Heeeeey!!! How's it going?
It was great talking on Christmas! And yes, the time was short, but it helps to keep focused on the work here. Things are good! How was the drive down? How is the fam?How's today been in San Jose? 'Do you know the way to San Jose...' I'm guessing so, because it sounds like yesterday was really good! I did get Grandma and Grandpa's gift!!! That was HUGE!! I hope it didn't run them too much... And please, give them a big THANK YOU from me!!!
So...news since Christmas: The Cruz Familia has been confirmed!!!!! It was an awesome experience!!! I didn't do the confirmation, but I was able to stand in the circle and hear what wonderful blessings had been promised to them from their membership in God's church.
And other news, in terms of transfers..........
.....I won't be getting a new companion this transfer (As far as I know - things can change up until the morning of Transfer Meeting) Elder Kobayashi and I have some awesome plans we're looking forward to implementing over the coming months!!!
And that's most of the news that's been here since Saturday!! Not a whole lot of new stuff (but Elder Robertson is being transfered to another area, as well as Elder Nash and Sister Wright - She might be going back to Spanish speaking, which I hear she's anxious to do. Other than that...just 3 people being moved!)
I'm excited! This past transfer just flew by (though a big part of it was probably with both Thanksgiving - dia de accion de gracias - and Christmas - la Navidad), and so I'm hoping that this next transfer goes by just as smoothly. We were planning on going to NASA today, but that kind of fell through. Hopefully...during the next transfer we'll be able to go.
Is there anything you wanted/needed to ask when we talked, but just didn't have the time? I'm feeling fairly comfortable (with the language), but there are still times where I can't understand what people are saying! I want to work more at having a bigger Spanish vocabulary, and not just a Missionary vocabulary...But I do love speaking Spanish!! If I could speak it better, and understand it more, I'd speak it all the time! So I'll be practicing the language until I can speak it like that!! We actually even talked to someone over this past week who asked if my parents were from Mexico. That was definitely a boost!! The people here make it worth it. They're awesome! I don't know how much I've really said that, because it's so normal now. They're great!
Overall, I'm doing: Good! It definitely is hard right now, and a lot of times, but when we find and really help people like the Cruz familia...that is when I can be really happy, no matter what else is going on. Even if we're riding around with a piercing, icy wind and can't feel our faces...it's still good! Now, I wouldn't like to have days like that all the time, but every now and then isn't bad. And yes, I'm keeping bundled up. Those gloves really come in handy!! They've kept out the cold very well! They've been great!
I love you sooo much, and I know without all of you behind me like you always are, it would be SOO much harder than it is. But I know that this is the work of the Lord, and that He leads and guides it. And if it weren't for your examples, I probably wouldn't be out here right now. Thank you! I love you!
Well, I need to go now. It'll be very interesting to see who comes into our district, and what this transfer will bring!
I love you! Have a great New Year's day!! I'll talk to you soon!!
Con mucho amor - a infinidad, y mas alla!
El Devinator
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Week 31 - Weekend in White - Wedding & Baptisms!
Hi Everyone!
In terms of lessons, we have done much better this week than most. But our OYMs are still suffering. We've been trying to find good places to OYM, where there are a lot of hispanics, and we might have found one, but nothing solid yet. Also, we need to plan time in to OYM, and I think once we've done that, we'll be back on track - in all of our categories. This area is working much better with bikes as we plan out where to go each day, and how to effectively work the area.
Our highlight for this week - We had the baptisms of Jose and Teresa!!!!!!!!!!! They got married in President Hernandez's office at 5:30, changed for the baptism, and then they were both baptized! But it was such a great experience!!!! And there were more people at that baptism than I've seen at the baptism of any one or two people!! Most of the branch showed up to support them!
