tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44342978530164318472024-03-13T13:29:11.063-07:00Hermana EliasonKiley Eliason is serving an 18 month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Aguascalientes, Mexico.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-50509231002960581792015-08-24T11:19:00.001-07:002015-08-24T11:19:11.905-07:00Finishing Strong!!Our Preparation Day was relaxing. We followed the normal routine and for lunch and ate paninis. (It was the first time time Hermana Cuque had eaten a panini and she loved it). That evening we watched the video Together Forever with Fatima and Sofia, and ate popcorn. They both really liked the stories in the video and Fatima told us that she bought a notebook where she writes down her thoughts while reading the Book of Mormon. It helps so much to take notes and write down what comes to our minds as we study.<br />
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Tuesday we taught Antonio who bought us gorditas for a late breakfast. He is a very kind man who tries to follow Jesus Christ and likes to learn about his teachings.<br />
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We also visited a recent convert named Angel who had some confusion about the Book of Mormon. He thought that since several chapters of Isaiah are cited in 2nd Nephi, that basically the Book of Mormon is another version of the Bible. So we dedicated a good 30 minutes explaining clearly what the Book of Mormon actually is. It was a very powerful lesson and I could feel the Spirit testifying so strongly that what we were saying was true.<br />
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Wednesday we ate lunch in Morelos with Cristina and Jose. They are related to Hermana Enriquez. They had offered to feed us despite their very humble resources. I love their family and am going to miss visiting them. Morelos is such a cute town and it was so great to be able to go every week there :) In the evening I said good-bye to the very sweet Hermana Guille. She is like the grandma of all the missionaries and treats everyone with so much love. She took off her oxygen tubes to take a picture with me and I assured her that my companion and the new missionary would continue visiting often. It’s sad to say good-bye to the people I’ve come to admire and care for.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hermana Enriquez and her twin daughters.<br /></td></tr>
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On Thursday Hermana Cuque woke up sick. She hadn’t been able to sleep the night before and said she really didn’t feel well. While she rested for a bit, I was able to do a little packing. Then in the evening we taught Antonio the last lesson and went over his baptism interview questions. He was excited about his upcoming baptism on Saturday. We also visited an investigator named Veronica and her daughter Gemma when we arrived they surprised me with a very thoughtful present. Veronica had knitted a doll version of myself<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> (she knits professionally and has her own little shop where we teach her). It was so kind and it had taken her all week- and her daughter Gemma had drawn a picture of me holding a Book of Mormon. It was so special to me and it is just another reminder to me of how blessed I’ve been to come to know so many incredible people.<br />
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Friday was my last zone conference. I loved the topics of discussion (especially when they brought up the importance of setting goals). I am going to miss reuniting with so many other Sisters and Elders to talk about how we can help others come unto Christ. I’ve learned so much from each missionary during my time here. After the zone conference we took pictures and I said good-bye to my fellow missionary friends.<br />
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We taught Cruz Torres in the afternoon - I’m going to miss teaching him. He’s been progressing so much and I know he’ll be baptized one day. Then we visited Eriberto, who is in the middle of Alma (in the Book of Mormon). The people here never cease to amaze me<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I love them and am going to miss Mexico so much.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Hermana Cuque, Antonio and I are standing in front of the font on his baptism day<br /></td></tr>
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Saturday was Antonio’s special day<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> He was finally baptized<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Everything went really smoothly and he was so happy afterwards. When I asked him how he felt, he replied <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>“I feel changed. I feel different.”</i></span> He was smiling and I could feel the Spirit really strongly. Then in the church we taught Alejandro (who has given up his coffee<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>) It’s hard to leave an area when those you are teaching are progressing.<br />
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Sunday was a beautiful day. Antonio was confirmed in the sacrament meeting and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Alejandro came to church and so did Cruz Torres<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">! </span> Cruz really liked all three hours and gave me a bracelet (since he makes and sells jewelry). Eriberto came to church with a white shirt and a tie<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Eriberto in his white shirt & tie!</td></tr>
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He gave me a Batman shirt and a thank you card for teaching him the gospel. All the members said good-bye to me and wished me luck on my journey home. After lunch, we went back to the house to gather up my things and head to Aguascalientes. Hermana Cuque came with me because she is going to be training a new missionary<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It was nice not to travel alone <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> I am going to miss Hermana Cuque and all the other sister missionaries I came to know and love. I have been extremely blessed during these past 18 months here in Mexico and will never forget all that I’ve learned. I know this is the true church and that our Heavenly Father loves us. There aren’t enough words to describe the joy I’ve felt and the gratitude I feel towards serving a full-time mission. And although I won’t be wearing my name badge 24/7, I will always be a missionary.<br />
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I want to thank all of my dear family members and friends who have been such a big support to me during this year and a half. I love you all and am so thankful for your prayers, words of encouragement, and help. I am so excited to see each of you very soon in person<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Get ready for a lot of hugs <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Love always,<br />
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Hermana Eliason<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-66779289275318427532015-06-01T21:35:00.000-07:002015-06-01T21:35:22.023-07:00FRESNILLO For More Learning<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">[Kiley will be giving her homecoming talk,</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday, June 14th at 9:00am</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3354 Eucalyptus Ave</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chino Hills, CA</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*Note: there are two buildings in the same parking lot. She will be speaking in the Stake Center; the larger of the two buildings and the one furthest from the corner. Everyone is invited to attend.]</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Me and Hermana Cuque</td></tr>
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On P-day, Hermana Cuque and I went to the big white tents set up in the Vincentinario. It was really similar to the Artisan Fair we had visited in San Luis, and we even recognized some sellers who we had contacted<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It was so cool to see artsy things from all over Mexico (and even Peru<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>). We bought a few things and just enjoyed walking around. Afterwards we ate WAFFLES for lunch<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> So yummy.<br />
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In the evening, we taught Sofia and Fatima bout the <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/holy-ghost?lang=eng&query=holy+ghost" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Holy Ghost</span></b></a> and how we can receive answers to our prayers through promptings and impressions. They are super great, and I love visiting their little brick house. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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On Tuesday we had our last district meeting of this transfer - my <u>LAST</u> district meeting. When we finished, we sang the hymn "Till We Meet" in English, Spanish, and Portuguese<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We had a good productive day - teaching new investigators and recent converts.<br />
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Wednesday morning we taught the Sanchez family. Hermana Sanchez just needs to receive "an answer" or confirmation that this is true in order to be baptized (Her husband told us he already knows & he wants to be baptized.) Then in the evening we taught Cristina in Morelos. She really liked the lesson about <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/creation?lang=eng&query=the+creation" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">the Creation</span></b></a> and <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/fall-of-adam?lang=eng&query=The+Fall" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">the Fall of Adam and Eve</span></b></a>, because she had just started reading the Old Testament. Many people know the Bible story of Adam and Eve, but don't understand why it was necessary or that it was part of God's plan. (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2.22,23,24,25?lang=eng#21" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">2 Nephi 2:22-25</span></b></a>)<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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Thursday morning we taught Leopoldo<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Turns out, he's not going to get surgery and is taking medicine for the knee pain. He was walking by the park with his cane, when he saw us and exclaimed, "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Hermanas! Where have you two been? I've been waiting to find you and tell you that I'm not going to close my shop and I want you to continue teaching me.</i></span>" So when we visited him, he told us that during the weeks we hadn't passed by his shop (thinking it was closed and he was at his house or the hospital) he had re-read the entire Book of Mormon<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> He was so happy to see us again and share with us all that he had learned. It was so incredible. I am so glad he will continue listening to the missionaries even after I leave. He even asked me, <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"Hermana Eliason, how will I send you the picture of my baptism?"</i></span> I then had to explain what an email was <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> The rest of the day went really well too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am knocking on the door of an apartment that was on the second story <br />(and had super sketchy metal stairs that felt pretty loose to me!)</td></tr>
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Hermana Cuque and I woke up at 4am on Friday to get ready and be at the church in Mineros at 5am. This time our whole zone traveled to Fresnillo (my first area) for a conference with Elder Arnold and his wife. Elder Arnold is a member of the <a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leaders?lang=eng" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Quorum of the Seventy</span></b></a> and taught us and the zone of Fresnillo for almost 5 hours<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> What a powerful and spiritual experience it was for all of us. We discussed a wide variety of topics and he really inspired us to work harder and be better missionaries. It made me think of the quote of <a href="http://www.gordonbhinckley.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">President Hinckley</span></b></a>, <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"Try a little harder to be a little better."</i></span> I want to always improve and change so that I can become who my Heavenly Father wants me to be. We all have so much potential and "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." <b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/18.10?lang=eng#9" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">D&C 18:10</span></a> </span></b><br />
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That evening we taught Cruz Torres, who fed us and said he wants to be baptized, but worries about making mistakes afterwards. So we explained repentance and that <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/baptism?lang=eng&query=baptism" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">baptism</span></b></a> is something necessary for our salvation. Hopefully he will be baptized sometime in July.<br />
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Saturday was really fun because in the evening, after lunch, we went on splits with the missionaries from Jerez (Hermana Gutierrez and Hermana McArthur). They were staying with the Sister Training Leaders for the weekend; because Saturday & Sunday was Stake Conference and Jerez is pretty far away.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We ate at a really yummy restaurant and I got<br />a baguette!! With a strawberry smoothie!<br /></td></tr>
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I spent the afternoon with Hermana Gutierrez and she is just a doll<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> She's the only child and her parents and she converted to the gospel when she was 12 years old. Hermana Gutierrez only has 4 months in the mission and lots of energy. We worked really well together and became friends super quickly. At the end of the day she asked me, <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"Why do you have to go home now, Hermana Eliason? I would have loved to have been your companion." </i></span> It was so sweet and I am glad for the opportunity I had to get to know her. We were able to teach several great lessons and then listen to the Saturday night conference from 7pm - 9pm.<br />
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On Sunday the Stake Conference continued and I loved when Elder Johnson spoke about the importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy. He said, <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"Sunday isn't just 3 hours."</i></span> We should stay in our church clothes all day and do activities that invite the Spirit. I learned a lot from the different talks, and we officially planned Antonio's baptism for next Saturday<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> After the conference, we visited a lot of investigators and had a great evening.<br />
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All in all, another fantastic week<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I love this area in Zacatecas and Hermana Cuque and I are working hard to help the wonderful people here. I hope everyone is doing well and Happy June. I'm excited for summer to start and see all of you soon<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Love you<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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~Hermana Eliason<br />
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[more pictures]<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd Story knocking!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Hermana Cuque and I being silly ;) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We both wore our denim shirts today for fun</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-62275789748675516092015-05-25T20:54:00.001-07:002015-05-25T20:54:51.198-07:00David A. Bednar Visits!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">So, P-day was a lot of fun because we went to the mine. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">The mine was a big source of gold and silver and other minerals here (called the Mine of Eden). </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">It was fun to learn and explore the mine. (We were in the 4th of the 7 levels.) </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Afterwards, we ate the famous Gigantic Hamburgers - and I couldn't finish because it was seriously a MONSTER! </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Then in the evening we taught the Sanchez family about the importance of prophets and having the same organization of the church as in the times of Christ with a prophet and 12 apostles. They are really great and receptive. Then we talked with Alejandro about obedience. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"If ye love me, keep my commandments." [John 14:15]</i></span> It's actually super simple - if we truly love God, we will do whatever it takes to obey Him.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating at the famous Gigantic Hamburgers</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;"></span><span style="text-align: center;">Tuesday, Hermana Cuque and I woke up at 4:00am to arrive at the church in Mineros at 5:00am and then take a bus with our whole zone of Zacatecas (and also the zone of Fresnillo) to San Luis Potosi. We arrived around 8:30am and for the first and <u>only</u> time in the mission, ALL the missionaries were gathered together to hear <b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/church/leader/david-a-bednar?lang=eng" target="_blank">David A. Bednar</a> </span></b>speak to us<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">!</span><span style="text-align: center;"> We were about 200 in number and took a group photo with the Apostle Bednar before he spoke with us. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">It was an incredible afternoon and the Spirit could be felt so strongly. The meeting (that lasted about 3 hours) was similar to a question-answer discussion. We had the opportunity to participate and Elder David A. Bednar has a gift of connecting with the youth. We all were edified and uplifted by this once in a life-time experience that I will never forget. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">After the meeting, we had a few minutes before our busses left to take pictures. I got to see and hug all of my former companions that are still in the mission, for the last time. It was a bitter-sweet moment to see EVERYONE - all the sister missionaries and all the Elders I've ever associated with. An excellent day for me. </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">We arrived back in Zacatecas in time to visit Sofia, Fatima dn Corina and then Hermana Perrata. The lessons were very special because we tried teaching in a better manner and could definitely feel the difference. Elder Bednar shared with us the importance of asking inspired questions during lessons and not just talking on and on until our throat dries up. When we are constantly talking, we aren't letting the Spirit to its job in "bringing the message unto the hearts" of others.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNUJ6aX-CBY/VWPlh1DsmyI/AAAAAAAACHU/8NPV1Cu_eO8/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNUJ6aX-CBY/VWPlh1DsmyI/AAAAAAAACHU/8NPV1Cu_eO8/s640/IMG_0416.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am with ALL my companions that are still here in the mission!!! (Hna. Rivera, me, Perez, Flores, and Cuque)</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">On Wednesday, we taught Antonio and his sisters - who at first ignored us - have come to love us and fed us brunch. When someone is consistently kind and friendly, it is hard to have enemies (something I've learned here). Then in the evening we went to Morelos. I know I say this every time, but I just love that little horse town<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> The people, in general, are very humble and hospitable. We taught Cristina and Jose about our pre-earth life (or where we came from). They were super attentive and interested in this subject that they had never heard about before. I personally love teaching about the <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/plan-of-salvation?lang=eng&query=where+did+we+come+from" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Plan of Salvation</span></b></a> because I can see the faces of others light up with joy, hope and understanding.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Thursday was overcast and cloudy, which allowed my skin to take a break from being sunburned. After a delicious lunch with the Santoyo family, we taught a new investigator named Erica and her two teenage sons. Erica is a lawyer and her sons, Adolfo (15) and Eric (14) compete in martial arts<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It was Erica's birthday the day before and they invited us to join them in a bowl of the left-over pozole<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Then we had a fantastic first lesson with them. In our last lesson of the day with Alejandro we explained the <b><a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/word-of-wisdom?lang=eng&query=word+of+wisdom" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Word of Wisdom</span></a></b>. He took it all well, except for his coffee ... but we'll be working on that. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Mine of Eden</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Friday flew by way too fast<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We taught the Sanchez family (and thanks to Hermano Sanchez' birthday, the day before ... we were invited to another bowl of left-over pozole<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>) Hermano Sanchez knows the Church is true and would be baptized, but he's not legally married to his wife. And Hermana Sanchez still hasn't asked for herself in prayer if what we've taught is true, so doesn't want to get married until she's certain.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Cruz Torres amazed us again with the amount he had studied and read and researched at <a href="http://lds.org/"><b><span style="color: blue;">lds.org</span></b></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> He's seriously more than the common 'golden investigator.' Although he works full time all week; he wants to learn, and is willing to put forth the effort to do his homework. He studies the scriptures, the pamphlets and listens to General Conference talks online to find the truth. And as he continues finding his answers in our doctrine, he gets so excited and always shows us his pages of notes.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Hermana Perez</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--tiuZ1bjA08/VWPliJBk-VI/AAAAAAAACHQ/qebpiw7-DlE/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--tiuZ1bjA08/VWPliJBk-VI/AAAAAAAACHQ/qebpiw7-DlE/s400/IMG_0418.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my closest friends, Hermana. Nakken and Hermana. Fullmer <br />(they can both make me laugh SO hard and they both are from Utah!</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">All day Saturday, Hermana Marien was with us visiting and teaching others. At the end of the day (after we had walked a ton) she asked us, <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"How can you guys do this every day? I'm exhausted</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"</i></span> haha.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">We talked with Sofia and Fatima about the </span><a href="https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-003-the-great-apostasy?lang=eng" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Great Apostasy</span></b></a><span style="text-align: center;"> and </span><a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/restoration-of-the-gospel?lang=eng&query=restoration+of+the+gospel" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">the Restoration</span></b></a><span style="text-align: center;">, then watched the 20 minute video about </span><a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/joseph-smith/testimony?lang=eng" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Joseph Smith</span></b></a><span style="text-align: center;">. They both really liked it and are progressing really well. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Sunday flew by and in the evening I taught the entire first lesson to a guy in English</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">!</span><span style="text-align: center;"> He lived in Texas and spoke perfect English and had taken a religion class that left him with confusion about Mormons. As we spoke, he became more and more interested and said he wanted to come to church with us to see what we believe in and what we do. We also left him 2 pamphlets to read. It was so great</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">!</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Like always, it was an incredible week</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">!</span><span style="text-align: center;"> I love the mission and being a missionary <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> I love you all and am grateful for all the prayers and support I've received from my dear friends and family members.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">You guys are the best<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">!</span><span style="text-align: center;"> Can't wait to see ya soon</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">!</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">~love always,</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Hermana Eliason</span><br />
