The temple and tortillas with salt...

Hey there family!

Well this week was a little different than I thought. Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty uneventful. Thursday, my zone leader came and did interchanges. Guess who my zone leader is right now? Elder Jex! If you don’t remember, he was my zone leader from my 2nd change in Toluca. Back then he had like 16 or 17 months in the mission. Now, he finishes in 2 changes (he extended his mission an extra change)! The time flies. Anyway, because it is 2 hours of driving to our area, he stayed here for 4 days. Elder Johnson went to Metepec with Elder Jex’s companion. 

With Elder Jex, we had a good time. We found some really good people. We found this one lady named Isamar who grew up in Arizona and then she and her husband moved down here. So we taught her in English and she seems really interested. We just need to get her husband on board. He likes to drink, so his wife is kind of sad about that. They also have a little baby.

Also, I contacted this big group of people who were family and we got their number and invited them to church. Luckily, later we remembered that we were going to the temple visitors’ center on Saturday. They had some extra seats, so we invited a bunch of them. 8 came in total! The temple was such a neat experience. One of the ladies later said that when she was there, everything on the outside world didn’t matter and the time flew by. That same lady and her two kids ended up coming to church the next day and said they will come this next Sunday as well! She also is going to invite the rest of the family. 

We also had Venancio confirmed as well! He called us today because he wants us to introduce us to one of his friends. Members and Missionaries (M&M’s) are the key. Bruno also has three names he wants to give us.

Speaking of Bruno, yesterday, in the street we saw Bruno. He was in his clown costume going to work. We were so bummed! He is planning on receiving the priesthood this next week. We talked to him about the importance of keeping the Sabbath day, but it is his decision. He told us that he realized that he made this promise with God and would plan to go home to spend time with the family. That felt really good to help him stay on the right path. There family is super good. They also were able to go to the temple. I told them that in one year they would be here at the temple to be sealed. How cool!

The temple is so nice. It has such a good spirit. The visitor’s center is amazing. They did such a good job with it. They have iPod centers for kids, videos to teach the lessons, “I’m a Mormon” section where you can share on Facebook, and lots more. It was so nice to go. It is pretty rare to get to go with the branch or ward you are working with but President Whitehead gave us permission to go. 

In other news, we visited this member who makes tortillas by hand! They are so good. She always gives us some and we put salt on them. We call them quesadillas con sal. Anyway, she let us try making them. It is a lot harder than it looks. haha. My tortilla was a bit ugly, but it was fun. 

This next week I am back with Elder Johnson training. He is definitely in shock of Mexico. He apparently was sick this past week. haha. Pobresito [poor thing]. He is adjusting well though. 

It is pretty hot here. Everything is getting hotter from here on out I think. I am pretty lucky to have been here in Valle during the winter of Mexico. Even though it’s not super bad with snow and all, it still is pretty cold. I think President felt bad that I had to suffer through all the Maine winters. haha. Hope you are all surviving through this big snow storm coming!

-Elder Thomas

P.S. - there is this Mexican girl staring at me. She just told me she was surprised that I could type in English and that it was the same. It’s because "soy Güero" [I am fair skinned].

Still in Valle but now a Trainer with Elder Montes. Venancio baptized

Well you were all probably wondering where my letter was. Something must have happened? Or you probably didn't really care and are remembering that I am here in Mexico. haha :) But yes we had changes. Saturday night I got a call from Elder Montes (the assistant) asking me if I was ready to train. OF COURSE! Not really, but I was up for it. haha. So yeah that’s right. I am training :) Crazy! I had no idea if he would be American or Latino until yesterday when President introduces us to our companions. And guess what? He is American! haha straight from the MTC. This will be super interesting. First of all. Yes I am staying in Valle another change! I was kind of ready to leave to go to another place, but it is always refreshing to have another companion. The place seems new with a new companion. Second of all. Yes like I said, it will be interesting. I will REALLY have to take the lead. Be the example and show him how to do things like contact and teach. I am super excited, but nervous as well. Especially as he is really starting to learn Spanish. I hope I can help him enjoy his mission and learn a lot. So that is some big news. We had to go to D.F. to go meet all the new missionaries. There were 31! We didn’t get back to Valle until about 11:00 last night so I didn’t get a chance to write. 

So this past week with Elder Medina... On Tuesday we had a junta de zona in Metepec. We also had interviews with President which was really nice to talk to him about everything. He is such a good president. We also got permission to go with the branch to the temple this Saturday! So we are going to go to hopefully build the relationship with the branch as well as invite a family to come with us. I am excited. 

