Monday, November 3, 2014
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Week #104: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XV- Week 18
One last time I write as a missionary. I want to express in this letter some of my thoughts and feelings as I reach the end of this phase of my life. My emotions have been all over the place. I have felt both peace and uncertainty, satisfaction and regret, happiness and sadness. Overall, I am grateful.
I am grateful that the Lord had mercy upon me, to let me serve as a missionary for these two years. I am grateful that despite my flaws, errors, and weaknesses, He let me be here, and serve in His vineyard. I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon. I am grateful for my companions, and for what I have been able to learn with them. I am grateful for President Bird, and all that I have been able to learn with him. I am trying to put it into practice. I know that we are blessed by the people we work with, serve with, and learn from.
Some of my letter to President this week reads as follows:
"It`s a bit strange that the mission is ending now. The time passes quickly, yet slowly. These past two years have been SO full, so absolutely full of experiences that have helped me grow, and become who I am becoming. I have not quite become yet. Today I reread a talk that I read before my mission. It`s called "Always in the Middle" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. A few months ago I shared it with you all during one of our office meetings, and my thoughts. At this time I was literally near the middle of my missionary service. Today I am about to finish it. However, the fact remains that I am still in the middle of my life experience. I have learned so much, and I have so much left to learn. I know that my experiences in the field will help me in the future. I know that the Lord directs and inspires the transfers...
When [Elder Pasapera] found out the transfer, he was devastated [because he is also leaving the area]. He had imagined himself serving here in Miguel Alemán still. He has a big heart, and he opened it here to the people. He was sobbing, and I tried to console him, but I was not able to very well. When I told the Sisters the transfers, they helped console Elder Pasapera in a way that I could not, and we both learned from them (our call went a bit late, and around 10:50 they called back, thinking we were playing a joke on them with the news, but we weren`t). They talked about the inspiration in the transfers, that it is the Lord, and not you, who makes them. Something along those lines. Elder Pasapera was most upset with leaving our investigators, but the Sisters talked about how they aren`t OUR investigators, they are the LORD`S investigators. He will take charge and saved His children. Both Hermana Mendoza and Hermana González commented..."
I am grateful to the Lord for the blessing it has been to come closer to Him. I have been able to suffer, and enjoy, laugh, and worry, and grow in these last two years. It will be sweet to return home. It will be wonderful to be with my family again. I am going to work hard and live my life to the fullest, and serve the Lord. Last week I talked a lot about my goals and impressions from General Conference. I will continue to read, reflect, and study the talks, and let the Lord guide me in my life choices.
I am grateful to the Lord for all that He has done for me, and all that He will do for me. My time is very short now, with only some 3 minutes remaining. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has helped me in these past two years. Thank you for the prayers, thoughts, emails, letters, gifts, and love. Thank you for everything that you have done for me. Thank you for being a part of my life and my mission. Thank you.
I have so much to share when I get home. The Sisters played a great prank on me on Sunday. I will tell you in person. I`m almost home. See you on Wednesday!
I am grateful that the Lord had mercy upon me, to let me serve as a missionary for these two years. I am grateful that despite my flaws, errors, and weaknesses, He let me be here, and serve in His vineyard. I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon. I am grateful for my companions, and for what I have been able to learn with them. I am grateful for President Bird, and all that I have been able to learn with him. I am trying to put it into practice. I know that we are blessed by the people we work with, serve with, and learn from.
Some of my letter to President this week reads as follows:
"It`s a bit strange that the mission is ending now. The time passes quickly, yet slowly. These past two years have been SO full, so absolutely full of experiences that have helped me grow, and become who I am becoming. I have not quite become yet. Today I reread a talk that I read before my mission. It`s called "Always in the Middle" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. A few months ago I shared it with you all during one of our office meetings, and my thoughts. At this time I was literally near the middle of my missionary service. Today I am about to finish it. However, the fact remains that I am still in the middle of my life experience. I have learned so much, and I have so much left to learn. I know that my experiences in the field will help me in the future. I know that the Lord directs and inspires the transfers...
When [Elder Pasapera] found out the transfer, he was devastated [because he is also leaving the area]. He had imagined himself serving here in Miguel Alemán still. He has a big heart, and he opened it here to the people. He was sobbing, and I tried to console him, but I was not able to very well. When I told the Sisters the transfers, they helped console Elder Pasapera in a way that I could not, and we both learned from them (our call went a bit late, and around 10:50 they called back, thinking we were playing a joke on them with the news, but we weren`t). They talked about the inspiration in the transfers, that it is the Lord, and not you, who makes them. Something along those lines. Elder Pasapera was most upset with leaving our investigators, but the Sisters talked about how they aren`t OUR investigators, they are the LORD`S investigators. He will take charge and saved His children. Both Hermana Mendoza and Hermana González commented..."
I am grateful to the Lord for the blessing it has been to come closer to Him. I have been able to suffer, and enjoy, laugh, and worry, and grow in these last two years. It will be sweet to return home. It will be wonderful to be with my family again. I am going to work hard and live my life to the fullest, and serve the Lord. Last week I talked a lot about my goals and impressions from General Conference. I will continue to read, reflect, and study the talks, and let the Lord guide me in my life choices.
I am grateful to the Lord for all that He has done for me, and all that He will do for me. My time is very short now, with only some 3 minutes remaining. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has helped me in these past two years. Thank you for the prayers, thoughts, emails, letters, gifts, and love. Thank you for everything that you have done for me. Thank you for being a part of my life and my mission. Thank you.
I have so much to share when I get home. The Sisters played a great prank on me on Sunday. I will tell you in person. I`m almost home. See you on Wednesday!
Week #103: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XV- Week 17
This past weekend was Conference Weekend, and it was great. I went to Conference with some personal questions or concerns, and I was able to receive answers that will help me and strengthen me in the days and weeks and months to come. I am going to share some of my insights and impressions. Obviously I am going to finish my mission soon, so life after the mission was a really on my mind, and I found great guidance. Today in the morning before and during our personal study, I wrote something similar to what I am about to share.
Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy gave a great talk about serving the Lord, and not lowering our standards to please others. This was a message that I needed to hear. As we say in the mission, he "planched" me a bit, and it was good. I need to make some changes and be more obedient in my life, and serve the Lord better than I have recently. At the same time, I need to be loving and kind to those who do not agree with what know to be true, as Elder Dallin H. Oaks shared in his talk. I need to be firm, but compassionate as I live the Gospel and stand up for the absolute truths that Elder D. Todd Christofferson talked about.
One of my questions was the following: "How do I progress after my mission?" I was able to receive a lot of answers to this question, including the paragraph preceding this one. In order to progress after my mission, I need to stay strong against the tempations and sins of the world. I am going to be "in the world," but I cannot be "of the world." As Elder L. Tom Perry said, the "wheat and the tares" are growing more and more together, so whenever there is temptation, I need to stay strong, and look heavenward as President Thomas S. Monson said during the Priesthood Session. I really liked President Monson`s talk. To stay strong and on the right course, I need to constantly examine myself and make changes, as President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, but I need to be kind to myself as I do this, following the advice of Elder Jörg Klebingat of the Seventy: being honest with myself for my mistakes, and making the correct changes in my life.
To help me along this path, I will need to stay active in the Church, fulfill my duties in whatever callings I may receive, and weekly partaking of and understand the Sacrament. I liked the talks by Sister Cheryl A. Esplin and Elder James J. Hamula about the Sacrament, its importance, and how we can reflect and realize where we can improve, and what we have improved. We are not alone in this, we have the Savior`s promise of help, and we have the Holy Ghost to help us as well. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much, He wants us to be successful. I need to heed the teachings of the Scriptues, Prohpets, and the Holy Ghost as many said.
There are many important decisions that I will have to make in the coming years, such as who should I marry. Elder Quentin L.Cook talked about not waiting to marry, so I won`t be doing that. I need to be living worthily in every aspect for that Covenant, by keeping my priorities straight. Returning home, I will have great tempation to use too much technology, internet, TV, or video games, so I will need to keep my time in check, and do worthwhile things. I liked what Elder Richard G. Scott said about four areas I can focus on, those being: prayer, studying the word of the Lord, weekly Family Home Evenings, and going to the Temple. This related to what Elder Allan F. Packer said about Family History Work. I am going to work on my Family History, both past and present, and I know that as he quoted Elder Bednar saying, it will be a "protection" for me as I return home.
I am going to have to work hard to be "in the world, but not of the world." I will need constant repentance and evaluation, and working towards my next step in my eternal progession.
Those are only some of my feelings as I thought about Conference, obviously it`s not everything, but I feel good about it. I feel that I paid attention, and found some ansewrs from the Lord as to what I need to do to progress after my mission. President Bird and I have talked in the past about how the mission should not be the "Best Two Years of my life," but rather, the "Best Two Years for my life." I need to continue having spiritual experiences, but always staying focused on the basic and important elements of the Gospel. I know that the Lord loves me, and will take care of me. I felt his answers and guidance as I listend to this Conference, and I know that as I study more I will be able to see more and more guidance and instruction.
I encourage all of you to review, study, pray, and apply the talks from this General Conference. I promise you that if you do, you will find answers to your prayers, enlightenment where there is darkness, and happiness. I know that the Lord Jesus Christ lives; God is our loving Heavenly Father; Joseph Smith was a prophet of God; Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet today, and we are guided by inspired leaders who will take care of us if we will but heed their counsels. I am almost done reading the Book of Mormon again (I´m currently in Moroni 7), and I have grown as I have read it. It has been able to give me comfort as well.
Next week I will send my last letter as a Missionary.
Thank you all so much for your support, love, and kind words. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for everything! Have a great week, review the Conference, and be true. Until next week!
Elder Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy gave a great talk about serving the Lord, and not lowering our standards to please others. This was a message that I needed to hear. As we say in the mission, he "planched" me a bit, and it was good. I need to make some changes and be more obedient in my life, and serve the Lord better than I have recently. At the same time, I need to be loving and kind to those who do not agree with what know to be true, as Elder Dallin H. Oaks shared in his talk. I need to be firm, but compassionate as I live the Gospel and stand up for the absolute truths that Elder D. Todd Christofferson talked about.
