The Rolla Holla: The Rolla Holla, Monday, April 26, 2010

The rain, persecution in San Pedro, discouragement, our own personal weakness, and so many other things had us gritting our teeth to carry on this week. Yet, we kept our hopes up and bore down in consecration in specific areas we had each chosen to stop holding back from the Lord. Though each day I felt that our work was unworthy and unfit of the lofty goal and specific miracle we were asking for, I strived to focus on my love of the people, believing that our loving Heavenly Father could concede us the miracle regardless.

As Elder Walker and I counted our Attendance in church, the people just kept coming. 10 minutes into the meeting, there weren’t enough chairs for everybody. As I counted and recounted the investigators, I could hardly believe it: 18. It was one of those tender mercies of God. Not 17, not 19, but 18 investigators in Sacrament Meeting, the exact number we had as a goal for several weeks but hadn’t until this week prayed consistently and fervently, and desired for exactly the right reasons: in order to help 18 of our brothers and sisters that we love and sincerely want to progress take the next, important step. They did and we were overjoyed. As we finished the 2 ordinations and the group filed out of our little chapel after 2 hours of meetings, Elder Walker and I just sat in awe. After some moments of silence, we decided to kneel and offer a prayer to return thanks.

Well, now we are striving to remain humble, re-calibrate and not leave ANY of what we had learned behind. The work progresses great. Elder Frutos from the office called me this week with some questions about the branch formation form, so we are excited, though willing to patiently wait for the members to have the blessing of an official branch here in San Pedro.

I have felt in these last two weeks a greater urgency to prepare the members here for the possibility of me leaving. Our little group is functioning well, and all members have, or will have by the end of the week, specific, written goal certificates (temple, mission, personal Progress, etc.) that they can display in their homes to keep them excited to progress, as well as callings or assignments, and finally, friends and nourishment by the good word of God through the visiting program we have been striving to set up. In our twice-weekly activities, we’ve been talking about important topics like pride, not taking offense, unity, and creating Zion. I honestly feel like they are ready and will be able to continue with Elder Walker’s able, consistent guidance if I am called to leave this place. Of course,

I am MORE than happy and willing to continue WHEREVER the Lord needs me most, and am confident that wherever I go, it will be where He needs me.

Elder McCarty

001 Did a division this week with Juan and it was GREAT. He speaks a lot of Guarani and little Spanish but was a great missionary and is even learning to SING!