My last day in Utuado (email dated 4/28/2009)

Yup transfers have come around the corner again and this time i got the news that its me being move areas. I guess 6 months of work here in Utuado is what the Lord had planned for me here in this mountaines Pueblo of Utuado. I'll find out where i'm going tomorrow morning at the transfer meeting. So now you can pull out the map or Puerto Rico and start putting in your guesses on my next destination. About this whole transfer thing i have mixed feelings, because i really dont want to leave this family that we are teaching(the DeJesus's). But then again i know its not my choice either its the Lords... Were going to have to move their baptisimal dates back a couple of weeks because they still need to get married before they can be baptised. We have a cita schedualed with them tonight and we're going to be going over all the details with them about setting a marriage date goal and stuff like that. I pray that all goes well, which i'm sure it will. We told them last week that i might be getting transfered this week because i have been here for so long and they were pretty sad to hear it. Now tonight we have to go break the news to them for sure that i'm leaving. I'm pretty sad but at the same time i'm so happy that i was able to come across such a great family to help prepare for this sacred covenent of baptisim. I'm sure that they will keep on working toward baptisim even after i'm gone because i've been able to feel the strength of their faith as we've been teaching them. Missionary work is such a great feeling there really are no words to describe it. I love going into a lesson and leaving it knowing that i've been a tool in the Lords hands to help another gain a testimony of the Restored Gospel of the Lord to the earth. Thank you all for all of your prayers for us missionaries out here in the field because they really are being answered.

My holy shoes

Wet socks are very annoying when tracting.....

From the Enchanted Island (email dated 4/21/2009)

Well the week to be honest sort of went by a little slow all the way up until this past sunday. We ended up having about 6 lessons on the day and one of those was with a member present which isn't the easiest thing to do here in Utuado. It was a great day, it seemed like every time we would walk out side a couple of minutes later someone would invite us in. Those days are always nice to have. The highlight of all the lessons though was the one that we had with De Jesus family which we had a member come with us to. Going into the lesson we were a little ancy because for some reason or another they didnt show up to church, so we were just praying that they hadn't changed their minds about baptisim or anything. So we got in there and the 3 commandments we were planning a teaching were Pray often, Read the Scriptures daily, and Keep the sabbath day holy. The first two that we went over were studying and praying daily and they excepted those commandments like a chubby kid exceptes cake. They love reading all the chapters that we give them from the Book of Mormon and all the little pamphelts we give them also. Also none of them have any fear of giving prayers in public which is usualy always a problem, but not with this family. So everything was going good and then we got to the commandment of keeping the Sabbath day holy... And... they excepted it like the others! Hopefully now we're going to be starting to see them in church every sunday instead of ever other. The great part about the lesson was having a member there with us to make a friendship in the ward and also to give an extra testimony to strengthen them. Hermano Papo really gave a strong testimony about the blessings of being married (which Rolando and Margie have committed to do) and how attending church has been a blessing in his life. The whole situation and lesson just went very well and i feel as though they are right on track to be baptised this up coming month after they get married!... The only problem is i feel sort of torn, because i'm not 100% sure i'm going to be here next transfer to see them be baptised... but as long as they are baptized I'll be happy! We have a couple of more commandments to teach them, but with the way their progressing right now i think they will go smoothly. Missionary work is absolutly just a great experience.

Well i think i'm going to wrap this one up with that, just now all is well and the work goes on! Elder Lopez

I love Easter (email dated 4/13/2009)

Well here on the island of Puerto Rico we had some great success this past week. The De Jesus Family excepted a baptismal date for the second of May and they were to church this sunday. Margie ( the mother) had a great experience during our gospel doctorins class and even during fast and testimony meeting also. During testimony bearing all the little De Jesus children got up to the pulpit fearless and bore their testimony's. It blew me away that they were so willing to participate their first time at church. Lela (11 years old ) went up there first and said she's so greatful that the missionary's found her and her family at her home. She Said it's like the Lord sent to her house 2 angels and that she's so thankful for them and she loves having us over every week to teach them the gospel. As she said all of this the spirit hit me like a hammer and all of the sudden a couple tears fell from my eyes. To be honest i've never felt that great during a meeting out here ever before. I dont know what it was but something made me realize that this is a family i've been looking for my entire time out here in Utuado. They are so prepared and i feel so blessed to have been lead by the Lord to them. I'm so thankful that this gospel blesses family's so much and am so gratefull to be an instrument in taking this gospel to others.

so anyway sorry i'm going to have to cut this email short because we have a zone Activity to go to.
remember i love you all so much and am greatful for your prayers.
Love always,
Elder Lopez

Hola (email dated 04/06/2009)

Well i'm going to have to make this one a little short and sweet because we dont have much time on the computer today. Lets just say the past week was a week full of work like usual, except for this week we had the opportunity to go watch General Conference! I love conference weekend out here on the mission especialy! The spirit was so great i just loved every moment of it. Every time i watch a General conference i just feel my testimony strengthen so much more because of the spirit the prophets words carry. I loved Elder Hollands talk on Christ and all He went through for everyone of us. He litteraly made it possible that we might never be alone ever! When he gave that talk i felt the most powerful spirit ever. I knew with out a shadow of a doubt that Elder Holland is an apostle of the lord and that he spoke the truth! That was probably my favorite talk but to be honest i loved them all. We truely are blessed to be members of Christ Church on the earth, and have no need to fear anything, just have Faith in the Lord no matter the situation!

Well i'm going to have to end it right there, so remember i love you million!
Yours truely
Elder Lopez