Buenas,
Well i pray that every one back home is having a wonderful week and that all are enjoying their summer break! I'm really not sure what i should say because i'm going to be able to tell you everything next week in person but i'll give it a shot anyway.
As for this past week we had a good find of a new investigator that really has a desire to find out the truth. She told us during our first visit that she had had a dream where Micheal the Arch Angel appeared to her and told her not to join any church because they all were going to be destroyed, and that only 1 was going to stand. (on the mission you hear of a lot of dreams peopl have...)So ever since then she's just been doing things the best she knows how, and now that she's started to listen to us she feels compelled to keep listening. We applied her dream pretty well to the message of the restoration and she's feeling that we showed up for a good reason. We gave her the book of Mormon to start reading to find out if the message is true and she already has read 1 Nefi completely. She says its really interesting and she just likes to sit down and read from it. She even came to church this past Sunday which i believe went well. We still haven't been able to talk with her since yesterday but i think she really liked it.
Also a good little connection that was there was that she is neighbores with Tom (who was baptized last week) which gave her a friend in the church. Tom was glad to see her there and during priesthood shared how he had been thinking about who he could invite to come to church this past week but decided that everyone is just to ignorant and wouldn't listen. Then when he showed up to church his neighbor Mariel was there and it strengthened his confidence in inviting others to come to church. Really things are just starting to get going here in San Nicolas.
Other then that we're just working hard and keeping up the faith and looking for the chosen to accept the gospel.Thanks for the love and the awesome letters and emails of support you all have given to me throughout my mission because every single one has been received with a smile and much gratefulness!
Thanks for everything and i pray for the best for you all!
Tell I see your next week,
Elder Lopez
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Warm Caribbean (email dated 07/19/2010)
Hey,
Well yet another week in the wondeful mission has flown by and it was a wet one. Yesterday we had 2 baptisms in the Caribbean Sea. Talk about being blessed by the Lord right now in my last transfer as a full time missionary. Yup Tom and also Candy were able to take upon them the name of Christ to always remember Him and be an example of him in all ways and in all places. They both chose me to be able to preform the ordinance for them also which was a great privledge to say the least. We were trying to get them to choose 2 other members to do the ordinance but they decided against that and prefered to have me do it. Truly a humbling experience to have had especially at the end of my mission. President Buckley, the branch president then had me confirm Tom which was a great privledge also to have taken part of. Tom is really going to be a great priesthood holder in this branch and the same sunday of his confirmation President Buckley got to work and got him ready to recieve the Aaronic Priesthood which they gave to him during priesthood. So now San Nicolas has another Priesthood holder to take care of the members and watch over the church. Really being in a small branch like we have here in San Nicolas its like having a small family that just looks out one for the other. I love it. Candy called me this morning and asked me a question about baptism of fire and was worried that she hadn't received that yet. She was reading in Alma and read about it and told me that she wants that baptism also. She asked when we were going to preform that for her. Then we explained to her real quick again that that was the confirmation that she recieved yesterday. She than remember going over it before and she was happy. I had to laugh a little to myself and thought to myself what a great convert to the church. She's so willing and ready to do all that the Lord ask's of her and want to keep on learning.
In other news we were able to set another baptismal date for AnaMilena for the 1st of August which would be my last day in Aruba. She's really already ready to be baptized and just has had to wait awhile because her husband is just holding back. She decided though that she wants to be the example for him now and is going to get baptized first.So as for now thats the plans for the upcoming baptism here in San Nicolas. Keep her in your prayers that she continues on this great path and that her husband Kieth comes around also.
Well other than that we're just working hard here in Aruba and getting some sun while contacting everyone we see in the streets. Yeah thats what we do here in the mission. You get to talk to some really interesting people while serving the Lord. Its the life I've come to know best right now. Lifes great!
Well i love you all!
Tell next week,
Elder Lopez
Well yet another week in the wondeful mission has flown by and it was a wet one. Yesterday we had 2 baptisms in the Caribbean Sea. Talk about being blessed by the Lord right now in my last transfer as a full time missionary. Yup Tom and also Candy were able to take upon them the name of Christ to always remember Him and be an example of him in all ways and in all places. They both chose me to be able to preform the ordinance for them also which was a great privledge to say the least. We were trying to get them to choose 2 other members to do the ordinance but they decided against that and prefered to have me do it. Truly a humbling experience to have had especially at the end of my mission. President Buckley, the branch president then had me confirm Tom which was a great privledge also to have taken part of. Tom is really going to be a great priesthood holder in this branch and the same sunday of his confirmation President Buckley got to work and got him ready to recieve the Aaronic Priesthood which they gave to him during priesthood. So now San Nicolas has another Priesthood holder to take care of the members and watch over the church. Really being in a small branch like we have here in San Nicolas its like having a small family that just looks out one for the other. I love it. Candy called me this morning and asked me a question about baptism of fire and was worried that she hadn't received that yet. She was reading in Alma and read about it and told me that she wants that baptism also. She asked when we were going to preform that for her. Then we explained to her real quick again that that was the confirmation that she recieved yesterday. She than remember going over it before and she was happy. I had to laugh a little to myself and thought to myself what a great convert to the church. She's so willing and ready to do all that the Lord ask's of her and want to keep on learning.
In other news we were able to set another baptismal date for AnaMilena for the 1st of August which would be my last day in Aruba. She's really already ready to be baptized and just has had to wait awhile because her husband is just holding back. She decided though that she wants to be the example for him now and is going to get baptized first.So as for now thats the plans for the upcoming baptism here in San Nicolas. Keep her in your prayers that she continues on this great path and that her husband Kieth comes around also.
Well other than that we're just working hard here in Aruba and getting some sun while contacting everyone we see in the streets. Yeah thats what we do here in the mission. You get to talk to some really interesting people while serving the Lord. Its the life I've come to know best right now. Lifes great!
Well i love you all!
Tell next week,
Elder Lopez
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Some more Aruba fun!
Some pretty cool caves we got here in Aruba right, not to mention the cool natural bridge.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Dushi Caribe (email dated 07/12/2010)
Bon Dia,
So here in San Nicolas we finally saw some of our hard work and sweat pay off.. Gladissa hit the baptismal waters in the Caribbean Sea on Baby Beach Sunday morning. I was fortunate enough to be able to go in also and finally get to feel the "Dushi Caribe" for the first time on my mission here in the Caribbean. Yup i got to preform the baptismal ordinance for her and dunk her in the water . It sure was a great experience to be able to have especially here at the end of my mission. One of the great parts about the baptism was that all of our other good investigators were there in attendance also to feel of the spirit there. Tom and his Wife Sixta really liked it i think, and Candy was telling me that she wished she could have baptized that same day also. They both are scheduled to be baptized this next week if all goes well and they both keep on keepin their commitments. Also AnaMilena was there which was good for her because she really needed to see that to give her an extra push to get going, and put her faith in the Lord to comit to pay a full tithing so she can receive this saving ordinance.
In other news Sunday after church the streets were absolutly empty because of the World Cup Final going on in South Africa with Holland playing for the title. We tried to talk to a couple of people during the game but it just didnt' go over so well. Then when Spain beat them in the last minutes all of Aruba just seemed really sad... Yeah this World Cup stuff is really serious around the World. Some of the players that were on the Holland team were from Curacao were i served. They were the black players that they had.
So the days just keep on flying by and really i'm just enjoying every minute of it while the time lasts. Were working on finding some new investigators now and have come across a couple with some potential. Hopefuly we'll be seeing them in church this next week so that they can get on track for baptism. Candy gave us a really cool reference that she actually shared the gospel with her self. I guess she saw this lady standing on the street waiting for a bus and felt like she should help her out and stopped and gave her a lift. Then they both started to talk and then Candy told her about her experience she had with us and how she's happier now and smiling again. Then she told this lady that we could pass by to see her which we did on staturday and the lady, who's name is Naomi was very nice and listend well. She wasnt' able to come to church this week but said this next week she should be able to. So hopefully that all works out.
Anyways as you can see things are doing well right now and were just enjoying the work. So now i'm going to close up until next time, but before i want to say thanks for all your thoughts and prayers for me and all the missionaries around the World. You Give us strength every day!
Much Love,
Elder Lopez
So here in San Nicolas we finally saw some of our hard work and sweat pay off.. Gladissa hit the baptismal waters in the Caribbean Sea on Baby Beach Sunday morning. I was fortunate enough to be able to go in also and finally get to feel the "Dushi Caribe" for the first time on my mission here in the Caribbean. Yup i got to preform the baptismal ordinance for her and dunk her in the water . It sure was a great experience to be able to have especially here at the end of my mission. One of the great parts about the baptism was that all of our other good investigators were there in attendance also to feel of the spirit there. Tom and his Wife Sixta really liked it i think, and Candy was telling me that she wished she could have baptized that same day also. They both are scheduled to be baptized this next week if all goes well and they both keep on keepin their commitments. Also AnaMilena was there which was good for her because she really needed to see that to give her an extra push to get going, and put her faith in the Lord to comit to pay a full tithing so she can receive this saving ordinance.
In other news Sunday after church the streets were absolutly empty because of the World Cup Final going on in South Africa with Holland playing for the title. We tried to talk to a couple of people during the game but it just didnt' go over so well. Then when Spain beat them in the last minutes all of Aruba just seemed really sad... Yeah this World Cup stuff is really serious around the World. Some of the players that were on the Holland team were from Curacao were i served. They were the black players that they had.
So the days just keep on flying by and really i'm just enjoying every minute of it while the time lasts. Were working on finding some new investigators now and have come across a couple with some potential. Hopefuly we'll be seeing them in church this next week so that they can get on track for baptism. Candy gave us a really cool reference that she actually shared the gospel with her self. I guess she saw this lady standing on the street waiting for a bus and felt like she should help her out and stopped and gave her a lift. Then they both started to talk and then Candy told her about her experience she had with us and how she's happier now and smiling again. Then she told this lady that we could pass by to see her which we did on staturday and the lady, who's name is Naomi was very nice and listend well. She wasnt' able to come to church this week but said this next week she should be able to. So hopefully that all works out.
Anyways as you can see things are doing well right now and were just enjoying the work. So now i'm going to close up until next time, but before i want to say thanks for all your thoughts and prayers for me and all the missionaries around the World. You Give us strength every day!
Much Love,
Elder Lopez
Monday, July 5, 2010
Happy 4th! (email dated 07/05/2010)
Hey,
So here in ARuba there weren't to many fireworks going off on the fourth but we did have a good turn out in church. We had a good 5 investigators in church which out of them 3 are progressing towards baptism so we're keeping them in our prayers. Hopefully all goes well and they don't get distracted off of the path of conversion. Tom and his wife Sixta had a great experience. Tom's the Mason that we're teaching who has a date for the 18th of July to be baptized. He's progressing very well and is reading the Liahona conference month and just loving it. He loves reading the talks from the Apostles and applying them to himself. His wife on the other hand isn't really putting in any effort at all and is set on her Catholic traditions. But Tom doesn't seem to be effected at all by her. He's really loving the church a lot.
Also about Candy, the one we found after the rain storm that one day a couple of weeks ago. She's been reading a lot in the Book of Mormon and coming to church every week and is progressing toward baptism. But at the same time she's been going through a lot of hard times with life in general. There just seems to be walls being placed in her way every week, but so far she's been braking through them all. Just this past week we had to find a new place to teach her at because of problems with the owner of her little apartment. We went to visit her for one of our appointments and when she came out she told us it was probably better if we didn't meet there. She continued to tell us about what had happened with the owner of the apartment the night before. I guess when she came home from work the owner didn't want to let her in her apartment and said that they didn't want us passing by anymore to see her on their property.So we've been meeting now in the church building and she's sick of the owners of where she's staying right now and is going to move some where else so she doesnt' have problems there. But she's really been changing her life around and progressing a lot and once she's in a stable situation should be ready for her baptism. Right now the date is for the 18th of July so hopefully she's all settled down for that date.
Also hopefully this next week we see a baptism of the daughter of one of the members her. We've been teaching her and she's taken the decision to be baptized this next week which is the 11th of July. We're going to be seeing her every day this week to make sure she's ready and then we'll be getting wet in the Caribbean hopefully... Yup this time because we're in a small branch and they dont have a baptismal font we'll have to do the baptism at the beach in San Nicolaas. It should be pretty good.
Also in other news, my companion turned 21 last Saturday so we had cake and rootbeer floats after church on Sunday. It was a good little get together for our little branch and Tom and Sixta really enjoyed themselves there. So as you can see things here in San Nicolaas are just running very smoothly! Dont you just love life, especially as a missionary!
Till next time Much Love,
Elder Lopez
So here in ARuba there weren't to many fireworks going off on the fourth but we did have a good turn out in church. We had a good 5 investigators in church which out of them 3 are progressing towards baptism so we're keeping them in our prayers. Hopefully all goes well and they don't get distracted off of the path of conversion. Tom and his wife Sixta had a great experience. Tom's the Mason that we're teaching who has a date for the 18th of July to be baptized. He's progressing very well and is reading the Liahona conference month and just loving it. He loves reading the talks from the Apostles and applying them to himself. His wife on the other hand isn't really putting in any effort at all and is set on her Catholic traditions. But Tom doesn't seem to be effected at all by her. He's really loving the church a lot.
Also about Candy, the one we found after the rain storm that one day a couple of weeks ago. She's been reading a lot in the Book of Mormon and coming to church every week and is progressing toward baptism. But at the same time she's been going through a lot of hard times with life in general. There just seems to be walls being placed in her way every week, but so far she's been braking through them all. Just this past week we had to find a new place to teach her at because of problems with the owner of her little apartment. We went to visit her for one of our appointments and when she came out she told us it was probably better if we didn't meet there. She continued to tell us about what had happened with the owner of the apartment the night before. I guess when she came home from work the owner didn't want to let her in her apartment and said that they didn't want us passing by anymore to see her on their property.So we've been meeting now in the church building and she's sick of the owners of where she's staying right now and is going to move some where else so she doesnt' have problems there. But she's really been changing her life around and progressing a lot and once she's in a stable situation should be ready for her baptism. Right now the date is for the 18th of July so hopefully she's all settled down for that date.
Also hopefully this next week we see a baptism of the daughter of one of the members her. We've been teaching her and she's taken the decision to be baptized this next week which is the 11th of July. We're going to be seeing her every day this week to make sure she's ready and then we'll be getting wet in the Caribbean hopefully... Yup this time because we're in a small branch and they dont have a baptismal font we'll have to do the baptism at the beach in San Nicolaas. It should be pretty good.
