Week 17 in Azteca Leon

I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO BEGIN WITH THIS WEEK!!!!!  Well first, it was great to actually talk to you guys and look at your faces...oh Jayden! I did notice your hair! I said something because you and Preston have a similar look, but, I don't  think anyone heard me, and I was having trouble with my english with you guys.  sorry!! I can hardly speak spanish or english! its great! I was so nervous..I have no idea why...But I was like how do I speak! why am I nervous!...it was interesting, but afterwards I was even more grateful for the opportunity to talk to you guys, the next time is in 3 cambios..thats less than the amount I have so less time to wait!..everything is literally passing by so fast I can hardly keep track of all that goes on.  I don't know how it's possible but this week, was a more productive week than the last....even with christmas!   we had lessons, and a baptism!! and we had 8 people come to church with us! normally we can hardly get one! it was awesome...our district leaders were impressed...because thats how we work.  So first, they like to celebrate the 24th here more so then the 25th...the 25th is a day of basically sleeping because all the night before you are partying.  We were able to stay out until 10pm, we spent our time on the 24th with the Rosales-Perez family, part member-investigator family.  That I love! we had a lot of fun...and to be honest it was night jam-packed with its ups and downs, but, it was full of love, and we received a warm welcome from the family, who had dedicated a song for us..how sweet!...surprisingly for a christmas without presents, without family, and in a place and in a language that I'm not accustomed to, it was amazing.  I felt the love of those around me and mainly of that of my Heavenyl Father, and how I really want to be here right now-working, serving him.  It was a wonderful 2 days, with lots of singing christmas hymns.  oh tambien!....surprisngly we didn't get any tamales this christmas..its a tradition and everything for most people..but we didn't get any! haha its alright though, because I eat tamales literally every week haha.  

Ok, so the baptism of Luis!...it was awesome, at first it was really nerve wracking because it started at 7 and he didn't  show up until 7;20!...he was inMichoacan with his family...who all showed up..his mom is a member but his sisters are not.  They all came and the whole service was beautiful.  His mom was able to say the pray, and during the prayer she just started crying, and thanking heavenly father for this opportunity, and the example of her son for all of her family, and the opportunity they will have to have the priesthood in their home.  She talked to us later and expressed her gratitude, and how she wants to change, come back to church, and hopefully one day all of her family will be members. It was a wonderful experience, I can't wait until he serves a mission himself.  Also, I was yet again able to help with the music--didn't sing, but played the piano, so it was good!...also!..Ricardo for christmas borrowed a violin and I get to keep it this week and was able to play it!...super exciting moment in my life...just saying.  

So I have a whole bunch of fotos this week

WE were able today to go to the La Expiatorio..the atomente...cathedral..I think its the largest in mexico, but I'm not quite sure.  It was beautiful, and we got to dress in regular clothes ..but, couldn't wear our name tags for respect reasons. We went down to the basement only for us to realize that the entire basement was filled with tombs of a whole bunch of people...it was ligit, and the halls were tiny..the elders couldn't stand up straight..I could but just barely...my head was scraping the top of the ceiling..it was so cool.

Oh also!! we had another service opportunity..with TECHO...we helped to build..or fix up as school, in a really really poor area of the mission close to my area...it was really fun....but super tiring.  but, you know what was super sweet, was all the little kids that were in the town came, and started helping us...it was so sweet, they were all super excited to help us work...It showed to me the pure love and happiness of children, it was wonderful!

Ok, so sorry that this letter is soooo long, I just kept remebering things!Ill send pictures after!

Con AMor,

Hermana Sever

Week 16 in Leon Azteca

Christmas party with Presidente

more pary and divisions, and my new calendar for the following year of my mission!

OK!! so THis week, it was really interesting. we had Divisiones!....I kept thinking that it was going to be horrible to be honest, I had yet to hear good things, but it was so much fun.  I did not want to leave.  I went with Hermana Coello, to her Area in Echeveste.  It was amazing! The love I felt immediatley for her invesitgators and the members...I hope one day maybe in the mission I will get transferred to that area.  I really enojoyed it.  And we had quite a bit of cool experiences.  First, Their area is huge...for every visit we have to take 2 buses-it's about an hour trip both ways, maybe a little more depending on where you are going...so that was not super fun...I'm glad my area is small...It also testified to me that we could be doing more, as our area is small, we can get to a lot  of areas really quickly.  Secondly...we had an experience that started my first or second day, not sure and went on until the next.  So, our mission is requiered to have all lessons taught with a member present, so we were calling members in her ward, and literally  everyone we called said no; they were too busy..  everyone.  We went through the entire list of members...itwas  crazy.  So she was super stressed, I was bummed and stressed because I literally can't help with anything, because I had 30min in the area.  She was feeling horrible, and I was like, well, Heavenly Father knows that we worked our hardest, and went through all possible means to get members, and I'm sure he will provide, and if not, we shouldn't feel too bad, because we tried our hardest, and we will continue trying.  And that's what we did- we went to bed, and the next day, we continued calling members in all the breaks we had and did all we could.  I don't know how, but while we were contacting in the street we came across members, who would accompany us to a lesson, and when we visited members, all of the members had a non member with them..a person who we were able to teach!...At the end of the day we had a total of 6 lessons with a member and 1 lesson without.  All of which were unplanned members we just happened to come across.  At the end of the day we were so happy and our testimonies had been strengthened that God hears and answers everyone of our prayers...there is no way we could have exceeded our goal of 4 lessons that day with 6 and meet everyone one of our other metas, including references and contacting references. It was awesome-I know that at that moment, I really truly felt Gods love for me, and his help and comfort in every situation.A lot of the time, when we feel as though we aren't  receiving an answer its because either we aren't  accepting the answer he has given, and want to live in ignorance of that answer, or we may have not exhausted all we can do first.  For me,my answers have always come when I have nowhere else to turn but to fully rely on him, and an answer, always comes.

