Week 75

This has been a busy week! first we had a good time getting to know our area a little more, our area has what is considered one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the DR, called "Wachupita" but dont worry mom, we have to special weapons, el gordito (our hyundai 12 seater van) and a member named thomas. Thomas was baptized 3 years ago and is the only member in his family, he is about 65 years old, bald, wears glasses, and has serious knee problems, but he is a hero. this week he has left with us twice to show us around the neighborhood and present us to old investigators who basically just lack the step of baptism. on saturday we met Ricardo, he came to church and has a baptismal date for the 7th of January, super cool! he said he is just talking with everyone, which is what we as a mission are trying to do more of right now. super awesome guy! The Lord is blessing Elder tripp and I, we also had our ward christmas activity on friday, we met 4 new investigators, a couple that is way cool, only have to get married in the future, but thats basically 95% of the dominican families... loving the work.

on top of the normal work, we have had to do tons this week, Elder Tripp and I planned a special meeting with president corbitt, that we had with all the ZLs and DLs, talking about goals and plans for January, we as a mission are setting the Goal of baptizing 300 of our Dominican Brothers and Sisters in the month of January alone!!! Miracles are awaiting us, I just know it! We also had to get up at 3:30 AM this morning to take another missionary to the airport, super tired right now... 

I love driving in the car with elder tripp. we talk about the gospel, plans for the mission, and sometimes post mission life. we enjoy singing and harmonizing as well in the car, last week with Elder frogley we sang christmas songs while driving a good 3 hours from the capital to san pedro and then to the airport! we were picking up a new sister missionary. we sang a three part harmony of melody, tenor and bass, super fun. then on thursday elder tripp and I had to take the mail to the country-ish zone of hainamosa, super pretty drive, ate lunch down there as well. been crazy but exciting at the same time!

last of all, im gaining a stronger testimony of revelation, priesthood authority, and the influence of the Holy Ghost. lets just say i love working and being around president Corbitt. I swear that man is going to be a 70 if not an apostle in the future! he knows the hearts of the missionaries and loves and cares deeply for each and every one of them. seriously feel humbled and blessed to be working more with that man. also have a testimony of something that my mom shared with me in her letter this week... "I have learned a truth that has been repeated so frequently in my life that I have come to know it as an absolute law. It defines the way obedience and service relate to the power of God. When we obey the commandments of the Lord and serve His children unselfishly, the natural consequence is power from God—power to do more than we can do by ourselves. Our insights, our talents, our abilities are expanded because we receive strength and power from the Lord." - Elder Scott

i felt that power this sunday when i played the piano in sacrament meeting, all the members asked me to play songs for a ward choir the have been wanting to do, and i had never practiced the songs, but i looked at the sheet music, and even though im not that great at sight reading music, i was able to play them just as needed. the Lord helped me, gave me the power to play the piano for the ward choir. I have a testimony of this principle

anyways, christmas is almost here, missing the snow, food, and traditions, but its all good, cuz in one year from now, ill be living it up with you guys back at home again :)

love you all, hope you have a great week!

ELDER AUGER  

 the gordito getting washed ;)

 in the words of elf... "SANTA!!!!!!!!!!!" hahaha