Week 45: Happy New Year!

I loved Skyping! It was super exciting to see you guys and this time Brycie wasn’t asleep and Dallin accepted to be seen. I believe that it was a Christmas miracle. lol

On Christmas I got to Skype my family!

Thanks for the Christmas package! It made me pretty excited! I’m sorry, but I will not be using the things for the cold now...but I will when I get home! It’s good that I will get home in August when it’s still warm. I’ve heard that lots of missionaries get really sick if they go home from here when it’s winter. 

Christmas Package From Home

We tracked all day on Christmas. Absolutely nooooo one was in the streets! Where it was normally busy - it was empty...so logically we laid down and took photos. :)

Merry Christmas!

 Sadly we don’t have any water in Lazaro Cardenas right now. The workers have gone on strike and so the entire city is without water. That makes living a lot of fun! lol The good thing is that we are in Guadalajara today and tomorrow for a meeting with the president. There is water here. :)

Right now Hermana Valdez and I are going to go to an awesome buffet that she says is super yummy. It will be our Merry Christmas/New Years present to ourselves because our Christmas was pretty pathetic. lol So we are going to eat! Yeahhh!

After our district meeting, we had a little 
breakfast-dinner and a gift exchange.

Week 44: Merry Christmas

This week was my ten-month mark! On the same day was the eight-month mark of my first baptism here. My convert was pretty happy and reminded me that it was his eight-month mark. Then the next day he baptized someone! Can I tell you how happy that makes me? He is truly converted. He is preparing to serve a mission and is helping his sister prepare to be baptized as well. I love being here because I can see how my last area has progressed. Three people that we started teaching are now baptized, and the elders are preparing three others. Sure it took a long time for a few of them, but I love to see them happy and with testimonies.

Missionaries and my first convert.

I go on exchanges with the sisters. My companion and I change companions with a set of sisters for a day. We do this so we can see how the sisters are doing and help them with anything they need. While we were out we found a little family of hogs walking around looking for food. 

This Little Piggy

One of our investigators had a birthday, so we bought her a little cake. She was pretty happy because they hadn't done anything for her birthday, since they don`t have much money. 

Happy Birthday!

It honestly does not feel like Christmas because it's so hot. Mexicans don't put up many outside decorations. They are afraid that it draws attention to their house and people are more likely to rob them. I can’t believe that after four months of driving my companions crazy (only 54 days until we talk to our familys) it is finally this week! How exciting is that?

"To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable and it becomes the Spirit of Christ." -President Thomas S. Monson

Week 43: Welcome Back Again

So I’m pretty sure I have heard the phrase “welcome back again” at least a million times this week! It has been really nice to see all the people again: our investigators who have gotten baptized, the less actives who are now active, and how much the ward has grown.

This week we traveled to Guadalajara to have a meeting with the apostle Elder Russell M. Nelson. The meeting was amazing and afterward we got to shake Elder Nelson's hand and also a few of the seventy.

I feel like we spend more time in the bus then in my area! Guadalajara is eight hours from here, and we have traveled there four times this month. We also travel to other zones for meetings, go and study with the sisters, and have exchanges with the sisters. It's a miracle when we are in our area together. It surely does keep me busy.

Lots of Traveling

I got to see Hermana Vergara again!

Week 42: Sister Training Leader

Saying good-bye to my favorite family.

I have officially left La Huerta after six months. I cried a lot saying goodbye to everyone yesterday. It’s okay because the Lord needs me in another area. And do you know what area that happens to be? Lazaro Cardenas! The same ward that I started my mission in. But I served in Lazaro Cardenas I and now I am in Lazaro Cardenas II. I had forgotten how ridiculously hot it is here. 

I have been called to be a sister training leader (STL). Ah! An STL is the leader of the sisters. We go on divisions with them, teach, help them, and work with the Zone Leaders to give training  for Zone Meetings. I am super nervous!

When the mission president told me I would be an STL, I think at first I might have laughed because I thought it was a joke. Of course the first thoughts I had were "I can’t do this for this reason or that reason." Then, when I was praying about it the scripture mastery 1Nephi 3:7 came into my head. "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded" because God won’t give me anything to do if He doesn’t know that I can do it. 

I also really like the scripture you sent me. I’ve actually taken to memorizing it in Spanish because I think it has become my slogan for the mission! “Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.” (Alma 26:12)

We went to a training meeting in Guadalajara.

