Monday, December 22, 2014

Every Day is a Good Day

Querido Hermanos y Hermanas,

As I sit in this Cyber or internet cafe and ponder about Christmas I am overwhelmed with a sense of eternal gratitude for all that I have. I know its better to give then to receive but wow do I feel so special for all that I have been given. Know that I think about each of you in my nighttime prayers and that you all have a special part in my heart. I have never had a bad Christmas and I don't think I ever will. Life is a journey sometimes there are hills and sometimes there are valleys but I enjoy every minute. Everyday is a good day, remember that.

Okay so my week was jam packed with crazy awesomeness. Last Monday we had lots of appointments and we contacted an amazing reference her name is Fabiola, and she is one of the few people we have taught who actually understood apostasy and the need for a restoration, which is sad because our goal with the first lesson we teach is that people can understand this key piece of doctrine. This is the singular difference. I invite you to study these two parts in Preach my Gospel and that you can accompany the missionaries if you have the great honor ;) I know its true. Tuesday we had studies with our sister trainers and Friday I have exchanges with them to see if presidente can take out my companion and if I know the area. The truth I don't know the area but neither do the other 3 missionaries here but I think he will give me a new companion this next cycle so I am going to lead the area this week with my companion to help me and were doing divisiones this week hopeful 2 times, because the works a little slower this week with vacations there's like no one home.
This Saturday was the ward party and it went great we got lots of great references and got to do service too! Our ward mission leader is so great. Sunday I was kinda falling asleep/ sleeping not on purpose but I am so exhausted that's a good sign but I will try and sleep more. Today we are a family home evening and a family has been preparing there friend for a long time so we are excited to meet him.

My goal this week is spontaneous street contacting, lead the area and help my companion more with English and to not forget to ask for references. In the mission you are always get better and as you get better you realize that you have other weakness. One of the greatest works in the mission is your own soul. I feel refined and uplifted and that the grace of God is real and such a major part of my life. I know that my Savior lives and loves me that He is the son of God and that we can have eternal life if we only want it bad enough. I encourage you are to think what you would give Jesus Christ as a gift this year, but think about it well because you need to be willing to actually give it.

Love,
Hermana Mleynek
exchanges with my ex hehe
sis Guerrero with a giant pinata
Christmas devotional with president was awesome!! They gave us hand towles that look like dresses and elders got bibs with corbatas and name tags hehe

Monday, December 15, 2014

Feliz Navidad

Dear Peoples
First off Merry Christmas! I am so happy for the Christmas season! I love thinking about our savior Jesus Christ and sharing this message with everyone in the world. Turns out most people have heard of Christmas and of Jesus Christ but not everyone has put two and two together and even. I asked a girl in the combi if she liked gifts and then told her Id like to share the most important and first gift given for Christmas, she said no I think I scared her with my enthusiasm oh well try try again right.

This week was great and kind of yuck like lots of people this time of year I got sick but I just was dying for two days and now all is good. It reminds me a lot of when I first got to Mexico a year ago today and my stomach rejected everything I tried to put into it. Good times, so I am happy as always a little healthier and were working hard as always. Frustration is just part of life doesn't mean we cant enjoy it.

Here are some pictures as I have finally figured out how to send pictures!! Whoo I love you all. cant wait to talk to mi familia this Thursday it will be sometime 4-7 pm sorry that's a huge window of time but were just not so sure.
162- Teotihuacan pyramids from the book of Mormon cra cra!
204- Yo y Hna Peñaloza in our District Class I got my He is the Gift card at hand to whip it out and  convert someone :)

Mas photos
our cozy abode we put up the collapsible tree
that my awesome aunt mere sent to me and my beautiful stocking
hecho por mi hermosa madre. Its surprising how cold it is in our house!! Discover the gift, accept the gift share the gift. Also a member showed us an awesome music video of piano guys and David Archeleta singing a Christmas carol promoting the gift you should see it.

atentamente,
Hermana Mleynek

Monday, December 8, 2014

Deck The Halls

Dear Family and Friends
Congratulation Jared and Senecca on your beautiful baby boy! Wow I cant believe I'm an aunt :) Little Jude was born...I'm not sure what day but glory to God in the highest! I am thankful for families that bring purpose to life. Thank you for all your inspiring letters and love.
 
I have worked super hard spreading the news about the birth of Jesus Christ and many have felt the spirit of this special time of year. I am going to work even harder this week. Were looking for new teaching opportunities. Were planning a missionary activity for the ward Christmas dinner. Were going to serve the food and give books of Mormons as gifts to those who come who aren't members. I think I might have deleted all my photos but I'm not sure. I think Ill be able to find them later, I am so surprised about how lazy I am about taking pictures. Oops. 

I love Jesus Christ I love my Heavenly Father. I love you all and I love my mission. I love our prophet. I love everything that seems horrible at first but we just keep going. I hope you can all take advantage of the beautiful time of year every day this month strive to do miracles and save lives and make a different just like He made all the difference. I am staying focused and the days fly. My companion is a little locita hehe but I love her, our ward is bomb.com. Pedro is the señor we are teaching he loves to learn and seems very willing and sincere to keep all the commandments. He should be getting baptized soon we just need to visit him more often hes super busy. The new convert in our ward now wants to serve a mission so were helping him but hes got a ways to go. There are a lot of youth ready and able to leave on their missions its so exciting. 

Have a great holiday season I have you all in my heart and thanks to Jesus Christ I can have you all for eternity. This is the most important message that the world has to offer and its so often ignored raise your voice and sing and share the gift and the reason for the season.
Atentamente
-Hermana Mleynek 

Monday, December 1, 2014

Cayenne really works..just saying

Hola Familia. Como estan?!

Every new area has unique blessings and challenges. I am really happy here I think I would give this area two descriptions exciting and drama. You'd need a U-haul and a team of horses to drag me into a mess of drama. Yo odio drama. hehe.

My new companions name is Sis. Peñalosa from Cornavaca Mexico! She is a fireball but super super cool. She gets laugh attacks that are super funny. I continue on in the work and have gotten to know all the investigadores and members.

We had pocos lecciones this week but we've been searching for new investigadores and we found some and feel hopeful. My other area was a reference machine and this week we've received 6 references and sister Peñalosa said that they'd never had 1 reference in the 2 cycles that have past the truth is that she forgets to ask everyone, so I am helping her get better. She is a powerful teacher and we love to work. She has a lot of initiative which I love no one needs to tell her to get moving and I am the same so we've walked a lot!!!!! this week! I am loving the ward but the jovenes youth all want to be super buddies with me and iam like hold on no fist bumps please. Hehe.

Ahhh this cyber is playing 90's pop No!!!! Anyway our house is freezing cold I got sick when I got here but I snorted Cayenne pepper up my nose and now I am better within 3 days. It works people, thanks dad :) so yeah I feel super happy working lots here!

They give us so much food here I am eating a bowl of special K and a banana every morning and not buying any snacks in the street but they give you soo much to eat every house and appointment its sweets and bread and deserts and pancakes and fruit and no se que mas. Don't judge me if I get a little fat here its rude to refuse food here as much as I would like to for the sake of time and my figure. But oh well.