One of my questions was the following: "How do I progress after my mission?" I was able to receive a lot of answers to this question, including the paragraph preceding this one. In order to progress after my mission, I need to stay strong against the tempations and sins of the world. I am going to be "in the world," but I cannot be "of the world." As Elder L. Tom Perry said, the "wheat and the tares" are growing more and more together, so whenever there is temptation, I need to stay strong, and look heavenward as President Thomas S. Monson said during the Priesthood Session. I really liked President Monson`s talk. To stay strong and on the right course, I need to constantly examine myself and make changes, as President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, but I need to be kind to myself as I do this, following the advice of Elder Jörg Klebingat of the Seventy: being honest with myself for my mistakes, and making the correct changes in my life.
To help me along this path, I will need to stay active in the Church, fulfill my duties in whatever callings I may receive, and weekly partaking of and understand the Sacrament. I liked the talks by Sister Cheryl A. Esplin and Elder James J. Hamula about the Sacrament, its importance, and how we can reflect and realize where we can improve, and what we have improved. We are not alone in this, we have the Savior`s promise of help, and we have the Holy Ghost to help us as well. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much, He wants us to be successful. I need to heed the teachings of the Scriptues, Prohpets, and the Holy Ghost as many said.
There are many important decisions that I will have to make in the coming years, such as who should I marry. Elder Quentin L.Cook talked about not waiting to marry, so I won`t be doing that. I need to be living worthily in every aspect for that Covenant, by keeping my priorities straight. Returning home, I will have great tempation to use too much technology, internet, TV, or video games, so I will need to keep my time in check, and do worthwhile things. I liked what Elder Richard G. Scott said about four areas I can focus on, those being: prayer, studying the word of the Lord, weekly Family Home Evenings, and going to the Temple. This related to what Elder Allan F. Packer said about Family History Work. I am going to work on my Family History, both past and present, and I know that as he quoted Elder Bednar saying, it will be a "protection" for me as I return home.
I am going to have to work hard to be "in the world, but not of the world." I will need constant repentance and evaluation, and working towards my next step in my eternal progession.
Those are only some of my feelings as I thought about Conference, obviously it`s not everything, but I feel good about it. I feel that I paid attention, and found some ansewrs from the Lord as to what I need to do to progress after my mission. President Bird and I have talked in the past about how the mission should not be the "Best Two Years of my life," but rather, the "Best Two Years for my life." I need to continue having spiritual experiences, but always staying focused on the basic and important elements of the Gospel. I know that the Lord loves me, and will take care of me. I felt his answers and guidance as I listend to this Conference, and I know that as I study more I will be able to see more and more guidance and instruction.
I encourage all of you to review, study, pray, and apply the talks from this General Conference. I promise you that if you do, you will find answers to your prayers, enlightenment where there is darkness, and happiness. I know that the Lord Jesus Christ lives; God is our loving Heavenly Father; Joseph Smith was a prophet of God; Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet today, and we are guided by inspired leaders who will take care of us if we will but heed their counsels. I am almost done reading the Book of Mormon again (I´m currently in Moroni 7), and I have grown as I have read it. It has been able to give me comfort as well.
Next week I will send my last letter as a Missionary.
Thank you all so much for your support, love, and kind words. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for everything! Have a great week, review the Conference, and be true. Until next week!
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Week #102: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XV- Week 16
I`m going to start off with an excerpt from my letter to President Bird (which I`m currently writing still):
"The past few weeks Elder Pasapera and I have been working, but we have been failing in our lessons with Members. This week we are putting into practice something that the Zone Leaders taught us about setting the daily goals for the week during our Weekly Planning, and working each day specifically towards these goals. It seems very feasible, and they had success putting this method into practice. The whole District is doing this, I believe. I will verify during the week to see how everybody is doing with this method. It should be good. We fell a bit behind in "Las Primeras 12 Semanas," but we`re going to catch up. It has been good to study this manual. I really like it. A lot of people don`t, but I do.
This week we studied the Fundamental "The Role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion," and it was really great. I liked it a lot. Something that we have been failing at is helping people understand HOW the Spirit works in their conversion, such as what kinds of feelings or answers to expect from Him as a confirmation that the message is true. I liked that we were able to see this lack, and start to fix it in our teaching. One scripture that stood out to me was one where the Savior talks about "working" under the section of requirements to have the Spirit with us. It just really clicked, and I understood it very well. We need to work hard if we want to have the Spirit with us. We`ve started talking more about the Spirit, and the way He talks to us in our lessons, and it`s been good.
One such lesson was on a day where we had 5 new investigators. First we taught a woman named Cristal and her son, and she is searching for the truth. We hope that she can make it, and that her son comes along as well. Next we taught a man named Jonathan for a few minutes only, and we presented the Book of Mormon to him, although we didn`t invite him to be baptized. Next we were able to teach two people who seem like they`re really ready, RED TOMATOES. We hope. Bertha and her son Humberto are their names, and it was a great lesson. She said that she has always been Catholic, but that her daughter-in-law is cristiana, so she is a bit confused. We talked to her about how the Holy Ghost will help her to know the truth, and we shared the First Vision with her. We invited her to read the pamphlet, to pray, and to be baptized. She and her son accepted the invitations. It was great. However, they did not come with us this Sunday. Hopefully this week they can make it to General Conference.
I am excited for Conference. I`m sure that in our interview (which is the Tuesday after Conference) we will talk about what I will have felt and learned. As we both know, I am about to take the next step in life, and move on to something new. I know that this Conference I will hear many things that will help me as I take this step. I am going to pay a lot of attention, and I am going to take notes. I am going to try and focus more on my feelings and impressions, and not so much on word for word notes, as I have taken in the past. I know that it will be more valuable to me. I hope that this Conference will be great, and I am looking forward to it."
I hope that everyone has a great weekend, and learns a lot. I`m sorry that my time is short. I`m still writing a bit with President Bird. I felt that my letters to him have been lackluster, so I wrote to him first, and I`m still in that process. I love you all and wish you the best! Have a great week! Talk to you all next week! Also, today we went out to eat: a Chinese Buffet. I was stuffed. I`ll send the pictures next week, for time. I love you all!
"The past few weeks Elder Pasapera and I have been working, but we have been failing in our lessons with Members. This week we are putting into practice something that the Zone Leaders taught us about setting the daily goals for the week during our Weekly Planning, and working each day specifically towards these goals. It seems very feasible, and they had success putting this method into practice. The whole District is doing this, I believe. I will verify during the week to see how everybody is doing with this method. It should be good. We fell a bit behind in "Las Primeras 12 Semanas," but we`re going to catch up. It has been good to study this manual. I really like it. A lot of people don`t, but I do.
This week we studied the Fundamental "The Role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion," and it was really great. I liked it a lot. Something that we have been failing at is helping people understand HOW the Spirit works in their conversion, such as what kinds of feelings or answers to expect from Him as a confirmation that the message is true. I liked that we were able to see this lack, and start to fix it in our teaching. One scripture that stood out to me was one where the Savior talks about "working" under the section of requirements to have the Spirit with us. It just really clicked, and I understood it very well. We need to work hard if we want to have the Spirit with us. We`ve started talking more about the Spirit, and the way He talks to us in our lessons, and it`s been good.
One such lesson was on a day where we had 5 new investigators. First we taught a woman named Cristal and her son, and she is searching for the truth. We hope that she can make it, and that her son comes along as well. Next we taught a man named Jonathan for a few minutes only, and we presented the Book of Mormon to him, although we didn`t invite him to be baptized. Next we were able to teach two people who seem like they`re really ready, RED TOMATOES. We hope. Bertha and her son Humberto are their names, and it was a great lesson. She said that she has always been Catholic, but that her daughter-in-law is cristiana, so she is a bit confused. We talked to her about how the Holy Ghost will help her to know the truth, and we shared the First Vision with her. We invited her to read the pamphlet, to pray, and to be baptized. She and her son accepted the invitations. It was great. However, they did not come with us this Sunday. Hopefully this week they can make it to General Conference.
I am excited for Conference. I`m sure that in our interview (which is the Tuesday after Conference) we will talk about what I will have felt and learned. As we both know, I am about to take the next step in life, and move on to something new. I know that this Conference I will hear many things that will help me as I take this step. I am going to pay a lot of attention, and I am going to take notes. I am going to try and focus more on my feelings and impressions, and not so much on word for word notes, as I have taken in the past. I know that it will be more valuable to me. I hope that this Conference will be great, and I am looking forward to it."
I hope that everyone has a great weekend, and learns a lot. I`m sorry that my time is short. I`m still writing a bit with President Bird. I felt that my letters to him have been lackluster, so I wrote to him first, and I`m still in that process. I love you all and wish you the best! Have a great week! Talk to you all next week! Also, today we went out to eat: a Chinese Buffet. I was stuffed. I`ll send the pictures next week, for time. I love you all!
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Week #101: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XV- Week 15
It`s been just a few short days since I last wrote. Right now I`m in my quest to finish the Book of Mormon in Spanish before I wrap up my time as a missionary. I`m pretty close right now: today I was reading in Mormon 2, 3, and 4. Needless to say, these are not happy times for the people in the Book of Mormon. Everything is falling apart, and it`s because of their own wickedness. These moments of destruction are a lesson to each and every one of us: we must repent and do what is right, we must be humble and depend on the Lord always, we must never boast in our own strength, we must be like Christ. I have been learning and seeing personal lessons as I have been reading the Book of Mormon, and I am grateful for that.
What is new that I can share with everybody? Well, I learned today that my Great Grandma Erekson passed away, and now is a time to remember. I did not have a whole lot of time with her really, but I remember the times we shared together. My memories of her include going to her house with Dad and my cousin, eating whole grain (with seeds) buttered toast, and thinking of her makes me think of Family History Work. I know that she was very involved in that work, and that is an inspiration for those of us who remain here. I personally want to work on my own Family History, especially for the Herrera branch of my family. The blessing of serving a mission in Mexico and learning Spanish is not only for my own benefit, but to help others as well. I know that I will be able to help them receive the Gospel as well. I know that some work is being done for my Holt ancestors, and I would like to help there as well.
We all have a lot of work to do in this life. The Lord expects very much from each and every one of us. We are truly blessed to live in the Last Dispensation, the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. When Elder Jeffrey R. Holland came to the MTC with some of his family for Thanksgiving, he talked to us about the blessing and privilege we have to live in these days. Every other dispensation fell into apostasy, but ours will not. Ours is the task to bring the Gospel to everyone, both those who are living now and those who have gone on before. We are truly blessed with Temples, which dot the world, wherein we can help those who have died without the Gospel. I am grateful for this blessing.
