Elder Paul J. Horton....Colombia Bogota North Mission: Mission Week 79, Fontana Week 2, "...you just gotta put your head down, focus up and start trudging up that mountain."

I had the chance to participate in the MTC activity this week. Each time a new group comes into the MTC here in Colombia, the missionaries get the chance to know the missionary life. They split up amongst us missionaries here in the field for one day and we gave them a little taste of the life of a missionary. The two missionaries that came with me were Elder Reque from Bolivia and Elder Alvarado from Ecuador. They both worked really hard throughout the day. It was funny to see how they acted being outside for the first time preaching the gospel. They were like WOW were outside! after being in the MTC for a couple of weeks, every time you get the opportunity to go outside it's like you're getting to know a whole new world. So you just want to go see everything! They were really excited! It reminded me of when I was there because I was acting the exact same way. At the end of the day with them we were able to teach a new family. We taught them the Restoration. There names are Mirleydis, Jairo, and Salomé (Daughter of Mirleydis). It's a little beautiful family. Mirleydis told us that she wants to learn the truth and she wants to receive blessings for her family. Something funny that she told us right off the bat getting to know her is that she's living in free union. We were happy to see that she knows that it's not ok that their not married. Mirleydis came to church this Sunday with her daughter holding her Book of Mormon in her hands. She had a huge smile on her face as we starting walking to the church building. After the lesson these two missionaries walked out with so much energy! They want to get out in the field and start teaching people! It mad me happy to see them so pumped up. They taught this family very well. It was a great experience being with these two young missionaries for their first day in the field.

For P-Day we headed up to Mount. Monserrate. This time we decided to take the stairs. There are two ways to get up the mountain. One way is by the little cart that gives you a ride all the way up and takes you back down, but you have to pay money for that. Second is walking up the never ending stair pathway. So we decided to take the second option. It was really fun, but we were tired after that hike! I felt like Po (the Panda) when he looked up at the stairs leading up to the Kung-Fu Palace. There were also like 4 to 5 year olds going up this thing. I was impressed! Everyone that goes up is huffing and puffing until they reach the top. There is a spiritual side to this. After seeing all the stairs at one time it kind of overwhelmed me, but As I put my head down and focused on each step and started trudging up the mountain I soon found myself halfway to the top. Then in no time I was there. Sometimes we see obstacles in life that look way bigger than we can overcome. But you just gotta put your head down focus up, and start trudging up that mountain, because at some point you're going to reach the top!

Love you all!
Elder Horton

Impressions of Fontana:
1. It rains a lot here (Go figure)
2. Everyone goes to the parks here during the day with their families. (Perfect contacting opportunities!)
3. If you want to buy something from the store and you're in your house and feeling lazy, you can call people that will go and buy what you need and deliver it personally to your house and there's no charge for the delivery. Literally anything! Eggs, milk, oatmeal, candy, etc...