Thank you for all your prayers and loving notes. I hope you all share with your friends and family about the He is the Gift video and page "christmas.mormon.org" that the church is sharing with the world. There is even a page that you can put photos on your Facebook. I highly recommend that you share with anyone and everyone about this beautiful message the first and lasting gift of Christmas His son Jesus Christ. I love Him and I love sharing His gospel. These are the best times for my life. I cant say enough about how grateful I am for my mission.

Stay safe and beautiful inside and out. Hasta ver. Les amo mucho!
atentamente,
Hermana Mleynek

Monday, November 24, 2014

The Miracle of the Mission

Dearest people
I don't want to pack. I don't consider myself lazy or whinny or even very dramatic. But I really this transfer I might die carrying all my crap to Pachuca and then my new area. Noo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Okay enough of that. I had a very spiritually satisfying week. I was able to see a lot of improvements as less actives after years are in the chapel and they are listening and learning to strengthen their families. A lot of our investigadores still don't listen to us but I feel love and desire for them to come to church. 

I know this church is true. I know God has not left my companion and I alone. We have felt more energy and motivation and had a lot more harmony. I will never forget all that I have learned with sister Gonzalez. I am sad to say goodbye to Tlahue for now. In our zone training with Presidente I was called on to give my talk that I had prepared,...which I totally did not know what they were talking about and so I just got up there and did my best and yeah that was a fail but I think there must have been a reason because Nobody told me and another Elder also had to talk and he didn't know what to say either. I hope it was good. If anything I learned that I should pay more attention and study more diligently. 

Lots of funny stuff happened this week. We also had exchanges with the sister training leaders another surprise. We got blanched or burned by a less active totally rude. We had a crazy day Saturday and everything went late but despite all he fiasco I feel calm only one panic attack Sunday but my companion helps me when I feel super bad shes super chillax but also a powerful and animated teacher. I love sister Gonzalez! I love all of the beautiful and frustrating things about the mission. You all need to read the miracle of a mission by E.Holland. I promise you that you will see and feel differently about life and missionary work. I will treasure this talk forever.

I don't have much more time but I am thankful for you all in my life, for this time in my mission, for my heavenly father and savior Jesus Christ. I love you all stay safe and listen to the spirit. D&C 50
-Hermana MLeynek

Monday, November 17, 2014

Reading is Important

Dear Seres Queridos,
Monday-Thursday: I am not exactly sure what all happened sorry. My agenda I lost in a taxi returned! I was super happy because the agenda is your life in the mission! We have some awesome investigadores but hardly anyone progression. We are feeling optomistic about Silvestre and Sofia.
Friday: Weekly planning went crazy because the sister training leaders came to our house to do an intervention I don't feel like telling the details of that fun experience but we learned a lot about communication. I love them so much.

Saturday: Went by super duper quick we had very few hours but managed to cram in a bunch of work we had our stake conference. I think normally missionaries don't go to the Saturday session but our leaders told us to go and wow was it weird having all our zone their un buen de misioneros. The theme was members kick off those slippers and accompany the missionaries. It was pretty cool! Whoo! Darn those Elders robbing our food. My companion got a package from her mom and in it were these special beans and meat that are from Culiacan and E.Ponce or District Leader DL told us to bring him some and then another Elder from Culican se llama E.Smith hehe hes Mexican and he wanted some too so Sunday we brought him some too and now there aren't any. :( We tried super hard to bring people to the conference but people have so many excuses.

Sunday: I felt super bad no offense Catholics. So we went to our food appointment we only eat once at 2 pm I don't know if that's different from other missions. So the sister was with her husband who just got out of surgery and her mom gave us dinner and her mom isn't a member and all their family aren't members it was super awkward because they treated us like we were not apart of the club. We asked if we could pray on the food and they wanted us to read their recited prayer. So I read it but I ended it like a normal prayer with my own thoughts. And then they didn't pay any attention to us after when we wanted to share a scripture and when we invited them to listen they said no we are good. Grrr...and then the sister called us and said that we needed to drop by a bar to pick up our shoes that had been fixed the bar is owned by one of her friends but lets just say I felt very awkward this Sabbath. I love the Stake Conference. E.Anderson y Sis Reeves spoke about sacrifice and I loved the first speaker who compared the story in the bible of the golden serpent of how easy it was to be healed to how easy it is to heal ourselves by reading the scriptures everyday but its so easy we don't do it and perish. I especially liked when he said there is no excuse why you cant read the scriptures as a family every day. Wow! I think that must of stung a bit but in a good way.

I'm sorry I don't have more time to write. I am grateful for you all and love reading your letters every week! Its my favorite!
Paz y Amor,
Hermana Mleynek

Monday, November 10, 2014

Just Passed the Year Mark

Don’t go towards the light!!! Just kidding. How are you all doing?!

I feel healthy, happy, energetic and positive about life. I am learning to deal with and confront problems and stress. As our manual for adapting to missionary life says, I’m in the green zone. I am working hard and just trying to do the will of the Lord in every moment. I know He has a plan. The mission is hard stuff but I feel really good about what I am doing. The spirit confirms to us when we do our best and when we don’t. If you are having troubles dealing with a problem try visualizing success and telling yourself you are willing and happy to try because if you don’t try true you won’t fail but you also are guaranteed not to win either. Thanks dad for teaching me to respond "I’d be happy to" whenever you wanted me to do something, at first it was against my will but afterwards I felt happy about it :) that’s sort of like the mission. Of course I am here because I want to be but sometimes there are things that one doesn't feel like doing but we got to do it, and it’s much better if we are happy about it.  I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween. Wow I can believe how fast the time passes. I miss you all tons but not in a home sick way just in a glowing happy way because I know I’ll see you soon. My greatest desire is to see our area progress and to have people begin to change their lives and be converted to the gospel. I don’t know how I can explain it better to people that The Gospel is True, I am not even trying to change their religion I just want them to understand the basics.
"No I won’t go to your church or read your bible. I’m part of another religion"

"That’s great that you’re from that religion, God wants us to have faith in Him and live a righteous life, so will you pray, read your bible and go to your church?"

"No I don’t have time for that!"

This week my companion and I visited Dennisse 5 times practically every day and we really tried to help her family get activated but they are super stubborn and so we believe for now there isn't a date for her baptism; because she didn't come to church again :( were super sad, but we did our part and if it’s not time, it’s not time. We were very close of completing the standard for the mission but our zone leaders told us we received the most references and contacted the most and had the most new investigators than anyone else in our zone which I felt good about. We are trying super hard and things are happening. This week we brought a new niña girl to church her name is Keyla but her family is also inactive so well see. Be good and stay safe eat lots of pie for me.

Love,
Hermana Mleynek

Monday, November 3, 2014

Full of Thanksgiving

I know it isn’t the week of thanksgiving yet but I feel like I just want to thank God this week. I am thankful that He answers my prayers, that He has never abandoned me, that I can live in this beautiful world, that my family is so dang fantastic, that I have a wonderful and genuine companion, that He is soo patient, that He helps us All learn and we can learn from each other, For Food! I am thankful that I have feeling in my feet even when they just hurt, but hey I’m not in the hospital or anything. I am thankful for the Internet that makes speaking with Yall soo easy and that I can see with eyes your beautiful faces and funny Halloween costumes. I am thankful for the change in the seasons as uncomfortable as they seem. I am thankful for this past year and this time in my life to just serve. I am forever changed. I am thankful for my virtues and vices and the feelings of Joy, Hope that are very real and that build my faith. I am thankful for repentance and the atonement of Jesus Christ that strengthens me and help me do and be a little better every day. I am grateful that 4 new people came to church this Sunday. I am thankful that I can serve my brothers and sisters and understand through pain and joy a little of what the Lord feels for us and the importance of His gospel. I am thankful for the words of latter day prophets they are inspired and speak with and for God.

