It was so nice to have a REAL P-Day today, and we definitely took full advantage of it by doing absolutely nothing. It was great. Really I basically just studied all day (which is awesome for a missionary), did a little cleaning, and then we ordered domino´s pizza!! A day very much needed and I definitely feel prepared for the coming week. So as I mentioned a little bit in my email last week, they had been preparing for a huuuge party literally right outside of our house. And this week, the party went down for real. There were sooo many people outside of our house, lots of amusement park rides, Ferris wheels, mechanical Bulls, and a new band playing super loud all night long. I am lucky I am a pretty good sleeper because it was loud in our house all night until 4 in the morning, just a couple hours before we get up. A couple of pretty famous bands came too though like “tri” and “tierra sagrada” and the way people were talking about them made it sound like a Mexican equivalent to a Boston or something, Elder Cruz said they were even famous out in Veracruz. Each morning after the party though the streets were completely trashed, beer cans and bottles everywhere. Lets just say, Mexicans really know how to party lol. But these last few days have been great. I must admit, after working out hard in the gym with Matsen, my arms were sore for a few days after, I really miss the gym and with my next companion, we will be going. Also I forgot to mention some of my district meetings in my last letter. I must admit, I am getting pretty worn out of being district leader, or at least just running out of fun ideas for my meetings every week, but I am still trying my best. One of my meetings I set up a bunch of cups on a table that weren´t see through, and they were face up but covered on top. I had everyone take turns throwing a ping-pong ball from far away and they one points and whatever was inside the cup (some had rocks, some had little chocolates). We then did a second round where everyone got to move a little closer and I whispered to a couple of people which cups had the chocolates in them. Eventually I only told them if they asked me. It was a pretty fun and good lesson and I explained how there are 2 people (or groups of people) that know better than us where the “chocolates” or the “golden investigators” are in our area. The members and Heavenly Father. I explained sometimes all we need to do is ask Heavenly Father and He will tell us, guide us, and help us, but sometimes we have to do some work on our own part and come closer to His son, Jesus Christ, so we can be “closer” to the cups and shoot with a higher accuracy. We also talked about working with the members to find the “chocolates” in our areas. It is fun trying to turn fun or interactive activities to good lessons for the missionary work.
So I guess it has only been a few days since I last wrote an email to you guys, but it sure was a great and eventful few days!! I do want to talk a little bit about my temple experience on Thursday. Thanks to an idea I got from my cousin Allison, I took my patriarchal blessing with me and read in inside the Celestial Room. It was really a cool experience for me, as I prayerfully and spiritually read it, I felt like Heavenly Father was talking to me, showing and telling me all of the promises He has already fulfilled in my blessing, and how much more He has in store for me through my obedience and faithfulness. I also asked Him what He really wanted and needed me to know in this moment in my mission. He reminded me of a scripture that my awesome seminary teacher made us memorize, “Look unto me in every thought, Doubt not, Fear not” (D&C6:36). I guess that was His way of telling me to just not worry, put all my trust and faith in Him, and that He will take care of me. I guess that is a good lesson we all can learn when we are struggling, stressing, or worrying in life. I am grateful for the many blessings we get from the temples here on Earth. Also in these past few days, we had 2 baptisms!!! I was so excited to be able to wear my baptism tie again!! On Friday night, we had the baptism of Alicia, the grandma of the Cortes family, and it was so beautiful. We had great attendance and support from the ward, Elder Achá was able to come back, and even had the privilege of having President and Sister Mann at our baptism! It was a very special experience, we sang a special musical number to “Savior, Redeemer, of My Soul” (and I realized I am tone deaf), and then I had the sacred opportunity to baptize Alicia. We got to hear talks from my recent converts (Elida and Yael) and the Spirit was very strong the whole time. Afterwards, the relief society had made us some delicious empenadas and the ward members loved meeting our Mission President. Of course, we had to get a selfie with President and Sister Mann before they made the trip home. On Saturday evening, we had another baptism for Josue! Him and his whole family were just super happy, I have never seen him smiling so much. The only thing a little disappointing about the baptism was that we decided to leave the font full overnight since we didn´t want to waste all of the water emptying and refilling it, but by the time Josue´s baptism came, the water had gone pretty cold. I mean it wasn´t freezing or anything, but Josue definitely felt it has he went under haha. But still, it didn´t take away from the sacredness or the Spirit and I am always just so happy whenever we are blessed with baptisms and success. Finally, yesterday we went up with Alicia and the Cortes family, and Alicia was so excited to share the Gospel with all of her friends!! We had both of their confirmations yesterday as well, and Alicia showed us to one of her friends and told her how much we would be able to help you. I could definitely tell she felt the Spirit and the joy the Gospel really brings and just wanted to share that with everyone! It is amazing how the Gospel really can change lives.
So that pretty much wraps up the last few days for us. Yesterday, a lady in our ward gave us tacos al pastor for lunch and they were soooo good! Cruz and I each downed about 10, and we were stuffed full! We also got invited to celebrate Yael´s 15th birthday with him yesterday. It is kind of cool that he considers us really his best friends right now, and I love him and his family so much. Now only 3 more years until he can go on a mission and I really hope he can stay strong in the gospel to do it! He got an electric guitar for his birthday and was super excited. It really just makes me so happy everytime we go up with the Cortes family because I literally played a part in bringing that whole family, from Yael to Alicia, to the Gospel and you can definitely see a difference and the light of the Gospel in their eyes. Also lately I have been trying to Lucid Dream, which is when you recognize you are dreaming and can control them just like Inception. I have been keeping a dream journal and it is kind of interesting, you have to write in it right when you wake up so you don´t forget your dream and I realized how weird of dreams I have haha. Almost all of them involve me being with my family and friends back home, and one time I even dreamed that I was lucid dreaming, but never really was. It was kind of weird haha but it is a pretty cool and interesting concept. Finally, one night this week I was a little sad, discouraged, or however you want to call it, but I found the perfect solution. I decided to make myself a nice, big, delicious, chocolate malt! Thank goodness for the malt my family sent me, that has been a life saver and when I was drinking my malt and decided to just read the scriptures, it really was the perfect cure. Everytime I read the scriptures I am filled with a light and hope and happiness I can´t really describe. I guess that is how we will feel in the Celestial Kingdom one day. But yeah, that is pretty much how my week has been and I will talk to you all next week!! Maybe the best part/miracle was that I didn´t have to eat moronga, pig feet, or brain! Hope you have all enjoyed the summer eat and hopefully getting some cooler weather now. Love and miss you tons and will catch yáll later!!!
Your Favorite Missionary,
Elder Clark
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