Not about the Numbers

Greetings Family,

 

 

I just finished reading ALMA TOO! Wow, Moroni just blows away my mind. How mad he gets defending what he loves. How Teancum kills the king in his sleep, but he dies in the process. I think I might read in English the next time so more can sink into my brain.

 

I did see Parker Hendrix at the multi-mission! I accidentally called him Parker..... It just slipped out of my mouth. He's from the Santa Ana mission, I believe, in El Salvador.

 

I'm really grateful for what you guys are doing behind the scenes. I recognize that maybe you can't measure some of the things we do in numbers and statistics. But the Lord knows. It's something that my companion and I have noticed this week. We count lessons. We count how many new investigators. How many invitations to the church. We then report those numbers and more every night. But some things we can't count. Like testimony, faith, service, showing love and much more. I've been so happy to not only have good numbers this week, but really do some things that the district leader won't know, that nobody in the mission will know. Maybe its just my companion and I or maybe its just the Lord and I. We've helped a lot of people this week. On our way back from church we helped a blind man get to his house. We went to go visit some members who were sick. I remember the quote you sent me from Thomas S. Monson saying that we shouldn't let our purpose keep others from feeling love. Really the numbers don't matter. Its been a really quick week. I think because of the service and the joy we felt honoring our covenant at baptism and our covenant we made taking the sacrament, taking upon ourselves His name.

 

Our mission President is really awesome. He came to our District meeting and talked to us about what really is doctrine and how we can help people understand that the doctrine isn't ours - personally ours. John 7:16 17. It's His. And when people understand whose it is, they feel they should do things because He is inviting, not just two missionaries.

 

 

I love you! I cant wait to hear from you next week. I will keep and eye out for the package. Thank YOU!

 

Elder Neifert

1 Day Old Nicole

Ho ho hola!

 

This week was a good one. Apparently I am getting fatter. Go figure. A couple of members in the ward hear have said to me,"Wow Elder Neifert you are getting more fat!" Other missionaries have told me the same thing. I really don't think so. If it's happening it's because of the papusas. They are super good, and super fattening. I'm turning into a Salvadoreno, eating everything with my hands, talking with my hands, and getting nice and plump. 

 

This week I had a really awesome spiritual experience. I had an interchange with our district leader. So I went to his area and his companion went with my companion in our area. I got to go up in the mountains and see the beach from a far off. But what was much more satisfying was that we were able to visit a family with a brand new baby that had just been born the day before. We just stopped by to talk a little - getting to know them and sharing a message from the Book of Mormon. Throughout this lesson with them I had the strong impression that we should give the baby a blessing. This happened a good 5 times during about 10 minutes of talking. Finally just knowing and having the courage to do what the spirit directed, I asked if they would like us to give the day old baby a blessing. The parents said it would be okay, so I laid my hands on sleeping Nicole's head and gave a blessing. It was by far the most satisfying experience this week. Being able to bless someone who was so small, innocent and pure, who had just the day before been in the presence of our Heavenly Father. As we left their home my district leader said he had the same impression during the lesson. So we shouldn't doubt the spirit! Have the courage to act on what He directs. I'm glad the spirit is here to guide me. Or I would be lost. There is so much joy that I found helping other people. Its so satisfying to know that you have done what the Lord wanted you to do as directed by the spirit. I love the Lord, I love this work and I love the people here!

 

I love you guys, spirit up!

 

Elder Neifert

 

When life gives you oranges...