My new companions name is Elder Igleski. He is from Gilbert, Arizona. And he's a great missionary. He reminds me a lot of Sam. So we are having a lot of fun and getting a lot of work done. It's been a little tough this past week because I have been pretty sick with a sore throat and a cough. But there was no way I was sitting at home trying to recover on his first week in the field. So we went out and still got a lot done. I might have to take a long nap today but that's okay. I was getting pretty worried the other day because I almost lost my voice during like 3 lessons. Well they were all in Spanish and my companion doesn't speak any Spanish yet. So my Spanish has been forced to improve a little bit. So by the time those lessons were over I felt like I had been yelling. But we made it through the week and it all paid off.
Estel is still doing really well. She didn't make it to church yesterday because she had to go to Kennewick. She loved church last week and she has been reading from the book of Mormon. We also picked up teaching Saul a little bit again. You probably remember me talking about him. Well he has another baptismal date for the 28th of May. Elder Igleski invited him last night to be baptized on that day and he accepted. We just need to get him to come to church. I know he will love it if he gets there. He just needs to get there. But he is doing a really good job at reading from the book of Mormon. He is reading it in English and is understanding pretty much everything. Which is crazy because his Spanish is better than his English.
We had the opportunity to give an investigator a blessing this past week. It was a really good experience. His name is Juan and he is a recovering alcoholic. We were able to explain what a blessing was then give him one. It was a strong spiritual experience. We taught them a lesson then gave him a blessing then said a closing prayer. Well right before we left he asked if he could say a prayer. It was probably one of the most humble prayers I have ever heard and all he said was God thank you for the blessing. It was great to feel the spirit that was there.
Yesterday we had a great Easter. We went to church and listened to some great talks about the Savior then we went to a big family dinner. They fed us ham and king salmon. It was an awesome dinner. It was just so strange to eat American food again! But it was really good. They took really good care of us. Then we went out and taught some lessons.
I forgot to tell you, last week after we e-mailed or ward mission leader took us out to lunch. Well we went to a Mexican place here called La Popular that has really good food. Well a lady we are teaching was working there so she gave us some menudo. So I can officially say I have eaten menudo. It wasn't to bad. It just felt like I was eating a rubber band. And it smelt like crap. But it wasn't to bad. It's definitely not something I would eat for pleasure. But I would do it if I had to.
This week my testimony was strengthened in how the gospel truly does bless us. I'm so grateful for the gospel in my life and the blessings I personally have received from it. I know it can truly bless all those who are willing to listen. And that's why I'm here today. To share this great information with everyone. Because it truly does bring a peace and happiness into our lives! I love you all so much and am so grateful for your support. Have a great week!!!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
April 18, 2011 E-Mail
So you're probably waiting to hear about transfers so I will just start off with that. I will be staying here in Mattawa which I'm really excited about. I really do like it here and we are seeing great things happen. We found an awesome investigator this past week who I will tell you more about in a minute. But my companion Elder Clarke will be leaving. He is going to Wenatchee so I'm a little jealous of him for that. But I will be getting a brand new missionary from the MTC this transfer. So I have to go to Spokane early tomorrow morning. So as of right now I have no idea who my new companion is. So I will have to let you know about that next week.
So now to tell you about that investigator we found. Her name is Estel Garcia. I tracted into her about three weeks ago when we were on exchanges and she was just the nicest lady. Well she said she was getting ready to move and didn't have time but she told me to call her in a few weeks. So that's usually just a blow off excuse that we hear quite a bit. But the other night we were planning and I just had the strongest impression to call this lady. So I wrote it down to call her the next day. Then the next day I sort of put it off and we were just walking down the road and I felt the impression again to call her. And where we are we usually don't have cell phone service so it's really sketchy making calls. So I took out the phone and it said no service but I thought what the heck I would just dial the number. So it went through perfectly clear and she was way excited to talk to us. She told us to come right over. So we went straight there. She was the only one in the house so we just sat out on the front lawn. So we taught her twice this past week. She is catholic but doesn't really like the church because she feels like she can't participate in that church. So yesterday she came to church for all three hours which rarely happens. She even participated in the classes and she just loved it. So she is doing really well and so far is loving the church. The only problem is that she's not married to the guy she lives with because she met him here in the United States and he has a wife in Mexico that he is separated from but not divorced. So he needs to get divorced then marry her. But we are really excited about her.
