Week 84 - Miracles in the Mission

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLA!!!!!!!

Definitely, AWESOME talking to y'all this past Christmas day! And you know, for some reason I felt like I should have asked more, or said more, and now I know why: There's been SO MUCH that has happened! And with Elder Nore and his first baptism already - Way awesome! It sounds like he's loving it out there!!

Wow, after reading your e-mail, I don't even know where to start! I'll definitely keep Ethan, Peyton, Dave and Christie in my prayers - this has got to be a really tough time for them right now. I hope things get better soon, and that Ethan is well.
Before I forget (Because after I write it, I want to forget until I need to stress over things in that half of the world): THAT WOULDS BE SO COOL!! The four of us rooming together at BYU-I! Does Justin have his track yet? I can't remember if you told me that they'll let him know later on, or soon after he received his acceptance letter. But yes, that would be rank!

Wow...wow, wow wow...Matt in the Army? When did he go into boot camp? And then with Alexis, and what happened with Timmy Card, and that Mig Jernigan's married, Nathan and Theo on missions, Ryan a few weeks ago and Brother Nelson now...It all just blows my mind! I hope all goes well, and that everyone is able to have the peace that they need, especially around this time of year.

Okay, so I'll try to let you know a little more about what's going on around these parts. On Saturday at mission conference...wow, it was great! We had steak, salad, corn on the cob, and a lot of other great food! Just before that, we watched a great movie called "17 Miracles." It's about the Willie-Martin Handcart company, and there is actually a missionary serving in our mission (And his name is...Elder Willie!) who is a descendant of them. It shows a lot of the miracles that happened on the trail to Zion, and how they were able to make it to the end. It's a great movie...Not a dry eye in the house. You've got to check it out one day! We did a gift exchange after, and heard some skits and musical numbers (Yodeling was...very interesting), and had a good testimony meeting before all the Christmas activities. Sister Saylin put together a book of miracles - miracles that missionaries e-mailed in - and we each got a copy. I'll have to take a picture of the book and then send you a copy (It looks a lot like the Book of Mormon on the cover). Really neat to see all the miracles that are just all throughout the mission.

Then, Sunday I think I told you about. A certain number of members went up front and shared their favorite hymn, why it was their favorite, and then we sang a few lines from it (Oh, and the organ we have here plays by itself - All you have to do it hit the keys to keep the tempo!). It was a very good Sacrament meeting - one where I could really feel the Spirit there. Just a really unique experience.

Monday - A day of a lot of phone calls! After planning, and after we had visited a few people (and had some good lessons with them), the assistants texted us and asked if we could help them out with something, but that they'd call us later on. When they did call, they asked us if they could move us out of our apartment for a little while and move some Sister missionaries in there, because that day (Actually, I think someone said that this happened on Christmas day), the member they were living with went crazy and kicked them out! (When we talked to the Sisters later to give them the keys, they told us that they brought in a Christmas tree without asking, and gave her some gifts...) So they stayed with some other sisters for a night, and yesterday when the assistants called, they had us go home and clean up a bit. An hour and a half later, it was loking pretty good! This morning, we packed up our suitcases with enough clothes to last us for about a week and a half, our study supplies, our bikes, and went over to the apartment of the Houston 4 ward elders, Elder Banks and Elder Stoker. So, all four of us are going to live there until the assistants can find another apartment for someone, either the Sisters or us.

But that wasn't the end of it! The assistants called us back later that night and told us that President wanted us to go on a 48 hour exchange with the Missouri City elders. They had us call them, and we set up the exchange for Thursday evening. I'll be staying here, and Elder Lyman is going to Missouri City, almost to the area where he started his mission. It's definitely going to be an interesting week! And right before we started getting all these calls or finding out about everything that is going on, Elder Lyman said, "There's never anything interesting that goes on in my mission - no emergency exchanges or anything." Well, now there is! It'll be really interesting to see how we do everything, and to see how things turn out in the end!
Elder Lyman in general is doing pretty well. He seems a little homesick, but that should pass in a few days, if all goes well.

I think this is about it! It has definitely been a full week, on both ends! Could you possibly send me that Christmas Newsletter, if it's not too much to ask? It's really cool!

Again, it was super great to talk to you on Christmas!! I hope New Year's is great, too, and that everyone is doing well!
Have a WONDERFUL week!!

Les amo - A infinidad, y mas alla!!

Con MUCHO amor,
Elder Devin Collins

Week 83 - Christmas Mission-Wide Devotional

Aloha!!!

Good to see that everyone is doing well! I hope the Christmas spirit has caught hold of you, and that you're excited for this great season!! It's definitely caught on down here (Here's a picture of the Christmas tree we have up in our apartment!)

Last week went pretty well - We had a devotional this past Sunday, for the entire mission and their investigators! Jose Luis went - And they had translation, too, so at the very end, he was able to find a headset that works and listen to what President was talking about. President Saylin and his two counselors, Presidente Del Aguila and President Quinlan, both spoke. The entire chapel was packed, and they had to open the overflow! It was definitely a good turnout, and President said he was surprised to see so many people there. Guess who I saw there? Elder Black! We're still working out when we're going to be companions, but i guess that'll come with time...if the Lord says that it's OK.

And now...I'm not sure what else to write...There might be a Christmas-related article coming your way, but...it also might get there a little late. So maybe it'll be the '2 Days of Christmas!'

Umm...yeah. It was really good to read about how Elder Nore is doing! Sounds like he's really enjoying it down there. I'm excited to hear his portuguese one day! And it sounds like there's a dialect down there, too? Wow! Lots to learn!

Well, I'd better get going before the computer boots me off. Sorry it's so short today...but hopefully, I'll be able to make up for it when we all talk on Sunday!!
Les amo - A infinidad, y mas alla!!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Devin Collins

Week 82 - The New Chapel

Hellooooooooooo!

Well, this week hasn't been too eventful, but it has been a good week! We had exchanges on Wednesday, which went pretty well. I was over in Elder Bank's area for the day, and we were able to go and teach a few people, as well as do some good finding. Elder Banks and I came out together, so it's been interesting. When everyone talkes about how old he is (Mission-wise), I join in and throw in my opinion. And then everyone says, "Hey! But you're the same age as him!" It's been fun.

Wow, sounds like a busy week! And sounds like things are going to get busier still! I'm excited to hear you, Kaytlin, and Kristin playing the piano, trombone, and clarinet! And has Justin heard back from any other schools yet? How are his finals going? How are the preparations for Christmas going? How's Ryan been doing? Is he using his walker?

Thanks for all the Christmas wishes and things! It's weird to think that this is already my last Christmas in the mission...time goes by too fast.

We started at the new chapel this past week. It's VERY new!! It's raised up, so they can't put a baptismal font in it, but everything looks great! I don't even know where to start, but I'll try to take some pictures when we're over there for our district activity. The library has...drum roll...plasma-screen TVs! I've never seen those in any other building! There's a wood-floor gym in the middle, and I've heard that it looks almost exactly like the church buildings in Colombia or Venezuela. I guess we have another taste of the Southern America culture here now, and it's great!

Interviews with President Saylin went well. It was good to just talk to him, especially about studies. I got the chance to talk to him about the Atonement, and as we talked, he's given me some good things to study and think about. Studies have been very cool and very fun - They're the best when I'm really trying to feast on the scriptures, not just 'nibble at the appetizers' like President has talked about sometimes.

I'm trying to think what else has happened, but I think that's the most of it. It's been a good week. I was talking to Elder Lyman about this a little earlier, but it's really cool to be serving among the Lamanites here.

OH! So, this past Tuesday, we had a pretty cool lesson with Walter Cuc. We had studied the Mighty Change of Heart in the scriptures for two days after he asked about it, and then when we went to teach, we just basically had a study session. And his cousin from Guatamala called and took a big part in the study, even saying the closing prayer, all the way from Guatamala! It was really fun, and I learned a lot from it.

Well, that about does it! I'm looking forward to talking to you soon! I hope that finals go well, and that everything slows down a little bit after the holidays!

Con mucho amor,
A infinidad - y mas alla!

Elder Collins

Week 81 - "We Saw Miracles"

Hola!!! How y'all doing today?

CONGRATULATIONS, JUSTIN!!!! That's awesome!!!! I'm excited to hear
about how things go with BYU-I!! Especially about which track, and
about what you'll be studying...have any ideas yet?

Well, this has definitely been an interesting week! We've been working
hard, and have been seeing a lot of blessings. We're especially
excited for the wekend in white coming up, and we'll really be doing
all we can, "earnestly striving" as is the Standard of Excellence, to
find and prepare the family who the Lord has placed in our area for
baptism. Right now, we have a family of two or three, as well as their
neighbor, who have the capability to be baptized. They still haven't
been to church yet, but the church building, starting this week, will
be just three streets down from their house. We're excited to see them
progress! We still have other people who are preparing for baptism,
but they are the only family (The Dastro family).

This weekend, we also saw miracles. We were able to visit a
less-active member, who has been less-active for most of his life.
He's gotten into some things earlier in life that haven't been good,
but as we talked to him, he told us that he was really looking to come
back to church. He also told us that his friends were planning on
going out later and drinking and that he didn't want to do it, but
that after we left, the tempation became very strong. So we invited
him to come out and teach with us, right then and there. He said
"Okay"! From 4:00 that afternoon (and it was a miracle to find him at
home, too!) up until our last appointment at 8:30, he accompanied us
to lessons, even getting in to teach a less-active family that we had
been trying to visit for a long time. The next day, he got up in
sacrament meeting and bore a powerful testimony of the Church and the
power of example (He has a little sister who is a member as well -
She's been a big example for him to fight to come back to Church
activity). In all honesty, this has been one of the most spiritual and
filling experiences of my life!

