Week 38

Monday: well today was off to go and get some shopping done which was

nice then back to the piso where I cleaned the whole piso while my

comp washed the dishes so our piso is once again sparkling clean! Then

we mainly just relaxed in the chapel watching Mormon messages and

emailing for most of the pday! Then we were going to have a lesson

with E_ a woman we contacted last week. Well she actually showed up

when she said she was going to show up but had to run to dance

practice so we are going to have a lesson with her tomorrow which will

be awesome! Then it was off to contacting for the rest of the night

and for the first time I actually saw a change in attitude in my comp

from why do we have to do this to let's get up and go kinda caught me

by surprise  so that was great.

Tuesday:well today we had a lesson with E_ and his family where we

talked about the importance of coming to church reading the scriptures

and praying daily which went well although he still always has work

every single Sunday which is to bad! Then we met with M_ E_ and

talked with her for a little bit and she shared some really spiritual

stories with us which was super cool she had a daughter die in a car

crash! And saw her mother in white saying don't worry help is on the

way! Then there was another experience she had where her cousin killed

her brother by convincing him to drink poison he died with in the

matter of minutes and then her older brothers and a few members of her

family wanted to plot a revenge plan against the cousin when the mom

said " there is only one person who is going to judge that boy and

that is God not us" to have a nephew kill your son and then trust that

God will take care of everything that takes some real faith!

Wednesday: well today like any other Wednesday started off with a

wonderful district meeting. Where we talked about how we can work on

obtaining Christ like attributes in our selves personally and in our

companionships. Then we did a practice about tying the commandments in

two the lessons as you teach. Then it was off to contacting for a

while after lunch that is and then we had a lesson with a new

investigator named E_ who is a dance teacher for young girls she

has been doing dance for over 13 years so that's super cool so as we

were talking about the restoration and prophets I don't remember how

but somehow the subject of basketball came up which was great because

any one who knows me well knows of my love for bball and that I will

take any chance I can get to relate things like the gospel back to

basketball so we talked about how coaches are like prophets in the

sense that just like a coach they will warn us of the strategies of an

opposing team in this case satan! Then they will give us tips on how

we can improve which we have the chance to listen to twice a year at

general conference!  The only difference is on the basketball team of

the lord you can not and will not lose!

Thursday: well today started with a lesson with M_ which was great

because her grandson who is twenty two decided to stay and listen to

our message. With them we talked about how we are children of God and

just like an earthly father he wants the best for his children! Then

we went over to E_ house and had the same lesson after helping him

reconstruct a bunk bed so that was a lot of fun to help do a little

bit of service! Then the kids we are running around screaming there

heads off so that was interesting! Then we had a noche hogar with

P_ and her family which went really well we talked about the

atonement and then taught them how to play presidents. Then it was off

to the plaza because we got a call from an investigator saying they

can meet but they weren't there so we called them and then off to the

train station where they said they were at! So we called them when

they weren't there and it turns out that they live over 500 kilometers

away haha!

Friday: well today was a day absolutely full of contacting with

basically nothing else to do which was good because we did manage to

get a few new references! And we did have a dinner appointment with

the branch president with potato soup with fish didn't quite compare

to my moms potato soup back home but it was a close second haha! Well

with them we talked about doing member missionary work which I hope

all of you are striving to do! Because I have felt the joy of bringing

one of gods children back into his fold and I can testify that is the

greatest experience I'm guessing along with marriage that any one can

ever have! Then we talked about macaroni and cheese while we had

dinner one of the many great things of America that you can't find

here in Spain! So that was fun to have dinner and talk about the

branch and stuff then it was back to the piso for the night!

Saturday: well today we went with C_ to go play some basketball

with him and a few of his friends R_ and some others who were

playing football then we met this kid named D_ and his younger

brother J_ at football then they asked if we could play basketball

so we said yes and it was three on three so the first game we just

Goofed off and took it super chill I even let them win  the first game

trying to work on my charity a bit haha! However they started doing a

little trash talking so it was a chance to teach humility when the two

kids on my team decided to take a break it was three verse one and of

course I'm not going to back down from a challenge so I quickly shot

the score up to 19 to 6 so that was fun we even got an audience

starting to form haha maybe they thought I was mini Stephen curry or

something haha! Well the rest of the day was contacting which went

well we did manage to get a couple references which was awesome hope

we can start teaching them soon!

