"It's going to get worse before it gets better"

"It is going to get worse before it gets better."

A quote from Levi the Exterminator. We have had a cockroach problem that in the apartment. (Long before I got there). That I decided it was time to get it fixed. So he came and did some work and soon we will be roach free! But he said this about the process that he was doing. He said that he is flushing them out with this spray so they can eat this poison that will make their kids infertile. Then he did a spray to kill the ones that were alive.

I think this quote is very interesting. Its not really what we think when we think about how the Lord does things. But in a sense, yes. I can imagine Christ saying this to his apostles during the Last Supper, or after his experience in the Garden, or during his time on the cross. Whichever way, Christ knew about the "time of darkness" that was to come. They were literally and spiritually facing a storm at its most priciple point. After Christ's death there were earthquakes and storms. But for many years after his resurection, there was a time of darkness. A spiritual darkness, or as we teach it, the Great Apostacy. It got worse before it got better with Joseph Smith's vision in 1820. It got worse before it got better with the saints arriving in Utah. It even got worse before it got better IN Utah! They still had troubles! And we still have troubles today!

In our lives, it is the opposition that provides a brighter vision of the light. Opposition is necessary in all things. We learn most from our trials, not our blessings. It is the pain you feel from lifting the heavier weights before you get the more strength.

So here is my week:

Monday: It was terrible!!! Lupita canceled our appointment because she was busy. Then as we went to go follow up with a potential, Ernesto and his family dropped us! He was interested but his wife, not so much. He wanted to keep peace in the family and not have a division in it. So Monday was terrible...

Tuesday: We had and exchange. Elder Ryum went with Elder Ferguson and Elder Velazquez came with me and Elder Chinas. Elder Chinas and Velazquez were MTC companions so it was a nice little reunion for them to spend the day together even though we are in the same district and we see each other everyday. But we had a great day! We taught a man named Francisco during the day. Then later, we were back at the same complex and taught Miguel and Luis. They were doing laundry in the laundry room and we went in and talked to them and taught them. Then we went out to grab another Book of Mormon to give to Miguel when we saw Francisco again! He said, "I am going in to see my friends, they are doing laundry." We said that we had just taught them the same lesson! What a cool miracle!

Wednesday: FIRE!!! We had district meeting and we talked about finding. I got so fired up! Later, we went finding and I was super pumped! We covered a lot more ground and really worked to see if people were interested. Later that night, we had dinner with a less active family. We shared a very powerful message about the importance of the Sacrament. It was very awesome and the Spirit was really there!

Friday: We got Transfer calls! We freaked out because they are usually on Saturday. President was going to be busy with stake conference stuff so he decided to do them on Frisday. I am staying in the Sonora Branch with Elder Chinas. Elder Ryum went to Douglas after the transfer meeting this morning. I am now in a normal companionship. I have been in a trio for the last 3 transfers. Basically since the transfer on November 11, 2014. A long time ago... But, President asked me to be a District Leader! I am so excited for this opportunity to serve others more!

Sunday: OH BOY! So this Cuban and his wife, Olvaldo and Alex, are awesome! We taught them the first lesson earlier in the week. They said they would come to church they just needed a ride. So right before church I went with a member to go pick them up! They came and Lupita and Juaquina came to church! That is 4 people at church! 2 of them have baptismal dates! Then we also taught Lupita and Juaquina a lesson witha member that day!

That is pretty much it! Hope ya'll have a great week! Sorry for being on the later side with the timing of my email.

Love,

Elder Dallin Baker