The ward is doing pretty great, and the sister missionaries are
working hard as well. It's great to have them as part of the ward. As
for the Christmas phonecalls, we're still kind of looking for a member
who has a landline that you can call to, but almost everyone has cell
phones. By next week, though, we'll have calls and call times set up.
It's really weird that it's come up so fast! Time really does fly!! We
actually have a dinner appointment with the Bishop on Sunday, so
that'll be pretty exciting. We've been getting fed pretty regularly,
which is good, but rarely (except in the case of part-member families)
have there been investigators there who can be taught. We're working
on it, and I guess we'll see how it goes! We have a calender filled
out for most of the month, to go by and visit people. The ward is
coming together, and it's great to see all the work people are putting
in to improve and help out, especially because there is so much work
to do!

Things are going well - there have been some days when we get food a
few times in a row - and all within 3 hours. I've been trying to work
on the Tongan crunch, but haven't quite gotten it down yet. I'll have
to work on it, just in case.

We'll be having our Christmas devotional for ALL of the mission
(instead of just half one day, half the next) on....drum roll....the
24th!!!!!! It's going to be so cool!! We're all going to spend
Christmas Eve together as a mission!! And then the next day, we'll be
able to spend time together as a district, just having fun, talking,
maybe having an activity, and just enjoying the Spirit of Christmas!
It's going to be great!! How are the plans for Christmas going in your
neck of the woods? Another Christmas Eve dinner of pizza and sparkling
cider? Hey...that's actually a good idea!! Maybe we'll do that, too!
I'm excited already!!

I'm trying to think of what else has been going on here...We have some
people who we're working with for the Weekend in White, and President
Saylin, in the last Ebenezer (mission newspaper, of a sort) gave a
talk about not letting discouragement get to you. It's a great talk,
and really helped to lift me up. This is going to be a great Weekend
in White - because we're all looking for families in white!

Well, I've got to go. I love y'all SO MUCH!!! Have a great week, don't
be too hard on Ryan, and I'm super excited to hear about all the great
things that are going on this week!!

Les amo, a infinidad, y mas alla!!!

Elder Devin Collins : D

Week 80 - Creating a Ward Mission Plan for the New Ward

Aloha!

Wow, it sounds like it's been an interesting week in that neck of the woods! Always something new! And at least with Grandm this year, dropping te frozen turkey on her toe isn't quite as bad as spilling the grease all over her foot...was it the same foot? Maybe for Christmas, you can get her steel-toed boots to wear while making turkey! And maybe some of those heavy-rubber pants they use in fishing! It would be great!!

Thank you, and everyone, for all the birthday wishes!! I got a card from Grandma and Grandpa Black, a box from the Merrills, and cards from the Nores and one from the Osborns as well!! It was a very fun birthday - We made and ate arepas! They're a specialty from Venezuela. Super good! We made them with the Longobardi family (Jose Luis). I had some pictures I wanted to send, but then I realized that I don't have the card to transfer pictures from my camera to the computer...and the computer is locked behind a wooden case. SO! Next time, I'll have to make sure I bring it!

And by the way...I'm not getting transfered! Still here for another one! There is a lot going on here, and a lot to do! We just received some Senior Sisters in the ward, and we had the opportunity to meet with them yesterday, to talk about the area book, the area, and what we're going to do to work the area. It's going to be interesting - I've never done this before, and there's a lot to do! But the Sisters are awesome -One of them works in the mission home, so she said that she will be really busy today and tomorrow (with the departing and arriving missionaries), and so they will start on Wednesday around 3. We've got a lot of work to do, and on the 11th, we'll be meeting in the new chapel!! It's coming up quick! And it looks really cool, except for the fact that it doesn't have a baptismal font, so we won't be able to do that part on the Church Tours...

As for Thanksgiving (Kind of jumping around a lot in my responses to your letter), we celebrated with the Longobardi and Delgado families, both from Venezuela! They made some super good turkey, and they had empanadas, salad, potatoes, and rice. A super good Thanksgiving dinner! We tried to find some people, and we may have found some hopefuls. Unfortunately, they're in other areas, and I think they speak English...

Wow, everyone is already heading back to school, and James is getting all set! I'm super excited to hear about what BYU and BYU-I respond. It would be great if we can both attend there! Just going and having a blast (And, of course, studying )!!

As for what we're doing in our area...We're putting a lot bigger focus on the members. We've started to lose that a bit, even though this year is the year of the member. We need to get back on it. Especially with the new ward, we need to help all the members get to know one another and help one another to keep going strong, because there are a few people who had been attending Bering and Houston 1 ward for a LONG time, and they're having a lot of difficulty moving over. It makes me think about my first little bit of time in Oroville: We live in Table Mountain Ward boundaries, but the entire family goes to either Oroville 1st or 3rd. But after a while, I just really came to love Table Mountain. We have so many good people there, and the quirks that we sometimes think bother us end up being the things that we start to hold most dear, and then the ward becomes our ward, not just another ward somewhere. Just thinking about that a bit - Table Mountain really fell well with me, and I didn't even realize it! A great place to learn and grow!!

Elder Lyman and I have been doing pretty well. It's interesting how the good days and bad days come and go, and sometimes I don't even know why the bad days come, or what makes the good days good. It's a very interesting learning experience, but I wouldn't want to open up this area with anyone else! We're learning a lot together, and hopefully making some good progress!! I love the ward, the people who are trying so hard to make it work, and how, little by little, things are coming together. I feel really blessed to be here in the beginnings of Houston 8 (There was an old Houston 8, but only about 5 people from the original Houston 8 are in the ward boundaries, so it basically is a completely new ward), and I'm excited to see where it goes, especially as time goes on and more and more people begin attending. We've been asked to create a Ward Mission Plan, and then present it to the Bishop. Another learning experience, but the Lord wouldn't have put us here if we couldn't do it. We might have to struggle a little bit, but He always makes sure things get done; we just need to give it our best!!!

Well...as for Courtney - I guess she's not 'the one!' It really doesn't bother me all that much. Could you send a copy of it out here? I'm not really sure what to say, but I guess "Congrats!" works pretty well!! I guess life goes on! It's always an adventure! But let me tell you, it's AWESOME to have the work of the Lord be the only thing that we have to focus on. Everything else...it'll come in time.
How is the Torricelli family doing? Last I heard, they were going to Disneyland...but that was back when I was with Elder Rodriguez, so a little while ago...maybe in May. So just kind of wondering how they're doing. What they've been up to.

Well, time to get going!! Thank you, one and all for the birthday wishes! It definitely made it a great birthday!!

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

Con mucho amor,
Elder Devin Collins

Week 79 - "All these things shall give thee experience..."

Hola, y'all!

Hopefully, by the time you get this, I've already responded to the "orders of business," so then this should be all about how things have been going!

So, I got this box after District Meeting today. It was a pretty good size! I was super excited....and then I realized that it was medical supplies...Elder Lyman laughed when he saw what was inside. Kind of funny.

Well, the week went well. There was kind of a let down during the week, but not too bad. Jose Luis had his interview on Wednesday to be baptized. Just before that, he said that he was over at a store, and he got to talking about the Church with someone. He told her, "If you see a couple of young men on bikes with white shirts and ties, you need to talk to them. What they share will change your life." WAY COOL!!!!! Even cooler, because he hasn't really been open to the Church, even though he has been associating with the Church for about the past 10 years, until recently. He passed his first interview, but the next day we got a call that said he wouldn't be able to be baptized at that time. That was the day of the baptism. He wasn't very happy at all, but he's doing alright now. Even though that happened, I still feel like things are going according to the will of the Lord, even if I don't know what is going on. Fortunately, He always knows what He's doing, even when we can't see it. "All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good..."

As for President Rasband, he's a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, and it was definitely a spiritual feast! He talked about some of the faith-building experience that he's had as a mission president, and also as a Seventy: some of the instruction he's received, and God's chosen that he's had the opportunity to learn from. I received some pretty good instruction from him on some questions I had, but more than that, I was able to receive some important confirmation from the Holy Ghost about the work that we do.

Elder Lyman is from Ceder City, Utah (I think it's close to St. George). He's a good, hard-working missionary, and fun to be around. This past week, when we found out that Jose Luis wouldn't be baptized that day, he was pretty upset. Kind of scared me a little bit, but we're all still here! He has one brother who already served his mission, and now he's at home and working. I guess he made a pretty good haunted house (his brother) that had people coming in to see all the way from Las Vegas. That has to be pretty good!

Hmm...I'm trying to think of what else, but I'm getting a little low on time...
How are y'all doing? It's always exciting to hear about the mission applications going in! I'm really excited to see where Corey and Spencer get called to!! And it's very weird to think about Justin already putting in school applications...still looking to study film? I heard from a friend from school (BYU-I) a little while ago -Kayla Seaver, who I took Ballroom with. She's planning on serving a mission!! I think she said she'll be going in May, around her birthday, so that's way cool! Definitely the best decision to take at this point in life - I'd recommend it, highly, to everyone!!

Well, about time to go. I'm looking forward to hearing about how everything is going, and how you all are doing! Have a FANTASTIC week!!!

Les amo, a infinidad, y mas alla!!!
Elder Devin Collins

Week 78 - A Baptism and a New Ward

BUENOOOOOOOS DIAS, FAMILIA!!!