This week was probably my week of eating different foods. And my system has completely changed to where it can't handle american food but it can handle mexican food. So we had pasoli the other day at a part we went to. That's like pork and harmony in a broth. Well it also has pigs feet in it. So I got to eat some pigs feet. They even still had some hair on them. I didn't really enjoy it. It just tasted like fat. Then we were visiting a family the other day and they were talking about how they just ate raw eggs. So they popped open an egg and put it in a cup then put some apple juice in it. So that also was a little interesting. I'm just glad I'm not Weston eating half developed chicks.
I had a humbling experience this week. We were teaching a couple named Esteban and Rosa in there little trailer where they live. I think I might have already talked about them a little bit I can't remember. But anyways there trailer reminds me of Lynn's old trailer. Rancho el rae or whatever it was called. But so there trailer isn't much bigger than that trailer. It's about 20 feet. So it's very tight teaching them in there. Well anyways, I was talking to them because my companion was out the door making some phone calls. They told me how happy they were living where they were living with all they had. They told me that they loved living middle class like they are right now. It just really made me realize how blessed I am. To see these people be extremely happy living middle class in this trailer that to me is a deer hunting trailer. It just really hit me that I do have a lot and am so fortunate and blessed. Often times I take the little things for granted.
I think I only have one more story for this week. One of our investigators called us up and told us that he needed his help because his dog had something like Pulga's. And pulga's our fleas. So we went down there and his dog had a huge tick in it. I mean this thing was HUGE! And the guy was sort of nervous that the dog was going to die and it's pregnant. So we got to burn this huge tick out of a german sheperd. It was crazy.
So I think that's all of my crazy stories of the week. It's been an awesome week. Sometimes week 6 of the transfer is a tough one, but we really tore it up. We just have been so exhausted lately that it's been crazy. I truly know that this is the Lord's work. As we share the true and everlasting gospel we are brought to so much joy. I'm so grateful for this opportunity that I have to be here. I love you all so much and thanks for all you do!!!!!!!!
So now to tell you about that investigator we found. Her name is Estel Garcia. I tracted into her about three weeks ago when we were on exchanges and she was just the nicest lady. Well she said she was getting ready to move and didn't have time but she told me to call her in a few weeks. So that's usually just a blow off excuse that we hear quite a bit. But the other night we were planning and I just had the strongest impression to call this lady. So I wrote it down to call her the next day. Then the next day I sort of put it off and we were just walking down the road and I felt the impression again to call her. And where we are we usually don't have cell phone service so it's really sketchy making calls. So I took out the phone and it said no service but I thought what the heck I would just dial the number. So it went through perfectly clear and she was way excited to talk to us. She told us to come right over. So we went straight there. She was the only one in the house so we just sat out on the front lawn. So we taught her twice this past week. She is catholic but doesn't really like the church because she feels like she can't participate in that church. So yesterday she came to church for all three hours which rarely happens. She even participated in the classes and she just loved it. So she is doing really well and so far is loving the church. The only problem is that she's not married to the guy she lives with because she met him here in the United States and he has a wife in Mexico that he is separated from but not divorced. So he needs to get divorced then marry her. But we are really excited about her.
This week was probably my week of eating different foods. And my system has completely changed to where it can't handle american food but it can handle mexican food. So we had pasoli the other day at a part we went to. That's like pork and harmony in a broth. Well it also has pigs feet in it. So I got to eat some pigs feet. They even still had some hair on them. I didn't really enjoy it. It just tasted like fat. Then we were visiting a family the other day and they were talking about how they just ate raw eggs. So they popped open an egg and put it in a cup then put some apple juice in it. So that also was a little interesting. I'm just glad I'm not Weston eating half developed chicks.
I had a humbling experience this week. We were teaching a couple named Esteban and Rosa in there little trailer where they live. I think I might have already talked about them a little bit I can't remember. But anyways there trailer reminds me of Lynn's old trailer. Rancho el rae or whatever it was called. But so there trailer isn't much bigger than that trailer. It's about 20 feet. So it's very tight teaching them in there. Well anyways, I was talking to them because my companion was out the door making some phone calls. They told me how happy they were living where they were living with all they had. They told me that they loved living middle class like they are right now. It just really made me realize how blessed I am. To see these people be extremely happy living middle class in this trailer that to me is a deer hunting trailer. It just really hit me that I do have a lot and am so fortunate and blessed. Often times I take the little things for granted.
