Work is Kickin'

Well this week was a good one, the wind is kicking up here in Talcahuano Norte, and so is the work of salvation. We had set a goal this week as a zone to bring 10 people to church with a baptismal date, we brought 12!!!!!! I honestly have so much love for and respect towards this zone. The leaders are working hard and so is every single missionary, but there is more to do. I don't think I have to quote Elder Dubby to make it obvious that we must keep the eye single to the glory of God. (don't look back whens there is more to be done) 

This week I had a few fun experiences (story time: specifically for you Naomi) 

1. This week we received a call from our neighbor (also a member of the church) he told us that he needed us to go with him to give a blessing to an older lady that was passing through a really rough time. When we got to her house she told us that recently she had, had an operation on her heart and that although she was doing alright physically, emotionally she was a wreck. She lives alone and apparently after her operation has not cried or laughed and finds it almost impossible to feel any emotion at all. Well God sent the A-Team to emotion. Elder Hutchins and Elder Lake on the job. In a little while she was chuckling along with us. My favorite moment was when she said that she was just too old and might as well give up, the brother we went with asked "well how old are you?", "61" she replied in her frail old woman voice. Then one of the sisters that we had come with retorted in a raspy voice " no honey you're still young, I'M 74" Building upon that, the last sister who came with us muffled out "you're both children I'M 78!" With that bomb laid out there I couldn't help but throwing in there, "WELL I'M TWENTY!!!" that got a chuckle out of her.

2. This week we found, taught, brought to church, and made a baptismal date with Macarena and Ilda. A daughter and her mother. They are super interested in learning more and coming unto Christ. In the first lesson we had with them (in a house of members) they told us that they feel empty and would like to feel full, feel a purpose to life, they seek peace and happiness and joy. They told us that they would like to start a new life, one in which they knew their goal. Well, we told them we can help. After testifying of the purpose and divine nature of baptism (as the first step to getting their desires) they were excited to prepare and put in their part. 

3. On Saturday the sisters in our zone had a baptism planned, but as their baptismal font was out (bad draining) they asked us if they could use ours. So we got there early, prepared everything for the baptism and then I got a call from their district leaders about half an hour before the baptism. He told me that when he had done the baptismal interview everything was good, but the person who was going to be baptized had, had some problems with smoking and they had seen him earlier in the street, not smoking, but with a pack of cigarettes. He was not going to come to the baptism (the district leader) so he asked me to conduct an interview with the young man and verify to see if he was ready for baptism. The end result of the interview was a postponement of the baptism for two more weeks. I increased my testimony that the Lord wants quality members of His church, not quantity. (quote from Richard G. Scott) if someone is not ready or prepared to get baptized, they don't. But everyone and anyone can and should prepare and make changes in their lives to get to the point that they are ready and prepared to get baptized. 

Well that is just a little taste of my week I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. But here I am saving lives (ask me about new years eve sometime and maybe Ill tell you the story) and making old ladies lives just a little more bearable.

Mom , Dad, help the missionaries. Please. 

I love each of you with my entire heart. 

Elder Hutchins

Until Next week ;)