Until We Meet Again

I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.

Alma 29:9-10

I LOVE MY MISSION!!!  It's as simple as that.  I am living the dream.  I have lived it and loved it right up until the end.  My mission has been the most incredible experience of my entire life.  Working here in the service of the Lord has been a dream come true. I share in the words of Alma as if they were my own words, "my soul has been filled with joy".  Of course it hasn't always been fun or easy every minute of every day.  There have been days of frustration, days of disappointment, days of tiredness, and days of sadness.  But here in Mexico City, I have had Some of the Happiest Days of my Life as I have stood as a witness of the greatness of God - feeling of the power of the Atonement in my own life and seeing its effect in the lives of others.  I have seen the Miracles that come to the lives of those who change and come unto God. The Lord has done so much for me.  I know that even though I am infinitely small in His Great Plan, To Him, I am of infinite worth. Just as with Alma, I testify that he has heard my prayers.  I have been strengthened by his all-powerful hand and raised up by his merciful arm.  

I truly love the people here in Mexico City. I have laughed with them, I have cried with them, I have loved them, and with them, I have been changed.  All of my life I have awaited the day when I could serve as a missionary and I never could have imagined loving it so much!  I have lost myself in this work.  I do not feel that I have sacrificed anything - sure I left things at home and put things on hold and gave of my time, energy, and dedication - but this has been the most rewarding experience of my life, and I wouldn't change it for anything.

I love my Savior.  He has rescued me from the gall of bitterness and I have come to feel and know of my Savior's infinite love, power, and mercy for each one of us. As I have fallen, He has helped me up.  As I have pressed through hard times, continuing towards the light at the end of the tunnel, I have always found my Savior there to give me the strength to go on.  I have come to know even more of the truthfulness of the gospel and its power.  I glory in my God!!!  I shout Hosanna to His name!!!  I Love This Gospel, I Love This Great Work, I Love My New Family of Brothers and Sisters here in Mexico, and I Love My Incredible Family and Friends that I will be seeing soon.  I Love Our Savior and His Goodness and I will Praise Him Forever.  

I Love You All!!!

Elder Jarrett

Fwd: Another incredible week gone by in the work!

Sorry, this was last week's email, but it didn't get sent out to everyone.

Fri, Mar 10, 2017

¡Hola amigos! ¿Como estan?

Another incredible week gone by in the work!  The time is passing incredibly fast!!

This week I have felt much better.  After feeling a little discouraged last week, this week I realized that I need to let go of my pride.  You see, I had arrived to this new area, with a new assignment, and a new companion, and I thought that despite all of this, that we would baptize tons of people here in my last transfer.  But I had to remember that this isn't my work, and I'm not capable of doing any miracles on my own.  The Lord is in charge.  And thank goodness, because he knows how to do things much better than I do.  :)   I love my companion and I'm grateful to be here learning from him and with him.  I love the people here, and I'm grateful to be here working with them and serving them the best I can.

This week, we were blessed to see so many miracles.  The Ward is working together much better.  In the Ward Council on Sunday, we found a way to involve the leaders of each organization to help us with missionary work and we found how we can help each of them and together we work to accomplish the same goals.   I feel like we've now gained the trust of the members (who had some problems with the sister missionaries in the past.)  And we have several investigators that we feel they'll come to church this Sunday - one of which has been listening to the missionaries for years and has never come to church, but she asked us to pass by for her this Sunday at 8:30 because she feels like the time has arrived that she feels she needs to go.  Also, this Monday, I got permission to go to the baptism of Celso, Pamela, and Dalila in Iztacalco!!  They asked the Elders there if I could come and I received permission to go.  I'm very excited to see them again and support them during their baptism that we've worked towards together.

Last weekend, we gave a blessing to a brother from our ward who was very sick, Brother Malpica.  My companion and I, along with our ward mission leader went to visit him.  We all felt the same, that his time was near.  He received a blessing of peaceful passing Saturday night and Sunday night he passed away.

Monday we had our monthly Leadership Council with all of the Zone Leaders, Sister Training Leaders, and President and Sister Mecham.  This time we had a special guest visitor, Elder Gaona, who was just released from being an Area 70.  He talked about how we can work together with the institute program.  Then we got to listen to the words and counsel of President Mecham.  President also gave us time to have a testimony meeting.  I shared my testimony about love.  About how infinitely much Christ loves us and how much we can love our companions and our investigators and those in our areas as we are here serving as his representatives.

