Sending letters cards and packages

I thought I would re-post this important information regarding sending letters, cards and packages.
Our office Elders have asked that I update the information specifying what address is best to use for letters or packages that must be signed for. Please note.



CHRISTMAS PACKAGE
INFORMATION

Where should I ship my package to?

Because our office elders are not always in the mission office and

available to receive packages during the day, all letters and

packages (which are typically sent through USPS) should be sent to

the Mission Office PO Box Address below where they can be

received at any time.  

Mission Office PO Box address: 

(For parcels and letters sent from USPS) 

Apartado Postal 51-74 

Col. Las Aguilas  

Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico 

C.P. 45081  

All packages that require a signature from the recipient should be

sent to the Mission Office Address below. A recipient signature is

a standard requirement of shipping companies such as FedEx, UPS,

DHL and Estafeta.

Mission Office Address: 

(For packages sent from UPS, FedEx, DHL or Estafeta) 

Volcan Vesubio 5106 

Col. El colli Urbano 

Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico 

C.P. 45070  

What can I send my missionary?

When sending packages internationally, the contents of the package

must be listed with a price value declared (in US dollars for packages

coming from the US, for other countries, please check with your

postal service for individual packaging guidelines.)

You should take your unsealed package to your chosen shipping

company and there they will have you list and price the items in

your package.

Shipping companies each have their own lists of things they will

and won't ship.  We have seen some packages come with homemade

treats, candy, and clothing, and other packages are stopped at

customs or at the border, opened and inspected, and some denied

for the same kinds of contents. Again, packages are inspected at

random at the Mexican border.

When will my missionary receive my package?

For most shipping companies, 5-8 business days is standard shipping.

Express shipping can take up to 3 days to deliver.

What shipping company should I use?

FedEx, UPS, USPS, Estefeta and DHL are all well trusted shipping

companies and are used frequently.

When sending parcels and letters, please send them to the

Mission Office PO Box Address.
For packages sent through FedEx, UPS, DHL or Estafeta they

must be sent to the Mission Office Address as these shipping

companies require a recipient signature.  

How much will it cost to send a package to my missionary?

Most packages sent from the US to Mexico through standard shipping

typically cost from $60-80 US dollars. ​ Again, for all international postal

guidelines and pricing, please contact your individual postal service.

One option you may wish to consider is using this missionary

package website:  

https://www.missionarypackagemx.com/

This company is not affiliated with the church, but is owned and

operated by members here in Mexico and is made specifically for

missionaries serving in Mexico. I am not promoting this, but it is an

option some families use.

Is it safe to send a package to Mexico?

Yes, of course. Please remember that in customs, and at the

Mexican border, packages are inspected at random, but are more

likely to be checked it they contain a value of US $100 or more.

When sending a package, make sure that you can track it safely here.

*One final note, perhaps from a mother to a mother.  Five of our children

have served missions.  I have sure learned a lot sitting in my current chair.

 I did send our children packages and baked

my heart out… and sent them various, and favorite treats.  It was an

expense to send things to Italy, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico…

and the like. I wonder now, if some of the things I sent were more of a

distraction than a blessing.  I do know that not every missionary in our

mission receives packages from home. It is an expense that most,

I have found just cannot afford. There is no way of making things equal...

it just could never be.

I might caution families to be simple and heartfelt in your giving.

 Please remember that often, a companion may not be on the receiving

end.  I promise you that Christmas time here in the mission will be

unforgettable.  Your missionary will never be the same.  The humble

circumstances they will find themselves in will be purposeful and treasured.  

Please, please do not misunderstand… but please, please be thoughtful.

Most warmly,

Sister Clayton

District and Zone Activities!

1.

ACTIVIDAD DE DISTRICTO EN ZAPOPAN

ELDER GUTIÉRREZ, ELDER MORENO, ELDER ESPINOSA, ELDER JIMENEZ,
HERMANA CABRERA, HERMANA MARTÍNEZ

We came together as a district in a very busy place in Zopopan…
The Farmers Market. In just over an hour we managed to contact
more than 200 people. It was a great satisfaction to talk with so
many people and to answer the great questions of the soul, many
of them were interested in receiving us in their home.

Nos reunimos como distrito en un lugar muy concurrido de Zapopan...
El Mercado Bola. En poco más de una hora logramos contactar a más
de 200 personas. Fue una gran satisfacción hablar con tantas personas
y dar respuesta a las grandes preguntas del alma, muchas de ellas
estuvieron interesadas en recibirnos en su hogar. 

2.

ACTIVIDAD DE ZONA LOMAS  

This past weekend we met at the Zapopan Center. We put up booths
of the missionary lessons and the people passed by each booth
receiving brief teachings and at the end of the tour they gave their
address so that we could visit them. The whole zone found new
investigators. We also did cut outs of the Book of Mormon and
the Bible to get people's attention.