And I don't think I've ever had to work harder at something before in my life! But the end result was very rewarding. I'm pretty sure everything that could have (or almost could have) gone wrong, did (Short of them not showing up at the baptism). I madde a list of the things I could think of that went wrong in my journal - There is a grand total of 14 things so far. But we kept at it. I feel that my faith has increased so much from this experience, and my testimony as well. I could feel the constant guidance of the Holy Ghost, leading us to what we should do next to guide the family to the waters of baptism. This Weekend in White has been great!!!! Marriage and two baptisms!!! AWESOME!!!! Plus, this has been the first time I have actually baptized while being out here. And I had to do it three times. It was kind of funny, because the water was chilly, and on the third time, I just pushed her all the way under the water for a second or two, then pulled her out. Even though it was an interesting experience like that, it was still awesome!!! One of, if not, THE greatest experience of my life thus far!
Let's see...after that, everything else just seems small here in comparison!! We're getting all ready for the holidays. The Arnett's son who is serving in the Armed Forces in California (But not really close - All the way out in the Mojave Desert), is staying here for the next little while. And at least one of their daughters with her kids and husband are visiting. So things are shifting over to a little bit of the wild side! But it's been really fun. Little kids are awesome to hang out with!! And I hadn't realized just how funny some of them are, too! Like, the Cruz's son - Crucito. He's 2 years old...and possibly over 80 pounds!! His run is hilarious, and he's always hiding in this cabinet under the TV and then jumping out. Crazy little kid!
We should be having a zone Christmas activity on...well, on Christmas! But the lame-er thing is that we have a half P-day on Christmas. Everyone's at home, but I've heard they're not really accepting of the message because they're so busy with friends and family. I guess we'll see!!
Wow!! That would be awesome!! Straight A's!! That's a big accomplishment!! And it sounds like they weren't the easiest classes in the world, either! Keep up the good work! Have you found what you want to do afterwards?
Make sure to congratulate Kaytlin for me!! Honor Band - I'd talked to some people in High School (and actually, Caleb Bronson was one of them) who did that, and they said it was amazing! That's so cool, that out of all of Northern California, Kaytlin was one of the 70!
Way to go, Justin! Keep up the hard work on the merit badges and your Eagle. I know for a fact that it'll help you later in life, even if there are things you have forgotten from your time in Scouting. I know you'll do great, and keep pushing on!
And Kristin! Thank you very much for the artistic paper in the Christmas box that mom sent out! It was so cool! I'm going to keep it for a long time!!!!! It always helps me to think of you, your sense of humor and how fun you are to be around! And I'll bet you're looking forward to Christmas! It'll be a blast!!
Well, I've got to hit the road. There's still so much to do, and so little time to do it in! I'll be calling home at either 3 or 4 o'clock on Christmas. It's going to be so awesome talking to you!!! I'm so excited!!!
Talk - yes, actually talk - to y'all soon!
Con mucho amor - a infinidad, y mas alla!!!
El Devinator
In terms of lessons, we have done much better this week than most. But our OYMs are still suffering. We've been trying to find good places to OYM, where there are a lot of hispanics, and we might have found one, but nothing solid yet. Also, we need to plan time in to OYM, and I think once we've done that, we'll be back on track - in all of our categories. This area is working much better with bikes as we plan out where to go each day, and how to effectively work the area.
Our highlight for this week - We had the baptisms of Jose and Teresa!!!!!!!!!!! They got married in President Hernandez's office at 5:30, changed for the baptism, and then they were both baptized! But it was such a great experience!!!! And there were more people at that baptism than I've seen at the baptism of any one or two people!! Most of the branch showed up to support them!
And I don't think I've ever had to work harder at something before in my life! But the end result was very rewarding. I'm pretty sure everything that could have (or almost could have) gone wrong, did (Short of them not showing up at the baptism). I madde a list of the things I could think of that went wrong in my journal - There is a grand total of 14 things so far. But we kept at it. I feel that my faith has increased so much from this experience, and my testimony as well. I could feel the constant guidance of the Holy Ghost, leading us to what we should do next to guide the family to the waters of baptism. This Weekend in White has been great!!!! Marriage and two baptisms!!! AWESOME!!!! Plus, this has been the first time I have actually baptized while being out here. And I had to do it three times. It was kind of funny, because the water was chilly, and on the third time, I just pushed her all the way under the water for a second or two, then pulled her out. Even though it was an interesting experience like that, it was still awesome!!! One of, if not, THE greatest experience of my life thus far!
