July 20, 2015

Thanks dad! 

I’m glad to hear how much effort you put into the work. I wish that all the leaders down here were that committed ha.. 

So this week wasn't horrible, but it hurts to see the dats at the end of the week. I feel like we are working our little buts off, and we just aren't having the success that I know that we can have. I pray every day that the Lord can help us find our errors and correct them, and that we can find a way to work this area in which we will see more success. My comp has been a little discouraged from the area and I can kind of see why after four and a half months of no success and tons of rejection. But, we aren't giving up, at least I’m not in Europe, because I hear that missionary work is rough over there!! My district leader gave me some good advice last night about trying everything we do in a new way until we find something that works. Also reading the beginning of PME and going back to the basics. The miracle of this week was the Lord fulfilling his end of our covenant. We made a covenant as a zone that we were going to do 7 listas (we visit families and do an activity to get references) this week. By Saturday we only had 2 listas, but by Sunday night we got the other 5 in. That felt really good:)

Thanks for all the letters every week and thank you for your prayers and support :)))

Tomorrow I hit 6 months who whooo!  :)

July 13, 2015

Hey dad

I’m glad to hear that you guys had fun at girls camp and the week went well. I wish I could have seen Bishop Hill crack eggs on his head! hahaha And you with flour on your face! 

This week I got changed to a new area with Elder Cruz from Tegucigalpa Honduras! He is such a chill guy and even cooler is that he has more time in the mission being a member than out of the mission. He has 17 months in the mission. Before the mission his mom said he couldn't go on a mission, but he kept pestering him about it until she said, “You can go on a mission after you build me a new house.” (She didn't say it seriously, but my comp held onto those words). After a series of events, he was able to get the materials to build the house and he did!!!! His story is super interesting and inspiring. Also, he taught me how to cut my ties and make them skinny, so yeah, I can do that professionally now ;)

This week was a spiritual emotional roller coaster. We started out with not very many lessons and continued until Sunday with 1-2 lessons everyday on average. One day we didn’t have even one lesson. It was super disappointing because I felt like we were putting in a lot of effort to make our goals, and also had made covenants with the Lord, but nothing was going for us. We made a covenant in the beginning of the week as zone that we were going to find 20 new investigators this week. On Saturday we only had 6... I prayed asking the Lord every day to help us reach the 20 nuevos and by Saturday night I was feeling super let down and kept asking the Lord what the heck we were doing wrong, what we could do better, and told him that Sunday we were going to need 14 nuevos a ton of lessons, and a miracle. 

Sunday after church the zone leaders called and said they had completed all their goals and were going to come over to help us throw some fire. It was such a blessing. By the end of the day we had the rest of our district there helping us too. Elder Cruz (ZL) and I were able to find 6 lessons in 5 hours and 16 nuevos. There is no doubt in my mind that the Lord provided for us and completed His end of the covenant. He was definitely testing us until the very end and I’m so glad that we didn't give up haha! At 7:00 Elder cruz and I weren't able to contact and were running around looking for open door houses and people in the street. We found a kid standing at his door and ran over and introduced ourselves. It turns out that he was a member that had moved to the area and had never gone to church in Guajitos. We asked him for references and he brought us to his neighbor. His neighbor didn't have time, so she brought us to her neighbor. Turns out her neighbor was a member that no one new about either! She introduced us to her neighbor and we got a lesson in. Then after that they told us to go visit their other neighbor Claudia. We got a lesson in with her and her 2 kids! Then she introduced us to the other people that lived in her house and it turns out that the father in that family is a member too, but has been inactive for years..... It was a crazy day, full of so many miracles... worst week of my mission, best day of my life!

July 6, 2015

Hey Mamma,

My week went really good:) This week we had the baptism of Manuel Lopez and I got the opportunity to perform the ordinance :) We have been working our butts off here in San Jose Las Rosas and are seeing some big blessings from our efforts. This month we are going to have 3 or 4 baptisms. Two of them are set and one of them is kinda mas o menos (more or less). This last Sunday Luis Gomez bore his testimony and started crying. I found Luis Gomez last month in the street. I really didn't want to go talk to him because he was standing by a little tienda (store) and looked like a drunk and kind of scary. But, I felt like I should go talk to him regardless. I went and introduced myself and he told me that he was a member and that he would really like it if I came by his house. Turns out he, his wife and his kids have been inactive for 4 years and nobody in the ward had even known that they lived in the area. Our first lesson his wife expressed her desires to come back to church and that the last 4 years they had been suffering and knew that they needed to come back to church. The problem was that they didn't know there was a church in the area and had never talked with members in the area!! (Our area is huge, like it takes 45min to get from one end to the other, haha with a bus. The wife had been praying to know what she should to and then guess what? We passed by!! :))) They have come to church every Sunday with us and we are going to have a baptism for their little boy this Saturday. I love this family like crazy!! The sad thing is that I have changes tomorrow and I’m not going to be here to see the baptism:(( I would like to tell you all the details to the story but I don't have much time haha:) I’m glad to hear that you guys are doing great and that my sisters aren't getting in to much trouble. Have fun on the trek!!! 

