a great start to the very promising last stretch of my mission. The
miracles have been abundant and the spiritually faith building
moments, endless. Back in January I was in Greeley and I had the
privilege to be the Shepard of a small flock. That's was definitely an
interesting experience. By February I had gotten my new companion from
Hawaii (Elder Yugawa) and we had gotten the hang of the Greeley branch
and had a lot of good work going. At the same time however, we had to
say goodbye to a sister missionary in our district as she was on her
departure from this (great) mission. So we wished her well as she
left.
Another Major Event that occurred during my time in Greeley was the
passing of a beloved member of our Branch. That same night we were
asked to help give some blessings to comfort the close family members.
It started off with just one, but after a few hours we had ended up
giving almost 12 blessings. We had set up in the lounge area of the
maternity section because that's around where we had given the first
blessing. Those blessings were some of the most spiritual experiences
I've had on my mission. We could all feel how close we were to the
veil and that Angels were surrounding us to comfort the family.
Afterwards we went home and prayed for the families affected. The next
few weeks as we visited the Serrano Family we were able to offer
scriptures of comfort and more blessings. Never have I been more
grateful for my knowledge of the scriptures.
Come March I was shipped down to Boulder Colorado, and I love it here!
The strangest thing happened when I got here and started meeting the
members, it felt like I had know most of them for a long time and I
hadn't seen them in ages. Then instantly I felt a love for the people
here and it's carried ever since. Recently we had an insane weather
fluctuation and went from 70 degree weather to twenty something inches
of snow. The Zone Leaders called in the morning and first asked if we
were alive, then second told us that it's a mission snow day so we
shouldn't go anywhere. So my companion and I (and it's funny because I
was on exchanges with a member in my district that didn't bring winter
wear) stayed in and made some sushi and hung out. It was very relaxing
until the member we live with told us that we should be shoveling snow
for people in the neighborhood. We told him that we were told not to
leave but he insisted so we suited up and braved the blizzard. At one
point I had my scarf wrapped around my head with only a slit to look
out of. I still felt strange though without a taun taun to take me
places (it really felt like I was living on Hoth that day). So we
walked around the neighborhood for a few miles asking if anyone needed
help with getting out of their driveways and some insisted they were
fine without our help, others accepted it gladly. I can't he,p but
think of the similarities to missionary work. Some people accept the
gospel we offer and others do not. It's really as simple as that. Now
back to setting the scene - here I am, trudging in snow that is just
above my knees and almost at my companions waist just to "shovel
snow". We had been our for about 3 hours when we hit the furthest most
point we could go in the Neighborhood and knocked on the door of a
member by the name of Sister Bench. She was very grateful for our
visit and was very confused how we managed to get places without a
car. She made us delicious Hot Chocolate and then we shoveled her walk
and driveway for the next hour and afterwards had more hot cocoa until
the member we live with called and picked us up for dinner (That was
very nice of him).
So Easter was this last Sunday and that was very exciting. Church was
great and the program was nice. It was actually narrated by a
non-member in a part member family here in the Boulder Ward. So it was
interesting but at the same time still very spiritual. I've learned
that as long as someone loves God and emulates the Savior things can
still be spiritual. But it takes the constant companionship of the
Holy Ghost to keep us safe in this hazardous world. So for Easter
dinner we went to the Hall family's house and I taught them how to
make sushi. It's probably one of the more normal holiday dinners for
me that I've experienced on my mission and so I loved it. The food was
good and we all had a great time, and that is what holiday family
dinners should be like no matter what you eat (even if it is sushi).
Thanks everyone for the support and love! I miss every single one of
you and can't wait to see you all in a little over four months!!! (So
stay sweet)
Best of Love from Elder Gaspar de Alba