This week was awesome because we worked a lot we, talked with lots of people and we loved our neighbors. People understand me now, Por Fin! When I make jokes and stuff like today I got to be sarcastic it was awesome. We had a bit of a fiasco Sunday bringing Dennisse to church and NO She was drinking coffee! Hay Chihuahua this chickadee is taking lots of time. I felt like losing my mind when for the third time this week we just sat and listened to people rant for 45 minutes without starting a lesson! My comp is super patient and I am super stressed. It’s not a very good combo but don’t worry I am learning to take control of the situation and we are teaching more. I was called to teach not to listen to ghost stories or every little thing. It is important to listen. We can’t know what to say if we don’t listen but this is my greatest weakness right now finding a balance but I feel better and better every day as the Lord is helping me soo much to fulfill my calling. I know this time is so important. I know that if we feel we should do something and it is good it’s the spirit and if the words of scripture, hymns or words of the prophets come into mind that this is also an impression we should follow and immediately. The longer we wait to change the harder it is. I love you and hope you are well. Stay safe and enjoy life. Dia de muertes aqui en Mexico is creepy. The kids don’t dress up like ninja turtles or princesses or anything it’s like Chuckie and witches and horror masks but for the KIDS no!! If I was paying more attention I think I would have been scared but I am such a focused person that I didn’t really have time to feel scared. It’s funny the email program is in Spanish and it says that everything I type is spelled wrong. I am sure that there are a lot of spelling errors pero no tantos!

Hermana Mleynek



Monday, October 27, 2014

I Get It

Hola I hope your all doing fantastic and dealing with the everyday stresses of your mortal probation. I am pleased to inform you that me and my companion are getting along very well and I am learning to expand my heart and see things in other ways. I am so full of love and pride to be a member of my family and think about you all when I dedicate 5 minutes before prayers to do so or when something happens and I am reminded of you. I know we are all part of Our Heavenly Fathers family and we are His work and His Glory His everything and He wants us to learn and grow from this short time away from Him. I have found a lot more understanding this week from the Preach My Gospel chapter 4 about following the spirit I recommend studying it and trying to mediate on How the Holy Ghost is a part of your life. I am trying super hard to combat the trials that come but the Lord never gives us responsibilities without also giving us divine aid. 1 Nephi 3:7. I am very comforted to know and meditate in the many ways and instances that my HF has helped me understand things through the Holy Ghost. I know that He is essential in this work and the more we try to get out of the way and let him do the work the more I feel I am on clouds rather than thorns and needles walking 10 hours a day. There are a lot of hard things about the mission but it is the most rewarding experience to feel closer to and understand more about the Savior's mission. I hope we can all aspire to do as our prophet Thomas S. Monson has said and do and be a little better. I know the Lords atonement and through His enabling power this is possible. I love Him and the impact he has in the lives of others, whether I see it or not. The most exciting part of this week is that we reached the standard of lessons 41! and it’s a first for me I feel very happy and so optimistic that we can keep it up and do the will of the Lord in as much as we can do. I can’t do everything but with the Lord I know I can do enough. I know this church is true I know that my Savior lives and loves me and that the Holy Ghost guides us and our leaders they are truly inspired. Hard times are coming but I will always trust in my loving Heavenly Father that He knows what’s best for each us. Stay safe all, Note. thank you so much everyone for your letters of encouragement and the updates of life and pictures etc. they mean a lot to this missionary.
Love,
Hermana Mleynek

Monday, October 20, 2014

Hasta Ver (To See)

Hola mis seres queridos,
I hope with all my heart that you are all doing fantastical! So here was my week we finished up pday strong and went off to work had 3 appointments set up they went super good and we felt the spirit and feeling optimistic we had a day full! But...we hardly had any work Tuesday :( and we felt a bit sad but we talked to lots of people and made appointments with them Wednesday went worse as far a work we were so sad and pretty much for 3 days it was like that. We visited Dennisse and she has been keeping all her commitments but her mom is super stressed about work because they don’t have money and hasn't helped at all and so she has been missing some Sundays. She does have a testimony but it’s very week. We are praying so much for this family to help them. So Saturday went bomb awesome with only 6 lessons but at least we found people. We do have one investigator that actually seems to want to listen. Her name is Mariel she accepted a baptism date but that we found out she really has a good reason why she can’t come to church and I was like urrr Ratas. We found a bunch of old investigators and got to know them a little more. Yesterday there was only 1 investigator at church and her name is Monserat she has a lot good qualities but she also has a disease mentally that she can’t stop talking. In Relief Society she raised her hand to comment on something and she wove it into about 8 or 9 completely unrelated stories with no sign of stopping the teacher tried her best to cut in nicely but Monserat jumped in again and it was super awkward the two of them talking at the same time. The same thing happens when we come to teach her, I about lose my mind every time. Yaneli was at church and we had a very full class for Gospel Principles and well guess what the topic for the week was? yep...law of chastity soo fun. I tried to be super mature but yeah a little awkward especially since about 3 of the 6 people in class are not living it. Don’t worry I didn't beat around the bush I know what’s what and I told em but in a super nice way. We started off the week good with a record 8 lessons whoo!! It’s nice having church in the morning because we can work the rest of the day and at the same time not nice because all the investigators are sleeping ah phooey. I pray a lot for God to help us know what to do. Our area is a bit stale. Everyone has a reason why no but it reminds me in the history of Joseph Smith how people deny the power of God and it’s so true the ones who acknowledge the existence and power of God would listen to us but a lot of people are just comfortable one of the most dangerous states to be in. This is making me more bold.  I am so desperate for people to just ask God. I don’t care if they ignore me but don’t ignore God please! I know He lives and loves us, I know that this is His Church the one and only church of the face of this planet we call home. I know Thomas Spencer Monson is the Lord’s prophet Thank you for your prayers.  I feel them I feel your love. I know an important part about life and especially in the mission is realizing a developing our spiritual gifts.
-Hermana Mleynek

Monday, October 13, 2014

Finally the Fair is Over I Can Sleep!

Estoy muy emocionada por todos los misioneros nuevos 20 van a venir. También estoy feliz que no tengo que pack up. Estoy muy feliz que nuestra rama ahora tiene su casa de oración la verdad es muy bonita ser parte de esta momento tan especial para todos. Estoy muy agradecido por que estoy aprendiendo de mi compañera. Le amo con todo mi corazón Hermana Gonzalez. Yo espero que podemos tener mucho mas éxito esta semana. Pasamos por muchos investigadores pero queda dormido Domingo como dicen aquí dormingo jaja. Bueno voy a ser obediente, abrir mi boca mas para que mi luz pude brillar para todos. Estoy estudiando mucho los discursos de la conferencia. Sintió que algunos tiene mi nombre dentro. Siento que algo importante a nuestra Padre Celestial es tenemos nuestra testimonio firme y ser valiente discípulos de Jesucristo. Estoy aprendiendo mas y mas cada día la importancia y veracidad del Evangelio en mi propio vida. Voy a hacer mas, sacrificar todo puedo por esto ciclo puede ser la mas exitoso de todos antes. Les amo ustedes. Quidense mucho!!