I think I only have one more story for this week. One of our investigators called us up and told us that he needed his help because his dog had something like Pulga's. And pulga's our fleas. So we went down there and his dog had a huge tick in it. I mean this thing was HUGE! And the guy was sort of nervous that the dog was going to die and it's pregnant. So we got to burn this huge tick out of a german sheperd. It was crazy.
So I think that's all of my crazy stories of the week. It's been an awesome week. Sometimes week 6 of the transfer is a tough one, but we really tore it up. We just have been so exhausted lately that it's been crazy. I truly know that this is the Lord's work. As we share the true and everlasting gospel we are brought to so much joy. I'm so grateful for this opportunity that I have to be here. I love you all so much and thanks for all you do!!!!!!!!
Monday, April 11, 2011
April 11, 2011 E-Mail
Another week has flown by. Things are going pretty good. We even had a few different investigators come to church yesterday! And that's always an exciting thing. They all came in english too. We stayed really busy again and taught a bunch of lessons. This past week we were talking to this guy named Fidel. He is a member who was baptized about a year and a half ago. Anyways, talking to him just really made me realize how the gospel can change peoples lives. He was living in Los Angeles a while ago and pretty much doing nothing but drinking and hanging out with gangs. It sounded like he was living a pretty tough life. Well one night he was sitting in his car and some people drove by and start shooting at him. He got hit twice in the back with a 45 then a 22 in the head. The 22 bullet went in his ear and came out of his eye and the 2 45 bullets he still has in his back. They told him if they would have removed them that it would have paralyzed him. It even put him in a coma for a while. Then he came up to Washington to live with his mom because he can't really work to much anymore because he doesn't have a driver's license cause he can only see out of one eye. And here is where he met the missionaries. And he was baptized. I think he told me he has like 4 kids and had a couple of wives and was just a gang banger. Now he is a very faithful member of the church. It's pretty cool to see what the atonement can do and how it can change lives. He is an awesome guy.
Yesterday I learned a lot about just letting the Holy Ghost work on people. After church we went to visit this family who we have taught a couple of times. Well the family wasn't there but the dad was. So he just started talking to us and telling us about life and work and all that stuff. Then we said a prayer and shared a message with him. Then he just kept on talking and talking and talking. So we just listened. He let us know about all of the problems he has in his life and how bad he wants to change and set the example for his kids. And we didn't even have to tell him the things he needs to do to have happiness in his home. He came right out and told us, I know that I have to read as a family and pray as a family and that we need to come to your church as a family. It was just really cool because we went in there planning to teach him something completely different. And he just basically ended up teaching himself by the power of the Holy Ghost.
So it's been a really good week. This next Sunday we already find out about transfers again. I feel like I just got here yesterday. So we will see what happens in a week. We don't really have anyone right now who has a baptismal date, but we have a few really good potentials who told us they would pray about getting baptized on May 14th. And they all have been to church once. It's just tough to find the ones who are willing to act. We meet a lot of people who are just really nice and who will listen and tell us what we want to hear just because they don't want to be mean. And that makes the work harder! But things are going great.
I know this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He died for us. Through Him and His atonement, we can be free of sin and be worthy to return to live with our Father in Heaven again! Thank you so much for all of the love and support you all give me. Have a great week!! I love you!
PS I don't know if Nick gets my e-mails or not, but tell him Happy Birthday!!!
Yesterday I learned a lot about just letting the Holy Ghost work on people. After church we went to visit this family who we have taught a couple of times. Well the family wasn't there but the dad was. So he just started talking to us and telling us about life and work and all that stuff. Then we said a prayer and shared a message with him. Then he just kept on talking and talking and talking. So we just listened. He let us know about all of the problems he has in his life and how bad he wants to change and set the example for his kids. And we didn't even have to tell him the things he needs to do to have happiness in his home. He came right out and told us, I know that I have to read as a family and pray as a family and that we need to come to your church as a family. It was just really cool because we went in there planning to teach him something completely different. And he just basically ended up teaching himself by the power of the Holy Ghost.
So it's been a really good week. This next Sunday we already find out about transfers again. I feel like I just got here yesterday. So we will see what happens in a week. We don't really have anyone right now who has a baptismal date, but we have a few really good potentials who told us they would pray about getting baptized on May 14th. And they all have been to church once. It's just tough to find the ones who are willing to act. We meet a lot of people who are just really nice and who will listen and tell us what we want to hear just because they don't want to be mean. And that makes the work harder! But things are going great.
