Second Christmas in the Mission...

¡Hola!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas...We had an excellant Christmas....We ate tons..I think we gained about 10 pounds just this week...haha

We spent the day with lots of members and investigators...We also contacted lots of people on the street, they all seemed to be a lot nicer this week...haha...

Monday we were able to go to Hermosillo for a Special Christmas Conference with the President and Sister Robinson...We heard lots of talks and sang lots of songs all about Christmas...We also ate a dinner of Mole with Chicken which was really good haha...you can just imagine how much chicken they had to make to feed 180 missionaries that of course eat a lot... We were able to feel a sweet Christmas Spirit with us that day...That same Spirit stayed with us for all week long...

Tuesday I had a meeting with some other leaders of the Mission in Hermosillo and I arrived late Tuesday night to Caborca to meet back up with my companion...So this week went by really fast...

Christmas Eve we ate Tamales, Chicken wrapped in Bacon, Pork Loin, Potatoes and other salads...haha Poor Elder Wilson could barely walk afterwards haha...Christmas Morning we woke up and did our regular studies...for a part of our Companionship Study we read out loud the Story of the Birth Of Jesus Christ...and it brought back tons of memories of being home with the family reading out loud the same story year after year...we were also able to read this story lots of times throughout the day with the Members and Investigators...

We were able to talk to our families Christmas Day...I loved it...I finally got to meet my new Sister In Law haha and see how all of my brothers are growing...To end our Skype call we said a family prayer and never have I felt so close to home but so far away...I am getting excited for the next Christmas when we can all be at home and pray as a family...

We did tons of things this week but all day long on Christmas I was able to feel the Love of Christ for me and for the rest of my brothers and sisters here on Earth...I will never forget the experiences and feelings that I have had on these Christmases away from home...

Love You All

Elder Child

 

                  Christmas Devotional with President and Sister Robinson...kind of fuzzy

 

 

                                                       Nativity outside of the Temple

 

 

                                                   Our Little Charlie Brown Christmas Tree...

 

 

                                                                Me and My Family

 

 

Spreading the Christmas Spirit in Caborca...

Hello Everyone...

Hope Everyone is getting the last preparations finished for their Christmas celebration...Here in Caborca everyone is just about ready...the weather is cold, their are lights all around, now we just need snow haha...We will see what happens haha in other parts of the mission it has been snowing ya I know...kind of weird it snows in Mexico...and gets really stinkin cold...this past week a cold front came through and it got down to -4 degrees celsius which is about 25 degrees Farenheit...

This past week we were able to do a lot of things to share the Christmas Spirit and message about the Birth of Jesus Christ...In this week all the missionaries and the youth of Caborca sang in the Town Center where there were lots of people to listen to us...We sang all of the Christmas hymns that come in the Spanish Hymn Book...we also watched videos about the Birth Of Christ...it was great...We were able to feel a wonderful spirit that night...I was able to be one of the people who bore their testimony at the end of the program...I felt like I was one of the first missionaries in this dispensation who stood on boxes in the Center of a Town and testified of the Restoration...it was an amazing feeling...Afterwards all of the missionaries ran and contacted everyone in that center...It was crazy how many people accepted a visit...I will always remember that night....

We have also been going crazy contacting people with the Iniciative A Savior is Born...We have found tons of people with of this wonderful initiative....In this past week we were on a bus and Elder Wilson suprised me when he turned to the person sitting on the side of him and started talking to him about the initiative and gave him a pass along card...It made me pretty proud to be his trainer...haha we started out this transfer (about 2 weeks ago) with 400 pass along cards and we are down to our last 30 haha It has been pretty fun to contact really everyone in our path and to share a message about the Birth of Jesus Christ...

Thanks for all of your prayers and support....Love you guys

Merry Christmas!

Elder Child

 

                                Found a Sub Division named after us..MISSIONARIES

 

 

         Got my Christmas Packages the other day...Now just finding a way to carry them haha...

 

 

                                                            Funny Missionary Cartoon

 

 

Practice makes Perfect

Hello Everyone...

