December 19th

I have been super busy this week too. I have been especially busy with my office job with changes coming up. I have had to juggle my trainer leaving the office, calling every human being in the church system. I've been dealing with the new missionaries that are coming and the old one's that are going, waiting in immigration central for 5 hours and ready to lose my patience with my lawyer because he didn't do his job all the way. I would like to give the US. Embassy a piece of my mind because their workers were at lunch and would not let us in, but somehow through all this I pray and know that a little hope and faith have taken me a long way. I now sit in the position of little work to be done on Monday and relaxing times ahead in the office. As far as immigration goes, the president just gave me the job of making a report of every thing that has happened in the year for the mission. I think that was my Christmas present. It will be a nice change.

I like to work with the President. I feel like my relationship with him is changing. To him I feel like I am greeting a good friend. His testimony and love for each one of his missionaries is so great.

Today was the activity with the multizone. We played Christmas games and had a water fight in the middle of Diciembre. It was cool. My companion that I had trianed, the chunky one Elder Pineda dressed up as Santa Clause. It was so much fun. I laughed and we all smiled and had a great time.

Here is part of a letter to Elder Nessen I wrote:

Ian- I write you this letter with tears in my eyes. You are learning the valuable lessons I wish I had earlier, but didn't till a good time in the mission. You are so right about moving on in life. We just need to get over things. I now go around telling my investigadores that I don't have time to be sad or angry or regretful. To me it's just a huge waste of time. Just think of all the other things we could be doing with our time when we are sad or any other bad feeling.

Anyway, another point that took me some good time to figure out was that a lot of the consquences in life are self-brought. By that I mean God doesn't punish us. We punish ourselves. God is there to bless us and he can bless us more if we obey him.

Well, buddy, you're learning so much and your making me proud. When you feel bad, a scripture that has helped me is Alma 38: 1 through 5. Remember, you are a son of God and your worth as a missionary is more than we can comprehend. Few understand the power they have been given for two years, so we need to make the best of it. Who knows, you may only get one shot to change someone's life. So don't fear... you have the Spirit and you are on the winning team.

Well, sorry to keep it short, but the church system should be going down for repairs soon so I need to go.

I love you all.

Elder Proksch