Hola from BUSY Monte Maria

Hola Familia!

So pretty sure I can´t stop laughing about the whole camping trip! Dad, right when you were explaining about how you rigged up a way to sleep in the back of the truck I IMMEDIATELY remembered that one night we tried to spend in the boat up at Strawberry Reservoir… Do you remember? It was a BRILLIANT idea, we were going to put the seats down in the old boat and sleep in it! Hahah Until we ended up with all the clothes we could find wrapped around our heads to try to stay warm, not getting ANY sleep at all. That was FREEZING and i´ll never forget that. Haha ALSO I could just see the explanation of Dad totally eating it in front of everyone with that big happy smile on his face…. “Look what I can do!” Haha Thanks a million for those emails, I have been sitting here laughing out loud!

I´m really glad you all had an awesome week, I´m really sad to hear about Sister Lebaron, but how awesome is the fact that we know about the Plan of Happiness. I remember watching the family of the 20 year old who died in Patzicia just cry and cry and cry… They didn´t have a very firm understanding of the Plan of Salvation, but have now had the opportunity to learn and have that peace in their hearts. I forgot to tell you but I gave away my Book of Mormon with Travis Landeen´s testimony in it! I gave it to this family and explained the story and everything. I had carried that book around my whole mission and it was SO worn out! I explained why, and it was such an awesome spiritual experience. The mom said, “He´s probably my sons missionary companion!” I´m sure it brought a lot of peace into their hearts, and it has shown them their need for the gospel in their lives.

I had given Travis´ Book of Mormon away before, and for a really long time there it was one of the only ones the investigators had given me back, rejecting it. That is a testimony that it was meant to go to this family, I know it. I could feel it as I was giving it to them. Please tell his parents thanks a million for this opportunity, and that I plan on making another one to share.

Elder Cunningham and I are here working like crazy in Monte María. We have had some awesome experiences and we will be having a baptism the 7th of August! I´m really excited, her name is Sylvia Portillo. I´ll send pictures!

I feel really safe as I´m walking through the streets, knowing that I´m protected. I saw that email about the attacks on the tourists…. There are angels around us at all times as long as we´re obedient. I´ve been able to see the Lord´s hand protecting us, and I don´t feel afraid!

I can´t remember if I told you this last week, but there was a bolo that came up trying to get some money from us and he said, “I know a little bit about this Julio Smith you know…” haha That´s just been one of our little jokes between Elder Cunningham and I. I´m loving being with him, but I can already see that this has the potential to be really hard seeing him go home to Utah… Where i´m from! Haha His parents are coming to get him so i´ll spend some time with he and his parents – pray for me, I just know they´ll remind me of you. I´ll just do my best to stay focused.

I´ve really noticed that we´ve all been learning a lot of the same lessons, As you share with me your experiences, I´ve noticed a similarity in what has happened during the week. Heavenly Father is teaching us, we just have to do his will and learn! Soak it all in, we never know how much time we have to be here in this awesome learning experience.

Well it´s time to go, but just know I love you all so much! I miss you like crazy but like always, this is the only thing I want to be doing right now!

Christopher and Tanner I love you so much, keep doing what you´re doing. Make good choices – they affect your future so much! Satan will use even the TINY little choices you make against you. Be strong! I love that you gave your testimony Ricky. Keep doing it! Love you both so much!

Elder Micah Melville