Letter Home 12-27-10

Hey Family!
Well, don't have much to write because I just talked to everyone but it was really great to get to talk! I loved hearing from all of you! I love you all very much! Thank you for all the stuff in my Christmas package. It was great! Well, I love you all and I will send you an email next week! I don't have much time this week because our p-day is shorter today because we had Christmas as p-day. But thank you for all you do for me and taking your time on Christmas to talk to me! I love you all! Know that I am safe and that the Lord is blessing me a ton. We have a baptism planned for this Sunday and others close. I'm excited to get to work very hard this week and get our investigators ready for their baptisms so that they can start of this new year in the way their Heavenly Father wants them to, by making a covenant with him! I love this gospel so much and I know it is true! Thanks for being such a great family. I couldn't ask for a better one. You are all so, so amazing! Thanks for all you do! Love Ya!
Love,
Elder Despain

One More Letter Home! Christmas Just a Few Days Away! 12-20-10

Hey Family!
So I'm super excited to get to talk to you all in a few days. It will be really cool! So ya, I will be calling on Christmas, the 25th, at, I think, about 5 or 6 at night. But I'm not sure on the time. I am still trying to find a computer that I can use to Skype, but I don't know if I will find one, but I will call you and let you know. I will just call the house or your phone mom and I hope you answer one of them. So this week has been really great! I don't know if I told you in my letter last week, but I am now in the barrio or ward Tlalli! Then the zone Lomas Verdes! and my companion is Elder Jaime! It's really great! My companion is awesome! It's so, so, so, awesome to have a comp that wants to work hard! We are just tearin' it up, like working harder than I ever have in my mission and loving it more then I ever have. The more I put my self into the work the more happiness I get and the more frutos (fruits) I receive! With other companions, it was hard because I was always pushing them to be able to get more done. But with Elder Jaime, he has the same desire to work and so we can really get out there and do the Lord's work how He wants and in the way He wants it to be done! I am now district leader and it's not much different, but some things are a little different. Although, I got put in a district that is really easy. It's just me and my comp and 2 hermanas! This makes it easy because the hermanas always work hard and I don't have to worry about them not working and all I have to do is help them by teaching them how to teach a little better. And so that makes the district meetings really easy because I don't have to say anything about working hard or being diligent because they are great at that. Although, last night they didn't answer the phone when I called for their numbers for like 2 hours and I was worrying that something happened to them because it was like 10 at night and they still hadn't answered. So me and my comp had to leave the house and go find them. But thankfully, when we were about half way to their area, they finally answered. But ya, that made me worry a little just for their safety, haha, but its all good. Other then that it's all going good, haha. The only other thing different is that now I do baptism interviews, but ya, it's not too bad! Well, I love you all very much and I will talk to you on Christmas! love ya!
Elder Despain

Special E-mail - Please Get Back To Me By Monday 12-17-10

Hey, I just wanted to ask you a quick question. Will you ask Kimi if she can send me her Skype name and password so if I can find an internet with Skype I can call you with that on Christmas! I don't know if I will be able to find an internet with Skype, but I will try but I need the name and password. If I don't find one then I also have a card I bought that I can call you with. I will let you know more about when I will call on Monday but I need that information from Kimi first, because if I waited to ask you this Monday I couldn't get the answer till after Christmas and that wouldn't work very well, ha. I love you all! Thanks for everything and please get that information to me by Monday, thanks. Mom, I might buy a Costco card because there are lots of Costcos here and it's a lot cheaper to buy food. It is 400 pesos. Is that alright if I buy one? Well, i love you. Thanks for everything, love you!

Love your son,
Elder Despain

Diciembre 12, 2010

Hola Familia!
   So I have changes (transfers) tomorrow and I have to leave my area early in the morning to get to the changes so I won't have time to write.  So I am using a member's computer to send you a quick email!  I will try to get on tomorrow to write back to any letters you send, but I don't know if I will have time.  So this week was really great!  After writing last week, we went to eat with a member and he took us to a restaurant to eat.  It was called Texas Ribs!  It was almost the same as Texas Roadhouse and it was so amazing to get to eat ribs again, haha.  I hadn't eaten ribs since I was at home!  Also this week, we were able to teach Roberto again and had another amazing lesson with him.  We were able to teach him about the plan of salvation and that if he accepts this gospel and lives it, that he can return to live with his Father in Heaven again and also see and live with his mom again.  The spirit was so, so strong during the lesson.  During that lesson, my testimony about the plan of salvation was strengthened because throughout the whole lesson the spirit was testifying of the truthfulness!  It was really great we were also able to invite him to be baptized and he said yes.  We still don't have a date for his baptism, but the next visit I am pretty sure we will be able to set a baptismal date!  It is really great and I just love to get to see him grow and progress and come closer to his Savior Jesus Christ!  Also this week, I found out about the changes.  Well last night or this morning at about 2 in the morning.  I was pretty sure I would be staying here because I only have one change.  My companion had already packed all his suitcases because he was sure he was going to be leaving because he has been here 2 changes.  But when we got the changes, I found out I will be getting changed to the Zone, Lomas Verdes, in the darrio or ward Tlalli!  All that was fine because I will go where the Lord wants me to go and all the areas are great.  So if I stayed or went, either way is okay.  But the real surprise was that they told me that I got moved up and I will now be a district leader, which means I will have more responsibility and will be over a couple pairs of missionaries.  This is also fine because I will do what the Lord wants me to do.  But I'm not going to lie, I'm a little nervous for it because I will be helping and teaching other elders and thats a big responsibility.  But I know that this is the Lord's will and whatever is the Lord's will, I will do.  I also know that if He called me to do this, He will also prepare a way for me to be able to accomplish this calling and become the missionary that He wants me to be.  Well, I love you all and I hope you all are staying safe!  It's crazy, this week I will complete 9 months.  The time is flying by.  I'm so excited that I will be able to talk to all of you in less than 2 weeks!  Well, I love you all so much.  Sorry I couldnt write more, but I don't have much time but I will try to write tomorrow, really quick, just to respond to your letters.  Love ya!
Love,
Elder Despain

P.S.  I asked some elders from the states that have more time then me and they said all packages take 3 weeks to a month to get here.  So I'm sure mine will take the same amount of time, so I thought I would let you know.  Love ya all!