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[more pictures]<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Hermana Rivera</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mine of Eden</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-1364859643046101282015-05-18T20:44:00.004-07:002015-05-18T20:44:51.552-07:00Owl City!After a laid-back P-day [on Monday], we visited some investigators in the evening. We contacted Fatima last week and she introduced us to her aunt Corina and her grandma Sofia. All three of them have become interested in our message and are very kind. And Alejandro is still considering his baptismal date.<br />
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On Tuesday we had our first district meeting with the Elders and it went well. Then we spent the afternoon contacting and searching for new investigators (we ended up finding three<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>) I actually really like teaching the first lesson to new investigators.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">This is my "really tired" face after climbing up a gigantic hill to visit one of our investigators<br /></td></tr>
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On Wednesday morning we went looking for a new investigator named Eloisa, who, when we found her, kindly invited us into her house. Turns out, her granddaughter, who is about 50 years old, listened to missionaries about 25 years ago<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> When we started presenting the Book of Mormon, she excitedly exclaimed, <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"</span>I remember that book<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I read it before I had children, but I can only remember the name Joseph Smith.<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"</span> They both listened attentively and were really receptive. It's amazing how the Lord prepares each of us to accept the gospel at exactly the right time. Then we visited Antonio, who keeps asking us about his baptism and started reading the Book of Mormon from the very beginning. And, in the evening a less active member and his "girlfriend" (the've been living together for 10 months now and we've been teaching her the gospel) fed us dinner. Oh, and they (David and Sonya) have 2 pet owls<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Apparently, it is illegal to have owls as pets, but they hide them in a cage behind their house to scare away the rats.<br />
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Thursday, we walked all over<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> After teaching a recent convert named Bryan, we taught Hermana Rivera, who is a less active member. Hermana Rivera used to be super involved in the Church and was always the first person to arrive at the Sacrament Meeting. But when her husband became really sick, she stopped going to church and reading the scriptures. It made me see that even the strongest members can become inactive when they stop doing the little things (prayer, scripture study, church attendance, etc.)<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_--CGwitew/VVqqs6gmGSI/AAAAAAAACD8/MzE-88VpEOQ/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_--CGwitew/VVqqs6gmGSI/AAAAAAAACD8/MzE-88VpEOQ/s640/IMG_0274.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
Friday was an excellent day. In the morning before lunch, we visited Eriberto and Antonio. Then we went looking for a family we had contacted earlier in the week. The Sanchez family warmly welcomed us in, and to our surprise, in their living room, an owl was quietly perched on a tree stump<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Hermana Cuque thought it was stuffed, but then it moved and made a clicking sound. It was so cool, because Luis (the dad) works at the zoo in the Encantada Park and has the hobby of training wild birds. Before the owl, he was training a falcon and a messenger pigeon. We taught the Sanchez family the first lesson and found out that they are from the DF (districto federal) and listened to the missionaries there<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> After a great lesson, Luis asked us if we wanted to hold the owl - named Morico - with the special leather glove he has<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> So, of course we excitedly let Morico perch on our arms and snap some pictures <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> His eyes were huge and yellow and he was kinda heavy<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> haha<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-qV74ECyzk/VVqrZ6gcm3I/AAAAAAAACEE/YQIkCeJBu38/s1600/IMG_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k-qV74ECyzk/VVqrZ6gcm3I/AAAAAAAACEE/YQIkCeJBu38/s640/IMG_0302.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am with the owl!!!</td></tr>
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Then in the evening Cruz Torres fed us a "second lunch" and we taught him the entire <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/plan-of-salvation?lang=eng" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Plan of Salvation</span></b></a>. He was so interested and wrote down the new words he learned (<a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/pre-earth-life?lang=eng" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Premortal life</span></b></a>, <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/fall-of-adam?lang=eng&query=the+fall" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>The Fall</b></span></a>, <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng&query=atonement" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Atonement</b></span></a>, <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/spirit-world?lang=eng&query=spirit+world" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Spirit World</span></b></a>, <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/true-to-the-faith/kingdoms-of-glory.p1?lang=eng" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Celestial</span></b></a>, <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/true-to-the-faith/kingdoms-of-glory.p1?lang=eng" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Terrestial</span></b></a>, <a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/true-to-the-faith/kingdoms-of-glory.p1?lang=eng" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Telestial</span></b></a>, etc.) and their meanings / scriptural reference in a notebook. It is so fun to teach an investigator who truly appreciates and pays attention to the lesson.<br />
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Saturday was a pretty easygoing day. We were looking for less-active members and found the sister of a less active, who had moved away several years ago. She was really nice and we taught her and her husband.<br />
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Sunday was a really hot day, and not a cloud in the sky. I am starting to miss beach days and swimming in a cool pool<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Alejandro and Antonio came to church and the classes were great. Afterwards, we ate with the Enriquez family in the church (since they actually live in Morelos and didn't want to make us go all the way over there and then travel back for our appointments). We ate pozole (a chicken soup with corn and vegetables.)<br />
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Then Marlen made visits with us in the evening. We met a man who has dedicated years to building a house that depicts a timeline of earth since the creation of Adam and Eve. It was really interesting 'cause the walls were covered with paintings and 3-D clay scenes from the Bible.<br />
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All in all, I had another excellent week and I hope everyone else did as well. I love you and pray for you all each day<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> <br />
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Till next week.<br />
~Hermana Eliason<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-76382899212386713502015-05-11T21:09:00.003-07:002015-05-11T21:10:48.120-07:00Got Hare? / Happy Mother's Day!Monday was another laid-back P-day for Hermana Cuque and I. We deep cleaned the apartment, found a new healthy place to eat called Natura, and did some window shopping. After email time, we bought some things for the apartment and set off to work. We taught a husband and wife, who accepted everything we explained, but aren't willing to continue listening because they "will never change religions." It was sad to see older people who understood and believed in what we shared, but because of deeply-rooted traditions, would truly never make the changes necessary to follow the truth. We always must be open-minded and humble to self-reflect and put ourselves in harmony with God's will.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqc827M_ONc/VVFs7ii3XbI/AAAAAAAACCg/Iy-us7K3VtE/s1600/IMG_0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqc827M_ONc/VVFs7ii3XbI/AAAAAAAACCg/Iy-us7K3VtE/s400/IMG_0225.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Me with Hermano Leopoldo (notice that he is sitting <br />down in his chair cause he can´t stand up)</span></div>
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On Tuesday, we visited Eriberto<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> He confirmed to us that on Sunday he had received the <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/aaronic-priesthood?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Aaronic Priesthood</b></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> He continues improving and learning so much. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> On our way to our appointment with Juan Jose, I contacted a man selling strawberries<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Is it strawberry season? I have no idea - but they were red and juicy and made me think of the strawberry fields back home. In the evening we met with a 16 year old recent convert named, Arath, who just moved here from another state. His conversion story was really similar to Eriberto's and his enthusiasm about the gospel made me excited to continue teaching him. I love seeing the miraculous changes that the gospel works in others and myself.<br />
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Then, when we went with a less active member, Martin, I thought of my dad because, like him, Martin LOVES to run. Each day he has a different hilly route that he does and told us that he can run from the cathedral (in the bottom of the valley) to the top of the Bufa in about 10 minutes<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Crazy<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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Wednesday was special because Hermana Cuque and I received a very interesting gift from one of our investigators named Antonio. When he was younger, he lived in the dessert and always has interesting stories to share. Now that he's in his late 60's and, due to a stroke, can't move the left side of his body, he never leaves his house. At the end of the lesson, he said he had a surprise for us and sent his niece to bring us the "gift". A minute later I was handed a dead, skinned and frozen wild hare in a plastic bag<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> haha Apparently, rabbit was one of his favorite foods and a "dessert friend" of his had brought it to him - but since he wanted to show appreciation for our visits ... we ended up walking home with the poor thing (eyes, teeth & a little of the cotton-tail still attached). Hermana Cuque and I had no idea what to do with it (or how to cook it if we had wanted), so after a couple of photos, it was carefully disposed of. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMMAxMPmeEQ/VVFs79CWXTI/AAAAAAAACCk/aGxWphrkYos/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMMAxMPmeEQ/VVFs79CWXTI/AAAAAAAACCk/aGxWphrkYos/s640/IMG_0221.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Wild Hare" gift!</td></tr>
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Thursday flew by. We ate lunch with the Bishop at the church because he actually lives on a ranch on the outskirts of the city about 40 minutes away. He is a very kind man who was baptized 8 years ago with his wife.<br />
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In the evening we taught Alejandro, who is progressing and reached page 300 in the Book of Mormon<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We are praying that he will be baptized at the end of this month, or the first week of June. He is in a band with several older men who sing classic rock in English and Spanish. He played us one song and they actually sound pretty good. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Hermana Hernandez</td></tr>
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On Friday we had the zone meeting for the month of May. One of the Zone Leaders told us that our real goal for everyone is the temple and not just the baptismal font. I liked that. We should always be teaching and inviting members, less actives, converts and investigators to prepare to go to the <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/temples?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>temple</b></span></a>. I love the temple and can't wait to visit the nearby temples back home. After the Zone Meeting, we had exchanges with the STL's (Sister Trainer Leaders). It was my last time having exchanges and I enjoyed the evening with Hermana Hernandez. She and I were in 2 of the monthly councils with the Mission President (she was with Hermana Brannelly and I was with Hermana Rivera), so we were already friends. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> We had an excellent lesson with Cruz Torres, who had read his pamphlet and advanced in his reading of the Book of Mormon. He quickly understands all that we teach him and truly wants to learn the truth. We also encountered 3 new investigators that were very friendly and receptive. All in all, we had a fantastic and successful day.<br />
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Saturday morning after teaching Juan Jose, we finished the exchanges and met back up with our companions. It is kinda weird to hear people make comments about my work ethic, as if I've already finished the mission, such as "Thank you Hermana Eliason for all the work you've done and the example you've been." I think to myself, "But I'm not done yet<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I still have 4 more weeks<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>" When others ask me how long I've been in the mission and I reply 17 months, they look at me with excitement and tell me "I'm almost done." But as I near the end of my mission, there are a lot of mixed emotions.<br />
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After lunch, Hermana Cuque and I taught Crista with Hermana Marlen. Crista is already half way through with the Book of Mormon and loves to read, so it was a pleasant surprise when she started telling us how much she enjoyed reading the Book of Mormon and also the pamphlet of the <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Family Proclamation</b></span> </a>we had given her. She accepted a baptismal date for the middle of June and is progressing rapidly<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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Sunday was a beautiful day. I gave one of the main talks in the Sacrament meeting and Alejandro and Antonio came to church. We wished all the women a Happy Mother's Day and in the evening Skyped our families. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> It was so FUN to chat with my Mom, Dad, siblings, aunts, uncle and cousins<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> They made me laugh so much and the time we had talking together flew by too fast<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I have been so blessed with my family and I love them and miss being with them. They are my best friends and am grateful for all they have taught me.<br />
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I would also like to express my gratitude for all my other family members and friends that have been so supportive. Each Monday, my inbox is flooded with emails of love, encouragement, and some of life's happy updates from these family members and close friends.<br />
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I love you all<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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~Hermana Eliason<br />
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[<span style="color: blue;">Kiley will be giving her homecoming talk,</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;">Sunday, June 14th at 9:00am</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">3354 Eucalyptus Ave</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Chino Hills, CA</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;">*Note: there are two buildings in the same parking lot. She will be speaking in the Stake Center; the larger of the two buildings and the one furthest from the corner.</span>]<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is what the outskirts of the city look like :) run down or half built houses in dirt roads with stray dogs ;) <br />
But I LOVE IT!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-18763500611184750382015-05-04T21:38:00.001-07:002015-05-04T21:40:43.458-07:00Still Lovin' It All!On Monday after Hermana Mora and I said good-bye, I waited in the bus station with other missionaries for 4 hours and then my new and last companion arrived. Her name is Hermana Cuque. She's 20 years old, has 2 other brothers, is from Guatemala, and has 10 months in the mission. After we dropped off her things at the house, we ate at Subway and returned so that she could unpack and I could clean. Pretty easy-going P-day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJIO4KpsfHs/VUhE8FyAVlI/AAAAAAAACBw/lHlTK4FjKoI/s1600/IMG_0576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJIO4KpsfHs/VUhE8FyAVlI/AAAAAAAACBw/lHlTK4FjKoI/s400/IMG_0576.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new companion, Hermana Cuque</td></tr>
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On Tuesday, we didn't have a District Meeting because we will be having a Zone Conference with the mission president on Friday. Hermana Cuque and I have been walking non-stop and trying to find more investigators that can progress in this area. One thing I love about Hermana Cuque, is that she has a positive outlook on life and always tries to look at the bright side. We taught several lessons and had a good day together.<br />
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Wednesday morning, the Bishop came with us to visit Leopoldo and it was perfect<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> The Bishop is a convert and currently 71 years old, and Leopoldo is going through the conversion process and is 73 years old. So they became quick friends and although he's still a little hesitant, we're hoping Leopoldo will get baptized this month. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Then we went to Morelos in the evening and taught Cristina and Jose. Cristina told us that they want to be baptized and knows that what we've been teaching them is true, but they're going to wait till June or July because they're going to move to Tijuana<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> But, by all means, they said I would need to attend their baptism in Baja California, since I live only 3 hours away. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> They are an incredible family and I can always feel the Spirit really strongly when we teach them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBx_-Njd8Mc/VUhEwEGxaZI/AAAAAAAACBY/zZNZwyesJxQ/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBx_-Njd8Mc/VUhEwEGxaZI/AAAAAAAACBY/zZNZwyesJxQ/s640/IMG_0193.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wide open fields on our bus ride from Morelos, to Zacatecas</td></tr>
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On Thursday after weekly planning and lunch, we visited some less active members and recent converts. It is starting to get hot here - pure short-sleeve shirts and sunscreen<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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Friday was the Zone Conference with the mission president and his wife. I could really feel the Spirit as President Villareal spoke about sacrifices. He explained how the law of obedience goes hand in hand with the law of sacrifice (which are both laws of heaven). In the scripture dictionary, it says "we must be willing to sacrifice everything for the Lord and His kingdom." For some of us, we may have to sacrifice working on Sundays or some material "treasure". But we also may have to offer a "broken heart" and give up our pride or selfishness. I realized that there are a wide variety of sacrifices we can offer to the Lord, to shake off our dependance of worldly things that may bring pleasure, and find the continuous happiness that Gospel gives us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi_GI66o3Hw/VUhEwOB7UfI/AAAAAAAACBg/wIS47OaztuQ/s1600/IMG_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gi_GI66o3Hw/VUhEwOB7UfI/AAAAAAAACBg/wIS47OaztuQ/s640/IMG_0196.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marlen and I posing in front of this sign with our scripture bags ;) haha</td></tr>
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Saturday flew by<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> In the morning we taught Leopoldo and he always has the deepest & most interesting questions. Then we ate brunch with our Jehovah's Witness investigator (it was his birthday). He said he was researching online at our church's website [<a href="http://lds.org/"><span style="color: blue;"><b>lds.org</b></span></a>] and became really interested in the doctrine of <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/baptisms-for-the-dead?lang=eng&query=baptism+for+the+dead" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>baptism for the dead</b></span></a>. Cruz told us it was something he had never heard about before and wanted to learn more<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> He lit up as he said "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Just imagine all the good we could do for our ancestors</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>" I had never seen someone get so excited over family history work. Cruz is definitely right - we can do so much good for those who have passed away. They are depending on us to perform sacred ordinances in the temple.<br />
