Hi everyone. It was great talking to everyone on Christmas Day! It was getting a bit crazy talking to everyone again. I am glad that you are all doing well and that you received the package that I sent with the missionaries. I had bought the gifts for you early December and I was trying to figure out a way to send them to you before Christmas day. But I am glad that I got someone to take them for me. Well we couldnt check our emails yesterday because the library was closed. I woke up really early Christmas morning well at 6:30 haha but well I also got up at 2am and couldn't go to sleep thinking that in a few hours I was going to call home. It was a big blessing calling home and hearing all of you.

Christmas Eve was so cold and the rain didnt help at all but I really enjoyed working in the weather even though by the time I got in the car I was already shivering hahaha.I think I've come to terms with the weather to where it doesnt affect me anymore.

Anyway I thought it was funny you sent me coffee creamer and a mug that said coffee all over it. Did you do that without realizing or as a joke? Either way I got a laugh out of that. Thank you for the pictures as well. It was nice seeing how everyone has changed and grown. Send me pictures when you can I really appreciate that.

Well I dont knkow if you had any questions for me that you werent able to ask so I guess you can email them to me if you want.

This week we are finding people for the last week of January! We need to find two solid people that will be baptized on the last week of January so that we can meet our goal of 4. My companion and I are working really hard to do that. Well I hope to hear from all of you soon. I know that in no time at all I will be calling home again on Mother's day.
I love you all!
--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

hola a todos!

well i can't believe christmas is this sunday! i sent home a package and you should be getting it on the 24th by the raymondville elders so make sure to open the door for them haha. well i hope everyone is doing well. this last week i was pretty sick with the cold. i felt like my head was about to burst and whatnot. i got better a few days later but i was feeling pretty miserable. anyway this past week was rough because we were struggling to find new people to teach. it seems as if the mission is made up of ups and downs. as well i was noticing some tension between my companion and i so i finally decided to talk it out with him. our 2nd transfer should be as successful as our first. i am grateful to the Lord for being part of this great work. i really feel as if i dont have enough time. i will be hitting 8 months in two weeks and well it is just flying by.

well i hope to call you this sunday. i'm not sure when i will call but more than likely around 3pm. i hope mom's phone is still working because that is the only number i remember.

have a great week! feliz navidad!!

with love,

--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

Well this past week was really rainy and cold as many of you know! Good thing I have a pretty good rain jacket that kept me dry but I was so cold. My companion forgot the keys inside the car and so we were locked out of the car for 3 hours! We walked to some members homes but no one was there and well we called the car Elder and he came with his wife (they are senior missionaries btw) came and opened the car for us using a wire. Anyway that was on Saturday which I think was the day that the rain and cold started.

Yesterday we had 4 baptisms and they were amazing! All 4 were really happy and excited because of it. Not much else happened this week just helping this 4 people get ready for their special day. we had a really hard time finding new investigators because of the lack of time and as well because of the weather. A lot of the people that we visit live in run down travel trailers and well there was no way there were going to let us in or us sit outside with them.

I am excited to call home on Christmas day!

I love you all.



--
Elder Rodriguez

This week will mark my 7 months as a missionary for Christ's restored Church! I really can't believe how time is flying. Well this week we will also have 4 baptisms in our area. M____and her two daughters passed their interviews last Sunday they were really excited and nervous! I am so glad that I was able to meet them and share the restored gospel with them. N_____ passed her interview as well. I really hope that she will get the desires of her heart answered and that soon we will be able to teach the rest of the family. Last week my companion and I found her family's teaching record in the area book. It seems like they had been taught about 5 years ago and the missionaries commented that out of all of them N_____ had the most potential. She loves the BoM and everything that we have taught her so far. I really am glad for all the people that we are teaching. If things keep going at the rate they are now we will have a great January as well.

Well not much has really been going on. My companion and I are constantly working and trying to help as much people as possible come unto Christ. One of the biggest problems we have right now is that most if not all of our investigators do not have cars or any means of transportation. So we have to find them rides from members that live in the area. Sundays are always so stressful and they seem like the longest days of the week as well. I usually can sit down and not feel stressed out during the 9am English service because we dont have any English investigators but as soon as 12pm comes around I start feeling anxious just thinking about all the things we will have to arrange for the 1pm service. We had around 8 investigators at church not counting their children and that number goes up to 15 if we do. So it really is a large number of people that we have to work with and find transportation for on Sundays. But well I am glad that we have the support of members to help us.

I hope that everyone has a good week and that things are well for everyone.

I love you all!

--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

hola a todos. espero que esten bien.

well this week was so hectic! we really struggled towards the beginning of the week to find new people to teach. but friday my companion and i decided to fast so that the Lord could help us find people he had prepared and sure enough the Lord pulled us through and we found a lot of people that day.

all of our progressing investigators with baptismal dates came to Church this past Sunday and in total we had about 9 investigators at Church. It was a big blessing from the Lord and he has continually helped us. the members in edinburg 2nd are awesome and are willing to do their part to help us with missionary work. Claudia and Jr were baptized last night at La Vista it was an extremely spirit filled service. elder o connor and i are grateful for this opportunity we have to be missionaries in the lord's work.

well one day we went to ______ house. she was feeling sick and she hadnt fed her grandchildren. since she doesnt have electricity or running water she usually cooks outside in a bbq pit. we helped her chop up some wood and started the fire for her. we helped her out. it was a really windy day and the whole time we had sand blowing in our eyes and it was just really bad. i wish there were more that we could do for this family. but i have given them the thing that i treasure the most and that is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

well i can't believe December is here already this week! pretty soon I will be able to call home and see how everyone is doing.

I love you all! Take care.

--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

Hola a todos!

Well yesterday we had the memorial service for Elder Strong and Elder Walker. It was a very nice and spiritual service and I did feel the Spirit of the Lord in that place. I know that this work is truly the Lor'ds work and that he is h elping us accomplish great things in this mission.

I can't believe Thanksgiving is this week! It seems I always say this but time is sure flying by right now. We had a very good week. We were able to find a lot of prepared people who are ready to accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ right now.We had about 8 of our investigators at Church as well most of their children. My companion and I had to take care of three rows of people. It was awesome being surrounded by all of our investigators and being able to attend Church with them. A lot of the members are really nice and caring and willing to help us with them. I am glad for that.

We will be having two baptisms this coming Sunday. I am really excited for that!

Well not much has been going on besides that we are really working hard in this area. My companion is a great guy and I really can't wait to see what the Lord has prepared for us next transfer. Tomorrow we will be having our new companion training. We will see how that goes.

