Manuel 5/26

So this past week was the first week in the new house and for the first 4 days we didn't have water or electricity so that was a bit of a struggle to wash clothes, eat, bathe, pretty much do anything, but we managed and now everything is great with the house. 

Other than that this week was pretty normal, we are working hard to find the people here who are not just willing to listen to us but are willing to act! This week we had an awesome lesson with Manuel and he accepted a bautismal date for June 14th. Carmen who is his friend and a convert to the church, my companion and I all shared our testimonies and experiences from our baptisms and the spirit was super strong. I was planning on just letting Carmen and Elder Guillen share their stories, because they were baptized a lot more recently than me and I don't remember much about my baptism (12 years ago) but after they both finished, Manuel looked and me and waited... and almost without thinking I started talking about my baptisimal interview with Bishop Billings, which just came to my mind. Afterwards Manuel gave me a hug (I was tearing up a little) and told me not to cry and then I explained to him about the spirit and he was like 'oh yeah I know I felt that but you don't have to cry.' Hahaha 

 5 Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;

 6 For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.

 7 But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.

 8 And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say.

So this was a really awesome experience that lifted my spirits after a tough few weeks, but then on Sunday Manuel didn't come to church so we'll have to talk about that with him! Finally somebody did come to church though!  The cousin of a few kids that we're baptised a while back, named Ana came to church with her cousin. We have taught her a few times but this week we are going to try and put a baptismal date with her! We also had a great lesson with Areli where we brought two young members with us so she could meet some members and not be so timid to come to church. The lesson started of a little awkward because she is suuuper shy but ended well and she said she would come to church...but didn't. 

That's about all the time I have! I love and miss you all.

Love,

Elder Mitchell