Tuesday, January 7, 2014

weekly letter 1-6-14

New post of the New Year!  No pictures yet, but promises for some next week.  From the letter of Elder Williams:

In Autlan, we don't do too much (compared to some of his friends that are on missions around the world).  We are always visiting the same people all week and we try to find new investigators.  We have found 2 new families that are accepting a lot of the gospel and even a baptismal date.  We were kinda upset that none of them came to church so they aren't "progressing".  I have no idea where I'll be transferred next change.  I hope to Guad again.  My old area....  hahahaha but I doubt it.  I'm kinda scared to go to Vallarta because it will get grossly hot during the summer....  I really have no idea...  The special families that are here in Autlan are the Galarza's, Sevilla's, the Sister's Martha and Maria, Mitzy's family, and I think those are the ones.  The best thing about my new companion is he is very driven.  He knows how to study well and he is pretty much ready to train.  The most precious memory in this area was when Brother Sevilla baptized his son and was consoling him and his fear of water.  I believe I've already told you and for time's sake I won't go into details.  Just showed the love of a father for his son.  (When we come back to Quad) I would want you to see my converts, my favorite families, my leaders, the places I've been for Pday and the beach that I drive past every time I go to Manzanillo.

For NYE we didn't do anything.  We were in our house at 9 o'clock but the crazy thing here is that the people, even though it's illegal, go outside and shoot their guns in the air.  We stayed up til 12 and we heard so many gunshots.  There was one that sounded like right next to our house.  It was insane!!!!  Really loud and kinda scared me.  My favorite area is Residencial.  That is where I have the most fondest memories. 

We are really having an interesting time finding people.  We have found some but they are either in "unión libre" and or their spouse is abusive.....  Very hard situations that us missionaries really can't do anything about.  That's when we need the members.  We are doing a missionary class every sunday at 7 so that the members can be better trained for when we ask them to accompany us in lessons.  We are really glad that we had 15 people there yesterday.  We hope that this will help us in the long run.  I don't plan on slowing down (with being so close to going home) but somethings after today could make me take smaller strides in real life.  hahahah we played soccer for 3 and a half hours today and I was starting to get cramps in my calfs and hips...  I ran out of water and he in Mexico you can't go drink out of the faucet.  So I was very tired and dehydrated....  Not the smartest thing to keep playing but people wanted me to.  I will be pretty sore for the next few days.  It rained for 8 days straight!!!!!  It's been a very hard week in contacting because no one was outside....  
My testimony of being out here on the mission has grown so much because of the changes I've seen in myself.  I'm getting more knowledge about the things we always go over in church and never pay attention because it's just repeat and repeat.  That's why they repeat.  The way we learn more things is by going over the same doctrine but every time it gets deeper and deeper into the doctrine and through the Spirit, you will understand.  This time of service is so great and it has taught me many things about myself that I didn't realize I had before.  Like patience, determination, willingness to serve and love everyone you meet, connection with people you don't seem like you have things in common, etc.  So many things that have never been brought to my attention before have been thrown at me from all angles and I've had to deal with them.  To know that I've succeeded in those things is a real motivator and a nice self confidence booster.  That is what the mission does for you and has done for me.

(Oh the life of a missionary, and learning how to be flexible!)
I've got some bad news....  We went to the laundromat today and everything was going fine until we took out our white clothes from the dryer and almost everything was either turned completely yellow or has ugly yellow stains....  I have no idea what happened but that includes my garments and my white shirts.  I will try to wash them again but at a members house to air dry this time but I don't know what will happen.
 
Well, we will keep you posted on the outcome of the laundry episode!  Keep Elder Williams in your prayers.  And keep praying that he will get his Christmas package that still hasn't been delivered to him!!!!!

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