Well I love you all!

Hi everyone.

Well one of the saddest weeks in the mission has come and gone. Tuesday night two missionaries were killed as they were riding bikes in Weslaco. Elder Strong and Elder Walker were some of the best missionaries here in the TMM and will be missed. It just made me realize that are lives are really precious and short and that everyday we must do our best to help the Lord's work advance here on earth. I am in a car area and so I don't have to ride bikes and really can't afford to because my area is really big and its out in the country. So don't worry I am safe either way. This past Sunday we had a mission wide fast for the Walker and Strong families. They should have arrived back home this past Friday.

But the work is really moving along here in E==== North. We found a lot of people to teach this past week as well they accepted the invitation to join the Lord's restored Church. I am really excited to see some of these people come to Church and receive many of the blessings that the Lord has in store for them.

My new companion is great. He gets quiet from time to time but I think that it is because he is getting used to the mission. As well he is the only member of the Church in his family so I"m sure he thinks of them from time to time.

Well I can't believe we are halfway through November already. Christmas will soon be upon us.

Take care everyone. I love you!
--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

hey how's it going everyone!

Well my new companion is here! He's a convert to the Church to (he's only been a member for a year and two months!) and he is really excited to be here. He is from Nevada. We had a pretty good week although we werent able to get anyone to church but he really didnt have a problem with that. I know that this week we will have a lot of success all we have to do is keep working hard and letting the Lord guide our work everyday. I really have felt that I have drawn closer to God as I rely more fully on him to do this work.
Tomorrow will be my two year mark as a member of God's restored Church! I am happy for that. These past two years have been full of ups and downs but I know that the Lord has taken me all the way here for a reason.

Well one thing that has driven me crazy for the last few days is not knowing what is going on with the political race. I know that Mitt Romney is leading the Republican field right now and that Obama isn't doing so great. That's crazy to think because about two years ago Mitt Romney didnt even have a chance. So far we really havent gotten any comments from people about Romney when we are contacting but I am sure that we will as the election draws closer.


I hope everyone has a good week!

Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

So I will be training a new missionary! He arrives here tomorrow and we should be companions for at least 3 months. I am really excited to train. Well the work here is moving along and we had a really succesful week. Today is Halloween so we wont be going out to work only for an hour and then we have to be indoors from 7pm onward. Well I hope that everyone has a great week.

--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

So I will be training a new missionary! He arrives here tomorrow and we should be companions for at least 3 months. I am really excited to train. Well the work here is moving along and we had a really succesful week. Today is Halloween so we wont be going out to work only for an hour and then we have to be indoors from 7pm onward. Well I hope that everyone has a great week.

--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

Hey! I hope everyone is doing well.

Well this week went by so fast! Elder L----- had to go home for medical reasons and now I am with an Elder who was serving in Raymondville West for a while. But he is only going to be here for a week and then he is going to be transferred to Alamo North. So I really dont know what is going on or who my new companion is going to be. Anyway we have a baptism this Sunday! I am really excited for that. We are helping a family come back into church activity and they really want the blessings of the gospel and the temple in their lives so it should be good. We will probably continue this week to focus on finding more people and helping them to follow Jesus Christ.

Everyday it seems as if the days are going by so quickly and I really dont want to let my mission go by without me doing my best everyday. I really do feel as if I am drawing closer to God through prayer.

I love you all!

--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

Hey hows it going? Well I am in my new area. It is a really big area that runs for at least 5 miles. There arent many people that live in the area and the neighborhoods are spread far apart. There are about a handful of strong and active members in the area as well so that is going to make it hard to find through the members. Although this area has a lot of part member and less active families and I am sure that we will be able to find people through those means. I will be senior companion for the remainder of this transfer and the next. My companion is Elder L_____ he is from Idaho. He is a very quiet but cool kid who has really good desires to be a good missionary. He is still learning Spanish but I see that he really wants to work at it. I am a bit nervous about being senior companion beceause I know that all of the responsibility and success or failure of this area depends on me! I think this will be a time in my mission in which I will grow the most and trust in the Lord.

The Church in this area is great. There are two really big wards and there definitely are members that are really good when it comes to missionary work.

Well nothing too exciting happened this week other than being transferred haha! I live in the apartment with two other missionaries who are really great. One of them was companions with my former companion in the MTC. Well I can't wait to go out and find the prepared people in this area.
--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

Hey everyone!
I'm doing fine.I am being transferred to another area next week. I am sad that I am leaving behind the great family we recently found and all of the other investigators we have found recently. I feel that the Lord has helped us in finding them. But I also trust in President Trayner and the revelation that he receives as President of this mission. I am glad that I was able to be in Bentsen Lake and for all of the things that I learned while I was here.

I am grateful to be part of this Gospel and for all of the blessings I have received because of it.
--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

moving on...

Hey! Well this weekend was amazing! It was great being able to hear our living prophet and apostles speak to us during General Conference (GC). I am so grateful to have the Church in my life because I've realized the many changes that come as we try to become more like Christ. I feel as if the overall theme of GC and especially priesthood session was definitely repentance and becoming better priesthood holders.

The I_____ family attended GC on Sunday morning and they loved it! They definitely felt the Spirit as they heard President Monson speak. Afterwards we asked the dad how he felt and he said that now he knows that Jesus Christ is real. It was great hearing that comment come from him. A few weeks ago he was in despair and felt like he had no hope. Its great helping him trust in the Savior and in His power to change lives. We are now working with the 3 kids to help them be on the same page as the rest of the family since most of the time that we show up we only teach the dad and don't really focus on them. But we were able to have a great lesson with them yesterday and now they seem to understand our purpose.

I hope everyone has a great week.


--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

Hey everyone!
Well we finally had a good week! This past week the Lord truly blessed us as we found 8 new investigators (or people who are not members of the Church whom we are teaching)! My companion and I were able to find a family as well! There name is the I____ family. We were contacting ( or knocking doors) in their apartment complex and as we were about to leave we heard someone calling us. So we turned and there was a man on the second floor waving us over. We went and he told us he wanted to speak with us. Turns out he really wants the gospel in his life! He has made a lot of mistakes and want a change in life. He is married (his wife is a less active member!) and has 3 kids. Well they are all well on their way to following Christ by being baptized and joining His Church. They came to Church this Sunday as well. We had to really help them out because they had a flat tire and then their spare tire wasn't good so we ended up being at least 20 minutes late to Church. But they loved it. The father even shared his testimony during sacrament meeting. I am feeling really good about this family. Like my first companion once tolme sometimes you meet good people who are keeping you from even better people. I am really excited to see what this week brings and to see how many people the Lord puts in our path.