In all honesty I miss you guys, and christmas with my family but, I am so  excited to spend it here in the mission,  for the oportunidad I have to be here, to spend christmas with the members and my investigators.  This makes me so happy, and at this moment I would not want to spend it in any other way.  Also, I get to end the week with a baptism so, yeah- super pumped!!!!  Also this week we had a little party with the mission president and the missionaries of LEon,San Pancho, Lagos...and other places that are nowhere near Querétaro.  it was so fun.  Everyone dressed up, we watched Intensamente....or inside out (and that movie has a lot of spiritual application we had a devotional about it haha).  We ate a big meal, had intercambios, the whole gift giving thing...I got a shirt! its super cute!... then we watched some funny videos and pictures of the mission this past year,  we took pictures with Santa...or happens to be wearing Elder Dreesons name tag..odd, and got to dance a little, (in our seats)and listen to normal music!!!!!  It was so fun! and spiritual at the same time!  You know whats weird?  I have seen 3 movies since being on the mission, no 4...that's basically 1 every month! haha....estoy feliz.  Well, just want to end with my testimony, that I'm so grateful for the Saviors birth and his life, his example for each and every one of us.  I know he lives. This time of year is a wonderful time to refocus our lives on him, and how we can better serve others and follow his example.  He loves each and everyone of us and knows us by name, he wants us to return to him, in a state of eternal happiness.  and its through this gospel, we have it, and we need to share it.  

I love you all so much!!!! FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!!!

Con Amor,

Hna. Sever

Week 15 in Azteca Leon

So this week was really cool!,
Had the opportunity to attend...virtually...to attend the dedication of the Tijuana Mexcio temple. And it was awesome!  First, when you walk into the church and its been decked out like the temple and you have the little temple workers in white, literally like angels. My companion and I got to watch all 3 sessions!  Each session is different with different speakers.  The two apostoles that attended were Presidente Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and Elder Dallin H. Oaks. Elder Oaks presided and spoke in the last session.  It was so sweet...he spoke a lot of Spanish!  You could tell he was nervous.  He was like, I want to be able to say all of my thoughts in your beautiful language, but, instead I have a translator, so I think I'll use him.  Elder Uchtdorf spoke a little spanish too.  He spoke in every session and gave the first dedicatory prayer.  He spoke the same sentence in spanish every time haha.But overall it was an awesome experience and the spirit was very strong!  ONE of my favorite parts was when we sang the song "The Spirit of God".  Its really cool, because whenever a temple is dedicated in Mexico, all of the stakes centers are broadcasted as  an extension of the dedication.  You have to have  temple recommend and everything to enter the church. So at this time, a whole bunch of members in Mexico were all singing The spirit of God at the same time.  All of Mexico, in all different parts.  It was when we were singing that it came to me that this is the proposito...oh no i don't know the word in English...well...um the reason...we have temples is to bring us, as children of God, together united in one purpose, to return to our Father in heaven and to help others achieve that very same goal.  Anyway, it's an awesome experience and I hope to attend another one day.  

Um, what else happened this week, oh we had a service project at an asilo..its an old folks home.  At first it was like, I can't understand a word of what they are saying.. then I smartened up a bit and realized I could understand, at least a little, and it was super fun.  They actually had an elderly man there who didn't speak Spanish, just English, and the workers needed help translating for him. So at first they asked Elder Polluck, he has 20 months in the mission, and he came out and they were like -do you want to try?  Elder Polluck was like, I have no idea what that man is saying. ja.  So I went in, and I figure it out just barely, they wanted him to sit down in his wheel chair and he was refusing.  The assistants don't know English, they were like, SIT DOWN POR FAVOR!..haha it was a little funny, any way i figured it out, he was saying that his wife called him.  haha!  So we got him to sit down once I mentioned breakfast, and that afterwards we could talk about his wife. We talked to a whole bunch of people, and a lot of them were from different parts of Mexico, One lady sang the entire time we were there, well yelled ...but it was really entertaing and sweet, she kept singing about Guadalajara and Jalisco,[GUADALAJARA GUADALAJARA GUADALAJARA!] haha  She talked a lot too.  They had some great personalities, for reals it was really fun!  Afterwards, towards the end, we sang christmas songs to them.  It was at my command too haha because I really wanted to Carol, and we didn't have any plans and have the elderes were just standing around.  

     So we have a christmas party to look forward to this week, with Presidente Mejorada, y tambien Tenemos DIVISIONES! I get to experience a different area starting today and ending on Thursday! So Yea hope everything is going well! love and miss you bunches!..also as far as christmas goes, no tengo idea.  It could be anywhere from 30 min to an hour we will probably find that out at the party on Friday, and I'm skyping at a members house, who has sufficient technology , so I think I'll be calling you guys. sorry for all the limited information. 

