News from Monterrey - August 31, 2015

Sooo basically we are just trying to find new people to teach and find people who will accept a baptismal date. We had some good success the past week.

On Monday we had a surprise family home evening. we had asked a the Garza family to go with us do have a FHE with a less active family, but when we called the family, they weren’t home.... so we stopped by to visit Helaman (9) and his family, and had an on the spot Family Home evening with them. We talked about the temple and how important it is that we go.  

On Tuesday we tried to teach an active member of and Adventist church (who have their Sabbath Day on Saturday). We were able to teach him about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He tried to do a little bit of Bible Bashing, as to why we sanctified Sunday instead of Saturday, which is the seventh day of the week. We basically just had to tell him that that is the revelation that the prophet received, and that he would have to pray and ask if Joseph Smith was a prophet. We gave him a Book of Mormon and he gave us a book called the Conflict of the Centuries to read. We will see if he progresses.... 

We decided to work in a colony where we hadn’t worked much and found Ramon, who has been listening to the Jehovah’s witnesses but hasn’t decided on a religion yet. So it was good to talk with him and we hope to keep working with him too. 

We are also teaching a young man, who is kind of in a gang, named Angel. He came to church with us this past week. His mom is super worried about him...we passed by to visits and he wasn’t there, but we were able to talk with his mom a little and we shared with her the first vision to teach her what we have been teaching her son, and she really liked it and had some good questions. She works Sundays, but is going to try and come this Sunday. 

We found a family of 4 who all accepted baptism, a single mother and her 3 children, and youngest is 8, so there we go. We were excited to see them in church, but they didn’t make it... we asked a member to pass by, but in the chapel they told us that they passed and that they said they couldn’t come....

We had Hellman’s baptismal interview this Sunday, and we were planning on this Wednesday for the service, but now they are thinking about changing it to two weeks later.... we don’t want to wait so long, so we will see what happens with them.... but at least everything is ready, we just need to set the exact date :) So, we might have a baptism this week, or we might not :) 

We are planning to do a Car Wash activity to wash the members` cars and so that they can bring a friend so we can wash theirs and invite them to listen to the gospel. My companion kinda threw it together last minute and announced it in priesthood and invited the young men to help us out. So, we hope that we have a good turnout. 

So, those are the happenings. I am still learning lots and am excited to keep working while I can. Elder Alvarez is good company.

Thanks for all the support and hope all is well, with school and everything. Keep up the good work!

Elder Redford

Hola! - August 24, 2015

Well it was a good week. I was able to have two interviews with President in the week, one on Wednesday the usual, every 3 month interview, and another on Thursday to renew my Temple recommend! It was been 2 years since I have gone through the temple! 

Since this would be our last interview before my exit interview, he asked me what my plans were for after the mission, and encouraged me to keep myself busy, because nothing good gets done with idle time. And he also encouraged me to take what I have learned here and to take it home with me. It was a different interview that I expected. He told me to just keep being diligent to the end and to be a good example for my companion. 

This week we decide to work in a few areas where we hadn’t really worked yet, since our area is really big, and we found the Elizarraras family who are members that haven’t gone in almost a year. They were really friendly and expressed a desire to come back. The dad is just having some road bumps with the Word of Wisdom, but their 9 year old daughter wants to go, and get baptized. It was really good that we were able to find them and the dad said that it was good to see that we hadn’t forgotten about them. So it was a good thing that we decided to work over there. 

 Hermano Nelson was feeling a little overwhelmed with having received the Priesthood the same day that he was confirmed. The bishop didn’t say anything to us or to him, but just sustained him in sacrament meeting for it and then sent for his wife during priesthood so that she was present, and they gave it to him. So this week we explained to him what the Priesthood is and how to bless the sacrament, so he feels a little calmer now. 

On Sunday I guess I needed to learn to improvise. I wasn’t sure if the bishop asked be to speak this Sunday or the next, so I didn’t prepare too well, which is my fault, and  I was announced as the first speaker. It went alright, but it wasn’t very organized, it was on following the prophet. Then the teacher didn’t come gospel principles, so we taught that as well on the spot, and then I was asked to give the spiritual thought in Priesthood. Maybe the Lord wants me to participate a little more =) But it was all good. We were able to have various people come to church, which was a blessing .

Well, that’s about it. Hope you have a fabulous week! 

Elder Redford  

Baptism! - August 17, 2015

So, this week had a lot of happenings.

A Baptism, a Confirmation, an Ordination to the Priesthood, 2 Companion Exchanges, and 9 new investigators. 

So, lots of good things happening. 

I really like the Exchange that I could have with the companion of my district Leader, Elder Jepson. He is from Midway and is 26! I didn’t believe it at first. He and his two brothers left on a mission the same day, all to a different place. kinda cool. I really like being able to get to know him better, and we were able to have a good day as well. 