Anyway, in terms of the work. We invited a ton of people to church and they said they would go. We told them we would pass by in the morning. ¿y que cree? No one was home! Then we called them and it rang and then we called them again and they turned their phones off. Those turkeys (as Dad says). haha for that I am a little worried because we don’t have people progressing for this next change. BUT THERE ARE MIRACLES. We just need to find them. There are people here waiting to listen to the Gospel. 

Anyway, on Sunday we had a baptism. We baptized the teenager, Venancio. He is really changing. We talked with him a bit about eventually not wearing eye liner and black (aka put away the emo).  It was a concern of the branch president here. We said maybe come to church in a white shirt and tie. We told him they weren’t requisites, but they are things to think about as we represent Jesus Christ and his church. The next day at church he came to church. He had a white Holister shirt (a bit of an improvement) wasn’t wearing eye liner and he shaved his spiked head. Haha we later found out he shaved it because he lost a bet. haha. But he is super good and very excited about the church. We watched the Restoration video and after I asked what he thought of it. He said he was "without words."

The hermanas also baptized his nephew. His nephew lived in the hermanas’ area so they taught him. It was a pretty good way to end the change.

Elder Medina is now in Plateros! What are the odds? I told him to visit the people that I taught. He was a good companion. I’ll miss him.

So my companion’s name is Elder Johnson from Portland, Oregon. He was actually at BYU when I was there living in Heritage! He also worked at Chik-fil-a. I am absolutely sure I saw him. haha. especially because I lived in heritage and at Chick-fil-a. He is my first companion that is going or will be going to BYU. He has a good desire to learn and is very chill. I think he will be a hard worker. We will see how today goes! haha. 

So now I am a father! Here when you are training, they say you have a son. Your second trainer is your mom. So the trainer of my dad (Elder Dahlin) is Elder Montes, the assistant (or my grandpa). Elder Dahlin just became zone leader and I am district leader here with my kid. haha line of authority. haha.  Doesn’t really mean anything, but funny to think of. Elder Montes is excited to be a great grandfather. 

Other than that, that was pretty much my week. Attached is a picture of my zone and of the baptism.  Thanks for everything! Miss you all! Hope you are all doing well!

-Elder Thomas

Weird and odd week: dangerous dogs, like walking through the snakes

Hey there family!

This week was a bit interesting. In terms of the work, it has been a bit slow. On Thursday, Elder Huber (zone leader) came and worked with me. It was really weird to be working with my buddy from the MTC.  He is a really good missionary. It was a bit frustrating because his Spanish is a lot better than mine. I still learned a lot from him and it was good to work with him.

We have been teaching a young teenager named Venancio a lot this past week. He has been to church a bunch with his friend in D.F. We taught him all of the lessons and were preparing for him to get baptized this Sunday. We however decided to wait another week so he could attend another week here in Valle. He is really nice. He is a bit emo. He told us. Kinda odd, but really nice. I think I told you last week. On Saturday we were talking to him and he said he might be late to church. I asked him why and he told me that he was planning to go to Misa (Catholic Mass). ughhhh. We just explained the Restoration and how this church was created during the Great Apostasy. Apparently he has some calling as some time of missionary in his church. He still wants to get baptized, but this week we need to talk to him clearly and tell him that he can’t participate in this other church because this is the Church of Christ. I am sure it will be hard to change his lifestyle, but if he really has a desire to be baptized, then I am sure God will help him make the transition.

So I guess the weird, most note worthy day was this past Saturday. Wow was it odd. One of the weirdest in my mission. The morning was pretty normal. We went to some of our appointments and people weren’t home.  We visited some inactive people who said they would return to church (they didn’t go :( ), and we went to the church where some members gave us food. The weirdest was after the food.

1. We went up to go find Venancio’s house. We have always taught at the church, so we went to go find his house and meet his mom. He was planning to go work with us for the night and then have an appointment to meet the branch president. We went up to Loma Bonita 1/2 in taxi and the other half walking. Loma Bonita is a BEAST! I’ve been up there about 4-5 times during my time in Valle. Super pretty, but super high. We went to the school where he said he lived next to. We started asking people and no one knew where he lived. Finally we found someone and they said he lived up higher. We went higher and asked someone else and they said higher. And once again and they said he lived up higher. Some kid ended up taking us through the woods on this path to his house. He literally is the LAST house on Loma Bonita. There were about 30 dogs up there. They were super scary too. I kept a rock in my hand to defend my self. My companion almost got bit. We finally found Venancio and met his mom. It was then time to go to our appointment with the branch president so we walked although down the mountain, walking through a herd of scary dogs. I kept thinking about the snakes in 17 miracles where the little girls said a prayer to escape from all the rattlesnakes. I just had a prayer in my heart that they wouldn’t bite. haha. We then took a taxi and arrived at the church.