Con AMor

Hna. Sever

Week 14 in Azteca Leon

     The baptism dates...it's a rule in the mission here, that before baptism they need to attend church 5 times. That's why the dates are so far away, and also why they get pushed back so often because if they miss a Sunday, then the date changes.  Of course there are exceptions, but for the most part, yup, that's how it goes.   I was able to watch the Christmas Devotional in Spansih and I was able to understand most of it.  I have not been told anything about Christmas day schedules, but I'm pretty sure I'm skyping you Christmas day, not eve, and it's at a members house.  It could be anywhere from 30 min to an hour.  Our president isn't too keen on long phone calls with the family, for mothers day it was 30 min. so I have no idea.  But when I figure it out I'll let you guys know!

     So, this semana we have a new investigator --actually 2,  Enrique, and Isamar.  Enrique, I met for the second time in the street and my companion for the first time.  He is an antiguo investigator, who said he wanted  a break from lessons, and he told us that we was going to come to church , so we of course were like great! So after talking with us and the bishop, he wants to start up again, we are hoping he accepts a baptismal date for this month.  Isamar was a reference from a recently returned missionary name Wil.  She's super sweet and our first lesson was unplanned and awesome.  She confided in us some things, and she seems really keen on learning more, and she accepted baptism, not a date, but says that she likes what she hears, we are visiting her again tonight.  

     So this week in QNews, that is the weekly mission news, Presidente Mejorada mentioned the parable of the Good Samaritan.  He has asked us to share it with our family and friends so, thats exactly what I will do! So recap on the parable, we have a man, who gets attacked and is basically left to die on the road, 2 men walk by him, thinking "oh, i hope someone helps him, but not me"...so they both pass him by because they didn't want to help him.  Then comes a Samaritan.  Now, they weren't the most liked at this point, but this kind man decides to help the man who was attacked.  He does all he can; cleanse his wounds and pays for him to rest at an inn.  And all this done by a Samaritan.  Now, I think it's important to question something-why do we leave others on the road, why are we not willing to give service that might make things difficult for us?, or that is not interesting.  Or, maybe, somebody else will help them.  I know everyone has thought that, the thought of helping, but afterwards thinking, well, I have some other things to do, I'm busy, I have work to do, I'm sure someone else will help.  Or maybe you don't want to help because, this person is different-different race, country, or the way they act, maybe they were your enemy,-whatever it may be.  Is that important?..all these....excuses, as to why we shouldn't, when in reality we should be thinking about why we should.  If we really want to follow the example of Christ, like him, we need to be willing to help everyone, no importa where, when or who they are, if they wronged you in the past, who cares, if they look different, not important, if your too busy...there is nothing in this life that can bring you more happiness than when in the service of others, ultimateley in the service of your Lord.  every  single person in this world is a son or daughter of god, we have that knowledge...use it.  follow the example of the good samaritan and the ultimate example Christ and serve everyone, no matter the circumstance.  

Love and miss you so much!!!

Con Amor

Hna. Sever

Week 13 in Azteca Leon

1. here we have a picture of me and hna. sanchez just before she heads to Queretaro!..such a bitter sweet moment.

2. so...my taste buds are slowly disappearing with all this spicy food, here is a bowl of Popcorn, covered in Valentino...or hot sauce...I literally cover everything naturally in hot sauce now...be prepared for when i get home...it can only get worse from here.

¡HOLA!

so, this week was pretty good, it was difficult and good all at the same time. So i told you this last week but my new companion is hna. Rivera, she works really hard, and is learning the area really quickly so thats good!  we had some pretty cool experiences this week in our lessons. So first with luis, he has all the lessons, he is just waiting to get baptized, literally.  and we taught him this week about obeying and honoring the law.  like rules of the country and stuff, a really simple lesson.  and im not sure how it turned into this but it did, oh it was when we asked him the baptismal interview questions! we ended up having somewhat of a  mini testimony meeting in which hermana river y yo and the aunt of luis all bore our testimonies and then luis was like I want too as well! so he bore his testimony and told us a very...personal story about his family and why he wants to get baptized and serve a mission in a year.  it was awesome and the spirit was so strong.  he is sooo prepared!!! its awesome.  we also went to visit a less active who normally just talks to us outside but wont let us in, this time, he did, and we ended up talking to a lot of his family, and i helped his daughter with her english, haha, and they want us to keep coming back and teaching them.  they were like normally we wouldn't let you guys teach us because we are catholic, 100%, but, for you guys, yea you  can come back and keep teaching us! it was great and they are a super sweet family so hopefully we have some new investigadores in our future!  so its really interesting being with a new companion you get so used to you first and everyone is so different, its good though, and hard at the same time, but we are slowly getting to know eachother a little bit better.  So there are now only 3 american girls in all of my mission and I have the most experience...weird... I'm also the only american in 2 or 3 areas...its really weird, like i guess presidente was like, yes, lets isolate hermana sever. hahaha but its good, i love all them mexicans! haha seriously!

as far as the weather goes here, its super hot still, during the day, I cant wait for it to get colder but apparently it doesn't get much colder...oh well, at night its pretty cold though.  We also ran out of gas this week...so have to show in freezing water...not fun hahahopefully we will have gas tomorrow. no se.  

anyway lots of love!!!!

Hna. SEVer

Sorry that i dont have fotos this week!..next week!