I know this church is true. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He died for us. Through Him and His atonement, we can be free of sin and be worthy to return to live with our Father in Heaven again! Thank you so much for all of the love and support you all give me. Have a great week!! I love you!
PS I don't know if Nick gets my e-mails or not, but tell him Happy Birthday!!!
Monday, April 4, 2011
April 4, 2011 E-Mail
Sorry this e-mail is coming so late. It's been a very busy morning. They are building a new building here for the food bank and most the people that are volunteering are church members. So they called us to go down this morning. We just got done hanging all of the trusses. It feels so good to get out and work with my hands again.
It was funny because we went to pick our car up from the body shop this past week. I guess since working at a body shop I'm really picky. We got the car and went across the street to a gas station to get a drink and I got out and looked at it. I wasn't very satisfied that's for sure so I took it back and made them buff on it some more. I guess that's what buffing cars for close to 3 years did to me. But we have our car back and all is well.
The weather this past week has warmed up a lot. It's still really windy a lot, but it's gotten a lot warmer. And we don't have to wear suits anymore until next conference. Other than to church and other meetings we have. So this is probably my favorite time of the year because I don't enjoy wearing a suit all of the time.
Conference was really good. We didn't get to watch the Saturday morning session because we were out making some visits. Then the priesthood session we watched in spanish. Which was actually really good, to be honest it was the only session I didn't fall asleep in because I was focusing a lot more to understand everything. But I did enjoy conference and I look forward to getting the Liahona. That's cool that you guys were all able to go to a session. And That Grandpa went to the priesthood session with everyone. I realized that this was my third conference as a missionary. It was a little bit weird thinking about that. We actually had two investigators come to conference. It was the guy named Luis who's girlfriend burned all of his stuff and took the stuff she didn't burn. Well him and his wife Roselia came. That's the first time an investigator had attended church in a long time in this area. So we are seeing things pick up a little bit.
Last Tuesday we had zone conference and I met a Sister missionary named Sister Krambule I think. Well she's from Star Valley and played soccer with Sierra back in high school I think she said.
Nothing new happened this week. We have been teaching this kid named Saul. He is like a 17 year old kid who had a dream that the catholic church isn't true. Well we started to teach his whole family this week which was pretty cool. Then yesterday we went over to see the family and Saul wasn't even there but they still let us in. His mom was having kidney stones so we were able to give her a blessing. But it was pretty cool because they went from not listening at all to letting us give her a blessing all in one week. They really want to come to church but she wasn't able to move around very well yesterday so they didn't come. That was the good story of the week. I'm so grateful to have a living prophet. Someone who talks to God just like Moses or Noah. As we follow the counsel of the Prophet and the Apostles, we will be in good shape! I love you all! Have a great week!!!
It was funny because we went to pick our car up from the body shop this past week. I guess since working at a body shop I'm really picky. We got the car and went across the street to a gas station to get a drink and I got out and looked at it. I wasn't very satisfied that's for sure so I took it back and made them buff on it some more. I guess that's what buffing cars for close to 3 years did to me. But we have our car back and all is well.
The weather this past week has warmed up a lot. It's still really windy a lot, but it's gotten a lot warmer. And we don't have to wear suits anymore until next conference. Other than to church and other meetings we have. So this is probably my favorite time of the year because I don't enjoy wearing a suit all of the time.
Conference was really good. We didn't get to watch the Saturday morning session because we were out making some visits. Then the priesthood session we watched in spanish. Which was actually really good, to be honest it was the only session I didn't fall asleep in because I was focusing a lot more to understand everything. But I did enjoy conference and I look forward to getting the Liahona. That's cool that you guys were all able to go to a session. And That Grandpa went to the priesthood session with everyone. I realized that this was my third conference as a missionary. It was a little bit weird thinking about that. We actually had two investigators come to conference. It was the guy named Luis who's girlfriend burned all of his stuff and took the stuff she didn't burn. Well him and his wife Roselia came. That's the first time an investigator had attended church in a long time in this area. So we are seeing things pick up a little bit.
Last Tuesday we had zone conference and I met a Sister missionary named Sister Krambule I think. Well she's from Star Valley and played soccer with Sierra back in high school I think she said.