I am grateful to be in this Gospel and for the many blessings I have received because of it.

I love you all!

--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

Hey everyone!

Well I"m staying in Bentsen Lake for another transfer with Elder Hamren! This should be crazy! I really can't believe that this past transfer went by already! Well not much happened this week. I went on exchanges with Elder M_____ in Hidalgo and I got bit by a dog! We knocked on the door, no one came out so we turned and left we heard a dog barking and as we were leaving it bit my leg. It wasnt a severe bite but it cut me and I bled a little bit. I had to end up getting some antibiotics but I'm fine it doesn't hurt or anything so don't worry about it. Well we also celebrated the 16 de septiembre at the Hidalgo ward. It was great. There was a lot of food there and got to know the members a bit better.

Well Elder L_____ is being transferred to Laredo to be Zone Leader. That's crazy.

Well I can't wait to see what this transfer has to bring.

I love you all!!
--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

As I write this I'm trying to figure out what noteworthy thing happened this week. We struggled this week to have the M____ family keep progressing in the gospel. But well we had an awesome lesson at a member's home. We talked about the Restoration and as well we watched the Restoration DVD with them. They all felt the Spirit very strongly as the First Vision was depicted. Even though this great family has had spiritual experiences with us and as they pray, for some reason or another they are not willing to put that faith into action and come to Church. As people come to Church they show Father in Heaven their willingness to obey him as well their desire to receive the blessings that he has in store for them. We are going to have a lesson with them soon and see where their desires are but if they don't have the will to move forward and come to Church then we will stop teaching them. It's really hard for us especially because these were the only people that we were teaching consistenly and were our strongest investigators.

Transfers are next Tuesday (September 20) I really don't know if President is going to keep me in this area much longer although he did tell me when I first arrived that I was going to stay in my areas a lot longer than other missionaries. I don't know what that means as in how many transfers that is but I am guessing I am staying at least one more transfer in B------ L------ because I haven't had a companion for more than one transfer. If Elder ------- and I stay together this week we are definitely going to work a lot harder to help people accept and follow Jesus Christ in their lives,

I've gotten to the point right now where all I think about is the mission and the people that we talk to every day. I am glad to be part of this great and marvelous work.

I miss everyone. I hope you are all doing great. I love you.

--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

Hey everyone!

Not much happened this past week. I can't believe how fast this transfer is going. So far we are only teaching the M_____ family and we are working hard to getting them to Church. For some reason they love the Book of Mormon and are keeping the commitments we are leaving them but they haven't come to Church! It really is frustrating to see these people that I really care about not keep that most important committment! I was feeling pretty upset Sunday morning during sacrament meeting when I realized that they weren't going to attend once again. Elder H_____ and I knocked on their door a couple of times and rang the doorbell but no one came to the door. It really was dissapointing. But well we are going to give it our all once again this week. We already set up a lesson at a member's home for tonight and I know that after today they will be 100% committed to coming to Church.

Well I don't know if I have written a lot about my companion. He is a crazy kid! He makes some amazing salsa and pico de gallo and rice and other food. Just yesterday he decided to make some melon water! Its super good. He is a super crazy hyper kid but well he knows a lot about the Gospel as well. I do get along with him really well so I hope that we stay together for at least one more transfer. I am getting a bit tired of the area to be honest but I know the Lord has me here for a reason and I aim to find out.

Well I wont be sending any mail out this week. I ran out of stamps and forgot to buy any yesterday! So sorry. My companion doesnt write home so he doesnt have any. :/

I love you all. Take care!
--
Elder Rodriguez


For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

Hey everyone,

Well this week was largely spent in training at the Mcallen West stake center. We were in training from Wednesday to Friday. We went over the 8 fundamental lessons of Preach My Gospel. I had already endured the training once (on my first day of the mission) and well had to undergo them again. Although I was able to learn a lot. This week was a real struggle to find people to teach but I know that this week we will have the opportunity to start all over again and with the help of Heavenly Father we will be able to find those that he has prepared for us to find.

I am really getting along pretty well with my new companion and I feel that we are able to work really well. Sometimes I feel that we don't use time effectively and lose focus of our purpose but I have already spoken to him about it and we will work a lot harder this coming week.

I was thinking the other day of all the things that I have learned and the blessings that I have received as a member of the Church. I can't believe that in two months I will have two years as a member of the Church. I am grateful to be a member of this and to be a missionary. It really is a very humbling experinece and I have already experienced a lot of things. I can feel myself changing and growing because of these experiences.

Well I hope things at home are going well. I'm sure mom is glad the kids are off to school again.

Take care. I love you guys!

--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

Hey everyone!

It seems as if this week just flew by! Well it seems as if today was the first day of school for the Mcallen schools. I actually live right next to a middle school and its just crazy to think that a few months ago school let out. Anyway time is just flying by. We really are working hard to find those that the Lord has prepared for us to find. Well we can only use our car for a limited amount of miles each month and well we are almost out of miles so we had to take out our bikes for the last 3 days! Its crazy hot and I am just sweating a lot whenever we get to our appointments. We drink tons of water all the time though.

Well I get along great with my new companion. He has me laughing almost all day. It's great to have someone you can talk to and who is well read to. That definitely is a plus. Well right now we are working with a family that we found last week and they seem very inetested in the gospel. We will definitely keep working with them so they can find the happiness that only the restored gospel can bring. He definitely has a different approach when it comes to missionary work but he definitely keeps it fun.

I miss everyone and I hope you all have a great week.

--
Elder Rodriguez

Hey everyone,

This week went by so fast. I really like my new companion Elder H-----. He is such a funny kid. He is from Utah which really is no suprise haha. This transfer is going to be a bit rough since I am in the same area again. But well what can I do about it but move and work along. I now only attend Church in two wards: Hidalgo Ward and Sharyland Ward. Hidalgo really reminds me of Raymondville Branch perhaps because of its size but I think just because its really easy to get to know all of the members since there aren't too many of them. They are really nice. My companion and I went to Gospel Doctrine class this past Sunday because there weren't enough chairs in Gospel Principles and I guess because we didn't have any investigators come to Church either. Anyway it was a great class.

I love the New Testament. I am reading it right now for my personal study as well with things that I need to study for but its great to have some personal reading time each morning. Elder H----- loves to read as well so its great to have someone that loves books as much as I do .