 Me and My Comp., Elder Arrecis12-1-10

Part of my area it looks like up at the ranch in Flagstaff 12-1-10

Diciembre 6, 2010

Hola Familia!
This week was a good week!   We were able to start teaching a man named Roberto!  He has a sister who is a member and they went to the visitor center and he put himself down as a reference for the missionaries to come visit him.  So, we got the reference and were able to visit him and teach him this week.  The lesson was so great!  The Spirit was so strong during the lesson and we could tell that he wanted to cry during the whole lesson but held it back.  At the end, we asked him to say the closing prayer.  As he ended his prayer, he started to cry and we were able to explain that what he felt was the spirit testifying that these things are true.  It was a great experience not only for him but for us as missionaries.  I think that after we teach him a little more that he will be baptized!  He is a really cool guy!  I'm so grateful for the opportunity we have to teach him because I know that this gospel can be a true blessing in his life.  His mom died not to long ago.  She was a member and I know that as we teach him about the plan of salvation that he will be comforted a lot.  Also, just to be able to let him know that he will be able to see his mom again!  I know that this gospel is the source of true happiness in this life and I'm so grateful I am able to share it with Roberto and all the other people I meet here.  I'm very grateful that I had the ability to be born into a great family that had made the choice to accept and live this gospel!  Many people spend most of their lives searching for the happiness that I have had since the time I was born.  I'm also so grateful to know that I am part of an eternal family and that some day I will be able to start an eternal family of my own.  Without this gospel, it would be impossible to have that.  So this week it has gotten a lot colder here, haha.  In the mornings when we wake up, we can see our breath inside our house, haha.  In my bed I am fine and warm and all, but it is really hard to get up in the morning because out of my bed is so, so cold, haha.  I'm doing good and adjusting!  I'm so grateful to be here and have the opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father in His great work.  It's crazy it has almost been another 6 weeks next Monday.  We have cambios  (transfers) again.  I will find out this Saturday where I'm going or if I'm staying here and who my new comp will be.  It is really crazy how fast the time is going by.  I mean, I have almost been out 9 months and it just seems like time is flying by.  I don't feel like I have been gone for 9 months.  Well at times, other times, I feel like I have been gone a life time but its okay.  I'm getting very excited to be able to talk to all of you at the end of this month.  It is getting very close, haha.  I remember getting to Mexico and thinking Christmas is forever away.  Well it came fast and it's here, haha.  I was also thinking by that time I will be so good at Spanish.  I still feel I am not very good, but I always have to remind myself to look back to the day I got here and when I do that, I have come a long, long way, haha.  My Spanish is 1000 times better then when I got here, haha.  Well, I love you all so much and miss you all a ton.  Thank you so much for all your letters and for your prayers.  Know that I pray for all of you daily and that I am so so thankful and lucky to have such a great family!  Love you!
Love,
Elder Despain

 My comp., Elder Arrecis.  The paper he is holding is kinda funny.  When we went to our food appointment, the hermana wasn't home but there was a paper that pretty much said just eat whatever you want and can find, haha. (This was on Thanksgiving day no less) 11-27-10

Kimi's rough translation:

Elders, 

In the refrigerator there is food to microwave, sodas, etc.  

YOU ALL EAT WHAT YOU WANT

DON'T PET!

The little dogs can bite, it's not true, but they will go crazy.

Take Care, 

Mateo Family

Noviembre 29, 2010

Hola Familia!
So this week was good!  This week we had a gira misional (literal translation = mission tour, but in English it is referred to as a mission conference).  That is when a member of the quorum of the 70 comes and talks to us and it only happens once a year!  On Saturday we got to hear from Elder Benjamin De Hoyos, his wife, our mission president, President Villarreal and his wife!  Before the conference started I was able to shake hands with Elder De Hoyos and talk to him for about a minute.  He asked where I was from and I told him and he said he and his wife were married in the Mesa temple, which I thought was cool.  It was really cool!  The meeting was so awesome and so spiritual!  I learned a lot of things I didn't know and got other things I did know refreshed!  He gave us ideas on how to have more success and ways to get more references and new people to teach!  He and his wife taught a lot about the Expiación or Atonement and it was really great.  I have been able to start studying a lot more about the atonement because it is something we can study our whole lives and never understand it completely.  I got to thinking as they were talking about a scripture I like to use when teaching about the atonement.  I really like to use these two scriptures 2 Nephi 26:24 and Mosiah 3:7!  I'm so grateful for the atonement and for the opportunity I have to use it daily in my life!  It is such a great gift and shows the true love of both our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ!  They also taught that we should be teaching about the atonement more in every lesson because if people come to understand about the atonement then they grow faith in Jesus Christ and feel of his love.  When we feel of the love of Christ it leads us to act on the faith we have.  For investigators that action is first, complete the compermise we leave them and second, to follow the example of their Savior Jesus Christ and be baptized in his name!   That is something that I learned that is helping me to teach better, to be able to teach more about the atonement in every lesson.  I would like to challenge all of you to study more about the atonement and I promise as you do you will feel the love of your Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ more in every day!  I also sewed for the first time in my mission so I thought you would be proud of me Mom, haha.  My sweater ripped and so I had to sew it up, haha.  It probably wouldn't meet your sewing standards but it worked, haha.  Please tell Grandpa Despain "Happy Birthday" for me and that I love him and wish him a happy birthday this week!  So my Thanksgiving, well there wasn't one, haha.  It was just another day here, haha.  I ended up just eating microwaved food because the hermana just left a note for us to eat whatever we could find because she wasn't home, haha.  But it's all good. I was still able to think of things I am grateful for!  And I am very grateful to have such a great family!!!  I couldn't ask for a better family!  Well, I'm doing good and staying safe!  Thank you for all your prayers for me!  We had 2 investigators go to church yesterday and that is so awesome because the whole time I have been in this area we haven't gotten one to go to church.  So to have two in one Sunday was really awesome!  I love this gospel and I know it is true!  I love this work and I know that it is the work of the Lord!  I am so grateful to be here and to be an instrument in the hands of my Father in Heaven.  Even in times when I am not having lots of success, I just remember this is His work and there is a reason I am here.  I keep pushing forward because I know that the Lord will provide a way for those things that need to be done!  I love you all very much.  Thank you for all you do for me!  I love you and I miss you all as well!  You are all in my prayers daily!  Love ya!
Love,
Elder Despain

