La Cañada, Saltillo week 5

This week was quite eventful. On thursday Elder Tenorio from the 70 came and talked to the missionaries in Saltillo. He was doing a mission tour and the two zones in Saltillo met together. It was so amazing. I thought it would be kind of serious or that he was going to get after us for something, but it wasnt like that at all. He was making jokes and going off subject and telling us hilarious irrelevant stories. His main point however was about praying with real faith and doing our part so they can happen. He also spoke about setting goals and accomplishing them by focusing on the end rather than the effort necessary to accomplish it. It was amazing and reminded me of the story by Pres. Uchtdorf about him not being able to learn english until his motivation was appropriate. It was so wonderful.
We had a miracle baptism this week. The boyfriend of a member got baptized on thursday. We never taught, visited, or hardly talked to him. The Bishop is his girlfriends dad, so he basically taught him everything. We just set up the interview and he was good to go. IT was great! A really spiritual baptismal service. I really enjoyed it.
We just got done with our inter-zonal activity (Elder Van Vliet still makes fun of me for that word. Its a real word). We played soccer in the morning then went bowling, then ate at Dominos to finish off the activity. The only bad thing was that not all the people from the both zones wanted to do it, so only about half went. But it was okay, all the ones I wanted to see went haha. It was a blast!
Well this is my comps last week in the field. IT will be a fun week. Hes doing really good and I think... no, I know he'll finish strong. Then its on to my last transfer... (!)
Congrats to Matt and Jana! I hear Whitney is just a doll, and that she and Jana are doing well. I'm so glad to hear that and to be able to meet her soon!! I love you guys and am glad all is well!!!

Much Love
JAmes

LA cañada, Saltillo Week 4

This week was crazy. We had zone leader council in Monclova, about 2 hours away. The assistants picked us up from Monterrey and drove us there, so I got to hang out with Elder Van Vliet for a while. IT was awesome talking and sharing inside jokes nobody else thought were funny haha. He and I were the spunkiest ones in that car haha it was so funny, our Mexican brethren were so lost haha. But we all had fun.
So, we had an activity at the end of the first of two days at the council where we have the opportunity to "put what we learned into practice" in the area of the Zone LEaders there. We had a points system for contacts, lessons, new investigators, people with a baptismal goal of 2 weeks with the baptismal form filled out and signed, and having the head of the household offer the prayer, everyone kneeling. I got put with Elder Durrett, one of the Elders I lived with in Monterrey when I was there last time. We Just did contact after contact with nothing. We had a super rich area. But, almost at the end, we contacted a normal looking house, and they let us in. It was a husband and is wife, both in their late 20's. We began teaching and talking about baptism, and all in all, they both accepted a baptismal date in 2 weeks, with their form filled out and signed, and the husband offered the prayer at the end. IT was a fantastic lesson. It really helped us strengthen our testimonies that God really does prepare people for the message. I dont know if they went to church,but Im going to check that tonight. IT would be really cool to have converts in an area, in a city Ive never been in haha. We won the "competition" and each won a tie. They are pretty ugly ties haha. We were the only ones in the whole mission to have bapismal forms filled out in the first lesson due to this activity. It was really great to get to know these people, and I really do believe the Lord guided us to them.
On Sunday, we didnt have anyone to go to church, because we were out of town. When we got there the Bishop told us there was a guy there who apparently knew us. We looked at him, and couldn't recognize him. Finally, we observed he only had half of one of his feet. Oh yeah! We contacted this fellow 3 weeks ago, and he said hed go (like so many others we talk to..) so we didnt think much of it. Well, he really liked it, and we explained authority to him so he could understand that he needs to get baptized with that authority. He stayed all three hours, and even for the baptism we had. At the end he said, " So what do I need to bring next week?" then signaling to the water. Uh, clothes and sandals and a towel. Okay he says. Haha the Lord blesses us for our sacrifices. IT was a great experience.
We went this morning to wash our clothes with the Bishop. His daughter is dating a nonmember whos been going to church for like a year straight and hasnt gotten baptized. The missionaries before us pressured him so he backed way off, but here we just talk to him and see how hes going. So just to keep tabs on him we asked her when is he going to get baptized, half joking. "Oh, Thursday. I forgot to tell you. Isnt he going to need an interview or something before?" Uh, kind of. We were just super surprised haha and are really excited because this guy is really cool. Member missionary work-YES YOU CAN!!!!
Anyways, this is the last working week of my comp that he could possibly receive fruits from. In other words, next week, the people we find hes not going to be able to baptize because he'll be home. So we're going to work super hard so we can have the same work ethic for next week. We gotta keep him goin!
Anyways I love you all. On the 5th I completed having 22 months in the mission. No me vengas. That means like holy cow. Ah it cant be ending! I still have 2 whole months to work!!!

