Phone Call Home: Monday, September 12, 2022

P dayzzzz

I cannot believe it is already Monday again! Holy cow this week has flown by. I was busy trying to get some window washing arranged so my call this week with Elder Garcia was a little later in the day and wasn't as long, but I am still super grateful for the chance to get to talk to him even if it is brief. :) 

Some of the highlights of this week were:

- Elder Garcia is looking forward to a Multi Zone Conference that is coming up that will bring every last one of the missionaries in Togo together. I imagine in my own mind what that  might look like but just imagining what the overall feel of that meeting with all of those missionaries would be awesome. I am so excited for this chance for him and then to hear all about it.

- Elder Garcia was back at the zoo today with his District. They were able to see more animals this time and he said overall it was fun

- I asked Elder Garcia about the area he is working in and how things were coming along. I asked about ami's and where they stand for baptism because it has been a hot second since he has had one. He said that they are still working and trying but he said that members there aren't really great at fellowshipping. That is hard on the new ami's because the church or churches that they have been attending are good at that so they like to go to those instead. I admitted that I could validate that but I also shared with him my own personal experience. I have to quit going to church for friendship or some sort a neighborly relationship. I need to remember that this is my own personal experience and I have to be there for ME. It is hard. And I have been a member my whole life so I reminded him to give those ami's some grace as well as those members that he is desperately trying to get involved.

- Elder Garcia said they had one ami come to church that was way out of the blue. She is one he has worked with before and she practices polygamy. Well, turns out that her daughter is telling the Elders that her Mom is ready to take the lessons, come to church, and be baptized. Elder Garcia is excited to see what will come from this.

- Elder Garcia is thinking of starting a folder of talks. Well, maybe not talks but thoughts and things he has learned in regards to basic principles so that they will easily be obtained at a moments notice. We talked about journaling and he says he writes in a daily journal but that he is hoping to jot down some notes by topic. 

- Elder Garcia had an exchange this past week with Elder Kempe. They stayed in Elder Garcia's area so they took the bikes. Elder Kempe was apprehensive because he hadn't been on a bicycle since he was a child. Elder Garcia promised he would be good and off they went. Well, it had rained a lot and the roads were pot holes every where and it was just hard to get through so Elder Kempe was beyond frustrated BUT they continued on at a pace that was fair and were able to get to the rendezvous they had set up. 

- Elder Garcia talked about how Elder Kempe is pretty much burned out of being on the mission. This is hard for Elder Garcia because they were companions in the home MTC. Elder Kempe says that being a Zone Leader is just draining and hard. It continues to amaze me all of the constant moving parts of a mission. These kids are asked a lot to go and do and let go of those things at home and yet then they get there and are asked to serve as Zone Leaders that carries a whole new level of responsibility. 

- Elder Garcia may have baptismal interviews on Tuesday and Thursday this week but he isn't 100% sure so he will just keep working on his agenda they have planned for the week.

It was a good call this week and Elder Garcia says he is still really enjoying being there. I am so proud of him and all he is doing. Talk to you soon. I love you.

Mom