On the move

Hey family!!!

 

Well you are all probably wondering why I am taking so long to write you all this week. Well at 10:15 last night I got a call and I found out that I had changes. I thought it was a joke but it turned out to be serious! I am now in the area Nueva Italia, MIchoacan. I have been on buses for 6-7 hours today! Quite the trip eh? We made it to the area about a half hour ago and so we just got the chance to write! I have no idea what the area is like. I just know that it is another small branch even more out in the middle of nowhere than Tepa was! The attendance here they say is a bit more than Tepa but we'll see how it is Sunday I guess! It is very hot here and it is only February so it'll be nice and warm in June I guess ;) My companion's name is Elder Berdon. He is going home in 5 weeks so we won't be together very long. I suppose I better get to work knowing the area!
 

 I was up until almost 1:00 last night trying to get everything packed and all ready for the morning because we headed out at 5:30! Very little sleep but I caught back up on the buses haha.

 

All went really well in Tepa last week. We were able to find 4 new investigators which was way awesome! I was very excited. We also made a poster for Mormon.org so the members can start visiting the website, creating their profiles, and inviting their friends to see it also. We also had a lot planned for the movie night coming up which is cool. We gave the gospel principles class again and we also taught the class of priesthood about home teaching. We really hope that the members will be more excited about their visits knowing and understanding more about why we do the visits.

 

Thanks for sending me the story I was looking for! I thought that would be something really nice to share with people.

 

I'm not sure what else to share because I'm new to the area and all. I am excited to be able to work the with people in another strong branch. It will be a great chance to strengthen the branch, the testimonies of its members, and to learn even more!

 

It was a bit sad to say goodbye to Elder Lopez but he is with Elder Tucker now. Elder Tucker was one of the first people I met here in Mexico and way awesome so I know they will do alright!

 

I hope you all are doing great and that the Lord is continuing to bless you in everything. Remember to always do the basics of the gospel like it teaches in your gospel principles book. I know if we truly have a testimony of those things and act according to that knowledge the Lord will bless us in a million ways. Never forget that. 

 

Have a great week and know I love ya!

 

Love,

 

Elder O'Brien :)

Little by little

Hey family!

 

Well another week has quickly passed us by! I can't believe it went by so quick but here we are again. This week went really well. We were able to have many great lessons and help some great people.

 

One of the great things we were able to do is receive two references! It was way awesome! One of the references we met but we won't see until Saturday. The other we had a lesson with yesterday. She really didn't have desires to listen but she told us she would begin to read the Book of Mormon. I know that will help her a ton and really soften her heart as she reads it and really reflects on the message it contains.

 

Another awesome event was that we were able to finally find a less active family we haven't been able to find for months. They had lost their Books of Mormon so we gave them one and we are going to have a lesson with them this week also!

 

All seems to be coming along little by little. We are planning a movie night for the 19th also. We are going to watch 17 Miracles I believe. We hope it will really serve both the members and their friends that we want them to invite! We will see how that goes!

 

 Sorry I couldn't write very much last week. We went to Guadalajara to pick up stuff, we then went to eat and we had to write really quick so we would be able to get back to Tepa on time. We were still late getting back anyways. The week before last we spent nearly the whole week in conferences in Guadalajara so you all didn't miss out on anything too big!

 

We did divisiones this week and I was able to learn many great things. One awesome thing that happened is that we were in a lesson with an investigator. We decided to teach lesson 1-The Restauracion again. As we taught, the investigator had a couple doubts that we were able to teach but then when we taught about Joseph Smith we simply asked, ''Do you believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God?''. For the first time this investigator said with firmness and confidence that she did believe. It was a very spiritual moment and I was so happy that this person was able to receive this answer to her prayers.

 

Well the transfers were last week but I am still here in Tepa! I will be here until March it looks like! Pretty crazy huh! I was surprised but obviously the Lord has something prepared for me here. Or I haven't completed something I am supposed to do here. ;)

 

I decided to get rid of the bunk bed. I got sick of climbing up to the top to sleep. I took it down and just made it a normal bed instead. I like it much more! That's about as crazy as life gets here right now! Haha ;)

 