Yesterday, we went to the airport to take a missionary that was going home.  We were asked to go accompany Sister Mecham.  I got feeling really sad because I've gone to the airport so many times to drop off the missionaries that are going home and yesterday it hit me as I thought that the next time I come to the airport might be when I am the one going home.  I'm going to miss the mission Sooooooooo Much!!!!  But I know that I am just finishing another phase of my life.  I still have so much waiting for me at home left to do and learn.  And I'm excited to see you guys!!!   I Love You So Much!!!!

Elder Jarrett

P.S.  This next week we have Zone Conferences throughout the entire mission!  Yay!

First Week Back in the Offices

All of this week has been spent in Trainings.  Elder Martinez and I are both in our first Transfer as Assistants to the President and At the same time, we're Opening an Area in Cafetales (which has been closed for a transfer), so we have lots of work to do and so little time, but we're determined to work hard and we've already seen some of the miracles that God has blessed us with.  :D  Such as walking in the streets at the right moment and the right place to find our Ward Mission Leader that we'd never even met before and who lives on the whole other side of the ward boundaries.  That happened to us last night.  :D

Monday we were in the Transfers all day, making sure that the missionaries were all able to get to their new areas.  Then we talked with President for a little bit and greeted two new missionaries that arrived from the Provo MTC later in the afternoon.  Afterwards, Elder Martinez and I had to find our new house in Cafetales, where we're going to live this transfer, and get moved in.

Tuesday we went to a District Meeting and District Leader Training put on by the Zone Leaders in Culhuacan in the morning.  Then we got down and had a good Planning Session to see where we're going to start in the area.  We called a few members and finally we were able to find out who the bishop is and his phone number and we found a family that will help us out lots this week while we are getting to know the area.

Tuesday night we had to go to the Casa Amarilla to stay the night to leave for the Airport at 3:30am with the Missionaries going home.  I learned the whole airport process very well as Financial Secretary, so President sent me and Elder Martinez to the Airport terminal 1 to help the other missionaries that were going home while he stayed in the Terminal 2 to take care of the missionaries there.  Getting back from the airport, we had a Training for the Trainers and New Missionaries and a small Orientation for them.  Then a quick meeting with President, some Office Work, and then Elder Martinez went to rest because he had been throwing up and feeling sick all day.

Thursday we had a Meeting with all the District Leaders and Zone Leaders in the Mission then an Evaluation for those finishing the first 6 Weeks of their Training.  Then we went to our area to work.

Today we had another Evaluation for those finishing their 12 Week Training and we'll have our P-day today.  Then tomorrow we have a Stake Activity to go to with President in the Contreras Stake.

I feel like a Secretary again in the sense that I'm again in the administrative work of the mission more than the work of being out in the streets all day teaching.  But I'm Learning Tons from the stories and wisdom of President Mecham.  I am happy that we are trusted to make sure that things happen right - President tells us his desires and the things he wants done in the mission and it's our job to make sure that the things are done and that everything is prepared correctly so that it all runs smoothly.

I am happy that I can serve the Lord in whatever form he calls upon me to do!!!  I Love the Lord and His Gospel!  I know that it is True!  I know that Christ lives and he is guiding this Work!!!

I Love You All!!!  Have an Incredible Week!!!

Elder Jarrett

Transfers!!! Leaving Iztacalco!!!

Buenas tardes!!!  (Good Afternoon!!!)

How are you all doing on this Wonderful Day?  How are you enjoying the blessings of the gospel in your life today?  :)

Well, I'm just sending a short email today because I will now be writing on Fridays.  

But, I just wanted to write you quickly to let you know that everything is going great here in Mexico City!!!

Today we had Transfers!!!  I left Iztacalco (and it was really hard saying goodbye to everyone). And I'll now be in the Cafetales ward with Elder Martinez!!!

I Love You All!!!

Elder Jarrett

This week has been another Incredible Week! This morning we were eating a torta de tamal and Elder Herrera said, "Why do we need to go to Heaven when we can be here eating a torta de tamal?" Haha. :D I really feel so joyful. I feel like being in the mission, we are in such a blessed place, and we feel maybe even just a tiny bit closer to Heaven.

