Oct. 31, 2009

We were blessed to find a great house for the staff this past week, 4 bedrooms 3 bathrooms, right across the street from president’s house, great neighbors, and 5 min from the office and maybe ten from the hospital. This new place will be the "mission hotel" for those arriving, those leaving, as well as those who are sick and are receiving treatment. In the down times though, Elder Cook and I will get a little spilled with a spacious mansion to our own. Also as a cool side note, the owner is now interested in the church, and our last pass through the house ended up turning into a little discussion about the plan of salvation. She'll probably be one of the easiest investigators to follow up with, seeing as she lives on the ground floor below us.

Elder C. is an amazing missionary and we've really connected in this short period of time we've already been together. Interestingly enough we seem to share a lot of experiences and attitudes, I really have to say he reminds me of me. We are going to finish combining with the elders quorum here on Sunday to do splits with them and help in reactivation of the (probably) several hundred inactive members in the ward. I'm really looking forward to doing missionary work again especially with a companion like Elder C.

The 60 referrals will be going to the missionaries in Amaralina, it’s technically their area and they could really do some good with them there.

Elder L. (who was sick) went home this past week, it was a sad moment as we walked out the door to grab a taxi for the airport, then leaving him at the gate knowing I very well may not see him before I leave for home. Oh, and mom you can relax, I'm fine :p, he wasn't contagious when he was on the antibiotics. (Not to mention I’ve already been vaccinated and I'm in the Lord's service)
his treatment could take up to a year, during which if he picked up even the common cold from someone on the street he could die. So, for they decided to send him home for a period of time.

Well, congrats to all who contributed to the soon to be (if not already) completed 2000 piece puzzle. Speaking of pieces, President Vecchi just came back from a conference where all the Mission Presidents of Brazil went to hear from Elder Scott and some area authorities and he shared a cool analogy with us that was given at the conference. Imagine a man, who has a bunch of parts to a really nice car in front of him, (Mercedes, something or other) within this mass of car parts, the man finds the carburetor, likes the look of it, shines it up, puts it in a nice place and spends much time examining it and taking joy in it's beauty. Is the man happy with it? Of course, but imagine how much more joy he could have if took those parts, put them all together and had the whole car before him? How much greater could his joy be. This can be applied in many different ways to many different things, but at the moment Elder Scott was speaking about learning of and writing down that which we receive concerning the "parts" of the "gospel Mercedes" we have available to us in these the last days. None of the general authorities came to the knowledge and spirituality they have today without effort. Just like becoming professional at playing an instrument or any sport, we have to spend the time working in accordance with true principles to achieve the goals and heights we wish to attain.

I know that God and Jesus Christ our Savior do to and am grateful for their love and patience, in the name of Jesus Christ, amém.

Elder Pettit