Me and my comp on our bikes! 11-20-10

 Me and Elder Arrecis, my comp! 11-21-10

Noviembre 22, 2010

Hola Familia!
I'm doing good here!   This week has been a little hard because we aren't having too much success but I'm still pushing forward and working hard.  I know that through my Savior I can overcome all of the problems and hard times that come up.  It is still pretty cold here and still getting colder, haha, but I'm doing good.  I think I'm adjusting to the cold so it's not too bad but it's cold, haha.  I met this hermana that served her mission in the Tucson, Arizona mission but at that time it had like New Mexico and lots of places in that mission.  She said she served in Deming, New Mexico for a long time and she was telling me that there is a restaurant called "Si Señor".  She said it is like the best Mexican food she ever ate in her mission.  I remember that Dad worked in Deming for awhile and was wondering if he ever ate there and if not, if he goes back he should definitely stop and eat there, haha.   I miss you all a lot and I love you all!  Tell everyone I said hi and especially tell all the kids I say hi.  I keep thinking about when I come how they are going to be so big and I'm not going to recognize any of them, haha.  I just want you all to know that I have a testimony of this gospel!  I know that this church is true and that this gospel truly is the gospel of Jesus Christ and is the same church that He established when He was on the earth!  I know that it is only through this gospel that we can have eternal families and have true happiness.  I know that this work that I am here doing is the work of the Lord!  I know that as I work hard, dedicate all my time and have diligence that the Lord will bless me with success because this isn't my work.  It's His work.  I also know that all members play an important part in the work of the Lord.  Right now I am seeing what happens when the members don't give many references.  We as missionaries don't have a lot of success.  The prophet has taught that there is a better way to do missionary work than missionaries knocking doors and it is through the members.  When we knock doors we don't have much success because the people don't know us, but when members present us to people we have success.  Right off the bat they have confidence in us because they are friends with the member.  I love being here in the mission and I know that I am here in this area because there are people here that have been prepared to listen to me and my companion.  It's just a matter of finding those who have been prepared for us.  I know that through members this work moves forward so much faster.  I wanted to share this with you because I know that you can help the missionaries that are serving back at home.  I love this work and I'm so glad I have the opportunity to be here serving the Lord!  I love you all so much and I just want to thank you for all you do for me.  You're the greatest family I could ever ask for!  Know that I am safe and everything is going good for me!  I love you all!  Thank you for your prayers.  I can really feel how much they help me!  Thanks for all your letters!  I love you all!  Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.  I'm not sure what it will be like here because they don't have Thanksgiving but I'm sure that it will be good, haha.  I hope your Thanksgiving is good and make sure to eat a lot of food for me, haha!  Love you all!
Love,
Elder Despain

Me, my comp, and a family in the ward!  Ya its freezing cold, haha. 11-9-10

 Me and my comp in some sweet glasses, haha.  They were a members sun glasses, haha. 11-14-10

Noviembre 15, 2010

Hola Familia!
I hope everything back at home is going good!  I miss you all a lot!  It's kinda crazy to think that I will get to talk to all of you in a little over a month!!!  It will be a little weird to have a whole conversation in English because even when I talk to other Americans, I talk half in English and half in Spanish, haha, because there are just things that are easier to say in Spanish, haha.   We got a ride from a member this past week and she lived in the states for a year and so she knows English and so I was talking to her and I could talk only in English, haha.  It will all be good, haha. This week was good, but we are still trying to get more people so that we can teach more.  We have some people kinda close to baptism, but I don't know when we will actually have a baptism.  No matter what, we will keep working hard and the Lord will bless us to be able to find people ready to hear this gospel, people ready to accept this gospel!  I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and that He prepares the hearts of people to hear us.  One of the biggest blessings here in the mission is the members.  I can't tell you how important every member is in this church.   Like I have seen so many times so far in my mission, that as a members is willing to be a missionary and share this gospel with a friend, they receive blessings.  Also, it helps us out so, so, so much.   We can talk to 100 people and have 1 accept but almost every reference from a member accepts.   I know that when we open our mouths as members and share simple testimonies of this gospel and always be a good example, we find success and bring people into the light of this gospel.  I know that this gospel truly is a blessing to every person that accepts and lives it!  I know that this gospel is where we find true happiness and my purpose here as a missionary and as a member of this church is to share this happiness I have with all the people around me!   I also know that as we share the gospel we receive even more happiness then we already have!  I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to be here as a missionary and to have the opportunity I have to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to do His work.  Although even when we aren't on a mission, in every moment we have the opportunity to be an instrument in the Lord's hands, touching someone's heart with this wonderful gospel and bringing them closer to their Savior Jesus Christ!  But ya, everything here is going good!   I might have to use some money from my account this week because my area is huge and we have been using a lot of money just to get around.   I'm hoping I won't have to buy another jacket but I don't know if it gets much colder I will have to, haha.  So this past Sunday, yesterday, we had stake conference!  It was a special stake conference and it was broadcast from Salt Lake.   Elder Christiansen, the Area 70, spoke then Cheryl A. Espin* a sister I don't really know what she is, but she was a sister in Salt Lake haha, then Elder Bednar and then Pres. Eyring.  Ya it was awesome!!  It was so great to hear all of them speak!  It was like a mini general conference!  Elder Bednar talked about different ways we can receive revelation and compared it to a light turning on in a dark room, the sun rising, and the sun rising on a cloudy day.   The first is sudden and you know right when you received it.  The next is gradual and the last is gradual but at the time you don't know that you are receiving revelation or being guided by the spirit.  At the end you can look back and see that you received guidance or revelation.   It was a really great talk.   It was also really cool because they translated as they talked like in parts so they would say a line in English, then pause and then the person would translate it and then they would say another sentence.  That for me was really cool because I got to hear everything twice and it was cool because I could understand them both.   Also, it was easier to take notes because if I didn't get a part of it I could hear it again and then write it down, haha.  It was really, really amazing! And Pres. Eyring's talk was really, really amazing.   It would take some time to explain it but it was really great and a really neat experience!   Well, I am good and I hope all is good for you all at home!   I love you all so much and miss you too.   Thanks for all you do for me!   You're the greatest family ever!!!!!!  Tell everyone hi for me!  Thanks for your prayers and know that I pray for you all daily!
Love,
Elder Despain

*Note from Kimi - Sister Espin is the second counselor in the Primary General Presidency.

Pictures of my area.  See that big cloud in the fourth pic.  Ya, that is just making it that much colder and that is why I have to sleep in a sweater, sweat pants and gloves, with 3 blankets and am still cold.  I never knew a place that didn't snow could get so cold.  Everyone here says its because there is a big volcano next to us and there is snow one the top and that's why it's so cold and that is why the wind is so, so, so, so cold!

 

11-2-10

   

11-3-10

  

11-3-10

  

 11-3-10

 

If you look above that house there are some cool ruins I am hopping one p-day to get to go up there because my comp said it is super cool, all the ruins and stuff.  It's going to be tight! 11-5-10

These are the gloves and scarf that a member made for me in my last area and I'm very glad she did.  This was right after coming home.  Yes, that's what I look like out walking around, haha.  I look so weird but it keeps me warm, haha.  It's cold here, really cold! 11-5-10

My first day, in my area.  That's my comp. and we are with a hermana that is a new member we were sitting in the sun because it was cold.  So the hermana gave us sombreros to wear and mine was really goofy, so I put it on backwards, haha. 11-6-10

cooking in my apartment some hot dogs, longanisa, cheese and tortillas, mhmmm. tacos 11-7-10

