April 23, 2012

In the Blink of an Eye


Show Details
This is all going by in the blink of an eye! I never thought that it would all go by this fast... But 14 months just slipped right away from me. I remember looking at people who had 14 months when I started the mission and I thought to myself, "They are SO old! They're going home SO SOON!!" And you know what... those people are already gone! The people that come in right now in this next change are probably going to think the same thing of me, and that's so weird! Elder Nelson is about to have only 3 months left! On Saturday he hits 21 months! It's RIDICULOUS!! Everyone hears missionaries say, "I don't want my time to end"... which isn't completely true... but I do want every minute to mean the world to me! Because it really is incredible!!


On Monday night we had a lesson with one of our investigators named Ruben, who we are teaching in English and in Spanish, and after the lesson Elder Hatch asked him if he things that the things we are teaching are true, and he said yes! It was the most amazing thing to hear! I was so happy to find out that our message is really making it to someone's mind and heart! It truly is a satisfying feeling! 


On Tuesday it rained A LOT!! A couple of weeks ago I decided I wanted to study humility... most people, or at least I do, associate humility as the opposite of being prideful, but in the scriptures it's much more than that. It's submission, modesty, harkening to counsel from God's chosen servants, recognizing the need for His help and submitting to do His will. I loved that study!  Like I said, it was raining a lot so to get out of the rain we went and visited familia García and talked about how we can apply the teachings of the Book of Mormon when we begin to share it with our friends. 


Wednesday was quite the crazy day... but it is one of those days that a missionary kind of just keeps to himself and doesn't ever really share it with anyone... sorry. But, on Wednesday night we had dinner with familia Jimenez. It was super good! And, I realized that Hno. Victor Jimenez reminds me a LOT of my dad because he seems really serious, but he is a really sarcastic, fun-loving guy, just like my dad! He makes me feel right at home! I love those moments!


On Friday Elder Hatch and I did divisions with the Zone Leaders. I was with Elder Opazo in our area (side note, Elder Opazo was Elder Llewelyn's comp for 2 changes). Some of our plans fell through so we ended up doing a lot of contacting, but it was good! We had a really good lesson with familia Gramajo that night! We read 2 Nephi 31 with them, and then explained the significance that it all has for us. After all of that, we invited them to baptism, because we felt it was the right time. They didn't accept, but they didn't reject it either. They want to take some time to talk about it and think about it, which is very understandable. They recognize that it's not just an everyday decision that you make out of the blue. There were moments when I felt like I should say something to help them in the process, but I was never able to for various reasons which was VERY frustrating. One of the most frustrating things as a missionary is feeling spiritual impressions and not being able to share them due to the agency of other people. However, I feel like Elder Hatch and I will be able to help them progress towards the waters of baptism!


I really love this work. Once upon a time a friend said to me, "but do every thing you can every day, leave it all there, and go until you collapse, because I tell you what, I miss it more than anything and everything... you are every bit a representative of our Savior. And cherish every time you get to slide on that nametag in the morning, because one day, for all of us missionaries, the day comes when you can't slide it on anymore, and you'll want to be able to say you did everything you could with the time you had to wear it. Because it will kill you to know you can't anymore." I know that this is absolutely true. I haven't gotten to the end of my mission yet, but I want to do everything again for as long as I can!


Love,


Elder Andrew A. LaPray

April 16, 2012

I'm finally caught up!!

I spent a LOT of time this week getting caught up in my journal and I FINALLY made it to being caught up! Elder Hatch really helped give me the little extra motivation I needed to just do it! But, it feels really good!

So, last Monday night we had a nice chat with this guy named Cesar that a member introduced us too and he had some questions about why we do baptisms for the dead and so we spent like, 20 minutes explaining how it wasn't a practice unique to us, but that they were performed in Biblical times and that it allows others to receive the ordinance of baptism when they didn't have the chance on this earth life and that this baptism really has no impeding effect to their agency. He was appreciative of our discussion, but refused to accept a Book of Mormon and read it, but his loss.

