Constitucion, Pachuca -December 28

Hey Mom!!

It was also great to hear from you!! Christmas was great! I think I was so caught up in thinking about the troubles we have had in our area has made me not think about all the Blessings that I was able to receive this year! I am so blessed, I have such a great family and such great friends. I have been so blessed to know and meet so many great members of the church here in Mexico. I love serving the Lord and I think that this has been one of the greatest blessings yet, is to be able to be an instrument in his hands for two years of my life!! I love it!!

I'm glad Meghan was able to enjoy her first Christmas in the mission, she really de enjoy being able to talk with you that day. The Kids sure look happy! I'm glad they are doing alright! This Christmas for me was great!! I really enjoyed talking with you and the little time I had to talk to Dad and the kids. Thank you so much Mom for all you do! I am so grateful and blessed to be the Person that I am. I am a Child of God! I know he loves us so much!! I hope you all can enjoy your new year and have a lot of success this new year in your personal service to our Heavenly Father!! I love you tons! miss you

Elder Paynter

 I love and appreciate all those ward members whom I don't even know and yet take care of and watch over my missionaries...what a tender mercy!

 Christmas Service Project-the missionaries collected clothes from ward members and went to a poorer section of town to give them away. 

Are you wondering as I, about where the sister missionaries were when it came to sign-making time? :) Nice job elders!

Sunday, December 27, 2015-Springville, Utah

Elder William R. Walker, Overseas Temples Worldwide, speaks of temples and temple worship for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Mormon Temples: A Conversation with a Church Leader 

Such a beautiful presentation of a sacred edifice...

I am looking forward to the completion and dedication of the Provo City Center Temple -

From this:

To this:

I will be going there someday... 

Friday, December 25-Springville, UT

Despite the excitement of food, family parties, and presents, we all inwardly looked forward to two special Christmas calls. 

Meghan's came first...

Meghan is serving with Sister Alldredge from Colorado Springs, Colorado. She seems very happy. She says it like it is... tracting-not on the top of her list for fun and exciting missionary activities. The area that she is serving in is very transient. There is a military base in their ward boundaries, so they have people coming and going all the time. A friend of hers from high school is in her ward. She was pleasantly surprised. Her greatest lesson so far has been understanding the important nature of baptism. That in order to be perfected, we need to take the name of a perfect being upon us and that can only be done by the covenant of baptism. 



Then came Jordan's...
 Jordan smiled and laughed for about the first 10-15 minutes or so (once we could actually hold a connection for more than a minute). This was the first call that he struggled on and off with English words. I shared with him Meghan's feelings about tracting, especially when it is dark outside and I asked him his experiences with people when they were tracting (he calls it contacting) at night. He said they were often "molested"!! Then quickly said, "That's not the right word, is it?" I guess "bugged" in Spanish is  "me molestó", so naturally he thought the English word was similar. I had to chuckle! He loves studying the gospel. He said it is his favorite time of the day. His most recent lesson has been on obedience. He shared a cute story that taught the lesson that all the Lord requires is simple obedience. It is He that will move the mountains if it is His will.  He closed with a song in Spanish. I can't figure out how to transfer it from my phone. Needless to say, it was a tender moment.


Jordan's Story:
 

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.

This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing it with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Noticing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, the adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man’s weary mind. “You have been pushing against this rock for a long time, and it hasn’t budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it.” Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These troubling thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. “Why kill myself over this?” I’ll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good enough.

And that is what he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his thoughts to the Lord. “Lord” he said, “I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even been able to budge that rock. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”

The Lord responded compassionately, “My friend, When I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so?”

“Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven’t moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in my wisdom. This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock.”

At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is simple obedience and Faith in Him…

By all means exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves them.

Friday, December 25-Springville, UT

Christmas morning didn't come too early this year...about 7:30 am. It may be due to a "tough" time falling asleep by one of the younger Paynter children! I took advantage of the late night and watched "It's a Wonderful Life." Naturally, I couldn't fall asleep until I watched the whole thing. It is easy to think of life sometimes as less than "wonderful", but it is holidays like this that remind me of the love of a Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ who sacrificed so much for me. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." John 15:13
Like George, I need to remember, particularly during the tough times, that "no man(woman) is a failure who has friends."

