I'm tired!

Wow, that looks like you guys had a great time at the cabin for Thanksgiving! I’ll tell you about my Thanksgiving in a sec. I don't recognize ANYONE!!!! In the picture where you are cleaning the highway I didn't recognize Porter, Cherish, Calvin.. and... what’s her name?!?! I forgot, Brian’s smallest kid....and everyone else. I am so out of it here. I can’t believe I only have 5 month left... its a sobering thought.

I’ve been trying to make time count cuz its running out but.. I don’t know, maybe I'm trying too hard. I work hard and am having a ton of fruits but my body isn't keeping up. I don’t know if I told you but we had to change houses, we found an ok one a little bit up a hill and planned on moving Saturday cuz the assistants were gonna bring the van to help us. But they never came so I called one sister who has a big van and she said she would help us but not till like 6 in the afternoon. I said ok and she didn't get to the house till 8:30! I asked one of the district leaders Elder Garcia and his comp to help us move we moved all the stuff fast in an hour and a half but we left it all outside while me and Elder Roylance cleaned the whole house from top to bottom. Then we started moving in the stuff. We got it all in and started organizing stuff. I got sick at about 12:30. After being in the bathroom for a while I literally collapsed on my bed and stayed there. Sunday I got the rest organized.

We didn’t have that many lessons this week and I tried to take it more easy but.. we had 8 baptisms this week and... that’s a lot of work. The first one was Esmeralda, she is an incredible lady we met a few weeks ago. She is separated from her husband and her kids live with him. She always has an awesome smile and just as happy as can be, and loves the Elders. She got baptized with Susana Luna and her son Josué. Susana went to an open house a couple weeks ago and put on the reference card that she wanted a visit but we didn’t go for about a week and half. The whole time I knew we had to go see her. When we finally got there she explained how she has been looking for something in her life like this. We filled the need and she progressed, fast. Josue is slightly mentally handicapped and full of energy. They all got baptized on Saturday. On Sunday the Marcos Family got baptized or, as you know them, Juana and her dad. The whole week we were with them. I think we passed by with them every day almost. There were a lot of doubts and indecision. We took Garcia on Saturday and he interviewed everyone (it took forever) and they all felt better. Sunday morning we passed by for them all ready! Juana said she wasn’t gonna get baptized that day (I’m assuming it was that time of the month) we gave her the look like, "you really want to try this?" and she said, "well I think I can." hahaha it was wonderful. The water went out again and we had just barely enough. Good thing they are all short. Afterwards we went to the food appointment and at about 630 I was in my pajamas in bed until 8 when a lot of Elders came over to the house to get their changes. I got to say bye to Elder Acosta over phone. It was sad to know he’s gone. He was one of my best comps but, that’s what happens. The cool part is he gets home one day after his twin brother. Me and Elder Roylance got together again. Even though we are two white guys we’ve had such success together, so they left us together. We had 19 baptisms this transfer cycle or change as we call it, which is phenomenal. I’m so grateful for the success and joy we’ve had lately. We got to 36 baptisms in the zone this month which is awesome too, but I decided I’ve got to start focusing more on the zone and help out the rest more. The two elders that are coming with us are Elder Flores and Elder Barrera both relatively new. This should be fun living all together. Well. I’ve got more to write but I am literally falling asleep over the keyboard. Please pray that I’ll have physical strength, I need it cuz I can’t slow down. Not yet. I love you all and always pray that he will bless you. I’m glad that those prayers are being answered. The gospel is true and love is the motive.

---ELDER SOLOMON

Life as usual

Ok, well, I guess I’ll respond to your questions first. Me and Roylance are legitimate companions, not just hanging around. There are changes in a week but I think well stay together. I guess we´ll see! We’ve also got more news there. We are going to receive another companionship here in this ward. It’ll be cool but the thing is that we have to change houses, and that’ll be a problem. It won’t be a problem finding another one that fits us; the problem will be getting out of the one we are in. Elder Cruz signed a one-year contract there and we have only been there 3 months. Please help us with your prayers to open the heart of the owner so he will let us change. As I was sitting down to write when Elder John Reed called... of course we talk in English! It’s a bit of a pride thing that when possible, the white guys talk in English. It’s like conserving the traditions.

