Week 35

I bought some minion-themed items in a cool store called Hemsa!

This week a ton has happened to be honest. The biggest is that I found out last night that I'm going to be transferring areas for the first time in my mission! I have been in my first area for 7 months now, so I'm definitely ready for a change, but I'll definitely miss all my investigators, the wonderful members, and friends I've made. I still don't know where I'm going or who I'll be with. I'll find that out tomorrow morning during the transfers meeting. Last night was crazy since I found out at 10:30 that I needed to pack everything up and so I rushed around last night until around 12:30 a.m. to get as much done as possible, since there will be hardly any time tonight or tomorrow morning to pack. I'm glad to say that I have it all packed up except for the few things I need tonight and to wear tomorrow.

Oh and I bought a new tie at Hemsa too:)

Alright, so one super cool experience we had this week was last Tuesday we were given a little bit of money to eat lunch, since the sister assigned for our meal didn't have time to fix it for us. My companion suggested we go to Carl's Jr. since there just so happens to be one in our area, close to the airport. (Yes the airport has been in my area here the whole time, but I've never been there and don't think it's allowed). My companion was craving it ever since we arrived here and we pass it every week to go to church. We arrived and were just about to open the door when our cell phone rang. It was one of the secretaries of the mission, who asked us if we could go give a blessing to a member who was in the hospital. It just so happened that the hospital was just on the other side of the street! I know that wasn't a coincidence. Then upon entering the hospital, we couldn't find anyone to ask where to find the patient because there wasn't a main desk or anything, only separate departments with long lines of sick and injured people waiting for their turn. We waited for what seemed like forever and finally were able to ask, but the lady needed more information from us to be able to find the elderly woman we were seeking. We went back outside, discouraged after having waited so long, but to our surprise a woman came up to us and asked us if we were looking for someone named Dolores. Turns out it was the member's daughter! Wow, what a miracle that was! We entered with her and she asked if we could pass, to give her mom a blessing. They said we would have to wait an hour until she is moved, so we left to eat at Carl's Jr. and come back after the hour had passed. Finally, we were permitted to pass and give the blessing. The fragile lady was obviously in pain, but drew a smile as we approached since she had been waiting for us. Turns out she's one of the only members in her family, but had faith in the power of the priesthood and so she requested a blessing. It was an amazing experience for us and I know that our Heavenly Father was watching over us and guiding us that day without a doubt.

Also, this week it started cooling down finally! It got down to 72 degrees outside, which felt amazing since we've still been in the high 80's and 90's for the last month or so. I'm loving the cooler weather, although it still feels hot when the sun comes out, at least the mornings, and nights are cool finally. We finally got our boiler fixed this week and so I took my first hot shower since I left the MTC! Although it hasn't been too bad since it's been super hot all the time, but now that it's cooler in the mornings, it was super amazing to shower with hot water. The next day we ran out of gas for the boiler though, since we hadn't filled the tank and didn't know how much we had. So it was a cold shower today and will be tomorrow. Oh well, I don't mind cold showers too much. I just feel bad for my poor companion who can't stand cold showers.

This week we were let down once again with none of our investigators making it to church. I was pretty disappointed, but I need to have patience and recognize that they have their agency and I need to respect it and find those who are willing to act upon the messages we share and not just let them fly over their heads as if nothing happened. I'm leaving the area now though and so I'm hoping that I'll have better luck finding, in a new area, people who are truly prepared and willing to act. I am super nervous for the changes, but I have faith that the Lord will send me where I am needed and where I will be tested and tried in the ways that I need to be able to grow into the missionary and person he desires me to become.

My companion is obsessed with collecting these little Disney figurines.

He gave me the ones he received double of, since they come in little random packets.

I love my little Olaf!!!

Week 34

I don't know if I mentioned it, but I broke our last fridge and we've been living without one for a month now...
but we finally got a new one this week!! I have been dying without milk :P

Well, it's only been a few days since the last time I wrote, but there's always so much that happens here in the mission that I could write for hours and hours if the time given permitted it. This week my companion and I worked really hard to both find new investigators that are willing and able to come to church as well as encourage those we already have of the importance of going. After all the visits we made and people we contacted, we were left disappointed yesterday once again with no investigators in church. It was a little hard on me, especially with the ones I was absolutely sure would make it like Kerena and Ismael, Ruben, Jonatan (a new investigator) and Antonio. I've been pondering a lot lately about why sometimes our labors don't seem to bring any results, and I've been able to feel comfort in that although I may not always see direct results or at least in the magnitude I would desire, the little part of the Lord's grand work I put in does make a difference, but the Lord brings it to pass in his own time and in his own ways.

