Sergio got baptized!

My week has gone pretty well.  First off, I want to tell you to thank the Elders Quorum for sending a letter to me.    How has your week gone?  Anything new happen?

Well for me, I will tell you why my week went pretty well.  Sergio got baptized on Sunday.  So here is the story.  The zone leaders were wondering why he kept losing all of his baptismal dates.  I told them why.  Then they said, “Well, if he doesn’t change, then you need to drop him.”  So I told him on Sunday, the previous Sunday, about what the zone leaders had said.  So, I gave him a choice.  “We can drop you right now or do you want a week to change?  And if we don’t see a change we will have to drop you.”  He said the one week so we went with it.  We went back to his house two days later with the District President.  The District President, President Macios is his friend and we actually found Sergio through him.  Sergio was excited to see us.  He told us that he hadn’t smoked or drank coffee in two days.  Oh and this happened on Tuesday.  He ended up putting up his own baptismal date for Sunday.  We were shocked, or at least I was.  President and us were really happy.  So we went with that good.  Then every day after we visited him.  He looked so happy and excited to see us.  He told us that he hadn’t smoked or broken the word of wisdom.  He said that he felt better inside and out for everyday more that he went.  His desire to read the Book of Mormon sky rocketed.  (Last time we checked he was in Jacob 2.  He probably isn’t even in Jacob anymore.)  Then eventually came Saturday.  We had the interview for Sergio in the church.  Elder Turley came and interviewed him.  He passed!!!  I was so happy.  During the week we prepared for his baptism.  So the next day he got baptized.  We had a good attendance there.  The following hour he received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Later on that day, we visited him as a member of the church.  He was really happy.  We talked to him for a bit.  He said that he felt good.  He said that he didn’t remember really getting tempted anymore and he is already doing missionary work.  He has been talking with family, friends and neighbors.  He has been sharing his testimony about the Book of Mormon with them, and he has invited them to read it.  Right now I am just super content.  Sergio specifically, has been worth my entire mission.  This has been such an amazing experience seeing him really change his life completely, in many aspects.  I am so grateful for this experience and I wish you all, Elder Hartmann and Ashley could have been there.  The gospel changes lives.  Remember that!

I’m happy you met Elder, I mean M Hartmann.  Let me know how dinner goes with his family.

Thanks for the gratitude message.  You definitely learn to be more grateful for things while you are on your mission. 

I love you all.  Do good, stay strong and share the gospel!

Almost consider myself fluent in Spanish

How is everyone?!  

How was Elder Hartmann’s homecoming?  Have you talked with him yet?  He seriously is my favorite companion. 

Good to hear that the Veteran’s Day breakfast went well.  I was hoping that it would.

You went to Aunt E’s and Uncle L’s?   I’m sure they appreciated it.  That stake conference sounds really neat.  I wish I could have heard that.  The apostles and President Monson have said that the Lord is hastening us.  I too am excited to hear the new numbers.  Every day we are getting closer to the second coming.  We need to prepare ourselves now and not procrastinate. 

I did hear about President Obama being re-elected.  I was pretty bummed to hear that.  The country is going downhill.  He better change something quickly.

Hawaii?!  You are lucky!  I wonder how it is there.  That’s good that you (Mom and Dad) will have some alone time.  

I don’t mind if you ask me questions.  I actually like it when you do ask me questions.  I just don’t like it when you say I’m not giving enough details.  I only have a certain amount of time in the day to do the things I need to do. 

How are all the other missionaries in the ward?  Are there any new mission calls?  How many calls are waiting right now?

So this week was pretty tough.  We received a new rule in the mission, that we can only teach investigators with a member present, or we have to take them to the church to teach them.  This is especially more tough with the area that I am in.  Small area with a super small branch.  So it’s been a huge struggle this week having to turn down appointments when the member doesn’t show up.  Plus the members here work until 6 or 7 at night.  So yeah.  We are doing our absolute best here and being exactly obedient.

Sergio went two and a half days without smoking before he relapsed.  We told him that we need to see a change in him this week or we will have to drop him.  The zone leaders have been wondering why his baptismal dates have fallen through.  So if we don’t see a change this week, we will have to drop him.  Please keep him in your prayers for him to make the change.

Also tonight, we are going to put a baptismal date with Jessica for December 8^th.  Our leaders want investigators to attend church three times now before baptism.  The statistics are the more times they attend church before baptism, the more likely they will be active members in the church.

My Spanish is getting a lot better.  I keep getting more comments on how I speak and know a lot more Spanish.  I can almost consider myself fluent in Spanish.  One more month and I will be there.  I’m super excited for that day.

Anyway, thank you so much for your love, support and prayers.  They really do help me a lot.  I love you so much and I can’t wait for the day when I can give you all a great big long hug.  Do good, prepare for a mission, and endure to the end.

