Week 59 - Movin' Around

Whew! Where to begin? Sounds like the week has been SUPER AWESOME!!

Okay, well at the beginning of the week, I was serving in that threesome for a day - Elder Rodriguez came back that day that I e-mailed. He was serving with Elder Howard in Houston 1 - an English area. So Elder Rodriguez came back at the end of that day, and we started working the next day like normal.

And then, 2 days later, we got a call at the end of P-Day that I would be packing up and going somewhere. Not knowing where in the mission I was going, I packed up my bag for a week (but we're still in the same apartment) and we went to the mission office. From there, I went down to a very country town called Victoria - for 3 days! I had the opportunity to serve with Elder Bean (we went in to the MTC and came out to the field together!)!!! We actually got to Victoria at about 11:05 that night, so the next day it was a little harder to wake up. But we got to see stars for one of the first times out here in Texas! Out late, with no city lights. It was a good drive!

It was an amazing and powerful 3 days, and I've learned so much from that experience!!! Way cool time, even if I did serve in English for that time (though Elder Bean and I tried to talk in Spanish as much as possible!)!! They have some people who are progressing very well. One almost got baptized, but because he missed his court date, he went to prison for 6 months. Now, he's back and looking into the Church once again!

With another person, I had the AWESOME opportunity to be there when he told us that he had read from and prayed about the Book of Mormon. He told us that he knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that the Book of Mormon is true. Elder Bean invited him to be baptized. This brother said, "A week ago, I would have told you 'no.' But now...yes, I'll prepare to be baptized on the 23rd of July." And he marked it on his calender!!! He is an amazing man, and I am looking forward to hearing how things go for him!

At the end, Elder Bean received a call that he would be receiving a 'mini-missionary', someone who is preparing for his mission. He's only 17 years old (though he'll turn 18 while he's out here during these 4 weeks)!!! Wow!!

(Regarding what to do for a family vacation when Devin returns, Justin graduates from High School, Michelle graduates from college, and it's Mark & Michelle's 25th Anniversary in Summer of 2012): Really, as long as we're doing something together as a family, I'm 100% fine with that! Family is the most important part of the activity!

With all that said, I'm not too sure of what more to write! I know there is more, I'm just not sure what...I've been trying to keep a journal of my days out here in the field, and it has been interesting to look back on. As of right now, my memory isn't that great, but as I read over some of my older entries, I can remember those experiences surprisingly clearly. It's given me a reason to keep a journal a little bit more, especially since almost every day out here in Texas, there is something new to learn!

Well, I've got to go. I love you! I'm glad to see that things continue to go well, and that God is always watching out for you!!
Until next week...
Con mucho amor, a infinidad, y mas alla!!

El Devinator

Week 58 - Tres Misioneros

ALOHA!!

Well, let me just start out by saying: this week has already been an interesting week!

We got a phone call yesterday just before planning from the Assistants. Actually, just a voicemail that told us to call them because there were some changes in the mission. So we gave them a call, and found out that Elder Rodriguez would be leaving the area for an indefinite period of time, and they wouldn't tell him where he was going. Actually, none of us know where he is right now. Kind of 'mysterious'...They also let me know that for an indefinite period of time, I would be in the area of Elder Smith and Elder Christianson. We'll be working both their area and our area, and we'll see how it goes! Double the appointments (hopefully), and half the time to get to them! It's going to be a pretty great learning experience, and I'm looking forward to learning how to work in a trio. We'll see how the week goes!

We're still looking to find those people who have been specifically prepared by the Lord, and we've been blessed to make some progress. We're working with a couple of families, and as we follow up with them, we have great hopes for them. Sofia and Adolfo have been very good about letting us in to teach, but they still haven't been to church. NO!!! They said they would come this past week, but we didn't see them there. And this weekend we have Stake Conference (do all stakes have Stake Conference at or about the same time?), so getting people to church is going to take some good 'ole fashioned ingenuity!