This week has been a little dificult trying to get everything done...We have spent almost everyday this week contacting and finding the members of our Branch, and training Elder Wilson...We have been arriving to the house so exhausted haha...I feel so bad for Elder Wilson that is being thrown into everything all at one time.. and he still gets up at 6 30 every morning...maybe a little slower and with his blanket around him but gets up...WITH A SMILE...talk about a humble and pacient Elder to have to deal with me as his trainer haha... We have done so many things this week it is crazy...We have been reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish out loud in all of our free time, to help with the pronunciation and so that we sound less American...It is working haha Elder Wilson is also practicing rolling his Rs which is one thing that is hard to teach but little by little his is getting it...

We also had the opportunity to be apart of the Tijuana Mexico Temple Dedication yesterday...It was amazing...I told Elder Wilson that we had to go to all 3 sessions because these Dedications are the closest thing to going to the temple for real, something I havent done in more than 15.  So we enjoyed 3 lovely sessions in the presence of President Uchtdorf and Elder Oaks... They talked about many things but one thing I liked is that Pres. Uchtdorf related the temple to a lighthouse for all of the world...And this temple and the temple grounds just light up like a lighthouse in darkness...it is amazing...

Here are a few things from this week...Hope everyone has a great week this week and that everyone is sharing the new iniciative of the Church ¨A Savior is Born¨   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_TEOyhy7Bg

Love you all

Elder Child

 

                           Elder Garcia and I in the Offices on our last day together...Magdalena 

                                               was alot of work...just look at the shoes...

 

 

                                       Elder Wilson practicing with his pronunciation  haha

 

 

                       Zone Activity today with the youngsters of Caborca...They are GREAT!!!

 

 

                   Tijuana Mexico Temple...One of the 149 true lighthouses in the world today...

 

 

Second Son and Opening Area....

Hello Everyone...

Hope everyone had a great week this week recovering from all of the food that was eaten 2 weeks ago...

Yesterday was Transfer Day in the mission and they have reassigned me to the city of Caborca which is in between Hermosillo and Penasco haha...So I will be opening area here in Caborca (This will be the 5th area that I have helped open in all of my mission) Also I will be training a New Missionary...His name is Elder Wilson he is from Yakima Washington...He is a great young missionary...So we spent all day yesterday (Monday) On the buses and in a conference for new missionaries with the President....When we were leaving the offices the President gave me a big ol hug and he said...Elder Child you have 12 weeks to get him speaking spanish....and gave me a smile and we left...So this should be really interesting haha...Elder Wilson is very limited with his spanish..but he does pray with sincerity and simplicity...So once again God is challenging me by giving me more opportunities to serve...

Elder Garcia stayed in Magdalena...and I am confident that he will do great things as Senior Companion...I had mixed emotions on Sunday as I was feeling happy/excited because I would be able to train again and open area but feeling a little sad because I would be leaving an area and a small branch which I love...I am excited for Elder Garcia and his new companion to be able to baptise quite a few people like Karin and Cesar Martines from the Martinez family and others...Attached you will find a photo of this wonderful family.....I know that I was able to help a little with the leadership...now the branch is being successfull at having their Branch Counsel every week...And the branch is running a lot smoothly... I feel that I completed my purpose in Magdalena...

As I am sad for leaving Magdalena I am just as excited to start off yet again in a city that I dont know with a very new companion....

Well Thats it for this week...thanks so much for all of your support and love..

Love Elder Child

 

                                                         My Favorite Potatoes

 

                  Family Martinez...We are not sure where the Brother Martinez was haha...

 

 

Blowing "Smoke"

Hello Everyone...

I sure hope everyone could have an enjoyable time eating and spending time with family...For us it was a normal day...We ran to my little American Store and bought a few food items like mashed potatoes and gravy and cranberry sauce...They had ran out of stuffing unfortunately and I couldnt find a small quantity of turkey...haha everyone was selling whole 25 lb turkeys...I thought that it would be a little dificult to cook 25 lbs  on a little skillet so we cooked 2 huge chicken legs and the rest of the things when we finished the day at about 9:45 pm It was wonderful...:)

It has really been cooling off lately...I am not sure how cold it has gotten but yesterday when we went to church there was Ice on the windows of the cars and we were like little trains on our bikes blowing big clouds of vapor out of our mouths...Elder Garcia got quite a kick out of that haha...and of course we turned into little kids as we acted as trains all the way to church haha...I have been getting over a cold this past week which hasnt been that fun but I am getting better every day...In the mornings I have been getting up running to the kitchen making a bowl full of Cream of Wheat and then running back to my bed to put my blankets around me again haha...

