Transfer board, tender mercies, and feeling the need to change...

Luke and Elder Reyes got a glimpse into all the work President and Sister Reber put in to the transfer board.  They sat there for hours arranging, praying about it, and then rearranging.  Luke saw the thought and love President and Sister Reber put into each missionary.  One Elder lost both of his parents before his mission.  He was having a hard time on the mission and then one night he went to sleep and in his dream he heard his parents voice.  Then a letter came down from heaven from his mom!  What a special tender mercy to a struggling missionary.  There were other circumstances the Rebers were aware of where they knew the needs of missionaries and their need for certain companions.  Such a special experience to be a part of the process and see revelation at work!  

Luke's area is still a struggle but they had a couple of tender mercies this week.  One is their friend Vicky came to church!  She is a reference from a member and soon they are going to teach her twin!  Can't wait to hear how Vicky progresses!  

Another tender mercy is they were supposed to go teach a lesson.  They were meeting with President Reber and when they were finishing President offered them to stay and eat tacos with him.  TACOS!  Luke never turns down food!  He was tempted, but then Elder Reyes reminded him they had a lesson to get to.  Luke wanted to reschedule because the tacos sounded so tempting.  But instead he followed the promptings of his companion and they went to the church for their appointment.  Sadly the member that was supposed to meet with them had to cancel and they needed another person in order to have the lesson.  Ugh, suddenly they saw the Stake President leaving his office....they asked him if he could stay and meet with them and he said yes!!!!  What timing!  What a miracle!  Right when they needed the Lord provided!  AND they had an awesome lesson!  In fact the Stake President called the mission president after and told him is was a super spiritual lesson.  He felt like he was back on the mission.  It felt like "the band was back together."  

What a great week!  With the ups there are also downs.  Luke is recognizing some of his weaknesses and trying to make changes.  He has a tendency to be negative and he doesn't like feeling that toward his fellow missionaries.  He mentioned he didn't like one missionary who is very rude and disrespectful.  Matt pointed out to him "Would you ever hear the Savior say he "didn't like" someone?"  I know as we come unto Christ with our weaknesses he can make them strengths.  (Ether 12:27) I am grateful Luke recognizes this weakness and has a desire to change.  Man missions are amazing, but you sure learn  a lot about yourself and see all your weaknesses.  You are constantly learning and growing and sometimes it can be painful!  I reminded Luke of a quote that I found on my mission when I was going through similar growing pains.  It is from C.S. Lewis from his book Mere Christianity....

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.

Can't believe Luke only has 3 months left!!!!  And they are going to be busy 3 months with his new President coming in a couple of weeks.  Also this Friday he is getting a new companion Elder Suarez.   He is from Paraguay and Luke has always looked up to him and hoped he would serve with him some day.  Can't wait to hear all about him!