Dearest friends and family,
To start, I forgot to mention last week that we were about to have a conference with Elder Viñas of the seventy, a counselor in the area Sudamerica Sur!!!! It was so awesome!!!!!! Last week on lunes (monday, p-day), we had to go set up chairs and tables in our chapel in the morning. We also had to walk to the other chapel in Minas and CARRY three tables to our chapel, which is probably a distance of about 20 city blocks. I carried the heaviest table with Elder Johnson and just about died -- I have literally never sweat so much in my life. Totally worth it. The conference was fantastic and we felt the Spirit so strongly. Elder Viñas encouraged us to focus on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He also taught us to seek out the chosen people and help them become disciples of Jesus Christ and then be baptized. He said that the overall quality of baptisms, at least in this area of the church, is somewhat poor, because so many people become less-active or inactive. I loved his perspective of finding chosen people, then helping them become converted, then baptizing them. He said something that really helped me put things in perspective: "Don´t worry about your personal success!!!"
There is kind of a lot of pressure to baptize, which is good, because in that way we help people come unto Christ and enter in at the strait gate towards eternal life. However, I had previously worried about the small quantity of baptisms in my mission so far. I feel like I have been doing the absolute best I can, which of course includes many flaws, but I haven´t seen a whole lot of fruits in baptisms. When Elder Viñas said not to worry about your personal success, I realized that the most important thing is having our eye completely single to the glory of God and forgetting ourselves. Also in a fabulous district meeting after the conference, we talked about Abinadi and how he didn´t live to see even ONE fruit of his incredibly faithful service!!! And yet he had such a huge hope, faith, and assurance that he was in the right path and that he could be an instrument in God´s hands for the blessing of His children. I am a HUGE fan of Abinadi and I want to become more life him -- more faithful, more hopeful, and more consecrated. This perspective both gives me comfort and challenges me to be better.
In spite of my weaknesses and faults, I know that if I do my very best and devote myself to my Heavenly Father, the Atonement applies immediately and fully. The Atonement is so infinite, so eternal, and so perfect that it even applies to people who have already died and are in the spirit world! How much more, then, does it apply to us in this life, here and now!!!! I am so grateful for God´s perfect plan and for the Savior´s atoning sacrifice.
Our investigator Iris, despite committing super well to come to church, making a plan, and complying with her other commitments, did not show up to church, but instead had her husband call us at 8:30 the morning of to cancel. :( It was disappointing, but I know that we did everything we could, so I wasn´t disappointed in myself. Other promising people failed to keep their commitments to have lessons with us, but we did all we can. the good news is that the phone credit arrived, so after a week without phone credit, we can work much more effectively now! Anyways. The search for chosen people continues! Gladys is doing well, although her mom didn´t bring her to church this sunday. She will do it next sunday. Pray to help us find and help the chosen people!
I love you all so very much and I thank you for keeping me in your prayers.
--Elder Max Olivier
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