Translation with more thoughts: I am super excited for the new 20 missionaries that are coming into the mission, pretty soon well be 200 strong. I am also happy that I don't have to pack my bags. Sister Gonzalez doesn't either. We have our house of prayer and it looks just like a chapel from the inside and its pretty outside too. Its so cool to be a part of this historic and long anticipated moment for the Tlahuelilpan Branch. Many members bore their testimonies about how as the influence of good increases in the world so does that forces of evil and that with this new building will come many trials but the faithful members of Gods church will remain true and strong. I know that the Lord answers prayers in His Own time. I am continuing to learn from my companion and I know that we can do it! We are going to have the best rockstar bomb digidy week ever!! I know the Lord will help us to be diligent and obedient and find his chosen that are ready to hear and accept the gospel. He can help you also. I have been studying conference a lot in my spare minutes as in when I am showering jaja. I downloaded the talks and listen to them when I can. Two themes have stuck out to me the most. 1. Be firm and gain a strong and lasting testimony of the gospel and 2. Be a light to the world and shine and bring others to Christ by your words and deeds. I know that there are some people lost and you can help them to know the sweetness of the gospel. Invite them, be kind to them and be patient with your friends and families. Courage is the testing point of all Christ like attributes. I have received a confirming witness from the Holy Ghost that these things are true. If any man will do the will of the Lord he will know of the Doctrine whether it is from God. I am working hard and I Love you all! Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words, your updates and funny stories. Thank you for all being part of my life.
-Hermana Mleynek



Monday, October 6, 2014

Viva San Francisco!¡....haha Jk!! Seriously

Well Its that glorious time again to write the fam. I have had an exhausting week but not so much physically but more mentally. I have been pondering a lot. I got kinda mad at my companion but we worked it out and now I have figured out that sometimes people need time to think and work things out so I have distanced myself in a loving way from my companion and it actually has helped. we are more patient and kind with another. I am not sure if this works with everyone but it works with her so the lesson of the day is that we shouldn't give ourselves the right of being mad at anyone. Me and my companion have lots of plans for lots of success this week with the church services being here in our area. I am building  my testimony up in a lot of ways and was especially inspired by the talks in conference about personal revelation. We don't need to wonder when we can know. I am not exactly sure why people choose to just keep living in confusion and doubt but I know that they can know and that's our job to tell them, and tell them again, invite them and invite them again until they figure it out that God actually will and is responding. I know Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know God exists and loves me. I know that the power of the atonement washes away sin. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know I have much more to learn. haha but spiritual questions deserve spiritual answers and my answers have come and will come from my loving Heavenly Father and so will yours. I promise you this. Not much happened this week but we visited a lot of less actives to get them excited about the church being here. Cough Cough Toz Toz Come to church!!! :)

The end. Love, Hermana Mleynek

Just kidding Ill explain these crazy picture. So there is a special saint for this town his name is San Francisco and they do a giant week long party for Him. It is seriously crazy, not in a wow way in a what are these people doing?¿ there is a fair and music and fireworks and parades Saturday for his birthday and Sunday for I don't know what and then there is another parade this Sunday too and tower of light and dances in the catholic church and they decorate the streets with flowers and streamers and alters and lights etc. etc. ridiculousness. I have videos of the bands and drums and the crazy fireworks and bombs we could hear and see everything from the house because they passed directly by us. I luckily was so tired that I could actually sleep last night. How do these Mexicans party soo much!!All night all day all week. It doesn't make sense to me but it sure was fun for a little while then I got super tired and was like Shhhhh....por favor estoy durmiendo! T: shhh please I am sleeping!




Monday, September 29, 2014

The Shirt Off My Own Back

What a unique and powerful week. I can’t believe that it’s over well there’s no use looking back. We had divisions with the sister training leaders and I was freaking out because it’s hard to plan back up plans when your companion doesn't know any of the people yet. But the day went pretty bomb. I walked 3 hours in the area Progresso with Sis. Defranco from the CCM. We walked so much because they closed down the main road where the combis pass and there was a huge protest thing and people camped out. We arrived in the combi and got out and people started running after the combi to get on and the combi did a Uie real fast, hit the curb and floored it. With wide eyes we looked at each other as only one can when two white girls are in the middle of a Mexican riot-protest, we were like we are stuck here oh no!! We did get home though don’t worry. We had fun and we talked like no bodies business and then we were like why are we so talkative? And it’s because we miss English. I am probably going to vomit stories about billions of things when I get home.  This is a picture of 15 de Septiembre.
I was all over the colors; my companion wasn't nearly as excited. I just wanted to blend in so people would think I was from here. hehe. We found two less active young women this week and from contacting a castle. It’s like a place to rent for parties but it’s been closed down for years and my companion Sis. Gonzalez wanted to contact here and yeah I enjoyed making puns about rescuing the princesses. They were baptized when they were 8 and 10 and they don’t know anything and we invited them to the baptism of Yaneli and the women’s conference and one of them came and she though it was really cool and beautiful. One of our investigators finally came to church Irma Lopez and it was funny she just kind of nodded and agreed with everything. We taught the gospel principles class and one sister was sharing a bunch of experiences she has had with family History and yeah I was getting lost and this investigator doesn’t even know what a temple is...I was praying a lot. I got to lead the hymns in sacrament meeting and my companion gave a bomb talk on obedience. I have been progressing in my personal goals and we have also had a lot more success this week, there is still a lot of room for improvement duh were representatives of Jesus Christ how will we ever live up to that? But I try and I feel good. I really appreciate all the inspired letters from my beautiful Aunt Gena and Aunt Tiffany your letters are my rock on hard days. There is a super weird festival thing going on and it’s like 2 weeks long and last night there was a Catholic parade of a bunch of people!! It was sort of weird because idols creep me out especially Catholic ones and they had a bunch of them on sticks. Kind of like saint Fransico cabobs. Oh yeah The Baptism so Friday we talked with President and he said we’d put a program together for the baptism and we also talked to our neighbor whose son was in charge of filling up the baptism font and getting things ready BUT we came to see president when he said to stop by and his wife said that he was in another city and would be back super late and also the brother to fill up the font was also out of town and we couldn't get a hold of him and then Yaneli´s brother Fernando didn't want to baptize her and then the sister training leaders said that for their baptism last week there were no clothes in the closet where they normally are. And we were like GREAT well see what happens tomorrow we didn't know who would get the water ready who would talk in the baptism or what the program was and we didn't know who would baptize Yaneli and we didn’t know if there were any baptism clothes. We called and talked to everyone we could without any straight answers. We got there at 5 o'clock and everything was ready there were lots of ward members, there was a program and clothes and someone to baptize Yaneli we took a photo and she was baptized and sucked a bunch of water up her nose because she was a little nervous but super happy afterwords too. The baptism went so good her brother talked about faith and repentance and then another talk by Mario the second counselor about the ordinance and the Holy Ghost. Yaneli was super intent and I know that she is in it for the long haul she has made her decision and has had a lot of time to think and pray and she has a testimony. I thought a lot about my baptism and they determination I had when I was baptized to remain clean and to follow Jesus Christ my decision is still firm and I felt the spirit testifying to me of the importance of baptism to our Heavenly Father. Afterword the women’s conference was spectacular. I loved the emphasis of temples in our lives and the strength I gained personally from the conference and the impressions I received of some of the things we all need to be constant in in our lives. Sunday I was a little sad because Dennisse at the last minute went with her aunt to work the whole day. We have got to get the commandments down with this child. She has little support right now at home, but don’t worry were going to get her ready, she is a very reverent and special girl. We had the confirmation of Yaneli and the rest of Sunday Fernando and Yaneli gave us chocolate kisses it was super thoughtful. We had a huge announcement something that has been waited for for 14 some years. Tlahuelilpan is now going to beginning assisting its own place in Tlahuelilpan it has been super hard sacrifice for many to come all the way to Mixquiahuala but now were going to have our meetings here close to everyone and we can bring our investigators more easily and I just wanted to cry and shout for Joy!! Well that’s all right...oh yeah the caption I put : The shirt off my own back is because in the baptism of Yaneli. Her dress was super transparent we had white pants to put under but no shirt and I happened to have a white shirt on so I gave her my shirt. hehe I just thought it was funny because you always hear that expression I’d give you the shirt off my own back and I had the great honor. Until next week Enjoy conference ALL of It!! :)

