Having Faith.....

Nov. 15th, 2011
I had a great day on Sunday. I feel like I'm learning more about faith. So Sunday we stopped by three houses on the way to Church to wake people up for Church. We stopped by an investigators house to pick them up...But...they were not there. So just as we started to loose all hope and leave, a boy came out in a suit and looked all ready to go to Church. We asked him if he really was going to Church? He responeded with a no way...(so why was he in a suit?)...so we talked with him and soon he changed his mind and came with us to church. His name is Jesus, he is 10 years old, and a great kid. He loved Church!! And seemed to have had a great experience. So we will see what comes out of this. But I will continue in faith always having hope.

Scorpions..Scorpions..Scorpions....

Found in the bathroom of the Church, and everyone was going crazy !! To tell you the truth it was a little creepy.

Halloween In Valparisio...

Oct. 31st, 2011
They actually don't celebrate Halloween here. The kids all dress up, but that's about it, it's very interesting! But yesterday was our District Meeting, and as usual it was great. It was exciting to see the new white missionaries that have come to our mission. They are the newest ones to come since my group arrived 7 months ago!! I can really see the difference that 7 months makes in all aspects. Especially the language! Wow I feel so blessed to have this time in the mission field, and I really can't imagine a world where I didn't know Spanish!! I testify that the gift of tongues is real. It is amazing how fast we learn the language. I am thankful for the things that I have learned, and the experiences of my Mission so far. All the little things, and life lessons, that seem so obvious now. I know the Lord has his time, and what we need to do is to obey the Commandments and learn as we go.

LOTS OF GREAT TIMES HERE IN MEXICO...........

Sept 13 2011 Strength in Brotherhood

I find so much strength and encouragement from the Elders in my District. They are great! I am thankful that we are serving together for the same cause. It is an awesome experience! And did I mention that we have a great time together....it is pretty fun!

Sept 19 2011 INTERESTING BUS RIDES!!

It's a 1-1/2 to 2 hour bus ride to church one way to the town of Fresno, Zacatecas, Mexico. So yesterday we were late for the bus to bring us home after church, so we had to wait 2 hours for the next bus! So once we got on the bus, we were planning on resting and sleeping, but a man came up to us and said, "Oh my beautiful missionaries". It was obvious he had been drinking, and he said he was a member but could not stop drinking. He sat by us the whole bus ride, and talked the whole time! My companion and I were trying to stay awake and listen, but the natural man got a hold of us, including the drunk, and we all fell asleep! But we came to laugh about it later, as we left the bus. It was another interesting experience.

Sept 19 2011 First week in Valparaiso

Well I have had some really good experiences here in Valparaiso in just one week! Hopefully a family we are teaching is really getting close to baptism, they are a great family! On Saturday we helped a Brother build a grave....now that was interesting....it is made of all marble and concrete. But it was a good experience. We taught him about tithing, and the blessings that come with being a tithe payer, and encouraged him to live the law of tithing. He knew he needed to, and then yesterday at church he payed his tithing. I think that we are going to see a lot of blessings in this area.

Sept 13 2011 TRANSFERRED!! Valparaiso, Zacatecas, Mexico

So I went from a Ward with about 70 or 80 people, to a branch that has about 45 people at church, and we have a prayer house, not a chapel! I'll just say it will be interesting, but I think we will see a lot of blessings in this little branch. All I know it's green here, a big change from where I was before. But ya, I am the furthest South you can go in my Mission boundaries, and I am actually really excited!

Work continues in Chapala.............

A day in the Mission Field.......Paradise!

August Training Meeting

August 8, 2011

Well this week was pretty good, we worked really hard. I attended a leadership training meeting, and I learned a lot. The two things that stuck out to me, while at the training meeting was the purpose that God has for us and what our purpose is while here on earth. The purpose of God is to bring to past the Immortality and Eternal Life of man, that is his work and his Glory. And our purpose is to become like him, to love, and serve one another, and to teach and grow in knowledge. I am thankful that I have the opportunity and blessing to be constantly reminded of these principles, and then to go forth as a Missionary and teach them to others. I love being a Missionary!

