Elder Short - June 25, 2008

How's it goin. Nothing new here. Gonna go see if we can go to the driving range today, but it looks like it might rain. Seriously if I had something to write I would write it. Sorry about this lack of writing. I feel kinda bad, but not really. I still need the cookie recipe though if you could send that. Um other than that, no solid investigators.

Satan is pretty dominating up here in making sure something always comes up in someones lives.

So I don't know what else to write. Not much of writing stuff. Sounds like your all having fun. So, do you ever see Candace anymore? Probably not I assume. Why not? She must work a lot am I right? Just curious. Well, once again I apologize for the short email, but it's all I can do. Love you all. Give my love to charlie, tell him that I love him and that I think he's the coolest kid in the whole world. Ok

Love Elder Perrin

Elder Fox June 23, 2008

Hola Todas!!Just another normal week. I did recieve the Birthday package that you guys sent Thank you. Thank you Grandma Fox of the Letter.

The other missionaries here in Hidalgo have been struggling for a while now and im just not sure what they have been doing wrong in their area to not have any results this 5 weeks. So on Tuesday we did Divisions and i went over to thier area to see what i could do to get their area a little more up and running. We found alot of new investigators and committed one of them to come to church with us. I taught pretty much everything i know about missionary work to Elder Knowlden (the senor companion) hopefully we can see some results of it soon.

None of the members here with the ones that we DO have dont like to feed us food. With the exception of 3 days this week we ate Roman Noodles and Water for lunch. It was pretty frustrating but we will get something worked out with the members so that they can give us more food... Im mean for real! We are in Mexico... Who DOESNT have at least a pot of beans to cook us at least! haha.

On Thursday night we contacted a lady in the street on the way to one of our appoinments. She was really happy and just looked like a perfect prospect for a new investigator. When we went to shake her hand she grabbed our hands and pulled us closer to give us a kiss on the cheek (which is the normal way to present yourself to someone you know here in Mexico) But i had never had someone really do it to me before! haha i forced myself off of her and we soon found out that she was a little crazy and the moment. She had been drinking and was headed back to her house. Me and my comp had a good laugh about it.

Saturday was the Branch temple Day!! We left here at 10:30 and got there at about 12. We took some sweet pictures of the temple and spent about 5 hours doing temple work. It was awesome! It felt like we were on vacation but we really werent... Only just doing missionary work for the dead :) We also got to see the sealing of a couple in our Branch which was a way awesome experience!! Not too long for Elder Fox!!!! haha maybe.....

The highlight of our week was with an investigator that we found on Thursday afternoon named Fransico. He didnt have time to talk when we contacted him but when we went back to visit him on Friday and teach him we soon found out that he would be one of the best investigators we have had here so far in Hidalgo. He told us about how his whole life his family had been members of the church and how he had supported all of them because he new it was the best thing for them. He had never gotten baptized becuase he had always had to work on sundays and never had anytime at all. He raised an awesome family and even sent his son off on a mission. When his son left for his mission he split up with his wife and kinda started his own life here in Hidalgo away from the family he had created in Monterrey. He hasnt seen his son for 4 years since he left and he didnt know if he was still serving or if he stayed in the United States where he served or what... When we contacted him he didnt tell us in the moment but thought that i was his son because i looked just like him or something. He is still searching for his son and we are teaching him right now so that when he meets him he will have the awesome news to tell him that he is a member of the church. Sunday morning we rode our bikes to his house to go with him to church, he was ready 40 minutes early and was dressed up all nice and everything! He told us to load the bikes into the back of his little tiny car and we rode to the church. He even helped us go find other investigators to come to church. He loved everything about the church and got really involved with the ward members, especially in Priestood Meeting. We showed him the baptismal font and asked him if he would be baptized when we had him prepared and he agreed with a huge smile on his face! After all of the meetings were over and he was about to leave i asked him how he like church. Ofcourse he said he loved in but the only thing that he was sorry about was that he wore a Blue shirt instead of a white shirt and tie... haha i told him not to worry about it and that it wasnt a huge deal and that he would have plenty more opportunities to wear his white shirt and tie on sundays to church :) This coming week will be dedicated to getting him progressing as much as possible.

Ive learned a ton this week and more than anything i learned how to listen and follow those thoughts and promptings of the spirit that guide us everyday of our lives. But this week it hit me harder than ever before about how we really are guided and can recieve revelation. If God is going to reveal anything to anyone its going to be to those who are working for him in his vinard to carry out his purpose or to bring to pass the imortality and eternal life of man. So many times we recieve revelation but we just dont act according to what is given to us. This week we walked past Fransicos house 3 times... It was not until the 3rd time that i decided to act upon the thought that was given to me to knock on his door. God really does work though small and simple means and it is though us that he carries out his purposes. Hope everyone has an amazing week!Elder Fox

Elder Perrin - 18 June 2008

Dad, Thanks so much for the email. Well, your assignment is to read Alma 32:12-16, and then maybe it will say if there is something there that needs to happen. I liken it to how so many poeple find themselves only praying when they are in need of help. But anyway, read it and tell me what you think. I think that's the correct chapter. I'ts the best section in the whole book, Alma like 30 - 40. Anyway,I'm glad you like the card, sorry it was late. But I stiill love ya just the same. Sounds like thinkgs with zach are geting better. Thats really good, makes me really happy. Let me know how that continues. Sounds like he's got a lot of fixing to do, which is good. I just think that really is the best way to go. He made his mistake, now he can fix it or not. Looks like he wan'ts to fix it, and now he's learned the lesson the hard way, which makes it even better, makes him even better. So anyway, sounds like things are solid. If work slows too bad at least you'll have a few four wheelers to sell or something, I don't know.

