Follow Up Training 6-7-17

We have had a great day in our follow up training.  It has been almost 6 weeks since these 8 wonderful missionaries arrived!  That is hard to believe!!  But they are doing well.  They are happy in the work and working hard!  Here are some highlights from our day together.

Sister Villagran won the assistant's 

7 Celestial Habits Game.

Good for her!

President Clayton's closing remarks

baptisms for the week of 6-5-17

#1

The Jaramillo Family´s Baptism

We came to know the Jaramillo family when we came to the área, they had many years investigating the church. Something that greatly helped the family is the goal that they put desiring to be an eternal family. We visited them many times and they always accepted us, while keeping their commitments. They continued attending church and overcoming the temptations of the devil during the week leading up to their baptism. This is a good example of how the family has perfect faith in Christ and have made him the center of their family. They have made changes in what they want in life, and as such have changed the desires of their hearts. As is said in Third Nephi 13:21 “For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.”

Elder Manua & Elder Crisman

Bautismo de Familia Jaramillo

Conocimos la familia cuando llegamos a esta área, tenía muchos años investigando la iglesia. Algo que ayudo la familia mucho es la meta que ellos pusieron que quiere ser como familia por la eternidad. Nosotros visitaron muchas veces y siempre nos aceptaron y se cumple con los compromisos. Se fueron a seguir asistiendo la iglesia y superaron los tentaciones de satanás durante el semana de su bautismo. Un bueno ejemplo de una familia que tiene la fe perfecta para seguir con Jesucristo como el centro de la familia. Ellos hizo un cambio de lo que quería de la vida, y se cambiaron también los deseos de su corazones. Como dice en 3Nefi 13:21 "Porque donde esté vuestro tesoro,allí estará también vuestro corazón."

#2

Luis´s Baptism

He is a very intelligent young boy and has read the entire Book of Mormon. He is now engine of his family. His family was inactive and due to his baptism has now returned to church.

 Elder Hudson and Elder Mejia

Bautismo de Luis

Él es un niño súper inteligente y ya leo el libro de mormón completo y él ahora es el motor de su familia, su familia es inactiva y gracias al Bautismo de él regresaron a la iglesia

#3

Alejandra Escobar´s Baptism

Alejandra was being taught originally by the Sisters. By the time we resumed teaching her, she had a baptismal date and felt ready. She was awesome to teach and was very receptive to the lessons. Alejandra wanted to be baptized like her parents and her sister; she felt that it was the right thing to do. Her interview was a  powerful experience. The baptism, although it was simple and with few members attending , was full of the Spirit. We are very happy for her and her desire to make covenants with our Heavenly Father. We know that she will progress and thrive with the Light of the Gospel and the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

Elder Gonzalez and Elder Rose

Bautismo de Alejandra Escobar

Alejandra originalmente fue enseñada por las Hermanas. Cuando volvimos a enseñarle, ella tenía una fecha bautismal y sentía lista. Era increíble a enseñarle, era muy receptiva a las enseñanzas. Alejandra quería ser bautizado cómo sus padres y su hermana; ella sentía que era lo correcta para hacerlo. Su entrevista fue una experiencia poderosa. El servicio bautismal, a pesar de que sencilla y pocos fueron en asistencia, fue llenísimo del Espíritu. Somos muy felices para ella y su deseo a hacer convenios con nuestro Padre Celestial. Sabemos que ella va a progresar y prosperar con la luz del evangelio y la compañía del Espíritu Santo.

#4

Ivan´s Baptism

Ivan is one of the best converts.  He has received a testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and has treasured it up in his heart. Since we met him we have felt his desire to follow Christ and to perfect himself in Christ. He is eager to share that which has brought him such joy with all people. Without a doubt he has had a change occur in his heart.

Elder Castro and Elder Rodríguez

El Baptismo de Ivan

Ivan es uno de los mejores conversos, ha recibido un testimonio del evangelio restaurado de Jesucristo y lo atesora para sí en su corazón. Desde que le conocemos hemos podido sentir sus deseos de seguir a Cristo y de perfeccionarse en él. Está deseoso de poder compartir esto que le ha hecho tan feliz con todas las personas, pues sin duda ha habido un cambio efectivo de corazón en él.

#5

Denis´ Baptism

Denis came to know the church through a friend at College and she became interested. Her friend gave her a Book of Mormon, and she read it, she became very interested, and asked that the missionaries would visit her. The missionaries taught her and she made the necessary changes to receive baptism. Her family is catholic, yet she continued ignoring the criticism and mocking she was receiving for listening to the missionaries. She prayed and was able to receive her answer, that to be baptized. She has a strong testimony of Joseph Smith. One night she wanted to know more about the life of Joseph Smith, and watched the movie about him and many other things and now has a strong testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that this is the true church. She is very happy to be a member and make more covenants with the Lord in the future.

