Week 89: Time Keeps Moving

Well, a relatively normal week I guess.

Mom - Well now that I understand the situation better, I guess it wouldn't be the worst thing not to go to the beach... I'd be pretty bummed but it's better than not going at all haha. But just know that Dad would have to go everywhere I go! I'd still be a missionary, so... yeah. Anyway, I'll let you guys talk to President about that and see what he tells you. Whatever the Lord wants is what will happen. I feel confident that He wants us to spend time here in Puerto Rico, but it's the how that I'm not so sure about. He'll let us know though. :) Oh, and still no emails from anyone - try and post it on my facebook and if nothing happens then... it's been a year and 8 months and I'm used to it by now haha ;)

Dad - Well I'm sure the Lord will prepare a way for it to happen. Like I said, I feel like it's supposed to happen, but I'm not sure how. I really hope that Marilee starts to improve though.  And I did start looking through the BYU stuff, and I'm a bit confused (…)but maybe if you could call them and talk to them about that? Anyways, thanks!! :)

So... before I say too much about my week, I want to share with you guys some thoughts I've been having, and some personal revelation I've received this week with respect to my future. For most of my mission I've been thinking that I know myself pretty well, and I am going to need a career that will help me keep studying and to keep on the path to eternal life. I've also developed a great love of teaching the gospel here, and to use the scriptures to unfold the doctrines of the kingdom. All that being said, this past week it's occurred to me that a definite possibility for me would be to find a career in the Church Educational System teaching either Seminary or Institute (obviously institute would be the goal there). The great thing about it is that they ask you to get a degree in whatever field, meaning I can still pursue my English major, thus keeping other doors open. In any case, I feel really optimistic about this, and I feel good about it. Elder Tesch, a senior missionary out here was an institute teacher, and he once told me that there wasn't a day of his life where he didn't wake up looking forward to his job. That's the kind of job I want; and what better career to have than to study the gospel every day, all day? I can still play the piano and maybe record some music there too. I don't know, but I feel really good about it. I'll definitely pray about it, and there's a lot of time, because I can't get into that program without a degree in something, so that won't be for at least a couple of years - but I think I'd really love it. :)

Well, this week was pretty uneventful. We went down to Ponce one day to do a companion exchange with a couple of elders down there (by President's invitation), and we had a blast! It was great, and I enjoyed being back on the southern side of the island again. We ate quinepas and everything, so that was good. :) It was pretty hot though.

Other than that, we spent a lot of time this week trying to find people. We've been working in the campo of Guaynabo this week, in an area called Caimito, and it's been pretty fun. We have also been helping to teach our recent converts, and it's great to see them keep growing and progressing in the gospel.

New Car

We switched out our Corolla for a new 2014 Chevy Cruze - it's a pretty nice car. No, I still haven't had the chance to get a picture with Pres. Smartt yet, but we have meetings together all day on Thursday, so I'll be sure to get one then. :) Sorry!

Anyway, I love you all so much. It's unreal how fast the time has gone - it's already almost halfway through August... and we just started!! Agh! But yeah, I love you all so much and look forward to hearing from you next week!

Con mucho amor

Elder Kimball Ray Gardner

Puerto Rico San Juan Mission

Week 42: Good Progress and a New Car

Well, the crazy P-days just don't want to stop for Elder Gardner! Haha goodness... long day today, but I'll get to that in a second.

Mom - I'm sorry to hear about all that.. :( I guess all we can really do is keep praying and fasting. I love you, Mom! And thanks for the blood type haha. I got that today, and still don't have my license so… it all works out! Probably won't get it until next week haha... long story. And Dad's talk sounds wonderful, I'm sad I missed it. :)
Dad - I'm sorry I missed your talk! It sounds like it was great! And that's too bad BYU lost... I was hoping for some revenge from last year.... :( Oh well. Life moves on, right? And have you sent a package or anything yet? Just wondering to see if you had and just hasn't come yet, because (more explanation coming), I'm in Bayamon today, and there was no mail there for me. So just wondering. Anyway, I'm sad I'm missing the Halloween season, but I'm glad you two are having fun! And thank you for Elder Perry's words, I will study them more in depth when I get home.
Marilee - I just wrote you. :)

Well, an interesting week! We almost met our goal of 10 member present lessons, but just fell short, with 8. Interviews were actually really good. President and I had a nice talk about how different things are now in the area, and how I've changed for the better. He then asked me what he could do to help, and I worked up the courage and showed the faith to ask for a car... and he said yes! A ton of responsibility has come with it though, as he wants us to use it to reactivate an inactive mission-age young man and get him on a mission before he ends as President. Wow. But we'll do it. So that was interviews!
 

With Elder Caal in the new car. Happiness!

Today we had to come up to San Juan for Elder Perez, the companion of Elder Durfee, because he has kidney stones and he needed some tests, and then we had to pick up our car from the office. So now I'm here in some university in Bayamon to write you guys haha. And we have a car! I'll send pictures of it next week. :) I'm so happy! Now we can get to our whole area! But yeah, it's been a crazy day and we haven't done any normal P-day stuff yet besides email, and it's 4:00. Yikes. And we have to drive all the way back to Guayanilla tonight. Great. But it's all good, life will shortly get back to normal haha... hopefully.

Anyway, this week could be a week of miracles. This Saturday/Sunday is the Ponce Stake Conference, and the ZL's want us to be able to have our bishops baptize someone Saturday night and be confirmed Sunday morning in front of the entire stake, and a general authority. That's eleven baptisms (one for each companionship), and it would be incredible for the stake, and I think it's a great idea. So hopefully I'll have some great news for you next Monday!!

But yeah, this past week was pretty good, we were able to have some good lessons and help a couple of investigators keep progressing toward baptism. We had a good lesson yesterday with a couple, named Carlos and Rosie, and they seemed pretty interested. He was reading the Book of Mormon before we had even left, and she said that she was definitely going to pray. They seemed a bit confused, but as they read and pray, the understanding will come.

And so I guess that's about it! I don't have a ton of time today, because we still have a lot to do, but it looks to be a great week! Working in Peñuelas, Macana, and Consejo Alto will be great. :) But know that I love you all! I'm so thankful that we are sealed together for time and all eternity as a family, and that as long as we keep doing what we need to do, everything will work out. Thank you for everything that you do and for all your support. I love you all so much!

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Elder Kimball Ray Gardner

Puerto Rico San Juan Mission