Week 12 in Azteca Leon

this is ricardo I would like to introduce you to him, he is a recent convert who we hlep out alot! here we are in his home, when he finished reading the book of mormon for the first time! he is literally with us everyday, his entire family, means alot to me and hermana sanchez, they are literally our family away from home, but, ricardo is especially...especial haha to us for the role he plays in helping us and us helping him!..even though one picture is me with a BB gun...haha

First off we had cambios this week, can you believe that im done with training?!! also this cambio I get to skype you guys!! thats in 4 weeks...5..no me acuerdo.  but yea!! So...Drum roll!...The person who got transferred...is....Hna. Sanchez, so Im am still in León! Im really sad to see hna. Sanchez go and so is literally everyone in león, she made a huge impact on a lot of people here, its awesome and she made a big impact on me of how to be a good obedient successful missionary.  So I got my new compañera today, her name is hna. Rivera she is from mexico, in a place I can't pronounce but its north of here.  So Im showing her the area, and Im totally freaked out about it, but We got to the house in one piece so thats good!..I even had to give directions to the taxi driver in spanish and we didnt end up in a totally different location!..oh yea.  So still having problems with nicolas, he has just..stopped progressing, and he is getting very frustrating to deal with. we just have to keep up keep a good attitude and love for him and hopefully things will turn around. we have a for sure baptism for luis on the 26th of Diciembre! and for Victor the 19th, if he keeps coming to church, the issue is his trabajo.   should be interesting without hna. sanchez working with all these peope, but i know my new companion will bring something that they all need.  and hopefully we can starting changing some lives.  that was super cheesy but hey its true!  So Other than changes I dont have much to talk about...or more Iike I do but i cant remember because I forgot my journal....which I have already used up...lol.  Oh something to look forward tot he dedication of the Tijuana Mexico Temple...that I get to attend haha I love how all the temple dedications are broadcasted  throughout Mexico! SO i had a lot more opportunities to lead in teaching this week, because I realized that I needed to start working hard, talking more, if I ever want to get spanish down, so that's what i did.  I still have a lot of work to do, but, I learned that the Lord provides for todo, and I feel really blessed to have the opportunity to share the gospel in the spanish language to all these amazing people.Remember   that true happiness comes when in the service of others.

Con Amor

Hna. Sever

Week 11 in Azteca Leon

So this PDAY was different and very fun! The international festival de Globo..or hot air balloons is in Leon every year and Presidente let us missionaries in Leon go!! We had to wake up at 3am...but it was worth it!  There was a total of I think 250 hot airballons all in one place and in the sky.  It was so cool and I have lots of pictures.  I'll make sure to send them.  

So alot of things happened this week, and didn't happen.  First off, we had a multizona conference and interviews with President Mejorada.  The conference lasted from 9am to 2:30pm but it was soooo good and I learned alot, and actaully understood most of it!!  That's a good thing.  Afterwards we had interviews.  There were 3 zones so lots of missionaries, and literally the interviews were3-5min.  But still cool.  Presidente Mejorada is soo funny!  He was like "wow your skinnier...are you eating well?"  .yo...um yea..I'm eating a ton actually haha not sure.  He told me I need to teach my companion English- lol-and asked me if i was prepared to be a great misionera...because my training is ending this week, I was like...uh huh! hahaI'm  nervous and excited all at the same time.  Not sure what to expect for these cambios.  I think I'm staying but, ahh! Don't  know, its all super weird for me right now.

We had a hard time contacting people this week.  For some reason (not sure why) we had a lot of people who just weren't home.  We would get through 5 or 6 of our planned visits in 1 hour because no one would be home.  It was odd.  But we did have a pretty cool experience with this one investigating family-Familia Jaime.  We kind of decided at random to visit them and it was cool, because we hadn't been able to in something like 2 weeks, and the mom who has a lot of struggles was mentioning this to us. She said that she expected we might not come visit again, but that they wanted us to.  They are going out of town next week for 2 weeks and so she thought it was a miracle that we happened to show up right before then. 

 I'm playing the piano...a lot. a lot...a lot.  But it's fun!  Thank goodness though for a new family in our ward.  They are super cool-part Japanese-part mexican family.  They have lived in Japan, US, and now Mexico.  All 3 of their kids were born in a different county and every member of the family speaks 3 languages....its crazy. But they are super sweet!! A very cool family.  The mother, who is from Japan, plays the piano, so now we can share a little bit of that cargo haha.   So not a lot this week--working hard and excited to see what happens next week! I'll let you guys know!

Week 10 in Azteca Leon

     Yes, they dress up for Halloween here. But here it is a mix of Halloween and el Día de muertos (Day of the Dead).  Halloween is the 31st and el día de muertos es the 1st and 2nd of Noviembre.

      About picking up new investigators every week...only one this week :(  Bit of a tough week.  Wasn't the most successful and we are still having a rough time with Nicolas.  Pero, we are quite determined to have a turn around. Only 2 more weeks for this cambio....crazy!!  Most likely I will be staying and Hermana Sancheq will be leaving-- although it's not guaranteed.  Super nervous if that happen's, because then I have to show the area.  I've got start knowing it better!  By the way, these pictures are a little old, sorry.

     So, as far as an update on my Spanish, I haven't really done that much yet, I don't think. But I'm improving and I understand probably 85-100% of what I hear, which is really good.  But, as far as speaking...it's a lot more difficult.  Although eventually that will come.  I feel the Lord's help in everything so much. I don't know what level I will be at in December for our Skype call-definitely not fluent!  So don't expect too much Spanish!      

     By the way, one of our investigators just got accepted to Fresno State! haha. But not sure if he will go because of ViSA stuff.  But he is going to California in December to study for a couple months so pretty cool.  

