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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