Take care and write me!!!
Much Love
JAmes

LA Cañada, Saltillo week 3

This week was great. Tuesday we had interviews with the President. IT was amazing as usual. I ask him some personal questions and he explains to me what I need to hear in the way I need to hear it. Such a great experience. And... Remember the guitar the member gave me 6 months ago when I was in Monterrey? Well it finally got done being repaired and the missionaries there finally remembered to go pick it up and now I have it! His names Tito. Its a really great sounding guitar, even with the cruddy strings on it. When I get home im throwing some silk & steels on him to lessen the tension on the broken part of the neck and so hell sound awesome. Mason is probably the only one who understands that haha:)
So the two girls who went to church last week got baptized on Sunday. IT was a great service. their parents are also interested in the message. they are about to separate, and the mom is even looking for a house to move into, but for some crazy reason hasn't found even one. Sign from God? Hmm... so were helping them try to save their marriage and fill in the missing parts of their lives. They are great people. Were really hoping that they will progress.
We have an awesome member here named Hermana Garcia. She has a son whose inactive and whose wife isnt a member but has gone to church and liked it and everything. so we go to their house Saturday, explain baptism, and ask her if shed be baptized next week. She accepted. Haha Its amazing how the Lord works and how exceedingly effective member missionary work is. From this member we've baptized 2 already and this will be number 3. see members? you really CAN help the missionaries! Is it hard. NOT AT ALL. Just tell us and well go and explain everything to them!!! Help us!!!
Well its November. Its crazy to think that next month Ill hit the 2 year mark the 31 of Dec. Yes Im thinking a little ahead I know haha but its just such a crazy thought. there are Christmas decorations out in the stores and everything. Halloween went by like nothing, man where is the time going! I just gotta sprint to the end!!!
Not a whole lot else going on. Just working our tails off. Thats all :)

I love you all!!!!
Much Love
JAmes

week 2 La Cañada, Saltillo

Great week. Tuesday we had a crazy day, and almost no time to work in our area. We had the District meetings in the morning, and after that we went an hour in a bus to the mail place to mail re-reimbursements, baptismal forms, etc. There we saw the other Zone Leaders form the other area, and one is my brother of generation, Elder Hanson. They are doing great and we want to do an interzonal activity (Elder Van Vliet, my ex comp, made fun of me because he says "interzonal"isnt a word). So were wanting to plan that out. So, after we ate, then we had to go to a little ranch about 45 minutes away where there's a prayer house for the like 8 members out there. The 1st counselor told us to prepare a big lesson with scriptures from the Bible to prove that the Word of Wisdom was instituted back then as well as today. Apparently there's a pastor out there that's telling the members and investigators that it says nowhere in the Bible that we cant drink alcohol. The 1st counselor said it would last from 6 to probably 10, because probably half the town would show up, including the Pastor. He basically wanted us to prepare a Bible bash session, which is one of the things I hate most. I thought, "Okay, its a tiny village that doesn't even have a church, and there are 4 active members, and only 2 with Priesthood, and this fellow thinks the whole town is going to come listen to "The Word of God" when they don't even go Sundays, and that its going to last 3 hours because of all the questions they will have...." The guy was freaking out about it, thinking it was going to be like the Day of Defense book. So humoring him, I got a few scriptures prepared but more than anything knew that we need to keep ourselves clean so the Holy Ghost can be with us at all times. We get there early, only 20 minutes late, at about 5:50. At about 7 we go walking around with the guy who runs the prayer house, whos like 75, to invite people. They hadnt even invited anyone. So all in all, we begin the epic session at 8, three hours late, with a whopping 2 people, 1 being a member, and about 6 kids. WE give the lesson and talk to the non-memer, and he doesnt want anything. So we had a quick dinner and came home. So we had almost 0 time to look for people that day, which made the week a bit hard haha. Take it all with a grain of salt. The Pastor didnt even go haha.
So, my comps been sick with a bit of the flu all week. That made it even harder to work. I did pretty much all the contacts and lessons and stuff. It was kind of like training again. But hes feeling better so this week will be good.
Sunday we didnt have anyone in church. But after the services we went with a sister to the house of one of her daughters friends whose gone to church like 5 times. We taked with her and her parents and she wants to get baptized, and her parents are interested in the message. The Lord really blesses us when we are diligent. The Dad seems pretty interested. The whole time he was looking at us with a look of like "What is it about these kids? Why are they walking around in the heat and cold? Theres gotta be something here." It was great. We have hopes for them.
AAAAAAAAnyways, Sorry to Chris and Mason for forgetting your birthdays. And yes I forgive you too for not writing me in the past... 22 months. Haha Real repentance is AMENDING what youve done wrong. In other words, WRITE ME!!!!