Right now things are going alright in the Missionary Work part of the Work of Salvation. Rodrigo is out of town for his chess tournament, and Jorge once again was unable to come to Church, but he seems pretty willing to live the commandments, which is great. We hope that he will be able to start coming to Church, and have good experiences. A less-active family came this Sunday, which was great to see. Elder Pasapera gave a talk about Charity and Love, which was good as well. This weeks is another week of work and learning and growth.
I am 21 years old on Sunday. It will be interesting to say that I am 21, and not that I`m 20 now. It`ll make me seem older. I`ve had some great 21 years, and I`ve been learning a lot. I will continue to learn and grow as time moves on. I am grateful to be alive, and I am grateful for the people in my life who help me and teach me and psuh me to be better. I am grateful to my Father in Heaven that I can serve Him and my Savior as a missionary. I am grateful for my many blessings, and encourage all of you to reflect on life and set goals. I will do so.
Have a great week everyone, and I`ll let you all know what`s new next Monday! I love you all!
What is new that I can share with everybody? Well, I learned today that my Great Grandma Erekson passed away, and now is a time to remember. I did not have a whole lot of time with her really, but I remember the times we shared together. My memories of her include going to her house with Dad and my cousin, eating whole grain (with seeds) buttered toast, and thinking of her makes me think of Family History Work. I know that she was very involved in that work, and that is an inspiration for those of us who remain here. I personally want to work on my own Family History, especially for the Herrera branch of my family. The blessing of serving a mission in Mexico and learning Spanish is not only for my own benefit, but to help others as well. I know that I will be able to help them receive the Gospel as well. I know that some work is being done for my Holt ancestors, and I would like to help there as well.
We all have a lot of work to do in this life. The Lord expects very much from each and every one of us. We are truly blessed to live in the Last Dispensation, the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. When Elder Jeffrey R. Holland came to the MTC with some of his family for Thanksgiving, he talked to us about the blessing and privilege we have to live in these days. Every other dispensation fell into apostasy, but ours will not. Ours is the task to bring the Gospel to everyone, both those who are living now and those who have gone on before. We are truly blessed with Temples, which dot the world, wherein we can help those who have died without the Gospel. I am grateful for this blessing.
Right now things are going alright in the Missionary Work part of the Work of Salvation. Rodrigo is out of town for his chess tournament, and Jorge once again was unable to come to Church, but he seems pretty willing to live the commandments, which is great. We hope that he will be able to start coming to Church, and have good experiences. A less-active family came this Sunday, which was great to see. Elder Pasapera gave a talk about Charity and Love, which was good as well. This weeks is another week of work and learning and growth.
I am 21 years old on Sunday. It will be interesting to say that I am 21, and not that I`m 20 now. It`ll make me seem older. I`ve had some great 21 years, and I`ve been learning a lot. I will continue to learn and grow as time moves on. I am grateful to be alive, and I am grateful for the people in my life who help me and teach me and psuh me to be better. I am grateful to my Father in Heaven that I can serve Him and my Savior as a missionary. I am grateful for my many blessings, and encourage all of you to reflect on life and set goals. I will do so.
Have a great week everyone, and I`ll let you all know what`s new next Monday! I love you all!
Thursday, September 18, 2014
Week #100: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XV - Week 14
This past week and half has been good. We had the great blessing of having Elder Paul B. Pieper of the Seventy, First Counselor in the México Area Presidency coming to our mission to give us some special conferences. I have had the great blessing during my mission to hear from many General Authorites (forgive the name-dropping, haha), such as Elder Wilford W. Anderson of the Seventy, Elder Daniel L. Johnson of the Seventy, Elder Tad R. Callister then of the Seventy, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (twice - once in the MTC, and once here) and Elder Quentin L. Cook, but personally this conference was really edifying for me, in ways more so than these other visits. It was really great. Perhaps because it was a closer setting (we were a few Zones together instead of almost the whole mission), the way he taught (walking close to where we were at, using the whiteboard, asking for responses and participation), and the fact that I`m older, but whatever it was, the Spirit was good and I loved it.
One of the things he talked to us about was the Priesthood, and its relation to men and women. This is a topic that is very public these days, many people learning more about how the Priesthood works and is organized. Something that he said was cool. He said that receiving the Priesthood was a covenant extra that the Lord requires of men, and not of women. He requires this extra commitment. That was a cool thought / insight.
Another insight that I loved was during the section he gave us of questions. Somebody asked how we could work better with the members as missionaries, and he taught us what we need to do. We need to change our way of thinking. We want them to do things our way, and they want us to do things the way that they expect. What we need to do is found in Doctrine and Covenants 41:2-3, and I applied it to all types of decisions in life. The scripture instructs us to unite, come to an accord on the word (this could be reading the scriptures, teachings, etc), pray with faith, and then receiving the guidance we need. If we have an important decision in our family life, or in anything, we should unite, study and meditate, pray, and recieve. Then, we must act on what we receive. I liked this a lot, and have been able to think about it more these past few days.
We also talked about Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, which has the requirements for baptism. Elder Pieper talked about them being requirements for the Sacrament too, and that was kind of cool. I think. It was good.
Another insight was to have investigators guide their own conversion - instead of just teaching and throwing them all of the answers, we need to give them assignments, so that they can find their own answers. I like this too, and it will be good for the future when I`m older. It`s something that I need to improve as well, finding my own answers. It was a good conference for sure. I was able to say my personal goodbye to Elder Carbajal, and I got a photo with him and Elder Pasapera. It was nice.
I was able to go on intercambios with Elder Aguila to his area, and it was really good. We were able to have some good lessons, and even surpass some of the daily goals for the work. It was a good day, and I also had an interview with an investigator of Elder Aguila`s area. I had a doubt for a moment, but Elder Aguila helped me out. Their investigator is set for baptism on Sunday.
The Temple was pretty good. Today we`re going to eat pizza and some kind of acitivity as a Zone. Hopefully it`s fun. Just in case, I might bring my journal to get a bit caught up, haha. I also had a good experience last night sharing some scriptures with my companion in a moment of trial for him. It was good, and I was glad to be able to be guided by the Spirit in this.
I testify that Jesus Christ lives. I know that He loves us, and has great mercies that He gives us. I know that Heavenly Father also loves us and cares for us. They understand what we go through. Christ suffered so much more than we can ever suffer, but even so, what little we may come to suffer is important to Him because it is important to us. This is something similar to what President Bird told me once in an interview. I know that Christ lives, and that He loves us. Let us read the scripture to know His words. Let us prepare for General Conference in just 2 1/2 weeks. Let us prepare to be taught.
Have a great week! The work keeps moving forward! I love you all!
One of the things he talked to us about was the Priesthood, and its relation to men and women. This is a topic that is very public these days, many people learning more about how the Priesthood works and is organized. Something that he said was cool. He said that receiving the Priesthood was a covenant extra that the Lord requires of men, and not of women. He requires this extra commitment. That was a cool thought / insight.
Another insight that I loved was during the section he gave us of questions. Somebody asked how we could work better with the members as missionaries, and he taught us what we need to do. We need to change our way of thinking. We want them to do things our way, and they want us to do things the way that they expect. What we need to do is found in Doctrine and Covenants 41:2-3, and I applied it to all types of decisions in life. The scripture instructs us to unite, come to an accord on the word (this could be reading the scriptures, teachings, etc), pray with faith, and then receiving the guidance we need. If we have an important decision in our family life, or in anything, we should unite, study and meditate, pray, and recieve. Then, we must act on what we receive. I liked this a lot, and have been able to think about it more these past few days.
We also talked about Doctrine and Covenants 20:37, which has the requirements for baptism. Elder Pieper talked about them being requirements for the Sacrament too, and that was kind of cool. I think. It was good.
Another insight was to have investigators guide their own conversion - instead of just teaching and throwing them all of the answers, we need to give them assignments, so that they can find their own answers. I like this too, and it will be good for the future when I`m older. It`s something that I need to improve as well, finding my own answers. It was a good conference for sure. I was able to say my personal goodbye to Elder Carbajal, and I got a photo with him and Elder Pasapera. It was nice.
I was able to go on intercambios with Elder Aguila to his area, and it was really good. We were able to have some good lessons, and even surpass some of the daily goals for the work. It was a good day, and I also had an interview with an investigator of Elder Aguila`s area. I had a doubt for a moment, but Elder Aguila helped me out. Their investigator is set for baptism on Sunday.
The Temple was pretty good. Today we`re going to eat pizza and some kind of acitivity as a Zone. Hopefully it`s fun. Just in case, I might bring my journal to get a bit caught up, haha. I also had a good experience last night sharing some scriptures with my companion in a moment of trial for him. It was good, and I was glad to be able to be guided by the Spirit in this.
I testify that Jesus Christ lives. I know that He loves us, and has great mercies that He gives us. I know that Heavenly Father also loves us and cares for us. They understand what we go through. Christ suffered so much more than we can ever suffer, but even so, what little we may come to suffer is important to Him because it is important to us. This is something similar to what President Bird told me once in an interview. I know that Christ lives, and that He loves us. Let us read the scripture to know His words. Let us prepare for General Conference in just 2 1/2 weeks. Let us prepare to be taught.
Have a great week! The work keeps moving forward! I love you all!
Monday, September 8, 2014
Week #99: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XV - Week 13
Well, my time is really short this week. I`m sorry about that. I hope that you all are doing well, and I have a few updates to share, and some photos! So, here we go.
On Monday we had the opportunity to have a chill day. I bought some new shoes, a watch, and we worked with a new missionary for his first day in the field. We had a lesson with Rodrigo, who is progressing well. He came to Church again this week, and we have hope for him. We need to finish teaching him everything, but we`re getting there. His baptism is currently set for the 21st, so we`re hoping things work out for him. He is improving and working towards baptism. He`s good.
This morning we cut each other`s hair. Elder Pasapera helped me finish my own haircut, as I was cutting it a bit in the mirror. The haircuts turned out pretty good. I`ve got a photo of us attached in the email as well.
On Sunday I was able to feel the Spirit very strongly and personally during the Sacramental Hymn. As we sang, I felt that the words were very applied to me, and I had words come to my mind as well. I know and testify that Jesus Christ suffered for me, that He knows me and my struggles, and that He is always there for me. He loves me. He loves all of you. Any suffering or worry or pain that we have, He understands and knows what we feel. I am grateful for that, and that I was able to feel that.
It seems we`ll be seeing Elder Paul B. Pieper of the Seventy this week, so that should be good. I`ll let you all know how things are on the 18th, after we go to the Temple. I have got to go. Have a great week, and begin now to prepare for General Conference. I love you all!
