Heyyy!
This morning Elder Peralta left. So now we are a normal companionship. He has grown so much in our time together. I love him. It is weird to not be in a trio now. I love my companions.
This week was great. We had several inconveniences that got in the way of the work that was hard. We had a couple days where we didn't have much time to work. But in the time we did, we did all we could and the Lord blessed us a lot. I just love work. There is no greater feeling than just giving everything you can to an important cause.
First of all, Lautarooo. His confirmation was yesterday. It was 9:05 and he hadn't arrived yet... we were kind of worried. Then suddenly he comes running in (literally). His hair was crazy, his cloths were dirty with tears in them, but he was smiling. It didn't bother anyone because they know of the sacrifice he is making. He is doing this all alone. He lives in horrible circumstances now that he is living with his mom again. He comes to church with an empty stomach and I have no idea when the last time he ate was... but he is happy and so faithful. I felt the spirit so strongly when he just entered the room. I love him so much.
Sunday, church was super good. I learned so much from the talks. I felt the spirit a lot, but I was in pain. I looked around the room and I rejoiced for the converts and less active members that were there. But, I was heart broken by the converts that weren't there. It really amazes me how much it hurts. Before my mission, I never felt or imagined pain like that, but it hurts. I love these people SO much and want so badly for them to return with us to be with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and if they don't come to take the sacrament and renew their covenants, they aren't on the path to get there. But after church I decided to put my pain to the side and just work to help them repent and get better.
It is amazing to have these feelings and these experiences. I am learning that part of true love is feeling true pain in times . This pain isn't something bad, it's part of the love, but what is bad is to let it consume you. To let it overcome you to start thinking of yourself and impead you from serving others the best you can.
Later after church, I prayed that the converts that had not gone could feel the difference that no going to church made so that they can learn and repent. That was totally answered with Victor. He felt super bad and wanted to do something for God to show his sorrow. So he asked if he could go with us to visit people. We did divisions and Victor went with me. It was amazing to see his countenance change as he served.In one of the lessons he bore such a powerful testimony. I finished testifying of the importance of the sacrament to a man who needs a lot of help and I told him that he will feel God's love if he takes the sacrament. When I finished, without me saying anything, Victor said, "I testify of the words of my companion..." and bore a SUPER powerful testimony. Ah, it was amazing. It is such a miracle to be able to stay in an area to see not just the baptism, confirmation, and first time to the temple of converts, but see him become a missionary. So much joy.
This morning I was pondering...and I really feel like the luckiest person in the world. It is SO incredible to be here. I love it. I love the pain, I love the hard times, I love the people, I love it all.
Have a super great week!!!
Love,
Elder Tenney
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