Fourth of July

This last week has been a pretty good one. Could have been better, because of certain things that happened, but still pretty good, nonetheless. On Thursday, we were able to meet our new mission president, President S, and his wife and four children. The oldest is about to turn 15. The S's are quite accomplished, him being a lawyer, and her being a doctor. Their children are little angels, and make me feel like I was a son of perdition growing up. I swear, they're almost too perfect. It was really interesting to see the stark difference between President C and President S, but to see the clear similarities as they both have demonstrated their love for us, and their desire to serve. President S is very well-read with the scriptures. As he talked to us, without paper or smart phone, he recited several scriptures that were all related, and did so without any hesitation. So, he either memorized them perfectly right before, or he remembered them from some serious studies a while ago. They even showed up to a baptism that our branch had this last Saturday. (Not ours, the Zone Leaders) He served his mission in Fresno, California, and spoke Laotian, so he told us that he knew almost nothing of Spanish. Then, at the baptism, he just jumps into a fluent conversation with some of the members, speaking very good Spanish. BLEW MY MIND. Sister S had been teaching him, apparently.

For the 4th of July, we did a lot of crazy stuff. We first went to a multi-ward breakfast at the church, which was provided by the several wards/branches of Ramona. We had a short program where everyone stood around the flagpole, the flag ceremony was carried out, and a member who was a veteran spoke of the flag, of the colors, and of the symbols. He then spoke about the freedom and liberty won by so much sacrifice. We closed the ceremony with a prayer, blessed the food, and got down to eating. We had french toast, pancakes, fruit, and breakfast burritos. It was actually a really good breakfast. Our branch was in charge of taking everything down and cleaning up, but almost nobody from our branch helped, so the missionaries ended up doing the majority of it.

After that, we studied a bit in the chapel, and I prepared to teach district meeting. I felt really impressed to teach about agency, and the importance of showing our investigators that they have the freedom to choose, but they don't have the freedom to choose the consequences. I taught first, by sharing the experience of Francis Scott Key, and how he witnessed the shelling of Fort McHenry, and how from that experience, he wrote the Star Spangled Banner. I talked about the sacrifices of the men and women who have died in the protection of our liberty is exactly what the prophets did throughout every dispensation. The soldiers have died for the cause of carnal liberty, yet the prophets died for the cause of spiritual liberty from sin. I then shared about how the war in heaven was fought for liberty, and how the battle continues in this world, and the world to come. The battle has been on every plane of existence for us, and will forever be our fight.

Today, a few companionships all went to the temple, the rest went to Old Town, and Elder M and I went with a couple of English Elders to get the mail, and hang out in Ramona. It's been a pretty calm day today, and it's been wonderful. I've been enjoying quite thoroughly this day.

Yesterday, we went to see V S with E, the recent convert. E has a really strong, sincere testimony, and we felt that it would be good to bring him to the lesson. Earlier in the day, Brother M, V's member friend, calls us and sets up the appointment with us and V for 8:00 that night. He even double-checked it. That night, we showed up with E, and V told us to come another day because he was tired. I swear, only in the Mexican culture will you say that you're tired and turn away guests. But, I guess there's always those people that will help you no matter what time of day it is.

Well, there are Elders waiting for the computers to email their families. It was really cool to see all of the pictures of your trip, Mom and Dad!

I love you, Mom and Dad. I'm really thankful for the two of you, and for all that you've done to show me how to be patient and hopeful.

Let the siblings know how much I miss and love them, and tickle the nieces and nephew for me.

-Love, Elder Crook