Lessons Learned

March 28, 2016

Hey Guys,

So, the office has been really pretty boring these last few weeks. We are working here like crazy, but we have been really good about getting to our area on time, and we have a few investigators that are progressing. It is cool to watch an area that was dead and unused before we got here start to show some fruits from our labors. The office has been hard and a definite learning experience for me, especially since this is actually the longest I've ever gone in an area without baptizing, which is really kinda sad. I guess that's what happens when you are opening an area as an office missionary. Hopefully we can see these small fruits multiply.

Yesterday, we had a pretty insane experience, and while I can't explain a whole lot of what happened, here is what I can say:

1) Obedience is not negotiable, and there are NO exceptions, especially in commandments (or mission rules).

2) Follow the Spirit, even when it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

3) It is better to run over the dog that live on the street and bites missionaries than to swerve and destroy power lines. Always.

4) Always be honest, even when it could be easier to tell a lie.

5) Warnings come in threes or fours, or fives, or any number more than one. The Spirit is strong, but it does not override your agency.

Long story short, two Elders from here in the office disobeyed some rules, took the car out and crashed into a power line. It has been a rough experience, especially since they could face some pretty major consequences, and we now are without a car for the next few months. I was in the house because I just felt like I should have them drop me off before they went to pick up the other Elders. We have been talking a lot about using the car as a taxi (because the car has a list of specific uses, and just getting around town is not one of them) and I decided to not participate in breaking a rule we had all been talking about so much. While in the house, I went to hop in the shower, and the lights went out, and I don't know how I knew, but I knew, so I called the other missionaries and they gave me the bad news. So, I tossed some jeans on and a white shirt and my companion and I went out to help them.

They really didn't do much, but they did a few things that were against the rules, so the situation goes from an accident to something that could have been prevented, and therefore their fault. Plus, it is not only something that affects them, but all of us in the office, and in really all of the city La Lima. At 8 am we were already hearing stories about the "drunk Mormon missionaries" that knocked the power out last night. (They weren't drunk, just for the record, but that will be hard to explain to all of La Lima.)

President Klein has been really interesting to watch as it all has kinda gone on. The first thing he did when he showed up was walk over and hug the two missionaries and ask how they were, then he talked to the police and took photos and all that good stuff. He didn't yell or even look mad, but he definitely taught some powerful lessons. Today he gave us a ride to the office, and we just got pure life lessons the whole drive. It is cool to watch someone so  wise and respected by all the missionaries maintain his calm and do exactly what I imagine Christ himself would do. No yelling, no anger, just love. And a nice solid call to repentance.

I hope that all is well in each of your families and that you all were able to enjoy the Easter holiday. We had a few really cool lessons yesterday as we focused on Christ and His resurrection. I love Christ and the ability that he give us to be clean from sin and live again.

Have a great week. Be obedient.

Elder Aldrich