Elder Jakob Lutze: Semana 43 (A Death, Baptisms, and My Posterity Begins!)

Buenas!!

This week was absolutely amazing! A bit long because PDay wasn't till Wednesday. I also have been banished to Aguadulce for the time being because Elder Garrett is going home. But, I'm with the boys and it's a great day!

There was a lot that went on this week aside from work. Thursday we had a district council which was good! We threw a "Feliz Muerte" (Happy Death) party for the 3 Elders that are going home. They will be dearly missed! But the party was super fun!

This week we were going to meet up with a family at McDonalds. We got in the taxi and said "Vamos a McDonalds". The taxi driver was very confused and asked "Donde?" My comp then just said loudly "MAKDONALDS"! Essentially if you don't say things in a Latino way people are very lost. This was especially funny because the same exact thing occurred to the Elderes of Aguadulce last week.

ANTON GOT APPROVED TO BE A GROUP!!! It is now official. And we have made history. A lot of work has gone into this group, and now it is ready to start taking off! I'm super excited for Anton! The group now also has a podium, a sacrament table, and chairs! Elder Garrett and I helped move everything into the meeting home which is literally just a members house. But this is a crazy big deal!

We went and tried some Colombian dessert. Wow! It was literally the best thing I've ever tasted! There's a pic below to make you all jealous.

Then Saturday rolled around. Baptism day! We had 3 baptisms that day! Trino, Idelka, and Alexandra! Alexandra was the first baptism of the newly established Anton group! I was so happy for all 3 of them! Such a great day!

It got even better on Sunday! Idelka brought her sister and some friends to her baptism. Then they also came to church! Idelka was literally showing them around and also teaching them about the Book of Mormon! So amazing! Then Elder Garrett and I wanted to teach Sunday School to the youth. Prezzy Arrocha was fine with it. So we started to teach the Plan of Salvation. But then Prezzy was a bit mad and was like "Elders, you have to follow the Come Follow Me lessons. You can't just teach your own thing. Do you even read Come Follow Me?"

I just said to him "Of course I read Come Follow Me. This week literally talks about The Atonement of Christ."

It was a pretty lucky coincidence. But we had a great lesson! Our investigators also loved it! I even put my drawing skills to the test on the whiteboard. It's not the best drawing, but it was fun!

Then Monday we had another District Council. Then the branch had a huge party for Elder Garrett! There was food and we also did Karaoke! Super fun! It was kinda weird though because we were all saying goodbye to Elder Garrett. Literally didn't even feel real.

I officially said bye to Elder Garrett on Tuesday. It was pretty sad saying goodbye. I've always had to say bye to comps, but this time it was different. We had become great friends and have had some of the funnest discussions. We had good times and I'm not sure when I'll see him again, but someday I'm sure we'll meet again!

We also got transfer news this week! Obviously I'll be staying in Penonomé with a new comp. But little did I know that I would receive a call saying that I'd be training! I'm gonna be a dad! I'm not sure who I'll be training, but I'll find out tomorrow! And so my posterity begins. Funny enough, my trainer is also training, and he is in my district. So it is literally me, my son, my father, my brother. Which means Elder Bray's two sons and grandson! So crazy! Wish me lots of luck and pray for me! I need it.

Apologies, but no spiritual thought today. But I promise one for next week! Keep praying for my people of Penonomé and Antón! And of course mi hijo. Love you all! Until next week!

- E. Lutze