Hey everyone,
I am going really well, and my life is really good. I cannot complain. I am in good health, and we are still building up our teaching group. We are, however, teaching a wonderful family, which is like ours. They are seven in total: mother, father, and five children, three girls and two boys. I really like this family. They are going really well and the father went to church this Sunday, and the mother stayed home because they had visitor come unexpectedly. The mother did pray to know if the Book of Mormon is true, and she did get an answer that it was indeed the word of God. I am very excited about the progress of this family.
We got a new kid in our house. So there was a Brazilian in our house but because of some family problems he had to go home for a time, and so when he left there was also arriving two new from the States, Americans, and my companion and I were his companion for a day. It was different training a new guy for a day. He was very excited and the only problem was that he could not speak the language. It is interesting how people treat the new guys. It is interesting that a year and seven months ago I was that guy, and just as completely lost, tired feet and brain, and with a bad case of Montezuma's revenge. Oh, I am glad those days are over, but I do miss the newness of it all. It is something that gave me a reality check.
I had an interesting conversation with a drunken man last night. He told us his life story, then he started to break down and cry, and he started talking about how his father was a member of the church in another city, and how he wanted to be like his father. His dad died as a family man, and that was the greatest regret of this man. He was married and had three children with his wife, but then separated from her, and he now regrets not having his family with him, like his father. He said something that touched me, that I perhaps will never forget. He said, "You meet a girl in your youth, and she is your young woman (wife). After time she gets old, and you do too, but she is still your woman." It is simple, but it is true. Oh if he knew or actually took to heart what his father knew to be true. We will teach him tonight, and I hope that he will be willing to hear and put into action the things which we will teach.
I love you all, and I hope that you are all doing well, and I will talk to you next week.
Love,
Elder Caleb S. Carriere
