Build the Kingdom of God

My Dearest Family,

I don't know what happened to the chat today. I think something was up with the internet in the store or here in the cyber but either way it was great to hear that you all are doing so great!

It was another super quick week! I feel like every week just goes faster and faster! We had the Zone Training this week which went really well. Presidente Camarillo came also which was nice being able to see him. We talked a lot about in what we should be focusing on right now. One thing that we are all working very diligently in is the Book of Mormon. I truly believe that one who reads the Book of Mormon and receives an answer that it is true through the power of the Holy Ghost will never be able to deny that testimony and witness they have received. I believe this witness and testimony is fundamental to find peace and joy. Until we come to know that the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God and a true book, we can not feel that peace and comfort. As I continue to read from it every day I can truly feel and know that the Book of Mormon is true. I invite all to continue to read from its words everyday that they might find the joy that comes from it.

Another thing that we are really focusing on right now is how to find people to teach. Lately it has been pretty dry here in the area with references. We have received a couple references but they don't seem to want too much with us. They listen but really don't show too much interest. We found a couple of my old investigators and they look like they are ready to listen again! I hope we will be able to help them receive this gospel. 

We have been watching the worldwide broadcast a lot! I really liked it. It shows very well how we should work together to build the kingdom of God. Here is the link if you would like to see it again. http://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/

I am doing really well. We have the conference talks finally from the general conference and there are a lot of great things to share with from there. I would definitely suggest reading through all of those again! 

May you all have a great week. Take care of each other and don't let mom get sick again eh! Haha. I am glad to hear that you are better now mom but take special care this week!

Love you all!! 

Love,

Elder O'Brien

Home cookin'

Dear Family!

Well it was another really good week here in the mission. Wow did it go by super fast! Well I officially hit the 18 month mark. It was pretty wild to think of that but it is already here! It has been a good 18 months and I am really eager to work hard for what I've got left!

One cool thing that we did this week was that we had the zone conference. We talked a lot about repentance and I really liked what we talked about. I feel that should be our biggest message to the world, that we are all in a fallen state and have the need to repent and return to our Lord. All of our message is centered on Jesus Christ and that through Him we can become clean of sin. The rest of our message is to let us know by what means and the need we all have to do it.  As we have been studying lately I have seen how great the blessings are for those that repent and come unto Christ.

Today was a really good P day. We all got together here in Apatzingan and we played futbol for a while. Once we couldn't take the heat anymore we headed into the kitchen to make some traditional food from our homes. Of course I had to make mashed potatoes! I didn't really have anything to mash them with but everyone said that they turned out really good. They just needed a bit of salt but I feel it was pretty good for my first time making them alone! ;)

We found a couple new investigators this week. They are the son and daughter in law of our convert. The wife said that the missionaries had already gone to teach her family also (who happens to live just a couple houses away) so hopefully that means we will have even more people to teach! She also has some family members in Utah so that will make things even greater! 

Well I hope you all have a great week! It sounds like you are all working extremely hard but I know that you are seeing the blessings for all that you do! Love you all!

Love,

Elder O'Brien :)

Key to Our Conversion

My Dearest Family,

Well it was another really good week here in the work. All seemed to go really well! I apologize again for not being able to write much last week but I will have a bit more time this week! 

Well one cool thing that happened to start the week off was that we went to visit a less active member that we hadn't even visited. They received us well and we had a nice little lesson. There were also two little neighbor girls there and we went to meet their families also! Both the families agreed to receive us and we were able to teach one of the families this week. Tomorrow we will teach the other. It was definitely a great blessing of the Lord! 

A cool thing that we were able to do for P day today was go with our recent convert and some other members out here on a little hike. It was awesome because we were able to see all of Nueva Italia. It was good that they could all get to know each other a little better also! I sent to pictures also so hopefully they got to you!

I continue reading the Book of Mormon and I have gotten to Helaman finally. After reading it over again I still continue to feel the power that comes from the Book of Mormon. It is the key to our conversion, reading and applying its teachings. I know as we read and ponder upon its words daily the Lord will bless us in so many ways. With knowledge, testimony, and strength.

Rafael and Jorge continue to do well. We taught Rafael about the priesthood this week and he seemed to understand really well. It was great and made me very happy. He is already in 2 Nephi again. Do you all think that you can keep up with him and his diligence in reading the Book of Mormon? ;)

The conference yesterday was extremely good. I felt good knowing that our mission was one of the pilot programs for it and now it is applying in all the world! It has been quite the experience. Rough, but forever worth the fight!

I hope you all have an extremely good week! Never forget that I love you all! 

Love,

Elder O'Brien :)