2. Bruno and Concepcion brought someone they knew to this primary activity that was going on. It was this guy and his 9 year old daughter who has down syndrome. I shook the little girls hand and then she kept holding on to it. She then took me to this little bush tree thing and pretended to do something with her hands. I think she was "prettying herself". She then pulled off leaves of the tree and took me to this bench and kept holding on to my hand. She told me something but I didn’t know what she was saying. I think she wanted me to sit. She then threw up the leaves in the air and tried grabbing my other hand. I was freaked out. She was this down syndrome girl and I had no idea what to do. I yelled "companero!" but he was with the other people and didn’t realize what was going on. She tried pulling me down and then looked up at me trying to kiss me! I was trying to pull my hand away and then she took my hand and just kissed it, but as I pulled it away she ended up just slobbering all over it. I then quickly left and got mad at my companion for not helping me get out of that awkward situation. blehhhh. I was so creeped out. I know it was so little and an innocent girl, but I felt like I needed to talk to someone about it. hahahaha. Everyone thought it was super funny. I later told my companion at night that that was the most "action" I’ve had. haha He thought it was pretty funny

3. The last weird thing was later at night we went to visit this family where the girl seems to have interest in the church. We were talking to the mom and the daughter at the door and there were all these fireworks going off from the Catholic church. My companion was plugging his ears and then this couple walked up and asked him if he was scared. He said no, he just didn’t like the sound. They asked where he was from and kept talking to him. They were in their late 20s and very drunk. I kept talking with the people at their door and then I felt this tickle on my shoulder from my companion. I turned around and they were taking a picture. I jumped into the picture because we can’t take pictures with girls with just one missionary. I realized that her arm was around my companion. No no no! I was like "No, we can’t do this! We have rules! We are missionaries!" I just freaked out. I shook the girls hand and she tried to give me a kiss on the cheek which we don’t do as missionaries. I just stood there and told her we don’t do that either. I didn’t know what to do. This girl was so drunk and was clinging onto my companions arm trying to take a picture. I was trying to keep calm as I talked to this family at their door and control this conversation behind me. The family was like "does this happen often?” NO! haha. The couple ended up taking pictures with us and I made the girl get her arm off of my companion. They then entered into the door of the family’s house and took a picture with them. We said bye to the drunk couple and the lady blew us a kiss... I apologized to the family, but it was super funny. I was trying to be as obedient as possible. Who knows, maybe you will see a picture of me and my companion on Facebook. 

So anyway, that was the weirdest Saturday of my mission. Lots of people trying to kiss us and weird things happening. 

So this is my last week possibly in Valle. I really want to stay another change because I feel like there is still work for me to do here, but we will see this Saturday. 

 

Valle is super pretty. We went to la Peña today with a member in the branch. Super pretty, but some guide took us and made us hike through these little caves. Not the easiest to do in church shoes and tie. It was a fun memory though. 

Also on the 6th of January they celebrate when the 3 kings arrived to give gifts to Jesus, so they give gifts to the kids. They also have special bread they sell. Elder Medina and I bought some. They have some baby god’s inside the bread. Apparently you have to buy atole and tamales if you find the little babies. My companion is scared of them for some reason. 

So that is my odd and interesting week. Hopefully my stories make sense. Some odd situations. I miss you all family! Hope you are doing well!

-Elder Thomas

I am finding such a joy in this work.

This week. Wow this week. I really don’t know what to think. I am finding such a joy in this work. I know that when times are hard, I don’t think as so, but when God reminds me that he is there, I can’t help but remember that I am not alone.