Also in other news, my companion turned 21 last Saturday so we had cake and rootbeer floats after church on Sunday. It was a good little get together for our little branch and Tom and Sixta really enjoyed themselves there. So as you can see things here in San Nicolaas are just running very smoothly! Dont you just love life, especially as a missionary!
Till next time Much Love,
Elder Lopez
So we had a pretty good study that day as you can see.
.
Also the picture with president Martineau was his farewell picture from Aruba. that was his lat visit here and I got to drop him off at the Air Port
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Last transfer is on its way (email dated 06/29/2010)
Bon Dia,
Another transfer has begun and it just so happens to be my last one here in San Nicolas and also as a full time missionary. Its a great area to be in though for my last transfer. Right now were starting to see some investigators that are progressing quite well but there's always room for new investigators as a missionary.
Anyhow lets answer the questions first like who's my new companion and where he's from right? Well, my new companion is Elder Wilkes from Boise, Idaho and is an old guy in the mission like myself. He has one transfer less than me and will be getting home in September. We get along very well and will have a great transfer here in what we like to call Zion AKA 'San Nicolaas"
Also basicaly they've taken all the missionary's out of Aruba Curacao and Bonaire. Now there are only 6 of us with 4 Elders here in Aruba and 2 in Curacao and thats it. Yup its sort of lonely out here in the islands, missionary wise, but i really love it personaly. I'm pretty sure we have the best area in the world. Its now official that we are part of the Santa Domingo Dominican Republic East Mission. We made the change last wednesday and our new President has already come down to interview us and apply his new rules and ideas for the ABC islands. His name is President Antivilo and he's from Chile and his wife is from Utah. I guess they met in college as he went to Utah State and met her. Really i'm going to miss any effects from the change because i'll be leaving in about 5 weeks. But its cool to be able to experience this little change for a little bit at least.
This past week we did start to teach a new investigator named Leonor who's a friend from a member in the branch. She's from Venezuela and has been coming to our English class that we've been teaching here in San nicolas seeing how everyone needs to learn English now a day. It interesting to now be teaching others languages instead of me having to learn from them. Anyhow Leonor is really nice and even came to church with her friend this past sunday. I hope she had a good experience and i'm sure we'll find out today at English class when she comes and we teach her afteward. What is really going to help is that her friend is a recent convert and is a little ball of fire.
Candy, who is the Domincan that we found after the rare rain strom here in Aruba is doing good and learning a lot every day. This past sunday they changed her schedule and she was able to come to church in the morning which makes 2 sundays in a row. She's really soaking things in also and made good friends with a member thats also from Santo Domingo. We taught candy over at her house and she had a great experience as we watched the restoration video. Now we basicaly need to get her understanding up and finish teaching the lessons and she'll be good for the 17th to be baptized.
So as for the report from Aruba things are going great and life is great. thanks for the prayers and i love you all.
Elder Lopez
Another transfer has begun and it just so happens to be my last one here in San Nicolas and also as a full time missionary. Its a great area to be in though for my last transfer. Right now were starting to see some investigators that are progressing quite well but there's always room for new investigators as a missionary.
Anyhow lets answer the questions first like who's my new companion and where he's from right? Well, my new companion is Elder Wilkes from Boise, Idaho and is an old guy in the mission like myself. He has one transfer less than me and will be getting home in September. We get along very well and will have a great transfer here in what we like to call Zion AKA 'San Nicolaas"
Also basicaly they've taken all the missionary's out of Aruba Curacao and Bonaire. Now there are only 6 of us with 4 Elders here in Aruba and 2 in Curacao and thats it. Yup its sort of lonely out here in the islands, missionary wise, but i really love it personaly. I'm pretty sure we have the best area in the world. Its now official that we are part of the Santa Domingo Dominican Republic East Mission. We made the change last wednesday and our new President has already come down to interview us and apply his new rules and ideas for the ABC islands. His name is President Antivilo and he's from Chile and his wife is from Utah. I guess they met in college as he went to Utah State and met her. Really i'm going to miss any effects from the change because i'll be leaving in about 5 weeks. But its cool to be able to experience this little change for a little bit at least.
This past week we did start to teach a new investigator named Leonor who's a friend from a member in the branch. She's from Venezuela and has been coming to our English class that we've been teaching here in San nicolas seeing how everyone needs to learn English now a day. It interesting to now be teaching others languages instead of me having to learn from them. Anyhow Leonor is really nice and even came to church with her friend this past sunday. I hope she had a good experience and i'm sure we'll find out today at English class when she comes and we teach her afteward. What is really going to help is that her friend is a recent convert and is a little ball of fire.
Candy, who is the Domincan that we found after the rare rain strom here in Aruba is doing good and learning a lot every day. This past sunday they changed her schedule and she was able to come to church in the morning which makes 2 sundays in a row. She's really soaking things in also and made good friends with a member thats also from Santo Domingo. We taught candy over at her house and she had a great experience as we watched the restoration video. Now we basicaly need to get her understanding up and finish teaching the lessons and she'll be good for the 17th to be baptized.
So as for the report from Aruba things are going great and life is great. thanks for the prayers and i love you all.
Elder Lopez
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The last transfer begins (email dated 06/22/2010)
Hey,
What an intersting last week we had here in San Nicolas. Well first off we'll start with the disapointing news about Keith and AnaMilena's baptismal date. We had to drop it because as of right now they weren't 100% ready for the baptism because of tithing. They are in a tough situation finacially and said they really arent willing to pay full tithing all the time because they just don't know if they'll be able to meet ends meet and the end of the month if they pay a full tithe. Right now AnaMilena has to send part of their pention money home to colombia every month to help out her family and they just feel like its to hard right now to pay a full tithing. So they told us they'd like to suspend their date for right now. But they love us so much and they love the church so much that their not going to give up reading the BOM or coming to church! Really they are ready for baptism and this last appointment we had with them went great. We had left 1 Nephi for them to read about the Iron Rod and Lehi's vision but she got the reference mixed up and read from 3 Nephi 13 instead and it really hit home on her situation she's in. It basically says dont worry about tomorrow because God knows you have need and will prepare away, instead worry about today and do what the Lord has commanded us to do. She told us it really touched her a lot and made her think a lot about what she needs to do... so we still havent' lost Anamilena or Keith completely.Their still progressing, they just have to take a step of faith and test our Heavenly Father if he wont open the blessings up in abundance.
So then a day after AnaMilena had told us she was going to wait a little longer on her baptismal date we were out toking and we got soaked by a very rare rain here in Aruba. But we just kept on going and talking to everyone in our path because we knew that we were going to need to find some new good investigators now that our investigators are taking a little longer than we would like. So as we were going we talked to one lady as she was getting out of her car and told her we were from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and she just said no i'm in a hurry and have to go back to work. So we were like "OK" well we'll keep on going and did, when she stopped us for a second time before she left back to work and asked "what church did you say your from." so we told her again and she said "you know what, some one told me that God would send me some one at this hard time in my life and that we're in the last days." She continued to say " and your the first people of God that have approached me since and if you come over on saturday i'd listen to what you have to say." So we did just that and returned on saturday and had a wonderful first lesson with her and invited her to prepare to be baptized in the first lesson and she said i'd love to prepare and i feel like you are for real and i can trust in you. She than came to church on sunday and was touched so much by the testimony's there that it brought her to tears a couple of times. She really pulled a 180 since the first time we contacted her and she said " no, I'm busy". It really made me think and ponder on the way that the spirit can give us such a big change in our lives if we just let it work . She's really looking like shes' going to progress well and already said she's leaving smoking behind and getting ready for her baptismal date of the 18th of july... So the Lord really blessed us with an unforgetable experience right there and didn't stop. On Sunday the reilf society president stopped me at church and asked me how long it took to get some one baptized.... So i told her well usually at least around 3 weeks to see if their committed to come to church faithfully...and she continued to say well that will do.... So i was naturaly curious to why she had asked me that and asked her well can we help you out with someone to teach? Then she told me yes, and that her daughter had finally told her she wants to have the missionary lessons and be baptized. She was so happy because she's been waiting a long time to help her daughter become converted to the gospel and its now begining to happen. So were going to go over this week to see if she's for real and help her get on track!
Yeah some wonderful blessing right? I truly do love this work!
well i wrote fast and cant go back to check for mistakes for time sake so i hope you all understand the greatness of this week from what i've wrote so far.
Love you,
Elder Lopez
Ps. Thanks for your prayers and a keep them up!!
What an intersting last week we had here in San Nicolas. Well first off we'll start with the disapointing news about Keith and AnaMilena's baptismal date. We had to drop it because as of right now they weren't 100% ready for the baptism because of tithing. They are in a tough situation finacially and said they really arent willing to pay full tithing all the time because they just don't know if they'll be able to meet ends meet and the end of the month if they pay a full tithe. Right now AnaMilena has to send part of their pention money home to colombia every month to help out her family and they just feel like its to hard right now to pay a full tithing. So they told us they'd like to suspend their date for right now. But they love us so much and they love the church so much that their not going to give up reading the BOM or coming to church! Really they are ready for baptism and this last appointment we had with them went great. We had left 1 Nephi for them to read about the Iron Rod and Lehi's vision but she got the reference mixed up and read from 3 Nephi 13 instead and it really hit home on her situation she's in. It basically says dont worry about tomorrow because God knows you have need and will prepare away, instead worry about today and do what the Lord has commanded us to do. She told us it really touched her a lot and made her think a lot about what she needs to do... so we still havent' lost Anamilena or Keith completely.Their still progressing, they just have to take a step of faith and test our Heavenly Father if he wont open the blessings up in abundance.
So then a day after AnaMilena had told us she was going to wait a little longer on her baptismal date we were out toking and we got soaked by a very rare rain here in Aruba. But we just kept on going and talking to everyone in our path because we knew that we were going to need to find some new good investigators now that our investigators are taking a little longer than we would like. So as we were going we talked to one lady as she was getting out of her car and told her we were from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and she just said no i'm in a hurry and have to go back to work. So we were like "OK" well we'll keep on going and did, when she stopped us for a second time before she left back to work and asked "what church did you say your from." so we told her again and she said "you know what, some one told me that God would send me some one at this hard time in my life and that we're in the last days." She continued to say " and your the first people of God that have approached me since and if you come over on saturday i'd listen to what you have to say." So we did just that and returned on saturday and had a wonderful first lesson with her and invited her to prepare to be baptized in the first lesson and she said i'd love to prepare and i feel like you are for real and i can trust in you. She than came to church on sunday and was touched so much by the testimony's there that it brought her to tears a couple of times. She really pulled a 180 since the first time we contacted her and she said " no, I'm busy". It really made me think and ponder on the way that the spirit can give us such a big change in our lives if we just let it work . She's really looking like shes' going to progress well and already said she's leaving smoking behind and getting ready for her baptismal date of the 18th of july... So the Lord really blessed us with an unforgetable experience right there and didn't stop. On Sunday the reilf society president stopped me at church and asked me how long it took to get some one baptized.... So i told her well usually at least around 3 weeks to see if their committed to come to church faithfully...and she continued to say well that will do.... So i was naturaly curious to why she had asked me that and asked her well can we help you out with someone to teach? Then she told me yes, and that her daughter had finally told her she wants to have the missionary lessons and be baptized. She was so happy because she's been waiting a long time to help her daughter become converted to the gospel and its now begining to happen. So were going to go over this week to see if she's for real and help her get on track!
Yeah some wonderful blessing right? I truly do love this work!
well i wrote fast and cant go back to check for mistakes for time sake so i hope you all understand the greatness of this week from what i've wrote so far.
Love you,
Elder Lopez
Ps. Thanks for your prayers and a keep them up!!
Monday, June 7, 2010
A Quick 5 days (email dated 06/07/2010)
So it seems like a very short time since i've sent a letter because last weeks pday was on wednesday. But none the less many things happend in that little span of 5 days. It was a great week in church again seeing how in church we broke the San Nicolas record in attendance on sunday with a big 50 people in our little house of a church. It was awesome to see the place full to the back of the sacrament room. The smile on our branch presidents face was so big that i could see it from a mile away and he still hasn't taken it off till today. We do our laundry at his house and thats all he could talk about. He kept on saying how yesterday was San NIcolas history because they've never made it up to 50 people in church at one time in this little branch. We were happy because we had 4 of our investigators there also which we as missionary's love to see. Its a big jump from my first week here when we only had 17 people there in church.
AnaMilena who is our number one investigator right now even was able to come with her son Fitzgerald. He's the autistic son that i wrote about last time. Fitzgerald did a good job also and sat very calmly for the whole sacrament meeting that we had. Afterward he was a little frustrated though, so Anamilena had to take him home for the last 2 hours. We were just excited that he was able to come for the first time and be good for the first hour. We're hoping that he's able to little by little become acustomed to coming to church and one day be able to sit through the whole entire thing. Anamilena was excited though that he was even able to come and sit good for a full hour of church. We past by that same night to visit her and her husband keith to see what we could do to help Kieth be able to come also for the next week and he simple said i just need to wake up on time. So hopefully next week we have that whole family there. Its been a wonderful time teaching this family and the best part about it is that we're even able to "chapi" her yard, which is basicaly weeding with a hoe. Why do i say thats the best part... because afterward she always makes us this Colombian food called "Arepas". Mmmm good!
Also this past week we had another baseball game with the little kids after our lesson with Andrea, their grandma. We even had the littlest girl who didn't want to play be our anouncer on the side lines and anounce our names when we got up to bat. She really liked anouncing my name "Elder Lopez" when i would step up to bat. The little kids are just a ball of fun to play with. We also taught them to speak english with good words instead of the dirt words some of them had learned from other kids at school. We told them that if we heard any bad words we'd leave and wouldn't be able to play any more, so they all did good after that. Our lesson with Andrea, the grandma, also went well and we're looking forward to seeing her again this week to see if we can help her make it to church which is her big step she needs to make.
So i guess this would be a little interesting fact about what we're going to be doing with our Pday today. We took over an appartment from the sisters and they left it with some bright pink walls and today were going to paint it white to get rid of the pink walls. Elder Ellis and I really think its going to help our work for this next week. I mean its tough having to study the scriptures in a pink appartment. We also took down the Peach shades that they had put up to be able to put up some new shades that a member is making us. So yeah you could say that Elder Ellis and I are really transforming our area completely, even down to the missionary's apartment.
Well my time is running a little low so i'm going to go ahead and wrap this up now...