On Tuesday we had our regular visit with Gloria accompanied by her friend Consuelo. Elder Hatch showed them his Family History binder which is quite remarkable and then after that I shared with them what I shared in my email last week about comparing the Atonement to an embrace. It was a great visit! And when we saw Gloria on Saturday she told us that the message and had an extremely profound effect on Consuelo(who is a member) that was an answer to her prayers. I don't know exactly what it was, but I love that the Spirit can work through us to help other people feel the love of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. That evening we had a visit with familia Gramajo in which we really emphasized the importance of reading the Book of Mormon. We kind of ended up giving them cincho (which is like a verbal scolding), but it was very necessary because they just weren't reading, and there is NO WAY to know that our message is true if they don't pray and or read the Book of Mormon, and really you have to do both!

On Wednesday we studied something from our study program called "Teach People, Not Lessons" and there is a really great quote from Elder Holland that is something like, "As (we) listen sincerely to (our) investigators they will say something that will indicated to (us) of what truth (we) can teach and testify." I have seen that a lot in my mission. As I have tuned in to the Spirit and my investigators I have been prompted to say certain things that would have never occurred to me. We truly do teach people and not lessons. On Wednesday evening Elder Hatch and I had to go to another area so that I could do 3 baptismal interviews so that took up pretty much all of our time on Wednesday, but it was definitely worth it so that these people can receive baptism!

Friday was a good day for us. Thursday was just a lot of "normal" stuff. On Friday we had our return visit with Max, the man we contacted a couple weeks ago who claims no religion and whose wife is a sabbatical christian..I don't remember mentioning this, but he is in the military and his mother was listening to the missionaries when she was killed almost 30 years ago. He was very receptive to our message about the Plan of Salvation, Family History, and the importance of family. He had lots of great questions for us! I feel like he could be a really great possibility!

On Saturday I had another embarrassing experience about which you can all laugh before I move on to the "spiritual" bit. On Saturday around 6 p.m. we ran into Lirice, Eros and Jorge (the people we helped move a little over a week ago). As I went to say hi to Lirice she took my hand and I saw her start to lean in to kiss my cheek like most Guatemalans do and my stomach just lurched inside me and I didn't know what to do. I thought to myself (very quickly), "She's gonna kiss. What do I say? Oh crap!". It was a very WEIRD feeling in my stomach. Luckily, as she saw that I wasn't going to reciprocate she backed up to just shaking my hand, which was very relieving! Although, I don't think she was offended... Anywho, we set up a cita for next Sunday.

Now, on to the "spiritual matter". The other day, Saturday, I was thinking about this talk I had heard from John Bytheway called "Jesus Knows I'm a Christian" and I decided that would be my message for Gloria, but I wasn't able to share it there, and I would like to share it with you! I don't want you to all think that this all came out of my head... the scriptures come from the triple combination and the thoughts are a mix between John Bytheway and my own. But, here it goes.

"John Bytheway has a CD called 'Jesus Knows I'm a Christian' in which he discusses why we're believers in the same Jesus. It all starts with a christian preacher saying that we (as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) believe in the 'gap-filling Jesus'. John Bytheway was a bit shocked by this reaction and went to discover about this 'gap-filling Jesus'. So brother Bythweway went to his index and looked up 'merits' and found 7 scriptures in the triple combination about 'merits'.

"Now according to my spanish dictionary 'merit' means: 'action that makes a man worthy of a prize or esteem;' or 'put to test someone's attributes to achieve something'. Now, these scriptures start with 2 Nephi 2:8 which states that, '...no flesh... can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah...'. Later on in 2 Nephi 31:19 Nephi asks, "And now... after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ, with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.' And thus we begin to see with only two verses that were it not for Christ we would be no where, which brings us right into the teachings of Aaron in Alma 22:14, 'And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins...' Interesting. Man cannot merit anything of himself.

"More and more we need Christ. The great missionary Ammon two chapters later in Alma 24:10 said, 'I thank my Good... that we might repent... and also that he hath forgiven us of those our many sins... and taken away the guilt from our hearts, through the merits of his Son.' I love that as we continue they tie together. We know that no unclean thing can dwell in God's presence and we are made clean after baptism as we repent. Now, I know there's a scripture that says something about how 'forgiveness (or repentance) is made possible through the Atonement' and so we see again that even though WE must repent, it is through Christ and HIS merits that we CAN repent.

