Getting understanding...

In Proverbs we are told:

"Wisdom is the principal thing;  therefore get wisdom:

and with all they getting get understanding."

This was a week of "getting understanding"...

so many things that I just don't understand.

But the Lord does, and I do get that!

In Isaiah 55:8-9 we read:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Elder Christopher Waddell of the first Quorum of the 70 

visited the Colombia Cali Mission this week.  

His visit was scheduled before any of the problems 

began in Colombia.

I think Heavenly Father knew that I would need understanding.

We divided the mission into 3 groups of 5 zones...that was the initial plan we had!

Wednesday, DAY 1...Zarzal, Tuluá, Buga, Paraíso, 
and Palmira zones

On this first day I understand better what it means to be flexible and that there is
one thing you can always count on in the mission...CHANGE.
Our meeting was supposed to start at 10:30am.
Elder Waddell's plane was delayed coming out of Bogotá and he arrived 2 hours late.
We started the meeing at 12:30pm...Elder Waddell personally greeted each missionary.

I understand what it means to be comforted by the Holy Ghost.

BUGA

Front: Hermanas Guzman, Villacis, Princes, E. Waddell, Rapalo and Flores

Back:  Elders Checo, Morgan, Anderson, Cha, K. Rodriguez, and Suarez

ZARZAL

Front:  Hermanas Cruz, C. Campos, Princes, E. Waddell, M. Hernandez y Cedano

Back:  Elders Cervantez, Quisbert, Bran, Camacho, Lamoreaux, Sanhueza, Rowley, B. Payne, Lang, and Lipe

PALMIRA

Front: Elder Hogan, Princes, E. Waddell, Elder Calle

Back:  Elders Xochicale, Alfonso, Caja, Melgarejo, Santizo, Kendrick, Nail, Calvillo, Gonzalez, and Reyes

PARAISO

Front:  Elder Faúndez, Princes, E. Waddell, Elder Dahlin

Back:  Elders Olguin, Low, Fuentealba, Robbins, Rosario, J. Walker, Nunez, Ramos, Saez, P. Lopez, Mancilla, and Chumacerro

TULUA

Front:  Hermanas Galan and C. Hernandez, Princes, E. Waddell, E. Williams and Rojas

Back:  Elders Candia, Mendez, Mina, Sacco, Wilkerson, and Separovic

Some lunch pictures

         

Thursday, DAY 2...Villa Colombia, San Fernando, Calima, 
La Costa, Agua Blanca, and Farallones 
(6 zones!...remember flexible?)

On day 2 I understand better the need to bring others to Faith in Jesus Christ.
I understand the importance of conversion vs baptism.
I understand that there is power in the Lord's anointed servants.

SAN FERNANDO 

             

Front:  Elders Perrenoud y Rogche, Princes, E. Waddell, Hermanas Campos y Quispe

Back:  Elders Farinango, Bautista, Hidalgo, and Medina

FARALLONES

Front:  Elder Wilcox, Princes, E. Waddell, Elder Zambrano

Back:  Elders Moran, Mosqueira, Lawrence, Dean, Cartes, Longorio, S. Walker, Viza

VILLA COLOMBIA

           

Front:  Hermanas Fuentealba, Chacón, Princes, E. Waddell, Romero, Ordonez

Back:  Elders Alvarez, B. Lopez, M. Sanchez, Adams, Stevenson, Tidei, Guerrero, Torres, Malca, and Rocha

  

AGUABLANCA

Front: Elder Cordova, Princes, E. Waddell, Elder Payne

Back:  Elders Henostroza, R. Lopez, Amado, Chavez, Johnson, Galvez, Beltran

LA COSTA

Front: Elder Avalos, Princes, E. Waddell, Elder Rivadeneira

Back: Elders Musselman, Cain, Novoa, Didericksen, Joglar, Martinez

CALIMA

Front: Hermana Alarcón, Vargas, Princes, E. Waddell, Baca, and Marte

Back:  Elders Ramirez, Hansen, Gavilla, Chase, Andrew, Edwards, J. Ruiz, Delgadillo, Duque and Gallardo

THE OFFICE

Front: Princes and Elder Wadell

Back:  Elders Flores, Welling, Menendez, Henao, Perez, and Inga

Some Lunch Pictures:

The angels who made it all possible...

We love Ana and Maria!

I would try to put my plan into their heads and they would execute the plan perfectly...even if it did make them want to run and hide!!

                   

once office crew...always office crew!

The helpful hands of Elders Avalos, Rivadeneira, and Novoa!

Friday, DAY 3...Popayán and Cordillera zones
(Pasto and Ipiales participated by webcast)

On the 3rd day of missionary training, I understand that the Lord's ways are not my ways.
I really wanted the roads to be open for Pasto and Ipiales to travel to Cali.
I do NOT UNDERSTAND but I have faith that HE does.
"Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Pasto and Ipiales;
for all flesh is in mine hands;
be still and know that I am God."
I understand that I have a lot to learn about accepting the Lord's will, 
and if I am faithful to the end, someday I will understand perfectly.

And for now...that is enough for me to understand!

LA CORDILLERA

Front: Hermanas Galicia y Chub, Princes, E. Wadell, Elders Guerrero y Hutchison

Back:  Elders Marquez, Morales, Vera, Armstrong, Vaca, Campos, Sican, Darley

POPAYÁN

Front:  Hermanas Blanco, Deleon, Princes, E. Waddell, Jachcollo, Medina

Middle:  Elders Jones, Alvarado, Carrasco, Llerena, Borg, Lobelcho, H. Sanchez, Rendón, and Miranda

Back:  Elders Lyle, M. Ruiz, Silva, LaBar, Jolley, Dearing, and Pancheri

Some Lunch pictures: 

I understand that the Lord loves HIS missionaries!
I understand that I have a lot to learn from each one of them!
I understand that the Lord knew we needed E. Waddell this week!
I am getting understanding with each passing day!