Él es la Dádiva

Amados hermanos mios,

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¡buen día!

This has been a neat week. On Tuesday I got to go to Delta on exchanges with the Zone Leaders again.

​ It was awesome! Our Zone Leaders just got whitewashed, so we were visiting a lot of people for the first time, and also teaching a lot of their recent contacts for the first time. We taught several people who really grasped the message of the Restoration and became new solid investigators. Definitely a good exchange!

We went with Hermano Sandoval, the Elders' Quorum President, to teach Alejandro about the priesthood. Hopefully very soon he'll receive the Aaronic Priesthood and then the Melchizedek. Then he can bless his new baby daughter! He and Chelsey are doing really well. On a side note, we found out that for the first ten years of her life, Chelsey led a "Little House on the Prairie" life! Her mom build a cabin in the woods in Washington two hours away from civilization without electricity or running water, and stayed there for a decade! She said they used kerosene lamps for light. Sounds like quite the experience!

We had a pretty slow week as far as teaching until Saturday. We taught five lessons that day! That's quite a few in one day for us. The most notable one was with Pablo and Gloria. Pablo had told us previously that he didn't want to keep learning without his wife. So for the past few weeks, we've been trying to get them to both sit down for the lessons. Usually Gloria is cooking and we have to say something like, "Hermana

, ¿peude venir por un ratito?

​ Vamos a platicar." (Sister, can you come here for a moment? We're going to have a talk.)​ And she sallies forth to the couch and listens. At our last lesson, we made a point of involving her, and she seemed to finally understand the message. She's hesitant to accept us because of a bad experience she had with a church in Tennessee (not the Lord's Church, but she can't be blamed for not knowing the difference). Anyway! We had a great lesson with them on Saturday. We brought a member of the Rama, Brother Clark. He served his mission in Chile, actually about the same time as Justin, I think. We talked about the fruits of the Spirit and receiving answers to our prayers. Pablo started asking all kinds of questions like, "Who is t

his

​ ​

Mormón

​ guy? If we get baptized, what will we call ourselves? Christians? Mormons? We weren't married in any specific church, just by the laws of men. Is that marriage valid in your church? We believe in the Santos. Do we have to stop believing in them if we get baptized? What is the purpose of the Book of Mormon? What is it's objective?" We answered all of his questions. He is taking this very seriously. I think now more than ever. If he keeps reading the Book of Mormon and praying, he will receive a witness of its truthfulness. That's going to be an awesome day!

On Sunday we found five new investigators! (Almost six, but we forgot to have a prayer with one guy, so it doesn't technically count. But what do numbers matter anyway?) The new "He is the Gift" initiative from the Church is amazing! We ​talked to two families who let us in to share our Christmas message, totaling five new investigators, plus Ivan, a man we taught last night right before we went home.

Lots of great things going on. If you haven't seen the Christmas video from the Church yet, go see it! It's dandy. Then, remember the Savior this Christmas and show your gratitude by sharing the gift!

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¡Compartid la Dádiva! I marvel at Heavenly Father's love for each one of us. I marvel at the humble birth of the God of Israel. I love love LOVE the Christmas season. Not because of the gifts, not because of the cookies, but because everyone has a greater portion of the love of Christ in their hearts. What an amazing time to share the Gospel! I love you all, and I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know He lives! Thank you for your love and prayers. Discover, embrace, and share the gift!

Sincerely,
Elder Rogers