May 19, 2014 Aeropuerto

Whats up guys?

Well after the hype of last week, nothing overly special happened here. We started off with some baptismal dates fall through because the people cant seem to get out of bed in the morning. Sacrament starts at eight and I would agree that its even a bit too early for the missionaries as well, let alone the new investigators that we invite to church. Oh well. 

Hermana Maria Jose talked on Sunday and she nailed it. She is such a cool person. It makes me really happy to know that she will be a convert for the rest of her life and that she will be strong in the church. For me at least, she is really special. She talked about faith and repentance in her talk and she did an amazing job being new to the entire thing. We helped her with some of the scriptures, but she did everything else and did a fantastic job. If we could only talk her mom into being baptized then things would be great. She has two younger sisters that are able to be baptized but the mom doesn't think that they are "old enough to make the decision for themselves yet." But then I asked her, "hermana, if you were to be baptized, would you allow your children to be baptized...?" and she responded, "si." and then I'm like, then whats the difference... haha oh well. I can understand the family traditions. Its just a speed-bump for them is all. It ll all fall into place sooner or later. 

Hermana Sofia told us that she had made her decision that she didn't want to change religions... she talked with the Father of her church and he told her it was a sin to change.... biggest joke ever. But she has allowed us to continue teaching her so its all good. We even brought hermana Maria Jose along to share her story with her because they both have the exact same situation. Just pray for her that she will realize its all true =) that's what we are doing here. 

Other than that, the only things that I ask for this week are for more people to write me. I love hearing from EVERYONE. Not just a few of you.  That's all for this week =) I hope you all had a great week and things are going well. I was happy to hear about sadies sporting events! Way to go sista! Love ya girl! Love you mom and dad... you guys mean the world to me. Keatster... man I miss you bro. SO much. I cant wait to play some ball with you =) Kickin it old school right? Live it while you got it bro. 

"Remember on or off the field, I'm always with you, live it while you got it."

Kia Kaha!

-Elder Proctor

May 12, 2014 Aeropuerto - Post Mother's Day

Well I am pretty sure that this letter will be rather short judging by the fact that I talked with all of you yesterday through Skype. It was so awesome being able to see you all and actually communicate with you guys. So much better than reading emails on Mondays, but this will have to do until December. Oh well.... 

It was super nice being able to show you all how I live day to day and to see the type of people that I communicate with on a daily basis. I felt really weird when we hung up and I had to call again to figure things out with Elder Smith, but he was finally able to get a hold of his parents and call them. He spent about the same amount of time talking to his family and girlfriend. It was cool being able to see where he was from and the type of background that he was raised in. We don't have much communication outside the lines of missionary work in that subject as companions. But it was cool meeting everyone. The other elders spent a long time as well so don't worry that I went over time... haha everybody did that I have talked to. 40 minutes to an hour just isn't enough when you only get to see the people you love most once or twice a year. I tried to make it count and show you what life is like as a missionary. =) Hope it was to your liking.

Nothings changed, so I think I will wrap this letter up this week. I just wanted to let you all know how happy I was to finally talk with all of you and to see you all face to face for once. It really took my week from being good to amazing. I hope you guys all continue to be the best that you can and continue to try your hardest in all you do. Don't worry about me here. I'm doing what I've been told and trying my hardest as well. 

Love you guys.

Kia Kaha,

EP

PS- I finally took dads advice and got my shoes shined =) 15 pesos and they look brand new.

May 5, 2014 - Aeropuerto

Alright well this week was completely filled with a bunch of mixed emotions due to the fact that Elder Castillo was leaving. We spent basically the entire week trying to make sure that he had everything set to go and that he was ready when the time came for him to head out. It took us all of Thursday Friday and Saturdayto finally get things put together but overall we all knew that the house would be different when we got back that night. He was a true friend to me. Kinda my favorite "companion" that I have had since I have been here. Hes super cool and alot like myself in a lot of ways so we got along super well. But, his 24 months were up on Sunday at about 3 in the afternoon. We packed his things after a tear-filled testimony meeting in which all of us, Elder Ricks, Elder Smith, Elder Roberts, and I all bore our testimonies telling him how grateful we were to have him as our companion over the last few months. We were all pretty emotional, but overall, things went well. We got his bags into the bus and off he went after a couple of more tears and a long hug for each of us. It was really sad, but he did what he did for two years and it was time for him to go back. He was a great missionary and we hope to meet up again in two years from now in Disney Land =) That was his goal for us all after we all finish haha... Lets hope it happens.