"I love the scripture which comes from Samuel the Lamanite who taught us, 'And if ye believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits' (Helaman 14:13). The remission only comes to us through his merits and the grace and mercy of the Father. Moroni 6:4 teaches, 'And after they had been received unto baptism... their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them... relying alone up the merits of Christ...' which parallels D&C 3:19-20, 'And for this very purpose are these plates preserved... that they may believe the gospel and rely upon the merits of Jesus Christ.2 I have a firm testimony that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world and that it is through him that we are saved."

Love,
Elder Andrew A. LaPray

April 9, 2012

Semana Santa

TO: You + 5 More

Show Details

This last week was Semana Santa! Which means "Holy Week". I'm sure lots of you have seen pictures of the "carpets" that they put down in the roads that have various patters and colors and what not... well, that is part of Semana Santa, and it was the only one I will have in my mission! 

On Monday we saw a family in the street and decided to contact them, and you would not BELIEVE the religious ties in that family. The man claims no religion, but his mother is a Mormon. His wife is a Sabbatical Christian and her family are members of the Reformed LDS church. But, the good news is, that the agreed to let us come back next week and share with them the video "Together Forever" which talks about the importance of family relations and how they can be propelled beyond the grave! We'll see how that goes this Friday!!

On Wednesday when we were walking along the street at about 7:30 and we here someone say "What up white boys?" Not that it's uncommon to hear someone talk to us in English, it happens a lot, but not with that clear of English. So, I decided to turn around and start talking to the guy. His name is Alex and he is from Guatemala, but he spent 26 years in LA and had basically perfect English. So, we taught him a little bit in the street about our message, but he wasn't really interested. But, it's always fun to just see how the Lord prepares people to talk to, whether they accept the message now or not.

Thursday was the biggest day of "alfombras" (carpets). So, at 6 we woke up to go and catch the carpets before the processions passed by. They were absolutely INCREDIBLE. A lot of them were associated with Catholocism, but there was one, done by our ward mission leader, that was an image from the church (LDS). It was a stunning sight and it reminds me of how the people welcomed Christ's entrance to the city of Jerusalem in the last week of His earthly ministry, while just a few days later they scorned Him in His final retreat from the city. As we were walking around later that afternoon we saw a wonderful opportunity to serve. We a saw man unloading a pickup truck as he was moving, and offered our help and unloaded the entire pick up truck. It turns out that this man who accepted our help is a member of the church, however, the people that he was moving our not, Lirice and her son Eros. After we were done moving, Lirice (single mother, about 30ish) asked us if we like to swim. We both said "ya" but that we can't as missionaries and she responded, "owe, that's too bad. I was going to take you to the beach so you could see how it is or to a waterpark because my work owns a couple"... it was HILARIOUS! But, with lots of good intentions. Anyways.... even if we are never able to teach Lirice and Eros again (but I think we will) they at least have a great impression of missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

The rest of the weekend was a little slow in work, and Easter Sunday was a rough one for me... I spent the whole day sick and in bed. Definitely not fun. But, part of being a missionary is being sick. But, on the bright side, I went almost a year without vomiting, which has to be nearly a record for me!! Now, to the good part!

"I recently started to read a book entitled 'The Infinite Atonement' by Tad R. Callister. I'm only in the 6th chapter, but the book is magnificent. Lately I've been wondering how I can more fully implement Christ's Atonement in my life, and I believe this book will help. Early on he (Elder Callister) mentions that the Atonement fulfills 3 basic purposes. 1) Restore all that was lost from the Fall, i.e. the resurrection of all men, First Spiritual Death (see Helaman 14:16). 2) Provide the possibility for repentance and to be cleansed from sin, Second Spiritual Death (see Helaman 14:18). and 3) Provide the power necessary to exalt mankind to the status of a god (see D&C 76:69). THus we learn that the Fall is inseparably connected to the Atonement and vice versa. I also see that the redeeming power of the Atonement is not limited to a select few, but that "he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them" (Alma 5:33; see also 2 Nephi 26:25-33). I love the imagery portrayed by the scriptures and recapitulated in Elder Callister's book that the Atonement can figuratively and literally be symbolized by an embrace. As stated by Lehi, 'The Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love' (2 Nephi 1:15). And illustrated in D&C 6:20 'Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love'. And lastly, as preached by Amulek, "Mercy... encircles them in the arms of safety' (Alma 34:16). 'What a beautiful metaphor. What child does not feel safety in the arms of his kind and loving father? What peace, what warmth, hwat reassurance, to know that in his arms he is safe...' (The Infinite Atonement, 27). I would clsoe with the words of Orson F. Whitney as quoted by Callister, 'I ran (to meet Him)..., fell at his feet, clasped Him around the knees, and begged Him to take me with him. I shall never forget the kind and gentle manner in which He stooped, raised me up, and embraced me. It was so vivid, so real. I felt the very warmth of his body, as He held me in his arms.' Who would not long for that warmth, that embrace (The Infinite Atonment, 27-28)?

