Week 48

I like getting creative with my food sometimes....:)

Well, it's been quite the crazy week to be honest and there is so much to say that I don't think I can go into much detail but I'll mention a little of what's happened.

First for the transfers, my companion Elder Torres and I stayed in the same house together, but since they closed a house here in our ward, our area just got a lot bigger and more complicated. Also, our District Leader left with his house closing, and I was called as the new one! What a privilege it is to be a leader and I hope I can do well to serve the Lord!

Next we had a worldwide training broadcast for all missionaries all over the world, and it was live to almost the whole world (except those who were sleeping watched in the morning). Elders Anderson, Bednar, and Christoffersen of the Twelve gave talks and it was super cool. I especially liked the talk by Elder Bednar where he explained how we aren`t intellectually capable of mission work, which is why the most important thing we need/have to do is be worthy of the spirit. And if we are worthy of His spirit, we will be successful as missionaries, regardless of how many lessons we teach, or how many baptisms we have. Although there is a correlation between obedience and those things, it isn`t always the case.

Unfortunately, Ivan has let himself and the Lord down as he has failed to be obedient to his mother, so we had to drop his baptism date for now. We are going to be persistent with him and ready for when he truly has the desire to change because that's the only way he'll ever be able to be baptized. I know he will, it's just a matter of time.

Elder Torres and me with our new Bicicletas! (his because another Elder left it,
mine isn't new, I just fixed it up and traded out a seat from another bike)

We worked super hard this week to make it to all of our appointments along with all the appointments the other Elders left us, which was super hard and we were super busy all week, but I am amazed to see what we've accomplished, much thanks to the other Elders who paved the way. We now have a family of 5 (4 above 8 years which can be baptized) called the Ramirez Family who are super awesome and made it to church yesterday for their 3rd time! Their baptism date is the 21st of February, if all goes well :D Next we now have two young men who told us they are always available to accompany us, which helps a ton and they will be blessed for their efforts. Also we have two new young women who have attended church many times and are close to baptism. One wants to make sure her Dad can make it and he barely ever has time off, the other works on Sunday, but committed to ask for it off or trade. Finally a young 17-year-old who is a brother of a recent convert has been preparing himself for baptism for quite a while now and even gave up smoking and drinking addictions for it. He has a baptism date for the 7th of Februrary!!!

New way of communication while riding, works amazingly well, and it's fun:)

Bike fixed up!

4 Bikes now!!! Thank Elders:P

The weather has been challenging lately because it's super cold at night and in the morning, but gets up to 80-90 during the day! It's impossible to plan what to wear:p Anyways, I am super excited to work hard another week and see more miracles!

They left us a bunch of stuff, including a tiger! haha!

Week 47

We went to a cool part of my area where you can see all the hills.
It's hard to see in the picture, but they are far behind me. :)

Alright well, this week has been crazy busy! It was one of the best weeks I've ever had on the mission to be honest. The bad news though is that we had to move the baptism of the young man Ivan up a couple weeks because he wasn't being completely obedient to his mom's rules, so she said she wouldn't give permission until he shows he is truly ready to take on such a responsibility. And she's right because if he can't keep the rules his mom sets for him, it'll be that much harder to keep the commandments our Father in Heaven has given to protect us. We have been working closely with him and set goals, so we are hopeful he will be baptized the 30th of January:) It was hard at first when we had to cancel the baptism, but I was able to receive the comfort I needed through prayer, study, and hard work. I realized that it isn't the date of the baptism that matters, but the changes he is making in his life. 

Morning bike trip was a success, what a beautiful sunrise!
And a creepy abandoned tower:D

Well, this week was the last week of my son, Elder Torres's training. He's all grown up! It really flew by, but I am so happy to have had this time with him and I hope we will continue together as companions. This transfer end, President Bird changed the way we run things. I still don't know if I am going to be transferred. They are going to tell us everything tonight and tomorrow we have to be in the offices at 7:30 in the morning to start heading to our new areas. Basically, if I am going to move, I won't be sleeping tonight since I'll have to pack and with the distance we would have to leave by around 6 at the latest. We'll see what happens, I'll let you know next week! All I know is they are closing one of the houses in our area, so at least 2 of us in the District will be leaving. It isn't our house, though, so it isn't likely we'll change. At least, I hope not!

Last P-Day with the District! I'll miss whoever leaves:,)

I can't believe my big sister is getting married!!! Congrats Krystina and Ryan! :D I am super impressed with the way he asked her, so cute! I hope to be able to watch the video next week, but from the pictures, it looks like it was quite the proposal. I love the ring in the rose, it's so beautiful:) Anyways I wish I had more time but today has been a little interesting with all the hype about the new transfer schedule. Love you all!

I made a "sincronizada" (what they call here a quesadilla with jam:P)

Week 46

Craisins!!!