One of our investigators, whom we've been working with for a while, hadn't prayed in his life. That is what we heard from his roommate. But during this past week, we shared a lesson on the importance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how we can find peace and comfort through communication with our Heavenly Father. And at the end of the lesson...he prayed!!!! We were so excited, we didn't know what to say! But what was more, he shared with us that on that specific day, he received the comfort that he needed. He expressed gratitude that we came by in that amazing prayer. It's amazing to see the influence the Spirit has in the lives of those around us, and how - as we're worthy - we can bring that Spirit into their homes, and they can change.

As for here, those have been some of the best experiences we've had for this week. It's been a good week, and I'm excited to continue working here in this area. I'm really anxious to see these people have their lives changed as they progress in the gospel.

How have things been for you for missionary experiences? Any new ones to share? Big or small? How is the ward doing?

It sounds like this week has been very full and jam-packed with adventure...and preparations for adventure!

I'm looking forward to hearing all about your adventures!! I hope everything and everyone is doing well!!! Have a great week!!!

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

El Devinator

Week 57 - Time Flies!

ALOHA!!!!

Wow, looks like the weekend down in good ole' San Jose was pretty great! Lots of fun, and a lot going on! How's Brian doing? What's he doing to keep up on his espanol? How are Grandma and Grandpa doing? Mike and Kim with another member of the family? That cake is very intense!!! Even the flowers are made of frosting? It looks so real!

A pretty good week overall, and we've been helping Margarita to stay active. It seems like she hit that point of, "Okay, I'm part of the true Church of Jesus Christ. Now what?" She hasn't really caught the vision of vicarious work, but we're working with her on that. We'll also be focusing on putting the Temple as a goal within the next year, so that she can really see the blessings that will flow into her life.

Yup, the week has been VERY hot! And for whatever reason, Elder Rodriguez has had about 4 flats during this week, and probably about 9 during the course of the transfer. It's been kind of rough, and so eventually we just resorted to walking through our area. And really, in about 30 minutes, we can get from one side of our area to the other while walking, so it's not actually TOO big...And now, we're re-adjusting to bikes after two days. It feels really weird, and I could already feel that I had begun to lose some of those muscles that we use while biking as we started riding again today. It's another adjustment!

I's been a good transfer, working with Elder Rodriguez. I'm excited for another one! I've been learning so much with him, and it seems like each day there is more to learn! He's got a great personality that is really fun, and we've been working on our unity as a companionship, so that now we're able to talk a little more freely.

The area is progressing, even if a little slowly. We've been trying to extend baptismal dates in the first lesson, but throughout this whole week, we haven't had any who accepted. I guess that kind of sorts out who are ready and who are not, as of right now, but I'm just hoping and praying we can find the people whom the Lord as prepared to receive the message of the Restored Gospel, and where we might find some of these people. "The field is white, all ready to harvest..." and so that's why we're here! I know that the Lord can lead us to those who have been prepared, we just need to put our trust in Him and work with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength. They're out there - we just have to trust completely in the Lord to find them!

Let's see, what else has happened this week...
I went on exchanges with Elder Robertson this past Saturday!! It was very fun. We had all of this history that I had almost forgotten about, with fun and funny experiences, as well as fun connections through other people. I got to tell him about some things that have been going on back at home (things that have probably changed now, but either way, they were about a year more updated than he had heard or seen!).

We also talked to a man who had been homeless, but who had recently been taken in and was getting back on his feet. He came over, talked to us for a few minutes, and then asked us what he came over to ask us: for $3. He said he didn't want to come over and ask us, but he really needed the money. We have a rule that we can't give people money or things like food or clothing, so we told him that we wished that we could help, but couldn't. So he left, very frustrated and irritated. We just kind of shrugged and proceeded to knock the door of the person we planned to teach.

When she didn't answer, Elder Rodriguez started to walk away and I was checking my planner or something, and she opened the door! I said 'Hola!', she saw us, and hurridly closed the door again. Elder Rodriguez just burst out laughing as I just stood there with the most confused look ever on my face. So we left a card of "Finding Faith in Christ" in her door, and continued on.

It's been a pretty eventful and fun week here, and it doesn't seem like we can have transfers already! We just started this transfer! Time really does fly!

Well, time to wrap it up! There never seems to be enough time to write everything! I'll have to share some of the notes and stories I have at a later date...