Week 41: He is the Gift

This is my last week in La Huerta! It honestly tugs at my heart every time I think about it. I have spent six months here, and I am in love with the area and all of the people. I would be happy to spend my entire mission here. But the Lord needs me in another place. :(

We had divisions with the Sister Training Leaders. It was the last division with Hermana Jimenez, because she ends her mission this week. She is pretty tired out, but it was fun and all went well.
 

The church is doing a ton to promote the true meaning of Christmas to all. For all of December “He is the Gift” will be shown in Times Square New York! On the 7th of December the video will show up on the head of YouTube. God has given each one of us absolutely everything we have. The gift that we can give back is to Discover the Gift, Accept the Gift, and Share the Gift. The first gift of Christmas was our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Only 24 MORE DAYS UNTIL WE SKYPE. I´m excited. 

I love Sopes, look up the recipe. They are amazing.

It´s been super cold this week. When we visited one of our recent converts we were absolutely freezing to death! He quickly made us little scarves that saved our lives. Lol

Week 40: No Time to Write

We are now allowed to have zone activities again! We played volleyball, water balloons, and ate tacos as a zone today.

Week 39: Halfway

Today is my half way mark. Ahhhhhh! I don’t know how I should feel? I’m torn between being excited and sad.

Yesterday I learned that my area had a name in the mission. I’m serving in La Huerta, and the missionaries knew it as “La Muerta” (the dead) because it was an area well known for never having baptisms. How sad is that? I never want to leave La Huerta! I think it’s the best ward ever.  

On Monday I got a call from our district leader and he told me I was invited to the Leadership Training Meeting. Scary stuff. So Tuesday and Wednesday I spent all day at the church learning how to be a better missionary. It was a great learning opportunity, and I have officially decided that I can’t be finished in nine months. I have WAY too much still to learn, to be at my half way mark. I have experienced so much happiness sharing the gospel!

We visited a less active member this week. We normally visit her on Fridays, but decided to visit her on Saturday instead. As we were teaching, she started crying. She told us that she was hoping that we would come this day, because she has been having trials and really needed to hear this message. As we pray, God will always guide our paths. It made me think of a quote from Henry B. Eyring, “You hold in your hands the happiness of more people than you can imagine.” We have the fullness of the gospel and we know the path to eternal life. We know the happiness that others are missing, but if we don’t share it how will they know? If we don’t share, we are holding back the happiness from those we love.

And now a quote I like. “However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made, or talents you think you don't have, or distance from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.” -Jeffrey R. Holland

Week 38: Baptism

Our investigator was baptized this week and we had a nice baptism for her. After 78 years of being Catholic she changed religions! The difference in her family is amazing. Before her husband was atheist and now he has put quotes about God up in their house. They are a lot happier.  

We have another great investigator right now. We actually have a lot of investigators, and I love them all. But this particular investigator has a broken arm and therefore has not been going to work. This has given her the chance to focus more of her attention on the gospel: reading the scriptures, listening to our lessons, and going to church. She finally accepted a baptism date and is super excited! She wants her whole family to go to church with her. On Sunday she brought her little grandson with her to church. He hated the first hour and afterwards wanted to go home. We tried to encourage him to go to class but he just sat in the hallway and moped. Then the primary teacher walked by and said to him, ¨lets go!¨ He jumped up, grabbed her hand and left with her. He didn’t even look back! lol Afterwards he loved church and wants everyone to go. It’s amazing to see how God works through the families. 

Week 37: Assorted Events

Hello, Hello, Hello! Hi, Hi, Hi! Hello, Hello, Hello! Hiiiiii! (Sing it!)

This week I have been studying Mormon in The Book of Mormon. While I was reading I came across chapter 6 and the whole thing is colored in pink highlighter. It has a caption that says ¨sad chapter¨. Who knows how long ago I did that? lol It made me smile. It really is a sad chapter, but I still really like chapters 5-7. 

We talked with our investigator and she still wants to be baptized. She is having some problems with her family.

I bought a Mexican shirt. It’s one of those with all the flowers and such. I was pretty excited!

What else? We finally had money to buy stuff to make our house smell pretty and clean!

When we go grocery shopping we have to hike back to the house. it really tires us out. Lol

Week 36: Downs and Downs

Yesterday we had divisions and I won’t be leaving! I will have 6 months here in La Huerta after this cambio.

