Week 37: I love training!

What a week! Possibly the best week of my mission yet! I love training so much! Especially training my companion elder Sanchez! He's super super awesome and we're working super hard! He's pretty much the perfect missionary and is super obedient. We get along super well and have had a bunch of great moments this week. You're all probably interested to hear about the earthquake. Yes. We did feel it. It was the most bizarre feeling in the world. We were sitting there studying in the morning when suddenly I felt like I got really dizzy because the whole room started swaying back and forth. But once I saw my companions face I realized that I wasn't the only feeling seeing it. I grabbed my camera and we ran outside the house. You can't really see how much it was moving in the video I took, but it felt like we were on a boat rocking back and forth. They reported that it was a 7.2, I expected that a 7.2 would feel a lot bigger... But I can now say that I experienced my first earthquake, I must admit that it felt way cool. The rest of the day my companion and I were saying that we wished we could feel it again. But it's probably better that it doesn't happen again, it shook up some of the people here pretty bad.

So I've talked about how making contacts has been something hard for me to do in my mission, well not anymore! We have practically talked to every person we see all this week! It's so wonderful! Now we just hope that we can find where some of the people live this week so that we can start teaching them! It's taking a bit of work to get the area up and running, but we're already seeing differences in the ward and we have a lot of potential investigators. Elder Sanchez is super humble and ready to serve the people here. He's constantly asking me what I think we can do to help specific people and it's clear that he already has developed love for the people in the mission.

We've discovered that we've been sleeping with our little friends again. At this point I almost don't even care that there are bed bugs in my bed, when we get home I'm so ready to sleep that it's the last thing on my mind. But my companion was a bit squeamish so we ended up putting chairs by my bed and both sleeping on my bed with our legs out on the chairs. It's wasn't the most comfortable night, but like I said, sleep is sleep and that's all that really mattered ;)

I've learned a lot about how to follow the promptings of the spirit this week. A lot of the time we try to express how we feel when we feel the spirit with our five physical senses. But the more that I've come to recognize the spirit, the less it's associated with how I physically feel. In Doctrine and Covenants 9:8 it says:

"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right."

The way that it says that we will receive an answer or feel the spirit is that our bosom will burn, but more importantly, we will "feel" that it is right. First it compares it to what we physically feel, but then that it's a feeling of truth within us.

In Heleman 5:30 it says:

"And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul—"

The people in this story first relate it to something that they heard like a voice (Physical) but then go on to say that it pierced "even to the soul". To really learn how to listen to the spirit we must learn to listen with our spiritual ears more than with our physical. When we really learn how to recognize the spirit that is how we can truly be converted as it says in D&C 6:23

23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?

When we pray for an answer or seek the guidance of the spirit, it may not be some grand vision that we receive as an answer. More likely it will be peace that we feel, this is what we need to learn to recognize as the spirit working in our lives. Once we're able to learn to recognize that simple peace we will find the guidance to do great things. As it say in D&C 2-3

"2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

 3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground."

Moses in these moments most likely didn't have some sort of grand revelation. He had learned how to recognize and listen to that simple peace by which the spirit speaks and was able to free the children of Israel. 

If we learn how the spirit speaks to each one of us individually and that most likely it isn't some grand manifestation, we'll be able to find that perfect guide in our lives. I have greatly felt the influence in my life this week. I'm excited to see where it will lead me through my life :)

Love you all!

Elder Twede

Changes

The things the sisters make us elders do ;)

Week 36: A Pretty Incredible Experience

Well this cycle comes to an end. Tomorrow are the transfers and I'll be senior companion and training! Yep! I'm gonna be a father! I still don't know who I'll be training, if he's a Mexican or an American. But I'm just excited to be training! Of course there are a bit of nerves... He'll be looking to me to know everything, and the fact is I still don't know a lot of things. But I'm excited because I know that I'll be learning a ton this next cycle. All I hope is that my new companion has the desire to work hard and everything will be great :)

This week we had a pretty incredible experience with our recent convert Beatris who just barely got baptized. They didn't go to any of the conference sessions and we were concerned why, so we dropped by on Tuesday to find out. Omar (husband of Beatris) came out to greet us and when we asked how things were going he said "mas o menos" and told us that they were having some issues at the moment. We asked if we could talk with his wife and when she came out she was pretty emotional. Turns out that they are having financial issues. My companion invited them to pray and study the scriptures, and if they did so with faith they would find their answer. 