Noviembre 8, 2010

Hola Familia!
So everything is going good in my new area!  Although it is super, super cold!  And everyone here is saying that this is nothing.   It is going to get way colder, haha.  So my new comp is good.   When I got to this area it was super dead like there were no people for us to teach but we have been working very hard and are starting to have success.  We have got to the point where we are teaching 4-7 lessons every day so that is really good.  My comp said he has never taught that many lessons in one day in this area so its good.   It is a big change though, haha.  It was like going from living in downtown Phoenix to living in Snowflake, haha,  But it's good.  It is weird to be senior comp. because now I have a phone and have to talk to people on the phone all the time.  I have to report numbers and make more decisions but its all going good!  It is great to be an uncle again, haha.  And the pictures are awesome!   He is a very cute baby!  Although it is weird to think that the first time I will see him in person, he will already be walking and stuff but its all good.   I really love it here serving the Lord.  At times it is hard but the Lord always blesses me to be able to push through and overcome anything that happens!   I know that as we follow the spirit we are blessed!  I have come to find out more and more that as I open my mouth and just start talking, the Lord always puts the words in my mouth that I need to say.  I have had experiences here that I have no clue what to say or how to answer a question but I just open my mouth and start talking and the words always come to me that I need to say!   I know that that is a tender mercy of the Lord.  I know that this is His work and as we strive to do it He will always help us.  I am starting to feel a lot more comfortable with my Spanish.  I have gotten to the point that a lot of members here, when I first talked to them thought I had a lot more time in the mission.  I know that without the Lord's help I would have never been able to learn Spanish, but through His help I was able to do it!  I still have a long ways to go in my Spanish but it is a lot easier to get by now, haha.   I don't have to struggle to speak and a lot of the times now it is easier to talk in Spanish then English.  It was really weird in the cambios (transfers) there were a lot of new American elders and so I got to talk to them and I really finally got to see how far I have come in my Spanish.  I felt like I hadn't progressed a lot but then when I talked to them it helped me to remember how far I have come ! My trainer, or dad in the mission, Elder Higuera, got another American to train.  Well, he doesn't know much English and so we were on the bus going out to Taluca and Metepec and I was able to translate so the the new missionary knew what they were going to be doing when they got off the bus and stuff, haha.  It was funny!  Well, everything is going good here with me!   Other than the cold, ha, but it's all good.  I am always praying for you all and thank you so much for your prayers for me!   They really do make a difference!  Tell everyone back at home I say hi and tell Grandma and Grandpa I say hi!   I will be sure to keep Grandma in my prayers!  Well I love you all.  Thanks for all you do for me!  You are the best family I could ever ask for!   Thanks, I love you!
Love,
Elder Despain

Me eating some chapalinas! grasshopper taco!!! ummm! 10-28-10

 

  

 

Me and My Area 10-29-10

  

Mi, me and a family in the ward! 10-31-10

  

 Saying good bye, it's true there is a lot of temptation in the mission.  The devil is always right at our side, trying to get us to do something wrong, haha.  But don't worry, we always win and don't give in, haha!

Novembre 1, 2010

Hola Familia!
First of all, Mom I used some money to buy Burger King for me and my comp, haha.  Sorry, but our food appointment fell through and we had no money so we went to Burger King and ate.  I bought my companion's food as well, haha.  So thanks for letting me use that!  Well, everything here is good but the 6 weeks have past and cambios or changes are today!  I got a call on Sabado (Saturday) from the president and found out where I am going!  This will be my first change of area in Mexico.  I'm pretty excited, but sad to leave this ward!  I found out that I will be going to Metepec and my area is called Atlatlahuca.  Don't worry, I couldn't say that at first either, haha. My companion is going to be Elder Arrecis.  When I talked to the pres., he said that my companion can teach really good but is having trouble following the rules.  So the pres. said that he was putting me out there because he knows that I will be obedient and help my comp.  This was a compliment to me and I was glad that the pres. feels that he can trust me!  Also, I am getting moved up to senior companion.  There is a junior and senior comp.  I have always been junior but this change I will be senior, which means I have more responsibility.  I am a little nervous, but I know that this is where the Lord wants me and that He will help me to overcome anything that gets put in my way.  I have really had the opportunity to feel and see the power of prayer and gain a testimony of it!  I know that we can pray and ask anything as long as we ask with real intent and with faith, the Lord will answer us.  I have seen many times that as I have prayed to know things in the mission, that as I ask with faith the Lord answers me.  I was able to pray and ask if this is the right area and right companion for me to be going to.  I received an answer that yes it is!  I already knew that because I trust my pres. and I know that he receives revelation for us missionaries.  That helped to strengthen my testimony that no matter how small of a question it is, the Lord does hear and answer!  I hear that my new area is really cold this time of year, but I think it will be alright!  A lot of missionaries also say that it is harder to baptize out there, but I know that if I work hard and have faith that the Lord will prepare people for me to teach and baptize!  My area right now is almost in the DF (Distrito Federal or Federal District) like our church building is in the DF so it is really close to like Mexico City, city!  My new area is way out in the State of Mexico and I guess it is just little villages or little towns so that should be cool, haha!   Well, I love you all so much and thank you for all that you do for me!  I am staying safe and everything is going good for me!  I am praying for all of you and thank you for your prayers.  They really do make a difference!  I love you all and miss you all!  Tell Julie good luck.  I am praying for her and send me pics when she has the baby!  I love you all!
Love,
Elder Despain

Zane's Letter and Randall's Reply

Dear Uncle Randall,
10-29-10

I am making my mommy type you a letter from me so I can say hi!  I miss you!  How is Mexico?  Daddy traded the jet ski yesterday for a motorcycle that goes on dirt.  I like to sit on it with Nate and pretend I am driving it with all the sound effects too.  I wish you were here to ride it with us.  Daddy says we are going to take it to Arizona to the reunion.  I am exited to go camping.  On Tuesday, I am starting preschool.  I am so excited.  In a few weeks, I will be starting soccer.  I love soccer.  I pray for you in Mexico every day!  I love you!

Love,
Zane Michael Gifford

 The picture is me waving at you!

10-30-10

Thank you Zane for the letter.  I love you too!  That is pretty cool your dad got a dirt bike, I mean a bike that goes on dirt, haha, and I love soccer, too.  I get to play it with Mexicans every Monday. I'm glad you like it too.  When I get home I will play soccer with you!!!  Because soccer is really fun!  Well, have fun at the big dirty.  I love you!  I love you too, Nate and also you Kimi and Mike even.  Well Mike, a little, haha no just kidding I love you too Mike!  Well good luck in preschool! Love you all!  And miss you too and I am praying for you all daily as well!

Love Tu,

Tio (uncle) y Hermano,

Elder Despain

E-mail back to Kimi 10-25-10

Hola Mi Hermana!