Sunday: well today was great being fast Sunday here in Cuenca! There

were many wonderful testimonies shared one of the members said it is

important to bear your testimony to every one even those who are

already members. Then I was able to have some time to bear my

testimony on missionary work so that was super awesome shared D&C 31:3

saying the hour of your mission is come and that refers to every one

young and old you do not need to await an actual full time missionary

call to be a missionary!  So get up and get going because the hour of

your mission has come and your tongue shall be loosed and you shall

declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation! So that was

absolutely wonderful then we had a lesson with P_ her menos activa

daughter and her daughters atheist boyfriend about faith which went

really well surprisingly no yelling and fighting this time and even

have a return appointment for this Thursday how exciting right!

Monday: well if you guys were wondering why I didn't right today and

on Wednesday instead it's because we got the wonderful oportunity to

go to the temple as long as we also used that day as our pday so that

was well worth it! Then we were suppose to have a few lessons which

all failed on us which was to bad because one of them was with our new

investigator that went to a pool party and had to reschedule but hey

can't blame her with this heat that's been going on recently! Then

we'll what else do you do when there's nothing to do but spread the

gospel by contacting in the street many missionaries hate contacting

but I absolute love it I'm not a huge talker my comp can testify of

that but for some reason I love talking to random people in the

street!

Tuesday: well today we had district meeting because our pday is on

Wednesday. Well district meeting was great we focused on preparing

investigators for baptism. We need to help them understand that

following the example of Christ is a whole lot more then just entering

into the waters of baptism. We are all called to serve as a testament

of Christ in all we do think in say others should be able to see he

light of Christ shining through us! Well after district meeting it was

off to head to Madrid to meet up with the other missionaries for the

night so we can go to the temple tomorrow!

Wednesday

Week 37

Monday: well let's see what we did today well started they day off
with some wonderful scripture study. Then it was off to buy food which
was great only spent twelve euros on food this week new record haha!
Then it was off to the chapel to write a bit but then we lost internet
so we went to alcampo to print some fotos so that was fun then lidl to
buy some snacks for emailing. Then it was back to the church where
thankfully we had internet again to write while there we watched meet
the Mormons a movie about the life of president monson and then one
about the life of Joseph smith while emailing so that was fun! Then
off to contact the rest of the night.

Tuesday: well we had three lessons to day... Well we're suppose to
have three lessons today however all three failed! But don't worry
that means we got to contact some more and I think I might have lost
all those five pounds of fat that I gained while serving in barrio 3
haha! Well we ran in to may keel who is the nephew of an investigator
who usually comes to play football on Saturdays so I asked if him and
his two friends if they wanted to come play at first they were a bit
hesitant and then I said we play at 11 in the morning and then they
said okay then told them well see if you guys stand a chance haha then
they they said your on haha! Then we called all the investigators on
the phone and got a hold of three of them two of which said that we
can meet some time next week and one more who said he works all the
time and probably won't have time. So fast forward to walking back to
piso for the night we receive a random phone call and this man say I'm
behind you so we turn look and see no one then he says again over the
phone I'm behind you so then we saw a man waving and it turned out to
be the man that said he's always working and said he should have this
Sunday off so that is awesome! Miracles do happen you just have to
look for them haha!

Wednesday: well today we were suppose to have a lesson with J_
however that failed. Which wasn't bad because we got more time for
weekly planing. So planning went good although we could have 
just copied the last weeks goals and notes to this week since we
hardly got to meet with anyone this week! Then it was time for lunch
and then off to Madrid to stay the night with b6 which was absolutely
awesome, we got to contact a little bit with them for like 30
minutes or so and we got two references! So that was super awesome to
get someone to give us there number and say they want to learn more.
Well later it was staying up till lights out 11:30 just talking about
missionary stuff! Then off to bed!