The next day came and we started the visit out by watching the talk by David A. Bednar in this last conference. It lead to a great discussion and the spirit was super strong. Elder Reyes extended the invitation that they could share their testimonies in church the following Sunday, and then Beatris said something that made my heart drop. "I won't be able to come to church this Sunday."... What? We just had a super powerful discussion about relying on the Lord and keeping his commandments, and you're telling us that you don't plan on coming to church? We asked her why and she told us that the night before she had read a scripture and felt that she received an answer, the following morning she received a phone call with a work offer over the weekend. We asked her to share the scripture and she opened to D&C 59. When she opened to that section I got a bit confused as to what kind of answer she had received. She read verse 13 "And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full." and then told us that she believed she needed to fast. We both sat there just kind of smiling and told her to read from verse 9.

"9 And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;

 10 For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;

 11 Nevertheless thy avows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times;

 12 But remember that on this, the Lord’s day, thou shalt offer thine oblations and thy sacraments unto the Most High,confessing thy sins unto thy brethren, and before the Lord."

She sat there for a while and then said " I know what I need to do" 

On Sunday they all came to church. She had turned down this job opportunity so that she would be able to keep the Lords commandments. I learned a lot of different things from this experience. 

1. We can always rely on the scriptures to help answer questions. I'll admit that I doubted a bit when my companion said that if she prayed and then opened the scriptures she would find an answer. I will never doubt that again. If we truly seek an answer from our Heavenly Father with faith, all things are possible. 

2. Satan can even tempt us with what appears to be a blessing from God. If anything requires us to do something contrary to the commandments of God, it simply is not from him. He will never bless us in a manner that will require us to break one of his commandments. Beatris believed that she had received a blessing with this job offer, but her blessings are yet to come. She first had to make the sacrifice, but because she chose to turn down the job offer in order to keep one of Gods commandments, I have complete confidence that the true blessings will come now. 

3. That my faith still lacks a lot. I have so much to learn in relying on the Lord in all things. This whole experience has helped me strengthen my faith! We really can rely on the Lord to fulfill all of his promises, if first we do our part.  

I'm excited to go into this next cycle with a new companion. Especially someone that is new in the mission! I hope that we can see more miracles like this one. 

I love you all so much! Thank you for your love and support! I chuckled to hear the family is finally going on a trip with the Simpsons while I'm on the mission. I hope that you all have a wonderful time! Take lots of pictures for me! The play looked like quite a success from the pictures! That sure would have been a fun one to be in. I definitely plan on continuing theater when I get back! 

Love Elder Twede

My hero pose when I found out that I'm going to be a dad! (going to train)

Week 35: Conference was FANTASTIC!

I am now done with 1/3 of my mission. That's really weird to think about! Today I was talking to a missionary that is in his first cycle and was giving him a bunch of pointers and then realized ¨I remember talking to a missionary that had 8 months when I got here and thinking that he had been here for a long time.¨ It really has passed by super fast!

Today we had our mission wide fútbol tournament, this time my zone didn´t win... But I still had fun. I made sure to put on sunscreen this time so that I don't wake up tomorrow looking like a lobster. I'm not very good at playing fútbol yet, I guess I haven't eaten enough beans yet ;) 

So, conference, or missionary superbowl as Bryce calls it. Seems pretty appropriate, except for I've never seen a superbowl so I wouldn't know ;) As always conference was FANTASTIC! The opportunity to listen to the counsels of the prophet and apostles is such a blessing. The first hour of the first session was in Spanish because they hadn't set the tv up before hand, but I'm at the point where I could pretty much understand it all, but it's still always better to hear the prophet and apostles own voices. Us English speakers get treated pretty well as they set up a TV in the high counsel room and we get the big soft chairs, a lot better than all the hard chairs in the chapel. 