Nothing like a bloody nose Christmas morning... Jacob!

Love her happy demeanor despite feeling lousy...Kaylie!

Always a smile or goofy face, can't help but love this boy...Kyle!

Brotherly love...don't blink you might miss it! :)

We have been greatly blessed indeed!!

Thursday, December 24-Springville, UT

Despite the absence of Meghan and Jordan, we had an enjoyable Christmas Eve with the Neeley's, Labit's, Backus', and Janis. After a fabulous Christmas devotional, dinner, Eskimo Bingo, and a snow-covered-freeway drive home, we gathered the few of us that are left at home and opened the traditional "Christmas" pajamas.

 New Year's Resolution...Posing practice!

Constitucion, Pachuca -December 22

Hey Mom,

My week has been good!! its been a really hard week, not a lot of people at home to receive us...Yesterday the server for myldsmail wasn't working so president gave us permission to write today. I don't have lots of time, but I wrote up something special for you and the family and all the friends and.. well for everyone!! Alicia wrote me and asked for a spiritual thought for the Christmas activity so I shared it with her as well.

I will be skyping at like 6 to 8 in pachuca mexico time, and i will call you and dad for an hour each .  For christmas we will be doing a service activity again. we will go out handing out donations of clothing and blanket for the cold, to people who need them. Its gonna be great!! well, I dont have much time because i spent most my time typing up this message that I wrote for everyone, Hope you like it!! I love you tons Mom!!! Feliz Navidad!! Te amo mucho!!

Elder Paynter

Dear Family and Friends,

First of all, I would like to thank each of you for the support, help and love you have all shared with me. I feel so grateful to have so many loved ones who are always there for me. You all have helped me in one way or another, and for that I thank you. I have now been out in the mission field for over a year, and I have felt so loved by so many of you throughout each and every minute, hour, day and month. The mission has been such a great experience, the greatest experience I have had yet. It´s a lot of work and a bit stressful at times, but the blessings that I have received here have been blessings that have helped me in my eternal progress. I feel closer to my Heavenly Father each and every day. I have felt God´s love so much during my mission. At times I think I comprehend his love, but later realize that the feeling grows stronger and stronger in my heart as I strive to obey his commandments and repent when I make mistakes.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) As Christmas approaches this week, I hope that all of us may understand more fully the love that our Heavenly Father showed for us when he sent his son to suffer in such a great form that he was able to save us from physical and spiritual death. As we all know, Christ saved us all from physical death, due to His own death and resurrection. He too had to suffer physical death in order to bring resurrection to all the children of God. And in order to give us the opportunity to repent and overcome spiritual death, He too had to suffer and triumph over the spiritual death that we all suffer when we sin. As we know, spiritual death is the separation from God´s presence that we suffer when we sin. Only repentance and other principles and ordinances of Christ´s Gospel can save us from this death. Christ, being filled with charity and love for each one of us, was willing to take upon himself the consequence of our sins, which is, spiritual death, or the separation from God´s presence. At times maybe we don’t completely understand or comprehend why Christ had to cry out on the cross, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) What I have come to learn is that in this moment as Christ suffered for our sins, He was abandoned by the Father. In order to experience spiritual death, Christ had to be separated from the presence of our father, more parted from his presence than any other born child of god has and ever will be parted. He had to suffer it all in order to bring us all home to our Father. Christ knows and understands what it feels like to be separated from God´s presence, and that is the reason why He strives to help us so that we may overcome this spiritual death. I hope that we may all continue keeping his commandments, repenting, and honoring our covenants so that this Christmas and New Year season, we may all come closer to Him and remember Him. I know that He lives. I know that He loves us. He is our SAVIOR, our MEDIADOR, The Prince of Peace, our WONDERFUL, LOVING LORD, our ONE and only MESIAS. I testify that these things are true. I love you all so very much and I share these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Les Amo Mucho!!

Con amor,

Elder Paynter

Pictures from the Christmas Devotional and of my companion watching the Fridge...um...okay!

 Constitucion, Pachuca -December 20

Mission Christmas Devotional

 Constitucion, Pachuca -December 14

Hey Mom!!