Before continuing I want to share an awesome story that happened just this last Saturday; I call it "The Miracle Pizza". We had been given a little bit of money at lunch time because the family that was assigned to provide us with our meal wasn't going to be home to be able to receive us. My companion and I decided to eat a light snack in the house and save it for later since there are a lot more options at night time to eat, then we went out to work again. After arriving home a little after 9, we called in an order of pizza from "Mutcha Pizza", but they said it would be a little bit of a wait, in fact, my companion told me an hour and a half wait. The problem was it was already 9:10, which would mean it wouldn't arrive until after our bedtime around 10:40! Well, we were starving, so we decided it would be worth the wait and proceeded to do our daily planning. After we finished planning, we closed with a prayer at 9:30 and asked specifically that our pizza would arrive before 10 so that we could have time to feed our empty stomachs, prepare for and get to bed by 10:30. After the prayer, my companion did his calls to the other members of our district and then I called in our numbers for the day to our zone leaders. While I was on the phone with the zone leaders there was a knock on the door, which my companion, Elder Arizmendi, opened to find that our pizza had arrived. I looked over at the clock and saw that it was 9:55!! I finished talking with our zone leaders and was able to satisfy my hungry stomach and get to bed on time. I have the proof of the story in pictures I will attach below where it says the pizza was supposed to arrive at 10:40, which is because they were busy and the place where it was delivered from is pretty far. I know it might seem silly to think this was a miracle, but to me it really was a "Miracle Pizza"! Still didn't taste as good as Papa's Pizza though ;)

Alright so anyways right now we are in the process of finding new investigators that are willing and able to come to church since that is the only way we can help them progress and be baptized. We have been finding quite a few new people with wonderful desires to improve their quality of life, but it seems that none is putting those desires into action. It's really hard sometimes because I know that if they would just set aside the distractions of the world and humble themselves through prayer, scripture study and church attendance, they would be able to realize their desires to have a better life and be able to obtain the greatest gift of all the gifts of God, eternal life. The truth though is that I have to respect their agency and accept that some people just aren't willing to make changes in their lives to bring themselves in line with God's plan. I have faith though that there really are people out there, including in my area now and other areas to come that are willing and ready to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ by putting it to action and living it's principles and I will not rest until I can find them! I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve because it brings more joy than anything else. Love you all!!

I love my Minion towel!

Strawberry, banana, and whip cream for breakfast, yum!

Week 33

Mi comp Elder Arizmendi and I

Alright well, first of all, sorry (again) for forgetting to let you know ahead of time that we went to the temple this week so I wasn't able to write Monday! Everything is going great as the work continues!

The heat had calmed down a little into the low 90's, but this week it shot back up to 100 again and one day the thermometer reached 129 degrees one day!!! (Although that's just what it feels like because the temperature was taken in the sun, the actual temp reached around 103 about) 

It's been rough lately getting investigators to come to church, but we've been focusing on finding new people that are willing and able to attend church because it's the only way we can help anyone truly progress. The temple was amazing today! It's been super long it feels like because last time we showed up late and weren't able to do endowments and the transfer before the temple was closed. I love the temple and am so happy and feel so blessed to be able to attend!! I wish I could say more, but there isn't much time, love you all!!!

We went to a store close to the Temple and I found a Minion towel and oatmeal creme pies!!

Elder Christiansen (an Elder in my District from Lehi, Utah) and I after the temple :)

The District this transfer :D (Hermana Bautista and Laguna, Elders Christiansen, Pasapera, Arizmendi and me.) 

My Zone this transfer! (Minus a few that left right away:P)

The Mexican flag outside the temple!

Week 32

Tuna fish tacos for breakfast. Yum!

It has been a crazy week for sure! My week was filled with tons of meetings leading up to general conference weekend, which was AMAZING! We had District and Ward Correlation Meetings on Tuesday, and Zone Conference on Friday, followed by General Conference. Basically, it was a tough week for missionary work since we hardly had any time to work, but the many trainings, teachings, and inspirations we received will help us to be able to more effectively use the time we do have.

This General Conference was incredible and I can't even begin to express all the things I learned, felt and witnessed, but I'd like to just point out a few things I loved. First I loved all the many deep soul searching questions that were proposed, especially in the Saturday Morning Session like "What is the meaning of my life?" and "What is keeping me from progressing?" or "In what areas of my life do I want to strengthen?" and many more. Self-reflection and goal setting are vital to be able to progress in this life and become who God wants us to become.

