Sea of Mud

This week transfers came a little earlier because we have a general authority coming in, so president is getting everyone moved around so that we can be in our spots for the tour of the mission.  It was hot this week, but it was good to finally not have to wear rain boots out of the house.  The water here doesn't really get absorbed too fast, so there are lakes all over the place.  We are still finding new families and they are progressing, but one thing that Elder Oryang and I are learning is that the Lord will not give you more if you don't finish what's on your plate.  By this, I mean contacts.  So we are trying to figure out a rhythm  that works for us.  I think we are getting there.  With transfers coming a week early, I will be staying with my comp. in the same area, which is good.  I really like Elder Oryang and we learn a lot from each other.  Mr. Easter forgot to come to church last week, but I still haven't had the time to talk to him why.  He is being blessed with work, I guess.  Super cool.  The other family, Carlos is his name, is doing fabulous.  They are a happy little family who lives out in the middle of a sea of mud that goes up to your nose.  They are so cool because they have nothing, but they are so happy. 

Anyway, on the topic of Sarah running into Elder Berg, that is funny because I just heard in the last zone conference that he was engaged to some girl and we saw a picture.  It was weird seeing him with long hair, but they looked happy.  I didn't really know him that well because we weren't usually together, but I am sure,  as most of the missionaries that leave this mission, he is a really good guy.   Yes, that is a picture of the rocks in death valley.  So cool!   The other missionaries are like,  "Is that where you live??"  I'm like, "Ha ha ha ha!  Um, no."  Silly missionaries. 

That was good news on the stuff that Alex got into BYU and Reid got his patriarchal blessing.  I just want to talk to him about it, but that's totally his choice.  The whole full mission thing is really cool.  I wonder where though.   It's funny because it's about time for that to happen, huh?  Isn't that crazy?

On the topic of challenges... sometimes there are things that seem really big in our lives or an immediate problem.  These things happen and sometimes can not be planned for. The last thing you want to do is turn away from the Lord.  He is the person who can turn these seemingly impossible things into minor details.  Try this for instance, look at things from His perspective, like finding a different area to hold an activity.  Could he just make an area appear?  Yes.  Will he?  Probably not, because he wants you to solve it.  It reminds me of the brother of Jared.  Think of his situation.  He had a problem and what did the Lord say to him?  More or less it was like this, "Lord, I need thy help with this thing that you have asked me to do."  "Okay, well (brother of Jared), I gave you your agency and a brain and hands to work with, let's see what you come up with."  The brother ofJared makes 16 clear stones and has the idea of getting light from God to put in them.  Result: probably one of the greatest revelations given to man since the fall of Adam recorded.  Not only that, but a challenge to all of us to be like unto the brother of Jared with our faith.  Now, I am not saying that you need to all of the sudden get faith like that but faith like that comes from having many encounters with the Lord and learning how to use that faith to the fullest extent.  One of the ways we do that is include the Lord in our planning.  This way we can include in every phase of what we are doing his guiding hand and his abilities.  I suggest reading that chapter again to see what you can draw out of it. It is some very powerful scripture.  Mainly, before any big thing it would be important to include him in on what you are doing.  Remember because he respects your agency so much if you choose not His help he will not.  I think you will be amazed by what the Spirit of the Lord can do to soften the hearts for his purposes, not only in the world, but also in the church.  If it's his church, try to run it like he would and if that's not the way, then he will let you know.  You have leaders and the Holy Ghost.  Trust in him and he will guide your steps to know what to do.

Got to go.  Lots of love, 

Elder Proksch