Week 56: Speed Dating

Monday, October 27, 2025   10:06pm

 

I don't even know how to start this one, but I guess that will do. I hope we're all feeling happy, feeling healthy. 

Anyone remember that guy Carlos from last week? Well, we actually put him on date on Tuesday, and 5 days later (yesterday) he was baptized! It was amazing to teach him; after every lesson, he just seemed more and more elect and ready to be baptized! He has already made good friends in the ward and is doing really well! 

However, we did receive transfer news. 

I'm not district leader anymore. 

My companion is leaving, my new companion will be Elder Gil from Guatemala. Elder Gil is a very interesting fellow. I think I'll be doing a lot of praying. 

Our area 70 Elder Becerra came and gave a training in Spanish to the Spanish side of our mission and it was super cool. He basically asked us what kinds of difficult scenarios in teaching we encounter and showed us how to handle them better. 

In our ward this Sunday, we had the Primary Program! It made me think about the talk this Conference by Sister Tracy Browning about primary songs. It was a topic I had never heard or even thought of much before, but especially as I sat listening to the songs being sung by the little Latino kids, I was able to realize how powerful the Primary songs are. 

Sister Browning quoted Elder Oaks when he said, "The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to learn the doctrine of the restored gospel." I know that this is true! We don't sing in Sacrament meeting just cause it sounds pretty(it doesn't always)! 

Music has a special way of bringing the spirit to confirm truths, and it especially helps when the words are coming from our own mouths!

Maybe I got some good stuff on there... I can't remember. You'll have to check for me: 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dEhoAJNmHVi7gFQa9

Love you all tonnnsss! 🌊‼️💖😍

CARLOS EN FECHAAAA

That one church that got crashed into in West Valley (it's in my area)

Just a cool pic in CFA

A depiction of mission leaders:

Comamos, pues

Carlos' baptism!! 🌊‼️💖😍

🌊CARLOSSS🌊

Enseñemos, pues

Week 55: The Carlos in the Haystack

Monday, October 20, 2025    10:33pm

Hellloooo

Just one more week of the transfer left! This one has gone by very quickly! It has been a lot of fun even though I've hardly seen success...

BUT

This Sunday, we had a friend at church! His name is Carlos! YIPEEEEE!!! 

He said he couldn't come to the 10:30 service (Spanish ward) because he had to work later, so we told him to come at 9:00. We might have failed to mention it was in English. 🤭

Afterwards, he said of course he hardly understood anything, but that he liked it a lot! He told us he will prioritize getting to church next week and manage time better to go to the Spanish ward at 10:30! He became quick friends with one of the members, and after church, we had a quick lesson with the two of them. 

He said, "If I come next week- no, WHEN I come next week, I'm gonna try to bring my wife with me!" He's super awesome, willing to learn, and I hope we can help him to be baptized soon! 

Just been living my best life as a district leader. Our mission president told me he knows I don't like it and will try to change it next transfer. Well, if you say so, President! There's a lot of new missionaries coming soon, so there's a high chance I train... 🤔👀

In Mosiah in the Book of Mormon, I read a verse that was quoted in the recent General Conference. I think it is interesting and can be good to learn from. 

In chapter 21, the Lamanites have enslaved the Zeniff after the rein of King Noah. The people of Zeniff pray for relief, but we're still being wicked. 

Mosiah 21:15 

"And now the Lord was slow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their cries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage."

I like that in whatever circumstances we are in, God will always hear our cries and answer our prayers. The more diligent we are in keeping our covenants and following the teachings of Jesus Christ and His prophets, the easier it will be to receive answers and see His hand, and He will be quicker to bless us with our righteous desires! 

Goodnight, love yas! 

Oops, must've accidentally done this is my sleep

Spotted in action

Roleplayyyy

Free Moki's!!

YOOOOO CARLOS AT CHURCH

 

Week 54: La Tormenta de Hispanidad

Monday, October 13, 2025  10:31pm

Hello 👋 

It's starting to get colder here and I love it. The air smells crisp like October. It is hard to explain the happiness that brings me. 

The work has not moved forward on our side of the area. Meanwhile, the hermanas with whom we share a ward did have a baptism this Sunday. I think that's the first one in a few months for the ward. 

For Hispanic heritage month, all the Spanish wards are having huge parties to celebrate with food, dances, costumes, and, like any latino party, super loud music. Our ward had theirs Saturday. 

It was pretty fun, actually. All the tables in the building were lined up around the gym with a different country at each table. Each country brought traditional food for everybody to try. Peru had the best food. 

We were hoping some of the non-members we invited would come, but we didn't see them. 

I have some videos of the dances, but not any of the more interesting ones. 🥲 I'll have to see if I can get them. 

One of the things I love about being a missionary is all the miracles we are able to witness in helping others live the gospel.

The elders in our district had been teaching and lady and her three kids that were in a bit of a financial crisis. The mom kept putting off coming church and getting baptized so she could find work and earn money, but her efforts were unsuccessful. When she finally turned to God and decided to be baptized, her baptismal date fell on the very day she was to be evicted from her apartment. It was a complicated situation for her, and she was super stressed the whole week. After she was baptized, she said she felt an incredible peace. Her problems didn't go away, but she knew she would be okay. 

A week passed, and I'm not sure what happened, but somehow she's still living in the same apartment. She wasn't evicted. We literally don't know why or how, but she's fine. 

While I personally continue working to see miracles in this area, I know God always blesses those who keep His commandments! Embrace His doctrine and accept the peace the gospel brings! 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dEhoAJNmHVi7gFQa9

Love yas!! ❤️❤️❤️

Some members drove by and gave us a umbrella

This has gotta be my favorite rejection ever

Baptism foto shoot surprise selfie

Light snooze during the sisters' baptism service

New friend on date for baptism 🔥🔥