Wow, it's good to be a missionary in the great Texas Houston South Mission!!! There's always more to learn and do!! We're looking forward to a zone conference tomorrow, so that should be pretty great. The leadership of the mission told us that we all need to bring our cars (We have a silver 2010 Chevy Malibu with a nice little dent about the size of my head in the back bumper. But don't worry! This time it wasn't me!), and to leave the car unlocked with the keys on the floor. All the cars are getting something new...I think it's XM radio, to listen to MoTab all the time, but I haven't met anyone who agrees with me so far...

Oh, and I wanted to wish Grandma Black a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I wasn't able to pick up a card, but I might tomorrow...so if I'm able to, it might get there a little late...but Grandma, Happy Birthday!!!

And I guess a couple of business-related things before I get into the big part of the letter:
In terms of white shirts, maybe one more long sleeve, but the rest short-sleeve. I'm still working on the garments part - I tried one on, and it was good in the sleeves, but super long, so I might bring them to the office tomorrow and see what they can do with them. We're having that zone conference tomorrow, so we'll see.
As for the other supplies, I think socks, maybe a pair of shoes (I'm kind of thinking about just taking the ones I have into the cobbler and getting the bottoms redone, because the rest of the shoes look fine.), snacks are always great, and ties are wonderful (even just the thrift-store ties!!!!!).

Okay, and the things I'm going to list next are WANTS, not needs (just wanted to put that there first!). The first is that the Saylin family has black scripture cases with the state of Texas on the front. I wanted to see if I'd be able to get those for my Spanish scriptures, but I forgot to measure how big they are... The person who makes them can be reached at mr.jake.whittaker@gmail.com . The other thing is called a morral (or something like that). It's a shoulder bag from Guatamala, about the size of a big binder. In the picture you sent me a while back of Elder Scherck standing next to Shrek, Elder Scherck is wearing one. I'm pretty sure they can be ordered online, but I don't know. Just thought those would be fun. But just remember, those are WANTS, not needs!!

Okay, and so on to the letter!!

WE HAVE A BAPTISM SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY!!!!! We're super excited!! His name is Jose Luis. All of his family are members, but he isn't. His wife has been 'encouraging' him for a while (She definitely thinks he should be baptized), and now he has decided to be baptized. Thursday is his birthday, and on the 10th his wife was baptized as well. He said on the 10th of next year, he wants to go through the temple and be sealed as an eternal family!!! We helped them to move to another appartment in our area all of yesterday after planning, but it went well. I don't think we really should have been there for 4 hours, but it went well. They're a great family.

Let's see, what else...
Actually, not a whole lot on this side. Oh! We have a new ward! The Bishop who was called is very young (late 20s, I think), but still awesome. He's been going to meetings, and even called us to see if we were still going over to visit with a family, to see if he'd be able to go. The family that we visited was the Ramirez-Longobardi family, and they had us come over to bless their new appartment before they moved in. It was a pretty great experience - Elder Lyman said the prayer, and then next day they told us that the house already felt different. Way cool experience!!

We have a bishopric in the ward, but they're still working on calling the other leaders, teachers, and presidents. I'm excited to see how it goes!
Tomorrow, we're going to have that Zone Conference, and then on Friday, Ronald A. Rasband is going to come and speak to the mission!! Actually, all 3 Houston missions on Friday morning. There is so much going on!!

I think I said this last week, but our area basically doubled in size, so we're working on managing it. Oh, and last week the building we'll be going to for Church wasn't open, so we went to Bissonnet - the building I was at in Houston 2 - And I got to see a lot of the same people I had seen just a few weeks ago!! It was amazing!! And so great just talking to everyone!! I had the BIGGEST smile on my face as we walked down the hall and I realized that all the people standing at the end were from Houston 2!!

Well, it's about time to go. This week looks like it's going to be an interesting week!! I love y'all, and I'm super excited to hear how everything goes during the week! Have a great one!!!

Con mucho amor, A infinidad, y mas alla!!!
Elder Collins

Week 77 - A Halloween Family Home Evening

November 1, 2011

ALOHA!! And Happy (late) Halloween!!

Thank you so much for the Halloween package! I love it! I'm working my way through most of the sugar-free candy, and it sure is delicious! Thank you for the letter!! I loved reading all about how your preparations are going for Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas. And yes, that would be AMAZING if Elder Nore came here while waiting on his visa! We actually talked to a sister missionary here who originally was going Portugese-speaking, but her visa didn't come through, so she was re-assigned here. Then, the Brethren changed her assignment to here in Houston...and then her visa came through. But that would be so much fun if Elder Nore came here, even for just a little while.

It looks like Halloween went well!! And yes - the Pebbles costume is AWESOME!! Looks like everyone had a great time!! Did Dad dress up, too? Halloween here was pretty low-key, but not too bad. We were really blessed yesterday. Usually, we have to come in at 7:00 unless we have a set appointment to go to. So we worked and had a really great lesson with someone named Daniel (And he has a date for the 26th!!!), and while we were there, we got a call from someone, but couldn't answer it while in the lesson. So we got back to the apartment, we called the number back, and it was from the Salazar family, asking if we could come over and do a Family Home Evening lesson at 8:00. We went, because it was a set lesson! We shared about listening to the Holy Ghost (One of the children, Michael, was blindfolded, and his dad was the 'Holy Ghost', and gave him directions to get to the 'prize.' Everyone else gave him bad directions and was yelling at him, but he had to really focus on his dad's voice to get to the 'prize', some candy we brought.). It was a very fun lesson! We had tried it before in Houston 2, but we didn't explain it very well. This time, we had a lot of help and we were able to explain it clearly, and it went well. Afterwards, we sang "Mas cerca Dios de Ti", (Nearer my God, to Thee), and we ate...you guessed it...PIZZA!!! And hotwings!! It was great!! And that was how our Halloween went!

Okay, and now on to the business section:
1. As for the Birthday and Christmas question - I guess I can throw a list together
Hmm....white shirts are always good, and ties are great as well ( Conservative ties). Then, MoTab CDs are great! (Especially the Christmas CDs!) I have 'Then Sings My Soul', 'Love at Home', 'Peace like a River', 'America's Choir', 'Heavensong', and 'Showtime!' Then there are a couple of other CDs from MoTab, like 'This is the Christ' and 'Men of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.' And I love food! Really, pretty much anything along those lines, anything that can help out in missionay work in that area would be great! And thanks the thoughtfulness! Even just a card is fine!
2. Yes, I'll start school in September.

The temple trip was great! And after the temple on Wednesday, we had the great opportunity to listen to the Temple President speak to us!! Definitely a very unique experience, and I learned a lot more about the importance of the temple and learned to appreciate it a little more.

We had a pretty fun experience on Saturday - Elder Lyman and I went down to Elder Lyman's old area, Alvin, so he could baptize someone who he had been teaching. On our way back (we were riding in the car of a member named Pepe), the car died on the side of the freeway at about 8:45 at night. So after trying to start it and get it going again, we called the Zone Leaders, they helped us to get ahold of a tow truck, and the other elders came and picked us up. At the end, we got home at exactly..11:00 at night. Definitely a fun and crazy day!

And with the last minute or two, we're now in Houston 8 - the Stake divided some of the wards and redid the boundaries. I'll let you know how it goes!! We about doubled in size.

Well, time to go. I hope this answers all your questions, and that everything is going well!
I love you! A infinidad, y mas alla!!

Con mucho amor,
Elder Collins

Week 76 - Transferred and Opening Up a New Area!

Buenas dias!!

Greetings from Houston 1 West West!! Yes, Houston 1 West West! We've nicknamed it 'Far West', but the Assistants still haven't opted to change the name...probably because we'll be going through a split in the ward (which is a big part of the reason as to why we're here, I think), and we'll be getting another name here soon. But we'll see - anything can happen!

It's definitely been interesting. I don't even know where to start!
So, at transfer meeting: President Saylin put my picture up on the transfer board. It didn't register in my mind that the person who has already been in the area goes up on the projector first. Then, Elder Lyman's name and picture went up on the board! He's a pretty awesome elder, and he was trained by Elder Perez, who was also trained by Elder Jenks. So, it's almost like we're family! It's pretty fun.
After our names and pictures were up on the board and we saw which area we were in, we sat back down. It wasn't until the end when we were talking when re realized that we're both new in this area. Neither of us have been in Houston 1 before. So, what we're doing now is opening up a new area! It's definitely been a new experience.
So, we arrived, unloaded our things in the apartment that used to belong to the Sister missionaries (so it's a really nice apartment - I wish I could send pictures, but this computer doesn't have a way to send them.), and realized that we are really starting out from almost the beginning. We didn't have an area book, or investigators, or know any of the members. We decided to first get to know the members in our area, especially since we learned that we had a dinner appointment in our area that same night. As we were biking to the appointment, we stopped to wait at a light so we could cross. While we were waiting, a bird pooped on Elder Lyman's shirt. I'm pretty sure the green stain is still there.

This past weekend, we actually went back to Elder Lyman's old area, Alvin, to see a family he and Elder Nash found be baptized. It was a great experience! And it really was a miracle: We had to get a ride with a member to go down there, and none of the members in the ward were available. So we talked to a lot of members from the English ward, and they all said no as well. But then we got a call from Brother Rich, who said he could take us at the last minute. And we made it to Alvin just as they were opening up the font. An awesome miracle!

It's definitely a lot bigger than Houston 2 West, but it's not as big as Kemah. It's a pretty nice size. And we've definitely been led and guided by the Lord to do the work here. Usually, I'm not the greatest with directions, but this pastweek as been something else. As I've been praying about where to go or how to get to a certain place, it comes to mind how to get there, even though neither of us have been in this area for more than a week...less, actually. The population here is very different than it even was across the freeway. There, we rarely saw white people. Here, it's the exact opposite. We definitely have had to adjust our finding methods, and are really looking to work through the members. They already know people here, and we've been able to have some success in that area because of the great members we have here.

