Leaving Waterbury

Good morning! 

I hope you've had a wonderful week. This last one for me was a lot of happy and sad as I left Waterbury. I'm going to miss the friendships I made there. Though the city may be dirty and rundown, the people aren't. I'm glad I was able to serve among such humble and kind people. 

I'm now living in Framingham with my new companion Elder Merkely. He's from Hyde Park, Utah (Logan area). He had to return from Veracruz Mexico, and hopefully he can get back out there, as they have been starting to send some back. 

First night here I immediately fell in love with this place downtown. We went to this small hispanic market/restaurant for dinner and boom...hispanics....everywhere! This place was bumpin' with Gutamatecos, Mexicanos, and various other central American cultures. Framingham is also known as the "Brazilian capital". There is a very strong Portuguese presence. 

We have the privilege to live on the 6th floor of a small studio apartment overlooking a giant lake. There is also a four elder apartment in the same complex, so we always go chill over there after 9pm.

Honestly I can't complain. 

Meeting with the branch was great on Sunday. I was asked to help translate because there were some gringos in the congregation. This was my first time translating Spanish to English, and man, it's tough! When Hispanics start ripping their Spanish, it's a mess to translate. Overall though, I already love the branch president and his family and the rest of the members. 

The other day I realized that this could be my second to last area. This got me thinking about my use of time recently. In all honesty, I haven't been the greatest. In response to this, Elder Merkely and I made some goals that will encourage us to reach and do as much as physically possible to gather Israel. 

In the spirit of effective use of time, President Mavromatis shared a cool scripture in a District Leader meeting. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-9, 22

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven..."

It goes on to talk about how there is a time and place for everything, and that we need to make things happen in the moment, rather than wait for tomorrow to do it. 

Our time is short on this earth in comparison to the eternal designs of God, so make good use for it today. Smile more, laugh more, love more. Live like it is your last day. 

Have a wonderful week! 

con mucho amor,
Elder Rasmussen