Escundriñar las escrituras

This week I started something new. Apart of my normal studies I'm reading the Book of Mormon again, but instead of finishing as fast as I can, I'm reading it one chapter a day, and writing my thoughts and feelings about the verses and what I'm learning. I love the change it's brought to the Book of Mormon. It's now much more than reading. The word in Spanish is "escundriñar." It's like study and ponder.

This Sunday all of Mexico had a special conference where Elders Robert D. Hales and Russell M. Nelson talked to us about the commandments and how it's important live all of them. Elder Nelson spoke Spanish and it was surprising to hear his normal voice in a different language. Maybe that's how I sound to the people here hahaha. What I did love was how they talked about the progression of the church here in Mexico. They talked about the long time it took to start building temples and schools of the church. And then to the MTC in Mexico City and now 13 temples. Something special about my mission is that I have come to completely love the people here. I love love these people. They are so special and loving.

Sorry for the short letter as we have a lesson in like 10 minutes. I love you all and keep reading the Book of Mormon!!! Read it slow and ponder what the verses mean to you. LOVE YOU TONS!!!

Elder Babcock

Service

What a great week. It's seriously hard to remember everything that happened and all the visits and lessons we did. But what I haven't forgotten is the love and joy I feel while sharing this wonderful gospel. Especially with my new companion Elder Silverio. He's just an amazing guy all around. I feel like this is going to be a great couple of months together. He's from Guatemala and doesn't eat spicy food (which is funny 'cause none of my comps eat spicy food.)

PERO, this Sunday in our gospel principles class we talked about service. Why it's important and how it blesses our lives. I love being in classes when we can't finish the lesson because everyone is sharing experiences and asking questions. Honestly as a missionary when your investigators talk lots in church and talk with members it's awesome. Not sure how many investigators really go to church in Utah, but in other places I'm sure new people show up every couple of weeks.

I'd just like to invite you all to search for new people in church and make new friends. Who knows, maybe they have been feeling uncomfortable at church and you going to talk to them was the answer to their prayer? Think about it. I love you all and miss you tons! Short letter because well life is too good to rant!

Elder Babcock

An amazing week

Well this was quite an amazing week. Lots of really spiritual experiences and just a wonderful week in general. Some of the small highlights were:

- My new companion Elder Silverio came this past week as he had to learn to do elder Ix's old job.
-We found lots of new people to teach.
-WE BAPTIZED!!
-Did some service with an older couple in the ward.
-GOT MY PACKAGE FROM HOME. FLAMING HOT CHEETOS NEVER TASTED SOOO GOOD!
-Had some truly special moments while in lessons.
-Had lots of people come to church that want to be baptized!

Of all the points I would just like to talk a little about one experience I had while teaching a lesson as well as the story of our baptismal service this week! The baptism was a young boy named Amaury. He's only 9 years old but he had such a desire to get baptized. His family, consisting of his mom and dad, his older brother and his grandma were all members except the grandma. We started to visit them right when I first showed up. That was almost 3 months ago! Little by little we taught and encouraged them to read the Book of Mormon as a family and pray together. To do the small things as a FAMILY.

At first they came once a month, then twice, and now they come every week. It's so great to see this entire family sitting on the row together, smiling and laughing. We had the goal that the father would be able to baptize his son. We had to work with the bishop but everything worked out perfect and last night the family was together for the baptism of little Amaury. Truly a special experience.

About three weeks ago elder Ix and myself were leaving the house of Amaury when elder Ix stopped to talk to a young man in the street. His name is Joar and was interested in us coming to visit him. For days we passed but never was home until one day, this week, we found him. He invited us in and we started to get to know him and share what it is that we do as missionaries. He began to share a personal experience, in the middle I felt prompted to share the story of the Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah. After he finished the story I pulled out the little booklet of paintings of the church and opened it to that page and we started to talk about this story. He was laughing in between sentences and after we had finished he asked if we had planned to share this story beforehand. He said this was the story closest to what he felt he was living in right now. He has lots of problems and would always say why would God answer me? I'm not worthy of it. Why would he want to change me?? He went with us to church and is now working and progressing to be baptized in the coming month!

I LOVE THIS WORK! there are people waiting to hear the stories of the Book of Mormon and connect them to their lives. I know its the strongest tool we have as missionaries and as members of the Church of Jesus Christ! It is another testimony of Christ's ministry. Read it, ponder it, love it!

I love you all and hope you have a great week!!!

Elder Babcock