Tuesday, February 19, 2013

February 19, 2013

Hi Mom, 

Life sounds like it is fun back home! That is always good to hear. Sean Fenner was baptized on Saturday and I confirmed him on Sunday, I had never done that before, but it was a wonderful experience to give the gift of the Holy Ghost and give a blessing. We gave a lot of blessings this week. I am grateful for the priesthood and the opportunity I have to get to use it often. We always call in the home teachers first, but in emergencies we are there in a flash.

A little clarification on last week's CrazyRadar, the drunk/drugged guy we met was harmless. There have been times when situations have been potentially dangerous, but just another reason why I am thankful for the Holy ghost is because we know that we need to leave. 

This week we don't have too many meetings to plan for and no other big meetings to go to, so we are happy to just be out talking to everyone and making lots of visits. We are still teaching the "3 amigos" (Jilbert, Brian and Marcos), they came to the baptism and they said they want to be baptized, so they are working towards March 9! We have been trying to help their parents come to church, but they just support their boys in learning more and do not want to come themselves. the parents like that we teach them why they shouldn't join gangs. It really hit me hard this week why I need to help these boys. President Cook stresses that missionaries need to have urgency in the work. We hear about people that "plant seeds" and that is true, there are those people we talk to who have hearts only open enough to say thanks, but no thanks. I am convinced though, that there are also those who are "white already to harvest". We could treat the amigos like we are planting a seed and waiting until they are further along in life for someone else to come along and help them receive the restored gospel, and that might be the best course of action for them. However, if we do not do all that we can do and we find that they got involved with gangs and one got shot, I would feel a bullet pierce my own heart. 

We met a man whose son is in jail right now because of gang violence and we told the amigos about this and they really understood. The cool hanging out, leads to cool fights and stuff, but what they don't want to accept is that it gets out of hand and there are consequences. The man whose son is in jail had told his son these things, but the son did not listen. he said he would do anything to help his son, but the son would not let him help. That morning I had read Alma 19 and a scripture in that chapter came to mind (I can't remember it now, but when I needed it, it was brought to my remembrance). The scripture talked about how Ammon was preserved because of his father's prayers in his behalf. The man was comforted by that scripture. 

I am grateful for loved ones who pray for me that I may be safe and do the work that I am here to do. I know that this work is the work of God and I want to really do all that I can to help bring to pass his purpose. 

Pictures next week!

Peace and Love -Elder Chandler

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