Thursday: well today was zone conference and president just drilled us
saying that we need to contact twenty five people a day and have at
least one baptism a month so all though it may be really hard to
achieve here in Cuenca but we have been called here by the lord and
the lord will not call you to do something with out him providing away
so as nephi we will go and do what the lord commands. Then we did a
few practices where we talked about contacting in a more normal way so
we had a practice where our " contacts" had an object and with the
object they had we had to relate that back to the gospel so the
hermanas me and elder Miller where we had a loaf of bread. So we got
talking to them found out they liked to cook and told them how just
like cooking we need a few ingredients in our life to making something
good out of it. Aka profits scriptures church prayer priesthood ect.
Then we got an eating appointment and a future investigator out of it.
haha I know it was just a practice but it was a blast!
Then I got the package and a letter from a really good friend which
was super wonderful to read!!

Friday: well today was a day full of contacting so we did manage to
talk to our twenty five people each that was awesome! Which is
basically all we did all day but we did have lunch with P_ and
her family which was really great! We were able to share with them
doctrine and covenants 31:3 and simply talk about how you don't have
to wait until you get a mission call to be a missionary the hour of
your mission is now!  So really hope that they will get really excited
to start missionary work now.

Saturday: well today started of to go and play some bball with the
branch and some of their friends but only a few people showed up so we
played some horse and then every one left except one kid who wanted to
play so we played some two against 1 him and my comp verse me so that
was a lot of fun! My three point shot wasn't very hot but still won
with my mad skill handles haha! Then after basketball we had lunch
with M_ and her family where we had pasta and rice with liver and I
can honestly say that I do not like liver at all I actually almost
puked haha but I kept it down! Then it was off to contact for the
rest of the day which was good president gave us a challenge to at
least talk to 25 people a day. So usually when we contact we also try
to give out Mormon.org cards so I have made it my personal goal to not
just talk to 25 people but to give out 25 cards! It really keeps you
going the whole night to have gangs to contact. So we got three
references today here in Cuenca so miracles do happen haha!

Sunday: well today was stake conference where there was a big focus on
the scripture study missionary work and home and visiting teaching. My
favorite talk was by hermana pack where she told the members of the
stake that we are looking for people to teach and we can use their
help and asked them if they would not just feed us physically but
spiritually as well! Then we had lunch with the branch where every one
just brought a little something to share! Then it was back to Cuenca
to contact for the rest of the night. Which was good other then it
seems and feels like I have to carry my comp on my back over half the
time while trying to build a branch at the same time! 

So I am very happy to be here in Cuenca all though it is
a very hard area hope to just keep leading by example and hope soon he
will understand that we are here to work but until then if he wants to
ruin the end of his mission like that it's sad but okay I'm not going
to let him ruin my experience in serving the lord!
Well this was our great week here in Cuenca hope every one else had a
great week as well!
P.s I was reading in Mathew and a few versus in chapter 5 stuck out to
me that I'd thought I'd share something that can help those of you
back home and those who are out in the mission field as well.
10: blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven
11: blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and
shall say all manner of evil against you for my sake.
12: rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven
for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you!
All the we may receive much persecution and rejection we will inherit
the blessings of the kingdom of heaven as long as we put in our part!
Love you all love Elder Strong!

Week 36

Monday: well today we had the wonderful opportunity to wake up at 5 in
the morning to head to the train station by 6 so my companion elder
maldanados could catch his train up north to Vigo to meet his new
comp. Then I hung out with the missionaries that serve in barrio 1until my
comp showed up. So my new comp is elder kemph and was born and raised
in Spain so that means another couple transfers or so with just
straight Spanish so here we go! Well then off to catch the bus and have
some Burger King then the two hour ride back to Cuenca then off to
piso so he could drop off his stuff and then we went and emailed for a
bit and then did our grocery shopping then off to contacting for the
rest of the night!

