June 23, 2014 Aeropuerto

Hey Guys!

Where to start with this crazy week...

First off we had a chance to talk with hermana Angela again. Shes the landlord of our house that dropped us a little while ago because she talked with her pastor. But, she has been getting into it with us again. This week we had a great lesson with her. She has a lot of piercings on her body... all up her ears. So, we decided to talk about temples and the law of chastity with her. We told her that our bodies were considered temples to god and that they should be treated like something sacred. She stopped us about halfway through and started to take out her earrings.... crazy right.... the only problem was that she couldnt get them out.... HAHA so... Elder Smith got up and started helping her after a little hesitation... it was kinda intense because she basically just handed them to us without any question. She had gages and everything. So she took them out and handed them directly to us... We still have them in the house in a napkin... haha it was a really weird, but very strong witness of how strong the holy ghost is. We put a baptismal date with her to be baptized on the 5th of july. Hopefully, this time, it will go through. Wish us luck on that one =) Shes still going strong but pray that it will stay that way. =)

We had the chance to talk with two atheists this week... it was probably the hardest thing I have ever done. They dont believe anything you say, so how do you teach them? If they dont believe in God, then they dont believe in prophets... if they dont believe in prophets, then they dont believe in scriptures so how can you share anything with them. We resulted in sharing our testimonies that we knew these things were true. They like to try to come back with us with the fact that humans evolved from apes and that its the science that runs the world, not god.... but my question to that is, Who created the apes then? Haha no one can answer that one. =) Yeah Im smart. On top of that, we met iwth a guy who believes everything... have you ever met one of these people? He believes EVERYTHING you tell him. he believes joseph smith, he believes the book of mormon, and that jesus christ lived. But he doesnt believe that Jesus atoned for everyones sins... only for his own. Man, some people are really tough to teach. If you can help me on a way to teach people like this then feel free to enlighten me on that one =)

I got food poisning twice this week... dont know what happened but it is the most brutal thing I have come across. Im alright now, still achey, but alright. Things are going well, and I am truly seeing how the fruits of our labors are coming into play now. We plan to baptize hermana Galilea this week even though she didnt come to church yesterday and hermana Michelle moved houses.... awesome. But we have a few people that are coming out of the woodwork and are turning out to be great investigators. =) I am working super hard trying to stay on top of all of this.

Sounds like things are good on the homefront staying busy with all youve got going. =) Keep it up. Makes time speed by right? I am doing my best here, just like always. Growing both mentally and spiritually. Stay on top of everything you do. I pray for you guys everyday and I love you all like no other =) I dont know how many pics I can send this week, this computer is really slow. Sorry. I will try my best =)

Love you all!

Kia Kaha,

EP

June 16, 2014 Aeropuerto

Whats up Ya'll?

I was happy to hear that dad had a great Fathers day this Sunday! I completely forgot it was fathers day this last Sunday... my bad. But apparently it is a pretty big deal here. HAPPY FATHERS DAY POPS!

Yea, the shrimp are jumbo.

This week was a little stressful because we had been working so hard on two young women that are almost ready to be baptized. They have a date and everything set to be baptized on the 28th. So we invited them to attend church with us again so that they could actually be considered progressing investigators but when the meetings started on Sunday morning... no one was to be found. Neither of them were there. It was heartbreaking. The grandma of Michelle even came, but Michelle wasn't. Answer me how that even happens... they live in the same house.... ugh frustrating, but its whatevs. We are still planning on her baptism on the 28th. Galilea didn't come either, but then again we hadn't been able to get a hold of them this entire week. It was our fault that we didn't try hard enough. Either way though, we still plan to baptize both of them unless neither of them show up again this week. We shall see. They both are great, pero tienen flojera... (they're lazy... =(

I received news this last week that Elder Castillo will return back for the Bishops daughter... crazy right? Apparently they had something while we were here... Don't really know whats gunna happen there, but its kinda weird that we will see him again as Hermano Castillo. haha. Ill let you know. He is supposed to come on Wednesday. 

