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.