still at it

Dear Family,

Andy was baptized this week. His parents aren't married yet, but we're teaching them as well. He has the support of his family, but we've got some work to do to help them. They don't get along very well - often we share scriptures with them about contention and how to avoid it. It's a struggle every time we teach, but we know the Gospel can heal any situation.

We went to Trujillo for our once-every-transfer meeting with all the zone leaders. It's a meeting that lasts from 8 in the morning until whenever President Mora decides to let us go. This time it ended at 7pm. In between, lunch was provided at the mission home. There was lots of reminiscing with several of my old companions, which was delightful. We made it back to Pacasmayo and into our room right at 10:30. If only I had been more prudent, I would have gotten my frequent traveler card through the bus company a lot sooner.

We just got back from a quick visit to Jequetepeque (yeah, just try and pronounce it) with our pensionista's family. It was a walk/picnic in the rural farming town that lies about 5 miles from here. It's the "dead" of winter here - meaning that it's cloudy sometimes, with the same old wind as always, only colder. It was slightly warm when we left, but as we were coming back, it started to get chilly.

Well, there's no time for much else. We're striving to live the Gospel and help everyone else do it, too. There's nothing better. Whatever our level of spiritual progress, faith and repentance activate the power of the Atonement in our lives, reviving our joy and enthusiasm for life and for the Lord's work.

Love,
Elder Withers