4.28.14 - I'm a missionary, not a counselor

Gosh dang it, it gets hot in Texas. This culture is very familiar with the climate of hot and the other climate of humid. It's hot and humid. The Mexican word they crafted for the air soup is Bochorno. Used correctly one might say, tengo bochorno. It wasn't that bad I guess, it only got up to 103, but that makes me fear what is coming in the summer even more. I bought a 48 cent hand towel to carry around with me on the bikes because I sweat buckets. Let's be real, I sweat buckets anyway, I'm just blessed with excessive perspiration, so the white tight collar tucked into the slacks helps me capture all of the moisture and turn myself into a heavy wet towel.

I hope that's adequately dramatized.

We did have some of our friends come to church with us this week! "Clara" just got back from Mexico so she's attending again, she's under thirty and has 6 kids, working on number 7, so did not bring the little rascals though so it was a pretty peaceful Sunday. Her friend "Carl" lives down the street and he is a big drinker. He drinks all day and finished it off with a 6 pack to fall asleep. He says he's ready to stop and make a change, and if the gospel is the change he accepts his life will make a 540 degree turn for the better. I really hope he and his two sons can put in the effort and endure the struggle that's going to come. He doesn't have any real faith right now, or much understanding of deity, so it will be a process to help him accept Jesus Christ's mercy so his burden can be lightened. But it's going to happen!

All of the missionaries in the TSAM know about Tacos Morales. They're the most coveted tacos in the west and they're right smack dab in El Dragon, (that's my area) in Eagle Pass. We just started teaching a man named "Harold" who quit working in Tacos Morales so he can open his own restaurant. We were talking about how good his tacos were when he blurted out, "Do you want to see the spice I use?!" Of course we said yes and we walked home with his home blend of herbs. I'm amped to marinate some chicken this week and try it out.

Elder Warren hit a big pot hole, and the car tire popped. We pulled over and were jimmying with the road side repair kit we've got and I couldn't get these two dumb pieces to come apart. So I said a quick prayer so we could get back to work and to all of the appointments we had yesterday and when I opened my eyes a nice man named Jessie pulled off the road and said, "let me help, I do this for a living." Now that's a hasty answer right there.

We've spent a lot of time with less active and recent convert families this week. These families are struggling to stay together and they treat us like we're all knowing life gurus which we constantly remind them, "We're not professional marriage, parenting, depression, etc, etc counselors." Although, we do know the doctrine and the divine nature of families, and we do know the blessing which come from obedient living to the principles taught as part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We also know how any individual or family can receive revelation directly from God for their own lives. The church in addition has a plethora of resources available to guide these families back to a homeostasis and we share these things freely and as often as possible.

I was impressed by how many of the problems that arose in these families could have been remedied by having a male and female parent figure who each, in place of saying all of the things they're not doing, are living the gospel fully.

My studies this week have revolved around family history work. I studied the talk by Elder Cook from this last General Conference alongside Doctrine & Covenants 128. What I didn't know before was how much I didn't know! To finish up the book of Malachi the promise is that in the last days we will be given the spirit of Elijah and elder cook teaches us the spirit of Elijah is the spirit of god, the same spirit we already know and love, bearing a witness of the divine nature of families. Now as I emphasize a new finding effort by introducing people to the church's family history program I know to promise them that the spirit of God will become manifest in their lives simply by turning their hearts to their ancestors.

The family is a profound blessing to every one born onto this earth. Just like any blessing from God, it is given for our betterment. God knows we would fall in love with our families and desire to be with them for eternity. It struck me, when I thought that my family wasn't innately mine for ever just because I have them with me (in a we're all alive right now kind of sense) right now. I am so much more profoundly grateful for the sealing power of the priesthood and opportunity we have to become associated with our family for the eternities by that power of God which binds on and earth and in Heaven. And like all blessings it is predicated based upon our faithfulness. If only every person could know ... I never want to be without my family.

I love you!
I miss you my salty crew!

Elder Tyler Meidell