Elder Devin Collins

April 23, 2012 Buenas tardes! It sounds like even with all the meetings, that it was a pretty interesting week! And it's good to see that you're feeling better! It's definitely not better to be under the weather! How were the meetings and the dance? Hi Kristin! How are you doing? And Kaytlin, how is everything going with preparations for the summer? How are things looking for college coming up soon, Justin? Things here have definitely been interesting. It rained pretty good this past week for a day (I think it was Friday), and then the day after was just perfect weather! I guess we're in that week (or maybe less) of perfect weather in Texas before things get really hot and humid. Summer will be here before we know it! So, one BIG adventure: We went to the temple on Thursday!!! It was an AMAZING experience! And at the end, as we were getting ready to go, President Saylin invited us all in to one of the sealing rooms. He talked a little bit about the importance of what happens in the sealing room, and how really everything we teach points there. It was a moment of pure peace, and we had the chance to look into the mirrors. It was really cool! Everything we teach does point to the temple, and through the temple, we can become prepared to live again in the presence of our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and our families, forever! How great the importance to make [the gospel] known unto the children of men! That was a super awesome highlight of the week - going to the temple - and really was a unique experience. This week, we'll be having our zone conference. Because Elder Riley needs to play the piano, though, we're going on Wednesday instead of Thursday with our zone. But we might have the possibility of seeing a lot of Elders from the past - Elder Duran, Elder Lyman, Elder Tau'kiahau, and more! We'll see how things go! Tomorrow, we'll have planning - up until about 4:30, if all goes well. We have a Family Home Evening scheduled for tonight at 7:30 with Hermano Diaz and his children, and we're going to be at the home of the Salazar family. It's been a while since we've been there! We're also planning on having a district lunch at a place called Mexico's Deli, and so next week I might be able to send a few pictures from that, if I can take a few good ones. I'll see about sending a few pictures out this week, and hopefully they'll make it through! Let's see, what else has gone on this week...I went on exchanges with Elder Howell - He came here to Houston 8 West with me for a day, and Elder Riley went to Houston 4 North for a day. It was a pretty good day! We were very blessed to find 1 new person to teach, and were finally able to sit down and teach someone (Maria R.) who we had been trying to teach for a few weeks. We called her "Maria de los Postres" because the first time we met her, she offered us a seat in her garage and gave us cake; aka: a 'postre,' or dessert. Just some of the fun things that go on. It is a really interesting experience to be a missionary in the best mission in the world!

It definitely is an experience to be serving out here, and I'm so grateful for the patience of the Lord in working with me. I know I have a lot to improve and work on, so it's comforting to know I can repent and improve. I can't change the past, but "the future is as bright as [our] faith." I can't remember who said that, but it's ver helpful. Thank you for all your love and support! I wish I could write more - about all the cool and interesting experiences out here, but I guess I'll just need to write faster next time! Los amo, a infinidad, y mas alla! Con MUCHO amor, Elder Devin Collins