Hello family,
Well here in Utuado things are just chugging right along. The good news is that the Utuado Monteneses (2A baseball team here) started their season up here in Puerto Rico and their kicking butt last time i checked. I believe their 3-1 and their one loss was by one run and i heard it was on a debateable call by the umpire. But to be completely honest i have no clue what happened i just heared the news from down the grape vine. Some times at night while i'm laying in bed on fridays nights i can open my windows a little bit and see the lights at the baseball stadium and hear the crowd yell. Its pretty cool actually; i surely enjoy it,the stadium is just right across the river from us.
Anyway enough about that, back to how the work is going here in Utuado. Lidia came to church again this week which is always good. She's learning a lot every week thats for sure. Now the next step is to get her to act. Hopefully some time soon we're able to set another baptisimal date with her. But before we go and do that we want to be sure she's ready to make this sacred and very important convet with the Lord. On the baptisimal subject we had a baptisim this past week but it was an 8 year old of one of our members. Non the less it was a baptisim and it was nice to have.
Well to be honest that about sums up the week. sorry its a little short, but i hope you enjoyed it. I sure enjoyed hearing from you all at home! thank you!
Anyway i love you all!
Elder Lopez
Monday, February 23, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Reporting from Utuado (email dated 2/17/2009)
Well here in the Utuado the work is going forward. We've been working really hard like always and as of right now we have some potentials that are progressing little by little. We came across a man named Ramon this week and he turned out to be a really cool guy. He told us that about a year or so ago the missionaries started to teach him. When we heard that we were pretty interested and asked him what happenend. He told us that he just never would go to church, and he started to have a desire to drink again. He used to have a drinking problem and was an alcolholic for about 35 years or so, but he told us he's been sober for over a year now. As we were listening to this guy we realized that maybe he's ready now to except this gospel this time around. He's already read the Book Of Mormon completely he said and he said he liked it. So we're going to start working with him and see where it takes us this time. I think with him the difficulty is going to be getting him willing to come to church , because we gave him an invitation but he just told us with time maybe. For the most part he was a really good contact that were looking forward to start teaching. As of right now he said that we could go visit with him every sunday, but we're going to try and visit him inbetween to.
This past week i've really been growing a lot i think as a missionary. I'm actually starting to feel more and more comfortable with our conversations with the people in cita's (appointments) and the spanish is coming. Elder Christensen helps me a lot because he is able to explain things to me in English of why they use different words in different situations and things like that. So everything in that aspect of the mission (language) is starting to pick up.
At church this week we gave to lesson in Gospel Principals class on Prayer, which went really well i felt and was good because Lidia was there to hear it. We're working with her still to see if we can give here another baptisimal date. I think she's begining to realize little by little that all of what we've taught her is true and that this is the right path that Christ has blessed us with and that she should take it no matter the situation. But only time will tell. I still have a hope that she's going to be baptized, but before she's baptized we want to make sure she's going to be strong member and not just fall away. I feel like a lot of the problem with her is that her family really isent being the best support for her. But every week she's coming to church and she's still showing signs of interest so we're going to keep on working with her.
Thats about the update for here in the mountains of Utuado so until next time, take it easy.
Love you all,
Elder Lopez
This past week i've really been growing a lot i think as a missionary. I'm actually starting to feel more and more comfortable with our conversations with the people in cita's (appointments) and the spanish is coming. Elder Christensen helps me a lot because he is able to explain things to me in English of why they use different words in different situations and things like that. So everything in that aspect of the mission (language) is starting to pick up.
At church this week we gave to lesson in Gospel Principals class on Prayer, which went really well i felt and was good because Lidia was there to hear it. We're working with her still to see if we can give here another baptisimal date. I think she's begining to realize little by little that all of what we've taught her is true and that this is the right path that Christ has blessed us with and that she should take it no matter the situation. But only time will tell. I still have a hope that she's going to be baptized, but before she's baptized we want to make sure she's going to be strong member and not just fall away. I feel like a lot of the problem with her is that her family really isent being the best support for her. But every week she's coming to church and she's still showing signs of interest so we're going to keep on working with her.
Thats about the update for here in the mountains of Utuado so until next time, take it easy.
