A Better View


After yet another Uber/InDriver car ride to an almost fashionably late appointment, we went across the highway and over a tall hill overlooking the great expanse of Hermosillo. I couldn't see the whole city but it was enough for me to finally see a beautiful blend of green hills and the familiar casitas. It was the first time I could finally see the city as a beautiful image rather than simply my mission stomping grounds. 

 My companion reassured me many times this week that this was one of the hardest weeks of all his mission. There were many problems with some of our friends involving their interesting wizard neighbors, getting evicted, loss of hope and faith, etc. It didn’t help that we got sick from the heat too. 

 Yesterday, we visited an inactive mother whose boyfriend has some interest in the gospel. We had been with this family before on my 3rd day here in México. That day my panicked gringo expressions made them laugh as i sulked in confusion. I wasn’t able to understand them at all. Sadly I hoped not to return back to that house so I wouldn’t be laughed at. 

 When we came back yesterday, I still had moments of confusion that required explanations, but I tried to speak with confidence and a hope of charity in my heart for them. We sang The Spirit of God together after I had given some advice about the Spirit to the daughter about receiving her Patriarchal Blessing. We taught the first lesson and showed a video of the First Vision. There was a clear Spirit in the room. The boyfriend explained to us how he felt with his questions and how his family had certain religious expectations for him even though he had doubts. 

 We asked the daughter to share her testimony of the Book of Mormon and as she did the man began to cry. He felt a very deep influence of the light of Christ and the Spirit. Everyone in the room felt it. For me, it was a simple true love--a charitable love that Heavenly Father has for him and it was clear. For my companion, it was a hope that he had been needing all week that also brought him to tears as he gave a baptismal invitation. 

 Each person in that room received the message that they needed from the Spirit. I’m so grateful I learned to see that view. I haven’t been here very long, but I trust that I will slowly, little by little, grace for grace, be able to see all beauties that lie here in Sonora. 

 Nikan tuna ka mila (nee-khan too-nah kah mee-la) (A dialect that I believe is called Nadtwat from the south part of Mexico one of our 12 year old investigators is teaching me named Cesar-David. It means "Here, it makes hot.") 

 Elder d'Evegnee

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