Oh hey Brighton, how is that job with Jerry? I think I want it. I am focused on the work. It’s like two different lives to tell you the truth. The majority is work, work, and work. But sometimes on Monday I let myself think in other stuff… until the meeting. Congrats to Sheldon and mom, head coach, that’s pretty cool. Brigg and Sheldon I’m sure are going to tear it up in wrestling. Is Workman still there or what’s the whole deal with them? and thanksgiving… I’m hoping to sneak out to Chili’s and see some American football with an American burger in my mouth, but knowing my work ethic lately there won’t be time… Well itsounds like you all are doing awesome, keep it up.

Another 20 lesson week, but this time with one baptism. Her name is Leticia. She is a bigger lady and it took 4 tries to get the gut under the water. The good thing is everyone was laughing, so apart from not being enough water and the lights going out halfway through the baptism, the spirit was there. She was happy, and the investigators were impressed. We just had to explain that this doesn’t usually happen ;) we found her a long time ago. Her mom and son are inactive members but a really nice family. Her mom is super strong willed and bossy as all get out. But Leticia always sides with us ;) we’ve got quite a few people lined up to get wet this week. First and foremost Esmeralda, one of my favorite people in México. She always gives us a little dinner after our lessons and is just ready to go! Juana and her family are good. They are still having a super hard time accepting that the virgin of Guadalupe is idolatry. But they will is just hard for tradition and this time of year is when they really celebrate her. The work is moving forward like never.

I’m not really thinking of much to say today. I’m enjoying life. Mom you are right I have grown up. A lot. I feel like I’ve waken up and I know the more I learn the more my eyes will be opened. I just finished Alma this week. My favorite by far lately has been Alma 60. There is so much good stuff there and the way to persuasion! I love this work. I love the Lord, there is no greater work except for the one we do in our own homes. I love you all and wish you a happy Thanksgiving! Have fun at the cabin.

-ELDER SOLOMON

Stupid Dog!

Goodbye Elder Cruz!

The Jew and his stupid dog

With the family Martinez at Chili's

My english class

With Hermana Martinez

The Zone

Wow, the boys look big! [mom sent pictures of the London's birthday party hike.] All growing up. Brighton looks basically the same. Goofball with his stupid hats. Brigg’s face looks all grown up and as always “se cree mucho”. I hardly recognized Sheldon and Dad… I love you. Roylance looked at the pictures and said “your Dad is a stud!” And as always mom never sends pictures of herself… Well sounds like the football program needs a real nice makeover. It’s sad to see such a tradition drizzle away, I’m sorry that it’s your generation that suffers it Brigg. But learn what you can and don’t worry about it anyway. Soon your Friday “night lights” turn into Sunday morning meetings and losing and winning could mean the salvation of other people (and your own)… that’s a bit worrying. The good thing is that if you do all in your power you will not lose. It doesn’t depend on the o-line.

Um, about the memory drive, mom. Last week I noticed something… I have a usb drive deal that I transfer all my pictures onto. Its 4 gigs so it’s big enough to hold it all. But the beloved virus ridden Mexican computers seemed to have erased all the pictures and flixs I have ever taken. The only ones I have is from when I got to this area (2 months ago) and the ones I’ve sent home… good thing I’ve learned so much about patience and hope cuz that’s a wall puncher if not. I’ve got a Costco in the zone so we go eat every now and then on Mondays. It’s a lot of food and cheap but if you want I’ll send it home. It’s all the same. Ha I’ve got a good story about that card.