One thing I have really reflected about a lot this week is the atonement. I remember once reading a story about a boy who went to seminary class and his teacher said he would need his help to do some push ups in the class. When the class started, the seminary teacher told the class they were going to do an activity. The teacher then said that he would give a donut to each student who wanted one but the other boy (we will call him Jason) would have to do 10 push ups. The teacher then went to the desk of his first student and asked, ''Johnny, would you like a donut)''. Johnny said, ''Yes, please''. The teacher then said to Jason, ''Jason will you do 10 push ups so Johnny can have a donut?''. Jason did his push ups and the teacher gave the donut to Johnny. He then continued on to the next student, Susie. He asked her, '' Susie would you like a donut?''. Susie replied, ''Yes, please.'' The teacher then turned to Jason and said, '' Jason will you do 10 push ups so Susie can have a donut?'' Jason then did his 10 push ups. This continued and continued until he reached the desk of another student and asked, ''Lauri, would you like a donut?'' She replied, ''No, thank you.''. The teacher asked Jason, ''Jason, will you do 10 push ups so Lauri doesn't have to have this donut she doesn't want?'' Lauri then said, ''But I said I don't want one. He doesn't have to do the push ups.'' The teacher then said, ''Jason, will you do 10 push ups so Lauri doesn't have to have this donut she doesn't want?''. Jason then did his 10 push ups. The whole class was very confused and upset. This continued and continued. Whether the student wanted the donut or not Jason did his 10 push ups so they could decide. The teacher then got to Cody and asked, ''Cody would you like a donut?'' Cody said, ''Yes, but I'll do my own push ups.'' The teacher then stated, "No it doesn't work that way, Jason must do the push ups.'' Cody asked, ''Why? I can do them just as good as he can!'' The teacher said, ''Yes, but Jason must do the push ups for the donut.'' Cody then rejected the donut with a snarl. The teacher then asked Jason, "Jason, will you do 10 push ups so Cody doesn't have to have this donut she doesn't want?''. Jason did the 10 push ups. By this time he was very tired and could hardly do them. They continued and continued and Jason's push ups got slower and slower with every student. The teacher then finally arrived to the last student in the class, Billy. He asked, ''Billy would you like a donut?'' Billy said, ''No it's alright. Jason doesn't have to do anymore push ups. Look at him. He is done.'' The teacher stated, ''Billy would you like a donut?'' Billy said, ''No, he doesn't have to do anymore.'' ''Billy would you like a donut? You must decide.'' Billy said, ''Yes but I don't want him to have to do any more push ups. Let me help him at least.'' The teacher then turned to Jason and said, ''Jason, will you do 10 push ups so Billy can have a donut.'' Jason nodded and very slowly did the push ups. When he got to 6 he nearly couldn't do anymore. 8 he thought he was done. 9 he couldn't do anymore. 10 he finished, his arms doubled under and he fell to the ground, nearly crying he was so exhausted. The teacher then explained how this is like the atonement of Christ. We can choose to accept or reject His sacrifice but he offers the remission of sins to all. We couldn't help Him in those moments of suffering though we desired to. We couldn't do this atoning sacrifice. Only Christ was capable of that. But we are able to accept His atonement by following Him, keeping His commandments, and enduring to the end. We must follow our Savior Jesus Christ.

 

That is just a story that has come to my mind lately. I don't know where I read it so many years ago but see if you can find it so I can translate it better and share it with others. There is another of someone who in a dream was in a room full of filing cabinets full of the events of His life. All the good, the bad, and the ugly. The good brought back great memories but the bad and ugly brought him shame. Later he started to cry for all the bad things he had done but Christ came and but a red X through all the bad things he had done. See if you can find those please.

 

 I am doing great and I know all you are all doing great as well. Keep reading your scriptures everyday and praying. The Lord will bless you all greatly!

Love you,

 

Elder O'Brien :)

Satisfaction in our Labor

Hey family!

Well another quick week has come and gone!

I still can't believe it is that cold! They are saying this has been one of the colder winters here in Guadalajara also! It's pretty warm here either way so don't worry! ;)

Well we spent nearly all of the week here in Guadalajara. Actually here we are again right now. We had our leadership conferences again. All went pretty well! I learned a lot because there are still things I believe I should be applying. I think that is truly the reason we have the conferences though so we can all become greater missionaries.

Our investigator who has been in teaching since June, finally accepted a baptismal date for the 9th of February. Her son, one of our converts, will do the baptism. We are really excited for her and her son! The only thing is that changes are next week so we'll see if I will be able to attend!

I finally have some letters done to send off! I hope everyone will be able to get them soon!

Not too much else has been going on in the area right now. We lost a lot of time with the conference but we are going to have to work really hard this week to make up for it. We helped finish up working out the home teachers with the Elders Quorum President a couple weeks ago and now we are working with the Relief Society President to get the visiting teachers done also! We feel like the area continues to progress and we really feel satisfaction in our labor.

Oh a couple favors. I wanted to see if you could send me a copy of my mission papers. Like the booklet and all that stuff that you put in the binder. They are asking that we have a copy of that here. Also could Mom and Dad write a little testimony about tithing that I can share with the people here? That would be great! Thank you!

Well we have to get going so we can get back to Tepa on time but I hope you all have an amazing week! Read Mosiah 14 in these next couple days. It is really short but very powerful. I also suggest reading Elder Holland's talk from last conference. They are both really powerful!