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In the evening we found some new investigators and taught a less active member about why it is important to go to church. We told him that in his house we can sing, socialize, read, learn, pray, teach, and feel the Spirit (which are all great things we do on Sundays) but we can't bless an administer the <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/sacrament?lang=eng&query=sacrament" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Sacrament</span></b></a>. Partaking of the sacrament (the bread and water which represents the body and blood of Jesus Christ) is the most important part of Sunday Church activities. It is our way of remembering the sacrifice of our Savior and showing gratitude and love towards our Heavenly Father. When we righteously partake of the sacrament, we receive the promise to have the companionship of the <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/holy-ghost?lang=eng" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Holy Ghost</span></b></a> with us throughout the rest of the week. It is so important to go to church and receive all the promises and blessings that our Father in Heaven is waiting to bestow upon us.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gm70EY80Vcs/VUhEwBw7TII/AAAAAAAACBc/9MbE4qDa8sg/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gm70EY80Vcs/VUhEwBw7TII/AAAAAAAACBc/9MbE4qDa8sg/s400/IMG_0198.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cool museum that was once a cathedral</td></tr>
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After an incredible testimony meeting on Sunday, Hermana Cuque and I had a lot of people to visit. My favorite lesson was to a young single mother named Crista. She works during the week (from home, making videos) and is studying Law in the University on weekends. Her two little children are adorable and I could see that she loves them a lot. She was someone Hermana Mora and I had contacted last week and was very interested in our message. She has never been religious or attended any church. She listened attentively and we explained about the immeasurable love God has for each of His children (just like she loves her two children immensely). It was a beautiful day and I am so happy to be a missionary. I love each moment and am learning new things daily. I know this is the true church and that the gospel brings us happiness.<br />
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Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
~Hermana Eliason<br />
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[<span style="color: blue;">Kiley will be giving her homecoming talk,</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;">Sunday, June 14th at 9:00am</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">3354 Eucalyptus Ave</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Chino Hills, CA</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue;">*Note: there are two buildings in the same parking lot. She will be speaking in the Stake Center; the larger of the two buildings and the one furthest from the corner.</span>]<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-1930301426804005542015-04-27T20:41:00.001-07:002015-04-27T20:57:07.788-07:00Good-bye My Sister ...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hfS8FM0FAM8/VT73Ch9phCI/AAAAAAAAB-E/g4F9w1_6tdg/s1600/DSCF3258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hfS8FM0FAM8/VT73Ch9phCI/AAAAAAAAB-E/g4F9w1_6tdg/s1600/DSCF3258.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a>Monday was Hermana Mora's last Preparation Day, and she wanted to climb The Bufa [pictures posted last week] It was a beautiful day and we hiked to the top at an easy pace, taking pictures along the way. Once we reached the very top, we explored and did some "window shopping." It is really fun being with Hermana Mora and we have either been companions or in the same district for a total of 6 months<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> But, we don't get tired of each other and have become like real sisters and best friends. I am really going to miss her.<br />
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Tuesday was the last district meeting of this transfer and it was in spanglish <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> We have a close friendship with Elder Soto and Elder Madsen, since it is always just the 4 of us. We took pictures and sang the last hymn, "<a href="https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/god-be-with-you-till-we-meet-again?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Till We Meet</b></span></a>" for Hermana Mora. In the evening we visited Eriberto, who still has a glow in his face from his baptism. Oh, and when we told him that he should cut his hair ('cause Hermana Mora is going to cut it too) he said, "If I go on a mission someday, then I'll cut it." His answer took us by surprise, but then I thought of how amazing it would be if he went on a mission<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1U50cbaKRKc/VT73A33CwRI/AAAAAAAAB9o/nDuLR60hukA/s1600/DSCF3221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1U50cbaKRKc/VT73A33CwRI/AAAAAAAAB9o/nDuLR60hukA/s1600/DSCF3221.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Soto and Elder Madsen with Hermana Mora</td></tr>
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Wednesday was warm and once again I forced myself to put sunscreen on my face - the WORST<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> But, when the sun comes out, it burns pretty bad. We had some powerful lessons in the morning and then ate at Hermana Lopez' house (who had prepared Hermana Mora's favorite food). In the evening we enjoyed visiting Cristina and Jose in Morelos. I love going there<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Every one knows each other and says hi. People sit in the back of pick-ups or ride their horses and it isn't uncommon to see a man herding a flock of sheep in the cactus / shrubbery desert. They all live very humbly, but are so happy and friendly.<br />
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Thursday was our last weekly planning session together and I am still really nervous about being left by myself in the area, because it is <u>so</u> big. I guess the map will become one of my new best friends - I miss GPS<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We taught the Peralta family, who showed us the recent Christmas card they had received from the Elder who baptized them 15 years ago<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It made them so happy to still hear from him every now and then - and it made me think of the people I've come to love on the mission and the contact I hope to maintain with them for years to come. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Friday was a busy day with a little bit of rain. We visited Leopoldo, who is absolutely traumatized with the idea of Hermana Mora and I leaving. We told him that there will always be missionaries to visit him, but since we were the first, he has become fond of our visits and is always asking, "Do you really have to go?" He finished reading the <u>ENTIRE</u> Book of Mormon<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> This 73 year old man is a champ and very smart. I love teaching Leopoldo - but he hasn't been able to come to church yet for various reasons. But with time, I know he'll be baptized. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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We also taught Alejandro, who said he would like to be baptized, but in a river. So we are working on explaining that being baptized in a font is just as valid. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> All in all, it was a great day. Hermana Mora spent some time before going to bed packing ... which makes me sad to see the apartment look more empty. It'll be weird not to have her with me and it's hard to watch her tearfully fold everything up and get ready to leave. But I know her family must be so happy and anxiously awaiting her return.<br />
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Saturday morning we taught a new investigator, who made us breakfast / brunch. The people here are just so kind. It was a very pretty day and we had fun together. In every visit when the members, converts, or investigators find out that Hermana Mora is leaving, they get all sad, exchange information to stay in contact, take a picture together, and usually give her something. It's really cute to see how much the people love the missionaries. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had the "last supper" together... haha it was pretty funny on Sunday at church</td></tr>
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Sunday was a great last day with hermana Mora. After church we found some new investigators and then at 6pm the movie, <a href="http://meetthemormons.com/#/filter-all/page-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Meet the Mormons</b></span></a> was shown again. We went to see it with a family that's been investigating the church and they loved it. In the evening, we taught several other lessons and all went well. At night we received the call from Elder Madsen that we need to be in the bus station tomorrow (Monday) at 8am. I am dreading the moment when I have to give Hermana Mora one last hug and say good-bye. She has been such an incredible companion. My new and last companion will be Hermana Cuque. She was in my last district back in San Luis Potosi and I was able to go on exchanges with her. I think we will get along just fine. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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I love you all so much and wish I had the time to write each of you personally and thank you for all the support and prayers on my behalf. May everyone enjoy this last week of April<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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~xoxoxo Hermana Eliason<br />
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[<span style="color: blue;">Kiley will be giving her homecoming talk,</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">Sunday, June 14th at 9:00am</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">3354 Eucalyptus Ave</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;">Chino Hills, CA</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue;">*Note: there are two buildings in the same parking lot. She will be speaking in the Stake Center; the larger of the two buildings and the one furthest from the corner.</span>]<br />
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More Photos from the week</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The one and only BOOK OF MORMON (GIANT STYLE)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were eating chicken and she didn´t give us utensils (since she just dropped off the food in a bag for us) and Hermana Mora said she felt like an animal for eating without a fork or anything so I jokingly started lapping up my water (to act like an animal) and she started busting up!! haha it was really funny in the moment and we re-enacted it for the photo</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-54363227595790667802015-04-20T21:46:00.000-07:002015-04-20T21:46:17.622-07:00Eriberto's Baptism!Monday was a very relaxing day for me <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> After cleaning the apartment, dropping off the laundry, and eating lunch, we came back to the apartment. While Hermana Mora did some organizing of her things (I have no idea how she's going to fit everything in just 2 suitcases) I took a nap. It was raining, so I slept like a rock - and Hermana Mora even video taped my snoring<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> haha Then we taught a couple of lessons in the evening. We explained the importance of prayer to Alejandro and that effective prayer requires great effort. We can't just repeat the same "memorized" phrases and then expect answers from the Holy Ghost. We must pray sincerely, with real intent, and then patiently wait for answers to come, while living the gospel standards.<br />
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Tuesday's district meeting went smoothly. Right afterwards we had exchanges with the Sister Training Leaders. I stayed in my area with Hermana Ridge, who is a sweet missionary from Provo , Utah. She only has a transfer less than me (so she goes home in July) and will also be going to BYU Provo - where her dad is actually a professor<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We had a really fun day together and got along like the best of friends. We contacted, taught some new investigators, and less actives, and walked a ton. At some points I had to refer to the map, because sometimes I still get lost in our gigantic area. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Wednesday morning Hermana Ridge and I were still together until about 1:30pm. Then Hermana Mora was by my side again, just like always, and we finished the day by teaching Eriberto and confirming his baptism plans and going to Morelos. I love the bus ride to and from Morelos, because it is truly beautiful and in between the town and city are wide open pastures / fields and pretty much farming communities. The sky was like a canvas smeared with lots of pastel blues, yellows, pinks, purples, oranges, etc. And I'm realizing more and more just how much I'm going to miss it here. I love Mexico.<br />
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On Thursday we ate with the Santoyo family (a very wealthy husband & wife in the ward). And <u>everything</u> in their house but the ceiling was wood<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Wood flooring, wood walls, 2 wooden pianos, wooden picture frames, wood table & chairs, etc. It was a pretty cool house (I'll take a picture next time<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>) We taught the super great investigator, who is 80 and received the sad news that he is going to work in the mine again and be gone for months at a time <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:(</span> It was a bummer because he really understood all that we taught him, but he said he was going to bring his Book of Mormon and continue reading.<br />
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Then, while Hermana Mauricio made visits with us in the evening, we encountered a new investigator named Marsce with her 3 young children. The lesson went really well and it turns out that she has a close friend who is mormon and had been inviting her to church<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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Friday was just a smooth day - with lots of lessons and contacting. Leopoldo is now in Mosiah and loves reading the Book of Mormon. He told us, "I'm reading about the King Noah who was wicked." I love seeing people read and understand the Book of Mormon<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eriberto's baptism!!</td></tr>
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The highlight of the week was Saturday<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Eriberto was finally baptized<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It was so incredible<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> The program went well and many people attended. After he was baptized, he literally looked like a different person. I could feel the Spirit so strongly, and have never seen someone change so drastically. Eriberto was beaming and happy and laughing as all the elders gave him great big hugs. Afterwards, Eriberto and we bought ice cream. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> The perfect day.<br />
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Sunday was an excellent day too. Christina and Jose and their 2 little children came to church<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> They are the family that we've been teaching in Morelos and drove all the way from Morelos to attend. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> The talks were inspiring and the classes were great. After the 3 hours, Hermana Mora and I searched and found 4 new investigators to start teaching. There is a lot of potential here in Zacatecas and I love finding new people who are anxious and waiting to hear the gospel. God is truly preparing the hearts and minds of His children.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We WALKED the BUFA today [Monday April 20th]!! My legs are going to be pretty sore ;) haha But it was a lot of fun!</td></tr>
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A quote that I liked this week was, "Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them." It is so true<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> When we are willing to work hard, opportunities will present themselves and we may find success and happiness in our lives. Like Alma counseled his son, Helaman, <span style="color: blue;"><b>"<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/37.34?lang=eng#33" target="_blank">teach them to never be weary of good works</a></b></span>" and "<span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/9.28?lang=eng#27" target="_blank">the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been</a>.</b></span>"<br />
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I hope we can all work hard and never tire of making the right decisions. Satan temps us with "taking the easy road", but the road is rarely easy to any place worth going. I love you all and hope you have a marvelous week<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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Hermana Eliason<br />
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[More pictures from the hike today]<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-22627405020644215882015-04-18T18:03:00.000-07:002015-04-18T18:03:10.597-07:00Love and Service<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">[This is Kiley's blog from last week. She writes her blog on paper during the week and sends it to me as a photograph on Mondays. Last Monday, the cyber cafe was unable to send pictures. She was finally able to send it on Thursday. Sorry for the delay.]</span></div>
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After a super fun P-day in the Park Encantada, we taught Eriberto in the evening. It is amazing how much he's changed. There is a difference in his behavior, a light in his eyes, and a smile that more frequently shows itself. It's incredible how the gospel truly helps others, and seeing the conversion of Eriberto has strengthened my testimony in our Loving Heavenly Father who does know us and watch over us. I am grateful for the gospel in my life and for the positive changes it has wrought in me and those around me.<div>
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Tuesday was a normal day. District meeting. Lunch. Contacting. Then in the evening, a young man from our ward (who recently received his mission call to Sonora) introduced us to his friend, Jimena. She is golden<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> She has been reading the Book of Mormon and praying to see if it is true<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We had a powerful lesson with her in the house of Emillo (the young man).</div>
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On Wednesday, after teaching Leopoldo and Juan Jose, we were supposed to be interviewed by the Mission President. But when we arrived around 1:45pm, he told us he had been in interviews all day and hadn't eaten <span style="font-size: large;">... </span>so he and his wife took us out to lunch<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We ate at a delicious restaurant - [my meal: fish, cactus salad, mashed potatoes, some whole wheat bread, and a chocolate malt for dessert<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>] After lunch we were interviewed, and the Mission President and I both can't believe how time has flown by so fast. It was my last interview with him (aside from the one I'll receive the day before I return home). He has been a great mission president and I am so thankful for all the service and sacrifices of both he and his family. Afterwards, Hermana Mora and I spent the rest of the day in the little town of Morelos.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmHeN3nch5k/VTLa8GTPFEI/AAAAAAAAB7E/DEUU13lEUTg/s1600/DSCF3171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JmHeN3nch5k/VTLa8GTPFEI/AAAAAAAAB7E/DEUU13lEUTg/s1600/DSCF3171.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lunch was fun on Thursday because we ate with the Bishop and his wife, the 1st Counselor of the Bishop and his wife, <span style="font-size: large;">... </span>and the Elders in the church [building]. We set up a big table for the 8 of us and ate a yummy meal prepared by both families. Then for the rest of the day, Marlen made visits with us. This is the last week of vacations for everyone in school and Marlen said she like spending time with Hermana Mora and I. We are trying to encourage her to consider serving a mission. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Eriberto confirmed that he still wants to be baptized<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> So we are shooting for next Saturday<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span></div>
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Friday was interesting because when we arrived with Leopoldo and asked if he had received a confirmation that what we were teaching was true, he lit up and said yes. Apparently at night, the day we had taught him, Leopoldo had a dream that Hermana Mora was prying for him to get over his sickness and he recovered. For him, it was a clear confirmation that we had been sent to help him. He is still reading the Book of Mormon and when we watched the video of the<span style="color: blue;"><b> <a href="https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-07-003-the-great-apostasy?lang=eng" target="_blank">Great Apostasy</a></b></span> and <a href="https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/wilford-woodruff?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Wilford Woodruff</b></span></a>, he realized the importance of having a prophet and apostles in these latter days.</div>
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On Saturday morning, we met a new investigator named Martin; who seemed really interested in the first lesson and understood what we explained ~ aside from being 80 years old<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Okay, in the evening we taught the Vargas Family. The Vargas Family is really just Jesus and Silvia, but they remind me SO much of Teodulo and Maria<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Hermana Mora and I both felt the same initial feeling with Teodulo and Maria that one day they'd be baptized, and today we felt the same strong impression about Jesus and Silvia. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> And even if Hermana Mora and I aren't around to see all the "fruits of our labors", I get so happy and excited when we meet people who will one day enter into the waters of baptism.</div>
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Sunday was Ward Conference, and the Elders and we sang a special musical number for all the members. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> One of the talks that I really liked focused on the commandment to love our neighbor. But who is our neighbor? Everyone - including ourselves. I saw that love demonstrated in the evening when a new investigator prayed for the first time with us and asked our Heavenly Father to <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"bless my friends and please bless my enemies." </i></span>What a humble example of Christ-like love<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span></div>
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We taught 3 sisters in their mid-50's in the late afternoon while de-thorning cactus. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> It was fun and quite easy, so I'll be making a cactus salad for my family once I return<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> haha</div>
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During this week I realized the importance of service and having a love for others. From helping an investigator, who burned her leg go to the doctor, to aiding an elderly member walk down the church stairs - I have felt the joy that comes from helping those in need. Like Richard G. Scott said, "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>We best serve our Father in Heaven by righteously inf</i></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>luencing others and serving them.</i></span>" While on the mission and "in the service of God" I've come to comprehend that the best missionaries are always searching for different ways to serve those around them: their companion, the members, investigators, random strangers, etc.</span></div>
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My invitation to everyone, is that we can always be ready and willing to serve others. I love you all and hope you have a splendid week <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span></div>