Speaking of progression in this life, I received the comfort I needed during this conference when it was explained that "Our direction is evermore important than our speed." by Larry R Lawrence. I realized that I have been too hard on myself at times, comparing myself to others around me whom I feel nothing compared to and try to do everything I can to match or top them. It's something I have learned about myself here in the mission - the extent of my immense competitiveness. This counsel helped me realize that I don't need to be so worried about quickly reaching the levels of others because, as long as I am headed in the right direction and doing my best, God will help me become who I need to become, not who I want to become.

Ugh, there's so much more I'd like to point out, but I just want to say I was awe struck with the talk by Elder Holland about mothers. How the love of Christ is most closely explained or compared to the selfless love of a mother. I just want to express my love and gratitude to all the mothers out there, but especially to my mom. Thank you for all your selfless acts you have done, are doing, and will continue to do. 

My companion bought a birthday candle...Mexican birthday candles are insane!:P

Week 31

Exchanges with Elder Christiansen! He's new to our District, but is close to finishing his mission in January along with my companion Elder Arizmendi. He's from Lehi, Utah (Of course:P)

Well the work continues here in the mission field! The week zoomed by to be honest, but we had tons of cool experiences for sure! It´s always tough to recall everything, and even more hard with such little time to write, but I'll summarize what I can remember.

Our new investigator we are teaching in English, Ruben, couldn't make it to church yesterday because he was called in to work last minute, but we were able to teach him about the restoration Saturday, and Sunday after church we watched the video "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" with him, which was super cool. I could tell that he is starting to feel it´s true, but he told us that he still wants to find out more. The good news is that he is going to keep trying and told us he wants to come to general conference this weekend!

Other than that we are going through a lot of trials with our other investigators, especially Kerena and Ismael, who are super ready to be baptized, they just have to get married. The problem is they fell into financial problems in the exact wrong moment in their life. We are going to be patient and do all we can to help them, because I have no doubt they will be baptized, it's only a matter of time. I just hope it´s before my one year mark so I can return to see them enter the temple as a family!

I´m super excited for general conference this weekend! We are going to be able to hear from men called and inspired of God, including his prophet Thomas S. Monson. I am always amazed that, no matter what, I find answers to my questions and counsel and comfort for my life and to help the lives of others. I invite you all to listen in to the conference talks because I promise you will all find the same to be true!

And now for the food pictures...(ha ha ha!)

A Mexican sucker with layers of flavors of fruits and chilies,
I remember how I used to think this kind of stuff is gross, but now I love it!

We bought delivery pizza from "Mucha Pizza"!
It was pretty good, but I still miss Papa's Pizza... in fact, I've been craving it!!

Week 30

My new companion, Elder Arizmendi (and me).

Well I got my new companion this week! His name is Elder Arizmendi from Mexico City, Mexico and he only has until January left in his mission. I'm super excited to have him as a companion because I have been and will continue to learn from his experience and testimony. Actually our first week together was amazing! We were able to find 14 new investigators this week as we focused on contacting, knocking doors and using our time wisely. I'm not sure if many if any of these investigators will end up progressing or being baptized, but I have faith that if we keep working hard to find new people to teach, the Lord will lead us to the ones prepared to receive the gospel.

Of the 14 new people, I want to point out one who we had a cool experience with. We were walking down a street and I almost passed by a man sweeping in front of his house, but at the last second I decided to greet him and almost immediately he invited us into his home. There we asked if we could share a quick message with him and he surprised me by accepting, but asking if we could teach it in English! I agreed, knowing my companion can speak enough English for a lesson, and it was a super cool experience. I have to admit it felt a little strange on my tongue, but soon came to me naturally once again. His name is Ruben, he is living alone at 37 years old, studying in college and working, and he has a huge desire to learn new things. He even accepted to come to church the next day (this being Saturday) and he showed up! I sure hope he was able to feel the presence of his father in heaven during the church meetings and will follow through with his commitments to read the restoration pamphlet and pray to know if it's true.

The rest of our investigators we had difficulties finding and none were able to make it to church, but we are being patient with the ones we truly believe have the desire and potential to progress. Kerena and Ismael are struggling financially right now and for that couldn't even afford to take a bus to church, but are continuing to press forward as they shared with us last night how they have been reading the Book of Mormon and praying for help. I'm glad to see they know who to turn to in times of trouble, but next time I hope they reach out for help because if we would have known, we could have gotten a member to take them to church. These things come with time.

The weather continues with it's heat here in Monterrey with temperatures in the 90's still almost every single day, but it's already almost October so I'm sure it'll cool down soon....I hope! Oh one last thing, my companion shared with me a BYU devotional talk called "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox that he has the audio of. This talk is one of the most amazing speeches I've ever heard and it motivated me as well as taught me a ton! I hope you will all take to time to listen to it and be able to be touched by it in the way I did. Love you all!