On Wednesday was the baptism! It all turned out really well. I was really scared that there wouldn’t be much attendance, as we weren’t able to let everyone know on Sunday, but my prayers were answered, and the room was full. I lent him a shirt and my white pants so he could get baptized, since he is also pretty tall. The member who helped us teach him, Hermano Martinez baptized him, and it was really good to hear his testimony and the testimony of his wife, who is a member, at the end of the service. After the service, his wife shared a piece of cake with everyone, and luckily there was enough for everyone :) 

On Friday we had Exchanges with the Zone Leaders. I went to work in their Area with Elder Jess, who is from Salt Lake, and from my same generation (we came over here on the same plane) and we are ending on the same day (in less than 3 months!). He was able to remind me that we have progressed a lot since we started, but that it was possible that we might be tempted to be pleased with who we have become or accomplished, and then to just coast until we end. He told me that he didn’t want to do that, but that he wanted to use the rest of the time that he has to keep learning and working hard, and use the time to its fullest. He helped me to see that I was starting to get kind of relaxed in a few things, and that I need to keep on being diligent and using the time that I have left to its fullest. It was a good lesson that I was able to learn from him. So, in these last few days we have been a little more diligent, and the Lord blessed us with 9 new people to teach. So, We just have to keep at it :)  And that is a true principle for every member, sometimes we feel good with what we have accomplished and we think that Enduring the End is just coasting until we finish, but it is really being diligent in keeping the commandments and learning more and doing more. Our purpose here in this life is to progress. And to become more like Christ. so that was a good thing that I learned once again this week. 

On Sunday, Hno Nelson and another investigator of the other Elders who also got baptized on Saturday (Jorge the Taxi driver) were confirmed. Hno Nelson´s wife Letty was also sustained to be the new Primary Secretary, and Hno Nelson was ordained a Priest that same day in the opening of Priesthood. Wow! 

I was also able to say hi to some dear friends, the Serna Family, from my first ward, who were in the stake center after church. It was so good to see them. Sister Serna told me not to get trunky. hehe :) 

Attached are some pics of the baptism, the cake, my district, and the programs that I made for the baptism. Hno Nelson for some reason doesn’t smile in pictures, but he was much more smiley after the service :)  

Well, that was my week. It was a good one. 

I pray that all is well at home and abroad! Good luck with school for all those who are starting this week! 

Elder Redford

Baptism! - August 17, 2015

 Programs I made for the Baptism

 Hno Nelson's Baptism with wife Letty

 Elder Redford, Hno Nelson, ElderAlvarez

 Letty, Hno Nelson, son, Elder Alvarez, Elder Redford

My District

Elder Alvarez, Unluckiness:)‏ - August 10, 2015

Alright, so my new companion is Elder Alvarez, from Puebela. 

He is a pretty cool guy :) He was once very inactive and made some bad decisions, but has been able to turn around and serve a mission. We get along well :) I was one hundred percent sure that I was going to train for the last 3 months of my mission, but as always, the Lord surprised me :) Elder Alvarez has 10 months on the mission already, but its ok, it has been a fun week. He likes to joke around a lot. And for some reason (in a sarcastic tone) he things that I am one of the unluckiest people ever. Let me just tell you why :) 

So, the first day once we got to the house, we went shopping for food. And, since you can’t enter the supermarket with a bag, we had to leave ours in the front desk before we could enter (which is normal in just about every big store here). So, we bought our food and everything, got back home, and realized that we had left our bags back in the store! so, we had to walk all the way back for our backpacks, and that was the morning. 

Wednesday morning, the power went out. We have to pay it with a card, which we pass by the power meter of the house, and then have to take the card to a supermarket to pay the power bill. And since it is far away, the idea was to pay it Wednesday after a meeting we were going to have in the church, as there is one close by. But, it was a day late, and we they cut the power in the morning. Once we pay and pass the card, it comes back right away though.  We went to the meeting, got back, and found that the fridge was all wet for the melted ice from the freezer, because it had been off. Everything was wet. So we had to wipe it down and mop up the water, which made us late to an appointment. 

Thursday wasn’t too bad with the bad luck. Actually, it was good, because Fatima and Javi asked us if they could come out with us to teach, and it was good. We were able to contact a lot of people in the market and visit a young lady and encourage her to go to church, so it was a good day. 

Friday, our bad luck was that almost all of our appointments fell through. 

And Saturday we helped Helaman's family move (they are still in the ward), which was good. But when we got home, we found out that we had no water! We thought it was just our house at first, but then found out it was the whole block, and that it would be back the next day. ok. But in the night, at about two in the morning, the sound of running water woke me up. We had left the faucet on! And since it is somewhat clogged, it overflowed onto the kitchen floor. I thought, well, I clean it up tomorrow and went to bed. In the morning, we found out that it not only had flooded the entire kitchen, but also our study room (it’s all tile floor), and everything on the floor, including our backpacks and one of my suitcases, got super wet. My scriptures are now dry, but super wrinkly..... so we spent the morning sweeping out and mopping up the water, and taking things out to dry. 

