WEEKLY UPDATE #21

Elder McDonald, Elder Ramirez, Elder Hernandez, Elder Mendoza

September 25, 2017

"Hey everyone!!

I have some great news this week some other Elders baptized a family and one of their little girls asked for me to baptize her. Their baptism was super special and really cool each one of them had a different person baptize them and I'm so glad I was a part of it!! We also had a baptism it was super cool. The ward mission leader told us about this less active family with a 9 year old who's not baptized. So us as missionaries desiring the salvation of this family helped this family re-activate and the dad became worthy again and he was able to baptize his kid it was super cool!

Also I have some crazy news... I know I just got a new companion but guess what, he was changed to a different area out of no where and my new companion is Elder Tuz. He also doesn't know english by the way hahaha. So far he has seemed cool. But it does cost some work adapting to new companions. And I hope this pattern doesnt continue my whole mission cause I've already had 5 companions and I barely have any time in the mission hahaha. I already have half of my Preach My Gospel filled with companions its crazy. 

Anyways until next Monday. Love you all!!​"

The family that was baptized. Davis baptized the youngest girl.

The Dad that baptized his son and family/friends.

I asked Davis about the earthquake and he said they didn't feel anything. I mentioned the email from the Assistants and he thought I emailed him. His reaction was "You emailed my President? What?" I wonder what's going through his mind. I'll have to clarify the Assistants sent out a general email to the parents of the missionaries regarding the earthquake. Hahaha

Mick and I both commented how much we like his "mustache picture." He responded to me saying, "That's awesome I'm glad you guys loved it that much. It was for 15 of September (Mexican Independence Day)." To his Dad he said, "We put the mustaches on our fridge. I think I'll be able to grow one like that when I get home cause sometimes I miss a day of shaving and I'll have a little beard. Hahaha it comes in wayyyy faster now!" He's so funny!

He told me they let the tarantula they saw last week walk by (too big to step on). He said it was Elder Ramirez's first time seeing one and he's been in the area for 17 months! 

I mentioned to Davis I figured out his Zone Leader (Elder Fardos) is the son of a Mom I've connected with on FB before he left. He confirmed it and finally told me what his area and zone is called (Area Portales 1 and Zone Tech 1) so I can maybe make more connections with other Moms. He said, "That's cool! Elder Fardos and I were on splits the other day and we have a lot in common. He's super cool. That's funny I do remember seeing him before I left. I still haven't told him that. I don't know if that would be weird or not."

Davis told me it was cool that I'm finding ways to be a member missionary. He said, "My ward is full of those and it helps us a lot!! Yesterday my ward had a conference about missionary work that our president directed. It was awesome! They set a goal to give out one Book of Mormon per family."

 Elder Ramirez and Elder Fardos

 Not sure why he sent us a picture of Elder Ramirez's tag and not his own...haha

Davis shared some pages from his journal and it's so awesome to feel his testimony through what he wrote. I'm going to share some of what he wrote:

"Today was a freaking awesome day!! Well first this morning we taught a lesson with Alejandro. Alejandro is a person who has done bad things in his life. He has been to prison for 50 years. He was a drug transporter and all that, possibly a narco. I don't know why we contacted him, but we were inspired. The lesson we had with him was really good, the room was filled with the Spirit. He was telling us that he wants a new life and that he's currently addicted to drugs, but already has 7 days sober. We taught him about faith and repentance and shared scriptures with him telling him that he can do it and start his new life. He was telling us that he's reached out to many churches. Then he said something like, 'but you guys found me and your plaques say Jesus Christ on them and He's our Savior.' and he almost cried when he said this, so I believe he was feeling impressions from the Spirit.... He has tattoos of "La Santa Muerte" which is basically Satan, but it's like a "God" that you pray to when you want to do something bad. He told us that at one point he believed in it. We taught him how to pray to Heavenly Father and he's really trying to change. We invited him to the baptism we had today and he told us that he was going to come. So a little while later, while Elder Ramirez and I were at the baptism, we got a phone call from an Hermana saying that one of our investigators walked into the Women's Session of General Conference, haha. So Elder Ramirez and I went and got him. But he came to the baptism!! Alejandro said he feels really good to be in our church and that he really liked the baptism. A little while later he told us that he wants to be baptized too!! How cool!! He told us he's coming to church tomorrow. Then we introduced him to our ward mission leader and a member of the bishopric and he explained to them that he wants to change his life and they were really good with him and said all the right things."

I can't wait to get updates on Alejandro!

He also talked about the family that was baptized. There were four members who were baptized and a different Elder baptized each member. He said the mission leader told him that the youngest asked for Davis personally to baptize her. He said it took him 3 tries again. He said he struggled with the girl's names -- he said she had 4 names. He'll get it.

He said he's a little depressed about getting another new companion so soon. He said he and Elder Ramirez got along "super well." And, "I've already had 4 comps and it's tiring getting new ones." --And now he's on his fifth. I pray that he and Elder Tuz will bond and do great together.

Until next week...