   

This week was crazy - full of ups and downs. Well actually it was full of downs, downs, and more downs. I really love my companion, but we had a really rough time this past week. I shall pray for patience!

We had a baptism planned and we absolutely love her! We spent all week making preparations so that her baptism would be beautiful. About 30 minutes before her baptism her husband came and told us that she would not be coming. We were completely heart broken! We haven’t been able to talk with her since, so we still have no idea why she backed out. It made me think about our Heavenly Father and how sad He feels when we choose the wrong. He knows perfectly our potential and what is in store for us

Companions

Week 35: This and That

I am sooo tired. For the past few days I have NOT been sleeping well. I’m pretty sure I’m dying. lol

It’s getting colder here.

My companion and I celebrated her birthday and my 8-month mark!

We had Family Home Evening with the Garcia family. We talked about the importance of praying frequently. We each made a little ´O´ for oracion (prayer) to help remind us to pray in the morning and at night.

Absolutely everyone tells me different things I can do to heal my horrible acne. At least every other day someone gives me a different remedy! They all tell me I have such a pretty face, and they want to help me, and blah blah blah. lol The other day as I began to say the prayer, the lady interrupted me with advice to fix my face. Then yesterday somebody told me that God had given him healing powers in his hands and he wanted to touch my face and heal it. We quickly left there. lol

Hermano Tinoco's (our recent convert) hobby is photography. Here are some of his cool old cameras.

We had a baptism this past Saturday. It's amazing to see how much the gospel changes lives. We loved teaching him!

On Sunday morning the bishop called and asked us to give a talk that day. I was pretty stressed. I talked on the importance of obedience. It's a topic that I really like and it's kind of super important!

Week 34: Not Much to Say

We found a place that sells brownies! Wooo! Of course they are not even as close to being as yummy as the ones from home - but they will suffice.

We had to hike up to a house and it was a really pretty view, even though you can’t tell from the picture. It looked like the city Far Far Away, from the movie Shrek.

One of my favorite scriptures is Jacob 6:12 – O be wise; what can I say more? 

Week 33: Forgetful

General Conference was amazing! It’s funny mom that your favorite talk was by Elder Jorg Klebingat because it was one of my favorites as well. When we left conference my companion asked me if that one was my favorite, because she knew I like things firm and to the point. I loved his opening question: If you had an interview with Christ three minutes from now, how would you feel? This will be my new slogan in life. 

I also really liked the talks by Dieter F Uchtdorf and Tad R. Callister. I loved when Elder Callister said, "In the life to come, I do not know if titles such as bishop or relief society president will survive, but I do know that the titles of husband and wife, father and mother, will continue and be revered, worlds without end." After his talk I made a lot of goals of things I want to become better at. One day I will have the title of mother (at least I hope I will - Brycie will say no) which is the most important title I can receive. I don’t want to mess it up!  

I love my area, and my companion and I are getting along really well! I’m pretty content. I have a feeling that she will end up training a new missionary after this cambio, so we are doing a lot to help her prepare. Every Monday night I forget everything about the mission, then on Tuesday she completely trains me. I’m really enjoying it and she is learning a ton. I’m not sure if she is enjoying it very much, but she knows that it will help her a lot. Tonight I will forget everything again. lol

¨Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not an effort of once a week or once a day. It is an effort of once and for all.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Week 32: Random Bits and Pieces

I’ve just been writing down things that I’ve wanted to tell you this week, so my letter shall be very random. :)

-I can do my makeup (powder, blush, eyebrows, and mascara) in a record-breaking time of five and a half minutes. Round of applause please. :)

-In the MTC Hermana Burns hated my weird leg shaking habit, so I worked hard to get rid of it. Now Hermana Mayorga has the same problem and I’m relapsing! Ah!

-Two of our recent converts gave talks in church. They were so ridiculously scared, but they did absolutely great! 

 -I accidently asked a young man if we could come to his house and give him and massage, instead of asking if we could come to his house and share a message.

-This week we had a member accompany us for a few lessons and while we were walking she asked me how it feels to have less that a year before I go home. It really surprised me! I almost forgot that I had a life before the mission and that I will have that life again in less then a year. Weird. I’m happy here serving, but I must admit I kind of miss my family.