We had all sorts of experiences this week that definitely made it to my journal. We went on a tie dig just a few hours ago and found some great ties that were really cheap too. Elder H------ had never been to a bodega before and he was pretty excited.

Well I just want all of you to know that I love you. Take care.

Elder Rodriguez

Wow! This week starts my new transfer. I am staying in the Bentsen Lake area again. As well I am going to have a new companion. His name is Elder H----- (!?!) I dont really remember how to spell his name. Turns out he is Elder A-------'s friend since jr. high so that should be interesting. Well this week we got word that Bentsen Lake was realigned and our three investigators that were getting ready for baptism in these coming week were left out of the Bentsen Lake area next transfer. What a bummer! Well the Lord knows why he does things and as well he wants me to keep working hard this coming transfer. I feel that I have a lot to learn still as well I feel as if that I didnt try my hardest this transfer. I also feel as if I have become a lot more apprehensive as I contact people and start teaching lessons. I really need to snap out of that and do my best. Well I look forward to this coming transfer and to do my best for the Lord and this great and marvelous work.

I dont want to end my mission and look back with regret. This transfer I will give this work my best. I am grateful to be in the Lord's true Church and for all the blessings that I have now since I joined. I miss you all and hope you are having a good summer.

I love you all!
--
Elder Rodriguez

Well this week just flew by! It seems our teaching has gotten a lot better as a companionship. We were able to teach D--- and A---and they were able to make it to church with all of their kids. They seemed to have loved it and that is great we really had to struggle to get rides for them and really hard work to do that especially since it seems we can only use the same members to help us out for missionary work. But anyway we finally got both of them to Church and they are well on their way to progress towards baptism. A--- today even invited us over to lunch outside her house. She is a really humble lady who really appreciates what we have taught her and really loves the Gospel even if she has only known about it for two weeks. D---- as well progressed a lot and is now more confident about her upcoming baptism. The work really is moving along.

Well word is that my area (Bentsen Lake) is going to be split up which would really be horrible if I were to be transferred out of here because we have barely started moving the work along and I would really hate being moved elsewhere. But seems that just might happen we will know for sure on Saturday. I really dont want to leave.

Well things are going a lot better for us like I said. We really arent struggling to find as we had been doing weeks before and things are finally looking good for us.

I can't believe today is the 1st of August! It's my sister Maggies birthday. This month just flew by and everyone just keeps telling me how time will fly by before I know it.

Well I hope everyone takes care. I love you guys.
--
Elder Rodriguez


For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

When I came out on my mission I knew that I was going to have to go through trials of faith and hard work. This past week was one of those weeks. After working hard all week and having great lessons with our investigators once again none of them showed up at Church this Sunday. We went over to each of our investigators homes before Church started to see how they were doing and if they were getting ready for church. Both weren't. It is frustrating. But as I take a step back and see what I can do better next time to invite investigators to Church I realize that perhaps we didnt do a good job of committing them to Church. One thing I have realized is that most of these people that we are teaching aren't used to attending church or doing anything other than sleep in or go out on Sundays. We have to help them establish these patterns of righteousness in their lives.

It can quickly becfome frustrating to the companionship when it seems that all of the hard work done throughout the week hasn't paid off. But I know that the Lord is looking down upon our efforts and will reward us soon.

Well I turned 25 this past thursday! Elder M--------- came to Bentsen Lake on exchanges so we had a pretty good time together. We really have changed a lot and have become good missionaries. We both feel a lot more confident when contacting and when teaching lessons which is really great. I had a good birthday with him. As well I received some letters and birthday cards. Katie sent me a great looking tie! :D

I can't believe we will be in August next week or that this transfer is about to end as well. Who knows if I will stay in this area or if Elder B----- will stay with me for his last transfer. Everything is pretty much in the air.

Love you guys!

--
Elder Rodriguez

Hey everyone,

What a week! It definitely was a hot. My companion and I spent most of the week contacting people (knocking doors) to find those that the Lord has prepared to accept his gospel. As well we keep on teaching the family that we found last Saturday as well as the single mother with two kids and another family that we found this week. Things are looking good for the month of August. I can't believe that this is already the third week of this transfer. Time is going by really fast it seems. Days seem really short and especially when you keep busy and keep your mind focused on the Lord's work.

I've come to realize how important it is to lose yourself in this work if you want to focus and be successful as a missionary. You really can't worry or think about anything other than the people that you are teaching. That means putting aside any personal matters or relationships and sometimes even family. For me it is very hard to not be able to talk to my family especially this past week but I knew that if I trusted the Lord things would work out for the best and it seems like my prayers were answered and they did. I also miss Katie a whole lot but I know that we will be together again someday and I will strive to make her very happy when we are together again. I know that as soon as I can become 100% focused the Lord will bless my efforts as a missionary. I know that a lot of people are expecting a lot from me but no one is expecting more than my Heavenly Father. He really wants me to use the talents he has given me to be successful and I promise to give him nothing less than that.

I know that this work is true.

--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

This past week was tough. Since we don't have any investigators (people we are teaching) we had to go out and find them. The only way we can do that is by going out and contacting (knocking doors, talking to people we see). Contacting does take its toll on not only yourself but on the companionship . You start wondering why you arent able to find anyone you can teach and if one of you is doing something wrong. Of course I start automatically thinking that it's my fault that we can't find anyone and that I must be doing someing wrong especially since I am the "new" missionary and have only been out two tranfers. I realized that my contacting has become robotic and second nature. I remember that the Assistants (E.Y--------) told us that no two contacts should be the same. That is something that I remembered and tried applying. Well the whole week was pretty much spent contacting. On Saturday we took our bikes up to the Mcallen 2 area and started bicycling. It was especially hot and humid. By the end of the day we were really tired. I had a big headache from being out in the sun all day and probably not taking enough water. So there we were feeling a bit discouraged. We decided to go look for a less active member who lived in the area. We didnt find her. But we did find a young,small family who had been taught by the missionaries before and they accepted to have us sit down with them. By the end of the lesson they had accepted a baptismal date for the 7th of August. It was great! So we decided to go look for another less active member who lived in a trailer park at the edge of our area. We didnt find her either. But we did find another young family (single mother with two kids). She was also very receptive and as well accepted a baptismal date for the 7th of August. Isn't the Lord amazing? He truly rewards His servants when they are in a time of need. I really saw how the Lord pulls through and never really leaves us alone.

