We Are One

Wow what a great week except my companion was sick twice but at least I wasn't sick, except I kind of was. We had an amazing zone conference with the mission president and his wife from Argentina, the Walkers, who came and spoke with us. They are the bomb. Argentinians speak Spanish but every time there is a double ll in Spanish it sounds like sh. For example: Nuestra llamamiento in spanish in mexico ll is y, but in Argentina its sh. super cool and funny }:)

I hope everyone is doing super well. My companion and I had some super ambitious goals this week but it turned out we didn’t have any time because of visas, a capacitacion, conferencia para la consejo de barrio (a training conference for ward council), a surprise planning meeting for missionaries and our Baptism Whoo!! Happy Birthday Elder Legler we helped a sweet soul come unto Christ. So we didn’t come close to meeting our goals but I feel super good none the less.

We are working with Gabriel and trying to find new people. We have received loads of references and talking to loads more people but nothing yet. My prayers are a lot more specific and I am truly enjoying the work of the Lord. I urge all of you to help out the missionaries in your ward they are in wards for a reason. The missionary work is the responsibility of everyone. I gave a talk in sacrament meeting this week on Priesthood and also we gave a capacitacion de los miembros acerca de la obra missional (training of members on the missionary work). Somos Uno! Yaya! We are one and we can all work together.

Today me and my companion felt like cooking because were super poor and can’t buy food :) but I am trying to be healthier.

The baptism of Lucila was super special because her son Daniel got to baptize her. He has only been a member 1 month!! I love the mission as always every new area, companion and ward has its difficulties but I got to tell you contention is of the devil so don’t do it. I don’t care if you’re right or wrong. Well that’s random. Well I have loads more to say but it’s time to go. So see you all next time.

Commitments Are Super Important

Hello World! I’m sorry this letter is going to be a bit dry. I’m so exhausted but I am going to try to give you all a good report and some juicy details.

Well the week started off fantastic, 5 lessons on Sunday, we were on fire and feeling good. We got a reference to a house in our neighborhood and found of that no one lives there...Great! We had a lesson with two of our investigators that are super interested but not yet progressing as far going to church...so were trying to keep them excited about going to church because they have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Which is super great. I am always amazing by the power of the Book of Mormon, we take it for granted. As a mission we are reading the Book of Mormon together. We visited a less active family and got to teach two of their cousins the first lesson.  We’ll see how that goes. I was really surprised how little the family actually knew about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so were teaching that to practically everyone because it is muy importante.  We also are visiting this super intellectually know it all who’s is always flirting with us but his questions are super good and he is keep the commitments we’re giving him. Commitments are super important. There are a thousand and five easy reasons not to do something but if we teach the reason why and then COMMIT them to doing something their faith grows soo much. Daniel our new convert is super active in seminary and is even going on visits to other less active young men in our ward to help teach. And He wants to serve a mission. His older brother is being pretty consistent again in the church.

Speaking of consistency, this Thursday we had a zone conference and it was all about consistency and it was Great!! I feel so much more desire to endure and be more consistent in all the sometimes demanding work of being a missionary. We tried visiting some other possible progressing investigators but it didn't really amount to anything as of yet. We started visiting a new investigator his name is Raul. He is a bit troubled but in a good way....because he feels lost spiritually and he left his other church because they didn't help him progress as a person. He has begun praying and reading the Book of Mormon so we’re going to help him fill the void that he has in his life, that we all have at one point in our life.

We had a cool activity this week in the church for Mother’s day. A production of songs, dances and a drama performance about mothers that was super funny. It’s cool how you don’t actually have to understand what is said to have a good laugh. And we celebrated 3 birthdays of our investigators this week. I am getting along with companion more. Okay and one day we were looking for people to teach and absolutely no one was home. We went everywhere! So we start looking through our list of less active and we remember one that we told a sister we would look for. So we get to the house super far away and no one is home like everyone else. BUT we go the neighbors on both sides! AND! No one is home either BUT we go to the house two doors away and a man answers and he tells us to wait a second so he can put on a shirt. And we kind of shrug our shoulders Okay that’s fine! Then he introduces himself, “I’m Lemuel and I’m a member.”  Seriously?! He is inactive and has only lived here in the neighborhood for 1 month. He was nice but was kind of like, "Oh no. how did they find me." He’s an engineer and is never at home and he is the only member in his family. Caching! We were absolutely amazed at the power of the Lord. He has a way of doing His work and He obviously has a message for this brother. ;)