Elder O´campo and Elder Christensen.

Bautismo de Denis

Denis conoció la iglesia por una amigo suyo en la universidad y se interesó. Su amigo le regalo el libro de mormón y ella lo leyó, se interesó mucho, y pidió que los misioneros le visitaran. Le enseñaron y ella fue haciendo los cambios necesarios que tenía que hacer para poder tomar el bautismo. Su familia es católica pero ella siguió adelante a pesar de las críticas y burlas que le hacía por escuchar a los misioneros. Ella oró y pudo tener su respuesta para el bautismo. Ella tiene un fuerte testimonio en cuanto a Jose Smith. Una noche le interesó saber más de su vida de José Smith y vio su película y muchas cosas más y ahora tienen un fuerte testimonio que Jose Smith fue un profeta y esta es la iglesia verdadera. Está feliz por ser miembro y más adelante hacer más convenios con el señor

#6

Sergio´s Baptism

Brother Sergio is a clear example of what the Bible teaches “help me to help you.” He has diligently sought out the missionaries where-ever he has been. He has finally been able to complete receiving the lessons. With the help of members in Los Angeles and us, we were able to complete teaching him and participate in his conversion. He has been greatly blessed for his diligence and now we await when he can receive the Priesthood and within a year be sealed with his girlfriend.

Elder Gaona and Elder Flores

Bautismo de Sergio

El hermano Sergio es un claro ejemplo de  como dice la biblia "ayúdate que yo te ayudare." Él ha buscado diligentemente a los misioneros donde quiere que vaya y por fin ha podido  acabar sus lecciones. Con ayuda de los misioneros de Los Ángeles y nosotros hemos podido acabar su enseñanza y su conversión y ha sido bendecido grandemente por su diligencia ahora solo esperamos que obtenga el sacerdocio y dentro de un año se sella con su novia

#7

Guadalupe and Bryan´s Baptism

The desire to be baptized arose in the brother first.  He had several challenges and disappointments along the way, including that at times he did not want to listen to us, and not receive us. After a time he remembered many things and took into account that he could nothing without God, and without obeying the commandments. His son later also had the desire to follow his father and together they prepared for this day. Now the family is happy and excited to follow the footsteps of the Savior and prepare to enter the Temple. Miracles from Tecuala.

Elder Mejia and Elder Mickelson

Bautismo de Guadalupe y Bryan

El deseo de ser bautizados surgió primero en el hermano, tuvo varios desafíos y desánimos, incluso ya no quería escucharnos y a veces no nos recibía. Después de un tiempo el recordó muchas cosas y se dio cuenta de que no podía hacer nada sin Dios y sin obedecer los mandamientos. Su hijo también después tuvo el deseo de seguir el ejemplo de su padre y los 2 se prepararon para este día, ahora su familia esta animada y feliz de seguir los pasos del Salvador y prepararse para entrar al templo. Milagros de Tecuala.

#8

 Melanie Gutierrez De La Fuente´s Baptism

May, 27, 2017

Sister Melanie is a nine year old your girl and all of her family are members but she waited to be baptized. She was very excited for her baptism and now is  eager to learn more and more.

Her brother had the opportunity to perform the ordinance and it was very special to see the whole family together.

The Spirit was very strong and we know that one day she will have the opportunity to participate in missionary work.  

Sister Urbina and Sister Barnette

El bautismo de Melanie Gutierrez De La Fuente

27 de Mayo 2017

La hermanita Melanie es una niña de 9 años y toda su familia son miembros pero elle esperó a ser bautizada. Ella fue muy emocionada por su bautismo y ahora está animada por aprender más y más. Su hermano tenía la oportunidad de efectuar su ordenanza y fue muy especial a ver toda su familia juntos. El Espíritu fue muy fuerte y sabemos que un día ella va a tener la oportunidad de ser parte de la obra misional.

A few pictures along our way

We see so many interesting things as we drive here and there.  Here are a few this and that's...

I know... this old gal was so out of place just

munching that green bit of grass right by the

busy street corner.  She paid us no mind and

kept right on munching.

Mexico is such a beautifully interesting place. 

We love all of the sights and sounds we see 

every single day.

#We are loving our mission!

Interviews!

We have just finished our interviews!

Each of our zone leaders were well prepared and the days went beautifully.

As President Clayton  interviewed each missionary individually, I taught about effective personal study. I focused on how we can improve our personal study of the Book of Mormon by preparing ourselves through prayer, inviting the spirit to accompany us as we read and study, and by opening our minds and hearts to receive revelation and inspiration from heaven on each page.