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~Hermana Eliason</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-9848224603667637452015-04-15T08:43:00.002-07:002015-04-15T08:43:34.908-07:00No Blog this week - but Homecoming News!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XTFq98pNZg/VS6ECl0JhXI/AAAAAAAAB6s/mxccNAqAUa4/s1600/despicable_me-2-500x887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XTFq98pNZg/VS6ECl0JhXI/AAAAAAAAB6s/mxccNAqAUa4/s1600/despicable_me-2-500x887.jpg" height="200" width="111" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No blog :(</td></tr>
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Unfortunately Kiley was unable to send her blog this week; "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>in this cyber there isn't an adaptor</i></span>" She thought there would be another chance for her to send it, but I haven't received it yet.<br />
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However, we do have her Homecoming date and time confirmed! Kiley will be giving her homecoming talk,<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sunday, June 14th at 9:00am</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">3354 Eucalyptus Ave</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Chino Hills, CA</span><br />
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*Note: there are two buildings in the same parking lot. She will be speaking in the Stake Center; the larger of the two buildings and the one furthest from the corner.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-4574929327380820172015-04-07T08:14:00.002-07:002015-04-07T08:14:11.225-07:00General ConferenceTuesday went really well because we worked all day (no district meeting). We taught several progressing investigators and invited everyone to <u><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2015/04?cid=HP_SU_4-5-2015_dPTH_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">General Conference</span></a></u> this weekend. It is so exciting to hear the Prophet and the Apostles and since there are 4 sessions [of Conference], almost all of our investigators promised to attend at least one. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making friends with lions at the zoo!</td></tr>
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Wednesday was a beautiful day. It hasn't been cold these past few days and the city is still bustling with life because of the Cultural Week and all the activities. People come from all over Mexico to listen to the concerts (today American Authors performed<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>) right in the center of the capital. Hermana Mora and I walk home every night through the "downtown" and it reminds me of Main Street in Disneyland. It is such a fun atmosphere and a great opportunity to contact<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We taught an investigator named Leopoldo for the second time and he was already half-way through 2nd Nefi [Nephi] in the Book of Mormon<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> He asked good questions and said he liked reading the Book of Mormon. I, personally, LOVE LOVE LOVE The <u><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Book of Mormon</span></a></u> and don't get tired of reading it over and over again. It has answers or clarifications to so many of our questions and doubts.<br />
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Thursday flew by after weekly planning. It's getting kinda hard to find people in their homes because everyone is busy buying, selling, and celebrating. All the food stands have given us opportunities to try new things. The Zacatecas authentic sweets have caught the attention of hundreds of bees that are constantly buzzing around the hustle and bustle. And now that the sun is out every day, people dress as if they're going to the beach<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It is all quite the sight to see. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Friday was the zone meeting. It was so stress-free to arrive without worrying about speaking in front of everyone. I happily took notes and enjoyed the messages given by the zone leaders and sister training leaders. Unlike my last zone, there are only 6 sister missionaries in this zone (Hermana Mora & I, Hermana Brannelly & Gutierrez & the Sister Trainer Leaders Hermana Hernandez & Rich). At the end of the zone meeting, Hermana Mora and Elder Luciano (my old district leader) gave their testimonies, since this was their last zone meeting. I can't believe Hermana Mora goes home in just 3 weeks<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Hermana Mora is an excellent missionary that has overcome a lot of trials. She is a dedicated and hard worker who truly cares about others.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermana Mora, Brannelly & me</td></tr>
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After the zone meeting, Hermana Brannelly was put with us for this weekend to work in our area, because her area is too dangerous. It is fun being in a trio and we all know each other and are pretty similar - so it worked out well. We taught several investigators and had a great day.<br />
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Saturday was incredible<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> The <u><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2015/04?cid=HP_SU_4-5-2015_dPTH_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">General Conference</span></a></u> talks were so inspiring and answered <u>so</u> many of my questions. [I was able to watch all of conference with other American missionaries in the stake center in English and there were no computer problems<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>] The 4 hours flew by and my hand couldn't keep up with all the notes I wanted to take. The majority of the talks were concerning the family and the importance of living the gospel in our homes and in our lives. I hope everyone was able to see the 2 seasons on Saturday and feel the Spirit as the apostles and leaders shared their amazing talks. I am grateful for latter-day revelation and the guidance we can receive from God through his servants.<br />
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Then on Easter, Sunday the talks were just as incredible and special. I loved when <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2015/04?lang=eng&vid=4154712152001&cid=5" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Rosemary Wixom </span></a>shared "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Find joy in the journey. The future is as bright as your faith.</i></span>" and also "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>the Lord can only teach an inquiring mind.</i></span>"<br />
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The talks about overcoming the distractions and deceptions of Satan by <u><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2015/04?lang=eng&vid=4154894233001&cid=4" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Kevin Pearson</span></a></u> was also a favorite. All the talks can be applied to us and give us new ideas and points of view that invite us to change for the better.<br />
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After conference, we encountered and taught 4 new investigators<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> The time change left us with more light in the evening, so we were able to contact more people. This is a very safe area and the people are kind and hospitable. I love working in the very center of the city and capital of Zacatecas.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun at the park.</td></tr>
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On Monday [today] we went to the Park<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> (And it's the same park I went to for a multi-zone activity last year when I was serving in Fresnillo & we traveled here to play with the other zone). It was fun to relive some of the memories in that park and show Hermana Mora around for the first time. It was a beautiful and relaxing day for me <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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I am very happy, healthy, and hope you all are as well. Isn't life amazing? I hope we can all continue enjoying the many blessings that surround us and expressing our love to those most dear to us. Like President Monson once said, <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.</i></span>" I love you all<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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xoxoxoxo,<br />
Hermana Eliason<br />
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[more pictures from the park and zoo today, Monday]<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-72607975855160364582015-03-31T10:37:00.002-07:002015-03-31T10:39:12.377-07:00Cultural Week!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQMM2hqkTaw/VRrUEMKqhlI/AAAAAAAABzk/XtD1F60GgRg/s1600/DSCF2923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dQMM2hqkTaw/VRrUEMKqhlI/AAAAAAAABzk/XtD1F60GgRg/s1600/DSCF2923.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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Here we are with Rosa and her new walker</div>
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Monday was quite the adventure because Hermana Mora and I practically spent the entire day in government buildings helping Rosa (who's 90 years old & lives by herself) receive a new walker. By the end of it all, she was crying for joy ~ which made the 4-1/2 hours worth it. More and more I realize how many people need help, and the responsibility we all have to fulfill those needs. Rosa sits in her wheelchair all day with a dislocated shoulder and a fractured hip; sometimes in so much pain that she prefers not to eat so that she doesn't suffer in an attempt to make beans. But what I love about Rosa and all the other people who are going through challenges (physically, emotionally, economically) is how humble they become and how grateful they are. I hope we never loose sight of what truly matters ~ not how much money we have, how popular we are, or our career, but following the example of the Savior and helping one another. One thing I love about the mission, is the happiness I have experienced in doing service.<br />
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<span class="s1">This is what happens half of the time when we go up a steep hill ;)</span></div>
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Tuesday flew by after our district meeting. We are teaching an investigator named Javier, who is 18 years old and super receptive. He asks good questions and likes to learn; which is allowing him to progress quickly. We invited him - as well as everyone else we are teaching - to go to the church building on Friday night to see the movie, <a href="http://meetthemormons.com/#/filter-all/page-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Meet The Mormons</span></a>. The movie wasn't shown in theaters here, so the whole stake is getting together to watch it (which is a SCORE for me 'cause I'll get to see it for the 2nd time).<br />
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On Wednesday we talked to Juan Jose about his baptism date - since he was out of town Sunday, he would have to wait 'till next week to complete the 5 times in church, but next week is <a href="https://www.lds.org/church/events/april-2015-general-conference?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">General Conference</span></a>, so we had to postpone his baptismal service 'till April 11th. But he's still excited nonetheless. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am in Morelos.
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<span class="s1">(sorry about the definition of the camera- we took it at night)</span></div>
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In the evening we went to Morelos and visited an adorable family. It's a husband & wife with their 7 year old boy and 5 year old girl. They are such a happy and cute family - especially considering how small they are (the dad is under 5 foot<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>) I love teaching them because they are open to new ideas and learning the truth.<br />
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Thursday was weekly planning again - which blows my mind how another week has gone by. We taught Eriberto's younger brother, who is 17. Although his dream is to become a professional rapper and he likes to show off his tongue piercing, he listened to us and sincerely liked what we taught. We can "never judge a book by its cover." We spent the day contacting a lot and visiting several other investigators.<br />
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<span class="s1">This is where the famous singers perform at night</span></div>
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Friday was the first official day of the Cultural Week here in Zacatecas<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> In honor of "Semana Santa" (or Holy Week) the whole downtown / center of the city gets closed for days of celebration. A huge stage with bleachers and lights and big TV screens are set up for some famous singers to perform; while people from all around gather to enjoy the activities. There are artists, dancers and stands selling just about anything anyone can imagine. The closed streets make traffic atrocious and crowds of people push and squeeze past one another to get to their wanted destinations.<br />
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In the evening we watched <a href="http://meetthemormons.com/#/filter-all/page-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Meet the Mormons</span></a> and it was just as great as the first time. Several converts and investigators came and enjoyed the movie as well. I am so proud to be "Mormon" and to have grown up in the church with the righteous examples of my family members and leaders. It is such a blessing to understand God's divine plan for His children and how we can find peace and joy in this life.<br />
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Saturday was a beautiful day. I've taught several new investigators and contacted a lot of people. We were given money to buy our own lunch, so I yielded to my craving and ate a waffle with Nutella and peanut butter. And I must say, it was absolutely scrumptious. It was the first time in the mission I had eaten a waffle. ~ I miss making waffles on Sunday mornings with my family. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> At 6pm was the Relief Society Broadcast, which was really nice. I especially liked the example of the soda can that's unopened and full of soda [that it] can't be crushed like an empty soda can. Similarly, if our lives are "filled" with spiritual things, it is easy to resist the pressures of outside forces.<br />
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<span class="s1">THEY GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">-Enriqueta, Ximena y Mariela</span></div>
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<span class="s1">[from Kiley's last area]</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Here they are with Hermana Rivera and Hermana Martinez</span></div>
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So on Sunday we had 3 investigators come to church. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> The meetings were uplifting and inspiring. I am so excited for <a href="https://www.lds.org/church/events/april-2015-general-conference?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">General Conference</span></a> next week, and one of the talks was about the importance of listening to the voice of the latter-day prophet. I am so grateful to have a prophet who receives revelation that leads and guides us on the path back to our Heavenly Father. Something I've also come to appreciate here on the mission is the difference between watching General Conference at home or at church. In both places we can hear the talks, but personally, I can concentrate and feel the Spirit so strongly while seated reverently in my church clothes in the sacrament room. I hope everyone can take notes of the inspirations that come through the Holy Ghost when we listen carefully to the church leaders in the correct setting and atmosphere.<br />
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In the evening, Marlen spent 3 hours with Hermana Mora and I<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> She's still trying to decide if she wants to serve a mission, and loves being around us. It's great that she can see exactly what we do throughout the day. (I now wish I had made visits with the sister missionaries back home<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>) But it's definitely something I'll be doing when I return. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> We enjoyed a fun and productive time together and even taught two new investigators. This area is starting to grow on me and I love it more and more each day. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Monday (today) was a blast 'cause we went on the "teleferico", which took us over the city. It was beautiful and we went with our investigator, Eriberto. Then we all ate lunch, which was yummy. Here are the photos of our adventures<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Here is one of the many photos I took in the teleferico today!</span></div>
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I love you all and hope everyone enjoys <a href="https://www.lds.org/church/events/april-2015-general-conference?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">General Conference</span></a> this Saturday and Sunday<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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~xoxoxo,<br />
Hermana Eliason<br />
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[more pictures]<br />
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<span class="s1">Here are some of the many photos I took in the teleferico today</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">in front of the stage before they finished putting up the rest of the seats</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baptismal Program [from Kiley's last area]</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Here they are with the Bishop and Hermano Niño who baptized them</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-7766643464762363732015-03-24T09:04:00.000-07:002015-03-24T09:04:02.991-07:00"The Hills Are Alive... With The Sound Of The Gospel"So, during my first Monday here in Zacatecas, it didn't stop raining<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We returned home freezing cold and soaking wet, but had had a great day, nonetheless. I'm so happy to be working with Hermana Mora again, and it feels like we were together just yesterday. I love getting to know the area because it is absolutely beautiful. Every road is rock or cobblestone and the colorful houses on the hillsides are tall and strong. Although the scenery from the tops of the hills is breath-taking, it's very tiring at times to go up and down the steep streets all day. Sometimes I feel like I'm mountain climbing, but Hermana Mora says I'll adjust and get used to it soon.<br />
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On Tuesday we had our first district meeting. Our district is so tiny - just the Elders from our ward and us<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Elder Madsen is our district leader and his new companion, Elder Soto, only has 4 months in the mission. They are pretty cool and we'll be seeing them almost every day because we eat together at the member's houses. After the district meeting we ate, and continued working in the foggy weather. I got to know some of the investigators, recent converts, and less actives in the area. The people here are kind and welcoming - which makes me all the more ready to start serving and teaching them.<br />
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<span class="s1">I wish I could just walk around with a GoPro and videotape the whole city</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are with Eriberto</td></tr>
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Wednesday was great because the sun finally decided to come out<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I can't get over how incredible this city is<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I wish I could take a million pictures because it feels like I'm walking through an old movie<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We taught an investigator named Juan Jose who is most likely going to be baptized next week. He is a great guy that works at the house of a member. Also, we taught 19 year old Eriberto, who is progressing a lot - he promised us yesterday that he would finally take out his nose ring and he did<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Hopefully he also can be baptized in a couple weeks. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Hermana Mora and I enjoyed a successful day together and bought ourselves an ice cream. It's so fun to be working with a friend.<br />
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Thursday was a bright and sunny day as well. It was weekly planning and Hermana Mora explained the investigators, converts, and members to me a little more. I found out that our area is huge<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We even cover a small pueblito (town) 20 minutes outside the city<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We taught several lessons in the evening and encountered a new investigator <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Friday was fun. In the morning, we taught the laundry mat man - who was really receptive. And also talked with Jose Juan about his baptism. Since he is going to Mexico for the weekend, he isn't sure if he'll make it back in time for church Sunday morning. We are praying that he'll come on Sunday to complete the required 5 times in church and be baptized next weekend. The member that was supposed to feed us went on the ward temple trip and left us money to go eat where ever we wanted. The Elders and we decided on pizza and went to Dominos ... yum<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Afterwards, we taught a new investigator named Lili with her mom, Maria, and it went really well. Then after teaching a recent convert, Hermana Mora and I stopped by the restaurant of a less active member. It was the first time we had met her (also named Maria) and she told us her story of how she'd come to know the missionaries and get baptized. Hermana Maria was so kind to us and fed us dinner. She just moved here from Piedras Negras - which is about 12 hours away - and thanked us for stopping by. Before heading home, we taught one last lesson, with a recent convert that came with us. I love that the members here go on visits with us to the home of investigators and less-actives. Having another person present to bear testimony in the lessons really helps<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am with Marlen. She's 19 & loves going with <br />Hermana Mora and me to visit people</td></tr>
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On Saturday I felt like I was back in San Luis with Teodulo and Maria because we taught a man who also makes bread<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> He and two of his nefews [nephews] were making the conchas as we taught them about the importance of a prophet. They listened and participated, and made us take some bread fresh out of their brick oven before leaving. In the evening we taught a new investigator named Juanita who is about 50 years old and has a sister who is a member. She was really receptive and familiar with several of our beliefs that distinguish us from other religions. In the late afternoon, we made more visits to investigators and headed home. I have to admit, I was absolutely exhausted and while planning, I had to use a lot of white-out because my dosing-off made my handwriting unreadable<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Hermana Mora told me the first week is the hardest, so I'm hoping she's right. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are with the twins, Melonie and Emily</td></tr>
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Sunday was my first time at the church with the ward. We passed by for some investigators in the morning and the church services started at 10am. Eriberto and another investigator named Alejandro came. Church attendance was about 55 people in total - which is less than half of what I was used to in San Luis. But it made it easier for me to meet everyone quickly and remember the majority of their names. After the church services we ate at a member's house in Morelos (the town I mentioned about 20 minutes away in bus). The member's name is Hermana Enrique, and she is so fun and sweet. She has 5 kids - the oldest living in Utah, and the rest living with her (her two youngest daughters are twins: Melonie and Emily) Then we made several more visits and arrived home right after 9:30pm. Once again feeling utterly pooped, we planned quickly and went to bed. It may be from how tired I've been, but this bed is definitely the softest and comfiest bed EVER<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">! :)</span> haha<br />