One of my favorite talks was by Elder Ballard. He spoke of how everyone should study preach my gospel and write the missionaries about what they are learning. Some of the most enjoyable letters I have received while on the mission have been about what you are learning in your studies and experiences. It brings me so much joy, as the scripture says when Alma met up with the sons of Mosiah

¨therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had ^bsearched the scriptures diligently,that they might know the word of God.¨

As my life at this moment is filled with opportunities to have spiritual and faith building experiences, I hope that my loved ones back home can enjoy the same opportunities to grow and progress in the gospel. I pray every single night that you can all have moments to increase your faith and love for the gospel. What would truly give me joy would be to hear of those moments in your letters :) 

Another talk that really caught my attention was Elder Henry B. Eyring on the importance of our heritage and the heritage that we leave behind. It brought me to thinking about my heritage, and the truth is I don't know the exact story. I know that I have a strong heritage from both sides of the family, but maybe you could send me some of the stories Mom and Dad? I would love to read them :)

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf´s talk on ¨don´t sleep through the restoration¨ was simply wonderful! This truly is a time that we would greatly regret later if we don't now fully participate. I feel such an honor to be able to serve in this day and age, the church really is moving forward in highest gear! We can´t even afford to take a quick nap right now! Or we´ll be left behind. 

I had so much more that I wanted to write about what I learned in the conference, but I left my notes at home... 

A lot of the times that we go to teach investigators, we're the ones that end up being taught. Our golden investigator right now Ruth is a single mom of 6 kids. Only the two youngest live in the house with her right now, but the rest all live with their families in the same block. I don't know the specifics of what happened, all I know is that her husband left her. But as we started the lesson with the prayer I was humbled to see someone so forgiving. She started the prayer thanking the Lord for her blessings, and than asked for specific blessings for her run away husband. Even though he hurt her badly, she still managed to not only forgive, but express love for this man. It was a humbling experience for me as I reflected on maybe some of the people that I should more easily forgive. 

I love you all so much! Thank you for the letters and support! Until next week.

Elder Twede

THIS. Is a mango

Eating between conference sessions. 

High council room watching conference.

Our semi-annual fútbol tournament. Our zone was the only one that didn't get the jerseys. We played in white shirt and tie. 

My twin brother Elder Huefner. We we're both trained together.

My zone

Week 34: Like an ironing of my life

What a week! On Saturday our golden investigator and her daughter were both baptized by her husband! Their daughter is 8 years old so she isn't officially a baptism by the missionaries, but she turns 9 tomorrow. If we would have just waited one week I could have had one more baptism ;) haha Just kidding, what matters is that she got baptized. It was really a beautiful baptism service with three other people from other missionaries. Afterwards all five of the people that got baptized shared their testimonies, Saori (the 8 year old) shared hers last and pretty much brought everyone to tears. The testimony of a child is so pure. She said that she was happy to be baptized a few days before her birthday, but that she knew that what was more important was that she was doing the Lords will. Sometimes we think that kids are to young to understand these types of things, but we should never assume. On Sunday I had the privilege of confirming Saori, I'll admit that it's still a little hard to give blessings mainly because I have to talk in Tu instead of Usted, which is just the way you address a person. But giving blessings is always such an amazing experience, especially when you get to say ¨receive the Holy Ghost¨.

On Friday we had splits with my district leader. He came to my area and worked with me, I really miss working hard. We packed in the the day and nearly did half of what we've been getting done in an entire week... I love that feeling after a long hard days work and just crashing in bed without a regret on your mind. I have learned a lot from the cycle though! I've really improved on my ability to teach and speak Spanish! I'm just excited to really apply what I've learned with hard work with my next companion. I was a bit surprised with Elder Harrison who speaks English that I was never really tempted to start talking in English with him, we made it through the whole day pretty much only speaking Spanish! 

So with some of the things that I've seen with the members in this area I've been studying why it is that we have trials even when we aren't doing anything wrong. I came across this scripture in Mosiah 23.

 20 And it came to pass that they did multiply and prosper exceedingly in the land of Helam; and they built a city, which they called the city of Helam.
 21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith.
 22 Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people.
 23 For behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea, even the God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob.
 24 And it came to pass that he did deliver them, and he did show forth his mighty power unto them, and great were their rejoicings.

