Dear Family,
I'm very grateful to hear from all of you this week. It is
good to know that you are all doing well.
It is true that there is little time
left in my mission. Although there are changes coming up next week, I'm not sure
that I will be going any where. My current companion is finishing his mission
in a week, so he is for sure going. It is always possible, though that I could
have a change, but I don't think it will happen. Who know?
As far as the week goes, things are pretty normal. One of the
interesting things that happened this week was we taught a free mason. He wasn't
officially a member of the free masons, but had done a lot of research and had
gone to meetings of the free masons here in Lima. I don't think I will get any
closer to teaching a free mason, so it was pretty interesting. He was a little
bit argumentative, and we did our best not to argue with him. But he was a
least willing learn and act. He´s been going to church for about a month, but
the first opportunity we had to teach him was this past week.
Normally we try
not to teach people that are combative. It was interesting, though. It gave me
the chance to share my testimony in a very personal way. I had been feeling somewhat down, but after the
lesson, although on paper it wasn't the most productive or successful lesson I
have ever had, I felt rejuvenated. It reminded me of the very true words of
President Monson that are quoted in Preach My Gospel. He says
that when it comes to our testimony, if we don't share what he have, we lose it.
I feel
that all the studying or work that one can do will be as important as sharing
and reflecting on the spiritual experiences that we have. I think that is why
it is so important for us to keep a journal. When we write we have the chance
to reflect on our personal experiences and we have the chance to share our
testimony with those that will read our words later on. I think it is important
to remember what has happened to us in the past and share these experiences
with others.
There is a great talk by Elder Renlund that talks about this. I
would recommend watching it or reading it for FHE.
Here is the talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/lest-thou-forget?lang=eng
I love you all very much!
Elder McMurray
PS: Here are a lot more photos of our trip to the mountains!
