It's funny this last week I had to talk to someone in English and I had forgotten how. I had to ask the person to give me a second so I could try and think about my words. Needless to say, nothing came out the way wanted. I had to laugh afterward because I was thinking of how could I forget the language that I grew up with in just a few months. It still amazes me. My spelling is suffering too. Ugh! Some days I am all over the place and feel like a mess in English.
I really miss all of you, but the time is flying by and I am having lots of fun. I am really trying to go out with a bang here in the mission. There is no greater joy than mission work. I am sorry, but I really don't want to come home because I love what I do here. I love to help people change for the better in their lives. I love to feel the Spirit while I do the work. It's just so awesome, I can't describe it. I know I don't have to because I know you have all felt it too.
No, I am probably not going to be able to go to the temple dedication. They have told us that we are probably going to be seeing that from a stake center. I am a little sad about that. They said the people most likely to go are old mission presidents, stake presidents and other authorities in the church. Cool, great for them, but it's just as much our house as is theirs. Anyway, enough whining about that.
I liked your analogy about the bread, Mom. This past week a lot has happened. I have been working like crazy with my companion. We now have about 7 families we are teaching, with about 4 people in each one. I hope they can all progress in learning the Gospel. I have to tell you about a family which is a reference I received. Sister Laurena gave me a contact even though she is in the states. She has a friend whose parents live in my area and they aren't members, so here is there story:
We stopped by their house Saturday last week and talked briefly to get to know them. We came back Monday the next week. The mom was not there, but the husband was. He has been searching different chuches and just hasn't really found one that he likes or that makes sense to him, so we taught him about the Restoration. He has a desire to pray every day and loves his family even though he is a step-dad. He cares a lot about them. At the end of the appointment, he told us that last Friday he was praying because the family has been having some problems in the house. He didn't say what they were, but we didn't need to know to understand. He said that my companion and I are angels, an answer to his prayers and hopes that we can help in his life. Last night we came back and taught the Word of Wisdom and he accepted to obey it. He only has to not drink coffe and he will be good. He doesn't drink alcohol any more and doesn't like the taste. His wife doesn't either. They are two great people. I love the mission and I think the best part is being able to help other people on a level so personal. I have often thought about a phrase that I made up... You can't change the world all at once, but you can change it a problem at a time. Who knows, you might just gain a new friend.
The people here of El Salvador are a miraculos people and I know that I was called to serve them for a reason. I just wish I could do this forever.
For those that want to serve a mission... I don't want you guys to think it is easy. Anything worth while requires effort. If you have seen the show Deadliest Catch, it's kinda like that. The job those men do is tough. They lose sleep. They put their lives on the line for a few days for what? A few crab.... no, but a bunch of money. 4 or five days and they can literally be rich.
The mission sometimes is dangerous, but you have the best safety system in the world. It's called the Spirit and like the men on the ship, you have a companion. He is there to help you. If you plan together and work together you will accomplish miracles. Your "catch" are your investigadors. You never know where you will find them, but you know they are out there and if you have faith and pray they will be shown unto you and the pay off is baptism. You will feel the happiest you have ever felt in you entire life. You will jump up and down in the air. You might even scream to your zone leaders at night that "hooray!" we baptised. The payoff isn't just baptism, it's a friend forever and it's to see them go to the temple. It's to know that they will be there in the celestial kindom when we die. To me, it's a chance to do what everyone says, you know before this life I promised I would find you, well, here's me keeping that promise.
I love you so much and you don't have to be a missionary to do these things. It's our job to do them every day. I just want you all to know the happiness you can feel from doing it. Well, I guess I should end this letter in the name of Jesus Chirst, amen.
Love you all take care ,
Elder Proksch
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