Chirst lives and loves us and we are very blessed to know His steps, so now lets just follow them. They may at times be hard but there definately worth the trouble to follow. Keep on keepin on back home!
Much love,
Elder Lopez
AnaMilena who is our number one investigator right now even was able to come with her son Fitzgerald. He's the autistic son that i wrote about last time. Fitzgerald did a good job also and sat very calmly for the whole sacrament meeting that we had. Afterward he was a little frustrated though, so Anamilena had to take him home for the last 2 hours. We were just excited that he was able to come for the first time and be good for the first hour. We're hoping that he's able to little by little become acustomed to coming to church and one day be able to sit through the whole entire thing. Anamilena was excited though that he was even able to come and sit good for a full hour of church. We past by that same night to visit her and her husband keith to see what we could do to help Kieth be able to come also for the next week and he simple said i just need to wake up on time. So hopefully next week we have that whole family there. Its been a wonderful time teaching this family and the best part about it is that we're even able to "chapi" her yard, which is basicaly weeding with a hoe. Why do i say thats the best part... because afterward she always makes us this Colombian food called "Arepas". Mmmm good!
Also this past week we had another baseball game with the little kids after our lesson with Andrea, their grandma. We even had the littlest girl who didn't want to play be our anouncer on the side lines and anounce our names when we got up to bat. She really liked anouncing my name "Elder Lopez" when i would step up to bat. The little kids are just a ball of fun to play with. We also taught them to speak english with good words instead of the dirt words some of them had learned from other kids at school. We told them that if we heard any bad words we'd leave and wouldn't be able to play any more, so they all did good after that. Our lesson with Andrea, the grandma, also went well and we're looking forward to seeing her again this week to see if we can help her make it to church which is her big step she needs to make.
So i guess this would be a little interesting fact about what we're going to be doing with our Pday today. We took over an appartment from the sisters and they left it with some bright pink walls and today were going to paint it white to get rid of the pink walls. Elder Ellis and I really think its going to help our work for this next week. I mean its tough having to study the scriptures in a pink appartment. We also took down the Peach shades that they had put up to be able to put up some new shades that a member is making us. So yeah you could say that Elder Ellis and I are really transforming our area completely, even down to the missionary's apartment.
Well my time is running a little low so i'm going to go ahead and wrap this up now...
Chirst lives and loves us and we are very blessed to know His steps, so now lets just follow them. They may at times be hard but there definately worth the trouble to follow. Keep on keepin on back home!
Much love,
Elder Lopez
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Aruba "Bo sa loke mi k mien" (email dated 07/02/2010)
Hello back Home,
So this past week was a little longer because they moved our P-day to today which is Wednesday. Just imagine how bad we stink because of not being able to do our wash until today. I mean us missionary's sweet a lot being in the Caribbean sun all day, and not being able to wash your clothes on the normal Monday is a tough cookie to have to take. But none the less the week was another great one, especially seeing that we had 5 investigators, President Martineau, and President Antivilo ( Our new mission president from the DR) all in church on Sunday. So would you like to hear how all of these wonderful guest enjoyed their time in church and why they came? Of course you would, So i'll start with the 5 Investigators.
Starting with the least interested of all of them. Her name is Zoya and she's from Jamaica. She came to church because we called her on Sunday morning and gave her the invite to come and she excepted. But she only stayed for sacrament and then left because she was bored. She's 19 years old and really interesting because she's really honest to her word and she does what she say's she's going to do but the fact that Sacrament was 2 hours long she didn't really like. It was branch conference and she just didn't really take interest in any of the talks. But when we past by her house on monday she had a bunch of questions on praying and on the BOM so we were surprised about that. Anyways she still wants us to come by to teach her more about the book so we'll see what happens and if she likes next weeks sacrament meeting which will be fast sunday... At least it will only be 1 hour this time for sacrament meeting. but only time will tell.
We then had a daughter of a member there who is 11 years old but still not baptized. The one problem there is that the Mom is not a member of the church and is making it hard to teach her and to let her come to church every Sunday.So with her its just a time game.
Then we had a guy named Tom and his Wife Sixta came to church also. Tom is a really sharp guy and is about 72 years old but enjoying every moment we're with him and his wife. Tom is actually a really dedicated Mason but likes every thing we've taught so far and understands everything. He's already had some spiritual confirmation of to why we're there and also why he was in church. We talked about Temples in Sunday school and he asked why am i so attracted to that building (the Temple) and want to go in? We then went on to tell him that that would be because its a place where you make sacred covenants with the Lord for all eternity. It really sparked his interest and he's really looking forward to learning more and more about everything. Still though we haven't been able to find the right amount of time to teach him everything. Its safe to say though that he's progressing a lot. He's committed on reading, praying, and coming to church. So i believe he's going to go some places.
Now for Ana Milena who is personally my favorite investigator we have up until this point in time. She's been progressing so well and is gaining a really strong testimony. It all started when we went over the plan of salvation with her the first time and talked about her autistic child, Fitzgerald, and how he's saved already being completely innocent the way he is. Then to add to her testimony we went over to her house on Saturday with our mission president, President Martineau, and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we touched the subject of baptism and the requirements for being baptized President let her know that her son would not need to be baptized because he's already got it made, and that now the Lord has put the path in her way that she might be able to be reunited with him again after this life in Heaven. Tears of joy filled Ana Milenas eye's as she listened to the simple truth of baptism and its proper form and purpose. She really at that moment took a personal choice that she would do whatever is necessary to be able to reach the waters of baptism for her son's sake. Than as she was able to come to church on Sunday she learned and felt like she never had before. She told us she was surprised that we didn't have more members than we did because she felt so good about it she thought there would be a lot of people there. I agreed with her thought and some times ask myself the same question but the simple truth is that the enemy is good at his work and blinding the world from real joy and happiness. The next day, Monday, we past by again to her house and taught the word of wisdom so that she would be able to get on track for baptism and she said the only thing she has to get over is the coffee but is more than willing to leave it behind. Ana Milena is truly a wonderful person and its just a matter of time before she can get in the water i believe. Its great too because she's the leader and her husband Keith is just right there with her but a little slower to understand things. He's a good guy though and will support his wife in her decision and help out also because their in it together. Now we just need to get Fitzgerald accustomed to the church so that they both can attend together at the same time instead of one staying home to watch over Fitzgerald. I got faith all will work out though.So those are the investigators we're working with that are going places as for now.
But that's not all the news for the week. We're teaching one family that has a lot of little kids with neighbor friends that play baseball out in the front yard all the time. So yes we did go and play ball with them! it was a blast to! My team was wining and it was all going good until we hit all the balls over the fence into the neighbors yard and she got mad and came out and chastised us in papiamento which was pretty funny. Unfortunately we had to call the game for lack of tennis balls, but i'm sure we'll be back on for next week. So I'll get you better up dated on next weeks highlights with the little street baseball.
Until then much love,
Elder Lopez
So this past week was a little longer because they moved our P-day to today which is Wednesday. Just imagine how bad we stink because of not being able to do our wash until today. I mean us missionary's sweet a lot being in the Caribbean sun all day, and not being able to wash your clothes on the normal Monday is a tough cookie to have to take. But none the less the week was another great one, especially seeing that we had 5 investigators, President Martineau, and President Antivilo ( Our new mission president from the DR) all in church on Sunday. So would you like to hear how all of these wonderful guest enjoyed their time in church and why they came? Of course you would, So i'll start with the 5 Investigators.
Starting with the least interested of all of them. Her name is Zoya and she's from Jamaica. She came to church because we called her on Sunday morning and gave her the invite to come and she excepted. But she only stayed for sacrament and then left because she was bored. She's 19 years old and really interesting because she's really honest to her word and she does what she say's she's going to do but the fact that Sacrament was 2 hours long she didn't really like. It was branch conference and she just didn't really take interest in any of the talks. But when we past by her house on monday she had a bunch of questions on praying and on the BOM so we were surprised about that. Anyways she still wants us to come by to teach her more about the book so we'll see what happens and if she likes next weeks sacrament meeting which will be fast sunday... At least it will only be 1 hour this time for sacrament meeting. but only time will tell.
We then had a daughter of a member there who is 11 years old but still not baptized. The one problem there is that the Mom is not a member of the church and is making it hard to teach her and to let her come to church every Sunday.So with her its just a time game.
Then we had a guy named Tom and his Wife Sixta came to church also. Tom is a really sharp guy and is about 72 years old but enjoying every moment we're with him and his wife. Tom is actually a really dedicated Mason but likes every thing we've taught so far and understands everything. He's already had some spiritual confirmation of to why we're there and also why he was in church. We talked about Temples in Sunday school and he asked why am i so attracted to that building (the Temple) and want to go in? We then went on to tell him that that would be because its a place where you make sacred covenants with the Lord for all eternity. It really sparked his interest and he's really looking forward to learning more and more about everything. Still though we haven't been able to find the right amount of time to teach him everything. Its safe to say though that he's progressing a lot. He's committed on reading, praying, and coming to church. So i believe he's going to go some places.
Now for Ana Milena who is personally my favorite investigator we have up until this point in time. She's been progressing so well and is gaining a really strong testimony. It all started when we went over the plan of salvation with her the first time and talked about her autistic child, Fitzgerald, and how he's saved already being completely innocent the way he is. Then to add to her testimony we went over to her house on Saturday with our mission president, President Martineau, and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As we touched the subject of baptism and the requirements for being baptized President let her know that her son would not need to be baptized because he's already got it made, and that now the Lord has put the path in her way that she might be able to be reunited with him again after this life in Heaven. Tears of joy filled Ana Milenas eye's as she listened to the simple truth of baptism and its proper form and purpose. She really at that moment took a personal choice that she would do whatever is necessary to be able to reach the waters of baptism for her son's sake. Than as she was able to come to church on Sunday she learned and felt like she never had before. She told us she was surprised that we didn't have more members than we did because she felt so good about it she thought there would be a lot of people there. I agreed with her thought and some times ask myself the same question but the simple truth is that the enemy is good at his work and blinding the world from real joy and happiness. The next day, Monday, we past by again to her house and taught the word of wisdom so that she would be able to get on track for baptism and she said the only thing she has to get over is the coffee but is more than willing to leave it behind. Ana Milena is truly a wonderful person and its just a matter of time before she can get in the water i believe. Its great too because she's the leader and her husband Keith is just right there with her but a little slower to understand things. He's a good guy though and will support his wife in her decision and help out also because their in it together. Now we just need to get Fitzgerald accustomed to the church so that they both can attend together at the same time instead of one staying home to watch over Fitzgerald. I got faith all will work out though.So those are the investigators we're working with that are going places as for now.
But that's not all the news for the week. We're teaching one family that has a lot of little kids with neighbor friends that play baseball out in the front yard all the time. So yes we did go and play ball with them! it was a blast to! My team was wining and it was all going good until we hit all the balls over the fence into the neighbors yard and she got mad and came out and chastised us in papiamento which was pretty funny. Unfortunately we had to call the game for lack of tennis balls, but i'm sure we'll be back on for next week. So I'll get you better up dated on next weeks highlights with the little street baseball.
Until then much love,
Elder Lopez
Monday, May 24, 2010
Report from Aruba (email dated 05/24/2010)
So this was a nice full week of heat and sweet and good lessons taught to our investigators. I'm not sure if i mentioned a man named Roy last week. He's a great guy and right now our number one investigator that is progressing. He even came to church this week with his little 8 year old son which is always a great step for investigators here in the mission field. Right now Roy is really in the first steps of conversion and we just pray that he's able to continue enduring upon that path. He's married and they just have one child who's 8 years old and a good kid. He really enjoyed church i think which was good. Especially because many times if the child doesn't have good experience that family doesn't either, but luckily that wasn't the case with Roy. Our goal for this next week is to get his wife involved in the lessons because still she hasn't really participated to much yet. She's been sick and is going to have a surgery to remove a cist from her stomach or something like that so she just stay's in bed while we visit with Roy. So we pray that all goes well with her health and also that she's able to see the change in her husband by listening and visiting with us. Earlier i guess Roy was going through a tough time and drinking was a bad habit, but now he's starting to clean up and we're more than happy to be there to help him out in that process.
Also we had a cool lesson with a lady named Angela who's been investigating the church for a good amount of time now and she has never made it to baptism. So i asked her what's holding her up and she said she just has a really bad smoking habit and hasn't been able to get over it yet. So we focused on teaching her of repentance and how that is a change of our view of God and our selves and how that's going to help her make it to baptism. So we then asked her if she was willing to stop smoking and prepare to be baptized and she said yeah. So then we asked her where all her cigarettes were and she told us, so then we took them away from her to help her avoid the temptation. We then destroyed the cigarettes so that they don't help kill any one else either. Its interesting how that on the cigarette package it says in bold and clear letters, "Smoking Kills", and yet the people still buy them. How bad of an addiction is that right? So Angela is going to be in our prayers that she is able to overcome her addiction.
Also, i guess i should let you now about my new companion shouldn't I. His name is Elder Ellis and we've actually been in the some District before so we sort of already new each other. He's from Oregon and went to a year of school at BYU Idaho. He speaks both spanish and papiamentu very well which is always nice because we really wont have any problems with any language's. He's only has one transfer less then me so we're both pretty old in the mission you could say. We're going to work very well together i believe and I'm looking forward to ending my mission most likely with him.
Here in San Nicolas its pretty much a desert every where with a lot of cactus. It's like the area that we would pass through as we were going down to Arizona when you pass the dam and are in a complete desert and its hot, really hot. Also here theirs a lot of people that speak English but we speak all of our languages every day, those being Papiamentu, Spanish, and English. Its pretty fun though and sometimes hard to keep the languages straight in your head. But it comes easier now! I mean after almost 2 years you'd hope so right?...
But any ways that s how things are going here in the mission field of San Nicolas, Aruba.
Much Love,
Elder Lopez
Also we had a cool lesson with a lady named Angela who's been investigating the church for a good amount of time now and she has never made it to baptism. So i asked her what's holding her up and she said she just has a really bad smoking habit and hasn't been able to get over it yet. So we focused on teaching her of repentance and how that is a change of our view of God and our selves and how that's going to help her make it to baptism. So we then asked her if she was willing to stop smoking and prepare to be baptized and she said yeah. So then we asked her where all her cigarettes were and she told us, so then we took them away from her to help her avoid the temptation. We then destroyed the cigarettes so that they don't help kill any one else either. Its interesting how that on the cigarette package it says in bold and clear letters, "Smoking Kills", and yet the people still buy them. How bad of an addiction is that right? So Angela is going to be in our prayers that she is able to overcome her addiction.