May the Lord continue to bless you all and that you may feel His Spirit in every moment. I love you all!

Love,

Elder O'Brien

A Little Nudge

Hey there Family ''O''

 

Well another really quick week has come and gone! Another nice week down here in Tepatitlan. A few more trials this week but all is going well!

 

That is great that the Sister missionaries got to speak in sacrament meeting! Grandma told me they have a bit of an accent? Can everyone understand them well? I am sure it is exactly the same when people listen to me though! ;) 

 

McKenzie sounds like she is getting excited to go to Institute which is way cool! I hope she likes it!  Make sure to tell President Evans hi for me!

Wow more kids getting married! I guess that's how life gets after high school!

 

Haha Ashley sent me an email and said she is studying really hard for finals. Then you send me an email and say the contrary. I guess Ashley's idea of studying hard is 5 minutes a day ;) Haha just kidding Ash!

 

I do have a backup of all the pictures. Don't worry, I thought ahead for once! ;) If you send another package, send me some old SD cards if you can and I will use them to send you the pictures again.

Well life in Tepatitlan de Morelos, Jalisco, Mexico is pretty normal. This week was a bit slower with trying to find everybody (nearly all of our appointments fell through). We met with members quite a bit though. We had appointments to meet references also but those all fell through sadly. But the good thing is that we are sure the members have friends ready to hear the gospel. Now we just have to make sure we can get an appointment with them! :)

 

Funny story. We have an investigator who came to church with us yesterday. We were sitting in the sacrament meeting and he was sitting next to me. He was nearly asleep the whole meeting. I wanted it to be a spiritually uplifting experience for him so I had to subtly give a little nudge every couple seconds. That kept me pretty entertained for a while. He never said anything so I don't think he knows I was doing it on purpose! ;)

 

I am way behind on cards so tell everyone I am sorry! I'll be sending some next week for sure! McKenzie sent me way too many! ;)

 

Today we are finally going to do something fun on Pday. We are going to go the park with the coolest family in the branch to play. I think we are going to play tennis so I will be horrible but we'll see how it goes! I am way excited though :)

 

Well I hope you all have a really great week! We'll keep working hard here as the Lord's servants in Tepa and you all keep enjoying life and working hard also! We'll hear from ya next week!

 

Love,

 

Elder O'Brien ;)

Engaged in a great work

Hey family!

That's right. One year has already passed! Can you believe it? It scares me a little bit but it makes me want to work even harder and help the people here in Mexico come unto Christ even more.

Poor Sister Rogers! Let her know that all is fine. Austin is eating really well in the MTC . He's really enjoying himself right now, that is for sure! Of course a bit homesick but happy!

Haha what is McKenzie thinking of working in the store? I don't think they celebrate Valentine's day here. I haven't heard anything at least...They just had a holiday yesterday though for the 3 wise men. That is so fun that McKenzie went tubing. The idea of snow blows my mind right now! It has mostly been raining here this week but then the last couple days have been really warm again! It is crazy that it is so cold there! Is everyone dying from the cold?

How did McKenzie like the singles ward? Truly I liked the family wards a LOT more when I was back home. I don't know it probably depends though.

Relax!

That is so awesome that everyone is getting along so well in the house! Everyone is really enjoying those small chances to be home all together no?

What did Bishop Lords say to you when you gave him a hard time. Tell him that him, Jake, and Cody just need to get out their rifles like when I took Lexi to homecoming haha. Do they still have that picture? We need a copy of it!

Tell Grandma and Uncle John happy birthday for me. John finally hit that big 5-0 eh? I didn't know numbers got that high. ;)

All is going really well here in Tepa. We have a baptism coming up the 19th. We haven't been able to have many lessons with the investigator so we hope that he will be ready! He is a really great guy though! We'll see how that goes! We are meeting a lot of people which makes me happy! We committed some less actives to come to church this week to start the new year but sadly they didn't come. We gotta keep working hard though!

We are working a lot with the members also. What came to my mind last week was that we are really working to set the foundation of Zion. Therefore we must not only work with investigators, but with members also to make sure that all are converted to the Lord 110%. I know the Lord has great things planned here for Tepa! I am truly enjoying the fact that I am engaged in such a great work here in Tepa!

I hope you all have an amazing week! Hopefully everybody doesn't freeze to death! Love you all and have fun in the snow where ever it may be!

Oh, tell Paola thank you for the Christmas presents, I love the shirt and the stuffed bear that she gave me!!!!

Love,

Elder O'Brien :)

One year down...

Hey family!

I hope you all really enjoyed Christmas and New Year's Eve today! It was so great to be able to talk to everyone last week! The time went by so quick! I couldn't believe that it was already time to go! I felt like we had just started the conversation! Sadly we had to say goodbye but in one year we will be at home for Christmas time! Crazy to think huh?

