Dia de Reyes. 1/7/13

Dear Family and Friends, Happy Day of Kings! Well, yesterday anyways. Here the kids don´t get presents until January 6th. They literally don´t do anything on the 25th of december, just hang out with the family. I think they all get new clothes, but I´m not sure. They eat a ton on the 24th with the family, get really drunk on New Years Eve, then give gifts on day of kings to the kids. This week we worked hard despite the holiday season. I did the math, and in the last 6 weeks we have contacted at least 600 people. We have planted a lot of gospel seeds, and I am ok with that. Apart from that we have been doing a lot to visit, love and encourage the members. I think that is why Heavenly Father put me in this area. He knows I love people, and that I have a natural enthusiasm and charisma. That is just what this area needs. What would be the purpose in baptizing people in a ward that can´t retain them or support them? It has been a humbling, rough, 3 transfers. But now that I am used to the circumstances and know what to expect, I´m okay with being here for another transfer. My spiritual thought for the week comes from the Book of Mormon, in Alma 34: 27-29: Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your aheartsbe bfull, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for yourcwelfare, and also for the welfare of dthose who are around you. And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if yeaturn away the bneedy, and the cnaked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and dimpart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your eprayer is fvain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as ghypocrites who do deny the faith. Therefore, if ye do not remember to be acharitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men. With Love, Elder Nichols