Week 54

The Bike Repair Guy named Memo made me a keychain
from a bike chain to remember my time there in Cadereyta on bikes:D

I got called as Zone Leader!!! It's been quite the crazy transition this week moving from my area super far away in the countryside, to an area in the huge city with everything close by. It's like 5 minutes away from the Mission Office in an area called "La Pastora". I am really loving this area from the beginning. Yesterday I met the ward, which meets in a tiny little church building, but the members are great and we have a bunch of cool recent converts from past Zone Leaders. Oh and my companion is Elder Azuara, whom I met in my last area since he was a District Leader in our last zone. This is only his second transfer as Zone Leader, so we are both pretty new at this. There are a lot of responsibilities as Zone Leader and so I've had to try to take things one step at a time and try not to overstress myself. It's something I've been learning in the mission that I know will help me throughout my life, to focus on one thing at a time and not worry about getting everything done at once. Also, to have patience with myself, my companion, and the Zone because no one is perfect and we are all in the work of the Lord together :)

We don't have investigators close to baptism or anything in our new area, but we are working hard to find the people God has prepared for us because we know they are out there waiting. Oh, this week we had Leadership Council last Thursday, where all the Zone Leaders, Sister Leaders, the assistants, and Pres and Sister Bird meet together. I learned more about how the mission runs and could feel the Spirit really strong, seeing inspiration come to the leaders. The one thing that really sunk in is something I learned when someone asked the question of why do we sometimes see disobedient missionaries have more "success" (meaning higher numbers, baptisms, etc) than the more obedient missionaries. President Bird responded by talking about our personal conversion and how the correlation that sometimes occurs is to test our obedience to the Lord. We shouldn't work just to see higher statistics like lessons, contacts or even baptisms. We should give our all because we love the Lord and want to give him our best. I did a really rough job of explaining it, but for me, this conversation really helped because it's something that sometimes discouraged me. However, I've been pondering the true reason behind my hard work and whether it's to serve the Lord, or to find recognition of others.

I've been reading in Mosiah, in the Book of Mormon, and finished the book this week. I've learned so much from what I've been reading, but just to share a brief scripture I loved in Mosiah 28:3

"Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble."

Here it explains the Sons of Mosiah's true desire to preach the gospel to everyone. I love how they could go from being the "vilest of sinners" to completely turning around their lives to serve the Lord. Let us learn from these servants of the Lord that it's never too late to change, and let us strive to obtain such a desire as them to save every soul on the Earth.

Last night Edgar stopped by to say goodbye, I'll miss that guy :)
(a recent convert who lived on our street, 18 years old)

A hint of what my new house is like, now with all my stuff set up:P

My new companion, Elder Azuara!!!

I finally found a frame suitable for the family;D I LOVE MINIONS!

We made MEGA-mac and cheese (adding in a bunch more pasta and cheese)

Week 53

Look what I found in Walmart! Minions!!! I thought it was a great deal at 248 pesos for the set,
but it ended up ringing up for 150 pesos, that's like 9 dollars:D

Well, I'm leaving Cadereyta!! :(  I had a feeling I would be leaving, but I was hoping I could stay at least another transfer because it's literally the best area ever and I love everything about it! It's the only town with bikes so I'll be saying goodbye to her soon :/ Also the members here are the best, I'll miss them as well as all the wonderful investigators we have here, but I'll be keeping in touch with Elder Torres to hear about all the baptisms he'll be having here soon :D It's a bummer I couldn't be here to see more of them, but the important thing is that they can continue getting closer to our Savior and hopefully someday be able to make covenants with him.

This Sunday, two investigators went to church, which was a little sad considering how many we had planned, but I have faith that next week will improve for Elder Torres and his new companion (whoever it ends up being). We had a family night with the Reyes Ramirez Family of 7 at a members house and it was awesome! We taught about the Book of Mormon and watched a video about it, with lots of great questions and comments from everyone and at the end we ate sweet bread and drank orange juice. I loved it and I could see that the family did as well! We gave them 3 Books of Mormon for now since that's all we had and committed them to read. Later in the week, we called them and they had read the entire first chapter and asked if they should continue reading or wait until we pass by! Of course, we said they can keep going :)

Everyone keeps telling me I'm going to be raised up to Zone Leader, which I doubt because I only have 1 transfer as District Leader, but we'll see what happens tomorrow. Also, they'll tell us where we are going and with who later tonight. Again I'm sad to be leaving here, but I'm ready to take on whatever the Lord has in store for me! 

