That is pretty cool you guys were able to feed dinner to the homeless.
That is always a great experience to bring you back to earth. I think I
am pretty thoroughly "back to earth" down here as well :)
We had a fantastic week down here in Los Mochis, Mexico. Things are really
starting to cook down here (no pun intended) (three way pun: first off all,
the good food. Second, us in the sun. Third, well, the work of salvation).
My new companion, Elder Lamm, is from a city by Boise, Idaho (no, it isn't
Meridian unfortunately. I ask all people from here Idaho if they know my
cousins) and he is on his last exchange like Elder Richards. He is a
really good guy and wants the best for the people. He is a bit more
obedient than Elder Richards too and we have sincerely felt the blessings
from that. Elder Lamm says there are 108 missionaries in our new mission so far.
It's cooling off down here a bit. Mostly because there is a new hurricane
coming from the pacific again. Woo.
We had many fantastic experiences this last week. First, we have three
new baptisms planned! A young girl about Colter's age that is really
mature, Rosario, is loving the gospel. Initially, a sister in the ward
invited her and another boy to church and they loved it. We haven't been
able to meet with the boy yet but we taught the first lesson to Rosario in
two visits. She loves it. (also, when she went to conference last week
she was crying while President Monson was speaking because she was so
happy) We set her baptism day for next Saturday, the 27th and although she
doesn't feel very prepared, she is going to continue reading and praying
and attending church to be prepared for that day. Woohoo!
We also invited Osman, the son of a less/inactive family who is 11 years
old but isn't baptized yet. His family lives close to the border of our
ward and the one next door so they weren't sure where to go before (which
is kind of a soft excuse, but they want to return now). We showed them a
map of the area and it includes their area so they were happy to come to
our church this Sunday. Osman is so excited. He has been wanting to get
baptized for so long. He is going to get baptized Saturday! I am so
happy for him. He really enjoyed coming back to church with his family.
Third, we invited Humberto. His mom is a new member and his dad is
inactive. He is 9 years old and is a bit wild and constantly says he can't
understand me (ha ha) but deep down he wants to be obedient and he knows of
the importance of baptism. We told him of the responsibilities that he
would have to carry being a member of the church, being an example, and he
said that he would do it. I think a little responsibility is all he needs.
(one of the pictures is of him, his little brother at his birthday, and I
in a bounce house) He accepted for Sunday, the 26th.
We also invited a family of a mom and two daughters and they said they
would be baptized if they know it is true but we didn't set a date yet
(they tell you to do it during the second lesson). We gave her a blessing
a few weeks ago (she has cancer) and she has already felt the power of the
priesthood. She has felt much better since that day and she tells us every
time we go over (and to her friends in the neighborhood, at least those
that are members as one sister told us). I think we will be able to
progress with them in time.
Cool story of the week. We had a Zone Conference last week that went very
well and we learned a lot of great things. One of the things they taught
is to have a specific prayer for a specific purpose. The Zone leaders gave
us some good steps to follow with this. And as we were walking later that
day from one visit to Rosario's house (to teach and invite her to be
baptized) which was quite far away, we realized that we were not gonna make
it on time. I knew how important this appointment was with them so I
figured I would give it a try, I said a silent prayer that a car would be
able to give us a ride so we could get their and bring her closer to
Christ. A few moments later, Brother Medina from the bishipric drove by
and pulled up next to us, "Elderes, can I give you a ride?" :O I know
that Heavenly Father answers every single one of his children's prayers. I
know that He needed Elder Lamm and I to get to this appointment to help
Rosario come unto Christ. We arrived just in time and she committed to be
baptized next Saturday.
______ experience of the week (funny, awkward, embarrasing?). Elder Lamm
and I were going to meet with a sister to congradulate her on her
daughter's baptism and to see if the dad was interested in the church so we
walked all the way to her house and gave it a knock. We were having a good
time and the sister came out and quite confidently we said, "Sister! How's
it going?! We just came to visit you today!" She said, "Oh thanks! That's
so nice! But I am a little busy right now, maybe another time?" (but in
Spanish) We said that was fine and talked a bit more. Then she introduced
herself as Gloria. Whoops. It was the wrong house. Haha we just tried to
shake it off and asked her if she would like to hear our message of Christ.
She accepted. Later, a few days later, she actually called us and said that
she wouldn't be able to meet at the predetermined time and we changed it
for later that day. That never happens!! We taught the plan of salvation
and she and her daughter loved it. We are going back to teach this week
again. I actually think there might be a lot of opportunity in the future
with her.
Oh, and eventually we found the right house.
Also, really quick, as we were walking home Sunday from washing our clothes
at a members house (it's the only day they are available) a young lady
called for us, "¡Jovenes!" or, "Young men!" "I am really interested in
your message!" :O We set up an appointment with her for this week. I
guess her friend is investigating the church and told her a lot of great
things about it! That was so cool!
I wish I had more time to tell you more from this last week but I am just
about out of time. I love you all.
Elder Tanner Clement
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