Hastening The Work in Guadalajara

Thursday, March 22, 2018

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:

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.

A gentle reminder - Media use here in the mission

Dear missionaries and families:

I thought I would put a gentle reminder on the mission blog to all missionaries and families defining our mission policy concerning technology. Our guidelines are very clear.

We appreciate your support.

*We know that a good number of our missionaries have brought or have acquired a personal device for use here in the mission.

*We are not recommending or encouraging the use or purchase of any device for use here in the mission.

*This mission has not been approved to use technology. Missionaries may however, have and use their own personal devices with the following guidelines:

1. Missionaries are allowed to have and use iPod devices, and listen to uplifting and inspirational music. Music that edifies and draws us closer to our Heavenly Father is our goal. Missionaries may not have or use ear buds of any kind without specific approval from President Clayton.

* A missionary acquiring a new ipod device here in the mission may borrow a companion, or fellow missionary's USB cord to add music to their new device. Downloading music here in the mission is not approved.

2. All devices such as tablets, iPads, iPhones and iPods may be used to take pictures, to access the lds gospel library, lds music, lds tools, the mormon channel, and google maps; as well as to use the calendar, the calculator, the clock, and to take notes.

*Note - We have approved downloading the Dictionary, the Spanish Translator and the Uber app. (These three apps may be downloaded and used here in the mission.)

Missionaries have permission to update the google maps and Uber app, when needed on pdays through wifi. Missionaries can access Uber daily as needed.

3. MISSIONARIES MAY NOT ACCESS THEIR EMAIL USING THEIR DEVICE AT ANY TIME. PERIOD.

*All missionaries must email their families and President Clayton each Pday at an approved internet location.

*Missionaries do have permission to go to lds.org, mormon.org and our Guadalajara mission blog on pdays.

*We allow missionaries to attach or save pictures from an email from home, for example, to a jump drive or something similar. They are not allowed to download anything directly to their device through wifi.

*It will take great discipline for you NOT to access WiFi with your device, at the church building or in members or investigators homes, or other places where you find there is accessible internet.

*Google chat, Facebook, any social media site, opening any link, or adding unapproved apps will cause you to lose your device.

*Any report or finding of misuse will cause the missionary to lose his/her device immediately. There are no second chances.

4. We have received approval from the Area Presidency, to encourage those we teach to download the lds gospel library onto their own device as a significant resource and wonderful blessing.

*Missionaries may NOT use their own device to demonstrate that, but can guide and encourage the investigator or member as they download it for themselves.

5. Missionaries must be careful with their device, as if it is broken, stolen or lost, it cannot be reimbursed or replaced.

*We also caution missionaries against taking an excess number of pictures or lingering looking through their pictures, allowing them to become a distraction.

As is always the case, these devices can be a blessing to us. Do not allow them to become a preoccupation or hindrance to you and your important work.

With love,

President and Sister Clayton

Just a quick reminder to families - writing letters home

Dear families,

We appreciate your love and support! We really do. Thank you, thank you for your prayers and faith in this marvelous work. This is a labor for your missionaries that is difficult, and challenging day in, and day out. I can testify, that your missionaries are earnestly preparing themselves each day to represent our Savior as best they can.

Your missionaries are praying in faith for the spirit of the Lord to accompany them in this work.

They are seeking the Lord's spirit to be with them personally, and in their companionship's, as they contact and greet those they meet each day; and especially as they teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their desire is that they might be sensitive to, and respond to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, enabling them to teach mightily and with more power. I am confident that your missionaries are giving their very best efforts.

We are grateful for every encouraging word you give to your missionary. We appreciate your letters of faith, of love and of testimony. We are grateful for letters that do not distract your missionary from this important work. Your missionaries are strengthened by the uplifting and motivating letters of love they receive from home.

Your emails of confidence and support can brighten a difficult day, they can encourage your missionary to stay the course, to grit through and overcome their challenges and to seek the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the true source of comfort and peace.

Missionaries in this mission do not have permission to use online chat methods of communicating with family and friends. Any device or technology that offers real time communication is not approved. Nor do we desire our missionaries to make an arrangement with family and/or friends to be on the computer at the 'same time' so that emails can be written back and forth simultaneously... or within minutes, allowing them to answer questions immediately and visit back and forth over email, during our missionary's set time to write letters. These methods of communicating with family and loved ones are very distracting, and are over reaching the purpose of weekly letter writing.

We are encouraging our missionaries to go to their internet site each preparation day, to read letters from family, friends and loved ones there in their inbox, and then, to write their one letter back to their family, and perhaps a group letter for others, highlighting their experiences, sharing their testimony and unfolding the miracles they have participated in and witnessed.

May we please remind all, that our missionaries have a limited time on the computer each week. It is their time to communicate with their mission president and their family and loved ones.

Missionaries are strengthened by families, friends and loved ones who send letters and emails that are filled with personal and family missionary experiences past and present. Letters that share testimonies, and insights from personal scripture study are appreciated. All missionaries love to hear family updates, but please keep them concise and positive. Please do not unduly worry your missionary with things that will cause them to fret and feel stressed.

Please, share the good things that are happening at home! Especially share the gospel centered things you are involved in. More than anything else, be sure and convey your love and encouragement. Thank them for their service, and express how proud you are of them.

I testify that we are each involved in the greatest work of the face of the earth. The Lord Jesus Christ is truly hastening His work. We are privileged to be rolling up our sleeves, and giving our absolute all, in this part of the Lord's vineyard here in Guadalajara Mexico.

When you help to strengthen your missionary, you are strengthening and moving forward our Savior's important work.

The Lord has called a new Assistant 3-22-18

The Lord has called Elder Nefi Abinadi Velazquez to be President Clayton’s new Assistant.
We welcome him and know our mission will be blessed to have him serve
in this capacity.

Zone Conferences!

Our theme.....The fruits of the Restoration....The Book of Mormon!

We began with our Independencia Zone 3-5-18

Union Zone 3-7-18

Lomas Zone 3-9-18

Vallarta Zone 3-12-18

Santiago Zone 3-14-18

Tepic 3-15-18

Manzanillo Zone 3-19-18

Colima Zone Conference 3-101-8

Guzman Zone Conference 3-21-18

Vallarta Stake Conference 3-11-18

We had a gorgeous drive on Saturday to Vallarta for our Vallarta Stake Conference.
Wonderful Saturday evening session with these fabulous missionaries!

Here we are again Sunday morning after the session.

Manzanillo District Conference 3-18-18

What a memory it has been this past weekend as a new District President was sustained in Manzanillo.
We began our district conference with our Saturday evening session.
I caught these missionaries... some catching a taxi, and others
off to connect with their bus ride home after the conference.