Elder Crabb, Talent Show, Victor, Jesabel

Working with Elder Crabb this week has been really fun. He's just been super pumped and ready to dive into everything. Also, he's a total choir boy, so we've been blowing people away with two-part harmony and have already been roped into a few musical numbers. I think he's acted in all of the musicals that have been written. We've found a few really cool new people this week. One is Daniel, who is the son of a less active member. He's one of the smartest people I've taught, and is nine.

We also visited an investigator who I hadn't seen for a while, and we had a really cool experience. He's having a really hard time right now. A drug and alcohol addiction has recently caused him to lose his family and his job, so things have been rough. When we met with him, he was a bit drunk, but we did our best to counsel him. At one point he asked me if I had ever used drugs, and said, "How can you help me if you don't understand what I'm going through?"

I found an answer and a conclusion. We taught about Jesus Christ's Atonement, how he chose to experience such suffering so that he would be the Great Healer, and know exactly how to succor each of us in our trial. We taught that we represent Him, and can therefore bring him that healing comfort. Elder Crabb mentioned later, "You really know that you're teaching by the Spirit when you learn too."

We also had a ward talent show this week! A bunch of investigators showed up and Daniel was chosen to participate in this cool painting activity. I did a percussion number with Hermano Ulises, who is a recent convert of Elder Cervera's and one of my best friends here. He has djembe and brought some drumsticks and various bottles, so we just did a rocking improvised jam for a few minutes. I also played guitar and sang for a solo act. There were a few awesome dances from the Relief Society, Young Women's and the Primary, stand-up, a dialogue, and this ten-year-old kid did a awesome solo number and sang this wierd, really romantic song. It was a great activity.

For next week, we'll be helping Jesabel prepare for her baptismal service planned for next Saturday! Elder Crabb really likes talking to and playing with her three kids, Alejandro, Atzel and Alexa. We brought them a bunch of mangos last night because all they had to eat was a box of Zucaritas (Frosted Flakes) and then their temporary apartment flooded... But they sure like reading the Book of Mormon and coming to church!