I can't believe I have reached the year mark in the mission. It has seriously been the quickest year of my life! It definitely had its trials and hardships but I have learned and grown so much that it makes me so happy! I know I am truly engaged in the Lord's work here in the mission field. He has blessed me in so many ways and I am so grateful for those blessings that He continually gives to me and all of you as well!

This week went very well. Elder Lopez got sick pretty bad this week. He was sick to the stomach and had a fever also. He was stuck in bed nearly all day Saturday which happened to be the day all the adults went to the temple in Guadalajara and none of the priests could help us so I got stuck at home also. Man I was bored haha. It made me very grateful for the times when we are healthy and we can work with 100% of our efforts. Elder Lopez got healthy enough to go visit some investigators at about 7:30 that night to make sure they would go to church which was very good!

Our Christmas Eve went very well! We ate a ton!! First some fish which was SO good! A member roasted it over coals. We then ate cake for my and Elder Lopez's birthdays. We then went and talked to you guys and ate more cake with the branch President and his family for our birthdays. Then we went to eat tacos with a member family and we ate more cake. When we went to eat it though the Sister shoved my face in the cake! I'll try to send some pics. They are on my companion's camera. It was a very good day though. Christmas day we ate some good tacos again haha. Go figure...WAY good though. We ate with one of our investigators. She also gave us gifts. We got socks, chocolates, and deodorant. I think she was trying to send a message ;) Hahaha! Another great day!

We had a great week in church. A family that was inactive since I got here finally came to church. It was so exciting to see them there with their whole family! We are going to work a lot with them so they can go to the temple as a family!

We also met some really great people this week. One young girl was very funny. She is the niece of a member. The member says her niece's parents might not let her come to church or teach her. I say let's give it a shot. I don't just want to teach her. I want to see if we can teach her whole family! We'll see how that goes this week!

Not too much else crazy happened this week. We had to go home early both the 24th and 25th. What a party! Haha. Everyone says they get really trunky this week but I was able to overcome it all pretty well!

It is crazy that Janessa is headed to Sweden! When does she head out? Tell her congratulations!

Elder Lopez and I are getting along well. We ran out of gas for the hot water this week and we have to wait until tomorrow to buy it or else we won't be able to reimburse it. Let's just say showers have been much faster this week than before haha. I guess it is good that someone gave us that deodorant! ;)

I hope all are doing well! It was great to hear all your stories from Christmas. Especially McKenzie's :)! I hope you all have a great New Year. Set some great goals everyone. The Lord is willing and ready to help. We first must set reasonable goals with faith then put that faith into action and achieve them.

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is ^acompelled in all things, the same is a ^bslothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

27 Verily I say, men should be ^aanxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

28 For the power is in them, wherein they are ^aagents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their ^breward.

All is possible with the help of the Lord and as we work to complete our goals!

Have an amazing 2013! See ya in a year! Love you all!

Elder O'Brien ;)

Making a difference

Hey family!

Half way through December already! Can you believe it? Pretty crazy!

It sounds like you all had a really great birthday party for mom! Spoiled her nice and good eh? Where did you all go to eat? The girls had a lot of fun with the stick notes huh? They did that to mom's Chrysler?

McKenzie is back home, safe and sound! How is she liking that? Will she have many friends back home right now?

I did get your other package that you sent. Elder Lopez and I really enjoy opening one everyday. I am dying to open the one for Christmas day though! :)

Well right now I am chatting with McKenzie and it looks like we will be skyping on the 24th in the night! We'll see how that goes! :) I need to look up my account information again haha.

Well there were changes again last night but I am still here in Tepa! I'll be completing 7 months here at the end of this change! Crazy huh? I'm pretty sure I'll have to head out at the end of this change but we will see what happens! I am really enjoying it here though because I am really seeing a big change here in the branch! Elder Lopez and I were discussing how big of changes we have seen here. We then set plans of what we would still like to change! It is really great to see that you are really making a difference in people's lives!

We are looking forward to a baptismal service this weekend! It will be a ''white Christmas'' like everyone is saying haha. We're really praying all will work out really well with that!

We had a really awesome Zone Christmas party last week. We played broom hockey but that didn't last too long! You know how us missionaries are. The brooms lasted about 3 minutes! We decided it would be easier to play soccer instead haha. Later we broke piñatas and ate Chinese food. Stinking Chinese food made me sick though haha. I also got cards from Bishop Millward, Elder Wasden, and Aubrey Palmer. It sounds like all are doing really well!

Well I hope all goes really well for you all this week! Have fun getting ready for Christmas! We'll be seeing you next week!

Love you!

Elder O'Brien :)