Back to the Beginning Again

It's been a wild week, ladies and gents. Much of our time was spent saying goodbye to everyone that Elder Davis wanted to bid farewell. Transfers were today and since Elder Davis is going home, that meant someone new was coming to Toledo to be companions with me. Elder Ward, my companion from the MTC, is the lucky missionary that now has the privilage to be my companion hahaha. Hence, the song "Back to the Beginning Again," by Switchfoot. It's a little weird to be with him now that we actually can speak Spanish, but I'm so pumped to be able to serve with him out in the field. He's coming down from Madrid where he has been since we left the MTC. We're gonna put forth all our effort this next transfer. I also got called to be the new district leader here, so I've got responsibilities and such now. Exciting stuff hahaha.

As far as the work goes, it was a pretty ok week. We went by Fabricio's house and talked with him about some doubts that he had about the Restoration. We got them all resolved now, so we're going to move on as planned. He came to church on Sunday and in Gospel Principles class, we talked about faith and he explained to us his reasoning for coming to church and meeting with us, which we were a little bit concerned about before. He told us he wanted to make sure he was doing it for himself and not his wife, who is a member, or his two kids. That's exactly what we needed to hear from him. He has buckets of potential. I just hope he stays in town long enough for us to meet with him frequently to help him start building his testimony. Mauro got a job and was working all this week, so we weren't able to squeeze in a visit with him. We still need to finish lesson 2 with him and set a baptismal date. I'm excited for what's to come with them.

This last week at zone conference, President Pack issued the challenge to all missionaries in the mission to teach the message of the Restoration to every member in their respective areas by September. We're only supposed to spend a very short amount of time in the members' homes as well. I think it's a brilliant idea. It'll help gain the members' trust and also get them excited about the work here. We've been trying to pass by at least one member a day for the last week or so, but it can be hard when so many live in pueblos. We're gonna do our best to get to all of them in the next month and a half.

That's it for me today. Hope you all have an amazing week. I love the work I'm doing here and love the effects that I'm seeing. Love you guys!

- Elder Penner

Pictures:

1. Yet another picture of my cousin and I, this time at zone conference hahaha

2. Don't have any others so I guess I'll just attach another cool view of El Casco. (please note the taco dinosaur socks)