Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Zaragoza, Saltillo week 11

This week was great, and flew by. We had some really cool lessons and
stuff, but the people ended up not being able to progress. But its all good,
God sees our efforts.
Sunday we had Regional Conference, and Pres Andersen spoke as well as
Pres. Monson. I didnt know Pres Andersen spoke Spanish. It was cool hearing
him speak all gringo style..... Pres. Walter F. Gonzalez presided. Hes from
Uruguay, and it was cool listening to him speak with a Uruguayan accent.
There are accents in Spanish as well as English. When Logan gets home hes
going to speak all weird haha Spaniards pronounce -th when theres a soft
-c... Well dont worry about it gringos, that wont mean anything to you, ha.
My comp and I are getting along well. Hes super chill and just takes all
my jokes haha. I feel like Im with a less-intense Chris haha!
Man, Im going to start writing stuff down so I can write it to you. Im
sure cool stuff happened, but I just cant remember, it all goes too fast!
Sal, are you signing on to my Myspace? if not, I think it deletes the
account after a certain time, so if not just sign on then off once every
month or something. Gracias
Chris, when are you gonna get your call!!! I saw a Mexican kid playing
with dinosaurs and I immediately thought of Chris. Haha!!
Much Love,
JAmes

Monday, January 18, 2010

Week 10 Zaragoza, Saltillo

Thanks Mom and the family for the Christmas Package! Im so happy for the
candy and the beanies from Katie and Mom!
This week was amazing. I was in all different parts of my district trying to
help them out. I wasn't in my area too much. But it was fun.
We had Zone Conference this week. It was awesome, as usual. I got some
really helpful tips. I saw Elder Velazquez, who was my zone leader last
transfer. It was good to see him and talk with him a little.
We also had interviews with the President while we had the Conference. I
went in with the intention of telling him some certain things and asking some
certain questions, and ended up letting everything out haha. I guess the
Spirit does that sometimes, It tells us, " Well youre already here, might as
well" haha. But the President really helped me, and answered some question Id
had, and made me feel really good.
We had the baptism of a 9 year old kid whose parents were less active.
They are really great people, and we hope they will keep coming to church.
the son is really quiet, but his family is really cool. I couldn't get to the
baptism, because the missionaries from the other ward in my same building
had a baptism that suddenly didn't work out. So the Zone Leader`s
just called me up and said take care of it. So I was interviewing this fellow
who said from the beginning that he didn't want to get baptized, he just wanted
learn about God. We talked for a good 45 minutes, and he just didn't want to
go ahead. We cant obligate anyone, so, we'll continue to work with him.
We were going home the other night from divisions, and got a taxi. Well it
was the best taxi ride of my life. The taxi driveer started singing
to us. Id ask him
a question or say a certain phrase, and he'd sing me the origin and meaning
of it. I was smiling the whole time haha it was great.
Love you all and hope to get a ton of letters from all my friends.
Much Love
JAmes

Monday, January 11, 2010

Zaragoza, Saltillo week 9

This week was interesting. Thursday we had weekly planning, the sun was out
and everything. Then at about 4, a cold front came in, and the result Friday
was the first time its snowed here in 13 years. Im so excited I was
here to witness it! I hope my sarcasm is portrayed.
It was pretty difficult this week with the snow and all. Friday we actually
had to go home early because it was so cold and we were having almost
literally no success. Nobody wanted to talk to us and just told us to come
back when it wasn't as cold. So, you want me to continue walking outside in
the below-freezing weather, and come back another day when its warmer? How
gracious haha. We had a good laugh about that.
I went on divisions with an Elder Mendoza in my district. At the end we
went back to his house and had a seniority interview (intrevista de
mayordomía?) I think thats how you say it. anyway he asked me for a blessing
at the end to help him with an experience hed had the day before. Someone of
another religion started throwing out scriptures at him and stuff like that,
but he'd made a promise with God that he'd never contend with those
kinds of folks,
even though, trust me, he's more than capable. So as I gave him the blessing,
I felt the spirit pass through me and into him. I said things that I hope
will help him and that I'm sure were inspired. After he gave me a big hug and
thanked me and said he was glad I was his DL. It was a great experience for
me to exercise my Priesthood authority to help those in need.
Anyway, a good week. I pray the snow is gone for good. But im not ready
for the 120 degree days either. Dang, there's like 4 days of a happy medium
haha.
I love you all and hope all is good in Gringoland. WRITE ME!!!

Much Love
JAmes

Monday, January 4, 2010

Zaragoza, Saltillo week 8

Well here I am with a year under my belt. Its gone so fast I cant even believe it. I just gotta make the best of this next and last one!!
This week was great. We worked hard. We had a 14 year old kid at church who is a reference from a member that lives right by them. He went and liked it, but also thought it was kinda boring. When we asked hm if he wanted to get baptized, be said no. We kept answering his excuses, but kept just chuckling nervously and said no. The Spirit told me to take him into the other room and talk with him just us two. He said that would be better. So he told me the real reason, and I answered his questions and the Spirit really helped me answer his questions in a way he could understand. He still said no, but were still working with him and I'm sure he will make the decision to do it.
The other night I woke up to something I thought was a gunshot, but ended up being fireworks on new year. It was really just a celebration for my 1 year mark :) haha but it was really cool. This week the converts of my last companion randomly brought us over some tacos at like 9 PM. He said "oh, we were just thinking about you and decided to make you some taquitos". They ae absolutely amazing. The ward here is so friendly and help us out so much, we just need to decide to use them more.
My companion is doing good. Getting better at Español. He had 5 years in school before so that helped a lot. Hes not really afraid to contact or teach, he just doent know vey well how to. But Im helping him out as much as I can.
Anyway, thats all folks. Write me letters, thats all. I what to hear from the Dudes, and all the other buddies I have there in Pueblo. Has anyone heard about Michael Farnsworth and if he got his call?
Love you all and ¡feliz año nuevo 2010! ¡Año de milagros!

Much Love
JAmes