Oh what a crazy week... This week I only had one day
where I was in Buenaventura doing regular missionary work all day. But it
was such a great week with how I have progressed. We did not see that much
progress with the people we are teaching though. Which is kind of sad, because
the only way to progress is by doing stuff by yourself and asking the Lord. All
we can do is just keep inviting them to do it. And I hope they will. Quick
sidenote. The weather here right now is like Utah probably about a month ago.
Freezing in the mornings and nights but hot like none other in the days. So we
always our carrying around our jackets in our backpacks right now. But it is
all great. But that is why I have not left Utah.
Monday... Monday night we got a call from our executive
secretary saying I had to go to Migration in Janos (which is 2.5 hours from
Buenaventura) early the next morning. And because no buses leave from Buenaventura
early in the mornings we had to leave that night to Casas Grandes. We stayed
with the zone leaders. Tuesday morning we thought we had a ride to the Bus
station but ended up not having one so we missed our bus. And because we had
Daylight Savings and Janos did not we would not be able to make it to Migration
before they close in that day... So we got to go on splits with the zone
leaders in their areas.
Elder Jensen - We have a lot of similarities. And it was
nice to be able to talk to someone in English throughout the day. Especially
because he is a big Jazz fan and also a fan of the Utah Utes. So we had plenty
to talk about. And I learned so much from him. He told me about how when he
left on the mission it was a leap of faith. And when he told me that I could
really relate. Leaving on the mission for me was such a leap of faith. One that
was much needed. My relationship with our Heavenly Father is so much better now
than it was two months ago. I really am starting to rely on Him in everything I
do. I think as well that my own faith has grown so much in these last four
weeks of my mission. I still do not know why the Lord sent me to Juarez but I
do know I am here for a reason. Just not what yet. Tuesday night we ordered
wings that were delivered to us. Which was much needed for me, because as many
of you know that is definitely my favorite food. They were not the greatest
that I have ever eaten but they were not bad so I am grateful.
Wednesday - I finally am legal in Mexico. I think I went
about a week or two where I was technically not legal. But I made it to Janos
and signed some papers and got my fingerprints taken and now I am just waiting
for my Green card to be sent to me from the Mexico Government. Because of bus
schedules we did not get back to Buenaventura until around 5, which is chafa.
But at least we made it back safely.
The other days we had to go to Lebaron, which is a part of
our branch because we are planning an activity called Lazos Famillares for this
saturday the ninth. And have been planning a play that the youth can do that
will be something fun for our branch. And most of the youth live in Lebaron so
we had to go over there. But this activity we are planning is for Day of the
Dead. It is a party, with food and everything. But we are emphasizing on the
importance of family history and temple work. On how important it is to find
people who have not had the opportunity to make their covenants with our
Heavenly Father in this life. So that they be saved and find for themselves of the
truthfulness of the Gospel.
Marisol - Her husband told her that she could be baptized.
The sad thing is as well he probably will not go to the baptism. But he is
giving her, her agency which is great. On Saturday we were about to teach her
Tithing. The last lesson we needed to teach her before she could be baptized.
And she told us she was ready to be baptized. After the lesson of tithing she
said she was not sure if she was ready for baptism. She told us she will let us
know tomorrow. So we are hoping we can answer all of her questions. We invited
her to pray to the Lord and ask Him if it was right or not. So we are hoping
she did that.
Patti y Paulina - They are both so great and have been
talking to the missionaries for a long time now. Most of the people we are
teaching are this way. They went to church one time a while ago. (before I was
here) and they enjoyed it and have wanted to go back but have hit hoops every
Sunday so they have not been able to. They are spiritually ready to be baptized
but we need to see some progress out of them first so we are hoping they can
make it to church this next week.
I ended up having less time than I thought so I will ask my
dad to pick some pictures to send. But I hope all of you are doing well.
Remember to pray to conquer satan as that is the hardest thing in this life.
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
-Elder Stokes
Pics
Elder Jensen y yo con Donovan Mitchell
The Wings
My First Haircut
Comments
Post a Comment