So Cruz took off. He had a goodbye party on Saturday and Sunday afternoon we took him to the offices and stayed with him. He’s a really absent minded kid and packed his suitcase like I imagine Brighton would. Shove it all in and try to shut it. We woke up at 330 to take him to the airport. The secretaries and Elder Acosta went with us. When we got there he realized that he couldn’t find his wallet. He convinced them to give him his ticket. But without identification he couldn’t get past security. We looked frantically through his messy suitcase with shirts books and garments all over the place but nothing. It wasn’t in the van and the elder that was in the office said he couldn’t find it either. Then I found his Costco card that has his face on the back. Lucky guy it worked. They let him through and he is now with his family in Tampico. It sucked coming back to sinful Molinito. Here the center is going to burn so bad. I estimate there are about 25 bars within a square mile or less. And I live in the middle of it all without fear. Fetching sinners... ok off track. Cruz was an awesome missionary. He had an intense love for everyone but that didn’t prevent him from saying things how they are. I still struggle with that but he helped me so much. I was hard to see him leave but I was happy for the guy to get on with his life.

We had an awesome week meeting the nation wide goal of 20 lessons a week. And that was with 16 new investigators. We found some pretty incredible families. First, the family Marcos. It was a reference of a girl named Juana. We went looking for the address and ended up going way down into some canyon and while looking for the house number a guy, who was cleaning his little house they put the virgin of Guadalupe and all that stuff, he asked what number are you looking for. We told him and he said, who are you looking for. We told him Juana and he said “come on in!” it was Juana’s dad. We met her mom and two little sisters. One of her little sisters Dolores, 17, has a baby. We found out that she is still living with the guy, but the weird part is that they are married! That never happens here. So they started out asking one of the typical questions. “Why does God permit so much suffering and wickedness” we answered it and shared about the Restoration. When we asked for another appointment the shouted out, “Tomorrow!” So we visited them Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The only big bummer is that they didn’t go to church on Sunday cuz they went out of town. On Saturday we talked about the 10 commandments. Well, actually only the first two. They got pretty hung up on the whole virgin deal. Its hard pulling out those roots that run so deep. But we applied love, encouragement, and a lot of conversion process and they half way accepted it. They are an incredible family and I pray they will progress, to the temple.

Another family we found on Saturday. It was another reference and in fact a lady that had been to church a week ago but wouldn’t give us her address cuz she said her husband would get upset and throw us out. When we saw it was her we just asked to present ourselves at the door with him. He finally came out and it was great. “Hermano, como esta!!!??, que dice? Como le ha ido” we hugged him and in those first crucial, crucial 30 seconds we got the confidence enough to get in the home. They have three kids, and he told us right away that he doesn’t really believe in God for the things he’s seen in his life. We just acted like its ok, and started teaching about prayer. After explaining, I asked him what things he could thank God for in his life and he said nothing. So I asked him just to put an example for us, and so he did. After Elder Roylance prayed he started talking about families. After a bit he asked the sister to tell us what her family means to her, and then asked the brother. With moist eyes he described the love for his family and said “I know I don’t say it enough but I love them.” The kids all looked shocked and they also began to feel it. I’m pretty sure that’s the first time out loud he has told his kids that he loves them. His teenage girl also shared her feeling and she also had moist eyes. It was a wonderful short lesson but the thing was getting in the house and gaining confidence with them. We are having a wonderful time and seeing miracles. The body isn’t keeping up as good. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday I had killerheadaches but kept pushing.

