Primero Conferencia de Zona

This past week has been crazy!!! Right after I sent out my last email, We had to speedy fast go over to a sister's house and help her in her yard. Little did I know that we would not only be helping her, but would also teach her two children about the gospel! That's right, two new investigators in one go!! Then right after that, we felt like we should go over to this brother's house who we had tried to teach before, and guess what... that's right peeps, we have another investigator.  Three investigators in one day!! He was totally on board with our lesson and wanted to know more about Joseph Smith and the First Vision. Talk about a perfect investigator!! We ended up talking with him about these two principals for a full 3 HOURS! It was so amazing to talk to him and to see within those 3 hours, his testimony appear and grow. Pretty amazing if you ask me. Then guess what... We had another per- Just kidding, we went to bed because we were exhausted and we had a busy day ahead. 

But what did we have to do on Tuesday you might ask, welllllll... on Tuesday, Elder García and I boarded a bus to head to the big city... Ciudad Juárez!! Now, this is no quick drive, it is a lonnnnnnng drive there and a lonnnnnnng drive back. But it was all for one reason, to do some Zone Conference-ing!! We got to Ciudad Juárez, and headed to our house to get some sleep. The next morning, we got to work! We headed over to the church building for the beginning of our zone conference. Now I could tell you everything that happened but my fingers are tired and we all have other things we needa dooo. 

On a different note, everything has been amazing!! The people here are amazing and there is so much compassion and kindness all around! I am so grateful to be a missionary and to keep serving the Lord!! Have an amazing week, but don't have too much fun without me!!

A DOG??

Buenas Tardes!! Wow what a week!! It's been pretty crazy for me recently. Over this past week, we traveled a tonnnnn. We walked for a couple of miles everyday to go and talk with new investigators and we also took an hour-long bus ride to a town to stop by the ATM. We don't have one in Benito, and ya know, we needed some moola for the foods... anyways, it's been great!! 

My companion and I have been taking care of a sister's animals because she's in Ciudad Juárez, and we have unofficially been named the new owners of her dog. That's right, we have a dog!! Guess what his name is.... Sirius. That's right. Sirius Black from Harry Potter is our new dog!! HOW COOL IS THAT??!! And because we have a lot of strays in our area, Sirius is an amazing help at keeping them away. My companion said he's the boss so we decided to make him look like the boss. THAT'S RIGHT PEOPLE!! We gave our dog a tie!! He just became 10 times cooler! 

On a different note, because of how much rain we get here in Benito, there are frogs that live in the puddles and two days ago we were walking to a brother's house to go and help him in his yard but we found something that was just unreal. It's a frog, but this frog... he had a really bad day.... just look at the picture. You'll know what I mean.

The mission is awesome. It's a lot of hard work but it is all worth it. Every morning, I wake up and I can't help but smile because I remember that these are God's children who I am being entrusted to teach. It makes me so happy to know that I am helping them feel the love of God and recognize the blessings he has in store for them. Pretty cool. 

ANYWAYS, this week has been great. We are going to make some cookies in a few minutes for our members to give to non members. It's the best way to get our members involved. I miss you all so much and I can't wait to start another week!! Have a great week, but don't have too much fun without me!!

¡¡Benito Juárez!!

Buenas tardes hermanos y hermanas!! Esta semana ha sido increíble!! As I'm sure a lot of you know, I have finally made it to mexico!! I arrived in México august 9th and spent the night in Central Juárez. The Elders and hermans aguí are amazing!! They all love the Lord so much and are amazing at spreading the word. 

My companion's name is Elder García and he is the bessssttttt!! He is from Monterrey México and is an amazing missionary. He has been out for 20 months and is still going! Our mission is the Benito Juárez Mission. It's AWESOMEEEEE!! We may only have 10 members within 100 miles, but we have 200 possible candidates! Benito is a very beautiful place but is also fairly difficult. There's not much money here, which means we have a lot of people who are willing to serve and help each other. There is also no hot water, but I will say there is a lot of water. It rains a lot here. Everyday actually. And during each day, we have about 6 inches of rain. PRETTY COOL RIGHT!! 

It's awesome here and I love it!! The people are amazing and so kind. My companion and I are teaching a lot of people right now, the hard part is that a lot of people believe what we say which is awesome, but they don't understand faith quite yet. YET!!! In time we will have such a big branch that we will need a new building!! 

Another cool thing is that I am the Branch Secretary and Elder García is the President!! I know, I'm learning from a pro!! Elder García is one of my best friends, he has taught me so much about loving the people and seeing them as God sees them. He is the best companion I've ever had!! (Yeah I know he's the first, but he's gonna be hard to top). I love this place so much and I'm so grateful to be out here spreading the gospel through Christlike service. 

I know that this is where I need to be!! I LOVE BENITO JUÁREZ, AND I LOVE THE LORD!! This is going to be the best two years!

The new arrivals with our companions

With President and Sister Henke

Yo y mi compañero Elder Garcia

The 'Bois' Headed Out

Yo y mi compañero alimentando a las cabras

Nuestro oficina

La cocina

Benito Juárez

Happy Baptism-versary Elder Furner!!

While we're waiting to hear about Elder Furner's first week in the México Ciudad Juárez Mission, we thought you might want to join us today in celebrating the 5th anniversary of his own baptism. It was a beautiful day shared with his whole family and a day he waited a long time for. He knew then that he wanted to serve a full-time mission and never let go of that goal. We're excited to watch him bring the light of the gospel to the people of Juárez over the next two years as he shares his beautiful testimony with them.

Look out Juarez, here he comes!!

After a few last goodbyes and a few first hellos, Elder Furner was on his way!! We got a one minute phone call from him just after 7:00pm letting us know that he was there at the mission home, was safe, had a fun day and that was that! Here's to waiting find out more when he writes/calls next! Love this missionary!!

 

Next Stop, Mexico!!

How time flies!! How crazy it's been and how crazy it is to think that I will be waking up in Mexico a week from today!! I can say without a doubt that it's gonna be awesome!! Crazy to think that I've already been out on my mission for over a month... How Exciting!! Woot woot!! During my time in the MTC, I have been able to attend a temple every week to participate in an endowment session! It has been amazing!! We first went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, then the Bountiful Temple, the Jordan River Temple twice, then this morning, the Draper Temple. PRETTY COOL RIGHT!!! I was worried that I would only be able to go to the temple once before and during my MTC stay, and I have been able to go 6 times!! That's 5 more than I expected!! Which I'm sure you know, because we all can do math... ANYWAYS, I'm so excited to get out there!! I leave next Tuesday and the best part about it is that... I WON'T BE ALONE!!! YAYYYYYYY!!! I will be with three other missionaries who are headed to the same mission as I am! It's gonna be amazing! Now granted, I haven't met any of them yet, but I know that we will all become fast friends! It'll be hard to be away from my family and friends, but it will all be worth it!! 

Sé que José Smith es un profeta y que en realidad vio a Dios el Padre y a Su Hijo, Jesucristo, en una arboleda como respuesta a su oración. Sé que Cristo vive y nos ama tanto a cada uno de nosotros que sacrificó su vida por nosotros. Sé que la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días es su evangelio en la tierra hoy. Esta es la verdad, ¡y no puedo esperar para compartirla con otros!

I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet and that he actually saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, in a grove of trees as an answer to his prayer. I know that Christ lives and loves each of us so much that he sacrificed his life for us. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is his gospel on earth today. This is the truth, and I can't wait to share it with others!

MEXICO... HERE I COME!!

See this face, Looks like im ready to go!!