This last week was absolutely awesome and I'm super excited to tell you all about it. But to start off... Today was transfers day and it looks like I´m sticking around in Santo Domingo for at least one more transfer (my 4th!). But... there is a slight change that will be different from last transfer. I'm still going to be training my son, Elder Parma, but I´m also going to be the District Leader!! For those that don't know what that means, this means that I will be "in charge" of a group of 8 missionaries (including myself). There are a few more responsibilities to this assignment but I couldn't be more excited and happy for this new opportunity to serve!
But now, to talk about this last week... Joshua and Naihyell got baptized!!! I am so happy for them and the baptismal service went great! We don´t have a ward mission leader anymore and so Elder Parma and I pretty much had to plan and coordinate all of it ourselves, but it turned out great! Lots of people showed up and I could feel the spirit so strongly, it was amazing! Now we´re going to start focusing on the rest of the family who I know are going to get baptized as well. I´m so excited for this family and I feel so grateful for the opportunity I have to teach them and help them receive all of the Lord´s blessings through living the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
But that almost wasn't the best part of the week, believe it or not... Because one the 12 apostles came to visit Costa Rica this week!!! We had a conference with all of the missionaries in Costa Rica (both missions) and Elder Dale G. Renlund! It was absolutely amazing!!! And it was in English which was great haha. But I could truly feel the power, authority, and spirit that he has as one of the 12 apostles as he talked to us, and when we were allowed to go up and shake his hand. He talked a lot about faith and attitude which I loved. It was directed to us as missionaries, obviously, but I think it can apply to any one of us. He taught us A LOT, but I´d like to share one thing that really stuck out to me. He showed us this diagram with variations of having a good/bad attitude and good/bad effort. He emphasized that we need to have not only good effort or good attitude, but we need to have them both to see the miracles happen in our lives. He mentioned that he naturally has a good effort, but he struggles to have a good attitude (like me). We can't control the circumstances of our lives, but we can decide whether we have a good attitude or not, or whether we have good effort or not. In reality, we decide whether we are happy or not, whether we have joy or not. Nobody can obligate us to feel bad or sad, no matter what happens to us. He taught us that if we can focus ourselves on the joy that we receive from living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as God´s Plan of Salvation for us, we can always be happy and remain faithful, regardless of our circumstances. I hope that makes sense to all of you. I´m running out of time but I loved that thought.
But that´s all I have time for this week. I hope everyone has a great week this week!
Elder Smith
Pics: Joshua and Naihyell´s baptism!!!, walking in the coffee field, this was the phrase Naihyell wanted to use for hangman in English class haha, cinammon rolls!
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