Our beautiful drive to Vallarta

What a gorgeous day and drive we had as we traveled to
Vallarta for our Leadership Training and Interviews this month.

La Huerta Branch Conference 9-11-17

We had a wonderful Sabbath day joining with these saints for the La Huerta Branch Conference in Manzanillo. Here is a picture of the members on this day, for our mission history.

Branch President, Adrian Perez Martinez

with his family.  His wife Guadalupe, and his 

sweet children Adrian Emanuel 12,

Anel Adanhary 11, and Ariana Paulette 6.

With District President Rios on the far left

and his counselor brother Hernandez

on the far right of President Clayton

We drove to Barra de Navidad, and Melaque to say a quick

hello to members and missionaries serving there.

As always, it was a beautiful drive, both to Manzanillo, 

and around the different pueblos.

We love the countryside and of course

the animals we saw here and there. 

A quick picture with Sister Trefergen.

She and her husband have been house sitting 

a home in Melaque for several months.  

What a blessing they

have been to our missionaries there.

They have opened their home for a small 

group to meet there, they have welcomed 

missionary lessons to be taught in their home, 

they have gone on divisions with 

the Elders. Sister Trefergen has 

made countless dinners, desserts and snacks

for every occasion.  What selfless servants 

they have been!  We will miss them!  

We caught our zone leaders, 

Elder Torres and Elder Angulo 

stopping by to pick up an investigator for church.

Can you see them way in there?

A closer look

wonderful day.

All missionaries are safe!

Dear family and friends,

With the current earthquake that has hit Chiapas Mexico and has been felt in other parts of Mexico, we want to assure family members and loved ones that here in our Guadalajara mission, all missionaries are safe and well.

We have felt no effects of the earthquake in any of our zones and areas.

Please be assured that all is well within our mission boundaries.

We certainly pray for all that are in harms way both with this most recent earthquake and with the hurricanes and tropical storms threatening many areas throughout the world. 

We add our prayers with yours for safety and protection.

with love, President and Sister Clayton

Several District Activities last week

1.

We had a district activity! Where we had the goal to get better in our ability in teaching and explaining “The Restoration” and giving out a Book of Mormon, which was the focus of the activity. We felt great to know that lots of people were reading their Books of Mormon in the park. It was great. The Book of Mormon is a powerful tool in our hands.

Elder Pacheco, Elder Koenig, Hermana Villagrán , Hermana Loria , Hermana Márquez , Hermana Hernández :) 

Hicimos una actividad de distrito, en la cual nos pusimos la meta de poder mejorar nuestra capacidad de enseñar y en poder explicar lección 1 y regalar un libro de mormón, El cual fue el enfoque de la actividad. :) Nos sentimos bien feliz al saber que muchas personas estaban leyendo sus libros de mormón en el parque :) estuvo increíble.  La verdad el libro de mormón es un arma bien poderosa en nuestras manos así que adarle duro y parejo :) 

2.

This activity was different, we did it in the buses around Colima. In different routes, we sang Hymns and we passed out cards and pamphlets; Truly we could feel the spirit and we were strengthened as a district, which were the two main points of the activity.

Elder Acosta, Elder Cabrera, Elder Vargas, Elder Sustaita, Hermana Vega y Hermana Hernández

Esta actividad fue diferente, en vez de un punto fijo lo hicimos en los camiones en Colima. En diferentes rutas, cantamos himnos y repartimos tarjetas y folletos; verdaderamente pudimos

Baptisms from 9- 4-17

Welcome, Welcome to these newest members of the church!
1.

This last weekend we joyed in the privilege of two baptisms. The baptisms of Natalia and Denise. This family of nine who live approximately 45-60 minutes from the church, and it costs about 25 pesos for each person, which adds up to about 400 pesos every Sunday. However, after many sacrifices, two of the younger ones were baptized. They might be young but they have firm testimonies in the Prophet Joseph smith.

Elder Clawson y Elder Espinosa

Este fin de semana gozamos del gran privilegio de dos bautismos. El bautismo de Natalia y Denise. Una familia conformada de 9 personas en donde la capilla se encuentra a unos 45-60 minutos de distancia de su hogar, para llegar tiene un costo aproximado de $25 pesos por persona, eso significa un total de $400 pesos para asistir a la iglesia. Sin embargo, después de muchos sacrificios, dos de las pequeñas tomaron de un bautismo. A pesar de su corta edad ellas tienen un firme testimonio de José Smith. 

2.