Oh, and just before I forget - I know I already sent it, but here is the address for the complex (It's called 'Renaissance Village'):
12951 Briar Forest Dr. #1203
Houston, TX 77077

We talked to the office, too, and they said that if packages get sent here, they'll hold on to them until we can come and pick them up.
Hmm...what else...

Well, yesterday was a good day. We had 2 Family Home Evening lessons with two different families - One family was the Salazar family. He is a recent convert, and still waiting on Bishop Cabezas (of Houston 1) to sign his baptismal record so that he can receive the Priesthood. They invited two other families, one of which is waiting to be married and become baptized in the coming weeks.

The other family was the Longobardi-Ramirez family. He isn't a member, but all the rest of his family is. He has a baptismal date, but he's fighting a lot against being baptized. We're going to need a miracle to help him out. Fortunately, if we do all we can, God also works miracles. So we're excited for him. We shared a lesson with both of them about writing their last words to someone who was close to them. Then, as they told us why it was important to write those words, we would crumple up the letters. We related that to what we do when we don't read the scriptures. These were their last words, and we don't always value them as we should.

Well, that's about time...I wish I could have written more! This has been a very full week!!

I love you!!
Con mucho amor, a infinidad, y mas alla!!

Elder Collins

Week 75 - A Wonderful Time in Houston 2 West!

October 18, 2011

Buenos Dias!!

Wow, this has been a wonderful time here in Houston 2 West! I've been very blessed to work in the best ward in the mission...and by that, the best ward in the world! The members are amazing, the Bishopric wonderful, and the work moving forward very well, led and guided by the Lord. We've been seeing some great success, especially over the past couple of weeks. I love this area, and I know it's in good hands.
We met someone named Michael (18 yrs.) this past week. We were looking for his roommate, Daniel (14 yrs.), but found him instead. He's had a rough life, but fortunately, has a wonderful mom. Michael is from here in Houston, but speaks Spanish with his mom at home. He was born in Dallas, moved to the Los Angeles area for a little while, moved to Louisiana for a summer, and now lives here. Michael came to Church this week, too!!! That just made my week, and another thing that made this the best ward in the world! Oh, and I guess right before we went to see Michael last night, just to see if they needed help moving (but they'll be moving on Wednesday), he said that right before we got there, riding up all calm and everything, there were gunshots right in their courtyard. It's great to be home!!
Michael really enjoyed Church, even though he was a little uncomfortable at first, being in a new place with a bunch of people he didn't know. But by the end, he knew most of the ward - basically everyone who was there went and talked to him, if only to introduce themselves and give him a warm smile. He said he'll come back next week, and I'm so excited to see his progress in the Gospel!

I've had a great opportunity and a great blessing to serve with Elder Burbank. I'm pretty sure, just as this is the best ward in the world, that he's one of the best missionaries in this mission. He's taught me so much! I hope he was able to have the experience he needed to start off his mission right, because I know I'm not perfect and still have A LOT to work on. But it's been a wonderful opportunity to make a new friend for life. He's awesome!!!

We've had a good run here, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens during transfers. The entire mission is having a meeting at 1:00, just before Transfer Meeting at 3. We also received a text during the week that said we shouldn't answer political questions, but to refer all questions to mormon.org, so we're thinking that the meeting might be about that. We'll see!!

For this month, we have a goal that every companionship in the mission baptize. We've been working, and we've had a good focus on member present lessons, but I think that's kind of got us unfocused on baptizing this month. We definitely have people who can be baptized this month, we just need to find the person that the Lord wants us to baptize, who has been prepared, and then to exercise our faith and go and do. This is a great time in Houston 2 West!

We've also been working with a pretty cool part-member family. It really is better when investigators are taught in the home of their member friend!! We've been teaching to the children, but making our lessons focused on the grown-up investigators. I really like it! The kids can get into it (like being blindfolded and following the still, small Voice), and it's what we need to teach!

I think it's that time. I love you all SOOO MUCH!!! Keep up the great work, and I'm looking forward to hearing all about how this coming week goes!! Have a great one!!

Con mucho amor, a infinidad, y mas alla!!

Elder Devin Collins

Week 74 - Almost Got Arrested?

October 11, 2011

Hoooola!!

I only have 15 minutes left (busy e-mail time today!), but I'll write as much and as fast as I can!!!

So, this week we were really blessed and watched over. We were led to find 11 new people to teach this week!! What a week! Most of them seem to have a lot of potential, and we're looking forward to seeing them again!

We also almost got arrested the other day by a security guard (and not just any security guard, but someone who looks just a step below the Houston Police Department! ). He told us next time to bring our IDs. We can do that. We also went and talked to the office of the apartnemt complex, and got things sorted out with them. As long as we're not knocking on doors at random, or just as long as it isn't our intention to knock on all the doors in the complex, we're good to work there. That was a miracle, too, because when we went in to the office, we found someone who works there that we associate with a lot, and he gave us a vote of confidence by just talking to us about when their next fishing trip is. Plus, when he talked to us in Spanish, that helped some of the other office people to de-stress a little bit and I think not be so opposed to our being there. All in all, a great miracle!
We got a lot of rain this week, too. One day it just poured. We were inside the first time, eating at 'La Pupusa Rica,' and we could see the rain coming down in sheets as we ate our pupusas. The next time, though...we weren't so lucky. We were in a complex, looking to see if someone was at home, and it just started to pour on us. After we were soaked, we took refuge in a mail room while we made some calls to see who was home in that complex. Everyone was busy, and so we went back out to find a house that we had just passed by, with people who we had talked to before. They opened up the door and let us, and gave us towels to dry off a bit (This is when I was on exchanges with Elder Christensen). We taught a lesson, really trying to focus on their understanding, and the Spirit was definitely there. Three of them became new investigators during the week.

Well, that's about it for now. Elder Burbank is doing well, but we have transfers next week. We'll see what happens! I don't have the foggiest idea of what might happen!

I love you!! A infinidad, y mas alla!
Have a great week!!!

Elder Devin Collins

Week 73 - Conference Was GREAT!

Alooooooooooha!

How are ya'll? Great to hear from you!! And thanks for the pictures - They're great! How did you move the entire drum set? But the pictures turned out great, so it looks like it was worth it!

So, I do have a Visa card, but it's been tucked away in my suitcase for about the past year (wow. That's a little bit of time.). I should be good with the money I have on my bank card (knock on wood - especially with what happened to Elder Black. I hope things get better for him! I've got to keep that in mind to ALWAYS know where my wallet is, and to keep careful track of it.).

As for the referrals from the Gladys Knight fireside: We received one, and she was the investigator that we brought. And then she moved the next day up to Dallas. She just called us at about 1:00 the next day, after we had delivered the gift bag, and said, "I'm moving up to Dallas! One of my relatives called and said that there is work up there, so now I'm just waiting for someone to come and pick me up." And now she's up there. Also, Cornelio just moved to the other side of the freeway (about a 10 minute bike ride), and so he's out of our area now. Hopefully, though, the other Elders will be able to find him and he'll be able to be baptized within the month!! That would be awesome!!

Conference was GREAT!! I loved it so much!! This was definitely the best Conference yet!! (And no matter how many times I say that, it's true, because we can receive at Conference the specific direction that we need at that time!) I really liked the talk by Carlos Cook, as well as the one by Tad McCallister. And, definitely, the talks by the 12 and the FIrst Presidency. There were a lot of things in their talks that I needed to hear, and a lot of personal direction that I needed. It's always great!

Wow, I'm already down to 12 minutes! Let's see, what else...
Overall, I think Conference was one of the greatest parts of the week. Oh! Two other experiences:

I think it was Thursday. It was a colder, Thursday night...We were riding along, and we were about to pass a complex where one of our investigators lived. At about the same time, both Elder Burbank and I thought, "Hmm...I wonder how Marino (the investigator) is doing." And then, he walked out of the complex! We hadn't seen him for three weeks, so the first thing he asked us was, "Where have you been?" He hadn't been progressing very well, so we hadn't really had any great drive to see him. But even with his vision problems, which before had stopped him from reading very well, he told us that he had read, "A little bit," of the Book of Mormon, and then proceeded to recount about half the book of Mosiah, and most of the book of Alma to us!! Wow!! He's been doing wonderful!! So we went over, talked to him a little bit about prophets (Oh, so we found him on Friday, and visited him on Saturday, between sessions of Conference), and then we all went over to conference together!! He had to leave a little early, just because he wasn't feeling well, but it was a great time, and we were super excited to see him again, and that he is finding his own testimony of the Church, for himself. He seems a lot more sure, a lot more confident and independant.

Then on Sunday, we were going to a complex to find someone to teach. We knocked on the door and he wasn't there. Soon after that, while we were still at the door, a man drove up in his car and said, "Hey! My friend Santos needs you to come by! He's sick, and so you should pray with him!" So we went by - he wasn't sick, but he accepted a baptismal date, and in the end, prayed that he might be able to go to Church on Sunday!!

Well, I've got to go!!

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

Elder Devin Collins

Week 72 - The Gladys Knight Devotional

Hoooooooola, ya'll!!!

Wow, a VERY busy week, it sounds like! I love hearing about how everything is going, all the new developments, and how the Lord leads and guides you always. It's very fun and cool to see from here! And I'm really excited to meet Brother Art Da Rosa one day! How is he? Have you all been to play tennis with him? Does he still speak Portugese? Send pictures (when you get the chance)! I always like to have face I can put with a name! Where is his son going to be serving? and Mom, CONGRATS on the exam! And CONGRATS on the one you were waiting for!! All that hard work and homework is paying off!