Also these past couple weeks we have been visiting the Family Martinez...the Dad is a member but the rest of the family arent...they are a miracle from heaven...The Brother found us as we were walking to an appointment almost a month ago...since then we have taught them lots and this past week they accepted a Baptismal Date for the 19 of December, 2 weeks after transfers I am not sure if I will be here for another transfer but I know that this family will be a great help to the branch here in Magdalena

Saying that Transfers are this next Monday...we will have to see what happens but I know that I have helped a little with the Work of Salvation here in Magdalena and the surounding areas....

I am thankful for all of your prayers and support...Love You All

Elder Child

 

Helping a Sister clean her kitchen...I didnt think you could stand on stoves like that...haha

 

 

                                            Me and my Thanksgiving Dinner....mmmmmm!

 

 

                                        Me offering a can of Cranberry sauce to our Friend...

 

 

A Week of Service...

¡¡¡¡Hola!!!!

This week was a very interesting one...haha We had lots of appointments already set at the beginning of this week and one by one they were canceled...It was alittle frustrating everyone seemed to be super busy doing something...haha We used that to our advantage...I got a little of tired of people saying they were too busy because they were washing clothes, dishes or cleaning the house or even making lunch and we always offered to help them but they never accepted our help....So Wednesday, being a little frustrated, I decided to be a little more persistent...haha...When we arrived at a house and when they would tell us they didnt have time because they were busy cleaning the house we would be pretty persistent and entered into the house cleaned the house, washed the dishes, and even made their lunch....we were able to talk a little about the gospel in between and they usually let us stay and share a full lesson...This worked so well...even at times i felt a little weird with pruny hands all day long from washing so many clothes and dishes haha...We continued with this method for the whole week...and we were able to teach more lessons then we had last week, when we werent that persistent....People might think that we are a little annoying a little grosero (impolite) but I do this because I know something that the majority of the people here dont know...that is that We have something that no one else has on the face of this earth...We have the true gospel of Jesus Christ...It is also cool to see the attitudes of the people change when you offer service or do some service..Its crazy...

So we will keep on being persistent in this week...in offering service....

We keep on teaching many people members and nonmembers about the Book of Mormon and the Restoration...I am so grateful for these wonderful blessings in my Life....Sorry my letter was kind of short but I sure hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and eats lots!!!! and to give thanks for all of our wonderful blessings....

Love You All

Elder Child

                     Everyone Enjoying the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies from the Family!

 Making tortillas on a wood stove...Elder Garcia took forever to take the picture so here is me burning my hand instead of me making tortillas...haha

                                                 A Parade for the Mexican Revolution 

Keep on Keeping On

Hello Everyone...

This week has been a great week...Every week we fight to be able to teach all of the people we need to teach...Its quite hard...I was talking to President this week about maybe sending us another set of missionaries...so we will have to see...

The President and Sister Robinson came to Magdalena again this week to interview us...and it was so amazing to learn so much stuff in a 30 minute interview with the President...it was crazy so this week we have lots of work putting all of this new things in practice...

This week i also found a store that sells almost everything that you would ever want from the U.S. from Cool Whip and Milk to Bread and Butter Pickles...its quite amazing...I love it...I am taking advantage and eating lots...

Another thing that happened this week was that we had companion exchanges with a companionship in Nogales...I went to Nogales with an Elder Keele from Spanish Fork...he is new in the mission with 3 months...it was crazy to see the faces of the people in the streets when they saw two huge americans....Elder Keele is about 6 foot 4 inches...In this experience I saw myself almost a year ago when I was still struggling with the language and trying to figure out what i was even doing....Elder Keele is still learning the language but i was very impressed with the way he taught and acted..he knows what he was doing...it was great.....

Also this week there was a free health clinic in Magdalena...We went to see if everything was in order haha and it was kind of funny because they told my companion that he has to do more excercice because he is a little overweight haha He just looked at me with a confused face when he heard that since we ride bikes and walk every day...it was quite funny..

A few funny experiences from this week...sorry a little short again

Sure love you guys

Elder Child

 

                                Exchanges with Elder Keele in Nogales, Sonora

                              Eating Chinese Food...huge plate for 3 dollars haha

 

                         A little Chilly in Nogales...was about 38 degrees F in this picture...

 

 

Breaking Records...

Hello Everyone...

