Mango!

Wow MOM!  That is so cool!  I really don't have any words for those pictures, but I can tell that it was a lot of work to get to that point.  I just wish I was there to cheer you on for your marathon.

Well, in news for our area, William and Judit will not be getting baptized this week, or the next because of some complications and I will not see them married because I got moved to a place called Manga (said "mango") and they have a lot of mangoes here.  I mean a ton and my area is huge.  I am also training a new companion and he is from Mozambique.  His name is Elder Mavile (Mavily is how you say it).  I am also opening this area which means it's never been worked in before.  Lots of changes.

But back to this William and Judit thing.  What happened was that we were talking at their house and all of the sudden they start talking about how they aren't ready to make the jump.  Like they don't have clothes ready or rings (just basically worldly things) and we had Irma Ines there.  Bless this woman's heart!   She gives all she has to the gospel and the missionaries.  She hardly stops at home and dreams of going to the temple one day with her family.  I could write a book about Irma Ines.  If that woman doesn't make it into the celestial kingdom,  I think we are all shot.  Anyway, she was there and trying to explain that they didn't need all of that stuff and Irma Ines saw something that I didn't.  She told me after the lesson that there is another family that lives next to them that are members and when they got married it was a huge party, huge everything.  Judit and this woman are kind of competitive in things so Judit wanted something just as good or better.  William was ready, but his wife wasn't because of this.  So due to pride they will stay in this sin till the end of this next month when William can come up with the money to satisfy her demands, because she won't change them.  They will get married, but they have lost the forward progress they have made, unfortunately. 

Am I upset?  Yes, it breaks my heart to know this would happen to a family.  Are they still going to get married?  Yes.  Will it be harder?  Yes.  Am I over it and ready to turn it over to the Lord to help fix this?  Yes!  I know he can fix this and the new elders that will be in our area can help them to make lasting covenants.  Irma Ines was key in all this. Really, if I could bring one person back for you guys to meet, it would be this woman and her family.  I wish the world could know them and their conviction and faith.  It blows my mind how dedicated this woman is.  You will have to ask me about her when I get back.  She has saved my rear end multiple times and has always been a good friend to me. I have asked various families to send names of their ancestors so that we can do their temple work when I get back because they live so far away.  Her family is one of these families.

But I would like to talk about the marathon that you ran Mom.  That is amazing!  I can see in these pictures you sent that you are getting physically stronger (don't beat me up when I get back, okay?  ha ha ha)  It's wonderful to see.  In fact, the first picture that I saw, the one when you're crossing the finish line, made me think of some words of a poet: 

"Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul."

You made me think of that poem when I saw that picture. It's a poem that I have in my scriptures.  It's also a poem that Nelson Mandela used to recite when he was in prison.  I think you cried at the end of the race because you doubted yourself in making it that far and you were surprised when you did.  You don't see miracles until after you show forth your faith and do all you can.   Like I said, I wish I could have been there to see you cross the finish line, but maybe I will be at the next one crossing it with you.  We will see... ha ha ha.  Let me train first.  

Also, the assistant wrote me and asked me which airport I will land at.  I told them in Vegas. I haven't got my flight plans yet, but when I do, I will let you know.  On the Mother's Day thing, I still don't know, but I will try to get info.  I am excited as well.... 12 WEEKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!  It's going to be fast.  I am still in Beria, but a little way out of the city.  It is beautiful here.  I will send pictures next time. 

I love you guys.  Take care, 

Elder Proksch