One last story, about a month and a half ago a man arrived to the chapel during a weekday and we happened to be there. Everyone looked at him weird cuz he had a beard with out a mustache and one of those little Jewish hats. Cruz immediately said to me, “yes! I wanna baptize another Jew.” We talked to him and it turned out that his wife had just been diagnosed with influenza, the swine flu deal, and he was there looking for spiritual support. So we went into a room and talked a bit and I gave him a priesthood blessing. On Sunday he showed up to church and Cruz interrogated him cuz he said he was a member with the Aaronic priesthood. He even knew his member number! He turns out to be one of the most service giving persons here. He always is cleaning and helping- something only Elders do. Yes, he is weird. With the beard and yamaka (is that how you say it?) and every week he brings more stuff. Suitcasesfull of who knows what. And a couple of weeks ago a little black dog (he ties it up outside during sacrament). Well, he even received the Melchesideck priesthood on Saturday. But before heading off to the stake center he left all his stuff, including the dog in the bishop’s office. In Cruz’s goodbye party we were going to do a little program so me and Roylance opened the office to get hymn books and we scared the dog and it took off. Out the door and out the gate into the street! We took of after it. We ran until we couldn’t run anymore (not that far) and we lost it. I started feeling sick we lost the poor guy’s best friend in the middle of Mexico City!!! After looking for like 20 minutes we returned to the chapel feeling sick to the stomach. When he returned he just laughed and said” ha-ha don’t worry. He’s trained!” sure enough he returned and was there on Sunday. Entering every chance he could into sacrament until the brother finally tied it up… hahaha retards. Everyone had a good laugh about that one.

Well, I think I’ve talked enough. This is a long letter. Please say hi to everyone for me. I love them all. I heard Jenna Stradling is engaged. She was my last hope… it looks like I’ll be opening a new area in 6 months! Oh well. God has greater plans for me. He’s that boss we should pry let him be in charge and not look for advice. If we ask him what to do that means we are going to do it 100 %. Take care, you guys are incredible. Keep on pushing. Brighton make sure you are reading Preach My Gospel. Mostly chapters, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Study the doctrine and know how to explain it in a simple and understandable way. If you want practice teach a 7 year old ;) that’s always a cool experience.

I love you all so much.

-ELDER SOLOMON

PS. WHY DID THE GIRL FALL OFF THE SWING?

CUZ SHE DIDN’T HAVE ANY ARMS!!

Mission Tour

Baptism of Luci and Liborio

Elder Roylance, Estela, Miguel, Brenda, Cruz, Vania, Rosa, Bayron, and me!

Luci and Liborio's wedding.

It’s cold here too. It feels nice but my feet get cold at night.

[Elder] Cruz is in his last week here in the mission. He has turned into a pig! I’m always cleaning up after him. [Elder] Roylance too. He has been such a great help to me in these last few weeks and a great companion. It’s gonna be hard to see him go.

It was a good work week and a bad one. There was a mission tour this week. Elder Tenorio of the Seventy was with President Fuentes and Roylance had to play piano for all three days. So we had to go drop him off on Tuesday. We went to the tour on Thursday. Friday we took Luci and her husband Liborio to get married so they could get baptized. and all the chores that accompany that. So we had a lot of time in other things; only teaching 9 lessons the whole week. But we still had 7 baptisms. On Saturday the visitor’s center came out to our chapel. They have a little portable cv they drag around and set up. They were there from 10 till 3 having 157 people go through the tour and a massive stack of refrences. It was fun. All we had to do was direct the people inside the chapel and the sisters did the rest. I’m a bit overwhelmed by the work load we now have because we have so many references in our area to check. While we were there at 11 we had the baptism of Estela, Mighuel angel, Brenda, Rosa Rangel and Vania. Estela is the sister of Irma and Miguel and Brenda are her kids. Pedro, the dad is still working there, but wants to get on the right path. Alcoholism is hard to get over. Rosa is one of the most special people I’ve ever taught. She was a hard core Christian but was offended pretty bad and so she left there. My first week in this area she and her kids Vania and Bayron went to our English classes. They left their reference and we started visiting them. She always had a lot of questions and never seemed to believe us. But she read. She read every pamphlet and booklet we have and started the Book of Mormon. About 2 weeks ago she was in Alma 7. After a long thorough investigation she finally decided and knew what she should do. It was my pleasure to baptize her. Things went great on Saturday.

