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!