Week 21 - Mosquito Bait

This week we had a lot of people let us down, and we haven't done much. We didn't have a single investigator come to church, and in México missions in General, that's not really a good thing. People have to come to church 3 times before they can be baptized, so if they don't come, their baptismal date falls through. Well, a lot of people's date fell through, and it was really bothersome for us. I'm not sure whats up, so we'll have to have a couple lessons with a couple people this week.

Everyone from my generation that's in my Zone

We had to spend the first 3 days of the week in Cuernavaca for various reasons. Monday, one of the Assistants had an interview with Elder Contreras; by the time we finished, it was too late to go home. Tuesday we stayed the night there again to make it to Zona Civac for the Zone conference. That was actually really tight. President gave us some great insights about commitments, and how we need to be more careful about finding commitments and not dropping people just becasue they don't come to church once. After, we had to do a baptismal interview in Pradera, and we didn't finish until 8, so we had to stay in Cuerna again. By this time, I realized I was covered in mosquito bites. The visitor's house in Cuerna doesn't have mosquito netting right now, and they forgot to tell me. I counted 36 bites in total. 

Just the mosquito bites on my hand (13)

Now, usually, bites aren't that bad, but these bites made me sick, and we had to take Thursday off so I could recover.

Friday, we ate with a semi-new family in the ward. They got here about the same time as Elder Contreras. They're about 24 or so, with one kid. The dad is from Australia, but is mexican. He moved to mexico in high school, and Served his mission in Brisbane, Australia. He was telling us his name is Helaman, named after his great great grandfather, Helaman Pratt. His Great(3) grandfather is Parley P. Pratt. If you've met anyone else whose Great(3)grandfather is Parley P. Pratt, it's probably me. He's my 4th cousin, but I guess in mexico, you can be like 6 th or 7th cousins, and people still treat you like family. They're pretty tight. He said he's moving to Utah in a few months with his family, so I guess I'll have some new family to meet? He invited me to meet everyone, once I can speak some decent spanish, of course.

Week 20 - Hamburgers & Homies

Not a ton of stuff happened this week, honestly. We're meeting some new investigators, as well as losing some old ones. Our "Piña" family fell through, because they wouldn't ever show up for appointments. We've found some new people in different parts of Temixco. I forgot how giant Temixco is. We spent almost 100 pesos just on busses in two days, going from top to bottom, left to right, and everywhere in between. Luckily, we've been getting investigators with some success.

There's a guy who owns a Hamburger stand called "Hamburgers and Friend's" he's really cool and like the missionaries a lot, even though he thinks that Jesus was a druggie hippie. Not sure why. But he invited us to eat at his hamburger stand on tuesday, and we got some photos. He's super cool, and said one day, we should jam on guitar and piano in front of his stand. He also knows everyone. Even the police officers will stop´and wave to him, or honk when they drive by. One even turned on the sirens, just to get to the stand faster, then turned them off once he arrived. We're trying to get this guy to accept the gospel, because he knows everyone. We did convince him to put a picture of the three of us in his hamburger stand, so, that's some progress.

Week 19 - Starting off with a Bang!

So, this whole week has been pretty cool, but not a ton has happened.

This whole week has been baptismal planning, because we had two baptisms!

The first was on Friday. It's this little girl named Naomi. She's 9, and she was super excited to get baptized. Her mom is also being taught, but she can't get baptized for a few more weeks, because she has to get married first. Well this little girl would not wait for her mom. She wanted to get baptized now. It was super cool because she really knew it was true.

Naomi's baptism day

On that note, her Dad is actually a member. We have been trying to think of ways to reactivate him, then we thought about the Patriarchal Blessing. We gave a quick little lesson about it, and he's really excited to get his. he also needs to get married first, but he has been having lots of spiritual experiences, which just goes to show God's love for people, and that he knows what's in your heart. This week, this hermano needed to pay all his debts and bills, and his tithing. He didn't know what to do , but he knew to pay his tithing. He wasn't sure how they were going to make it through the week, cause they're a little strapped for cash at the moment. Well, as soon as they payed all their bills, a guy came up to his hamburger stand and ordered almost 500 pesos worth of food. That was the blessing that he needed, adn he can't wait to receive more. God won't withhold blessings from him just because he's not married yet, and this Hermano knows it.

Week 18 - Cambios (Changes)

Baptism of the Linares girls with special guests
Elder Ortiz and the Iguala elders.

So, we have changes today. We had One of the Zone leaders at the house when they got the call. We found out...that we'll both be staying in Temixco this next change! A few people from my generation of missionaries are going to be training or being a District Leader, but I'm just glad we're staying here to teach all the people for this next six weeks. If we get it right, we should be baptizing every week!

So Tuesday, we had a baptism for the Linares Girls. Their family is a bit inactive, and the missionaries have been trying to get their daughters baptized for at least six months. One day we asked why they didn't want to be baptized, and they said it was so they could have their Comunión in the Catholic Church. We finally just said' "That's fine. Communion is in December. After you do that in the Catholic church, will you get baptized in the True church?" They said yes. 

Week 17 - New Years! Happy 2018

Alright. It's been a great week! We've been working really hard, but also, we've been guided by the spirit . We have 10 new people to teach, who all seem promising, all just because we were in the right place at the right time.

Giant 1 lb. Reese's PB cups from Gabe's Christmas
package - consumed on Christmas Day

 Tuesday, we were heading to the familia Linares house to teach their daughter, and when we got off the bus, a guy who worked at a piña stand called out, "Elders!" It turns out, he's a member, but he hasnt been to church for many years. He and his wife were praying to find a church to attend for their kids. The next day, we were there. 

They gave us the most delicious, mexico-looking pineapples free of charge, because they like us so much. 

Later in the week, I needed change for my 200 peso bill. I bought a 6 peso candy and asked for change. She actually had change, and then asked us from what church we were. She is also taking lessons. 

Third, we were looking for a place that sells ties, and we met this lady. She brought us into her store, and I was holding a book of mormon in my hand. She asked what it was, and I said that she could have it. She has two kids, a husband, and her mother. 

We said that we were getting really lucky, but our zone leader said that of course its not luck. Its a manifestation of God's love in our lives. He obviously thinks that we are capable of teaching these people. We are hyped for the challenge.