"I don't know if you are coming to Mexico"

How are things going!? Hopefully all is well! I’ve been keeping you all in my prayers day and night. So my reading right now is Ruth 2, John 19, and Mosiah 15 (Spanish). It’s been so nice reading these three books. I haven’t read the Old Testament or the New Testament, or the Book of Mormon in Spanish. So this is all new for me! I love it! So California is going pretty well. Still here in California. I got an email from my mission pres in Mexico and he said he still hadn’t heard any news about my visa. He said “I don’t know if you are coming to Mexico.." in Spanish in the first sentence of the email so I’m kind of freaking out. It will probably be some more decent time, but once again I have no idea when I leave. I wish I could know so I could let you all know. People can still take chances of me being here and send me something in the mail and then have it either sent back or forwarded to me in Mexico. So whatever people prefer. Email will be safe though no matter what I think so it’s all good. I am still with my two companions. So we are still in a trio. It’s tough stuff but we are making it work. Riding bikes this past week was better than the week before. Even though I still had to pay out of my own funds for a new tube for my tire that popped.  Oh well. The bike is working now.

So this past week I also saw a straight up drug deal. hahaha It was at this one corner of a street. There was this big white nerdy guy talking with this one shorter gangster dude. That was just different in itself. Then I straight up see the shorter guy with a bag of drugs hand the drugs over to the big white guy and the white guy give the money to the short gangster. They traded really quickly. Then they acted like nothing happened and they started talking about the weather. In my mind I was like what in Sam? hahaha Nobody talks about the weather, that’s just weird. Also those are like two people you would never imagine talk to each other or what not. So that must be a drug deal. That was the first legitimate one I have seen. I was pretty shocked to see that happen so closely to me and my companions and in such a public place. Plus the police station was like a block away.  Whatever. That’s not my problem.

So I definitely will pray for you, mom, and Gail for this next week. Gail and Clay need to start hearing about the church and need to be being taught. Even if they don’t accept, it is still worth a try. Eternal life is on the line. That’s how I have to put it.

I sooooooo can’t wait for General Conference! I have been waiting for this for a while now. General Conference is just that more exciting being a missionary. It also gets more exciting as we get older. I wonder what kinds of things will be brought up in this conference. I’m excited to hear the President Monson, Elder Uchtdorf, and Elder Bednar. They are probably my three favorites if I had to choose my favorites. I will definitely be taking lots of notes and I sure hope all of you do too. I want to hear about one thing people have learned in the upcoming conference and one thing that they can apply to themselves from the conference.

And mom thank you so much for all the support, and time you put into doing my assignments and things and pondering about the things I send home. I really appreciate it and I love reading your thoughts about those certain things. Like reading the Book of Mormon, studying the atonement, studying the role of Christ in God's plan and on Earth, etc.

I love you all so much and I really appreciate everything that you have done for me, whether it has been on my mission and before my mission. I include you in my prayers.

Wow, these weeks are really flying by now.  I’ve been in San Diego since a month ago, this day.  Also, tomorrow I will hit my three month mark.  I don’t know if time is going as fast for all of you, but it really is for me.  I’m now one eighth done now.  It’s hard to believe that, since I have been waiting for my mission for a long time.  My mission is going to be over before I know it, so I need to continue to work hard.  I think these next 21 months will go quicker for me than you all, but that’s good.  I heard that if a missionary thinks time is flying by and that he hadn’t believed he had been out that long, and it seemed short, that he was a hard worker.  So I’m going to continue to work hard and keep improving.

Tell Carter I wish I could be there for the baptism, but tell him I need to be where I am.

We receive the Liahona and Ensigns so I’ll make sure to look for the parts that you want me to read.  I know the March Ensign had a good thing about preparing for a mission.  Maybe something mom and A can read together.

I love you all so much, and I appreciate all the love and support.  I miss you, but this is where I need to be, and it really isn’t that much time till I’ll be home.  I love you.

My first baptism

Guess what!? I'm still in San Diego! I haven't left to Mexico yet. So I guess when it comes to letters,I prefer email still. Just in case I do get my visa. You might be able to send me letters and they might send them to me in Mexico. Anyway, things are still going well. Some big things happened this past week. We rode bikes, we had a baptism and we found a new investigator by just following the Spirit and just knocking on this random door. 

