¡¡¡Una Semana Hasta Bendito México!!!

Hola Familia!

Woohooo, life couldn't be better right now! So many amazing things are happening here in the Cherry Park Ward AND I'm returning to Cuernavaca next week!! Kind of a bittersweet feeling actually, even though I've wanted to go back to Mexico so bad.

Wednesday, Elder Zeller from the Mt. Scott Ward, worked with me in Cherry Park for exchanges and we had another wonderful lesson with Daniel. He said he enjoyed church last Sunday. We taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invited him to be baptized on April 21st and he humbly accepted! He said "I know it's gonna be hard and I'm gonna have to leave some things behind, but I'll do it." Then we taught him how to pray using one of our pamphlets. I love how prayer is as simple as addressing our Father in Heaven, pouring our hearts out to Him usually through gratitude and asking for blessings, and closing in the name of Jesus Christ. Daniel said his first prayer out loud, in front of us that day. It was so humble and sincere. I've come to realize that teaching someone to earnestly pray for the first time is my favorite part of being a missionary because you get to help them be able to communicate themselves to a loving God who has been waiting so long to hear from them. You also get to witness the person's leap of faith and sincere desire to learn and grow by tentatively uttering those words out loud for the first time. It's so amazing to be there for that. Heavenly Father really listens to our prayers. On Sunday at the ward's linger longer, Daniel actually came up to me to tell me that he's been enjoying praying everyday and that he's even been starting to read in the Book of Mormon, and then he actually set up our next appointment with him on Wednesday! Wow, this man is golden!! I love him so much. He walked hinself to church!

Thursday night, I visited Tony with a member from our Ward, Brother Magleby. We had beautiful discussion with him that I'm sure was directed by the Spirit. We explained the importance of baptism and coming to church and honestly trying to follow the Savior. His own words were finally "let's do this baptism thing." He even said his first prayer in front of us with the help of Brother Magleby to close the visit. Tony still has some things to get over regarding the Word of Wisdom, but he's made tremendous progress. Some members told me that the first time they met Tony, they thought he would never be able to come to church, but this Sunday made it Tony's fourth tine attending with us!

On Saturday, Larry passed his baptismal interview with our zone leader, Elder Holloway! He's so great and was so prepared by his fellowshipper before we even met him. He really wants to follow the Lord and he will do whatever it takes. We'll continue to meet with him frequently to help him be ready for his baptism on the 7th and make sure he doesn't forget anything because he's kinda old. At church on Sunday, he told us to start visiting with his wife as well whenever we come see him because he wants her to start taking the lessons and hopefully become a member of the Church too. So we are stoked for that this week!

Sister Fuapau has continued communicating with us every once in a while asking us about some church support groups and telling us that her husband has moved back in with their family and everything, but it wasn't until this week where she told us that her family unit is finally ready to start receiving visits from us!!! One dad and 4 sons!! They've been struggling for a while now, but it looks like the Gospel is going to unite them fully as a family and heal all wounds. So many of us have been praying for them. Sister Fuapau's father is the second counselor in the Bishopric. And it looks like this is their time! They'll be having the missionaries over for dinner next Tuesday.

Probably the most miracle, blessing-filled week of my mission so far. All of these wonderful children of God coming unto Him. The Lord really blesses us ten-fold for all of our efforts.

I love being a missionary. This is why I'm out here. This message is so true and it can bless all families for eternity.

Have a great week, everyone!

Love,

Elder Tucker