This
will be my last letter from a proselyting area. It's hard to think that it's
coming to a close. Despite the difficulties in these last few weeks, there is
nothing I'd rather do. There is no greater work, and I don't think I will every
be able to repay my Father in Heaven for the things that He has shown me and
given me.
This
week we found an investigator, Jorge, who many years ago when he was 7 was
taken to Church each week by his neighbor, but when he turned 8, his mom cut
him off from the Church so he would not be baptized. He's extremely receptive.
I
sprained my wrist this week and today in the morning we played dodge ball as a
zone and I sprained my thumb. It's swollen, and Elder Goyeneche broke the fridge
which has the freezer inside, so we don't have ice. This should be fun.
Today
we went to the German Hospital because a recent convert who is the daughter of
a member from Brazil was still having problems. She was taking anticoagulants
and lots of other medications to prevent excessive pressure on her brain. About
two weeks ago she started having lots of problems, and she lost consciousness a
few days ago. She was on a breathing machine, and now they've decided that
she's gone. We were there in the hospital, 4 elders and 4 sister missionaries,
when the doctors came, did the study, and gave the results. We broke the rules
and hugged Sis. Carvalhaes because she was in such great need.
I
feel often as though we have been set apart to bear a perspective that is very
different from the world. I feel sorrow for the parting of Suhene, "but
there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of
death is swallowed up in Christ." I have no doubt of this. I have come to
know and feel it as if I had seen it myself.
"And
if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with
light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled
with light comprehendeth all things." For "He comprehended all
things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;
Which truth shineth. ... And the light which shineth, which giveth you light is
thorugh him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth
your understandings; ... the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God,
being quickened in him and by him. Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that
I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me;
otherwise ye could not abound." As I have strived to keep my "eye
single to the glory of God," I have been blessed with a greater
comprehension of Our Father in Heaven and His Son. I know better why it is that
They love us and have gone at such infinite lengths to bring us back home. It
is my prayer that I never take off my name tag, that from now and into the
eternities I will continue to bear His name and help others to "come unto
the fountain of all righteousness and be saved." It is my prayer that we
may all come to be filled with his love, "that when he shall appear we
shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is;"