Week 43 - The Lord's Work is the Best Work

Howdy!

I love that word. This week was super great. As always. It was nice to have one area again, haha. Being here again in my third transfer with Elder Wright. We are continuing to see lots of progress and it is great to see people coming unto Christ.

This week started a little slow, getting back into the swing of things. But we had lots of great lessons. And M. Guadalupe got baptized! I don’t have too much time right now so I’m just gonna share the best experiences. On Wednesday we got to go to San Lucas for a Junta with the missionaries in all of Los Cabos, to see President and Hermana Velez (The Mission President and his Wife) for one last time before they continue serving the Lord in another part of the Lord's vineyard. They are the best examples to me ever. I love them so much. I am going to miss them a ton. They have really become like my mom and dad here, even reminding us to keep our houses clean and all that jazz! haha. I love them. They are truly consecrated in their testimonies of Christ and His gospel. I want to be like them someday. 

Time for some funny Ed. quotes. This kid is 9. We went to buy chicken for dinner, and we saw the offer of 2 for 1 and he said, 

“Pay for three chickens and get two!”  

I thought it was funny... And also, right after that, we were talking about how talkative he was, and he told what he said in school last week to his teacher:

Teacher: Ed., what is 7x8?

Ed.: Profe, do you what 7x8 is?

Teacher: Of course I do.

Ed.: Then why do you ask me if you already know the answer?

Hahahaha. Maybe that isnt that the greatest form of respect to a teacher but I found it hilarious. Sorry teachers. Anyway.

Yesterday we had another great day at church. It was one the happiest days at church ever. We were standing at the front door greeting people, and with about ten minutes left before starting, a familiar face comes into sight, and I recognized him right away. You guys remember Gio. from La Paz? The guy that came to see a baptism of an 8 year old girl, and asked us if he could be baptized in the same baptismal service? Then got baptized the same night? Yeah, that Gio. He came to church yesterday, being on vacation here in San Jose from La Paz. It was so great to see him. I was filled with so much happiness to see him there. It is awesome to see people get baptized, but I think it is even better to see them a while after, staying true to the faith and active in the gospel. I love this Church. I know it is true.

-- 

Elder Daines

"Presidente y Hermana Velez...Bye Mom and Dad"

"M. Guadalupe's Baptism!"

"The Great Gio.!"

Week 42 - Guess Who's Back..Back Again!

Hey all!

The prodigal son has returned...yes that is right. The dangerous duo of Elder Wright and Elder Daines is back in town, ready for business. After three tough weeks of taking control of two areas, Elder Wright is back from Culiacan, and we are ready to get some work done. 

This flew by, but it was a little tough! We tried to visit all of the people we could. but sometimes it seems like we have too many people to teach haha, who would have thought that would ever be a problem as a missionary? Not me! 

But we really did have a super good week. We were able to have a great lesson with Ad. and her family, and we invited them all to read the Book of Mormon. We had given the family a Book of Mormon before, but it was not really that convenient, being six people and one book, so we decided to bring them some more. They all took it a lot more seriously when they realized they had their own books, and we are excited to see tonight how it went for them with their reading! 

Also had a great time on Saturday night with the Vid. family. It was the first time we had the whole family together since Ch. and Ed. were baptized, and you can really feel a difference in the room. It was so cool to see and feel! And yesterday, they came to church in their little white shirts and little vests and ties, it was so great! Christian got to help pass the sacrament (bread and water) to the congregation, it was awesome. I love those guys. They will be great missionaries some day. 

We are really looking forward to this week, to finally be able to be 24/7 in our area again, and to help those children of God in our area to come closer to their Father in Heaven. I know this is His work, and the more we work, the more He blesses and strengthens and improves us. 

-- 

Elder Daines

"The best way to eat bananas!"

The Vid. Family! 

"He's back!"

"Adios Hermanas"

Week 41 - Now I Can Feel It

“Now I Can Feel It”

Hello family and friends, 

Great week! Like always! And also super busy! But I had some of the best experiences in the mission this week. 

On Thursday I was with Elder Tolentino, and everything was looking great. In the morning we got to go visit Ch. and Ed. and talk to them about how they feel for their baptism and all that, and they were so excited!! They know everything haha. Later, we had 4 appointments for after lunch! But we had one quickly, then the two right after both got cancelled. So we decided to head to visit Ang., the step mom of Ch. and Ed. We were just going to stop by and say hi quick, but she invited us in, and so we started talking to her for a little bit. All of a sudden she asked us, ¿Van a compartir algo? (if we were going to share a message), and we weren’t planning on it, but getting excited, we said SURE! I am always up to teach the gospel. And so we started to teach, and she told us she had an experience that changed her forever. In class on Sunday, we were talking about baptism, why it is important, and how we should follow Christ's example in all we do. Something in that class touched her heart. We have been teaching her for FOUR months! And she had never really shown true interest in being baptized. But something in the class changed her. She told us, "Ya me quiero bautizar." (I want to get baptized!) We testified of these impressions she had had, and she accepted for being baptized on July 2nd! She said the prayer before we left, and it was truly one of the best prayers I have ever heard. She said something I will never forget. She said, ´Gracias Padre, porque ahora lo puedo sentir´.. (I thank thee, Father, because now I can feel it). Now I can feel it. Such simple words but so powerful! The Spirit touched her heart. I know God prepares the hearts of His children. 

