Bueno bueno, hope everyone had a killer week! This week was honestly pretty boring, so if you wanna just skip to the pictures I wouldn't be upset lol.
First off, we have some bad news out here in barrio Mezquital. Our guy Rafael (Homie without skin on his arm from a bike accident) was super stoked to be baptized and we had him on date and everything. Unfortunately, that baptism date might fall this week because, even after we told him that we do baptism by immersion like 4 times, it didn't really sink in that his arm would have to go in the water until he came to a baptism with us this past Saturday.
He's now very scared, and doesn't really like our idea of putting a large bag with a rubber band on is arm. He'll be alright though, pray for us please lol.
Super fun story is that I got sneak attacked by a dog. I was just walking on the street, being a good missionary, when BOOM a dog bit me through a gate. It didn't even make a sound, just kinda say me and chose to be violent.
I wish I could say I had battle wounds to show for it, but sadly it was just a nip. Hopefully the next dog gets me better.
HARDCORE SPIRITUAL THOUGHT:
Back in my first area like 2 months ago, there was a super old Witch lady investigator that also believed in reincarnation. While all those things impeded her progression in the gospel, the biggest obstacle was a question she could not get over:
If God loves us, then why does he let so many bad things happen?
For a while, this question stuck with me. I knew the answer, but had no clue how to share it. BUT, this week during companionship study, Elder Alejandro shared a scripture from Alma 14: 9-11, that says:
9 And it came to pass that they took Alma and Amulek, and carried them forth to the place of martyrdom, that they might witness the destruction of those who were consumed by fire.
10 And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames.
11 But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day.
On top of that, preach my gospel ties a nice little ribbon, saying something along the lines of that while we're here on Earth, we have experiences that will bring us joy.
However, we'll also have experienes that will bring us pain and burdens, some of which are the results of the sins of other people.
The world sucks right now. Pain, suffering, and all sorts of miseries are happening all around us. Sometimes, when the times are right, God takes away these pains and sufferings away. But at the end of the day, people have their agency. God will allow people to exercice this agency, which will inevitably lead to more suffering. Either outcome God still loves all us, he just can't always save us because otherwise no one would learn anything.
When bad things out of our control continue to happen, we can find comfort in Almas (paraphrased) words, that God will make things just.
At the end of this behemoth of a spiritual thought, I would like to extend an invitation to all of you. Please use your agency for good this week. Do whatever you can to save those people who are being "consumed by the fires" of mental health, social/physical problems, or even school.
When uncontrolable bad things continue to happen, we can find comfort in Almas (paraphrased) words: that God will make things just.
But, when we can do something about the bad stuff, let's go do it.
Go along now and Choose the Right. Also I really hope that someone got something out of my spiritual brainworm hahaha.
BYE❤
E. Winegar
Puppy pics, service, and Durango
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