And where I'm reading now are Joshua 9, John 1, and Mosiah 3 (Spanish). If you don't care where I'm reading, then let me know so I don't keep including it if you don't want to know or even care. haha I got an email from my mission president in Mexico and it was in Spanish. He says he is looking forward to meeting me, and that there is a lot to be done down there. And he wants to help me feel welcome into the mission for when I go. Man, I sure hope it goes well when I do because Ill be the only one that he will be picking up probably at the airport and Ill probably be with him for a whole day. So ill be my real self with him and leave a good first impression, since first impressions are really important.


So with the bikes this week.. Lets just say it was quite the adventure. Our area is really hilly. And we were reading one day and it completely poured rain on us. We were drenched, and we went back to the apartment.So that was an interesting experience which reminded me of the Del Web Priesthood Encampment cam pout thing a few years back when it rained like crazy and we were on bikes. Also the next day when we got our bikes, I got a flat tire so I had to buy some patches and fix it up. Its working though now.


We had our baptism last Saturday and it was a neat experience. We got a lot of the branch members to come and be a part of it. I wouldn't consider it my first baptism but my companions say it is my first baptism because I helped out with two lessons with him. So according to my companions, I have my first baptism!!! hooray! hahaha

So one night we were out and about heading to appointments and what not, and all the sudden we had a feeling that we should go knock on this one house which looked Hispanic. The guy named Saul opened the door and we ended up leaving leaving our number with him. The next day, he calls us and says he want to hear our message and want to know if our message could help him with is gambling addiction. We told him that it could and we set an appointment. We had to appointments the last four days. We taught him the Restoration and I have felt the Spirit strongly in that lesson. It was so neat to meet this guy like that. He seems like a solid person. We teach him again tomorrow. We noticed that we are receiving more blessings ever since we lost our car and got bikes. We have been noticing all of these tender mercies.


Im working hard out here and Im focusing on the work. Please don't worry about me being focused out here. I'm very focused out here and I'm working as hard as I can out here. I'm living by the motto, "No Regrets". I love you all so much. I love you.

When people try to make changes in their lives and make drastic changes in there lives, they think they have to do big things in order to change. Not true though. Small things make all the difference in everything that we do. Reading scriptures, and praying are simple and small things, and they shape us to be better people. I also remember in lacrosse that the coaches always said to master the basics and keep practicing the basics. Because we had to have the basics down before we could go on to more advanced things. The scripture Alma 37:6 it says, "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..." So if we want to make great things happen we need to do the small and simple things in order to get there. Make smaller goals to help you eventually reach the greater and big long term goals. I make smaller goals out here in the mission to help me reach my medium sized goals to help me reach my big goals. These goals can be for growing spiritually, workout goals, social goals or even small goals that will help us to reach our final goal in being together forever in eternity. By making all these small goals, it will lead us eventually to our final goal of making it to exaltation and living with Heavenly Father someday. So I challenge you to start doing the small and simple things and make the small goals that will help you to reach the longer term goals. I know that if you do this, you will notice miracles and that your long term goals will come more in sight. I'm learning so much out here and growing so much in many aspects. 


Love,
Elder Loveland (the big bro)