This coming week is the second week of this transfer. We need to make sure that we help these investigators progress towards their baptismal date.

I know that this is the Lord's work.

--
Elder Rodriguez

Well this week Elder Woodward finally went home after two years of faithful service to the Lord in South Texas. I learned a lot from him and he will be missed. This week my new companion came in his name is Elder Bayles and he is really different from my first companion. But that of course was expected. I know that I will learn a lot from him as well and I know that he has that great desire to bring others unto Christ.

We really had to start from the ground up in finding new people to teach. All of the people that we had been teaching the last week that Elder Woodward was here either werent keeping commmitments or werent interested anymore. So we started contacting and knocking doors in the Mcallen 2 ward area. We hope to find those that are ready there and I know that the Mcallen 2 ward is really great when it comes to helping the missionary work. We are currently teaching a family from that area there name is the F------- family. They have a son serving a mission in Mexico and he is the only member in his family as well. We are working to help them understand the truthfulness of this Church and the restored gospel. They are pretty much the only solid investigators we have at the moment, but we will continue to do our best to look for those that the Lord has prepared.

Yesterday was 4th of July and the missionaries from Mcallen, Mission and Hidalgo zones were invited to attend the celebration at the Mcallen West Stake center. They had a stake breakfast for the 4th of July as well they asked us to sing the Star Spangled Banner for them. It went well considering we hadnt practiced the song before we went up to stage to perform.

I am very grateful to be part of this great and marvelous work that has filled the earth. I know that what I am doing is true and is of God.

I love you all and wish you the best.
Take care! (cant believe i turn 25 soon! yikes!! :/ )

--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

Hola a todos!

Well this week was definitely interesting. It was my companions last week as a missionary so of course we worked hard to make it a succesful week. We were able to witness another baptism in our area as well as the confirmation of the Z----- family. What a great experience. I felt the Spirit strongly as I performed this sacred ordinance. The Holy Ghost truly testifies of the truthfulness of all things and I definitely felt it as this great family joined the true Church of Jesus Christ. As well on Wednesday it rained a lot down here and of course I had to get soaked from head to toe. It took about two days for my shoes to dry out good thing I had another pair to wear. My companion had to wear some sneakers that I had, he looked pretty funny. When we were bicycling on Saturday again it started to rain on us. So it was a pretty wet week. One of the things that I am focusing on as a missionary is making a better effect when I do contacting. Contacting is when you go house to house looking for those interested in the restored gospel. Those first seconds in your contact are vital. You really have to get the person's attention and of course create an environment/conversation that will allow the Spirit to testify of the truth of your words. So yes it is a daunting task to say things first correctly as well say things that apply to the person you talk to. It takes a lot of work to be effective while contacting and that is something that I definitely need to work on. Tomorrow the new transfer begins (6 weeks period) and I meet my new companion. All I know is that his name is Elder Bayles and he was serving in San Benito before this. Also he only has one or two transfers left before he goes home. So....we'll see. This coming week we really need to work hard to find those that are ready to enter into the baptismal covenant in the month of August. This truly is the Lord's work. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

-- Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

The Z----- family was baptized! :D I am grateful to Father In Heaven for being part of this great and marvelous missionary work that is taking place upon the earth. I am humbled to be one of his servants and that through me I am able to bring the saving message of the restored gospel to my brothers and sisters here in South Texas. As well on the 3rd of July a family composed of a mother, daughter and grandaughter will enter into the baptismal covenant with our Heavenly Father. It has been great being able to help these people (my fellow brothers and sisters) realize that they are children of God, that he loves them and has prepared a way for them to return to live with Him again. The Way that we may obtain salvation was prepared through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He invites all to have faith in His name, repent from their sins, be baptized through immersion through his duly appointed and authorized servants, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Everyday we met at least one person who desires salvation and eternal life. It is great being a guide to these men and women who have great desires.

The baptism of the Z------ family really was the highlight of the week. As well we have other progressing investigators (people who are studying with us) who may soon accept to enter into the baptismal covenant. Besides the work it is really hot! This past Saturday we were on bicycles from 11-5. I was sweating profusely. I was dripping from head to toe in sweat. It was gross but it was good at the same time. I really do enjoy bicycling (well except when its uphill hahahah). But I am really getting used to the work. I can't believe I will have one transfer done by next week.

I am advancing pretty fast in my language studies (no suprise ;p) and should obtain my "capitan" level sometime this week. Zone conference is coming up this Thursday. Elder Woodward leaves me on Tuesday of next week. :( What a great guy. I will miss him a lot! I had a crazy dream that I was going to be training next transfer. Let's hope it stays a dream for a while.

Take care!

P.S. I received several letters this week! Its always great to receive them. I will be writing you back soon.
--
Elder Rodriguez

Hola a todos!

How is everyone? This weeks was terribly hot again. But well my companion and I decided to go around our area and meet the members that live here in South Mcallen. It was great getting to know them and how it is they came to join the Church. I really am glad that I belong to this Church and I know that I will receive many blessings because of it. The Lord really is guiding this Church and this great and marvelous work which I am a part of allows me to see how Jesus Christ really is alive and making a difference in people's lives. This weekend we will be having a baptism for a family named the Zamora Family. They are composed of the parents and two kids and their grandaughter. They are amazing and have really changed their lives for the better. I am glad that they are taking this huge step forward and that they will become a stronger family because of this step they are taking. They really were having some problems with some of the commandments we taught them especially the law of tithing. But we asked a member from the bishopric Bro. Palacios to join us in one of our appointments and he really helped us out! They loved him a lot and really appreciated what he told them. This past Sunday they had their baptismal interview and all 5 of them were found ready for the covenant of baptism! The Lord really helps us when we most need him.

We were also able to find new people to teach and with whom we could share the message of the restored gospel. It really is great seeing them as to how they react when tehy first hear about the restoration and how we shouldn't be confused when it comes to which Church is the true church of Christ. This work is never ending and the Lord really is behind it all because we always find someone who is ready and willing to not only listen but act on the message we share with them.

We had a very successful Sunday and many of our investigators (people we are teaching) came to Church. It was great seeing them there and helping them understand that what we have taught them is true. God really is our Heavenly Father and He lives as well as His only begotten Son Jesus Christ.

I love you all.

--
Elder Rodriguez

Hi!

