preparation

even though i still have about three or four weeks left before i report to the mission home to begin my mission i am already starting to feel a bit anxious about getting everything ready. i finally had time to look over the list of things that i need to buy for my mission and it is a pretty extensive list! so the first thing i did was to write down the things i already have and then i will proceed to buy the things i dont have. well i already have all of my mission clothes ready (the clothes i will use everyday as well as the shoes) i just need to buy some p-day and exercise clothes and shoes and a few other items and then i will be done! all i need now is to be patient and wait for the big day!

in church this past sunday brother quintero was advanced to the melchizedek priesthood as well he received a calling as second counselor in the branch presidency (!). i am so happy for brother quintero and his desire to grow in the gospel as well as for his strength. not many recent converts make it this far and fall by the wayside. but brother quintero is one of a kind. he loves the scriptures, loves sunday school...i know he has a great future in the Church because of his love for the truth. i am also glad that the branch will have him to help lead it. i know that he will do an excellent job. who knows he might be our next branch president? i think this also marks a turning point in branch history. i think this is the first time that all of the branch presidency leadership is from the raymondville area before they would bring in other worthy men to lead the branch from other areas (harlingen)

brother quintero's conversion and endurance brings to mind one of my favorite verses in the book of mormon:

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

I know this church is true and I can't wait to be part of the full time missionary work.