So this week, on Monday we went to Concepcion’s and talked about metas [goals]. I talked about the importance of setting goals and then did a little activity with them. We had them each set goals for themselves individually. The little 11 year old said that one of her goals was to get married. haha the mind of a little kid. After, we had them set goals as a family. They are going to read the Book of Mormon every night, have family home evening, and pray as a family. I am especially excited for their goal to be sealed in the temple in one year. After I left I had a thought. That is exactly what we do as a family every year. Mom always has us set goals for ourselves and our family. Haha. How weird that I am teaching other families what we have in our family without even realizing it. You can be proud, Mom :)

For New Year’s we went to Metepec. We had a similar devotional as last week for Christmas with the zone. After, we changed into sports clothes and played volleyball and soccer outside. It was really weird being in shorts and tennis shoes. We then went back inside and ate dinner and watched 17 Miracles. Wow, so good! I know I’ve seen it before, but it really made me appreciate many of our ancestors and the pioneers. I felt so guilty eating a ton of food while watching this movie and people suffering from starvation... We stayed the night in Metepec and returned early Thursday morning. Oh I also got the little package mom! Thanks for the pants, socks, and slippers :) I love them. haha also the ornament.

So in terms of the work, it was a hard week. It felt like no one wanted to hear anything. We weren’t getting into people’s houses and a lot of people went out of town for vacation. On Thursday morning, everyone was SO drunk and hung over. In the street I felt like I was walking in a zombie movie because of the drunks. We didn’t get into anyone’s house. It was a rough way to start out the new year. The next day, we did interchanges with the Elders in Tejupilco. It’s about an hour and a half away, but the closest area to us. I worked with Elder Mathews here in Valle. We finally found some people in their houses and committed them to church. We more just committed them at their door, so we didn’t really get into anyone’s houses. We had some citas but they didn’t actually live there and some of the people were really rude and wouldn’t even answer a question of where someone lives. We walked a ton and were so tired when we finished the day.

Saturday wasn’t super productive either. I have been frustrated because I have been trying to figure out how I can help this branch. I really have high hopes for this area. We went to a member’s house. They are super good and super strong. Probably the most normal in the branch. The daughter who is 21 just put in her papers for her mission :) We talked to them about how we can help this branch. They pretty much said that the members just aren’t doing anything to help the branch grow. When we left the house, right up their street someone yelled "elders!" It was a member who hasn’t gone to church in a year. Her husband isn’t a member, but she had been her whole life. She moved here a year ago, but didn’t know where the church was. We introduced her to her neighbors and they said they’d help her get to church. She returned to church yesterday!

Sunday arrived. We brought 2 people to church. I don’t know yet if they’ll progress, but we will see. However, a teenager named Vonancio came to church. He looks a little emo, but like a nice guy. He just turned 18 last week. We met with him in the church yesterday and taught him and his nephew. He has been to church a ton in D.F. and his friend is a member. He didn’t know where the church was and just found out where it was there because his nephew has been a bunch of times a few months ago. We talked about baptism and for some reason, the other Elders in D.F. never invited him to be baptized. He accepted and wants to get baptized this next sunday! Because he is 18 he can make the decision for himself. Best of all, is he wants to do it for himself. He doesn’t want us to tell his friend in D.F. because she will think he is doing it for her. He has had an interesting background, but really wants this change. The 11 year old nephew also wants to get baptized with him. He is part of the hermanas’ area, but the hermanas are going to talk to his mom for permission.

Later, we went to Concepcion’s. They all received the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday! They are so good! EXACTLY what the branch needs. We talked about the branch with them and they are so excited to work with us this week. The 15 year old daughter is the only youth in the branch, but she wants to bring her friends and help it grow. I almost started crying when Concepcion told us about how they want it to grow here. WAHOO! We also are planning to do a FHE with them this week. Not sure what we will do, but we will find something to do.

Later a member called us from D.F. They are originally from Valle and all their family lives here. They just started listing a ton of people to visit. I think they are all part of the hermanas’ area, but still! They gave us 3 families to visit and have tons more! Hopefully there are some miracles waiting.

Although this week was hard, I saw so many miracles yesterday. We have many of the members signed up to work with us on different days. We are going to start to plan an activity for the branch. This area has been hard, but I love it. We only have 2 more weeks of this change, but I hope I stay here another change. I am finally learning how I can help this branch. I love this Gospel. It really does change lives. Seeing this family of Concepcion and Bruno proves that it is true. Although at times I don’t think so, I am so glad to be here on a mission. Thanks for all of your love and support! I miss you all!

-Elder Thomas

P.S. Congrats Tyler and Nicki! It was only a matter of time of waiting for the email saying someone was having a baby. My predictions is Dallin getting married and Whitney and Ryan having another baby. haha have a good week!