Also, i guess i should let you now about my new companion shouldn't I. His name is Elder Ellis and we've actually been in the some District before so we sort of already new each other. He's from Oregon and went to a year of school at BYU Idaho. He speaks both spanish and papiamentu very well which is always nice because we really wont have any problems with any language's. He's only has one transfer less then me so we're both pretty old in the mission you could say. We're going to work very well together i believe and I'm looking forward to ending my mission most likely with him.
Here in San Nicolas its pretty much a desert every where with a lot of cactus. It's like the area that we would pass through as we were going down to Arizona when you pass the dam and are in a complete desert and its hot, really hot. Also here theirs a lot of people that speak English but we speak all of our languages every day, those being Papiamentu, Spanish, and English. Its pretty fun though and sometimes hard to keep the languages straight in your head. But it comes easier now! I mean after almost 2 years you'd hope so right?...
But any ways that s how things are going here in the mission field of San Nicolas, Aruba.
Much Love,
Elder Lopez
Monday, May 17, 2010
Bon Bini na Aruba!! (email dated 05/17/2010)
Bon Dia na tur,
So this past week was a week full of events here in the mission. Wednesday was my last transfer meeting in the mission of San Juan Puerto Rico West mission... Thursday we did see the baptism of Veronica which was a wonderful going away present from the enchanted of island of Puerto Rico. Then on Friday was my flight down to the island of Curacao where i ended up staying for a the whole day Saturday. Then Saturday night i caught a 20 min flight over to the island of Aruba to be introduced to my new area! Full of cool events right?
So on Wednesday we went to Transfer meeting where i found out for sure where I'm going to end my mission. The answer was I'm going to San Nicolas which is on the other side of Aruba then i was last time. The meeting was pretty crazy because it was my last one as a member of the San Juan west mission. So i made sure to take pictures with all the people i wont be seeing in long time. After transfer meeting on wednesday we got all the preperations ready for Veronica to be baptized the next day on Thursday! All went well at her interview and then everything just fell into place for her baptism the following day! As we were taking her baptismal pictures we had a pretty cool visitor come to show support at the baptism. President Martineau came to see it which was really cool to have my mission president there for my last baptism there in Puerto Rico. Veronica was completely submerged on the first try which was a wonderful little moment to see and feel as i watched it. All of the hard tests and trials that she had been going through were finally all put behind her as she took her first step down the strait and narrow path that the lord has given us to follow. She was very happy and relieved to have been able to be baptized and at the same time a little sad that i was going to be transferred the next day. But it was awesome that i was there to see her baptism and as a going away gift she gave me a tie! Pretty cool right?
So the next day was full of events also when i showed up to the office to get ready to go to the airport and catch my plane. Elder Sellers, who was also going to be going down to the island with me, couldn't find where he had placed his passport. I guess he didn't think about it until the last moment which made us all frantically search for his passport in all his luggage and files in the office but to no avail.So what ended up happening was that i went down by my self and stayed a day in Curacao where he was supposed to go to be with his companion Elder Wilkes. So since i was in Curacao my companion Elder Ellis stayed in a threesome with the other two elders on this island. It all turned out to be a great blessing also because i was able to visit a lot of members and including Marlone who i baptized in curacao! He even came out to go visit an investigator with us. Truly it was a great blessing from the Lord to be able to spend one more day in Curacao! So then the next day Elder Sellers found his passport and came down to Curacao and i went to Aruba on Saturday night. It was a quick flight of about 20 to 30 min. on a little tiny plane that you could see into the cockpit. It was a really cool experience actually that i liked a lot. So I'm not in the same area as i was last time and still haven't been able to see Luisa who i baptized up there last time but I'm sure the time will come. Its a small island...Also to start off on my first Sunday i spoke in church seeing how the Branch president called me Sunday morning to let me know about it. It was all good though because it was on a great subject which was Testimony! It went really well i felt and the weird part was that it was in English. Yup you read right, this branch has their meetings all in English. Every one basically on this side of the island prefers English but speaks all four languages. Its a really small branch down here though, we only had 17 members in church yesterday, so there's some room for improvement there. I haven't been in an area like this since Utuado my second transfer in the mission... Also they made me 1st counciler in the Elders Quorum presidency... so as you can see we have a lot of work to be done here in San Nicolas and I'm glade to be able to do it here with the Lord leading the way!
So that's the update on my side of things! I'm happy to read all is well back home and the family closer than ever! Remember i love you all!
Love,
Elder Lopez
So this past week was a week full of events here in the mission. Wednesday was my last transfer meeting in the mission of San Juan Puerto Rico West mission... Thursday we did see the baptism of Veronica which was a wonderful going away present from the enchanted of island of Puerto Rico. Then on Friday was my flight down to the island of Curacao where i ended up staying for a the whole day Saturday. Then Saturday night i caught a 20 min flight over to the island of Aruba to be introduced to my new area! Full of cool events right?
So on Wednesday we went to Transfer meeting where i found out for sure where I'm going to end my mission. The answer was I'm going to San Nicolas which is on the other side of Aruba then i was last time. The meeting was pretty crazy because it was my last one as a member of the San Juan west mission. So i made sure to take pictures with all the people i wont be seeing in long time. After transfer meeting on wednesday we got all the preperations ready for Veronica to be baptized the next day on Thursday! All went well at her interview and then everything just fell into place for her baptism the following day! As we were taking her baptismal pictures we had a pretty cool visitor come to show support at the baptism. President Martineau came to see it which was really cool to have my mission president there for my last baptism there in Puerto Rico. Veronica was completely submerged on the first try which was a wonderful little moment to see and feel as i watched it. All of the hard tests and trials that she had been going through were finally all put behind her as she took her first step down the strait and narrow path that the lord has given us to follow. She was very happy and relieved to have been able to be baptized and at the same time a little sad that i was going to be transferred the next day. But it was awesome that i was there to see her baptism and as a going away gift she gave me a tie! Pretty cool right?
So the next day was full of events also when i showed up to the office to get ready to go to the airport and catch my plane. Elder Sellers, who was also going to be going down to the island with me, couldn't find where he had placed his passport. I guess he didn't think about it until the last moment which made us all frantically search for his passport in all his luggage and files in the office but to no avail.So what ended up happening was that i went down by my self and stayed a day in Curacao where he was supposed to go to be with his companion Elder Wilkes. So since i was in Curacao my companion Elder Ellis stayed in a threesome with the other two elders on this island. It all turned out to be a great blessing also because i was able to visit a lot of members and including Marlone who i baptized in curacao! He even came out to go visit an investigator with us. Truly it was a great blessing from the Lord to be able to spend one more day in Curacao! So then the next day Elder Sellers found his passport and came down to Curacao and i went to Aruba on Saturday night. It was a quick flight of about 20 to 30 min. on a little tiny plane that you could see into the cockpit. It was a really cool experience actually that i liked a lot. So I'm not in the same area as i was last time and still haven't been able to see Luisa who i baptized up there last time but I'm sure the time will come. Its a small island...Also to start off on my first Sunday i spoke in church seeing how the Branch president called me Sunday morning to let me know about it. It was all good though because it was on a great subject which was Testimony! It went really well i felt and the weird part was that it was in English. Yup you read right, this branch has their meetings all in English. Every one basically on this side of the island prefers English but speaks all four languages. Its a really small branch down here though, we only had 17 members in church yesterday, so there's some room for improvement there. I haven't been in an area like this since Utuado my second transfer in the mission... Also they made me 1st counciler in the Elders Quorum presidency... so as you can see we have a lot of work to be done here in San Nicolas and I'm glade to be able to do it here with the Lord leading the way!
So that's the update on my side of things! I'm happy to read all is well back home and the family closer than ever! Remember i love you all!
Love,
Elder Lopez
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Everyone sounds so good! (email dated 05/11/2010)
Mom and Dad,
So this past week was a good week and we were able to get a lot done, but at the same time a little bumber because our baptismal date was out of town. I guess it was for a good reason, to spend the weekend with family for mothers day, but i just don't like being in church with out our investigators there. It makes me feel bad in side but she's still hanging in there to be baptized this week. Also we found another investigator thats showing a lot of good signs by reading and praying and comitting to come to church this next week. His name is Angel Rodriguez Colon, and he even told us that he's sick of searching for the truth and that he just wants to find the right one path to follow. So naturaly we are very happy to be able to show him what he's been looking for for so long. We've taught him 3 times and every time has been very effective and he's understanding everything very well so far. He reads everthing that we leave him to read and even has been praying to find out if this path is really true or not. He said so far he's felt really good about everything and is really excited to come to church this next sunday. He wanted to come this past sunday but had to work because it was mothers day and he diliveres flowers... and we all know that mothers day is a day of many flowers so he was busy with that. I told him that i'd be leaving this friday and that there would be another missionary coming to take my place and he said that he'd keep in touch and that he'd keep me updated on his convesion and if he decideds to be baptized. He's a really cool guy and i think that he'll make it to the baptism waters here at the end of this month or the begining of the next. I'm really just happy that i was able to find him with Elder Moran and help him along the path of conversion. But as we all know life just keeps on moving on and its time to turn another page in life and head down to the island of Aruba on Friday to finish out my mission strong!
Also being mothers day I had a great talk with my Mom and the rest of my family on sunday! I have to say i love every single member of my family with all my heart and that i'm grateful to know of the plan of happiness that is going to give my family the opportunity to be together forever! I love how my entire family is able to confide in the priesthood power that God has restored to the earth. I'm truely grateful to be where i'm at right now on the mission, and am excited to be able to finish my mission down in the islands no matter where at. I'm just humbled and thankful to be able to serve the Lord and show my thanks for his great and eternal plan that he has given us and share it with others. We truely are part of this marvoules work and a wonder.I pray that my entire family is able to find confidence and faith in the Lord even through this really hard time with whats going on with our newest member of the family, Mason. After reading Rev. 21:4 and meditating President Monsons talks in the last conference i know that we are in the Lords hands and he will wipe away all our tears and sactify all of our good works for the life that is to come. Lets all keep up our faith with prayer and fasting and confiding in the Lords will, and all will turn out for the best. I'm 100% positive of it.
Your all in my prayers and thoughts and i love you all!
Love always,
Elder Lopez
So this past week was a good week and we were able to get a lot done, but at the same time a little bumber because our baptismal date was out of town. I guess it was for a good reason, to spend the weekend with family for mothers day, but i just don't like being in church with out our investigators there. It makes me feel bad in side but she's still hanging in there to be baptized this week. Also we found another investigator thats showing a lot of good signs by reading and praying and comitting to come to church this next week. His name is Angel Rodriguez Colon, and he even told us that he's sick of searching for the truth and that he just wants to find the right one path to follow. So naturaly we are very happy to be able to show him what he's been looking for for so long. We've taught him 3 times and every time has been very effective and he's understanding everything very well so far. He reads everthing that we leave him to read and even has been praying to find out if this path is really true or not. He said so far he's felt really good about everything and is really excited to come to church this next sunday. He wanted to come this past sunday but had to work because it was mothers day and he diliveres flowers... and we all know that mothers day is a day of many flowers so he was busy with that. I told him that i'd be leaving this friday and that there would be another missionary coming to take my place and he said that he'd keep in touch and that he'd keep me updated on his convesion and if he decideds to be baptized. He's a really cool guy and i think that he'll make it to the baptism waters here at the end of this month or the begining of the next. I'm really just happy that i was able to find him with Elder Moran and help him along the path of conversion. But as we all know life just keeps on moving on and its time to turn another page in life and head down to the island of Aruba on Friday to finish out my mission strong!
Also being mothers day I had a great talk with my Mom and the rest of my family on sunday! I have to say i love every single member of my family with all my heart and that i'm grateful to know of the plan of happiness that is going to give my family the opportunity to be together forever! I love how my entire family is able to confide in the priesthood power that God has restored to the earth. I'm truely grateful to be where i'm at right now on the mission, and am excited to be able to finish my mission down in the islands no matter where at. I'm just humbled and thankful to be able to serve the Lord and show my thanks for his great and eternal plan that he has given us and share it with others. We truely are part of this marvoules work and a wonder.I pray that my entire family is able to find confidence and faith in the Lord even through this really hard time with whats going on with our newest member of the family, Mason. After reading Rev. 21:4 and meditating President Monsons talks in the last conference i know that we are in the Lords hands and he will wipe away all our tears and sactify all of our good works for the life that is to come. Lets all keep up our faith with prayer and fasting and confiding in the Lords will, and all will turn out for the best. I'm 100% positive of it.
Your all in my prayers and thoughts and i love you all!
Love always,
Elder Lopez
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Hola de la Isla del encanto (email dated 05/3/2010)
So this week was pretty cool i'd have to say! We started off with a trade'off of companions which turned out really good because on that day we taught a family here in Vega Baja that is really nice and i see with some potential to progress a lot. The names of the couple are Josue and Sahiles who are a young couple with a little daughter thats almost 2 years old and is a little angel running around with smiles all day long. Any how the family has lot of potential because the really paid attention the our message and said they'd love to have us come back to be able to share more with them. They even invited to cook for us and everything... thats always a good sign when the family offers to cook for you when you pass by. But the day that we had to pass by we called and got some sad news that the grandma of Josue had past away and that they'd be with the family that day and the rest of the weekend.. so that put our visit on hold. But hopefully we're able to get back in touch with them this week because they really were a great family and the spirit was present during our lesson with them and they felt something that they liked. Now we just need to help them realize what it was that they were feeling! Also this past week we were able to get Veronica all prepared for her baptismal interview this upcoming weekend so that she's ready to go for saturday. If all goes according to plans this will be the 1st baptism here in Vega Baja since last year when i was in this same district next door in Toa Baja. Actualy i was the last person to preform a baptismal interview for a baptism that would take place in this ward. So as you can see this area is starting to make some big strides forward.
In other news i almost wasn't going to be able to see the baptism on the 8th because President was going to send me down to the islands on the 7th, but i persuaded him to let me stay one more week up here on the main island so i could see the baptism of Veronica and also call you from a sprint phone for mothers day! Hopefuly the plans stay that way so that all goes acording to plans. Speaking of Phone call, im thinking i'll call in the afternoon around 12 or 1 o'clock mountain time and 2 or 3 Puerto Rican time because my companion is going to be using the phone at night with his family. I hope thats ok with your church time... Dont you get out at like 11 o'clock now?
