Jersey Gets a Good One

Baptism of B and G

 Hahaha no way! I was so excited to get the news from Sister Wilson this week and hear about New Jersey. I have a friend or two from BYU who are there right now as well. It's so cool hearing about the mission and how excited she is, and after a quick peek I could see that she is getting a new mission president, right? I will be like a President Wilson situation. So fun to think about all that is in store for her and how much that state will come to mean to her. It's a feeling of great joy, gratitude, and pride that comes into my heart to think about how willing and exciting she is and it made me tear up with the email she sent me, signing out with, "Your fellow servant in the work - Sister Yocum." The Lord is incredible in how He hastens the work and it's humbling to be able to be a part of it and see it happen.

As far as congratulations go, this week is also Josh's birthday! It's hard to comprehend that he is turning 16--especially since I remember turning 16 and thinking that I was so big. Mom says that he's turned into a man-child, and I believe it. I'll be ready for that big golden bear hug when I come home. 

Contrary to popular belief (or maybe my Mom's thoughts) I have no idea what will happen Sunday night for changes. She seems to think I know something about where I will be going for my last 6 weeks, but I will remind her again.  In this mission we believe in pure revelation. The missionaries have no say in where they will be going or what they will be doing. The only thing I know that I will be saying about my transfer doctrine is, "I will go where you want me to go.".... but yeah, then 6 weeks after that I will be saying "get me home president" hahaha So, maybe for once I will know where I am going. 

As for giving my homecoming talk the same day that Olivia gives her farewell, that might be an emotional mess (on my part, Olivia's part, and my mother's part) but I'm down if that's the way we want to do it. 

 

 

As for B and G, everything went wonderfully, los novios got married in a beautiful ceremony and afterwards it was a fun, short and spiritual service as G and B put people into the splash zone with the back flop baptisms that they had. At the end of the service they got up to give their testimonies. They are two really funny guys, they like to joke around a lot, but it was so cool seeing them up in front of everyone bearing such strong testimony and seeing their wives (who are already members, but without the support of their husbands, were less active) so affected by the changes in their husbands. We went over to their house after the baptism and they were like, "what was that, when I was up there giving my testimony, I got all nervous and the words I was going to say didn't want to come out and I almost cried!" There was a beautiful lesson about the Holy Spirit that followed, which only got them more excited about their confirmation the next day, and now they will be receiving the priesthood this next Sunday.  1) So that G can baptize his daughter who turns 8 this week, 2) Because they are all looking for family names they can take to the temple in 2 weeks. They are a really, really great family and a huge blessing for me. They have come from a place and had changes far greater that other converts that I have had. They are on the true path to happiness, and they know it. 

 

 

 

This week was pure divisions. In the 4 days of the week we had to work, we toured the whole mission doing 3 divisions with 3 zones and 2 studies with other zone leaders. Elder C and I had to take up some supplies to far zones and with divisions also on the agenda, we got to take the car out for one last EPIC ROAD TRIP. It's gotta be such a unique road trip, who knows the next time I'll be dodging cows in the road, and blowing down a Paraguayan highway bombing MOTAB and EFY sound tracks. Gotta love the mission. YOU GOTTA LOVE IT!

As for me, this COULD be my last week writing on Saturdays. we have changes coming up and it will be interesting to see what happens during the week. If I don't write this next Saturday it is because I am happy and safe in some part of Paraguay and I will be WORKING IN MY OWN AREA. If I do write you on Saturday, it's because I obviously haven't learned all that  I need to to learn in this phase of my mission. 

Love and shoutouts to all. Here's to hoping I'll be talking to you guys next MONDAY. 

Elder Yocum