I wanted to speak briefly about Carlos. We fasted last week to find those children that want to progress and become closer to their father.
As I passed Carlos standing in his doorstep, I felt a magnetic pull to him, but we were in a hurry so we rapidly proceeded to march up the street and around the corner. At that moment, this man appeared in a clear image in my mind. STOP! We turned around and went back. Carlos let us in and we felt and learned clearly that he is an amazing man! He just wants to do what´s right. He has pure principles that drive him. We have now visited him and his family twice and we did a huge service project in his yard helping him to move giant slabs and pillars of cement for prefabricated walls. He is probably 60 years old. He is very interested in the church and I see him as a future bishop here in Boca. I now have to be worthy of the spirit so it may accompany us to the visits (including a family home evening tonight) so he can continue to progress and overcome the obstacles of Satan.
I want to speak briefly about the worthiness factor.
First comes worthiness in obedience to obvious laws. This worthiness allows us to repent and feel the spirit. The majority of people are worthy in this sense.
From there, comes the eligibility of blessings and care from the heavens. This worthiness does not refer to that we are not doing bad things, but rather all the good that we are doing.
You cannot earn salvation, or baptisms, or blessings. Rather God desires to bless all of his children with all that he has, but he allows us to choose our eligibility for those blessing.
NOTE: There is a very thin line of understanding this concept where you can easily say that it is not true or that you are blessed based on what you do as an immediate consequence. But rather than thinking how to disprove what I am trying to communicate, just meditate it and allow the spirit to teach you something new.
I can think here in the mission that if I walk extra fast and bang on a ton of doors and declare the message to a ton of people, I will earn a baptism or a miracle. However, I must understand that those things are necessary, but it is God that gives those things. While I must work hard, I should really focus on how involved my heart is and how devoted my desires are. I must pray intensely and study the scriptures. Instead of seeing each person as a baptismal statistic, I must plead with God and strive to be filled with charity, the pure love of Christ, as I see each and every person. I must do all that I can spiritually while working hard and continue patiently with confidence that the Lord will deliver His blessings.
Basically, a second person will not tell the difference between the two ways of working, because these worthiness battles are from within. How much do I really WANT it. And for what motive? Ponder about that and the Spirit will fill the gaps of understanding that I could not relay today.
On Thursday, Luis and his whole family drove to Boca in their new car from Barberena to take me to eat. What a special privilege it was to see them! I love them. They inspired me to kick it up a notch in my efforts to find those who are waiting for the truth.
I love you all family! I am excited to see you soon, but I have to occupy myself to do ALL I can for my country and my people before I am sent to the states.
-Elder Olson
#untilthefinalhour!