Moises and Alondra Villa are the results of many missionaries and the power of Christ. Moises had been meeting with the missionaries for a long time, but he started to progress a lot more when he started to go to church and meet the members. Alondra and the young women became good friends and she felt the love that she had been missing in her life. The two of them made big changes in their lives, their families and friends took note of the changes. Their family is following their example and preparing to be baptized

Elder Bender y Elder Rose  

Moisés y Alondra Villa son los resultados de muchos misioneros y el poder de Cristo. Moisés lleva mucho tiempo conociendo a los misioneros, pero empezó a progresar al comenzar a asistir a la Iglesia y a conocer a los miembros. Alondra y las mujeres jóvenes se hicieron muy amigas y ella sintió grandes sentimientos de amor que le faltaba en su vida. Los dos tuvieron grandes cambios y se notaron esos cambios por su familia y sus amigos. ¡Su familia ya está siguiendo su gran ejemplo para prepararse para el bautismo! 

3.

This is Ana Lilia Flores; Ana Lilia is a sister that missionaries have been teaching for about five years. When she started to see more she could open more and express herself more, and she could accept a baptismal date. When her baptismal date came up many trials came as well, but she continued faithful. Now sister Ana has a testimony, she is very happy and she is wanting to help her two children so they can be baptized.

Elder Morales & Elder Hernandez Cornejo 

Ella es Ana Lilia Flores, la hermana Ana Lilia es una hermana a la cual los misioneros ya tenían enseñándole aproximadamente 5 años. Al poder ver un poco más del mensaje la hermana Ana pudo abrirse más y expresarse más, y por fin pudo aceptar la fecha bautismal. El día en que llego su bautismo pasaron muchas pruebas, pero ella siguió firme. Ahora la hermana Ana tiene un testimonio y está muy feliz y está deseosa de poder ayudar a sus 2 hijos para que puedan bautizarse.

4.

Mario Villa is the father and grandfather of our two recent converts. He started to talk to the missionaries a long time ago. He didn’t ever really feel the need to be baptized “again,” because he felt like he had been baptized. About three months ago he began to go to church, and that’s when everything changed. He made a goal to finish reading the Book of Mormon and he finished it in less than 3 months. He said that there was something different in the church, and that the spirit began to soften his heart. He saw many changes in his son and grandkids, which made him understand the need of the restored Gospel in his life. He realized the importance of ordinances to be able to have an eternal family, and all the sudden he told us it was time to be baptized. He is very excited to continue learning.

Elder Bender y Elder Rose

Mario Villa es papa y abuelo de nuestros dos conversos recientes. Él comenzó a hablar con los misioneros hace mucho tiempo. Nunca sintió la necesidad de bautizarse "otra vez," pues sentía que había recibido un bautismo por la autoridad. Hace 3 meses él empezó a ir a la iglesia y todo cambió. Se hizo una meta para terminar de leer El Libro de Mormón y lo terminó en menos de 3 meses. Dijo que había algo diferente en la Iglesia y El Espíritu empezó a ablandar su corazón. Vio muchos cambios en su hijo y dos nietos y comprendió la necesidad del Evangelio Restaurado. Se dio cuenta de la importancia de las ordenanzas para tener una familia eterna y de repente nos dijo que era el tiempo para bautizarse. Está muy animado para seguir aprendiendo. 

5.

This is Fernanda. After a long time talking with the missionaries, a miracle happened. The decision to be baptized was very hard, but after she defeated all opposition that stopped her from taking this step; After having done so, the feelings felt were very great and will be remembered forever. She is very happy since that moment and feels as though her life has changed completely.

Elder Angulo, Elder Torres 

ella es Fernanda. Después de mucho tiempo de haber hablado con muchos misioneros, ocurrió el milagro más grande. La decisión de bautizarse era muy dura, pero hasta que venció toda la oposición que no permitía dar un gran paso en su vida. Después de haberlo hecho, el sentimiento que experimento es muy grande que lo recuerda en cada momento, está muy feliz desde aquel momento y siente que toda su vida cambio por completo

Greeting our 4 new missionaries. 9-4-17

We were thrilled to welcome our new missionaries on Monday.
Here are our three elders and one sister coming to us from the
Mexico City MTC.

A quick picture outside the doors of the

Guadalajara airport.

After a muffin and juice, we got them connected with...

their outstanding companions for the day! 

First thing Tuesday morning, we met back together

 in the mission home for breakfast, an interview

with President Clayton and the beginning of 

their all day training. 

President Clayton explaining the mission map. 

Another quick picture :) 

(of course) 

... ok, another one :)) 

..and of course one more on the steps 

of the Guadalajara Temple

Our new missionaries are anxious 

and ready to greet their new trainers.

Here are their seasoned and prepared trainers!

The wait is over!

Trainer Sister Loria with Sister Benavidez

Trainer Elder Koenig with Elder Ronderos

Elder Espinoza with trainer Elder Powley

Trainer Elder Novak with Elder Sanchez

One last picture before they take off to their new areas!

We sure love all of our missionaries!!