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<span class="s1">I just got the best news EVER!!! Hermana Rivera emailed me and said that Enriqueta and her 3 daughters and their dad all went to church this Sunday and are going to be baptized on Saturday! When I talked to the President this morning about my ecclesiastical endorsement he said I might be able to receive permission and go to their baptism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">It is truly incredible here<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I wish I could show everyone around all my areas and all the places I have been. Time is flying by and I am so grateful to be a missionary and have learned so much<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I love every second</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">! </span>Hope everyone has an excellent week. Here are some of the many pictures we've taken (and there will be lots more in weeks to come<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>) </div>
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Love you all<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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Hermana Eliason<br />
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[Kiley sent a bunch of photos "to give you a glimpse of my area"]<br />
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<span class="s1">Me cooking asparagus- so healthy right? ;)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">IT'S SO AMAZING HERE!!!</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-9932553752616232962015-03-16T21:37:00.004-07:002015-03-16T21:37:47.027-07:00CHANGES but not too much of a change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So this week was kinda crazy because on Tuesday right after lunch, Hermana Rivera and I both started feeling pretty bad and super weak. We headed back to the house to grab a jacket and didn't end up leaving because we ended up taking turns going to the bathroom every 15 minutes. So ya, that was fun. We couldn't leave on Wednesday either, but had to go to the multi-zone showing of the movie <a href="http://meetthemormons.com/#/filter-all/page-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Meet the Mormons</span></a>, which ended up being super cute<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I LOVED it<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I would totally recommend it to anyone who hasn't had the chance of seeing it yet <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Immediately afterwards we went to the doctor who told us we most likely had eaten something that didn't sit well with us - and that we would be prone to diarrhea and vomiting/nausea for the next 72 hours - GREAT. </div>
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(T<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">his is us in the bus station all sad because of transfers)</span><br />
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Thursday I couldn't bear to sit in the bathroom and our bed all day, so in the evening we made several visits. When we taught Teodulo and Maria, they told us they had kept up in their reading in the Book of Mormon and are right now in Mosiah<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I couldn't stop beaming as Hermana Maria explained to me how incredible she thought the story of Alma the Younger was. She retold us the story and was like, <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"Alma was mute for three days! And then his dad was praying and fasting for him to be able to talk again and tell everyone he had been wrong. That is amazing</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"</i></span> She was so excited about reading the Book of Mormon and I almost cried as she showed me a particular verse she had underlined and shared with us saying "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>this scripture reminded me of you missionaries."</i></span> The verse was <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/mosiah/27.36-37?lang=eng#35" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Mosiah 27:36-37</span></a>. </div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: x-small;">36 And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">37 And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">By Friday Hermana Rivera and I started to feel better (and a BONUS - we had dropped 4 pounds each <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">;)</span> haha We worked all day and really enjoyed being out and about with the people again. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">This is me and Hermana Yera</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Saturday was fun because Hermana Flores ended up in a trio with us since her companion finishes the mission this week and was going to Agaus for the Sunday dinner with the President. And what's more exciting is that her companion was traveling to Agaus with Hermana Gonzalez (who also finishes the mission this week) so I got to see her</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> She and I were so happy to give each other a hug again and talk for a couple minutes before she left. She promised to write me and stay in touch.</div>
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<span class="s1">So Saturday afternoon, while with Hermana Rivera and Hermana Flores, we taught Enriqueta and her two daughters. I was practically squealing with joy when Ximena told me that she is now in Alma in the Book of Mormon and has been reading every day</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It is SUCH an indescribable feeling of happiness for another person - and on such a level that I had never felt before coming to the mission. I could truly see that they all are learning and loving the gospel. My prayer that night was that if I had transfers, that her other daughter Danahi could come to church (which would be the first time she's ever gone and a true miracle).</div>
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<span class="s1">Here is Enriqueta with Ximena and Mariela</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Sunday morning arrived and when we went to Enriqueta's house, she and her THREE daughters filed out behind her and my jaw almost dropped to the floor. It was the best moment ever</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I know one day they will all be baptized and Danahi is opening up to the possibility of listening to the missionary discussions. Miracles do happen.</div>
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<span class="s1">At night, the Amaya family had invited us and the Elders to dinner and there, we received the news of transfers. When Elder King told me I was going to Zacatecas, I wasn't too surprised....but then when he said I would be Hermana Mora's companion I was like "Are you serious?</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span class="s1">" Yep</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span class="s1"> SO I am with my awesome companion Hermana Mora again</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It was really hard to pack up from the area that had become like a second home to me and say goodbye to my incredible companion Hermana Rivera, but I know it's not really a goodbye more like a "see ya later alligator<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>" We will all stay in contact and be close friends forever."</div>
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<span class="s1">These are some of my close friends from our ward (Thalia, Adriana, Gabby, Me, Fernanda, Karla, and Hermana Rivera)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">On Monday morning I arrived at the bus station in rainy and foggy weather (I guess San Luis was sad I was leaving too). It was a three hour drive to Zacatecas, but I slept the whole way. When I finally made it, Hermana Mora greeted me with the biggest smile I have ever seen</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> When I told her how happy I was to be with her again, she told me why we are companions here for the second time. What's happening here in Zacatecas is, the only stake here is falling apart and on the verge of disappearing for low church assistance and baptisms. So in an effort to save the stake here, President Villareal sent his best missionaries to this zone. Since Hermana Mora and I made such a great team back in SLP he put us together again<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I am pumped to be here and dedicate my last 12 weeks to working my hardest and helping in any way I can. </div>
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<span class="s1">This is Hermana Mora posing outside of our house (well actually we only live on the second story) </span></div>
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My area is the center of the capital and is the most beautiful area I have ever had! It is pure hills here, so we will be walking up and down steep inclines and declines all the time - but I like it. Everything is colonial and all the streets are cobblestone. As I come to learn more and take more pictures I think you will be able to get a sense of my new life here. I am happy and healthy and all is well <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> </div>
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<span class="s1">Love you all and hope you have an excellent week</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Hermana Eliason </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Here we are in our sweet hammocks</span></div>
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<span class="s1">For our last supper...haha the Amaya family made us lasaña!!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">This was 7 of us in Mike´s car when he dropped us off to go eat!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">At the Family Yera´s house we took some crazy photos</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back with Hermana Mora!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-35264830966000870892015-03-10T17:43:00.002-07:002015-03-10T17:43:30.960-07:0015 Months ... And Still Lovin' It!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We received an answer to our fasting and prayers on Monday. The Nino Family had invited us and Enriqueta with her daughters to have a Family Home Evening night together. Since Enriqueta's older daughter, Danahi, has never been interested in listening to us - which has been holding back her mom and sisters from being baptized - Hermana Rivera and I were pleasantly surprised when she showed up to the FHE (Family Home Evening)<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> At first Danahi was timid, but as we all talked together and made each other laugh, she opened up. Hermano Nino taught about the importance of saying specific prayers. When we pray, we express the feelings or desires of our heart. A prayer is not something memorized or repeated, rather, a conversation with our loving Heavenly Father. One thing I love about prayer, is we can ask questions and receive our answers to those questions through the scriptures, words of living prophets, personal experiences, or even other people. After the lesson, we all ate dinner together and continued chatting till it was sadly time to go. Hermana Rivera and I couldn't help but smile the whole way home because of the beautiful answer to our specific prayer that Danahi would open her heart and listen to our message. It was an amazing experience.<br />
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Tuesday flew by because after lunch we went straight to the bus station to go to Aguascalientes. It was actually really cool, because we went out for pizza with Hermana Ferrer & her companion. (Hermana Rivera and Hermana Ferrer are close friends who are both from Puerto Rico, but had never seen each other during the mission. So since Hermana Ferrer is finishing the mission in 2 weeks, the President gave us special permission to see them.)<br />
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Wednesday was the Council Meeting with the President and all the leaders. As always, it was fantastic and a privilege to be a STL (Sister Trainer Leader) and attend all the meetings that have helped me learn and grow. It was my 6th Council Meeting and if I have changes next week, then it might have been my last. I received my family's Christmas package and 2 Christmas cards<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!!</span> I also received 2 Valentine's Day packages and I am now loaded with chocolate. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Thank you so much to all who have continued reading my blog, emailing me, or sending me things in the mail. It means a lot that you haven't forgotten me. Your letters and prayers give me strength to continue and motivate me to try my best. I am so grateful for you all.<br />
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On Thursday, it started getting cold. (crazy bipolar weather here<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>) We visited several people in the evening - because we had weekly planning in the morning. (Oh, and in the morning we tested each other's vocab for language study while walking through the park.) Sometimes it feels nice to just breathe the fresh air and enjoy nature. One of my favorite quotes from this week was, "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."<br />
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<span class="s1">Walking in the Tangamanga Park</span></div>
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Friday was the Zone Conference/meeting. I talked about Leadership and explained how we all have leadership abilities and skills. Every missionary is a leader - which means we all have responsibilities to complete. I think it went well, and it was a great meeting. In the afternoon we taught 2 new investigators and had some really amazing lessons. I love how unified Hermana Rivera and I are in our teaching methods. We are pretty much telepathic <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> It's fun.<br />
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Saturday I held a parrot<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We were contacting a butcher who was cutting up some meat and then heard, "Quiero agua. agua. quiero agua." Then we saw that the source of the squawking voice was his 10 year old green parrot, named Bocho. He was kind enough to let us hold him and snap some quick shots.<br />
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We were able to visit a lot of people [on Saturday]. The Rose family finished the Jenga they made for me<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!!</span> Since Hermano Rosa is a carpenter, he was able to cut the wooden pieces for me and make a Jenga game for me. But what is super cool is that all the members and people here will each be able to sign a block and write me a little note. That way, I'll be able to remember them all and have a fun game that will also hold fond memories of my time here. At night, we taught Enriqueta and her daughters about the temple and family history work. They loved it and said they would love to go inside a temple some day.<br />
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Sunday was "Dia de la Mujer" (Women's Day). Does that exist in the U.S.? haha There were bands playing and even some fireworks. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> And I also only have exactly 3 months until I finish the mission. It blows my mind how fast the time has flown by here - I can't believe I've been away from home for 15 months. Church went well and the youth speakers talked about seminary - which was great for Mariela and Ximena. In the evening it rained but we still managed to make visits. All in all, a great day and an excellent week.<br />
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Hope all is well and I'll see you all in 3 months. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[Herman Eliason returns from Mexico on June 8th and will be giving a homecoming talk on Sunday, June 14th at 9am. All are welcome to attend. 3354 Eucalyptus Avenue, Chino Hills 91709]</span><br />
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xoxo,<br />
Hermana Eliason<br />
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<span class="s1">This is Mariela when her dog totally fell asleep on her!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">This is hermana Rivera and I when we went out to eat with the other Hermanas in Aguascalientes</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In the Tangamanga Park</span></div>
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<span class="s1">This is me inside Teodulo and Marias volkswagon van!!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In the capital</span></div>
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<span class="s1">In the capital</span></div>
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<span class="s1">All of the other STL on Wednesday outside the mission offices</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-51934002659774643572015-03-03T12:36:00.000-08:002015-03-03T12:36:07.551-08:00ProgressOn Monday, in the evening we visited Enriqueta and her two daughters with Hermana Anais Cadena. We explained the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity and how they are commandments given to help us protect our body. <br />
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<i>"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY." 1 Corrinthians 6:19-20. </i></blockquote>
The Word of Wisdom is a law of health that teaches us what foods and substances we should and should not use - like eating lots of fruits and vegetables and staying away from alcohol, tobacco, drugs, black tea, and coffee. The Law of Chastity includes strict abstinence from sexual relations before marriage and complete fidelity and loyalty to one's spouse after marriage. The lesson went super well, and they all promised and accepted to live in accordance to these 2 commandments.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The ginormous yummy pizza</span></td></tr>
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Tuesday was excellent<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Teodulo and Maria had signed up on the ward calendar to feed the Elders and us - so Teodulo made a HUGE homemade PIZZA<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It was scrumptious <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Then after a few other lessons throughout the day, we visited Brandon and his dad, Arturo. And guess what? They had prepared a gourmet dinner consisting of pancakes (which they call hot cakes) with every topping imaginable: Nutella, strawberry jam, blackberry jam, syrup, and caramel<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> <br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A-M-A-Z-I-N-G :)</span> We were so full by the time we finished and got home.<br />
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<span class="s1">This was on Tuesday when we ate with Teódulo and Maria </span></div>
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<span class="s1">and three of there grandaughters (Kenya, Sofia, and Zoe)</span></div>
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I spent Wednesday in the area of Indepencencia with Hermana Rios (who was trained by Hermana Anderson). She is 21 and from the DF (Districto Federal de Mexico). We got along super well and had a busy, yet successful, day together. She has 3 1/2 months in the mission and has so much energy and such a desire to teach others. We both learned a lot from each other and it was a great exchange.<br />
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So on Thursday, we visited Enriqueta and two of her daughters again. The lesson was one of the most spiritual and powerful experiences I've had so far. When we talked with them again about being baptized, they told us they really want to, but what's holding them back is the oldest daughter that doesn't want to listen to us or the missionary lessons. The Mom doesn't want to create a division in her family by being baptized with two of her daughters and make the other daughter feel left out. But at the same time, she and Mariela and Ximena feel they should be baptized. So, we are kinda in a pickle right now.<br />
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<span class="s1">Guess what?!?! Since Hermana Rivera had never been.....</span></div>
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<span class="s1">we went to the MASK MUSEUM again! haha</span></div>
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<span class="s1">lots of new fun pictures</span></div>
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Then on Friday we made a ton of visits and were able to contact 20 people along the way. The food at lunch was delicious and I made Hermana Rivera laugh so hard that she snorted - which then made everyone else at the table start cracking up<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> haha It was great<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I truly love making people laugh - it's a rewarding feeling to know I made someone else happy.<br />
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Saturday was a beautiful day - and although the sun was out, it was still a bit chilly. We had a wonderful day contacting, teaching, and attending an activity in the church in the evening. It makes me sad to think that most likely in just 2 more weeks (at the end of the transfer) I will be with someone new in a new area. After being here in Avacion, San Luis Potosi for over 5 months, I've grown super close to the people / ward members. <br />
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Saturday night, for mutual, all the young men & women went to the movie to see <a href="http://meetthemormons.com/#/filter-all/page-1" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Meet The Mormons</span></a>. Ximena and Mariela went with the young women and Brandon even showed up to go with the young men. They had a good time.<br />
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<span class="s1">This is what a member family gave us for dessert! <br />(the Amaya family) and they even let us keep the vases!</span></div>
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Okay, Sunday was incredible<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Since it was the first Sunday of the month, it was Fast and Testimony Meeting for the first hour. Teodulo blessed the sacrament again and Brandon passed the sacrament for the first time<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Then Brandon shared his TESTIMONY in front of everyone<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> He explained how he has been attending seminary and mutual and has learned so much. He even mentioned how happy he was that he got baptized - I was so excited for him and couldn't be happier. Our other recent converts came too: Lulu, and Jose Guadalupe. It was just all great. We had pizza for lunch and afterwards completed the week's goal of contacting a total of 100 people<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Oh, and in the evening we met a lady named Maria Dolores, who let us in her house, and after teaching the first lesson, she accepted a baptismal date in April <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Pooh and Tigger = Hermana Rivera and I</span></div>
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Hermana Rivera and I are working hard together and are constantly making each other laugh. The time really has flown by with her this past month and we've definitely become best friends. <br />
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I hope everyone is doing well and has a FABULOUS week <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Thank you for all your love, prayers and support. I'm the luckiest girl in the world, thanks to all of you, and am so grateful.<br />
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All my love,<br />
