Lots of love to my brother, Gabe, a really big hero in my eyes who has taught me what the power of a smile and good attitude can do in our own lives and the lives of others. I'm really proud of him and so happy to be his brother. I remember the last night before my mission, being on the bottom bunk and him on the top and all the regret that I had for not having been a better big brother, and asking for his forgiveness. I'm very glad Gabe, that you have been able to look over my very many faults, and love you so very much. I know this year will bring many blessing to you as you keep applying those same principles you are now applying in your life.
This week was another busy week of divisions here in Paragauy. We are killing it out here in terms of 4 divisions a day, with 4 different zone leaders. I don't know how to express the level of stress that goes into that, as I try to walk in and train other incredibly good missionaries and help them improve their area. I like the definition of my assignment that I've been given. I just get to relay the wants of President to the mission, and train missionaries in the things we have been focused on in the change. It's crazy how fast things work here. I feel like a business man. I get reports almost every day on zones and numbers, spread sheets, and percentages in efficiency reports, and graphs to show progress. Then I get to go into the areas and help them overcome problems.
That, coupled with my homework, has make me see how much the things I learn here will help me in the real world. We have a member of the Quorum of the Seventy coming to the mission to take a tour and give zone conferences. He has asked us to prepare a mission training plan over 5 different transfers that we can rotate in how to train missionaries in things like teaching, planning, finding, leadership, and obedience. Which will include everything from the leadership council, to divisions, to daily planning, to interviews of that transfer. And we get to create it all.....holy crap.
I was talking with Elder R last night about how it scares me, how it's kind of like college, but scarier. In college, the professor always gives us an example and a template of how we should do it, and its fake, and then we get a grade. This has been some pretty real stuff. A lot of thinking, praying, and practicing, to be able to teach and train missionaries in the way that the Lord wants us to. There was no example, no practice, just a "make it happen!" (Sounds like dad prepped me pretty well for this).
There has been some struggling with inadequacy (but come on, we all knew that was coming). I like it though, because I always seem to learn from it. It was a rough first couple days, but the Lord really opened up my eyes to how I need to trust more in him, and not my own skills and strengths. Real, true revelation has been received. And once I learn what I need to change, he always gives me really tender mercies that help me realize I'm not actually a huge disaster or failure.
One day, President chatted with us and gave us updates that the mission is doing really well right now. Not just in terms of baptisms, but in general. There have been so many ordinances in the temple. He let me know that a couple from Coronel Oviedo Rama 2 had just gotten sealed (J y F I) a DEAR young couple, who I grew very close to in my time there. And there are 2 other couples from Rama 2 that are preparing (who I also know very well, and am very happy for) AND that the Flia T from PASO YOBAI, ALSO GOT SEALED. They got baptized like just before I got to Paso Yoabi, and I spent many hours with them and grew to love them. Also, V from Paso Yobai, an AWESOME Italian man (ex mafia), who thought there was no forgiveness for him, has also found God's love by getting endowed, and is now the ward secretary!
Just a lot of miracles.
I remember getting a letter from the Armstrong Family at the beginning of my mission. Sister Armstrong told me a quote from Elder Holland that said something like, "Don't worry, you do more good than you know." It took me about a year and a half to believe it, but I finally believe it.
We really do do a lot more than it looks like. Just know that sometimes God lets us wait a little bit of time to really get the first glimpse.
We have been really blessed. We really have little time to work in our own areas, but this Saturday, we have 5 baptisms!!
We have 4 in our area of Libertad, and 1 in barrio Herrera. With special permision from Presidente Wilson, we have been allowed to keep teaching an investigator from the office area where the assistants were before we got white washed to barrio Libertad. Her name is P, she such a great girl, and so ready for baptism.
Life is crazy, life is fun, but it's all for experience, and it's all for the glory of God.
He is Good, He does love His children. The more we follow Him, the better we know His love.
I love you all, talk to you soon.
Elder Yocum
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