Emergency Transfers and Washing By Hand

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been crazy and full of many miracles.

First off, Tuesday afternoon, Presidente called us and told us that an Elder in the zone needed help and so Elder Pineda will be the new district leader in Tablidita and will end the training of an elder, and my new companion is Elder Stewart!

Elder Stewart is from my same group and is from South Jordan, Utah! He is an amazing Elder and a great leader.

Elder Stewart and I using the internet on P-day

Now because we are both new learning the area together, it has been an adventure, but the big blessing is that Elder Stewart was serving in Barrio Progresso 2 months ago, which is right next to our area so he helped me learn the area and we also share the same church with his old ward.

This week we sure talked with many people, and the Lord guided us and we found many new investigatores!

Also, here in Tarija we wash our clothes by hand. I sure miss a washing machine. Washing your pants is hard work. Socks aren't too bad, but wow, it sure makes you grateful for clean clothes and helps you take better care of your clothes!

Washing my clothes by hand... oh, how fun!

Also, as a zone leader here, we have the responsibility of buying all the mattresses, lights, desks, and materials for the elders and sisters in the zone so that sure is new responsibility, but it feels good to serve the zone even though sometimes it can get stressful!

One thing I learned this week in my personal study from conference is that repentance is always positive. Repentance is for everyone, for sinners and for saints. Also, repentance without faith in Jesus Christ is just painful personal re-correction. Through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, we receive His divine power and assistance to become someone much more than we could ever become!

Also, I know the Book of Mormon is true, and as we read this book, looking for guidance in our daily problems, that stories in this book will come alive and will teach us how to return with God!

One good example of this is Nephi and Laman. Laman was obidiente many times to the Lord and his commandments but only because he felt obligated to be obidiente. But Nephi loved the Lord and was obidiente because he trusted the Lord.

Nephi was blessed and was happy. Laman was miserable and did not receive eternal life.

Wow, I learned that as a missionary, we have the opportunity to show our love to God by being obedient! As we do so, with faith, we will be happy!!

Love,

Elder Matheson