Other than that even, Hermana Maria Jose is amazing to say the least. She has attented every meeting we have had, every church service and has even begun to start thinking about serving a mission. She tells me about it all the time and cannot wait to finally be able to put her papers in in a year. Let me ask, would you have the guts to go on a mission with only having one year as a member of the church? Think about that... for me thats amazing. She is by far the Holy Ghost's best convert =) 

Hermana Johana didnt come to church this sunday... again. She always tells us that she is going to come, but hasnt showed up. We need to talk with her mom to see whats up. She always seems SO interested in our lessons and has a lot of fun, but we are beginning to question what she thinks we are... we think she thinks that we are some type of counselor that will help her daughter or something... In a form, yes, but we are there to teach her the gospel.... nothing more, unless asked. I really feel bad for her, but then again she is only thirteen and doesn't really know what is wrong and what is right quite yet. We need to give it time and see what happens. 

Apart from the two of them, the only other person we are working with that is close to baptism is the little sister of Maria Jose, Gabriela. Shes fourteen and really wants to follow her older sister, but theres one problem. Because she is underage, her mom, Claudia, wont let her get baptized.... Her family is completely catholic and doesnt really want anyone else to change religions... but we are working with her mom to see whats going to happen. She "supposedly" has a date set for the 17th of may, but hasnt completely been comfirmed yet. We shall see what goes down with that =)

Everythings good with me. I cant wait for the package and I hopefully you can send more things through this new route that you have found. Seems to be faster. Love you guys and I hope you have a great week =)

Kia Kaha,

Elder Proctor

April 28, 2014 - Aeropuerto

The Gang (Elders Smith, Proctor, Ricks, Castillo)

Alright Everybody, Its that time of the week again. 

To start off the week, we had a long zone conference with President and his family. He came on Tuesday morning and stayed until about 4... It was super long. Very spiritual, but long. He had us invite a member or an investigator so that he could record us teaching them a lesson that we could choose. I was super happy to say that Hermana Maria Jose came and we were able to teach her the first half of lesson 1. She is such a strong member... She told us about a week ago that she even wanted to leave on a mission. That's pretty insane only being a member for a week. She texts us regularly to ask how we are doing and things like that. Haha... shes un miembro de oro.... (golden member) President finished the tapings of all of us and sent us on our way with a bunch of new study tables and some letters and stuff. (I still haven't gotten anything from you guys...but I will be expecting some stuff.) We got stuck carrying four huge study tables back to our house, and Elder Ricks and I were the ones that were selected to carry them back along with two chairs, (made of metal), all the way back to the house. About a mile away. So there we are walking along the freeway with these huge tables and chairs stopping about every minute to wipe sweat and rest a bit. About five minutes in, I said a little prayer, simply asking if someone could come and help us out. We were tired, hurting and it was almost 105 degrees outside... We felt like we were going to die. About five seconds later a Stake High-Council member pulls up on the side of the road and yells, get in! I cannot believe how fast that prayer was answered. It was insane how quickly it all happened. But it was a huge testimony builder of the power of prayer. It was super cool. He took us back to the house and everything went well from there.

Hermana Sofia and Enrique came to church for the first time yesterday and they both seemed to really like it. They're progressing really quickly and we hope to have them baptized this transfer. (Yes we are all staying in Aeropuerto this transfer, at least until Elder Castillo leaves for his house in a week. Another Elder named Elder Roberts is coming to be in a trio with Elder Castillo and Elder Ricks until Castillo leaves next Monday.) Hermana Maria Jose is golden and we love teaching her or just stopping by to say hola. Hermana Johana didn't come to church and are beginning to question if she just wants two american boys teaching her every night or if she really wants the gospel. We plan to figure that out this week. Hopefully she changes because she seems to have a bunch of potential with her situation and ability to adjust to the problems in this life. They're the main focuses right now. =)

I am happy to hear that ya'll are staying busy and working hard. Interesting things happening huh? The courthouse thing, Keats new "lobster", Sadie's cool experience with the teacher, and then mom and dad.... =) Both getting older huh? Yeah I feel like I've lost about 5 years off my life also.. don't worry I'm right with you on that feeling. =)

Love you guys. Have a  great week and remember, KIA KAHA!

-EP

The picture is of Maria Jose (left) Me in middle and Hermana Diana, (daughter of the bishop who was the one crying with Maria Jose at her baptism.) 

April 22, 2014 Aeropuerto

Alright, Well I don't have a whole bunch to say today. Nothing amazingly special happened outside of the baptism for Maria Jose on Saturday night. I was super happy to finally see her be baptized and to see her, after all of the teaching that we have offered her, make the correct steps to follow in the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Elder Smith baptized her and the entire program went well. Stressed out as could be trying to plan it, I was happy with the outcome. Her entire family showed up, minus her father who is in the Mexican Navy. After the baptism, her best friend, that is a member, Hermana Diana, went up to hug her. Almost immediately, Maria Jose started to cry. So hard. Eventually they both were crying. It was such a touching moment for me to see that the work that we all had put in, Elder Smith and I, Maria Jose and the ward. It was pretty great. By far, one of the best baptisms that I have had. One of the most powerful. 

