Christ's Victory

Hey everyone!

How are you? I hope that you all had an amazing week of school, work, sports, or whatever other activities you may be involved in. As for us here in Bolivia, everything is going great! As I think I mentioned last week (I really can't remember... ;) we had two baptisms this past Saturday! Máxima and Rodrigo were baptized and it was an amazing experience :) Your prayers for them would be greatly appreciated as they continue down the path of enduring to the end :) This week, speaking of investigators, I would love to talk about Leidy.

If I remember right, I talked about Leidy a while ago. To review a little, Leidy is a wonderful woman that basically grew up in the Church from about 12 years of age, but, due to fear, was never baptized. Now, about 20 years have passed and she is now investigating the Church once again. Her father, a faithful member of the Church and her biggest source of support, passed away about one month ago. Now, after lots of visits from family, she is once again left alone with her 3 year old son. This past week, we had the amazing opportunity of meeting with her for the first time since the passing of her father. We talked an comforted her and then shared the Plan of Salvation. Leidy cried with a smile on her face as she learned of the Spirit World, the Sealing Power, and her opportunity to live with her family once again. Things will continue to be a struggle for her with these coming weeks, months, and years, but with the comfort of the Gospel, deaths sting can be swallowed up in the victory of Christ's resurrection. Leidy accepted a baptismal invitation and we look forward to continued visits :) Please pray for her if you can :)

As a thought for you all, I will be brief. Because of Him, physical death has no permanent power over us. Because of Him, our obedience to His commandments can give us power over spiritual death as well. Because of Him, we have unlimited clean slates and blank pages, unlimited restarts and new beginnings. Follow His invitation to leave our nets, the things that bind us to this world, and follow Him. Study His words. Obey His will. There is peace, and light, and hope as we follow Him.

I love you all so much! Please pray for these people if you can :) I would greatly appreciate it :) Have an amazing week!

Elder Wynn

Pictures:

The Baptism of Rodrigo and Máxima

Another of Elder Salinas, Máxima, and I

Making pizza with some amazing investigators, Juan Carlos and his family :)

The Precious Fruit

Hey everyone!

How are you?? Have you had an amazing week?? I sure hope so! As for us here in Bolivia, everything has been unbelievable this week :) As I mentioned this last week, we had a couple of baptisms programmed for this past week and I am happy to report that they happened! I cannot express with words the joy that is felt when somebody chooses to enter the fold of God. I love being a missionary to help others in that decision :) It is the greatest joy I have really ever felt :) We will now keep working with Alexander and Douglas so that they can continue strong in the Church. They truly are amazing :)

Well, as for investigators, we are really happy with the people we are teaching. Today I would love to mention the Chavez Mamani Family. Well, as I have mentioned in the past, we are teaching a family with the last names of Chavez Suca (Johnny and Lidia), and they are progressing very well, having come to church the last 3 weeks in a row, and the last 2 weeks with their 4 kids as well. This last week, Johnny presented us to his brother, Juan Carlos, along with his family, the Chavez Mamani Family. It was an amazing experience to be accompanied by Johnny and Lidia while we taught The Restoration to his brother with the whole family there. They loved the message and have promised to begin reading The Book of Mormon. Juan Carlos was there with his wife and his two oldest kids. It was an amazing experience and we really look forward to seeing the progress of Juan Carlos and his amazing family :)

Well, after having this amazing experience this past week, I have begun to think about the amazing actions of Johnny. When I think about what he did, I begin to think about Lehi in The Book of Mormon when he had his vision of The Tree of Life. He shares that he partook of the fruit and then desired that his own family could partake of the same fruit. As we well know, the Tree of Life in this vision represents the love of God. Now, relating it back to Johnny's story, I have realized that Johnny has really "tasted" the love of God, and now, he wishes that his whole family can partake of this same love. Not just his wife and kids, but his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and everyone else. Really and truly, this Gospel allows us to feel the true love of God. I have felt this more than ever as I have had the opportunity to preach this Gospel of our Savior for these past 21 months. I testify that as we accept the Gospel and the One who preached it that His love fills our life to the brim with happiness and joy. I also promise that as we make an effort to share these amazing feelings with family, friends, and even strangers, this happiness and joy not only arrives to the brim, but overflows so that all may see the light that we have and come unto Christ. I invite each and every one of you to think of at least one friend or family member that is either not a member or a less-active member and share the Gospel with them. The promises I have mentioned are valid for all who take this challenge to lift and serve those who are around them.

I love you all so much! Thank you so much for your support of me here in Bolivia! I hope that you all have an amazing week!

Elder Wynn

Pictures:

A great visit from a convert in Tupiza :)

Eating Pique Macho with Elder Bone and Hermano Martin in the pension

The baptism of Douglas and Alexander this past Saturday :)

Peace

Hey everyone!

How are you? I hope life is treating you well and that you were able to have a great Cinco de Mayo!

As for us here, life continues to go great :) This last week, we were able to keep working with Johnny and Lydia and they were able to come to Church! They loved it and hope to continue learning more! The rest of our investigators are progressing well and we are loving the opportunity to see God's miracles happen all around us daily. This week, I would love to talk about Rodrigo :)

Rodrigo is about 30 years old and has gone through many trials. Even though he is young, he has already traveled to several countries to work, including Argentina and the United States. His largest struggles come from a mental disability and depression. In his travels he has always felt alone. After suffering an accident in the United States, he has been without a job here in Bolivia living with his sister. He has listened to many preachers and has been searching for peace in his life. We were contacting in the street one day when he flew by and gave me a huge hug. "You're from the United States, right? I've been there!" We began to talk and then had the opportunity to make an appointment and visit him. He loves the message of the Restored Gospel and has already come to church two times on his own. He has accepted a baptismal date and is progressing very well. We look forward to continued visits with our great friend Rodrigo :)

As we have visited Rodrigo, I have thought a lot about peace. I feel that each and every one of us wants and looks for inner peace. Many times we struggle to find relief from an increasingly irritating world. However, I have learned that the only true peace comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have learned here the great worth that the scriptures hold. I have come to know and love them along with the fact that no mortal inspiration could have formed those words. For all of you that seek peace and comfort, I invite you to set a daily goal of scripture reading. If you read the scriptures at least 5 minutes a day and don't find peace, you can call me a liar, but I know that this cannot happen. Scriptures like John 16:33

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

I know that the Gospel brings peace to our lives if we decide to follow. I invite each of you to test these things out, and in that way, you will know for yourselves.

I love you all so much! Thank you for all that you do for me! I hope that you have an amazing week!

Elder Wynn