Bittersweet

A few months ago I got a letter from my Grandma Winkler, and she introduced to me a new concept, she called it "Golden Spirits." People who were such spiritual giants that they were called and ordained to come to earth at a hard time, in a hard place, and learn to cling to the gospel, enduring whatever difficult experiences life could give them.

Brother in the work heading home--Elder R

This week I said goodbye to a very good friend of mine, someone who has grown to be a brother to me, and a true example of a golden spirit. This week I said goodbye to my first Zone leader, who taught me so much, and one of my favorite companions who SHOWED me through example so much. This Friday, I hugged goodbye to Elder R, who flew home to Bolivia to start his studies and get home to a family, none of which really understand his beliefs or what he even did for 2 years, and start helping his own family find, learn, and love the restored gospel. 

After saying goodbye to Elder R, I was notified of who my new companion would be due to the special changes and Elder R going home 2 weeks early. There was some pre cambio shuffling and I learned that ELDER C is my new companion! Which I was sooooooo incredibly excited about. Not only did I know Elder C from BYU shenanigans, but he was also my district leader while I was in Paso Yobai, and a close friend, as we would always talk at the zone leader councils as well. He will also end his mission the next change. So so cool, and I feel so so blessed. 

 

 

New Companion, Elder C

But, other than that we passed the New Year just fine.  A lot of fun and we were even able to eat with the branch president and his family and had some of the best pork roast that I've eaten in a LONG time, man. Things are fun with Elder C, its always nice swapping ideas with other zone leaders and we are doing some changes in the zone, and changing some things up, even though we are pretty sure that I'll be leaving and transferred out in 2 weeks.  We are going to take advantage of every second to help as many as we can come to the waters of baptism and have a whole lot of fun while doing it.

Elder Yocum

P.S. Mom, remember that "sinking in your bones" feeling you've told me about once or twice? Just that conviction of the doctrines of the gospel that "sinks into your bones?"  I had a very special prayer this week and realized for the first time, I think in my mission, really how deeply these beliefs have sunk. 

It's cool...not just having a testimony....but having a testimony be PART of who you are. It has come to mean something, it has come to BE something, that I never can deny.