 Gracias por tu carta!  Haha, no, but really thanks for your letter.  It was great to hear from you!  Thank you for calling mom about the email. I'm sorry I made her worry but thanks for ending that worry as soon as possible, haha, thanks.  Ya, I heard about nick  Ferrin.  That has to be so hard for his family.  I knew him in high school, not really well, but i still knew him.  But I feel bad for his family and I am making sure to remember them in my prayers!  I am also praying for all of you.  Thank you for your prayers and for your letters!  And about what to feed the missionaries.  You could feed them grasshoppers, if you want to give them something they won't eat anywhere else, haha.  Mom said you all were grossed out by that, but really they are super good!  Well, I love you and good luck with your projects and with your girls at church and your boys at home.  Tell the boys I love them!  I love you thanks for all you do! 

Elder Despain

I wrote Randall back:

Mike says we will consider the grasshopper for dinner.  We might have trouble finding some with the rain though!

He replied:
Haha, true.  That might be hard to find them, but if you do just fry them up with some lemon juice and salt and you're ready to eat them! Haha, I love you thanks for the email!

Me catching grasshoppers!  Yes Jayden, they taste good.  So just tell Grandma to cook them up for you!  And yes, that big bag is all full of grass hoppers, haha, yummmmm! 10-24-10

 

 

The baptism of John!  He is super cool! 10-24-10

The fish I eat last week head and all! it was really good! 10-22-10

*Note From Kimi - I was on my e-mail when Randall sent these pictures.  Nate was watching Nemo when I received this picture and when he saw it, he thought Randall ate Nemo.  Randall's letter back said "No, not Nemo, just one of his friends!"

Carta Por La Familia!!!!!!!!! Octubre 25, 2010

Hola Familia!
This week has been really good!  We had one baptism!  And it was really great!  Oh ya, and about the CD's mom, you asked if I used them and yes, so when you send a package if you want you can throw in some CD's like church music or EFY, but I like the songs with words the most.  I don't really like just piano music because if I listen to it when I'm studying, then I want to fall asleep but when there are words I don't want to fall asleep, so words are better!  And I also said those other things in my other letters that you can send whenever you send a package, but there is no rush.  I don't really need anything, haha, thanks!  We have been working hard here in my area and everything is going really good!  I ate grasshoppers again and I sent some pics as well, haha, they really are good!  Tell Jayden he can tell Grandma to cook some up and that they are really good!  I also ate some really good fish the other day.  They just cook it up with the head and everything and then you just eat it and just suck the meat off the head and all.  It was really, really good!  I went on divisions (splits) with another Elder for like half this week and that was pretty cool.  I got to work in his area with him.  Elder Martinez and Elder Holm worked in my area with my comp so that was cool, but I like my area better!  Well, how are all of you doing back at home?  I don't know what is going on but I haven't gotten the pouch in like 3 weeks, so I hope I get some soon because I know you have been sending them.  I think I will get them soon!  Well, let me know how everything is going for you all back at home!  I miss you all and I love you too!  You're in my prayers!  Stay safe!  I know the church is true and as we live it we receive the blessing of the Lord!  Keep going strong and I know that you will have happiness and receive blessings!  I love you all!
Love,
Elder Despain

Carta de Elder Despain Octubre 19, 2010

Hola Familia!

 Sorry I didn't write yesterday.  We have been working super hard.  Normally in a good week we get about 7 new investigators and that is a good number, but this past week me and my companion worked super hard and ended up getting 21 new investigators, which is super good.  And really exciting because we will be able to teach a lot more because we have people to teach and most of them are super good investigators and really have a desire to learn and progress!  This week, I gained a strong testimony in patience and diligence.  The first 3 days of the week we were working really hard, but just everything was falling through.  No one was home and it just was really hard to keep going because everything just was falling through.  But me and my companion just kept pushing through and really just tried to be diligent and then about Jueves (Thursday) in the night we finally started having some success.  That night we found a family of 6 and started teaching them and they are just awesome, the family Martinez Moralez!  They are really great and from that point on in the week we really started having success.  In the scriptures it talks about not getting blessings until AFTER the trial of your faith.  Well, it is very true.  We had our faith tried, but as we kept working and prayed hard for patience and for help to keep pressing forward, we finally received the blessings.  I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and that He knows me and that at times we are tried, but as we put our trust in Him and keep pushing forward with diligence we are blessed.  He will never try us more then we can take.  Also, this week we found a family of 10 that is really awesome and we had the chance to start teaching them.  That was another blessing, but also I got a stronger testimony that your Father in Heaven knows every person and cares about every person and sends people to help us in times of need.  I got this stronger testimony from this family, the family Satina.  When we found them, we were actually looking for a reference but couldn't find it.  But we felt that we should go ask at this house, the house of the family Satina.  When we asked, they didn't know where the reference was either but we were able to start teaching them because they let us in when we said we were missionaries.  But this is where the testimony came from.  When we entered this families' house, we started teaching them.  We didn't teach anything about the priesthood or that we could give blessings but after the lesson, one of the members of the family asked, "Can you give me a blessing?"  And we said, "Yes!"  I am not sure how she knew we could give her a blessing, but we were glad to be able to do it!  She wanted a blessing because just the day before we came to their house she had gotten news that she had cancer.  She is a younger lady and has kids, so as you can tell that would be very hard news to get.  But I know that the Lord knows her and I know that He led us to them because she needed the power of the priesthood in her life at that moment.  I was very glad to be able to be an instrument in the hand of the Lord to help her through this hard time.  Also, the mom of this family, she is kind of old and has been feeling very sick and we were able to give her a blessing as well!  I know that our Father in Heaven loves every one of us and wants the best for us.  I'm grateful to be able to hold the priesthood and be able to help the people I am here serving through the priesthood!  And I know that there is nothing that could bless families more then this gospel.  It is truly amazing and when we live its principles we are happy and receive blessings in this life and blessing for eternity.  So ya, we have been working hard this week and we have seen the fruits of our labor and it is really rewarding to see these people progress.  But that is why I didn't email yesterday is because we had appointments to go to and ended up not having time.  So I'm sorry and I hope you didn't worry to much!   Tell Jayden happy birthday!  I know I am two days late, but I hope he will forgive me and know that I was thinking about him on Sunday!  So I had an interesting experience this week.  I ate grasshoppers!  We went and caught them with a family and then they cooked them up and we ate them, little legs and all.  I thought it would be really weird and at first it was.  But it actually tasted really good, haha! Yummm, grasshoppers, haha.  I love you all so much.  Know that I am safe and doing good.  I am working hard and receiving blessings.  I love this gospel and I know it is true.  I miss you all, but I'm glad I get to be here serving these people!  I love you all.  Thanks for all you do! 

