Att-ITU-de is everything! (Week 11)

My dear family and friends,

Another week has absolutely flown by and once again here I am struggling to choose what to write. A lot happens in a week and sadly my brain didn't come with a USB cable for me to upload the week straight into the blog. :P But I guess that forces me to choose the most important and marking moments. :)

Last Tuesday at the Zone Meeting in Itu, we had really amazing training from Elders Noleto and Alvis. Once again they emphasized the importance of obedience in missionary work. They did a really interesting example which could be used very well in a Family Home Evening. They pulled out of a shopping bag a small pot of ice cream (to those who know me it would come as no surprise that I volunteered to help in whatever they were about to do) and scooped the whole thing onto a plate. They explained that the ice-cream represented all the good things we do as missionaries, our teaching techniques, our love for the people and for our area, our good knowledge of the scriptures and many other qualities. As he named each of those things they added something to the ice-cream: crumbled chocolate cookies, sprinkles and more. I wanted to eat the whole thing but before my sweet-tooth could control me, Elder Noleto pulled out cooking oil from the bag and started pouring it all over the ice-cream. I looked closely to memorise what parts of the ice-cream hadn't been covered by the oil but then he started sprinkling salt all over it, a lot of salt. I was pretty sure I knew what areas of the dessert were still good to eat but once again he crushed my dream and began mixing the whole thing. He explained that the oil and the salt represent our disobedience. No matter how many good things we do on our mission and in life, one small act of disobedience can ruin all our good works if we don't repent and change using the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Elder Noleto offered me his cruel creation but I rejected because I knew it would not taste good, despite my massive love for ice-cream (or anything sweet for that matter). Anyway, the lesson was learned: "I obey to baptise, I baptise because I obey."

Another advice we received in the training was to invite couples to get married on the first contact and if they did not accept, to find someone else. It seemed a bit harsh for me but I saw it really worked this week. We found a couple, Luis and Vanessa who have been living together for the past 10 years but haven't got married, yet. We taught them several lessons and about eternal families and the importance of marriage, the spirit was great and Elder Yegros taught using some of the difficult experiences he went through as a child due to not having a family founded on a married mother and father. I was able to testify about the blessings of marriage because of the example of my parents. In the end, I nervously invited them to get married and to my surprise they accepted very quickly. It was a great testimony builder that if we follow the counsel of our leaders we will see the promises being fulfilled.

This week we had been preparing a lady called Cida for baptism but unfortunately she was hospitalised due to some health complications. She is recovering and should be baptised in the upcoming weeks. We were really disappointed with ourselves but we decided that we should maintain a positive attitude and by doing so we found lots of new people yesterday, took 5 people to church including Erik, Ryan and Antony and marked some baptism dates. Attitude is everything and sometimes we will have to experience some difficulties to enjoy the blessings later.

I love you all and hope you are all safe and sound.

Til next week!

Elder Torres

PS: In case you didn't get the pun in the title of the blog, Itu is the zone that Cidade Nova belongs to. ;)