Tuesday: well today we did manage to at least have one lesson with
E_ who is a menos activo and a little interesting ! So we talked to
him About the blessings the gospel can bring his life in other words
we taught him the Oreo lesson! Then por fin we had someone show up to
English sure they were an hourl or so late but they called us asked if
we could come do the lessons so that was cool and she said she would
be opening to hear about the message of the restored gospel as well so
that is super awesome. We will be meeting with her every Tuesday. Well
that was our wonderful Tuesday!

Wednesday: well today like most Wednesday's it was off to contact for
a little bit which was good not much success but it is always nice to
know that you are here doing the lords work we aren't hear to be
Accepted  by all the world but we are here to testify and invite people
to follow their savior Jesus Christ and as long as we are doing this
there is no one that can bring us down! Well then we had a great
district meeting where we focused on the third lesson the gospel of
Jesus Christ. It was nice to focus on something so important in
missionary work! Then we had a lesson with M_ and S_ about the
patience because M_ has been going through some trials in her life
with her kids so we just let her know that as we have patience God will
bless us but in his time!then later we met with the branch president
to talk with him about the branch and then we had salmon and potatoes for
dinner that was super awesome! Then back to piso to write in the
journal plan and get some sleep! Man can't tell you how nice it was
being able to go to bed at 9:30 or 10 or so back home when here we go
to bed at 11:30.

Thursday: well today was a day full of walking which is good maybe
with all this walking I'll be able to lose those few extra pounds that
I had gained in barrio 3 haha! Well later in the day we did have one
lesson noche hogar with M_ and her family where we talked about
ola which mean orar leer and assistir or in English pray read and
attend church. We taught how as we do those three things we will have
a firm foundation for our faith and our testimony we demonstrated this
fact with three cups and three knives the cups being identical as well
as the knives. Then you make a triangle with the cups making sure each
cup is a knife distance away from the cup and then you have to use the
knives with out moving the cups to support a book or something like
wise. So that was our wonderful Thursday!

Friday: well today started the day off by going contacting all the way
around Cuenca to teach elder kemph the area some more on the small
chance that I get transferred next transfer. Then had some pasta and
ice cream for lunch in the piso which was good. And then back to the
street to contact until seven and then off to the chapel to do English
class however knowing that no one would probably show up we planed a
lesson in the chapel as well with N_ but once again she failed us
so back to the street till 8:30 then over to E_ house to have a
noche hogar with his family so that was really good we talked about
the atonement and how Christ can erase all of our sins and then did
the magic trick with the erase able pen and the lighter!which they
thought was the coolest thing ever. And I think it really helped them
understand just how important it is to use the atonement in our lives!
Then we played some cards for a little bit and then had to drink a
glass of milk that they gave me that was so hard I felt like I had to
puke the whole time I was drinking it but managed to finish with a
smile on my face haha!

Saturday: today started with basketball at the park and soccer. At
first no one showed up so then we went and played with a group of kids
that were using the other half of the court and shocked them all when
I could just pull up three after three after three! Then they asked if
we could come back next Saturday and a few of them seemed interested
in English class which hopeful along with spiritual thoughts and the
Holy Ghost can get them interested in the church. Then after twenty
minutes with them a family from the ward showed up and played! Then
it was back to the piso to change and have lunch and then off to do
some more contacting for the rest of the day which I was getting
pretty tired and stressed about. Then when we got home I watched this
small video about the atonement and missionary work. Often times we
feel absolutely rejected by everyone and that is part of the mission
as exclaimed in this video that in order to where Christ name on our
babe we must go through a very small rejection to under not even a
small percentage of the pain our savior suffered for us. So I would
encourage all of you when you are feeling down to think of our savior
and his sacrifice for you and if you ever think about asking if there
is another way just remember you aren't the first to ask that question
that even our savior Jesus Christ had asked that question a long time
ago. However like Christ if we don't get the answer we are hoping for
we must press forward in the will of the father.