This week was really good..Francisco has been busy searching for family names that he can take to the temple..And Brian has been a great example to his family especially to those that arent members...teaching them that they shouldnt drink coffee....also he impresseed me yesterday when he pulled me aside and asked for help to fill out his tithing sheet...I havent seen a 9 year old so ready to pay a full tithe of 2 pesos...He is a great young man...

We have been trying to do everything a little bit better this week...Better planning..better teaching...everything....And we saw huge results...Yesterday we broke the record Sunday attendance of our little branch...we 39 members and 10 investigators...so 49 people packed into a room the size of a dining room...it was quite a sight...for many people it was their first time to church and were greeted by the active members..others hadnt been to church for more than 15 years...Everyone is excited to come back next week...we hope we can keep up with teaching everyone haha...

We were also able to teach Francisco the "Lost Sheep" that i talked about 2 weeks ago...he was so excited to have missionaries and the Branch President in his house he was skyping and calling all of his family..through the tears he told everyone (including his friends on Facebook) of his gratitude that we were there...Mean while we were talking with his non member wife who had millions of questions...that we answered in between the phone calls of her husband haha...

A few updates...Love You ALL!

Elder Child

                                 Cutting the lawn of the church IN THE RAIN!!!

 

 

                                      Looks like Magdalena has a Train Depot also!!!

 

 

Renewing the Visa!

Hello Everyone...

This week was pretty crazy haha...We went to Nogales for a Conference on Tuesday then went to Hermosillo Wednesday and Thurday to Renew my Visa (CRAZY!!!)...

And so we have to squeeze in lots of appointments in not very much time...

Francisco got the Aaronic Priesthood Sunday...and was able to pass the Sacrament for the first time....which was kind of interesting because it was the first week that I didnt have to pass the sacrament for the past 6 weeks...so I was really excited about that...Francisco also bore a strong testimony about Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost... He is preparing names of his ancestors so that he can go to the temple to do baptisms for the dead by the end of November...so that is what he is  working on now... he has become a part of the Priesthood holders so quickly it is amazing...one of the brothers was talking to him about the Preperation of the Sacrament and the Sacramental Prayers...he is one of the Brothers now...we love how the members start calling him by Brother Lopez instead of Francisco...because that is how we can tell that they are feeling that he is another brother not an investigator any more...

Also it has been getting kind of cold lately...I am having to sleep with a sweatshirt pj pants and socks haha...my companion is getting kind of sick from the change of weather...but we both agree that it sure beats the heat of Penasco and Guaymas...haha so we are in heaven!  

Sorry this letter is short and wont have pictures(I forgot my cable for the camera) but I love you all 

Love
Elder Child

Lost Sheep and Clean Sheep

Hello Everybody!!

We had an excellant week...with tons of work...We finished the transfer today and Elder Garcia are staying together for another transfer! We also ended this past week with 2 baptisms...which was really great...

A few experiences from this week.

One day we were walking around on the outskirts of Magdalena...actually on our way to Lunch...and we had 2 streets that we could take to get to lunch...and it wasnt a strong feeling but I just felt that we should take the route that we never use...one of these two streets....So not thinking much about it we just went where we felt we should...to arrive at the corner of the block...one man stopped us in his car trying to wave us down...So we came a little closer and he pulled up to the curb...and rolled down the window and looked up at us from his little baby car..and he asked Are you guys working here? or are you just visiting from Nogales? we told him that we were working in Magdalena and we was shocked and he asked if even there was a church here...we answered that there was...he was so suprised...He told us he was a member of the church and he then asked if we needed a ride...and of course we accepted haha we got in the car and started heading to the lunch again...The conversation in the car was unexpected...he told us that he was baptized in Puerto Penasco and was the son of one of the active members that i was able to meet while i was there....He has been here for 8 years and never knew that there was a church here....He then told us he has been struggling constantly for these past 8 years....He told us that he just bought a beer before he had seen us...and in the transcourse of our ride he opened up the beer and dumped it out the window...He told us that we were the sign he was waiting for...to return to church...and to repent....I felt the spirit so strong in that car...He was literally a lost sheep looking for his pastor...Before we got out of the car...He asked us with complete sincerity...Do you think that I can be forgiven for the things I have done?...We told him that he could with time and a desire...He started crying and I gave him a half hug since we were still in the car...and we got out and he left still crying.....We hope to be able to help him return to his Pastor....

