Week 31 - February 16, 2026

Lose Yourself

First week in the new area. It is truly so unreal here. I feel like I'm just in a dream when I'm walking past the temple 20 times a day.

Rabinal, August 27, 2025-February 13, 2026

Saying bye to all the members was so sad. I thought I was chilling and then we got to the LAST house and the LAST family. And this family is so awesome, but the babysitter told me they were sleeping when I knocked. After some contemplation, I told her to wake the son up. He got up quick and then I told him how I just wanted to say bye because I would be leaving in 30 minutes. He invited us in and I looked over and he was just bawling, and after I asked him what was wrong, through a muffled crying answer, he told me it was because I was leaving. I was boutta to start bawling too. I'm not built for that. But it was super sad and just a super weird feeling leaving Rabinal.

Buzzer beater?: In Rabinal, we had been teaching this kid for a couple of weeks and had him on baptismal date but hadn't gotten permission yet for a while. Then one of my last days, I tried getting it and she gave the permission to us so I tried finessing and seeing if we could do it before I left (the next day). She started thinking super deep and I thought I was going to get to see my dawggg in the water, but it must be meant for the next missionaries. The kid is insane though.

Coban 2

It was so lit getting here and seeing everything. The area is a little in shambles rn cause the last missionaries haven't been doing anything, and the members are sad cause they hadn't seen a baptism in four months. But we took some time organizing the people on our app and hopefully soon we should have it running. We also have an awesome opportunity of baptizing this kid who has been on and off coming to church for three months. Baptizing next to the temple was a crazy feeling. Then we had a ward activity after and seeing just 100 people at the ward activity was maybe even crazier honestly. The members are so awesome here, too.

Other

🏀: We were walking in the street and i saw some people playing basketball, and I told my comp we had to take advantage and go play. So, we walked up and said we would play and if they won, I would buy them a snack. If we won, we could share a message. 11-2. Dominated. They better pull up to church…

👨‍💼: Gonna be walking the streets this transfer with Elder Hill. He's a dawg and he's from Rigby Idaho. Had to let him in on the family ties.

🛕: Walking by the temple every day is a crazy feeling and is actually a dream. Does not feel real just casually walking by. And we are going to be able to go every week.

Spiritual thought

Matthew 16:

24 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

I have always loved this scripture and have come to learn how true it is. I don't remember what other scripture says something similar, but it goes something like, if you had one shot, one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted. Would you capture it or just let it slip. I've had a couple companions now and heard their experiences and one thing has always stayed the same.

When you lose yourself in the work, it isn't work. The time moves beyond fast and the joy increases. He said come follow me. He didn't say come follow me sorta. Come follow me a little. He said come follow me. When you truly lose yourself, you will find yourself. You will see the blessings as the “Windows of heaven open.”  As you follow in the light of the Son of God, you will continually have the light with you. It may feel hard. You may see things on the left or right and feel as if you are solely just losing. But when you look back forward and see the light and life of the world, you will find yourself. It is easier said than done, but I KNOW. The promise in my mission call is more than true. Elder Wilde you will find more joy than you have ever seen before. And I KNOW I find this when I am working my hardest and doing everything I can. I am so far from perfect and so far from the best missionary out there, but I know without a doubt that when I try my best is when I find the joy and the light of Christ.

I love you all and hope you have incredible weeks.

Elder Wilde