So yeah, lots of bad luck :) Maybe it is because I broke the bathroom mirror last week. Who knows :) But it is a good thing that I am not superstitious ;) But, I am learning patience and perseverance :)

On Sunday Hermano Nelson was interviewed for baptism, and all is good to go. We just need to polish up the program and invite as many people as we can. Elder Martinez is going to come back for it so it will be good to see him. It is Wednesday. I pray that we can get everything all ready and that it turns out wonderfully :) 

So, those were our adventures this week. The Secretary called me to ask which Airport I would arrive at to buy my plane ticket. Salt Lake City. Wow! That means I am finishing up here soon:) 

Well, I hope things are fantastic for everyone. I know that our Savior really is aware of all that we do and all that happens in our lives, and that we can find peace and strength as we trust in Him and the Atonement. 

Love you all, 

Elder Redford

August 3, 2015

This was an interesting week.

Elder Martinez was for sure that he was going to leave the area, and, it was affirmed in the phone call from the district leader on Sunday. So, my companion and one of the Elders in the district, Elder Oliveros, are leaving.

This week Elder Martinez wanted to visit his convert and a few members as much as he could before he left.

This week we have focused a lot on Hermano Nelson. He put his date for the 12 of August, and is all for it, so we have picked up the pace. We have been teaching him almost daily. This week though, he went to a doctor’s appointment and had some really bad side effects from a test that they did. He was without strength and with a fever and coughing up blood. I think it was a CAT scan or something like that? We decided to dedicate our fasts to him. Then we had an interesting turn in one of the lessons, which made things a little complicated. But he is determined for this day, so we will see what we can do.

The computer I am on is super slow, sorry, I don’t know if I will be able to write much. J

I think I will finally have the opportunity to train! Tomorrow I get my new companion. I wish Elder Martinez the best. He really was a great companion, and I know that he will continue to do many great things J

It is great to hear the good news from home, hope you can enjoy the last bit of vacations!

Love y’all

Elder Redford

Aldo - July 27, 2015

Ok, so this week we found a ton of new investigators, 12 :)

And, it is really hot, nearing 100 almost every day....... I am really hot, like all the time ;)  

From the very first visit, we are talking about Eternal families and the temple, and we are inviting people to baptism as preparation to enter. It is having really good results :) 

On Tuesday my District leader came to work with me in my area, and we had a good day, for the most part. A lot of walking and some very talkative investigators, but we able to get a fair amount done :) 

On Wednesday night a man came up to us and told us that we had put an appointment with him to see him the next day, and asked if it would be alright to change it to another day. We said of course, because that NEVER happens. It was good to see that he really had the interest to stop us and change the day so that he would be there. On our way to that second appointment, we saw them (him and his wife) again in the Market. They told us to come by at 8:00 instead of 6. Ok. That night we finally found them: Aldo, his wife Ana, and their two kids Candi and Shiru (it’s Japanese). It was a good visit, Aldo is really looking to find the truth, and Shiru his son, who is 14, is an ´´I believe in science´´ guy, and has really sophisticated questions. They said yes to baptism but didn’t feel ready yet. 

We were able to visit Aldo and his son again yesterday Sunday and we had a really good lesson with him. We taught the Restoration. He had read the pamphlet but only until the Great Apostasy. He told us that he hadn’t known about that before. So, we talked about that a little and taught about Joseph Smith. After reciting the first vision, he paused and said, hey, that sound like Paul! And then a little later asked, Wait, this really happened? We said: Sí. And then when we showed him the Book of Mormon, he was dying to read it. We know that he felt something as we talked about Joseph Smith, and we know he will read it. He just might have a few trials with going to church for his job. But, it was a very spiritual lesson :) 

Then on Friday went to teach a less active that we found in the market (We do lots of contacting there). She is living with a non-member. We asked the question, What blessings could you receive if you were to grow closed to God? Her answer was perfect; she said: an eternal family. We were like, Yes! We taught about the temple, and that maybe they still lack quite a few things to get there, but we promised them that if they made the effort, that God would help them find the way (He has to divorce his wife to get married with her so that he can be baptized). But, it was a good lessons and it taught me that this message really is one of hope. 

Well, those are the highlights of the week. 

This is probably the last week I have with Elder Martinez. Transfers are this Sunday, so we will see if I will finally get to train or not. I will have 2 transfers left; the same time it takes to train a new missionary (3 months!). But we will see what happens. Elder Martinez already has like 9 months here in this area, and it is his first! 

So, Hope all is well, you are in my prayers, thanks for the support!

Love, Elder Redford

Elder Redford & Elder Martinez