We are inviting our missionaries to pray specifically, that as they read, study, reflect and ponder, they will be nourished spiritually. We are inviting our missionaries to pray...again specifically that their minds might be open to the things of God, that they will find something very personal on each page that can strengthen, bless, fortify, encourage, uplift and nourish them. We are wanting our missionaries to experiment upon the word of God, and recognize that they each, privately and individually can receive personal revelation specifically and directly for them... on each and every page of this most powerful book, the Book of Mormon.

We talked about promptings, ideas and impressions from the Holy Ghost.  How we can recognize promptings of the Spirit, and how important it is to discipline, ourselves to not only hear and feel them, but to also write these impressions, ideas and feelings down as they come to us, to act on them, and then of course to thank our Heavenly Father for these personal notes from him. 

With great confidence, I promised our missionaries, that as they recognize these promptings and impressions from the Holy Ghost, and write them down, and as they act on these feelings, that they will recognize and receive more and more promptings and 'notes from heaven'. I assured them, that they would come to know, first hand, that our Father in Heaven is available and ready to guide them, help them, rescue them, calm them, and nourish them spiritually, as often as they are humbly prepared to hear His voice. 

****The mission is the great laboratory where we learn, and practice inclining our ear to heaven, and as we learn to attune ourselves upward. This is spiritual work, and we are making great progress !

We then had an activity where each missionary went to various stations in the large hall to give an accounting of the following:

*The Zone Leaders had each companionship bring their area books to be reviewed, showing that their books are updated, and organized and that they are using them effectively.

The zone leaders also received a report from each companionship for their area maps... that they are labeled correctly and are being utilized.

*Each missionary then went to the District Leaders where they recited their missionary purpose, Doctrine and Covenants 4 and the Standard of Truth in Spanish and in English.

*Next each missionary went to the Sister Training Leaders, where they showed them the three, 3-5 minute talks they had prepared, one on baptism, one on the Holy Ghost and one on our Savior, Jesus Christ. Each missionary was tasked to give the STL's one of their prepared talks.

*Each missionary then came over to my corner of the room, and I visited with and received an accounting from them about:

*Their finances.  How wisely they are managing their funds, and living on their missionary budget.

*The lesson outlines from the 5 PMG lessons that must be learned.

*Their language goals. Each missionary, whose first language is not English, is encouraged to consistently and earnestly seek to learn English here in the mission, by working in their English study books 1, 2 and 3. They are encouraged to learn new words daily, learn to pray in English, bear their testimony in English, and politely greeting others in the English language.

*Each missionary must carry an Elevating Your Thoughts card with them every day, all day.
Each Elder must have a pocket sized card in his shirt pocket and each sister must have a pocket size card in their planner that is readily and easily accessible with 10 uplifting and edifying thoughts listed, available and ready to pull out and focus on when they are feeling distracted, when they see or hear inappropriate things to help them elevate and refocus their minds back where they should be focused on here in the mission.

*Are they waking up on time?

*Are they exercising for a full 30 minutes each morning?

It was a lot to account for. We are very pleased that our missionaries are on task.  And... where they needed to improve, they set a new goal right then and there, with a date to work toward completion, recommitting to give their very best efforts each day, all day.  

Our missionaries are seeking to live obediently and faithfully.  We are proud of them! 

Here are our missionaries with the various materials they brought to each station and with their accounting sheet they were asked to get checked and initialed at each station… :)
#We love our missionaries!!!

                                                               Vallarta Zone

Independencia Zone 

Lomas Zone 

Nayarit Zone (day 1) 

Nayarit Zone (day 2) 

Manzanillo Zone

Colima Zone 

Guzman Zone 

Union Zone

Guzman Branch Conference 6-4-17

We had a wonderful day here in Guzman.  We began our day with the Guzman Branch Conference.  District President Alcaraz and his counselor and secretary were of course there where they released the current branch president, president Villanueva, who is moving.
From left to right. First counselor President Vazquez, President Clayton, President Alcaraz, and the district executive secretary.




The newly called branch presidency of the Guzman Branch.
Pictured from left to right is executive secretary Jared Vazquez Avalon,
President  Christian Paul Diaz Palomares,
first counselor Juan Carlos Vazquez Rodriguez,
and second counselor Rigoberto Solano Moreno.



With President Clayton



We are excited for this branch.  Today there were 138 attending.  That is a record number attending.  The zone leaders Elder Christensen and Elder Ocampo told me most of the investigators they are working with came.  Sister Calixto and Sister Lopez's newly baptized sister was confirmed during the meeting. It was a wonderful conference.
These young women and their leaders sat along the side.  They sang like angels.