On Monday we had the opportunity to have a chill day. I bought some new shoes, a watch, and we worked with a new missionary for his first day in the field. We had a lesson with Rodrigo, who is progressing well. He came to Church again this week, and we have hope for him. We need to finish teaching him everything, but we`re getting there. His baptism is currently set for the 21st, so we`re hoping things work out for him. He is improving and working towards baptism. He`s good.
This morning we cut each other`s hair. Elder Pasapera helped me finish my own haircut, as I was cutting it a bit in the mirror. The haircuts turned out pretty good. I`ve got a photo of us attached in the email as well.
On Sunday I was able to feel the Spirit very strongly and personally during the Sacramental Hymn. As we sang, I felt that the words were very applied to me, and I had words come to my mind as well. I know and testify that Jesus Christ suffered for me, that He knows me and my struggles, and that He is always there for me. He loves me. He loves all of you. Any suffering or worry or pain that we have, He understands and knows what we feel. I am grateful for that, and that I was able to feel that.
It seems we`ll be seeing Elder Paul B. Pieper of the Seventy this week, so that should be good. I`ll let you all know how things are on the 18th, after we go to the Temple. I have got to go. Have a great week, and begin now to prepare for General Conference. I love you all!
Week #98: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XVI - Week 12
Time flies really quickly when you`re writing and reading emails, and other things. The point is, this week my time is short to write, so I`ll try to make the most of it and write the best I can in these few minutes (I haven`t even written President yet...) that I have left.
This week was the last week of the transfer, and it was a pretty good week. Elder Pasapera and I continue working hard, and learning together. We were able to reach our minimum of 101 contacts, even though our goal was a bit higher. It was crazy. We had to do 40 on Sunday to make it, but we worked really hard and talked with a lot of people, and we were able to make it. We set at least one appointment as well, and we actually had a lesson that was a bit crazy.
We didn`t have a single change in the District, all eight of us are staying the same, with the same area and companions and everything. Sometimes change is hard, and sometimes staying the same is hard. However, I know that the Lord has a plan for each and every one of us, and that there is a reason that we are all staying the same for six more weeks. There is something that we need to learn that we have not learned yet. There are blessings we need to receive, struggle we need to have, and He will be with us every step of the way. These next six weeks will be weeks of growth and learning.
With my current planner I`m going to be a lot cleaner, and organized. When I started off my mission, I was very organized. Lately, I`ve gotten rather sloppy with my planner and planning, so today is the perfect day to change. Whenever we`ve got something out of order, or that needs to be better, today is the perfect day to change. The Lord has given us each day so that we can learn and grow and become better. We are with the people we are with so that we can become better. I`d like to share something that my Grandma Sandy shared with me this week in her letter to me:
"...I'm sure you are enjoying your missionary work. It seems like you and your companion get along really well. You have been blessed with good companions. You have been able to teach them things and I know they have taught you as well. Heavenly Father knows the people we need in our lives and places them near us at just the right time. Sometimes we don't know or understand why, but in looking back at my life I can see the lessons I have learned or the things I have been taught by knowing them."
I testify that these words are true. We are with the people we are with, where we are, for a reason. The Lord has a special plan for each of us, and He will help us to achieve it. I read a talk this morning from the July 2014 Ensign by Bishop Dean M. Davies that I liked a lot. He talked about how the Lord will not send us trials to impede us, but rather He will send them to help us grow, and that the Savior is always there to help us.
I testify that the Lord loves us and sustains us. I know that I will have trials in the next few weeks, and I know that the Lord will help me overcome them and learn what I need to learn. This week I have felt the love of my Savior Jesus Christ, and I know that He knows everything that I go through. I am grateful to Him for everytrhing that He does for me, as well as my loving Father in Heaven, and the Holy Ghost, who helps me feel this love.
This week was the last week of the transfer, and it was a pretty good week. Elder Pasapera and I continue working hard, and learning together. We were able to reach our minimum of 101 contacts, even though our goal was a bit higher. It was crazy. We had to do 40 on Sunday to make it, but we worked really hard and talked with a lot of people, and we were able to make it. We set at least one appointment as well, and we actually had a lesson that was a bit crazy.
We didn`t have a single change in the District, all eight of us are staying the same, with the same area and companions and everything. Sometimes change is hard, and sometimes staying the same is hard. However, I know that the Lord has a plan for each and every one of us, and that there is a reason that we are all staying the same for six more weeks. There is something that we need to learn that we have not learned yet. There are blessings we need to receive, struggle we need to have, and He will be with us every step of the way. These next six weeks will be weeks of growth and learning.
With my current planner I`m going to be a lot cleaner, and organized. When I started off my mission, I was very organized. Lately, I`ve gotten rather sloppy with my planner and planning, so today is the perfect day to change. Whenever we`ve got something out of order, or that needs to be better, today is the perfect day to change. The Lord has given us each day so that we can learn and grow and become better. We are with the people we are with so that we can become better. I`d like to share something that my Grandma Sandy shared with me this week in her letter to me:
"...I'm sure you are enjoying your missionary work. It seems like you and your companion get along really well. You have been blessed with good companions. You have been able to teach them things and I know they have taught you as well. Heavenly Father knows the people we need in our lives and places them near us at just the right time. Sometimes we don't know or understand why, but in looking back at my life I can see the lessons I have learned or the things I have been taught by knowing them."
I testify that these words are true. We are with the people we are with, where we are, for a reason. The Lord has a special plan for each of us, and He will help us to achieve it. I read a talk this morning from the July 2014 Ensign by Bishop Dean M. Davies that I liked a lot. He talked about how the Lord will not send us trials to impede us, but rather He will send them to help us grow, and that the Savior is always there to help us.
I testify that the Lord loves us and sustains us. I know that I will have trials in the next few weeks, and I know that the Lord will help me overcome them and learn what I need to learn. This week I have felt the love of my Savior Jesus Christ, and I know that He knows everything that I go through. I am grateful to Him for everytrhing that He does for me, as well as my loving Father in Heaven, and the Holy Ghost, who helps me feel this love.
Week #97: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XVI - Week 11
Here´s an excerpt from my letter to President Bird this week:
"This week I´ve felt pretty good overall, especially last night with the weekly phone calls. I wrapped up late, but I felt that they were efficient and powerful. Elder Pasapera has told me that I need to be tougher as a Leader, and I´ve tried to apply it a bit, be more assertive and direct, and it´s been good. The capacitation for District Leaders has helped me to improve my daily and weekly reports as well, as I´m trying to talk to them more about their day and people, along with the numbers. It´s been good, and last night especially I had a lot of ánimo to work, and we´ve been watching the District 1 this past week for the First 12 Weeks, and it´s helped me as well. I am glad that I get to end my mission training, re-learning the basics. Thank you for this opportunity."
I am still learning a lot, and growing. I am ready to work and continue being better and better, I am grateful for the blessing of being a missionary, and for the blessing to be able to repent when I make a mistake.
This week I have been trying to improve my personal prayers (again), following some advice that I receieved from my Mom, and it´s helped me feel better a bit. It´s still a work in progress, but I´m trying to make my prayers more meaningful. I am trying to open myself more to My Father, and express my feelings better. It´s been good, and I´m going to keep working on it, and little by little becoming who I need to become.
I hope you all have a great week, and my time is almost up. Sorry that the letter is short this week. Have a great week, and I love you all!
"This week I´ve felt pretty good overall, especially last night with the weekly phone calls. I wrapped up late, but I felt that they were efficient and powerful. Elder Pasapera has told me that I need to be tougher as a Leader, and I´ve tried to apply it a bit, be more assertive and direct, and it´s been good. The capacitation for District Leaders has helped me to improve my daily and weekly reports as well, as I´m trying to talk to them more about their day and people, along with the numbers. It´s been good, and last night especially I had a lot of ánimo to work, and we´ve been watching the District 1 this past week for the First 12 Weeks, and it´s helped me as well. I am glad that I get to end my mission training, re-learning the basics. Thank you for this opportunity."
I am still learning a lot, and growing. I am ready to work and continue being better and better, I am grateful for the blessing of being a missionary, and for the blessing to be able to repent when I make a mistake.
This week I have been trying to improve my personal prayers (again), following some advice that I receieved from my Mom, and it´s helped me feel better a bit. It´s still a work in progress, but I´m trying to make my prayers more meaningful. I am trying to open myself more to My Father, and express my feelings better. It´s been good, and I´m going to keep working on it, and little by little becoming who I need to become.
I hope you all have a great week, and my time is almost up. Sorry that the letter is short this week. Have a great week, and I love you all!
Week #96: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XVI - Week 10
This week was a pretty good one overall. It was actually a week and half, so it has been a while since we´ve had a real break, so it´s been pretty good. In these past 10 days I´ve been able to go on two different intercambios, and they were both pretty good overall. The first was with my Zone Leader Elder Fry, and it was fun. We only had one lessons (which was quite the visit), but we were able to have 30 contacts in the street, which was good. It was fun talking with Elder Fry. The other intercambio was with Elder Gómez, and it was pretty good too overall. We talked and got to know each other a bit better, which was pretty good.
We had a baptism this last Sunday. I already sent all of you some photos. Aneth´s baptism was an experience for sure. We didn´t prepare very well, so it was a bit chaotic to start with, but in the end everything worked out for Aneth and she was baptized by her uncle. She was confirmed that same day in Sacrament Meeting (we had the baptism in the morning before Church). Now we have to help her continue growing in the Church and learning more. We´re going to be reviewing the lessons with her to help her deepen her understanding of them.
What else has happened these past days? We´re going to have Elder Paul B. Pieper of the Seventy come and train us, or so in September, which should be good. He is in the Mexico Area Presidency, and is either in the First or the Second Quorum of the Seventy. It should be something good that will help us. We all had to take a survey this week about how well we apply Preach My Gospel, so that he can know what we need to learn more about. Something like that. It was good. We took it on Monday, since today is our P-day, but they needed the surveys by Wednesday at the latest I think.
We went to the Temple today, and then we went to Citadel to do some shopping. The plan was to find some new shoes (didn´t end up buying any), we went to Krispie Kreme Doughnuts and I got a Mexico World Cup Jersey. It was on sale too, which was a great suprise. Should be cool to have in the future. Of course I´ll bring other things home with me (like the lessons learned, memories, friendships, etc.), but it´ll be cool to have this too.