Love, Hermana Mleynek

Monday, September 22, 2014

The Longest Letter I've Written So Far

Another week and I honestly don't know where the days went. I had the goal to write in my journal everyday and it seemed like I sat down every night to write and I was like Whoa its Thursday! haha anyway this week was interesting with little scares and lots and lots of Joy. The best thing that happened was that we had 8 people promise to come to church which gave us a lot of hope because the past two weeks no one said that they would come apart from Dennisse and Yaneli. Pero, the other 6 people didn't come I just felt so excited but I guess its not their time yet I thought it would have been so great since we were teaching about families in church and there is a couple who have problems in their marriage and other stuff too. Yaneli has made leeps of progress. She is so strong in the gospel is reading and praying more than her brother who is a recent convert. She even wrote a talk to share in sacrament meeting and she shared it with us and it was super deep. She studies all sources from the church. She is a gifted write I was so impressed. Also Denise seems to be progressing a little bit slower but her example is so beautiful how reverent she is in Sacrament meeting. The members help a lot with our investigators.

Our branch has been suffering because members that assist the other ward belong to our branch but haven't come and we don't have members to fulfill a bunch of calling but this week one family moved over and one of them is a jovensita or young woman. I know that because of the diligence of the members the Lords is answering their prayers. I know He has His own time and that He answers according to our OBEDIENCE. Our branch is such a good example and experts in fellowshiping they welcome and befriend all they bring such a sweet spirit. We have been trying super hard to get the people to the church and the Lord is providing ways but were not going to know how close the Lord is willing to come if we don't act first. I have a billion and one specific stories but no time to share all.

So last week I totally took pictures of some stuff but I keep having bad luck with the computers one week there was no adapter to connect my camera and this week I remembered my cord and my computer wont read it oh well. Today we have a super awesome zone activity planned I am lucking forward to it. se llama carneasado carne=meat so I think its a BBQ I hope there is pie :) I have so been craving your pie Micah as November is just around the corner!

I have 3 funny stories about my companion and one about myself. There is a song that says "No parace si si" and to me it sounds like "Nopales si si" which are cactuses that people eat here. And I always sing it when we pass by cactus that are nopales and anyway my companion always makes this face like No and your crazy but I think its funny AND the other day during exercise we were listening to an English  CD and it said a word and it sounded like another English word to her and she chuckled like it was the same thing and I was like HA! You do it too!  #2 We were looking for a reference and we passed into a field to get to a house that was a little bit uh...I can only think of how to say it in Spanish. Anyway the woman came out and my companion was like Oh Hi Janet and she was oh Hi how are you and then we figured out that she didn't know us and we were like oops do you know a different Janet and then she told us where to go but she asked us how did you get back here our neighbors dog in front is super aggressive and always barks and bites people who approach and then her husband came out and said the same thing and we introduced ourselves and he said that we must have God with us and we made an appointment with them Yay! #3 my companion has shared with me a lot of funny songs she likes from a program about puppets. I think their awesome I don't judge. One of them is super funny if you know Spanish.Well until next time. I love you all.
-Hermanan Mleynek

Monday, September 15, 2014

Shakira songs in English?

Greetings for the state of Hidalgo,
I don’t know why I always dread writing this letter. I always feel like I won’t have anything to say or you all are going to think me and my mission are soo boring :P hehe I just want you all to know how happy I am. Life is so precious and the quality of it is determined by our choices. What we do and don’t do affect everyone. Being with my companion has made me realize the importance of being loving and forgiving. I love my companion but I am having a hard time showing it, but she says she appreciates that I am always positive and happy. When we get stressed it affects our relationships. I have to work on being more loving. I hope you all can take this challenge with me and we can share how it went. Well I am way more comfortable in my area this week. Our area covers 6 neighborhoods and 5 other towns! Juan Doe, Tinaco, Teltipan, Munitepec and Cero de la cruz. They are small towns but still ya! It is such a miracle that I know where I am going but before my last companion left me she told I am sorry that we never went to all the towns of our area and I was like What?! She said that she was lost a lot of the time but pretended like she knew where we were and I totally believed her and I've tried doing the same with my new companion Sis Gonzalez and it’s worked for the most part and now she knows where she’s going for the most part. I made pancakes this morning and after cleaning the house I got the shakes pretty bad. I suspect I have problems with my blood sugar because if I don’t eat I feel pretty week. Other miracles: we have two investigators progressing one baptism month is for Yaneli (21) and 1 the next month Dennisse (9). They are super great! I am much more submerged this week. Last week things like music and movies were really drawing my attention but this week I could care less and that’s good because one block from our house there is a huge music festival! I love Mexican music la Verdad! I so am not native speaking yet but I enjoy speaking and praying, teaching a little bit less because I still can’t get past tense down. Uh but I found out that I have a skill for translating. Sister Egbert was talking to my companion and I and I could translate everything into Spanish. Afterword my companion told me a story how her other American comp couldn’t translate anything but she speaks better than I do. Ni modo! T= OH well. Well our time is about up! Viva México! Today and tomorrow is going to be crazy. I’m going to take lots of photos if I get the chance! haha other funny story really quick we were waiting for the combi and two Africans past by and they were speaking in African and my companion literally bent over pointing at them with her head sticking out the window and said Look. I had already seen them but in American we tend not to point out other races color and nationality too much so I didn't make a spectacle of it but it was super funny her reaction. I was like stop pointing because I know how they must feel. Here when I pass by everyone says Guera (pronounced Wera) and it’s because I’m white. It’s nicer than saying gringo but I guess black people are even more uncommon. Well on that spiritual note I must go. Have a great week everyone. I love you all and I love the Lord. Remember Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet; we can change the world with righteousness!
Paz y amor,
Hermana Mleynek

