Right so there has been a lot of changes.... a LOT. New companion, new area, new branch, people, climate, house, and changes in me more than anything. I have come to love missionary life for the changes I have seen in myself more than anything else. I know that seems somewhat selfish, but sadly enough the actual changes people make because of what we are teaching are rather few and far between with 7 months and only one baptism now. I know I have planted many seeds, but the actual progress of someone reading in the Book of Mormon, coming to church, being baptized, and coming closer to Christ is actually somewhat rare out here. I'm growing to be okay with that and respect people's agency. I find more and more that I'm grateful for every day and am truly becoming a positive, stronger, and more independent while ironically dependent on the Lord kind of person which I am already eternally grateful for.
The Lord has also given me a very interesting blessing while out here on my mission which is what I like to call the mission veil. As I lose myself in the work and pray for greater singularity of heart, might, mind, and strength on missionary work I find my mind and feelings very literally overwhelmed in the work of the Lord and have very literally lost myself in the work. I'm doing my best to leave my old self in the past; then trust in the Lord that He will give me the tender mercy memories that bring a smile to my face or even the occasional random laugh that has so often sprinkled my time here in the mission, help me to redevelop the good parts of my personality and talents when I return from my mission, and really allow me to develop my true self.
There is the announcement on the church website now of our new mission president that will be coming in July 2016, his name is Luis RodrÃguez Serrano. You can read his bio too now I believe. He will mark the halfway point of my mission. A little worried about what he will be like and sad to be losing President Willard because I have built such a strong relationship with him, but I still trust in the Lord knowing I was called to serve in this time with these 2 mission presidents.
I highly recommend involving the book Our Search for Happiness by (Elder) M. Russell Ballard in your own missionary efforts and with those who have qustions about our faith. It describes everything so beautifully and simply and has helped me renew my testimony in the simplicities of this gospel.
I asked my last companion, Elder Gilbert, just before we split, what I had really taught him in our 3 months together and if I had really made a difference in his life. He said something to me that no one else has ever said to me in my entire life..... "You taught me how to be happy." :') I.... Elder Van Horne.... who has struggled with being positive.... taught somebody else how to be happy and as he said, "helped him to see what happiness really was." In truly praying and studying and begging the Lord to help me overcome struggles in my mission and put many techniques into practice with this by avoiding any and all negative or sarcastic thoughts, lose myself in the work of the Lord, and LOVE the company of the members and people here.... actually helped teach someone how to be happy. What a miracle and blessing.
I invite you to look up and watch the most recent worldwide conference for missionaries on our new theme of "In this mission we teach reprentance and baptize converts." Please.... It's life changing and I don't have the time or the words to express the magnificent apostollic revelation that it was.
Anyway here in Vallegrande a third of the construction is of adobe bricks.... yes the mud and grass cement like mixture people used hundreds of years ago. There are nothing but insane hills..... we walk these weird hexagon cobble stone streets or woven rock roads up hills that are even more extreme than the famous ones in San Fran..... I'm freezing and it's only in the 60s I have to readjust to the climate obviously. It's MUCH quieter.... a hundredth of as many dogs, chickens, roosters, and cats in the streets. Many more paved streets in the areas we normally are but pure farmland and even muddier streets in the immediate surroundings. One dirt and grass landing strip for our "airport." Yes medical care but not all that great, people get shipped to Santa Cruz 6 hours away in a car when it's serious, luckily I've got the pure armor of the Lord every day and don't even get close to anything dangerous. The people here are more chill, less honking in the streets. They're also more religiously smart and set which is good and bad.... when they don't want to listen the rejections are harder and backed by random scriptures..... when they do want to listen, they actually read and ask good questions.... I'm loving it here.
Love you all. Keep praying for me especially to not feel alone for these next 2 weeks. Love and miss and pray for you all.
Love,
Elder Van Horne
