Milagros en Carolina

Hellooooo everyone!!

                                                 

Well the 6 week transfer is officially over! Definitely the fastest transfer of my mission. I am so grateful for the time I had to be with Elder Tarr, he is a great missionary and now a really close friend. We both got transferred out of Carolina, A HUGE surprise. We will both miss this are soooo much. Pa'lante Carolina. 

Xiomara got baptized from Juncos! 

Elder Tarr and I

Trolly Stop Selfies

The District

 This week was full with miracles, and trials of our faith. A member that has been coming out to help us introduced us to his nephew, Christopher.  He is 20 and just got here from the states.  He only speaks English, but he came to church and was able to understand a lot of was said. He loved the baptism service of Norman and is excited to learn more. It is so cool to see and find these people with a sincere heart. He has a baptisimal date.

Norman's baptism went well and the spirit was so strong. I was privileged to baptize him. He was one of the most prepared people I have ever met. He said the other day, " Why didn't you guys come over along time ago?! I could have been a member my whole life!”  It is so good to see how the Lord really does prepare His children. We are on His errand to go find them.

Norman's Baptism

 He is happy with His decision and told me He felt "lighter". So good to hear. When we had his interview he had a friend over at his house. Her name is Frances, they have been friends their whole life, and Norman has been sharing the gospel with her! Turns out 3 years ago she almost got baptized, so we visited her that night and came to church and loved the service. She has a son that is 16, that lives with her and we would have been teaching him this week too. We are so blessed to see and participate in so many miracles!!

I will be going to be working in the zone of Toa Baja, I am not exactly sure what exact city but we will see tomorrow! I love you all so much.

Helaman 5:12 in the Book of Mormon

 12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Elder Waidmann

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Transferred from Juncos

"Goodbye to Obispo Blanco"

"Goodbye to the Gallardo family"

"Goodbye to Juncos"

Hello Family and Friends,

I kind of knew this was going to happen because I have been here in Juncos for about 6 months. I have learned so much here and have met so many wonderful people that I will never forget, its kind of, for the lack of a better word…bittersweet. I am excited to go work in Carolina with Elder Tarr. He is a great guy and he has one more transfer in the mission than me, and we get along well.

"Last district meeting"

This week was super special as we had General Conference. The challenge in the mission was to come to conference with 2 questions/doubts in mind and if we studied and prayed we were promised these questions would be answered, as we listened to our prophet and apostles the spirit was felt and my questions were answered and I feel uplifted. What a blessing that was! 

We started teaching a couple and they are Aileen and Jonathan, a reference from a member in Caguas. They both have a great spirit and a desire to know.

Xiomara is also doing well and still her countenance is beautiful. She is smiling and she enjoyed conference. The Atonement of Jesus Christ has healing power. All that we have to do is humble ourselves and come unto Him through repentance and we will change. Such a beautiful promise.

Carmen and Pedro are well, but couldn't come this week but will the following. As we read the Book of Mormon and pray about it with REAL intent, there is no doubt that The Holy Spirit with tell us it is true. I know that is true with all my heart, I have seen personally lives change.

"Goodbye to Carlos"

I am excited for this new part of my mission and I plead that the Lord with bless and guide you all. Be happy, this life is so that we may have joy. Find the joy in the little things.

Elder Waidmann

"There is so much work to do"

Hello Everyone!

Well… here I am in my new area! It was really hard to leave Ponce, but we have had a great first week here and we know that the Lord has prepared people for us to find here. My companion, Elder Hervias is such an incredible missionary.  I have already learned so much from him. This area of Juncos is huge! We work 3 days of the week in a city called Gurabo,  All of he members in our ward are usually working, so we walk an hour and a half to get there… so its a little far, but there is so much work to do there. Everyone says they haven’t seen missionaries in two years and so that is why we have decided to work more there.

The ward is awesome and is really supportive in our missionary efforts! That makes me so happy! I feel really blessed to be here. We have an investigator named Carlos and he has been an investigating for a long time!  He is so smart and loves reading and marking the scriptures. It is such a blessing and joy to see someone’s heart change through living the Gospel. All we have to do is do our part, and the Lord will help us with the rest! This week I needed some encouragement and I loved found this quote by a former Prophet named Gorden B. Hinkley.  It says something to the effect of …  “If we do the best on our part, all will be okay... trust in God. He will not abandon us.” That brought me so much comfort and joy. As we act, the Lord will help us and give us strength to overcome anything! I love this work with all my heart!  It is not easy, but oh it is so beautiful. Count your blessings, find positivity, and serve others. That is my recipe for happiness! I love you all thank you for all the love and support.

Love, Elder Waidmann

"That is where I need you"

Hey Family and Friends,

Adios to Carlos, Jose and Olga

God Speed! The Elders in the house

I am out of time to write, but I am leaving my first area! I am sad, but so excited for this next part of my mission. My companion will be Elder Hervias from Guatemala so I am super excited to have a native companion.

Quickly I want to testify of the power of prayer! Last night I was super nervous about where I would get called and what I would do, so I went to my Heavenly Father in prayer for comfort and strength. Afterword, the calls came in and I got called to Juncos. Again I was a little nervous so I went to pray. The Spirit then testified to me and I heard “that is where I need you”. This brought me so much comfort. I know prayer is real and it is direct communication with our Father in Heaven. 

I know that Jesus Christ lives and I know we can receive answers to our prayers through the Holy Spirit and we can also feel the love God has for us! Love you all!

Elder Waidmann