Also some good new was we came across a cool guy named Angel who lives in morovis who is interested in the lessons. We met him through a reference that the office gave to us. He seems like a really good guy and a humble on also. The only problem is going to be transportation to get him to church. But thankfuly the ward here in willing to help with that! Its still early to tell exactly if he'll progress far but we'll keep him in our prayers!
So i would keep writting but i figure i'll save it all for when i call you on sunday! Sound good! I Sure hope So!
Well much love,
Elder Lopez
In other news i almost wasn't going to be able to see the baptism on the 8th because President was going to send me down to the islands on the 7th, but i persuaded him to let me stay one more week up here on the main island so i could see the baptism of Veronica and also call you from a sprint phone for mothers day! Hopefuly the plans stay that way so that all goes acording to plans. Speaking of Phone call, im thinking i'll call in the afternoon around 12 or 1 o'clock mountain time and 2 or 3 Puerto Rican time because my companion is going to be using the phone at night with his family. I hope thats ok with your church time... Dont you get out at like 11 o'clock now?
Also some good new was we came across a cool guy named Angel who lives in morovis who is interested in the lessons. We met him through a reference that the office gave to us. He seems like a really good guy and a humble on also. The only problem is going to be transportation to get him to church. But thankfuly the ward here in willing to help with that! Its still early to tell exactly if he'll progress far but we'll keep him in our prayers!
So i would keep writting but i figure i'll save it all for when i call you on sunday! Sound good! I Sure hope So!
Well much love,
Elder Lopez
Monday, April 26, 2010
Reporting from Puerto Rico (email dated 4/26/2010)
So this week here on the enchanted island was a week full of work like all of them always are. The good news is that Veronica made it to church which official qualifies her for baptism on the 8th of may! So if all goes according to plans we should be seeing white in the water for mothers day! It should be a cool experience! Also with that good news we came across a good potential investigator from a member. The member has been in active for a while but has family in the church that is helping him find excitment to come back to church. He's come to church 3 weeks in a row and this last week we were able to talk with him about teaching his girl friend the lessons. From there we found out that their planing on getting married this next month and also she's interested in the lessons and even in baptism. She came to church last week but we weren't able to see her in the week because she got sick and has been in the hospital for a week now. She has something wrong with here white blood cells i believe is what she told us. So yesterday after church we went with Jiodannie, the boy friend, to the hospital to visit her, Grisel, and Elder Moran and i gave here a blessing of health. It was a good growing experience and it was Elder Morans first time in giving a blessing which was cool for him. He did a great job and i felt like Grisel received the blessing really well and will be getting better this week. She said as soon as she gets out she's going to have us over and she's going to cook for us. She's even going to make a dish that's called "mofungo" which is a traditional food here that i like a lot! Its basically mashed up platano with meet inside with a sauce that covers it! basically that's what it is and it tastes great! So we have some excitement for Grisel because i feel like she could be the next baptism here in Vega Baja after Veronica on the 8th.
Also funny story that happened this past week. So Elder Moran and i were going to visit an investigator at there house when we found that she wasn't there... But as we were about to leave we found a big iguana pretty close to our car, so we went to go look at it and he ran away from us. but as he was running away he ran into a chain link fence and couldn't get through it or under it. So as we got closer to him he got more scared and just kept driving his head into the fence trying to get through to run away from us. So seeing how he couldn't go anywhere i got up close to him and grabbed him by the tail and picked him up. So as i held him i realized how big the guy really was! His tail was huge and when we measured him from the tip of his tail to his head he was almost as tall as me! Then as we were going to take pictures we realized that neither of us had our cameras, so not wanting to let this moment pass by with out a picture we put him in the trunk of the car and took him home with us to be able to take pictures of him! We named him Luisito and after the pictures we let him go again in the jungle! It was a funny experience, especial because it was Elder Morans first time ever to hold an iguana and he was pretty scared to grab the guy. But he over came his fear with time and finally held him in his own arms. Yeah good times here in Puerto Rico!
So that's how last week went, adventurous and full of the teaching the gospel! Got to love the mission life!
Love you all,
Elder Lopez
Also funny story that happened this past week. So Elder Moran and i were going to visit an investigator at there house when we found that she wasn't there... But as we were about to leave we found a big iguana pretty close to our car, so we went to go look at it and he ran away from us. but as he was running away he ran into a chain link fence and couldn't get through it or under it. So as we got closer to him he got more scared and just kept driving his head into the fence trying to get through to run away from us. So seeing how he couldn't go anywhere i got up close to him and grabbed him by the tail and picked him up. So as i held him i realized how big the guy really was! His tail was huge and when we measured him from the tip of his tail to his head he was almost as tall as me! Then as we were going to take pictures we realized that neither of us had our cameras, so not wanting to let this moment pass by with out a picture we put him in the trunk of the car and took him home with us to be able to take pictures of him! We named him Luisito and after the pictures we let him go again in the jungle! It was a funny experience, especial because it was Elder Morans first time ever to hold an iguana and he was pretty scared to grab the guy. But he over came his fear with time and finally held him in his own arms. Yeah good times here in Puerto Rico!
So that's how last week went, adventurous and full of the teaching the gospel! Got to love the mission life!
Love you all,
Elder Lopez
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The work is coming along (email dated 04/20/2010)
Buenas Dias,
Sorry not to be able to email yesterday, here in Puerto Rico they like to throw random holiday's in when ever they can and yesterday just happened to be one of those. So they moved pday until tuesday. But its all good because i'm still able to write for this week. Anyways lets get down to business. This past week Veronica made it to church again which makes 2 weeks in a row. If she comes next week we can dip her in the water on the 8th of may because she's going to be visiting family on the1'st of may and be out of town. She's starting to feel a lot better in church i'd have to say and i think that she's going to become a good faithful member. THe ward here in Vega Baja has helped her out a lot also which has helped. I think she's really been able to see what the church is all about, helping one another.
Also this past week we went exploring parts of our area that seemed like they were close to touching the heavens. Our mission leader took us out to visit a inactive member that lives in a place called ciales which is right in the middle of the island basicaly. It felt like i was going back to my 2nd area in the mission, Utuado. THe Mountains here in Puerto Rico are really beautiful and this member lives at the top of one of them. It was a good 45 min drive to get to his place out there in the mountains. From the peak that we were at while visiting him we could see one of the highest peaks in all of Puerto Rico! It was really cool because the tip of it was covered by the clouds so you couldn't really see the tip top. The Members name is Neftely and he's great guy but had a problem in his family which drove him away from coming to church. He still has a strong testimony of the church but his wife wasnt' the most fond of the idea of him going to church. She basicaly told him that if he kept going to church that she was going to leave him and ask for a divorce... So that hit him hard and he decided to try and save his relationship with her and stoped coming to church.. NOw though he's not living with her and would be able to come but the problem being that he has health problems and cant be seated for a long time and cant make the drive from Ciales to Vega Baja to come to church. Yeah its a really tough situation and all began because of his family. Its tough when familys are split like this but in some way the gospel of christ is able to bring us closer as we live it. The key to the situation is "living the Gospel" even through the tough times because we can confide that God will bless us in return. Its like it says in D&C, Gods bound by His word when we do what He say's, but when we do not what He says we have no promise.
Thanks to the best parents in the world i've been able to learn a lot from the gospel of christ! For that reason I'm here on my mission. THanks Mom and Dad! Well, THanks for the letters and prayers and all the incouragement that you've all given to me! I love you with all my heart!
Your's truely,
Elder Lopez
Sorry not to be able to email yesterday, here in Puerto Rico they like to throw random holiday's in when ever they can and yesterday just happened to be one of those. So they moved pday until tuesday. But its all good because i'm still able to write for this week. Anyways lets get down to business. This past week Veronica made it to church again which makes 2 weeks in a row. If she comes next week we can dip her in the water on the 8th of may because she's going to be visiting family on the1'st of may and be out of town. She's starting to feel a lot better in church i'd have to say and i think that she's going to become a good faithful member. THe ward here in Vega Baja has helped her out a lot also which has helped. I think she's really been able to see what the church is all about, helping one another.
Also this past week we went exploring parts of our area that seemed like they were close to touching the heavens. Our mission leader took us out to visit a inactive member that lives in a place called ciales which is right in the middle of the island basicaly. It felt like i was going back to my 2nd area in the mission, Utuado. THe Mountains here in Puerto Rico are really beautiful and this member lives at the top of one of them. It was a good 45 min drive to get to his place out there in the mountains. From the peak that we were at while visiting him we could see one of the highest peaks in all of Puerto Rico! It was really cool because the tip of it was covered by the clouds so you couldn't really see the tip top. The Members name is Neftely and he's great guy but had a problem in his family which drove him away from coming to church. He still has a strong testimony of the church but his wife wasnt' the most fond of the idea of him going to church. She basicaly told him that if he kept going to church that she was going to leave him and ask for a divorce... So that hit him hard and he decided to try and save his relationship with her and stoped coming to church.. NOw though he's not living with her and would be able to come but the problem being that he has health problems and cant be seated for a long time and cant make the drive from Ciales to Vega Baja to come to church. Yeah its a really tough situation and all began because of his family. Its tough when familys are split like this but in some way the gospel of christ is able to bring us closer as we live it. The key to the situation is "living the Gospel" even through the tough times because we can confide that God will bless us in return. Its like it says in D&C, Gods bound by His word when we do what He say's, but when we do not what He says we have no promise.
Thanks to the best parents in the world i've been able to learn a lot from the gospel of christ! For that reason I'm here on my mission. THanks Mom and Dad! Well, THanks for the letters and prayers and all the incouragement that you've all given to me! I love you with all my heart!
Your's truely,
Elder Lopez
Monday, April 12, 2010
Another week in the books (email dated 04/12/2010)
Hola,
What a week we had here on the island of Puerto Rico. We finaly got some more investigators through those chapel doors who are progressing well. One is Esperanza who we contacted forever ago but finaly is now in the groove and ready to progress. We atualy lost contact with her for almost a month because she some how just droped of the map and left Elder Moran and myself wondering what happend. I honestly thought that she had heard some false story from some friend and had started to avoid us but fortunately i was wrong in thinkning that. We had been teaching her for a week when i first got back up here to puerto rico and it looked like she was going to progress well, until she called us up one day and had to cancel an apointment because she was going to visit a family member that was in the hospital. Then from there after we lost contact for about a month and she would never answer her phone when we would call. So we were all disapointed until this past week when we decided to toke doors by her house and check to see if we could find her at home. Luckly the spirit had been with us in that moment and we were able to find her there and she gladly recieved us in again which made us even happier. As we began to talk she told us why she had been out of touch for so long. I guess her daughter and herself had got into a big conflict and they weren't talking for a long time, and she didn't feel good about the situation and didn't feel in the right mind set to visit with us .... so for that reason she had been avoiding us for a couple of weeks. But fortunatly now she is doing well and on good terms with her daughter again and is happy to meet with us again. She even had a great experience at church and said she'd be coming back next week. So to say the least we were stoked that she was able to have a sudden change from off the map to back in church! I believe from here on we should be able to make a lot of progress with Esperanza which really made my week a happy one. Its sad to see how much the devil is really attacking the family because the importance of it that he knows. It truely is a great blessing to have been blessed with such a strong family and i hope we always remember that and take care of our blessing that the Lord has blessed us with.
Also some other great news was that Veronica came to church her in vega Baja for the first time which was a hudge step for her. She had missed 6 sundays straight before she was able to make it to this one! Finaly she was able to over come all the obsticales of life and make it to church to be able to feel the spirit there. After ward she was very grateful for having gone to church because she really felt good about it. As long as she's able to keep on keepin on like she's doing right now she'll be able to make it to baptism but only time will tell. She's gone through a lot of hard times lately, but the ward here has helped them out a lot and their now doing a little better. Little by little they'll be able to make it though. The Lord will bless them a lot as they keep on doing their part.
Also here's a little experience that made a big impact on me this past week as we were finishing up our P-day. So Elder Moran and i were taking photos at a pretty cool beach that we have here close to our apartment. As we were about to leave and go to work i noticed a lady that was sitting by herself against a cement wall that seperated the beach from some houses. Her hands were covering her face and she looked as if she had been crying. My first impression was she looks like she's had a bad day and really wont want to be interupted but then before i knew what i was doing i opened my mouth and started to talk to her to get her attention. Then i started to contact her talking about christ and his atonement and resurrection. As i talked to her a little bit more she told me her name was Michelle and that she was here crying because she had just lost her brother and she didn't want her mom to see her all broken down with tears. I felt a hudge pain as she told me her situation but at the same time i knew that God had put us in her way to testify to her of Christ and HIs plan for us. She listened and excepted a card with our number on it and said she'd call us. Honestly it was really a quick experience but it made a big impact on me because i really felt the love that God has for us for sending his only begotten son to save the world if we will except Him and his plan. I remembered President Monsons talk at general conference and wished i could have some how just at that moment planted his talk in her mind so she could hear the testimony of a Prophet that Christ lives and because Christ lives we will too after death. I'm not sure if she'll ever call us but i know at least she felt a little peace of Gods love for her and her brother. Its times like these that really just make me so grateful to be a messanger of God here on my mission.
With that being said i'll wrap things up. Know that Christ lives and Loves you.
Your's truelly,
Elder Lopez
What a week we had here on the island of Puerto Rico. We finaly got some more investigators through those chapel doors who are progressing well. One is Esperanza who we contacted forever ago but finaly is now in the groove and ready to progress. We atualy lost contact with her for almost a month because she some how just droped of the map and left Elder Moran and myself wondering what happend. I honestly thought that she had heard some false story from some friend and had started to avoid us but fortunately i was wrong in thinkning that. We had been teaching her for a week when i first got back up here to puerto rico and it looked like she was going to progress well, until she called us up one day and had to cancel an apointment because she was going to visit a family member that was in the hospital. Then from there after we lost contact for about a month and she would never answer her phone when we would call. So we were all disapointed until this past week when we decided to toke doors by her house and check to see if we could find her at home. Luckly the spirit had been with us in that moment and we were able to find her there and she gladly recieved us in again which made us even happier. As we began to talk she told us why she had been out of touch for so long. I guess her daughter and herself had got into a big conflict and they weren't talking for a long time, and she didn't feel good about the situation and didn't feel in the right mind set to visit with us .... so for that reason she had been avoiding us for a couple of weeks. But fortunatly now she is doing well and on good terms with her daughter again and is happy to meet with us again. She even had a great experience at church and said she'd be coming back next week. So to say the least we were stoked that she was able to have a sudden change from off the map to back in church! I believe from here on we should be able to make a lot of progress with Esperanza which really made my week a happy one. Its sad to see how much the devil is really attacking the family because the importance of it that he knows. It truely is a great blessing to have been blessed with such a strong family and i hope we always remember that and take care of our blessing that the Lord has blessed us with.
