Broken Bathroom Door

So...yeah our bathroom door is broken. We had problems with our bathroom door and just yesterday was probably the last. We were all getting ready for church and just about to leave because we were running out of time. Elder Herrick's first thought of course was that he needed to punch the door to get out hahahaha. Elder Andrade (his companion) when he heard that worked on the door and tried to get it unlocked so that we did not have to break the door. It went on for ten minutes until Elder Herrick said alright thats it im punching out if this does not work in 60 seconds. The countdown started, poor Elder Andrade started to freak out and try to work on that door but time ran out and next thing Elder Herrick was pounding on the door, good thing was that the door was not solid wood and it didnt hurt him too bad but he broke a hole and then he realized that him punching through the door literally did nothing! XD we were absolutely dead!!! He was still stuck and then because we were needing to get to church, Elder Andrade kicked the door down hahaha. Then we made it to church. After he really realized that he didnt need to kick the door and we had a good laugh about it

We have been really working with Annie and her family to get to church but it has been such a struggle. We thought they were going to really come yesterday but i guess something came up again. That's always a sad feeling but there is still hope! We are planning on going to them again today. Hopefully things will get better. Last week we got the chance to teach her in the midst of appointments cancelled. Usually when things like this happen we don't always continue to teach the same people but for i just really feel like we need to keep teaching her. Elder Arias taught an amazing lesson the other day at their house about the scripture Helaman 5:12 i really just sat back and watched how in the little tagalog he has how he beautifully taught with the spirit and used the members in the lesson to help Annie realize how creating a strong foundation on Christ can help her. I was so proud of him because not many new missionaries, ESPECIALLY learning a new language can do that. That's my trainee. Elder Arias and i are like bestfriends, we think so much alike the other day we had so many appointments and other stuff we had to do so we both concluded that waking up earlier and starting our day earlier would be the best option. He's so diligent i love it. 

In our lessons we always try to keep it serious so that we can have the spirit with us and we really try to find out what their concerns are. We also really like to get to know our investigators and build a good relationship with them as much as we can so they trust us. I really love teaching people. One funny thing that happened is we were teaching this less active family, the Martin family. That family was really nice, they had the most amazing mango graham ice candy. I wish i could describe its like an otter pop but its creamy chilled ice cream and its only like 5 pesos. yum. We got in their house and started getting to know them and this one i let Elder Arias take to give him a chance to lead but the best part was is that i didnt have to tell him to teach, he just did. Great leader. They went on and talked about the different problems and concerns they have about the members and about being a new member which i admit its not easy. we listened and really tried not to be judgmental and i remember Elder Arias asked her question after empathizing with her and then he asked her" but sister in your opinion, is the church true?" That question literally took her back she leaned back and was just like that is a good question. she basically said that she does believe but she still kept complaining and then i empathized with her about how she feels about leaders and how she doesnt get visited and she made many other complaints but she talked about the church and how she loves the missionaries and they are the backbone of the church and elder arias told her that everyone is all of the members together are needed and thats when divine revelation came to me and i remembered a Michael Jackson song. I told her what Elder said was true and explained what he said a little more and then i told her do you know Michael Jackson and they said yes and then because she has all of these problems with the church which no one is perfect we admit but the church is true and we all need to be a part of perfecting the saints. So i told her after that there is this song where he sings, "If you want to make the world a better place take a look at yourself and make the change." After i repeated and relating to her and then said "If you want to make the [church] a better place take a look at yourself and make the change." The Spirit was strong and then after that we talked about how the reason we go to church is to partake of the sacrament because no matter how much we pray or read if we arent baptized by proper authority, priesthood authority, and continue to take the sacrament worthily it's not enough. It was powerful, the daughter ended up going to church and we were really happy to see that. it was awesome!

Definitely a really good week and i was really happy to see Elder Arias grow. I am so grateful to have him as a companion and to be able to train before i leave. I love this work and i love the people I serve, especially Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (Mosiah 2:17)

I love you all!

Elder Wright

our roomates

missionaries

Elder Arias and i

i was so tired that day hahaha

Nadia, brother custodio and elder burgess