How was Cody when you went to the Open House? Is he all set to go?
Oh, and before I forget - With the mp3 player (and if it's not too much to ask) would you be able to hang on to it until after this weekend, and then put the talks from General Conference on it? If you've already sent it, though, no worries! We'll all be enjoying Conference in just a few days!

Overall, not too bad of a week, especially as Elder Ruske and I (we were on exchanges while Elder Burbank and Elder Christensen - Elder Ruske's companion - worked at the Gladys Knight devotional) were working to cover both areas. We didn't have the number of lessons that we would have liked, but the quality of the lessons that we did have the chance to teach was very good. We taught well in unity, and really connected in those 4 days that we were working together. I'm very glad for the opportunity that I had to work with him.

So, with the Gladys Knight devotional...I did get to go!! It was definitely an experience! The music wasn't something I'm very used to, but there were some songs in there that I loved. La Via Dolorosa was a good one, and was in both English and Spanish, so the investigator that we brought (Alma, but not a man) was able to understand a lot of that one. It talks about Christ's journey to Calvary, and did so in a way that really captured a lot of the feeling that I think gets lost from just talking about it. Then there was another one, called Tomorrow, or something like that, that talked about giving our lives to God...tomorrow...and just how that doesn't really work out. They sang about how tomorrow isn't promised to anyone, so we need to make the best of life today, and serve God today. Both were very interesting!

Here's the announcement that President Saylin sent out to us after the devotional:

"Wow!!! The SUV Choir Firesides were amazing. After watching one, I was so grateful to see many of you in attendance with your investigators. It was a powerful experience. If you did not get a chance to attend, I encourage you to find someone who did at zone meeting on Friday and find out as much about it as you can.
Our little team of missionaries collected a record-breaking 1,941 request cards! The majority of these requests were within the Texas Houston South Mission. You have already been receiving the gift bags and have been delivering them. This is an amazing time for our mission.

We ask that you please make every effort to deliver each and every gift bag within 48 hours of the fireside. If you have any bags remaining undelivered, please make it a priority to get them delivered today. These contacts are time sensitive. You will be received differently if they still remember the spirit they felt at the firesides and Sister Knight's words still ring in their hearts.

It is also important to report on your contacts and deliveries!!! Please be sure to promptly update the referral database by calling to the system. Additionally, please update your district and zone leaders. Many leaders, including the Brethren, are watching to see the value of these contacts and we want to make sure our reporting is accurate.

I am proud to be the president of such a wonderful band of missionaries. You are tremendous servants of the Lord. I am confident that the firesides and referral cards were so successful because of the great ground work done by all of you over the last few months. You are the reason we have such a high percentage of the fruits of this undertaking. Now we will reap the blessings!
Can you hear it? It is the sound of the abundance of rain."

Much love,
President Saylin

From even just the numbers, a really good fireside!
The Gladys Knight devotional went well! We had the opportunity to bring an investigator to the devotional, Alma, but I'm not sure she was the reason we were supposed to bring someone to the devotional. As we were frantically looking for someone to bring to the devotional (the person we had planned to bring decided later not to go), we called as many people as we could. We even walked around outside in our complex to try to find someone who could go with us (we already had the ride set up and ready). One of the times that we left the house, we found someone walking down the stairs. We talked to her, and asked her if she knew about Gladys Knight. She gave us a look like, "Do you know who you're talking to?" and later told us that in her earlier years, she traveled around and lip-synced songs from Sister Knight. She is probably one of the biggest Gladys Knight fans that I've ever met! Just before she went to the devotional, she told us, "And sometime in the next little while, I'd like to talk to you about your church. I'm in-between churches right now, and I'm looking for the one that speaks to me."

The biggest miracle we had didn't come from our own teaching pool, but I know the Lord put us there in that apartment, in that time, with her as our neighbor, so that she (her name is Darlene) would be able to find some of the answers that she is looking for, and I'm very excited to see her excitement in finding those answers!
With that many referrals, we're going to have our work cut out for us! If she ever comes to California, it's one of the best and easiest ways to do missionary work. Invite the whole neighborhood! It was always super packed when they had the performances. And at the end, Sister Knight shared her testimony with everyone. She shared how she knew it was true, threw in some humor, and invited everyone to 'Crack open the Book of Mormon' and find out for themselves! Definitely a great, miraculous devotional!

Well, it's time to get going! I hope your week is going great, and that it gets even better!!

I love ya'll!!!
Con mucho amor, a infinidad, y mas alla!!

Elder Devin Collins

Week 71 - A Companionship Is Two Separate People Who Have the Same Purpose

Hola, ya'll

Where...to...start...

This week was a great week! We worked and really tried to focus on our purpose, and ALMOST reached out goals. We had talked to someone about a month or two ago who said they had been investigating the Church with missionaries in another part of Houston, but they were going to be moving into our area. So we were going to focus on them and have them be baptized this past week, but their phone number doesn't work. So, we continue our search for the person (or people) whom the Lord has prepared to be baptized and confirmed on this coming weekend. We're really giving our best effort, but in the end, we're counting completely on the Lord to provide.

In this past week, there has been quite a bit going on! We've been able to get in and teach a few people that we've been working really hard to get in and teach. We're looking forward to seeing them progress. They said that they would read and take the question to God about whether or not baptism is the course that they should follow. We're anxiously awaiting their answer!!

Wow, so next Tuesday, Cody is going to be an Elder, isn't he? That's coming up so quickly! How is he doing with all the preparations? Well, I guess, how did he do? Hopefully, he made it through with the wisdom teeth this week, and is now getting everything all packed and ready to go. He's going to be such a great missionary - I'm excited to see how he enjoys Brazil (that is where he's going, right? Portugese-speaking?)!!

Well, we're in that week! Sister Knight is coming to Houston! She'll be here on Thursday with her choir, and it's going to be very awesome to see how things progress in the Texas Houston South Mission after she has given even the first fireside/devotional. People will be able to go and feel the Spirit, hear her testimony, and we're excited for those people who feel the Spirit and really want to learn more. I'll let you know how it goes this coming Tuesday! I'm pretty sure that we're not going to be having any meetings during that Tuesday, so I should be back on our normal e-mailing schedule (inbetween 12:00 and 2:00).

Elder Burbank is awesome, as always! He has a really great focus on getting the Lord's work done, and I've been learning a lot from him: Sometimes it's on how to be more bold, other times it's on how to focus more on our purpose. Either way, he's been a big help. I love the drive and focus he has on others, and he helps me to keep that in the work I do as well. One of those little pearls of great price that he taught me (yet I'm still working on really applying it in my life) is that of what a companionship is. I thought, for the longest time, that a companionship was put in place so that the work one Elder couldn't do, his companion could. Or if the other Elder wasn't able to do that, his companion would. But a companionship is actually two people, both of which have strengths and weaknesses, but both of whom have the same purpose: to help people obtain Eternal Life. There are times when one companion really does need the help of the other companion, to do something that he (or she) hasn't done or doesn't know how to do. But both help uplift, edify, and strengthen one another - it's not just to 'fill-in the blanks.'

Well, I've got to get going. It's been great!! I hope this kind of fills-in the blanks as to what's been going on out here- looking back, it's been easier to see that I leave a lot out. But this, I'm not going to leave out...
I love you!! Have a great week!!

Con mucho amor - a infinidad, y mas alla!!!

Elder Devin Collins

Week 70 - Becoming "Houston Latinos"

Hoooooola!
So we're here a little later this week, because of interviews with President Saylin. But now I'm here!

It's been an interesting week. We're going into the last push for the Gladys Knight devotional, which is going to start up this next coming week. Elder Burbank will be helping to usher and receive tickets, so Elder Ruske and I (Elder Ruske's companion, Elder Christensen, will be doing the same thing) will be working in both areas during those nights, but hopefully we'll also be able to bring one or more investigators to those performances. I'm pretty sure all of the tickets are gone, but the mission reserved 60 tickets for each session - on a first come, first receive basis. So today, we're going to be looking for the person or people whom we can bring to the devotional!

Grandpa had a surgery over the past week? It's good to hear that he's doing fine. Was it planned or kind of 'spur of the moment'? When are they going to Utah? I guess it really must not have been too big if they're still planning on going over to Utah soon.

Oh, and about the EFY CD - Kaytlin sent me the lyrics to one of her favorite EFY songs on the new CD - Maybe she has a copy of it that you can take the songs and put them on there? And I'm really looking forward to hearing all ya'lls voices! They don't have to be super long (I'm not even sure on how much it'll hold in the first place!), but I'm still excited to hear ya'll!

President Saylin talked about really becoming "Houston Latinos" because there are so many people here from South and Central America. At the Spanish Conference about 2 weeks ago, one of his counselors, Presidente Del Aguila, talked about people who will come back from their missions and be able to say, "You know, I served in Mexico." And we can say, "Yeah...me, too!" And there are people who will be able to come back from Guatamala and say, "I served in Guatamala." We can say, "Yeah...me, too!" The same with El Salvador. There are so many people here from all the southern parts of this continent, that this really can be Mexico, or Guatamala, or El Salvador, or Honduras. There are places, even right here in Houston, that you can walk down the street and not see a single store sign in English. It's awesome!
President Saylin, in the same Spanish Conference, said that we cannot become them, and we shouldn't pretend to be them, but we can become Houston Latinos. He talked about getting to know their customs and culture, their likes and their dislikes, what makes them laugh and what...doesn't.