Monday, September 8, 2014

Safe and Happy

Hola uno y todos,

Dear Family, friends and other people

First of all I hope all is well and that we are still brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope that we are keeping our spiritual battery charged so that we can have the supply we need to get through rough times. Because...rough times will always come. God asks us to do the simple things so that he can help us get through them and we can build our faith and testimony in Him. But if we are not prepared and we face the difficulties of life with an almost dead battery we will get overheated and then die spiritually and that’s just no fun. I have learned that the atonement is for doing better as well as correcting mistakes. My Savior Jesus Christ has helped me through some rough times. I thought it was almost impossible to change certain things about myself and I bet I am not the only one who feels that way sometimes but I can honestly say that I have changed. Maybe not like Wow changes but I feel different inside and I have become something new. I always like to think about the words we use in the church our vocabulary, and how sometimes we don’t fully understand some things. Like conversion I always thought of it as having a testimony and doing things out of conviction and faith. Conversion converts our heart meaning it changes us and it also changes the way we think. This is something small, beautiful and necessary in my life and I am grateful for the life long process of conversion that I am going through and that some I know are just beginning. As we have worked with various families and investigators I am enlivened by their testimony and I have more desire to do things that are right, now and forever. I have a testimony but I don’t know the meaning of all things but I will go and do the things to Lord commands. If you have a testimony, Wonderful! Strengthen it, and rely on the savior so you can be converted to Him that when He comes again we will be like Him. This is not a night and day thing. I love this gospel I know it is true with all my heart. Through obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel all mankind may be saved. I know that God loves me and the Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that Thomas S. Monson is our living prophet. It is my prayer that we can never lose hope and that we can never doubt Gods perfect plan for every one of us. I love you all. Stay safe and happy!
Love,
Hermana Mleynek



Monday, September 1, 2014

Week Who Knows

Well hello there,
:) Greetings from Mexico. Everyone here is super excited because September is there month to celebrate their country! I hope you are all doing fannnntastic! I am super extra happy this week I have no idea why but I have good news! We finally have an investigator progressing! The story begins about 3 weeks ago on a bus. I was giving a lesson and I asked if someone would like to give the prayer and one woman said yes and so she gave the prayer and the we passed pall all the passengers to contact them and guess what...she is a member inactive and we asked for her name and direction but she was like maybe one day you can visit and she was gone poof. So we went visiting with Sis. Mascoro she’s amazing ward missionary and we visited this woman and we were like You! hahaha diabolically laughing that  God is smarter than the in actives who hide from us. But anyway she was actually happy for the visit. I could feel the spirit telling me to show her lots of love and she shared with us that she felt bad but being a single mom of 4 she has to work and her work start at 11 on Sundays. We told her that it was okay and that we loved her and that we wanted her daughter to learn and prepare for baptism and Dennisse (9 years old) was all on board. And she went to church this Sunday and had a super awesome time and we talked with her and she wants all her family to go. She has a light inside of her that is really special I know that she will make a big difference in her family and that God loves them so much.

Other stuff: My companion has transfers so tomorrow I’ll have a new companion. I feel like crying, and actually did cry. I have grown really close to Sis. Molina. She is a wonderful person I love and will miss her. I am ready to work as always and am looking forward to the struggle of trying to get around and maybe training again...we’ll see. I am grateful for this time dedicated to the Lord because I have grown closer to Him as well and he helps and supports me in my trials. This week Lupita and her kids were at the church whoo! They didn't have money last week to go but they pulled through this week and I am super grateful. Something new: I can’t remember what a fast food restaurant looks like, I wash my clothes by hand, I love Mexican candy and salsa, I like teaching and speaking in public, my hair is longer. Things that are the same: I am trying to be like Jesus, I love you all and I am praying for you all. Adventures hmm...One sister named Isaura recently moved back to Mexico and we have been visiting her because she was just baptized well a lot of her family members are super prepared to receive the gospel and she is an excellent missionary so I know that she is here for a reason and other thing that’s cool is that I had a dream of meeting her in the chapel before she came here. God has a plan and it’s so exciting I love it! Keep on keeping on, may the force be with you, namely the Holy Ghost :)

The photo is of a tiny motorcycle and that’s it nothing particularly special.

Lots of of Love,
Hermana Mleynek



Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Week of Rejection

This week we contacted 96 people and were almost always rejected. Seven people said they would listen but one gave a false address. We had a baptism Saturday –  what a fiasco: 2pm waited 30 minutes for Lupita and Eibi and then 1.5 hours for witnesses. There was literally no one who could come and watch so we called the zone leaders and they were super far and eating but they hurried over as quick as they could so it worked out and it was super special! This always happens whenever the members say will take care of it. Last time I trust them :P hehe. They try their best and they have very little priesthood and every one of them works.

The week began with Monday as usual we had an appointment with a recent convert and her sister and we talked about missionary work and how Fernando should think about serving a mission. He is super prepared.  He doesn't think so but he knows more of the bible than I do and you can read the Book of Mormon super fast and be totally ready with Preach my Gospel.  So were going to give him that and invite him to the mission prep classes. I loved mission prep! If you can go, go it doesn't matter it’s an awesome class!

We explored a new area we have called Tinaco and its soooo small and so we literally could only find one person to talk to. We helped her with her bags and baby tree and then taught her a lesson.  She has had a rough life but I know Heavenly Father is preparing her to find the true and restored gospel. Then we had a super awesome meeting with Lupita and we were able to help her a lot with some personal problems. I can’t remember the rest of that day it was kind of a long day. We had a super special family home evening with a recent convert named Isaura. She lived in Las Vegas where she was converted and baptized and she just moved back to Mexico. We are super lucky to have her and the weird thing is I had a dream about her before I met her; weird!

We found an old investigator like super old 4 years or more. She is super smart and understood the message and when we came back she had actually read and we reminded her about baptism and going to church and I could see her desire had grown. That’s the power of the Book of Mormon and prayer but this Sunday she couldn't go to church. I don’t want to lose hope but she started school so well see if this is her time.

There were super funny stuff and crazy stuff this week but honestly you’d have to read my journal because I can’t remember a fraction. I love you all! Can’t wait for the success and miracles this week. 2 Nephi 31: 20 is my scripture this week! Strengthen your testimony every day.

Lots of Love,

Hermana Mleynek


Oh how lovely was the morning.... haha yeah Hna Lupita was glowing and walking on clouds a little bit nervous but we said a prayer with her and she entered the clear and beautiful waters of baptism with a heart full of song! She told us how happy she was! Her testimony is super strong and now she just needs to endure to the end! I am so proud of her for being brave and strong and putting her family first and being receptive to the gospel. I know that it will and has made all the difference. Eibi her 8 year old son was absolutely giddy about his baptism he always says how he wants to follow Jesus Christ and how he wants to read the book of Mormon. His confirmation was super special because the first thing that came out the mouth of the brother giving him the blessing was that he will grow grace to grace like Jesucristo and have hunger for the scriptures. I know that priesthood blessings are blessings from God according to our faithfulness. I know this church is true and God loves us!


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Doing Everything I Can to Build the Kingdom

Wow something interesting is that I am still talking in my sleep. Excellent Spanish practically every night teaching lessons. So yes aunt Tiff I am eating and breathing the gospel 24/7 :) Also wow I can’t believe there was an earthquake super cra cra!