Not quite as well on Sunday. There is a custom here that family members just randomly show up at houses and that means all else is put on hold. So while Estela and them were leaving, some in laws showed up and they didn’t make it for their confirmation. Rosa and Vania showed up though. And we had the baptism of Luci and Liborio after the services, but I was running around in such an impatient rage. Sacrament meeting here is a joke. There is no reverence in the ward and one guy got mad at me for hushing his wild kid while [Elder] Roylance was struggling with another. I talked with the brother afterwards but parenting is under attack. The new excuse is “that’s just how he his, I can’t do anything about it.” Dang right! Smiling at him while he drives the Daytona 500 from one end of the tile wall to another isn’t going to do a thing… ohhhh… it’s ok… patience Elder! Luci and Liborio are awesome. Luci has kids in Yucatan that have entered the temple. It is just that she got caught up on the whole plural marriage deal. We fixed that good and she got married and ready. She basically told us. “here are my papers to get married, baptize me on Sundday and put an appointment in one year for my sealing” Liborio looks like a scary guy with the big ol mustache and is all muscly but he is a really simple, honest man. I gave them one of the new Bibles I had bought a while back and signed it. A lot of success, but the big worry is the low retention rate here. [Elder] Cruz calls this ward a bucket with holes in it… it’s a tough situation.

The tour was sweet. Elder Tenorio talked about a lot of things. Its all in my journal. I’ll try and send some thoughts later, I just cant get my thoughts organized right now. It’s Monday. The part I really remember right now is the part of Prayer. He showed a way to get more blessings and more specific blessings; plan it out, and tell the Lord just what is going to happen, what his part is and plea for him to do specific things. Like the servant of Abraham when he went looking for a wife for Isaac. Read that chapter and I’ll explain more later.

Love you all.

Love you all take care, you are in my prayers.

Elder Roylance has a little sister that is turning 11 on Friday, just like mine.

-ELDER SOLOMON

Baile de nachos

WELL, HEY THATS AWESOME ABOUT SHELDON. WAY TO GO BUD!! EACH YEAR AND EACH HOLIDAY YOU GUYS ARE MORE AND MORE PARTY POOPERS. BUT IT’S ALL GOOD. THE PEOPLE DOWN HERE ARE REALLY WEIRD. HALOWEEN IS SEEN AS SUCH AN EVIL DEVIL WORSHIPPING HOLIDAY. WE TRIED TO HAVE A HALOWEEN DANCE BUT… it was SHOT DOWN. SO CRUZ CHANGED IT TO THE “NACHO” (REDNECK) DANCE. AND THEY ALLOWED IT, (BUT DIDN’T SUPPORT IT AS ALWAYS). IT GOT RAINED OUT AND ONLY ABOUT 15 PEOPLE WENT ANYWAY..,

THE WEEK STARTED OUT AWESOME. WE WERE TEACHING A LOT BUT Thursday we had a plumbing problem in the house with all the pipes clogged up and the neighbors as well, so we were in the house for about 4 hours doing nothing. I had bought the Mexican version of Monopoly a few days before and so we played that. Then Friday it rained so much. We spent about 3 hours keeping dry and then had to get ready for the dance. Saturday we had to go all the way to the temple so Roylance could practice a special musical number. Wasted a lot of time there as well. I’m pretty sick of wasting time on things that have to be done but…

Things are going good.

We have 5 people with a baptismal date for this week and there might be more. The Lord is definitely blessing me a lot. I hope he is pouring the blessings upon you all as well. You deserve it. Something I learned this week. Perfection is an invitation and a command. It’s also reachable. Maybe not in all aspects right now, but we can be perfect in something. Look for something and be perfect in it.

I love you all so much. Sorry about the lame letter. I’m a bit frustrated with dumb stuff. It happens every now and then. Take care.

-ELDER SOLOMON