"Change" Ft. Elder Aiono and Elder Witte

We had interviews. It was fire and of course, I pushed for more leeway with the spanish learning tools we have available to us. My companion was doing great too, we are working so hard here!

I had a very special moment this last week, a truly inspired moment. A previous trainee of mine is ward sharing and we spent 10 minutes remembering old moments when we were together, it took a lot of faith and trust when I was told to not back down when it comes to my internal sense of obedience, and although he apologized for much of the confliction that he caused, one of top things that I have learned, is to be more loving.  It is not easy for me, but I am a work in progress.

Jesus Christ expects SO MUCH out of us, and I've been studying lately how his perfect love and sacrifice JUSTIFY his high, perfect expectations of us. He knows of our potential and I have had a glimpse of that with this trainee, but without showing the high love. I was extremely at fault too, it was so tender talking with him and I'm so excited to see the changes he has made and the changes that I have made. We watched videos and I remembered how frustrated or angry I once was. But now I don't even see the point in why I was so hard headed or strong willed, I am learning this transfer to meet people where they are. I am so grateful for the mission, and the impossibly better person it is helping me become.

Sincerely,

Elder Lucas Witte

Of course, tomfoolery happened this week. I'm still a teenager. 

TEQUEÑOS: essentially cornmeal homemade mozzarella sticks, we got taught to make them and I CHEFFED (yes all the cheesy goodness... (I just KNOW my sisters are rolling over this one))

AREPAS: Ok I was on a roll and am in my baking arch on the mission so ofc I had to make (essentially corn meal english muffins? Idk how to describe them but they are SO FIRE) this one is uncooked but LOOK AT THAT CONE TOP SHAPE SO FIRE!!!

I may have won the BIGGEST Bible I've ever seen in a Bible bash (we shared a scripture and bro said that's a dumb book try this, and he let us keep it...)

New Area, New Companion - Like Alma

 Well, our area was closed but then I left and opened a new area where Elders haven't been for almost 2 years, so naturally we went straight to all the bros that the hermanas that have not taught or visited because they were solo at home or didn't understand. Oh yeah, and that's a plus because my companion is fluent in Spanish so we can help SOOO many more people!!!  This is going to bring up my Spanish even more than it already is and that is exciting. (for me)

Elder Maile-Stites is from Tonga/Samoa but lived in Las Vegas and his Spanish is SO good! It's been such a pleasure to finally be with a companion that's older than me (in mission time, I'm still mad young in for real time)

I have been reading about Alma Younger this week and realized he followed the spirit SO MUCH as to where to go and where not to go. We have to do the same here because it is the land of the apartment complexes and we have tried hard to return to those places that accept us and our message and... ahem* leave the places that don't. (deep doctrine, iykyk (jk)) 

Word to the Wise: Do the same in your life! Cut unnecessary places, people, and things out of your life and focus on those with which you will be accepted into God's arms! Love you all goodbye!

Sincerely,

Elder Lucas Witte

​​
Trainee in our apt got to talk in front of the whole mission!!! He's so great (mom not all those soda cans are mine, promise)

Yalibeth got baptized!!!  a year and a half ago she was found, there are like 20 missionaries that taught her, she is AWESOME!!! Glad to be a part of her story.

​

Dang it, you've got me tearing up.

 The top thing I've learned on my mission is to look for deeper needs and problems in people's lives, whether that is being patient and picking apart subtle jabs instead of verbally fighting back, or just point blank trauma dumping to you. Usually, I'm not a fan of either of those but this transfer I had to grow my empathy, patience and humility to better understand my companion and help our companionship. This was a challenge for me and through Jesus Christ I have been so changed for the better and been able to heal and help others.

My mission has meant everything to me and I will do whatever it takes to protect this opportunity that I have been given to learn and grow. It has been the biggest, fattest, greatest spiritual experience of my entire life (so far). My testimony is at an all time high in conjunction with my thorough understanding of the gospel, restoration, and plan that God has for each and every one of us. I was sent HERE to help people, and will not stop until they make me. 

Well, unfortunately this transfer we just got the call and my companion and I are both leaving... As per usual we will have 24 hours to pack then we will get on the transfer van and head out to somewhere new that we are needed. Peace out Camas.

Sincerely,

Elder Lucas Witte

Leo was found right as I got to this area, and got baptized yesterday... how perfect his conversion is is insane, his confirmations was SO POWERFUL

W Recent Convert (as per usual)

 The Spanish zone conference was excellent. I have made it my goal to really grow close with the youth/young/prospective elders in this beautiful branch we've got here in Camas Washington, and one of my best friends came to Zone Conference by invitation and in one of the breakout rooms you could interview him about his experience on being baptized and retained. It was so epic and SO spiritual as he testified to us about prayer. What I got out of it is to pray more WITH not just FOR your friends, families, spouses etc. It will grow you so close to Heavenly Father.

I was able to go on exchanges the exact same day that the other companionship had a temple tour! So we drove down with one of my favorite members from when I was in that area and we listened to some INSANE music, from "Despacito" to "gangnam style."  It was HILARIOUS. I hope the best for those elders in the near future.

Have a great week and pray more.

Sincerely,

Elder Lucas Witte

​

​
Portland BBQ that took FOREVER to make but was so delicious (do not tell the assistants)

W temple trip with these folks!!!! The temple Hermana was from el salvador too!!!

Candelaria is gonna get baptized!!! (Before she goes back to Argentina hopefully)​

The field is white and ready to harvest.

​Our new sun block blanket (our poor neighbors)