Let's see...after that, everything else just seems small here in comparison!! We're getting all ready for the holidays. The Arnett's son who is serving in the Armed Forces in California (But not really close - All the way out in the Mojave Desert), is staying here for the next little while. And at least one of their daughters with her kids and husband are visiting. So things are shifting over to a little bit of the wild side! But it's been really fun. Little kids are awesome to hang out with!! And I hadn't realized just how funny some of them are, too! Like, the Cruz's son - Crucito. He's 2 years old...and possibly over 80 pounds!! His run is hilarious, and he's always hiding in this cabinet under the TV and then jumping out. Crazy little kid!
We should be having a zone Christmas activity on...well, on Christmas! But the lame-er thing is that we have a half P-day on Christmas. Everyone's at home, but I've heard they're not really accepting of the message because they're so busy with friends and family. I guess we'll see!!
Wow!! That would be awesome!! Straight A's!! That's a big accomplishment!! And it sounds like they weren't the easiest classes in the world, either! Keep up the good work! Have you found what you want to do afterwards?
Make sure to congratulate Kaytlin for me!! Honor Band - I'd talked to some people in High School (and actually, Caleb Bronson was one of them) who did that, and they said it was amazing! That's so cool, that out of all of Northern California, Kaytlin was one of the 70!
Way to go, Justin! Keep up the hard work on the merit badges and your Eagle. I know for a fact that it'll help you later in life, even if there are things you have forgotten from your time in Scouting. I know you'll do great, and keep pushing on!
And Kristin! Thank you very much for the artistic paper in the Christmas box that mom sent out! It was so cool! I'm going to keep it for a long time!!!!! It always helps me to think of you, your sense of humor and how fun you are to be around! And I'll bet you're looking forward to Christmas! It'll be a blast!!
Well, I've got to hit the road. There's still so much to do, and so little time to do it in! I'll be calling home at either 3 or 4 o'clock on Christmas. It's going to be so awesome talking to you!!! I'm so excited!!!
Talk - yes, actually talk - to y'all soon!
Con mucho amor - a infinidad, y mas alla!!!
El Devinator
Monday, December 13, 2010
Week 30 - Working with Families
Buenas tardes!!
Como estan? Todo esta bien aqui. Estamos trabajando duro con uno familia grande, para traerlos a Cristo por medio del bautismo. Hemos visto muchos cambios en sus vidas, y tambien en el espiritu adentro de su casa.
(Google Translation: "Good afternoon! How are you? All is well here. We are working hard with a family, to bring them to Christ through baptism. We have seen many changes in their lives, and also in the spirit into your home.")
It's been a big adjustment, going from a car in this area to bikes. We're still getting used to it. We'll have to check if there are any days where we can borrow the car from those in our district. That would make our time down in San Leon a lot better spent! With that in mind, that should leave time for OYM-ing (Open Your Mouth) scheduled in, and we should be able to make it to more appointments, if they are on opposite sides of town.
We're working with the Cruz/Melendez family still, and they're awesome!!! At first, Jose wasn't even thinking about marriage or baptism. Now, he's telling us that he needs to get to the court today so that they can be married before their baptism this weekend!!! I'm so happy to see their interest and the value it is in their lives. We're still working on them with their children, because they felt that their children were rowdy (though there were many more people who had rowdier children) and so they felt that someone should stay home with them. But things are going well on the Cruz/Melendez front.
Elder Kobayashi is awesome! He's always ready to go, even if he is a little tired at times, he knows why he's here and that's a great example for me. He's really helped me to enjoy the work, but work hard at the same time. The Gospel and 'fun' aren't at different ends of the spectrum. I think the reason I haven't said too much so far about Elder Kobayashi is because there's not really anything that I have to vent about (knock on wood), and we're having fun pretty much all the time. It's been great! I printed off a few pictures, and so I'll have to see if I can send some over there. It'll be great!!
As for calling, I think Sister Arnett said we can call from her house. It'll probably be at about 3 or 4'o'clock our time (1 or 2 your time? I don't remember...but hopefully, you can find out! I think we're 2 hours ahead, though...). We'll have 40 minutes to call then.
