We did have a good week. Andrey was baptized and two more investigators were there for his baptism. They both now have a strong desire to be baptised and change their lives. One will be baptised this Sunday and the other the following Sunday. We should have two confirmations and a baptism that Sunday. Things are going well needless to say, and we are happy. Truly we are happiest when hardest at work. And truly the Lord is the one that directs this work.
The investigator that is preparing for the 12 of April has a long-time friend in the ward but hadn´t met her for more than 20 years. We went to the appointment with the member and found out. That was amazing. The investigator is progressing quickly and very well. She has a strong desire after witnessing the baptism to do the same and change her life to be more in accordance with the gospel. It is truly amazing to see the Spirit change a person in such a short period of time.
This coming week is General Conference as well so she is going to really have a life-changing month here. That is truly amazing, to go from not knowing that the Church of Christ was ever even lost to listening to a prophet and being baptised, opening the windows of heaven to recieve glorious blessings from God in such a short span of time. We began teaching her and in the first 10 minutes she accepted the date to be baptised. She has held true to this ever since. The Spirit truly is powerful. It changes lives and heals families.
As for about the other stuff, I probably will be buying a new suit before I come home. My black one is already wearing out. Didn´t really last too long. The suit cost 50,000 pesos, or about $90. I am not able to access my account today so I will get back to you next week, the internet isn´t always the best here. As for zyrtec I will need more but singulair I have plenty. Or so I believe, it can´t hurt to send more. I am doing well in everything else. I might want more charcoal socks though, better ones than what I have. Other than that I am great. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I love you all and hope everything keeps going well.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
eMail of March 23, 2009
As far as things to send me for my birthday, I can think of one thing. Photos. Many people here especially members want to see my family. I don´t want to use the one I have in my bag so I would like another one. I don´t really need anything else, except perhaps Cheez-its. :)
Anyway, the week went very well. We taught 30 lessons this last week. Andrey wasn´t baptized yesterday but will be next week. We also have two more lined up for the Sunday of General Conference and possible five more for the week after that. I really hope things go well with each of them.
As for being fed, yes. I am well fed here. I like the food for the most part if it isn´t too strange. But I´m eating a lot more healthy now too. But the allergies are a bit of a problem with
asthma. Just in that I have difficulty breathing if I have to run to an appointment or something. If I don´t take the medication I suffer more. But I´m really okay.
I generally can´t think of anything but the people and how the gospel can help each one. Things with my companion are going well. So far I have had the greatest success with my current companion. He is great and we are teaching better and better with more unity every day. He wrestled as well but he is very good. He knows Cael Sanderson personally and trained with him. Marc might have an idea who he is but if not, he is one of the greatest to
ever wrestle. He went undefeated throughout college. Anyway after the mission my companion Elder Smith has a scholarhip for wrestling at Purdue. And yes he has a relation with Hyrum Smith but isn´t sure what it is.
As for more about the mission, really things are going very well. I have seen miracles here. I have seen families be healed after nearly being completely destroyed. The gospel is powerful. The Spirit as well. I have seen the Spirit change people instantly. One that rejected us but when he felt the Spirit and that there was truth to the testimony he changed and became interested. A complete 180 turn in his heart through nothing more than a testimony bourne with the Spirit.
I have learned a lot about teaching but still have far, far to go. I have learned a lot already but feel that I have mountains to learn still. More and more I can see how connected everything is; and how every commandment, especially the Word of Wisdom, is spiritual. There is no commandment that is strictly temporal. What we give up temporally, is treasure in heaven spiritually. The only difference is how far unbalanced the scale is. It´s exponential the spiritual
blessings and treasure we recieve when we give up things temporally. The Lord only wants to bless us when we have trails. He will never leave us in sorrow and misery unless we choose to stay there. One of the great things I remember from President Hinkley is his optimism.
