Well for some reason this week my body decided to go sick on me and make me miserable for half the week. Yeah i had "la Monga"(A Cold). It was pretty anoying but i didn't let it hold me up to much. Finaly this past sunday I had my comp. and Elder Ramirez come over and give me a Priesthood Blessing to help me out and i can definately tell today that its starting to kick in. I'm still a little tired but my cough and runny nose are starting to die down.
Well enough about how sick I've been, lets talk about the work right?... Well to be honest this past week was a week where we received some potential. We made a bunch of contacts, and from them all we were able to have about 7 new investigators which is always nice to have. This next week we'll see how firm they really are but we'll pray for the best right? Unfortunately Lidia was sick so she wasn't able to make it to church and the De Jesus Family had a problem or something and we were'nt even able to pass by and see them again. So this last week we had a little disappointment but you never know how fast things can turn around some time.
Last friday, we went on a little trade off for the day, and i went to Arecibo and Elder Ponce came down here to Utuado. It was pretty fun too. I was over there with Elder Atrice, whose from Atlanta Georgia. Man did he ever have that southern accent. He's a big boy too; he played football at Air Force before he came out here on his mission. He's a fresh greeenie also, so i was the one doing all of the talking pretty much for the day. He just barely hit his week mark out in the field. We had a great day though and we even were able to have a lesson with some Investigators over there and set a baptisimal date for them. It was a great experience, and it boosted my spirits up a lot to because i wasn't feeling the greatest the day before. The family was great, especialy as we taught them about the Plan of Salvation. The couple is going to get married here soon also, so that their able to be baptised and except all of the commandments that God has given us. It truely is amazing to see the changes people make in their life's to except this true gospel of Christ. Anyway the whole trade off ended up being great, and it was the highlight of the week i'd have to say.
But that time has come again and i have to say bye because the work is calling my name.
so until next time much love!
Elder Lopez
Monday, March 30, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Another week in paradise (email dated 03/24/2009)
Well what a week it was. We made a lot of Changes this past week with the transfers and all. First off they put the new sisters in Lares, Hma. Neff and Hma. Goodman. Their both really cool but its sort of going to be a little difficult with them instead of Elders because now we're going to have to do all of our shopping and other stuff on P-days by bike, instead of with the other elders in the car. With the cars they made a new rule that none of the Elders can ride in the same cars as the Sisters so that leaves us on bike and them in a car. Yeah i know its a tough life aint it... But its all good we'll servive. Anyway President Martineau really got me excited for this next transfer and all the things that we're going to start trying to put into effect. One of the best things is the new goals for contacts that we're going to be doing every day. Instead of just going toking 4 days a week for 2 hours from 5 to 7 were going to go every day from 4 to 6 and then on top of that talk with a lot more people in the street. Basically this is going to give us the opportunity to talk to twice as many people and hopefully get twice as many lessons with people. we started to do it for the last half of last week so we havent seen the results yet but i'm sure excited to see them when they start to come.
In other news here in the the mountains of Utuado; we had an inactive in church yesterday. But, this wasn't just some inactive; he had been inactive for over a year now. Ever since i've been here in Utuado we've been over to visit him every single week to try a new approach to get him back to church with us, and every week we went un-successful. But this past week we had Ramirez's go over there and talk with him and i'm not sure what they did but what ever it was it worked. I think it was because Elder Ramirez and Hmo. Moncho are about the same age (80 Years Old) and they just hit it off great! Finaly with the help of the Ramirez's we helped Hmo. Moncho realize that its our Heavenly Fathers will that he comes to church and its satans will that he doesn't. And that by not coming to church he's just making satan happy... When Elder Ramirez told him that it must of hit him hard or something because the next sunday sitting there in church was good old Hmo. Moncho! I was so happy to see him there i couldn't help but go over and give hime a big hug! It truely was awesome!