So, I was thinking of a way that I can get to know them better, and I thought of something that you sent a while ago, but I've replaced over the past year: those little maps of Mexico and Honduras. Could you possibly send a few more? They don't have to be big; I'm just kind of looking for some maps of where I can see the country, the states (or 'Departmentos' as they're called in some places), and some of the major cities. That way, when they say, "I'm from Usulutan," or something along those lines, I can say, "Oh! That's on the east, right next to the ocean, isn't it?" And then we've already got a little bit of a better connection! I hope that's not too much to ask. Would you be able to send maps like that of Mexico, Guatamala, El Salvador, Argentina, and Honduras? They could probably even be those that you can print off of the computer or something like that. That would be great!!
We had something called 'Fiestas Patrias' this past Saturday at the Church. It was an activity for the ward, Houston 2, where Guatamala, El Salvador, Mexico, Uruguay, Honduras, and Puerto Rico had booths set up with food (the best part!) and just different parts of the culture (America was represented there, too - but with just a flag behind the table and some lemonade for people to try ). That's the majority of the population of the ward - and there are a lot of people from El Salvador. After the fiesta, I just felt like I wanted to be Guatamalteco, or Mexicano, or Salvadoreno! It was just a super-cultural celebration! Elder Burbank, the next day, pointed to the sign on the gym that said 'Cultural Center' and said, "You know, yesterday is probably one of the first times it was actually used as that!"
Things are going well here with Elder Burbank. President Saylin, in the interview I had with him today, suggested that I try to be more of myself. He told me that I need to work on breaking down a little bit of that wall, because that Elder Collins is the one that was called to be the trainer of Elder Burbank. I'm looking forward to bettering our companionship even more, and really returning to feeling comfortable with being myself. It's going to be interesting!

And now, we're already into preparing for General Conference! Wow, time flies. The first week of October is coming up fast! It's definitely necessary in these days that we have the comfort and counsel from prophets, seers, and revelators of God in these days. How great of a blessing it is to have Special Witnesses of Jesus Christ who continuously talk to us and help us receive direction for what we need to do in these upcoming months!

Justin - CONGRATS ON THE DRIVER'S LICENSE!!! Remember - "With great power comes...insurance, fees, and yes, responsibility." Be safe, be responsible, but enjoy it! Congrats!

Kristin - How are you? I miss hearing from you! I still have one of your pictures up on the wall, right behind my desk. It reminds me of you!

Kaytlin - I couldn't get a letter written so far, but I'll have one written on Thursday. Thanks for your letter!! Keep up the good work!!!

I love you all!! I have to go (I think we actually have a 30 minute ride back to our area today - different library). I'm looking forward to getting those letters in the mail! I'll be keeping an eye out!!

Les amo a todos, con todo me corazon!!
A infinidad, y mas alla!!!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Devin Collins

P.S: Mom, Dad - I'm not leaving you out!! Thank you for all you do, and how hard you've always worked and tried so that we stay on the right path and Choose the Right!! Keep up the hard work, your examples mean so much to me.
I love you!!!

Elder Devin Collins

Week 69 - The Good, the Bad, and the Definitely-Not-Pretty

Hoooooola familia!!!

This week was definitely a week! We've seen the good, the bad, and the definitely-not-pretty. We've met a lot of people here who are struggling a lot, financially and spiritually, and I think I'm seeing now some of the hardest parts of peoples' lives. But at the same time, it's been really cool to have the Spirit lead us to what we should do in applying the Gospel to the lives of these people. It can really help us out in every aspect of our lives; if we follow the principles of the Gospel, the blessings will follow.

We saw someone named Walter again on this past Sunday. When we met him for the first time, he was just sitting out on the grass in front of the church because that was a place where he felt good. We took him on a tour of the church, and then we hadn't seen him since. But on Sunday, as we were leaving our apartment complex, there he was, just walking outside! He doesn't have a very stable home right now, so we were surprised to see him. But it was great to see that he is still out there, still doing his best to get by. It's hard sometimes; we have so much, but we're not allowed to give things to people. I can see the reasoning behind it, but it's still hard sometimes.

We're trying to find the balance between getting to know people and applying the doctrine to their lives. Towards the end of this past week, it went a lot better, and we were able to 'liken' the scriptures and Gospel unto them, but we're still looking to improve. We were also a little unsure on what to do sometimes with talking to and connecting with people and teaching. Sometimes, we would go to a lesson and they wouldn't be there, so we'd rush around and try to find someone else to teach, trying just about everyone we could think of, and by the time we've done that (still not having taught anyone), it's time to rush over to the next lesson. Elder Bullock (one of the Zone Leaders) suggested that if we planned (with the Spirit) to visit a certain person, that the Lord brought us there for a reason, and that we should try just talking to people around in that area. So far, it's gone pretty well, though we're still looking for those who are prepared to receive us. We're almost starting back over at square one; Cornelio, who was preparing for baptism, doesn't think he's ready, and we haven't been able to teach him since he told us that. He's also not reading or praying, so that's a big part of why he hasn't received his answer. He's also had a lot of pressure from his cousins, it looks like, who don't seem to like us very much. I don't know, I guess we'll see what happens on that end!

Well, I've got to get going. 3 minutes left! I'm looking forward to hearing from all y'all, and hearing about how school, braces, work, and driving are all going.
Have a great week!

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

Elder Devin Collins

Week 68 - Conference In Houston with Elder Holland!

Hola, todos!!

Well, this one might be a little quicker this week. Just kind of a run-down on how things have gone.

So, this past Friday, we did have the chance to hear Elder Holland speak!! He came to Houston for just a few hours, and spoke to the 3 Houston missions. We had the opportunity to shake his hand, too!! Every missionary in the stake center had the chance!

It was interesting how he spoke to us a lot like he was speaking to a friend or even a family member, just really familiar and with a lot of love. He has a great personality, exactly the same as when he talks at General Conference!! He would sometimes tell a joke or something, other times yell really emotionally (he really feels a great responsibility for the missionary work that goes forth into the world), and other times talk softly and with great feeling. I really don't even know how to describe it; it was just a great experience!

We didn't have Cornelio's baptism this past Saturday. We went over and knocked on his door at about 3:00, and from then until about 7:00 we were looking for him. The baptism started at 6:00. We finally found him as he returned home at 8:30 from work. He was working pretty far away from home, and so he got back really late. So we scheduled his baptism for the next day (Sunday) at 11:00, so he could be baptized and confirmed on the same day. But when we got there, the bishopric told us that they wanted to wait until afterwards, so that there would be more people there to fellowship him. We said okay, and then went to talk to Cornelio. He said that, because we were going over to church early, he thought we would leave early, and so he had planned to help a friend out at 3:00. So now we have his baptism planned out for 6:00 tonight. It's been a lot of work, and we still have a lot to do in the next 4 hours, but it'll be worth it. Someone doesn't want Cornelio to get baptized, but if God be for us, who can prevail against us? (Romans 8:31)

And now, we're getting all ready for transfers! It'll be really interesting to see what happens. The next time I e-mail, I'll let you know what's going on!

Thank you for all your love, support, help, strength, and advice. It means so much to me!!
Keep up the great work!!

Les amo - a infinidad, y mas alla!

Elder Devin Collins

Week 67 - The Trainer Always Learns the Most

Hooooooola!

Sounds like it's been a pretty busy week! School's starting up, everyone is getting back into the routine of schoolwork and homework...so much fun! But it sounds like all ya'll are doing well with the adjustment, even if it does come little by little.

Wow, braces - and they're getting them this Friday?! That was quick! Not a lot of time inbetween hearing about it and having them put on? It'll be fine. Did the dentist say how long they'll need to have them on? Well, as soon as you can get them both to smile after that, I'm looking forward to pictures!

Elder Burbank is doing well. He's had something up with his stomach over the course of the past few days. He's said a couple of times that he hopes it's not apendecitis, because his brother had his appendix out on his mission. If it's still bad in a little while, we'll have to make a few calls to Sister Saylin and the mission nurse, Sister Olsen.

Training is an interesting experience. I was talking to one of the Assistants to the President, Elder Born, and he said, "Yeah, it seems like the trainer always learns more than the trainee." That's 100% true. I'm finding a much greater need to rely on the Lord, and finding a lot more strength from Him. Elder Burbank and I are teaching a lot more in unity, and his spanish is improving quickly! It's amazing to see how much Spanish he already knew coming out of the MTC, and how quickly he was able to become comfortable speaking the language.

James is already leaving for BYU-Idaho? What did you say he is going to be doing up there? He doesn't start school until next year, right? Is he excited to go up there? Oh, and just thinking: I haven't heard a lot about the Maxey family; how are they doing? What have they been up to?

I saw Elder Black yesterday at the meeting! It was a training meeting for Zone and District Leaders and trainers, and so he was there as a District Leader. He's still with the missionary he trained last transfer, so I guess he was there as a trainer as well. And guess what? I don't know if you heard or not, but he saw Ari at a devotional last week! That would have been so weird!! Just a side note.

The work here is always interesting! There's always something new to learn or do, no matter how much time we have here. There was a sister who went up in the meeting yesterday (Sister Nupalau - we served in the same district after she had served with Elder Black) and said,"When my trainer left, I said, 'So, you must be pretty much perfect now.' She just shook her head. And now, being where I'm at, I feel like...I should be legit! But...I'm not yet...' There's always something new to do, some new experience to test our patience, our love, our humility, or trust in God. But He'll never test us beyond that which we are able. And ALWAYS, when we put our trust in Him, He sees us through, even if we can't see the end at the time we're going through the trial.

Wow, this one was kind of short again! But, I've got to get going. It's been a good week, lots of learning and growing (someone yelled at us before we arrived at the library, telling us about what missionaries do - well, from his perspective. Good experience ).

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

Con mucho amor,

Elder Devin Collins

P.s.: We may have the opportunity to hear from Elder Holland as he addresses the 3 Houston missions on friday!!