Well this week has been so hot! I really can't believe how much walking I have to do. But it's great. I really like what I'm doing. Sure I have some dissapointing days where I sometimes wish that time would go by faster but I know that this work is important. We had a pretty succesful week and found a lot of new people who were willing to listen to our message and learn more. I am grateful to the Lord for having such a great companion. I really have learned a lot from him. Well this past Sunday I stayed at the Hidalgo Ward for the 3 hours of Church service. It really reminds me a lot of Raymondville. There are a lot of great members here in Hidalgo and they really are helpful when it comes to missionary work. The other day I realized how close we are to the border because I saw the border fence for the first time. It runs along the expressway to Hidalgo. It's crazy to realize how close we are to Mexico.

Well I hope that everyone is doing well at home. I didn't receive any email from my family this week so I hope that everything is alright. I love you guys.

--
Elder Rodriguez

Hey guys! This week was crazy hot! It was a tough week the work is going well though. We some baptisms coming up in a few weeks. I know that this work is true.

I love and miss everyone one of you.

Hey guys!

Well turns out I have a few more minutes to write. So yesterday was memorial day and so the library that we come to was closed. So we had to change our email day to tuesday just for this week. but we still had the chance to do everything else like wash clothes and go to heb to buy some food. its crazy how monday goes by so fast and before you know it its over and you have to start working again. so our mondays are called preparation days and they begin at 1030am and end at 6pm. you can sort of call them days off but they arent really because most of the time you have to do everything you didnt have a chance to do throughout the week.

But well this Sunday at church was good. We didnt have as many investigators at church this time around though. We only had 5 investigators show up for church in Hidalgo and Mcallen. But its still a good number I know that the lord is helping us to find people that are ready and willing to follow his Son Jesus Christ. I had a good time at Church and I promised God and myself to do my best as a missionary of his Church.

Well bicycle riding this past Saturday wasn't as bad as the first time I had to do it. I have begun getting up early like around 615 and have started running with my companion elder woodward. i dont remember if i mentioned him in my last email but he is from Preston, Idaho. He leaves home in 3 weeks. His hometown is the place where the movie Napoleon Dynamite was filmed. Its funny but he says that the movie shows how life really is like up there in Idaho. He says that he even had pet llamas. I find that really funny haha.

I am just grateful to be able to serve God as a missionary in His Church. I am glad that my testimony and faith in Jesus Christ has been strengthened and that everyday I am being able to become more like him.

I love and miss everyone of you.

Tell mom and dad I say hi and that I love them.

Hi everyone!

I love you guys and miss you!

Today is my preparation day. Which means that besides washing clothes, and shopping for food I also get to use the computer for 45 minutes! Yay! It seems so weird to be on the computer and email. Yes, I can only email not get on facebook and other websites like that well Church websites I can but well I don't need to write now. I hope everyone is doing well. I am. This week was just crazy. I finally met my companion his name is Elder Woodward and he is from Boise, Idaho. He is in his last transfer so he is going home in about 5 weeks. When he leaves I am going to stay in this area I suppose. The area I live in is in South Mcallen. I go to Church three times on Sundays. I go to church in Hidalgo, Sharyland and Mcallen. I go three times because the people that we are teaching are from those areas and because well the area that we cover is called Bentsen Lake and its pretty large. It really doesn't feel like I am in Mcallen and so close to home. But I suppose I am since people tell me that all the time when I tell them I am from Raymondville. But we had a very good week. I mean it was really hard because we had to spend most of the time contacting (which means knocking doors and getting people interested in the Church) and a lot of people aren't receptive to our message. But nonetheless the Lord rewarded our efforts and two families that we are teaching showed up to Church in Hidalgo. So that was good. They are getting ready to be baptized and confirmed members of the Church. It was good to see how the Lrod is willing to reward us just when it seems like he isn't looking out for us. On Saturday I had to bicycle from 11am-430pm. It was tough! Hahah I hadn't been on a bike in forever as all of you know but it was a good experience and I look forward to doing it again this Saturday well every Saturday that is.

Well one thing that we encountered this weekend was a lot of people asking us if the end of the world was going to occur on Saturday. Seems that there was a story going around online that said that. I thought that was pretty crazy. Especially when the Bible tells us that the no one knows the day or the hour when the end will come! Not even Jesus Christ knows nor the angels in heaven! Only our Heavenly Fathers knows when the end will come. The thing is we are in the "end times" there are a lot of signs that Christ gave through the scriptures and they are becoming true. These signs aren't supposed to bring us fear but happiness because Christ will soon reign on the earth. I hope the kids weren't scared about this. I really was worried that they would be scared because several people told me that their kids didn't want to go to school because of the rumor that was going around.

Well I am doing well. I hope everything at home is well. Let me know how things are going. If you'd like to write to me a letter you can do so I'm sending Mom a letter with my address later today. I got a package from Katie today. I liked it. I will be sending her a letter later today. :] Well take care everyone. I love you.

--
Elder Rodriguez

P.S. I can only email on Mondays. So don't worry if I don't respond before then.

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

Hola a todos!

Espero que todos esten bien. Le escribe una carta a ma entonces el resto de este email va a ser en ingles. Pero todo esta bien y los extrano mucho a todos.

Wow these past few days have just been intense! I have learned so much. It seems like I have been gone from home a lot longer than three days as well it feels like if I am a lot father from home than I am right now. But anyway I have been learning a whole lot! Last night and today I was able to spend with Elder Perez who is an amazing Elder who is from Miami, Florida. He happens to be half cuban and half nicaraguan. He is really great and I have learned a lot from him. ! I know that I will be able to apply what I have learned from him. I really can't wait for Monday and Tuesday though when I will be able to finally meet the other incoming missionaries and Tuesday morning I will be assigned my new area. There is a possibility that I will be trained by either Elder Lybbert or Elder Given! (two missionaries that served in raymondville) That would be great. Especially since the areas that they are in right now are pretty succesful. President Trayner told me that I would be allowed to serve in Brownsville. That came as a suprise and I think I would really enjoy working in that area as well. Yesterday I was able to meet a lot of the recent converts that live in this area and they are great. I really can't believe how many members live in this area. I excited for tomorrow because I will be able to witness a baptism of a family that Elder Perez and his companions were teaching. I really cant wait to go out into the mission field and apply what I have learned.

Well there really isn't much to write this time around since I have been in training sessions for 2 whole days. But I really love what I am doing. I am so happy that I decided to serve a mission. I know that this work is true. I know that God lives and that through his Son Jesus Christ we may are able to obtain salvation and exaltation in the world to come. I know that this Chuch is true.

I love you all. I hope everyone is taking care of themselves and that Mom and Dad are fine as well.