On Saturday we were able to be a part of 2 baptisms ...One young man whose name is Brian...he is from a family that is menos active and every Sunday this past 6 weeks they have been coming to church and they have recommitted to living the gospel...The other baptism was Fransisco...It was so great...we had to go to Nogales because there isnt a Baptismal Font here in Magdalena...So the families of these 2 people crammed into two cars and got to Nogales...I am not sure how they all fit but there were like 15 people from Magdalena haha...I had the privilege to perform the baptism of Fransisco....After the baptism he turned and gave me a big ol hug and he told me ....I am a clean sheep....And I testify that in this instant he recieved a remission of his sins....and he was cleansed....He is so excited to be able to serve and to keep progressing in this Great Gospel....

Here are a few experiences from this week....

Thanks for your love and support...

Elder Child

 

                                                     Baptisms of Fransisco and Brian....

 

 

                           Elder Garcia always runs a little quicker to get to Lunch haha

 

 

Splurged and bought American Milk...

Crossing Rivers...

 

Nervous Francisco...

Hello Everyone....

This week was really wonderful...we were busy getting a few people ready for their baptismal interviews by teaching them the last lessons... Quite funny to see Francisco so nervous for his interview...he wrote down all of the interview questions and was studying every single answer in every pamphelet and book we have ever given him haha...we arrived one morning and he had 3 or 4 pages of all the questions and all of the answers written out....and he passed his interview....but more important than the questions...we reread D&C20:37 (the requisits for the baptism) and I asked Francisco if he completed all of the requisits....he thought for a few seconds and said with such sincerity YES! I am Ready!....I love the feeling when I know without a single doubt that he is ready...and he is going to stay active in the church... He is great!

Also this week is the last week of the transfer...I dont think there will be changes because we just got here haha but kind of a weird feeling....Elder Bake will be headed home this next tuesday...which is really weird because when i arrived he had 10 months in the mission...hahaha wow the time is flying....

I have seen so many miracles in these past weeks and months...I know that God is preparing each on of his children in a way that they can become more convirted disciples of Christ...Missionaries, Investigators or Members...

Love You All

Elder Child

                                                          Me with the House of Prayer!

Running because I hate being late....

Hola
This week has been great...we have had tons of appointments to try and get to...It has been hard with such a big area to try and visit everyone on time... It has been quite difficult....My companion is thinking that i have really lost my mind because we have started to run to some of our appointments...it has worked a few times but we just end up sweating bullets and still a few minutes late...haha but it has been kind of fun to see Elder Garcia changing...he is teaching really well and at times he is the one who starts to run to the other appointment...haha it is super funny...

When we arrived to Magdalena we were checking around on prices for hair cuts and good grief it is expensive...100 pesos for almost every hair cut...so I decided to do what Ben used to do on his mission and buy electric hair clippers haha and start cutting my own hair...haha Elder Garcia has grown to trust me a lot more...I say that because he let me cut his hair today...haha and to tell you the truth it looks dang good haha...I was quite impressed...One talent i got from my Mom...Cutting my own hair was a different story...but it doesnt look too bad just a few bald patches...One thing I got from my Dad...haha :)

Francisco is really excited for his baptism that is coming up...we have been really focusing on him and how he can be more ready for his baptism....we have read D&C 20:37...which discusses the requirements for a baptism...he has really been trying to be more ready also...he even put this same requirements on his fridge so that he could see it everyday and so that he can do everything that he has to do to truley be ready....we love him!!!!

Thanks for all of your support and love...
Love you all
Elder Child

 One of the Catholic Churches here in Magdalena.. Everyone is saying that this Church and parts of Magdalena appear in one of the Fast and Furious movies...

  Elder Garcia, Francisco and I with the Requirements of Baptism in Doctrine and Covenants on the Fridge

Crazy Catholic Traditions and General Conference....

Hola Everyone...
We had a very intersting week this week...here in Magdalena there are the remains of a Catholic Saint...called San Francisco... and every year there is a week long festival in October...always ending the 4th of October...Very interesting...People come from all of mexico and all of the United States to be apart of this festival...there are thousands of people gathered in the center of the City, dancing singing and just straight up partying...There are hundreds of street vendors selling a lot of about everything and anything....Very interesting...For this reason we had to stay in our house after the conference on Saturday and Sunday after the afternoon session...because it was quite crazy out hhaha...It is also interesting that while everyone else was out partying...the saints of Magdalena (and surrounding areas) were gathered together to watch modern day Prophets and Apostles speak to the world...