We went to a mall that has a Walmart;
the first time I've been to Walmart in 1 year!!!

Salmon for Breakfast! (A member gifted me it:D )

The mall has a pirate ship:O

Large Pizza for each of us:P

The amazing view from the Hospital (I had a follow up this week) 

Week 52

Like my sick ride? ;D

Just as I thought things were turning around, everything seemed to come crashing down this week. One by one, all of our investigators nearing baptism began to fall for reasons of insecurity, health, or economic reasons, or straight up deciding to give up. It's been hard for me to see them struggle and I've never felt so pained to see another miss or postpone their opportunity to change their lives, but I've come to rely on the Lord more and more. To let go of the sorrow that I feel when they fall because I know the Lord has a plan and everything will fall into place for the better. It's been amazing to see how He lifts my spirits every time I feel like giving up. Also, I have seen how much my Heavenly Father knows and loves me through these trials.

There has always been something that lifted my spirits back up. The biggest one recently was the Reyes Ramirez Family we found just over a week ago. They are a family of 7, Felipe (Dad) Monica (Mom) and 5 girls, Gloria (13), Natalia (10), Valeria (8), Alison (4) and Jennifer (3). I've already come to love this family so much and they amaze me more and more. They have been reading and praying as a family between every visit and made it to church this Sunday:D Also they mixed in really well with the ward and made some good friendships already. We have a family night planned with them this Tuesday at a members house!

My district struggled this week due to sicknesses which has been rough. A sister, Sister Sousa, is sick to her stomach with something similar to what I suffered, and the other, Elder Garcia, has a small tear in his meniscus, so I can feel a lot of sympathy for the both of them. Luckily just as the Lord has helped me through these trials in my life, I know he can help them as well:)

It started getting really hot again this week. In fact, I started sleeping with the windows open and a fan going again! Tomorrow it's supposed to get up to 94, yikes! Anyway, other than that I guess I hit my 1 year mark...what!? I honestly can't believe that...but I am so grateful for all the amazing experiences as well as trials I have had this year because they have helped me to grow and come closer to my Savior. I hope to continue giving my all to the Lord this next year because it's such a blessing this short time I have and I don't want to waste a minute of it!

My motivation! :)

My companion and me, with our bikes outside of the Church building

Weeks 50 and 51

Baptism Pictures! (Jose Angel had an accident last Sunday and was operated on Saturday, It's nothing serious, just adjusting some screws that got out of place inside him, a year ago when a horse fell on him and he broke a ton of bones and had plates and screws put in...He's suffered a lot and I have learned so much from his will power! I hope he'll be able to make it to church this week because he still needs to be confirmed)

¡Feliz Dia de Amor y Amistad a todos! Happy Valentines Day everyone!. Yes, we celebrate it here, but it's called Love and Friendship Day more commonly. Although, they sometimes call it Dia de San Valentino (Saint Valentines Day:P).

It's been quite the crazy week, to be honest, and I learned a lot of lessons. The biggest one I want to share I learned yesterday. We had worked super hard all week and had everything lined up for Sunday, but one by one everything fell apart. Of the 16 investigators sure to make it to church, only ONE made it and she wasn't even planned. The worst part was the members of the Ramirez Family, who were supposed to have their baptism interview, but also didn't show up. I was honestly a little frustrated. Why didn't Heavenly Father bring us the fruits of our labors? Why do all the doors that we've worked so hard to open seem to be closing?

Later on, in Priesthood Quorum, we had a lesson on adversity (no small coincidence for me). President Hunter taught me a very valuable lesson. In the manual "Teaching of the Presidents of the Church: Howard W Hunter", it says,

“Being human, we would expel from our lives physical pain and mental anguish and assure ourselves of continual ease and comfort, but if we were to close the doors upon sorrow and distress, we might be excluding our greatest friends and benefactors. Suffering can make saints of people as they learn patience, long-suffering, and self-mastery” [Faith Precedes the Miracle (1972), 98].

