November 16, 2015

Hey everyone! Another P-Day. Man, this week has seemed unusually long. And it was probably because it was one of our weakest weeks yet, as far as numbers go. We had a few days this week that were really slow. But it was still a pretty fine week.

We had our most impressive Sunday showing yet. We had about 10 investigators we thought were going to come. But only 6 came. But still, 6 are way more than our previous high of 2. And we had 74 people at Sacrament. A few of the active families didn't come, but we had quite a few less-active members show up. It was really great. There is one family that was been inactive for a while now, but they are starting to come back more and more. Every week they seem to bring another one of their sons and his family. Their family is about 1/4 of our ward haha, and they still have more to bring. They are great.

We now have two investigators with baptismal dates! Francicso is in two weeks on November 28, and Federico is December 10th. I'm 99.9999% sure with Francisco. He's really great, and shows a lot of faith for all the effort he puts into listening to us and attending church. Federico is also really promising, but we haven’t had many lessons with him yet. 

We have a few new investigators and have been working with an eternal investigator family. Angelica and Jimmy both work for Hmo. Victor, our Branch Mission Leader. We met them when we met up with Victor to accompany us. Angelica is actually an old investigator of the area, but she accepted our visits too. She is really smart, and very accepting of the Gospel. She knows that it is something good, and I really hope that we can progress with her. Jimmy is a great, noble guy. He lost basically his whole life in the States, and now lives here all by himself. I really think that the Church can be a new family for him, that he can rely on. One of our Branch Presidency really wants to get to know him, become friends, and get bring him in. The Gospel is going to bring a lot of comfort into his life, I'm sure.

Ok, last thing. We had the opportunity this last Saturday to go to the Temple in Guadalajara. It was sooo great! Man, the feeling of the temple is like nothing else. It isn’t a lie that it is a part of heaven on earth. What an amazing blessing we have to be able to attend the temple. And the blessings that we receive in the temple give so much hope. It’s great to remember that our ultimate goal as missionaries is to help these people and these families become families for eternity. What an incredible message of happiness!

My scripture this week is Alma 19:6 " Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that King Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God—"

The language is coming much better. It isn’t nearly as big as a challenge now, but it’s still a little hard. I don’t have a very huge vocabulary, but I can usually follow most conversations.

I love you all! Thank you for all your support in me and all the other missionaries in the work. Have an amazing week, and I'll talk with you guys next week!

Love,

Elder Quinn

The Guadalajara Temple, small but beautiful!

And I made peanut butter french toast and eggs one day. It was a nice change from cereal.

November 9, 2015

Hey everyone. This week has been long. But not all that much happened. I think this was the first week that I haven't seen President Egginton haha! But overall, it’s been alright. We didn’t have very impressive numbers this week, nor did it feel like we did, that’s why it felt long. And we walked a lot. 

 

We found a few new investigators this week through referrals from members. We don't have much success from contacting here. Most everyone we talk to is willing to talk about Christ and the Gospel, but as soon as we ask if we can teach a lesson, they just close off to us, because "I have no time to talk to you" or "I'm Catholic". But most of our referrals have been pretty rewarding. We talked to the father of one of the Stake Counselors, and he wants to meet with us. He's actually been reading the Book of Mormon on his own! Not only that, but he studies the Bible and the BoM for two hours every day. I'm excited to talk to him again.

 

We've had a bit of a struggle with a few of our investigators. We haven't been able to catch one of them for about 2 and a half weeks. And another is interested in the BoM and likes to learn about the church, but doesn't want to pray, doesn't want to see how church is, nothing. It’s a little frustrating. We actually have many people who just don't want to do anything. They’re fine with us coming and talking with them, but in between visits, us nor our message exists. 

 

But overall, it’s been a fine week. We had the highest church attendance this Sunday yet since we've been here. One inactive family that we've been working with brought 15 people! And we have 3 investigators come as well. Hermano Francisco Fuentes is still on track to being baptized on the 28th of this month. That will be awesome!

 

It’s still really hot here in Ocotlan, but every once in a while, we get cool days that actually feel a little bit like Utah fall days. It’s good here. Elder Taveras and I are still working hard. I'm had many people ask me if he's died yet, but he still goes 110%. We’re doing good. Also, my scripture this week is Enos 1:4 "And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry untbyo him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens." I've been thinking a lot about the power of prayer this week.

 

Everyone, I love you all. And I love hearing from you. Thank you for all the support and prayers. Have an amazing week!! Tomorrow

 

Love,

Elder Kaden Quinn