Kaboom!

Did conference just blow you away? I loved it so much! Two of my favorite talks (there were many) were Elder Oaks and Elder Bednar (Priesthood). I loved learning more about sacrifice and the priesthood. Elder Bednar spoke about how everyone ordained has authority, but the power comes by our obedience and righteousness. I used to lump the two together and call it good. I also loved Elder Holland's statement, "Bretheren, Step up!" said in the way that only he can... it was incredible!! I am in the middle of copying down my favorite pieces into my journal.

H and his family have become a lot warmer to us; the son J (8) gives us both a hug now every time we make it over.:) They loved the idea of conference even though they didn't watch or listen. I wish we had mentioned the Motab, because they sounded interested in that when we shared our favorite parts afterward. They even pulled it up on lds.org to watch it. H says one day he wants to be baptized, but not yet. We are still so happy!!! He'll make it one day even if it is 20 years down the road.

One man we tracted into two months ago (D) stopped us on the side of the road in his truck and asked us for our phone number again, and gave us his. That has never happened before! We tried by his home on Sunday, but no reply. We will keep trying though.

We ran the other morning which was pretty cool. I was really sore the next day, but it was some great exercise!

We talked a bit about the baptismal covenant with Y and she understands better. All is still set to go for the Easter baptism! We are hoping and praying that she keeps it up and takes a few more steps of faith! She said an incredible prayer as well! It has been amazing to see her progress and her confidence grow!!! We will see her later tonight!

I didn't tell the rest of the fam about our crazy "Kaboom" service activity where we and many other volunteers built a playground in 6 hours on Tuesday!!! It was so fun!!! I will send pictures so you can see it! It is 30 seconds away from the C home too. We met Mike (David) Marriott as we were shoveling the cement forms (Marriott International volunteered as well). We talked a lot to the other volunteers about what we do as missionaries, and I now understand more fully how awesome service can be to help the spiritual work go forward!

We watched Finding Faith in Christ with the C kids too, which was another evidence of how far they have come. The biggest help for them has been primary, I am positive. M told me that he knows another person could walk on water, too, if  Christ gave him that power. The organization of the Church is so inspired!! The more people we visit, the more I realize how much of a lasting impact we can make in every person’s life!!! The C kids also came to the stake center to watch conference with us, and all three took notes! I made Swedish pancakes on both mornings of conference and even made up my own peach puree! (I couldn't let that tradition die!;)

I think the biggest thing conference gave me was added strength and optimism! While tracting on Sunday, I couldn't help but smile and say hi to everyone we passed! Even when we got turned down I was still very optimistic! I just felt awesome!!! I hope you all did, too! I can't wait to read the addresses in the Ensign and keep this feeling until October when I can be bolstered again! I love you all! I pray for you all! Jesus Christ is our Savior and He makes it all possible! Let us work harder to be closer to him and bring others with us!!!

P.S. Transfers are not this Wednesday, but the next. Stay tuned for the next chapter of Guerras de GaLAxias!

Our trio's down to two . . .

    Well, I cannot remember if I told you already about Y, but she chose a date to be BAPTIZED!!!! She will be baptized on April 8th! Happy Easter!
     It’s a bit weird being back to two missionaries in our companionship but we've adjusted well. On the way home from the mission office after dropping Elder F off, we had Lion King in the CD player; when Timon was singing about "out trio's down to two!" we felt our theme song playing! Right now Elder F is in Acapulco and he told us it is hot!
     We went to a Target to get some glasses for Elder D after email last Monday and while there, I was asked by two little girls if I was a was “a Laker". It made me smile and I was really tempted to say "Yeah! You know Kobe, he and I are tight!" but I said " No, I'm a missionary!" The conversation ended pretty fast, but it was a happy one.
     We had a discussion with a man named J who told us that Mormons don’t believe that we are saved by grace. It was fun! It was the first time that I have ever had the opportunity to defend the Book of Mormon that hard! D&C 100:5 came to me in the very moment I needed it. J began contradicting himself once we agreed that yes, we are saved by grace, AFTER all we can do. Faith, of course, without works is dead. We did not argue or bash. A serene calmness came over me and I spoke a bit more controlled and quiet than I thought I would. We gave Juan a Book of Mormon and he said he would read it. As we were leaving he asked, "What would you do if I find a discrepancy in this book?" Both Elder Davidson and I said calmly  "You won't find any discrepancies because we've read it and know it is true. If there are any ‘mistakes,’ they are the mistakes of man like many of the profetas inside have testified.” It would not have gone at all like that without the Spirit! I have been surprised at how many times the Spirit will cause an angry person to listen and rethink their actions and words.
     A member family took us to Denny's the other day which was fun. I had not eaten there since right before I went to the MTC. They brought their nonmember brother-in-law, too. We ate and talked with him. We hope to teach him soon, but he works a BUNCH! A lot of people work crazy hours here, and lots of them.
     At a lesson with two recent converts (in the last year) we suggested the Animated Stories from the Book of Mormon to help them visualize what is happening in the scriptures. I had not thought about those videos since I was a kid at home, trying to find something to do on Sundays!
     One ward member here has helped a family commit to stop gambling and another man to stop drinking coffee! That man then helped his entire family stop drinking coffee! THAT is the power of member missionary work! They also want to go on a mission after they retire!!! Soo cool! I love you all and hope you enjoy Conference weekend! I cannot wait. I'll wave to you through the TV at the church, so don't forget to wave back! Love you!