     So another cool thing happened with our investigator Luis- I'm pretty sure I have mentioned him before. He is about 18 or 19 not sure- very nice kid- not very talkative but super sincere and very interested in the gospel. He lives with his aunt, who is the mission nurse and YW presidente in the ward I serve in.  So we have literally taught him all the lessons we can without starting to repeat.  We teach him 2 to 3 times a week, since my first week.  And finally we asked him what he thought about baptism..again. jaja... and he was like "yes, I want to be baptized this month!" So that's awesome! Don't have an exact date, but most likely the 21 of November!  It was awesome!   We are now required in our mission for 100% lessons con miembro and the mission Presidente is stressing it.  It's difficult because our ward isn't super active, and we don't have a ward mission leader.  But we are working hard and did pretty well for the most part! Sorry, that this letter will be kinda short, running out of time! I love you all so much!!!!!!

Con Amor 

Hermana Sever

Week 9 in Azteca

¡Hola Familia!

Primero, ¡Feliz Cumpeaños a Sidney!  I hope you had a wonderful birthday.  Here in Mexico, Halloween lasts 3 days..jaja.

     So, this week was interesting.  Still having some problems with Nicolas, but, things are looking up,. We are hoping for a baptism on the 14th of this month!  So, 2 really crazy funny things happened this week.  First, we have this investigator se llama Victor- a more elderly man, we contacted en la calle my primero o segundo semana en el campo, no recuerdo...(wow so sorry for that run on sentence in Spanish.  My companion is laughing at me so hard right now.  You don't even want to hear my prayers in English..my Spanish is bad and now so is my English! jajaja oh well, the lord is helping me with both).   SO... we could never find him after that and when we did he commited to baptism but couldnt come to church for 2 weeks, so the date needed to be changed.  So we went to talk to him again and we asked if he remembered us talking to him about baptism, he said he did.  We asked if we could change the date to the 5th or 12th of Deciembre no recuerdo, and he was all taken aback, like hurt!  He said, yes, I want to learn more, but you guys said the 21st of Noviembre- I want to be baptized then.  SO naturally we were ecstatic . It's not every day you get an investigator wanting to get baptized earlier! jaja.  That was awesome! Second experience...we were in Maria Dolores -a colonial en mi area,and we were going to visit a family, when we stopped at the intersection and my companion looked at me and asked if I wanted to visit this family, and at that moment I was thinking, no, let's go visit the Rosas family instead, so that's where we went.  They have been investigating for some time and although they seem interested and always told us every Sunday morning they were going to attend church..they never came.  So it came up in our lesson this time around.  Only for it to finally come to our realization that this family was attending church every week, but they had the wrong directions for the capilla (building)!! Entonces they were attending  a different church for 5 months!...We all laughed so hard, but seriously, we were relieved and at the same time shocked that this had happened.  So they are now attending La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias. Finally!! jaja, So that was really amusing.  

     TAMBIEN! I have some new responsiblities in my ward.  I played the piano in sacrament meeting, (not very well I might add), and now because of that one event, I have to play every Sunday, also for primary and the primary program, AND a musical number with the Women and YW of the ward.  jaja!  Well lots of piano practice is in store.  Also, what I am most nervous for is a new class I'm teaching --I'm teaching clases de ingles- starting Saturday.   It's always taught by a person from los Estados Unidos, usually with about 10 months to a year's time in the mission-- I have 3 months.!  So it will be interesting.  Quite positive I will learn more than the people I'm teaching -but, I'm grateful for the opportunity! 

     So, lately there has been a lot of talk from my mission president about callings and the importance of missionaries, and the importance of members in missionary work.  So this letter is a call to action!  From me :) and my mission president, and a prophet of the Lord, and ultimately, the Lord himself.  (like how I grouped myself in with them-.talent.  jaja.)  In 2013  the Lord declared that members and missionaries need to start working together to help further the work and the salvation of our brothers and sisters without the gospel.  As a missionary, I know of the importance and help a member brings to every lesson.  It makes a difference! YOU HAVE NO IDEA!  First off, it gives new investigator and new converts a friend.  Every convert, like Gorden B. Hinckely said, needs first, a friend, second, a calling, and 3, nourishment from the good word of God.  Missionaries come and go every 6 weeks, but members stay.  If a convert only knows missionaries and then they leave, then guess who else leaves...the new convert.  It happens all the time.  In our mission we are required 100% lessons with members, and its very difficult.  Having a member in lessons is crucial, and I encourage to you to participate in 1 lesson at least weekly with your ward missionaries.  That is only 30-40 minutes in your entire week that you will help another come more fully unto Christ.  I can promise you that you will be blessed and probably learn something as well.  

     I love all of you soooo much and miss you bunches!