Oh And as for the Rolando De Jesus familia, their doing good. We were able to have a great spiritual experience with them yesterday at their house with their whole entire family. We went over and taught the 2nd lesson to them and the whole time they were just fasinated. Margie, Rolando's wife, told us as we were teaching them that this message seemed so familuar to them but in reality they really had never seen it before. This was the second time that she has told us that while we've been teaching them and it was a good feeling to hear. There's a part in Preach My Gospel that say's when you teach someone whose really listening, with their heart open to the message, it will come across as if they've already heard it before. So when she told us that this message sounded familure, Elder Christensen and i just felt like a million bucks because we could see that she really was listening with her heart and soul and not just to be nice. They told us that they would continue to read the Book Of Mormon that we left with them and they said that they would do the important part also, which is to pray about it. The spirit of the lesson was just something out of this world. Missionary work is just great!!!
But the time has come again and i'm going to have to close this up, so real quickly, just remember your all in my prayers and greatful for yours!
With Love always,
Elder Lopez
In other news here in the the mountains of Utuado; we had an inactive in church yesterday. But, this wasn't just some inactive; he had been inactive for over a year now. Ever since i've been here in Utuado we've been over to visit him every single week to try a new approach to get him back to church with us, and every week we went un-successful. But this past week we had Ramirez's go over there and talk with him and i'm not sure what they did but what ever it was it worked. I think it was because Elder Ramirez and Hmo. Moncho are about the same age (80 Years Old) and they just hit it off great! Finaly with the help of the Ramirez's we helped Hmo. Moncho realize that its our Heavenly Fathers will that he comes to church and its satans will that he doesn't. And that by not coming to church he's just making satan happy... When Elder Ramirez told him that it must of hit him hard or something because the next sunday sitting there in church was good old Hmo. Moncho! I was so happy to see him there i couldn't help but go over and give hime a big hug! It truely was awesome!
Oh And as for the Rolando De Jesus familia, their doing good. We were able to have a great spiritual experience with them yesterday at their house with their whole entire family. We went over and taught the 2nd lesson to them and the whole time they were just fasinated. Margie, Rolando's wife, told us as we were teaching them that this message seemed so familuar to them but in reality they really had never seen it before. This was the second time that she has told us that while we've been teaching them and it was a good feeling to hear. There's a part in Preach My Gospel that say's when you teach someone whose really listening, with their heart open to the message, it will come across as if they've already heard it before. So when she told us that this message sounded familure, Elder Christensen and i just felt like a million bucks because we could see that she really was listening with her heart and soul and not just to be nice. They told us that they would continue to read the Book Of Mormon that we left with them and they said that they would do the important part also, which is to pray about it. The spirit of the lesson was just something out of this world. Missionary work is just great!!!
But the time has come again and i'm going to have to close this up, so real quickly, just remember your all in my prayers and greatful for yours!
With Love always,
Elder Lopez
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
One more transfer in (email dated 3/17/2009)
Well this week is the big transfer week, and the big question is if i'm staying in the Mountains or leaving... well, the answer is i'm still here in good old Utuado. Yup, Elder Christensen and i are still companions also. We have a lot of work to do this upcoming transfer and i'm pretty sure President Martineau has some good ideas for us to put into effect this transfer also. Well just have to wait and see what he tells us at the upcoming transfer meating in Toa Bajo. The one big change thats going on here in our District between us and Lares though, is that their taking out the Elders from Lares and putting in Sisters over there. I'm sort of disapointed to be honest; its nothing against the sisters, its just that we cant really do anything with them, so were not going to have anyone to hang out with on P-days when the Lares Elders would come down. But it is, what it is and theres really nothing i can do about it. It wont be that bad though because we at least have the Ramirez couple here in Utuado to help us out with the inactive members that we have. Also they have a car and will be able to help us out when we need help.