I'm pretty sure all the packages got here. There was the one flat one, with 2 others that were slightly bigger . Fun stuff! One of the bags looked like it has pajama pants in it - are those to wear for Christmas Eve?
I think we're supposed to be having a Christmas Zone Activity on Christmas Day, probably like a white elephant gift exchange. It should be fun! The zone is pretty big.
Sounds like this week was jam-packed! Did you get any jam? Anyway, how'd the rest of the White Elephant go? What did everyone else in the (immediate) family get? And how many dogs do the Henrys' have now? Seems like they're just getting more and more!!
This week was very intense. We didn't get almost eaten by dogs again (Although, one of the sister missionaries had a pretty big puncture wound from a dog bite - They're watching her for rabies. Fun stuff!!!), but we did see a HUGE accident off the 146 in Kemah. They had to life-flight 2 people away! And we were about 20 feet from the wreck - not when it happened, but there was a Pontiac soft-top that they had already ripped the top off of and were using the Jaws of Life (like when Grandma got in her wreck) to get someone else out. And we talked to a man who was slightly odd...he wasn't drunk, but he was completely against ALL technology. And he was ranting on how everyone was judging everyone else...kind of funny. "They do this, and they do that, but I don't judge people!!"
Christmas should be a fun time!! I'm looking forward to this time where we celebrate the birth of our Savior and Redeemer. It's amazing to be out here, serving Him, and finding out what it really is to love people and to want the best for them, even if they swear at us and reject us. They're great people, and I wish there were more who were prepared to receive this wonderful gospel. It will be very awesome, this weekend, to witness a true White Christmas as we see many people enter the Waters of Baptism. I am really excited for this, and I wish I would have realized just how important missionary work was before my mission. I would have worked so much harder to help out the missionaries, because every person really does need this Gospel.
Well, I've got to go now. It's weird to think we're already in Week 5 of this transfer! I'm looking forward to hearing from you next week, and then talking to all y'all on Christmas!!!
I love you!! Have a wonderful week!!
Con mucho amor - a infinidad, y mas alla! (Oh, and just wait until I tell you the story of how a couple of angels fell off the piano!! Remind me about that if I forget!!)
El Devinator
Como estan? Todo esta bien aqui. Estamos trabajando duro con uno familia grande, para traerlos a Cristo por medio del bautismo. Hemos visto muchos cambios en sus vidas, y tambien en el espiritu adentro de su casa.
(Google Translation: "Good afternoon! How are you? All is well here. We are working hard with a family, to bring them to Christ through baptism. We have seen many changes in their lives, and also in the spirit into your home.")
It's been a big adjustment, going from a car in this area to bikes. We're still getting used to it. We'll have to check if there are any days where we can borrow the car from those in our district. That would make our time down in San Leon a lot better spent! With that in mind, that should leave time for OYM-ing (Open Your Mouth) scheduled in, and we should be able to make it to more appointments, if they are on opposite sides of town.
We're working with the Cruz/Melendez family still, and they're awesome!!! At first, Jose wasn't even thinking about marriage or baptism. Now, he's telling us that he needs to get to the court today so that they can be married before their baptism this weekend!!! I'm so happy to see their interest and the value it is in their lives. We're still working on them with their children, because they felt that their children were rowdy (though there were many more people who had rowdier children) and so they felt that someone should stay home with them. But things are going well on the Cruz/Melendez front.
Elder Kobayashi is awesome! He's always ready to go, even if he is a little tired at times, he knows why he's here and that's a great example for me. He's really helped me to enjoy the work, but work hard at the same time. The Gospel and 'fun' aren't at different ends of the spectrum. I think the reason I haven't said too much so far about Elder Kobayashi is because there's not really anything that I have to vent about (knock on wood), and we're having fun pretty much all the time. It's been great! I printed off a few pictures, and so I'll have to see if I can send some over there. It'll be great!!
As for calling, I think Sister Arnett said we can call from her house. It'll probably be at about 3 or 4'o'clock our time (1 or 2 your time? I don't remember...but hopefully, you can find out! I think we're 2 hours ahead, though...). We'll have 40 minutes to call then.
