Hola Familia, Its good to hear that all is going well and that you all are getting new things while I am gone. Suburban and a ping pong table... did I mention a Ping-Pong Table? That's crazy. I was just telling Elder Tucker this week that our Suburban is super old, so I find it a little comical that you're getting a knew one. I think that it probably would've been better if we got a ping pong table before I left but as you can tell I'm not bitter about it ;) |
This week was another good week... it was hard but still really good. I've been struggling lately with the language. Elder Tucker and I speak a lot of English to each other... we try and speak more Spanish but it's
really easy to slip back in English so that we can both understand each other and we can both understand each others jokes. But really it's been hard, I just want to be able to communicate with people. I can understand but its just hard not being able to express how I feel. I don't feel that I am helping people out as much as I could because of the language barrier. Some people are patient with me but most people don't listen to me when I speak... or they try and listen but can't understand. I start speaking and people just try and put words in my mouth or just start talking over me. Its hard, I finally understand how it feels to be somewhere where people can't understand you... it's frustrating. I know that I am progressing but sometimes its hard to see it. I've been praying hardcore (if you can pray hardcore that's what I've been doing) and I know Heavenly Father is there and I just have to be patient. That's one Christ-like characteristic that I've struggled with my whole life... and I know that this trial with
Spanish is only going to make me stronger. I know the Lord knows me, he knows each and everyone of us, and I know that trials are only meant to bless us and make us stronger. This trial with Spanish is only
making me stronger... I know it's tough but I also know I am learning how to rely on the Lord more than I ever have before. Trials are in our lives to test our faith. Every trial has a purpose, we may not know
the purpose at the time but through every trial we can grow stronger and live happier. What would happen if we didn't have trials in our lives? We would all be bums and not recognize the blessings in our lives.
Through trials we can become better and become closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I've been humbled this week... here I am complaining about how my life is hard because of a language barrier... yeah its tough but its nothing, its only going to help me. I saw something this week that will change lives forever, a hard trial. Today we were on a bus in Guadalajara heading towards the Central (airport for buses) to head back to Tepatitlan. We were going pretty fast (everyone drives crazy fast here) and we were pulling up to an intersection. We were on a one way street in the city so there were buildings all over and you couldn't see past the buildings when passing through intersections. The street we were on had the right of way so of course the bus driver is just going super fast. We got up to this intersection and all of the sudden a motorcyclist goes right in front of the bus. The bus driver slammed on his brakes as hard as he could, right before slamming right into the biker. He hit hard... his head hit the windshield of the bus creating a huge crack and then he flew about 20 feet away from where the impact happened. Instantly people sprung up to help and see if he was okay... even more came to see what happened. The police arrived within 3 minutes as well as the ambulance. The man didn't move for a while, just laying
there cold out. He was wearing a helmet... but even with the helmet I don't think anyone could survive a hit like that. After about 30 minutes we had to leave to try to catch our bus to Tepa. A trial like this could ruin peoples lives forever. The people that knew this young man that got hit and the bus driver (which wasn't his fault) has to live his life knowing that he took someone's life away. These people probably
wonder... why would God do this to me? Why do I have to go through this trial? We may not know why Heavenly Father puts us through trials. I feel very sorrowful for this bus driver that was involved
in this accident. But I am sure that God knows what he's doing. Our Heavenly Father never gives us
trials that we cannot get through. This trial can make this bus driver strong. I know if he turns to the Lord he will find comfort. I know it's hard to turn to our Father in Heaven when we are having a tough time in our life.... but these times are when we need to turn to him most. When ever you have trial that you feel is too much for you can handle... turn to the Lord in prayer... he will help you through anything. Never feel alone, your Savior has suffered everything that you have suffered in your life and more. Use his atonement... he will bless you, there is no reason to feel alone... your Savior Jesus Christ suffered your sins so that you don't have to suffer, so that you don't have to be sad, so that you can live your life
Happy! You may not know why you are going through a certain trial but be confident that your Heavenly Father knows... and only gives you these trials to bless you. If you turn to your Father in Heaven and if you lean on your Savior Jesus Christ you can get through ANYTHING!
Yesterday I also had a very spiritual and loving moment. I was able to baptize two beautiful little girls Joselyn and Jennifer. They are just such great girls and very smart. In our area in Tepatitlan we don't have a baptismal font so the baptism was held at a lake. We all went to the Lake to the baptism. When I say we all, I mean all of the branch. It was beautiful, the sun was nice and shining but not too hot and the lake just was peaceful. I was able to go into the water and baptize both of them. I was a little nervous due to my lack of Spanish and due to the whole branch being there but I was able to baptize them both with the help of my Heavenly Father. I just remember how happy they both looked :) In this moment the Lord showed me that its okay if I don't speak Spanish... I am here doing His work... I am his tool, through me, he is able to help his children come unto Christ. The most important language is the language of the Spirit!
Doing really well and loving every moment of my mission! Even the tough times! God loves you all... you can get through anything through the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Love,
Elder Summers
Dad- Everywhere there are kids in the street kicking a soccer ball around and all of the outdoor basketball courts (that's the only kind I know of) have soccer goals on them as well. I don't know what all the other Elders do but I haven't played soccer or basketball yet, solomente boliche. And I'm super excited for the World Cup! It's going to be awesome next June!