Sunday: well today started of with a Western Europe broadcast from
salt lake which was great. They talked a lot about temple attendance,
and shared the story of a married couple who hadn't gone to the temple
in a long time and we're starting to have problems in their marriage.
However when they received the advice to do a sealing session in the
temple it was like all the problems just vanished. So I would suggest
for all of us that we try to make it to the temple as much as possible
because it will not just strength our relationship with Heavenly
Father and his son Jesus Christ but our relationships in the home with
the family. Take time to teach younger siblings and children of the
blessings of the temple. Well later we had a great lesson with Petra
about the Holy Ghost about courage faith and patience she is having a
really hard time seeing that here husband and two of her three
children have drifted off course. So we just talked with that when the
lord sees best fit for them they will be more open to receive but we
have to do our part to stay worthy to act when that time comes.
Then on the way home we ran into Maria de low Angeles which was really
cool because it's really hard to get in contact with her but she did
agree to come to stake conference this coming Sunday! So that was a
nice little miracle this week running into her again!
Well that was our lovely week here in Cuenca hope every Lhasa a great
week exspecialy with school being out now for the summer! Love you
all!
Love elder Strong

Week 35

Monday: well today was a day full of travel! First it was waking up
two hours early to catch a two hour bus ride to Madrid. Then after we
arrived in Madrid and we didn't know which bus to take so they had the
ap come get us so that was a nice 20 minute wait but with all the
buses going by we almost had constant wifi to send a few emails so
that was great! Then finally got to the mission home had our interviews about
five to ten minute interviews with president and then on to wait for
the bus that would take us on an hour drive to the metro stop we
needed then 30 minutes in metro to the bus station then a two hour
wait where we got to email everyone and then another two hour bus ride
back to Cuenca and then contacting! So you could say that we had the
most fun pday ever haha!

Tuesday: well today we had two awesome lessons which was great because
it's not two often here in Cuenca that you can get two lessons in one
day! So the first lesson we had was with a man that has been living on
the street due to some financial problems he has been having so we
talked to him about the restoration and then he told us something that
totally changed my out look on things he said we are so blessed me for
example I had a little bit of bread and water today and there are
people that are worse of then me and that was just like wow think of
how many times I have been sorry for myself thinking my life is so
hard! But this small experience has totally changed my out look on
life!then we had a small lesson on priesthood power authority that we
have on earth again so that was super great!

Wednesday: well today we had a small missionary blitz where three
other companionships came to our area to contact in the morning! This
blitz went super well we got four references between me and my comp
the sister training leaders got another five and the zone leaders got
7 and the hermanas from our district got one! So it went super well.
Then it was off to kebab to celebrate! Then later we had a lesson with
M_  and J_ and J_ about faith which was great and J_
said he would come to church this Sunday! Then when we got home for
the night we started calling up the many references and got a hold of
two of the people we contacted and they said we could meet with them
tomorrow so that should be great!

Thursday: today started of with a lesson with J_ about the
restoration of the gospel which went really well and he always wants
to know when we can come back next and talk with him and he's still
planing on coming to church this Sunday! Then we had a lesson with
M_ and S_ with the Oreos where you have to place the Oreo on
the top of your head and eat it with out using your hands. Then go on
to explain that the challenge represents our challenges in life
however we have scriptures prayer profits repentance sacrament and
many other grand things that help us use our hand to taste of the
blessings of life!then we were suppose to have a lesson with N_
and P_  together but N_ didn't show up but P_ did bring his
friend V_ which was awesome so they both excepted our challenge
to read the Book of Mormon and to come to church this week so that was
awesome!

Friday: well today not much really went on just a lot of contacting!
We did however have a super awesome lunch appointment with P_
and her family where we had some wonderful chicken and rice pizza and
brownies! Then for the lesson we made everyone's sins disappear with a
lighter yeah that's right I'm a magician haha! Then we might go over
to there house Monday to give some what of art lessons to there son
and daughter so that will be super fun since there's not much else to
do here for pday.
Then later it was of to English class which would have been great but
no one showed up. Then it was back to the street until it was time to
go home!

