In the Lord's hands I can do more than I ever dreamed of on my own

Found the "Elder" wand hahaha

One of my favorite foods down here is empanadas de queso. The other day at our pensionista we were eating empanadas for dinner and I was plowing through them. I was at #14 when Hermano Mateyo told me "¡Elder, usted come empanadas tan criminalmente!" (Elder, you eat empanadas so criminally!) hahahaha

So I got to Skype my family last night- Mom and Dad in Mexico, Aubs and Charlie (and TJ and Cam!) in Louisiana, lil man and Grandpa and Donna in Washington! It was awesome:)

The work is progressing. We are teaching some wonderful families. They are so close to baptism, just have a few things left before they are ready!!

The other day during my personal study I was reading a talk by Boyd K. Packer when I found this poem, "The Touch of the Master's Hand"

'Twas battered and scarred,

And the auctioneer thought it

hardly worth his while

To waste his time on the old violin,

but he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good people", he cried,

"Who starts the bidding for me?"

"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"

"Two dollars, who makes it three?"

"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"

But, No,

From the room far back a gray bearded man

Came forward and picked up the bow,

Then wiping the dust from the old violin

And tightening up the strings,

He played a melody, pure and sweet

As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"

As he held it aloft with its' bow.

"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"

"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"

"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,

Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,

But some of them cried,

"We just don't understand."

"What changed its' worth?"

Swift came the reply.

"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

"And many a man with life out of tune

All battered and bruised with hardship

Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd

Much like that old violin

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,

A game and he travels on.

He is going once, he is going twice,

He is going and almost gone.

But the Master comes,

And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,

The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought

By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.

I love the mission. I love the gospel, the people, and Bolivia. But its not easy. I get pretty homesick sometimes and my Spanish.... well it's a work in progress. I feel inadequate to do such an important work. But despite my flaws and weaknesses, I can do something beautiful here. In the Lord's hands I can do more than I ever dreamed of on my own. I promise you that if you come to God in faith and humility, that He will bless and help you. With Him you can overcome your doubts and fears, and achieve your dreams.

Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Les quiero,

Elder McClune