Also some other great news was that Veronica came to church her in vega Baja for the first time which was a hudge step for her. She had missed 6 sundays straight before she was able to make it to this one! Finaly she was able to over come all the obsticales of life and make it to church to be able to feel the spirit there. After ward she was very grateful for having gone to church because she really felt good about it. As long as she's able to keep on keepin on like she's doing right now she'll be able to make it to baptism but only time will tell. She's gone through a lot of hard times lately, but the ward here has helped them out a lot and their now doing a little better. Little by little they'll be able to make it though. The Lord will bless them a lot as they keep on doing their part.
Also here's a little experience that made a big impact on me this past week as we were finishing up our P-day. So Elder Moran and i were taking photos at a pretty cool beach that we have here close to our apartment. As we were about to leave and go to work i noticed a lady that was sitting by herself against a cement wall that seperated the beach from some houses. Her hands were covering her face and she looked as if she had been crying. My first impression was she looks like she's had a bad day and really wont want to be interupted but then before i knew what i was doing i opened my mouth and started to talk to her to get her attention. Then i started to contact her talking about christ and his atonement and resurrection. As i talked to her a little bit more she told me her name was Michelle and that she was here crying because she had just lost her brother and she didn't want her mom to see her all broken down with tears. I felt a hudge pain as she told me her situation but at the same time i knew that God had put us in her way to testify to her of Christ and HIs plan for us. She listened and excepted a card with our number on it and said she'd call us. Honestly it was really a quick experience but it made a big impact on me because i really felt the love that God has for us for sending his only begotten son to save the world if we will except Him and his plan. I remembered President Monsons talk at general conference and wished i could have some how just at that moment planted his talk in her mind so she could hear the testimony of a Prophet that Christ lives and because Christ lives we will too after death. I'm not sure if she'll ever call us but i know at least she felt a little peace of Gods love for her and her brother. Its times like these that really just make me so grateful to be a messanger of God here on my mission.
With that being said i'll wrap things up. Know that Christ lives and Loves you.
Your's truelly,
Elder Lopez
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter Weekend (email dated 04/05/2010)
Saludos de Puerto Rico,
So i hope that everyone had a great Conference/ Easter weekend back home in happy valley Utah! As for our weekend here in the field it went great because we got to listen to every single session of Conference there was. Honestly i was praying that there was going to be a 6th session, but i guess that wasn't in the Lords will. I guess the advice of David A. Bednar is why, "its better to teach a man to fish instead of simply giving a man a fish." Some times we just want all the spiritual things given to us with out much effort put into finding it out for ourselves. This was my case many times before the mission... But sense then I've really began to notice the importance of learning to fish for our own personal inspiration. Really out here in the field we don't have anyone to tell us how to approach any situation, just the Holy Ghost. And we only receive from the Holy Ghost when we're worthy and searching and listening. Just as a man who's given a fish will be hungry a day later, we will be spiritually hungry if we don't go out looking and doing our part to gain spiritual knowledge by reading the scriptures, meditating them, and praying for confirmation of the truthfulness of them. In these next 6 months until the next Conference comes around we should all develop and learn how to fish for spiritual inspiration by following the advice and teaching that all the Apostles and Prophets taught us this General conference. Now if you missed a session your lucky because we live in a time that you can watch it all over again at the touch of button. So I'd encourage you to do so because this conference rocked!
Also this past week we had our Transfer meeting which is when all those who are being transfered get moved and all those who are finishing their mission give their good byes. It was pretty crazy because i'm seeing all of my good friends out here on the mission are starting to go... and next thing you know in 3 transfers time it will be my turn to hit the death flight like they say out here in the field. Time just keeps on moving fast doesn't it.
But to be honest there is a lot to be done in this short time! Elder Moran and i have one more transfer to get some people in the water but as for right now everything is going really slow! So we're praying that this conference and a new transfer ahead of us is going to provide for a great 6 weeks and we can get things moving finally. Every one seemed to be an vacation for Spring break which really held us up on our investigators this week, But now Easter and spring break are behind us so i'm looking forward to some good work this week!
Also i would like to give a shout out to my new little nephew Mason who came into this world this past week and who i haven't been able to see or meet yet... man i love my family! They just keep on growing while I'm away on the Lords work, but that's o.k. I Love to hear how great you all are! Now I'm going to be able to see 2 little new ball players when i get back here in 4 months. Congrats Scott and Steph! Your definitely in my prayers out here!
So that's the short update from Puerto Rico for now, so until next week, keep your head up and stay strong while you keep on keepin on!
Love always,
Elder Lopez
So i hope that everyone had a great Conference/ Easter weekend back home in happy valley Utah! As for our weekend here in the field it went great because we got to listen to every single session of Conference there was. Honestly i was praying that there was going to be a 6th session, but i guess that wasn't in the Lords will. I guess the advice of David A. Bednar is why, "its better to teach a man to fish instead of simply giving a man a fish." Some times we just want all the spiritual things given to us with out much effort put into finding it out for ourselves. This was my case many times before the mission... But sense then I've really began to notice the importance of learning to fish for our own personal inspiration. Really out here in the field we don't have anyone to tell us how to approach any situation, just the Holy Ghost. And we only receive from the Holy Ghost when we're worthy and searching and listening. Just as a man who's given a fish will be hungry a day later, we will be spiritually hungry if we don't go out looking and doing our part to gain spiritual knowledge by reading the scriptures, meditating them, and praying for confirmation of the truthfulness of them. In these next 6 months until the next Conference comes around we should all develop and learn how to fish for spiritual inspiration by following the advice and teaching that all the Apostles and Prophets taught us this General conference. Now if you missed a session your lucky because we live in a time that you can watch it all over again at the touch of button. So I'd encourage you to do so because this conference rocked!
Also this past week we had our Transfer meeting which is when all those who are being transfered get moved and all those who are finishing their mission give their good byes. It was pretty crazy because i'm seeing all of my good friends out here on the mission are starting to go... and next thing you know in 3 transfers time it will be my turn to hit the death flight like they say out here in the field. Time just keeps on moving fast doesn't it.
But to be honest there is a lot to be done in this short time! Elder Moran and i have one more transfer to get some people in the water but as for right now everything is going really slow! So we're praying that this conference and a new transfer ahead of us is going to provide for a great 6 weeks and we can get things moving finally. Every one seemed to be an vacation for Spring break which really held us up on our investigators this week, But now Easter and spring break are behind us so i'm looking forward to some good work this week!
Also i would like to give a shout out to my new little nephew Mason who came into this world this past week and who i haven't been able to see or meet yet... man i love my family! They just keep on growing while I'm away on the Lords work, but that's o.k. I Love to hear how great you all are! Now I'm going to be able to see 2 little new ball players when i get back here in 4 months. Congrats Scott and Steph! Your definitely in my prayers out here!
So that's the short update from Puerto Rico for now, so until next week, keep your head up and stay strong while you keep on keepin on!
Love always,
Elder Lopez
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Transfers (email dated 03/30/2010)
So this week is transfer week and the news is that I'm staying here in Vega Baja and my companion Elder Moran is also! Yup, looks like the Lord is blessing us both with opportunity to continue working with the investigators that we have up until now. The past week went really well with finding a couple of new investigators that have some potential to progress here in these next couple of weeks. One is named Barbara who is actually living with some members right now. It was a pretty cool experience when we taught her the first lesson because when we taught it we were actually visiting the members to help them learn how to use Preach my Gospel in their study's. But as we found out who she was and that she's living there we took advantage of the situation and basically focused on teaching her the first lesson and inviting her to church on Sunday.So as we taught brother Adorno from preach my gospel we went over the first lesson the way preach my gospel has it all laid out for Barbara, and as we explained it all Barbara could tell that what we were sharing was true and at the end was touched by the spirit and said she'd come to church for sure. She even accepted a conditional baptism invitation but its still not to strong yet. She's only 18 and is going to have a baby here in like 6 months and needs to marry the son of the Adorno family which makes for a lot of challenges still... but one step at a time we'll take it and see what we can do this next transfer that's coming up. 18 year old teenagers still aren't the most mature of people and reliable when living with worldly friends, but with the help of the Lord all things are possible, and i have hope for Barbara. Also we came across Jeniffer who is another new investigator with some potential to go some where but wasn't able to make it to church because something happened with the family Sunday morning that she had to take care of. But we rescheduled and will be seeing her tonight at 6 if all goes according to plans. She's a really nice lady and liked the way she felt when we taught her the Restoration and invited us to come back so we can teach her more. She has 2 kids, one of 14 years and the other is like 4 years old. She lives in a cool area that's back in the woods sort of with a bunch of Iguanas running all over the place. My companion is always amazed when he see's them because he's never seen Iguanas before in his life. But here in Puerto Rico there all over the place and always dead on the road. But any how that's the description of Jennifer for now.
Thanks for always keeping me in your prayers and thoughts back home and i hope all are excited for general conference coming up this week! I know i am! I love being able to listen to our Prophet, Thomas S Monson, speak to us and counsel us in these hard times that we live in. I hope everyone is able to listen to these great men and woman speak Saturday and Sunday and apply their council your life. I know by doing so will bring much happiness and peace in your life! So until next time Much Love!
YOurs always,
Elder Lopez
Thanks for always keeping me in your prayers and thoughts back home and i hope all are excited for general conference coming up this week! I know i am! I love being able to listen to our Prophet, Thomas S Monson, speak to us and counsel us in these hard times that we live in. I hope everyone is able to listen to these great men and woman speak Saturday and Sunday and apply their council your life. I know by doing so will bring much happiness and peace in your life! So until next time Much Love!
YOurs always,
Elder Lopez
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Shout out from Puerto Rico (email dated 03/23/2010)
Hola,
So this past week was a week was a success i would have to say compared to the one before it. First off because i received an awesome little package with letters from all my brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, reading those letters made me way excited! I even teared up a little, not going to lie. It really got me going for the week and the rest just sort of fell into place. We found a new investigator who is pretty cool i{d have to say but only time will tell with people. He is about 25 years old and interested in religion and felt impressed to listen to us which all are good signs. The only down part is that he slept in for church, but next week well make sure to give him enough reminders so that he doesn't forget. He was born catholic like almost the whole world is, but right now goes to a evangelical church that he likes. But he really thought our message was really cool so he said he would like to know more which we are definitely willing to teach him. So will have to wait and see what this week has in store for him.
Freddy one of our investigators is still strengthening his testimony in the church but as for right now is not doing to much to get married our move out which is necessary for his baptism. The problems are the usual Puerto Rican problems of he doesn't want to get married with her because he feels like they argue to much and also if they get married they{ll take away her pension she gets from the government and also he cant move out because he doesn't have any income at this moment it time. So basicaly he needs to take a step into the dark and have faith that the Lord is going to help him out with rest. The one cool experience we did have with him was that he called us one night at like 10:45. I answered the phone half asleep and by the time i came too i realized what he was trying to tell me. He was asking about where could he find the Joseph smith history so that he could read it. So then i told him where it was located and he let me go to sleep again. The next day at our appointment he had read basically the whole thing and had strengthened his testimony a whole bunch on the restoration of the church through Joseph Smith. I now just praying that this helps him to have the courage to take an action but only time will tell.
As for Veronica she sort of had a lame week. She has felt really weak and has hardly been able to move and has not been really able to progress to much. On Sunday she went to the hospital instead of coming to church which really disapointed me but what can you do.. just wait till the next week i guess. So where praying that she get feeling better soon.
So that about wraps up the mission field news for now. Thanks again to the Whole Family for showing your love in your letters. they all really did touch my heart. I{m truelly grateful that the Lord has blessed us with a family so strongly nit together and that we are there for each other in every moment. Lets always keep that up and know that i love you all and your in my prayers!Much love,
Elder Lopez
So this past week was a week was a success i would have to say compared to the one before it. First off because i received an awesome little package with letters from all my brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, reading those letters made me way excited! I even teared up a little, not going to lie. It really got me going for the week and the rest just sort of fell into place. We found a new investigator who is pretty cool i{d have to say but only time will tell with people. He is about 25 years old and interested in religion and felt impressed to listen to us which all are good signs. The only down part is that he slept in for church, but next week well make sure to give him enough reminders so that he doesn't forget. He was born catholic like almost the whole world is, but right now goes to a evangelical church that he likes. But he really thought our message was really cool so he said he would like to know more which we are definitely willing to teach him. So will have to wait and see what this week has in store for him.
Freddy one of our investigators is still strengthening his testimony in the church but as for right now is not doing to much to get married our move out which is necessary for his baptism. The problems are the usual Puerto Rican problems of he doesn't want to get married with her because he feels like they argue to much and also if they get married they{ll take away her pension she gets from the government and also he cant move out because he doesn't have any income at this moment it time. So basicaly he needs to take a step into the dark and have faith that the Lord is going to help him out with rest. The one cool experience we did have with him was that he called us one night at like 10:45. I answered the phone half asleep and by the time i came too i realized what he was trying to tell me. He was asking about where could he find the Joseph smith history so that he could read it. So then i told him where it was located and he let me go to sleep again. The next day at our appointment he had read basically the whole thing and had strengthened his testimony a whole bunch on the restoration of the church through Joseph Smith. I now just praying that this helps him to have the courage to take an action but only time will tell.
As for Veronica she sort of had a lame week. She has felt really weak and has hardly been able to move and has not been really able to progress to much. On Sunday she went to the hospital instead of coming to church which really disapointed me but what can you do.. just wait till the next week i guess. So where praying that she get feeling better soon.
