Last letter

I love you and I will see you all soon. It definitely will be a time
of mixed emotions. I will definitely be diligent until the end of the
mission.

Place to eat... Well maybe a place with a good ol delicious big
burger.  I would like that. haha

Prepare for a confused missionary coming home, because the culture
will be different, the language will be different and I wont be able
to express myself like I would like to for that same reason.

Do good, stay strong, and be steadfast and immovable always abounding
in good works.

Love,
Elder Loveland

3 baptisms this week

How are y'all doing? Everything here is going well. I too am shocked that there is only one p-day left. It is killing me mentally. As much as I love you all, it’s going to be hard leaving Mexico. I really have come to love it here including the people, culture, food, etc. I also saw Yadira´s mom yesterday in the stake conference. It’s pretty much official now that I have seen the family of all your friends down here. There are lots of mixed emotions, that’s for sure.

Well we had 3 baptisms this week. It was a very spiritual experience for them. It was way more than what they expected. :) Now we need to get the dad baptized and hopefully before I return home. The three that were baptized are going to be very faithful. They have strong testimonies and they are converted.

We definitely have stayed busy. About the companion change, it was what God inspired President Wagner to do. Who knows? Elder Ocaña couldn’t learn really at all. I tried and tried but he didn’t learn. 

After 6 weeks he still didn’t know the area and I had to teach him how to tie his shoes because he has never known how to. Elder Juarez learned the area in 1 week and is better prepared to be left with this big area. I believe that is a reason for why the changed Elder Ocaña to another place. But who knows... I have had a different companion every 6 weeks in this ward and area. God has his purposes.

I hope everything is going well. We had less time. But just know that I love you all. I will see you in two weeks now and then we can talk a lot more about the mission and the experiences.

Love,
Elder Loveland

ps. I had to take out money because there are some serious problems about reimbursing in the offices lately. We don’t get the full reimbursement for the rent, water, gas, or electricity.

     Can I leave a suitcase or do I need to bring them? The reason is is because the mission will only pay for one suitcase. Please respond to this question. I love you.

Study diligently

Don't worry. We will see each other soon. I didn't know that you had a surgery, Mom. I hope everything is ok.

Wow. You have my flight plans already?? I haven't even received them. At what time do I get there in the day? Now that you have my flight schedule please get an appointment with President Gates with me to relieve me that exact same day.

Elder Juarez and I also won the exam and scripture chase in the zone conference so we went to eat Breakfast with Presidente Wagner and also studies with President Wagner. Wooooooowwww. He is the wisest and most powerful man that I have known in my life. He has an amazing knowledge of the Gospel and the scriptures. When he speaks he has so much power and authority. All the missionaries here feel it more from him than any other person including the general authorities that have visited us. We are almost positive that President Wagner will be an apostle one day and will speak in general conferences. I'm going to miss him.
He has altered the direction of my life. I am so ready to face life and beat Satan to the ground. I cant explain how much knowledge I have gained. I will be blessed and have been blessed with a keen intellect as promised in my patriarchal blessing. I have seen prophecies fulfill with my setting apart blessing and my patriarchal blessing.

You cant be saved in ignorance. It is so crucial that you study the scriptures and preach my gospel. Don't just read.... STUDY DILIGENTLY! Look for the promises in the scriptures especially in the Book of Mormon and then Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. Look for the covenants and ordinances in the scriptures. Live what you learn. Make time to really study the scriptures. I feel like have learned so much and I know I still have a ton more to learn. Look for the treasures of God in the scriptures. Knowledge is a Christ like attribute and we should develop it. With more knowledge it will make our conduct better. It will help us to be able to develop other attributes of Christ. Look for the answers of your questions. Get going on the road to eternal life. Don't stop, take a break or go back in the direction that you came from. Keep going. Build up your speed on that straight and narrow road. STUDY STUDY STUDY! AND DO IT WITH DILIGENCE! You will find great joy by doing it and you will increase your faith.

I know that this is the Lord´s kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Do good, stay strong, and study diligently.

Tesistan 2 zone --above
Quarterly birthdays celebrated --below

Gratitude for everything

How are you doing. I hope everything is ok.
"Let me tell you something you already know, the world ain't all
sunshine and rainbows. Its a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are. It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let. Because you, me, or nobody can hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit its about how hard you can get hit and how much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now if you know how much you are worth, then go out and get what you are worth but you've got to be willing to take the hits. But you cant be pointing fingers saying you aren't where you want to be because of him or her or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You are better than that." From Rocky Balboa.