Nothing new happened this week. We have been teaching this kid named Saul. He is like a 17 year old kid who had a dream that the catholic church isn't true. Well we started to teach his whole family this week which was pretty cool. Then yesterday we went over to see the family and Saul wasn't even there but they still let us in. His mom was having kidney stones so we were able to give her a blessing. But it was pretty cool because they went from not listening at all to letting us give her a blessing all in one week. They really want to come to church but she wasn't able to move around very well yesterday so they didn't come. That was the good story of the week. I'm so grateful to have a living prophet. Someone who talks to God just like Moses or Noah. As we follow the counsel of the Prophet and the Apostles, we will be in good shape! I love you all! Have a great week!!!
Monday, March 28, 2011
March 28, 2011 E-Mail
I was pretty shocked to hear that I was an uncle. I wasn't quite expecting it this early. That will probably be the biggest change from when I get home. I got like 6 pictures of him. He is a cute little guy and looks like he's in perfect shape. So congratulations to Ty and Bree for there first baby. I was looking at my calendar the other day and realized that I had no birthdays or anything to worry about it March. I guess that just changed!!
Things here are going pretty good. We've been staying really busy. Dad asked if the people we live with ever cook for us. No. We usually just cook lunch on our own then we don't take a dinner. We usually just hope for food on the street. We probably get fed 4 out of 7 days so it's not to bad. And it's usually good authentic mexican food. Dad also asked about what we do for service. Well we go work in the food bank every other week. And they are also building a new food bank building here, so we help out building that. This last week we were also able to help some people out in there yards. Now that it's spring everyone is cleaning up. For shopping on p-days we usually just go to little markets in the town. But today we are actually in Othello. We do have a car full time in Mattawa, But before I got here there was a really bad storm of like 100mph winds and my companion opened the door on the car and he wasn't holding on to it and it blew open and into the fender. So it messed up the door. So we had to bring the car here today to get it fixed. And it will be here until like Thursday I think. But tomorrow we have zone conference in Moses Lake. So we will be there most of the time.
We have done a lot of teaching this last week. We have met a lot of really good people but still haven't had anyone in church. Most of the hispanics work 6 days a week. So on Sundays they all take off to Tri Cities to do there shopping and get lunch and stuff. So on Sundays, not many people are around. It's sort of the same as in Warden. I'm sure you can remember me talking about that.
We do have one couple that is doing pretty well with keeping their commitments. They just aren't coming to church. But they have read a little bit. We are going to see them tonight so we will be able to find out why they didn't come to church. Some friends of a member have come to church the last two weeks but it's sort of a hard situation. They have been taught in the past but don't want to be taught right now. They just want to come to church. They are the type of people that if you push them just a little bit, it will push them way far away. So we are hoping that some time shortly we can start to teach them.
I don't remember if I told you how about a week or two ago this member called us to help her move. She was living with a guy who is married but his wife is in California. Well the guy went to get his wife to bring her back. So the lady needed help moving out. So she called us to help her. So we went and helped her move some stuff then we left. Well this past week the guy called us and asked us to come over and see him. So we went and visited him. Well it turns out that she took everything that he had. She got rid of his horse and everything. Then she took all of his clothes and boots and stuff outside and burned it. So we are trying to help him a little bit right now to get new clothes and beds and stuff. Because he is now back in Mattawa with his wife and two kids. And all they have are some blankets and that's about it. So I guess that's my crazy story for the day. Not much is going on, time is just going by so fast that I can't remember anything. So, you will hear from me next week!! I'm so grateful for where I am and all that I have learned. I love my Savior and all that he did for me and all of us. I know that he died for us. Through him we can all live together for eternity!!
Have a good week!!!! Love you all!!!!!
Things here are going pretty good. We've been staying really busy. Dad asked if the people we live with ever cook for us. No. We usually just cook lunch on our own then we don't take a dinner. We usually just hope for food on the street. We probably get fed 4 out of 7 days so it's not to bad. And it's usually good authentic mexican food. Dad also asked about what we do for service. Well we go work in the food bank every other week. And they are also building a new food bank building here, so we help out building that. This last week we were also able to help some people out in there yards. Now that it's spring everyone is cleaning up. For shopping on p-days we usually just go to little markets in the town. But today we are actually in Othello. We do have a car full time in Mattawa, But before I got here there was a really bad storm of like 100mph winds and my companion opened the door on the car and he wasn't holding on to it and it blew open and into the fender. So it messed up the door. So we had to bring the car here today to get it fixed. And it will be here until like Thursday I think. But tomorrow we have zone conference in Moses Lake. So we will be there most of the time.