Con Amor

Hermana Sever

Week 8 in Azteca

     So this week was full of its ups and downs.  It was pretty difficult, not because of Spanish, but stress and emotionally.  So primero,  Huracán Patricia...creo.  We definitely heard about it, crazy.  All we got was lots of ran and wind -nothing too serious.  Wasn't even hard rain -just lasted forever.  But, the first day, Presidente Mejorada made us take precautions and we had to buy 3 days worth of food and water -just in case we were unable to leave the house.  It rained all Friday and Saturday morning, but by the time we had to leave the house, (we leave around 12:30-1:00 everyday), the rain had stopped and we were able to have a normal day.  So now we have a whole bunch of food in our house and no time or stomach space to eat it -jaja- oh well.  Had an interesting week.  It was kinda difficult and all because of one investigator, Nicolas.  So he has a baptismal date for the 31 de Octubre. a little less than 1 week now. We have had a hard time getting a hold of him to see or visit.  No se por que, but we call him everyday and he always answers- he's just busy or something or other happens.  ugh.  But, finally he talked to us for a little bit via telefono and he expressed to us his concerns for baptim and was backtracking a bit on his earlier decision to be baptized. So we met with him right away, and the first lesson did not have the spirit.  So we stopped it and told him to come back later that day.  The next lesson was so much better we had two other recent converts with us -Ricardo and Isabel.  They bore their testimonies on baptism and we all bore our testimonies on the truth of the  gospel and the blessings of baptism.  The spirit was tan fuerte!  It was awesome -one of my favorite lessons, so we left it, feeling very optimistic.  Pero, he told us he was coming to church on Sunday and he never showed up... not sure why -so we have to talk to him today.  Its just full of ups and downs with him. He's been an investigator for 3 years and only just started coming to church regularly.  We are hoping we don't have to change his baptismal date, but that just might be what's neccessary.  Although we continue to try and stay optimistic, it's times like these where all we can do is focus on the spirit and what the Lords will for him. What would he have me do.  On another note, we got a new investigator!!  She just showed up to church -she was an antiguo investigador, I met her very very briefly my primer Cambio.  She showed up and asked to be baptized...so naturally we were super excited!! We are meeting with her Martes y Jueves to see what she wants and what she needs. But, should be awesome!

     Ok, so my spiritual thought for this week, actually came from the experience of Huracán Patricia,  I was reading this morning a talk by Presidente Thomas S. Monson,about being prepared, and it came to me the importance of that.  Normalmente I would ohave disregarded a talk on personal preparedness as not as important as other things in my life right now.  I mean food storage, being debt-free.   They are  just suggestions right?..NO! It came to me that we can choose certain storms in our lives to AVOID! Choose to avoid them, by choosing to be prepared.  God cares for every aspect of our lives- both spiritual and temporal.  Entonces, we need to be prepared for both, both are important and connected, like our bodies and our spirits are connected, and at one point will be connected for eternity.  How can we expect to prepare ourselves for the eternities if we can't prepare ourselves for the temporal things we face today?  Also, this is something that Heavenly Father, through many prophets and apostoles, have told us we need to do.  Why is it so easy to disregard.  It is something our Father in heaven has counseled us on and we would do well to follow it.   I realized that our lives can be unpredictable and we need to take precautions now while we can.  

     I love you guys very much it looks like everything is going pretty well at home! tell preston I said HAppy Birthday!!

Con Amor

Hermana Sever

Week 7 in Azteca

 

    So this week was awesome!  I had my first baptism on the 17th, with Citlali.  Elder Capener de Colorado baptized her- he is our district leader.  Her dad showed up which really surprised us and we were super happy about that.  I had the opportunity to sing at her baptism very short notice, but I was a little bit emotional and a lot a bit nervous!  But, the spirit was soooooo strong and it was a great baptism and the speakers were awesome.  Citlali was adorable- she was crying the entire time but beaming too- haha!  She bore her testimony at the end.  It was an awesome experience and I'm so happy for the opportunity God has given me to be apart of the process of helping Citlali come unto Christ.  It was easily the highlight of my week. 

      This week I have felt more than usual the love from others, especially my investigators.  I have received in the past 2 weeks around 8-10 letters and assorted gifts from my investigators and members.  Even from people who don't know us, but we might have helped or taught at one point.  It's been really great.  We also have a new investigator-actually a couple-  4 to be exact -which is awesome!  First Felipe; he is joven (young) of probably about 19, but I'm not quite sure. He works at an ice cream shop that we stopped by to contact. Turns out his sister is a member but he wasnt interested, but he seems interested now.  He's agreed to a baptismal date and has already talked to his parents about it.  On the other side of the spectrum we have an older lady -not sure her age, but definitley older.  Her name is Mercedes and she is a sweetheart.  She loves us and the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. She's almost like an older version of Citlali.   She came to church and loved it!  She was talking to everyone and  making friends.  She wants to get baptized.  Her family is going through a rough time right now, and she knows that the gospel can help her --it's really awesome! 

     It's amazing the love you can feel for people you hardly even know. Literally, even the people I have known since my first week or day en el campo (the field).  I can hardly have a full conversation with people, and yet, all I want is for them to be happy.  The mission has a way of doing that to people.  

     Ok- so this week, I have been working on ponderizing a scripture. It's Jacob 4:10, dice "Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord. But, to take counsel from his hand, for behold ye yourselves  know that He counseleth in wisdom, and in justice and in great mercy, over all his works."  Thats one of my favorites because it's always been something that I know is true, but that I have had to seriously work at, and am still working on.  No matter what, when come faced with whatever situation, good or bad, what do you do?  Try to figure out a solution yourself-  go to self-help books, other people even.  All may be good references.  But the ultimate reference is that of your Heavenly Father, who knows all things and knows what you NEED to do in order to receive interminable felizad (eternal happiness).   Don't try to counsel the Lord, saying I know myself and this is what I need to do, but SEEK  ye the kingdom of God first.  Before ye seek for riches seek ye for the kingdom of God.  In every aspect of life, Heavenly Father wants you to come to Him for all things no matter how small or insignificant they might seem.  Don't be afraid to form a relationship with him, and don't be afraid to act on what inspiration or feelings you might receive.  I hope all of you are well, and that everything is going good.  thanks for everything.  