As for Lidia and her baptisimal date, we had to drop it... Yeap for the 2nd time now, but thats alright because we want her to be 100% with this decission when she finaly makes it and is ready to go through with it. Right now her excuse besides the fear of water is that she's scared that once she's on this path that baptisim brings she'll fall off. So we're working with building her faith in the tools that we have been given by the Lord to help us stay on the straight and narrow path. I'm starting to pray now that she eventualy, down the line, builds up the faith to except this convenant with God. I know that she's ready for it because she understands every single lesson and has committed to every single commandment but she just is holding on to a little bit of fear and wont give it up. We even gave her all the baptisimal questions to prepare her for her interview.She was good with them all but once we got down to the one question of will you be baptised by someone holding the authority of God she said "No"... yeah know, interesting right? So gettin Lidia baptised is definately on the to do list for this up coming transfer...
As for everything else we've been working hard. We're trying to find some new investigators with some good potential and even have been going up to some tops of MOuntains to find them but have been coming up empty. Elder Christensen has been getting some blisters on his feet because we've been walking so much. I don't think his feet were as used to walking so much yet because here in Utuado the size is a little different then from Ponce, at least area wise. I'm pretty sure the mountains add a little to it also... But other then all that everything is pretty normal with me. I'm definately looking forward to another transfer and am ready to get back at it again. Well until next time take it easy over there in Utah.
Love always,
Elder Lopez
As for Lidia and her baptisimal date, we had to drop it... Yeap for the 2nd time now, but thats alright because we want her to be 100% with this decission when she finaly makes it and is ready to go through with it. Right now her excuse besides the fear of water is that she's scared that once she's on this path that baptisim brings she'll fall off. So we're working with building her faith in the tools that we have been given by the Lord to help us stay on the straight and narrow path. I'm starting to pray now that she eventualy, down the line, builds up the faith to except this convenant with God. I know that she's ready for it because she understands every single lesson and has committed to every single commandment but she just is holding on to a little bit of fear and wont give it up. We even gave her all the baptisimal questions to prepare her for her interview.She was good with them all but once we got down to the one question of will you be baptised by someone holding the authority of God she said "No"... yeah know, interesting right? So gettin Lidia baptised is definately on the to do list for this up coming transfer...
As for everything else we've been working hard. We're trying to find some new investigators with some good potential and even have been going up to some tops of MOuntains to find them but have been coming up empty. Elder Christensen has been getting some blisters on his feet because we've been walking so much. I don't think his feet were as used to walking so much yet because here in Utuado the size is a little different then from Ponce, at least area wise. I'm pretty sure the mountains add a little to it also... But other then all that everything is pretty normal with me. I'm definately looking forward to another transfer and am ready to get back at it again. Well until next time take it easy over there in Utah.
Love always,
Elder Lopez
Monday, March 9, 2009
The legs are burning (email dated 03/09/2009)
Well i hope all is well back in the states. Here in the Common Wealth of Puerto Rico things are pressing forward. This past week i think i almost killed my companion because I think i took him to every steep hill we have here in Utuado to go work. I even got a little nice burn from all the walking up the mountains. I think they all pay off in the end though because the view at the tops of the mountain sides here are sweet. Everything is so green its ridiculous. We picked up one of the coconuts laying on the side of the road one day this week and decided we were going to try and open it with a rock. so there we were, two missionaries up in the middle of the jungle trying to open up a coconut with the sharpest rock we could find. It took us a lot of throwing and hittting but eventual we were able to get that thing cracked enough to get the milk out of it. We sort of got sick of trying after about ten minutes to open the whole thing so we just drank the milk that we got out of it and then threw it off the mountain side. As we were walking off we got a good laugh at the fact that we just opened up a coconut laying on the side of the road, and said to ourselves, that would never happen back home in Utah.
Well besides the mountain and jungle exploring we were able to get a lot of good work done also. One of our new investigators that we found this past week made us a sweet lunch when we went to go vist them saturday. They made us the classic rice and beans and chicken, but then they threw in something new. Well at least for me it was new... Its called pulpo "octopus"... Yup i had some ocotpus, and lets just say it was really chewy, especially the tentical part. I never thought the day would come when i'd find myslef eating octopus, but the day has come and gone. It wasn't bad , but at the same time it wasnt' the greatest either.
