Hola a todos! This was a fast week. I remember last Monday sending an email out. Time does fly. It’s crazy!

I remember at home when my Dad cooks Hungarian Goulash or Gulyas. It takes considerable time to prepare the vegetables and meats and authentic spicing for the stew and then it takes hours to cook so that the ingredients can blend together into a perfect blend of richness and satisfaction. I have been thinking about the time it takes for someone to learn the Gospel for the first time and take the actions in their lives based on what they learned to be true. This time like in the Hungarian Gulyas is simmering time and it can take week, and months, and years to take its full effect in the lives of those we meet. In many cases, I will only see a small part of this simmering time in the lives of those around me, but I am grateful to have filled a role in increasing the happiness of others.

In this regard, I have learned to be patient with people we are teaching because it is very easy to think: ‘Oh they need this right now and you teach it to them and they are done.’ But it doesn’t work like that. I have learned that our friends we teach take time to grasp these lessons and it takes time for them to apply these concepts into their lives.

Yesterday we visited a member from our ward and had a great conversation with him. We talked about a time for those we teach to be ready to become members of the Church. At times, I think: ‘Oh you need this and you can get baptized after we complete this,’ but no they need their time. The attribute I have been working on this week is patience with our friends.

President Dieter Uchtdorf taught in his April 2010 Conference talk entitled “Continue in Patience”:

“Patience — the ability to put our desires on hold for a time — is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter.

“Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action and offers hope for peace.”

I appreciate the journey I am on and the words of those like Pres. Uchtdorf who help me keep perspective on my experiences. I have enjoyed my mission and the experiences I have had in my personal studies. I have enjoyed learning and growing and talking to as many people as I can. Missions are hard but they are referred to as ‘a labor of love’ because it is true we as missionaries are in a labor of love.

Thank you all for your love and comments on Facebook. Continue to read these emails and pray for our friends! You guys are awesome.

Have a great week! BUENE SUERTE!! ✌️ ❤️ 😎