Sometimes the Lord see´s it fit to try our faith. But this only gives us the chance to put more trust in him so that he can ¨deliver¨ us. As it says in Ether 12.

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
 
When we teach people we promise them blessings, but that doesn't mean the trials won't exist. I've seen at times people abandon their testimony because they face a trail when they thought that they would receive blessings. But if they would only recognize that during the trial is when they most need the blessings. Why do people so readily abandon their greatest source of help and strength when they most need it? It's a question that I don't think I'll ever be able to find an answer. Only that Satan has his devices to deceive and fool man to believe that blessings cannot be present in life when there are trials. But on the contrary! Often we're eligible to receive more blessings as we endure holding strong to our faith. 

I can testify of this fact. This has been the most challenging cycle I've had in my mission, but I have clearly enjoyed more blessings in this time than any of my other time. I'm grateful that the Lord see´s this time fit to try my patience and my faith so that I can increase it. The mission really is like a ironing of my life, just taking out all of the wrinkles. Sometimes the heat burns a bit, but that's when it's able to take out the biggest of wrinkles. 

Thank you for all of your support! I love you all! Until next week. 

Love Elder Twede

The baptismal font. The hardest part is getting down inside.  Just kidding it's the water tank that wasn't pumping any water the day before the baptism... A bit stressful, but everything worked out

Cleaning the bathrooms right before the baptism. After the church not having running water for a week... let's just say they were horrible...

Jesus and I, he's a really good kid.

Baptism! This picture looks a bit squished for some reason... I swear I'm not that chubby!

Week 33: Days keep rolling by

Let's hope that this email doesn't get erased while I'm in the middle of writing it like last week. 

This week kind of flew by really fast! I don't really remember if anything very interesting happened. I saw a giant dead horse in the middle of the street.. that was a little bit unusual.

Oh! some great news is we're going to have a baptism this Saturday! Everyone pray that it all goes through! You never know what can happen right before a baptism. Her name is Beatriz, her husband is a member and he's going to baptize her! I've really enjoyed teaching her, she has such a strong testimony. It's really an amazing experience when you can watch a testimony grow in someone and then when they share it with you it helps your own personal testimony grow. I'm super excited for this Saturday!

So I'm super glad that I have those piano books from my seminary teacher! I use them so much! Every time we have a meeting with the mission I get to play for the whole mission, the president really likes the If You Could Hie to Kolob song. I've actually gotten a lot better at the piano in the mission, which I wouldn't have expected. But I have to sight read a lot more because everyone asks me to play things on the spot, so it's probably a result of that. 

At the start of this week I did a leg workout... I've been super sore since. We have to cross this bridge pretty much everyday, those stairs have become my arch enemy. just a note to self, remember that as a missionary I have to walk a whole lot. No more extreme leg workouts. I'm also finally getting over having some sort of fungus on my hands. I basically lost a whole layer of skin on both of my hands. When people asked what I had I just told them that I was a leper, it looked pretty fitting. 

That's about it for this week. Days keep rolling by super fast. I can't believe that I'm almost 1/3 done with my mission! I have a lot of work to get done before these two years end! Thank you for all of your love and support! I love you all!

Love,

Elder Twede

Tianguis. The street market that they set up every Friday in my street. 

The hamburgers that a member family sells right outside our door. They feed us for free every now and then. 

Week 32: I'm starting to figure it out

Ok... so I was just about to send the email and.. well.. It's gone... I don't know what happened... So sorry if this week is a bit short... man.. I don't want to start over...

Well.. as for my area, I'm starting to figure it out a bit more. The directions that people give us are a bit difficult at times "go straight for three streets and then turn left and go straight four more streets and then turn left. It's the house with the green door." When we get there there are usually about three or four green doors. About half of the streets are dirt and I'm pretty sure that I'm going to have to buy new shoes.

We have some amazing investigators! Sister Beatriz is super golden! In our last lesson with her we taught the Book of Mormon and we asked if she could close with the prayer and ask in the prayer in the Book of Mormon is true. When she prayed she said "I don't really need to ask if this book is true because I already know."... Those are the moments that all missionaries dream for! The spirit was super strong and the conviction in her voice made it clear that she really does have a testimony. 

