A Better Week

This week wasn’t any better in success or numbers.. but overall it was better. We had better lessons, we sang and prayed in every lesson, and let's just say I'm a singing man now. I never thought I would like to sing, but it's ok, haha.

We're for sure seeing the hand of Satan in the work. With all the effort of getting a Stake here in Tarapoto, Satan is for sure working hard. But I was thinking, "Does God let Satan work on us??" Good question, huh? We are for sure being tested.. us… the members… the leaders… the investigators, everyone. In all sorts of ways.

We have people that we are teaching, but nobody is progressing. We didn’t have anyone of our investigators attend the church.. we don't have any baptisms coming up, and it’s a tough time right now, but it will get better. Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts. Thanks for your words of encouragement. I need all I can get right now. Dad, Thanks for your advice. It's always the best. You’re the hardest worker I know, and I will work like that in my mission.

One thing that is going better is our companionship. It's going good now. We aren't butting heads anymore, we're actual friends. It's going better. We're not being prideful anymore.

I love you all. Take care…

Español/spanish:
Una semana mejor

Esta semana no fue tan buena en éxito o números… pero a pesar de todo fue buena. Tuvimos mejores lecciones, cantamos y oramos en cada lección y digamos que estoy cantando ahora, nunca pensé que me gustaría cantar, pero está bien jajaja.
Estamos seguros que Satanás está metiendo su mano en esta obra. Con todo el esfuerzo de ser una Estaca acá en Tarapoto. Satanás de seguro está trabajando muchísimo. Pero me puse a pensar, ¿Dios deja a Satanás obrar en nosotros? Buena pregunta ¿no? Estamos de seguro siendo probados, nosotros, los miembros, los líderes, los investigadores y cada uno de nosotros, de cualquier tipo y maneras.
Tenemos personas a las cuales estamos enseñando, pero nadie está progresando. No tuvimos a ninguno de nuestros investigadores en la capilla, no tenemos ningún bautismo que esté cerca, y es un tiempo duro ahora, pero mejorará. Gracias por todas sus oraciones y pensamientos, gracias por tus palabras de aliento, necesito todo lo que pueda conseguir ahora. Papá, gracias por tus consejos, son siempre los mejores, eres el más trabajador y lo sé, y trabajaré así en mi misión.
Una cosa que está yendo mejor es nuestro compañerismo. Está todo bien ahora. No estamos teniendo problemas de ningún tipo. Somos amigos ahora. Está bien, ya no estamos molestándonos.
Amo todo y cuídense mucho.

Português/Portuguese
Uma semana melhor
Esta semana não foi tão boa em êxito ou números...pero a pesar de todo foi boa. Tivemos melhores lições, cantamos e oramos em cada lição e digamos que estou cantando agora, nunca pensei que eu gostaria cantar, pero está bem jajaja.
Estamos seguros que Satanás está metendo sua mão nesta obra. Com todo o esforço de ser uma Estaca cá em Tarapoto. Satanás de seguro está trabalhando muito. Pero estava pensando, Deus deixa que Satanás obre em nós? Boa pergunta verdade? Estamos de seguro sendo provados, nós, os membros, os líderes, os investigadores e cada um de nós, de qualquer tipo e maneiras.
Temos pessoas às quais estamos ensinando, pero ninguém está progredindo. Não tivemos a nenhum de nossos investigadores na capela, não temos nenhum batismo que está cerca, e é um tempo muito difícil agora, mas melhorará. Graças por todas suas orações e pensamentos, graças por suas palavras de fôlego, preciso tudo o que possa conseguir agora. Papai, graças por seus conselhos, são sempre os melhores, você é o mais trabalhador e eu o sei, trabalharei como você em minha missão.
Uma coisa que está melhorando é nosso companheirismo. Está tudo bem agora. Não estamos tendo problemas de nenhum tipo. Somos amigos agora. Está bem, já não estamos incomodando-nos.
Amo tudo e se cuidam muito.

The work goes on........

"Well family and friends... I'm here in Tarapoto and it's going good... We are working... We have a matrimony (marriage) and baptism set for this end of week and it should be good. A family - so I'm excited for that. They have so much faith. They recently moved from Tarapoto to Picota, which is like an hour away in car. Every end of week (weekend) they will be coming back until they get married and baptized and Carlos (the dad?) has the priesthood, then from there they will stay in Picota until the Stake comes here in December, and the church hopefully will expand out to them."

"We have more families to teach, but they aren't progressing as fast as I would like them to. I have to be patient. I thought I was a patient person, but I learned and am learning, that there are many levels of patience with yourself and others. This week I'm working on humility. All is well here. I'm good of health and I'm ready to finish up the work here in Tarapoto."

"We're planning to have a month of perfection in August, so pray for us. A month of perfection is a baptism every week, with 5 invites in the church, and 15 lessons with and without members. It's tough, but we are going to do it. I'm learning so much and I love the scriptures. This is preparing me for my life with my own family and for my life eternal with my Lord. I love this work. Take care everyone, love Elder Landon Lee Rich"

A new Stake?

"When I got in here to Tarapoto, the goal was to raise the numbers and to maintain them, and if we do that we will become a Stake. I don’t know if you guys realize it, but to become a Stake is a big thing. It brings so many more blessings to the people. We just got a notice today that we have passed the numbers (needed). Now we just need to maintain them, and we will have an Apostle come down here, to dedicate and create a Stake in the fall. How sweet is that? Man, how cool would that be if I could still be here? I love you all, and this work is crazy. The weeks fly and the days are long, but I love it. I love you all. Thanks for all you do for me and all your prayers. Take it easy, Love ya… Choufa"

Gabo says: Choufa is a Spanish slang for Good-bye