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