Este fin de semana pasado nos reunimos en el Centro de Zapopan.

Pusimos stands de las lecciones misionales y las personas pasaron
por cada stand recibiendo breves enseñanzas y al final del recorrido
dieron su dirección para que les visitáramos. Toda la zona recibió
investigadores. También hicimos botargas del Libro de Mormón y de
la Biblia para llamar la atención de las personas. 

3.

ACTIVIDAD DE ZONA EN TECUALA

In Tecuala we did an activity themed after Lehi’s dream. In the morning
all the missionaries and members went to visit the less active and to
purge the lists if the families no longer lived there. In the morning we
were able to distribute invitations, and in the afternoon we enjoyed
learning about Lehi's dream and how to overcome the things that
sometimes distract us from the things of God.

En Tecuala hicimos una actividad del sueño de Lehi. En la mañana todos
los misioneros y miembros fueron a visitar a las menos activos y a
depurar las listas si las familias ya no vivían allí, en la mañana pudimos
repartir invitaciones, y en la tarde pudimos disfrutar mientras aprendimos
del sueño de Lehi y como vencer las cosas que a veces nos distraen
de las cosas de Dios. ​

4.

ACTIVIDAD DE ZONA EN UNION

This activity went better than we thought it would since many
people were interested in learning more about the plan that the
Savior has for each of us and in knowing some of the answers to the
questions of their souls. Many were able to give a little of their time
to participate and do some activities to spend a pleasant time.

Esta actividad salió mejor de lo que pensamos, ya que muchas
personas se mostraron interesadas en poder aprender mas sobre
el plan que el salvador tiene para cada uno de nosotros y saber
algunas de las respuestas a sus preguntas del alma y pudieron regalar
un poco de su tiempo para poder participar y hacer algunas dinámicas
para pasar un tiempo agradable.

New Baptisms

Here are some of our newest members of the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

1.

Erick was a miracle; we found his mother and she told us that she wanted

him to be baptized. We started teaching him and he loved the message.

He accepted to be baptized and learned everything very quickly. He

is keeping the commandments and is striving to be obedient. He is happy

for what he did and wants to one day serve on a full-time mission, is a

great young man.  

Hna. Hernandez Hna. Jimenez

Erick fue un milagro, encontramos a su mama y ella nos dijo que quería

que el fuera bautizado, le empezamos a enseñar y a él le encanto el

mensaje acepto bautizarse y todo lo aprendió muy rápido está cumpliendo

con los mandamientos y se está esforzando por ser obediente, él está feliz

por lo que hizo y quiere un día servir en una misión de tiempo completo,

es un gran jovencito.

2.

Cristian was a really prepared person. After attending church more than

6 times, this weekend he went down to the baptismal waters. He received

a very personal confirmation that the law of the tithe is true. His progress was

very fast.

Elder Espinosa, Elder Jimenez

Cristian, fue una persona realmente preparada. Después de asistir más de

6 veces a la iglesia, este fin de semana bajo a las aguas bautismales.

Recibió una confirmación; algo muy personal de que la ley del diezmo es

verdadera. Su progreso fue muy rápido. 

3.

Felicitas had a great conversion. From the moment she spoke to us on

the street, we knew she was a one of the elect, her progress was rapid.

She had many doubts at first and cared a lot for her daughter Valeria,

but she really learned how to listen to the voice of the spirit and finally

received the answer that she should be baptized and follow the example

of Christ.

Elder Christensen, Elder Padron

Felicitas tuvo una conversión buenísima. Desde el momento que ella nos

hablo en la calle, sabíamos que era una elegida, su progreso fue rápido.

Ella tenía muchas dudas al principio y se preocupaba mucho por su niña

Valeria, pero ella realmente aprendió como escuchar la voz del espíritu y

en fin recibió la respuesta que debía bautizarse y seguir el ejemplo de Cristo.  

4.

 

Jose Luis initially went to the church website looking for the true church.

After hearing the missionary lessons, he came to know that the church

was true. Through much prayer and mediation he came to know that the

Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet.

Elder Christensen, Elder Padron

Jose Luis inicialmente se metió a la pagina de la iglesia buscando la iglesia

verdadera. Al escuchar las lecciones misionales llegó a saber que la iglesia

era verdadera. Mediante mucha oracion y mediatacion llegó a saber

que el libro de mormon es veradero y que Jose Smith fue un profeta.  

5.

Brother Gerardo as a boy was looking for something that would really

fulfill his purpose here on earth and his existence in eternity. After

attending a Catholic church, he did not feel comfortable and denied the

knowledge that came from it. At work he met a sister from the church

and told her a little of his story. Then he decided to listen to the lessons

because he was interested in the moment. He fulfilled each commitment

and attended many times. He received a testimony of truthfulness

and decided to be baptized and confirmed and to later marry in the temple.

