Feb 9 2015

Mom,  we have now been apart for 5 months and I actually didn’t know if you would make it this far but I pray every day that you will have the strength to carry on. haha I am eating dinner and I feel a little bit better in the health department. I want to wish a nice Happy Birthday to you this week. You are getting pretty old right?   I have had some pretty awesome success stories lately. We have now had three people walk up to us, say something that once prevented them from getting baptized, say they have conquered that thing and want to get baptized on a Saturday that is within 6 days. Paula Flores was Evangelical and didn’t know if the Church was true, went to a baptism of someone else and felt the Spirit, then asked to be baptized. Limber Añez came up to us yesterday in the chapel, said he had just gotten married 8 days ago and was ready to be baptized. I haven’t seen him in over a month and a half. He came to church out of the blue and now wants to be baptized. Crazy. This really is Bolivia, Santa Cruz, The Mission of Miracles as it’s called. I am going to have a baptism on my birthday!!!!! I am so excited. I thought I would have to be in the house but now we get to go to the church.  The weird thing is that he has wanted to be baptized for the last 3 years, since he first met the missionaries, but because he was living with a girl, who is a member, and never got married that prevented him from joining. They have also had a goal to go to the Temple since November but now that they are married and he`s getting baptized their goal is for February of next year. Limber and Denise, they are so awesome. 

     I have been having a fantastic time here in Bolivia. While I have been here I have had the opportunity to help bless the lives of four special people. The four investigators that I have helped come to baptism are Juan Carlos, Janet and her daughter Natalia, and Paula Flores. They are so very special to me because it is a manifestation of the work of the Lord progressing faster than ever. It is also a testament to how blessed I am. I have only been in the mission for 5 months now and I have helped more people make this covenant than a lot of missionaries here have done in their whole mission. I pray to continue to have success. To find my brothers and sisters that are ready to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ with open arms. I am so overwhelmed that God has so much love, and that He loves each and everyone of us individually. Please always remember to share the Gospel because you may never know if you will touch a life and a heart. Keep the missionary attitude at the front of your mind always and forever. Our purpose here on Earth is to be happy and there are many of our neighbors, friends and family members who are not experiencing the same joys that we have. Please share the Gospel with everyone you meet. A smile, 5 minutes of assistance or even as much as to share your testimony. Whatever you do, remember the Lord Jesus Christ came to SERVE. I love all of you and I am very happy to be in the service of my God and I hope that everyone will develop a desire to share the Gospel with every single person that you meet. I know that our Heavenly Father lives and His Son Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon helps us come closer to God. This is the most correct book of any here in the world. God loves us, Jesus Christ loves us. Let us all share that same love with ALL of the children of God. This is my prayer every day, In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 with much love, Elder Kalen Jones