Make the days count

How was everyone’s week?  Have you talked to or seen Elder Hartmann lately?  I really miss him a lot.  I can say he was my best companion so far.  All the time here while I’m in Villa Hidalgo, tons of memories of us two just pop into my mind.  It makes me a bit depressed.  He was so good to me and taught me so many things.  Also, it doesn’t help when people here bring up his name.  There are some points in the day where I am on the verge of crying.  I hide it though and smile all the time.  My companion isn’t a smiler but he appreciates the smile I always have.  It’s hard to hide my feelings but I do it. 

Well now I am a trainer to Elder Montiel who is from Mexico City.  On top of that responsibility I am also a district leader. 

First, I’m a trainer.  My new greenie, Elder Montiel is twenty five years old.  He is obedient to the rules.  He knows a bit of English, about as much Spanish as I knew entering the MTC.  That’s a tad bit difficult.  We can communicate though.  He also participates in the lessons a ton.  Almost too much, but it is good he is trying.  He is also pretty humble.  He is in the middle of three brothers.  His older brother served a mission, and his younger brother entered the field the same day he did, but his brother is in another part of Mexico.  As the trainer, I’m training his with just about everything, from cleaning the house, lessons, scriptures, rules, to not saying he doesn’t like the food at member’s houses.  I also teach his the area, planning, diligence, etc.

As a district leader I have to report to the zone leaders that my district is in the house by nine at night.   Then I have to get reports from the other companionship in my district that work in San Blas every night.  Then after that, I call the zone leaders to give them the report of the district.  Also three or four times a month on Tuesdays, I give the district meetings.  Also when San Blas needs to get an investigator interviewed for baptism, I go interview the investigator.  Let’s just say I have a ton more responsibilities now. 

I haven’t received the Thanksgiving package yet but thank you.

The kids better be good to mom.  Help her out with cleaning.  Do what you can for her before you leave on your mission.  Trust me…  You only have her for a short time and then you grow up.  It’s a bit depressing, thinking that I’m not going to be able to be able to live in the house with her, dad or the kids anymore.  Time flies.  A little quote for a mission but also for life:  “Don’t count the days.  Make the days count.”  Don’t have regrets and remember President Uchtdorf’s talk from general conference.  Love each other and make the days count. 

I’m not sure if you have seen Elder Hartmann yet, but if you have I hope you enjoy the surprise. 

 My Spanish has improved.  I wonder why?  Probably because that is all I can speak to communicate with people besides an American in my district, Elder Longhurst.  I also have an American Zone Leader, Elder Turby.  Elder Turby was actually in my MTC district.  He was also my companion two days.  Haha

We have another investigator names Jessica.  She has a baptism date set for November 24^th.  I believe she will be baptized before Sergio.  It’s just that Sergio isn’t quitting his addiction.  It’s been pretty disappointing with him. 

 Anyway, I love you all a lot.  Please pray for Jessica, Sergio, Antonio, Xochitl (?), and Sandy.  They are our main investigators that we are working with.  Do good, stay strong and make the days count!

Ready to teach

Querida Familia,

How is everyone? Again, thank you all for the package and for my birthday. It really did go well. Thank you so much. I also did get a ton of emails two weeks ago.

Well today, I actually head up to Guadalajara. I will be staying the night there, and I will be picking my new son up tomorrow. I will be training. This will be interesting, but it is what I need and it is time. This will be training me as well. I will learn more in this part of the mission, more than any other part so far. Im ready! Im going to teach him worth ethic, obedience, and the missionary purpose. The next transfer will be tough, but I will remain positive and teach my greenie how to be an effective missionary. I will be setting his trends for the rest of my mission, and how his mission is, is going to effect him for the rest of his life.

We have more investigators now. We have two with a date right now. Could you please pray for Xochitl to have her and her husband married and for her husband to want to marry her. They have been together for 22 years now. Also continue to pray for Sergio to be able to conquer his addiction. We also have a few other people to work with now. We have a woman named Jessica that seems like she will be baptized this month.

I enjoyed seeing all of the Halloween pictures. Haha

Once again, you are asking for more details and more things about my mission… I do not like it. I do not have the time to write a book. I keep my journal, but I don’t have enough time to write all the details and make a book. I can either spend a lot of time writing and break that mission rule, or I can write the time that I'm given and not break the mission rule. I'm going to obey the rule. Please please please. I'm trying to write you with the time I have and I'm being exactly obedient.

Elder took home a surprise for you and hopefully that will help you know more about my life here too. He also wants to spend time with you guys in a couple weeks, he was saying, so that he could let you know about Villa Hidalgo and our experiences together.

Anyway, I love you all. Do good, be obedient, and stay strong.

My future "son"

Thank you all for the birthday wishes!  I really appreciated it.  My week went pretty well, and a bit shocking and nerve wrecking!  Hahaha  We had interviews this week and on my birthday we were in Guadalajara going to the temple.  I also got the package there when we were in the mission office.

