To start, I would like to let you all know how truly powerful prayers are. This week was so so wonderful. So to start, right after I got off the computer last week I heard that I wasn`t going to go to Pilar with Elder Otterstrom but when we got to our district meeting the next day, I was able to talk them in to doing it! Their area really did need one more day of work because it was going to be without elders for 4 days. We went to Pilar and it was wonderful. Elder Otterstrom is such a good buddy of mine. We marked a date for baptism in their area and really enjoyed working together. He is such a stud.

Friday night was really nice as well, we finished working for the night and the Elders from Pilar were passing through but they came after the last bus left for their city so they stayed with us that night. That night I received letters from Jenny and one Jimmy and my other buddies that are serving. I wrote in my journal that it was the happiest day on my mission! That night, I felt very close to those at home, very motivated to work, and so excited for the baptism of Daniella and William the next day.

The baptism went really well. I conducted the meeting wearing one of the white jump suits haha it was kind of funny. I baptized William and I`ll send some pictures from it. That night the Bishop invited us over to eat baked potatoes at his house. It was so, so good, especially because it was a little cold outside and man it was delicious.

Church was really good, we had 9 investigators in church and really hadn`t done much with inviting people because we had been so busy with the baptism. Samira, the girl that Elder Schoen and I baptized taught a lesson in young womens and gave a talk on Sunday. She is so strong! She spoke about reference and I learned a ton. She made the point about reference is more than just sitting quietly. We need to make sure our thoughts are reverent and in alignment with what we are learning at church.

One girl I did a contact with last Saturday (one week ago) went to church too! A woman in our ward invited her to a family night last night and we watched the Testaments. Goodness, I can`t tell you how wonderful things are. I just feel like blessings are being poured out upon our heads. I don`t feel like I deserve them truthfully, because my faults and weaknesses are very present before me. I thought of the promise about paying your tithing in the Old Testament and it talks of receiving a blessing without room enough to receive. There is also another quote by President Snow that I don`t know exactly in English but something "There is no person that is so interested in the success of a missionary when he is preaching the gospel than the Lord, whose children are hearing the message." The Lord is so anxious to help us. He is actively helping us. We just need to look for it and be more grateful.

The reason I say it was the happiest day on my mission is because I could have thought of things to be bummed about. I could have thought of those I love at home, or other frustrations, but amidst what once were crushing difficulties months ago, I felt so much joy. With each trial we have, our capacity expands to be filled with that much more joy. I think in Nephi 4, Nephi describes of his joy being so full. This is the man who is writing these beautiful verses about his beloved father passed away.

One more story, we passed by this woman Crystalvanha on Thursday. She was hit by a motorcylist a year ago and broke her tibia and fibula. She has to have a woman come and do chores for her because it hurts to walk. She only leaves the house to go to the doctor. Her husband is mentally sick. Her children never call and she says she has given up trying to call them. They have said they will come visit but they never do. If I were to describe her state, she is crippled, physically and emotionally, and hopeless. How many of us feel like this is our Spiritual state? How many of us think we are grounded because our weaknesses are too great? We`re hopeless because we are still suffering and haven`t found a relief? Just as the Lord can heal Crystalvanha physically, he can likewise heal you, and I in all aspects of our lives. Alma 7:23 asking for WHATSOEVER thing you stand in need, both spiritual and temporal. It doesn`t matter how miniscule or silly or simple it may seem, He is our Father. Anything that is a concern for us is a concern for Him. I love this work. I love you all.

Love, Elder Calvert