Dad-

Don't have too much fun without me ;) working on those cars! hehe

I’m jealous I can’t be there working on the cars with you! Don’t worry, I do have transfers tomorrow. I don't know where I’m going, but I’m sure I’ll love it :) I’m kinda sad that I’m leaving my 3 baptisms that I worked so hard for, but I guess there are other people waiting for me somewhere else :) I’ll be waiting for the letter. I usually get them a month after they are sent. I love you and I hope things are going well at work :)

June 29, 2015

 "Woah woah woah! Okay, so just because I’m gone doesn't mean that my sisters can just start running off with boys! And just because I’m a few hundred miles and a little more away does not mean que ellos pueden avanzar a mis hermans! puchika voy a matar alguien en un ano y medio 

-_- a la gran...... (Does not mean they can make moves on my sisters! I’m going to kill someone in a year and a half...... -_- )

So this week has been full of trials and blessings. We are going to have a baptism this Friday with Manuel Lopes, an investigator that has been working so hard to get over smoking and has finally done it!! :)) We also have a few more baptisms lined up for the next few week that are looking pretty promising. And, one of the girls is going to send in her papers so she can go on a mission!!!!  

Only one more week until changes. I’m going to be super sad to have to leave my area and all the families and friends I’ve made, but on the other hand a change would be nice :)

Letter 19 - Week 21

Thanks mamma:) 

I don't have time to write all I want to, but this week our investigator that knows more english than spanish went to church with us :) I prayed the whole time that she would feel the spirit. In the middle of the meeting she started crying because of a talk that was given by a boy getting ready to leave on his mission. She put her hand on my knee and than said thank you to me. I almost cried, it was really sweet :) After the meeting she said thank you and gave me hug before I could stop her haha. She didn't know haha, it was funny:) 

It’s really a weird experience every time I teach her because she talks to me in english. I don't know why, but it is so hard for me to teach or express my thoughts to her in english.  I always start rambling off in spanish hahaha... but yeah.. oh yeah by the way you know that feeling you get when you give a talk... yeah well it’s twice as strong when you give one in spanish! A la gran...... love you guys!

I really miss you mama! Thanks for your letters every week :)) I like reading all the stories. They’re so funny lol :).

Hey Papa,

 I can not believe kk crashed the car hahaha .... Thats super funny that she hit a tree!! I’m glad you have found an appreciation for zip-ties ;)) Thanks for all the prayers. Oh, and I’m sorry you couldn't go to the falls. Don't worry, I feel your pain, but not in the same way:) I’m really starting to love it down here. I’m not sure I’m going to want to go home haha.. 

I have the feeling that I’m going to have changes this next change meeting because I really don't want to leave my area. I have made some really good friends that I love like crazy. I’m enjoying the work that I’m doing and the life of a missionary. It is truly a different world that we live in as missionaries; Imagine a world without electronics, without cars, without movies, without cellphones, without regular music. It’s spiritually intense and sooooo much different... but it’s so enjoyable. I don't miss what I don't have until I hear the music in the street or see our investigators watching something. Other than that, I don't miss it at all. Estoy super tranquilo con paz. (I feel very peaceful.) 

The days are just floating by because I am constantly busy thinking about lessons and where we need to go or what to do. This last week was so awesome :) 34 lessons, which is very high for this area, this zone. We had 9 investigators at church, never had that happen. If everything goes through we should be having 4 baptisms here in the next few weeks:)))

Letter 18 - Hand written letter sent the end of May/beginning of June 2015

Hey Momma,

I don’t really know how to express through words how much I miss you guys.  I’ve realized how much I truly love each one of you and how important every single member of our family is to me while I’ve been out here.  

I hate to say it, or even admit it, but you never truly know what you have until you loose it.  I think this concept really goes along with our Heavenly Father’s plan for us.  Even though it’s probably so hard for him to watch.  We have to pass through these trials so that we can find happiness.  Without bad, there can’t be good;  Without darkness we would never find the light. 

I wish I could have shown the gratitude I have now to you guys and my Heavenly Father before I left.  Although I may not have shown it before, I love you so much, you and dad both.  I was always upset with the rules and restrictions you guys gave me, but they have truly SAVED me, and I am so GRATEFUL now that you LOVED me enough to give those rules and guidance when I was younger!

I’m ever so grateful for this opportunity to be out here.  Although it is so amazing to bring others unto the light on a mission, I believe a mission gives more to the missionary.  It is the best environment to build a testimony, or the foundation for which you will build off the rest of your life.  The people here, even non-members, call us angels.  I don’t think it’s because we are angels or even close to them, but they can feel the presence of those angels that walk with us and are helping us in every angle of the work.  

