My go home date has changed

Although a lot of people used their agency poorly this Sunday, we have a lot of great investigators.  I´m learning the difference between recognizing bad choices and separating those from the people themselves.  Their faith is tender, and we just have to help them grow it. 
Most of the young men (majority of our investigators) have exams and study groups taking over their lives.  We´re still going to work hard this week, find news, and advance with those that keep progressing. 
Our baptism this week fell through because she got sick and didn´t go to church.  Sometimes I ask myself why these things happen.  My expectations I think are unrealistic at times while working with imperfect people.  It´s a good thing that God doesn´t expect me to be...

The big news this week is that my go home date has changed.  It´s not Dec 10th, but now is January 23rd.  I´m sorry for the disappointment that may cause some of you, but please know that this is God´s will, and all these things will work out in the end.  I will enroll in BYU later.

We had several miracles this week!  I think that some gospel principles this week have penetrated my heart this last week like never before.  One is the miracle of the Gospel in changing the hearts of men.  I don´t know why, but I´m really starting to understand that (more for personal experiences than with investigators).  Change can happen, and that´s incredibly humbling to me. 

Prayer has truly become a real communication for me, and I think that´s why God waited to tell me to extend the mission until know. 

Yesterday I was feeling a lot of human weaknesses in my heart (mostly impatience), and once again I could feel direct and specific answers in the form of inspiration come to my mind as I prayed to God for help.  It´s something that´s never been quite so real before.  It´s almost instantaneous sometimes.  On that subject, I think that extending the mission (the decision) has been one of the greatest growing experiences of my life.  After finalizing the decision, I could recognize the confirming peace of the Spirit.  Looking back, I´m not sure why it was such a hard decision, but I´m glad God took the time to teach me the lesson.

Our couple that we´re teaching is great.  They are getting their partida from Colón themselves, and taking care of all the paper work themselves as well.  They even are trying to see if they can pull some strings to meet their Nov 16th date for baptism. 

Carlos and his sister received Spiritual witnesses this week that the Book of Mormon is true.  A miraculous experience for a boy who said, "I don´t have the faith to receive an answer."  The Gospel changes hearts!

I love you all, and hope you enjoyed Halloween.  I pray that the Gospel of Christ can be as real for you in your lives as it has become in mine.  Please make it the center.  The best way to do so is to share it.  No amount of study has been able to shape me as having to help others.  That´s the true Gospel.  Love in action.  Service and longsuffering for those we love.

Elder Thalman