Family!
It has been 9 days since I was last able to talk to you, so there is no way I will be able to go day by day and explain, but I will do my best to relate the happenings of the past week and a half to you all. It was actually a really good week and I know at the end of every single night as I report on my work for the day to the Lord, he is happy with my efforts. It is really an amazing feeling to know that Heavenly Father and his son approve of a day's efforts...helps you sleep a lot better thats for sure.
Those steps are the rainbow steps in watts where all these different taggers from all these different gangs have tagged over the years, making it look completely rainbow and that other sign about the homies in the hood is quite real haha there is a little memorial thing there I guess to remember all the homies that have been killed...not in the best part of town, was kinda scared to take my camera out to snag the shot, but it turned out just fine :)
So last Monday on the 4th of July was actually a really good day, despite the odd schedule. It consisted of a few finding hours which was good because people were home and with family. It also consisted of the most illegal fireworks being blown up that I have ever seen! haha it was awesome!! Little latin kids just running around with things flaming and exploding out of their hands, one extra large firework falling over as they lit it was the highlight. We stood up on our balcony area and watched the explosions and this one tipped over, sending a crowd of at least 30 people yelling in spanish scattering and diving out of the way as it rocketed down the street and exploded leaving a puff of smoke in its wake. Pretty hilarious.
Then we looked up and literally 15 feet above our complex the big fireworks were exploding, closest I have ever been to them for sure. It was a 4th of July to never forget, definitely felt like I literally was in battle LA haha. And, after planning we stood at the window overlooking south central and watched tons and tons of fireworks being shot off by families and friends and on my iPod played America the Beautiful really loud, and I felt such gratitude and pride to be an American. We really are so lucky. After going through boyscouts, I have this odd sense of patriotism I guess, I don't know, it was a sobering experience to be surrounded by people from other countries but celebrating the birth of my own.
Tuesday was ZLC and it lived up to its expectations for sure. President talked a lot about how our mission organization is set up in the same way as the other organizations fo the Church like it states in the white handbook, and how we are to function in the same way that other church organizations function-by delegated authority. So president has the keys, but he delegates authority to us as Zone Leaders and gives us charge over a certain part of his stewardship. I am not explaining it as well as he did, but it was awesome. Helped us understand that we are in our areas and zones to bless the missionaries and people living there, and we have the delegated authority to know how to do it. Really helped us to realize the magnitude of our assignment and the trust the Lord has in us as well as the huge responsibility it is.
He also announced something epic...portable DVD players for every missionary apartment in the United States to watch the Preach My Gospel DVDs to help us hone our skills...so now I see Chris and hear him talk on a daily basis haha its kinda weird but cool at the same time. He is teaching me a ton...hey Chris will you sign my PMG!? Just kidding I know he loves when people ask him that though :)
This past week I have gone on international exchanges which was cool. Meaning two days out of the past week, I was on exchanges, both times in my area, once with a missionary from England named Elder T. and the other is this missionary from El Salvador named Elder H. He is the man, I have really become good friends with him here over the last few months. So, both days on splits went really well and I was able to learn a lot from them and have a lot of fun. Sometimes it is just nice to have a change of scenery...and because your comp is by you 24-7 he is part of the scenery haha.
This week I really noticed a difference in myself. I don't know what the catalyst was, but its like I have no barriers now. Let me explain myself. Like before I would talk to everyone and do all the good missionary stuff and such, but now it feels different...like the past 14 months have gotten me to this point in my personality and boldness, and understanding of the work, etc and I am going stronger than ever before. Like momentum I guess, I can feel it coursing through me, pushing me to be better, work harder, put myself in situations that are outside my comfort zone. Like I am on the verge of finally having become the missionary Heavenly Father has needed me to be and that right now in this area, this zone with the delegated authority that I have been given I cannot be stopped.
No, I dont feel like I have arrived or I am all that, or I have nothing left to learn, but it is just this feeling I get when I pray about it or think about it or reflect. It feels so good to be transforming in the hollow of his hand, letting His hands mold me into the man and missionary servant he needs. I hope you understand, its an awesome feeling.
This week we have worked a lot with members and have gotten some pretty good referrals/people to teach, and we had 5 at church on Sunday...finally! It felt good to watch these people I have come to love and know use their agency how God wants them to use it and come to church! Brother O. came, and he is really progressing well, Brother U. wasn't able to make it again, but we had a really good lesson with him yesterday and I know that he will be baptized this month. The zone has 4 on the month with 3 sundays left, so we are still hopeful and optimistic.
Like I said before, I feel the spirit working through me, coursing through my body, just waiting to be let out and testify to someone about the truthfulness of the message that I bare. God Lives. Jesus is the Christ, this is His church, and this is His work. I am having the time of my life battling LA and giving it everything I have got to be like Captain Moroni who is...well...the man...he and Patrick Marleau haha. I love you guys so much and hope you are all doing well and are ready to enjoy the rest of summer. Thanks for all you guys do for me, I can definitely feel the prayers :) Peace be the Journey
Love,
Elder Molinaro
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