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July 30, 2012

Well it makes me sad to hear that Uncle John passed away. Even though i never knew him well, hes my uncle and it still hurts. I hope that we can all remember that God is just and that he knows all--that he knows why things happen and how things will turn out and that we can only trust in him. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:4-5. Our Heavenly Father knows--he is suffering right along with all of us. He crys when we cry. this past week was reading in John in the story of Lazarus. Martha had gone to Jesus to tell him that her brother had died--he already knew what was going to happen and yet comes the verse. Sometimes we make fun of the verse cause its so short but it speaks more in depth that the 2 words that make it up: "Jesus wept." John 11:35. He loves us. Even though he knew that Lazarus would live again, he cried because he had suffered and because his sisters were suffering. He, along with his father cry when we cry and suffer when we suffer, even though he knows that he gives us trials to polish us up. He knows what we need to be like him after we live this mortal life. In spite of that perfect knowledge, he is crying and suffering right along with all of us. I hope that we can all remember that.

This week that will come we are looking at two possible baptisms. Jose is ready to go, but he might be going off on vacation with his family this weekend--if he doesnt go hell be baptized this week. If he goes, itll be for the 11th of August. Also we are teaching Ana, a 9 year old girl, who we had already been teaching. She knows everything, she wants to do it, we already had the baptismal interview, but when we asked her mom at what time she could be baptized, her mom said, "Shes not ready." It was frustrating because she didnt even tell us directly. According to all of Gods requirements she is ready, but her mom, who hasnt gone to church in years, knows better than God and his representatives. Oh its frustrating. We will see what she says this week. She literally has no other problem--SHES READY. Ah, it frustrates me just writing about it. But well see if her mom can let herself feel the spirit to recieve the answer that she should. Other than that, we have to find newbies. Its true that we dont have much time in the area for the responsibilites that we have, and in fact we will not have alot of time this week, but the truth is i have let that be an excuse and it shouldnt be that way. The truth is that i have learned A TON as zone leader-- but i havent worked like i should. There are two weeks left in this transfer and the truth is that i think that my time as zone leader is limited and i am commited now more that ever to working my butt off to find those people that are READY. Sure there will always be little problems like with Ana, but that is our job. 13 Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained? 14 To preach my gospel by the Spirit, even the Comforter which was sent forth to teach the truth. Thats my job and thats what i am going to do.

Mom...I am glad to hear that you learned a lot in seminary training. This wednesday we had Zone leader counsel and i feel the same--thats the perk about being zone leader (setting aside the whole bowling thing haha)--the spirit is always ridiculously strong and we get the hear President Cantu speak which is always powerful. (And by the way, the package already arrived and its waiting for me in the offices.) (Worldly Alert) The Dodgers got Hanley Ramirez???!!!! Thats awesome. Good for them. We saw a little bit of the inauguration of the olympics and it was pretty cool. Sorry that i couldnt do very well this time in there in London in the 400 haha. (end of worldly alert). Oh and i was going to send pics but the computer didnt recognize the camera--youll have to wait another week. I dont have many good pics anyway.

Well that is all i got for this week. I hope you all have an awesome week and i hope that we can all remember why we have trials in this life. I especially love the talk from Pres. Eyring "Mountains to Climb." There we can all find the answer. Espero que tengan una buena semana y que podamos recordar porque tenemos pruebas en esta vida.

--Elder Crisp :)