Still no more news as far as the itinerary, but it shouldn´t take much longer now to arrive, and then I´ll forward it home. It´s crazy to think about the fact that I only have 8 more letters home to write, and then I´m there. Time sure does fly sometimes. Life has treated me good. These days I stress myself out to make sure I wrap my mission up the right way. I expect so much from myself. I know that Heavenly Father loves me. He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful, as is our Savior Jesus Christ. They will not make a mistake in how they treat us. We need to trust in Them, do our best, and trust in Their love and justice.
I will be writing again soon (on Monday). I hope to have good things to report. I love you all, and wish you a great week! Bye!
We had a baptism this last Sunday. I already sent all of you some photos. Aneth´s baptism was an experience for sure. We didn´t prepare very well, so it was a bit chaotic to start with, but in the end everything worked out for Aneth and she was baptized by her uncle. She was confirmed that same day in Sacrament Meeting (we had the baptism in the morning before Church). Now we have to help her continue growing in the Church and learning more. We´re going to be reviewing the lessons with her to help her deepen her understanding of them.
What else has happened these past days? We´re going to have Elder Paul B. Pieper of the Seventy come and train us, or so in September, which should be good. He is in the Mexico Area Presidency, and is either in the First or the Second Quorum of the Seventy. It should be something good that will help us. We all had to take a survey this week about how well we apply Preach My Gospel, so that he can know what we need to learn more about. Something like that. It was good. We took it on Monday, since today is our P-day, but they needed the surveys by Wednesday at the latest I think.
We went to the Temple today, and then we went to Citadel to do some shopping. The plan was to find some new shoes (didn´t end up buying any), we went to Krispie Kreme Doughnuts and I got a Mexico World Cup Jersey. It was on sale too, which was a great suprise. Should be cool to have in the future. Of course I´ll bring other things home with me (like the lessons learned, memories, friendships, etc.), but it´ll be cool to have this too.
Still no more news as far as the itinerary, but it shouldn´t take much longer now to arrive, and then I´ll forward it home. It´s crazy to think about the fact that I only have 8 more letters home to write, and then I´m there. Time sure does fly sometimes. Life has treated me good. These days I stress myself out to make sure I wrap my mission up the right way. I expect so much from myself. I know that Heavenly Father loves me. He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful, as is our Savior Jesus Christ. They will not make a mistake in how they treat us. We need to trust in Them, do our best, and trust in Their love and justice.
I will be writing again soon (on Monday). I hope to have good things to report. I love you all, and wish you a great week! Bye!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Week #95: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XVI - Week 9
This week I got a phone call during our weekly planning session on Thursday. It was about 1:45 or so, and it was a call from the Executive Secretary. He had a very important question for me: "¿A cuál aeropuerto quiere llegar a su casa?" (Which airport to you want to arrive at?) or so. I used to make the call, and on Thursday it was my turn. According to the phone it was about 1:51 when the called me back (it seems), and I helped to request my flight home. Time is running out.
This was a pretty good week overall. We had Zone Conference on Tuesday, which was great. We talked about finding Red Tomatoes (the elect who will listen), contacting, planning, and learning English. It was a good meeting for sure.
I´ve been doing pretty alright this week. It´s been good working with Aneth. We have her baptism coming up. This Sunday, and it should be great. She´s really prepared.
Here´s an excerpt from the letter I´m still writing to President Bird: "This week we were able to have a good experience with the Book of Mormon. One was with an investigator named Jorge Aguilar. We talked with him on Monday about reading the Book of Mormon and praying, and he said he would. On Wednesday, he had read up to 1 Nefi 12, and he enjoyed what he read, and took notes, and shared stuff that he learned and applied to himself (such as 1 Nefi 3:7) and it was cool. We have hope that he will progress."
Time is short.I love you all, and will talk to you again on Thursday the 21st. Have a great week!
This was a pretty good week overall. We had Zone Conference on Tuesday, which was great. We talked about finding Red Tomatoes (the elect who will listen), contacting, planning, and learning English. It was a good meeting for sure.
I´ve been doing pretty alright this week. It´s been good working with Aneth. We have her baptism coming up. This Sunday, and it should be great. She´s really prepared.
Here´s an excerpt from the letter I´m still writing to President Bird: "This week we were able to have a good experience with the Book of Mormon. One was with an investigator named Jorge Aguilar. We talked with him on Monday about reading the Book of Mormon and praying, and he said he would. On Wednesday, he had read up to 1 Nefi 12, and he enjoyed what he read, and took notes, and shared stuff that he learned and applied to himself (such as 1 Nefi 3:7) and it was cool. We have hope that he will progress."
Time is short.I love you all, and will talk to you again on Thursday the 21st. Have a great week!
Week #94: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XVI - Week 8
I´ve got quite a few letters now, don´t I? Things have been going pretty good overall this week, with lessons and contacts, and progress, etc. I´ve only got a few things to write about, so I´ll get right on to it.
To start off, this week we were able to reach 102 contacts! It was pretty great, we put forth a lot of effort during the week to reach the goal, and we were able to surpass the 101 contacts goal that the Zone has. It was pretty great. Three of the four areas in the District reached the goal, which was cool. It was nice to see some success in that aspect of the work. We were also able to work with some members of the work and have lessons, which was nice.
In a couple of weeks we should be having a baptism. Aneth is getting really close now, and her date is set for the 17th of this month (the day that I complete 22 months in the field!) and she´s right on track for it. We only have a few more things left to talk about with her, the interview, and voila! It´ll be great to have a baptism again. The Lord truly blessed us with being able to find and start teaching Aneth. We found her weeks ago after being pretty consistent with contacting in the street. The Lord rewarded our efforts and desires with the opportunity to find and teach her. It´s been good.
One of the best experiences this week was when an Hermana in the ward chewed us and the Sister Missionaries out after the food. We´ve gotten into this bad habit of spending the food time mostly to chat amongst ourselves, not really involving the sisters who give us the food, etc. It was a great eye-opener, because she was right. She told us how she felt with love, and that she still loved and respected us, but she pointed out our fault in this aspect, and she was so right. Since that day we´ve been doing better at involving the Sisters / families in the meal, and it´s been better, more spiritual overall, and it´s just felt better, really. I´m very glad that she had the courage to tell us where we were wrong, and to correct us. Sometimes we just need a call to repentance in our lives. I testify that because of Jesus Christ, we can repent, and we can have hope that everything will be good again. I am grateful for this gift, and the effects and hope it brings into my life.
Well, tomorrow we have our Zone Conference with President and Sister Bird, so that should be good and edifying. I hope to have good experiences there. He´ll probably say something about how old I am in the field, haha. We´ll see. I love you all and wish you all the best! Have a great week!
To start off, this week we were able to reach 102 contacts! It was pretty great, we put forth a lot of effort during the week to reach the goal, and we were able to surpass the 101 contacts goal that the Zone has. It was pretty great. Three of the four areas in the District reached the goal, which was cool. It was nice to see some success in that aspect of the work. We were also able to work with some members of the work and have lessons, which was nice.
In a couple of weeks we should be having a baptism. Aneth is getting really close now, and her date is set for the 17th of this month (the day that I complete 22 months in the field!) and she´s right on track for it. We only have a few more things left to talk about with her, the interview, and voila! It´ll be great to have a baptism again. The Lord truly blessed us with being able to find and start teaching Aneth. We found her weeks ago after being pretty consistent with contacting in the street. The Lord rewarded our efforts and desires with the opportunity to find and teach her. It´s been good.
One of the best experiences this week was when an Hermana in the ward chewed us and the Sister Missionaries out after the food. We´ve gotten into this bad habit of spending the food time mostly to chat amongst ourselves, not really involving the sisters who give us the food, etc. It was a great eye-opener, because she was right. She told us how she felt with love, and that she still loved and respected us, but she pointed out our fault in this aspect, and she was so right. Since that day we´ve been doing better at involving the Sisters / families in the meal, and it´s been better, more spiritual overall, and it´s just felt better, really. I´m very glad that she had the courage to tell us where we were wrong, and to correct us. Sometimes we just need a call to repentance in our lives. I testify that because of Jesus Christ, we can repent, and we can have hope that everything will be good again. I am grateful for this gift, and the effects and hope it brings into my life.
Well, tomorrow we have our Zone Conference with President and Sister Bird, so that should be good and edifying. I hope to have good experiences there. He´ll probably say something about how old I am in the field, haha. We´ll see. I love you all and wish you all the best! Have a great week!
Monday, August 4, 2014
Week #93: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XVI - Week 7
This week has been pretty good. On Tuesday Elder Smith and I were able to go to the offices to find out the transfers. Elder Quevedo is going to finish the last 6 weeks of an Elder`s training before he goes home, Elder Smith is off to China, Nuevo León (the farthest area in the mission), and I am training one last time. I am pretty happy about that - I like to train, and I like the program that we have here in the field of "The First Twelve Weeks." It`s a good program that helps me a lot when I review it too. That`s one reason why I like training, because I get to go back to the beginning and relearn and remind myself of the important basics of successful missionary work. It`s great.
My companion is Elder Pasapera, who comes from Acapulco, Guerrero, México. He is originally from el D.F. (Mexico City area), but moved to Acapuclo years ago and comes from there to the mission. He is a great missionary with a lot of excitement for the work. He is already a good teacher, and we`re going to do a lot of good and learn a lot together. I am grateful for the blessing to be ending my mission with him as my companion. It`s nice to have a native Spanish speaker again. Don´t get me wrong - it was great to have American companions. However, it is great to be speaking more Spanish again, and I like that a lot. We get along really well, and it`s been good.
Aneth is getting closer and closer to her baptism. We`re getting close to having finished teaching her all of the necessary lessons and topics, and her baptism is now set for August 17th. Her uncle is going to come and baptize her. It should be pretty great, and it will feel nice to have another baptism. The Lord really has prepared her, and it was a "tender mercy" that we were able to find her. We found her dropping by for a different appointment with the friend of her Grandma. While there, we were told that she hasn`t been baptized yet, and we got all excited (at least I did). More updates as things unfold.
Santiago and Ceci have been harder to find, which has been difficulty. Hopefully things work out for them and they still get baptized. Pablo wrote me back this week, and he seems like he`s doing better now, which is great. We`re going to keep in touch, so that they can be hapyp and live the gospel to the fullest.
This week we want to work harder at finding new investigators (at least I do), and we`re going to contact a lot more. It`s something that we`ve been slacking at, and we`ve got to repent and move forward improving constantly. We can do it, and that is our goal this week.
