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!!)