Letter #25 (April 27, 2009)

I had another great week. I was called to be a district leader. I got a new companion. His name is Elder McPharlin. He's from Holiday, Utah. He's been on his mission for 20 months. We're getting along and we have good harmony in our teaching. I had my first district meeting last Wednesday. I was nervous beforehand but I prayed much and I was guided. The meeting went really well.

Corey Sims got the Aaronic Priesthood yesterday during Priesthood meeting. I was so happy for him! Beverly came to church again. Her baptismal date is on May 9th. All she have to do is obey the word of wisdom for the next 2 weeks and she'll be baptized. I've been praying mornings, during the day, and at night for her and our other investigators in my personal and companionship prayers. I know that its going to be tough for them to get baptized and that they need my faith and prayers to strengthen them. We've been teaching this 65 year-old named Walter. He has had a tough month with his landlord committing suicide and then having to move and find a new location. He has had some health problems as well. He paints for a living. We've been teaching him for 2 months. He works a lot so its been hard to catch him. But he loves what we have to say. He's been to church once. We went to his house last Thursday. His daughter said that he's working on his new house which was walking distance from his current home. He went to see him. He was painting the wall of his house. We spoke briefly with him. I told him that he's been in our prayers. Then I left him with a prayer. He was grateful! He said that he might come to church.

I blessed the sacrament for the first time on my mission yesterday. It felt really good. As I was sitting behind the sacrament table, I saw Walter enter the chapel. How great was my joy! I looked down at Elder McPharlin at where he was sitting. He must've saw Walter at the same time I did. We both looked at each other with great awe and excitement. It meant a lot to see Walter come to church despite this busy and stressful time of his life. We're going to continue to work with him!

I love this work. God is a God of miracles.

Love, Elder Olaya