December 17, 2012
So if I end up staying
this transfer I will skype you from the Drasbecks around 2 my time! The dad
sent dad a request to accept his name and stuff on skype already! Also I can
call before just to make sure everything is worked out! If I do get transferred
lets hope my comp will have everything worked out so we can skype, but if not I
wouldn't mind calling :D also don't worry about the calle shirts! no problems!
"joscardo ochoa" fyi :)
So this past week
something funny haha. We got a referral in the mail and it was saying how good
it should be and that is was "gold" so we were like sweet! So we get
there and at first couldn't find the house, then we realized it was a
store...this man sells "gold" haha, he is pretty strange but might
have some slight potential. He is always some how bringing guns into the
conversation haha. He'll be like "say someone points a gun to your head
and asks 'what do you think about evolution, what are you gonna say'?"
weird stuff like that.
On Friday we had our Cchristmas
conference! It was good. They had a little talent show, Elder Ochoa played,
then a little devotional, then lunch, then Pres and Sis Riggs passed out little
packages from them! It was really sweet and great. They made me special gluten
free mint chocolate brownies! They were way good. I'm just so surprised every time
how good everyone takes care of me! In fact, Saturday morning we got invited to
the reston ward's christmas brunch, and some how word traveled and one of the
ladies ran to the store the night before to get me GF waffles! just crazy stuff
like that! It’s unreal the love, it really touches my heart! I am so grateful,
also so grateful to be a missionary! Also I met a guy from the reston ward who
knows uncle chris lifferth! His name is mike bear, he said they are good
friends? I think its uncle chris, unless there is another chris lifferth I don'
know?
We've been teaching 2
homeless guys lately who are actually progressing rapidly! One has almost read
the entire BOM!!! They came to the reston brunch and they didn't want to leave
because of how good they felt! It was funny! We kept asking hey you guys ready?
"no not yet, lets just stay" they'd say. It was great! Then on Sunday
we ran with a member to pick them up from the library and brought them to
church!! They loved it! I asked pres what to do with baptizing homeless people
because on the records you need to fill out all their info! Javier who is 19 is
actually on date for jan 26! ha it’s so great. They both are a referral from Carlos.
The other I think I've told you about him before Timoteo! he had been gone for
awhile, but he came back and we just picked up where we left off! They are so
humble and willing to change and follow The Savior! They carry their BOMs
everywhere with them and their bibles :)
Last night after
church we had a special dinner with the Copans family! They are in the Oakton
ward. That was Ochoa's first area! It was great, they had really good
hamburgers and ice cream and hot chocolate. Really great family! Their son just
got home from his mission from south africa a year ago and he showed me a ton
of pics! Me and him talked a lot. He said he spent one tranfer in the Nashville
mission waiting for his visa, he didn't know anyone but small world.
Yesterday sitting in
the Gospel Doctrines class, I was looking around just a heart full of love for
all the people we have been working with. More than half the class is from people
we've been working hard with! It’s great how much love and great friendships
come because of the gospel, because of the Savior! We can all have love and be
happy because of Christ! I personally am so grateful for our Savior, because of
Him I can be on a mission, I can serve Him and bring more people to Him. Because
of Him I have all of you and your love, because of Him we can live together
forever with God. I know He lives and loves everyone with perfect Charity. I
know He knows exactly how we feel. I know He went to our darkest and hardest
times in life so we can over come those times only with His help. I am eternally
grateful for all He's done.
So do ya'll have any
great plans coming up!!?? I hope so! I hope you all enjoy the holidays and remember
why we celebrate them.
The other day I got a
package from chris porter with a wrapped gift! I'll be saving it for Christmas
to open it haha! but man...what a great guy huh! love him!
There is this food
that I really love and mom used to make it and it just brings back memories! It’s
the plate with rice, french fries, meat and grilled onions and peppers. I can't
remember the name but man...it’s so delicious! It’s good eating it. I believe
it’s from peru! It’s kind of a funny mix of foods, but the outcome is so good haha!
That’s sweet about all
the snow! We still have none... hopefully it can snow for Christmas here! Miss
it! I bet the mountains are just stunning! Miss those too hahaha.
Also....sad stuff
going on in the world!!! All the shootings...in Oregon and Connecticut (?) It’s
terrible...yesterday in elder’s quorum we had a lesson of really the only thing
we can do during dangerous and perilous times is to live righteously! and we do
so by being 100% obedient! If we are obedient to all things God commands we
will be ok, it’s just that simple. I try my best and I felt like I've learned
that from mom and pops! thanks <3 haha I challenge all to try to just put in
just a tad more effort to be that much more obedient! It’s not always easy but
it is always worth it!
A recent convert was
bearing his testimony and one thing he said stood out to me (he quoted a song):
love isn't love until you give it away. That got me thinking about God and
Christ and us. God loves us that He gave us His only begotten son. God love
Christ because He was willing to give Him away. Mom and dad and all the other
parents love their kids because they are willing to give them away because of
love. We give that gospel away because we love it! We give ourselves and our
time to others because we love them! Thats why it’s so important to have
charity! Pray to have it and then use it!
Well family, I just
love you all so much and I am so grateful for everything you do! I hope you can
all feel the love I have for you because I can feel yours'. Thanks for your
great examples. Can't wait to skype or call ya'll! It'll be great. Everyone
here says that a Christmas on your mission is the best Christmas ever! Was that
how it was for you, dad? Just all the love you get from everyone and all the service
and love you give. It’s great!
Love you all!
Con amor,
Elder Andrew Lifferth
ps I had a dream we
were all together for Christmas and I was just crying because of the joy I felt
haha. I remember Stephen gave me a gift and I just lost it haha great dream
huh?! Love you all <3
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