It doesn´t matter what happens, just keep moving forward looking and hoping for the best. That is faith. Looking beyond the trials for the blessings that will come, that they will disolve and the solution be found. A hope for things which are true, will come to pass or already happened, that you cannot truly see in this moment. Fear is dwelling on the problems at hand and feeling despair not having an answer. There is always an answer, a solution. There is always help. Faith is really just believing it´s there when it already is, even though you can´t see it or feel it. Then will come the miracle, and because you were already looking for the miracle you will understand it as evidence of your faith and it will grow. When you have faith
the miracle will always come, because it is already there and ready. You just might not know exactly where it is.
Anyway, I love all of you and pray that each and every one of you can find faith in the
journey and happiness. The Lord is by your side and ready and willing to bless you.
Anyway, the week went very well. We taught 30 lessons this last week. Andrey wasn´t baptized yesterday but will be next week. We also have two more lined up for the Sunday of General Conference and possible five more for the week after that. I really hope things go well with each of them.
As for being fed, yes. I am well fed here. I like the food for the most part if it isn´t too strange. But I´m eating a lot more healthy now too. But the allergies are a bit of a problem with
asthma. Just in that I have difficulty breathing if I have to run to an appointment or something. If I don´t take the medication I suffer more. But I´m really okay.
I generally can´t think of anything but the people and how the gospel can help each one. Things with my companion are going well. So far I have had the greatest success with my current companion. He is great and we are teaching better and better with more unity every day. He wrestled as well but he is very good. He knows Cael Sanderson personally and trained with him. Marc might have an idea who he is but if not, he is one of the greatest to
ever wrestle. He went undefeated throughout college. Anyway after the mission my companion Elder Smith has a scholarhip for wrestling at Purdue. And yes he has a relation with Hyrum Smith but isn´t sure what it is.
As for more about the mission, really things are going very well. I have seen miracles here. I have seen families be healed after nearly being completely destroyed. The gospel is powerful. The Spirit as well. I have seen the Spirit change people instantly. One that rejected us but when he felt the Spirit and that there was truth to the testimony he changed and became interested. A complete 180 turn in his heart through nothing more than a testimony bourne with the Spirit.
I have learned a lot about teaching but still have far, far to go. I have learned a lot already but feel that I have mountains to learn still. More and more I can see how connected everything is; and how every commandment, especially the Word of Wisdom, is spiritual. There is no commandment that is strictly temporal. What we give up temporally, is treasure in heaven spiritually. The only difference is how far unbalanced the scale is. It´s exponential the spiritual
blessings and treasure we recieve when we give up things temporally. The Lord only wants to bless us when we have trails. He will never leave us in sorrow and misery unless we choose to stay there. One of the great things I remember from President Hinkley is his optimism.
It doesn´t matter what happens, just keep moving forward looking and hoping for the best. That is faith. Looking beyond the trials for the blessings that will come, that they will disolve and the solution be found. A hope for things which are true, will come to pass or already happened, that you cannot truly see in this moment. Fear is dwelling on the problems at hand and feeling despair not having an answer. There is always an answer, a solution. There is always help. Faith is really just believing it´s there when it already is, even though you can´t see it or feel it. Then will come the miracle, and because you were already looking for the miracle you will understand it as evidence of your faith and it will grow. When you have faith
the miracle will always come, because it is already there and ready. You just might not know exactly where it is.
Anyway, I love all of you and pray that each and every one of you can find faith in the
journey and happiness. The Lord is by your side and ready and willing to bless you.
Monday, March 16, 2009
eMail of March 16, 2009
I have the photos of the baptism and of me with Elder Cortés my trainer.
By the way that is a new suit that I had made for the winter here by a professional tailor, for only about $90. He does suits for many of the missionaries in the mission. Nearly all.
Anyway this was the baptism and they were confirmed yesterday. We are also teaching another boy Andreí and a young man Marco. They are both great and progressing well. Andreí will be baptised Sunday and Marco the week of General Conference or before, hopefully the week before. His friend who brought him into the church wants to baptise and confirm him but can´t until then.
We are doing well and trying to find more people to teach. Teaching really can only be done by the Spirit, there is no other way. I have given my testimony every day, several times a day to bring in the Spirit and it is powerful. My testimony has grown an hundred-fold.
