Devin 20th Birthday week

The days pass by so quickly! It literally feels like I was at this email shop yesterday to write you guys.  Today wasn't the normal P-day I've had. It was a lot of running around getting documents to people for tomorrow's YSA conference (there is a Young Single Adult conference tomorrow in Hyderabad to celebrate the formation of the stake center there), then having lunch, and walking around Delhi with the other guys in my district. So I write quickly.

 

The Indian accents are crazy hard to understand many times. Elder Bunga is an exception which is nice. :) I hand the phone over to him time after time because either I can't understand what the person is saying or they don't understand me.

 

I've been reading up on 121. I want to be able to express what I understood the best I can. So I'm going to go home and write it down to type it up next week. Though I do love how the Lord express to Joseph Smith, "My son peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment" in such a tender and loving manner.

 

My birthday was pretty great! Thank you for wishing me happy birthday! I love you guys! We actually had zone conference that day. 8 am- 4pm SOO LONGGG haha I enjoyed it though. Sister Jackson made cake for my birthday and bought some ice cream. Then Elder and Sister Capener bought a cake for me and sent it to the apartment. Elder Bunga bought me a mango shake. THOSE ARE SO DELICIOUS!!!!! It's on the corner of the street right by our apartment. We get everyday. Morning or night sometimes both. haha 

 

I tried to remember this last week the names of the food I ate that I liked. A lot of the food here is good though. A curry called Daal  Mock knee  (That's how it sounds when I say it and then try to write it down) eaten with Roti. Roti is basically a tortilla. Another dish is Al ah go be (Hindi name). It's a potato and calliflower dish that is really good. That's all I can think of.

 

Grandma's birthday card actually arrived today. I haven't read it yet but will you tell her thank you! I'll write her back this week thanking her :) (All letters are delivered to us on P-day so it actually could have arrived earlier but I don't get it until the mission office delivers it to our apartment). 

   

Crossing the street here is nuts! I'm getting the hang of it, but it's like crossing state street in Pleasant Grove right by the Walmart. That busy and about that speed. Sometimes there's the red light to cross other times not so much. 

 

Elder Bunga's mom wants to get baptized when he gets home! He found out Mother's Day :)

 

When getting Dylan ready for his mission, I wouldn't suggest the business bag. With all the weight I carry, I'm going to switch over to a two strap bag. The handkerchiefs however, are GENIUS!!! They are a LIFESAVER! I drip sweat down my face all the time here and it so usually to get them. Extra socks and garments are also a good idea. These are 'just' suggestions ;)

  

Spiritual

Answers. The Lord answers prayers. Doctrine and Covenants 112:10-11

The last week has been challenging. However something that I wrote in a letter home hits the nail on the head for me. Regardless of how tough it can get I know this is where I’m to be in life. At times it may seem like I don’t know why, but I keep going because this is where I’m suppose to be J No doubt. Heavenly Father knows our needs and concerns. (Doc and Cov 121) He will help us through it all if we are doing our part. He gives us peace and comfort. It’s through him I can do all things. He shows us our weaknesses that we may be humble… for if thy have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. (Ether 12:27) I’m grateful that I have the privilege of being here and get to help others.

It’s interesting to see how much of a mission is forgetting yourself and reaching out towards others. When I first came to serve, I thought a mission would be easy and talking to people about God (someone that I love and adore; I reflect on how my life has been centered on trying to accomplish what he wants me to do) Now I realize, that for others, listening to a 20 young man talk about a God isn’t always something they want to talk about. Haha However, those that are willing to listen and find out for themselves God loves us and wants us to return to live with him, those are the glamorous moments of being a servant and representative for Jesus Christ. The Spirit testifies that these things are true to me and to those I have the privilege of teaching.

At the end of my full time service for my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, I want them to be proud of the work I’ve done. This is a once in a lifetime experience.

 

The last week has revolved around charity for me. There has been love pouring in from everywhere! From others serving in this mission to investigators and members to trying to have charity for myself and best of all my Heavenly Father. I really didn’t do justice expressing my thoughts about charity, but I needed to express that.

I love you guys! Thank you for your prayers and love! 

Elder Devin Bastian