Welcome To PONCE

As I get close to the end of the mission, I keep having lasts, and it's actually quite sad. This week, we had a few lasts that have really been weird to think about.

I had my last MLC this week, and it was really, really good. Every MLC that I have been to for the last six months has been amazing. The things we discuss and counsel about are always super inspired by the Lord. I love the Skinners and appreciate the trust they give us as their missionaries, and I'm grateful for the other leaders and the respect they give to one another. The mission is a giant learning experience, and without each other, it would never go anywhere. We all come from different places and have different talents, hobbies, and experiences. The greatest part is that so many people see things in such different ways, and I would and could've never seen it that way.

Funny story about MLC: So, we were ending the day with some pictures on the staircase, and before Hermana Skinner told us to go to the staircase, I told the Amazon Alexa to play "Danny Boy" by BYU Vocal Point. It's an inside joke between me and Elder Bishopp (the elder that I live with). We are always talking about the "pipes calling," the bagpipes, because in the song it says, "the pipes, the pipes are calling." So, I said, "Hey Alexa, play 'Danny Boy.'" I didn't think it worked because, well, we couldn't hear anything (it's actually because it was on the lowest volume and the elders were super loud). So we went to the picture, it all gets quiet, and Hermana Skinner's like, "Do you hear that music?" And I was like, wait... it worked... "the pipes, the pipes are calling." And Hermana Skinner goes, "I think it's someone's ringtone," and another Hermana says, "I think it's coming from the house." I missed a perfect opportunity to say, "The pipes are calling you, Hermana Skinner." It was funny because it wasn't actually supposed to play. I was going to stop the Alexa, but I didn't hear anything, so I walked out, and then all of a sudden, "Danny Boy" was just playing in the mission home. Que GRAAAAAANDEEEEEE el "Danny Boy"!

They also made tacos, and my companion was not feeling well in his stomach, which is kind of ironic because I'm also, well, I'm recovering from stomach issues. Anyways, he was like, "Elder, you have got to eat my taco." I said, "Well, make it small then," and so we ate. I ate mine in a hurry and traded plates, and all the missionaries were like, "Did you eat your taco, Elder Tau, or was it Elder Tew? I haven't seen you eat a single bite." Elder Tau then testified that he ate his taco really fast as I sat there with his taco in my hand.

It was a good MLC, a good way to leave the mission on a good note. A spiritual note from MLC was definitely the Assistants' slide; it really was something impactful. They taught about higher and holier PRSJM, and I think it was very needed, at least our zone needs that.

Last number 2 and 3:

This was my last Fast Sunday as a missionary, which is really weird. Growing up in Utah, I was never taught the law of the fast. Now, you could say I was and was, but I never understood or paid attention. So when I got to the mission, my first time fasting with Elder Christensen, he said, "Let's go get Wendy's," and I tried a Coquito Frosty for the first time (it's a coconut ice cream with cinnamon Frosty flavor), and we ate. I had Sprite. And then he said, "Time to fast. HORRIBLE IDEA EATING FAST FOOD BEFORE A FAST, FYI," but I remember observing him and watching him go and start a fast with a prayer. That was a huge learning point for me. I had never known fasting included a prayer. I just always stopped eating or thought people didn't eat for 24 hours, and I didn't understand why. But I saw him start with a prayer, and it was something super special to watch. I was just observing and learning by the Spirit, and so I copied him, and I slowly but surely gained a testimony of the law of the fast over the last 23 months of fasting. I didn't fast in the MTC. I didn't even know what it was. I was a lost child. But I know that we truly do receive blessings and see miracles when we do have a mighty fast accompanied by prayer and by giving up the desires of the natural man and giving up food and then spiritually being fed by the power and Holy Ghost. Funny thing is, whenever we fast in PR, that's when people give us juice or water or food or candy or dessert, exactly only when we are fasting. All of a sudden, love spoiling us.

Point 3 of lasts, my last time giving my testimony in Sacrament meeting as a missionary, which I said I would do every Fast and Testimony Sunday as a missionary. I was only able to get 22/24 because twice the members just kept going up, and I didn't have the chance. But I was going to, so it counts. Anyways, it's been a blessing to see my testimony grow and to bear testimony.

This week, we had an exchange in Yauco, and it was quite an adventure going with an elder from Argentina and another elder from Idaho. They are absolute opposites, and they are in a trio. It was interesting. Elder Tomlinson speaks in parables and he shoved his glasses in the fan jajaj.

Edbelio accepted a date for baptism and will be baptized this Saturday. Please pray for him.