I lvoe you all and take care!!!!
Much Love
JAmes

Week 1 La cañada, Saltillo

This week was good, and a bit crazy. I was really nervous about who my next comp was going to be, because he was probably going to be my last comp for these last 2 transfers. But, I got one of the coolest misisonaries in the mission, Elder Simpson. Hes from my generation, hes the one we all bought scriptures for in the MTC because he was using his brothers. I was really happy to know he was coming here with me. Hes going home a transfer early for school and stuff, so Ill still be getting one more comp in 5 weeks. We had a ton of fun this week. Hes also a Thrice fanatic. So its been kinda hard to not start singing Deadbolt or Stare at the Sun, or play anything on the guitar haha. Weve had a blast this week.
Wednesday we had the district meetings, but because the Stake Pres decided to change the locks on the church and didnt give us any, we couldnt get in. so we decided to go a little farther away to another chapel, but the great missionaries there didnt realize till we got there that they didnt have keys either. Great. All the others were super far away and it wa already getting kind of late and we had to start. So we decide to go to a park, thats as well, kind of far away. So we get there and its not a park you can sit down on the grass in. Great!! So we walk a bit further and come to another park the map had on it... a skate park. Of course, the least useful of all meanings of the word park for our current situation haha. So we just sat down and had it there. Thankfully there were no kids there skating or anything.
Church was great. We had the baptism of a really cool lady whos kids were baptized but had never done it for some reason, but now accepted. Next week we are also baptizing her son and another lady of another part member family. We are really excited for these families.
Elder Whitney, my comp from like 9 months ago is in my zone. ITs so great to call and talk to him haha he hasn't changed a bit!!
NOt mcuh else going on. The work goes on and on. You just get into the rumbo and everyday is the same. Saturday isnt party with friends night, its just the day before Sunday, or GO TIME. haha its going to be weird going home and having options to do haha.
So I love you all and take care!

Much Love
JAmes

p.s. MASON AND CHRIS WRITE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Week 6 La cañada, Saltillo