We have done a lot of teaching this last week. We have met a lot of really good people but still haven't had anyone in church. Most of the hispanics work 6 days a week. So on Sundays they all take off to Tri Cities to do there shopping and get lunch and stuff. So on Sundays, not many people are around. It's sort of the same as in Warden. I'm sure you can remember me talking about that.
We do have one couple that is doing pretty well with keeping their commitments. They just aren't coming to church. But they have read a little bit. We are going to see them tonight so we will be able to find out why they didn't come to church. Some friends of a member have come to church the last two weeks but it's sort of a hard situation. They have been taught in the past but don't want to be taught right now. They just want to come to church. They are the type of people that if you push them just a little bit, it will push them way far away. So we are hoping that some time shortly we can start to teach them.
I don't remember if I told you how about a week or two ago this member called us to help her move. She was living with a guy who is married but his wife is in California. Well the guy went to get his wife to bring her back. So the lady needed help moving out. So she called us to help her. So we went and helped her move some stuff then we left. Well this past week the guy called us and asked us to come over and see him. So we went and visited him. Well it turns out that she took everything that he had. She got rid of his horse and everything. Then she took all of his clothes and boots and stuff outside and burned it. So we are trying to help him a little bit right now to get new clothes and beds and stuff. Because he is now back in Mattawa with his wife and two kids. And all they have are some blankets and that's about it. So I guess that's my crazy story for the day. Not much is going on, time is just going by so fast that I can't remember anything. So, you will hear from me next week!! I'm so grateful for where I am and all that I have learned. I love my Savior and all that he did for me and all of us. I know that he died for us. Through him we can all live together for eternity!!
Have a good week!!!! Love you all!!!!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
March 21, 2011 E-Mail
It was another great week here in Mattawa. It just went by way to fast. It seems just like yesterday that I was here writing an e-mail. To answer a few of your questions, Dad asked if I work in Royal City and where we shop at here. Royal City has it's own companionship but it is part of the district. So my district only has four missionaries in it, me and my companion, then the companionship in Royal. So I will get to go there on exchanges but it's not my area. My area covers Mattawa, Desert Aire, Beverly and Shawana. They are all very small places though. But it's been good. It was nice to have day light savings because that makes it easier for missionaries to work at night. So that has been a good change. It's hard waking up in the morning when it's still dark, but it's nice having the light a lot later. You said that they are going to close the Ogden Temple soon. Are they just remodeling the inside or is it going to be completely different on the outside too? Have they started on Brigham City yet?
This week we had sort of a miracle find. Late one night we went to try and see a kid who had been taught in the past named Edgar. Well he wasn't there, but another kid answered the door so we asked him if we could come in. He let us in and we were talking to him and his Mom. There names are Raul and Juana. Well anyways, when we first meet someone we usually always try to find out there relationship with God and there beliefs that they have. So we were sort of talking about prophets and I asked them if they new what a prophet was. The kid replied yes, and then answered "Joseph Smith." It pretty much just caught us off guard because a good majority of the people don't even know what a prophet is and this kid was exactly right! Well it turns out that they had been taught a little bit in the past too, and the kid had been left with some sort of a pamphlet and had read through it a lot. So then we asked them if they believed it all and they said yes. So we invited them to be baptized and they said yes. So that's the miracle of the week. Now we just have to make sure they stay on date. It's hard with the spanish people because a lot of times they just tell us what we want to here. But then they are never willing to come to church or anything. So we will keep praying for them and working with them to hopefully get them baptized soon.
Friday night we had a branch activity and a lot of people came. Most of them were members, but quite a few none members came too. So I started talking to everyone and there was this one guy who comes to church every Sunday but he's not a member. He believes everything and really wants to be baptized but he can't be because of a marriage situation. So we are going to start working with him too. Hopefully we can get something worked out so he can get married. So along with that branch activity and just people in general, I think I ate authentic mexican food like 4 nights this week. That's pretty good!
Friday the branch President called me and asked if I would be willing to talk in church on Sunday. So I agreed. Then he told me for like 15-20 minutes. Well I'm horrible at speaking in english let alone in spanish. But I told him I would. So I pretty much only had Saturday to prepare. And he didn't give me a topic either. He just said one of the missionary lessons. So I ended up talking about the restoration. It actually went pretty well. I thought it was only going to be about 10 minutes long, but it went about 20.
