Monday, October 26, 2009

Piedras Negras, Coahuila

This week was good, but the zone leaders got sick one right after the other so we spent 2 days in their area. One of us stayed with the sick one and the other went to their appointments.
We had 2 kids at church Sunday that are going to get baptized this next Sunday. They basically contacted us. We always ride by their house and they always want to go with us to see what we do. They came with us to church and liked it. We hope thay can be strongholds one for the other so they stay active and everything.
We had 8 new investigators this week, but none of them came to church except these two kids. Its kinda hard when that happens but we have to be thankful for the blessings we receive. I love making changes every week and seeing the results. Ive thought of some more that we are going to do this week.
We were in a supermarket the other day about ready to leave, when all of a sudden I hear a familiar voice over the radio. None other than good ol Billy Joe Armstrong (thats the lead singer of Green Day). I was so happy to hear a new song by them! But about a minute in I got tired of it. Something about One Twenty One Guns or something like that. We didnt even stay to hear the end of it. I was so disappointed. The old punk Green Day is dead, I believe. Then again I havent heard anything else from their new CD. Who knows haha.
Anyway I love you all and have a great week! Eat lots of candy for me!!! They dont really celebrate Halloween here. They do a little because its close to the border, but not a whole lot. Ill never forget my days as Optimus Prime and Chris as Cap`n Planet!!!!!!

Much Love
James

Monday, October 19, 2009



Piedras Negras, Coahuila week 15

This week was good. We had Zone conferrence. Its so awesome to hear from the Mission President. His words help me so much.
I got to talk to my MTC companion Elder Andersen Wednesday for a couple minutes. It was so good to hear from him. He asked me if I was going to BYU-Idaho or not (We had had had this conversation many times before and hes been trying to get me to go since January). I finally told him Sure. So, I guess in another year and a little bit Im going to BYU-Idaho haha. He tells me its heaven on earth and that theres a lot to do musically. So if you guys could get started on my papers that would be great. haha.

This next week we are going to put some new ideas into action. This week we lacked a little bit, but are going to explode this week. Sometimes its hard taking criticism from others, especially when its delivered in a less-than constructive form, but we have to rise above it and ourselves and just get to work.
Some bad news- Sister Rhules’ mom isnt in my mission. The town where she lives is in the Monterey East mission by practically nothing. It might even be a bordering colony. But one of my Zone Leaders was Zone Leader there, and told me that its not in our mish.:( O well. It happens.

Take care and pray for me!!!!!
p.s. Chris- Check out a band called Panda. They are a Mexican Punk band. Also one called Allison. Theyre more emo I think, but could still have a good tune or two.

Much Love
JAmes

Monday, October 12, 2009

Piedras Negras week 14

This week was awesome. We found some great people and improved our way of working.
We had a terrible-awesome experience this week. We had 4 groups of people that said they were going to go to church Sunday. But, when we went for them, one by one they all bit the dust. At the last house, the most sure, they werent home. I felt so terrible. It was the third week in a row we had people assure us they could go to church and didnt go. I didnt know what to do. I just sat and thought for a minute. I began to feel better inside, calmer, and that everything was gonna be okay. but at the same time my mind told me, "Dude, you dont have anyone at church! What are you feeling good for!" Then my comp and I went to a grove of trees in between a couple of houses, kneeled down in our suits, and said a prayer. We prayed that God would put someone in our path that we could contact and take to church so the hard work of the week wouldnt go to waste. Faith is demonstrated by accion, so we started contacting. Our third contact was an inactive kid of 18 I'd met a time or two before, and he was talking with some of his friends. We just asked them if they could go to church for an hour. They looked at each other and said, okay. So we went to church, had testimony meeting, and before we left we got his address and are going to visit him Martes. I learned that God really does bless us for our hard work, but, its not always in the way we expect it. Were hoping to teach him this week and baptize him Saturday.
One thing Im always going to remember about this place is the mosquitos. At about 730 they come storming out, basically. My face becomes like a windshield wiper. You cant see the little buggers, but you can sure feel em. I cant open my eyes too wide or breathe in too fast haha. Its so gross. I have no idea why Im telling you this haha.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!!!! I miss you and love you and you better take care or ill come home and beat you then come back here. Probably on a P day. Dont make me do it!

Much Love
JAmes

Monday, October 5, 2009

Piedras Negras, Coahuila week 13

Yup, still here in Piedras. Thought I was leavin, but here I is! I really didnt want to leave though. This place is amazing.
Genereal Conferrence was great. We only got to watch the session in the morning on Sunday. But stilll it was amazing.
We were going to take some investigators to the afternoon session, but after about an hour of trying to track them down and after hearing every pretext and excuse, we had to give up. We went back to the house to change out of our suits and I sat on my bed and had no Idea what to do. The second week in a row we havent had anyone at church. I grabbed my Book of Mormon and just opened it and started to read. I opened to Alma 42: 26-31. I read it and thought about it, and realized people have every right to accept or reject the message. All I can do is give it to them. It lifted my spirits a little.
Not a whole lot to report on this week. Im still here in Piedras with my Comp. All is well. Were going to work differently this week and hopefully get some better results, and baptisms.

Love you all!
JAmes