Saturday: well today started of with a wonderful breakfast with fried
eggs toast some hot chocolate and orange juice! Then off to play some
football or soccer in American English but no one showed up so back to
the piso to change. Then off to district meeting where the focus was
on finding people to teach so that was really great. Then off to make
some more pasta for lunch as usual. Then out the door and right as we
left and got away from the piso in our short sleeve white shirts it
just down poured so we had fun trying to contact in the rain getting
absolutely drenched! Then off to M_ house where had a lovely
dinner! Dinner of chicken and rice and then just talked about courage
and then everyone wrote in elder Maldonados journal.

Sunday: well today was an interesting Sunday me and my comp were in
charge of everything. Seeing how the branch president was gone as well
as the one counselors he has and the one other man in the ward that
holds the Melchizedek priesthood so that was fun. Then we got the
chance to teach Sunday school about prayer and conversion with the
story of alma and alma the younger which went really well and then a
member from the stake high council taught in the combined relief
society and priesthood so that was a relief when we didn't have to
teach that as well. Then we were off to catch the bus to go to Madrid
and meet up with elder jepson and schwanke in barrio uno so after
waiting for an hour for them to come get us we went with them to elder
jepson said uncles house who is a member in the ward so we got to
speak some English and had Costco ice cream for desert that was the
absolute best!! Then said good bye to a few members and then over to
drop of the hermanas agenda that they left in the chapel and then back
to the piso to the elders to sleep for the night which we finally got
to do at 1 in the morning and then had to wake up at 5 to drop my comp
of at the train station today!
Well that was our week here in Madrid and Cuenca I guess! Hope every
one had a grand and super awesome week love you all!
Elder Strong.

Week 34

Monday: well let's see today not a whole lot happened we mainly stayed
inside and rested! Then cleaned the piso for a bit. Went shopping and
then had lunch with L_ and F_ two members in the ward. So that
was nice of then
M to invite us out to eat again. Then it was off to email and relax
some more it was great to here how every one is doing! Then we had a
lesson with M_E_and J_ about the Book of Mormon and shared
a small video about the atonement as well! Then contacting until it
was time to go back home.

Tuesday: today we had a lesson with R_ which went very well. We
mainly talked about temples and then asked him if he was ready to get
baptized he said no that he still has some doubts so we are going to
ask him to make a list of questions to help him over come the doubts
he might have. So that should be great! Then we made some English
class posters which was fun. Then it was off to A_ house for a
lesson but she wasn't there which is kinda funny because she said to
M_ " I wonder when the missionaries are going to come by my
house. Oh I have an appointment with them this week" then she wasn't
there what's up with that haha! We did see a small miracle today we
were out contacting when we ran into a lady that was meeting with my
comp early before I got here then they lost contact and we ran into
her on the street said hi and she asked if we could come talk to her
so we said of course. So we went over to the chapel and had a small
lesson on the sacrament and invited her to come to church this Sunday
so that is going to be super awesome!

Wednesday: well today was another typical Wednesday in the life of a
missionary starting off with district meeting which was good we mainly
focused on the main topic that David A Bednar talked to us about last
week which was becoming agents that act and not objects that are acted
upon! Then we had some lunch where I made some spaghetti and meat
balls with some homemade strawberry juice. Then we wrote some
inspirational messages in a Book of Mormon and went and gave it to
J_. Then later we went over to H_ to talk about the atonement
and resurrection with his wife because her mom just recently passed
away but she had to leave right as we got there which is to bad. But
we still got to talk to H_ and had some cheese cake and soda so
that was great. Then on to make phone calls to end the day!

Thursday : well today was weekly planning which was great! It was nice
to plan for the few investigators we have right now and try to plan
ways that we can find a few more! Por fin we got a reference from
contacting in the street if that's not a miracle I don't know what is
haha! Then at a short contacting time it was back to the piso for some
lunch. Then had to call hermana pack to see when we are needed in
Madrid for our interviews with president! Then later we were suppose
to have a lesson with A_ who ended up having to leave for
Valencia a day early to go see his cousin or something like that. Then
while we were waiting we heard a big thud and then a horrific scream
so we got up to see what happened and there was a boy that got hit by
a car he seemed okay but may have broken his leg or something because
everyone was telling not to move that they were going to call the
ambulance!