Love you all,
Elder Lopez
Monday, February 9, 2009
Utuado, Puerto Rico (email dated 02/09/2009)
Hello,
Well unfortunately i cant say we had any baptisims this week because we had to drop our to baptisimal dates. My new companion, Elder Christensen and I went over there this week to finish up teaching all of the commandments with them but we hit a big brick wall. As we were teaching the Commandment of Baptisim and Confirmation i offered the Baptisimal commitment again, but this time Lidia told me straight up that she wasn't going to be baptized with out Elder Hernandez being here to... She told us that she had confidence in Elder Hernandez and I because we started teaching her but that with out him here she didnt want to be baptized. Yeah it was a little dager to the heart not going to lie because we've been working with her for so long and she's been making changes in her life to make it up to this point, and then she tells us she wont be baptized because Elder Hernandez was transfered. After having said that we could tell that she really isnt quite converted to the Gospel for Jesus Christ and we still have some more work to do with her. We're thinking about starting from the begining again with her to help here realize the importance of this sacred covenent with God. Also we're going to have to help her realize that here on the mission the work is directed by the Lord and not by men, and that the Lord is the one that sends missionaries to different areas because He knows where they need to go. Its a tough cookie to swallow i know, but i'm not letting it get me down because all it means is that we still have a little more work to do with her to help her strengthen her testimony in the Lord and to know that He directs this work and this Church and no one else. So thats the situation with the work right now or at least with Lidia and her daughter Xiomara.
Elder Christensen and I geating a long good though. The other day he made some cookies that were way good, so as long as he keeps that up i'm sure we'll be getting along just fine. He actualy is from Alpine, Utah which practicaly makes him our neighbore back home. He's been out for almost a year now and knows a lot or spanish so we can get around just fine. He's about 6'4 and 280 lbs. so you can see he's a pretty big boy. He played football at Lone Peak which is a little disapointing i know, but we have going to BYU in the future in comin which is cool. He's a big teddy bear and we've been gettin along just fine up to now, and it seems like he's pretty commited to put in some hard work here in Utuado which is good. I think being up here in the mountains is going to push him a little bit and he might start to lose some weight because of all the hills we go up here. Or it could go the opposite way because the people here in Utuado like to feed us missinoaries. We'll just have to wait and see what happins.
OH yeah sorry about the letters in the mail slowing down. It seems like lately all the work is doubling and we hardly ever have time on P-days to write letters home. So i apologize for that, but just know i'm doing my best!
Well i got to start wrapping up for the day. Remember that i love you all with all my heart and i'm greatful that i have such great support at home!
Take care, and we'll read and write next week...
With much Love,
Elder Lopez
Well unfortunately i cant say we had any baptisims this week because we had to drop our to baptisimal dates. My new companion, Elder Christensen and I went over there this week to finish up teaching all of the commandments with them but we hit a big brick wall. As we were teaching the Commandment of Baptisim and Confirmation i offered the Baptisimal commitment again, but this time Lidia told me straight up that she wasn't going to be baptized with out Elder Hernandez being here to... She told us that she had confidence in Elder Hernandez and I because we started teaching her but that with out him here she didnt want to be baptized. Yeah it was a little dager to the heart not going to lie because we've been working with her for so long and she's been making changes in her life to make it up to this point, and then she tells us she wont be baptized because Elder Hernandez was transfered. After having said that we could tell that she really isnt quite converted to the Gospel for Jesus Christ and we still have some more work to do with her. We're thinking about starting from the begining again with her to help here realize the importance of this sacred covenent with God. Also we're going to have to help her realize that here on the mission the work is directed by the Lord and not by men, and that the Lord is the one that sends missionaries to different areas because He knows where they need to go. Its a tough cookie to swallow i know, but i'm not letting it get me down because all it means is that we still have a little more work to do with her to help her strengthen her testimony in the Lord and to know that He directs this work and this Church and no one else. So thats the situation with the work right now or at least with Lidia and her daughter Xiomara.