I'm the only visa waiter

How are you all doing now?? I’m in La Mesa by the way. Guess what!? We now have to go on bikes!!!... This will be a big change. We have a big area and it is going to be hard to get everywhere now. Also, the other three people that came with me to San Diego that were visa waiters, they all got their visas and left like 5 days ago to Mexico. So I’m the only visa waiter now waiting for a call from President Clayton saying I got my visa. Apparently I can be sent out within 48 hours of finding out. So for this next week only send me emails and tell other people that too or else I probably won’t get them if I do end up leaving this week. So email me! I could be leaving soon. When I go to the airport whenever I will be able to call again so that will be pretty exciting. I also got the package, so thank you so much for the glasses and all of the food and the missionary moments. Those are . It was a nice lucky surprise to get! :) This past week we did service for a less active. This guy is a little loco.. haha He had us move most of his big furniture down from his second story apartment down to his truck. We had to load all sorts of stuff onto his truck. Furniture got so high on his truck and it weighed a whole lot. I think it was illegal in weight. Craziness! We also have had lessons with investigators. We found two more investigators so it’s going well. were plateauing for a little while and then we picked it up. But now that we are on bikes, we will be working much more and the work will slow down too. So this will be very interesting tomorrow. I’ve keeping up my working out still. Now I’ll be getting lots of exercise with riding the bikes. It will all be fine though. The Spanish is also coming along pretty well. I’m understanding a little more every week but it still is really hard. I’m really struggling with listening and understanding Spanish but my speaking and reading are doing a lot better than them. Today I decided to fast to help out with my listening and understanding. It’s really tough to contribute to lessons when you have no idea where they are in the lessons. I still contribute but I want to contribute more, so that’s why I’m fasting. Anyway everything is going well here. The weather is nice. I know Heavenly Father wants me here longer, so we'll see how long I’ll be staying here. I’m getting familiar with the members a lot more. There is a great member in our branch. His name is Jaime and he has been great including me and what not. Where I’m at in reading right now is Deuteronomy 12, Jacob 5 (Spanish), and Luke 2. Just in case anyone wanted to know or follow along with me. How is the March madness and the Book of Mormon March madness coming along? I absolutely love reading the scriptures now. I have learned to love the scriptures and it will do me so much good in my life. My days are much better when I read. When we read each day, it brings the Spirit into our lives. I notice the spirit everyday in my life and it is a wonderful feeling. So keep up the reading in the Book of Mormon and I know it will change your days, lessen contention, and that you will feel the Spirit, and your testimony will grow.

Praying for the gift of tongues

Hola Familia!

We were busy today going to the temple and what not. Which is very beautiful! 


How is everyone doing? Its going all right here. Yeah there are tough days but Im definitely feeling better than last week when I got here. I feel a lot more comfortable. So I am with Spanish missionaries and we teach all of our lessons in Spanish. There havent been that many lessons though because people flake out or just dont even show up to their own appointment. The Spanish is really tough. The mtc was like a breeze with Spanish and now its so tough, but im praying for the gift of tongues. The Lord will help me. You are probably wondering my schedule... So we wake up at 6:30 every morning, then exercise for a half hour, then we have breakfast for a half hour. then we have personal study for 1 hour, then companion study for 1 hour, then language study for 1 hour. After that we have lunch for an hour, then we head out to work! We have a car, so we drive that around. We go to investigators homes, less actives and sometimes the active members. The spanish branch here is nice but not as nice as the one back home and its not as big either. But it is all good. I enjoy it even when I dont understand 80 percent of it. hahahaha I was called to give the closing prayer in Sacrament meeting and had an hours notice. And it was fast Sunday so I decided to go up and bear my testimony in Spanish. So that was a different kind of church for me. I am so grateful for how my life was back home and for the nice neighborhood, houses, and friends. Its just so foreign to me, and it will only get more foreign real soon. So Spanish is coming slowly. I dont really know what to say about that. Oh and we get back to our apartment at 9 at night and do daily planning for a half hour. Then we talk and prepare for bed and the next day for an hour. Our bedtime is at 10:30. There has already been some pretty crazy experiences here. We experienced a drug deal with we believe was weed. Some really high white guy and some Mexican guy. It was like 15 feet away from us. that was a pretty big shock. Ive also heard cuss words. I havent heard those for two months. hahaha We also had a guy come up to us and said the world was going to end soon and that Jesus was coming soon and he said that God came to him in his dreams and told him that too. He was pointing out to us the alignment of the stars and planets and saying its time and he can feel it in the air. That basically made my day. It was actually yesterday. So there are a lot of fun experiences here, even when it is tough sometimes. We also met a less active spanish speaker on the street that wasnt a part of our branch and we are helping him out with service and we are getting him active again. We are also trying to get him to come to the spanish branch since spanish is his first language. We thought that was a really good experience. We also have an investigator who should be getting baptized in about 2 Saturdays. That will be fun. If any of you want to follow along with me in my studies or try to, I'm in Numbers 19, Matthew 25, and 2 Nefi 26 ( spanish) Thats where I'm at. Ive been reading quite a bit lately. I love you all so much. Expect a letter. Its not as long because today was a busy day with the temple, and the email is longer than what it used to be. Keep on reading the Book of Mormon and going to the temple. I love you family.

Hello San Diego

C arrived at the San Diego mission home last night.  His mission president sent an email today with these two pictures saying they already loved my son.  Made me happy. 

Hey family!

