speaking
people during the week and I have been able to see the power of tongues in my
life. I have been working on my Spanish more than ever this week and I
was able to see that work pay off when we went and taught a lady named Estela.
Estela is from Guatemala and she is trying to learn English so I could tell
that learning English is very important to her at this time just as learning Spanish
is important to me. I could sort of relate to what she must be going
through. Elder Rivas started by explaining the Book of Mormon and the
introduction. Then, I started telling her of the importance of the Book
of Mormon and I expressed that if she would read the Book of Mormon in her
native language and then if she would read it in English that her English would
improve immensely. She was really excited about this and said she would
read it. I feel that it was something that I needed to say to her and
that through the gift of tongues I was able to do so. This was a cool
experience but what made this week one of the best was what happened last
night.
Last night we had a lesson with Kim and Kevin.
We had a member with us named Bro. Wilhelm and we finished up teaching the plan
of salvation. After teaching we all bore testimony starting with Bro. Wilhelm
and then Elder Rivas. I followed up by expressing my love for them and my
testimony that I know that this is God’s plan for us and that through Christ’s
atonement we can make it back to live with our Father in heaven. I then
asked them the question. "Kim and Kevin will you follow the
example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the authority of
God?" There was a pause and then Kevin said “yes, I will”. Kim
was a little hesitant because of her family all being Catholic but we quickly
addressed that concern with strong testimony that God will provide a way.
After that, she gave us a definite YES! I couldn't help but smile at this
point. I have been thinking about this family ever since I first met them
and I am so HAPPY that they are following the example and being baptized.
We promised them the blessings that would come from being baptized and set them
with a date for the 26th of May. After this, Kevin expressed
his appreciation for us and what we do and how much he has already felt blessed
by us coming and teaching him. He then asked where he could buy a nice Book
of Mormon and bible, haha. Mom and dad, I can't express to you the joy
last night brought to me. This family will be so blessed and the Lord has
been preparing them long before I talked to them. I know God is preparing
people for me to teach. The field is white already to harvest and I have
been called to reap.
Thanks for all your love and support. I
love you all so much!!!!
Love,
Tanner
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