Week 16

HOOOOWWWWWWWW-DEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
It was great getting your letter today! Sounds like things are (mostly) bomb-diggity. That was really sad to hear about Bishop Sannar. I don't know why anyone would do something like that, and I can't imagine what it is putting his family through. Life...it seems so sure at times, but then we are reminded at just how fragile it is. But in this gospel, we can know for certain that all is well. Our loving Heavenly Father cares for us and is there for us in the good times, and especially in those terrible, heartbreaking times. I hope his family receives all the strength and blessing from the Lord that they need, and then much more.

This week has been a week 'o changes [Ch-ch-ch-changes (name that movie!)]. Oh, and the package should get here on Friday - the day we have Zone Meeting. That's when they bring all the packages to the meeting, and we pick them up and bring them home. I'm looking forward to getting it!
And, side note - I actually can't open up forwards (mission rule), but I really want to see how Elder Lowe (That's who it was, right?) is doing. Could you print it off and send it to me, when you have time? That would be FANTASMIC!
Sounds like there's been a lot going on! How are your classes? By the time I can check back again, it'll be almost 2 weeks that you've had those classes, right? How are they going?
That's soooo cool to hear about Thao and Phong are going to the same place! Different languages, but what are the chances of that? They're going to do great!

My companion's AWESOME! He actually reminds me of someone from the student ward over in Chico, who is serving in Japan right now - and they're about the same height! 6'6"!! Pretty big guy! And then, we had an elder come in this past transfer (I've already been here for a transfer?! Como?!) who is 6'11"!! Wow! He's a hard worker. Plus, our apartment wasn't really...well, not the cleanest apartment in the mission. Fortunately, not the dirtiest, but Elder Jenks and I just never cleaned it, because whenever we were at home, we were planning or sleeping. Now, though, you'll be proud to know we're going through and doing a really deep cleaning, and it's only day 5! We've reorganized the room, cleaned the kitchen, sprayed and killed a whole lot of cockroaches (fortunately, I've only seen one that was about half the size of a computer mouse), and now we're working on the living and dining areas. It's going to be good! And already, it feels so much nicer in there!

As for the actual reason we're here - there have been some ups and downs. Remember the one who lost her baby at birth? Well, she just had another baby boy, and she sent us a text message. She told us she wants to discontinue our meetings, because she wants to baptize her son in the church they're already attending - this Sunday. Apparently, we weren't wholly clear on the whole "authority" part, or that baptism of little children is a solemn mockery of the ordinance of baptism. And we wouldn't explain it exactly like that, but we'd clarify a lot on the whole authority part. We're hoping to still meet with her and sort things out, but we'll see.

As for lessions, we didn't do so hot this week. Only 11 sit-downs (though no one was in our area for the first part of the week, what with Elder Jenks heading home and transfers). OYMs, though - 71! And I'm going to try to increase that during this next week as well!

And....we had an investigator named Luis, who fell off the face of the map for a while. But we found him, worked hard to invite the Spirit into the lession, and he accepted the commitment to be baptized! And he's been to Church before! Way cool!
We also started teaching someone who is the boyfriend of a member, menos activo, and he said he's never felt the same as he did when he attended the Church, and he commited to a date for baptism, too!
So, we didn't reach the goals we had set. But we really helped people to come unto Christ, feel His Spirit, and have that desire to get baptized. All in all, a VERY good week!

I also had the opportunity to give my first blessing in Spanish this week! The experience was amazing! And the Spirit was so strong in the room then. The words just kind of...not flowed, but as I focused on the Hermana that I was giving the blessing to, the words entered my mind, and I was able to struggle through the blessing. It was a blessing for her, but I feel it was also a blessing for me from the Lord to be able to give this blessing.

Well, we've got to get going. So much time, and so little to do! ...Wait, scratch that, reverse it. This is the start of a good week, and we're going to work until it is a great week!

I love you all soooo much! Thanks for all your prayers and support! They keep me going, each and every day!

Con amor, a infinidad - y mas alla!
Dev

Week 15

Howdy, y hola a toda!

Where to begin?

Sounds like things have been going very well! How is everyone looking forward to school? How are the girls doing with school starting back up? I know Justin doesn't sound too thrilled.

Justin!!!!! Good to hear from you!!! I saw a few pictures that Mike sent from the trip. You looked like you were really enjoying those waverunners!! And the rope swing must have been great! Did you get any flips in? What's your movie about? Do you have a script for it? If you do, could you send a copy here sometime? And maybe some screenshots, if available - I think it's really cool that you're making that movie! Let me know how it's going! I love hearing from all of you!

Over here, things have been LOCO! Elder Jenks is leaving. That's just the beginning, though. Yesterday, we saw a hit-and-run happen in the road between a guy on a bike and a car. Intense! The guy on the bike rode out into the street (so he was at fault). A car pulling out of a driveway didn't see him, and somehow, he didn't see the car (maybe a little "buzzed?") and so he started swerving wildly, and smacked into the side of the car! He fell off his bike and went sliding about 5-6 feet, and the car took off! The guy got up after a few minutes, and we went over, checking if he was okay, and if he needed help or anything. I didn't realize until later that he could really only speak Spanish. But hey, it was dark! So anyway, he got up, hopped on his bike, and rode off into the twilight. For sure, one eventful night!

