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