Anyway on the spitiual side of the cita with this family all went well also. We went over the Restoration of the Church and explained in detail how this church is the exact same church Christ formed when on the Earth. They were able to understand very well i believe, because we did the lesson using these cool little cards to make it visual that. It was a great lesson that we had with them and i could see the potential in this family as we were teaching them. The only problem that i can see right now which could effect their progress is that the Dad works on sundays. So were definately going to keep him in our prayers to over come this challenge. These next couple of weeks we'll see what happens with them but i feel like they have a good chance of progressing.
As for the update with Lidia, Who we've been teaching since December, things are a little ify. We have a baptisimal date with her this upcoming saturday that she's all ready for, but yesterday on sunday we ran into a doubt. I was talking with her about here date to be baptized and then she told me she's still not sure. so i asked her what it was she was doubting and the only response we got was the water. She has a really bad fear of being submerged completely in water which is turning into a big problem. we're trying to help her realize that this fear is coming from satan because he doesnt want her to make this covenent with the lord. So This week is going to be key in wether she's baptized this upcoming saturday or not. I sure pray that we're able to get this all solved for her and that she has the courage to go through with the baptisim. We have a cita schedualed with her this tuesday that is going to be important but i just found out i'm not going to be able to even go to it. I'm pretty bugged that they put the change for today and tommorrow but there's really nothing i can do about it. So for the next couple of days i'll be over in Lares and left to praying and giving all the advice i can to Elders Powell and Christensen who are going to visit her. But yeah, that about updates yall for this past week, and if you could some prayers for lidia would be great. so that she could go through with her baptisim...
Well remember i love you all so very much!!!!!!!!
With Love,
Elder Lopez
Well besides the mountain and jungle exploring we were able to get a lot of good work done also. One of our new investigators that we found this past week made us a sweet lunch when we went to go vist them saturday. They made us the classic rice and beans and chicken, but then they threw in something new. Well at least for me it was new... Its called pulpo "octopus"... Yup i had some ocotpus, and lets just say it was really chewy, especially the tentical part. I never thought the day would come when i'd find myslef eating octopus, but the day has come and gone. It wasn't bad , but at the same time it wasnt' the greatest either.
Anyway on the spitiual side of the cita with this family all went well also. We went over the Restoration of the Church and explained in detail how this church is the exact same church Christ formed when on the Earth. They were able to understand very well i believe, because we did the lesson using these cool little cards to make it visual that. It was a great lesson that we had with them and i could see the potential in this family as we were teaching them. The only problem that i can see right now which could effect their progress is that the Dad works on sundays. So were definately going to keep him in our prayers to over come this challenge. These next couple of weeks we'll see what happens with them but i feel like they have a good chance of progressing.
As for the update with Lidia, Who we've been teaching since December, things are a little ify. We have a baptisimal date with her this upcoming saturday that she's all ready for, but yesterday on sunday we ran into a doubt. I was talking with her about here date to be baptized and then she told me she's still not sure. so i asked her what it was she was doubting and the only response we got was the water. She has a really bad fear of being submerged completely in water which is turning into a big problem. we're trying to help her realize that this fear is coming from satan because he doesnt want her to make this covenent with the lord. So This week is going to be key in wether she's baptized this upcoming saturday or not. I sure pray that we're able to get this all solved for her and that she has the courage to go through with the baptisim. We have a cita schedualed with her this tuesday that is going to be important but i just found out i'm not going to be able to even go to it. I'm pretty bugged that they put the change for today and tommorrow but there's really nothing i can do about it. So for the next couple of days i'll be over in Lares and left to praying and giving all the advice i can to Elders Powell and Christensen who are going to visit her. But yeah, that about updates yall for this past week, and if you could some prayers for lidia would be great. so that she could go through with her baptisim...
Well remember i love you all so very much!!!!!!!!
