#64: One-On-One with a General Authority

This week was super special!  Well, to start off, On Monday, it was my Zone Leader, Elder Larsen's Birthday. So after playing basketball with Hermano Orodoñez, we went to celebrate.  We ate pizza at a place called Los Arcos.  It was  fun!  Then, on Tuesday we had our District meetings, meaning I have to train my District.  I think that it went well.  My Spanish has definitely improved since the first time I trained my District, so that's good!
This week was more special than the others because we were visited by a General Authority, Elder Pieper of the Seventy!  On Thursday was a meeting for the members.  The missionaries weren't given permission to attend, but because I am in the District Choir, I was able to attend. (This was totally news to me that he was in the choir)  It was a really good meeting.  The members were able to ask him questions.  Eventually, the question came up, "What do we have to do, to become a Stake?"  I really liked Elder Pieper's response.  He said, "Every member needs to pay their tithing, and fast at least once a month and pay their fast offering; if not, there's no promise or blessing."  I never thought that the simple commandments of tithing and fasting would bring such great blessings.  Then he mentioned how all the blessings of the Gospel can only be received in the Stakes of Zion (See tho week's scripture to Ponderize below)  Overall, I think that the members are excited and animated to put in practice the teaching of Elder Pieper.
Then on Friday, we as missionaries had a training with Elder Pieper from 9:00am-2:00pm! It was super sweet!!  He really helped me understand better teaching methods that I'm definitely going to put into practice.  After the training meeting, Elder Pieper wanted to talk to a couple missionaries one-on-one.  To my surprise, I was chosen!!  I was excited and nervous because I've never talked with a General Authority one-on-one before.  I really loved it though.  He helped answer a couple questions that I had and gave me excitement to finish my mission strong up until the very last moment.
Overall, I really loved this week and the privilege I had to learn and hear the voice of Elder Pieper.  I know that he is called of God, and is His servant.  What a spiritual high and something I will never forget.

Scripture to "Ponderize"
Doctrine & Covenants 105:1-5

 1 Verily I say unto you who have assembled yourselves together that you may learn my will concerning the redemption of mine afflicted people—

 2 Behold, I say unto you, were it not for the transgressions of my people, speaking concerning the church and not individuals, they might have been redeemed even now.

 3 But behold, they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands, but are full of all manner of evil, and do not impart of their substance, as becometh saints, to the poor and afflicted among them;

 4 And are not united according to the union required by the law of the celestial kingdom;

 5 And Zion cannot be built up unless it is by the principles of the law of the celestial kingdom; otherwise I cannot receive her unto myself.

My Zone with Elder and Sister Pieper and President and Sister Montoys (front row)
(Elder Fowler is in the center of the back row)

Selfie with Me and Elder Arnold-he will be going home in 3 weeks)

Selfie with me and two of the sister missionaries while
celebrating Mexico Night.