 

On Sunday, I was filled with joy yet again to see our ward's strength. In my time here in Iztacalco, I have seen the Sacrament Meeting attendance almost double. We also had the opportunity on Sunday to see one of our recent converts prepare the sacrament for his first time, we saw another recent convert sustained to receive the Aaronic Priesthood, we saw the baby blessing of another recent convert's baby, and we saw two confirmations for the two baptisms that the other Elders had on Saturday. I feel blessed that the Lord has allowed us to see some of the fruits of our labor and I feel happy to think that I have contributed a tiny part to the establishment of the church here in Iztacalco.  On Sunday, I did my first baby blessing!  You see, Yesenia and Rosa arrived at church and we greeted them then we went and stood by the doors of the chapel, where everyone enters, to greet everyone that was arriving.  Then Yesenia came over and told me "Hey, they told me that today is First Sunday of the Month, and that the First Sundays of the Month are when they can bless babies.  So I just talked to the Hno. Lemuel about it."  I went to go talk with Hno. Lemuel and he told me, "Yeah, Yesenia just talked to me and said that she wants you to bless her baby."  I asked my companion if it is allowed and he said that it is, so I did it.  It was an awesome experience.

 

For me, the Zone Conference last Wednesday was incredible. Elder Begley and Elder Tams talked about Conversion.  They said were things that I have always thought and felt, but they expressed them so well. It was so powerful. This week as I have my last transfers, I want to commit myself to give Everything I've got this last transfer. I want to finish strong. I want to finish the race sprinting. It doesn't matter where I am or who I'm with, I will love my companion and work hard.

 

Also, last Monday in the Leadership Council that we had with everyone, I left so impressed. I told Elder Herrera that night that I learned something so important. I realized that each of us are capable of doing incredible things. For example, I've always thought, "In President Mecham's mission, he did incredible things that I have not done. I will probably never become so great and successful." But when I left the Leadership Council last week, I was thinking, "And why can't I do incredible things like that? Who is to tell me that I can't? If you want to do great things, just go get to work and do them. Quit feeling sorry for yourself for what you haven't done and really commit yourself to what you want to achieve and do it." I realized that I can do incredible things too. The world is not divided between people with extraordinary talents and abilities that can achieve great things and those that don't. It is divided between people with Desire and Determination who know that they can do amazing things because they believe in themselves and they Know that They Can and those that don't see the power that they have or that lack desire or determination to work hard. I now understand what President Mecham has taught us before, that the secret to having success is: Knowing that You Can. I feel like these past few months, I have learned that I can. I recognize that I still have tons that I need to improve and learn, but I feel that I now understand better the power that is in ourselves to act. I trust in Our Savior to make up for the part that I lack as I strive to improve.

 

The Zone is great. Last week, Iztacalco 2 and Jardines had baptisms and this Saturday, Narvarte is going to baptize. That means that we'll end the transfer with baptisms in every companionship in the zone except Del Valle, Ermita, and Escuadron (and Escuadron was going to baptize this Saturday too but their investigator didn't come to church on Sunday). I have seen so much improvement in the zone in these transfers. And I know that we can do even more!

 

Yesterday we moved out of the other Elders' house and we are back in our own house again.  It feels so good.  :)

 

I love you all. Thank you all for everything that you have done for me.

 

Elder Jarrett

Loving Every Minute!!!

(Sorry, I don't know how the other email got sent.  Here's the real email for this week.)

Hola!!!

This week was Incredible!  Last Wednesday, we arrived home that night, and I was just in awe.  I can not believe how many miracles we are seeing in our area!  There are so many people here that have desires to hear the gospel and to change and come unto Christ!  I am seeing success like never before in my mission!!!  

Last night was the baptismal interview for Rosa and Yesenia, our golden investigators.  And they both passed and will be baptized this Saturday!!!  Their story is Amazing:

Rosa has told us that she wants to be baptized since our first lesson with her.  She told us that her husband has been against her getting baptized and the other day she told him that she was going to be baptized and he was invited to come.  He started to tell her many rude things, like that she can't abandon what her parents taught her and that if she gets baptized, then she's been lying to God and to her family all of these years and whatnot.  And in that moment she told him, "I've already made my decision and I'm going to be baptized.  I'd like to have your support in this, but I'm going to be baptized whether you're there or not".  When she told that to us this week, I was overcome with gratitude for being able to know people so strong and so converted that they are willing to follow God - no matter what persecutions or rude things that people may say or do to convince you otherwise.