This is my Mission Boundries

TORREON MEXICO! Torreon is about 850 miles south of the Arizona/Mexico border. Mission boundaries go south, almost to Mexico City, and west, almost to Mazatlan Mexico, and east almost to Monterey Mexico. The climate here is hot in the summer reaching 100 degrees or more, but because it is high desert, it can freeze in the winter. Our elevation in Torreon is over 3,200 ft. Population is about 610,000.

Things you might see in a shopping center.........

April 18, 2011

So my Companion and I had gone into town one day to pickup a few things. We were surprised to see this Army tank parked in the parking lot just "chillin". I guess it is something that you have to get used to. I will admit it felt really strange, and made me feel uneasy. But I guess I will see a lot worse.

MI FAMILIA IN THE MTC

So this is my new family while I am here at the MTC. These are my Brethen, the Elders in my Zone. It is the weirdest thing, because when I sat down and really looked at everyone, it was like I had already met them all before, and I already had a love for them. They are great!! Top Row left to right- Elder Orr, Elder Carter, Elder Kennedy, Elder Simms Bottom Row- Elder Bohman, Elder Pack, Elder Strong, Elder Peterson, Elder Seiter, Elder Porter January 31, 2011

SUPPORT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS

I have been reflecting on the events in my life and the wonderful family and friends I have had in my life.  Thank you for your support.  I thought I knew everything before my mission, I thought I was a man, I thought I would just go on a Mission just to say I did.  But its not like that, its not like that at all.  Its the biggest change of life I've ever had, its the biggest blessing I have ever experienced. I consider it a Honor to serve the Lord, and teach others about the Savior..  May 16, 2011

GOODBYE ADDIOS GOODBYE

January 26th 2011, a day I will probably NEVER forget!! It was the day I entered the MTC. I had already said my goodbyes to friends and family in Arizona, and had experienced those feelings already, now it was time to say Goodbye to my Parents, and Gramps Allen. It was very hard, ecspecially for my Mom, but we all tried to stay strong. I will give my Mom credit though, at least she didn't try to follow me in, which I was a little afraid of. One last hug, and before I knew it, me and my luggage were now inside the MTC, and life as I knew it would never be the same!!!!!!

CELEBRATING MY 20th BIRTHDAY IN THE MISSION FIELD

 So my Birthday was fun, we worked as usual and then that night we went and had Tacos and Cake with a Sister in the ward. Ya, they have some ridiculous traditions here! Well they first have to pour a bucket of water on you and then you have to take a bite out of the Cake and obviously they push your face in the cake!  So I was soaking wet, and had cake all in my face! It was ridiculous!

July 2011

FIRST BAPTISM !!!!!!!!!!!!

So I have some big news! I'm pretty sure that we are going to Baptize this Sister on Sunday!

 WOOO!!! Our first baptism as companions, and my first Baptism as a Missionary!! I believe that I am going to baptize her! 

 What a Blessing for me!

June 2011

ELDER FRANCO ....... MY COMPANION

My new companion is Elder Franco, he is a Native, and he doesn't really speak English, so I will learn alot more Spanish!! He is really cool. I think this will be a positive change for me.  I just want to let all those who are thinking about serving a Mission, know that it is hard, but it is also the funnest thing I've ever done.  This joy isn't  just for right now, I will be able to feel this joy for the rest of my life.  I will be able to know that I have brought God's children to him.

May 2011

THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE OF TORREON

TESTIMONIES AND HUMBLE HEARTS

So we still have no investigators but we knocked on this door and the lady let us in, and we started teaching her and her daughter, that is like 26 or so, and we had a really a good lesson. We often times have really good lessons but when we come back they aren't there, but anyway,  I had a chance to testify and the spirit was so strong! When I was testifying the Mom was crying! I don't even know Spanish that well yet, I just know that the Lord speaks through the spirit. I was testifying of Jesus Christ, and the Book of Mormon. But it was a good experience. I love visiting with members! They are the best, really, they really have a Testimony of this Gospel and they are humble. I love this area a lot, I love the people, they are so nice,  I love Mexico, it is crazy and such, but all the people have such a big heart! I love my zone, I love my zone leaders, they are a huge blessing in my life. April 2011

LEARNING TO LOVE THE FOOD

"Yes!!! I had Cow Stomach...... it was easily the most gross thing I have ever had !!!! I gaged when I put it in my mouth !!  April 2011

 

Actually, this is one thing I haven't tried yet .

P-DAY IN TORREON