Im safe but really nervous. I got my two companions about a half hour ago so im not quite sure what to think right now. The weather is quite nice down here. This really is hard. My pday is on Tuesdays.

So basically I am with the Spanish speaking missionaries so everything will be in Spanish. This is such a big change from
the MTC and I am really missing the MTC right now. 

The mission home was nice though. The mission presidents were really kind and made us dinner and breakfast this morning. Then the mission president interviewed everyone of us and got to know us better so he could know what companionships we would get into. then the companions of us four Mexico elders arrived and the president assigned us to our companions. I dont even know my companions names yet...sad, but then again I just met them a half hour ago.

On the layover at phoenix, it was supposed to be 45 min but we had maybe 2 minutes. So we got off the plane and started walking to the next terrminal and on the intercom it said that they were closing the terminal in 4 minutes. Then we started booking it in the airport. We were sprinting like crazy. We barely made it to the terminal and closed it when we walked in. Im so happy we made it or else that would have been bad. The flight landing in the Phoenix airport was also pretty scary. The dust storm and what not made the airplane go crazy. Tipping from side to side bumping us around. It was intense. And the guy on the plane sitting next to me said to me saying, "you were obedient at the mtc right?" and I said yep, and then he said we'll be safe. Another guy next to him earlier said " it makes you feel a lot better when you are sitting next to a missionary" I thought that was neat. hahaha

So I also can't look at mail until pdays either or email. This is going to be a rough and new change compared to the field. Tonight we
actually will be going out and proselyting. around dinner. Pday is
only from 10 to 6 on Tuesdays. so barely anytime compared to what I am used to. I wish I could have more to say but only been here for like 1 hour in the field.

I hope people are reading the book of mormon. I know you can finish it by the end of march. I also look forward to hearing about the
assignments you did on the Atonement.

Its sad to think that I wont be able to hear from you in a week from
now. I know this next week is going to be really tough and nerve
wrecking but I will pray for help. I know the Lord will help me here. I will need to find the reason why Heavenly Father wants me here in San Diego before I go to Mexico, even if I am a "greenie"

I love you Mom and Dad for everything that you have done for me. If it werent for you two, I wouldn't know where I would be. You have helped me so much and it is much appreciated. Its really hard being away from you...not going to lie... I feel alone..I love you so much and I wish I could just give you a great big hug that would never end. A hug would be so nice to have. Not for another 22 months though. And I just left my first companion Elder Fox and that was hard. Anyway sorry for being a little down. I love you all and I want you to stay strong.
Love Elder Loveland 

Should be getting my reassignment

Querido familia,

How are things going for all of you? Things are going pretty well here. So the news on when I get reassigned? Well we haven’t gotten our travel plans for Mexico so we definitely haven’t gotten our visas. I should be getting my reassignment on February 23rd. I’m actually really excited to get a second call! Such a fun event! :) 

So this past week, I had my goodbye with Wes. It was sad, but we will see each other in less than two years so it’s all good. He was really excited to go to San Antonio. 

My Spanish is getting a lot better still, as well as our lessons. Our lessons are directed by the spirit. We can tell that we are touching the teacher's life who is playing as the investigator. I wish you could be seeing me teach these lessons in Spanish. It would be the greatest thing. I want you all to see my progress. I’m trying to see if I can record a lesson on my camera, but I’m not sure yet. My teacher is going to go check and see if it’s ok. 

Something I learned this week is the Atonement. I know about it but I learned to apply it in every lesson that we teach. It is the central event of God's plan. Without the atonement, there would be no way for us to return to our Heavenly Father. The Atonement is so great, and I pray that we all try to learn more about it. I challenge all of you to study something about the atonement or just study it. Share with me or write down things for yourself what you have learned from it. The Atonement is central to everything. I promise you will gain a stronger love for the Savior and other people by studying the Atonement. It WILL bless your life.  

     

I’m happy for Elder Tesch and his mission call.

I’m really excited to call you all soon.  It’s going to be really weird talking to you, but I am really going to enjoy it.  I can’t wait to hear all of your voices.  I miss you all so so so much.

