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.