Friday: well today was a day full of contacting which started of a bit
rough which is kinda heartbreaking to see how angry people get just by
telling them you want to talk about there's and our savior Jesus
Christ. However we did meet three awesome young   Men from 17 to 25
years old who all accepted an invitation to meet with us another time
so that the Holy Ghost can teach the message of gods through us. Then
we were going to have a meeting with E_ but he had to take his
daughters to some bday party because his wife had to work but we
should be going over there tomorrow. Then we went contacting in this
little carnival thing they had set up to celebrate Cuenca which was
super cool every one had there little stands of souvenirs and stuff
and then they had a few rides for the kids we managed to have a few
good conversations with the people running the stands which was fun.
Then of to pass by addresses to set up some appointments which went
great got a few appointments set up and a few more people to say
they'll come to soccer tomorrow!

Saturday: well today we went to the parquet to wait for people to come
and show up to play some soccer or bball but no one showed up but
there was someone with a ball shooting hoops so we asked if he wanted
to play some twenty one and he said sure so we started to play and I
started as Americans would play twenty one you know more like one on
one type deal every one against every one against everyone! Well here
Spain totally different still have the same point system for the game
as in every shot is worth two points and while shooting free throws
they are worth one. So in Spain they play like this instead of one on
one you have to shoot where ever you get the rebound so slightly
dominated just waiting for the ball to roll out to the three point
line which is most like my home away from home and then free throws
man I don't know if there's anything I have ever practiced more then
those two shots haha so it was just three after three feet brow after
free throw! Then we had lunch with Marta where we had lentejas rice
and chicken. After eating we had a really good lesson on prayer. Then
back out to the street to contact and the first man who stopped was
super nice which is really rare for Cuenca. He said he would love to
talk more so we will try to meet with him later then before we went
our ways and wished us luck because he knows how hard hearted and
stiffnecked the people in Cuenca are and just told us there is hope
that was such a blessing! Then just a few minutes later we were
walking down the side of the road when a man pulled up beside us and
asked hey you guys are the Mormons right and we said yes not knowing
what to exspect and he said I'm talking to my girlfriend on the phone
right now she's from Utah then asked where we were from so we got
talking then we talked about his trip to America to zions national
park and temple square so that was super awesome and then he talked
about the salt lake temple and how he wants to go live in Utah so that
was super cool to talk to him about the church and stuff! Then we were
walking by the fair when we heard some one shout out elders elders
elders so we turned to see who it was and we didn't recognize the man
and he said look at this and showed us his ctr and asked if we knew
what it meant so we said yes it means choose the right and he said
yeah that's it im from Toledo and the missionaries there are teaching
me the lessons along with English so that was great to have those
three miracles in our path today. Then we had a lesson with E_ about
prayer which was good I think he better understands the significance
of prayer now and he said next time we meet he wants to make a
missionary wrap video haha! Well it was a super wonderful and probably
what I'd say one of the best days of my entire mission!

Sunday: well today at church it was actually reverent for  once which
was super nice! Then we had a lesson that was focused on repentance
which was good because we all have room for improvement and if you
think you don't just read what lack I yet the conference talk from
October! Then in priesthood we talked about the importance of reading
the scriptures and I'd encourage all to at least read some scripture
for at least five minutes a day! Then back to piso where we had some
more pasta for lunch. Then to end the day it was on to have noche
hogar  turns out her less active daughter and her atheist boyfriend
were present so we had a lesson on faith and almost finished when the
member started railing in on the atheist boyfriend and her daughter
not setting a good example for him and whoops there goes the spirit!
Well yeah that was our very exciting week and Sunday evening hope
every one is doing well and having a good time!
ELDER STRONG

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