The day that we invited them to put a set baptismal date, we felt that we should extend it for the 21st of January.  As we invited them, we saw Yesenia's face light up.  She told us, "That's my birthday!  What better way to celebrate than with a baptism!"  We had faith in that she would be able to be baptized on that day.  But the only problem was that she also had to get married to her boyfriend before she could be baptized.  The weeks were counting down, when finally, last week she told us that she talked with her boyfriend and they are going to be married.  And they're going to do it this Saturday as well!!!  So this Saturday, we're going to go with them and see their marriage and then that night, her baptism with her mother.  It will be such an Incredible day for all of them!!!!  I'm so Excited!!!  :D  :D

We also have other investigators with baptismal dates for these upcoming weeks:  The mom and sister of Dana (the girl that was baptized on Christmas Eve), have got newfound desire in the gospel after seeing Dana's baptism!  They've already come to church several times and learned the principles of the gospel and they are planning on being baptized next Saturday, the 28th.

This week we also saw a miracle with one of our investigators named Silvia.  We've extended the invitation to put a baptismal date with her several times and she's always said no, because she feels that she has lots to learn still.  But this last week, we talked about it again and we brought Celia and Rogelio with us to the lesson, they shared their baptismal experiences and we invited Silvia again to put a baptismal date and she accepted for the 11 of February!!!

And the Last Great Experience to share from This Week was on Sunday!!!  They just put two new missionaries in our ward and on Sunday, we had another day in which we were blessed to see the fruits of our labors - to see that our hard work is paying off.  I was filled with happiness to see the ward's sacrament meeting so full of people!!!  The Sacrament Meeting attendance increased by about 20% of last week's attendance and we had more than 100 people in Sacrament Meeting in total!  We also had 11 investigators present, between the two companionships!!!  I was so happy to see a church not so empty, but full of people that came to feel the Spirit and learn how to walk in the ways of the Gospel.

I Love You The People Here, I Love This Work, and I Love the Blessings of the Restored Gospel!!!  

Have a Wonderful Week!!!

Elder Jarrett

Pics:  The four of us from our ward in the moving truck as we were helping some members to move.

Yesenia and her boyfriend that are going to be married this Saturday!!!

Loving Every Minute!!!

Hola!!!

There are so many miracles happening right now!!!  I am seeing success like I have never seen before in my mission!

Yeah, I extended my mission so I'll come home one month later, but my weeks are still counting down.  Ten weeks left, I believe.  It's pretty crazy!  But I'm going to finish strong!!!  :D  You are living with Braden and Tanner???  Where's your apartment at?  Are you guys studying at USU?  Oh, we'll go on lots of double dates, don't you worry about that.  :)  Haha.  I love ya lots man!  Say hi to Braden and Tanner for me!

Elder Jarrett

Another Week in the Work of the Lord

¿Comó están mis amigos?  ¿Están celebrando esta temporada navideña de alguna manera especial?  ¡Regocijen en el nacimiento de nuestro Salvador!

Lots of good stuff going on this week!  We are helping to spread the word for the Christmas iniciative of the church.  In Spanish, it's called "Ilumina el Mundo" and it involves giving service every day for the 25 days leading up to Christmas.  We started it off last Thursday with a district service project and we painted the house of one of the bishops in our stake.  Christmas is a time for service!  A time to remember Christ through our thoughts as well as our actions.

We continue to see so much progress in each one of our investigators.  I am seeing success like I have never seen before in my entire mission.  I love these people so much and I am so happy to be here helping them and sharing something that will bless their lives forever!!!