I don't know if you remember me talking about the Farias family from East Wenatchee. Well Elder Garcia my last companion called me the other day and told me that Hermana Farias was in the ICU and they were going to have to pull the plug. I'm not really sure what happened. But when I first got to the area they weren't active at all. By the time I left they were pretty much going every week. We were able to teach them a lot, and a lot about the plan of salvation. I hope it was something that comforted her as she passed away. I remember teaching it to her and then her telling us that she wasn't scared to die. It just sort of made me sad to know that she had died.
I think that's it for this week! I finished up Doctrine and Covenants this last week. It was really making me think about Joseph Smith and all that he did. There is no way someone would go through as much as he did for something that wasn't true. We all need to follow his example and show that much faith in our beliefs. I know that through him we have the true church and we have the priesthood authority here again. I'm so grateful for the gospel and all the many blessings I have received through it.
I hope you all have a great week!!! I love you!!!!
This week we had sort of a miracle find. Late one night we went to try and see a kid who had been taught in the past named Edgar. Well he wasn't there, but another kid answered the door so we asked him if we could come in. He let us in and we were talking to him and his Mom. There names are Raul and Juana. Well anyways, when we first meet someone we usually always try to find out there relationship with God and there beliefs that they have. So we were sort of talking about prophets and I asked them if they new what a prophet was. The kid replied yes, and then answered "Joseph Smith." It pretty much just caught us off guard because a good majority of the people don't even know what a prophet is and this kid was exactly right! Well it turns out that they had been taught a little bit in the past too, and the kid had been left with some sort of a pamphlet and had read through it a lot. So then we asked them if they believed it all and they said yes. So we invited them to be baptized and they said yes. So that's the miracle of the week. Now we just have to make sure they stay on date. It's hard with the spanish people because a lot of times they just tell us what we want to here. But then they are never willing to come to church or anything. So we will keep praying for them and working with them to hopefully get them baptized soon.
Friday night we had a branch activity and a lot of people came. Most of them were members, but quite a few none members came too. So I started talking to everyone and there was this one guy who comes to church every Sunday but he's not a member. He believes everything and really wants to be baptized but he can't be because of a marriage situation. So we are going to start working with him too. Hopefully we can get something worked out so he can get married. So along with that branch activity and just people in general, I think I ate authentic mexican food like 4 nights this week. That's pretty good!
Friday the branch President called me and asked if I would be willing to talk in church on Sunday. So I agreed. Then he told me for like 15-20 minutes. Well I'm horrible at speaking in english let alone in spanish. But I told him I would. So I pretty much only had Saturday to prepare. And he didn't give me a topic either. He just said one of the missionary lessons. So I ended up talking about the restoration. It actually went pretty well. I thought it was only going to be about 10 minutes long, but it went about 20.
I don't know if you remember me talking about the Farias family from East Wenatchee. Well Elder Garcia my last companion called me the other day and told me that Hermana Farias was in the ICU and they were going to have to pull the plug. I'm not really sure what happened. But when I first got to the area they weren't active at all. By the time I left they were pretty much going every week. We were able to teach them a lot, and a lot about the plan of salvation. I hope it was something that comforted her as she passed away. I remember teaching it to her and then her telling us that she wasn't scared to die. It just sort of made me sad to know that she had died.
I think that's it for this week! I finished up Doctrine and Covenants this last week. It was really making me think about Joseph Smith and all that he did. There is no way someone would go through as much as he did for something that wasn't true. We all need to follow his example and show that much faith in our beliefs. I know that through him we have the true church and we have the priesthood authority here again. I'm so grateful for the gospel and all the many blessings I have received through it.
I hope you all have a great week!!! I love you!!!!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
March 14, 2011 E-Mail
My first week here in Mattawa has been a pretty good one. I found out that the translation of Mattawa in Indian literally means "the middle of nowhere." This place is just a desert full of spanish speaking people. So far all it has done is blown wind really hard. It's a really small place. It's been good though. I've already noticed a significant difference with my spanish. I use it so much more. We do work in the english ward, and then the spanish branch. But the ward is pretty strong. Like 80% of the members are active which is a ton. So at first it was really weird coming here because the place is so small. It's like Warden again. So after being in a bigger city for the past 7 months then coming here was little bit of a shocker.
