Doin' Work

October 28, 2013
Familia,
We had a meeting with an investigator last Monday. He had read chapter 31 of 2 Nefi. That was awesome. He asked about the door we should enter. I explained the door was baptism but the key was the authority. We explained how the spirit works and each took opportunities to share our personal experiences. I always expect writing in the sky or something big for my answer but I told him I came to realize it is little by little just feelings and passing thoughts. Hendrickson invited him in that moment to kneel with us in prayer and ask if it was true. We closed the door and turned off the cell phone. He offered a heartfelt humble prayer. The dogs were barking but then they went away. A peace and tranquility filled the room We sat in silence.

At the Noche de hogar we watched the restoration. Then they paused it blindfolded me saying they were going to do an activity. Spun me around about 30 times and took the cover off. Right in front of me was a huge cake. I was smiling so big and couldn´t say more than muchas gracias. I did the traditional mordida (bite) and they missed the head push so I did it again to be a good sport and they got me good. (See the fotos)

A phone call informed us that we would be receiving a another elder back in a Trio. We picked up Elder Pantigoso from Peru. La libertad. I continued celebrating my birthday on Tuesday. Two investigators surprised me with a cake and gift. It was super nice of them.

The Lord is in the details of our lives. We planned a lesson to teach one of our investigators the commandments. It wasn´t necessarily the next logical step but Elder Hendrickson suggested it and we felt good about it. We got there and our investigator asked before we start if I am going to get baptized will you explain to me more about the commandments. That was awesome to know the spirit had helped us plan.

Later that night we played Jenga with two different families. It was a good way to teach the restoration, the falling of the church, the construction of many different churches without all the pieces, and then the restoration of the true one and strong church.

Sunday, I played the piano for the first time in Sacrament Meeting. It turned out well. I was super nervous but I did work. The second counselor in the temple presidency came and talked. He is a gringo from Kentucky originally Arizona. Mortenson. He told a story that the first lesson he taught on his mission in Mexico the guy got baptized. Later about 20 years he went to the temple in Mesa and the Mortenson guy went and asked how come you only brought 3 of your 6 kids to be sealed. The answer was they couldn´t get the money to bring all 6. But the great news is that temples are dotting the world and we don´t have to choose it is so close. But we must go to one that we have so close!!!!

I love you all and I know this is the true church. Take care!!!

Elder Wright

Elder Hendrickson, Elder Wright, Elder Pantigoso

Traditional Mordida 

Solid Week and 21 años‏

October 21, 2013

Querida Familia,

Gracias por todo su apoyo en esos mi 21 años. Les quiero mucho.

One of our investigators was having a birthday, we bought her a cake, and had a balloon and a sign. We dropped it at the door and hid in the corn to watch their reaction. They thanked us a lot and shared some of the cake.

With our challenge to do 10 new contacts we did one thanks to our taxi driver. Along the way he stopped and picked up a lady. Turns out she is the sister in law of a member. We set up an appointment to visit her. 

That night we met the Father of one of our investigators. Turns out he has a problem with liquor and is looking for a church. To think we found them while contacting and fulfilling our new goal of 10 contacts daily.

At the end of our lesson to another investigator and his family members we challenged all three to baptism and they have accepted!!!

This week brought an emergency trip to Xela for a zone leader council with the President. Mostly it was to brainstorm ideas for November. For me it was a direct answer to prayer to know how to better fulfill my calling. President also taught that we need to rely on the spirit to discern the needs and then do our part to teach to the exact needs of the individual.

I baked cupcakes in the church and practiced the piano for the Hymns next week. I am a little nervous. I don´t think I have ever played in sacrament meeting. But we will ir por el oro.

I had many people at church wish me happy birthday. It was sweet. I got a text from this wonderful family in the ward wishing me Happy Birthday! They fed us lunch and I got my special order of Jocon. After a full first plate they asked if I wanted a little more. I said ok. Then it came back as full if not more than the first. Then I shared my cupcakes it was really nice. They sang to me, I felt really loved.

At the end of the day on Sunday the husband and wife investigators had their front room all decorated with streamers and a poster that said FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS ELDER WRIGHT! It was awesome. They even bought me a cake. I felt loved. They sang and it was a great end to my Birthday.