This week had been insane. Monday to Thursday were good and normal, but thursday everything got turned upside down. My comp got called as the new Assistant to the President at 6pm, and he had to leave that same day before 9 pm. So we ran back, sent him off, and I just stayed that day with the other companionship we live with. I worked with them Friday, an that was a ton of fun going from appt to appt. IT was one crazy day. That whole day was just kind of awkward not being able to make the same jokes about the office or Nacho Libre that they could understand. I really missed Elder Van Vliet that day. Then, Saturday came. IT started out with Elder Hofmann, the Idaho redneck (its okay, he calls himself that too) trying to fix the font. They designed it so that the water drained from the font goes to an aqueduct thing under the church, from which they water the grass. Well, in winter they dont water grass for like 6 months. Wonderful design..... So, back to the awesome redneck. He takes an extension cord, strips the end, and somehow with a Leatherman hot-wires the pump that takes the water from the aqueduct to the sprinklers, and bypasses it to the gutter. And by golly, it worked. Well, until the motor overheated and we turned it off. Then, he and I and the district leader in the zone went to the district leaders area to do 10 baptismal interviews. Zero in 5 weeks, then 10 in the last week. Haha it was insane. All day we were doing interviews so people could get baptized on Sunday. Then when we got back to my area at 8, another area called and said for me to go over because they might have someone get baptized. I told them to make sure he was there and ready. Well at his house 2 young, not the most modest girls, walked out and said he wasnt there. Hes the only one who lives there. So he was hiding haha. Sunday I was running everywhere finishing interviews for that same area as well as getting my baptism ready, all without a companion. We did a TON of divisions but finally everything worked out in the end. I can now breathe a breath of air. Im getting a comp tomorrow, and everything will be back to normal. I hope!
Well I hope all is well at home. I only have 3 months left. Thats insane! I think a cruise would be a good homecoming gift... :)

Much Love
JAmes

p.s. Chris and Mason... WRITE ME!!!

La Cañada, Saltillo week 5

This week was insane! My companion and I were running around on tuesday getting everything ready for the zone conference on Wednesday. We had the presentation ready and everything, but Im the type of person that has to practice something at least a few times to feel good about it. My comp on the other hand is a glance at the notes and spew out awesomeness kind of guy. Well, we didnt really get to practice it, so that morning I was a bit nervous. I was just studying and studying doing the best I could with my parts and hoping transitions and his parts were all good. Then after the President and his wife spoke, we were up. It an interesting feeling, that I actually kind of like, of, "well, doesnt matter now. Its Go Time, ready or not." just throwing caution to the wind and having to do something at that moment is refreshing. Well it went really well. The Assistants have told us the last few nights that its the best one theyve seen this transfer in any of the zones. Kind of ironic haha! But we did a really good job and everything flowed really good.
General Conference- something I kick myself for never having listened to at home. We went Saturday in the morning right before the session started up to set up a TV in english for the gringos to watch if they brought anyone. We didnt have anyone so after setting it up we were going to have to leave. Motab cant be translated because its a choir so we had to wait for someone to speak. We saw Elder Iring walk up to the stand and from the moment he spoke the Spirit filled me testifying even more that he is a man called of God. We listened to just a moment, then out of sheer obedience, had to tear ourselves away from it because we didnt have any investigators there. And the best part is we left to do contacts. Prophets and apostles are speaking at this moment, giving the world divine instruction, and we are talking to people who dont give a darn whether were alive or not. A bitter trade, but we had to to be obedient.
Priesthood and the other sessions were amazing. I followed the instructions Elder Bednar gave us when he came to our mission, and instead of writing down the things they say, I wrote down personal revelation from the Spirit. He told us to just write down the words and listen to the spiritual guidance they are in a prime situation to receive. So I wrote down the things the Spirit indicated, and words or phrases they said, that I really liked. Theyll all be in the ensign anyway.
I really liked the part when all the misssionaries in the world were asked to stand up. There we were, 6 gringos on our feet, and at that same time I thought about DJ also standing up thousands of miles away. United in the same cause, miles away, but side by side. It was a wonderful feeling knowing my brother was standing with me!!!
Oh something I noticed... is Ryan in motab? I saw him last conference too haha I saw him and completely off guard, not knowing ANYONE from Utah, was like, "hey, that guy was my brothers roommate!" Haha it was great!!!
The zone did amazing. We brought 14 people to church with 9 getting baptized next week. Thats a huge improvement from 3 and 0. The zone conference and other humbling experiences have helped them greatly.
Happy birthday to my Dad. Hes the only one I remember because its in the same month as mine haha. I love you Dad and I dont care how old you get, youll always be my greatest example. I love you and cant wait to talk to you in 3 months time.

I love you all and have fun this week!!!!

Much Love
JAmes
p.s. Write me Chris!!!!!