I hope everyone was able to watch General Conference...was very interesting to see God call three new apostles...very cool just another evidence that the Church of Jesus Christ will never again fall from the Earth...

Francisco is doing really well he is progressing really fast...he was able to attend all 5 sessions of General Conference including the Priesthood Session...I told my companion that if we had a baptismal font in the church we would be able to baptize him tomorrow... He is so excited to finally be baptized so that in 1 year he can go to the temple...he is so fixed on that goal its super cool!

Thanks for all your support and love...


Elder Child

Keeping up the Tradition...Oriental Food after the Priesthood Session!

The Branch President and I and the Conference Set up...we had two computers hooked up to 2 different sources of internet just in case one failed...

Not enough Chairs!!

Hello Everyone...
We have had a great week this week..we have walked a lot! and i do mean a lot! My companion is going to sleep at 9:45 everynight right after planning...haha I feel kind of like one of the first missionaries in any city...Doing more walking then teaching...but We all have to start some where...

We keep seeing great efects from the work of both members and missionaries here in Magdalena...The President and Sister Robinson came to visit Magdalena and we had almost record attendance with 42 people...We were searching for chairs like crazy...so that everyone could pack in to the tiny Sacrament Room and have a place to sit...It was crazy... We keep working hard with the active members to reactivate the less actives...we have seen many that are ready to come back...

A little more about my Companion...His name is Elder Garcia he is from Cuernavaca, Morelos...He has been in Guaymas for the past 6 months (all of his mission) and he is a good worker...We are learning lots together in this great process of opening new cities...

Sorry I dont have a lot of time today...but thanks for your love and support...Remember to invite your friends to listen to Modern Day Prophets and Apostles this weekend...
Love you all..


Elder Child

                                              Elder Garcia and I with maps of our area!

                            Kind of funny...almost half of the streets here have the

               same name --Sin Nombre (Without Name) ....Wow was the sun bright...

Getting Lost in the Rain....

Hello Everyone...
We have had a great week here in Magdalena and the surrounding area...haha we have found out that in between Magdalena and Santa Ana there are like 7 or 8 little baby towns that we are now visiting haha...There is so much work to do here...We have been trying to find an effective way to organize our time so that we can get around to all of these wonderful people and teach them...Its a little difficult being the only set of missionaries in an area with about 40,000 people haha but we are excited to start another week...We have finally gotten the hang of the streets so we dont get lost to often now haha...
Just a few things...the Branch President told us in our meeting last week that 20 people came to church...I later found out that that was about the highest church attendence...and that 15 or 16 was more of a normal number...We worked hard last week along with the branch president and the other leaders to teach and help some inactives come to church and a few investigators...We had 32 people in the church yesterday!!!! It was a great accomplishment...I am not sure if we can fit many more people in our little chapel...haha but we will find a way....haha It seems like our lessons last week put a little jump start in the lives of these people...hopefully they continue to come...
We met one man whose name is Fernando...Fernando works in the nearby copper mine and always walks home everyday....About 3 weeks ago he went to visit a family member in another part of Mexico and was introduced to the missionaries there...When he came back he recieved the address of the church from a friend and has been passing by the church every day trying to find someone he can talk to...It just so happened that we were walking to the church at about 6:30 for a meeting on Wednesday...and on our way we see this man walk by the church, stop by the front gate, look around to see if anyone was coming and there we were....He almost ran to see us...We were truly suprised...My companion was thinking that he might have dropped out of the sky...Fernando is excited to be baptized and to be sealed with his family for all eternity in the temple...and we are super excited to help him along this path....


Also this week Elder Paul Pieper came and visited our mission...It was a wonderful experience to be with him and President Robinson in a Conference in Nogales....Elder Pieper and I were talking just like casual friends haha after the conference and after a little conversation I found out that he was born in Pocatello...moved out of the country for jobs, returned, and was a General Authority in Idaho...and he was with Elder Perry when he came to Weiser to call President Erhard...It was quite crazy...haha


Here are a few of our experiences from this week....I love you guys!!! Thanks for everything!!!
Elder Child

                                                                  Me and Magdalena

                                                    A Beautiful Sunset in Magdalena...