Last night, we went to teach the Meza family, a family of investigators that Elder Garcia and I found and started teaching last transfer.  They are progressing, little by little.  Last night, we had planned a FHE with them and we invited a member, a recently returned missionary from Brasil, to come with us.  I had told them that I was going to make Arroz con Leche for them for the FHE.  It took a long time to make the Arroz con Leche, but it turned out really well in the sense that there were lots of people there.  They had invited their sister-in-law, neice, and cousin.  We chatted with them and won their confidence and shared a short spiritual thought about scripture study.  And my Arroz con Leche turned out really well and they all liked it a lot.  They were impressed that I knew how to make it, because many of them didn't know how to.  I'm excited to make Mexican food for y'all when I'm home.  :)

Last week, we had an amazing lesson with them and we saw that they are starting to really seriously accept and think on the things that we are telling them.  We read 2 Nephi 31 with them and then we asked what they understood from that chapter.  They mentioned that they understood the importance of baptism.  Then Ana, the daughter, asked us, "So do you guys believe that baptism in your church is the only baptism that allows us to get into Heaven?"  We responded quite simply, "Yes."  And then we explained about the power and authority that was restored to Joseph Smith.  We also talked about how Jesus had to go to John the Baptist to be baptized by that power and authority, not just anyone could have done it.  Ana's mom, Tere, then said, "And Jesus was 30-years-old when he got baptized, not a baby." Then Ana, who believes very strongly in the Catholic Church, said, "You guys are right.  And you know what?  The baptism of babies isn't right, that's not the way that Jesus did it.  The Catholic Church is wrong on that."  And then we continued on with the conversation.   But that, in itself is a miracle, because that was a very big step for Ana because she is beginning to see what makes us different from all the other churches.  They are beginning to feel what we feel and see what we see.  They have come to church one time and they love listening to us, and we are hoping that they soon will be baptized too.

We got a call on Sunday night from the sister missionaries in Padierna.  Elder Walker answered and they asked for me.  I answered and they said, "Elder Jarrett, we just want to inform you that Diana Herrera is getting baptized and she's asked that you baptize her.  You've got a baptism on December 17th."  That made me very happy to hear that.  Diana Herrera was an investigator that I taught when I was in Ajusco.  She always told us that she wanted to get baptized and that she wanted me to be the one to baptize her, but then she never got baptized in my time there and I thought, Oh well, someone else will arrive and finish teaching her and baptize her.  I ran into Diana a few months later in the Metro when I was secretary in Coyoacan and she reminded me, "Hey, when I get baptized, you're going to baptize me."  I laughed and thought it was funny that she still remembered that she had told me that.  But now it's for real!  She's listened to the missionaries for a long time and now she's ready and she's getting baptized!  Yay!

This Saturday, the man I wrote you about last week, Hector Aguilar, is getting baptized!  He told us last week that the reason he has decided that he is now ready to be baptized is that, last Sunday, he finished reading the entire Book of Mormon!!!  We were so happy to hear his experience and know that, in the moment that he finished reading the book, he knew that baptism was right.  The power of the Book of Mormon is incredible!!!

I hope all is well and that you're enjoying this Special Christmas Season!  I love you all!!!  Have a Wonderful Week!!!  I'll write again next Friday!

Sincerely,

Elder Jarrett

A Week to Give Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving last week!!!  

Sorry I didn't say anything last week, I had totally forgotten that it was Thanksgiving Day in the good ol' U.S.A. last week.  This holiday is not celebrated at all in Mexico, so I had forgotten all about it.  But luckily, we had a training with President Mecham on Thursday morning and he mentioned that his whole family was gathered together on that day, but that he was celebrating the day by serving a mission and giving thanks to the Lord for His goodness and His gospel.  Then all of us Americans remembered what day it was!  So that day, Elder Walker and I taught about gratitude in almost all of the lessons that we had and we explained what the holiday is in the United States and the importance that we should, in all parts of the world, find the time to give thanks to God and take time to see all of the blessings that we have in our lives, even for the little things that we normally don't even think about.  And it is important that we can give thanks every day, not just once a year on Thanksgiving Day.  So it was a very special day and we were able to bring the bright Thanksgiving Spirit to a few homes here in Mexico to celebrate the day.

Miracles continue!!!  

1)  Last week, just as we came to the internet place to write you guys, there was a drunk man that started talking to us and that said that he wanted to change his life and he asked us to pass by and he gave us his address and phone number.  We passed by on Tuesday morning and his mom, Georgina Ramirez, accepted us in and we talked to her and she said that she wants her family to listen to us!!!  We taught her and placed another appointment, but then the appointment fell and she had to leave the city for a few days, but this week we will be seeing them again.