I truly am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and anxiously await His warm embrace.

Love,
Elder Andrew A. LaPray

April 2, 2012

It's a boy!!

TO: You + 5 More

Show Details

I know that it's pretty obvious that my companion was going to be an Elder, but I didn't want to tell you right away. But, my companion's name is Elder Hatch from Spring Creek, Nevada, and he is SUPER excited to be out here and serving with me! It's a great reminder to me about how much I love being a missionary!!

So, last Tuesday I was in training for trainers and their new missionaries all afternoon. It was really cool to be back in the process of what I started nearly a year ago. It was even cooler because my trainer, Elder Nelson, was the one talking to us about the training program, and he and I (among 6 other missionaries) were the first ones to train and be trained using this program. It was exciting to see how much this program has changed his mission and how much I learned from him based on this program and remember all about it. The Lord works in mysterious ways! 

On Wednesday morning I got to the change conference and I found my new companion, who you now know is Elder Hatch and we took a couple family pictures... Elder Nelson, myself, and Elder Hatch, and then Elder Llewelyn and his new comp(Elder Kilts), myself and Elder Hatch. So, that was pretty fun! Then we got back to our apartment, slightly got settled in, bought some groceries, ate lunch, planned, and WENT TO WORK! Even in his first day we had some work to do! We were able to teach a less-active family, an investigator, and visit some members to give a blessing. What a great first day! It reminded me a LOT of my first day, to be honest. 

On Thursday we started doing our study program, 4 hours a day! It's been hard to go back to 4 hours of study, but it's definitely a blessing! We went out and go to work! We did some contacting, we went to citas, did more contacting and found a new investigator, tought a few less atives, and taught a lesson to an investigator. Last week (The 28th of March) we started teaching a friend of a member named Ruben. Like I said last week, he originally was interested because he wanted us to teach him in English. However, in our lesson with him on Thursday and Friday, his attitude has completely changed and has become more and more interested in learning the doctrine behind our message and so we are starting to teach him in Spanish as well as English. The Lord truly does bless those who seek diligently to carry about His work upon the earth.

Time is up. Sorry.

Love,
Elder Andrew Anderson LaPray

From Sister Gloria Garcia to say Happy Birthday

Sorry

Show Details

Dear Sister Lapray.  this is the third time I try to send you a message.

My name is sister Garcia  and Elder Lapray asked me to write you for
your birthday.  I did it.  When he told me that you didn`t say
anything about it,  I tried a second time,  but I got an explanation,
your e mail was not in yahoo.    I  am trying again,  because Elder
Lapray wanted me to write.    HAPPY BIRTHDAY  only.  He wanted so much
to say those two words,  the very day of your birthday.    I hope you
get it today.  But I am going to add,  something he feels  but he
didn `t say.  MOTHER,  I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.  YOU ARE MY INSPIRATION
AND REASON FOR LIVING,  I AM TRYING TO DO MY BEST CAUSE I WANT YOU TO
BE PROUD OF ME.  YOU FILL MY NIGHTS AND DAYS.,  YOU ARE THE BEST
MOTHER A SON OF GOD CAN HAVE.  YOU ARE A BLESSING IN MY LIFE
I don`t know if this is enough,  but I am sure Elder Lapray wants to
say this and even more.  he surely does when he writes you every
monday.

He is a good missionary and an escellent person.  We all love him
here,  in Victorias.

