SHE SAID "YES" TO THE DRESS!

Elder Coronel, Isabel and Me

The best experience this week was the baptism we had for Isabel, I got to perform the ordinance and so it was somewhat nerve wracking but I managed to do it without messing up.   I was nervous for the first 20 seconds or so, but I did it all correctly the first time which is great that I could make it a great experience for her. But she is just the sweetest person, always wanting to cook things for us and she gives us candy too. We had a good turn out of members and the talks were well prepared for her.  I  was super excited all day for the baptism that I didn't pack all the things I would need, such as a towel, change of clothes, etc...  I only brought my white clothes.  But its an experience to learn from.  We also got two great references from our members this week which makes all the difference.  In this area all the baptisms in the past 3 months have been references.  The people we meet in the street are great, but when an investigator has the support of a member it really opens doors for the spirit to testify.  The people that we've  met were hoping to have a baptism for them in the final week of the transfer.  We are hoping for about 5 or 6 in the next 3 weeks, so keep our gators in your prayers.  

Otherwise the English classes that I teach are going okay but because of the baptisms the past 2 weeks we haven't had the English classes but its going to be a good week for them this week. 

As for the language I say I'm maybe at about 30% and that may be pushing it.  There are still so many blank spaces for me.  But we had a lesson the other night and it was great, I understood and could respond to everything, it really makes a difference if the spirit is there or not.  When I have the spirit in a lesson I can hear and understand the lesson and words without having to even think of them, 

The weather here was about 60 degrees all week with only a little rain so nothing like Juneau, Alaska.

I AM A CHILD OF GOD....and so are you!

We have a baptism for Isabel this Saturday, she has her interview tomorrow and then we have the week to prepare everything,  I´m not sure if I get to baptize her or Elder Coronel, but it doesn't matter to me.  It's our investigator and so we both get to share in the joy of the moment.  We also found a couple of families this week.  One family, Oscar and Katie, are super nice.  Katie has had some trouble with her children in the past but we were able to teach a little about the plan of salvation with them and it really brought the light in their eyes.  My English class is OK   I think that I´m going to be teaching an English class in my area and in the other elders area as well since I´m the only English speaking person in the area.  Also the other Elders had a baptism with Cesar, finally, on Saturday.  It was a great experience, even though he isn't in my area, I still consider him one of my investigators since Elder Coronel and I taught him when the other Elders had other appointments to go to.  He´s the same age as Jamie and after this year he wants to serve a mission  (to Chicago, wink wink).  But it really was a great conversion story for him.  He just  walked into the chapel one day and asked what we believed and we took it from there.  It took him 6 weeks to be baptized but that is a miracle in itself when all our members tell us it took many of them months and months or years to be baptized. But overall it was a great week here in Colombia.    I am a Child of God! 

ME AND GOLIATH

GOLIATH AND ME (ELDER ZAMORANO)

WARD FAMILY

NEW SCRIPTURE COVER

3 STOOGES

This week was pretty good for us. We managed to overcome our goal for lessons thanks to our members who are super ready to help us out with anything.  We didn't have many investigators this week or I should say lessons with them this week because most of them went out of town for the big soccer game.  It was between Ecuador and Colombia. Colombia won!   The best part of the week was the lesson Ayer con Hmo. Henau.  We taught Jose and he has a lot of problems with drugs right now, but he is really wanting to change his life and we taught a lesson for about an hour which I thought was the longest thing in the world, but he was super willing to do anything to turn his life around.  We told him that we were going to set up an appointment with the bishop to help him out and just as we walk out the door the bishop is standing there ready to knock on it.  Elder Coronel and I had been on a short split so he had found the bishop about 5 or 6 minutes earlier and had told him to come over and talk to Jose.  The hand of the Lord in all things, I'm telling you.  As for transfers, I am still in Suba Rincon, Jordan 2 Ward.  But Elder Zamorano was transferred to another area in Bogata Acerca de las Oficinas.  But he is super excited to leave he´s been here for about 6 months.  I'm hoping that after this transfer I can go somewhere else.  I find that 2 transfers is enough time in one place for me.  As for the English class I THINK we´re going to have another class with the Elders in Jordan 1 to help them out with their stuff as well since I¨m the only one that can speak English.  Great transfer we had about 150 lessons total.  So to my brothers in Florida this is the difference when you get to be surrounded by Hispanos.  So its not you, its the area. 
Love you all.

Elder Bandy

For my cousin Shawna, ENSERIO!!!!!   Por supuesto es después que yo llegué acá en Colombia, pero enserio, cada cosa pasa cuando yo salgo la país.  por lo tonto,  voy a regresar a la casa cuando el niño tiene casi un año.  Felicitaciones!   I'm writing her in Spanish so that she will have to work for the message.  

ON LOCK DOWN...SHORT AND SWEET!

SUBA COLOMBIA

 
As for the baptisms we were stuck in the house for 2 days because of some demonstrations in the area.  So I got to practice my Rubiks Cube and learn some new card games. The baptisms are being moved to this week or next week so we´ll see what we can do.  I don´t have my camera on me so no pictures today, but I´ll see if I can send some this week otherwise it will have to wait until next week.   It's frustrating at times to be understood but in a year I¨ll be able to speak the language with the habilidad que quiero (more skill).  We have transfers next week, but I¨ll be in Suba at least one more transfer.  As for the English classes they are still the highlight of the week for me.  I don´t speak as well as I would like, but I can teach the basics of English with pretty good ability. Hmo. y Hma. Abene congratulations from me, same for Britney and Stetsen.   And also for Kye and Josh,  BOTH OF THEIR RECEPTIONS  IN 1 WEEK!!!!!  Congratulations to both of them.  As for the fruit its called a grenadine.  It is super, super delicioso.   I have one every morning or so. I was going to play golf on my personal day but  I can´t play golf here because its super expensive. For example,  to play an Inwood style course it's like 60 bucks.  Thanks everyone for reading my blog!  Keep the prayers coming.  It really does help.  Thank you to everyone that writes to me.  It means a lot!  Remember that the absence of God does not bring peace.