Hola

Hola  a todos!

 

Espero que todos esten bien. Le escribe una carta a ma entonces el resto de este email va a ser en ingles. Pero todo esta bien y los extrano mucho a todos. 

 

 Wow these past few days have just been intense! I have learned so much. It seems like I have been gone from home a lot longer than three days as well it feels like if I am a lot father from home than I am right now. But anyway I have been learning a whole lot! Last night and today I was able to spend with Elder Perez who is an amazing Elder who is from Miami, Florida. He happens to be half cuban and half nicaraguan. He is really great and I have learned a lot from him. ! I know that I will be able to apply what I have learned from him. I really can't wait for Monday and Tuesday though when I will be able to finally meet the other incoming missionaries and Tuesday morning I will be assigned my new area. There is a possibility that I will be trained by either Elder Lybbert or Elder Given! (two missionaries that served in raymondville) That would be great. Especially since the areas that they are in right now are pretty succesful. President Trayner told me that I would be allowed to serve in Brownsville. That came as a suprise and I think I would really enjoy working in that area as well. Yesterday I was able to meet a lot of the recent converts that live in this area and they are great. I really can't believe how many members live in this area. I excited for tomorrow because I will be able to witness a baptism of a family that Elder Perez and his companions were teaching. I really cant wait to go out into the mission field and apply what I have learned. 

 

Well there really isn't much to write this time around since I have been in training sessions for  2 whole days. But I really love what I am doing. I am so happy that I decided to serve a mission. I know that this work is true. I know that God lives and that through his Son Jesus Christ we may are able to obtain salvation and exaltation in the world to come. I know that this Chuch is true.

 

I love you all. I hope everyone is taking care of themselves and that Mom and Dad are fine as well.

I love you Katie. :] (I finally sent you out the package I promised you today as well as some letters so look for it in the mail.) 
--
Elder Rodriguez

For behold, the field is white and ready to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. Doctrine and Covenants 4:4

 

   pues he aquí, el campo blanco está ya para la siega; y he aquí, quien mete su hoz con su fuerza atesora para sí, de modo que no perece, sino que trae salvación a su alma; Doctrina y Convenios 4:4

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Closer

I received a great surprise visit from a great friend and brother Daniel Hernandez yesterday. He was the Elder that taught me along with Elder Brandley back in November 2010. I really can't believe its been that long since I met him. Elder Brandley has about 4 more months left in his mission! Time sure flies by.

Also yesterday I was responsible for having the missionary coordination meeting. The sister missionaries had received my nametags from President Trayner and they gave them to me after the meeting was over. It was a good meeting. We really need help on fellowshipping members and retaining recent converts.I really wish I could be here in Raymondville to help the missionaries and the members a lot more. I feel like these past few months I spent a lot more time working and a lot less time at Church. I love Raymondville branch and will surely miss it.

I know this Church is true.

latest update

This past Sunday I received a message from President Trayner on my facebook wall that he wanted me to call him. So I did so on Monday. He told me he would like for me to report to my mission a few days early (6 days to be exact) so I can receive some further training. So I will begin my mission May 11! I have a few more days left! I really cant wait to begin. I have so many things to get ready before that day. I need to pick up and pack up some things in my room and make sure that I have everything ready. I am so excited!

Test

This is a test email. I want to see if I can update my blog via email using my mission email address. I am not sure if Katie will have time to update my blog all of the time as well I would like to post pictures directly to my blog when I can. I have exactly a month left before I start my mission! :D

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preparation

even though i still have about three or four weeks left before i report to the mission home to begin my mission i am already starting to feel a bit anxious about getting everything ready. i finally had time to look over the list of things that i need to buy for my mission and it is a pretty extensive list! so the first thing i did was to write down the things i already have and then i will proceed to buy the things i dont have. well i already have all of my mission clothes ready (the clothes i will use everyday as well as the shoes) i just need to buy some p-day and exercise clothes and shoes and a few other items and then i will be done! all i need now is to be patient and wait for the big day!

in church this past sunday brother quintero was advanced to the melchizedek priesthood as well he received a calling as second counselor in the branch presidency (!). i am so happy for brother quintero and his desire to grow in the gospel as well as for his strength. not many recent converts make it this far and fall by the wayside. but brother quintero is one of a kind. he loves the scriptures, loves sunday school...i know he has a great future in the Church because of his love for the truth. i am also glad that the branch will have him to help lead it. i know that he will do an excellent job. who knows he might be our next branch president? i think this also marks a turning point in branch history. i think this is the first time that all of the branch presidency leadership is from the raymondville area before they would bring in other worthy men to lead the branch from other areas (harlingen)

brother quintero's conversion and endurance brings to mind one of my favorite verses in the book of mormon:

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

I know this church is true and I can't wait to be part of the full time missionary work.

the wait is over!

So I finally received my call letter this Friday. I had the opportunity to open with my family at home. I will be serving in the Texas Mcallen Mission. I will be reporting to the mission home on May 17. I have a little more than a month to get ready. I really should have started buying everything a while back but I do like to procrastinate. :] But I am glad that I finally have my call and a date set to begin. Now I just need to start planning and setting everything straight here at home. The first thing one of my friends asked me was if I was ready to give up facebook and texting. The answer is NO! But I look forward to giving things up for the Lord for the next two years. I can't wait to be part of this marvelous work and wonder here in South Texas.

I really liked this part of the letter where it states, "as you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs , the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony...of the truths of the gospel...". Aren't those amazing blessings the Lord promises us. Yes, most definitely I will give up facebook, texting, and talking on the phone for this.

I am excited and can't wait to begin. I know this Church is true!

Waiting

Well finally some good news! My call letter is in the mail. I should be receiving it sometime time this week! I can't believe that all of these months of waiting and working hard to complete my mission papers have finally come to an end. I'm having my mom check the mail everyday and let me know when the big white envelope from Utah arrives! I think she finally caught some of my excitement too. I really cant wait to open my letter but I don't know when and where I am going to do it. I don't know if I want to open it at Church or just at home. I think I will know as soon as I get the envelope. I really can't wait! I can't wait to start serving the Lord as one of his ordained full time missionaries! How life surprises you and takes you in different paths you could never have imagined. If back in high school someone would have told me I would one day serve a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I would have laughed at them. But Father in Heaven is gracious and merciful in that he allows his children to hear the marvelous message of the restored gospel. He allows us to choose for ourselves whether or not we want to follow him and keep the first principles of the gospel.

