Email from 12-30-2013
Hey everybody, well just by reading mom and dad’s emails, I can tell that you guys are anxious to know if I have a transfer or not. And..... I don’t...... I will be staying here for another change. This will now be my fifth change here in this sector. There were only 4 changes in the entire zone, and part of that included that they are getting rid of a companionship of elders and putting sisters in that ward. So I know that we talked a little bit on Christmas but again I want to say thank you for the Christmas gifts they are great. I really love the iPod, other than I discovered this morning listening to it that the song, Thriller from Michael Jackson is on it....... I am not sure if it was an accident or if you guys think that it is a church song.... The sweater works fine mom, the only problem is that, I am losing a lot of weight because it is so cold here that it is pretty baggy on me, but the length is good so I guess I will have to try a little harder to get fat, my shoes are holding up great they look fine and don't have any holes or problems.
So from what it sounds like everybody had a fantastic Christmas, I did as well, being able to talk to you guys was great!! I loved it, so as we hung up the call, the internet crashed and my comp never got the chance to talk to his family, so we talked with the assistants, and he is going to talk tomorrow or Wednesday with his family so everything is good, he called them to explain what had happened but now this week he will talk with Skype. But don't worry it wasn't anything we did with the length we talked nothing; it was just because the internet here is horrible and crashes all the time.
I have not received my package from the siblings yet, but that's okay, I know it will get here at some point in my mission. Haha.
So Christmas was good, after talking with you guys, we went to a member’s house and ate dinner and celebrated her birthday with some other members, and everything turned out good. I really don't understand how I can be losing weight because ALL I DO IS EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s ridiculous!!!! But oh well maybe my next sector, (whenever that is) will be some place warm to gain weight.
So this week after Christmas not much happened it was a little hard to get back into the swing of things because we basically had 2 days of doing nothing. But we did teach some lessons, and BRENDA GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But something interesting we found out, Brenda isn't her name that is her artist name for singing, her real name is Olga!!!! Hahaha But it was a great experience!!! I was the one that got to baptize her, she told me the reason why, and this is what she said ¨Elder Goaslind I want you to baptize me, because you are the one who brought the Word of God into my life first before anyone else, and you helped me understand that we have a Heavenly Father, and how we can live with him again, you also have been here through all my challenges, and all the problems, and you have helped to resolve all of them with the words of Christ, I know Christ lives and I know that you are one of his servants¨
How is that for a testimony and helping a missionary feel like he is doing this work right!!! When I heard that I was stunned, it really helped me to realize that as missionaries WE CAN CHANGE LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know we can because I have seen many lives changed because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so happy to be a missionary.
The baptismal service was great, and very spiritual. I also got the chance to confirm her on Sunday during sacrament meeting. You can just tell that she is so happy to be a member of the church. And to be baptized, and she has been able to see so many blessings in her life, from living and applying the gospel.
Apart from the baptism, not much else happened this week. But it was still a good week.
I love each and every one of you; I hope that you all have a great New Year celebration!!!!
You are all such important parts of my life!! Please be safe this new year, and remember, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO!!!!
Con Mucho Amor
ELDER GOASLIND
Ps. The New Year celebrations are basically just eating and fireworks and drinking here. Not anything very special.