I want to thank you all for the birthday wishes and more importantly for the love and support throughout my 21 years of life. Thank you for your help and sacrifice on my behalf.

Love,

Elder Wright

Gifts from Home

Birthday Gift from Dad

Birthday Party at Investigators Home
Tradition Mordida 

Working Hard, and Following the Spirit

October 14, 2013

Querida Familia,

We have had pouring rain. We are focusing on trying to get 10 contacts outside of our plan daily. To use Justin's words we "fearlessed" in the Centro park. We had 3 crazy kids asking us all about English. We contacted the parents and they seem more or less interested. I respect you a lot Justin for doing that almost daily it is challenging but gets better with practice. Keep it up!

We are working with the Stake President about how to work more with the members and get things moving forward. We have attended ward council and shared a message to get the members animated.

President Hinckley once talked about if we are led to do or say something good it is of the spirit. I am trying harder to learn to do this. One night I was walking and a man passed, I thought it was one of our new investigators. I felt I needed to stop him, so I called out. He came back. Realizing quickly that it wasn´t, we contacted him. Then we continued on our course. The real investigator came around the corner. I was grateful to have followed the impression to stop the first man, since this set us up to talk to our investigator at the right moment.

We made sloppy joes with an investigator. We taught creatively that the bread, meat and spices/sauce were like the three fundamentals of the iglesia of Jesus Christ, prophets and apostles, authority and revelation. It went well. We pray she can progress. She has to go back to work and it will be hard.

A husband and wife that we are working with have had many challenges. Heavenly Father continues answering prayers. . . Today we found out that things worked out with their house and they will be changing homes at some point. They also found Q40 on the ground, what a blessing for them. In helping them we watched the Joseph Smith movie so they can have a solid testimony of the church. It applied really well with all the trials the saints passed and all that they are currently passing through.

I know that the book of Mormon is the most true book on earth. I know that as we follow its precepts we can return with our Heavenly Father. I know that obedience is necessary. I know that when we fall, the Atonement and our loving Savior is there to pick us up and help us to do better. With the Atonement we can have more strength than our natural abilities. I know this is the true church. That we have the authority to act in God´s name. Thomas S. Monson is the true and living prophet guiding us and keeping us one step ahead of the adversary. I don´t know these things because some one has told me but because the Spirit of God has let me know. I testify in the name of the Master even Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you all.

Love,

Elder Wright

Busy Week As Usual

October 7, 2013

Querida Familia,

The week was normal which means it was crazy with lots to do and meetings and everything else. If my week didn´t have anything exciting that would be abnormal, but that is how it is living the dream.

I hit 16 months crazy. I wish it went slower.

Changes as normal were exiting to see all the old buddies. I picked up Elder Hendrickson from Galesburg Illinois. I knew him when I was in Pueblo Viejo and he in Choqui. He is ready to work hard.

We hit the ground running taking the two new elders to Juchanep and showing them some members houses.

We went to Xela for the Leadership council. We talked about doing 10 contacts a day in the street outside of our plan. Basically what Justin calls fearlessing I think. That night we knelt down with a member and prayed about 5 names to know who to visit.

We went with a 12 year old that is reading the LdM. I hope we will be able to teach her whole family. We also got referenced to a new investigator teaching them the plan of salvation. Conference was awesome. I actually got to watch all 5 sessions in English! I wanted to put my Spanish to the test and see if I understood it all but at the same time it was great to hear the voice of the prophet and all of the others. I got a lot out of it. Richard J. Maynes called my attention talking about sports but I liked that individually we learn the lessons we need to qualify for eternal life. I have learned many here in the mission. I liked the concept of being in spiritual shape. Dedication perseverance and self discipline. We will become immovable as we strengthen our conversion. Then Heb 12:1 Let us lay aside every weight and the sins that easily beset us to run the race before us.

President Eyring-We don´t know our investigators perfectly but God does.

Sunday some members from Olinte came to conference because they heard I was in Toto and wanted to visit. It was sweet and made me feel good. Even though I was there a short time I was remembered. I wish I would of had more time to talk but it was nice.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support.

Love,

Elder Wright

Elder Hendrickson

Members, Elder Wright, Elder Taylor

Fresh Bag Water