     

I'm pleased to hear you are all still reading the Book of Mormon.  Learn to love it as I have learned to love it.  I challenge all of you to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of March, no matter where you are in it.  Reading it at that pace will open your eyes, and you will understand the stories and teachings in it that much better.  When I read a lot at a time, I learn that much more.  It has helped me a lot.  I finished it about a week and a half ago.  I finished the Pearl of Great Price too.  Now I’m on page 104 of the Bible, and I also restarted the Book of Mormon in Spanish where I am at 2 Nefi 2.  I have been reading a whole lot.  The Book of Mormon is very important, and I want you all to have a testimony of it.  You learn more and more every time you read it.  I pray that you will find time to read and complete the Book of Mormon by the end of March.

     

I love you all and hope you read the Book of Mormon.  Stay strong.  I love you.

Love,

Elder Loveland

Might be temporarily assigned

Hola Familia!

     How are things going? Things are pretty good here. Something new is happening here though! Guess what!? Mexico is having problems with passports! :o Wes is getting reassigned temporarily to somewhere in the states. There is a highly likely chance that I will too in a couple weeks. So make some guesses within the states! :) Whatever happens with this I know it is Heavenly Fathers plan and I have accepted the fact. On the bright side if I go in the states temporarily, I will get mail quicker, send mail quicker, prepare my Spanish better for Mexico, and I can tell people I’m on a diet and they won’t get offended. So all is well :)

     I finished the Book of Mormon this past week and started the Pearl of Great Price. I’m only three pages away from being done with that too! I think I might start the Bible. I also started the Book of Mormon in Spanish and I’m in 1 Nefi 18 I believe.

     Spanish is getting better. Listening and speaking it is getting much better. So I’m liking the progress. Something I need is the Line of Authority, so if there is any way we can try again and send it to me, then it would be great. :) So my stay here is at least 2 and a half weeks. It could be more if I don’t get my visa and then I’ll be reassigned. My guess is Missouri probably because I had a dream here that I was going to be called there while I was here in the MTC. But that dream doesn’t have to be taken literally like that. It could also be that I am meant to go to the states before Mexico. I’m much more optimistic here now.

     Things are getting better even though it is kind of a blur. Same old stuff every day. But I am like a pro here at the MTC. I’m loving it. I may not like it here too much, but I do like the gym times, reading mail every night except on Sundays and sending mail quick rather than it will be in Mexico. So I need to cherish this time I have in the MTC before it changes a lot.

     Keep reading the Book of Mormon! I’m proud of you for reading it. It is the keystone of our religion. Read it, ponder it, and pray about it. I love you so much, and love all of your support. Expect a letter this next week. Have a happy valentine’s day. Remember I love each and every one of you so much. Stay strong and be optimistic. :)

     Querido Familia,

?Como le van?  Está bien aquí.  L idioma esta mas mejor que la semana pasada.  Hablan me sobre como sus vidas están.

     There is some Spanish for all of you.  It could be a bit better but people would understand what I’m saying.  Goggle translate might and most likely does not do a very good job at translating.  

     Anyway, how is everyone?  Every one doing well?  How is the Book of Mormon reading coming along?  Are people excited for Valentine’s Day?  By the way, Happy early Valentine’s Day!  I hope everyone has a good week.

     So there really is a chance that I will be temporarily be reassigned and a big one at that.  I guess it should be close.  They better not send me to Idaho or Nevada or that will be pretty depressing.  But I’m looking at the positives of it.

     I heard that there was a buck in the backyard, and someone shot it!  That is so awesome.  That sounded like a fun experience.  I wish I saw a buck down in Henderson.  Maybe some day.  Haha

     Good job mom with scrapbooking.  I know that takes a lot of work but we will all appreciate them so much throughout our lives.

     Good luck with the Valentine’s party.  Sorry to hear that a lot of people won’t be able to make it.  I’m sure it will be great through with whomever decides to go.

     I am pretty excited to leave the MTC.  I’m ready to start teaching out in the field.  Yes, this place helps out a lot, but I want to go change people’s lives.  This place is the same ol same ol everyday.  Every day here feels like a Monday with wearing church clothes, except for Thursdays and Sundays.  Those feel a little different.  P-day is what kind of keeps us sane, as with letters at night and one hour of personal time each night.  It’s so important for us to have these or else people would go insane.  Haha

     I miss you all and love you all so much.  Keep reading the Book of Mormon, keep praying as a family ,keep looking and feeling the Spirit.  Stay strong.  Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works.  I love you, and Happy Valentine’s Day.