So that about wraps up the mission field news for now. Thanks again to the Whole Family for showing your love in your letters. they all really did touch my heart. I{m truelly grateful that the Lord has blessed us with a family so strongly nit together and that we are there for each other in every moment. Lets always keep that up and know that i love you all and your in my prayers!Much love,
Elder Lopez
Monday, March 15, 2010
Bright sun shiny day (email dated 03/15/2010)
So this week we had a good time working in the sun and talking with everyone! Yeah all the storms finaly cleared up and we were left to work in the hot sun of the Caribbean. But for some reason the people just werent in to listening to much this week. So we focused in on all the inactives that we have in this ward. Really with the amount of inactives that we have over here we should be having a lesson every 15min just to be able to cover them all but thats a little unrelistic... why? Well because they all live up in the mountains and half of their address are bad and theres no way to find them... but we were lucky enough to find help from some members in the ward who know a lot more about the members and where they live. I think that could be the focus of this transfer. reactivating the inactive members and looking for our investigators through them. So far its worked pretty well with one family which ive spoken of already which would be Armando and Veronica. Veronica had an up and down week because she started out good to come to church but then at the last minute didnt show up... So right after church we went over there with the relief society president and her husband to visit and see what happened. So as we started to talk we found out that Armando was going through some depression and didnt feel good and Veronica didnt want to come by her self. This past week they have been in some really bad finacial problems and have no income at the moment and really doent know where their going to get their next plate of food... My companion and i even pitched in on thursday to go and buy them some bread and some other things to eat for a couple of nights. So for that reason we brought over the Relief society president and she jumped right on that problem and wrote down a list of things that they need and went and bought them food to last a while today and we are going to deliver it tonight. How grateful i am to know that in the church of Jesus Christ we really do have people that help those that are in need! It also really helped Armando feel better and Veronica in strengthening her testimony and helping her feel better about her decision to be baptized. We had to move her Fecha back to April 10th but thats alright because she is on track, just has to make it to church.
As for Freddy we ran into a problem which is he decieded he doesnt want to marry Jenny so the last option would be for him to move out. Its realy an interesting situation that were going to have to find out more about this week... so once we know whats happening with that well be sure to let you know. So yeah thats about all i have for this week of work.
Enjoy March Madness these up coming weeks. Man its been a long time away from the sports world but its worth it being on the Lords work.
Love always
Elder Lopez
As for Freddy we ran into a problem which is he decieded he doesnt want to marry Jenny so the last option would be for him to move out. Its realy an interesting situation that were going to have to find out more about this week... so once we know whats happening with that well be sure to let you know. So yeah thats about all i have for this week of work.
Enjoy March Madness these up coming weeks. Man its been a long time away from the sports world but its worth it being on the Lords work.
Love always
Elder Lopez
Monday, March 8, 2010
Rain Rain Go Away (email dated 03/08/2010)
Buenas from Puerto Rico,
So this week was full of water like i haven't seen in very long time. There was nothing but constant rain this past week here in Vega Baja. It really sort of trough me off because down there in the islands of Curacao and Aruba i probably saw rain a total of 5 times but through out this week alone we topped that! Yeah, so you can just imagine us missionaries soking our little tails off with not to much to show for it because every one else is inside hiding from the rain. But we weathered the storm any way and made the best of what we could! This week we visited a total of 15 in active members which is by far the most i've ever done in my mission in one week! We went on a split with two members on saturday and just had them show us where all the members live to help us out with getting to know this area better also. We had some success to because a couple of the inactives came to church on sunday that we visited. \
Freddy like usual was in church because our stud of a mission leader went out of his way, like he does ever sunday, to go pick him up from Morovis. Were still trying to find another way for him to get to church but there really arent to many reliable members to go pick him up which is creating the problem. But i'm sure the Lord will prepare away to help Hno. Laureano and us find a new ride for Freddy to aleave his gas expenses from picking Freddy up every sunday. So we've really taught Freddy basicaly everything just are falting his marriage... so thats our focus this week and we're praying everything is still going alright with that because we talked to Freddy on sunday about it and they still haven't done anything to get it done. But we'll see what this week has to offer.
We found a new cool investigator this week though that said she's going to come to church this next week and already has read alot in the BOM! Yeah, it looks good so far but we'll find our for sure this week if she's for real. Her name is Esperanza which means Hope, so thats what we're hoping she brings to the table is "Hope".
Also Veronica we've sort of had to put on hold because she's always in the hospital with Armando which is making teaching hard. But we went and visited them twice there this past week and she said she's reading the chaptures that we've left her in the BOM which is good. Once he gets out of the hospital i think that they'll be good to go to church. So here in Vega Baja were keepin on keepin on and i hope its going great for you all back home also!
Much love ,
Elder Lopez
So this week was full of water like i haven't seen in very long time. There was nothing but constant rain this past week here in Vega Baja. It really sort of trough me off because down there in the islands of Curacao and Aruba i probably saw rain a total of 5 times but through out this week alone we topped that! Yeah, so you can just imagine us missionaries soking our little tails off with not to much to show for it because every one else is inside hiding from the rain. But we weathered the storm any way and made the best of what we could! This week we visited a total of 15 in active members which is by far the most i've ever done in my mission in one week! We went on a split with two members on saturday and just had them show us where all the members live to help us out with getting to know this area better also. We had some success to because a couple of the inactives came to church on sunday that we visited. \
Freddy like usual was in church because our stud of a mission leader went out of his way, like he does ever sunday, to go pick him up from Morovis. Were still trying to find another way for him to get to church but there really arent to many reliable members to go pick him up which is creating the problem. But i'm sure the Lord will prepare away to help Hno. Laureano and us find a new ride for Freddy to aleave his gas expenses from picking Freddy up every sunday. So we've really taught Freddy basicaly everything just are falting his marriage... so thats our focus this week and we're praying everything is still going alright with that because we talked to Freddy on sunday about it and they still haven't done anything to get it done. But we'll see what this week has to offer.
We found a new cool investigator this week though that said she's going to come to church this next week and already has read alot in the BOM! Yeah, it looks good so far but we'll find our for sure this week if she's for real. Her name is Esperanza which means Hope, so thats what we're hoping she brings to the table is "Hope".
Also Veronica we've sort of had to put on hold because she's always in the hospital with Armando which is making teaching hard. But we went and visited them twice there this past week and she said she's reading the chaptures that we've left her in the BOM which is good. Once he gets out of the hospital i think that they'll be good to go to church. So here in Vega Baja were keepin on keepin on and i hope its going great for you all back home also!
Much love ,
Elder Lopez
Monday, March 1, 2010
Another week in the life (email dated 03/01/2010)
So this week we could call a good week with Freddy making it to church again! Also some pretty good news is his response to getting married. We were over there this past monday visiting him and going over the Law of Chastity which prohibtes his life style at this moment in time. So we went in with a prayer that he'd be willing to change and get married or move out... and to our happy suprise he choose the first and decided to ask Jenny to marry him. But to ask her to marry him he decided not to wait until we left but did it right there and then... I was a little thrown off to be honest because i told him he could wait and do it on his own time but he decided that his own time was right then and there. So he went into the next room where Jenny was, (because she doesnt want to listen the the lessons as of yet) and asked her the question and when he came out he told us the answer was YES!!! So now during these next couple of weeks we'll be working on getting this couple married so that Freddy can hit the water.
So with Veronica, the wife of Armando, we had a little set back, but its nothing to really worry about to much. This week we missed on of our visits with her because i guess she fell and hurt her arm and had to go to the doctore to get it checked up on which prohibeted us from being able to pass by. Also on sunday they weren't able to come to church because Armando hurt his leg and couldn't walk... So basicaly they were all on the Disabled list this week and are preping for this upcoming week! Let hope and pray they dont go out and actualy brake something this week..
Also we came across a new investigator with some good potential named Luis Rodriguez. He seems to have a lot of knowledge with the bible and likes to listen to us and understands pretty well also. We took a member over there last time we visited him on saturday and it went very well but he didnt make it to church. We're not sure why yet but hopefuly it was for a good reason. He's still on the stage of reading the BOM and praying but if he does so i think he's a good canidate for baptism. So we'll keep our prayers up there.
As for Elder Moran and I, we're getting a long great! I'm helping him learn english with this new program that the mission came out with to help the Latinos learn english. Its pretty funny and i just go back to the good old MTC days when i was learing the basics of Spanish. Good times they were! Elder Moran also speaks another language which is called Poqomchi which they only speak where he's from. It really sounds like he's speaking chineese when he speaks it so thats what i tell him. He even looks sort of Chineese... Anyhow when ever he speaks his language i just respond to him in Papiamentu so he cant understand either... its a pretty fun conversation when you hear the two of us just going off in these weird dialects that make sense to us some how.
So yeah that about wraps up this weeks experiences. until next time keep on keepin on!
Elder Lopez
So with Veronica, the wife of Armando, we had a little set back, but its nothing to really worry about to much. This week we missed on of our visits with her because i guess she fell and hurt her arm and had to go to the doctore to get it checked up on which prohibeted us from being able to pass by. Also on sunday they weren't able to come to church because Armando hurt his leg and couldn't walk... So basicaly they were all on the Disabled list this week and are preping for this upcoming week! Let hope and pray they dont go out and actualy brake something this week..
Also we came across a new investigator with some good potential named Luis Rodriguez. He seems to have a lot of knowledge with the bible and likes to listen to us and understands pretty well also. We took a member over there last time we visited him on saturday and it went very well but he didnt make it to church. We're not sure why yet but hopefuly it was for a good reason. He's still on the stage of reading the BOM and praying but if he does so i think he's a good canidate for baptism. So we'll keep our prayers up there.
As for Elder Moran and I, we're getting a long great! I'm helping him learn english with this new program that the mission came out with to help the Latinos learn english. Its pretty funny and i just go back to the good old MTC days when i was learing the basics of Spanish. Good times they were! Elder Moran also speaks another language which is called Poqomchi which they only speak where he's from. It really sounds like he's speaking chineese when he speaks it so thats what i tell him. He even looks sort of Chineese... Anyhow when ever he speaks his language i just respond to him in Papiamentu so he cant understand either... its a pretty fun conversation when you hear the two of us just going off in these weird dialects that make sense to us some how.
So yeah that about wraps up this weeks experiences. until next time keep on keepin on!
Elder Lopez
Monday, February 22, 2010
Bienvenida al Puerto Rico (email dated 2/22/2010)
So Elder Lopez has made it back to the main island and is very excited to get to work! Our flight got in last Wednesday and we went to the mission home first and then from there it was off to my new area with my new companion Elder Moran from Guatamla! Yeah, he's about 5'7 i'd say and probable doesnt weigh more then 150 lbs but has the heart of a giant. These Elders that come from Guatamala are awesome and i'm glade that we're companions. He's still really young in the mission, actually this will be his second transfer in the field making him really new which is great because he's ready to work hard with me here in Vega Baja. Our area is probably one of the biggest in the mission, if not the biggest because we cover a lot of pueblos, not just Vega Baja. the nice part about that is that we have a car and its new one too...yup we're rolling in a 2009 toyota corolla. I'm feeling pretty blessed to say the least. We got up early today just so that we could wash her.
Anyway as for the work here in the area we got a lot of area to cover and some good investigators that are going to progress towards baptism i believe. We have this one guy named Freddy who i think has ADHD but loves the gospel and the BOM and to come to church. He lives way out in the mountains which takes us about 40 min. to get to for our lessons. I guess he was a reference that they had recieved from to office or something. His baptismal date was for this next week end but were going to have to see if we can move it today because he's living with his girl friend and their not married yet. So that is going to put a delay on the work a little, but i'm sure he'll be willing to repent and get married with her. I'll have to write you next week and tell you what happens tonight. He loves coming to church and has read almost up to Alma in the BOM which shows a lot of progress! If he keeps on progressing like he is right now i'm positive he'll be hitting the water of baptism.
Also yesterday we were at church and received a referece of an inactive member to go visit in our area. So we went over there yesterday and found to our happy suprise that the member lives with his wife there and she's not baptized and right now she feels more prepared to be baptized and he wants to come back to church. The whole situation was just really cool. We went over there with our Mission leader of our ward and sat down and taught the 1st lesson with them. As we were teaching we found out that Armando was baptized a while back but went inactive and started to get caught up in the world until last week he had a complete 180 happen in him. He decieded to go to church and from there we got his info from a member. Also his wife has previously heard the lessons from the missionary's but never felt ready to be baptized but as we taught yesterday she told us that now she feels like she's ready to take the step of baptism! So we threw out the goal for her baptismal date this 27th of march thats coming up! Elder Moran and i felt really blessed to have been put in their path to be able to teach them and find a child of God ready to follow His path. All of this and the fact that our appartment is basicaly on the beach made our week here in Puerto Rico a great first week to start the transfer off with!
Well that's the great news from the mission field and i hope all are doing well back home!
Much Love,
Elder Lopez
Anyway as for the work here in the area we got a lot of area to cover and some good investigators that are going to progress towards baptism i believe. We have this one guy named Freddy who i think has ADHD but loves the gospel and the BOM and to come to church. He lives way out in the mountains which takes us about 40 min. to get to for our lessons. I guess he was a reference that they had recieved from to office or something. His baptismal date was for this next week end but were going to have to see if we can move it today because he's living with his girl friend and their not married yet. So that is going to put a delay on the work a little, but i'm sure he'll be willing to repent and get married with her. I'll have to write you next week and tell you what happens tonight. He loves coming to church and has read almost up to Alma in the BOM which shows a lot of progress! If he keeps on progressing like he is right now i'm positive he'll be hitting the water of baptism.
Also yesterday we were at church and received a referece of an inactive member to go visit in our area. So we went over there yesterday and found to our happy suprise that the member lives with his wife there and she's not baptized and right now she feels more prepared to be baptized and he wants to come back to church. The whole situation was just really cool. We went over there with our Mission leader of our ward and sat down and taught the 1st lesson with them. As we were teaching we found out that Armando was baptized a while back but went inactive and started to get caught up in the world until last week he had a complete 180 happen in him. He decieded to go to church and from there we got his info from a member. Also his wife has previously heard the lessons from the missionary's but never felt ready to be baptized but as we taught yesterday she told us that now she feels like she's ready to take the step of baptism! So we threw out the goal for her baptismal date this 27th of march thats coming up! Elder Moran and i felt really blessed to have been put in their path to be able to teach them and find a child of God ready to follow His path. All of this and the fact that our appartment is basicaly on the beach made our week here in Puerto Rico a great first week to start the transfer off with!
Well that's the great news from the mission field and i hope all are doing well back home!
Much Love,
Elder Lopez
Monday, February 8, 2010
New email system (email dated Feb. 8th, 2010)
Greetings from the Island of Curacao,
So looks like the Mission is starting to upgrade on these email accounts and change their system which changed my email addrss to bret.lopez@myldsmail.net. So it would probably be good to start sending your emails to this account. In the information it says that all the emails that are sent to the other address will automaticaly be sent to the new account so that you dont have to worry to much. But if Lachelle could put that up on the blog that would be cool. Thanks!
