Week 55: 11 Months Left

May 31, 2023

Sorry I haven't written in so long. These past two months have been... interesting... to say the least. We've been grinding through being sick these past two months, little to no interest from the majority of people here, stress, anxiety, depression, losing focus, etc. Despite everything, we've only stayed for like 4 days this transfer, we still joked and laughed through everything going on, and despite literally all odds, we hosted a wedding, and right after, two baptisms. Now we have tons of references, we're not sick anymore, and the stress, anxiety, etc. I don't feel it anymore. These two months have been the absolute most difficult I've had in the mission, but this time has also been the greatest blessing I've received, and I wouldn't have changed a thing. I've seen the immense change that has occurred in me over this past year, and I've also found more things I can improve. Never at any moment did I feel like it was too much. I held stronger to the faith the harder things got, and I can testify of the power that comes through Christ. I testify of the words of our Prophet, that it's harder to search for happiness where we can't find it. That Christ is always the answer. I've learned more of Him and His love for me personally. I know He has this same love for everyone. My desire to serve has increased. My love of Christ and His Gospel has grown. Everything about my being is altered as I draw closer to Christ. His love is what changes hearts. His example is what leads us to our Father in Heaven.


A thought I've had recently is how Christ is the ultimate Therapist. He is always there. He always listens. He always has something to say to help guide us. He always loves us. He understands perfectly. He never wavers nor falters. He is perfect. He is Love.

As such an amazing Therapist, He's written amazing books to help us heal and grow. His two best sellers are the Bible and The Book of Mormon. He's taught others His ways to help guide us as well. These men are Prophets, Apostles, and His missionaries. They are His helpers, to do nothing more than spread His message of love and healing.

He loves us so much, He's not only given us helpers and books, but a program that we can apply personally in our lives to help us learn and grow, and even to become His helpers too! This program is called the Gospel of Jesus Christ, found within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This program is open to everyone, requiring only a broken heart, a contrite spirit, and a desire to change. He invites all to come unto Him.

I already only have 11 months left, and it's kind of sad to think about. Obviously I'm excited to go home and see everyone but there's still a lot of things I want to accomplish here, and I honestly don't know if I have enough time to do it all. Regardless, I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to be here. Not everyone has that blessing. I've grown so much here, and I just want to keep going.

2 Nephi 4:16-34

"16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.
22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.
23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.
24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.
25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.
26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?
27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.
31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?
32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!
33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.
34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.
35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen."

~Elder Owens

Making chicharrones, fried pork rind.















Marleny and Eduardo being married on May 29, 2023.

Marleny Guacamaya and Eduardo Aquino on their baptism day.





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