As far as work goes, when I first got here there were like 40-50 teaching records in the area book under the investigators. Well none of them are progressing. It's just sort of been an area where a ton of lessons have been taught but pretty much no one has even been to church. So a lot of time has been spent on teaching those who just want to be friends rather than finding those that the Lord has prepared to hear the gospel. So we are going to be working a lot on trying to find those that the Lord has prepared at this time.
We live with members again. We live in a double wide trailer and we are provided one room which is 10x10 at the biggest. And that is where we keep all of our stuff, sleep, and do our studies. So that is a big change from my last area. I guess you could pretty much say that this area is complete opposite of the last area. I'm getting used to it though and starting to like it. We don't really work with the ward very much because they are already really strong like I said above. The branc needs a lot of work. So one of my focuses while here I think will be trying and strengthening the branch with new members and also with in active members.
The other night all of our stuff fell through and we didn't eat dinner so we decided we were going to go and grab something to eat. Well our options here aren't to many. So we went to the taco truck. But the taco truck only accepts cash and we only had our cards. So we were walking over to a different place and this drunk guy came up to us and was asking for money. Well my companion didn't understand anything he was saying so he started making agreements with him and stuff. Anyways we got it all worked out and I told the guy we didn't have any money. So my companion just invited him to come to dinner with us. So we walked across the street and went into this other restaurant where we had dinner with this drunk guy. He told us how he had been out of work for about 2 weeks and was living on the streets. He asked if he could come live with us. But considering our living conditions we didn't really have room. And we wouldn't really do that anyways. But yeah, he was a really good guy. I was hoping we would get to see him again and try to teach him. But we haven't seen him since, and I think that was on Wednesday.
The language is still tough for me, and I don't understand everything, but it's coming fast. I have really seen the Lord's hand in the work these last few days. It has been a great blessing to feel the help of the Lord and to see the things he can do to help the progression of his work.
I know that this church is true and I'm so grateful to be a member of it. I know that the gifts of the spirit are real. I have been studying a little lately from the New Testament and have learned a lot about the life of our Savior. I know that he atoned for our sins and that he died for us. The Atonement is just not to make bad people good. But also to make good people better. As we exercise our faith in Christ, great things can come to pass. I love you all so much and am so grateful for all you do for me. Have a great week!!!
As far as work goes, when I first got here there were like 40-50 teaching records in the area book under the investigators. Well none of them are progressing. It's just sort of been an area where a ton of lessons have been taught but pretty much no one has even been to church. So a lot of time has been spent on teaching those who just want to be friends rather than finding those that the Lord has prepared to hear the gospel. So we are going to be working a lot on trying to find those that the Lord has prepared at this time.
We live with members again. We live in a double wide trailer and we are provided one room which is 10x10 at the biggest. And that is where we keep all of our stuff, sleep, and do our studies. So that is a big change from my last area. I guess you could pretty much say that this area is complete opposite of the last area. I'm getting used to it though and starting to like it. We don't really work with the ward very much because they are already really strong like I said above. The branc needs a lot of work. So one of my focuses while here I think will be trying and strengthening the branch with new members and also with in active members.
The other night all of our stuff fell through and we didn't eat dinner so we decided we were going to go and grab something to eat. Well our options here aren't to many. So we went to the taco truck. But the taco truck only accepts cash and we only had our cards. So we were walking over to a different place and this drunk guy came up to us and was asking for money. Well my companion didn't understand anything he was saying so he started making agreements with him and stuff. Anyways we got it all worked out and I told the guy we didn't have any money. So my companion just invited him to come to dinner with us. So we walked across the street and went into this other restaurant where we had dinner with this drunk guy. He told us how he had been out of work for about 2 weeks and was living on the streets. He asked if he could come live with us. But considering our living conditions we didn't really have room. And we wouldn't really do that anyways. But yeah, he was a really good guy. I was hoping we would get to see him again and try to teach him. But we haven't seen him since, and I think that was on Wednesday.
The language is still tough for me, and I don't understand everything, but it's coming fast. I have really seen the Lord's hand in the work these last few days. It has been a great blessing to feel the help of the Lord and to see the things he can do to help the progression of his work.
I know that this church is true and I'm so grateful to be a member of it. I know that the gifts of the spirit are real. I have been studying a little lately from the New Testament and have learned a lot about the life of our Savior. I know that he atoned for our sins and that he died for us. The Atonement is just not to make bad people good. But also to make good people better. As we exercise our faith in Christ, great things can come to pass. I love you all so much and am so grateful for all you do for me. Have a great week!!!
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