Opening Area Yet Again

Hello Everyone!
This past week was very crazy and also was the last week of the transfer and I have been assigned to open a new area yet again...haha But this area is different this area embarks 2 cities that are called Magdalena and Santa Ana....There havent been missionaries in Magdalena for about 4 or 5 years and I dont think that missionaries have ever been assigned to Santa Ana...So we have been assigned to work with a younger missionary that has 6 months in the mission. his name is Elder Garcia and we are here to open these two cities....it has been kind of crazy to have arrived yesterday in the night and running around like banchies trying to find a house to rent haha but we did find a house...We also met with the branch president last night and he showed us the House of Prayer (i am not sure what they are called in English in spanish they are Casas de Oracion) basically it is a rented house that has been converted into a little chapel...President told us that we have about 2 members from Santa Ana that come for the services on Sunday which make us about 20 active members...with 3 priesthood holders...My companion and I see tons of potential in these cities and we are so excited to get to know the people of Magdalena and Santa Ana...
As for leaving Puerto Penasco...it was hard...It was sad to say goodbye to all of the members and all of the recent converts...for this past Sunday I had a wonderful opportunity to be with them in the Temple Rededication of the Mexico City Temple...Elder Bernal and I were able to go to all three sessions...It was a beautiful experience...to be among those I have grown to love for a whole day in the Temple of God.
So this is the craziness that is happening now haha It is kind of funny to think about...in the year that I have as a missionary...My companion and I have opened 4 areas...Crazy...


Love you all...
Elder Child

                                                         Map of my New Areas!

1 Year in the Mission!!!

Hello Everyone!!!


Hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day!!! haha I am writing a little eariler today because we have meeting again in Hermosillo with the President...so we will be headed out soon....


This past week as most of you know..I completed 1 year in the mission...It is quite crazy to think that a little more than a year ago I was saying good bye to my wonderful family and taking pictures with them in front of the temple...It has been a year of struggle, learning, and success....I feel like I am doing a spiritual version of the excercise program Insanity...everyday here gives me the chance to stand a little taller, to learn a little more, and to be a better more converted Disciple of Jesus Christ...I have such a far way to go to become the Disciple that I want to become...


I look back to all of the wonderful experiences I have had and the wonderful people I have met and worked with...I have seen the Atonement and the Gospel of Jesus Christ work in so many people...I have seen people about to give up hope on their life, change drastically to great active members of the Church that are true converts...I feel blessed to have been able to work with each one of these wonderful people and I cannot wait to get back out to work...I have been blessed so much here in the field for the work that I am doing I hope my work has been a blessing in your lives....




Here is my very short letter....
Thank you all for your love and support...
Love Elder Child

                                                           Birthday Packages!!!

                                            Doing a little service with a little intimidation...

                  Celebrating 1 Year in the Mission eating at a Member´s Restaurant on the sea...

¡Cumpleaños!

Hello Everyone...
This week was excellant...We got so much done...I also celebrated my Birthday this past week and I will be celebrating 1 year in the mission on Thursday...Which is CRAZY!


So first of all we had another baptism...of a young lady named Abril....she is a sister of a recent convert from May...We have worked lots with her...But she is a very self motivated person...she is always in church 15 minutes early with her 3 kids...She is enjoying all of the activities that we are doing in the church...she also loves to participate and share her testimony in the classes...I am excited to see her work towards the temple and to progress as a New Member....


Also on this past Tuesday I really felt the love of the wonderful Members in Puerto Peñasco on my Birthday...I have really loved staying almost 5 months here to get to know and get to teach almost everyone in our Branch since we do so many companion exchanges....So as we visited on Tuesday we ate cake 3 times and I even got a few presents and it seemed like everyone sung Happy Birthday to me haha...One sister assured me that even that I am away from my earthly family I was still among family that loved and cared about me...I felt so much love and support from my family here in Mexico...It was wonderful....


Here is my week that was full of blessings in 2 paragraphs....
Love You All
Elder Child

Birthday Cake #1 of 3 ...Had lunch with the Family Martinez ...Ate a great Mole and then had a huge cake....

Birthday Cake #2 of 3...Visited a family in the middle of the day and we were astonished to see more Cake!!!