In that statement, President Kimball refers to closing doors upon certain experiences in life. … Doors close regularly in our lives, and some of those closings cause genuine pain and heartache. But I do believe that where one such door closes, another opens (and perhaps more than one), with hope and blessings in other areas of our lives that we might not have discovered otherwise.

I knew that this was God answering my prayers and reassuring my doubts and I am so grateful to know that he truly knows and loves me:D

Also, this week in my studies I starting reading about Joseph Smith since I came across the book of his life/teachings. I absolutely LOVE learning about the prophet Joseph Smith! I'd just like to share quickly some quotes about him I loved from "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith":

Orson Spencer, a Baptist minister who joined the Church in 1841: “In doctrine, Mr. Smith is eminently scriptural. I have never known him to deny or depreciate a single truth of the Old and New Testaments, but I have always known him to explain and defend them in a masterly manner."

This helped strengthen my testimony that Joseph Smith really was called of God because I tend to think of him as a prophet who taught from pure revelations and the Book of Mormon, but these words about how he taught assure me that he knew and loved ALL the words of the prophets from the beginning.

Mary Ann Stearns Winters, a stepdaughter of Elder Parley P. Pratt: “The Holy Spirit lighted up his countenance till it glowed like a halo around him, and his words penetrated the hearts of all who heard him."

Oh, how amazing it must have been to witness such a man radiate with the power of God. I know that he was called of God to restore the Church and I hope to be able to get to know him more and learn from his teachings :)

Anyways it started getting hot again already, but it's still a little cool outside at night for now so that's good! My stomach is continuing to improve and I'm now able to eat just about normally, thanks again for all your prayers and support! Love you all!!

Even though I couldn't watch the Superbowl, I guess I was in the football mood because I bought a football and a donut shaped like a football:D

I like getting creative with my food a little (yes that's salsa on an apple):P

Week 49

There's sooooo much to tell you all about this week so I'll get going on writing. First of all, I went to see the doctor, who attended me during my stay at Doctors Hospital, last Thursday and there's good news and bad news....well, let's start with the bad news to get it over with. I have a type bacteria which has been causing the gastritis and stomach problems, and it's actually something I had already been tested for when I started having problems, but the blood test wasn't accurate I guess because based on the biopsy they took when I was in the hospital, I am positive for the same bacteria. Alright, now the good news. With antibiotics, the bacteria should be killed off and with it will go the stomach problems and gastritis! And the best part is he said I should be back to eating normal and being able to exercise and play sports again:D Also it never was that I was eating a terrible diet or anything. It was something I caught from food I ate, which brought months of problems. All being said, I am so happy to be able to get back to normal here in a few weeks. I will be seing the docter in a month for the last time, if all goes well!

Okay enough about my health, this week was AMAZING!!! We taught a TON of lessons this week and 10 investigators made it to sacrament! Also a bunch of less active/semi-active members made it so the ward was full for the first time since I've arrived here! Also, with all the new work left by the other Elders, we've been able to line up baptisms every week for the next month, if all goes as planned, starting with a young man named Jose Angel who's in a part member family and has overcome many addictions to get to this point. I am so blessed and happy to be here doing the Lord's work and I hope to continue to see miracles:D

This week I came across a scripture I had read before, but it's been quite a while and I loved it a lot. It's in Doctrine and Covenants 78:19 and says, "And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."

Let us learn to be more grateful for what we have, instead of complaining about what we don't have or always desiring more and more. Then, we can see the hand of God more abundantly in our lives and we will begin to recognize mountains of blessings.

Well, I am super happy to be here in the work of the Lord and am truly the most blessed person on Earth. Love you all!! Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I know it hasn't been in vain as I've seen miracles because of them. :D. Also, sorry, but this week I can't send any pictures since my adapter isn't working on this computer, for some reason.

I watched Ryan's proposal to Krystina and felt so warm and happy for them that tears began flowing. I wish the best for them and good luck with all the planning. Sounds like it's a lot of work! Just remember to find time to give thanks and not stress out too much because it's a happy time for the family :).

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)