"Do or do not -- there is no try."

     Olo Familia!!!!  I forgot to mention that Hermana C was in the hospital with some kidney stones. We visited her and she told us that she had a hymn stuck in her head.  She couldn’t remember the name, but she could remember that it talked about the Lord being with her.  We had practiced “Senor te Necesito” for J’s baptism so we sang it for Hermana C before we left.  Coincidence... I think NOT!!!!!!
     This just in: as I was writing this email, Elder F. got a call that his visa is in!!!! He will be going to Mexico on Wednesday morning!!!!! We will no longer be the Three Amigos....sad day! I am so happy for him, though! It was all because he had accepted that he'd be here forever and had locked his bike up with ours outside...Murphy's Law!
     We had an incredible lesson with Y!!! We were teaching the Restoration again, but really slowly and carefully. Towards the end she gasped and said, "Oh, I get it now!" She even said "Light bulb!" She now understands the need for a Restoration and said "I know that Joseph Smith is a profeta!"  She realized that her knowledge of the Book of Mormon being true and Joseph Smith being a true prophet went directly hand in hand. I don't know what it was that finally made it click, but we look forward to finding out her choice of baptismal date tonight!!!
     We have been trying to excite our ward to do home teaching and I believe it is working. We go out every Tuesday and Thursday with a member and teach with them. It really helps to build unity and trust between us and the members. The blessings will be exponential!
     It rained really hard on Saturday -- even hailing at points. Luckily we were inside at the time. I had never seen it rain so hard down here!  Well, sorry to make it a short one today, but we have to get a lot done. Love you so much!!!!!

"I Love to see the Temple"

"There's Plenty For the Both of Us!" [LOR]

     Hey howdy hey familia!! Well, this week we are focusing on finding more people to teach, so I thought it only fitting to relate it to LOTR :) “May the best dwarf (Elder) win!” In our case, though, we’re on the same team!
     J was baptized!!!! Yee haw!! It took two tries because she sat up the first time from being scared. I will never forget her face. Although she was scared and excited, she gave me a peaceful smile that made my heart sing. The second time we did something interesting. We got down on our knees and then I baptized her again. As she went down, she was not going to make it, so I pulled her down by the back of her jumpsuit...with love. When she came out I could feel the same feeling she was feeling as we smiled at each other. She was so happy, she couldn't stop talking!!!

     "I", a recent convert, has regained some of her love for the Book of Mormon this last week. She has completely transformed! When we text her she is always so positive. Cool story she told us... one night she finished her homework at 11:40 and went to check her Face Book on her mom’s phone. When she opened the phone she saw a text we sent earlier and read the Book of Mormon instead!!!!! It was so cool! Another woman, a referral (who at first was completely uninterested), opened up to us when we gave her a “Finding Faith in Christ” DVD and talked about the Bible and the Book of Mormon. She may be more interested now – we’ll see. I met my first Ecuadorian yesterday out tracting.:) We also had papusas with the H family. Lots of things have happened -- it is insane! We found a recent convert who has been less active; he is pretty solid. He told us the reason he got baptized was because he liked the Word of Wisdom and the commandments and stuff! What?!? Who loves the Word of Wisdom so much that they get baptized?!!! Pretty cool!
     We got to clean the temple on Monday which was an amazing experience!! It was so peaceful working inside the Lord's house.
     Another note about food.... I have fallen in love with smoothies. My best lunch on my entire mission was the other day! The smoothie was so good. It brought me home. We also bought Oscar Meyer lunch meat the other day and I thought of Dad for some reason. "My bologna has a first name..." Sorry, that was random... I love you all!!