Short, But Sweet

Below is a letter attached for Ian, but I wanted to send it with this one too because it's special to me and I thought everyone else might enjoy it.

This past week I have had a lot of success. I found the run away missionary and got him a plane ticket and sent him back to Chile. That's good because it's finally over. Funny thing about the video you talked about, The Stonecutter, I think I have seen just about every Church production there is including that one. For one, I work in the office and when we have extra time, we go to the Church website and watch videos. By the way, I did like the pillowcase you guys sent with all the missionary sayings on it. It makes me laugh and yes, I got the monkey message on the back of the puzzle. Ha Ha, thank you. I love those things, they are very creative. I am trying to be creative with the box that I am sending home. On the way back from the airport, I stopped by a coconut stand and got a few cocos. Life is good. Got to watch some planes leave.

Last night we taught a guy who makes shoes and repairs them. We taught him about the Book of Mormon and he just couldn't seem to get enough. He is progressing fast and his daughter, too. I have about 4 possible baptisms coming up so we will have to see how many will go through. One of them is a guy who, out of the blue, paid tithing last week and he isn't even a member. I think he's going to get baptized. Sorry to keep this short. Everyone is leaving right now and I still have to write president. I love you all. I also need to write a letter to Ian. At the same time it's a little testimony of mine. Take care, guys.

Elder Proksch



Hey,Ian! Sorry to hear about your week, buddy. I haven't told you guys about all the bad experiences in my mission, but I have had a few as well. Maybe some solutions I can provide.... When I hit 3 months in the field, I had my first change and got sent to the hottest temperature area in the mission. Santa Rosa De Lima. I got there thinking, "Man, this is going to be a tough one, especially since I only have 3 months in the field and I had to train and open up an area." There was a lot of pressure from leaders. My "kid", as we say here, was completely rebellious and did not want to do anything with me. He would judge people by looking in their eyes and say, "Oh, they are not ready for the Gospel." I had to stay dilligent. Like you, I was senior companion and he thought he knew it all. We even got into a few heated discussions. He had pictures of his girlfriends and of him drinking and a few other things that were not so in line with the rules. So, I tried to help him. I sat down with him and we did a comp inventory. There were times when he didn't want to have an inventory, he was so mad at me. So I informed my DL. He startd to talk to him and my comp didn't want anything with him. So I turned to the ZL's. They helped a little more, but still to no avail. In the end, one day I took to the scriptures. I read about Nephi and his brothers and how Nephi machettied his brothers about humility and how they being wicked had no promise and a few other words that Nephi explains better then I can. So my best friend, I have to tell you be patient because at the end of this nightmare, Santa Rosa de Lima is now my favorite area. He still isn't my best friend, but now we see eye to eye and respect one another.

I also need to tell you that your companion has no right to tell you how good or bad of a testimony you have. Don't worry about the president. I know he loves you . You have a character about you that is very, very, very honorable. You have integrity and the part I like the most is that you fear God more than man . I think it's very important to always remember this. Sometimes I think God gives us the bad times, not only to teach us, but so we can realize what we have is good. Stay strong. You are doing this for Jesus Christ. I know that Heavenly Father loves us and that we are His children. I know that Jesus paid the ultimate price so that we can complete God's plan and return and live with Him. Because of that, I know that some day I will have my own family and be able to share that same happiness with them. Use the Spirit. Let it guide you. Times will be tough, but if you are constantly seeking it, you can't go wrong. Never get lacadasical. Give it your all. Soon you will see that the mission really is too short and that you will want more time to serve the Lord. If I could, I would give my whole life to be here in the mission field. Ok, buddy, I think I have rambled on sufficiently, but I love you. You are my friend.


Elder Proksch