In other news from the island of Curacao we saw a great dolphin show last p-day at the sea aquarium. Yeah, dolphins are pretty much an amazing animal i decided after waching them do all of the their jumps and flips out of the water. It took me back to those good old days when Mom and Dad took us to Sea World and we watched the shows there. But this time i didn't sit in the splash section and i realized how amazing the dolphins really are.
Also this week we had a great week of hard work. Pretty much during the week you can count on us getting some good sun rays and a leg work out on those bikes of ours. But at the end of the week its all worth it because you can look back and see the difference you made in the world. What we had to look back at this week was a new member, Marlone who we baptized last week, receive the Priesthood during Elders Quorom on sunday! Yeah i was way happy to see him already getting right before i have to leave with tranfers next week. Its been such a good time watching him progess so much in the Gospel. I think i sort of know now how parents must feel to see their kids accomplish things in their life, its an awesome feeling to say the least. Man do i love this work! Also on sunday night we had a great lesson with our new golden investigator named Duan. He's 21 years old and lives with his family who's from Colombia. He came to church yesterday also which makes him progressing a bunch also. He was a little nervous at first but that is expected for your first visit, but as church went on he got a lot more confidence and started to participate and everything. When we went over that night we were able to feel the spirit tell us he was ready for a baptismal date and we set one with him for the 27th of February! And Yes he did accept it with smile on his face and a lot of desire to make it happen. He's going to be great example for his family in the changes that he's going to start making to make his baptism happen also which we're happy for because they also should be baptised here down the line but they have a little stumbling block in their way. Their little daughter who is 11 is preparing to go through the first communion in the catholic church which is every sunday morning right during church which keeps them from coming to church with us. But their more then happy to bring Duan and drop him off at church with us before they go to their catholic church which is good. Yeah you could say they still dont understand the whole authority of priesthood deal but they will here soon, so some prayers to help them except it would be awesome! Duan understands the authority fairly well but we're still going to have to make it more clear for him but that will come with time. Their doing great though for only having visited them twice... We have a lot of high hopes for them! Unfortunately i'll be leaving next week so i wont be able to see him be baptized, but thats not to important as long as he's baptized on the 27th of February!
So that about wraps up this week from the news here in curacao!
Thank you all for your Love, support, and prayers!
Love always,
Elder Lopez
So looks like the Mission is starting to upgrade on these email accounts and change their system which changed my email addrss to bret.lopez@myldsmail.net. So it would probably be good to start sending your emails to this account. In the information it says that all the emails that are sent to the other address will automaticaly be sent to the new account so that you dont have to worry to much. But if Lachelle could put that up on the blog that would be cool. Thanks!
In other news from the island of Curacao we saw a great dolphin show last p-day at the sea aquarium. Yeah, dolphins are pretty much an amazing animal i decided after waching them do all of the their jumps and flips out of the water. It took me back to those good old days when Mom and Dad took us to Sea World and we watched the shows there. But this time i didn't sit in the splash section and i realized how amazing the dolphins really are.
Also this week we had a great week of hard work. Pretty much during the week you can count on us getting some good sun rays and a leg work out on those bikes of ours. But at the end of the week its all worth it because you can look back and see the difference you made in the world. What we had to look back at this week was a new member, Marlone who we baptized last week, receive the Priesthood during Elders Quorom on sunday! Yeah i was way happy to see him already getting right before i have to leave with tranfers next week. Its been such a good time watching him progess so much in the Gospel. I think i sort of know now how parents must feel to see their kids accomplish things in their life, its an awesome feeling to say the least. Man do i love this work! Also on sunday night we had a great lesson with our new golden investigator named Duan. He's 21 years old and lives with his family who's from Colombia. He came to church yesterday also which makes him progressing a bunch also. He was a little nervous at first but that is expected for your first visit, but as church went on he got a lot more confidence and started to participate and everything. When we went over that night we were able to feel the spirit tell us he was ready for a baptismal date and we set one with him for the 27th of February! And Yes he did accept it with smile on his face and a lot of desire to make it happen. He's going to be great example for his family in the changes that he's going to start making to make his baptism happen also which we're happy for because they also should be baptised here down the line but they have a little stumbling block in their way. Their little daughter who is 11 is preparing to go through the first communion in the catholic church which is every sunday morning right during church which keeps them from coming to church with us. But their more then happy to bring Duan and drop him off at church with us before they go to their catholic church which is good. Yeah you could say they still dont understand the whole authority of priesthood deal but they will here soon, so some prayers to help them except it would be awesome! Duan understands the authority fairly well but we're still going to have to make it more clear for him but that will come with time. Their doing great though for only having visited them twice... We have a lot of high hopes for them! Unfortunately i'll be leaving next week so i wont be able to see him be baptized, but thats not to important as long as he's baptized on the 27th of February!
So that about wraps up this week from the news here in curacao!
Thank you all for your Love, support, and prayers!
Love always,
Elder Lopez
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Baptism (email dated 2/1/2010)
Well i'm very happy to report back home that down here on the island of Curacao we saw the waters of baptism be filled and used! Yes, Marlone was baptized on the 30th of january and he even asked if i would do it and i was more than happy to do so. He really is a good guy and is going to progress a lot i believe and turn into a very strong member down here for Curacao and it was humbling to be able to preform the ordiance for him. I really cant believe how fast this month just flew by with all of our teaching to Marlone and others.
As i look back at our time from when we meet Marlone and up to his baptism it took a total of 35 days for him to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-saints. By far the fastes i've ever seen on my mission. He's really just a sharp guy and ready to learn. Its amazing to see what the Lord can do to change the life of a person by the power of the Holy Ghost! Mission experiences like this one are what make the Mission unforgetable and testimony builders that just cant be replaced by anything else in this world.
Also to add to the success of the week we found a really cool family of 4, all with the potential of baptism some day. They really were open to hear the message of the restoration of the gospel and liked it a lot. They said it brought a lot of peace to their family and are for sure open to hear and learn more. But we'll find out this week how reliable and responsible they are from what they do with the Book of Mormon and assignment we left with them in 3 Nephi 11. Its always a key indicater of peoples real desires from if they read the Book of Mormon or not. So we'll keep you up dated on what happens with them next week...
Well those are the highlights from this week!
Thanks so much for the love and support that you all give to me through all of your prayers. They really do have an effect on the work out hear in the field. They truely do give me energy to keep on going forward with the Lords will!
Well much Love,
Elder Lopez
As i look back at our time from when we meet Marlone and up to his baptism it took a total of 35 days for him to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-saints. By far the fastes i've ever seen on my mission. He's really just a sharp guy and ready to learn. Its amazing to see what the Lord can do to change the life of a person by the power of the Holy Ghost! Mission experiences like this one are what make the Mission unforgetable and testimony builders that just cant be replaced by anything else in this world.
Also to add to the success of the week we found a really cool family of 4, all with the potential of baptism some day. They really were open to hear the message of the restoration of the gospel and liked it a lot. They said it brought a lot of peace to their family and are for sure open to hear and learn more. But we'll find out this week how reliable and responsible they are from what they do with the Book of Mormon and assignment we left with them in 3 Nephi 11. Its always a key indicater of peoples real desires from if they read the Book of Mormon or not. So we'll keep you up dated on what happens with them next week...
Well those are the highlights from this week!
Thanks so much for the love and support that you all give to me through all of your prayers. They really do have an effect on the work out hear in the field. They truely do give me energy to keep on going forward with the Lords will!
Well much Love,
Elder Lopez
Monday, January 25, 2010
Hey! (email dated 1/25/2010)
Well another week has flown by and as far as our fecha goes for the 30th everything is going good! We plan for Marlones interview to this thursday to make sure he's ready for the 30th. So keep your prayers up that everything goes according to plan. I was really amazed at how he really didnt have any problems with the law of chastity or the word of wisdom like the rest of the world does almost. He smoked a cigarrett every now and again when he would get stressed, but thats it. He said he's willing to give that up now though and look for a differet way like reading his BOM! I really think its so awesome that he's just been progressing so fast and we just found him off the street in a randome contact. Its amazing to watch the gospel and spirit do its work on those that are really prepared to hear the gospel.
In other news we found a lady who has a lot of interest now after listening to the first lesson we gave to here. She was really worried about her previese baptism in some cristian church because she understands really well that to preform a baptism you must have the authority of God to do so. Finding that out and learning about the BOM has really got her on a fishing line i believe. Its people that find interest like her and act on it that progress a lot and have the spirit touch their heart. We'll find out with time what happens, i'll be sure to keep you updated if anything happens with her.
Any how other than that the work is just moving forward and the sun is shinning bright and beating on us hard this winter. Winter here in the Caribbean is really enjoyable!
Much Love,
Elder Lopez
In other news we found a lady who has a lot of interest now after listening to the first lesson we gave to here. She was really worried about her previese baptism in some cristian church because she understands really well that to preform a baptism you must have the authority of God to do so. Finding that out and learning about the BOM has really got her on a fishing line i believe. Its people that find interest like her and act on it that progress a lot and have the spirit touch their heart. We'll find out with time what happens, i'll be sure to keep you updated if anything happens with her.
Any how other than that the work is just moving forward and the sun is shinning bright and beating on us hard this winter. Winter here in the Caribbean is really enjoyable!
Much Love,
Elder Lopez
Monday, January 18, 2010
Elder Lopez from Curacao
So this week was a good spiritual week with zone conference, which means president was in town. It went really good as we studyed some of Elder Bednar's talks. The pretty cool news with that is that Elder Bednar is coming to our mission to speak with us... but then there's a catch to it, he's going to Puerto Rico and not down here to the islands... So yeah, Elder Bednar will come to our mission but i probably wont get to meet him unfortunately. But what can you do about it is the question, nothing just take it for what it is at keep on moving forward.
In other news our man of Gold so far Marlone keeps on progressing! He was in church this sunday and i think his experience was a little better this time around. He's still on for the 30th of January but we'll see if that changes at all as we teach him the word of wisdom and chastity and tithing this week. 3 big commandments for the world now a day sadly. But i have a lot of faith in our man Marlone! Its awesome every time we go over there he's so willing to learn and reads every thing we give to him at least 2 times. As we taught him the Sabbath day last week he was really interested in how by going to church every week keeps us clean so that we can return to our Heavenly Father Clean from sin. We showed him 3 nephi 27:19-20 which talks about no unclean thing can enter into the kingdome of god and he really took it to his heart i believe. Especially becuase he asked us the question what happens if i dont go to church one week and i miss the cleaning by the sacrament and then i die the next week.... as heard his sincere question i thought to myself this guy is truely becoming converted because he wants to know everthing he must do to return to our loveing father in heaven!
sorry i have to end this early but if i dont send it now i'll run out of time!
i love you all hope your week is great!
Love elder lopez
In other news our man of Gold so far Marlone keeps on progressing! He was in church this sunday and i think his experience was a little better this time around. He's still on for the 30th of January but we'll see if that changes at all as we teach him the word of wisdom and chastity and tithing this week. 3 big commandments for the world now a day sadly. But i have a lot of faith in our man Marlone! Its awesome every time we go over there he's so willing to learn and reads every thing we give to him at least 2 times. As we taught him the Sabbath day last week he was really interested in how by going to church every week keeps us clean so that we can return to our Heavenly Father Clean from sin. We showed him 3 nephi 27:19-20 which talks about no unclean thing can enter into the kingdome of god and he really took it to his heart i believe. Especially becuase he asked us the question what happens if i dont go to church one week and i miss the cleaning by the sacrament and then i die the next week.... as heard his sincere question i thought to myself this guy is truely becoming converted because he wants to know everthing he must do to return to our loveing father in heaven!
sorry i have to end this early but if i dont send it now i'll run out of time!
i love you all hope your week is great!
Love elder lopez
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
BON DIA NA TUR (email dated 1/11/2010)
Wow, another transfer in the books and a new one just starting up! Its sarting off really good right now also with a lot of potential. All the hard work last transfer is starting to pay off right now. We have a baptismal date for the 30th of january with Marlone but he still has a little way to go. I really feel he needs to understand the importance of prayer in his conversion and his decision he's going to make better. So this next week we're going to have to see what we can do to help him out with that. He's reading everything we give to him which is awesome, but he did miss out on church this week. We past by his house afterward to see what happened and his nephew came out and told us he was feeling sick and to call him today... thats not always the best sign when that happens, but we'll give him the benifit of the doubt for now until we see him againg tomorrow. I feel he's a little nervous right now but i think if he can get to church next week it will smooth everything out. So were going to keep Malone in our prayers!
Also last week we came across a really cool Dominican lady named Glen and her daughter Isglainy who's 9 years old. Their great and love us coming over to teach them about the restoration. Glen is even understanding pretty well all we've taught her in only 2 visits. She even said she'd be bapized if she feels in her heart what we teach is true; and we all know its true its just up to her to ask our Heavenly Father. I have a lot of hope for her though. The obstacle for her though is going to be getting her to church... But we'll figure something out.
So things here on the island of Curacao are starting to look pretty good! We just got to keep on doing our part and the Lord for sure will do his part.
Oh yeah and by the way having a Puerto Rican companion is pretty fun because i'm starting to pick my spanish back up after not having used it for so long. It will come back fast though. It was pretty cool yesterday we taught a lesson in Papiamentu and then English and then Spanish to top the day off. I never thought in my life i'd be going in and out of 3 different languages. The Lord really prepares us for our callings if we do our part.
Man the mission is AWESOME!
sorry time is running out so i'm going to have to end this weeks email.
Love you,
Elder Lopez
Also last week we came across a really cool Dominican lady named Glen and her daughter Isglainy who's 9 years old. Their great and love us coming over to teach them about the restoration. Glen is even understanding pretty well all we've taught her in only 2 visits. She even said she'd be bapized if she feels in her heart what we teach is true; and we all know its true its just up to her to ask our Heavenly Father. I have a lot of hope for her though. The obstacle for her though is going to be getting her to church... But we'll figure something out.
So things here on the island of Curacao are starting to look pretty good! We just got to keep on doing our part and the Lord for sure will do his part.
Oh yeah and by the way having a Puerto Rican companion is pretty fun because i'm starting to pick my spanish back up after not having used it for so long. It will come back fast though. It was pretty cool yesterday we taught a lesson in Papiamentu and then English and then Spanish to top the day off. I never thought in my life i'd be going in and out of 3 different languages. The Lord really prepares us for our callings if we do our part.
Man the mission is AWESOME!
sorry time is running out so i'm going to have to end this weeks email.
Love you,
Elder Lopez
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