This Sunday Gabriel couldn't come to church because of work!!  So now we have to move his baptism to the 30th of May. I think it’s okay though because like we have seen before the Lord has a plan far more perfect than we could ever come up with. We brought a member of the priesthood and his wife to visit Gabriel. He was super excited about his baptism and at the end of the lesson he asked for more homework in the Book of Mormon. We gave him a pamphlet for the plan of salvation and scripture marking pencil to begin the Book of Mormon from the beginning. We gave a lesson of the Holy Ghost and he expressed some personal experiences that caused him a bit alarm...Satan working against him. So the brother with us, Bro. Ruben, gave Him a blessing and it was so powerful. The room was absolutely glowing with fuzzy feeling and Gabriel was super emotional and grateful and in the blessing it was said that Gabriel was chosen in the life before this one to learn and accept the gospel and that he could have the blessing to know the church was true. This Saturday we have the baptism of Lucila the mom of Daniel. She is doing super well and she has such a great testimony of the church she really gets it, she’s a very genuine person. She also gave me and my companion shirts she bought for us.

Lessons Learned

I am feeling pretty swell about our area. We have two baptisms coming up and we are working hard to change the world. I feel so much happiness to see people understand the message we bring. I know that we are not here to convince anyone we are simple here to invite others to come unto Christ and change their lives for the better and forever. When I have this in my mind I find it much easier to share what I know and the feel confident. Maybe not everyone understands but there are choice children of God prepared to receive this message. I've had challenges and I have had success in the mission, my testimony grows every day. I know there is no other way to become more like our savior without suffering so I do what I do with a smile on my face and in my heart. I have been thinking  a lot about some of the lessons learned as a child and I realize how much they have helped me to grow as a person and also help others progress in life. I’d like to share two:

1. I’d be happy to Mom
2. Shelby No one can make you do anything

The first lesson has helped me very much in the mission because to be a disciple and representative of Christ we don’t just need to be obedient we need to have true motivation. When I do something for you out of obligation it doesn’t profit me but when I do something because I love the person I can find true happiness. Jesus Christ suffered, taught, gave freely all that he had: his time, his heart, his blood. Our Heavenly Father asks us to be obedient and we need to be so because we love Him. I love Him.

2. Many make the mistake of waiting all their lives to be happy. I know that happiness is a choice. I know that if I choose to be happy right now and always, I will always be happy. But if in my mind and heart I am always waiting for something...happiness will never come. There will always be trials. In the mission I am learning to give all of my heart, might, mind and strength. I am a missionary I know it. I live it. I love it.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. The world would perish without your moral courage and authority. I am grateful to many noble and great women in my life.

1st Earthquake

Wow with all the excitement last week I forgot to mention there was an earthquake. Some of you commented about it. Yeah we felt the whole street was moving but just a little. But I remembered in a movie once that you are supposed to hide under the table so I was a little freaked out hiding under the table in our house... we were studying, it kind of felt like it was my brain shaking and I needed to lay down, but then I saw that our mirror was swaying back and forth. My first Earthquake I have ever felt, but like I said nothing happened.

Well, loads of stuff has been happening here. I am so happy with the progress and work the Lord is doing through me and my companion. Our investigators are so great! We have four that want to be baptized. The highlight of my week was Jared the nine year old boy we have been trying to teach for forever. His brother was just baptized and Jared told us he wasn't ready. No!!!! but we have visited and taught a little more and he’s all on board. He is seriously sooo adorable. He asked us for stickers so he can mark the scriptures that are most important like we do. He brings his own primary song book because he says it’s his favorite part about church and he knows most of them already. He loves the missionaries and is now asking us when we can visit and we've started teaching his cousin Adwin and he’s getting pretty excited about coming to church. Were cool with the young crowd we always give them minion stickers :)

Also other highlight is that DAniel blessed the sacrament this Sunday for the first time. His mom now wants to be baptized and his inactive brother is reactivating. I can’t describe the joy I feel to see others coming closer to God and partaking of the blessing He has for them. I know their lives and family will be blessed so much. Lucila is such a great mom!