Con Amor

Hermana Sever

Week 6 in Azteca

    

(pictures above are sisters in our area, and pictures of the families in the bishopric)

 El tiempo se va bien rapido.  Its been 3 months!!!! Just ended my first transfer en el campo.  It's loco crazy.  It was super interesting this cambio being my first.  It was super sad and exciting at the same time,  We basically got an entirely new zone.  I'm pretty sure me and Hermana Sanchez were the only companionship to not change, and one of our Lideres de ZOna and un ELder went home! It's so sad because you realize you might not see some of these people again, but it's also super exciting because they get to go home and see there familias, or they get to expereince a new area and new people so its bitter sweet!     
     The ward I live in is decent size-I don't think it's as big as the ones we have at home.  There are more members where we live, so the wards are bigger.  The members and bishopric, even the stake presidency are super supportive.  This past sunday I went to church twice, because one of our investigadores could only go to an earlier session, and I listend to a talk by (I belive) a 12 year old.  Although he looked like he was a couple years younger than jayden.   Mother...It was the most amazing thing I had ever heard...He didn't take notes- just expanded upon scriptures and quotes...his talk was a good 20 min. long!! And he didn't even read off anything!!  He was just speaking -it was crazy!  Literally better than most talks given by adults -easily.  I was so impressed to say the least.       I have my first baptism this week! I'm so excited- Citlali is so excited and super prepared.  I'm so happy for the decision she has made to follow the example of Christ, It's going to bless her life so much more than she knows. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to be apart of it from the very beginning!  It's bien padre!
      It was great to get your pictures.  I showed it too all of my investigadores!  They were like woah your dad is so tall and why do you have 2 Samoan brothers-  referring to Jayden and Preston- who they think is too buff to comprehend.  haha .  They thought he was black, and this was the elderes!  jaja!  It was really funny.  They also think Sidney looks older than me..no big deal.  jaja.   But, yea lots has been happening, I'm super excited for the opportunity I to stay in Leon for at least another 6 weeks.  Time flies in the mission.  
     So anyway, something I wanted to share with you was the movie, The Other Side of Heaven!  jaja.   Now I haven't watched it, but the mensaje (message) from the president of the mission was about it. If you guys watch it or have seen it you'll realize that this missionary literalmente went through just about every trial possible.  All of us have trials, temptaions, etc in our lives.  It's a part of God's plan and it helps us to learn and grow.  One thing I have learned and want to apply more in my life, is having more fe (faith) en  Jesu Cristo.  Alone, we might not be able to get through trials...literalmente, whats seems imposible, just might be, but with Cristo, all things are posible, ALL is posible, and all can be done where you will gain a greater trust in your Saviour, and be happier and stonger.   It's all because of our Savior and Redeemer Jesu Cristo, whom I am eteranally greatful for.  So trust in Him.  Don't try to get through things alone.  The smallest act of fe en Cristo can bring about many great milagros en sus vidas (miracles in our lives).  I know this is true,  and I hope that  this helps somebody from back home in some way or another.  A scripture that goes along with is Genesis 26:24, look it up!!! haha ¨Fear not, for I am with thee...¨ and I remembered a quote from a talk in the Liahona - ¨True posterity in this world comes from balance of providing for our families while also loving and serving the Savior.¨ Everything requires balance in this life.  Love all of you so much!

Con Amor

hermana Sever

Week 5 in Azteca

    MY address in the Mission is Malinalco #513 Azteca Leon, if you want to look up a pic of where I live!  By the way- fun Fact- I am the only American girl to come to this mission this year so far!! Crazy right!!  There are literally maybe 10 American girls in the mission, really odd.     

I      loved conference and I was able to watch it in English with one other American Hermana and the American Elderes.   The testimonies of the apostoles really confirmed to me that they were called of God.   I'm excited to see whats in store for the church.  Elder Holland's talk was one of my favorites!!!  I am very grateful for you mom! Always have beenI   love and miss you and I am so grateful for the example you and dad have been to me, You have been the main influences in my life,(of course)  This conference talked a lot about, the responisbilty of parents, letting the Lord mold us, and the Sabbath day to keep it holy.  I know that these are the things that we all need to realize the importance of in our lives.  I was blessed with goodly parents just like Nephi, and I'm forever grateful for the opportunity the Lord gave me to be put into such a wonderful, blessed family,and to have known, the gospel my entire life.   THE CHURCH IS TRUE! 

     We have another Fecha!! i(baptism date)  It's for the 31 de Octubre!! So pumped -it's with our investigator Nicolas.  We also committed his sister Angelica, and a couple other people this week- like Aurora and Jorge..(again) and Luis..(again).  We have to recommit them when they don't go to church-it can make things difficult.  But, Nicolas is going to church and wants to get baptized.  When we asked, he was like , ´´Si, ¿Que Necesito Hacer?´´ YAY!  (yes...what do I need to do?)...it was awesome, I think this is it for him! I'm totally pumped!  So this week next week be week 6 in the mission field my first CAMBIO!!  Can you belive it>  I'm in shock...Time flies...El tiemp se va muy rapido.(thats like my favorite phrase in spanish -that and Tengo Hambre.  So yea things have been pretty great here,. Surprisngly it's been really warm this week, and no rain- so no need for a jacket...yet.  But the nights and mornings are getting colder.  Spansih is coming -I'm improving poco a poco.  haha.  I'm having a blast though! I'll send pics!-

Con Amor

Hermana Sever

Week 4 in Azteca

      This week has been a hard Spanish week for me.  I just was not understanding much, but I do feel like I'm getting more comfortable with the people here and they are seeing more of the "normal" me instead of silent, dead Hermana Sever -haha.   Weaning my way off the Spanish dictionary...kinda not really...jaja (haha) I still have a long way to go.  

