Elder Justin Jacobson ~ CALLED TO SERVE ~ Guatemala Retalhuleu Mission September/2010 - 2012

First Area: La Grandeza,
Companion: Elder Heywood 11/9/2010 -3/15/2011
Companion: Elder Tadeo 3/15/2011-4/5/2011
Second Area: Central,
Companion: Elder Platero 4/5/2011-4/26/2011
Companion: Elder Lira 4/26/2011-6/7/2011
Third Area: San Pablo (in Malacatan),
Companion: Elder Altamirano 6/7/2011-7/19/2011
Companion: Elder Matute 7/19/2011-10/11/2011

Fourth Area: San Sebastian
Companion: Elder Platero 10/11/2011-02/15/2012
Fifth Area: Pueblo Nuevo
Companion: Elder Jack 02/15/2012-
Companion: Elder Velasquez -08/30/2012
Companion: Elder Ortega 08/30/2012-09/13/2012


Monday, February 6, 2012

a week for the strong

BWAHAHA, when i said i was out of creative titles it was a bold faced lie. i have a list of about 39 more titles (thats how many p days i have left) in my bag.
well like the title says it wasnt a week for the faint of heart, it was kind of a challenge, but in the end it all turned out well, and im better for having lived it.
on wednesday we had a leaders meeting with President maravilla. it was an awesome meeting, but alot is changing in the mission. after Elder Amado came he sent a report to president telling him the things we need to do. among the list were 2 big ones, 1 was that a person had to come to church at least 3 times before he could be baptized. i think alot of times that is the rule of other missions, but we have been used to just once or twice. it is kind of a challenge because if we have an investigator and they dont come to church the first week of the month it is unlikely that they will be able to get baptized that month. but i think it will help the retention alot, and allow us to prepare the people better. the other thing that Elder Amado said is that we have to double the number of families that we baptize each month. if we have a good month the mission will usually baptize 15 or 20 families, but now the goal has to be 30 or 40. it will be harder, but the cool thing is that to succeed we will have to be the best missionaries we can possibly be, and trust even more in Heavenly Father. I´ve thought about the story in the book of mormon alot when nephi goes and gets the plates. once lehi gave the commandment all the brothers went to bring the plates, but i think that obedience is not only in trying to complete the commandments, but in actually succeeding. so that can apply to everyone, once we have a commandment its not just about trying to do it, it is going and doing. ha i dont know if that makes any sense. im low on time and i have alot to write so im trying to summarize. ha i think you get the idea.
Its true elder platero is in his last week. i feel bad for him because he was really hoping to have a baptism his last week, but now because of the new rule we wont be able to. He is trying to stay motivated and keep working, but i can tell its hard for him to focus on the work and not think about his house. i think its pretty normal, because the days that i have called home, its usually hard for me to think about investigators and all that afterwards. so i understand, but sometimes it is hard on me, because sometimes i feel like i have to drag him from place to place. But i wont complain, we still get along very well, and he is doing his best. it will never be as bad as having lamen and lemuel for companions, and nephi never complained, why should i.
well now its time for the good news. across the street from our house lives a family of members named the andrade family. family has 6 kids, and 3 of them were married to non members, but the family has always dreamed that their children in laws would accept baptism. well last month 2 of the 3 were baptized (macedonio y ligia). my comp and i have joked sometimes saying that if we could baptize the 3rd ( her name is mildred) the family would build a statue of us in our front yard. this week has been a little tough because we have been having a hard time finding new investigators, and it feels like we arent getting anything done. but last night we went to teach Hna mildred. we read 2 nephi 31 and challenged her to baptism for the end of this month and ... SHE SAID YES.. (ha i think thats what most people say when their girlfriend accepts marriage, but i think i was just as happy) but yea, it was crazy. i could tell the spirit was working with her alot. she agreed to read the book of mormon and go to church and always pray. so after all the trials come the testimony i guess. the bad thing is that changes are next week and i have a feeling they will be changing me (not my diapers) but if we can get her to start reading and go to church this sunday i can leave san sebastian happy.
well thats all the time ive got for now. but thanks to everyone for the prayers and love you are sending my way. i love you all so much. have a good week, and dont worry about me, if i die it will be for the better (Alma 56.11) keep doin work all talk to you next week. Adios
Elder Jacobson

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