I´m grateful for everyone's concern for me and know that whatever happens the Lord is on our side. I love all of you and pray for you. Truly obeying the commandments and living a righteous life is the way to happiness. There is no other way. May all of you continue onward and find joy in our journey to perfection and righteousness.
[to Nathaniel] I'm teaching several young kids your age right now, preparing them for their baptism. Andrei will be baptised this Sunday! As for the weather--hot and dusty. With lots of smog. It rained a tiny bit once. My favorite food, I don't really have a favorite here. I do like nearly all the food though [a surprise because he used to be a very picky eater]. I'm really not so picky anymore. Anyway, one of my favorites is humita. Its like mashed corn cake that is nothing but the corn. Difficult to make. Anyway, I love you and glad you are having a great time. Chow, que esten bien!
Elder David Skiles
Monday, March 9, 2009
eMail of March 9, 2009
It´s great to hear from all of you. I truly find joy in knowing how much you think and pray about me. Know that I think of you often, and remember you always. There is no better example I have to teach from than my own family. I have used many experiences from all of you already and know I will use more. I always think of how I can give these people what our family has.
Sometimes it is hard to completely forget yourself and just work, but always it can be done. This isn´t to say that I am not focused; I just haven´t been as focused as usual, as a missionary that was in my pension just went home. That discussion always came up.
Well we just had another set of transfers. I am still in the same sector but should be moving to the old pension again. My new companion is Elder S**** and Elder M***** my companion from my last change is now my zone leader. I am excited to begin this change.
Yesterday we did have two baptisms. Michelle with 12 years and her brother with 10. It was great to see them do that and the immediate change in the family. I love all of you and am thankful for your prays. They work miracles.
Sometimes it is hard to completely forget yourself and just work, but always it can be done. This isn´t to say that I am not focused; I just haven´t been as focused as usual, as a missionary that was in my pension just went home. That discussion always came up.
Well we just had another set of transfers. I am still in the same sector but should be moving to the old pension again. My new companion is Elder S**** and Elder M***** my companion from my last change is now my zone leader. I am excited to begin this change.
Yesterday we did have two baptisms. Michelle with 12 years and her brother with 10. It was great to see them do that and the immediate change in the family. I love all of you and am thankful for your prays. They work miracles.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
eMail of March 4, 2009
I´m sorry I didn´t write you on Monday. I got permission to write today because gmail didn´t like my password and I couldn´t get in.
I´m doing well and working. I have learned a lot the last week about studying and prayer and how it effects teaching. You cannot truly teach something that you don´t completely understand, especially not with the power of the Spirit. For this reason it is so important to study beforehand.
I will say a little bit more about this last week but yesterday I got to go to a tour of the Temple for an investigador of another elder and it was amazing. The Spirit powerfuly touched her and all of us. I can think of no greater joy in this life other than bringing up children in righteousness than seeing someone´s heart change in front of your eyes. To see true repentance is great joy. To see a heart soften and break in humility unto the Lord is a humbling experience to be sure.
The Lord truly loves us. Our Father loves His children. He has made it easy for us to follow Him. We are made to be good, righteous people. He has all the power to do so. I love all of you and pray that you may continue to feel His love and Redeeming power for us.
I´m doing well and working. I have learned a lot the last week about studying and prayer and how it effects teaching. You cannot truly teach something that you don´t completely understand, especially not with the power of the Spirit. For this reason it is so important to study beforehand.
I will say a little bit more about this last week but yesterday I got to go to a tour of the Temple for an investigador of another elder and it was amazing. The Spirit powerfuly touched her and all of us. I can think of no greater joy in this life other than bringing up children in righteousness than seeing someone´s heart change in front of your eyes. To see true repentance is great joy. To see a heart soften and break in humility unto the Lord is a humbling experience to be sure.
The Lord truly loves us. Our Father loves His children. He has made it easy for us to follow Him. We are made to be good, righteous people. He has all the power to do so. I love all of you and pray that you may continue to feel His love and Redeeming power for us.
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