What a crazy week. Last week started off with a scare when I woke
up and couldn't hear anything out of my right ear! Again! What the heck right?!
I was so so scared I would have to undertake another surgery, be sent home, or
something crazy like that... I didn't know what to think! It was a very tough
few days for me until I could get into a doctor's appointment here in the city.
On Tuesday, I was able to meet with Doctor Castillo, who informed me I just had
a very bad ear infection, and it had disabled my eardrum de nuevo! Also, the
little ear "tube" they put in my ear in the MTC was coming out. Dr. Castillo
took that out too. I am currently taking a big anti-biotic and my ear should be
back to normal again in about a week. Gah... thank goodness. Let´s hope I don´t
have anymore scares like that.
So, a day later, I recieved my new comp!! I don´t know if you guys
remember me mentioning an Elder Whitcomb (picture is attached) a few weeks
back?? My old zone leader from Boston, who´s friends with the Parson family?
Well, HE is my new companion. Am I the luckiest elder in the world or what??
Elder Whitcomb is going home October 4 - he currently has 23 months in the
mission. This will be the second elder I´ve sent home in such a fashion, if you
remember Elder Hill back in Chorrera. I feel so blessed to be able to learn from
him (as well as I learned from Elder Hill). It is also a bit odd that thus far,
I´ve had more gringo comps. than latins - that hardly ever happens. I should be
expecting many more latin comps in the future. Elder Whitcomb is known by many
as the best missionary in the whole mission. He previously shared a house with
the assistants in the heart of the city, and is coming from one of the strongest
wards in all of the country. The Lord has blessed me so greatly to have him as a
companion - I´ve already learned so much! And I´m so excited to be able to learn
all his tips and tricks. Pres. told us he was excited to send two good elders to
this tough area - I know together, we can see miracles.
As for the work here, it has already started to improve! My last
change was definately the hardest of my mission, but I feel as if a few of the
trials I was having have past and I´ve now come out stronger and having learned
so much. I am a strong believer that if we show to The Lord that we´re willing
to sacrifice and willing to work, as well as if we´re capable of bringing people
to Christ through teaching, The Lord will put people in our path to help. Elder
Whitcomb and I have already fasted once that we can meet our high goals for the
change - we are looking for baptisms, and more specifically, families. I am soo
hungry for a baptism. Right now, we are currently working to reactivate
less-actives, and looking for part-member families (including menos-activos as
well). Some great news is that on Saturday, we contacted a reference from
Penonome, and it was a family!! Jorge and Shelby - wow. So awesome!! They have
been together 3 years and already have 3 children - Nuemi (2 years old), Elísa
(1), and Jorge Jr. (15 days old). We have already been able to meet with them
thrice and they came to church with us yesterday!!! YES :) We will be talking to
them soon about marriage, seeing as they are not legally married. I am super
excited to see what´s up ahead :)
One thing that I thought was cool was we had ward conference
yesterday too!! How sweet is that?? We had a meeting with the bishop after
church and we plan on working with the bishop and the ward mission leader like
this ward has never before seen.
That is pretty much all for this week, but some awesome bonus
news!! You ready? I got a call from Hna. Carmen (Chorrera) this morning and she
told me she is getting sealed to her husband and daughter in the temple
tomorrow!!! YESSS!! Made my day. I love that family.
Anyway, I hope you all have a good week, I love you and pray for
you. My prayers are with Grandpa as well. I know he´ll be allright. I sent him a
letter a little while ago - it should be arriving in the mail soon.
Love you!
-Elder Clarke
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