We love Ravens . . . she does.

We met with a random guy from the street a while back and he has turned out to be a great investigator. His name is Adrian and he is about 60 or so. He had a huge operation on his spinal cord about a year ago and is just recovering from it but he is up and moving now so that's good. We have only taught him once but he told us that, "my plans are to put myself in your church. I hate the Catholics... " haha I couldn't help but laugh. Its so true. EVERYONE and their dogs are catholic here. We will have to see what happens with him =) 

I don't have rain boots but it has dried up a lot this last week. Hasnt rained asmuch so I dont haveto worry about it right now. I am perfectly fine with shoes =) Don't worry.

Welp... Thats the excitement for this week. If this is true, please tell me the kinds of things that you wanna hear. I honestly don't know what to send some days because some weeks aren that exciting. But I will try to send more if you want. Its just that President nailed the time down to 1 hour so it makes things THAT much more difficult to geteverything in. But let me know. Love you guys, I just need to know what you want me to send. 

I hope everything is well and that Zoey and Rider have recouped from the swimming and drowning experience.... that's sad that Zo Bo cant swim.... Triste... Pero esta bien todos modos le amo. =) Happy fathers day dad. I love you and hope that you had a great day even though I wasn't there. =) I know I bring the life to the party yeah? haha nah...  estoy bromeando. =) Te amo papa!

Love you guys! Stay busy =) and always remember to keep spreading the Gospel! EVERY MEMBER A MISSIONARY! No tengan miedo a compartirlo! Haga lo con fuerza y autoridad! Les Quiero mucho!

Kia Kaha,

EP

Elder Smith preparing for a talk apparently in the font.

June 9, 2014 Aeropuerto

Whats Up Everybody!

FIRST OFF! THANK YOU FOR THE PACKAGE! THAT WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST PACKAGES THAT I HAVE GOTTEN! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THAT! THE SHOES FIT WELL, AND THE CANDIES WERE GREAT. THE TWO TIES ARE LEGIT! THANK YOU SO MUCH! 

Not much happened this week apart from Stake Conference that we had on Saturday and Sunday. We were super busy trying to get our investigators to come and only one showed up... crap. Hermana Galilea showed up for the second session on Sunday with her mom. Her mom is a member and wants her daughter to be baptized on the 28th of the month. Hopefully things go well there. Wish us luck. 

Aside from that, we met a new investigator this week named Michelle. She is 12 and has a heart of gold. By far one of the most prepared 12 year old girls I have taught since I started here. She is part of a part member family and is really ready to be baptized. Its only a matter of time. We have taught her all of lesson 1 and are starting with lesson 2 this week. She kind of came out of no where honestly. We went to go eat with a member and she told us about her daughter and then bam, she walks in the door. HA! It was pretty cool actually. So, she lives in our area and we have begun teaching her. We also put her date for the 28th as well, but she didn't come to church this last week... so we may have to move it back. It depends on how she reacts to everything. 

English class is good. We have it every Wednesday at 7 and we had two random people show up to it last week. They live close to where we live so they could be golden =)   Its tough because Spanish is different in some states down here. Like the Spanish is cleaner the more north you go. Here its really dirty and sounds kinda gross but its still Spanish. I feel like I can get along pretty well though.  I am staying here with Elder Smith one more transfer! (at least until I complete 1 year in July.)

So far I am good. My feet are a little sore, but I am doing fine as far as I know. 

I have learned a lot of patience. That's about it for right now. I have learned a lot about myself and I have grown to love the things that I took for granted back at home. Warm water... air conditioning,... transportation... family.... and life in general. 

Well, that's about it for this week. Its been pretty normal and we are just going to start completely new this transfer. Dump all of the people that are we are wasting time with start new. =) That's the game plan this transfer!

