I can't really figure out how to start this letter. I don't even know
what to title this letter as. It doesn't feel like much has happened
this week, but at the same time it feels like a lot has happened. I
didn't spend much time in my area this week. I focused a lot on my
district and helping the Elders in my district strengthen the
relationship with the members in their ward. I went on two exchanges
this week. I went Elder Tran who is the Vietnamese Elder over the
Vietnamese Branch. He is an amazing Elder with an amazing story. Then I
did a half day exchange with two sets of Elders who share a ward with
each other. I love getting to know the Elders in my District. I know I
have said that in the beginning of the past two letters, but I really do
love each Elder of my district. We are all becoming best friends and
they really respect me as their leader. I am so happy to have the
opportunity to help them out and be their friend.
As far as my area goes... There is the good and the bad. What do
you want first? Well Tony and Kim have really been struggling because of
Tony's unemployment. We have given him many resources that the Church
provides for him use. Elder Grassley and I were the ones that first gave
him these resources. Then Elder Armenta and I continued to encourage
him to use these resources to help him find a job, but he would never
utilize them. Finally I think that it has come to the point where he
feels like he is in need of these extra resources and he has turned to
us more and more for help. We eventually just took him to a member's
home and we sat down until we found a promising lead for him to follow
up on. We were successful in finding him one, but I hope and pray that
he follows up. I feel like Tony's life is just so hectic right now that
it is taking him away from studying and living the Gospel. Satan works
in diverse ways, and I know that he is working on Tony and Kim. He is so
tricky in making people believe that "If you get this job, and focus on
getting your feet set on the ground first, then you can learn and live
the Gospel." Which is a completely twisted and backward doctrine. In
reality God teaches, "If you focus on learning and living the Gospel,
then you can get my feet on the ground." This teaching is a teaching
that is has Faith as its underlying foundation, and that is how God
works. Satan's doctrine requires no faith whatsoever. I have found
throughout my mission that this is the main way that either people fall
away from the Church or it prevents them from ever joining.
Claudie has the same problem as Tony. She is looking for a job and
this is preventing her from hearing, learning, and living the Gospel. We
haven't been able to meet with her, and she hasn't been able to come to
Church due to her job search which seems to consume most of her time. I
know that if they can just understand God's doctrine that I shared
earlier that they would be able to act in faith and work with us, and
come to Church. Then see the evidence of their faith by obtaining a job
or some sort of work because of their act of faith.
Now for the good news. We set another baptismal date with Beth. She
is doing well. Her date is for April the 6th. When we first set that
date I at first didn't recognize the signifigance of that date. When we
were driving back it occurred to me that that is a very special day in
the Church. The day the Church was organized. Now that would be a great
day to be baptized. We had a baptismal date with Beth and she wasn't
able to make it due to some commandment issues. She is working through
them though and yesterday talked to the Bishop and things went very
well. The bishop feels that she will be able to make it to that date! So
that is very good news. We are continuing to work with Beth and pray
and fast for her.
That is about all the news in the past week regarding the
people I am working with. This Sunday was Fast and Testimony meeting. I
decided to get up and bear my testimony due to the fact that it may be
the last chance that I have to do so in the Dunwoody Ward. In my
testimony I thanked all the members for being such great examples of the
Gospel and how the truth of the Gospel has manifested itself to me in
all of their lives. I felt such gratitude for having the chance to sit
in each members home and get to know them. I love Sundays, they are my
favorite. I love going to Church and being able to feel the spirit that
everyone has to offer.
Well I better get going. I have got a fun P-Day planned out
with my district today. I hope that you all have a great Monday. May God
be with you!
-Elder Ryan Romero
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