 I’ve been studying a lot about obedience, because it is the first law of heaven. In 3 Nephi 28:34 it reads, “whoso receiveth not the words of Jesus and the words of those whom he hath sent receiveth not him; and therefore he will not receive them at the last day;” If we can’t learn obedience (and repentance) we can’t receive eternal happiness. Someone gave a great talk on Sunday. He said when he was baptized the elders asked him what he wants in the future. He said he wants a nice house, big yard, a car, and comfort. To be able to reach that long-term goal he would have to work really hard right now and for a long time. It’s the same with eternal blessings; the work we put in right now, will determine our “house, car, yard, and comfort” after this life. This life is so ridiculously short, but the way we live it will decide our eternal happiness.

Teaching the gospel to Mr. Morelos
(at least I think that's who it is)

Week 31: Learning Lots

I ´m leading the area and my companion only has three months in the mission, so she still has some stuff to learn. Which means that I have been learning a TON! When you’re put it a position to “lead”, it’s actually just a better position to “learn”. I really love the mission! There are many sad, difficult, and frustrating parts (sorry, I usually only tell you guys about these parts) but the good definitely outweighs the bad. I’ve learned a lot of things that have helped me grow and helped me be more prepared for when I return and have my own family. I’ve learned the importance of the gospel in every aspect of our lives.

My companion, Hermana Mayoral is great. I must admit I have been ridiculously lucky in the mission. I’ve always had really great companions. We have little moments, but we are usually laughing and working really hard. It makes a HUGE difference to have a great companion!

My New Companion (the one in the dress)

Week 30: Transfers

Today we had transfers and Hermana Vergara left me. It was super duper sad because we got along REALLY well! We would sometimes (but rarely) butt heads and that was because we are ridiculously alike in personality. She really helped me open up more, learn more of the gospel, and how to love everyone. I will miss her tons!

My new companion is Hermana Mayorga. She seems nice. She is almost 22 and only has 3 months in the mission, so I’m the senior companion. Scary stuff.

Cake for Cambios

Week 29: Learning About Prayer

This week I have learned a lot about prayers from one of my favorite people, Hermano Tinoco. One day he was about to say the prayer. After a minute of silence we asked what was wrong. He told us that he knew he was going to talk to God, so he wanted to think first about what he was going to ask Him and thank Him for. A few days later in his prayer he said something like, “Heavenly Father, remember how two days ago I asked for help for my friend? I would like to thank you, because he has improved a lot.” These two experiences really struck me. First, how many times do I really recognize that I’m talking with my loving Heavenly Father and that he is listening to what I am saying? Second, do I remember what I prayed for two days ago? Hermano Tinoco remembered and was able to recognize the answer to his prayer. How many times do we miss our answers to prayers or blessings because we aren’t paying attention?

Lately I have noticed how good I am at recognizing the things I’m doing wrong and what I need to improve on. That is good because it helps me to change, but I forget to recognize the things that I am doing right. I think it is really easy to see our imperfections and become depressed, therefore stunting our growth. God expects progression, not perfection. God wants us to be happy. There is always something we can improve, but it will do us no good if we only think of these things. We should rejoice in all that we have and be happy. :)  My week has been much better once I finally realized that. 

Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.” -Gordon B. Hinckley

“God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect. Let me add, God is also fully aware that the people you think are perfect are not. And yet we spend so much time and energy comparing ourselves to others - usually comparing our weaknesses to their strengths. As a result we never celebrate our good efforts because they seem to be less than what someone else does.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Hermano Tinoco's Baptism

My companion heard if you hug a tree
it will take away your tiredness.

Week 28: Teaching About Prayer

Hermano Tinoco is one of our investigators and we love visiting him! We have been preparing him for baptism and he is progressing well. He learns very slowly, but he has such a desire to learn. In one of his notebooks we wrote the steps on how to pray.

1. Heavenly Father

2. I thank thee for…

3. I ask thee for…

4. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen

We’ve explained these steps at least a million times, but every time he prays he just reads each of the points. Then before he says amen he just starts talking to God. He says things like, ¨Okay Heavenly Father, this is what I have to tell you...¨ or ¨I know I’m old and slow, but please help me to remember what the sisters are teaching.” His prayers are so sincere it amazes me...just he puts things a little out of order. lol

Prayer is such a blessing! On the mission, I miss you guys a lot and I think, “Oh, I would love to be able to tell my family this or that!” It’s easy to forget that we always have family close by. Our Father in Heaven is anxiously waiting to talk to us. He loves to hear what’s going on in our lives, how we are feeling, and what we need. He wants to help us, if we humble ourselves and ask.