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Hermana Eliason<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Mask Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridge in our area.</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Jenka is the name of this restaurant I saw and had to take a picture <br />'cause it made me think of my dog Janka!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Here I am with Lulu in her estética (or hair salón)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">At the Mask Museum</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">At the Mask Museum</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">At the Mask Museum</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">At the Mask Museum</span></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-15191171496140981362015-02-24T07:19:00.000-08:002015-02-24T07:21:12.022-08:00I'm a Missionary. I know it. I live it. I LOVE IT!Monday we were able to run all our errands and get everything done a little early, so we hung around the house. We cut out pictures, wrote in our journals, and even took a 20 minute power nap. Then in the evening we taught 3 lessons to less active members. The last member invited us to eat a quick dinner with her, and she prepared avocado quesadillas<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It was a pretty relaxing day.<br />
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<span class="s1">This is the only picture we got of Teodulo opening his present <br />that wasn't blurry. He was excited. And this is one of his <br />granddaughters Joseline (the same one that went to their baptism) </span></div>
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Tuesday was Hermano Teodulo's 61st birthday and they invited us to lunch to celebrate. We were creative in making a thoughtful and inexpensive present. We used a cardboard box that we decorated with fun stickers, and put balloons and a card inside. (We had even cut up paper to make confetti <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> ha ) He really liked it and it was just them with 7 of their children. We all ate red tacos and jello for dessert. Afterwards we visited Hermana Bertha and her daughter, Paty. We started teaching about the <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.mormon.org/beliefs/plan-of-salvation" target="_blank">Plan of Salvation</a></span> and Paty told us, <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"I never knew that we lived with God before being born." </i></span> She was super interested in the lesson as we described our <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/plan-of-salvation?lang=eng&query=premortal+life" target="_blank">premortal existence</a></span> as spirits with our Heavenly Father. I love seeing people learn<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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On Wednesday, I spent my day in my area with Hermana Yanez for exchanges. She is from Puebla and only has 2 1/2 weeks in the mission field<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I remember recently arriving to Mexico and starting my mission; and it doesn't feel like it was that long ago. I can't believe how fast the time has flown by. When I told Hermana Yanez that I have 14 months in the mission, she looked at me as if I am an old lady<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> hahah<br />
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On Thursday we visited several people before Hermana Rivera took her english exam at Hermana Amy Rodriguez's house. She was so nervous because it was an oral exam, where she had to talk to the computer. But she did great and was at an advanced level<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Zone</td></tr>
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Friday was a special Zone Conference with the Mission President, his wife, and his 3 assistants. It was fun to see the zone again and the President told us that as a zone we could come to the stake center next week to see the new movie called <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://meetthemormons.com/#/filter-all/page-1" target="_blank">Meet The Mormons</a></span> that's going to be released in theaters this next Friday<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I'm super pumped to see it<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> The Relief Society activity for next week is actually carpooling to the movie theater to see it on opening day <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Our last visit was with the Rosa family, and we taught about what we do in the <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/church/temples/why-we-build-temples?lang=eng" target="_blank">temple</a></span>. They have been able to do <a href="http://www.mormon.org/faq/baptism-for-the-dead" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">baptisms for their ancestors</span></a>, but are currently preparing to be <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/sealing" target="_blank">sealed</a></span> as a family. They are excited, and I am so happy for them and all their progress. I am grateful for temples and the priesthood authority that allows us to be an eternal family and live together forever.<br />
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Saturday sped by like the blink of an eye<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We were able to visit lots of recent converts and less actives. (This week we updated the ward list.) I can now say that I have been to every house of present or past members that are registered in our ward<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> So we did a lot of walking and knocked on tons of doors.<br />
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So Sunday I almost exploded with joy because Teodulo blessed the <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/sacrament?lang=eng&query=sacrament" target="_blank">sacrament</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> He was so nervous, but said the prayer for the water PERFECTLY<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I couldn't stop smiling and, to be honest, almost cried. Plus, one of his sons, Pedro, came with his two daughters, Kenya and Sofia. And guess what<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">?</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> They all stayed for the whole 3 hours<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Kenya and Sofia went to <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/primary" target="_blank">Primary</a></span>, so Pedro was able to attend the classes. In the <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-principles?lang=eng" target="_blank">Gospel Principles</a></span> class, Hermana Rivera and I taught about the Priesthood with Pedro and his parents present, and they all participated so much. It was just an excellent Sunday for me.<br />
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Today (Monday again) we went to the Tangamanga Park<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> First we ran a little, and then we went over to Teodulo and Maria's house because they let us borrow their bikes<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> So then, Hermana Rivera and I rode all over the park and had a blast! Man, I miss riding bikes so much. We saw the animals, played on some play-grounds, and even did a boot camp obstacle course<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Here i am doing the obstacle course. It was actually really really fun! haha</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Here I am on the teeter totter! I hadn't been on one of those in FOREVER! haha</span></div>
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When we returned to Teodulo & Maria's house, they gave us orange juice and we helped Teodulo make his morning bread for a couple of minutes. It was great.<br />
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Yeah, so life couldn't get better for me as a missionary<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I am loving every second here and everything is going so well. I truly adore the people and teaching them more about Jesus Christ.<br />
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I hope everyone has a fantastic week. Keep that smile on your face <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Love always,<br />
Hermana Eliason<br />
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<span class="s1">We carved our inicials [initials] on this tree ;)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">I was trying to take a picture of hermana rivera with the bull but right before it charged towards the fence and she jumped away screaming!! I managed to snap this shot!! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Here is where the old landing station was for the airport. My area is called Aviacion (which means aviation- for like planes!) So there was a bunch of cool things we saw- but the battery of the camera ran out! next time there will be more pictures</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Okay I was totally excited about the merry go round. And then Hermana Rivera was like "cool. I can do that too." and like 20 seconds after she started spinning...I took this picture of her because she's like "I think I am going to throw up now!" hahaha</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Here we are making wishes...cause there were a ton of those things all over! <br />(we had just finished running, and that`s why we are so red)</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-62630805449183517882015-02-17T21:56:00.000-08:002015-02-17T21:56:43.172-08:00Happy Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On Monday, Hermana Rivera and I deep cleaned our house and she finished unpacking. We bought lots of fruit at Tiangis and even went running in the morning<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> When we went to visit Walmart in the afternoon, I had forgotten that this week will be Valentine's Day and the whole store was filled with chocolate, teddy bears, and hearts<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> After writing our families, we visited some less active members.</div>
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<span class="s1">I have no idea why Hermana Rivera has these....but they are hilarious to put on <br />and we couldn't stop laughing! haha</span></div>
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Tuesday we had our first District Meeting as a new district. It all went well, and afterwards we started exchanges with Hermana Empey and Hermana Cuque from our district. Hermana Empey and I stayed in my area and started working together after the District Meeting. She is from Washington, where her family manages a bunch of crop and orchards. (They have about 900 acres filled with apple, peach, cherry & pear trees, but also corn, wheat, alfalfa, etc.) It was so cool to hear what her life is like working on the farm with her 4 brothers and 1 sister. Hermana Empey tries to be exactly obedient and works hard - so I enjoyed the day with her.<br />
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Wednesday afternoon right before lunch, we finished exchanges and I was reunited with my companion Hermana Rivera. We had an incredible day together and taught so well with the Spirit. Now a lot of family members of other people we've been teaching are sitting in on the lessons when we visit. Teodulo & Maria's son, Pedro, loves learning and always participates. Bertha's two children are progressing and want to come to church, and Enriquets's other daughter asked us for her own Book of Mormon because she was reading from her sister's and is finishing 2nd Nephi<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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Enriqueta said the most touching comment after we asked her how she had been feeling when we visit. She told us, "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>After the car accident, I was going through a really rough time and was even recomended to take medicine from my psychologist. But you and your companion showed up 2 days afterwards, and I've felt so good that since the first visit, I haven't taken medicine. Now I feel more peaceful, self-confident, and I felt a change from before."</i></span> As she was telling us all of this, I actually almost cried because it was just a really sweet experience / moment.<br />
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On Thursday, we spent the day looking for less active members on the ward list. It was great because we could contact a lot of people and also set up a lot of new appointments. We walked a ton, and we were both pretty worn out by the time we got home at night.<br />
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<span class="s1">So sometimes the addresses that we had to look for didn't exist anymore. <br />So that was always fun! haha</span></div>
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On Friday we continued the search for less-actives and I actually really liked it. It was like a crazy detective adventure to go looking for addresses and find out what had happened to a lot of people. One less active lady told us we were the first missionaries in years to come looking for her. It was a rewarding experience because it shows the less active members that they are never forgotten and we still care about them. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:) </span><br />
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<span class="s1">These are the balloons and her desk that I heart attacked</span></div>
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Saturday was Valentine's Day<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I heart-attacked the desk of Hermana Rivera with stickers, post-its, and balloons and she gave me an ELEPHANT<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> </div>
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<span class="s1">This is the cute elephant she gave me with a chocolate sucker</span></div>
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We had an outstanding day visiting lots of people. Lulu gave us candy in the lesson we had with her before lunch. Then Adriana made us super yummy hamburgers for lunch, and afterwards when we got to Teodulo and Maria's house, we decorated a cake<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We wrote "amor y amistad" because to them, it's the day of love and friendship - which I kinda like better than just Valentine's Day. <br />
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In the evening, we saw Bertha and her two children who are investigating the Church. We taught them about the Book of Mormon - and they had read the introduction just like we had asked <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Before going home we taught Enriqueta and two of her daughters. (Mariela and Ximena) We explained the priesthood power and the sacred responsibility that the men have in our church. It was a great lesson and they committed to come to church. When we got home, a sister in our ward, who washes our clothes, brought us tacos for dinner and a big bag of candy<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> So Hermana Rivera and I were pretty happy campers <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Sunday was fantastic<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Enriqueta and her two daughters came to church, and Teodulo received the priesthood<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> The classes went well and everyone passed out a bunch of candy. After church we ate with the Yera family - who always fee us as if we've been fasting for like a week <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> They give us SO much food. Just to give you all an idea of what I ate: 6 potosi enchiladas, 2 servings of beans, a huge carne asada, vegetables, 2 glasses of mango water, and dessert<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I felt like I was going to explode, but everything was scrumptious.<br />
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I hope everyone had an excellent Valentine's Day. I love you all so much<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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xoxoxo<br />
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Hermana Eliason<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Kenya might have gotten a little too excited </span><br style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and had frosting all over her face </span><br style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" /><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">and in her hair- but still so stinkin adorable!</span></td></tr>
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<span class="s1">T</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">his is Pasaje E- E is for Eliason!</span></div>
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<span class="s1">These are the posters she put on my wall! haha We are Pooh Bear and Tigger</span></div>
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<span class="s1">This is during lunch when we took a quick selfie</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPXwWMUao6w/VNmGucCG3uI/AAAAAAAABe0/HsVzs8MMFx0/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SPXwWMUao6w/VNmGucCG3uI/AAAAAAAABe0/HsVzs8MMFx0/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="252" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span class="s1">This is the reunion of zone leaders and sister training leaders</span></div>
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On Monday I spent the majority of the day in the bus station. Our leaders told us to arrive at 7:30am, and it turned out that Hermana Gonzalez's bus didn't leave until after 1pm<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> But, it wasn't too bad, because I got to see a ton of sisters and elders that were also going to change areas - so it was like a big get together in the bus station. When it was time for Hermana Gonzalez to go, she was crying, but I assured her that we'd see each other again after the mission. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Hermana Rivera</td></tr>
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Then I met my new companion, Hermana Rivera. At first I was nervous, but I quickly realized that we are exactly the same<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Another sister missionary who knows us both told me, "If I were to put the two most similar sister missionaries together, it would have been you and Hermana Rivera." She was right, because we soon had become great friends and were making each other laugh. Hermana Rivera is 21 years old, has two little brothers and an outgoing personality. She speaks perfect english and has been in the mission for a year. It's fun hearing about her home in Puerto Rico<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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On Tuesday we visited Lulu, before lunch with the Loredo family. The Loredo family is the coolest. The Dad is our mission leader in the ward, the son always came with us to teach Brandon, and the daughter is always willing to come with us to visit investigators or pick them up on Sundays. They made us carne asada<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It is incredible how much the members take care of us. I am so grateful for all their help and support. And since it is the first week in February, we got on the bus for Aguascalientes, because we have the Council Meeting with the mission president and all the zone leaders tomorrow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am with a few sisters from our zone</td></tr>
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Wednesday was exciting because I got to see all the new zone leaders and sister training leaders. Guess what? Elder Oldham (an Elder that was in the M.T.C. with me) is a zone leader now<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It's weird to think that we almost have been in the mission for 14 months when I remember being in the MTC like yesterday<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Time truly flies by. The Council Meeting was excellent, and the topics were on unity and obedience. I learned a lot and had a fun time with Hermana Rivera.<br />
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Thursday we were able to teach a ton of people<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We've been teaching Jose Guadalupe's niece, who recently moved in with him and also the family members of some less actives and recent converts. I love watching the family members learn and grow together. The gospel truly brings people together. Before heading home, we watched <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r5Zwj9e2os" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Testaments</span></a> movie with Enriqueta and her two daughters. They loved it, and we all cried because it's just such a touching / inspiring movie. It tells the story of some people who lived here in the Americas and how they prepared for and received the visit of Jesus Christ.<br />
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Friday we had the zone conference. All but two companionships in the zone had changes - so there were a lot of new faces <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> I talked about the importance of unity in all aspects of the mission. To be unified, we need to be one in thought, desire, and purpose. I learned that when Jesus Christ was praying to our Father in Heaven in the Garden of Gethsemane before carrying out the Atonement, he was mostly praying for unity. <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/17?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"> (John 17:11, 20-23)</span></a><br />
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<span class="s1">This is me in Walmart with a huge stuff animal caterpillar that I thought was adorable.</span></div>
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Saturday was a great day<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Teodulo and Maria's son, Pedro, was interested in the lesson we were teaching and decided to sit-in and listen. I know that one day all their children will join the church and accept the gospel. And in the evening we helped the Rose Family pack-up and move from their small house to an even smaller apartment. They were so grateful for the time we spent helping, that they bought us tamales to eat for dinner.<br />
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<span class="s1">This is when we ate pizza for Hermana Rivera´s 1 year anniversary in the mission</span></div>
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Sunday, we spent the majority of the day in church. Before church started, we had a ward council meeting in the Bishop's office. Then after 3 hours of services, we ate a yummy lunch with the Nino Family. Before going to the meeting in the stake center for the leaders, we visited Patricia (Bertha's daughter). Patricia just started listening to our missionary lessons and accepted a baptismal date in March. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> She works in a cake shop and gave us some scrumptious cake - so that's a bonus. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Here is what my comp did for my 14 month anniversary :)<br />She is so cute</span></div>
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All in all, a fantastic week. I am happy and healthy and hope you are as well. Happiness is a choice as Abraham Lincoln said, "People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be".<br />
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I love you all and pray for your happiness and success.<br />
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Hermana Eliason<br />
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[more random pics]<br />
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<span class="s1">This is Hermana Rivera and I with Hermana Flores because she was once the companion of us both</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-21888868359051655602015-02-03T21:25:00.001-08:002015-02-03T21:25:37.375-08:00Brandon's Baptism!We received free facials from a ward member on P-day - so that was super relaxing / refreshing <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Then we followed the Monday routine: Subway for lunch, some window shopping, our appointment at the dentist for Hermana Gonzalez's braces, and email time. A great day, and in the evening we visited a less active family who wants to start coming back to church again.<br />
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Tuesday's district meeting was in English and I noticed that all the Americans in our district talk so differently. Hermana Gonzalez said she can't understand Elder Summers and Elder Burns' accents, and that my English is the clearest. She says I talk like all the American actresses in the movies. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">;)</span> haha Gotta love being from Southern California<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We made more visits to less-actives in the evening and saw some of our recent converts. Something that Hermana Gonzalez and I started doing is taking 30-second videos once a day to compile all the videos into a short "movie" at the end of our missions<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It is a lot of fun and I really don't know how I got so lucky to be her companion. We have a blast together and are the best of friends.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my great companion, Hermana Gonzalez.</td></tr>
