Thank you for the letter and I hope I am able to answer all your questions. Baptism on the first day, I did the ordinance and the next day they confirmed her. By the way I baptized another person this past week. The mom of the Hernandez family. It is funny because when I was baptized her she is not a small girl. So the baptismal faunt overflowed. I know you're probably wondering how this is possible but the faunts here are not the same as in the states like you would think. Its like an above ground bath tub that gets filled with water and when it gets low, more or less like a pool. So it was my second baptism.
Thank the Relief Society for me, please. I got a package from them, much appreciated. There is just so much to tell you about, I don´t know where to start.
No one has done any greenie stuff yet. I think they all know how hard it is to adjust, let alone get the language down. So I think I have been greenieing myself. My companion is nice. We have our differences, but like any companion, we move through them and work the best we can. Right now he does most of the teaching and I try. I am learning.
We don´t really eat at members houses, but they give us little snacks sometimes. I have had some pretty good food. I probably told you I am sick off eggs and beans and rice, but thats life.
The people love the missionaries alot, and are so kind. I have started to slip into my trend and find a grove, it's tough but time flies tomorrow is the two week mark. Culture shock is going away. I think I am just getting used to it. I plan on bragging when I make it past the 3 month mark to Rob Suckoll.
It's sad that I am forgetting things about life before the mission. Its like if I don´t have a picture or memorando I forget parts and pieces. I try to remember, but its tough. I love you all and pray like any other missionary morning day and night.
As far as weather goes, it started raining last night about 900 and didn´t stop till about 1000 this morning. Its wet and I need to find a few things today so I need an umbrella, pillow, blanket. Believe it or not, it gets cold when it rains. P day is kind of a spurge day get some real food.
The branch is small. Alot of women it it. The only priesthood we have is the president of the branch, his 2 sons and us, 4 missionaries. My companions name is Elder Garcia. The country is very green. Lot of sugar cane. The sugar is SUPER GOOD TOO. he he We live in our own house with 4 elders. The other 2 are looking for their own house right now. They say its rare to have 4 in one house. I got a hammock. Its nice and great for unwinding. Lots of stress in the field with walking and caring for the people. Everyone has an excuse. Its all part of loving the people.
Just trying to make it into a groove right now then I can stretch my wings and grow .
Before I left the MTC, my teacher told me a story about eagles.
When a mother eagle goes to have kids she builds a nest and starts with big sticks to lay the foundation. Then she lines the nest with soft things to protect the eggs so they don´t break and when they hatch the chicks don´t get hurt. When the eggs hatch the chicks grow and slowly the mother removes the fuzz from the nest to encourage the eagles to fly, but they don´t. So the mother flies around the nest to encourage them. Still they don't, so one day she stops at the nest and the chicks climb on her back and she takes them up up and up circling till they get way up there and she turns over and drops them off her back. They fall tumbling and tumbling until the mother dives down and catches them on her back again. Scientists call this a miracle of nature. She then circles up up and up again until she gets to the top and dumps them off again. This time the chicks see mom pass them and think, "wait whats that? I have 2 of those things why can't I do that?" So they try and this is how they learn to fly.
He then related the story to us. So right now I am tumbling trying to get a hold of this. I have my wings spread and I can sort of glide right now but soon I will fly.
I know this gospel is true. I know the Book of Mormon is true also. It would not be possible for me to do what I am doing without the power of the Spirit. Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for us. I know this, and I love him for this. He is our Savior and Redeemer and through Him we can return to our Father in heaven. Our Father in heaven loves us. It makes me so sad when I hear people say, "Why does God let bad things happen to good people?" He doesn´t. He is letting us learn. Like the eagle chicks people need to tumble sometimes in order to learn how to fly.
Well I have more mail to get through so I love everyone and take care,
Alex Proksch
P.S. No one knows how to say my name down here, its kinda funny.
2 comments:
Elder Proksch,
It is good to read your letters. They give us a boost and fill our hearts with love, joy, and pleasure in you.
I think I mentioned before that Grandpa Frosty has started going to Church again. We have only missed two Sundays. That is because I was sick and he won't go without me. He is having surgery on Jan. 13th on his back. Hopefully this will ease his back pain. We will keep you posted. We love you and you are in our prayers. Love, Grandpa and Grandma Long
I love when you share your letters. They are so uplifting, and it's great to hear from him. Merry Christmas!
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