Zone leader in Independencia

Well I don’t have much time or much time to write now. I was called to be a zone leader in the stake and zone of Independencia. My new companion is Elder Jacinto and he is going to be a good companion. I’m freaking out a bit. I’m nervous, sad, and excited at the same time. I’m sad for leaving Villa Hidalgo. I really do want to go there with you guys after my mission. Will we be able to visit there? I’m nervous to be a zone leader. I’m going to be a leader of 8 companionships and three district leaders. I will now have to report to the assistants of the President every Sunday. Actually, my zone leader in my old zone is now an assistant. I’m excited because I have a super better house and the weather is better.

I would like to start receiving references from your friends now for the people here in Guadalajara. It’s cool to see some of the places that I saw on google Earth. 

Also, I did receive two Christmas packages; one from A, (his girlfriend)and one from Grandma C. Thank you so much. I will write more about this next week. Love you all!

Elder Montiel

Reach the goal

I’m doing fine, and I’m a bit nervous for what is going to happen this next week.  We have mission president interviews on Wednesday, and it is the end of the transfer this Sunday.  I will be done with training Elder Montiel, and I have a feeling that I’ll be transferred to a different area.  I really don’t want to leave here despite how difficult it is here in Villa Hidalgo.  I have seen so much progress.  Two people have been baptized; I have reactivated a few people and families, the church attendance has risen from seventeen people to fifty five people, missionaries have gained member trust, I’ve learned how to be a senior companion, and a trainer.  When I first arrived, President Wagner also gave me a goal to get two Sundays in a row with at least fifty people.  He said that when I achieve this goal, he would come to Villa Hidalgo.  I’m not sure what he’ll do, but I really want to stay one more transfer so that I can see Villa Hidalgo reach that goal.  I have seen so much progress.   I can say that Villa Hidalgo has been a success for me and for here.

Oh wow, I think I have five packages coming my way now.  One from Grandma C, one from home, one from Ashley and one from M Hartmann.  Hopefully I can get them this Wednesday. 

We were actually going to have a baptism this Saturday, but there is a district conference now, so we had to postpone it.  Now I’m not sure if I’m going to see his baptism.  His name is Carlos, we have been activating his family and he has been coming to church.  Yet another reason I want to stay here one more transfer.

Again Mom, I want to thank you so much for writing to me every single week.  I really appreciate it more than you think.  I can tell that you love me.  J  Please know that I am truly grateful for you.  I really have had a couple of dreams of where I arrive home, and I just give you such a great big hug.  Then the normal happens in my dreams.  I can’t remember the last part of my mission.  Hahaha  I remember having a dream like that in San Diego and I was like, “What happened to the majority of my mission?”  Haha  Well, eleven more months of serving the Lord and then I will be able to hug my mom.  Again, thank you.

As district leader, I went on exchanges with the elders in San Blas this past week for three days.  Their members give them so much food.  I tried oysters this week.  I liked how it tasted but the texture was terrible.  It was like chewing on gew with a tad bit of meat.  I ate quite a bit.  I also went there to see how the obedience was doing, to help train and to help them.  Their house is also like ten times better, but that’s fine.  I’m used to my house here.

I love you all!  Do good, stay strong, and live as if Jesus was going to come today.

                  

                

My success in Villa Hidalgo

How are you doing?  (I know I always begin by saying that.)  It is official. We now have 45 minutes on the computer now.  My week actually went well, and was really successful.  Carlos and Susana came to church.  They are two different investigators.  We also had seven less actives come to church.  We also had more lessons than normal.  We also had more new investigators than normal.  Thank you all for the prayers.  Keep on praying.  :)

Also, please don’t worry. The Lord is protecting me and us. There are much more dangerous places in the world. These are missionary experiences that I will be able to tell the rest of my life. Please have faith and don’t fear. The lack of faith is fear. Please know that and have faith. The Lord is protecting me. I invite you to read my blessings in my setting apart as a missionary, again. Angels are here to protect me. I love you all.

My zone leader also came this week for exchanges for a couple days. While we were on exchanges he helped our branch to where we are finally going to have a branch mission leader and branch councils.  Also he helped me to notice all of my success here in Villa Hidalgo. Starting here, our average was in the 20s for church attendance and now the average is about 46 or 47. We have gained trust of members. We are activating less actives. We have found and taught a lot more lessons, and I have much more spiritual knowledge, etc. This week definitely was a week that I needed.

I only have about 2 weeks left in the transfer. Who knows what is going to happen? I have been in this zone longer than any other Elder. Something is telling me that I’m leaving.

I’m enjoying this extra 15 minutes. Now I can write a bit more through email.

Also now they have put all trainees as the senior companions now so that they can learn. Elder Montiel will be finishing off the transfer as senior companion. I have seen a lot of change in him. I know I was meant to train him. The Lord has a perfect plan.

This year really is a big year.

A read the whole Book of Mormon?! (in 24 hours) Way to go!  Keep reading that and Preach My Gospel.  There is more deep gospel in Preach My Gospel than there is in any other book.  You just have to study it. 

I sure hope that everyone is reading their scriptures, because one day we will be judged according to  everything they contain.  We should know the scriptures well.  We don’t have them to just carry to church or to have on the shelf for long periods of time.  I would like you all to read 2 Nephi 33, and specifically verses 10-15.  In fourteen, it specifically says, “for these words shall condemn you at the last day”.  We will be condemned according to the Book of Mormon.  But not only what is in the Book of Mormon, but also in the Doctrine & Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, Old and New Testament, church manuals and patriarchal blessings.  We must study the scriptures and apply them to ourselves and our lives.  In fifteen it says, “with that what we do and the scriptures will be brought against you at the judgment bar.”  The scriptures will condemn us if we haven’t read and studied.  Also, Nephi, Lehi, Alma, Captain Moroni, Mormon, Samuel the Lamanite, and every other prophet of the Book of Mormon and in history, will be witnesses against us.  Let us study and apply the scriptures.  Let us repent and endure to the end so that we are not condemned. I really care about you all.  I may be losing much vocabulary in English, but it is true.  I wish I could help you learn how to really study the scriptures, but I am limited to English as of now.  I want to teach you all when I am home from my mission.

 

I’m sorry for not writing so much this week.  I lost a bit of time and it really is tougher to write in English now.  I had my first Spanish dream this past week, and I think in Spanish a lot now.  I’ll make sure to write more next week.  Feel free to ask specific questions.  I love you!  Do good, stay strong and study the scriptures!  I love you. Have a good week. <3

Prayer is definitely real

This past week we have been contacting on the street a lot more.  We are seeing fruits from that.  We have actually found a couple more investigators by doing that. 

Here’s a fun short story.  On January first, we went to San Blas for a district meeting.  Well, to be able to get back to Villa, we hitch hiked and it was rainy and cold.  My companion and I were in the back of the truck.  The rain was slamming my face and I was sitting on the edge.  Then, all of a sudden, the side broke off a bit and dropped off a bit.  I almost flew off.  But don’t worry!  I’m a live and doing well.  :)

Also, Elder Montiel and I had a pretty freaky evil experience this past week but I’m not going to tell that story.  Maybe when I’m back from my mission.  It’s not good to talk about the Devil or his servants.  Let’s just say for now that the power of prayer is definitely real.  Refer to D&C 10:5.  Remember that scripture whenever you are in that kind of a situation.

Anyway, I love you all so much.  Do good, stay strong and remember to pray!  I love you!