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On Wednesday we went to Aguascalientes to renew my visa. Our bus left at 7am and we arrived at 10am. By the time we waited and did the paperwork and finger-prints, it was lunch time. Right after lunch we took the 3 hour bus ride back to San Luis - where we managed to visit 2 less-active families. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Brandon was interviewed for his baptism on Thursday and he and his dad were excited for tomorrow. He is getting baptized at such a great age, because he's young and will learn quickly in the church. His dad, Arturo, wants to be baptized but since he is a police officer, he always works on Sundays. <br />
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<span class="s1">Here are the shoes that Teodulo and Maria <br />bought for us- like the tan lines?</span></div>
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Teodulo and Maria are still just as awesome as ever. When we visit them, they always give us something to drink and some of their delicious bread and ask, "<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What are we going to learn today?</span></i>" We explained about patriarchal blessings and how they can prepare to receive their own patriarchal blessings. Oh, and in the evening, we visited Enriqueta and her daughter, Mariela. What was incredible was that Enriqueta and Mariela read one or two chapters in the Book of Mormon every day and are already in the second book of Nephi<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I admire their desire to know the truth and put forth the effort to read the Book of Mormon daily. I absolutely love the <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Book of Mormon</span></a> and have learned <u>so</u> much from it's inspiring stories.<br />
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On Friday was Brandon's baptism in the late afternoon. Everything went perfectly<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> The Young Men's President, Nefi, baptized Brandon. Nefi had prepared a musical number on the ukulele that was beautiful and lots of members were in attendance. Afterwards, Hermano Teodulo taught the sisters in the Relief Society how to make some yummy and simple empanadas and sugar cookies. He loved teaching everyone and I think everyone had a good experience.<br />
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<span class="s1">This is the baptism of Brandon with his dad and grandfather</span></div>
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Saturday flew by so quickly. We borrowed the block game called Jenga to explain the <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/apostasy?lang=eng&query=apostasy" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Apostasy</span></a> in a fun / interactive way and Teodulo and Maria loved it. Some of their grandchildren and children played too - and we hope to start teaching them soon. They showed us their 12 chickens they bought that will soon produce the eggs that Teodulo needs to make his bread. Brilliant idea, right? <br />
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We also played Jenga with the family "de la Rosa" and with Sara Dominguez's grandchildren. It was a fun day.<br />
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Sunday's sacrament meeting was fantastic because it was Fast Sunday; where the congregation has the opportunity to share their testimonies. I can't describe how happy and content I felt to see our recent converts arrive early and participate and socialize during the services. Teodulo and Maria, Lulu, Brandon and Jose Guadalupe all have friends in the church and have been so warmly welcomed. I am grateful for a ward that fellowships new members so well.<br />
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In the evening Hermana Gonzalez and I received the devastating news that she would be finishing her mission (or her last 6 weeks = 1 transfer) in Matahuala. She was pretty upset with the news, and I was just sad and shocked. We got along so well and are the best of friends, so I think that's why the news was so hard. But she lives less than 3 hours from me, so I know we will see each other again - and we promised each other and the people here that we'd come back to visit. So it really isn't "good-bye", more like "see you soon."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermana Rivera - my new companion</td></tr>
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My new companion is Hermana Rivera. I'll fill you all in with more info next week.<br />
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Thank you for all the love and prayers and support.<br />
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Con Amor,<br />
Hermana Eliason<br />
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[more pics]<br />
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<span class="s1">This is us with Hermana Fullmer in the central- bus station</span></div>
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<span class="s1">This is us with elder Rosas and elder Tlaxtalteca</span></div>
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<span class="s1">This is hermana </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Sara who is like a second mother to us :) </span></div>
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<span class="s1">This is when we were hungry and bought ourselves </span></div>
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<span class="s1">a pizza for dinner. It was like a mini pajama party! lots of fun</span></div>
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<span class="s1">This is when we heart attacked the car of </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Hermana Sara who is like a second mother to us :)</span></div>
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<span class="s1">This is the name badge that the ward printed out </span></div>
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<span class="s1">on the calendar for February to remind the sisters </span></div>
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<span class="s1">who is going to feed us</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-27487170172097582572015-01-26T19:13:00.000-08:002015-01-26T19:13:19.545-08:00Lots of Exchanges ... and a Guitar !On Monday Hermana Gonzalez wasn't feeling too well, so while she napped, I died my hair and cleaned the house. Then we ran some errands and ate lunch in a cute cafe. It was a beautiful day and in the evening we visited several less actives.<br />
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<span class="s1">Here is the Yerra familia. They always treat us so well and when<br />we eat with them it is like a Thanksgiving feast.<br />"always the best for the missionaries" they say.</span></div>
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Tuesday's district meeting went well and we learned about the importance of having companionship inventories. I am so blessed to have had great companions. When we have unity in our companionships, the area is more likely to have success. Each day passes so quickly because we have fun together and we focus on the work. In the evening we had exchanges with Hermana Avelino and Hermana Bingham from Terrazas.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me being crazy with money</td></tr>
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Wednesday was scorching hot - pretty sure I got a little sun burned. I worked with Hermana Bingham in her area and I learned several things from her. She and her companion are being really obedient, but not seeing results - which is rough. Hermana Bingham taught me how important it is to be humble, patient, and trust in the Lord's timing. I loved how much energy and enthusiasm Hermana Bingham had, despite her difficult circumstances. Her example motivated me to be better and I really enjoyed the day with her.<br />
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Thursday flew by after weekly planning and we visited Brandon with Hyrum, and Enriqueta and Mariela with Hermana Nino and her daughter. I love lessons with members<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Right now we have been inviting everyone to the stake activity we have on Saturday. I am so excited for the activity because one of the members in our stake is one of 23 people in the entire world that knows (fluently) 9 different "dead languages". His name is Brother Roche and he is going to historically prove that the Book of Mormon is true and that Jesus Christ visited the American continent. Aside from his incredible conversion story and strong testimony, Brother Roche has studied over 30 years in ancient languages and religions. (Not long ago he converted and baptized a well-known Jewish Rabi<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>) Anyway, I'm pretty pumped to hear what he has to share with us. In the evening we went on another exchange with Hermana Carreto and Hermana Leo from the area of Independencia.<br />
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<span class="s1">Here is Jose Guadalupe with his corn plant! He has a cool garden <br />in front of his house with chilis and tomatoes and melon.</span></div>
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I spent all day of Friday with Hermana Carreto in her area, just like last time. We click really easily and I like being around her, because she teaches me so much. One thing I really love about Hermana Carreto is how humble she is. We made lots of visits and enjoyed the day.<br />
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Saturday, for the first part of the day, I was still with Hermana Carreto for exchanges. And then in the evening at the activity, Hermana Gonzalez and I were reunited again. The activity was really interesting and Hermano Roche explained a lot about the ancient inhabitants of the Americas. He used lots of photos and visuals to capture our attention - smart. I learned a lot. After the activity, our lesson plans fell through, so Thalia bought us hot chocolate in a cute restaurant. Oh, and it rained - the weather is so bipolar<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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Sunday night it rained again, but throughout the day it was nice. Teodulo and Maria received the gift of the Holy Ghost during the Sacrament Meeting. They also gave Hermana Gonzalez and I new shoes and asked us when "it was their turn to feed the missionaries!?" haha They are incredible. I love them so much<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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Enriqueta, Mariela and her other daughter, Ximena, came to church and the Bishop announced Brandon's baptism for this Friday. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> In the evening, we had the meeting with the zone and district leaders that went really well.<br />
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<span class="s1">Zone leaders on the left (Elder Cusworth and Elder Flores) and the district leaders (Elder Geddes, Elder Pico, Elder Espinoza, and Elder Summers). They are all fun guys</span></div>
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We are going to print and laminate a big copy of our area and use push-pins that are numbered to correspond with members, less-actives, and recent converts. It's kinda hard to explain, but I'll take a picture of it when we finish. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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**Fun fact: One of the investigators that the Elders are teaching owns a big clothing knick-knack store. She loves Hermana Gonzalez and me, and one day when we passed by to say hi, she invited us to look around and see what we liked. She ended up giving us two beautiful dresses and before leaving, I saw a cute guitar in the shop window and asked how much she was selling it for. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"$50, but do you like it?"</i></span> she asked me. I told her I always thought it'd be fun to learn how to play, but didn't know how to read music. She just smiled and handed me the guitar saying, <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"If you really like it and want to learn how to play, it's yours."</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzljb_zSc6o/VMb6LflrdqI/AAAAAAAABb4/6wMhdqRGg2Q/s1600/DSC07634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzljb_zSc6o/VMb6LflrdqI/AAAAAAAABb4/6wMhdqRGg2Q/s1600/DSC07634.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>So, yea. I now have a guitar <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> And when I told Brandon, he gave me a guitar pick (since he plays the electric guitar and had extras). Hermana Gonzalez and I have been having fun intenting [attempting] to play it <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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All in all, another excellent week. The people are so kind to us and I feel great. I hope all is well for those back home. Enjoy the last week of January!<br />
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Love,<br />
Hermana Eliason<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-55140842562261494612015-01-19T15:53:00.001-08:002015-01-19T15:53:02.333-08:00Teodulo & Maria's Baptism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Monday evening Anais came with us to visit Enriqueta and her daughter, Mariela. The lesson went really well and they accepted February 14th as the date of their baptism. So, we are going to work with them to be ready by then. They are amazing. Oh, and during Christmas Break, Anais got engaged<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> She is planning on having her wedding in July - and since Hermana Gonzalez and I will have both completed our missions, she invited us. I think it would be so fun to come back and visit her and all the people in this area. <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Tuesday was just an excellent day<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> After lunch, Hermana Nino came with us to visit Teodulo and Maria - they finally accepted the invitation to be baptized on Saturday<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I was so happy for them and the choice they made <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Then when we taught Lulu, she told us she had felt so amazing that it's been hard for her to sleep these past 2 days<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> haha And when we told her that Teodulo & Maria decided to be baptized, she lit up and said, "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I am so excited for them. It's the best decision.</i></span>" Afterwards, we went with Issac (Anais' brother) to teach Brandon about the importance of commandments. It all went really well, and he's been reading all the pamphlets we give him. Then, Hermana Gonzalez and I quickly taught Jose Guadalupe before heading to Retornas to do exchanges with the other Hermanas.<br />
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Wednesday I spent the day with my old/ex companion Hermana Flores<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We worked in my area of Avacion and had a fun time together. She told me everything that happened in Fresnillo when I left and we just caught each other up to date on life <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Hermana Flores has such a strong spirit and always tries to look for the good in others. I loved being with her and can learn a lot from her example. In the evening we had all our plans fall through, so I checked in our book of people we've contacted, but never visited. After skimming through several pages, one of the names caught my eye: Maria Luisa. I remembered contacting her in the street about a month ago with Hermana Mora - and she seemed really interesting. When Hermana Flores and I knocked on her door, one of her granddaughters said she was sick and couldn't attend to us. But I told her it was very important and that we wouldn't take up too much of her time, so the granddaughter turned back into the house to tell her grandma. A couple of minutes later, Maria Luisa came out to greet us. She recognized me and said, "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I've been waiting for you to come. I wasn't going to see anyone today, but when my granddaughter told me there were 2 pretty girls who had skirts on, I knew it was an answer to my prayer. I was beginning to think that you might never come.</i></span>"<br />
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Maria Luisa was thrilled to hear our message and anxious to start reading the Book of Mormon. It was a sweet experience for me; to listen to the prompting of the Holy Ghost and encounter someone who has been looking for the truth.<br />
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On Thursday we made the programs for Teodulo & Maria's baptism, and they were interviewed by Elder Summers. Brandon said he's going to come to their baptismal service to see what it's like (since he is most likely going to be baptized next Saturday). And in the evening, Enriqueta and Mariela also confirmed that they would really like to come to the baptism too. We taught them with Hermana Nino and her daughter, who is the same age as Mariela. All went really smoothly and everyone seems to be happy.<br />
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<span class="s1">Hermana Gonzalez eating her super yummy crepe! haha</span></div>
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Friday was another excellent day. After lunch we finally had our interviews with the Mission President (we have interviews every quarter - or every 3 months). Then we visited Maria Luisa - she had not only read the <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/introduction?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">introduction</span></a> of the Book of Mormon, but also the <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/three?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">testimonies of the 3 witnesses</span></a>, the <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/eight?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">8 witnesses</span></a>, and <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/js?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">testimony of Joseph Smith</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> She said she is going to see the baptismal service tomorrow and also try to attend the Stake Conference on Sunday<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Oh, and she accepted the invitation to be baptized in February <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> She's a golden investigator. For dinner, Hermana Gonzalez and I treated ourselves to crepes<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> There is this cute little "crepes, coffee & churros" stand near our house, so we enjoyed Nutella & whipped cream crepes together.<br />
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<span class="s1">Elder Summers and Elder Rosas with <br />Hermana Gonzalez and me on the day of the baptism</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Here they are with us and the bishop</span></div>
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Saturday was the long awaited baptism<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Everyone on the program arrived and Teodulo & Maria brought their granddaughter, Joseline, with them. Our musical number was great<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We (Hermana Gonzalez, the Zone Leaders, and I) all sang "<a href="https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/o-my-father?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Oh, My Father</span>"</a> - the first verse was in Spanish, the second verse in English, the third verse in Portuguese, and the last verse in Spanish. Elder Flores accompanied us on the guitar and several people in attendance cried. Guess you could say it was pretty professional :) Teodulo and Maria were baptized by the Bishop and afterwards they were even happier than before. I loved seeing them smiling and socializing with the members. Brandon and Maria Luisa both attended and said they liked the baptismal service. Hermana Gonzalez and I gave them a framed picture of Jesus Christ and other members gave them a <a href="https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">hymn book</span></a>, <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament?lang=eng" target="_blank">the <span style="color: blue;">Doctrine & Covenants</span></a>, the <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Pearl of Great Price</span></a>, and other <a href="https://www.lds.org/magazines-and-manuals?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">manuals</span></a>. We were grinning from ear to ear the whole rest of the day.<br />
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In the evening was the first session of Stake Conference. There weren't a ton of people, because it was a Saturday night, but the talks were nice and uplifting.<br />
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On Sunday, for the Stake Conference, there wasn't enough room for everyone. It was so packed<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I was thrilled to see so many of our recent converts and investigators show up<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Teodulo & Maria sat in the first row and shook hands with our Mission President afterwards. Lulu arrived all on her own and was proudly singing from her new hymn book, Enriqueta and her daughter, Mariela, sat with the Ibarra family. Brandon sat with Hermana Gonzalez and me, and Maria Luisa showed up with one of her daughters. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> It was so fantastic, and everyone said they had enjoyed the conference.<br />
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<span class="s1">Our área limit is the freeway which we call The River. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">And there are always super cool bridges to cross. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Here are two different bridges :)</span></div>
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Instead of waiting for the bus, Hermana Gonzalez & I decided to walk from the Stake Center to the Nino family's house for lunch. It was quite the adventure, because we crossed a super cool bridge and walked on the cobble stone road that runs parallel to "the Rio" - which is their freeway. Their freeway used to be a river, and now it almost looks like a park because of all the green trees and grass that is on either side of the 4 lanes. It only took us 15 minutes and walking is always good reflection time. <br />
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After lunch we visited Jose Guadalupe, who didn't go to the conference because his ride never passed for him. Although he had woken up early to get ready. He was pretty bummed, but we told him not to worry and that there would be more meetings in the stake center soon. Jose Guadalupe has such a tender heart and is always thinking of others. When his ride didn't show up, he waited on his porch for 2 hours, thinking that maybe something had happened with their car or maybe they had gotten lost. He never gets angry and never blames others.<br />
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I continue to learn so much every day from the amazing people here. I am happy and healthy and enjoying every moment in the mission. These 18 months are flying by and like another missionary said, "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What is a year-and-a half or 2 years of service, compared to an eternity?</i></span>" He is so right<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> <br />
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After the mission, I'll have plenty of time to hang out with friends, work, study, go to the beach, etc. But these 18 months are the only time I have to give all my time, energy, and talents to the Lord and missionary work. I am so thankful for all the blessings I've received and all the miracles I've seen. I love being a missionary and helping others come unto Christ and embrace the Gospel.<br />
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Sending all my love and lots of hugs,<br />
Hermana Eliason<br />
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More pics:<br />
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<span class="s1">Me, Maria & Teodulo at their baptism</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are again with Maria & Teodulo.