Then, a little time before that, we had Church. And someone we had only shared one lession with showed up! (Giovani) It was awesome!!! But we could tell he was uncomfortable. I guess it is a lot to absorb, and I don't think I explained things to him enough to the point where it really clicked. So he wound up heading home after sacrament with his son, but it was awesome to have him show up!
We also had someone named Luis Samora come with a member family, and he sat with them during sacrament. He seemed to really enjoy the service, and I'm praying that he really felt the Spirit there, and will come back again. But not only sacrament did he sit through, but all the other classes as well! Both people (along with another investigator who showed up - without her member boyfriend!) showed up, and it was really amazing. Getting people to church (as I've probably mentioned before) has been our biggest impediment to baptism. Although, if they don't want to go to church, they're not ready for baptism. We don't want to baptize them into inactivity, though even just one baptism would be great. The branch is sooooo small - we need people from outside to help out!

Annnnnd...this Wednesday, we have transfer meeting. As of now, I haven't the foggiest idea of who my companion will be! Or, for that matter, how we'll manage this area in Brazos. I feel so underprepared, so unready to work it. Fortunately, who the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies, so I'll have to do my best to qualify for His qualification!

We were in the middle of a thunderstrom yesterday, and the power went out, so we didn't have the chance to e-mail. Fortunately, we had permission to e-mail today. Hoooray!!!

I'm on exchange with some elders from Houston 4 West, and they're pretty cool. They've got a unique dynamic that I'd like to try to develop (well, something like that) with my next companion.

And now, I've got to get going. But it's been great! I'm especially looking forward to pictures that are coming through! I love seeing all of you, and I'm really looking forward to hearing from all of you on some of those tapes! I've already started my documentation, I guess you could say, on this voice recorder. It'll be great to hear your voices!

I love you all sooooooooooo much!!!! I hope life is going well, that school is pretty good, too, and that everyone is doing great!! I'm looking forward to e-mails again next week! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a letter out this week, but hopefully this covers everything that's been going on here!

I love you all! A infinidad, y mas alla!

Dev-i-o

Hola, y'all! Como estan?

Well, time here is moving a little faster. A lot of times, the mornings are really long. And then my mind starts to wander during studies, and I have to refocus, and then get to working again. But during the day, things usually go well. We're constantly moving and working, and the challenge (that I've faced so far) has been one that I've enjoyed and striven to meet and surpass. I have yet to meet or surpass it, but I can do it!
Elder Jenks is leaving next week. That part has been hard. He's not trunkie, but he talks a lot about how he wonders how things will be different, what he is going to do with his life, how he's going to get back into school...etc.
But I'm really interested to see who my next companion will be! Then, I have to know the area very well...I have to admit, I'm kind of nervous about that! But, it'll be fun! Just have to work all the harder, really focus on the work.
I've seen Garrett quite a few times up here. Actually, he was sitting behind me here in the library and e-mailing, too! He's doing well. Though now, they have a companionship of 3, because someone went home early - someone that wasn't in my MTC district, but who came out with us on the plane. It was sad to hear about that, but I hope he'll be able to return, if it's something like that.
ANYWAY, back to happier things!
We've been meeting with a lot of people, and we've been trying to extend a baptismal date at basically every first lession. And what do you know! Our numbers of people with a baptismal date have gone up! But the toughest part is getting these people to church. Every once in a while, someone shows up. But if they don't have 3 sundays in church, they can't be baptized. And we don't want to baptize them into inactivity.
Let's see, what else has gone on...
Going day to day, and thinking about the transfer to come, it seems like we've talked to nearly everyone here in Rosenburg. We'll ride past a place, and Elder Janks says: "we've already been there." But somehow, something new happens every day. I've been thinking that the days will be very empty (and there are some days that a lot of our appointments fall through, and we feel like we haven't taught anyone), but somehow, things seem to turn out alright.
The day before yesterday, we had an intercambio, or exchange, with the Zone Leaders because Elder Jenks is the District Leader. Elder Scavo, who is also from California, was my exchange buddy. He also did something that's called "running" with me on the first day. That was where we just go out and talk to as many people as we can in a half-hour, and then return to our "base of operations" (aka: the church building). This time, I learned even more from him. He came to our area, and basically said, "Lead on! I'll follow you." And so that's what happened! We talked to a lot of people, taught about 4 lessions, and got a few return appointments with people. But what stood out the most to me was his sincerity with everything, and his pure love for the people. He could just so easily talk to them, and they were all almost like family to him. That's something that I want to develop is that sincere love for the people here. And I'm working at it. It can be kind of hard at first, but fortunately, the Lord is here helping.
We taught a couple (also, not married) named Sylvia and Doroteo - Kind of like Dorito! Well, at least, that's what he said...So Doroteo talked a lot, but eventually, we talked a little about the Plan of Salvation. Sylvia read all of the pamphlet that we left her last time we were there, and even tried to explain some of it to Doroteo. Way awesome! She looked like she was ready to be baptized right then and there! She had had a stillborn baby, and had to give to others up for adoption, and got a lot of...discouraging? yeah, I think that's the word...feedback from her family. Her belief in God, her praying to God, and the fact that her baby died, and she still trusts in Him. She's been through a lot, but she's strong! They didn't come to church this past week, so we'll have to see what happened. She's going in for a c-section this week, so that might have been part of it.
Dad, how's the reading going with the Standard Works? Justin, what are you studying in seminary this year? I kind of want to read the same scriptures you are, in spanish, at the same time. Could be fun!
Food! Surprisingly, almost all of the food I have eaten here has been AMAZING! And you know me, the picky eater. So that's been awesome! I even come home now and throw a few tortillas on the stove, and have me some more mexican food, though in no way similar to some of what I've eaten so far. But it's great!
Well, I've got to get going. Time's almost up!
Mom, Dad, Justin, Kaytlin, Kristin...and yes, you too, Phoenix...I love you all soooo much! Tan mucho! You're always in my prayers!
Con amor - a infinidad, y mas alla!!!!!

Dev-i-o "Captain Awesome" Collins