Probably The Longest One I've Written

Yoooo, buenos días! ¿Cómo estamos? I had an amazing week, and I can't believe it's already onto the next! We will just do a quick recap of everything that happened.

Monday was super lit! Pday was dope; my comp and I went to the Nike outlet and bought clothes. Pretty cool. Also, talked to my family; they are all absolutely chilling.

Tuesday, I had meetings in the morning and then proceeded to have a normal day. It was pretty uneventful, but we found some cool people, and hopefully, they'll come to church.

Wednesday, now today is when things get crazy! I was on an exchange with my dawg Elder Sherwood in YSA. It was super slow, and it gave me a little bit of insight into the life of those elders. We had some fun campus proselyting, and it was super good!! My favorite part of the day was our dinner appointment. We had the chance to eat with an amazing member I hadn't seen in a long time! It was so amazing to see her again and spend time with her family. I love them so much; the spirit was so strong. We just talked about life, the church, and our testimonies. I am so grateful that I met her so long ago. She will forever be my friend, and I know me serving in that area had to do with meeting her. I am just so grateful for all the amazing people I have met here on my mission.

Thursday I was on another exchange! I was on the bikes with our friends down in the McAllen 1st ward. It was awesome to bump around with Elder Marshall. I learned a lot from him, Christlike love, and simply desiring this for others. It was amazing, and we saw some cool miracles. One of them was a little lesson we had with our friend Claudia! She has been investigating the church for a little bit, a little background on her, she is a college religion professor. So she knows her stuff and has been grinding the Book of Mormon so much! We went over and walked her through the plan of salvation and left with an invitation to pray about baptism and read more of the book. Yesterday I saw her at a baptism; she said she was next hopefully!!!!! Later in the day she accepted a baptismal date. God is truly gathering his people!

Friday, we had another meeting! It was also my birthday, which was super fun! We had some amazing tacos at dinner and then worked like normal. When we got home, I was attacked brutally, and cupcakes were smashed into my face. It was funny; I can't believe I am 20. I feel the same.

Saturday, we had interviews with Presidente Larreal!! It was so good, and I am very grateful for him. He has helped me so much to grow into the person I want to be on my mission and my whole life. It was truly inspired for me to be in this mission while he has been the mission president.

Sunday was super awesome!! We had friends come to church, and we were able to set up some good appointments with them! I sat by my dawg Enrique during church; it was so lit. He's like a little old Mexican grandpa, just loves to be there and enjoy himself. I hope to have that simple love for the gospel.

I want to share a favorite part of mine from General conference. It's from Elder Uchtdorf's talk about Joy.

We all know people who say that they don’t need God to be happy, that they are happy enough without religion. I acknowledge and respect these feelings. Our beloved Father in Heaven wants all His children to have as much happiness as possible, so He has filled this world with beautiful, wholesome pleasures and delights, “both to please the eye and … gladden the heart.” For me, flying brought great happiness. Others find it in music, in art, in hobbies, or in nature. By inviting everyone and sharing the Savior’s good news of great joy, we do not discount any of these sources of joy. We’re simply saying that God has something more to give. A higher and more profound joy—a joy that transcends anything this world offers. It is a joy that endures heartbreak, penetrates sorrow, and diminishes loneliness.

HERE IS MY FAVORITE PART!!!

Worldly happiness, by contrast, does not last. It cannot. It is the nature of all earthly things to grow old, decay, wear out, or become stale. But godly joy is eternal because God is eternal. Jesus Christ came to lift us out of the temporal and replace corruption with incorruption. Only He has that power, and only His joy is perpetual.

I feel like I end up preaching this every week, but it's my feelings every week as new joy is found in Christ. Only through JESUS CHRIST can we find true peace in this life. Our covenants bind us closer to Him and help us overcome this world. I can promise you I have seen a difference in my life. He is the way, the truth, and the life. I love my Savior. He has done so much for me.

I love you all!! I would love to hear from all of you....I am sorry for not getting back to you. Just know it makes my day to hear from you!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Lefler

PS On a different exchange, I went larping in the park....it was insane.....let's just say I would have been a super good knight.