INVITATION FOR THE WEEK: Take time to have a conversation with our Heavenly Father. I’m sure He doesn’t appreciate hearing the same things every time. As we bring ourselves closer to God we will find the answers to questions we didn’t know we had. We will find more purpose in our lives, and great joy through the good times and even the bad. We will find more love filling our lives.

Hermano Tinoco has at least 10 pairs of glasses and
he can't see with any of them.

Most of the sisters in my district.

This is our district. Beautiful, no?

Week 27: Six Months Out

I hit my 6 month mark this week! Craziness right?

Answering Questions

Whenever we ask the boys questions, Danny and Leo look at Christian (the oldest) for the answer. Now we have them put the hats over their faces so they have to think for themselves. They learn ridiculously fast! 

Family Baptism

Here is our lovely Garcia family on their baptism day. Don’t they look so great! They were very happy.  :)

Delicious Dinner

After the baptism we ate pizza and then flan. Flan is a popular dessert made with sugar, eggs, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk. In Mexico they put hot sauce and ketchup on pizza.

Week 26: Perfection Pending

I am doing a lot better with Spanish, although sometimes people can’t understand everything I say. I want to know Spanish perfectly; NOW! I think I need to study much more about patience.

We have been teaching a family from Congo. Only the dad speaks Spanish and everyone else speaks French. It makes teaching a little difficult. We´re always uncomfortable because the culture is different and we don´t know when we are doing something wrong. The dad is a teacher at the nearby university. He talks a LOT and he took the pleasure of informing us that as servants of God, we are doing a very bad job. We are boring, bad teachers, and he has learned nothing. No offence of course. lol So he gave us a nice long lecture on what we should do differently. We were pretty distraught.

My companion and I are both ridiculously stubborn, which makes me mad. This week we had a few rough spots...and a really long Thursday. We both went on strike and it was absolutely ridiculous. Woofta.

“Think the best of each other, especially those you say you love. Assume the good and doubt the bad.” -Jeffrey R. Holland

We Love Pan

Week 25: Spicy Hot

I can eat a lot more spicy hot food then many Mexicans. People are so surprised. I just think of mom and I piling jalapeños on our Mexican food until my mouth hurt. lol The members expect me not to be able to eat hot food, and they think it’s funny. So I often act like the food is super hot, because they are expecting that reaction. Actually, I really like the food here.

This week we have been working a ton with the Garcia family and we are having much success. We love their family! We had a family home evening with them and they invited their nephew, Leo. Their daughters, Jessica (17) and Rosa (15), taught the lesson on faith so they could complete a goal in their “Personal Progress”. They prepared a PowerPoint with scriptures, stories, and a video! We were shocked and it was great. We played games and had prizes of candy. Afterwards the parents said that they finally understand the importance of FHE. It’s a time for family to be separate from the world, so they can learn and have fun together.

FHE with Garcia Family

Since FHE the sons, Christen (12) and Danny (8) finally want to have lessons with us. The other day we were teaching their sisters and we told them to be back from playing in 30 minutes, so we could teach them. In 30 minutes they came back with Leo and patiently waited. I love the lessons with them because they are young and we have to teach in a way to keep them involved and awake. The other day we were teaching them a lesson and my companion mentioned something about Pinky and the Brain (don’t ask me what it has to do with the plan of salvation). They just looked at us like we were really old. We felt really old!

Leo wants to be baptized and go to church, but his mom is extremely Catholic and won’t let him. Yesterday he came to church with the Garcia family. We were excited until we asked him how he got permission from his mom. He told his mom that he was going to the Catholic Church with the Garcia family. Ah! We had to clarify that he can’t lie to his mom.

  

Yesterday I got sick. It has been building up for a few days, and yesterday it hit me. I was trembling and throwing up - I thought I was going to die. On the bright side, when I put on my skirt this morning it was a lot more loose! lol I’m feeling a lot better today.

We visit Hermano Alberto a lot. He is over 90 years old and can’t attend church because he has a hard time walking. He is funny and we love him! But…there is a problem. His house is the perfect temperature, and very calm and pleasant. We are wide-awake before the lesson; then afterwards we are so tired. We had to start bringing little candies to eat during the lesson to keep us awake and alive.

I’m pretty happy. This week I have learned so much! The gospel is absolutely beautiful and when you piece everything together it makes so much sense. God’s plan is perfect and I have no doubt that the gospel is true. Go and study!