It`s crazy to think about the time I have left in the mission field. I want to make the most of it, and do my best. I want to fix my mistakes and weaknesses, and become the best I can be, do the best that I can do. I need to be my best. I know that with the help of the Lord and His Atonement, I can do it. I`ve been reading in the "War Chapters" in Alma, specifically where Helaman is writing his epistle to Moroni, and it`s been good. I can see from their lives and examples that I need to trust in the Lord, be diligent and obedient, and He will take care of me. I testify that this is true. I bear my testimony that God lives, and loves us. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us. The Holy Ghost has helped me know these things. I testify of them.
Have a great week, and I`ll let you all know what`s new next Monday. I love you all!
My companion is Elder Pasapera, who comes from Acapulco, Guerrero, México. He is originally from el D.F. (Mexico City area), but moved to Acapuclo years ago and comes from there to the mission. He is a great missionary with a lot of excitement for the work. He is already a good teacher, and we`re going to do a lot of good and learn a lot together. I am grateful for the blessing to be ending my mission with him as my companion. It`s nice to have a native Spanish speaker again. Don´t get me wrong - it was great to have American companions. However, it is great to be speaking more Spanish again, and I like that a lot. We get along really well, and it`s been good.
Aneth is getting closer and closer to her baptism. We`re getting close to having finished teaching her all of the necessary lessons and topics, and her baptism is now set for August 17th. Her uncle is going to come and baptize her. It should be pretty great, and it will feel nice to have another baptism. The Lord really has prepared her, and it was a "tender mercy" that we were able to find her. We found her dropping by for a different appointment with the friend of her Grandma. While there, we were told that she hasn`t been baptized yet, and we got all excited (at least I did). More updates as things unfold.
Santiago and Ceci have been harder to find, which has been difficulty. Hopefully things work out for them and they still get baptized. Pablo wrote me back this week, and he seems like he`s doing better now, which is great. We`re going to keep in touch, so that they can be hapyp and live the gospel to the fullest.
This week we want to work harder at finding new investigators (at least I do), and we`re going to contact a lot more. It`s something that we`ve been slacking at, and we`ve got to repent and move forward improving constantly. We can do it, and that is our goal this week.
It`s crazy to think about the time I have left in the mission field. I want to make the most of it, and do my best. I want to fix my mistakes and weaknesses, and become the best I can be, do the best that I can do. I need to be my best. I know that with the help of the Lord and His Atonement, I can do it. I`ve been reading in the "War Chapters" in Alma, specifically where Helaman is writing his epistle to Moroni, and it`s been good. I can see from their lives and examples that I need to trust in the Lord, be diligent and obedient, and He will take care of me. I testify that this is true. I bear my testimony that God lives, and loves us. I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us. The Holy Ghost has helped me know these things. I testify of them.
Have a great week, and I`ll let you all know what`s new next Monday. I love you all!
Week #92: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XV - Week 6
Well, only a few days have gone by since the last time I wrote, but there is of course news to be shared.
Another transfer has come and gone, and this transfer flew by pretty quickly. It doens`t really seem that long ago that I arrived here to the area. So far we`ve been able to find a lot of new investigators, and talk to a lot of people in the streets, but there is still so much left to be done. It`s a good ward and a good area though.
Elder Smith is leaving this transfer, and I am staying. Tomorrow we find out who my new companion will be. I feel like I might probably train again, but we`ll see. Elder Smith could also handle it I feel, but I`m not sure what`s going to happen. Elder Anderson is staying in Tamaulipas, Elder Carbajal is staying in Apodaca, and Elder Quevedo is going somewhere new for his last transfer. So, that`s what`s going on with my companions here in the mission. I wonder what`s going on with Elder Harrop and Elder Medrano. I just sent them quick messages, so we`ll see.
I`ve enjoyed working with Elder Smith. He`s a great missionary, and a hard worker. He and I have gotten along realyl well, and he has had plenty of patience with my quirks. I look forward to meeting my new, and possible last, companion tomorrow.
I took some photos today. I realized that my shoe is falling apart even more than I thought, haha. They`re lasting really well though - I`ve still got the same two pairs I started off with. I recommend them to all future missionaries. Don`t wear a pair out then switch - rather, use both pairs constantly and they`ll last great, and wear mostly equally. It`s advice I was given, and it`s true!
Here`s my study wall / desk area. I decorated it about a week or so ago, and I like it. I switched the framed picture today during my phot shoot to include more people on my wall. I love you all and wish you a great week! I am grateful for all that I have learned in the mission so far, and I am grateful for the time that I have left to continue growing, and that growth will not end when the mission does. Have a great week, and I`ll let you know the transfers next Monday!
P.S. About six letters ago I mentioned that a dog had attacked me and sent photos home. Well, I finally got to sewing up the pants this week. Here`s how they turned out. Good enough.
Another transfer has come and gone, and this transfer flew by pretty quickly. It doens`t really seem that long ago that I arrived here to the area. So far we`ve been able to find a lot of new investigators, and talk to a lot of people in the streets, but there is still so much left to be done. It`s a good ward and a good area though.
Elder Smith is leaving this transfer, and I am staying. Tomorrow we find out who my new companion will be. I feel like I might probably train again, but we`ll see. Elder Smith could also handle it I feel, but I`m not sure what`s going to happen. Elder Anderson is staying in Tamaulipas, Elder Carbajal is staying in Apodaca, and Elder Quevedo is going somewhere new for his last transfer. So, that`s what`s going on with my companions here in the mission. I wonder what`s going on with Elder Harrop and Elder Medrano. I just sent them quick messages, so we`ll see.
I`ve enjoyed working with Elder Smith. He`s a great missionary, and a hard worker. He and I have gotten along realyl well, and he has had plenty of patience with my quirks. I look forward to meeting my new, and possible last, companion tomorrow.
I took some photos today. I realized that my shoe is falling apart even more than I thought, haha. They`re lasting really well though - I`ve still got the same two pairs I started off with. I recommend them to all future missionaries. Don`t wear a pair out then switch - rather, use both pairs constantly and they`ll last great, and wear mostly equally. It`s advice I was given, and it`s true!
Here`s my study wall / desk area. I decorated it about a week or so ago, and I like it. I switched the framed picture today during my phot shoot to include more people on my wall. I love you all and wish you a great week! I am grateful for all that I have learned in the mission so far, and I am grateful for the time that I have left to continue growing, and that growth will not end when the mission does. Have a great week, and I`ll let you know the transfers next Monday!
P.S. About six letters ago I mentioned that a dog had attacked me and sent photos home. Well, I finally got to sewing up the pants this week. Here`s how they turned out. Good enough.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Week #91: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XV - Week 5
It`s been a pretty good week and a half since I last wrote. Things are going well in the area as far as investigators are concerned. We need a lot more of them, but we`ve got three pretty solid baptismal dates as of right now. Their names are Aneth, Ceci, and Santiago. We`re pretty confident they`ll make it. Their current goal is to be baptized in August, and we`re working towards that.
Some more good news! Lucía from my last area is getting baptized this weekend! Elder Anderson called me last night to let me know the good news. She just needs to have her real interview, and voila! It`ll be awesome. I`m glad to see some more results (even if they`re after I leave the area). So, I`m looking forward to that.
Today we went to the Temple, and I enjoyed that. I was able to learn and feel pretty good and calm. The past few weeks I`ve been stressing myself out, but I feel better overall now than I did a few weeks ago, so that`s great. I`m still working on being more relaxed and letting myself feel the Lord`s love, but I`m getting there, a bit more now than earlier this transfer.
The transfers are this next week. Crazy how 6 weeks fly by really quickly. Anything could happen. I could stay, leave, change companions, change positions, whatever. Sunday night we find out what`s going to happen, so that will be exciting. I could totally stay another transfer with Elder Smith if the Lord wants us to. We`ll see how the cookie crumbles. Oh yeah.
Last week we did an activity where the Zone Leaders had us put ourselves in the mind-set of being Returned Missionaries, and thinking of whom we could share the Gospel with. I had a lot of different people and relatives come to mind. I have a lot of work to do when I get home. Lots of people to help enjoy the gospel, and live the happiness it can bring us. But for now, it`s a bit more here focused on my mission.
So, these are the two photos I have for this week. The first is of a bowl of some sweet cereal I bought a few weeks ago. Elder Smith pointed it out to me, and I was ecstatic. I love this cereal, and I haven`t been able to eat it since I left the MTC in January 2013. So, I went like a year and a half almost without them. I love this cereal. Truly a blessing of the Lord. Seemingly insignificant, but a blessing for me.
I bear my testimony that the Lord loves us, and is constantly working towards our happiness and salvation. When we mess us, we can repent. When we go astray, we can return. He has His arms open wide to receive us. We should not let more time go by. We should pray and come unto Him. He will happily receive us. I have learned a lot about repentance out here in the field, and for that I am eternally grateful.
I love you all and wish you the best!
Some more good news! Lucía from my last area is getting baptized this weekend! Elder Anderson called me last night to let me know the good news. She just needs to have her real interview, and voila! It`ll be awesome. I`m glad to see some more results (even if they`re after I leave the area). So, I`m looking forward to that.
Today we went to the Temple, and I enjoyed that. I was able to learn and feel pretty good and calm. The past few weeks I`ve been stressing myself out, but I feel better overall now than I did a few weeks ago, so that`s great. I`m still working on being more relaxed and letting myself feel the Lord`s love, but I`m getting there, a bit more now than earlier this transfer.
The transfers are this next week. Crazy how 6 weeks fly by really quickly. Anything could happen. I could stay, leave, change companions, change positions, whatever. Sunday night we find out what`s going to happen, so that will be exciting. I could totally stay another transfer with Elder Smith if the Lord wants us to. We`ll see how the cookie crumbles. Oh yeah.
Last week we did an activity where the Zone Leaders had us put ourselves in the mind-set of being Returned Missionaries, and thinking of whom we could share the Gospel with. I had a lot of different people and relatives come to mind. I have a lot of work to do when I get home. Lots of people to help enjoy the gospel, and live the happiness it can bring us. But for now, it`s a bit more here focused on my mission.
So, these are the two photos I have for this week. The first is of a bowl of some sweet cereal I bought a few weeks ago. Elder Smith pointed it out to me, and I was ecstatic. I love this cereal, and I haven`t been able to eat it since I left the MTC in January 2013. So, I went like a year and a half almost without them. I love this cereal. Truly a blessing of the Lord. Seemingly insignificant, but a blessing for me.
