Elder Andrew Sheffield: There is a lot of work to do, but there is potential...

Love you more than…My sour orange jack-o-lantern.

It took me about half an hour to carve the softball sized orange from our tree in the back yard but I finally did and then lit it up using a flashlight.

This crazy week in review.

Started out with more Habichuelas Con Dulce. A nice old lady member, who talks like some language I’ve never heard (they say she speaks Spanish), invited us over to eat it. It was cold this time and made from black beans, but still delicioso. Carbonera is still Carbonera. I learned about Elder Coombs mission life/back story and I feel sorry for him. His trainer didn’t speak any English and elder coombs took a long time to speak Spanish. Although they are both great they didn’t get along to well because of the language barrier. Elder Coombs had a really hard time feeling like he was progressing and the area was failing, so it was going to be closed and his companion was loosing the will to work as hard and so everything just added up making it really rough. Elder Coombs step-dad/second companion was really loose with the rules and though they both spoke English, Elder Coombs had problems with getting his comp to leave with him to work. All in all, Elder Coombs had a rough time and we have kinda been learning how to teach and become missionaries together.

Trimming Elder Coombs hair

"Ginger" Elder Coombs a.k.a. Syndrome (No, not Vyronic) from "Incredibles"

We went to the Mercado again where I got even better at haggling and got five ties for fifty pesos or a dollar. I had also lost my camera cord for computers so I got a new one. Our 18 year-old guy investigator named Anderson is turning into a golden investigator! He has questions about demons and the power of la palabra de dios, but it just makes him so curious to learn and ask questions and read our pamphlet and everything. Elder Coombs and I started teaching exactly like how “Preach My Gospel” says to, and it has helped us get really great lessons. We had a branch lunch/feast of spaghetti and arroz amarillo and then started a branch fast right after on Saturday afternoon. I had a great spiritual experience with a menos activo named Bolivar. We were teaching him about being an example to his kids, and I shared with him that in my life I’ve come to look up to my parents example for me as I’ve grown. Sometimes us kids are tigres (rascals) but having a good example from parents is priceless. Thanks fam for helping teach lessons with me ;) On Sunday our Carbonera menos activo came to church for his second consecutive time and passed the sacrament!! That family is turning into one of our favorites and coming back into the gospel more.

Lunch at the Branch before our Sunday Fast

Sunday started our saying goodbye to people since we have our three areas and we wouldn’t find out who leaves till Tuesday. It was weird having both Elder Coombs and I saying goodbye in case the other left. We got boxing lessons for a few minutes from Nerieda’s daughter who kick boxes/karate/I’m not sure. Tia Tati made us Sancocho as a goodbye meal, and promised that whoever stays would get Boruga, I’m not sure what that is.

Boxing lessons

Great last lessons with Jeffri and Maria and Frammi and took pictures with them. Hermana Alcantara invited us over to dinner to eat spagetti and enjoy her Chrismas decorations and be tempted by her constantly running tv of disney and american movies.

Christmas Tree at Hermana Illuminada

Big news. Elder Coombs se va para Santiago en los Jardines parra ser un Lider de Zona. (Is leaving for Santiago to be zone leader). He was a little upset and really nervous, but it’ll be good growth for him. This position I think is more a benefit for him than the zone for the next few months. Elder Rojas and I are both staying in Dajabon. We will be together for almost six months when this transfer ends. I got my step dad/second companion today who is named Elder Dickson from Logan, Utah. I’m super excited that I don’t have to worry about a langauge barrier and that he is super nice and speaks super Spanish. I am a little nervous that I am probably getting transferred away in six weeks, the week before Christmas. With so many good companions I feel like I’m building up for a good challenge. Anyways my training and last days with Elder Coombs ended with more goodbyes to people, eating out and nervousness for both of us. Today Elder Rojas and I got our new companions. I got Elder Dickson and Elder Rojas got a dominican named Elder De La Cruz. Elder Rojas deserves a good good companion, so I hope they get along well even if Elder Rojas cant speak English with his comp.

Greasy chicken foot to help my acne and healthy eating

So, I’m staying here and there is a lot of work to do, but there is potential in me and the area so what more could I ask for.

Ponderism: Scripture mastery Moses 7:18 The Lord called his people Zion porque (because) they were of uno corazon (one heart) and mind and the dwelt in rectitude (righteousness). Something like that ;) In all of history and the future, the greatest achievements, have been done by those that worked together with a single purpose or one heart. In the mission the goal is to be of one heart and mind, with your companion, then there is tremendous success. Areas and missions don’t determine success, its the ability and dedication of the missionaries working together. In life our goal should forever be to be called one of the Lord’s people, focusing on aligning ourselves more perfectly every day with the Lord’s plan.