Week 66 - I Keep On Learning

HOOOOOOOOOOOLA!!!
A LA FAMILIA MEJOR EN TODO EL MUNDO!!!!!!

So, for this week...
Elder Burbank is doing very well. I continue to learn much from him. From what I've seen, his confidence in his ability to speak and do the work of the Lord is growing every day. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow, and see his progress as he helps me to do better as well.

I think, in the beginning, my (incorrect) thought was that if I have been called as a trainer, my personal progress stops while I serve my companion more - to help him to learn and grow, and to be there more to guide, direct, and observe. Now I know that that isn't true. With each calling, we have things to learn. Maybe it is to be more selfless; maybe it is to trust more in the Lord; or maybe it is to learn that we always have things to learn. Whatever the case, I'm grateful that the Lord is so patient with me as He teaches me, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve with Elder Burbank. We're excited to continue to see the blessings from heaven be poured down in our area!

As for what the area is like, I've started a letter that I'm really hoping to finish this Thursday about how it is, and what things are like. This is one of the first areas (Okay, so the second area - second of 3) that I've really felt...I don't know, that we're an integral part of the ward, and that we really need to help it to function. It's not that the ward won't function without us, but we're an important part of keeping it rolling. Really, everyone is. There isn't a calling that is less important than another - and if everyone magnifies their callings, just think of how much each ward or branch would grow, and how quickly! Not only is each person helping to build up the Kingdom of God, but as we do so - as we perform the duties that God has asked us to do - He continues to bless and strengthen us, so that we can continue to do His great work.

I was thinking the other day about how much I've learned since I've been out here. There's a lot! Now, I know that there is a lot that each one of us has to do to help the Lord in missionary work - missionary work to the members and also to those who aren't yet members. We have a big responsibility! But with that - Romans 8:31.
As for here: We've been really looking for those who are prepared to receive the Gospel, and we have found some people. One of the trickiest things is to catch them at home. There are a lot of people who are here to work, so a lot of them work weird schedules (or don't even have one, which is just weird to me, living by a schedule every hour of the day), and it's difficult to set up solid appointments with them. But we know those people who are prepared are out there! That family we found last week, the family of 4 - we have an appointment with them this evening at 7:00. It should be a good meeting! The husband has read a little bit, and the wife has read more (from what we've heard from the rest of the family). We're exited to see them again! We're also going to go and invite people 'to do hard things.' We're going to be relying A LOT on the Spirit (like we always should) to touch their hearts and help them to come unto Christ.

Well, I've got to go. Less than 2 minutes left! But I just want y'all to know that I love you, and that I'm very grateful to see that Brent will be staying here in San Diego!!

Les amo - a infinidad, y mas alla!!

Con mucho amor,
Elder Devin Collins

Week 65 - "Teach People, Not Lessons"

Buenos Tardes!

This has definitely been a good week. Church on Sunday was great, and we're loving the momentum that we're seeing build here in the mission. We were talking last night about the focuses that were discussed at the conference, and about the real importance of having the Spirit as our Senior Companion.

Elder Burbank is doing very well. It's AMAZING to hear his Spanish, and to see the changes that have already started since Zone Conference. We're striving to work with more unity, and really putting disobedience on the alter of the Lord. Though we didn't teach, in quantity, as we would have liked, we had the blessing to meet a family of 4 and teach them about the Book of Mormon just minutes after meeting them. Elder Burbank talked to them and then asked if they had a few minutes that we could share with them (and we had about 15 minutes before our next appointment), they said yes, so we sat down and talked with them. We really worked to apply the "Teach People, Not Lessons" training we received yesterday, and really looked for what drove them, what was important to them, and how the Gospel applies to them. While they do not have baptismal dates (due to the shortness of time), they committed to read from and pray about the Book of Mormon. We're excited for the opportunity to return this Tuesday and meet with them! I know that was a blessing that came from God, that we were able to find that family at that specific time. The Lord still works miracles today, and He will continue to work them tomorrow.

Well.....this has been really short as well. I'm down to almost 5 minutes. The week has been flying by! Tomorrow, during P-day, I'll write a little more, if I'm able to. Things get so full sometimes (like you already know) that you just can't do everything! We ran into that during planning last night - making calls to a LOT of people to schedule appointments and things, and realizing just how jam-packed each day is. But that's good!

How have y'all been? I hope everything is going well! When does school start back up again (Though it's probably not the topic of greatest excitement right now...)? How are the preparations going for that?

Well, I've got to get going. I love you all SO MUCH!! A Infinidad - y mas alla!!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Devin Collins

Week 64 - Training a New Companion

HOOOOOOOOOOLA!!!!

Well, this might be a little bit shorter today, with some extra time I took typing to President Saylin, but I'll include some of the more important things in here. I hope it's enough!!!!!!

Things are going pretty well. Definitely in a new situation (not a bad one, just learning a lot). Elder Rodriguez left, and I'm here with Elder Burbank.

So to start out, I'm training this transfer. It's definitely already been a learning experience. I have a lot to learn, and I think the Lord is teaching me to trust a whole lot more in Him and become more Christlike. He is very good to us, and it's wonderful to see that He has His hand in all things, from the littlest delays in time, to the most spiritual lessons and experiences we have in our lifetimes - those things that can really change us forever. If the Lord hadn't called me to it, I'd have thought I couldn't do it. I still know that personally, I can't, but because the Lord asked me to, He's prepared a way. It's an intense experience.

We've been finding a lot more prepared people this week. We've been really exercising our faith, maybe even trying those things which we've tried in the past, but this time might be the time that the Lord wants us to accomplish them. He led us to find 2 less-active members during this past week: Lionel ? and Manuel Contreras. They both seem like great guys, they just have their priorities unfocused. If they can come back to church, it would be a great way for them to get back onto the straight and narrow again.

We've been working on developing that good balance in the lessons, one thing I've been really wanting to achieve since the beginning of my mission. There are a lot of times where one companion dominates the lesson, because he (and yes, I have done this before) has a good idea, and is worried that his companion will take the lesson in another direction. But, as we're working to refine our teaching and really focus on the investigators, I'm excited to see how things go!

Wow, 4 minutes left already! What else...Flora and Patricia are doing WONDERFULLY! We had a lesson with them on Sunday, and they said that they would invite a friend over to listen to the missionaries this wednesday (tomorrow). Flora is still asking a lot of questions, but the awesome thing is that she really wants to know! She's looking for the answers, and knows that the best way to find them is through study and prayer.

Margarita is also doing well! We have an appointment with her today, a little later on, and we're excited to visit her!

2 minutes...Well, I think those are some of the biggest happenings of this past week. Thanks for the updates on the trip! Sounds like it was really fun!
I'll have more to write about and update you on next week, but for now...this will have to do!

I love you! A infinidad, y mas alla!

Con amor,
Elder Devin Collins

Week 63 - Patricia and Flora's Baptisms

ALOOOOOOOOOOOOHA!!!

I hope everyone's enjoying the time right there on the beach! Well, except for the time about the stings from the stingrays, but at least they have a good story to tell when they get back home now! Good to see that they're alright.

What a week!!! It was kind of stressful working to teach everything to Flora and Patricia during these past weeks, and then with a few things that came up on Saturday with the interview of Flora. Fortunately, we also had a day of miracles on Saturday, the 23rd. Presidente Del Aguila (one of the counselors to President Saylin) was able to take time out of his day to come down and interview her, and then have a lesson with all of them (Patricia, Flora, and Presidente Del Aguila). With coordinating for the baptism with Houston 9 and the combined activity/broadcast later on that night, there was a mountain of things that could have happened. The person who was baptized from Houston 9 was even rear-ended on the way over to the church.

But through it all, the Lord watched over them, and everything worked out. Elder Rodriguez baptized Flora, and I had the blessing to baptize Patricia. Flora and Patricia were confirmed in Sacrament Meeting the next day. I hope I'm not wrong in sharing a couple of things that stood out to me when they were confirmed: With Patricia, the Lord is going to bless her, according to her faithfulness, with the opportunity to serve a mission. With Flora, the Lord will bless her, according to her faithfulness, with the opportunity and ability to bring many in her family into the Gospel. One thing Flora has been concerned about is that her other two children don't have much interest in the Gospel as of right now, but I think that was the Lord's answer to her concern. One way or another, I'm really excited to see where in the Church Flora and Patricia work and serve!!!

I think that's been one of the biggest things that has happened over the course of the past week. Really, what happened with Flora and Patricia Arriaga - how we found them, how prepared they were, and how they're now part of the Church - was a miracle! We've really been able to see the hand of the Lord guiding the work and helping us out, because we can't do this by ourselves. Without His help, we really wouldn't be able to do much of anything. It's amazing!

Personally, I'm doing well. With transfers coming up, there's a little bit of stress there. In the past, when I've been uncomfortable (like, leaving my comfort zone - not anything bad), I can usually turn to Elder Rodriguez and he'll pick up the slack. But this transfer coming up, I'll have a somewhat newer companion - someone without quite so much time in the field. But one thing that helps me out is that when the Lord calls us to do something, He qualifies us and prepares us for the task ahead, so I have complete confidence in the Lord that things will go the way He desires, and that I'll be able to perform the way that He needs me to. I'm going to miss Elder Rodriguez, but at the same time, he's excited for the next assignment that he'll have, and his excitement makes me excited! President told him that he'll have an assignment to help him stretch, and so Elder Rodriguez is a little leary of that, but he's excited either way!