I'm pretty sure all the packages got here. There was the one flat one, with 2 others that were slightly bigger . Fun stuff! One of the bags looked like it has pajama pants in it - are those to wear for Christmas Eve?
I think we're supposed to be having a Christmas Zone Activity on Christmas Day, probably like a white elephant gift exchange. It should be fun! The zone is pretty big.
Sounds like this week was jam-packed! Did you get any jam? Anyway, how'd the rest of the White Elephant go? What did everyone else in the (immediate) family get? And how many dogs do the Henrys' have now? Seems like they're just getting more and more!!
This week was very intense. We didn't get almost eaten by dogs again (Although, one of the sister missionaries had a pretty big puncture wound from a dog bite - They're watching her for rabies. Fun stuff!!!), but we did see a HUGE accident off the 146 in Kemah. They had to life-flight 2 people away! And we were about 20 feet from the wreck - not when it happened, but there was a Pontiac soft-top that they had already ripped the top off of and were using the Jaws of Life (like when Grandma got in her wreck) to get someone else out. And we talked to a man who was slightly odd...he wasn't drunk, but he was completely against ALL technology. And he was ranting on how everyone was judging everyone else...kind of funny. "They do this, and they do that, but I don't judge people!!"
Christmas should be a fun time!! I'm looking forward to this time where we celebrate the birth of our Savior and Redeemer. It's amazing to be out here, serving Him, and finding out what it really is to love people and to want the best for them, even if they swear at us and reject us. They're great people, and I wish there were more who were prepared to receive this wonderful gospel. It will be very awesome, this weekend, to witness a true White Christmas as we see many people enter the Waters of Baptism. I am really excited for this, and I wish I would have realized just how important missionary work was before my mission. I would have worked so much harder to help out the missionaries, because every person really does need this Gospel.
Well, I've got to go now. It's weird to think we're already in Week 5 of this transfer! I'm looking forward to hearing from you next week, and then talking to all y'all on Christmas!!!
I love you!! Have a wonderful week!!
Con mucho amor - a infinidad, y mas alla! (Oh, and just wait until I tell you the story of how a couple of angels fell off the piano!! Remind me about that if I forget!!)
El Devinator
Monday, December 6, 2010
Week 29 - Keep Investigators in Your Prayers
Buenas Tardes! Pues, casi esta!
I only have about 20 minutes for this e-mail, so hopefully, I'll be able to get everything in! Yup, I'm doing well. 's good. We started watching the Christmas devotional, but right after President Uchtdorf's talk, we were outside in the hall talking about a lot of the investigators we have. Four of them that we're working the hardest with are Jose and Teresa,(they're trying to get married) and Millie and Osiel (Daughter and father - we still need permission from her mother to baptize her) Please keep them in your prayers! They have baptismal dates for the 18th, so Satan is going to be working very hard to keep them from reaching those dates! Please, remember them!
I had a lot to talk to President about in our area, and so hopefully one day he'll be able to come out on exchanges with us. Jose and Teresa are awesome! They've been to church 2 times in the past...2 weeks! They are working on getting married right now, but the biggest deal is that they have to make it to the courts to sign the papers, but when they get there (because Jose works during the day) the courts are closed. So one of these days...we'll have to find a way to get them over there and get everything signed, and one of these days before the 18th. Because on the 18th (the Weekend in White), things are going to be crazy! We're working soooo hard to get these people to the waters of baptism, and we're loving it! You should have seen how happy all the missionaries were yesterday at church because everyone had investigators there!!! Hoo-ray!!!!!
We also have Osiel and Millie that we're working with. Millie likes coming to church, and it doesn't look like Osiel minds coming, either. We went over to his house in the morning and woke him up, so then he got ready and came to church! The biggest barrier is Millie's mom (though we do have a baptismal date with Millie right now!!!), and so we're doing everything we can to get that worked out. We want Presidente Hernandez to come with us when we have our next appointment with them, which is Tuesday, so that he can help to move things along in that area. We'll see how things go!
