March 10, 2014 (day 97)

Hola hola!!

I have learned a lot this week! It was a little bit of a tough week, but I am doing wonderfully!!

This week we worked really hard. We contacted and searched for people to teach and visited tons and tons of people, but we taught 4 lessons the whole week which is really bad. We can't figure out why we don't see much success. We have some good investigators, but nobody is progressing towards baptism which is frustrating.

We had a family home evening last night where we invited like half the ward haha, but guess how many people showed up! Like 2 haha. We had a very spiritual meeting though and we talked about how much the gospel means to us in our lives. We talked about our own personal conversion to the gospel and how important it is that we share what we know with other people. 

Not everyone will listen or accept. In fact, most people will not. There is a statistic in our mission that out of every 20 investigators that we have, which means that we have taught them at least once and have a return appointment, only 1 of those will progress towards baptism. Many people even will know that what we are teaching is true, and have very spiritual experiences and receive answers to their prayers, and yet will not want to get baptized or progress. 

I have seen that a ton in the people here. In order to get baptized a lot of people have to get married. Everybody here lives with their boyfriend or girlfriend and doesn't want to get married. We see so many people that just don't understand how important this gospel is. A lot of people see our church as something ''muy lindo'' which is very beautiful, but that is all they see in it. Even when they realize they need the gospel in their lives, many times they don't accept! Its frustrating! But I know how important it is so I am going to keep on sharing!

I love being a missionary! I have never felt more joy and happiness in my life than I have out here. Its crazy how we can spend a hot day out in the dusty streets and come back dead tired, but yet be really happy. It happens every day actually. I have never been more tired in my life. Unfortunately I have fallen asleep in the middle of lessons sometimes haha. I am exhausted. But it is worth it! 

This week we have transfers and I just hope that I stay. I really love Olmué and the people here. We will see what happens on Wednesday, but I think I will be going.

Anyway, I don´t have any crazy stories for the week I don´t think. Nothing that I remember at least. I am doing real good though :) I hope everything is going wonderfully back home! I love you tons! Chauito!!!!!

Love Elder Marchant