Hey one month almost down!!!

Hey Family :) (and friends). Another great week down at the MTC!! WOW ya its been pretty busy and hectic but great. I have some really sad news though first... I didn't make the MTC choir :( I was so bummed about it. They didn't have try outs or anything, but their were more people than they needed so they took people's info and muscial information. I didn't make it so I am so sad. God's hand is in all things I guess and sometimes even when we don't understand everything, He does. And I just have to trust him. The other hard thing for me is that my Companion Elder Frost made it so he has been ecstatic about it and its been hard for me, but I am happy for him.

Well besides the sad news things are looking up here. Another great Sunday, as I gave a lesson on the Book of Mormon. Everyone of these District Meetings we have on Sunday is totally and completely led by the Spirit its truly amazing. I am so blessed to be the District Leader I have learned so much from these Elders. I will probably be released tomorrow or later this week, but it has been a blessed experience for me! The Branch President told me I have done an excellent job, and that if I had done a bad one I would have the calling until I got it right. haha. Well anyways about the Lesson I started off with Elder Holland's talk Safety for the Soul, and we watched most of it, which always brings the Spirit. It was just a amazing lesson because everyone participates and bear's in their own personal way their own testimony!

So Taylor made it here Wednesday and he seems like he is doing great! I have seen him about everyday so that is nice. We will definitely try to get some pics, but its tough because we can only take pictures on Sunday and Tuesday. But, I think he might be having a little trouble with his companion because he is autistic but he seems to be doing great nonetheless. I also have another friend in my Branch that I home taught in Idaho so I thought that was pretty neat! And my good friend from Idaho named Ryan Plumb got here last Wednesday as well so it was fun seeing him and giving him a hug!

It's hard to describe the Spirit here sometimes, becuase its just a constant presence. I love that. Oh one huge accomplishment that my companion and I had was that we taught the second lesson (plan of salvation) for 40 min all in Spanish! It's amazing how when you are giving the lessons the Lord helps you know what questions to ask, what scriptures to say, and to have an unconditional love for the person you are teaching, even if it is practice! My companion and I really felt the Spirit as we bore pure testimony of the Plan of Salvation!! It is such an amazing blessing that God has given us a way to get back to Him with our families, through the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I know that the Plan of Salvation is indeed a plan of happiness, and answers the questions which philosphers and churchmen have been trying to answer since the beginning of time! I truly thank God for a Prophet, a revealer of Christ and his Gospel. The same Gospel which has been taught everytime their have been true prophets on the earth!!

We have had some beautiful lessons in our Priesthood meetings in our branch. The Branch Presidency is truly divinely inspired. One of the most important things in this life for everyone to know is who they are! Once that knowledge finds itself deep in your soul you will truly be a changed person. Brother Gubler gave the lesson this week on knowing who we are. It struck a perfect cord with me. It coralated perfectly with my Patriachal blessing that says during my mission I will gain a deep appreciation for my calling, and some more things :) It also helped me understand more something that President Packer said in a talk called, "The Pattern of our Parentage." He said that would we know who we are it changes how we act with others and once the true realization comes to our soul that we are not just creations of God, but in actuality are the sons and daughters of God we could never willingly hurt or injure (physically or any other way) someone else. Thats an excellent talk by the way I would admonish you all to read it. We are indeed sons and daughters of God the Eternal Father. And we accept Christ and His gospel we become the sons and daughters of Christ(God) (Mosiah 5:7 I think?). It is a beautiful thing once we instill in ourselves with the power of the Holy Ghost the truth about ourself, where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. Their are people everywhere who are lost or content with their current positions, but once they have planted in their heart that they are indeed royalty, the son of a Heavenly King and Father it will change their lives and they will thirst for righteousness. I can't wait for the opportunity to go and share the message with all of God's children, that he is there! That he loves them! And that He has given the plan to come back and dwell with Him in eternal life! Well I know I am in the right place at the right time. I know God is mindful of me, and is preparing the hearts of those that I will teach this wonderful truth to. I am blessed more than I can possibly fathom!! I love you all so very much! Know that I am praying for all your problems, and for your welfare daily. I love the Lord and I am on will be on His side forever!! (Joshua 24:15)

Sincerely,
Elder Passantino

P.S. I love you family you inspire me daily! You are aMAZING AND i LOVE YOU ALL!