Week 92: Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd‏

I kept waking up thinking that it was P-Day only to find that it wasn't yet, Which I guess is okay..but it just makes for a really long week.

The good thing is that we are starting to see some progress in our area. Little by little, we are seeing new investigators coming out of the woodwork.

...and actually, that's not even the biggest challenge. The hardest part is trying to sort between the new investigators, and the people that have been truly chosen by the Lord. With my companion Elder Argueta we were able to establish a while ago that there are "many who are called and few that are chosen." 

But what truly makes the difference?

What changes a person from a face and a name to a tear-jerking conversion story?

The Savior himself teaches us an important example: "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." (John 10:14). The Lord knows his sheep, they are those for whom he laid down his life, we read in the scriptures that he, just as any good Shepherd has them counted, and that he knows them by name.

Over a year ago, in a conference with Elder Ochoa of the 70, he explained to us the importance of inviting our investigators to baptism starting in the very first visit. That way you are able to tell if this investigator will progress now...or if you should leave them for later.

Adopting this practice has really helped me throughout my mission, after someone has accepted the invitation to be baptized it helps to make teaching more fluid and confident.

When they accept...it's easier to set a baptismal date sooner!

The only problem is that here in Castillo Lara...everyone says yes...the true test is to see if we can get a second appointment with them...because, usually, when we come back, they're not home.

Finding a chosen investigator is like a needle in a haystack.

The good thing is that, when you find them....it makes everything worth it.

This week we were able to help a couple families and to meet a whole lot of people. We finished the month strong (with over 1,000 street contacts....I've never done that before in my whole mission!) Elder Taya and I are just going crazy on this area...we are determined to find a family to baptize by the end of May.

And I know that they are going to come. All we need is just a little bit more patience and faith.

This week I went on divisions with Elder Evans (Mesa, Arizona) and Elder Barker (Bountiful, Utah) they are both really great missionaries. I was very impressed by their ideas on how to work...they are two awesome guys who I learned a lot from.

We are all ready to keep moving forward here in the Zona Utatlan...things are great. I am ready to keep searching for the sheep that has wandered...wherever they may be!

 Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,

Dear are the "ninety and nine";

Dear are the sheep that have wandered

Out in the desert to pine.

Hark! he is earnestly calling,

Tenderly pleading today:

"Will you not seek for my lost ones,

Off from my shelter astray?"

Out in the desert they wander,

Hungry and helpless and cold;

Off to the rescue we'll hasten,

Bringing them back to the fold