Love,

Elder Despain

Me and Esperanza 9-17-10

The family of the girl that we baptized not last week but the week before, Jazmin Liliana. 9-25-10

Us white people watching conference in English, haha. 10-3-10

I have gotten bigger, haha.  That is my belt and as you can see, there is only one hole more, so if I get bigger I will have to buy a new belt. 10-3-10

Me and my comp, Elder Reyna, and my new jacket, haha!  Mom I'm wearing the fish tie that you sent me in the MTC, haha, love it! 10-5-10

 

Esperanza and the member, ex-missionary of about 2 weeks baptized her! 10-6-10

 The Baptism of Esperanza 10-6-10

A really big pig that an hermana has in our ward, haha.  Its big! 10-9-10

A cool rainbow 10-10-10

  A picture of the city! 9-27-10

 

Me and the Mexicans, we are on our way to Arizona.  We are crossing the border, haha.  No but really its part of the zone in a van on the way to a baptism. 10-2-10

Octubre 11, 2010

Hey Family!!!
Well, I'm doing great!  Everything here is just great!  This past week was great.  We worked hard and the Lord blessed us for that.  We had one baptism and it was so awesome!  We baptized Esperanza.  We have been teaching her for a long time, but ya she was finally baptized.  It was a really big testimony builder to me because she got baptized even though it was not what a lot of people wanted.   She is so awesome. She has a tienda, a little store, and she is about 60 years old. As we taught her, a lot of her neighbors and people that buy stuff from her like were calling her names and saying she was a traitor because she was listening to us and thinking about baptism. They all said these things because they are all catholic and Esperanza was catholic, but even though all this was going on Esperanza fought through it and showed her faith and got baptized! She got baptized Martes, so Tuesday, and she is doing good!  She also had opposition from her family but from her good example since her baptism, we were able to start teaching her husband who has never wanted anything to do with religion and that has been great.  I don't know if he will be baptized but just the fact he is listening to us is amazing!  It was just amazing to see her show real faith in the Lord and I know that she will get blessings for it in this life and into eternity and also, her family will get blessings and learn from her great example!  Oh one question, Mom you said Alexa is getting married?  That's great!   Tell her hi for me!  But my question is who is she marring?  Well, if you know who let me know.  Tell her congratulations for me!  You also asked me about if I get conference Liahona and the answer is yes, so you don't have to send me it.  All of us missionaries get the Liahona every month!  And you also asked if I was getting enough to eat and if I eat more then once a day and the answer is yes!  Last week I sent a pic of my belt and so as you can tell I am getting bigger and getting enough to eat, haha.  I eat way more then once a day!  People here are great.  They are always asking if we want food and also there are tons of places to buy food when I get hungry.  I just buy something so you don't have to worry about that!  The tacos here are so amazing!   Tacos with sheep in it is super good.  It's weird because I had never really eaten a lot of sheep, haha, but they are good tacos and the Gringas!  That's the name of a taco and it is just amazing!!!!!!!!!!!  So ya no worries.  I'm eating good! Haha.  Well, this next week should be great.  We have at least 2 baptisms, but maybe more.  We have just started teaching a family of 5 and they are really awesome and came to church and everything so I think they will be baptized soon as well!   I am truly seeing the blessings of the Lord as I work hard to serve Him.  The Lord truly prepares people to hear this message of the restored gospel and when they have their hearts prepared by the Lord before we teach them, they just accept it like they have know it their whole life!  It is a testimony that the Lord knows every person on the earth personally and can touch our hearts!   I know that this church is true and I love it so much.  I'm so grateful to be here and have the opportunity to serve the Lord.   I am learning and growing daily and it is such and awesome experience to be here.  I love you all so much.   Thank you for all you do for me and thank you for your prayers and letters!   I love you all and miss you all!  Know that I am doing good and staying safe!   I am in the Lord's hands and he will always watch over and protect me!  I love you all!
Love,
Elder Despain

Letter to Kimi Octubre 4, 2010

I know the feeling of weird weather in the middle of the day.  Here it is like Arizona hot then in the mornings and nights it is super cold, haha.  It is weird, but that is Mexico City for you, haha.  It was funny the other day me and my comp got lost in the DF (Distrito Federal), like actual Mexico City.  We live in the Estado de Mexico and Constituyentes is in the Estado.  But Loma Hermosa, our other ward, it has part in the D. F. and we were over working in that part and got lost, haha.  That was kinda funny, haha.  It's great to hear the kids loved conference.  I did as well.  It was really amazing.  The Spirit is so great in Spanish or in English.  The Spirit is the same, although I like it more in English, haha, because it is their real voice, haha.  I'm a little jealous of Mike in the dunes, but at the same time I wouldn't want to be any other place but here.  The mission is so great!  I love it!  Well, tell the boys I love them and I'm thinking of them.  Thanks for your prayers and I love you and Mike, too, haha.  Love you.  Thanks for the letter.
Love your little bro,
Elder Despain

Octubre 4, 2010

Hey Family.
Yes, General Conference was way great!  My favorite talk was by the prophet.  I don't know if it was in the priesthood session or not, I don't remember, but it was on choices and it was so great!  I loved it because choices make up this life and we need to make good choices, right choices to follow the gospel.  The way to make good choices is through prayer and through the guidance of the Holy Ghost!  But ya, I loved all the talks.  I watched part in Spanish and part in English and it is way better in English.  It is weird not to hear their real voice, haha.  But ya, I loved all the talks.  The spirit was so strong and amazing!  This week I used 282 pesos this week from my credit card.  I hope that was okay.  I found a store that had my contact solution, so I bought 3 big bottles so I hope that was okay.  I'm going to need to by another blanket and a bigger coat soon.  My comp said that the sooner I buy it is better because blankets and coats are cheaper right now.  In like a month, he said they will be a lot more money so I will need to buy those soon.  Just so you know that will be why money will go out of my account soon, haha.  Tell Andrea "Happy Birthday" and tell her that I am thinking about her and I love her! and that I hope she has a great Birthday.  Also, give Becca a hug for me for her birthday!!!!  This week has been really great and we worked really hard.  We didn't have any baptisms, but the people we are teaching are getting closer to baptism!  I love being here and getting to teach this wonderful gospel!  I love this gospel so much.  It is truly amazing!  It is really and truly what brings happiness in this life.  It is the way that God prepared for us to have happiness in this life!  I have really seen in this last month how hard the Devil works on those close to baptism.  Right before someone is going to take the step of baptism there is always something big that happens.  I know that it is the Devil working as hard as he can to stop them from coming into the gospel, but I have also seen the power of God.  As we share the gospel with the people, the power of God through the Holy Ghost is always stronger than the devil and always makes an impression over the people we are teaching.  I also feel like at times life is the same way.  When we are about to make a good decision, any good decision not just for baptism but any decision, when we are about to make it there is always the devil there trying to stop us.  As we put our faith in the Lord and pray and read the scriptures, we always have the ability to throw the devil aside and make that good choice.  So I just encourage all of you to read the scriptures and pray and always have the spirit with you so that you can resist temptation and push the devil aside.  He is working very hard to lead us away but we have to work just as hard to be prepared to face temptations and overcome them.  I love you all so much and I'm so thankful for all you do!  You are in my prayers and I thank you for your prayers for me.  They really do help a ton.  Know that I am staying safe and that all is good here in Mexico, haha.  Stay strong and always be praying and reading the scriptures!  I love you all!  Thanks for the letters and everything else you do for me!
Love,
Elder Despain

