Elder Jayson Bingham : bendiciones, bebes, y bautismos (esperamos)

Wow this week. It was pretty insane. Really fun. Also very different.

On Wednesday, we did intercambios. So I went out with Elder Martinez to the Monterrey area for the day. The first half of the day, it was raining like crazy. I thought I was prepared for the rain, but I was wrong. I had some sweet rain boots that were here at the apartment, my water resistant jacket, which I though was waterproof, and an umbrella. Turns out thats not enough. I still got pretty wet. I need a completely waterproof jacket in the future, I'll probably have to buy one. But when we came back for lunch it stopped raining. The streets were completely flooded in some parts, it was really cool. But that day was mostly spent contacting, only taught like two lessons. But it was really fun to change comps, even if Elder Martinez doesn't speak any english. Somehow I wasn't too confused all day though. Went pretty well.

Anyway, bendiciones. I have now given 4 blessings of health in my time here. Anointed the oil twice and gave the blessing twice. The first time was on my first Sunday here, when an older lady asked for one in church, so I anointed, elder Urrutia gave the blessing.. Then gave one to my comp when he was having some stomach issues. On Saturday a member asked us to come to the hospital and give a blessing of health to her husband, which we got permission to do. I anointed this time. And then Sunday, when we were teaching a less active family, The member asked us if we could give one to her friend, who was struggling with some stomach issues, headaches, etc. Elder Urrutia kind of forced me into giving the blessing here. So I tried to follow the spirit, and stumbled through it pretty bad. But it was cool. And that lady, her name is Rosa, isn't a member. So then we started teaching her, and now we have a new investigator! woot! Priesthood blessings bring all kinds of blessings. My oil vial is getting a workout.

I have learned this week that many ladies here don't care at all at what time they begin to breast feed their babies. Including while you're teaching them. We were teaching a lesson to an investigator named Alejandra, and then she just started feeding the baby while we were asking her a question. As you can imagine, this is a very awkward situation for missionaries. So we tried to keep teaching and ask her questions, but she was very distracted with the task at hand. So that lesson didn't go to well. We went back another day, and she was busy with her baby again. So we ended up talking to another guy there instead who's having some word of wisdom issues.

And, bautismos. Jose y Maria are both progressing great. Both of them came to church on Sunday without us reminding them, which was awesome. Both are keeping commitments too. Hopefully we can baptize them on the 13th! And Sunday night, we went to a member's house to teach her friend. Turns out her friend wasn't there, but her 11 year old sister was. And she isn't a member. But, she wants to be baptized. Her name is Andrea, she and her sister are super cool. The sister is 19 and wants to serve a mission. But Andrea's mother is a less active member, and isn't sure if she wants her to be baptized. So we are going to keep teaching her, and pray all that works out.

But those were the highlights of this week that I remember. Will send pics as well.

Love you all

Elder Bingham