I am getting a lot better at speaking Spanish with my companion and I'm getting a lot better at teaching. There are some people that think that I have more time here than six months because my accent. But if they really have a full on conversation with me they usually figure out pretty quick that I've only been in Mexico for six months.

It is crazy that yesterday I hit six months in Mexico! It still seems weird to me that I'm in a different country. But to say I've lived here for six months seems even more weird, it is flying by thought! There are times when two years seems really short. 

I had more things written before I know it... but I can't remember... I hope everything back home is going well. I love the pictures that you send me! Tell grandpa I love him and he'll be in my prayers. That operation looked pretty nasty. 

Adrie. You look like a young women. I hope you make it into the play! that would be super awesome! and Connor good luck! you guys are awesome! 

I love you all so much! Thank you for all your support and letters, they're pretty much the best things ever. 

Love,

Elder Twede

A member sells burgurs right outside our door at night and sometimes gives us each one for free. Being a missionary really does have it's perks.

Here's my house. It's one big room with the bathroom in the corner.

Playing soccer at the church

Bryce mentioned in one of his letters that everyone is saying that I'm super tan. I thought I'd show you my beautiful missionary tan line. My arms are equally as bad.

Week 31: "All these things shall give [me] experience"

Well I'm in a new area and I have no clue where anything is... The streets are all organized differently that my last area and it's a lot harder to navigate. But the ward is pretty awesome from what I've seen! The ward is split into two areas so there are four missionaries here, the other two are the zone leaders. There aren't a whole lot of members in our area, most of them live where the zone leaders are. 

But don't worry! I am happy :) No one can ever take my smile away from me! I'm still working hard and have really felt the support of the Lord this week! Sometimes I feel grateful for some difficulties because I really have felt an outpouring of his spirit.  We do get up early to go to the gym every morning! That's one thing that I wouldn't mind keeping after my new companion leaves. 

I don't really have a whole lot to write about other than that. It has kind of occupied my mind this whole week. But it really is a great learning opportunity and I'm just going to make the most of it. Sometimes that's all we can do. 

I really like that poem you sent me mom from Lyle. 

THE WEAVER

MY LIFE IS BUT A WEAVING, BETWEEN MY GOD AND ME.

I LET HIM CHOOSE THE COLORS — HE WORKETH STEADILY.

OFTIMES HE WORKETH SORROW AND I, WITHIN MY HEART,

FORGET HE SEES THE PATTERN WHILE I SEE ONLY PART.

THE DARK THREADS WERE AS NEEDFUL IN THE WEAVER’S SKILLFUL HAND,

AS THE THREADS OF GOLD AND SILVER IN THE PATTERN HE HAD PLANNED.

NOT TILL THE LOOM IS SILENT AND THE SHUTTLES CEASE TO FLY,

SHALL GOD UNROLL THE CANVAS AND EXPLAIN THE REASON WHY. 

    

It really is a beautiful way that the Lord helps us learn and grow in this life. Sometimes it may seem impossible in the moment, but with the knowledge of the Savior and his atoning sacrifice, we know that we can rise above it all. I have always love the example of Joseph Smith and how he alwas endured. As he suffered in damp and cold conditions in the ironically titled Liberty Jail. He supplicated to the father in humble prayer seeking his comfort. The Lords response is nothing less than humbling and inspiring. 

"7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" 

We all will face trial and adversity in this life. But from Gods perspective it is but a small moment that will have it's eternal rewards. I can honestly say that this has been one of the most difficult weeks of my mission. But I also haven't felt the support of my Heavenly Father so much in my life before, and I am grateful for that experience to increase my faith and strengthen my testimony.  I know that the coming weeks aren't going to be any easier than this past one, but the truth is I'm excited for the things that I'm going to learn. I came into the mission knowing that I would have some difficult companions, I just continually pray that I will be able to have the Lords perspective in all these experiences that "all these things shall give (me) experience, and shall be for [my] good."

The Lord has a perfect plan for all of us, we just need to stick to it. In the end the Lord will unroll the canvas and it wouldn't be complete if we weren't given the opportunities that are only found in trails.  

I love you all so much! Thank you for your love and support! 

Love Elder Twede

My last district in my last area. They are all amazing!