51. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else

NEW COMPANION

Elder Martinez is my new companion.  He is from Utah.  He had a baptism the week before I got here and we get along super well! He likes all of the things I do, like video games, sports, movies, tv, anime... we have a lot in common, and we teach really well together. I hope I can have this great a connection  with all of my future comps too, because we are on fire right now.

NEW HOUSE IN CHIHUAHUA

MOTHER’S DAY SKYPE

Yeah I had so much fun chatting with you guys and the time went so fast! Not just talking but from Christmas to Mother’s day went so stinkin fast!

(Bryce said his testimony in spanish and one of the girls pulled out a phone and recorded it.  We later had Juvenal translate it to English for us.  Such a sweet message)

This time I have been tried by many things but I have felt very strong the help of God in this time.  I have seen the Lord’s hand in my life with miracles and many things that have happened.  The times that I have felt alone, I have felt that someone is always with me.  Someone who is very special and very important.  Is Jesus Christ our Heavenly Father.  I know that in a short time we will be in the middle of the mission, but I have a lot or work yet.  I feel good right now.  I feel we have acheived many things well, and what we still have to achieve, we have to work to achieve it.  We must continue to strive hard. And I know this time is going to happen very fast, so I have to enjoy this time.  I know that this is the true church, the restored church.  I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that the Book of Mormon is the most true and clearest book of all life.  That we can receive any response we want from this book and is the key to our religion.  I love you so much, more than you know, although you do not understand me, but I love you so much, and this is my testimony.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

BAPTISM

So it was pretty stressful planning everything for the baptism and finding the clothes and making sure that everyone was going to be there to help with the program and everything. Everyone ended up showing late, but it was ok it all turned out super nice and spiritual! The kids were so happy after they were baptized they couldn’t stop smiling!   It was such a spiritual experience and I’m going to love these kids forever you have no idea! We are going to visit them tomorrow to read the Book of Mormon and see how they are doing.  It was a great day! 

Waiting for everyone to arrive

We are more excited and are working harder than before to make sure that our other investigators with baptismal dates get ready for that day! we have about 6 people ready for the 17th of June, and we want to find more people to get ready for that day.

I am so happy to finally have a baptism you have no idea! It was stressful, but worth it in the end!  I’m not very good at expressing emotion through typing... but I’m super happy, super content and ready to keep baptizing. We want to get at least 2-3 more before changes, because I don’t think I’ll have another transfer with my companion,  honestly.

I WOULDN’T WANT TO BE ANYWHERE ELSE

this week was a lot harder physically than most, because it is getting hotter, so I learned a lot about 1. Sunscreen  2. How to persevere 3. That it’s all worth it in the end. This has been one of the sweatiest weeks I’ve ever had, and oh man I’m not looking forward to another one! But it is raining right now so that’s nice!  We have been working really hard to find new investigators and make sure that the 6 we have are ready to be baptized the 17th, so that’s what we’ve done all week. In a lesson with one of them we shared some powerful stuff from Acts 2, and Alma 32, and it was so powerful to me the way it came out and the way the spirit guided us. Our testimonies finished it and I haven’t felt power in a lesson like that in a while!

I’m definitely enjoying my time here and making the most of it, every second! I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now and I’m so glad I have you guys rooting for me back home. Thank you for that and for always being there and praying for me. I love you so much and am glad you are my mama :)

Acts Chapter 2 Summary:  The Spirit is poured out on the day of Pentecost—Peter testifies of Jesus’ resurrection—He tells how to gain salvation and speaks of the gift of the Holy Ghost—Many believe and are baptized.

Alma Chapter 32 Summary:  Alma teaches the poor whose afflictions had humbled them—Faith is a hope in that which is not seen which is true—Alma testifies that angels minister to men, women, and children—Alma compares the word unto a seed—It must be planted and nourished—Then it grows into a tree from which the fruit of eternal life is picked.