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
Monday, September 27, 2010
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
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
Monday, September 20, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
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
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
Friday, September 10, 2010
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
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
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