July 22, 2015

HOLA! 

Hows everyone doing?? Life here is pretty mundane and repetetive. we have so much class and then it rice and chicken and then have so much more class! Its so hard to stay awake sometimes haha. but this has been the greatest experience of my life and this week i have gained so much humility. I want to tell you about 2 latinos. All of them are great friends.

1st Elder From Brazil

This elder i met eating dinner one night i asked him how long hes been a member and he said 1 year and 3 months. I asked him about his family and he said he doesent like to talk about it haha i was confused and then got to know more. This Elder joined the church against the wishes of his family. His Mom and Dad are presbytyrian preachers at a local congegration and the rest of his family are members of that church. He said that his famliy didnt like the decision he made to serve a mission at all and dont support him. Wow. 

2nd Elder Bravo

Elder Bravo grew up not knowing who his dad was. His mom is a drug addict and lives with his sisters so him and his little brother moved somewhere else to get away from all of that. He was converted to the gospel and never looked back. He wanted to serve a mission but couldnt afford it so he picked up boxing so he could earn money for his mission. He broke his jaw in a fight but was able to make it out here.

Wow. when i heard these stories i couldnt help but think how blessed i am. its insane how lucky alot of us our to come from great supportive familys. These missionarys gave up everything they had to build up the kingdom of god. I think we can all learn something from them. I am so very blessed to be apart of this great and unstoppable work. I know this church is true. I have been testified to by the holy spirit and cannot deny it. I love all of you guys so much. thanks for your support!!!!!

-Elder Noel

MOM! 

Thank you so much for your letters. they mean so much to me! Everything is awesome here. the teasing got alittle worse this week so during companionship inventory i brought it up and it totally shocked him. it was the first time i have ever really done that so it was hard. Also during companionship inventory elder williams started crying and said he wants to be more like me because i teach with the spirirt and he really admires it. it was so crazy to hear as compliment like that. we have grown really close together!!!! We got to hear from a 70 this past week and it was really awesome. the spirit that he carries with him is amazing!! I think i leave on the 10 of august to the feild. Its so close yet so far away!!!! I want to leave rn!!! ugh but its ok! We get to go actuall proselyting this saturday and i am stoaked out of my mind to do that!!! i havent read haydens letter! IDK if i got one!! Im glad everything is great at home. i was sitting in the temple this morning just praying so hard for you guys. i just started crying because i could feel heavenly fathers love for you guys. one moment i will always remember is when gabe ran back to the line to give me one last hug. im crying now just typing it haha. i think about him the most tbh. he reallly pushes me to do better. Tell him i love him to death and want him to do so good in life. i cant write long because i want to wrtie him a good email this week but i love you mom. true unconditional love. 

Love your son. Your warrior.

- Elder Noel

My best friend Elder Carvallo

Our teachers, they are the best!