As I look back at how my life has changed as I joined the Church I realize two things . Yes I have made many changes in my life. But yet I continue making mistakes everyday. Some I keep to myself and others are noticed by other.. I am perhaps not the best example of a Latter-day Saint. But my faith and trust is placed completely in God and I know that through his grace I am saved after all I can do. Everyday I strive more to become more like my Saviour. I know that because Christ came and died for me and rose on the third day I have hope for eternal glory and progression.

I know this Church is true.

More Patience

Well it has been a while since I last posted. But from what I last heard my mission papers have not yet been submitted to Church headquarters. I can't believe its been a month since I was able to complete my mission papers (which in itself took me a great while) and they still haven't been submitted! But I must learn to be patient. I think that is one Christlike attribute that I will really work on during my mission. I know a lot of you probably don't believe that I am an impatient person...but I am! I just don't show my frustration much. I just let most things slide. But this really is frustrating. All I want right now is to know when and to where I am leaving on my mission.

On another note missionary transfers have come again. Two of the missionaries serving here in the Raymondville branch will be moving elsewhere. My favorite Elder in along while, Elder Kapetaua is leaving to Sinton to serve as district leader. Sister Nelson is leaving to the Corpus Christi area. I will miss them tremendously and Kapetaua most of all. I love the guy! :/ But I know and understand this is just a part of missionary work. Transfers are made based on revelation and we shouldn't question it.


A while back at work I was thinking about faith and miracles. I think most of us don't see miracles in our lives because we don't have enough faith. For example if we ask Father in Heaven for a miracle most of us will be suprised when we receive it. That isn't faith! If we have faith we won't be suprised just greatful for the miracle. Does that make sense? It's sort of like Moses and the parting of the Red Sea. We don't read about Moses and the Israelites being suprised when he parted the Red Sea they just merely walked across the dry land without a word. I hope to have that faith someday! :]

I know this Church is true!

Patience

As I was studying the Gospel Principles manual this past week I ran across a checklist that lists Christ's attributes.(pg. 126, Preach My Gospel) We are supposed to go through the checklist and see what we have to work on. I need improvement in all of them but the one that really sticks out for me is patience. I don't think anyone can have the patience Christ had when he was here on earth but we can all improve in that aspect. I am a very impatient person most of the time I don't show my impatience I just keep it to myself but after a while I start getting headaches and moody. I don't like when things don't go my way and when things don't work the way I want them. One example of that would be when I was working on completing my mission papers. As soon as I was told that I needed to have my wisdom teeth taken out I went crazy. I knew that this was going to take money and time. I wanted to finish my mission papers as soon as possible and I needed to save money since I don't have health insurance. Instead of trusting that the Lord would open a way for me to have my wisdom teeth out I was trusting in "the arm of flesh" (myself). Once I realized that things were out of reach (wisdom teeth extractions are pretty expensive) I started to pray and ask the Lord for help. Thankfully I was able to find an inexpensive clinic here in town that did the work for me. It turned out I only needed one wisdom tooth out and he cleared me for the mission! It took me one and half months to complete my mission papers because of this but in the end I learned that I need to be more patient especially when it seems things aren't going my way. (2 Nephi 10:17, Romans 8:25, D&C 121:7)

Waiting is the hard part

Well I FINALLY had my interview with President Mata last Sunday! Things went well he will recommend me to serve a full time mission. He should be submitting my paperwork sometime this week. He told me it would take about two to three weeks for me to receive my mission call and that he would recommend that I be called to serve as soon as possible. I am very excited. I am just going to start counting down the days as soon as he tells me that he has submitted my papers. A lot of people have asked me where it is that I want to serve and my desire is to serve in Utah. I know I would love it there. Well I know every LDS missionary would love serving there just because of the presence the Church has there and because of the work the members do on behalf of the missionaries.

This past Sunday we had approximately 85 people in sacrament meeting which for the Raymondville Branch is a huge blessing and a record of course. My sunday school class though has been getting out of hand though. I have trouble getting them to listen up and starting class. So I was flipping through the manual Teaching:No Great Call which is especially for teachers and I found some great ways to encourage reverence during sunday school and I am looking forward to implement some of them.

Latest Update!

I should be having my interview with stake president Mata to finally submit my mission papers to Church headquarters! I am excited! There are a whole lot of other things going on this Sunday and I cant wait for it to come around. I hope tomorrow Saturday goes by fast! :]

Opposition in all things.

So I was supposed to have my interview yesterday with Pres Mata but because of work I had to cancel it. Hopefully I can reschedule it for this coming Sunday. I hope that things finally end by this month. I am really looking forward to stake conference next weekend and listen to our stake leaders speak as well as see members that I know throughout the stake. I am still not too sure if I will be able to speak in the Saturday session of conference because of work.

Welcome, welcome Sabbath morning!

Church was great yesterday. I was a bit tired but I quickly forgot about because of all the things I had to do. I dont think my Sunday School class was that great though but I hope that the Spirit helped members learn despite my shortcomings. After Church I helped Pres Ramos submit my online missionary forms to my stake president, Pres Mata. I should be having an interview with him sometime this week I think the stake executive secretary will give me a call if not I will call him.

stake conference talk

I received a call from the First Counselor in the Stake Presidency Lehi Sanchez and he asked me to give a talk in the Saturday evening session of stake conference. How exciting! I am a bit nervous by the assignment. But I look forward to it.

personal revelation

A million thoughts race through my head. In a few weeks I will receive a letter in the mail telling me where the Lord needs me to go. The fact that an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ will look at my picture and receive revelation for me is makes my thoughts come to a standstill. I started working on thisprocess back in November of last year and I cant believe its over at least at my end. Now everything is in the hands of the Lord.

Beginning of the End!

So today I had my a checkup at the dentist's office and he cleared me for missionary work! I am working right on on submitting my paperwork through the Church's online missionary system! I am so excited. I sent a txt to my stake president, President Mata and he told me to do as much as I could on the online form and send it to my branch president. I am calling him up later on today to tell him that I already submitted the paperwork and hopefully he can submit it then to President Mata for his review and consequent interview of me. Excited!!

1 Out, 3 To Go!

Well last Thursday I finally had a wisdom tooth out it was a bit painful but well its all for the lord and his church. I have a followup appointment this Thursday as well and there the dentist will tell Me about the other three.

Wisdom Teeth

I have my dental exam (yet again!!) tomorrow. Its going to be the second time this week I go to the dentist! :/ Hope tomorrow I finally get news of when I can have my wisdom teeth pulled! :]