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 :)