As far as the 13 year old goes, she is doing really well. Turning out to be one of my best investigators actually. She has accepted a date to be baptized on the 31 of May and is fulfilling all of her compromises that we leave her each week. We have taught her everyday this week since we met her last Sunday and we haven't missed a day. Shes super cool and has such a great attitude even though she has to deal with her past. We found out that she was raped seven months ago by a 40 year old man. Where and how? We have no idea... nor is it important, but the attitude that she has, the smile that she has knowing that that happened to her, is absolutely incredible. We are planning on teaching her as often as we can. She is SO innocent and SO happy all the time. I love it. 

That's it for this week. Nothing overly special other than these two investigators, but we are working hard, obeying and trying our best. The best that we know how to. I am okay. Don't need anything. Hope all is well. See you all next week. 

-EP

Maria Jose and her entire family with Elders Smith and Protor.

April 14, 2014 - Aeropuerto

Some members in the Aeropuerto Branch

Well another week has passed and its starting to feel that I am becoming more and more used to this lifestyle. Its the same routine everyday so its not that difficult to adjust to. I dont have any huge stories to pass along this week. Nothing overly special ever happens here. But ill share the things that have happened really briefly.

First off, Hermana Maria Jose will be baptized this week. Finally. It took some time to get her fire going, but she is finally coming to church on her own now and doesnt have to rely on the members to come and pick her up to take her. That alone is enogh for me to see that she wants to be baptized. Her family... well we are still working with them. She on the other hand is perfect and will be baptized this saturday along with two others from the Puerto Real and Aeropuerto 2 wards. Its gunna be a big day for all of the missionaries involved in this baptism. Wish us luck. 

Elder P and Elder Castillo listening to conference.

The second is of a young girl, 13 years old, that we met last night. Her mom came up to us on the street on sunday morning and told us to come visit her young daughter. So we went last night to teach her. Found out her name is Johanna, she is only 13 years old..... and pregnant. We dont know exactly what happened exactly but she apparently is 7 months into her pregnancy... so she was probably 12 when it happened. Heres the down side... the guy was 40 years old. (From what her mom told us). We have another meeting with her tonight and we are hoping to figure out exactly what happened. We shall see. Wish us luck on that one too. She is very accepting of the Gospel in her life, even though she is only 13. She has a strong spirit and is very determined to flip her life around. I dont believe that it was her fault. But we will find out tonight. 

Thats about it this week.

Love you all, hope you have a great week. 

-EP

Kia Kaha

Elder P, Elder Smith and Elder Castillo - Cheers!

Elder P looking over the Gulf

March 31, 2014 Aeropuerto

Hey guys.

Not much happened this week and I don't have that much to talk about. 

The other shoe

The story that I wish to share with you all today is something that I really thought to be a complete miracle. We went out on Saturday night to look for a reference that another area had given us. We spent about an hour just looking for this house. We sat down on a  curb on the side of the road in front of a library that looked really run-down and had been out of service for many years. I noticed it, stood up, and walked over to it. Elder Smith asked what I was doing. I simply replied, No idea. We walked in slowly. At first there was no one there. Then a short man walked up to us from behind and asked us what he could do to help us. We began to talk to him about why we were there and found out a little bit about him and the library. His name was Manuel. He was a librarian that worked there. We continued to talk to him and share the first message with him. He had a lot of questions about it all and why there were so many churches. Great decision to get off the curb huh? We didn't talk a whole lot, but were able to explain when the services for church were and where it was and a little bit of what we do there. Eventually he left to attend to something else and another lady came and started asking us about the book of Mormon. She seemed like just another person that comes up to us all the time that's drunk and can never remember anything that we say so we didn't really take much interest in her at all. We spent a little time talking with her, and then we left. We left both of them the pamphlets of the Restoration with our number and a other little bits of information. (where the church was etc.) We didn't think much about it. The crazy part was that the lady, named Betty, actually showed up to church the next day! How crazy is that? The one person, out of the millions of people that we talked to that day, actually came to church and sat by us. She showed up late, but was still there and fully attentive to what was being taught. Crazy how that worked out. Still cant believe it. Manuel didn't come, but that's because he had to work at the time the services were. Oh well, there is always next time. So that is my story for the week. Nothing huge, but I thought it was pretty cool. =)

The apartment is nice. Two air conditioners and its pretty big. Its a lot better than the other house. I am very thankful that we got kicked out of the other one when we did. Yes we live four people. 

Yes we work with the sisters. We teach the Wednesday English class with them every week. I am the teacher teacher, but they are like my "assistants." Its pretty fun. 

Alright, well that's all for this week. I will try to send some pictures if the computers work out here. Thanks, love you guys, have a great week alright?!

Kia Kaha!

-Elder Proctor