I can't count the number of times the scriptures say keep the commandments and you'll prosper, if you don't you're cut off. It's pretty simple, and life is worry free if we do what we're supposed to, no hesitation, strict obedience. If we're not, well, then were on our own. Should be stress free if we do what were supposed to. Small sacrafice to keep the commandments (which make us happy anyway) and do all our callings , when in return the Lord just makes things work out. So it will all work out.

Anyway, I thought it was really cool to hear about Juan. That's it for a missionary to see someone go to the temple. Maybe you can give him this to read.

Juan, como le fue al templo? Bien espiritual verdad? yo recuerdo cuando fui al templo por la primara vez al templo en American Fork. el quarto celestial es marvioso verdad? Si, era bien claro y podia sentir la tranquilidad alla. No puedo explicar los sentimientos, pero era un gran experiencia para mi. De todos modos, queria decir hola, como esta, muchas gracias por todo, por ayudarme un poco con pintar y todo. Estoy bien animado por su familia para ser sellados. Espero que todo va estar bien con su familia y su trabajo. A la mejor puede ensenar a mi papa como hablar espanol. Que tenga exito con todo! cuidese, adios. Disculpe la espanol.

I don't know. You can ask him how my Spanish is, probably a little on the rough side I assume. So anyway, my new comp is named Elder Killpack. He's a really cool elder, i'ts nice to have someone I can joke around with. He's from arizona, has a big family, but has a lot of messed up cousins that never went on missions and got into a lot of trouble. He's been out almost a year. In a few weeks it will be a year. As for the work, well, getting people to church is killing us. Our prime investigators work sundays, and I can't just ask them to quit work with a family and stuff. I can ask to look for a new one, but that's slow going. I'ts a problem we have. If you have any ideas let me know. Alright that's it for me here. Thanks for the email, don't wory about the lack thereof. I understand life is busy. Love ya tonz! Elder perrin. (I need to get that last name changed, am I right?)

Elder Perrin - 11 June 2008

Hey, sorry about last week it was just hecktic. Is that a word? anyway as for the pictures I sent to you they were of Ventura getting baptized. That was his son and Daniel was the one baptizing him. so ya, sorry i didn't email, nothing has really changed out here so i didn't know what to write. Thanks for the letters and email though. Tam, your amazing. So I made the potatoes and they were horrible. I don't know what i did wrong. I thought maybe i used the wrong potatoes, because i used the big idaho potatoes. anyway they turned all brownish inside and they didn't taste right. it was wierd. was i supposed to use regular potatoes that you buy in the bag? I don't know. And when you say grate them does that mean like with a cheese grater? they weren't cooked all the way through it was wierd. I used five potatoes and the rest of the stuff so i don't know what i did... anyway i got a new companion today, his name is Elder Killpack. He's white obviously, but he seems like a cool Elder. We'll be just fine, no worries there. He's been out like a year. He's from Arizona, Mesa area. Other than that i'm just getting to know him. We'll see how it all goes. So I can't really think of anything else I should write, I apologize for that. that's just how it is out here. Nothing much going on. I'll let you know if Jieme ever makes it to church, because when he does he's in the water. so other than that things are good. anyway one last favor, can you send me the recipe for cookies? just the regular chocolate chip ones? That would be sweet. Thanks a bunch for everything. Love Elder Perrin

Elder Fox June 16, 2008

Hola! Well i finally found a map that is halfway decent to find some streets in this town. We will probably be working a little more effectivly from here on out in Hidalgo!

For my birthday we didnt have anywhere to eat so we just bought and made some Mac and cheese with hotdogs and i made myself a banana chocolate milkshake. I was kinda hoping i would get a cake to eat (like the INDIAN cake i got for my 19th) but since we didnt eat at a members house i was kinda out of luck on that one. BUT THEN... 2 hours later we taught one of our investigators (Sorina) after we taught her she brought out Cake and Coke! haha i did eat tell her that it was my birthday and when i did it just made her pretty happy. That night the other Elders of Hidalgo came over to the house with Ding Dong cup cakes and we stuck 20 matches in them and Elder Olivas sang happy birthday to me in the Spanish version. They were awesome!

We had mission conference on Wednesday and i learned alot about how we should always be using out time wisely and just staying active. More than anything i set some new goals to change the way i contact instead of doing it the same way every time. I started contacting this week with the Book of Mormon.