I learned that phrase from another missionary in the San Diego zone and I still haven't forgotten it. Its good to say during times of trial. But it really is true. I love the message that it leaves with us. I have learned from the many trials that I have had on the mission. But let me tell you that they are so rewarding and the experiences that you have are so rewarding. Maybe we are a bit prideful sometimes or really prideful and then comes a humbling trial. Learn to be humble and and obey the commandments of the Lord. Submit yourselves to Gods will and give him the honor for what you achieve.

Really the mission has been very great to be able to develop the
attributes of Jesus Christ. It really makes you grateful for what you have. There is always something to be grateful for. If you have dirty plates in the sink, be grateful that you had food to be put on those plates. There are people that don't have that and struggle for it. If you have dirty clothes, it means you actually have clothes. That is something some people don't have. Be grateful for absolutely everything. Many people don't have air conditioning, fridges, microwaves, blenders, iPods, running sinks, sheets for a mattress, pillows, fans, floor, roof over bathroom, etc. Learn to be grateful for what you have and for the things you don't have.  Be grateful enough with our Heavenly Father for the gospel by sharing it with others. You will find joy in doing so. God gave us weaknesses so that we could be humble and if we humble ourselves, then we can make them strong in the Lord.

I know that trials sanctify us and make us better and stronger
children. Grow to the potential that you have. read Psalms 82:6. I know that Christ lives and that through his atonement we can return to the presence of God if we  have faith, repentance, make and keep covenants until the end of our lives. I share this with you all with love in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Elder Juarez

Sorry I don't have much time but I just want to say that I love you and that I'm living. We had changes today. Elder Ocaña left and I received Elder Juarez in Tesistan. He likes the avengers and his favorite superhero is Captain America so we already have a great start. haha  I love you. I'll write next week.

The hardest thing I ever loved to do

How are ustedes? Everything going well? I really enjoyed the disfraces. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw those pictures. Thank you for sending that. (Halloween pictures) 

For the talks, my first three choices are 1. Bishop Owens 2. Bishop Bryan 3. Brother Sigler. and I have no idea for what I want to be sung in my homecoming talk. There is a song that I really really love that is on the WORK CD that is called THE HARDEST THING I EVER LOVED TO DO. I don't know if it would be permitted but I do love it a lot. 

I don't know if I have shown my gratitude enough. Thank you so much for preparing the arrangements for my first semester. 

Also I am very grateful for the other Elders that are in my district. Elder Klingler, Elder Pacheco, Elder Lopez, and Elder Waite got me a fantasy beanie of Captain America. I'll have to take a picture of it and send you a picture next week. Those four Elders are so good to me and I am very appreciative of having them in my district. They actually help me a lot. Elder Lopez will be ending his mission the same time as me. 

We also had a neighboring family go to church on Sunday. The daughter wants to keep going. The ward fellowshipped her really well so that explains why she wants to go.

Have a wonderful week. I love you.

A humble birthday

How are you all doing? I hope you are all doing well. Well I'm doing
pretty well.

I would like to be Wes´s roommate. I have lots of catching up to do
with him. haha Also will I be in A´s and A´s ward too?

I do have a question... How will I be bringing my things up there to
school? I know shouldn't be worrying about this now but ¡¡¡ ijole !!! Not going to lie...
I'm a bit worried for the return home life. I'm sure Ill be fine, my
thoughts are just making me worried. 


By the way, it really is important to be converted and not just have a
testimony. Keep looking for the opportunities to share the gospel. Be
a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

Wow, I'm going to look so dumb trying to talk to you all in English
when I get home. I speak in Spanglish when I try to speak in English
to other American missionaries. I haven't lived with someone that knows
English since a year ago with Elder Hartmann. It has put an axe to
my English mind. haha I and my American English missionaries actually
laugh a lot when we speak in English. That truly is the gift of
tongues. 


Carlos and Jania and their family went to church on Sunday and they
are super excited for their baptism on November 30th. I believe that
they will be my last baptism. It will be awesome to have a family
baptism before I leave. I will need to send a picture of them soon to
you guys. They are such a wonderful family. I have seen the changes
within them. In the beginning, Carlos smoked and drank and wasn't too
happy, and now he hasn't smoked or drank. He is now a much happier
person and puts a big ol smile on his face when we visit him and when
he went to church. The gospel blesses lives. 


Also my birthday maybe was one of my most humble birthdays. I hardly

felt like it was my birthday but it was good. I almost could care less.
haha One companionship in the ward and district brought me candies to
church. A sister and her son brought me cupcakes, our neighbors made
chiles rellenos to take home and also for lunch the family served us
chiles rellenos. That is my most favorite meal... I was very grateful
for those small little tender mercies. Also Elder Klingler that is
also in the district and ward bought me a pizza today for my birthday.
I'm happy and maybe it wasn't much but it was enough to make me feel
happy and loved.

 I love you all! Have a wonderful week!