Year 2, Week 28

Hello from the urban web that sits next to tropical paradise!!!

LECCIÓN DE LA SEMANA: We had our Ward Missionary Activity this week (with a family-history "COCO" theme), and I learned that if you’re going to lead a group, you have to have a "group-mind". The idea that we had so carefully meditated was that we would put on the movie "COCO", have a lesson from the elders quorum about the FamilySearch program, and then have the Relief Society do a presentation of several traditional mexican dishes, together with their own family stories.

BUT:

1) The computer was having dificulties connecting to the projector.

2) The elders quorum was a no-show.

3) The (wonderful) sisters didn’t know that they had to present their histories.

SO:

1) We recruited an investigator (who happened to be a tech-expert) to help us fix the computer problem.

2) We searched out a timid sister who works in the Family History Center, gave her a 5-minute pep-talk, and committed her to give a short verbal presentation about the church’s geneology resources.

3) We utilized the stereo that one member family brought and the Spotify account of another brother in the ward to put on music from the movie while visitors and members ate the food and their children danced in the middle of the room.

I can tell you all that when you want to get a group activity done, you’ve got to take into account the many strengths and weaknesses of each person. You have to keep in mind the good experiences that others will have as you invite them to actively contribute. And, (very important), you’ve got to have a back-up plan! God is the perfect example of a "group-mind". In fact, His doctrine is that as we lose ourselves in the service of OTHERS, we will come to know ourselves better. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He is willing and happy to give us chances to contribute to the "glorious anthem of the Restoration" (Deiter F. Uchtdorf).

I invite each of you to consider how you can better apply the principle of "group-mind" as you seek to excel in school, in your homes, and in the building of the kingdom of God.

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We found a new investigator this week named Angel! And in an effort to minister, we helped him paint his house and set up his porch-front restuarant in less than two hours. I’m telling you, the mexican people have an INDUSTRIOUS culture!! I’ve learned a TON about entrepreneurship from them.

We had our leadership council! With leaders from the whole mission present, we discussed various ways we can be creative in our finding efforts.

Some former investigators of ours came to the ward activity! The father’s name is Oscar, and he and his family are from Venezuela. The guy is a giant compared to everyone here. And compared to me, to be honest....

Let me know what questions you guys have so that I can better tell you about the details of Mexico!!! I love it here and wish I could spend way more time serving the Lord in this capacity! I wish you all a great week! LOVE YOU!!

Elder Carson

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Hector from "COCO" - in skeleton and in living form XD