Kimi's Letter and Randall's Response 9-27-10

How are things going with your new companion?  We were supposed to feed the missionaries this week on Tuesday.  However, we found out yesterday that they are white washing the area and transfers are on Tuesday so we won't be feeding them.  It is kind of sad because they are working with a girl to get baptized and she will be one of our Laurels.  Her friend is in our ward but is inactive and so because the new girl has been coming to church, so has the inactive girl.  There was a tentative date set for the 9th, but is sounds like that may not happen now.  I hope switching the Elders will be a good thing and not a bad thing.  Well, it sounds like we will be babysitting the little boy, which is good, and will be starting next week.  This means that this is kind of our last week of total freedom.  We are having a LARGE heat wave here.  It is supposed to be 109 today in Southern California.  This is hotter than it normally gets in the summer and it is the last week of September.  We are going to go down to the beach today.  It is 10:24 this morning and 92 degrees outside already.  It is crazy.  Oh well, this is getting long so I will end now.  I love you and we hope that you are enjoying Mexico and your mission.

Love,  Kimi

My companion is great and we are working really hard and just tearing it up out here.  Its great, we had 2 baptisms this week!  So about your missionaries, I know that it is hard on members when missionaries get changed because I have seen that happen with my companions, but one thing to always remember is that there couldn't be a bad change.  What I mean by that is that their mission president who does the changes is called of God and he recives revelation on where to put elders and how to do changes.  I don't know this mission president of your elders but I know he is called of God and that if he made that change that it will be for the better. Every missionary has his calling and is in each area for a reason and they will touch the hearts of people that other missionaries couldn't.  So maybe these new elders will be about to touch the heart of this girl in a way that the others couldn't and be about to baptize her.  I have seen a lot in my mission so far that the Lord prepares people for the missionaries and as these new missionaries enter they will have people that are ready to hear the gospel from those missionaries.  So don't worry.  All will be good, haha.  I have been so blessed by being here and every day my testimony grows more!  I love to share this gospel.  It brings the people happiness as they live it and it bring me happiness to share it.  Always look for ways to share the gospel!  I love you so much.  Thanks for being a great sister.  You are in my prayers.  I love you!
Love Your Little Brother,
Elder Despain

This is the baptism of Jazmin Liliana.  We had Cesar, a member, baptize her and also Eduardo because we have been encouraged to try not to baptize people yourself, that it is better to have members do it so we have been trying to do that.  The next picture is of Jazmin's whole family!  Then a pic of me and my comp, haha.  This was from before he was my comp. but ya, haha, Elder Reyna.  The last two wouldn't load sorry.

Septiembre 27, 2010

Hey family!
So I am doing great!   My new companion is great and we are working really hard!  I love to be able to work hard and not have to push my companion to get stuff done.  It is really great to have Elder Reyna because he wants to be obedient and also work hard which is so great!  He is a native! Which is also great because he can help me to constantly be improving my Spanish and my teaching!  About the money, this last two weeks have been super hard because I had no money from the mission because I payed for Elder Lopez a lot in the last combio (transfer). He wasted a lot of his money but I had the money that I brought in here to Mexico and I was about to use that money to get through until tomorrow when we get more money.  I had the 100 American dollars that I had in the airport and I exchanged them to pesos here and so that worked out good to use that.  I also used my credit card once to by some shampoo at Wal-Mart, so thank you for letting me use that!  I'm so excited about conference next week.  It is going to be so great!  This last week we had two baptisms, Eduardo and Jazmin Liliana they were both great, although Eduardo's baptism was a mess.  We got to the church to fill up the water for the baptism and there was no water in the whole church building.  I have no clue why it wasn't working, but there was no water so we had to call our zone leaders and have them fill up the water in their church building so we could do the baptism there.  Then, when everyone got to our building for the baptism we had to get them rides to the other building in Molinito like 20 min. away.  Then after they all had rides we didn't have a ride because there was no room and it was pouring rain.  We had to run through the rain like 1 mile to get a combi (taxi) that took us to Molinito, then run about another mile to the building.  When we got there we were so wet.  We had umbrellas but when you're running and there is big puddles everywhere it doesn't really keep you dry, haha.  Then, when we got to the other church building, our zone leaders had just started the water and then left.  They didn't think it would fill up fast.  Well, they were wrong.  When we got there the water was overflowing.  We had to get that all cleaned up and then we were about to have the baptism.  That was a mess but the baptism was really great and it was amazing to see how happy he was after the baptism!  Then the other baptism went fine and there was water and we had it in our church building and that baptism was really great!  I love to see how happy baptism makes people.  It is truly amazing and every time, it makes my testimony of the gospel stronger!  I love this gospel and I am so grateful to be here and serve the Lord by preaching the gospel!  Don't worry, I'm staying safe!  Although I did get hit by a taxi this week, haha, but don't worry.  It was not hard and nothing even happened. I didn't even fall down or anything but it just goes to show how crazy this city is, haha.  I didn't even get a scratch from it but it is funny to say I got hit by a taxi, haha haha.  I love you all and miss you all.  I know that I am safe and that the Lord is always protecting me as I serve him.  I'm so grateful for this gospel and the opportunity I have to share it with others!  The mission is amazing.  I love it!  Thanks for all you do!  Thank you for being a great family!  I love you all!
Love,
Elder Despain

Septiembre 20, 2010

Hey Family!
So ya this week was very hard I'm not going to lie. What happened is my comp died. Well that's what you say when some one finishes their mission but you also say it when they finish before they go home. A missionary that isn't working is a dead missionary. Well this week I had a dead companion so that made the week very hard. I like Elder Lopez a lot and we got along really great but this last week was very hard. I had to push so hard to get anything done so it made the week slow. But he left to go home now. Although the week was hard it was still sad to see him finish and go home. But right now I am with my leaders of the zone. I have been with them since Saturday at about 3. It has been good being able to work hard again and not have someone not wanting to work. My leaders de zona are really cool, E. Peterson and E. Aguilar. We are about to go the combios and I will get my new comp. I found out on Saturday night that I am staying in my area which is really cool and my new comp. is Elder Reyna. He is really cool and the best part about it is I don't have any doubts about it like I did coming into this change because I already know Elder Reyna. E. Reyna has been in my district the last 2 changes so I know him pretty good. This next change should be so sweet and I'm so ready to work and have a comp I don't have to push to get stuff done! I have been working hard this last week to get some of our investigators closer to baptism and it looks like we will have 3 baptisms next week! Eduardo, Espranza, and this little 9 year old. I'm super excited to have them get baptized especially Espranza. We have been working with her for like 6 weeks so it is really exciting to see her take this great step! I love this work. I love having the opportunity to be here and serve the Lord. I'm looking forward to this change and I'm ready to work hard and see miracles. I have already seen so many here but I know that as I work hard I will see so many more. Tell Mike Happy Birthday and felizidades! I love you and miss you all! I'm glad to hear that Dad and Grandma and Grandpa got back safe. That is so great to hear their home. I didn't even realize that was this week. The time is just flying by and it doesn't seem like it. I feel like I have been here like 3 weeks but it has been over 3 months here in Mexico. I completed 6 months this last week. I got to burn a tie. I will send you pics of me doing that. It was fun. I love fire haha. Well I love you all so much! Stay strong and do whats right. Know that everything here is good and that I am safe. The Lord is always with me and as I serve the Lord he will always keep me safe. I love you all. Thanks for all you do!
love
Elder Despain