Birthday Cake #3 of 3...Visited a family that had planned a surprise party...where Abril made a huge cake filled with bananas and chocolate...haha

Birthday cake #3 ...Abril put my favorite hymn on the top of the cake with I think all of the notes...Señor, Te Necesito

                                  Abrils Baptism....Abril is standing next to her sister Ivonne

About 6 Weeks ago I was working in another part of Penasco on some exchanges with one District Leader and found and taught this family ...Even though he wasn't my investigator I sure taught him a lot on exchanges and will always love the experiences that I have had with him...Jose Manuel

Working Together!

Hey Everybody
Hope everyone is having a good last week of summer or a great first week of school...We are having better luck this week finding people to teach and people that want to listen...


Two Great things that happened this week...
On Friday We had a special conference with President Robinson and all of the missionaries and Local Leaders of Puerto Penasco...we were 12 missionaries and about another 15 Local Leaders...It was quite the turnout...Just a good example of how ready everyone is to work together in the Work of Salvation...We started at 9 in the morning and ended at about 5 in the afternoon..with 1 hour lunch...It was amazing...My companion and I both took about 45 minutes to introduce some new Ideas about how we can work more closely together while teaching the New Converts...It was really great...It was probably the longest time I have had to teach the Leaders including Branch and District Preside

ncies....We ended there feeling really edified...Sunday came and we were in Branch Counsel and we were suprised and grateful that almost all of the ideas we came up with were being put into practice in that Counsel...It was excellant! We hope to see a better retention of new members and a better reactivation in the next months...


Also Last week during my Studies I put alot more focus on the Atonement of Jesus Christ...and I tried to understand it a little more...One Elder Let me borrow a book named the Infinite Atonement and so using the Scriptures and a few other books I went to work...trying to understand a little bit more about a concept that I testify of lots of times every day...And Sunday came and tried to focus on the things I had been studying...And I cant really describe the feelings I felt...But it was the most amazing sweet spirit I have felt during the Sacrament in All of my life...I still dont know everything about the Atonement but through constant study I have been converted a little more and have understood a little more of the Love of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father...I testify that Jesus Christ did die and suffer all of the pains, sufferings and sins of the World and He did Rise the Third day triumphantly over death...I have always believed in Jesus Christ but I am learning more who He is and what it has to do with me....I Love it...


Here are a few experiences that I had this week...Continue to study the scriptures daily and have Family home Evening
Love You
Elder Child

           Going to a Family Home Evening ...Omar had to squeeze in the Back of a Car hahaha

Elder Bernal lost his name badge the other day we were running around like banchees to find it...and there it was untouched in the middle of the street....

                                                  

                                                 

Great Converts!

Hey everyone...


This week was a good week....haha we are still getting back everyday completely exhausted which is a good thing...My companion heard from one of his friends that if it takes a missionary more that 5 minutes to go to sleep at night he/she didnt work hard enought...and we are going to sleep in about 2 or 3 minutes haha...So we are definitely working...:)


I have been super impressed with our wonderful converts or people that dont have very long as members of the Church here in the mission...especially here in Puerto Penasco...Our Assistent Branch Mission Leader named Brother Martinez...was Baptized May 2 and we were in one of our meetings talking about some of our investigators that needed a ride for Church and meanwhile the rest of the Brothers were talking about who lives closer and stuff the Brother Martinez just stepped up and said I will do it...Just a positive willing attitude I love it...


Omar our convert of 3 weeks has been sharing scriptures and pamphlets at the Rehab Center for people with addictions..And it sounds like he is gaining quite a crowd up their that want to come to church after they are released...He has also asked the Branch President for Books of Mormon to share with those there...Its exactly the kind of attitude I like to see in a newly Baptized Member of the Church...


Also our Convert In Agua Prieta Maria del Carmen...Entered into the temple the past Saturday to do Baptisms for the Dead for a bunch of her family members...I just couldnt believe it the drastic transformation that can happen in the life of a person in weeks and months following their baptism....


We have some great people coming to the Church and having a change of heart and have felt the wonderful love of our Heavenly Father through the Book of Mormon, have been baptized and then really progressed into Strong Members of the Church.....


Love You ALL
Elder Child

Sister Isabel and her Visiting teaching partner didn't care about the Heat and the Humidity and Fulfilled their calling and much much more with visiting all of their friends every day this week and sharing the Gospel....Love them!