Dear Family, Friends, and Loved Ones
Well, if anybody knows me, you know that I am not a big fan of endings... Or at least endings of the stages of life. Ending middle school, ending basketball season, ending high school, leaving on a mission, leaving my first area... Even though there is always the common outcome- that EVERYTHING works out okay, and there are always different, but new and exciting adventures in each stage, I somehow still can´t figure out how to remember that every stage is great. I guess I just think of all of the good memories I have had before and when I think of how great and blessed I have been in my life, it is hard to imagine something could be better!! But I am trying to stay optimistic and happy and excited because even though it will be different, it will be another wonderful opportunity and experience. So this week we will be getting a new mission president, perhaps the change I am most scared of. In just these 8 short months on my mission I have grown so much to love, respect, and follow President Stutzneggar, who will always be a part of my life from hear on out, and it is hard imagining our next President, President (Super) Mann will be just as awesome as him, but more than anything I will put in my efforts to support and love him too and trust in the Lord too. We had our last zone conference with President and Mama Stutzneggar this last Tuesday which was both sad and great, and one thing I really liked is that Mama Stutz told us, we aren´t losing them, but we are just getting double the love with double the mission Presidents! I know the Mann´s will be great. Another change will be a change in companion. Although Elder Achá has driven me crazy a few more times than I would have liked, and it always hasn´t been perfect, I love him so much, he has been a wonderful companion and I have nothing to complain about. Looking back, I have so many great memories with him and it was a great privilege to train him. I am proud of him and just hope he gets an amazing comp who will help and love him too. I am grateful for the blessing I had to be his dad :). The last thing I wanted to talk about though, that I am very excited about, I found out Saturday night. This whole week I was expecting to have to say goodbye to everyone in this ward that I love, pack up my stuff, and move on. Even my zone leaders called me up on Saturday night and told me I had changes. But after they got a good laugh about it, and couldn´t hold it back longer, I found out I am going to be staying here in Atlicpac! I AM STAYING IN THE PROMISE LAND FOR ONE MORE CYCLE! Honestly, I could not be more excited, more happy, and more relieved. I feel so blessed and greatful, and it was truly an answer to many prayers and fasts. There is so much potential in this ward here, I love the members, and am very excited to be here for at least another 7 more weeks. It is kind of weird to think I got here in February and will be here until August but I will definitely work every last second while I am here. I think it really works out for the best of the both of us too, because Elder Achá is happy. He said that he was scared about having to lead the area and teach someone else, and is happy to have changes. So Heavenly Father really is guiding His work, and giving revelation to our mission President and I know He loves me. Even though things will change this next cycle, I am excited to be staying here, in the ward, area, and house I love. I am especially excited to be staying here with the love of my life- our beloved washing machine. Elder Achá is trying to figure out how he can fit it in his suitcase but I don´t think it will work out, the washing machine will be staying here too!
So this week was a little hard, as a district leader and with the work. We had some meetings and a few service projects, but as always, we have been blessed with success and spiritual experiences. One day this week I was reading in 3 Nephi about Christ teaching to the Nephite crowd. As I read the words of Christ, and the faith of all of the Nephites, I was really just filled with a joy and appreciation for Jesus Christ and all that he has been, but also such a longing in my heart. As I studied and pondered those words, I longed to be there with the Nephite crowd, to feel the nail prints in His hand, to hear His voice, and the feel His love. But as I thought about it, I felt overwhelmed by His presence right there with me as I studied. I could feel His love, his hope and joy, and even though it seems impossible what He did and sometimes incomprehensible, I was just so overwhelmed with the spirit, and I know my Redeemer lives. I love Him so much and am greatful for this time to serve Him to grow closer to Him. It is definitely experiences like this that strengthen my testimony so much, motivate me to keep going, and help me to grow as a person and reach my potential. I am so greatful for Heavenly Father´s guiding hand in my mission. This week Elder Achá and I planned and studied a lot for a specific lesson with a specific investigator. He is a new investigator and was a reference from sister Concepcion and really has been prepared to hear our message, he just needs a lot of help. He just says he feels so guilty and drinks a lot, but since out visits with him, he has been able to stop drinking for a whole week. We have really focused on the gospel and how it can change lives and wipe away all guilt. And that it is only possible when we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. I told Achá to put the baptism date with him, since he has always been scared to do it and tells me I am way better, but this time I told him I trusted him and that I knew he could do it. So the end of a great lesson came, and Elder Achá invited him to be baptized and prepare for baptism for the 22nd of July. He AND his sister accepted a baptism date, and I was so happy and proud of Elder Achá and our investigator. It will take some work and lots of the Spirit to help him keep going but we will keep working our hardest with him. Finally, we had another baptism this week for Maria! We seriously have been sooo blessed with success and baptisms in this area, and Maria really is an amazing convert. She had a wonderful baptism interview with Elder Matsen, and has such a strong testimony. She said it took a lot of praying and time before she came to know these things were true, but she said Heavenly Father answered he prayers and that she knew for a surety this is what she needed to do in her life. We just have so many great converts in this area, and I just hope they can all continue faithfully in the church and one day receive the temple blessing´s too!! Speaking of our converts, Ramiro is helping his daughter, Abigial, read the Book of Mormon and they are almost done with 1 Nephi! Ramiro and Henrry also both have callings in the young men´s presidency with brother Jacinto, all 3 really awesome men. Elida, Genesis, and Yael are doing great, and have been helping their grandma, Alicia, a lot so that she will get baptized soon! Sometimes when I think about all of them I just want to sing praises to Heavenly Father for how blessed I have been and how strong this ward has become. It truly is a miracle work!!
So yeah, it isn´t always easy. There are rough days, and even weeks, there always has to be changes, but it is definitely worth every second. I hit my 8 month mark this last week, so I am already 1/3 of the way done (I know, crazy stuff) and I still feel like a rookie out here in the mission. Somehow, day by day, Heavenly Father keeps providing His blessings and tender mercies and I just try my best to work as hard as I can. This last week we had a district activity and helped Elder Nadauld and Elder Rodas paint their old house. It was messy, and long, but it was a lot of fun, and I have learned to appreciate service and work too. We also had a family home evening last night with the Tobón and Cortes family which was really fun like always. For the game we played Ooga Booga Look! Maybe our next family home evening I will have to teach everyone Fruit Basket Tipped Over, FRANK STYLE! Haha, I sure do miss all of my fam back home... I´ve definitely learned a lot in these last 8 months, and especially in these last 11 weeks with Elder Achá. I have learned to stay optimistic and happy, even through the hard times, and have a LOT more patience too. It is a little weird to think that Spanish is just a second language now and that I am basically fluent! Even though there will be a lot of changes this cycle, and I still have a long way to go in the mission, I know it will be great, I know it will be quick, and I tell myself everyday to just work as hard as I can and make the best of it since I know I won´t be a missionary forever. I love and miss you guys so much, I always pray for my family and friends by name every single day and I am so greatful for all of your love and support. Have a wonderful week, and I will let you know next week how everything is, who my next companion will be and will always keep you updated. I want to thank my mission President and his wife, the Stutzneggars and also all of the service the Nebekers have done for us as well. They have truly been an inspiration, blessing, and impact on my whole life. Well, here I go for some New Beginnings! T-Clark, out.
Your Favorite Missionary,
Elder Clark
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