Elder Andrew Basile: The gift of... Hands

Sooo things here have been alright, just hot and humid, but what else is new?

So to be honest the people here are just great and love me to death and I am so grateful for that. The nonmembers are pretty receptive too. We have a few investigators but we do so much door Knocking it is frustrating.

It is really difficult trying to deal with a very inefficient compañero. I love him and all but he just doesnt have that drive that he needs to have and it makes me want to rip my face off like spongebob does (in spongebob). Like before I didnt think of myself as terribly zealous when it comes to obedience but with my compañero I notice all the rules he doesnt follow and I find myself wondering why I myself follow them. I follow them anyway because everytime I like break a rule or only like half follow one... I really feel like crap and I dont really dig feeling like not 100% errday on the mission. So ya I try to obey the rules for the most part.

So we have an investigator who has a daughter that she teaches through sign language... Yamilet is the girls name, she is deaf obviously.

And the more we would go the less she would listen to her mom and would try and sign me, so her mom would sign me the signs and I would repeat them to her to teach her. AND SOMETHING AMAZING HAPPENED! I got to the point where I really didnt need to listen to the mom I could just do it. And I CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE IS SIGNING TO ME! Ask me if im pumped, cuz I am. Anyway the tough thing is I really cant sign very good if at all when we arent teaching them but when we are its like the light comes on. So yeah the LORD will bless you with the gift of tongues in whatever language necessary to bring people to his gospel.

So we ended up baptizing them sunday. Originally the mom wanted each of us to baptise one so we both got changed. I baptised the mom because she wanted me to baptize her. Then I ran to get changed and While I was changing I was hearing a lot of crying and the poor deaf girl was scared of the water and wouldnt listen to her mom. I had to explain to her -In sign language that it is ok and that the water is safe. She then said that she wanted me to baptize her, so pobrecito Elder Aguirre already wet in the font asked me to go change and I baptized her.

So that was kindof a special moment for me.

And I just love spanish and being fluent. MAN AM I BLESSED. To be able to speak without thinking is really the coolest thing.

So we were doing divisions the other day and Elder Barton from Logan came and worked with me here in alamo for the day. We were at the chapel at night talking to some people and they said to HIM.

Oh well dont worry about the language just look and Elder Basile he is fluent after too months. Just pray like crazy and you will be able to talk like him soon.

Pobre Elder Barton His face was redder than his hair.

And I had to explain to them that he has a YEAR in the mission as of last wednesday.

Idk Im really lucky and I know that I have it easier than a lot of people. and a lot of missionaries. Like Elder Aguirre is really cool It just... When I talk with the Savior after this life I just want him to give me a hug and be like

Andrew you know I really am Proud of you... You lived a good life and you were an excellent missionary. And give me a hug. Thats what keeps me obedient.

I found some old missionary cards that say

Nunca dige que seria facil, pero que lo valdria la pena

I never said it would be easy but that it would be worth it.

Thought that was really cool.

Anyway I hope you all made it to the end I love you all and am soooo thankful for your emails.

Love, Elder Basile

PS. Mom, I just got the package this morning. I love it so muchhhhhh! Except the RZR part.

Last weekend I was trying to carry a box of groceries over my head. NEVER AGAIN.

The Day after the hurricane.

Meet Juan, One day I just started talking to him and he just kept listening. He doesnt really say much but like I say he is a really good listerner and is always smiling.