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<span class="s1">The Little girl is their granddaughter, Joseline</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-48119386003559038842015-01-12T19:14:00.000-08:002015-01-12T19:48:19.208-08:00Baptism :)So on Monday we basically spend our P-day in the bank trying to pay this month's rent. Hermana Gonzalez and I waited in several different lines for 2 hours and we were so tired afterwards, that we treated ourselves to Subway <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> In the evening, we taught Arturo and Brandon and confirmed Brandon's baptismal date for the 24th of this month <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Tuesday morning we taught the last lesson to Lulu about temples and family history work. She was so excited to hear that once she's baptized, she can go to the temple. After lunch, Hermana Gonzalez and I did some last minute packing and then headed to the "central bus station." We met up with the other zone leaders and a pair of STL's (Sister Trainer Leaders) before buying our tickets - so that way we could all sit next to each other on the 3 hour bus ride. It was fun and for a while we all talked, but then since Hermana Gonzales and I were exhausted, we slept for the last hour and a half. It felt so nice to sleep<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> When we arrived at the Colina's house, the other pair of STL's had already arrived from Zacatecas, so we all ate dinner together.<br />
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<span class="s1">These 4 elders in my zone are absolutely hilarious! (Elder Geddes, Elder Pico, Elder Mendez, and Elder Garcia) <br />They all bought matches outfits and always make us laugh. </span></div>
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Wednesday we spent the day with the Mission President, his wife, his assistants, the 4 other companionships of STL's and all the zone leaders. It was a great council meeting because we discussed the mission's goals for the New Year of 2015. The assistants talked about how we can be successful missionaries and improve our numbers. Sister Villareal talked about how we can lower our stress and have a positive attitude. And the President touched on the importance of hard work. All the leaders participated and I learned a lot from all that was shared. The monthly leader council meetings are so motivating and always inspiring.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Hermana Flores at the zone conference</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Hermana Carreto</td></tr>
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Thursday morning, Lulu was interviewed by our district leader for her baptism and in the evening we made her programs. On her program is one of my favorite photos of Jesus giving John the Baptist a big hug after being baptized. I love how happy he looks.<br />
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In the evening we taught our "progressing" investigators; or those that are preparing for baptism. With Teodulo and Maria, we talked more in depth about <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/joseph-smith?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Joseph Smith</span></a>. With Arturo and Brandon we explained the <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/plan-of-salvation" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Plan of Salvation</span></a>. And with Enriqueta and two of her daughters, we watched <a href="https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2008-06-01-the-restoration?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The Restoration Video</span></a>. All of our visits were just so amazing. I literally feel like I'm busting with joy. Even Enriqueta noticed it and told me, <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>"I love how expressive your face is because you are always so happy and that kind of happiness is contagious."</i></span> Her comment was so sweet and made me reflect on how much the mission has changed my attitude and my perspective.<br />
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Friday, Hermana Gonzalez and I spoke in the zone meeting with the zone leaders. All went really well and I feel like the missionaries in our zone left more motivated than they'd arrived. Our zone truly has a lot of potential <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> I received several envelopes / packages from family members and friends. Thank you all so much for thinking of me and sending me your love and encouragement. A simple letter or card or candy really brightens my day<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I asked the mission president why some packages or letters never arrive and what postal service would be best. He told me that whatever is sent is more likely to arrive through the "United States Postal Service"<br />
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Saturday morning was Lulu's baptism<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It started at 11:00am, but Hermana Gonzalez and I were in the church a lot earlier to set up and get everything ready. There is a lot of work and preparation that goes into planning a baptismal service.<br />
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Everything went beautifully - the speakers gave heartfelt talks, our musical number didn't sound too bad, the water in the baptismal font was warm, and most importantly, Hermana Lulu took an important step in our journey home to our Heavenly Father. After being baptized, we asked her how she felt and she said, "<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I feel really good. I feel renewed.</span></i>" I know she felt the Spirit and I am so extremely happy for the decision she made to be baptized and follow the Savior.<br />
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<span class="s1">Sofia and Kenya (two of the granddaughters of Teodulo and Maria). <br />They always follow us around and ask to put on our missionary tags ;) </span></div>
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After the baptism, we made several visits throughout the day. We had a Family Home "Afternoon" with Teodulo & Maria, which was fun. We shared an article in the <a href="https://www.lds.org/liahona?lang=eng" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Liahona</span></a> and then played "Basta", which is basically the game Scattergories. I really enjoyed laughing and spending time with them. They have 3 little granddaughters who are always around and when we arrive they shout, "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Hermanas Hermanas</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>" They are adorable. <br />
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In the evening it rained again, but this time since it was so cold, it started to hail <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Luckily we were inside the house of a member, because we hadn't brought our umbrellas. Our last lesson was with Brandon and his dad, Arturo. We talked about the five things we need to do in this life to return home to the presence of God:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Exercise faith in Jesus Christ</li>
<li>Repent</li>
<li>Be baptized by immersion</li>
<li>Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost</li>
<li>Endure to the end</li>
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They were super receptive and learned really quickly. Before heading home, they served us chamomile tea - which I guess is some sort of flower <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> But it was yummy.<br />
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Sunday was another fantastic day<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Lulu was confirmed a member of the church and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. She was beaming<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Brandon came and sat with his new friend from church named Hyrum, who has been accompanying us in the lessons. Oh, and Teodulo payed his tithing again<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Enriqueta and one of her daughters came for the first hour and received a warm greeting from lots of the members. It was just incredible<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> This ward has really helped us with our investigators and everyone is so friendly. Teodulo asked the Bishop if he could baptize him (most likely this Saturday) and I almost cried tears of joy. I've never felt so happy for other people. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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After eating 8 tacos for lunch, we visited a less active member and her daughter. We had a spiritual lesson about the importance of prayer and scripture study. It is so much easier to know what decisions we should make when we've prayed and searched the scriptures. In the evening, we met with the zone & district leaders. They shared a short message with us about where our heart is. It was great and made me reflect on where my own heart is. Is our heart focused on the Savior, on our families and on helping others? Or is our heart focused on our popularity, body weight, and material possessions? I hope everyone can do a self-evaluation like I did and ask ourselves where our heart is.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/ot/1-sam/16.7?lang=eng#6" target="_blank">"<span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">for </span><span class="clarityWord" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">the<span class="smallCaps" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-variant: small-caps; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lord</span> seeth</span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> not as </span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">man</span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> seeth; for man looketh on the outward </span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">appearance</span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">, but the </span><span class="smallCaps" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lord</span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> looketh on the </span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">heart</span><span style="color: #2f393a; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">." Samuel 16:7</span></a></span><br />
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All my love,<br />
Hermana Eliason<br />
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<span class="s1">I thought this sign was funny "limite de seguridad" haha</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-86279211662215373222015-01-05T21:38:00.004-08:002015-01-05T21:38:59.180-08:00A New Year!Monday night we had a Family Home Evening with a member and her newly married daughter. We discussed a talk given by one of the apostles a few years ago called, "<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/you-matter-to-him?lang=eng" target="_blank">You Are Important To Him</a>" It was really touching and spiritual. Then we all chatted and ate dinner together. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4K8Iqlwcr0/VKtt73V5lrI/AAAAAAAABWk/NjGMAZ65bgQ/s1600/DSC07418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4K8Iqlwcr0/VKtt73V5lrI/AAAAAAAABWk/NjGMAZ65bgQ/s1600/DSC07418.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am with an adorable puppy</td></tr>
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Tuesday we had our district meeting in english. It went well and I kinda miss my native language because I can express myself so easily without thinking twice. But don't get me wrong - I am still in love with Spanish! We visited Lulu and we confirmed her baptism for the 10th <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Then with Teodulo and Maria we watched an excellent video called "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75D5UEPwP-Y" target="_blank">How Rare A Possession</a>" which shares 2 stories about the conversion of two men, thanks to the Book of Mormon. Afterwards they both promised to read the entire Book of Mormon in 2015 and we asked them if they had reconsidered a baptismal date and they told us they want to be baptized sometime in January. <br />
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On Wednesday, although it was the last day of the year, we actually encountered a lot of people in their homes. In almost all the visits, we were offered food<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We had to get back to the house a little early, due to "safety". But that was okay because we watched a movie called "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shFZeuvol9o&index=1&list=PLpvMDjWoY_ToTdNvX_OaH90Kr4BSm7p_C" target="_blank">The Errand of Angels</a>" about the life of a sister missionary serving in Austria. Hermana Gonzalez and I enjoyed our last bit of junk food because we promised to help one another with one of our New Year's Resolutions to drop some weight <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> We had a fun night together and went to bed fairly early.<br />
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<span class="s1">This is a typical dish here. they are called <br />red tacos (pretty much enchiladas) super yummy!!!</span></div>
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Thursday: Happy New Year <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> 2-0-1-5 <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">! </span> Wahoo<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Today, although there weren't too many people home, and all the shops were closed, we still had a great day. The few families we visited fed us lots of food - including a huge Huasteca Tamale<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> A Huasteca Tamale is cooked in a big banana leaf and tastes amazing <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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<span class="s1">This is our christmas tree with the cute <br />little nativity that Teodulo and Maria gave us</span></div>
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Friday, Hermana Gonzalez and I visited many investigators. With Teodulo and Maria, we read <a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/family-proclamation" target="_blank">the Family Proclamation</a> - which they loved. I liked what Teodulo told us, ... "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I'm never too old to learn something new that will help my family.</i></span>" <br />
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Then another sweet experience occurred in our last visit with Enriqueta and her 13 year old daughter, Mariela. It was our second time teaching Mariela and after explaining the importance of the Book of Mormon, her Mom nudged her saying, "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Tell the missionaries what you felt when they first came.</i></span>" Then with tears in her eyes, Mariela explained how great she felt when she first listened to us. She said in a shaky voice, "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I can't describe it very well, but when you both come to our house, you bring peace and happiness. I feel good when you teach us.</i></span>" I was moved to tears because of how strongly the Spirit could be felt. There is no greater joy that I know of, than to see another person feel and be taught by the Holy Ghost. I am so incredibly grateful for this time as a missionary where I can see miracles each day.<br />
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I spent my Saturday with Hermana Cuque again in exchanges. We worked in her area in Sausalito. When lunch time came around and the member wasn't home, we all ate pizza. I must say it was the best pizza I've tasted so far here<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> We had a fun day together. I love being a Sister Training Leader because I get to know the other sister missionaries pretty well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-to3oBrQK1PY/VKtwyGh1NqI/AAAAAAAABXc/04qxyAFyyd8/s1600/DSC07200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-to3oBrQK1PY/VKtwyGh1NqI/AAAAAAAABXc/04qxyAFyyd8/s1600/DSC07200.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are with an investigator named <br />Monica in front of her christmas tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we are with Aida Jr. (the one whose english <br />papers I always correct) She gave us scarves for christmas</td></tr>
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Sunday we started our church services at 12pm because it's a new year - and we start later now. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> It was an incredible meeting because so many less-active members showed up. The sacrament meeting was full and the testimonies were powerful. Brandon and Maria came and the Bishop announced Lulu's baptism for this Saturday<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Lulu was so excited and during the testimony meeting she was crying because as she told us, "<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I can feel the Spirit</i></span>." The evening was full of meetings. After a late lunch we met with the Bishop and then in the stake center with the zone leaders and district leaders.<br />
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<span class="s1">Here is Hermana Gonzalez and I pointing to our homes (as you can see...mine doesn't appear on the map) haha</span></div>
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All in all, it was an excellent week. I love you all and hope this year will be a good one for all of you. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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xoxo,<br />
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Hermana Eliason<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14895206146831268465noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434297853016431847.post-18004447896061189462014-12-29T20:46:00.001-08:002014-12-29T20:46:26.342-08:00Merry Christmas<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YyauUwN_dF8/VKIlvYZuxRI/AAAAAAAABUc/Psi22O_U2MM/s1600/DSC07354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YyauUwN_dF8/VKIlvYZuxRI/AAAAAAAABUc/Psi22O_U2MM/s1600/DSC07354.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a>P-day was a lot of fun<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> After cleaning our house we met up with the Sister Missionaries in our district (Hermana Cuque and Hermana Empey) We took the tour of San Luis on the double decker bus because none of them had ever done it. And although it was my third time, it was still lots of fun <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> I learned that Tangamanga means "place of water and gold" And tons of the cathedrals and buildings here were built back in the 1700's. It is so beautiful here. We all ate Subway together after.<br />
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<span class="s1">Hermana Gonzalez and me in the capital. I lost the bet on </span></div>
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<span class="s1">counting Santas, so I bought us banana splits</span></div>
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Then we celebrated Aida Jr's 24th birthday. It was so nice of her to invite us because we were the only people apart from family that attended. Oh, and we had bought her a cute balloon in the Capital, that said something along the lines of "each year you are more pretty and we hope all your wishes come true" After cake and ice cream she gave Hermana Gonzalez and I each Christmas gifts - so thoughtful. They were cute scarves that we wore the rest of the day.<br />
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In the evening, a less active family invited us to eat dinner with them and I fell in love with their adorable puppy named Gus<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Then to top things off, we had a Family Home Evening with a recent convert family. After an inspirational message we played games and had dessert <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> What an awesome day<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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Tuesday, we had the district meeting and I loved the talk Hermana Gonzalez gave about Joseph Smith (today was his birthday) I am so incredibly grateful for Joseph Smith and all he did for us. In the evening when we visited Teodulo & Maria they gave us a little nativity for us to set up in the house. They are so thoughtful. Before heading home, we visited Hermana Elena Juarez (the member that bought us the hats and shoes) Well, her brother was there and he told us about his amazing experience as a patriarch. He is pretty old now and has Parkinsons Disease, so he was released from the calling but testified to us about Priesthood power. It was a very special experience.<br />
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<span class="s1">This was taken Christmas day. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">We had fun with the sparklers and some kids</span></div>
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Wednesday - Christmas Eve - is celebrated here more than Christmas Day. Before lunch we visited Hermana Campos because we knew she'd been spending the day alone. She was so thrilled that we took the time to see her and thanked us many times. I hope we never forget to take a little time to visit those that might be lonely. After eating, Hermana Gonzalez and I visited a less active family to teach them about gratitude. I am so amazed by how happy these people are when they only receive one or two simple presents for Christmas. They truly have taught me how to be grateful for things that really matter, like good health or time with the family. They gave us tons of candy and we even lit up a few sparklers outside with the kids <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Christmas Eve dinner was fantastic. We spent the evening in the house of Any Rodriguez. Her son was actually in the MTC at the same time as Hermana Gonzalez<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Small world. We ate together, took lots of pictures, and enjoyed each other's company. Hermana Any even gave us our own Christmas presents and I felt at home. These members have become like family to me and I am so grateful for all their love.<br />
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Thursday<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Merry Christmas everyone<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It was a wonderful day for me. As a zone we watched a Christmas movie in the stake center and ate popcorn, chips, cake, etc. It was fun to be with the other missionaries and chat with everyone.<br />
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<span class="s1">This photo was taken on Christmas morning with the zone. when I found out we WEREN'T going to watch Frozen, ....this was the face I decided to make for the photo ;) haha</span></div>
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At lunch we ate a Christmas feast with Hermana Cervantes. She is an abstract artist and always gives us decorations for our house - like our little Christmas tree. She had all of her family over, so there were lots of people and commotion. The best part of the day was when we were able to skype our families!! It was the best Christmas present I could have asked for, and I loved hearing my family and seeing each of them. They mean so much to me and I couldn't believe how fast the time flew by. But, at least I won't have to wait as long to see them again - in 5 months I talk to them for Mother's Day <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Then in the evening we spent some time at Monica's house. Pretty much this ward is made up of two big families whose children & friends all married each other. And at the house we saw everyone<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> It was a lot of fun and they offered to feed us even more food. By the end of the night I was sick of eating and have never felt so full<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While waiting for dinner, Hermana Gonzalez and <br />I took a ton of selfies for your viewing pleasure</td></tr>
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So, Friday we did our weekly planning and Hermana Gonzalez and I set some goals & New Year Resolutions for 2015<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> I can't believe an entire year has flown by<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Then for lunch we ate left-overs at Hermana Any's house from the Christmas Eve dinner. I've eaten so much food these past few days. <div>
Our investigator Lulu gave us mascara as little Christmas gifts - she's so sweet. In the evening we visited another new investigator named Enriqueta. She is great and is a single mother of 3 teenage girls. Get this ... her youngest daughter, who is only 13 years old is almost 6 foot<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> They are really receptive & love our visits.</div>
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At night we had our exchanges with one of the sister companionships. I went to another area to spend the following day with Hermana Carreto.<br />
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Saturday was a lot of fun with Hermana Carreto. She arrived in Mexico in the same "generation" as me and we have always considered each other friends. She is from Puebla, Mexico and actually wants to study marketing at BYU one day. I love her positive outlook on life and patience. She's what I would call a "peace maker." Hermana Carreto has a huge heart and is so thoughtful. We made several visits and set some goals on how she can improve.<br />
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On Sunday, our last Sunday of the year, we had a great sacrament meeting where the speakers addressed us about the importance of self-reflection and goal setting. They challenged us to set goals for the new year of 2015 and strive to become better. I loved it. I am determined to set several new goals for the upcoming year <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> Teodulo and Maria came to church and so did Lulu and Brandon. The Gospel Principles class that Hermana Gonzalez & I taught the 3rd hour went well. We talked about prayer and the Holy Ghost - which are two important things that go hand-in-hand. After the third hour we went back to the house for a little before lunch. We were served a ton of food with the Amaya family. They are so great (all their children have served missions) and they treat us like their own kids. They gave us Christmas gifts and tomorrow Hermana Gonzalez and I are going to download new music from their huge collection of church songs<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> In the evening we made visits and all went really well. I am in love with this work and this area and couldn't be happier <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span><br />
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Hope everyone has a fantastic New Years<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span> Don't forget to set goals for yourself and enjoy some fireworks for me <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">:)</span> I love you all more than I can describe and am incredibly grateful for all the prayers on my behalf.<br />
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Con mucho amor,<br />
Hermana Eliason<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas with the elders </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids, sparklers & Christmas Eve</td></tr>
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