¡Buenas!
I still can´t believe it, but I´m done. Today is P-day, tomorrow we have "changes" and going away activities, Wednesday we have a mission conference with President Duncan of the 70, and on Thursday I´m "going going, back back, to Cali Cali" and we´re finally reuniting again. It has been the weirdest mix of emotions, but I left my all out here in the mission field.
It´s kind of a bold statement, but I believe this was the best weekend of my life.
It started out with the final interview with President Dester on Friday morning. It was very uplifting and edifying being able to talk about the mission and the future. I left with confidence knowing that I have fulfilled my calling well. Shortly after the interview on the walk home to the house, I had a "cheesecake shake" from Burger King. It was really good and I also saw a family from Cofradía there.
After the interview, I went to Ocotillo to do a baptismal interview and I stayed there for the night working in their area. The interview went well and we taught well after. There was a ward activity (noche de hermanamiento is held almost every Friday) held on by the ward mission leader. After the activity, it seemed like all was going to end and everyone was going home, but SURPRISE! The members made a surprise despedida party for me. I knew something was up earlier, but it was still awesome. They made tres leches and people came up and gave thanks for my service. It was awesome. "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die" ... I am satisfied with my work in Ocotillo and the friends I have there.
Early Saturday morning, we went to a member´s house with a recent convert from an Elder who is leaving the area. For that and in order to prep for Christmas, we "gave service" as we killed one of the pigs. I will only send one or two photos as they are graphic. I will show you when I get back. It was awesome. It was raining and the pig was faisty. Even though she wasn´t the biggest I´ve seen, she gave us a good fight. We helped shave the hair and gut it and we had costilla (ribs!!!) for lunch.
When I got back to SPS, Elder Permenter (our DL) gave the baptismal interviews to our investigators and we went about prepping for the wedding for José and Doris Ulloa and contacting with #HaNacidoUnSalvador. The wedding was supposed to start at 6:30 and the lawyer was supposed to come right at 7:00, but he was a little late because of a compromiso. We were a little nervous that he wouldn´t show and people were getting bored, but he showed up and the wedding went great. I will send pics. On the walk back, we walked past the stadium where Romeo Santos had a concert. People go crazy for him. We got back wet and cold because of the rain, but happy because of the wedding.
Because of work issues with our investigators and an investigator of the other Elders in the ward, we held the baptism on Sunday morning. It was a so-so service (we don´t have a ward mission leader and it was tough attendance wise since it started at 7:45 AM) but the spirit was strong during the ordinances. I baptized Dilcia Manzano and my companion baptized Doris Ulloa. José had some problems and needs an interview with the mission president. We found out that they were evicted from their house and are moving to Siguatepeque, but they asked for the information where the church is and the members glady gave it to them.
Sunday was great. I bore my testimony in my last meeting. Everyone was congratulating me for finishing the mission. After church, we contacted and did despedidas. We had a lot of great contacts with #HaNacidoUnSalvador and we were able to have a few good lessons. We went to the Christmas Devotional which was awesome and I was able to say goodbye to more people. We got home and I finished my fast at 10:30 PM since I started it late the night before. It was for a good purpose ;) ... It was good coming home to a "mission accomplished" feeling.
Today, I finished up with Christmas gifts, got my haircut, ate Pollo con Tajadas at Plaza Típica, and started packing. It is a little weird, as I said before, that I´m done.
Before heading out to play soccer with the jovenes and other members, I will close with a testimony of the mission. It truly is the best two years. Sin embargo, as President Green said, hopefully it will not be the best two years of your life, but for your life. Missions change lives: those we teach, those we serve, and in turn the Lord helps change us. I know that the Savior lives and loves us. I have grown closer to him in the mission and especially this last change. I know that with His help, I can do all things.
"Porque yo ya estoy a punto de ser ofrecido como sacrificio, y el tiempo de mi partida está cercano. He peleado la buena batalla, he acabado la carrera, he guardado la fe. Por lo demás, me está reservada la corona de justicia, la cual me dará el Señor, juez justo, en aquel día; y no sólo a mí, sino también a todos los que aman su venida." (2 Timoteo 4:6-8)
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
-Elder Lund
San Pedro Sula 1, Zona San Pedro Sula 11/30/15 - 12/7/15
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