And F. is so so so great! He is going to be baptized on the 25th, and he is so excited! We had an amazing lesson with him on Friday, and he is so ready! Every time we teach him I just feel useless, cause he already learns everything so quickly! Haha. He is so awesome. And every time I see him, he is more and more excited to learn. He came to the baptism of Ch. and Ed., and had an awesome time in church! He is the man.

And of course, Ch. and Ed. baptism was great!! Something I'll never forget It was so funny, Ed. cut his toe before the baptism, and as we were getting in the water, he cried to me, OW my toe stings my toe stings my toe stings! And it was so funny cause, his leg went up so we baptized him again, and after he said to me, that means I get double the blessings! Hahaha. I love life.  

-- 

Elder Daines

Ch. & Ed.'s Baptism! 

Week 40 - Three Areas. Four Missionaries

Hello.

This week was pretty super duper crazy. We were bouncing all over San Jose like crazy. Now that Elder Wright and Elder Carter are in Culiacan, we are left with three areas to cover, and only four missionaries. It is unreal! What we have decided to do is that Elder Holzer and Elder Tolentino are going to split with us every Tuesday and Thursday, so both Elder Marin and I can have a full day in our areas. 

We had to do lots of work this week, because both the sister missionaries, and Elder Marin changed houses, and so we had to pack it all up, transport it all, set it all up, and clean out the old apartment. It took tons of work and lots of hours, especially when the Hermano that was supposed to help us transport the beds didn’t show up, so we ended up carrying the bedframes 20 minutes uphill. That was a...special moment, haha. 

Sadly because of all the craziness going on this week, we didn’t get to visit as many people as we wanted to, but it was great nonetheless! Ch. and Ed. are going to take the step to be baptized this week!! They are both super excited. And!!! Even though we weren’t able to visit with him, a reference from someone we are teaching, came to church for the first time, and he loved it!! It was super awesome. 

It is honestly super hard to try and manage everything, trying to visit all of the people we are teaching; having to visit double the people in the same amount of time doesn’t really work too well, so we have literally been running sometimes from one visit to the next, haha. Speaking of running, Elder Marin was up for running!! So we went running for about 20 minutes on Thursday morning, and it was glorious (but also sad at the same time cause it was harder than it should have been). While I am on the topic of running, I would like to send a huge shout out to my best friends Alyssa Gruender and Payton Fors, who dominated it on the track this past weekend!! You are both the best. 

To say the least, this week was all over the place. I have come to really appreciate the little bit of time I have set apart to just let my mind empty, and feel at peace; it truly brings such comfort! And the time that I have had to stop and slow down and just pray to my Father in Heaven and ask for strength, I have been able to feel that He lightens my burdens. I know He loves us and helps us when we come unto Him. He can make so much more out of us than we ever could do ourselves!

-- 

Elder Daines

Week 39 - Well, I Wasn't Expecting That...

Hello all, 

It was a good week this week. We had some surprises! 

This week started out way good; we had an awesome family home evening at the C.´s house, and we brought the R. family with us, and talked about temples! It was super cool! They were super interested and they are getting closer and closer to being ready for baptism, but they are still a little scared! So we are working with them this week to help them know that this is the true church and feel 100% comfortable and certain in their decision! 

Now for the crazy part...

On Wednesday, we were about to eat lunch, when all of a sudden President calls! He called Elder Wright to go serve in Culiacan for a while. It was super sudden! We were super shocked and to be honest at first I felt a little overwhelmed cause I knew that meant I had to step up my game. I felt super responsible for my area and for all of the people in it. And also kind of sad cause Elder Wright is leaving. I wasn´t expecting that, at all, but I know that everything will be okay! 

So Elder Wright headed to Culiacan Thursday, the next morning, with Elder Carter, another elder that was here in San Jose. So Elder Marin and I (Elder Carter´s companion), will be working together in both of our areas for the next three weeks until we get to the transfer date on June 20th. Pretty crazy, but I know we can do it! Elder Marin is super great, he is from Mérida, Yucatan, and he is super funny and easy to serve with! He has already helped me learn some new things and be a better missionary. We are feeling super dedicated right now and are working our tails off to be able to keep God´s work progressing in both of our areas. 

Sometimes in our life, hurdles get placed in our path that we werent expecting! That is just how life is. I had to accept that, and do what I learned to do when I raced steeplechase, and just jump over it and keep and running! It is only as hard as we make it, and if we lean on God for help, he can help us get the strength we need to keep clearing the barriers unharmed. I know He can! Because I have seen it this week, and several times in my life. I love this gospel and the strength I receive through praying to my God, my Father in Heaven! I know He hears us, He loves us, and He knows us. Sometimes He place things in our path we cannot get over all alone, we need His help. Nothing is impossible for God! 

Love you all, love my area, my God, and love being His servant. 

-- 

Elder Daines

"Bye, Elder Wright!"

Lunch!