I bear my testimony that the Lord loves us, and is constantly working towards our happiness and salvation. When we mess us, we can repent. When we go astray, we can return. He has His arms open wide to receive us. We should not let more time go by. We should pray and come unto Him. He will happily receive us. I have learned a lot about repentance out here in the field, and for that I am eternally grateful.
I love you all and wish you the best!
Monday, July 7, 2014
Week #90: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XV - Week 4
This week was pretty good overall. Let´s see what´s happened so far?
Well, I´ve been doing some cleaning and preparing with my luggage and the stuff that I´ve been carrying around with me. The thing is, when I came to this area, I had two super-stuffed suitcases, a backpack, a side bag, and my scriptures bag all stuffed. Any I had some stuff in a plastic bag too. That is, way too much stuff, way too much bulk. So, I´m thinking ahead and getting things organized and consolidated, leaving things that I don´t need to take with me. I hope to finish that soon... We´ll see. But, in the meantime, the house is a bit of a mess at my fault. We cleaned the Kitchen up though, which is really nice.
We were able to teach quite a few people this week, finding some new investigators of varying potential. Hopefully we can get some of them to progress. We tried to get a lot of people to Church on Sunday, but we ended up with a bunch of them not being there or coming. However, the Lord blessed us and we had a bunch of people there. A less-active family we´ve visited came, and we counted 5 people as investigators for our numbers. It was pretty good.
On Tuesday we had intercambios with Victoria 1.2, and I had Elder Minch here with me. He´s from Arizona. It was a pretty good and fun intercambio, and we talked about lots of different things. We talked about a lot of old shows that we both watched too, and it was fun. Intercambios are pretty good usually.
Next week we´re going to go to the Temple, which should be good. I might buy some stuff from the store too. I´m very grateful that we have to opportunity to go to the Temple in my mission. My testimony and love for the Temple has grown while serving out here, and I plan to continue learning and growing. I´m constantly learning and growing, and needing to be better. We can all grow. I am very grateful for the opportunity that the Lord has given me to be a missionary.
I bear my testimony of the Lord´s love for each and every one of us, and I invite all to take this week to improve their personal prayers. It´s an area where I need to improve, so I´m going to work on that. I love you all and wish you well!
Well, I´ve been doing some cleaning and preparing with my luggage and the stuff that I´ve been carrying around with me. The thing is, when I came to this area, I had two super-stuffed suitcases, a backpack, a side bag, and my scriptures bag all stuffed. Any I had some stuff in a plastic bag too. That is, way too much stuff, way too much bulk. So, I´m thinking ahead and getting things organized and consolidated, leaving things that I don´t need to take with me. I hope to finish that soon... We´ll see. But, in the meantime, the house is a bit of a mess at my fault. We cleaned the Kitchen up though, which is really nice.
We were able to teach quite a few people this week, finding some new investigators of varying potential. Hopefully we can get some of them to progress. We tried to get a lot of people to Church on Sunday, but we ended up with a bunch of them not being there or coming. However, the Lord blessed us and we had a bunch of people there. A less-active family we´ve visited came, and we counted 5 people as investigators for our numbers. It was pretty good.
On Tuesday we had intercambios with Victoria 1.2, and I had Elder Minch here with me. He´s from Arizona. It was a pretty good and fun intercambio, and we talked about lots of different things. We talked about a lot of old shows that we both watched too, and it was fun. Intercambios are pretty good usually.
Next week we´re going to go to the Temple, which should be good. I might buy some stuff from the store too. I´m very grateful that we have to opportunity to go to the Temple in my mission. My testimony and love for the Temple has grown while serving out here, and I plan to continue learning and growing. I´m constantly learning and growing, and needing to be better. We can all grow. I am very grateful for the opportunity that the Lord has given me to be a missionary.
I bear my testimony of the Lord´s love for each and every one of us, and I invite all to take this week to improve their personal prayers. It´s an area where I need to improve, so I´m going to work on that. I love you all and wish you well!
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Week #89: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XV - Week 3
This week was pretty good overall. We were able to have intercambios with the Zone Leaders, teach some new investigators, and learn some things too. There were a lot of moments where we could have done better, and I have been praying a lot to improve, but we´re doing pretty good. I´m doing better than last week in some things.
On Sunday there was a great moment when the Bishop was talking. We worked with him a bit on Friday and Saturday, and he was talking to the parents of the ward about teaching their youth by example to be good, to be ready to go on missions. He mentioned that he had spent some hours with us, and he expressed his respect and appreciation for us, which was a really nice moment. It made me feel good about the work we´re doing here, and he is a great Bishop. He´s still relatively new, and he´s doing a good job at it. I like this ward.
Also, this last week marked the year mark of President and Sister Bird arriving here. Pretty awesome. Time flies.
This week I hope to improve a lot, learn a lot, and do what I need to do to be the missionary and person the Lord wants me to be. I haven´t heard anything about the Temple this next week, but it could be... So, sorry if I don´t write until next Thursday. That would be why. I hope everyone has a great week! I love you all!
P.S. Here´s what I wrote today because my friend Lisa asked for some insight on covenants for her Sunday School class, and I came up with this huge sermon... Oops. But, I liked writing it, and I think it can help everyone. Just me sharing some ideas I´ve heard and learned about making the Sacrament more meaningful. So, here is some of what I said:
"First, let´s talk about the Sacrament:
President Joseph Fielding Smith has some great things to say about partaking of the sacrament, and making it special. We need to think of the sacrament as the important ordinance that it is. There are certain ordinances in the gospel. In fact, the "Missionary Purpose" talks about these covenants and ordinances. Covenants are usually entered into through ordinances. So, the ordinances are very important.
The missionary purpose is very similar to the Fourth Article of Faith and is to "Invite others to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the restored Gospel through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End" (Preach My Gospel, page 1.)
Faith and Repentance are principles of the Gospel, and not ordinances. Faith leads us to act, and that faith motivates us to repent and change where we are wrong. Faith and repentance help prepare us for the covenants we are going to make, and the ordinances through the which we make these covenants. Once we (or an investigator) has repented, we are ready to make our first Covenant, which we do through the Ordinance of Baptism.
We covenant to 1) Take upon ourselves the name of Christ (which is what Mosiah 18 talks about basically - "mourn with those that mourn..." etc.), 2) Always remember Him (also in Mosiah 18 - "...at all times, and in all things, and in all places..."), and 3) Keep His commandments. Actually, what I just wrote comes from the Sacrament prayer for the bread.
Once we are baptized, we need to be confirmed to finish that process. One is not complete without the other. So, that takes us to the step of "Enduring to the End." How can we do that? We need to constantly renew our covenants. When we partake of the Sacrament, it is as if we were being rebaptized, and we receive a renewal of our Confirmation as well, (The Lord´s promise with the Sacrament is "...that they may always have His Spirit to be with them") as it says in the sacrament prayers. When we do this worthily, we repeat the process which is "The Gospel of Jesus Christ" (Lesson 3 in the missionary lessons) and we receive a forgiveness of our sins. We are enduring to the end.
I had a thought along these lines during a conference: Partaking of the Sacrament is the Ordinance that goes with "Endure to the End." We need to constantly renew our Spirits and our forgiveness, in order to slowly progress towards perfection. The Sacrament Meeting was described by President Joseph Fielding Smith along the lines of the "most sacred of all of the meetings that we have." To make it more meaningful, we should contemplate the words that we hear as the prayers are said. Not many prayers are set. Baptism is a set prayer. So are the Sacrament Prayers, and each one is different. Each can bring us different insight and hope.
The Prayer for the Bread reads as follows:
"O God, the Eternal Father. We ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen" (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77).
I used these words to describe baptism and our covenants. This is what we covenant to do with the Lord. The prayer for the water is a bit different. Paying attention to this difference can be good for you and your youth.
The Prayer for the Water reads:
"O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this [water] to the souls of all those ofdrink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen" (Doctrine and Covenants 20:79).
This covenant helps us to grow and progress. Another idea is to imagine that the Savior Himself was blessing, breaking, and passing the Sacrament. President Smith talked about that too.
Once my companion and I explained the Sacrament to an investigator, who was worried about baptism, because he feared messing up afterwards, and being condemned. When we explained the sacrament to him, how it repeats the process of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and renews us each week, he said something along the lines of, "Now I understand why it´s important to go every week."
We need the Sacrament. I read a talk in the June Liahona (kind of like the Ensign) that had a question that I liked a lot. It said, "Do I feel forgiveness as I partake of the Sacrament?" I liked that a lot..."
Have a great week! I love you all! Happy Birthday Jake! Happy Independance Day! We´re going to celebrate a bit! Pray often. Make the Sacrament what it should be. I testify of the Lord´s love, and of the reality of His forgiveness. We just have to do our part, and He will be there for us.
On Sunday there was a great moment when the Bishop was talking. We worked with him a bit on Friday and Saturday, and he was talking to the parents of the ward about teaching their youth by example to be good, to be ready to go on missions. He mentioned that he had spent some hours with us, and he expressed his respect and appreciation for us, which was a really nice moment. It made me feel good about the work we´re doing here, and he is a great Bishop. He´s still relatively new, and he´s doing a good job at it. I like this ward.
Also, this last week marked the year mark of President and Sister Bird arriving here. Pretty awesome. Time flies.
This week I hope to improve a lot, learn a lot, and do what I need to do to be the missionary and person the Lord wants me to be. I haven´t heard anything about the Temple this next week, but it could be... So, sorry if I don´t write until next Thursday. That would be why. I hope everyone has a great week! I love you all!
P.S. Here´s what I wrote today because my friend Lisa asked for some insight on covenants for her Sunday School class, and I came up with this huge sermon... Oops. But, I liked writing it, and I think it can help everyone. Just me sharing some ideas I´ve heard and learned about making the Sacrament more meaningful. So, here is some of what I said:
"First, let´s talk about the Sacrament:
President Joseph Fielding Smith has some great things to say about partaking of the sacrament, and making it special. We need to think of the sacrament as the important ordinance that it is. There are certain ordinances in the gospel. In fact, the "Missionary Purpose" talks about these covenants and ordinances. Covenants are usually entered into through ordinances. So, the ordinances are very important.
The missionary purpose is very similar to the Fourth Article of Faith and is to "Invite others to come unto Christ, by helping them receive the restored Gospel through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End" (Preach My Gospel, page 1.)