And Mom, if it makes you feel any better - you and Dad being grandparents in 5 years kind of weirds me out as well, so I'm not in any rush, either! Who said that you could be a grandma in 5 years? Oh, and where is Janae at right now? Random question, I know, but she's written me 2 letters through Dear Elder, and I've never known where to write back to. The first letter I received close to Christmastime, and the other, not so long ago. Just wondering!

Well, I've got to get going!! It was great to get your letter! I know I'll have some more experiences to talk about this next week, so hang on tight!!! Have a great week down there in San Diego!!

Les amo!! A infinidad, y mas alla!!

Elder Devin Collins

Week 62 - Baptisms Coming Up!

Buenos tardes!!!

Well, definitely a week here in the Texas Houston South Mission! Lots going on, and we've been blessed to see a lot of miracles!

We're still working with Flora and her daughter, Patricia, to help them prepare for baptism. They're wonderful! I hope you'll have the chance to meet them someday! We have planned a combined baptism with the Houston 9 ward on Saturday, just before the combined dinner and then the broadcast celebrating the Pioneers. It should be a great Saturday, though we are still praying that all goes well with Flora and Patricia. They're so ready, but we've already seen Satan throwing up obstacles in their path. They have had some doubts about celebrating Halloween, probably because the Day of the Dead in Central and Southern American countries is a little bit different. If all goes well on Saturday, that is going to be another miracle we will be excited to add to the miracles list for July! We already have a pretty good list, and there are many, many more that we still need to add! At the end, we'll be able to look back and see just a few of the ways that the Lord has directed and guided this marvelous work.

Also: Margarita received a calling this past Sunday!! She was a little bit...not overwhelmed, but she knows it's a big task she has. Fortunately, she also knows that there are people who will be helping her throughout her calling, and most importantly, that she'll be able to receive the help she needs from the Lord. She's been called to serve as the Assistant Visiting Teaching Coordinator. She's doing wonderful! I'm excited to see how she continues to do as she starts in on this new calling!!! Mom, don't you have a similar calling? I'm not sure how the callings in the Relief Society are named, so I could be wrong...

Oh, and guess who is going to be back in Oroville next week? Yes, Elder Robertson! He's going through his last week right now, and we might actually be going on exchanges tonight. Should be good! He still looks really focused on the mission, especially since someone in the ward keeps telling him and annoucing during the classes that Elder Robertson only has a short time left before he goes home to look for a 'novia' (aka: girlfriend). It's good to see him with that missionary focus still! And he's really excited to be working with their investigators during these next few days! We just need to enjoy every minute!

I'm trying to think of what else...I've been trying to keep my journal updated every day, but there are usually a few details that get away from me. I know there have been some great things going on this week, but as of right now, that's about all that is coming to mind!

Sounds like your week was great, and that this weekend is going to be really fun, too! I'm excited to hear all about it! I hope you take lots of pictures, and Justin - that you get some good video footage! I won't be able to watch that until I get back, but I'm looking forward to seeing your video skills!

Well, it's about that time! Thanks for all the prayers, love, and support! I'm looking forward to hearing from you! Have a wonderful trip!

Les amo!! Con mucho amor, a infinidad, y mas alla!!

Elder Devin Collins

Week 61 - Miracles ... and More Fire Trucks!

Fire in the complex!! Actually happened about 20 feet from our appartment, but the firetrucks came right up to our door!

Well, definitely a week of miracles! We've been more blessed as we've been really putting an emphasis on obedience than I've ever seen at any other time in my mission!
Starting at the beginning of the week, we had a very good lesson of the Doctrine of Christ with a family we found as they were out walking. The miracle actually began, though, when we realized that their apartment complex wasn't far away, as the name implied, but right around the corner! We had a wonderful lesson with them, and then that Saturday, and amazing tour of the Church. The husband said he really liked the emphasis that the Church has on returning to heaven as a family, and said that he has never heard or felt that before in any other church: Salvation is an individual operation, but we should enjoy it with those we love. They didn't come to church this past Sunday, but we still have great faith that they will continue to learn and grow in the Gospel!! We think they're married as well, which is another miracle! We just need to keep up that faith, and if they're prepared, the Lord will help us know what they need to do to progress and receive all of the blessings of the Gospel.

Later, we "mixed it up" as our Zone Leaders suggested, and had a tour of the church with a family that was walking by outside. We were in the church building, with an appointment that had just fallen through. We looked outside and saw this family walking by, and decided to invite them on a tour of the church. At least the husband really enjoyed it! They speak more of a language that we won't be teaching in (AKA: Chinese), but the husband has friends who are members, and he gave us his address to pass on to missionaries who will teach in his language!

And I think one of the greatest miracles that we saw this past week was Flora and her daughter. We found them in a complex that we hadn't visited very often, just because the people there don't seem very ready or receptive. But as we made our way through, Elder Rodriguez had the thought to go back and talk to someone. We both know now that that thought was inspired of the Spirit, because she, as well as one of her daughters, has been so prepared for the gospel. They have both been to a baptism, church tour, church meetings (all 3 hours), and the charla fogonera, and both are preparing for baptism on the 23rd, if all goes well. When we asked her if she would offer the closing prayer, she was so excited! I've NEVER seen anyone so excited to say a prayer as she was!! And she gave thanks to Heavenly Father for the opportunity to prepare for baptism in her prayer!! We're so excited to work with her!
We've really been blessed with these experiences here! I know it has a connection to the change in focus to trying to be exactly obedient. There are still times that we realize that we could have done more, and that we're lacking in some areas, but repentance is a wonderful thing! We really are trying to give our best effort, and the Lord has blessed us and led us those who are prepared.

Well, I also wanted to send some pictures, so I think I'll start working on that right now! It's definitely warm here! We hear throughout the week that it's been in the 100's, and I think one of the highest is around 107, with the humidity rolling in, too.

It sounds like the week has been great! I love hearing about all your stories, and seeing how much everyone is growing! I love y'all!!!

This truly is the best thing we can have - the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives, and to be a part of His Church. This work is true, and He leads and guides it.

I love you!! Have a great week!!
Con mucho amor, a infinidad - y mas alla!!

Elder Devin Collins (El Devinator)

Week 60 - Meal with a Member and Fire Trucks!

HOOOOOLA!!!!!

Well, we had a pretty good week. We're still doing our best to 'find those who will receive [us],' and so we've had a lot of people falling through, but we've also seen a lot more people who have a much greater potential to progress - many have already talked to missionaries in the past, and I hope that this time, as we follow the Spirit, we'll be able to participate in the harvest.

This past week, we applied the training of meals with a member in our area. When we asked her to invite someone to dinner, she told us, "Elderes, yo no conoczo a nadie!!" ("Elders, I don't know anyone!) But later on, that day or the next, she called us back! She told us that she had talked to someone and invited them to dinner, someone she had only talked to in passing. But he came! We went up before dinner, knocked on his door, and he came with us to eat! We had a lesson with him, and he said he would be baptized if he finds out that the Church is true. He still has his doubts, but he gave us a real phone number, and we have an appointment to return and teach tonight! The meal training is inspired, and I'm sure the members are connected with many more people who are prepared to receive the gospel than they think. I thought before that the missionaries would come over just to eat, but when we can prepare someone to be taught in our house, that is the ideal situation (and I think you'd see a HUGE smile on their faces when they got that surprise!).

Okay, so during this week, the same fire truck has passed us 3 times...actually, three times in three consecutive days! But the first day, they drove right into our complex! One of the neighbors in our complex left something on their stove and it caught their appartment on fire. Definitely not a good day for them! But everyone was okay, just not the happiest people in the world. The next day, though, was probably the coolest part (yes, even cooler than the pictures we took on our back patio of the firetrucks!): He came up to us and told us that when they went back into the apartment, everything was burned...except for the pass-along card with the picture of Jesus Christ on the front. He said that it was sitting up on the windowsill, and that everything else had burned except for the card. Is that cool or what? I think that's a sign, but I didn't get the chance to tell him that before he walked around the corner...

I'm definitely happy for the opportunity to talk to you! Some days are better than others. Today is a good day, and the last half of yesterday was as well. In the beginning of yesterday, I was feeling pretty down, frustrated, and didn't really see a way to get out of the rut that I was in, and so that got me down even more. But as I talked to Elder Rodriguez, I started to feel a little better. At the end of the day, I was feeling much better. I still am (knock on wood!).

Yesterday...wow, my last 4th of July in the mission...it's weird. I still have more than 10 months left, but I also feel like I'm going home in no time. It's a weird feeling! Yesterday, we made a cake and (I'm not sure if we were supposed to or not) watched fireworks from our doorstep. They only went on for a few minutes, but still interesting. I think the best part was the cake! There's still more! Hopefully next time, I'll have the pictures to send to you!

I received the Camelbak, and it works like a charm! Even if my back is still very, very sweaty, it helps much more. The padding also helps. And I love all the secret pouches and hidden (well, not really "hidden," but fun) pockets in it.

Hmm...what else has gone on during this past week...A drunk man yelled at us in Taco Bell, threatened to kill me under his breath, and by the end of the day, we were best buds! It's very interesting to see all the people you have the chance and blessing to meet, people that you might never have the chance to talk to otherwise. We definitely stand out in our white shirts and ties, riding around on bikes all day. And people know what we stand for. The conversations I have with people are centered around Jesus Christ and the gospel, His Atonement, and how each one of us can find the happiness we're looking for. I'm definitely not perfect - I get reminders of that every day, and they're not very subtle reminders - but I know that Jesus Christ helps us through everything we go through. And there is no better time then time spent serving Him, because you can know that He will provide: it's His promise!

Well, I've got to go. I love you, and I'm looking forward to hearing all about your AWESOME week!

Les amo!! A infinidad, y mas alla!!!

El Devinator