My name is Gloria Maria  Garcia,  I am from Nicaragua but live here.
I am 74 years old.  I promise I am going to take care of Elder Lapray
and help him in everything he needs.  I call missionaries my children,
so  he is one of them.

Tell your son,  if you get these words,  please,  I want him to feel
happy,  because you finally got his message.  God bless you, sister
Lapray  and your family-

March 26, 2012

"I'm fertile"

TO: You + 5 More

Show Details

The subject line is VERY off color, I know... but let me explain. Later.

Last Monday night we did divisions to cover 2 appointments we had at 6 and I went with a member named Josue to visit Isabel, Cristofer, and Susan Gramajo. It was a really good lesson! Isabel originally said she wanted us to come back more than anything to teach her kids, but as we continue to teach, especially the message of the Restoration, she becomes more interested in knowing the message and also recognized the importance of having a testimony of the First Vision.

On Tuesday we had a lesson with a man named Ruben Ramos, who is the roommate of a member named Alex Juárez. For the moment, Ruben is listening to us because he wants to practice his english and I'm giving the lessons in English, but at the same time I'm sure he will recognize the value of our message and want to know if it's really true. It was really weird to teach in English though. I found that pretty much during the whole lesson I was thinking in Spanish and translating to English.

Wednesday was a long day with what seemed like little success. We had district meeting like normal, which was really good, and then the whole afternoon - nothing. At 6 I taught Ruben once again lesson 1. He wanted me to repeat it so that he could practice the vocabulary and double check his understanding. He understood the lesson better the second time around. After that lesson we saw Victor Jimenez and he invited us over to eat with them and they gave us pupusas and a root beer! So good!

Our plans for Thursday were excellent... but once again almost everything fell through. But, we were able to have another lesson with Estuardo Polanco! We hadn't had a lesson with him for almost 2 weeks... He's started to read the Bible recently because he wants to have a little bit of a concept of the Bible before he starts reading the Book of Mormon, which is understandable... In our lesson with read 3rd Nephi 11 to get him started in the Book of Mormon/spark his interest in reading it. I think he will soon be able to see the true value of the Book of Mormon in our lives. I also think we will be able to see him a little more often now.

After weekly planning on Friday we had divisions with the Zone Leaders. Elder Henriquez went to their area with Elder Matus and I stayed in my area with Elder Richins. Elder Richins is a stud. Love that guy! He's from Logan and has 18 months in the mission. Anyways... usually when you go on divisions almost ALL of your plans fall through.. well, that held true for us too. But, we did have some good lessons that weren't planned. One of the lessons we had was with a less-active woman named Lorgia. We read with her 2 Nephi 4:15-35 and talked about how we can learn from our various trials and learn to overcome them through the experiences of Nephi. I absolutely love 2 Nephi 4! It has been one of my favorite chapters since my sophomore or junior year in high school! Real Spirit lifter!

As for the rest of the week (Saturday and Sunday), the information is not in my journal yet and is in my old agenda... so I'll talk about what I remember... Sunday.

After lunch we did divisions with some members and Elder Henriquez and lots of success on his division, and I had nothing. We went to every single plan and stuff that wasn't written down and... nothing. So, we ended up doing some contacting... but, Elder Henriquez had 2 lessons! Afterwards, we went to Alex Juarez's house to celebrate with him his birthday, which was nice, just the 3 of us... and then Ruben came down right as we were getting ready to share with Alex our message.... so Ruben got a little bit of the 2 Nephi 4 action! And he found it very interesting and uplifting! I'm hoping we can really spark his interest to read the Book of Mormon and not just listen to us teach him in English.

Now, as for the "I'm Fertile"... well... On Saturday night at 10:28 I got a phone call from the ZLs telling me the wonderful news... I'm going to be a dad! or, in lay terms, I'm going to train. I was talking to Elder Llewelyn the other day and he is going to be training again as well and the words he used were "I'm fertile" and hence, my usage of the title "I'm fertile". I'm really excited to train! Especially with the 12 week training program that I started 11 months ago! 11 months ago tomorrow, actually, that I entered the field! That is SO crazy! I'm going to pass 14 months, 1 year in the field, 15 months, and 16 months with my son!(trainee). That's so crazy! But, I'm super excited to be able to train! It's going to be a LONG fun experience, but I'm excited to be here in Las Victorias... we're really going to start seeing some success in the near future, I feel! The Lord is really prepared to bless us as we put forth all of what we have!