There are these popsicle thinyies that are like otter pops but fatter and shorter called Gelentines... they are seriously so good! Im going to miss them when i have to leave Mexico. For now im just going to take advantage of them... me and my comp are talking about buying them in the bulk this week. 50 of them things!!! which should last us about 2 weeks.

The missionary couple that went to Texas bought our Sobes and gave them to us this week!! Holy Gageebies were them things good! haha For real i think that amazing sensation to my tounge should get me though another year away from the USA :)

The highlight of the week was definately when we got to give a little bit of service to one of our investigators... Her name is Santos. We gave her one of the finding faith in Christ videos at the start of the week and after 2 lessons didnt want anything more to do with us or the church. 2 days after that we walked past her house and she called us over because she couldnt get her washing machine into her house and knew that we were the only way that she was going to get it in there. We were happy to help her and carried that washing machine into her house like it was floating on angels wings... haha ok too far, but we gotter in there. We invited her to church that again and she was a little more willing to go but still unsure if she was going to do it (which really just means no) but i was wrong... Sunday her and her daughter showed up to church with their kids without us having to go get them! It was awesome! and im blaming it on the service that we did for her. Yes, we will be looking for service every week now!

We didnt have a ton of people to take to church but sunday morning we just randomly decieded to go see is Miguel (one of our contacts, we hadnt even taught yet) would come to church with us... We had to knock on his door hard enough to wake him up and then he came out and we convinced him to come with us for just on hour. He just had to wash his face and change so we waited outside for him and when he came back outside and said he was ready to go, he hadnt really changed anything other than he now had a big wet spot on his shirt right below his chin which im pretty sure it was because he was having a bad hangover and cleaned up the barf off of his shirt... i thought it was kinda funny until he almost barffed again when we rode with him to church in his little tinny red truck, haha He made it though church ok and is excited to learn more next week... I do know for sure that we will be teaching him lesson 4 with the Word of Wisdom on Wednesday. I spoke in sacrament meeting on the Restoration which turning out well without any planning on that one since i teach it EVERY SINGLE DAY! It was a pretty easy talk to prepare for. All in all this week turned out great with 4 investigators in church, and we will be working hard this coming week to keep them progressing.

I got a quote for you all.... I love my father, and the memory of his noble deeds rests with ponderous weight upon my mind, and many of his kind and parental words to me are written upon the tablet of my heart. -Joesph Smith-Have an awesome week! Love you all! Elder Fox**

Elder Fox June 2, 2008

Alrighty Alrighty dont worry Elder Fox isnt poor anymore. We finally got a little bit of money to buy some normal food instead of just pure oatmeal. Last week i just got the information that my converts in Monclova just recieved callings in the ward and are progressing increadibly fast! I was more than happy to hear the news! They are amazing!

My bike seat broke this week so we did alot of walking, and then after three days we decided to just make a seat (we just tied a pillow over the metal frame of the old seat) haha it worked alright for about 10 minutes, no worries we found a good seat now, and my behind is being taken care of :)

There is a train that runs though town about twice a day so me and my comp this week decided to go a smash pesos! It worked really good and now i got some sweet suveniers to remind me of Hidalgo. I might make a few more and send them home to you guys.

Wednesday i had an awesome study session in the morning and learned a ton! Not nesesarily something new, but just a better understanding of how we are all children of God. My testimony has truely become stonger and has made a big change for me in my life and in my mission. I now have increased the power, purpose, and meaning ofmy prayers, i view others and the world around me differently, and i have felt a stronger love for my Heavenly Father and better understand the love he has for me and every single one of his children. I can honestly say that this has been a big turning point to me in my mission and even eternal progress.

I like the quote that says... Our entire perspective of ourselves, our worth, and what we can make of our lives is altered for good when we come to understand that we are Gods children and can become like him.

Friday we went on splits with the Zone leaders because one of them had to come to Hidalgo and interview Bety for her baptism on Sunday. So i was with Elder Torrantera all day long in his area... I have never walked so much in my life and after that day my body was completly DONE FOR!! I could not move by 9:00. That night i was relying on the promise made to the faithfull priestood holders of the church found in D and C 84:33, The RENEWING of our bodies! Lets just say on Saturday morning my testimony grew greatly in that perspecive also. The same night we bought Campachanas (HugE soft tacos) and i chopped all of my hair off.

The church is starting another comercial to give out DVD called... FInding faith in Chirst... its going to be a big help for us this month to find alot of new people to teach.

Sunday was the baptism of Bety Florez. We had been preparing her all week for it and it turned our awesome!! She is amazing and i have learned alot from her also. She is good at listening and acting according to the good feelings that come into her heart and mind. One of our investigators came to church with us this week (Julian) He was also at the baptism of Bety and we talked with him after and had him committed to baptism this next sunday.

The work here in Mexico is moving so fast it blows me away! Im loving every minute of it and look forward to all of the growing experiences that come my way. Love you all thanks for all of the support! Until next week, youll be in my prayers!Elder Fox