This week has been super awesome!!!
Thursday: February 16th, 2017
We did a lot of preparation today for the baptism of Maureen! We washed and cleaned out the font on exchanges today and we also got to see a familiar face! Elder Avanesjan(or Mika) came down to visit and we bumped into him at the temple which was crazy! He's been gone for nearly 9 months now and it is just super crazy. He shared a lot about how hard it is to transition back into life and is just something we need to be prepared for.
Friday: February 17th, 2017
Well, Elder Dey and I were on exchange tonight and because he has been recovering from a knee injury and so we didn't do to much. I played basketball tonight against one of the youth and his friends and we made a wager on the game. Needless to say, they had to come to the baptism and church this weekend... :)
Saturday: February 18th, 2017
The greatest day and way to finish my time in Crawley... We had the baptism of Maureen today and it was powerful!!! There were so many tears of joy from everyone and it was just the most sacred experience for all of us and it was amazing! A perfect way to finish off my time in Crawley and to be able to have a spiritual high heading into my last area in Peckham! Dream area and I get to serve with Elder Green who is from Australia! We have had some good exchanges in the past and now we get to serve as Zone Leaders together for at least one transfer for sure! We'll see what God has planned. After Maureen's baptism and the baptisms in Brighton, we went and celebrated with Five Guys again before the exchanges were done! I am so grateful for baptism and the joy it brings to the human heart and soul but more importantly, the spiritual cleansing that occurs as we embark on a journey in following our Lord and Savior into the waters. Sometimes... we must walk the shores of life before appreciating the waters of eternity.
Last Sunday in the wonderful area of Crawley and it was a grand one. We had a great church service and confirmation of Maureen where we gave her her own set of scriptures and she was overjoyed at the gift! I still can't believe that I served 9 months in Crawley... went by so quick and felt like a blur. We spent some time having meal appointments with the Hunt's, Ryan's, Stamp's(Saturday night), and Brother Simcock. Still can't believe that this chapter has come to a close and now my last chapter for 11 weeks has begun. I'm so excited for what is to come and what we will be able to accomplish in the time that we have together.
Monday: February 20th, 2017
We had accounting today and then another baptismal dinner where we were able to share Muareen's story and also heat the story of all the missionaries that attended about their friends who had made it to baptism! Also had a tender moment with a phone call to home with President's permission as I headed out into a new responsibility. Crazy to hear the voices of your family over a phone(usually skype) and it was just really nice to hear from them for a short moment. President and I then had some closing remarks from the time we have served so closely together these past 9 months and then we talked about the rest of my mission:) I've loved every minute of being an assistant. It is a pure blessing and great opportunity to learn and grow at such a rapid rate under the guidance of President. I'm going to miss it but with every calling comes a future release and that time has now come and the Lord needs my efforts elsewhere and it just happened to be in London for my last 11 weeks. It's going to be a blast!
Tuesday: February 21st, 2017
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| Reunion! |
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| #LastCrawleySundaySelfie |
dreams come true.(but I also know my labors are needed here for the area and for the missionaries) We picked up missionaries and helped them while they were waiting for their companions to come in and then we did some preparation for the night and did some quick planning and then had a wonderful Tuesday night activity with some of the members and friends here that are looking into the church. Crazy seeing a lot of familiar faces and it just feels like home again haha. I'M SO EXCITED! We had our first taste of Peckham already with fufu and Okra soup!!! It burned but it was so good... haven't had African food in a while and it reminded me of the good ol times in Reading with Elder Mayes. So much to look forward to here in Peckham and just getting the rest of the work done that the Lord has prepared for me and my companion to do but also the wonderful harvest that is ready for the zone to gather.
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| Exotic watermelon..! |
Wednesday: February 22nd, 2017
Today we will be heading into the Imperial War Museum together with us and the Kennington elders(we live together)(#4ManFlats) and then we will be doing some sport. If you have any ideas of fun activities you've heard or seen in the South of London, let us know! We are trying to make a bucket list of things to do for the next 6 weeks together on preparation days!
Verses of the Week:
Book of Mormon:
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| Last Office Lunch |
I was in my studies this week in Alma 19 and I found something peculiar that made me think and ponder and I found a gem in the Book of Mormon that President didn't even know about. It was pretty cool to see how the Spirit taught me something there that I've never noticed before. So in Alma 19, King Lamoni and his wife are a similitude to Jesus and Mary Magdalene. There are some similarities of both stories and King Lamoni of course connects with Christ who was down for two days and two nights and on the third day he rose again. While he was "dead", his wife was waiting by his side until he rose(which is similar to Mary waiting at the tomb). Then, when Lamoni finally rises, he stretches forth his hand(similar to Christ stretching forth His hand) and says something to his wife(the queen) and Jesus also says something to Mary. There were a lot of similarities to both sides of the story and this is prior to the coming of Christ so in other words... God is a God who works in patterns to show and prepare the way for the coming and understanding of His Son. A good study to go check for yourself!
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| Fresher Than Fresh... |
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| Big Joe! |
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| The End of the Three Englandites... |
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| The Hunt's! Such an amazing family! |
Doctrine and Covenants:
D&C 62:3
"Nevertheless, ye are blessed, for the testimony which ye have borne is record in heaven for the angles to look upon; and they rejoice over you, and your sins are forgiven you."
I am so excited to finish in a wonderful area with wonderful members, missionaries, and people to find, teach, and baptize in these last 11 weeks! I have some goals and plans set to get things going and we really want to make this zone explode in these last few weeks!!!
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| February Baptismal Dinner! |
#LondonPride!
Love,
-Elder Rivera
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