Well, I am entering the last week as a trainer already!! My son (Elder Torres) is growing up so fast! This week has been great! First of all, thank you all for your love, support, and prayers. I can feel the difference as the Lord answers your prayers:) I have been improving little by little and this week I was able to work hard as normal, which is most important! This week we have worked closely with Ivan and he will be baptized this Sunday the 17th of January!!! We are super excited and will do our best to continue supporting him and preparing the baptism. Also last Monday we had a Family Night with the Hernandez Family, who had been inactive for a while, but have been returning little by little. We gave a lesson on keeping the sabbath day holy and got to know the family better. It was a blast and to our great joy almost the whole family made it to church yesterday:D It's amazing to see that as we place ourselves as tools in the Lord's hands, he works miracles through the Holy Ghost that guides our everyday lives. We had two other Family Nights as well with member families and have many more planned this week. It is part of a new plan to strengthen the members first, which will help the search efforts and overall hasten the work.

Oatmeal Pancakes!!
Never tried it but it looks good and it's healthy:D

Jello in 5 different flavors.
I don't know why I never made this stuff before:P

My piano music binder I started!!!

Nothing out of the ordinary here..¡asi es la vida misional!

Week 45

Tacos of Egg, Mushroom, Potato and Tuna Fish.
A little peculiar, but they're things I can eat and it tasted awesome!

Well, things are going a lot better I must say. I have completely recovered from the Vertigo and everything and now I just have the original stomach problems to deal with, but I am still on a strict diet and taking medication to hopefully heal it up. I should be returning to the doctor that oversaw me at the hospital this Friday, to have a check-up to see if I need to continue with the same medication and diet or not. I'll keep you posted for sure, but don't worry, I know the Lord is blessing me because I have been able to quickly recover and get back to work which is most important.

Anyways, enough about me, this week has been amazing!!! First of all, our President let us listen to Christmas music another week, so I was super happy getting ready in the mornings to Pentatonix and Michael Buble:D. Also, for New Years, I was able to get a hold of a bottle of Sparkling Cider to celebrate with my companion and two other Elders in my district. It is really hard to find here, but a family in our ward had been gifted a 3 pack of the big bottles, and after commenting about how much I love it and that it's a tradition in our family to drink it at midnight, and asking where I could find one here, they insisted I take one since they only can be found in Walmart or Sam's Club, which aren't here in Cadereyta. Long story short, the tradition continues!! We made pancakes New Year's Eve and then on New Year's Day we were practically forced food upon us all day because they have a tradition here to cook a ton of food New Year's Day:)

Outside of festivities and the very best part of the week was the experiences we had with our investigator Ivan and a recent convert Edgar who's good friends with Edgar. Ivan has been progressing quite well and if all goes well will be baptized the 17th of January! We met his family finally since before we taught him in the house of Edgar. His mom invited us New Year's Eve to eat so we got to know his family better. Then with Edgar, we've also been visiting him quite a lot and he shared with us of some mistakes he's made and wanted our help and counsel to know what to do. One lesson in particular when I think back, I don't know how I said the things I said and shared the scriptures I shared because it came directly from the spirit:) Anyways, he has been able to start the repentance process and even talked with the Bishop yesterday. I am happy he had the courage to confess and begin his journey to a better life! We have been becoming very close to Edgar, Ivan, and also a member named Omar, Ivan's cousin. They are all 17 years old so we can relate really well to their lives and their trials and help them through our own experiences we went through at their age. I know we were sent here by revelation to be able to share these experiences because I have seen the power and spirit in action in their lives. I can't take any credit because I know it's the Holy Ghost who testifies and causes them understand, and for that I am so grateful. I am excited to continue working hard and seeing these miracles come to pass and hope I can do all the Lord expects of me. Happy New Year everyone, love you!!!

I made Jello again, but this time with a cocktail of fruits molded in!
(I know - how creative :P)

Week 44

This was by far my favorite gift...MATH IS THE BOMB!

Well, I thought things couldn't get any worse, but it turns out I was wrong...I got vertigo pretty bad on Christmas Eve! I didn't even see it coming, especially after so many other things I have had happen. Luckily again I was able to see a ton of support from the members of my ward as well as the other missionaries and even President and Hermana Bird :) I am happy to say that I am recovering well from the Vertigo. Today I even got back on the bike for a little while with only a little bit of dizzyness. Anyways, now I can focus on getting healthy fully, so I can give my all to the Lord once again.

On Tuesday, our Zone held a stand in a neighborhood market where we handed out hot chocolate for free and sang hymns. I loved that activity a lot and could feel the spirit super strong:) The best part of my week though of course was Skyping the family!!! It was so nice to see everyone and I felt like we were able to use the time a little better since we had more prepared to talk about:D

On Sunday, our District basically ran the show for sacrament meeting. I played the piano, Hermana Sousa led the music, and the other 4 missionaries gave talks! It was super cool actually and I loved the talks they gave. Anyways, I am just super excited to get back to work and see what this new year can bring:) 

More gifts from my family!

I LOVE MINIONS!!