Elder Acor: 1/22/24

 

Las Lomitas!

¡Hola a todo mi familia y amigos!

Well this week has been a full one. Lots of news things happening. Lots of changes but I'm still a Child of God and a missionary of Christ so that's all that matters! Also I hit a year and a half in the mission. Which is insane!

Tuesday when I was still in Ciudad Del Este I was able to do exchanges with an Elder in my District and his name is Elder Gunther. He's from Driggs, Idaho. Literally one of the coolest Elders out here on the mission. We were able to work hard and help his friends progress and find some new people to teach. Thanks to Elder Gunther watch out for me after the mission in Driggs out hunting some bears.

Wednesday was a pretty crazy day because I pretty much knew I was already heading out of Ciudad Del Este. I took advantage and passed by all of the people that were baptized while I was in Ciudad Del Este. It was pretty bitter sweet because I loved Ciudad Del Este.

Thursday morning we got news of transfers. I got news that I'd be leaving Ciudad Del Este and heading to a new area called Las Lomitas in a city called Ñemby and my new companion would be Elder Dalley. So all of Thursday was spent packing all of my stuff into three suitcases which us always chaos because I always have more things from each area. I think my biggest suitcase easily weighed over 75 pounds. I was just praying it wouldn't break. Then I went and traveled to Asunción for the rest of the day. Got to see lots of mission friends so that was awesome. Then I got to sleep in the famous cave in the mission office.

Friday morning we woke up and got all of our stuff together and just waited for our news comps. It was super fun to see so many missionaries that I haven't seen for such a long time. Also super sad to see some friends who I may never see again, or if I do it'll be after the mission. That's when I officially got to meet my new companion Elder Dalley. He's from North Dakota and has about three months less than me in the mission. Elder Dalley, I'd say, is the complete opposite of me if that gives you a good idea. Also with this new area after a good year of being a district leader I don't have that assignment anymore. Also with Las Lomitas we share our apartment building with the zone leaders so that's super fun. Especially because one of them, Elder Richards is my old comp. We then were able to get a bit of work in this day and get to know some of the friends here in Las Lomitas.

Saturday. What a day. We ate lomitos Friday night. If you don't know what that is it's basically a burrito. Yeah it decided that it didn't like me. I was sick to my stomach all day and just all the things that come with that came. What a way to start your first full day in a new area. Am I right? We were able to get the apartment pretty clean and organized for the new transfer so that's good.

Sunday luckily I felt much better. Not perfect but not as bad for sure. I was able to get to know my new branch! They are all super awesome. This is one of the biggest branches I have ever been to! We have about 75 to 80 people in the branch and it's only growing! We share the chapel so we start with our classes first and then sacrament meeting. I really enjoyed everything because everyone was so welcoming. We then had a branch council and ate pizza after which was awesome! After our studies we went out and worked and we were able to put four people on date! It's one big family and they're name the Correa family! They are so awesome and there date is for the 24th of February and they need to get married the 23rd so prayers needed there! Then I was able to get to know a member family here but one of the girls is dating a guy and he wants to be baptized! His names Santi! We are hoping we can put date with him this Thursday! Already so many miracles!

As many of you know I'm pretty honest in my emails. With that, this week was tough! Man with all of changes and traveling and new responsibilities. With all of it comes lots of stress, anxiety, disappointment, and so much more. I've had to really had to figure some things out. Biggest thing I've relied on is prayer. Anytime I needed literally anything or felt bad I just started praying. Truly trying to show God that I need his help. Looking gor the small miracles always helps me feel better, like finishing the week helping many of our friends put a goal to be baptized. I listened to a general conference talk on Sunday called "Brothers and Sisters in Christ" by Elder Gong. It just helped me see how literally everyone no matter what fits into God's plan and is loved by him perfectly. Including me! No matter what happens I can receive his love! I can also spread that love. So don't forget that no matter what every single one of us come from the same Heavenly Father so that means we all receive the same love from him.

Well that's it for this crazy week that I had. Hopefully this next week things can chill out a little bit. Next week I'll have learned the area a little bit more and gotten the hang of things as well. Thank you all so so much for reading this email! Love you all so much!

P.S. I never said this before but last year as a mission we hit over a thousand baptisms which is awesome! I just want to share that to really show that the work of the Lord is accelerating so much!