2)  There's a man in our ward named Hector Aguilar.  He's an investigator that is married to a member and he's been coming to church every Sunday for like a year.  He listened to the missionaries for a few months, but then he decided that he didn't want to keep listening to them because he still didn't feel ready to be baptized and he said that he wanted to be baptized when he felt ready and he didn't want to be pressured by anyone else.  All week, Elder Walker and I have been working hard to get people ready to be baptized, and we've seen lots of success and progress in our investigators (and of course a few moments of disappointment and sadness with others that now don't want to progress) but on Sunday, we had a miracle happen because Hector told us that he's decided that the day arrives in each man's life in which he has to make the decision.  And he's decided that he wants to be baptized!  So he's going to be baptized the 10 of December!!!

3)  We also found a new investigator named Rosa Mar'ia Hernandez last Monday that was willing to close her tienda and go inside her house and accept us in and listen to us.  She said that she needs and wants the help that we can give her because she's having troubles with her faith right now.  We asked her if she is willing to be baptized and she said yes!  And she told us that her daughter would listen to us the next time we came by as well!  But she also went out of town last weekend, so we will be seeing her again this week.

If you want to pray for the investigators that we have right now that are ready to be baptized, please pray for:

Dana Bañuelos, David and Brenda Miranda, Susana Mendoza, Rogelio Lopez, Rosa María Hernandez, Hector Aguilar.  As well as the Meza family, Silvia and Erica, and Georgina Ramirez.

We have lots of good people listening to us right now and we're looking forward to finding even more this next week.  Last week we found 5 new investigators and we had 5 people come to church!!!  I'm seeing success and miracles like I've never seen before in all my mission and I'm so happy!!!  I know that this is the Lord's work and that he is guiding us each day.  He Loves each one of us and Wants each one of us to return to live with Him for forever!!!

I Love You All!  Have a Wonderful Week!!!

Elder Jarrett

Oh, other fun things from this week:

This morning, we had our Zone Training with President Mecham!!!  It went very well and we were able to talk together as a Zone and inspire, elevate, and encourage one another.

Last night, our house got flooded and we were awaken at 12:30 by our neighbors and we had to dry it all up.  But the Lord blessed us so that our suitcases and almost all of our stuff were kept safe and dry.

Today we went to Meyehualco to shop in the huge street "tianguis" markets that they put up every Tuesday.

Yesterday we had to go to the hospital for Elder Walker.  He's having pain in his sciatic nerve.  But they gave him some shots (and tonight I'll give him one) and now he's feeling better.  :)

Living in Book of Mormon Land. :D

The Church is True!!!  Every day we see it again and again.  There is evidence in everything around us.  The Gospel changes lives!!!   Miracles abound in the Mission!!!

What an Awesome Weekend!!!  General Conference!  It was great to hear the words of our Heavenly Father through the mouths of his holy servants.  This time, for my last General Conference in the mission, I decided to watch all of the sessions in Spanish.  Normally, I've gone with all the English speakers to watch it in another room where it is played in English and I've only watched a few sessions in Spanish.  But this time, I decided to watch it all in Spanish.  And it was an amazing experience.  The gospel continues to be true in whatever language it is spoken.  Even though I could not hear the messages in the voices of the actual apostles, I was still inspired by their words and their messages.  (Also, I learned that Elder Christofferson pre-records his talk in Spanish.  And with his talk, you hear his actual voice as he talks in Spanish.  Cool, huh?)

Well, another busy week.  We had intercambios with the zone leaders, our 3-month interviews with the President, and General Conference weekend.  Also, President called me on Tuesday morning and asked me to come back to the offices to help Elder Tanner figure out a few numbers with the finances.  So we kept busy and the week passed by super quickly!

Yesterday, we went to visit the investigator that I mentioned last week that has studied with the Jehovah's Witnesses.  His name is Rutilio Ortiz.  Last night he accepted a baptismal date for the first weekend in November!  He says that he believes everything we tell him and he likes our church.  The only problem is that he's moving to Iztapaluca at the end of November, so we're going to see if we can help him gain a testimony here, and maybe get baptized with us, then we'll send his records there so they can go help him get right into it there without losing a beat.

I am loving it out here in the field!!!   Next Monday we've got transfers.  Then I've only got three transfers left.  The time is passing much too quickly.  

I Love You All So Much!!!  Have an Amazing Week!!!