Gramma- Hope you're doing great, Im sure you are and if you're not, just throw some more salt on your life and I'm sure It will be better ;) I love you and please let Grandma-Great know that I love her as well! Keep being awesome, Gramma! Love you!
really easy to slip back in English so that we can both understand each other and we can both understand each others jokes. But really it's been hard, I just want to be able to communicate with people. I can understand but its just hard not being able to express how I feel. I don't feel that I am helping people out as much as I could because of the language barrier. Some people are patient with me but most people don't listen to me when I speak... or they try and listen but can't understand. I start speaking and people just try and put words in my mouth or just start talking over me. Its hard, I finally understand how it feels to be somewhere where people can't understand you... it's frustrating. I know that I am progressing but sometimes its hard to see it. I've been praying hardcore (if you can pray hardcore that's what I've been doing) and I know Heavenly Father is there and I just have to be patient. That's one Christ-like characteristic that I've struggled with my whole life... and I know that this trial with
Spanish is only going to make me stronger. I know the Lord knows me, he knows each and everyone of us, and I know that trials are only meant to bless us and make us stronger. This trial with Spanish is only
making me stronger... I know it's tough but I also know I am learning how to rely on the Lord more than I ever have before. Trials are in our lives to test our faith. Every trial has a purpose, we may not know
the purpose at the time but through every trial we can grow stronger and live happier. What would happen if we didn't have trials in our lives? We would all be bums and not recognize the blessings in our lives.
Through trials we can become better and become closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I've been humbled this week... here I am complaining about how my life is hard because of a language barrier... yeah its tough but its nothing, its only going to help me. I saw something this week that will change lives forever, a hard trial. Today we were on a bus in Guadalajara heading towards the Central (airport for buses) to head back to Tepatitlan. We were going pretty fast (everyone drives crazy fast here) and we were pulling up to an intersection. We were on a one way street in the city so there were buildings all over and you couldn't see past the buildings when passing through intersections. The street we were on had the right of way so of course the bus driver is just going super fast. We got up to this intersection and all of the sudden a motorcyclist goes right in front of the bus. The bus driver slammed on his brakes as hard as he could, right before slamming right into the biker. He hit hard... his head hit the windshield of the bus creating a huge crack and then he flew about 20 feet away from where the impact happened. Instantly people sprung up to help and see if he was okay... even more came to see what happened. The police arrived within 3 minutes as well as the ambulance. The man didn't move for a while, just laying
there cold out. He was wearing a helmet... but even with the helmet I don't think anyone could survive a hit like that. After about 30 minutes we had to leave to try to catch our bus to Tepa. A trial like this could ruin peoples lives forever. The people that knew this young man that got hit and the bus driver (which wasn't his fault) has to live his life knowing that he took someone's life away. These people probably
wonder... why would God do this to me? Why do I have to go through this trial? We may not know why Heavenly Father puts us through trials. I feel very sorrowful for this bus driver that was involved
in this accident. But I am sure that God knows what he's doing. Our Heavenly Father never gives us
trials that we cannot get through. This trial can make this bus driver strong. I know if he turns to the Lord he will find comfort. I know it's hard to turn to our Father in Heaven when we are having a tough time in our life.... but these times are when we need to turn to him most. When ever you have trial that you feel is too much for you can handle... turn to the Lord in prayer... he will help you through anything. Never feel alone, your Savior has suffered everything that you have suffered in your life and more. Use his atonement... he will bless you, there is no reason to feel alone... your Savior Jesus Christ suffered your sins so that you don't have to suffer, so that you don't have to be sad, so that you can live your life
Happy! You may not know why you are going through a certain trial but be confident that your Heavenly Father knows... and only gives you these trials to bless you. If you turn to your Father in Heaven and if you lean on your Savior Jesus Christ you can get through ANYTHING!
Yesterday I also had a very spiritual and loving moment. I was able to baptize two beautiful little girls Joselyn and Jennifer. They are just such great girls and very smart. In our area in Tepatitlan we don't have a baptismal font so the baptism was held at a lake. We all went to the Lake to the baptism. When I say we all, I mean all of the branch. It was beautiful, the sun was nice and shining but not too hot and the lake just was peaceful. I was able to go into the water and baptize both of them. I was a little nervous due to my lack of Spanish and due to the whole branch being there but I was able to baptize them both with the help of my Heavenly Father. I just remember how happy they both looked :) In this moment the Lord showed me that its okay if I don't speak Spanish... I am here doing His work... I am his tool, through me, he is able to help his children come unto Christ. The most important language is the language of the Spirit!
Doing really well and loving every moment of my mission! Even the tough times! God loves you all... you can get through anything through the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Love,
Elder Summers
Dad- Everywhere there are kids in the street kicking a soccer ball around and all of the outdoor basketball courts (that's the only kind I know of) have soccer goals on them as well. I don't know what all the other Elders do but I haven't played soccer or basketball yet, solomente boliche. And I'm super excited for the World Cup! It's going to be awesome next June!
Gramma- Hope you're doing great, Im sure you are and if you're not, just throw some more salt on your life and I'm sure It will be better ;) I love you and please let Grandma-Great know that I love her as well! Keep being awesome, Gramma! Love you!