Well this week was super busy and awesome.  I love the work.  We are having we have 6 investigators progressing towards baptisms. Oscar, Angel, Maria del Sol, Marta, Carlos, y Hna. Guillermina. That one’s a mouthful.  But seriously I am so excited...there is one more that had a baptism date but couldn’t come to church this Sunday and she said she wanted to get baptized the eleventh for my birthday :(

The ward here is so involved in missionary work. I am so inspired by so many wonderful faithful servants of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know he lives and will come again. I know that the church is His church and we are led and directed by constant revelation. I know I have a million and 7 reasons to be happy-optimistic and ecstatic about life. I feel overwhelmed but in a really good way. I want to do everything I can to build the kingdom and ensure that souls  make the decision to start their new lives and follow Christ and live in Heaven in the presence of our father.

I am nowhere near perfect but I feel perfect in these moments with these people here in Mexico. The spirit makes me feel complete and I know that by being obedient and serving with all my heart might mind and strength it will bring the smile of God’s approval in my life and the people around me will be blessed. I need Him every hour and when I am tempted to lose focus I try and do everything I can to bring the spirit. Discouragement is a distraction from what we can do and become so put the past in the past and start over every day.

I love you all and am so grateful for you letters, prayers and support...did I mention I love yall! I hope you all find little ways to show your love to those around you, because if you don’t show your love you might lose it, and that includes the Love we have for God and our savior Jesus Christ. Live purposefully, God has a plan for your day and trust me it’s a marvelous one! Peace, love and missionary hugs

Hermana Mleynek
Viva Mexico

P.S. Mexico lost in the soccer world cup...football is huge here people are seriously depressed wow
P.P.S. My companion and I made broccoli smoothies this morning and our Argentinian companion refused to eat it
I saw my (daughter in the mission) Hna Suazo today with her (daughter, my granddaughter)
Onward ever onward, off to find more people to be baptized :)





Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Happy to be a Missionary

I am totally losing my luster, if I ever had it, for creating subject titles. Well I feel super amazing in our area. I still can’t figure out where everything is but I am hoping soon I’ll be familiar will all of it. I am super happy to be a missionary for the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. We have an amazing new family to teach and all three of them accepted a baptismal date and can’t wait to go to church. They are very humble and sincerely looking for the truth- lucky for them they found it. I am so happy to be front and center watching the Lords work roll forth. Even the 7 year old accepted a baptismal date but were not going to count it officially until she turns 8 in August. I absolutely love this family and am soo in awe at the peaceful power the gospel brings into people’s lives. I know this will change their life forever and mine too. Sometimes I’m unorganized and tired and forgetful but when I try to follow the spirit there is always a payoff. This is because the Lord knows us perfectly and knows what we can do even if we don’t. My companions and I are sooo different but we complement each other really well. I am learning and growing as a missionary from them. They are super special sisters and I love them. Sis. Gerrero reminds me soo much of Shalea, especially when she prays in an angelic voice. On the other hand Sis. Nuñez is a spicy fireball who’s all about work and I am the funny dork that creates the balance because they both have someone to laugh at. I feel super comfortable in a trio. I am going to work 100x harder this week and we have baptisms planned for every Saturday in July so we are going to pray...A Lot! Thank you for your love, prayers and support. Greetings from Mexico! Lindo y Querido. Peace love and missionary hugs.
-Hermana Mleynek

Thursday, June 19, 2014

New Area

Well everyone, I am having a fantastic and very tiring week. There is always something to learn in the mission and I’m excited to do all I can to have success and do the work in my new area: Villas de Pachuca. This stake is the best for sure we have two other Elders that work with us in the same area. Our district is amazing I love it! My companions are great. Sister Nuñez is from Argentina and she’s a punk rock star who is so excited to have 2 American companions to teach her English. She loves to work hard but I think what I will have to teach her is to suck it up because she gets "sick" every day. I’m so cruel when it comes to illnesses because that’s what my trainer sister Cebreros taught me. it doesn't matter if you can’t eat, you can’t walk and you have diarrhea and can’t understand anyone or say anything we are going to go to work. So were working on that ;) I have yet to take a sick day for myself but every one of my companions has had to take a couple hours or so. She’s amazing at contacting and teaching with great power and love. I am so excited to know her and see where she goes in life. Sister Gererro is amazing bubbly prom queen. Seriously she showed me some photos but turns out we have a lot in common. She has a lot of excitement to learn. I’m the senior companion in this trio and my companions call me their cool aunt because I’m the one with experience and they love me because I make their beds and breakfast. But seriously we are the Power Puff Missionaries.

I love my ward and we are going to work miracles here. I feel it in my bones. I have so much to learn and I couldn't be more excited and optimistic to do it. I love Mexico and my Family.

I hope you all had a wonderful Father’s Day and didn't forget to say a special prayer for our Father in Heaven as well. Thank you for your prayers they get me through.

Oh update so Oscar is 10 years old and he is reading the Book of Mormon and wants to be baptized. He has good support in His home because his family had hard times but the church and following the commandments and listening to the missionaries helped their family a ton so his older sister, mom and grandma are members. They have a cute little boy who had a bad accident and they have had to operate a bunch of times on his brain but he is seriously adorable. He gave me an egg from their fridge. haha. Well, we are praying for Marta to get baptized she thinks she’s a member but hasn't been baptized. Susana is an amazing investigator who is super ready but she just has to go to church a couple times. This week we talked to loads of people and got to know the ward and area. We found two new investigators on our own and 2 others from references. I am practically fluent. mas o menos.(more or less) Sorry I can’t spell.

The most amazing thing about this week was getting to know my companions teaching by the spirit and our ward council. The ward council from our ward is the Bomb.com!! They are so awesome and we focus together to help build the missionary work. The bishop takes us to pick up our investigators. I am super happy and feel like my district is my family. And Sis. Shuckle from the CCM is a sister training leader and I love her!!! Wow I am so happy to get to know so many amazing hermanas. I know I am going to for sure visit Sis. Gererro because she is from Sacramento, California and it’s not too far. I don’t know if I will be able to visit Argentina. :( but there is always Facebook later.

Well I can’t think of much more well except that our house leaks gas and one night it was leaking a lot and we were afraid we were going to die so the we called our Elders and they told us to climb on the roof and shut off all the valves including our water. That was fun. The elders were telling sis. Nuñez what to do and she was explaining to me in Spanish I was looking up words so I could explain to Sis. Gerrero in English because she was the one on the roof. But we got it all figured it out.
I love you all thank you for the letters. I was just wondering if you could send me my other clothes I have for the summer time. I have practically all sweaters and thick dark skirts.  I’m dying a bit.
Love,
Hermana Mleynek

New Companions



Monday, June 9, 2014

I know it. I live it. I love it.