Elder Jarrett

Today we went to the Pyramids of Cuicuilco.  There are so many pyramids hidden all over the city.  I always love to go see them.  It just reminds me that the Book of Mormon is true and the people that lived in the Book of Mormon really lived here.  And there are so many testimonies of them.

Last Week's Email

September 5, 2016

This week was Fantastic! We have seen so many miracles in our area as we have been preparing to get down to some serious work this transfer. When I got to this area last week, I saw that we didn't have very many investigators to work with. So last week, we prayed and fasted that we would be able to find people to teach! And we have definitely seen the Lord's help this week!

 

First off, we dedicated almost a full afternoon to contacting people in the streets and through our contacting efforts, we got to know two great families that are very nice and that listened and chatted with us for a long while and that we can definitely continue visiting.

 

Then, for our weekly planning session last week, we got out the old Area Books and found all of the Teaching Records for past investigators. We then called up every old investigator that had come to church before. We were able to put about five appointments for this week through these Teaching Records.

 

Saturday night, we passed by the Bishop's house. We chatted a little bit, then I just asked him if there was anything we could do to help him or if there's any members of the ward that worry him that we could visit to strengthen or help. He then rattled off a list of about 15 families of the ward, in which not all of the family members are baptized that he said we could pass by to visit.

 

Sunday was fast and testimony meeting. The Bishop asked us if we could share our testimonies. So we did. I shared my testimony on the importance of missionary work, I told everyone that I am new to the ward and that I am super excited to get to know everyone and get to work with them to help and rescue our friends and neighbors, brothers and sisters. After sacrament meeting, everyone was so nice and came over to talk with us. We got several more references of people to go visit. After church, we had a meeting with our Ward Mission Leader and the Ward Missionaries. They said that they had not had this meeting in several months, but that now they want to get back into the swing of things and have the meeting every week. We also set up times with the ward missionaries to have them come work with us.

 

It has been a really Great Week. I have loved getting to see the Lord's hand as he has helped us to get the work going in this area and as he has helped us to find the people that we have been praying to find.

 

I love this area! Elder Menendez is a super great missionary and a very hard worker. He's a great motivator and we're getting along very well. The District is going well and we're all getting down to work!

 

I love you all!

 

Elder Jarrett

Marvelous Missionary Miracles!!!

¡Mis Amados Amigos!

The first week back in the field was Amazing!!!  I'm definitely loving to be able to work like a normal missionary again.  This week was just Fantastic!!!  We have seen so many miracles in our area as we have been preparing to get down to some serious work this transfer.

When the last Elder left this area, he didn't leave us with very many investigators to work with.  So last week, we prayed and fasted that we would be able to find people to teach!  And now I feel like we have so much work to do, I don't even know where to start!!!

First off, my companion spent a few days helping me get to know the members of the ward.  We also dedicated almost a full afternoon to contacting people in the streets and through our contacting efforts, we got to know two great families that are very nice and that listened and chatted with us for a long while and that we can definitely continue visiting and getting to know better.

Then, for our weekly planning session last week, we got out the old Area Books and found all of the Teaching Records for past investigators.  We then called up every old investigator that had come to church before.  We were able to put about five appointments for this week through these old investigators.  

Saturday night, we passed by the Bishop's house.  We chatted a little bit, then I just asked him if there was anything we could do to help him with his responsabilities, anyone he knows that we could help or teach, or any members of the ward that worry him that we could visit to strengthen or help.  He then rattled off a list of about 15 families of the ward, where not all of the family members are baptized that he said we could pass by to visit.

Sunday was fast and testimony meeting.  The Bishop asked us if we could share our testimonies.  So we did.  I shared my testimony on the importance of missionary work, I told everyone that I am new to the ward and that I am super excited to get to know everyone and get to work with them to help and rescue our friends and neighbors, brothers and sisters.  After sacrament meeting, everyone was so nice and came over to talk with us.  We got several more references of people to go visit.  After church, we had a meeting with our Ward Mission Leader and the Ward Missionaries.  They said that they had not had this meeting in several months, but that now they want to get back into the swing of things and have the meeting every week.  We also set up times with the ward missionaries to have them come work with us.

It has been a really Special Week. I have loved getting to see the Lord's hand as he has helped us to get the work going in this area and as he has helped us to find the people that we have been praying to find.  I know that he hears and answers our prayers and he has a plan for each of us to learn and grow.  He won't let life flow by easily without difficulties, but he will strengthen us and help us as we get down and get to work.