I just have to tell you something I've learned and it’s that everyone has problems no one is exempt from difficulties and also no one is excluded from have the eternal peace of the gospel in their lives. All can partake and buy milk and honey without price but so often we sell ourselves short and forget to enjoy life or forget the great blessings we have. I owe everything to my Savior and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ that’s why we can’t be afraid to share it. D&C 6 I have a challenge for you all that could change your life and possible save another’s. When you look at anyone try to imagine how God sees them how Christ feels about them and they are your eternal brother and sister and that You have something that can bring them home. Also look at yourself and try to remember who you really are and why you are here and let this though guide your decisions. Heaven is a place and also a state of being. I love you all thanks for remembering to write. I seriously love to hear from you all!!

So, Surprise Baptism

Wow so, surprise baptism. We were teaching this family and they are so nice and going to church with us and everything but wouldn't accept a baptism date. Daniel has been going to mutual for about a month and the ward has been really welcoming especially the Young Men’s program. So apparently there is a temple trip for the Young Men and Women and it only happens about 1x a year and Daniel wanted to go, so we had to explain to him that we do baptisms for the Dead and why and that you have to be a member to go in the temple and so we asked him if would be baptized and I’ll never forget his smile. We talked a bit more to make sure he was serious and knew what he was doing and that he had to keep a bunch of commitments and be a faithful servant of God and Jesus Christ for the rest of His life and he was totally ready! And so we called President and he said yes so Daniel was baptized this week!! We had to do so much to get him ready. We met with him twice every day and had to make sure he was keeping the commitments and reading the Book of Mormon. He was on vacation this week and had been reading loads and he organized all the pamphlets we gave him into a binder with sheet protectors and took notes during the plan of salvation. We gave him the pre-interview and he answered affirmative for everything. Wow!! The baptism was very beautiful and he gave the closing prayer like a pro and his mom was crying and everything. She’s not a member...yet but she’s definitely on her way. I've learned something amazing on my mission if someone is investigating the church, WELCOME them or they won’t come back. I gave my first talk in sacrament meeting followed by Elder Mendoza one the Seventies here in Mexico. It went decently well, as always it’s not really important what I say it’s what everyone else hears because the spirit communicates spirit to spirit. Daniel had his interview for the priesthood and he was super happy and smiling in after and his mom thought it was really special. After church he showed us his temple recommend. I can’t believe how fast this all was but it’s the Lords work and its being hastened I am so blessed to be front and center for all the action. Me and My companion taught about Joseph Smith at the baptism. The turnout was really good and also we sang a special musical number, my companion has a video I will have to borrow it. I love my companion sooo much but I was a bit frustrated with her sometimes I feel like I’m doing everything myself but that’s because I’m a trainer. She won’t know what to do unless I show her how. She’s doing great and learning fast. I feel like a proud mother. We have 2 more investigators that are super interested and one the parents gave permission for him to be baptized like they are super happy about it, but they don’t want to...how weird is that? I gave a blessing on their home, which was weird but President Egbert told us to offer and they said yes, and I felt the spirit sooo strong. Another investigator is progressing pretty well he texted us yesterday saying thank for sharing the word of God and he signed his name Hermano Gabriel. I about died I was so giddy. He is learning a lot and is has a baptism date for 24 de Mayo. He just needs to quit smoking but I really think he can do it; we just have to help him. This week has been busy we also had interviews with President Egbert and training for Family History, which we taught Daniel and he is so excited we were working and he just jumped out of his chair to call his dad to ask when his grandfather was born! Im super happy and the best part is there is so much more to be done. Look Forward with Faith everyone and never forget to look for the Hand of the Lord in your life, I know he cares about us.
-Hermana Mleynek

Thank you aunt Tiffany and all who put in any effort to send me my lovely Easter package. Out of the goodness of my heart I shared our American traditions and goodies with my companion Hna. Sauazo from Honduras. So naturally she attacked with the water gun when I was coming out of the bathroom. They don't do anything for Easter in Honduras and here in Mexico they do a weird giant 2 week Catholic celebration so we don't do anything here in the church either. I hid all the eggs and she had a lot of fun finding them then we read all the scriptures and it was really special and cool. I felt very close to my Savior. We took pictures too!! I love you all!!!! 

