Feliz día del gringo, gringos!
Hello! What is up? I hope you’ve had a great week. I hope you’ve made the most of every moment. I hope you’ve found joy in the journey! I hope you know I love you.
How are you doing? What have you been up to? How’s summer going! I hope you are living life to the fullest. This past week was amazing, once again, so I’ll jump in!
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– Our friends Arturo and Karen came to church and they loved it!! They even stayed for the classes and participated, it was a ton of fun (great teacher) and I hope they felt the same peace I felt when I took the Sacrament. It was a great Sunday.
– Been running every morning, and started running to, and squatting at, our home-made neighborhood concrete gym. Life is good when every day is leg day.
– Saw a guy ride past the bus stop on a Colnago Y1RS (if anyone knows what that even is) in jeans and stop at the light. I had to go run over and talk to him. I hope he felt like a celebrity because he sure seemed like one to me!
– We deeeep deep cleaned the house, the Secretaries brought us a washing machine, and we found some christmas lights that we strung up. Might as well have a brand new apartment, this place is looking good!
– Happy 4th of July! I hope it was great. My companion asked how we could celebrate gringo day, so we went and got cream soda and root beer from Waldos and had a good time. Hermana Brady also gave us hot dogs and biscuits and gravy later that day at our interviews, so I’d say we did it right! Interviews with President were really good and I consistently learn from him. It was awesome!
– In District Council we talked about staying out of the sometimes mindless routines that we fall into as missionaries, being creative, and doing everything with a purpose. It was good for me to remember the importance of sincerity in everything we do. Does everything I’m doing have a point, or am I slipping into vain (or mindless) repetition?
– Mexico bareeeely lost last night. Everything emptied out after 5pm but the screams of “goooooal” from apartments and restaurants alike kept us entertained. Next time, Tri!
That’s really about it for the week. This upcoming week is going to be very bittersweet; lots of lasts before my time as a missionary wraps up. Last District Council, last interview with President Brady, last time inviting everyone to come unto Christ and be healed by His love. I don’t know if I’m ready for it yet.
Next Monday I’ll send out one last email, so don’t worry! This isn’t it yet. There’s still hours of hard work to be had, invitations to be made, and joy to be spread. I love this work, and I love it because I love my Savior and I am amazed by the light and love He offers. I can’t believe He has given me an opportunity as special as this.
Anyways, it’s going to be a great week. It’s going to be melancholy, and different, and new, and challenging, but that’s the point of life! Change is the most constant thing in this life. Right as you get comfortable with a companion, or an area, or even being a missionary, the Lord calls to do keep changing and growing in new places, and with new people. It’s all about constant, continuous growth.
But until then…
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I particularly found peace and motivation this week in one of Mormon’s final pieces of advice to his son, Moroni. I think it’s significant that Moroni wrote this in one of his last letters to his son, not knowing if he would live to ever see him again. And it speaks to both me as a missionary and us, as living people:
“And now, my beloved son, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God.”
Whether as a missionary or not, I, and we, have a purpose. We have a duty to fulfill and a labor to perform. So whatever it is that the Lord calls us to do, or to be, let’s give it our all and be diligent. Let’s magnify what the Lord has given us. Let’s exceed the expectations.
We are all beloved children of God. We all have a purpose while we live here. We have a purpose in the here and now. What does the Lord hope for you? Who has He called you to become?
Don’t ever forget that the Lord has a plan for you. He wants you to do something, to be active and responsible. We are called to become follower of Jesus Christ, and to be like Him. We are called to help everyone around us do the same. So, labor diligently. Be creative. Don’t fall into mindless routine; instead, live in the moment. Magnify the talents the Lord has given you. Be sincere. Put your heart in it.
There is so much joy waiting for you in your efforts. The Lord blesses sincere efforts and a willing heart. Remember, He doesn’t want your mechanical obedience, He wants your loving obedience. He wants your heart.
So, whatever the Lord has called you to do, do it, and go the extra mile. Whoever the Lord has called you to be, be it, and become even more in the process. Labor diligently. Put all your effort in. You have a purpose now, and a labor to perform. So, perform it, and exceed the expectations!
I love you. Your Savior loves you. He has such high expectations of you because He has such a deep love for you.
Go make this week count. Live with joyful yesterdays and hopeful tomorrows! Make your life worth writing a book about. I promise that you can!
I’ll be praying for you! Go change the world and find joy! Talk soon!
Elder Crockett 🫂