I love you guys and I can see that you all are doing great things. Recital pieces, basketball, work, friends... man no wonder the time is going so quick for you guys. =) Its great that you're staying busy with all of it. I am proud of you all. I am fine, no need to worry here. I'm doing my best that I know how to. No need to fret =)

Love you guys. Have a great week alright!

Kia Kaha,

EP

This is the family that we skyped you guys with. She is almost ready to have her baby!

We got stuck in a huge rainstorm and it was pretty bad if you cant tell =) We were sopping wet.... haha SO FUN though. 

Apparently they told us that we got stuck in a small hurricane, but it wasnt anything serious. It was so fun being cold hahaha... first time being cold in a year =)

Flowers are beautiful here.

June 2, 2014 Aeropuerto

Loved Ones,

Hey guys! This week only had one very special event that I have to comment on. WE FINALLY HAD ANOTHER BAPTISM!!! Oorah! And guess who did the ordinance? Yours truly =) Agustin Antonio Alejandro Zetina was baptized on Saturday night at seven o clock and then confirmed on Sunday morning. It was cool to see his entire family there to help and support him in this decision that he had made to follow the savior. He was super nervous and he told me a million times that he was scared, but when he got out he told me that he felt really calm and peaceful afterwards. It was such a testimony builder for me to see how strong the spirit works in the little ones. I will send a picture of the event.

Apart from that, we dropped hermana Sofia. She just wasn't progressing anymore and didn't seem to have the fire that she had with everything when we first started. It was tough, but it had to be done. We just told her that she needed to make the choice and not sit in the middle of the fence anymore. (tinkle or get off the pot right dad?) She agreed with us, and even told Hermana Maria Jose that she was a good example to her. Maybe now just wasn't her time and the Lord has something else planned for her in the future. We shall see.

Transfers are coming up this week and president is coming for interviews because we have stake conference this week also on Saturday and Sunday. I will most likely get all that you have sent me then. 

Found this tree on the beach.

 I have a story that I like to share about authority. For example, I wanted to be a doctor and I didnt have any money to attend the school or university to obtain my doctors certificate. But my friend comes up to me one day and tells me that he is offering the same classes as the university with the same books and the same papers. He also tells me that its all completely free and that I dont have to pay anything. Its easy and free so why not right? The same everything, so that means that when I graduate from his "school" I will be able to be a doctor...True or false? that certificate that I recieve after I "graduate" from his "school" is valid?..... think about it.... the answer is no. Its not because the teacher, my friend, doesnt have the "authority" to give me the certiciate to be a doctor. I like to tie that in with the great apostasy and that jesus christ gave his deciples the authority to do baptisms and heal people. If the person doesnt have the authority to baptize... pues, no sirve. (it doesnt work) Its a really good example for the people that are already baptized in other churches and I use it a lot. hahaha....

- It is not easy... I have to say that. Its so hot and miserable sometimes, but I am proud to be able to say that I am almost halfway done. To me that's incredible. I am proud that I stuck it out and have made it this far. Now, I just have to keep moving forward.

Well, sounds like everyone is doing great as the year has finally winded down. I am super excited for all of you in the activities that you have planned for the summer. Dad, that Airplane ride sounded legit... I wish I coulda been there for it. It reminds me of our trip to DC just you and I for my Bday that year. That was such an awesome trip. Sounds like it was a forsure bucketlist item right? Ha... Man I wish I was there. Sades! Sista! whaddup girl! You are awesome you know that! Stick it out strong and make as many friends as you can. Be nice to everyone no matter your mood alright? Itll only benefit you in High School I promise. No boys though.... promise? No boys. Mom how I love your letters... haha honestly I always read them, well all of the family letters, at least twice. You guys always have the right words to close the letters off with. They always give me that pride and joy that I need each week. Its awesome =) Stay strong with your and mamma! I need a two handed mamma... not a one handed mamma.

Stay strong guys, and remember, Kia Kaha. 

Yours truly,

EP 

King of the World!

Looking over Carmen in the morning.