I Love this area!  I love this ward!  Elder Menendez is super Awesome!  We're having a blast and working hard here in La Noria.  :)  

You Are All Fantastic!!!  Thanks for all you do for me!  I Love You!

Elder Jarrett

P.S.  My District has Elder Bojorquez and Elder Hale (the two of them got sent together to Chinampas from Estrella), the Zone Leaders here (Elder Bautista and Elder Vejo), and a trio of Sisters now in Xochimilco (Hermanas Morales Sol, Rossalino, and Lopez).

Fwd: House Mover Missionary

29 July 2016

¿Cómo están todos?

Well, this week we only got two days that we could teach people, but we got plenty of days to empty out the houses that we closed in the transfers.  So it was still a busy, productive week.

Here's a rundown of my week:

Sat-  I spent all morning and until 5 in the afternoon with an Elder from our mission looking for a medicine that he has to have.  There was only one location that had that medicine and it was outside of the mission.  So I got permission and we went all the way there, ran to three of the pharmacies´ locations and finally in the third store, we found the medicine.  When we finally got back to the Mission Offices at 5, I had to eat really quick, then we rushed to a House in Narvarte to empty out, clean, and end the contract. 

Sun- Alejandro came to church!  We had quit visiting him a few weeks ago because he wasn't really showing any desire to get baptized and there wasn't anything else that we could do for him to help him progress.  Then Sunday, he came!  So that shows that he does still does

Mon-  It was the Bank of America's close of month, so I had to get all of our finances for the month in zeros (or all reported and accounted for).  Then in the afternoon, we went to close the house in Rosal.

Tues- All afternoon, we went to Meyehualco to close the house in Juarez.

Wed-  We finally got an afternoon to work in our area!  We taught Alejandro.  It's hard to teach him because he likes to question Every little Thing.  We taught the Plan of Salvation because he had questions about the Dinosaurs and Evolution and the Big Bang and we said we wouldn't answer his questions but that we'd teach the Plan of Salvation to help him find his own answer.  Before we really got into anything, we got to the point of Agency and he fought with us for about half an hour on how Bad is good because it can teach other people, which is good.  We explained that although Bad is necessary, Bad is still bad.  Then he argued.  We tried to change the topic then he just brought up other questions and it just went on and on.  So it's hard.

Thu-  We closed the houses in Escuadron and Espartaco all afternoon.

Fri-  Today!  P-day!  But hardly a P-day!  We had to come to the offices early to meet a man to help some missionaries get their Visas so that they can go to their missions.  Then just as he was finishing up, Elder Chavez got a call that he had to go to Polanco to the Consulate to get some forms for missionaries´ Green Cards.  So I stayed here working on finances while Elder Chavez left with Elder Tanner.  They got back around 2:30 or 3:00, we ran to eat lunch, and now we're just finishing up writing.

So a pretty crazy and busy week, but I'm loving it!  Sometimes I feel a little tired of being in the Offices.  This week I felt like I especially lost my patience a few times.  But imagine 6 months of your phone constantly ringing, and every time you answer it, someone asks you about money.  They say that they don't have money and they need more, or they just want to check to see if you reimbursed them more money, or they call to see if they have money in their accounts yet.  And they're always disappointed if they don't get their money immediately and if they don't get as much as they want.  Sometimes, I just get sick of talking about money 24/7.  But the thing that I've learned from all of this is that we can't build our lives upon money.  Money always runs out and you are always going to want more money.  That's why it's so important that we put something of more importance as the focus of our lives.  Like the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Instead of turning us towards greed, and towards ourselves, and our problems, and our needs, and our wants, the Gospel does the exact opposite.  The gospel turns us outwards.  To look towards others, to look at their needs.  To look at our family, at our unity, at love, and service, and a care and love of all man.  It brings us peace.  It brings us joy.  It brings us a sense of real satisfaction that lasts longer than what it would take to spend.  It turns us to forgive others and seek for ways to improve ourselves.  It doesn't hold grudges or debts.  I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!  HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!!!

Elder Jarrett

A picture of us emptying out a house this week!  

Also check Elder McClure's blog at elderrileymcclure.blogspot.com to see another picture of me with my Zone Leaders!