With Love,
Elder Lopez
Monday, March 2, 2009
New apartment (email dated 03/02/2009)
Well this week here in Utuado we had a lot of things to do. First off we started the week getting ready to move appartments here in Utuado. Yup there moving us and going to let a senior couple live in our old apartment. So we spent all of our P-day packing and cleaning to get ready to move. Then on Wednesday the Reyes's (House cordinaters) came and picked us up and we moved everything over to the new apartment. I like to think of this new place as a bomb shelter, because thats what i feel like living in it. Its completely cement all the way around with like 2 windows in the whole place. The other down fall about the new place we are living is the hot water heater. Lets just say at best its a luke warm water heater, which means showers in the morning really do wake you up and get you moving pretty good. The senior couple that moved in is great and their brand new to the mission. Their from Ogeden Utah and this is their 2nd mission serving as a couple. They served 15 years ago in the Dominacin Republic so their vetrins i guess you could say. Elder Ramirez is coming up on 80 years old so you could really say he's a vetrin. They have a bunch of story's to tell thats for sure and their spirits are great, especially for here in Utuado. The best part about them is that their both from southern California originaly, they both speak perfect spanish and Hermana Ramirez cooks MEXICAN food authentic. She's going to cook us some home made tortillas and enchaladas one of these days for our district meeting she told us. She's already made us a lunch and a breakfast that were absolutly amazing this past week. I'm very content with having her and Elder Ramirez up here in the mountains of Utuado with us serving.
Well that about sums up all the move stuff, but as for the work things are going well also. This week we were able to re-set our baptisimal date with Lidia. This time i feel as though she's going to start preparing for it a little more. She's still coming to work every week and she's learing a bunch every time. I feel as though she's starting to feel more included into the ward also which is great. We had a less active member go and pick her up which was a good sign for him also. I feel Like Mom feels about her plants right now, and how shes always anixous to see them grow and to see them pop their heads threw the dirt and sprout. I'm in that same frame of mind and I'm anixous to see our investigators grow in their testimony and sprout firm roots in this gospel.
On another high note we came across a perfect family that we're way excited to begin teaching. There's a good Dad and Mother, and they have 3 little kids that are 11, 7, and 5. This family isn't like all the other Puerto Rican Families though that we come across. Their all so loving for one another and they all love to listen to us and our message. They get involved with the leasons and Their daughter that is 11 was even willing to give a prayer that was absolutly beautiful. We've been up there 2 times this past week and every time the spirit was just so strong. So to say the least we're very very excited to be teaching them and we'll have to see what happens. I guess you could say that we're in the planting stage still as of right now.
Anyway that about sums up the week here in Utuado. It was a great one and i'm excited to see what this next one brings.
Remember i Love you all!
Elder Lopez
Well that about sums up all the move stuff, but as for the work things are going well also. This week we were able to re-set our baptisimal date with Lidia. This time i feel as though she's going to start preparing for it a little more. She's still coming to work every week and she's learing a bunch every time. I feel as though she's starting to feel more included into the ward also which is great. We had a less active member go and pick her up which was a good sign for him also. I feel Like Mom feels about her plants right now, and how shes always anixous to see them grow and to see them pop their heads threw the dirt and sprout. I'm in that same frame of mind and I'm anixous to see our investigators grow in their testimony and sprout firm roots in this gospel.
On another high note we came across a perfect family that we're way excited to begin teaching. There's a good Dad and Mother, and they have 3 little kids that are 11, 7, and 5. This family isn't like all the other Puerto Rican Families though that we come across. Their all so loving for one another and they all love to listen to us and our message. They get involved with the leasons and Their daughter that is 11 was even willing to give a prayer that was absolutly beautiful. We've been up there 2 times this past week and every time the spirit was just so strong. So to say the least we're very very excited to be teaching them and we'll have to see what happens. I guess you could say that we're in the planting stage still as of right now.
Anyway that about sums up the week here in Utuado. It was a great one and i'm excited to see what this next one brings.
Remember i Love you all!
Elder Lopez
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