Love,

Elder Andrew A. LaPray

March 19, 2012

Lots of weeks....

TO: You + 5 More

Show Details

Today we had our zone activity and went bowling and afterwards went to IHOP! Super good! (Mom.}, I hope that was okay...) The change is almost over now! This Sunday we get change phone calls, and next Monday I'll be telling you all if I'll be staying in Las Victorias with Elder Henriquez, staying but with a new comp, or leaving my area. Crazy how the time keeps flying by! I also hit 13 months on Friday!

Tuesday and Wednesday were kind of rough days in the field, but Thursday was great! Our last lesson on Thursday was with some new investigators. Isabel (40) Cristofer (12) and Susan (11). We contacted Isabel two weeks ago and were finally able to teach her and her two kids. She was very enthusiastic when we first met and wanted us to talk to her kids about our beliefs. She is catholic, but wants her kids to follow the religion they choose. She and her children are very nice people and payed a lot of attention as we explained the origin of the Book of Mormon! I can see some awesome future progression!!

Friday we had interviews with President and Sister Watts, and I got a letter from my Grandpa Joel, and I would like to share with you all this story, because I think it is of great importance for every single one of us. It goes a little something like this...

"It seems that I was working hard on all the problems that I face each day. I was striving to be faithful and obedient. The Lord then indicated that he was calling me to a new assignment. He showed me a very large rock and explained that my task each day would be to push against that rock with all my might. So, I bent to the task and pushed with all my strength, day after day. I often became discouraged because it seems that no matter how hard I pushed or at what angle I attacked the problem, that old rock remained right where it was. It didn't budge even an inch despite all of my best efforts. Eventually, I became very discouraged and Satan whispered in my ear that no matter what I did, I wasn't going to move that rock from it's appointed place, so why was I getting calluses on my hands and tired muscles in my back. It was useless, I might as well slack off, or better yet, forget the whole thing because I certainly wasn't getting anywhere with what I was doing.

"In my discouragement, I prayed to the Lord and took my problem to Him. He lovingly replied, 'I didn't ask you to move the rock, that wasn't necessarily in the plan. Your job was to simply push with all your might. Useless, you say. You think it's boring? But, look at you now. You have developed strength of character as well as strong muscles; you have gained patience, empathy, and understanding. You have grown so much by your obedience to my command. If the rock needs moving, I'll move it when the time comes and the conditions are right. Continue your task and push each day as before. I will you give you strength as you persevere that the task will seem easier until it is time to call you to another work. Your faithful pushing now will prepare you for other great works that you may not yet be ready to do. And your faithful pushing, even though you may not be able to see, will prepare the rock for moving when the time is right. Patience, my son, be obedient to my command and blessings untold will follow. Push for now and I will be with you, helping you with all of your efforts, great or small."

I love that story. Thank you Grandpa, it means a lot ot me, and I hope it means a lot to YOU.

As missionaries, we contact a lot. And it's not always the most exciting thing to do, however, President Watts, in our interviews, mentioned that contacting has 3 persons that really helped give a greater horizon to my vision of contacting. 1) To find those who are prepared to be taught. 2) To pepare others to be taught. 3) To give these people their chance to accept or reject the gospel. Obviously we wish that every contact could fall into the first category, but we do not have to allow ourselves to be discourage when not everyone is willing ot accept our message!

This Friday I had to conduct 2 baptismal interviews, and I would like to share quickly the feelings I had. "It's interesting how well you can feel the Spirit as you conduct an interview. The Lord truly blesses you to help the person open up and share his or her feelings, doubts, concerns and problems. I was also slightly nervous about conducting the interview, and likewise the Lord blessed me in my efforts. I'm sure that these two sister will be great members of the church and I'm truly grateful to be the Lord's representative."

I truly am grateful to be the Lord's resprenstative here on the earth as I share this gospel with Guatemala.

Love,

Elder Andrew A. LaPray