Elder Argüello, Elder Espinoza

Hermano Gerardo, desde chico buscaba algo que en verdad le llenar su

propósito aquí en la tierra y su existencia en la eternidad. Luego de asistir

a iglesia católica él no se sentía cómodo y negaba el conocimiento que

venía de ella, en el trabajo conoció a una hermana de la iglesia le comento

un poco. Luego decidió escuchar las charlas por que le intereso en el

momento, siguió cada compromiso y asistió muchas veces.

Recibió un testimonio de la veracidad y decidió ser bautizado y

confirmado y más adelante casarse en el templo. ​

6.

Lizbeth was a reference of her boyfriend, she was completely prepared.

When she obtained a testimony of the restored gospel she endeavored

to fulfill every commitment that we extended. Now she is a faithful

member in the church and her next goal is to enter the temple.

Elder Gutiérrez y Elder de la Rosa

Lizbeth fue una referencia de su novio, ella estaba completamente preparada.

Cuando obtuvo un testimonio del evangelio restaurado se esforzó por cumplir

cada mandamiento que enseñábamos y ahora ella es una miembro fiel en

la iglesia y su siguiente meta es entrar al templo.

7.

They were a reference of a member. Although nervous but with much faith they

accepted the gospel and received the blessings of our heavenly father. Now she

wants her 2 children to come to know the gospel and feel the joy of keeping the

commandments

Hermana Nuñez, Hermana Villodas y Hermana Vazquez 

Ellas fueron una referencia de una miembro. Aunque nerviosos, pero con mucha fe

pudieron aceptar el evangelio y recibir las bendiciones del padre celestial. Ahora ella

desea que sus 2 hijos puedan conocer el evangelio y sentir el gozo de seguir sus

mandamientos.

8.

Marcos and Monroy are children of 9 and 10 years of age and are the

children of a sister who is a member of the church. They have worked

hard to read the book of Mormon and attend church. Although they took

a little while to get baptized, they were very excited to be able to do so

and be confirmed this weekend. They are very good examples for their

other brothers.

Hermana Cook, Hermana Clawson

Marcos y Monroy son niños de 9 y 10 años y son hijos de una hermana que

es miembro de la iglesia. Se han esforzado mucho por leer el libro de mormón

y asistir a la iglesia. Aunque tardaron un poco en bautizarse, estaban muy

emocionados por poder hacerlo y confirmarse también este fin de semana.

Son muy buenos ejemplos para sus demás hermanos.  

9.

After having found Alfredo, he overcame each one of the afflictions,

fears, problems in his life and now he is on the path of the Lord and is

working with us. The day of his baptism was very animated, he showed

up to his baptism before we did, and we arrived early! He lives the gospel

and is enjoying the great blessings of the Lord.  

Elder Angulo, Elder Colvin

Él es el hermano Alfredo, después de haberlo encontrado, supero

cada una de las aflicciones de su vida, temores, problemas y ahora

está en la senda del señor, trabajando junto a nosotros, el día de su

bautismo estaba muy animado, llego hasta primero que nosotros a su

bautismo y eso que llegamos temprano, él vive el evangelio y está gozando

de las grandes bendiciones del señor.

10.

The esteemed sister Mari is an example of finding a chosen and prepared
soul. We met her through a contact. From then on, every time she learns
something new is a delight and amazement for her. Her testimony is strong,
and she is part of the promise of contacting the first person. She has faith -
a lot of faith- and we know that she will find great success for herself and her
family. The day of her baptism was a success, her family arrived, and we
thank our esteemed district leader Elder Phillips for his support and his
great talent that allowed us to feel the spirit even more.
Elder Meraz, Elder Flores
La estimada hermana Mari es un ejemplo del encuentro de una alma escogida y
preparada. Ella se conoció por medio de un contacto y a partir de ahí cada vez
que aprende algo nuevo es una delicia y asombro para ella, su testimonio es
fuerte y ella es parte de la promesa de contactar la primera persona. Tiene fe
mucha fe- y sabemos que ella lograra mucho éxito para con ella y su familia.
el día de su bautismo fue un éxito, llego su familia y agradecemos a nuestro
estimado líder de distrito Elder Phillips por su apoyo y su grandioso talento
que logro que el espíritu se sintiera aún más.
11.

Maria, it was a reference from her aunt. She had many doubts about her
purpose in life, but found great hope in learning about the Plan of Salvation.
She strengthened herself a lot in prayer, now she has a firm testimony that
she is a daughter of God and has a purpose in life.
Elder Gutiérrez y Elder de la Rosa
María, fue una referencia de su tía, ella tenía muchas dudas acerca de su
propósito en la vida pero halló gran esperanza al aprender del Plan de Salvación
y se apoyó mucho de la oración, ahora ella tiene un firme testimonio de que es

una hija de Dios y de su propósito en la vida.