I made my new companion french toast to welcome him to his new home :)

My Last Supper with Elder Toledano :P (Campechanas!!)

Weeks 28 and 29

We finally replaced our mirror which broke about a month ago, it was difficult without one!

Week 29: Well a ton has happened and yet I have less time than ever to write so this will be interesting. First of all we found out the results of the transfers last night and I´m getting a new companion tomorrow!!! But I will continue working in my same area which means by the end of this next transfer I´ll have reached 7 months here in the Apodaca Ward, Apodaca Stake! It´s a trend in this mission to stay in areas long periods, so I may only have 3 or 4 areas my entire 2 years. I´m happy about it though because I love the ward, members, investigators and location. The thing I´m sad about is that my papa (trainer) is leaving me :( I will miss him a ton and I´m super grateful for all the wonderful experiences we had together and the many ways her helped me learn and grow during the past 5 and a half months. It´ll be interesting to see who I end up with next, everyone keeps saying I´m probably going to train a new missionary, but I´m not sure if I feel ready. Nevertheless if I´m called upon I will do my best to help the new Elder in the way my papa helped me adjust to the mission life and learn the ways of the missionary.

I just want to share my experience yesterday. I had the privilege of attending a broadcast of the rededication of the Mexico City, Mexico Temple! It was one of the most amazing things I´ve ever felt. As I explained last week the stake center was converted into an extension of the temple, meaning only worthy members with temple recommends or special permission were permitted to enter. That environment brought the spirit before the rededication even began. President Eyring presided, conducted and gave the dedicatory prayer, but also my favorite Apostle Elder Holland spoke as well and his speech in particular touched me and stuck with me. We also did the Hosannah chant with white flags and later sang The Spirit of God just as the saints did for the dedication of the Salt Lake City Temple :D I can go on and on about this experience, but it sufficeth me to say that my testimony has grown because of it and I will never forget that day.

Today my companion is going to say his goodbyes to our investigators and members, so we will be running around our area the next few hours, hopefully I will be able to get some pictures!

Elder Toledano, Alex, and me

Gustavo, Carla, Alex, Elder Toledano and me

Week 28: Another week has soared by in the mission field and this is the last week of this transfer, so I might be changing companions or areas!!! I´m super nervous but excited for a change since I´ve been in the same area with the same companion for almost 6 months now. It seems to be pretty common in this mission for missionaries to stay in area for long periods of time. Some made it 2 years with only 3 or 4 different areas! There are lots of ups and downs to such giant chunks of time in the same area, but ultimately I know that our assignments are given by our mission president who receives direct inspiration from our Heavenly Father for us:) 

This week we finally ended the drought! Meaning we had investigators make it to church. Kerena and Ismael with their 4 kids made it to church again which we were super happy because we hadn´t seen them in church for 3 weeks. They are progressing AMAZINGLY and are super close to being baptized. The trial right now for them is that they still aren´t married, but we are going to do all we can to help them raise the funds they need like we did with the Villela family we baptized shortly after I arrived here.One of my favorite experiences of my mission so far was a lesson we had with them where Ismael told us that "First we are going to get married, then we are going to get baptized, but our goal is the temple" I can´t express how much joy I felt to hear those words from our investigator :) It´s such a blessing to help people find their way back to God to live together forever with their families!

Also some big news, the temple rededication of the Mexico City Temple is this Sunday!!! What´s even cooler is that they are "transforming" the stake centers all over Mexico into "extensions" of the temple, which means they are going to broadcast the rededication in each stake center, and only those who have temple recommends can enter, or other members who have special permission from their bishop. Our recent convert Alfonso had an interview with our bishop and was given such permission! I´m super excited for him to be able to experience it with us, but also I´m super excited to view it myself because I´ve never seen a temple dedication before:D

The weather has toned down a tiny bit, but the sun has just refused to give up it´s summer heat, so we continue in the mid to high 90´s for yet a little while longer, but I hear the chill soon approaches and boy am I ready! I had a lot of fun with my district this week because we celebrated Elder Pasapera´s birthday, we played ninja attack a ton, and also today we had a District activity where we played soccer, ninja attack, ¨bop it¨ and ¨Jenga Quake¨ and afterwards we went to the huge plaza (mall) in our area to eat lunch. I bought Chinese food since I was starving and they always give you a ton to eat. Other than that it´s been pretty normal, and by normal I mean every day is super busy and packed with amazing experiences, trials and blessings, but that´s what I´ve come to know as normal days in the mission!

Strawberry Cheesecake for breakfast!! YUM!