Can I get a hallelujah?!?...February 16, 2015

Holy I am dead tired and drained to the max!!  This week was super weird!  We started off Monday really well but then we had to have a training for the new missionaries (my companion) on Tuesday until 6 so we only got to work 3 hours.  Then on Wednesday we had zone conference.  It was super good and the main theme was on how we can consecrate our time in the mission!  I learned tons and was able to look and see that I could definitely consecrate my time as a missionary better.  It was awesome!  After zone conference, we were able to finally baptize Deivis and Diana.  Can I get a hallelujah?!?   It was a super spiritual experience and I haven't seen smiles on their faces until now.  I am so glad but now the real work begins with the ward and helping them stay active so that they can go to the temple.  Fun fact, while in our training Tuesday, some men from Utah were there looking at the temple site and we found out in zone conference that it should be announced in General conference.  Someone who works for the church said that in three years from now it will be entirely finished!  What an amazing feeling to be working here during such an amazing time!!  The other days were pretty boring because this week has been Carnival and so we have been shut indoors!  It is so crazy and I am sick and tired of the apartment but I definitely need the rest haha!  I am so glad for the experiences I have had these last couple of transfers!  My president wrote me this week and told me that nobody learns in times of ease.  I have definitely learned these past couple of weeks!  I am doing super good and hope you are all able to read the scriptures, pray always, and go to the temple.  I would challenge all of you to have a family home evening with the missionaries in the next couple of weeks and feed them good!  I know they get hungry!  Love you all!!

Love, Elder Slack

 

Our District at Zone Conference

  

Elder Aaron Wooden and Elder Brady Slack

 

Elder Slack, Elder Cevallos, and Elder Wooden

 

 

Baptism Day February 11, 2015
Elder Brady Slack, Deivis and Diana Marquez and Elder Mora

 

Elder Slack, Deivis Marquez, Diana Marquez, Elder Mora, Elder Dos Santos, and Elder Cevallos in front

Carnival is coming up this weekend...February 9, 2015

The past week was super good!!  Our investigators (Deivis and Diana) had another interview with our mission president and will be baptized this Wednesday!!  I am so excited for them because finally they are doing what they should have done the first time the missionaries visited them!!  We have two other investigators that should be baptized the 21 of this month!  One is Juliana who is 18 years old.  In these 2 weeks she has read past Alma!!  The other is Elkyn who is 11.  His sisters are members but their mother is not.  He is super awesome and reading every day!!  I am doing good and ready to have a week long rest with Carnival coming up this weekend!!  It is a little crazy because our area is about 6 blocks from the whole shebang and so we should get some crazy people close to the house for some good pics!!

This week was super fast but I learned that I can always do more.  We got two new Zone leaders who kind of gave me the good word and made me open my eyes a little. Reminded me of the conference talk, "Better and Best".  I know I definitely could do the best in all areas. Because I am the Trainer, my decisions reflect our work and I am not working to my potential.  I am so grateful for the atonement.  I am grateful to be able to repent for even the smallest of things so that once again I can get back on the path I need to so that I can always do what our Father in Heaven has asked!  I know this church is true and that our Savior loves all of us.  I love you too and hope for the best for all of you!! 

Love, Elder Slack


**I am posting this late this week and am not sure if Deivis and Diana were baptized yesterday.  Of course Satan threw more obstacles in their way in the form of the doctor filing charges against them for some reason.  I know this is trying their faith, the faith of Brady and Elder Mora and also of our family.  Hopefully we will hear good news next week!!

Continued prayers and fasting would be greatly appreciated...February 2, 2015

What a roller coaster of a couple of weeks!!  I am doing super awesome here in Colombia!  I didn't get transferred so I am still in Barranquilla!  Carnival is starting up and so I will be looking forward to another week shut in the apartment.  My companion is awesome!  Our investigators are doing good but it has been kind of stressful trying to figure everything out.  We got a call on Friday saying Diana was in the hospital after taking some pills trying to commit suicide.  Luckily, she took so many I think her body couldn't handle it so she threw them all back up.  We will now be working with the Mission President and a psychologist to see what we can do to help her.  I have talked to Sister Searle quite a bit because she is the closest thing I have to a mother in the mission.  I wake up every day wondering what in the heck I am doing here in this situation.    Thanks to my Father in Heaven, I know He has a plan for all of us.  I feel my testimony growing stronger and stronger every day because of the trials He puts in front of me.  I just dearly hope and pray that Diana continues to progress and that all is well in the plan Heavenly Father has for them!  Your continued prayers and fasting would be greatly appreciated.
Today was an awesome experience!  A member took us to a place called Boca de Sineza where the Magdalaina River and the ocean meet and it was so cool!!  We took some serious pics and I am amazed at the creations here on earth!!  Definitely a day of relaxation that I needed!!  I know my Savior lives and I know this is the only true church on the earth.  I love my family and I love this work.  I wish you all the best and hope your wildest dreams come true!

Love, Elder Slack

Elder Cevallos (Ecuador) and Elder Slack

 

Elder Cevallos, Elder Slack, Elder Dos Santos (Brazil), Elder Mora (Ecuador)

 

Elder Slack, Elder Cevallos, Elder Mora, Elder Dos Santos

 

Elder Brady Slack

Karate Kids
Elder Dos Santos, Elder Slack, Elder Mora, Elder Cevallos

 

Still practicing his moves