Elder Christensen and I geating a long good though. The other day he made some cookies that were way good, so as long as he keeps that up i'm sure we'll be getting along just fine. He actualy is from Alpine, Utah which practicaly makes him our neighbore back home. He's been out for almost a year now and knows a lot or spanish so we can get around just fine. He's about 6'4 and 280 lbs. so you can see he's a pretty big boy. He played football at Lone Peak which is a little disapointing i know, but we have going to BYU in the future in comin which is cool. He's a big teddy bear and we've been gettin along just fine up to now, and it seems like he's pretty commited to put in some hard work here in Utuado which is good. I think being up here in the mountains is going to push him a little bit and he might start to lose some weight because of all the hills we go up here. Or it could go the opposite way because the people here in Utuado like to feed us missinoaries. We'll just have to wait and see what happins.
OH yeah sorry about the letters in the mail slowing down. It seems like lately all the work is doubling and we hardly ever have time on P-days to write letters home. So i apologize for that, but just know i'm doing my best!
Well i got to start wrapping up for the day. Remember that i love you all with all my heart and i'm greatful that i have such great support at home!
Take care, and we'll read and write next week...
With much Love,
Elder Lopez
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Another transfer down (email dated 2/3/2009)
Well it sounds like there's still snow on the ground up in Utah, here in Puerto Rico however it is sunny and humid still. We've had some long hard working weeks here in Utuado, but thats the way it is some times. Were still working with Xiomara and her mother Lidia for the baptisimal date this upcoming saturday but we might have to move it back a week because Xiomara sleeped in for church this passed sunday. They've been having some family problems we think so were going to find out for sure this thursday whats going on and where we stand with their baptisim and all.
Yesterday we found out who is staying and who's going for transfers.... yup another transfer is down in the books. The news is that Elder Hernandez is leaving and Elder Lopez is staying in Utuado. Yeah i'm going to have a new companion starting tomorrow here in Utuado. I hope he's ready for some hard work because thats all we have here in Utuado. His name is Elder Christensen and he's from Alpin i believe if i remember right. I meet him in Ponce once when i was over there. All i really know about him is that he is a big big boy. He played football for lone peak i believe, but i'll find out for sure tomorrow.
This past sunday Presidant Martineau came to Utuado for church which was good for the branch. He could see that Utuado sort of lacks in Priesthood holders so he said he might be sending a missionary couple here in Utuado to help us out. We'll have to wait and see what happens.
Through out these past 2 transferes the days have felt so long but now i just look back and i wonder where the time went. I know that sounds sort of wierd but its the way it feels for sure. I've been able to learn so much the past 2 Transfers with spanish, with teaching, and especialy with the gospel. A lot of the time i feel like my head is going to explode becasue i've been learning so much. I'm really starting to see my role as a servent for the lord in a clearer way everyday.Its a great feeling to! This Gospel is awesome!
Well i'm sorry to say it but my time is running out because we have to go buy a bike for another missionary who's leaving his area of Lares. So until next week, take it easy, and remember i love you all.
Thank you for the prayers and support always!
Dios Bendiga
Elder Lopez
Yesterday we found out who is staying and who's going for transfers.... yup another transfer is down in the books. The news is that Elder Hernandez is leaving and Elder Lopez is staying in Utuado. Yeah i'm going to have a new companion starting tomorrow here in Utuado. I hope he's ready for some hard work because thats all we have here in Utuado. His name is Elder Christensen and he's from Alpin i believe if i remember right. I meet him in Ponce once when i was over there. All i really know about him is that he is a big big boy. He played football for lone peak i believe, but i'll find out for sure tomorrow.
This past sunday Presidant Martineau came to Utuado for church which was good for the branch. He could see that Utuado sort of lacks in Priesthood holders so he said he might be sending a missionary couple here in Utuado to help us out. We'll have to wait and see what happens.
Through out these past 2 transferes the days have felt so long but now i just look back and i wonder where the time went. I know that sounds sort of wierd but its the way it feels for sure. I've been able to learn so much the past 2 Transfers with spanish, with teaching, and especialy with the gospel. A lot of the time i feel like my head is going to explode becasue i've been learning so much. I'm really starting to see my role as a servent for the lord in a clearer way everyday.Its a great feeling to! This Gospel is awesome!
Well i'm sorry to say it but my time is running out because we have to go buy a bike for another missionary who's leaving his area of Lares. So until next week, take it easy, and remember i love you all.
Thank you for the prayers and support always!
Dios Bendiga
Elder Lopez
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