post-christmas success

Greetings, 

Let me start off by saying how awesome and wonderful it was to be able to talk to you guys! Wow, that was so cool. Who knew, time really does go on back home. You guys were awesome, thanks for the funny stories and everything. Sorry, as I was thinking back on it I realized my face was super close to the camera so I don´t even know if you got to see my whole face. If not, whipsie- sorry! I was so happy to talk to you all. You are the best! Man, and sorry about all those dang tears. I just can´t help it when I see you cry, mom, or any of you. Freak, when you started crying, Cady, that about put me over the top. But all is good, haha I´ll be better on Mothers Day :) 

Not much has happened since we talked just a couple days ago, except for this one huge miracle! We stopped by the house of Pilar and Pablo, the investigating family, and it ended up just us talking to Pablo because his parents were painting a room. We were just chatting about things, and then he whips out this perfect English that we had no idea he had! Haha it was so funny, all of a sudden he just started speaking in English to us. After a little silence, he said ¨I´ve been thinking, and I know I don´t know everything about your church, but I will be baptized with my mom on the 18th of January (we had previously challenged his mom to that date and she accepted). I was speechless, I had no idea what had just happened. He told us he hadn´t even talked to his parents yet, but that he just feels like he wants to and needs to. Miracle. I was so thankful for the Lord. That experience helped me realize just how much of a rold He really does have in this work and that there really are people ready to listen and accept. I just have to rely on him, and preach the gospel in His way, not mine. 

The mission has taught me a lot about humility, how to be more humble. First example is learning Spanish. Its always been a little hard for me to be corrected, and with speaking Spanish I´m always saying stuff wrong. So it's a good thing that they are correcting me, but its a learning experience--still is--humbling myself to accept criticism. Another is just being with your comp every second of the day and learning how to change and be better. There is a quote I like and have written it in my planner ¨open your heart and make the needed changes¨. I think all of us, including me, sometimes have our way, our groove with something and don´t want to change, even if it is for the better. But if we open our heart, striving for humility rather than pride, we can improve ourselves and be better instruments for the Lord to work with. I still could do so much better, and I'm still learning, but it was something thats been on my mind recently. 

Again, thank you so much for your support and love. A mission isn´t easy for anyone, but it helps a lot when you know you have your family and friends right behind you in full support. I love you all dearly.

Elder Franson