The Lord has so many promised blessings to faithful missionaries in the Doctrine & Covenants it’s ridiculous.  We have the opportunity to put his promises to the test and see  miracles.  I have already seen so much and received so much.  One thing that I have grown in testimony about is the power of prayer.  My whole day, every single day, is run off prayer. Most especially when I am on divisions. I have had to do divisions with the district leader of few times and that means I am by myself in my area with someone that doesn’t know English or my area.  I have to run the day all by myself, which is super intimidating.  But, somehow those days always turn out to be the best days.  

One experience I had my last division showed me again the power of prayer.  I had every single appointment fall through and only had two more hours left to get two lessons in.  My companion and I had managed to find a new investigator and teach them earlier.  We had made a covenant of three lessons for that day and I knew we were going to get them, I just didn't know how! (Oh, and yes, 3 or 4 lessons in one day is a lot here in this area.)  I said a quick prayer in my head reminding my Father in Heaven that we had made a covenant to work as hard as we could if he would give us three lessons.  

I prayed for guidance and felt prompted to visit and old contact from like a month before, but it was super far away, 2 sectors away.  We went anyways.  When we got there I knocked on the door and waited... and waited... and waited.  After like 6 or 7 minutes I was like, what the heck, and was about to leave.  Then I felt prompted to knock again even harder.  I did and an old man poked his head out the door and asked what we wanted.  We were able to get a solid, super spiritual lesson in with this guy.  In fact, one of the best we have ever had!  He was super interested and full of great questions.  Our next visit we are going to bring him a Book of Mormon.  

After that lesson, it wasn’t over.  I didn’t know where to go again, but felt like we should go up the hill and visit a 19 ear old that we had been visiting.  We got into his house easily and got our 3rd lesson.  In the middle of the lesson it started pouring rain like crazy.  By the time we were going to leave the streets were filled with a few inches of water and the water was coming down so hard we were going to be soaked head to toe. Luckily, the Lord was watching after us and sent us to the home of a taxi driver who offered us a ride home.  He drove us to the entrance of our sector, but when he tried to drive up our hill the water was coming down so fast and deep that it was pushing the car backwards and it couldn’t make it up the hill.  

We got out and ran to our apartment with our bags in our hands, trying to protect our books.  We made it to our apartment soaked. At the apartment I found I had left my window open so my bed was soaked.  That sucked!  Also, the water was pouring down our stairs hat lead to our roof like a little waterfall.  It wasn’t so bad because not long after we got home, the rain settled down and the little waterfall went away, hehehe.  I’ve been having experiences like this every week.  They make the time fly by.  The Lord is shoving so much at us in just two years.  

Anyways, I love you Momma! I’m sorry this won’t get to you by Mothers Day, but I hope you had a great one!

XOXOXO

Letter 17 - Week 18

June 1, 2015 (sorry, I’m posting it late)

Thanks Momma! 

I have really been learning the importance of faith and obedience these last few months. Also, humility I have learned is a really important. I feel like I have to stay super humble to receive the Lords help. Anytime I receive his help I can’t think highly of what I was able to accomplish, because it wasn't me, it was just the Lord working through me. 

There has been a few times were everything is going awesome, were getting things done and seeing great results, and then I start to forget the lord in small places of the work. I start to get a little proud and stop asking for the help and giving the praise back. Every time I have to re-humiliate myself haha. 

I love the scripture either 12:27 “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”

SO, This week has been fun. I received my new comp, Elder Magdelano from Mexico. He is an awesome comp and likes to work hard and have fun! Sometimes he doesn't always think things all the way through which is a little frustrating ha, but I love his enthusiasm. I don't know how many lessons he has stacked on top of each other this week, but it’s a handful. 

I have asked him a few times how he thought we were going to be in two places at one time, or in one end of our area at 4:30, have a lesson, and then be at the other end at 5:00; a 30 minute walk LOL

 -___-. haha, He's a goober haha. But, the best thing about him is his ability to connect with everyone. We have been able to make all of our goals and exceed them by a few this first week together which has been exciting. 

Don’t worry there are plenty of things that bug me about my comp, but there are way more things that I love! and don't worry to much about the girls they are smart and spiritual! but they are still young woman ;) what a cuwinkydink that those boys move in right after i leave. hmmm.. you can tell them i’ll be back in a year and a half and a few ;)

Thanks dad! 

And happy birthday! I hope it’s a good one:) I wish I could be at the property with you guys, but I have plenty more opportunities in the future:) I talked a little about changes and my new comp in my letter to mom. In all honesty it was really hard to leave my dad here in the mission. I never really realized how much I depended on him, and now it’s all up to me to get things done while my comp is getting to know everyone and the area. He only has 4 months like me, so it has put a little bit of stress on us, but were still getting tons done :)