Well I have changes! This week I made two scarfs for me and my companion and we got loads of compliments :) my companion loves when I make funny faces she looks at them at night and laughs at me but I love it too. I feel super optimistic about being a trainer again...but I feel a bit scared and sad to leave my area I am going to miss the ward and also our converts. I hope that Raul and Angel and Jesus and Daniel get baptized. There is so much happening but I've learned and I've taught and it’s time to learn and teach with new peoples. I am loving being a missionary every single day of my life. I feel so good sharing the gospel and doing what my Father in Heaven wants me to do. I have learned to love with a great capacity and I am learning to be brave. I know I can trust my Father in Heaven with everything. I still have lots of trials and weaknesses but I’m super grateful for them. I know that God wants us all to be successful in life. This is the best 18 months of my life I hope you can all catch the wave and share the gospel of Jesus Christ like a trumpet. I know Jesus Christ lives and he will come again. I know my covenants tie me back to God and that keeping them gives me power. I know this church is true and is led and directed by Thomas S. Monson today a living prophet. I know it. I live it. I love it. Wherever you are on the path know that He knows you, He lives and He loves you. It’s something very small in comparison to what Jesus Christ gave but we can all follow His example and gain Eternal Life. Smile at someone and say hello with the genuine intent to be their friend World peace one family at a time.

Peace, Love and Missionary Hugs

Sister Mleynek
Hermana Mleynek





Monday, June 2, 2014

Great Week

Dear Peeps
Great Week this week except we keep having the same problem. We find new people, we teach them they accept a baptism date and then they don’t come to church! People come on...

Yeah so highlights:

1: Baptism of Gabriel, it was super great he was all in a suit and tie and everything but we forgot to tell him to bring a towel...ooops :) He has such a strong disposition to do what is right. He’s learning very quickly but he’s going to need a lot of support because he hardly has anyone in his life. He said how grateful he is to start this new life after his baptism and to have his ward family. I am so happy for him to find peace and joy. I wish many great things for him. It is amazing to see how people who have hearts to feel and eyes to see the influence of God in their life can change and give so much to feel His love. I don’t know if there is a more powerful or beautiful feeling than the Love of God.

2: Missionary Activity. We had a Museo de Cera or wax museum which really is people standing really still and it was all about the History of the Church. We had a lot of people say how much they liked it and we have 35 new referrals. Sorry nobody took any pictures but it was seriously epic and I was so excited people were listening to us.

3: Haha I got a marriage proposal well...I guess this isn't a highlight but it was pretty funny/ embarrassing. Well so we were cleaning the baptismal font for the baptism and while it was filling with water we went to make copies of something and when we were coming back this guy named Allan was kind of staring into the open gate of the church so we invited him to come see and he said sure! Well Allan was super cool and spiritual, he’s catholic but doesn't believe in worshiping the saints and he knows a super lot about the earthly ministry of Christ and the church Christ established. He likes the doctrine of the Mormons. The Christians and his Catholic Church think we should all form together into one. We tried to explain how great an idea that was and how we have a prophet and that this is the only true church etc...we invited him to church and took his information. And as we were escorting him out he asked if I could marry Him. :) but then Allan came with his brother and cousin to the missionary activity and the missionaries giving the tour were super impressed with him so Hopefully he becomes a legit investigator. I believe he could be a future 70 or something if he converts.

4: Our investigators are reading the Book of Mormon. As a mission we finished the Book of Mormon this past week and my testimony of the role the Book of Mormon plays in conversion really was strengthened. I know me and my companion are planting many seeds for others to come to the knowledge and eternal happiness the gospel can bring. I love the Book of Mormon I know it is true and the most powerful testimony of Jesus Christ that we have on the Earth at this time. I know the people in the Book of Mormon also exist. I know they wrote what they wrote for us to have today. We have investigators named Raul and Orlando and I can just tell their faith is building in the Lord Jesus Christ every time we open that precious book. It is the key to our religion and a rock and sure testimony. The Holy Ghost bears record of the words of Christ. Fill your spirit until you have a perfect hope in Christ and a love for God and your fellow man. 2 Nephi 31.

5: We’re going to go play soccer- football with our Zone in a minute
Love You ALL thank you for your letters and updates from home they bring a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart. :) Peace, Love and missionary Hugs

Hermana Mleynek

So this is Daniel our new convert he always has a serious face but he is not super serious so we took pictures smiling for once ;) he goes with us to visit less actives and even helps in the lessons and gives his testimony. He wants to serve a mission!! He went on a camping trip with the young men this week end. Me and my companion had rotten luck and were in the combi solo with no one to talk to so we took a couple pictures. Later we did contact some peoples and the driver :)






Our baptism of Gabriel was super spiritual and wonderful. Not many members came but we are hopeful about the future of this strong new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints :)  The other pic is of me and my companion waiting for our meeting with our mission leader.




Monday, May 26, 2014

Working Hard to Find Contacts

Dear Family, Friends and Familiars,
Wow what a great week. This Sunday I felt super chill because we didn't have to speak or sing or give a class in church. We were super sad though because we had three baptismal dates this week and 3 “Si!!! I will come to church this week,” and then none were there. We are not sure what happened yet.
We have been having some interesting problems in our house right now one of which is that our boiler exploded and burned off the eyelashes of my companion.

She was...is pretty upset about that. This is an old photo from the camera of Sis.Suazo of us making pies in the house of a member Sis Camacho for less actives and one of our investigators. We are teaching more but right now we’re a little bit worried about having baptisms for June because we don’t have any for sure.

We have a baptism this week for Gabriel! He is super dedicated to his baptism. I know the Lord is helping him so much. He’s had some pretty awesome experiences with the spirit and his testimony is growing very quickly. I just hope he can make some really solid friendships in the church he knows a bunch but the ward NEEDS to take more interest.

I’m doing well feeling good. This week I have worked a lot harder on contacting people and talking with everyone in combis and taxis, etc. It’s working out very good. I feel super happy and lots of people have accepted to talk with us only three are from our area so we’re passing a lot of references. I feel super great in this area my companion and I have been getting along. We had intercombios with our sister trainers and they went great I learned a lot.

I love you all it’s great to hear from you all. I’m sorry I hardly ever write anyone but I just don’t have loads of time. I pray and think about you all. Yes that includes you reading this. I Love Jesus Christ and all he has done for me and working hard to help others make the difference in their lives, families and homes.

Daniel, our new convert, gave his first talk in sacrament meeting about his favorite prophet in the Book of Mormon. It was super good. I enjoy his sincere testimony. He looks you in the eye and tells what he believes and you can feel it in your soul. We invited his older brother Angel to listen to us and we have an appointment Wednesday whoo! Hna Lucila seemed pretty excited about it :)

We had a family home evening last night and went super well because we had 4 investigators come and I wanted to show a video about prophets or the Book of Mormon but my companion doesn't like to listen to me and she showed a video about defending your faith which brought everyone into the discussion of how it’s all the same God and we can be in whatever religion and have good values...which I knew would happen and that’s why I didn't want to watch that video but we still felt to spirit and I shared a scripture about the importance of families and we’re hoping little by little if they will just come to church they can see how much better it is.

Satan is everywhere now days you can’t every let him in even a little or he will destroy us, especially in the home. The home is sacred a place for peace and love we cannot permit any evil. I don’t want to sound like I’m trying to judge but I can just so plainly see how when we compromise with Satan and say oh this okay because it’s not totally bad that’s the real danger because then we begin to think like Him and our sense of moral sensitivity can become skewed...well that’s an interesting rant. I hope you all have a fabulous week.
Love,
Hermana Mleynek

Hno. Irving - Ward Mission Leader