307 days

Sorry for not writing ya'll last week. I was a bit busy. But I'm trying to change that. This week has had its ups and downs. I had a good time on Monday. We relaxed at home a good while. Then after that we went to the institute building to see some members there. I met mamma Yates, a member that loves missionaries. We talked for a while and also played some ping-pong. We had a good time. After our preparation day was over, we went to the St. John's elders' house to start our exchanges. I served in that area not too long ago. I had a blast being back in my old area. We visited a lot of my recent converts and most of the members of the spanish group. It brought back a lot of memories. I had a great time that exchange. I hope that I get to have a lot more like that.

For a few days my companion was feeilng sick. He had an upset stomach and felt really bad. A lot of members say that it was a virus, but I think that he ate something that didn't go well with his stomach.A few days ago, we found a girl that was looking for the church. She was an active member in Mexico but she moved here two years ago and she has been inactive since. We encouraged her to go back to church and to invite her boyfriend. She looks like she really wants to come back. Lets see what happens!

We had a bar-be-que with a bunch of the members of our spanish group. We went to Hermano Diaz's house to eat with them. They seriously bought a whole cow. We so much! And the worst thing is that by the time we left, there was still food left. And it was a lot of people, around 30. It was good though. I had not eaten that much in a while. An ex-missionary visited us there. He was companion with my companion a while ago and we talked for a long time. He is also my trainer's trainer. It was nice!

On Sunday I had my first confirmations. First I confirmed Leticia Luna and my companion confirmed Alfonzo, her husband. After that I went to my last area to confirm Jesus Gutierrez. It was a neat experience to be able to confirm some one a member of the church. It took us a while but we finally did it.

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Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net).

Bitter-Sweet

Well today was a bitter-sweet day. Im excited to transfer to Gresham and work hard alongside Elder Revolorio. I know that we will accomplish a lot of good there. I know he is a good missionary that knows how to work and is devoted to the work. We are going to get along really well. This transfer is going to be sweet!
On the other hand I feel like I had a lot more time with my companion, Elder Davis. We were barely starting to get the area back on track. We have a couple of baptismal dates and we were going to set a few more. Leaving the branch was hard. I felt like I had some more stuff to do there, but the Lord calls whom he needs. It was also bitter to see Elder Battaglia go home. We became really good friends and to see him just throw away 8 months of his life was hard. It really made me think of the reason that I'm here and as I was thiking I thought of all the people that I have helped come unto Christ. I'm not here to become a better person or to meet other people. I'm here to serve the Lord and that's what I intend to do. I love the Oregon Portland Mission!!! This week has had a lot of ups and downs but its all part of the mission. We have found a lot of people that are ready to come to Christ. Too bad that I had to leave. But I'm ready to start looking for people in Gresham. The Lord called me here for a reason and I'm going to find out why. I love ya'll, take care!!!
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Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)