Me looking off into the distance 8-20-10

She has a bottle on her head and it is spinning.  It is kinda crazy. 9-11-10

  He is blindfolded and is dancing with (machete) big swords and doing them between his legs it is way crazy. 9-11-10

   Noche Mexicana, Mexican dancing! 9-11-10

Septiembre 13, 2010 6 months!

Hey family!!!
So it is crazy this week I complete 6 months!  The time is going very fast!  But it is really great!  So we had a baptism planned for Sunday, but we had more problems with the bishop and he didn't want her to get baptized.  So I think she is going to end up waiting like 2 or 3 more weeks to get baptized which is a big let down for her and for us, but there isn't much we can do.  I don't understand why this bishop does what he does but it is helping me to learn more patience.  It is very hard though because we have the keys to decide when someone is ready and she got an interview from our leaders and she is ready, but the bishop says no.  We could still baptize her because we have the keys, but then he would confirm her so that wouldn't be good.  So we are just going to wait, but it can be hard.  My companion goes home on Monday but his last day with me in the area is Friday so that is kinda crazy!  I don't really know where I will be at for like 3 days because combios aren't until Tuesday.  There will be like 3 or 4 days I don't have a companion, so I don't know if I will go and be with my zone leaders in their area or what, but it's all good.  I hope I get to stay in my area because we have like 5 people really close to baptism, but we will just have to see what happens.  I'm glad that you all had a good time at the big dirty.  It was weird missing it but I know that this is where I need to be!  So I got some letters in the pouch last week and one of the letters was from you mom, but it was from like June 14, haha. .It took like 3 months to get here, but the rest were all from like 2 or 3 weeks ago so, haha.  It's kind of funny.  Sometimes it takes two weeks and other times 3 months, haha.  But it is always great to get your letters!  The letters in pouch are nice because I can read them whenever I have time, not just during the time I use the internet!  So this week is the Independencia of Mexico so we had a Noche Mexicana in the church and it was super cool.  They had people do like Mexican dances and stuff and it was pretty sweet. But ya, the end of this week might be a little crazy with all the parties and stuff for the Independencia.  I think we will just stay off the streets and it will all be good, haha.  Well everything is going good with me!  I'm loving it here and I love getting to share the gospel!  It is really amazing to see all the miracles that the Lord blesses us with!  He really does prepare people to hear this gospel!  I love you all and I miss you all!  Thanks for all you do for me!  And thank you for all the letters!
Love,
Elder Despain

Septiembre 6, 2010

Hey family!
So I'm glad you got off to the big dirty. I hope it all went good and that you traveled up and back safe. I'm not going to lie, it is weird to miss it for the first time in my life but I know I'm in the right place. So I'm not sure why, but all the internet places were like closed today. I dont know I guess everyone who has an internet place didn't feel like working today. It took me and my comp like and hour to find and open internet place but I finally found one as you can tell because I'm writing you! Well I love you all thanks for the letters and everything! This week went really good. Wed and Thur I was on divisions with my district leader Elder Petterson and we worked in my area. We got a ton of work done. I love my comp but at times he doesn't want to work so it was really great to get to work all day really hard! Then also this week the president told us he wants missionaries in every ward for at least sacrament meeting. The other ward that is in our building doesn't have missionaries right now so that means we just doubled our area. We just need to go to their sacrament meeting and go to any references they have. It just is a lot more work for us but it is great. Also a blessing came from it. When we went to their sacrament meeting there was a man there that has come to church four weeks in a row and wants to be baptized. But since they don't have missionaries he hasn't heard any of the lessons or anything. This week we get to start teaching him and most likly he will be baptised this next week. I talked to him after the meetings and he has already prayed to know if this church is true and got an answer that is was. I know that the Lord answers prayers as he did this man's but the Lord truly prepares people. He hasn't had any of the lessons but he said he wants to be baptized. It is really great. Also another tender mercy and blessing of the Lord this week was that one of our investigators, he has been ready for baptism for a long time but couldn't get married because his wife/girlfriend is from Honduras and they have to get permission to be married. He can't be baptised until they are married. Well, they didn't think they would get permission until like Oct. at the earliest, but they found out this week that on the 14, or 15 they will have the permission and can be married. Then can be baptized. That was really awesome and it shows that the Lord answers prayers! Also I got to see one of the people I baptised get the priesthood. Federico got the priesthood and it was so amazing because I got to see him become a better husband and father and progress in this gospel. It was really great and also we taught him and his family about the temple and set a "meta" (I'm sorry I forgot that word in English. I hope it still makes sense) for them to go to the temple in a year and be married for time and all eternity. It was just great to see the happiness that it brought them. That it could bring their family closer together and that they could know that in a year the can have an eternal family! So this week was just really good and I saw a lot of blessings of the Lord and it strengthened my testimony of this gospel and that the Lord answers prayers and helped me to know that much more. Our Heavenly Father loves his children and blesses us as we do what's right! I love this gospel and love having the opportunity to share it with others. It is truly amazing and I love to see the happiness it brings to those who exept it! I want to invite you all to share the gospel at every opportunity and don't stop just because you have shared it with a person and they don't except Keep sharing it with them and be an example. The Lord prepares people and they might have heard it once but then after that something happens. The Lord prepares them and then you share it again and they accept the Lord knows them better then we do and knows that right time for them. Also, be an example always. You would be suprised how much people notice as I have been teaching. People so many times they have said, "Oh this member, I always see them and their family and there is just something different and I know that it is there church that makes them different and brings there family closer and I want that for my family. I have heard that many times and most of the time the family or the member doesn't even know that they made a difference but they did they were and instrument in their a Heavenly Fathers hands by just being a good example. I invite you all to always be an example because people are watching and see a difference! I love you all so much and I'm so grateful for all of you! I have an awesome family and great friends and I couldn't ask for better! I love you all! and miss you too!
love
Elder Despain