But I just want you to know that I LOVE YOU!!!! A INFINIDAD, Y MAS ALLA!!
Con mucho amor,

El Devinator

Week 56 - Margarita's Baptism

HOOOOOOLA FAMILIA!!!!!

Sounds like your week has been super busy!! But at the same time, an extremely awesome week! That's great to hear about the graduations, concerts, activities and SWING DANCING! (I just have to say, it sounds like EVERYONE had a blast at that one! You've got to let me know how the next one goes!)

Oh, and I when I read about Ariane's wedding, I didn't see the name, and I thought, "Wedding? I think I missed the memo!" but it sounds like it will be a great adventure!! And Landon is getting married at the same day and about the same time? Wow, that's an interesting coincidence! It's too bad you won't be back up for Beth and Jerry's wedding, but hopefully, all will go well, wherever you may be at! Say hello to everyone down there for me! Maybe even the Schercks if you get the chance to pass through Gilroy.

And speaking of Gilroy: We're teaching a man named Arnulfo who actually lived in California for some time. He was just talking and said, "Yes, I know San Jose, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Gilroy, Hollister..." and I said, "Wait, Girloy? I spent 15 years of my life growing up there!" Definitely a fun experience!

Wow, the baptism of Margarita went very well!!! At first, it looked like we were going to run into a pretty big problem: Margarita wasn't at home when her ride showed up to pick her up, and she didn't have a cell phone. Plus, she didn't have very much support (if any) from her family, so that didn't help. But 10 minutes before the baptism was supposed to start, we got a call that let us know that she was at home! So we raced over there (obeying all posted traffic signs, of course) with a member, and she came out holding the BIGGEST cake I have ever seen! Fortunately, she had just been running a little late, but all went well. The lateness of the baptism actually helped, because most of the members hadn't arrived at the time it was supposed to start.

But all went well at the baptism. Even though she hasn't had a lot of support from home, Hermana Margarita Diaz was so happy the entire time! Whenever we talked to her, she just said, "I feel so happy!" with the biggest smile I've ever seen on her face. The ward has been very supportive and welcoming, and today we have an appointment to go over and s e e her, to share a message about temples, especially about preparing to go on a temple trip the 24th of this month. It's going to be great!!

All in all, a very good week. The highlight is definitely the baptism of Margarita Diaz. Here's a picture! (attached)
Left to right: Elder Rodriguez, Margarita Diaz, Yo!, Elder Simmons (Elder Rodriguez's last companion).

Also attached: Me eating my first hecho por mano tortilla! My first hand-made, made by me, tortilla! Deliscioso!!

The key system has been going well. And lately, our area just feels like it has so much more potential. I feel like if we are able to apply these trainings in the manner that the Lord wants them applied here, the area will just grow. Lately especially, I've just felt great about involving members of the ward - actually having them become active participants in the lessons instead of really just a ride or so we can enter a house - but I've also realized that I haven't been doing my best to get to know them. I'm anxious to get to know them better and apply these trainings and changes we've received to really push forward the Lord's work. As part of the Year of the Member, we really need to put more focus on the members in our area. Without the members, I doubt (well, nothing is impossible with God, but it definitely wouldn't progress) the work would continue like it does. And it can go even better, too!

So, I have an invitation, and I'm going to write it down to follow up and see how things have gone: Prayerfully identify someone who you can invite to listen to the missionaries, or maybe have a dinner and a short message from the missionaries (they'll love it!). And remember, that inspiration, prayerfully sought, comes from God, and so you can have the confidence that He "has your back" as you go forward and invite someone. By next Tuesday, will you invite someone over for dinner and to hear a message from the missionaries? I know without a shadow of a doubt that there is someone there who is in need of a boost from the Gospel, and that all y'all will be a great blessing to that person as they begin to look more into the Gospel.

Well, it's that time. 2 minutes to go...

I wanted to let you know that I love you all VERY MUCH, and that I'm excited to hear from you and about your experiences (big or small!)

Have a great start of the summer, and I love you...
...a infinidad, y MAS ALLA!!!!!

El Devinator