Faith and Repentance are principles of the Gospel, and not ordinances. Faith leads us to act, and that faith motivates us to repent and change where we are wrong. Faith and repentance help prepare us for the covenants we are going to make, and the ordinances through the which we make these covenants. Once we (or an investigator) has repented, we are ready to make our first Covenant, which we do through the Ordinance of Baptism.
We covenant to 1) Take upon ourselves the name of Christ (which is what Mosiah 18 talks about basically - "mourn with those that mourn..." etc.), 2) Always remember Him (also in Mosiah 18 - "...at all times, and in all things, and in all places..."), and 3) Keep His commandments. Actually, what I just wrote comes from the Sacrament prayer for the bread.
Once we are baptized, we need to be confirmed to finish that process. One is not complete without the other. So, that takes us to the step of "Enduring to the End." How can we do that? We need to constantly renew our covenants. When we partake of the Sacrament, it is as if we were being rebaptized, and we receive a renewal of our Confirmation as well, (The Lord´s promise with the Sacrament is "...that they may always have His Spirit to be with them") as it says in the sacrament prayers. When we do this worthily, we repeat the process which is "The Gospel of Jesus Christ" (Lesson 3 in the missionary lessons) and we receive a forgiveness of our sins. We are enduring to the end.
I had a thought along these lines during a conference: Partaking of the Sacrament is the Ordinance that goes with "Endure to the End." We need to constantly renew our Spirits and our forgiveness, in order to slowly progress towards perfection. The Sacrament Meeting was described by President Joseph Fielding Smith along the lines of the "most sacred of all of the meetings that we have." To make it more meaningful, we should contemplate the words that we hear as the prayers are said. Not many prayers are set. Baptism is a set prayer. So are the Sacrament Prayers, and each one is different. Each can bring us different insight and hope.
The Prayer for the Bread reads as follows:
"O God, the Eternal Father. We ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen" (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77).
I used these words to describe baptism and our covenants. This is what we covenant to do with the Lord. The prayer for the water is a bit different. Paying attention to this difference can be good for you and your youth.
The Prayer for the Water reads:
"O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this [water] to the souls of all those ofdrink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen" (Doctrine and Covenants 20:79).
This covenant helps us to grow and progress. Another idea is to imagine that the Savior Himself was blessing, breaking, and passing the Sacrament. President Smith talked about that too.
Once my companion and I explained the Sacrament to an investigator, who was worried about baptism, because he feared messing up afterwards, and being condemned. When we explained the sacrament to him, how it repeats the process of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and renews us each week, he said something along the lines of, "Now I understand why it´s important to go every week."
We need the Sacrament. I read a talk in the June Liahona (kind of like the Ensign) that had a question that I liked a lot. It said, "Do I feel forgiveness as I partake of the Sacrament?" I liked that a lot..."
Have a great week! I love you all! Happy Birthday Jake! Happy Independance Day! We´re going to celebrate a bit! Pray often. Make the Sacrament what it should be. I testify of the Lord´s love, and of the reality of His forgiveness. We just have to do our part, and He will be there for us.
Week #88: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XV - Week 2
Sorry that this email is going to be pretty short. I spent a lot of time doing other things and writing President Bird. But, things are going alright. I feel pretty alright, and the work is moving forward. We were able to have some new investigators this week, and we`re going to keep working at it.
We had our interviews with President and Sister Bird this Wednesday, and it was a good experience. I`ve learned a lot since then too about myself, and I am striving to improve and be the person that I know that I need to be. I have been able to recognize some of my mistakes, and I am grateful to the Lord for making them known unto me. I invite all of your to examine your lives, and to work towards perfection and sanctification. We all have things we need to work on. Sometimes the Lord opens our eyes and we see something we have failed to do. I know that He does this because He loves us. We can all learn and grow every day and every week.
The Lord truly blessed us and takes care of us. We`re low on money, and the Lord provided a family to give us food today. Just as it says in the Sermon on the Mount. He takes care of us - we need not worry about what we shall eat, or anything. We are blessed by Him. I also lost my memory card last week, but got it back today. I testify of His love for each of us. I pray for you. Please pray for me.
I love you all!
We had our interviews with President and Sister Bird this Wednesday, and it was a good experience. I`ve learned a lot since then too about myself, and I am striving to improve and be the person that I know that I need to be. I have been able to recognize some of my mistakes, and I am grateful to the Lord for making them known unto me. I invite all of your to examine your lives, and to work towards perfection and sanctification. We all have things we need to work on. Sometimes the Lord opens our eyes and we see something we have failed to do. I know that He does this because He loves us. We can all learn and grow every day and every week.
The Lord truly blessed us and takes care of us. We`re low on money, and the Lord provided a family to give us food today. Just as it says in the Sermon on the Mount. He takes care of us - we need not worry about what we shall eat, or anything. We are blessed by Him. I also lost my memory card last week, but got it back today. I testify of His love for each of us. I pray for you. Please pray for me.
I love you all!
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Week #87: Miguel Alemán 1.2 - XV - Week 1
Well, I`m in my new area, and it`s going pretty well. My new companion is Elder Joshua William Smith, and he`s from Macon, Georgia. So, he`s a Southerner. But, he doesn`t sound like a Southerner. He just finished his training, so he`s got the same ammount of time as Elder Anderson. Who would have thought that I would get another American companion? Elder Anderson was from the West Coast, and now my companion is from the East Coast. Ish.
We`re in the ward Miguel Alemán, in the Libertad Stake. We share the ward with two Sister Missionaries, and we almost always eat together. It`s been good so far here in the ward, trying to get as much work done as possible. We`ve been contacting a ton of people in the street, so that we can find more people to teach. We had 127 contacts this week, with 12 lessons. We`re hoping to reach a lot more soon though, lesson-wise. We`re also trying to work better with the members too, and it`ll be good.
Here are some photos of me and Elder Smith, and of me on Sunday. I totally wore a different tie the whole day, then realized that I needed to have my Dad`s tie on - so I put it on and wore it in the night. Here`s a photo for that. I am very grateful for my father and the love he has for me, all that he has done for me. I am also grateful for my Heavenly Father, and His love for me. He has let me feel His love so many times in my life, and on my mission. I just need to remember it.
Take care everyone, and work hard. Do your best. Never give up!
Sincerely, Elder Izak T. Erekson
P.S. If you could pray for Pablo and Paty, that`d be great. Thank you!
We`re in the ward Miguel Alemán, in the Libertad Stake. We share the ward with two Sister Missionaries, and we almost always eat together. It`s been good so far here in the ward, trying to get as much work done as possible. We`ve been contacting a ton of people in the street, so that we can find more people to teach. We had 127 contacts this week, with 12 lessons. We`re hoping to reach a lot more soon though, lesson-wise. We`re also trying to work better with the members too, and it`ll be good.
Here are some photos of me and Elder Smith, and of me on Sunday. I totally wore a different tie the whole day, then realized that I needed to have my Dad`s tie on - so I put it on and wore it in the night. Here`s a photo for that. I am very grateful for my father and the love he has for me, all that he has done for me. I am also grateful for my Heavenly Father, and His love for me. He has let me feel His love so many times in my life, and on my mission. I just need to remember it.
Take care everyone, and work hard. Do your best. Never give up!
Sincerely, Elder Izak T. Erekson
P.S. If you could pray for Pablo and Paty, that`d be great. Thank you!
Monday, June 9, 2014
Week #86: Tamaulipas 1.1 - XIV - Week 30
Well, this is my last letter from Tamaulipas 1.1 - the Zone Leaders told us about the transfers last week, and I´m on the way out. So is half of our District, so the ward will be really different as of Tuesday. It will be interesting for me, for sure. I´ve been here for almost seven months, and it´s been a pretty good chunk and part of my mission. I´ve enjoyed being here in the area, and working with the members, investigators, and people here. It´s been good to work with Elder Anderson too. He´s a good missionary, and we´re pretty good friends. I´m grateful for his work ethic and his friendship.
As for the week, we worked hard, and we were able to reach out 100 contacts for the week, which was great. We had a day of almost no lessons, pure contacting almost, and it was pretty tough. We were pretty tired by the end of it for sure. It felt good to be tired like that, it meant that we worked.
What else can I talk about? I should be back to visit in the ward in a couple of weeks for a baptism or two, so that will be nice. I´ll enjoy coming back, but I´m also looking forward to something new. We´ll just have to wait and see what the future holds. Next week I´ll let you know. 3 Transfers left. It´s going to disappear really quickly. I´ve been stressing a lot this transfer, and it´s been a purifying experience for me. I´m working on, or have worked on, things that I´ve needed to improve. I just want to finish right, and strong.
Thank you to everyone who prays for me and my investigators. I invite each and every one of you to thank the Lord for your blessings, and to pray for personal missionary experiences and opportunities. Elder M. Russell Ballard told all members to have a copy, and study Preach My Gospel as I remember it. I invite each of you to get a copy of the book, and to study it prayerfully along with your personal scripture study. I promise you that as you do, you will feel the power and importance of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in your life, and the importanc in the lives of others as well.
I bear my testimony that the Lord loves each and every one of us, and is aware of us. I am grateful for the mercy, and the chance to be a missionary at this time in my life.
As for the week, we worked hard, and we were able to reach out 100 contacts for the week, which was great. We had a day of almost no lessons, pure contacting almost, and it was pretty tough. We were pretty tired by the end of it for sure. It felt good to be tired like that, it meant that we worked.
What else can I talk about? I should be back to visit in the ward in a couple of weeks for a baptism or two, so that will be nice. I´ll enjoy coming back, but I´m also looking forward to something new. We´ll just have to wait and see what the future holds. Next week I´ll let you know. 3 Transfers left. It´s going to disappear really quickly. I´ve been stressing a lot this transfer, and it´s been a purifying experience for me. I´m working on, or have worked on, things that I´ve needed to improve. I just want to finish right, and strong.
Thank you to everyone who prays for me and my investigators. I invite each and every one of you to thank the Lord for your blessings, and to pray for personal missionary experiences and opportunities. Elder M. Russell Ballard told all members to have a copy, and study Preach My Gospel as I remember it. I invite each of you to get a copy of the book, and to study it prayerfully along with your personal scripture study. I promise you that as you do, you will feel the power and importance of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in your life, and the importanc in the lives of others as well.
I bear my testimony that the Lord loves each and every one of us, and is aware of us. I am grateful for the mercy, and the chance to be a missionary at this time in my life.
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