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!

Remembering Fondly

On September 4, 2012 we welcomed

Elder Encarnacion

to the Best Mission in the World

He arrived with a LARGE group of missionaries 

willing and ready to go to work

Happily he met his first companion 

and from that moment on 

he was hard at work inviting everyone to come unto Christ

 and receive His gospel.

 

 His smile was always contagious and he was of "good cheer"

whenever we were with him...no matter how hard...

He knew how to do hard things!

He knew why he was on his mission and in his short year

he has helped many people come to the waters of baptism.

 

He loved and was beloved of his companions.

He was a great leader!

One day he called and asked me for permission to take his district fishing on P-day...

I said, "only if you catch something and send me a picture."

This is the picture he sent to me that day (sorry the size is small)

While he was waiting for his interview with President Prince in July

he asked me,

"Sister Prince, I try to do everything you ask me.

What else can I do to be a great missionary?"

I said,

"Elder Encarnacion, you are a marvelous missionary!  We trust you.

You are obedient.  We can count on you.  

Just keep doing what you are doing."

 Here is Our last Zone Conference picture with him...

tall, strong, dignified, and worthy

to be a representative of Jesus Christ.

On Sunday, September 1, 2013 President Prince sent out the following notice:

We lost a missionary today.  A stray bullet passed through an open door while four missionaries were having lunch together, and it struck one of our Elders in the head. He fell to the floor and died immediately without any sign of pain or struggle.

Elder Jose Daniel Encarnación was from the Dominican Republic.  He had just finished a year in the mission and was 20 years old.  I spoke with the local Stake President by telephone, and he notified the family (as is protocol).  We have 192 devastated missionaries on our hands, and four stakes and three member districts are in mourning.

The Missionary Department, Church leaders, local police, members, family, friends are all cooperating on the details and arrangements that occur in a situation like this.  The Area Presidency called in to express their sorrow.  Elder W. Christopher Waddell will be here Wednesday to spend a few days.

As I sat in a baptismal service tonight, I could see Elder Encarnación in all white clothing in my mind´s eye, standing above me in the air.  I could see he had a calm, reassuring smile as he looked at me.  Then I remembered the words of President Joseph F. Smith, "I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel...in the great world of the spirits of the dead" (DC 138:57).  Elder Encarnación has a new companion and a new Mission President, but he plans to hit his goals in the month of September.  Elder Encarnación, we will miss you.

Joni and I are doing OK (not to worry).  This hurts us deeply, and we are suffering for the elder´s family, but if there ever was a case where Father took someone to the other side, this was it.  I have felt reassured that Elder Encarnación is fine.

 Remembering Fondly a Marvelous Missionary!

Our lives our forever changed...may we continue working with this

great Elder in the Lord's work!

"For behold, this is my work and my glory - 

to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."

Moses 1:39

**to all of our missionary families.  Your son/daughter is working hard, safe, and doing all he/she can to honor the name of Elder Encarnacion by being a great missionary.  We are happy to receive any emails to address any concerns you have.  JoniPrince@ldsmail.net
We love your missionaries...they are like our own sons and daughters.
Thank you for your support, faith, and prayers.