     The investigators are doing good! Citlani is awesome and her parents want to talk to us, so hopefully thats a good sign.  She doesn't live with them-they live in San Miguel. It's not too far from Leon.  One of our investigators, Luis, confirmed for baptism for the 31st of October.  We have a baptism for the 24th and the 31st!! lol.... preston and sidneys birthdays- jaja.   But the hard part here is not getting people to want to be baptized or listen to the lessons-- i'ts going to church.  So it;s so important that they realize the importance of going to church.  I think in a lot of ways that applies to so many members of the church now.  It's ok to miss church whenever...or come late, or even leave early on a regular basis, or just spend too many times scheduling vacations to be on sundays.  But, keeping the Sabbath day holy is a COMMANDMENT of god.  Not a suggestion.  When you go to church, God promises that you will get on the straight and narrow, and you will receive answers and a stronger testimony of Christ.  It's imperative that you go to church, and only as a very last resort not go.  For menos actvios (less actives) the first thing leading to inactivity is of course church attendance, replacing church with good activites like hangout out with family or even a family vacation, all good things! But not the best...good, better, best, in every decision -we need to think about that.  What brings me closer to my Heavenly Father is what He would have me do.  

     I have thought a lot about Landon this past week and I can't believe he will be 7!!!  So close to getting baptized! That's awesome!  DAD IS PLAYIING THE GUITAR!!!! por favor! send me a video!!! That's fantastic.  

     Lets see though, as far as my week goes, its been pretty good,  a little bit slow.  My compañera and I are realizing that we really need nuevo investigadores....and we are slacking so that's on the top off our list right now.  Got to go to a baptism with our zone leaders.   But this week are...divisions, I think that's what it's called in Englsih.. Um where we change companions for a couple days- should be interesting.  To be honest I'm totally nervous.  I don't speak or understand well, but Hermana Sanchez understands me so it's easy for her to clarify things for me with vocabulary I know.  Should be interesting without her there.  I'm sure I'll get a lot of learning, which is what I need.  I got to watch el sesion general de mujeres(Um....the general womens conference?) yeah.jaja.  It was really good!  From what I understood...it was in Spanish, so I comprehended about half of it...but can't wait for Genreral conference next Sunday!..I think I get to watch it in English!  You also asked about the food we eat...let's see, we eat posole a lot!  It's a very traditional meal here, a soup with lettuce and meat and a whole bunch of stuff.  We eat it at least 2 times a week.  Look it up!  

Con Amor

Hermana Sever

Week 3 in Azteca Leon

    (**in response to my question to her about what food they fix for themselves...) We don't fix a lot of food for ourselves.  We don't keep a lot of food in our house since we are hardly every there.  But um....if I end up making anything besides eggs, which are in every other meal here, then I'll let you know.  The eggs in every meal surprised me.  But eggs are huge.  And tortillas, of course.  Everything is 12 times spicier than we are used to.  My taste buds are going to be shot.  haha-I'm pretty sure that's why I got sick.  Something was too spicy- at least that's what the doctor said(..or what I think they said--hahaha).  I wasn't a breakfast eater before my mission and now I haven't miss breakfast since day 1.  You kinda have to- since we don't have dinner here, I'm pretty hungry for breakfast in the morning.  Usually we eat tortilla and eggs or hot cakes(pancakes).

      Lets see what happened this week... we got another baptismal date with a young boy name Jorge- he is 11.  He was an investigator when he was younger, but his grandmother objected.  He wants to get baptized so we are hoping this time around, things will change.  Our other investigator with a baptismal date is Citlali.  She is just soaring through the lessons and is so ready to get baptized. She starts beaming every time we mention it and asks for us to repeat the date over and over...but she just told her parents, and they are totally against it.  She's in college right now, and basically they said if you get baptized then they won't fund for her education, so she feels blackmailed.  It's really sad and she's super upset.  But we gave her some scriptures and advice and we are going to prayer for her a lot.  I know she will still make the right decision, but it will be hard.    One of our recent converts, named Jose, asked me if I had any pictures of my family.   I told him I didn't, and he said the nicest thing, to me.  He was like,  "You know, Hermana Sever, you are never alone.  Because this family is going to be your family here- us and Ricardo - we are your family.  So you should never feel alone.  It doesn't matter that you can't understand or speak the language.  We are here."  It was so nice!!!  And I understood every word.  

    Oh for our English classes on Saturdays they had me say the prayer-- in English --and I kept messing up!  Elder Brown was laughing at me so hard.  We had a multizona conference on Saturday and I met a whole bunch of new missionaries. It was awesome.  And we got to her the President and his wife speak.  We all bought and wore bigotes (mustaches!!!).  It was so funny!!!! 

     Anyway...I was reading the Septiembre version of the Ensign.  There is a lot of good articles in there- but there was one about Boyd K. Packer and that, one night when he gained a true witness of this gospel, he pledged his life to the Lord.  That's what I decided I was going to do, and I have seen the Lord in my life since.  I figure, as long as I always have a good attitude, follow the promptings of the Spirit, and have the courage to talk (...and I actually need the courage) or that then he will make up the rest.  If I had been sent to a mission speaking English, I feel as though I may not have learned as much personally, because I am a talker.  But with this..I really have to rely on the Lord.  I have gained such a strong testimony of prayer.  Never underestimate the power of prayer..HE IS ALWAYS LISTENING. And don't be afraid of pure prayer, it's a real thing... If you have sufficient faith then esta todo bien (it's all good).  Love you all miss you bunches!!  Until next time!

Con Amor, 

Hermana Sever

**this is our zone conference with bigotes, me and my companion, elder brown, my laundry room!!!