Oh no my badge!!

Joy and Fun

Since Day one of my mission I have been tormented by...the Scoobie Doo Theme song I can only remember the first part...Scoobie doobie doo where are you. This is just one of tons of examples of things that can drive you crazy on the mission. But that’s just part of the Joy and Fun. I want you all to know I'm having a lot of fun on my mission. If you are not having fun in your mission as a representative of Christ then I'm sorry to tell you, you’re doing it wrong. We are all on a mission and the work of salvation is everyone's joyous work and load to bear.

Dear Familiars
I am so blessed by the Lord I can’t count the ways. I am so happy to be serving in Pachuca Mission. My companion is amazing we are finding new people every day. Some are very confused some are a little bit mean but I love them all and want them to come unto Christ and have salvation. This week I was able to stay positive because no matter where we are lost in the street or knocking on an investigators window and door for the 3rd time in a day we are doing what the Lord wants, he is able to do His own work we just need to be obedient. A lot of people say they Believe in God, But I want to ask you what on Earth does that mean without action. If I believe some day I will be a Dentist but never work or study it’s not going to happen. Faith is not magic and the blessings of God are not to come without Work First. I want you all to ponder a question in your Soul. I can’t tell you what this question is but when you have it Exercise your Faith and Find the Answer. I know God lives and loves us and answers prayers and the desires we have deep in our souls. Maybe we don’t see the answer right away but it’s there. I don’t know the meaning of all things but I have faith in the eternal love of God so I follow forward with a smile on my face and in my heart until the day that my faith is made perfect. I love you all back at home. Thank you for being in my life. I am so blessed.

-Hermana Mleynek

I can explain why I am on the computer again sending an email but there is no time. P-day and we are exhausted!

Wow! Conference

I don’t want to sound like a downer but I was a little bit disappointed to not be able to understand conference that well. I missed hearing the sounds of their voices and I didn’t understand the funny stories but I did understand the gist and theme of every speaker.

The most exciting and amazing part of conference was we had five investigators attend. I spent most of the time praying and thinking about them and a lot of them really liked it, but it’s a little bit confusing to explain afterwards that not every week is like conference.

Many miracles this week. I feel especially good about the fact that we found 3 of our investigators and 1 of them desperately needs the gospel. He told us that he was praying for God to be with him when we knocked on the door. We are praying for him. Lots! He needs the gospel in His life. We all need the gospel in our lives every second. I hope we can all not take for granted what we have and that we can share it. Jesus Christ is the light and the life of the world. Without Him we are in darkness slowly dying. Super dramatic but true. Without our Savior we are nothing and I love Him with all my heart. That is why I am serving my mission. He saves my life everyday and he can save yours too if you let Him. Don’t forget the gift of the atonement and trust that we can be forgiven and return to our Fathers loving eternal embrace. He loves us soo much.

Another miracle this week is that Sunday we had an appointment with this woman who has a tienda, a little store and we visited and our lesson kept getting interrupted by customers but me and my companion were very determined and she was very receptive. I told her that I knew we were not here by coincidence and she told us that all week she’d been thinking about when we would come and visit and that she felt like she needed God and Jesus Christ more in her life and that the message we would bring to her would help. We testified of this and she said she knew it was true. We invited her to be baptized and she got a little apprehensive. I explained that we wanted her to first ask God if this was right and that the invitation was to follow her answer and she told us that she was baptized when she 11 in a church but she didn’t know if the church still existed and she told us where it was and We THINK she is a member already!! Wow what a surprise. We are in the progress of searching for her in the records but Wow the Holy Ghost is real and the Lord is hastening His work and reaches out to every one of His Children. He is the Good Shepherd. We are all Important to Him and His sheep are numbered and He knows our names. This is my humble and grateful testimony for the world. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Love,
Hermana Mleynek