Washington Matters TMM
This weekend was Washington’s Birthday celebration in Laredo. Not Presidents’ Day, but George Washington’s holiday. Here that meant we had a 4-day weekend, carnivals and fireworks, parades, picnics, and carne asada in the air!
Last night we had a knock on our door and opened it to see two elders from our building. One of them was here to tell us “good-bye” and wish us well. We knew he was probably going to McAllen because of a health issue, but it turns out that he actually will have to go home for at least six months because he has been having seizures. It was sad because he is a new missionary, just learning Spanish, and teaching some good people. He has prepared all his life for this time, and now he finds himself back on a plane to go home to New York. We pray for him to recover and serve in whatever way the Lord has in store for him.
Last Friday we were able to go to San Antonio to the temple. Every time we go, the temple is packed. We feel blessed to have the freedom to travel out of our mission area to attend the temple at least once a month. Senior missionaries have many opportunities that younger elders and sisters who are proselytizing do not have. Because we have our own car, and our responsibilities are with CES, we can fill our missionary calling to teach and have time for other enriching experiences as well. We are planning to go to the Houston temple over spring break.
We try to be available and helpful to the young missionaries because we are the only senior couple in Laredo. This means we may be transporting investigators to church (Flanataxi), supporting elders at the hospital after a sprain, broken bone, or dehydration as the result of too much fun on p-day, or feeding them when a meal appointment falls through. We spend six to eight hours a day preparing lessons. I make a presentation and a journal study page for each early-morning seminary class—my ESL endorsement at work! (English as a Second Language) We love every minute of it!
Every weekend we attend baptisms. Laredo is really being blessed. It seems like most of the new members are young adults. Two of the young men we brought to church on Sunday are being baptized this Saturday. The work of the Lord goes forth despite the trials of the people who struggle along in life. We loved hearing Jorge bless the sacrament on Sunday and watching Susan sustained to a calling. We love hearing the testimonies of our seminary kids and YSA. We love having converts tell their conversion stories in institute. We are truly grateful for this teaching experience and opportunity to participate in the Lord’s work!
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