Change and become better

Dear Family,

Well, I will answer the big question up front and first so that mom and family can see it. I will be skyping next week on Monday the 9th for me, but for the family it will be Sunday afternoon about 5 in the afternoon. So on Sunday have the family all together so we can chop it up like real folk one last time. 

This week was super hard and also full of so much revelation and spirit. I have really found my purpose these last few weeks with me and Elder Crichton working as hard as we can to get the work moving around here. I am just going to focus on the highlights of the week because I really don't have much time right now but we will get to talk next week. All the siblings get your questions and write them down so you can remember. 

Thursday was the second day of Mission Leader Training and by far the best day I have had in a good long time. A couple days ago the APs called and asked me if I would give a training on the Christ Like Attribute Obedience. I was kinda taken back because it is a known fact in the beginning of my mission I was not the most rule following Elder. But these last few months I made a commitment to change and become better. I guess the APs and President noticed and they asked my to share my experience and battles with Obedience. I used the Atonement to teach and the spirit was so strong by the end of my training even President Aquino was crying. I can say it was just one more of the many turning points in a mission. 

Saturday we had baptismal interviews in Lapuz and that was a super fun time. I interviewed Sister Daisy and for only being 18 years old she has a plan for her life. After her interview we talked about her serving a mission and she was so happy and committed to prepare to serve one year from her baptism. Later that night we help the Mandurriao sisters get ready for their baptism. While me and my comp have hit a little rut, the sisters in the other area have been going hard and had 4 baptisms in the last little bit with more on the way. 

Monday has been a crazy day we woke up and help Elder Stevens pack his bags because he goes home today. After we headed over to Lapaz Plaza for our last big day of sports. My knee has been doing better but as we were about to finish a game I started to sprint with the ball and felt a big pop in the back of my thigh. I think it might be just a bad sprain but I will keep an eye on it. I just cant seem to get fully healthy these days. I will also be getting a new comp tomorrow. Elder Crichton will be transferring to my homeland of Antique. He is very excited and so am I. One more transfer as a Zone Leader and Mandurriao Elder. 

I love you all and hope that I will be able to get a hold of you for some Skype. I love my mission right now and would not trade it for anything in the world. 

Love Elder Swanton

 

Time for a test

Dear Family,

First off congrats mom for being done with school I wish I could say that I was done and on my way to a career but I have a long road ahead haha. This week was awesome because of the many spiritual experiences that happened and all that I was able to learn from them. 

Thursday we had interviews with President Aquino. The gossip I have been hearing from the office Elders is that I will be stepping down and heading off to some area that needs some help. We also had 72 hours kit checks from Sister Aquino. The good news is that I passed and for once in my mission I had all the things she wanted from us. Step one down and the next step is my interview with President. When I got into the room it was very cold. He love to keep the room cold to make us Utahns at home hahah but anyways it was super fun he said he was proud of the Elder that I had become and also that if I wanted I could choose were I go next. I suggested San Lorenzo Gumerias. The hardest area in the mission but for some reason it is the only place that I can think of going that will really test what kind of Elder I am. President said he will think about it and get back to me. Step two check and then it was back to work in the hottest day ever. 

Friday I got to work with my boy Elder Tracy the AP South. We had a fantastic day in the blazing hot sun teaching people the gospel even most of them just wanted to get home to their Electric Fans. Later that night was when we had some cool things happen. We were walking down an alley that almost two years ago on my first day in the mission I walked down. Then all of a sudden I remembered this family that I visited and how great they were. Elder Tracy said lets go and somehow I remembered exactly how to get to their house. It was also in the complete dark so that is how crazy it was. As it turns out they just had a brother die in their family so it was the best time ever for us to go and ask the family if we could help them with anything. As we left with a prayer, the mother started crying and thanking us for coming. After all this time the missionary's came back and she was so happy. When we got back to the house we both just started laughing because if I had not gone with Elder Tracy on this exact day and been on that exact road we would have never found them. The lord has a plan for all of us. 

It may not seem like to much for some people back home, but for us it's a big deal. I am so grateful for this week and all the blessings that come from being a missionary. I would not trade this for anything, anyone, or any amount. I can't wait to see all of you on Mothers day next week I will get you the details and what will be happening. 

Love Elder Swanton