It’s going to be hard having Elder Hartmann leaving.  He has been really good to me.  His homecoming talk will be November 18^th at 11:00.  I will be getting a new companion on Monday.  This is where it gets pretty interesting… In interviews, President Wagner asked me if I was ready for a responsibility.  I took in a deep breath and said that I am still not comfortable with my Spanish, but that I would do whatever the Lord wants and asks of me.  He said that the Spanish won’t be something too big.  He said that I will train a native.  He said that the main part of me training him is that I teach a missionary obedience, work ethic and how to be a good missionary.  He said that it will be a great responsibility and that it will affect the greenie for the rest of his mission.  I am really nervous, but I know this is what I need and what the Lord wants.  “The trainer learns more than the trainee.”  I have heard that from President and I know it’s true just by seeing Elder Hartmann.  Now we will see what the future brings with my future “son”.  Haha  I’m going to be a father  in the mission. 

The white shirts I need are short sleeve, 16 ½ inch neck, and medium.  Thank you. 

How is the presidential election going there in the U.S.?  I hope Mitt Romney wins.

So about the temple….we did a Spanish session because it’s all they have.  We also went to the sealing of Elder Hartmann’s converts. 

I can’t believe I have officially been out on my mission for more than ten months now.  Time flies.  Before I know it, I’ll be out eleven months and then a year!

Sergio’s baptism didn’t go through.  Elder Hartmann and I have been pretty disappointed.  Sergio relapsed and smoked a couple days consecutively.  We are praying that he will be able to end it.

The Day of the Dead is coming up so I will let you know if there is anything worth writing about that.  Haha

I will also let you know about my new companion in a couple weeks and let you know how things are going with him.  

I love you all and pray for you.  Do good, stay strong and serve others.  Love ya!

I won't have a birthday

How is everyone doing?  I hope everything is going well there. 

My week has gone pretty well.  The baptism for Sergio should be this upcoming Friday.  I was hoping it would be on Saturday (my birthday).  We can’t though because Elder Hartmann  wants to go to Guadalajara for a convert’s sealing on my birthday.  I am basically sacrificing my birthday this year .  I’m not going to be in my area nor am I going to be with anyone that I know besides Elder Hartmann.  He can only go if I go with him there and back which will cost about $70 in American money.  It’s been tough thinking about how I won’t have a birthday but I am making this sacrifice for Elder Hartmann.  If you could, could you put more money in for travels, and also I bought a memory card so you won’t have to send me one.  Thanks!  On the bright side, I will be able to go to the temple and go in, which is a once in a mission thing in this mission.  I could possibly get my packages on Wednesday too. 

The weather is finally cooling down a tiny bit.  The rainy season ended but it was strong for about three months. 

Please tell Grandpa B, “Happy Birthday” for me on Friday.

When does A get his patriarchal blessing?  It’s exciting to hear that he could possibly go on a mission next year.  The only bad thing is that I wouldn't see him leave and I won’t be able to see him three more years. 

Wish Allen, "Good luck for me and tell him that he is making the best decision of his life so far.  Tell him that I love him and that I will write him when I am done with my mission".

We might be getting a house check up  this week.  We still hadn’t gotten one.  Don’t worry!  We keep our house clean.

The situation with the members is getting better here.  We are gaining more and more trust.  People are more kind to us and they help us out a lot more now.  Thanks for the prayers considering the members here.

I killed a chicken last week or it was two weeks ago but I couldn't give details.  So we went to a less active’s house.  We grabbed our chicken and put it in a metal thing.  We slowly cut the head off while we were holding it.  Then the blood started running down and I had the head in my hand.  It still seemed alive.  The beak was opening and closing when it was in my hand.  It looked as if it were gasping for air and the body was going crazy, so I had to hold it still at its legs.  Then we skinned our chickens.  Then we fried it and ate it for lunch.  That was a fun pday activity.  Now I can say that I have killed a chicken.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this new way of writing.  (He’s taking pictures of his hand written letters and sending those since he doesn’t have much computer time.)  I love you all so much.  Stay strong, do good, and do what the Lord wants you to do.

New rule

Bad news... New rule.. Only 30 minutes on the computer each week. So emails are going to be much shorter. You can still send emails to me before and I will print them off. I will send pictures of my letters that I will send each week. I will respond to emails a week later from what I receive. So I will read the emails today and throughout the week and I will respond to them through a picture of letters that I am going to write. I'm not too happy with this change, but I must move forward and adjust to the circumstances.

 

Please keep praying for Sergio. We believe he will getting baptized on my birthday weekend. He is getting better with the smoking. He is going 7-8 days at a time without him smoking.

 

We did watch conference in the Santiago district building. There was a little English room for all the American missionaries. I loved Elder Holland, Elder Uchtdorf, and Elder Nelson's talks. The part I liked about Elder Nelson's talk was his quote. "Ask the missionaries! They can help you." Its true. The missionaries know a lot and can help you with almost anything. I challenge you all to come up with a question or some type of service and ask the missionaries in your ward. They can help you. :)

 

Also, in the next package that you send, I am in desperate need of at least two more memory cards and some new white shirts. My shirts have been stained orange on the sleeves and collar because of sunscreen. It looks horrible. Also snacks are okay to send according to other Elders. Just make sure to put Virgin Mary stickers on it, and to put Virgin Mary's neck over the seals of the package.

 

I love you so much. Stay strong and be good!

If you're interested in sending him a package let me know.  I'll get you his address.  :)