Well, what can i say? another week down!
Things are looking up down here in Mexico. Things are getting a lot better with my companion. We had another grown up talk this week haha. We were walking to an appointment real far away and he said, 'Elder Westbroek, im grateful we are companions still, you have made me realize that i actually am 24 years old, not 18, and that i have to be more mature to get me ready for the real world.....' He thanked me over and over haha, he has been with some real young companions lately. And we butted heads for awhile due to that. But life is pretty good now.
Well, best part of the week....WE BAPTIZED ROCÍO! WHOOOHOOO. It made me so happy :) After a long battle with the wonders of this world, Rocío finally made it! Last Saturday she was baptized and then confirmed! The relief society also helped us out a ton! they did two special musical numbers and gave her a big welcome! it was so great! She chose me to do the baptism, i felt very honored. The best part was, right before we went down into the font, she says 'Elder Westbroek, i am so scared, but i know this is the right thing to do'. in her little Rocío voice haha :) the ordinance went so smooth and beautiful. and Sunday after her confirmation she just started crying and telling me thank you over and over again. Made me feel very happy! the church is so true! It truly was a blessing we baptized her.
3 days before the baptism, she decided to test the word of wisdom one last time. she was feeling very very sad and wanted some coffee to cheer her up. in the baptismal interview she told our district leader this 'I wanted to see if what Elder Westbroek told me was true about my heart and coffee' (i had explained about the extra fatigue and stress coffee could put on the human heart, especially mixed with her current situation, she expressed that she has much strain on her heart with the separation of her daughters), and she told Elder Tall, DL, that indeed it was true and she had felt a difference in her heart. She said she received a spiritual prompting that yes in fact my words were the word of God pertaining to the matter of the world of wisdom, and she would receive a stronger heart due to this commandment. (something like that, its hard to translate it to English haha).
Sounds like everyone is very busy with school and work! I am honestly so jealous of all y'alls heading back to school! Megan! send me a pic of your class room! Kait! send me a pic of your new apartment!
i love ya all! hang in there! just remember, AFTER the test of our faith we will be blessed, more that we know!
Que onda mi familia :)
Hope everyone is doing well! From what i heard life is picking up and you re all doing great! Kira! I got your package this week! thank you so much for the sweet pics of my little Wren and your incredibly gorgeous house! whooo :) oh and the Tesla was nice too......haha that car is so sweet!
This week was pretty uneventful. lots of hard work. Getting sick again, something is in the air and water here in Haciendas de las Delicias in Tijuana. everyone keeps getting sick. even the locals. But we are back on our feet and doing better. Hey don't worry about sending a water filter, the MTC gave me one.
Rocio is hanging in there. she went through a really rough time this week, she did get to see her girls this week!!! but sadly, this might be the last time she sees them for a very, very long time. We almost lost her this week, literally. But due to an inspired and very timely visit, Rocio is fine and stabilizing. Please keep her in your prayers if you could.....she called us late last night and was very worried and was crying and asked us to do a special prayer for her. Please send some thoughts and prayers her way, she is in great need.
This week, i was thinking a lot about our investigators and their needs, instead of mine. This is a great way to get rid of homesickness haha. So, one morning i woke up early to made a memory card game for a 9 year old boy who will be baptized soon. i will send some pics. This poor boy is so bored during the long lessons so i did a little something special to make it more fun and interactive. i took the boxes from my packages and cut them up into cards. i then drew on the back of 30 cards different pictures to review every lesson and commandment we have taught to review for his baptismal interview. HE LOVED IT! haha the family was so excited. it was a great success :)
This week too, i went on interchanges with another elder from Idaho. it was great! We worked real good and we had a good talk about my comp and how I'm feeling. he really helped me out!
Things with the companion are getting better. I'm getting more patient. i read something in the bible this week that just kinda made me feel better. and kinda slapped me in the face too. 1 John 4:16-21. As a missionary i have learned to love just about everyone. i should love my companion too. so I'm working on that daily. things are getting better. This week too we had interviews with the president and instead of saying anything bad, i told the president two things i like about my companion. and, well we are progressing. i know that we are companions for a reason, so i will work hard to help this kid stay strong and endure to the end.
Hey i need another oil vile, mine broke. and food requests....yogurt covered pretzels and beef jerky. peppered :) nada mas. no more candy ahah. i cant handle any more, but its been great! my district says thanks to all who have sent candy! also, tootsie rolls are great tools to teach the law of tithing :) haha.
stay golden everyone. Love you all. The church is true!
Elder Westbroek
