FINAL WEEK IN THE CCM!!!

Hola Todos!

Any more mission calls to report on? Thanks for the updates. It´s been raining for the past 3 days straight! I don´t think I made a mistake on the memory card, but I think there´s one more memory card to check... I take more pictures this Sunday though because it´s my last Sunday here at the CCM. I also got a printed out photo of my group here and all the Latino missionaries leaving on Tuesday with me.

I also get to email again on Monday because it´s our last day here. Then we leave the CCM on Tuesday at 4 am, way early! We arrive in Uruguay after an hour flight and go through the temple in Montevideo with President De Silva and the rest of the missionaries going to my mission. I can´t wait to get to the field and be able to go out proselyting every day and teach the people of Uruguay about this wonderful gospel that has changed my life and I want to help everyone feel the ¨Sunshine in my soul today¨ (or in español ¨Tengo gozo in mi alma hoy¨).

Thanks everyone for your e-mails and letters. I´m so glad to hear from you all. I just want to take a moment to write to all the young men and young women who are preparing to serve their mission now... This is the God´s work and He wants all of you to serve, but not only to serve, but rather to preach His gospel by the spirit. I know that the atonement of Jesus Christ is for everyone because he did suffer and die for each of us individually. If there are any of you that are reading this right now that have something they need to repent of in order to be worthy of the spirit as a constant companion in your life, DO IT NOW!!!

The Lord, our Savior and Redeemer, atoned for us so that we can be forgiven and be happy. I know that He lives and that we are all children of God. This is the church of Jesus Christ, He is the center and focus of it, the Book of Mormon is a testament of Him, the Prophet is a witness of Him and I also am a witness of Him, as a missionary and representative of Christ. It is my calling and duty to call all men unto repentence and as you are preparing to show others the way to Christ and the hope He gives to all that come unto Him and repent, then you need to have the spirit with you, and it´s never too late. This is the work of God. Therefore, we must do it in His way, we cannot hope to accomplish this work in any other way. And for those of you that are remaining on the straight and narrow path, Great Work, keep it up and never give up... Perseverar hasta el fin.

I just felt prompted to say that and if there´s one thing I´ve learned this week it is that we should never put off or ignore the promptings of the spirit. This week has been amazing, and so was proselitismo. I love talking to the people here, and I finally feel like I can say most of what I want to say. Sometimes it takes a lot of time to say it. but I can do it now!!! I can teach about lessons 1-4 in Predicad mi Evangelio, testify, explain how to recognize the spirit, extend commitments, read (and understand most of what I read), and understand what the people tell me (with a few exceptions...), and most importantly I feel confident in my companions (whoever will be my next companion as well as the Spirit) in helping me teach what these people need to hear to gain their own testimonies of this gospel and come unto Christ.

This week we had the Area President, Presidente Bowen, come talk to all the missionaries here at the CCM, and it was amazing. I learned so much from him about how to help resolve the concerns of the people we will meet, and even more from the promptings and impressions of the Spirit. I can´t wait to go to the temple in Uruguay this upcoming week! And I´m excited to meet my trainer and start living the life of a full-time missionary everyday.

I´m short on time now but I will write more on Monday. Until then just know that the Lord is on our side, and when we allow him to lift us up, then all things are possible. ¨All things are possible in a companionship if one of the members is the Lord.¨

I love you all, especially you Mom, Dad, Colin, and Mason.... Thanks for all your support and love. I still await your letter about your temple experience Colin. Colin and Mason keep Mom and Dad laughing and don´t forget to pray and read your scriptures. Smile and be Happy for today is a beautiful day!

Amor,
Elder Gardner