Well, that's been some of the biggest news here so far! We're all working towards that Weekend in White. Oh! And we had a booth at this town Christmas celebration on Saturday, and we talked to A LOT of people! We did most of the talking to them, though we did have two people come up and talk to us. Those were really good, because one of them, she had a lot of questions about the Plan of Salvation. We also might be teaching someone who reads Thai better than English, so we received a Thai Book of Mormon to give to him. Hopefully, we'll be able to meet with him tonight!
Umm....Oh, the winter hat would be nice - the one I got from BYU. I didn't think it ever got cold here in Texas! And Kaytlin asked if there was anything she could make -Actually, there is! I don't know if she's still really into knitting, but if she is, I could really use a scarf! It would come in very handy against the wind and cold!
Black socks would do well as well. I've been running out of those faster now. I think the washing machine is eating them!!
Let's see, anything else...Were you able to get Caleb's address? ANNNNNDDDD.......I think that's it! Although, maybe a legit lightsaber would be cool. It would be legit. (2 ligit 2 quit!) YUP!
Well, I've got to hit the road! It's been Swell! I'm looking forward to hearing from you next week!
I love you!
Con Amor!
Elder Dev-o Collins
I only have about 20 minutes for this e-mail, so hopefully, I'll be able to get everything in! Yup, I'm doing well. 's good. We started watching the Christmas devotional, but right after President Uchtdorf's talk, we were outside in the hall talking about a lot of the investigators we have. Four of them that we're working the hardest with are Jose and Teresa,(they're trying to get married) and Millie and Osiel (Daughter and father - we still need permission from her mother to baptize her) Please keep them in your prayers! They have baptismal dates for the 18th, so Satan is going to be working very hard to keep them from reaching those dates! Please, remember them!
I had a lot to talk to President about in our area, and so hopefully one day he'll be able to come out on exchanges with us. Jose and Teresa are awesome! They've been to church 2 times in the past...2 weeks! They are working on getting married right now, but the biggest deal is that they have to make it to the courts to sign the papers, but when they get there (because Jose works during the day) the courts are closed. So one of these days...we'll have to find a way to get them over there and get everything signed, and one of these days before the 18th. Because on the 18th (the Weekend in White), things are going to be crazy! We're working soooo hard to get these people to the waters of baptism, and we're loving it! You should have seen how happy all the missionaries were yesterday at church because everyone had investigators there!!! Hoo-ray!!!!!
We also have Osiel and Millie that we're working with. Millie likes coming to church, and it doesn't look like Osiel minds coming, either. We went over to his house in the morning and woke him up, so then he got ready and came to church! The biggest barrier is Millie's mom (though we do have a baptismal date with Millie right now!!!), and so we're doing everything we can to get that worked out. We want Presidente Hernandez to come with us when we have our next appointment with them, which is Tuesday, so that he can help to move things along in that area. We'll see how things go!
Well, that's been some of the biggest news here so far! We're all working towards that Weekend in White. Oh! And we had a booth at this town Christmas celebration on Saturday, and we talked to A LOT of people! We did most of the talking to them, though we did have two people come up and talk to us. Those were really good, because one of them, she had a lot of questions about the Plan of Salvation. We also might be teaching someone who reads Thai better than English, so we received a Thai Book of Mormon to give to him. Hopefully, we'll be able to meet with him tonight!
Umm....Oh, the winter hat would be nice - the one I got from BYU. I didn't think it ever got cold here in Texas! And Kaytlin asked if there was anything she could make -Actually, there is! I don't know if she's still really into knitting, but if she is, I could really use a scarf! It would come in very handy against the wind and cold!
Black socks would do well as well. I've been running out of those faster now. I think the washing machine is eating them!!
Let's see, anything else...Were you able to get Caleb's address? ANNNNNDDDD.......I think that's it! Although, maybe a legit lightsaber would be cool. It would be legit. (2 ligit 2 quit!) YUP!
Well, I've got to hit the road! It's been Swell! I'm looking forward to hearing from you next week!
I love you!
Con Amor!
Elder Dev-o Collins
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