How are you?? I'm with Elder Rangel now!! Hes great! We are in Pachuca, and our area is Constitución. My companion is from Tamaulipas and has three months in the mission. Things are going great so far!! I'm loving it!! Our District is 6 sisters and us two Elders. Our Zone just has two districts.

I cant believe that Meghan is already out in the mission! I'm so excited! It has gotten a little colder, especially being here in Pachuca, there's a lot more wind, and so it gets a little bit colder, plus Ive had to put extra layers on when I have slept. and don't worry about the pants, the only thing that I lack is time to sew them!! 

That's crazy the the Provo temple is almost ready to open! Only a few more months right? I'm sure it will be up and running by the time i get home! And about the Skype call, We will call on Christmas day, during the afternoon, we still haven't planned it all well. 

Well, not a lot has happened in this week! Its been really cold, and we have been contacting a lot of people. We have found quite a few by knocking on doors, but we are still looking for those that have been prepared! This ward is great! The members are really nice and do like to work. This Sunday we didn't have sacrament meeting because we went to the Dedication of the Tijuana Temple broadcast. It was great! President Uchtdorf dedicated it! He talked a lot about the devotion of many great members in Mexico to be able to accomplish building a temple there. This will be the 13th temple here in Mexico!!

Well, I'm super content! Loving the mission more and more every day!! I love serving the Lord!! Love you tons mom!!

Elder Paynter

Christmas...mission-style!

Somewhere in Mexico - December 13, 2015

Gotta love Sunday Blog Surfin'...

Anxiously awaiting their new assignments-

And the new companion is...Elder Rangel

And the new assignment is...work with a bucket-load of sisters! WOW!

December 9, 2015

Sixteen years ago, Kaylie was born into our family.  

At my 10 week doctor's appointment, I found out I was 7 weeks further along than I had thought! Kaylie would only be 14 months younger than Kyle. I went into the hospital to be induced on the 9th of December, only to have the doctor stop the pitocin...Kaylie was breech!  He brought in a sonogram and then tried an external version (attempt to turn her from the outside)... to no avail! I was then wheeled into surgery for a c-section. Finally, Kaylie was placed in my arms. She was an adorable baby and has grown into a beautiful young woman. 

We spent her birthday at Thanksgiving Point, Slab Pizza, and the Lights at Thanksgiving Point. It was a fun night!

 We have been truly blessed to have Kaylie in our family!

December 11-

No words needed...

David Archuleta - The Prayer 

 Ixmiquilpan -December 7

Hey Mom!!

How are you!! I'm doing great here!! Tomorrow I am going to Pachuca to see where my next area will be! I'm excited, but sad as well to leave Elder Acosta. There are some really great missionaries here in the Mission, and I am so glad for the chance Ive had to work with so many great ones. 

I'm super excited for Christmas!! The music you sent me is helping me get into the Holiday Spirit! We have the opportunity to share the #ASaviorisBorn video with other people! It makes contacting so much more fun!! The people are so much more receptive and willing to change in the Holiday season! I love it!!

I was reading in the Liahona this week and found an article about how to ask better questions in teaching, and it has helped me a lot! Ive tried a lot this week to get better in question asking, and it has helped a lot! When we can get better at asking questions, we can get better answers and spark more inspired conversations!! 

I loved the talk Elder Bednar gave yesterday!, about the Light of the world, which is Jesus Christ! Now every time I see a Christmas tree I can think more of the Light that Christ brought into this darkened world. He is the Light and he is our Savior!! I love him so much! 

I hope you have a great week mom!! We will be able to call home the 25th so start preparing the Skype and anything else necessary! Hope you keep enjoying the holiday season!! Love you tons!!

Elder Paynter

p.s. drink lots of eggnog for me!! 

PROVO MTC - December 4
*Thought I would post. I'll start her own one this weekend. Just wanted to share...

How are you guys? I wish I had known that my p-days were going to be on Fridays because I have no idea what Dad's emails are....oops. Well things here are good. The MTC is very different then I thought it would be. Don't ask me to explain because I really can't, but its just different but good different. I saw Sister Hall yesterday. I was really happy to see a familiar face! I'm still trying to get into the swing of things. My stress and anxiety have definitely begun to settle, which is good. My companions name is Sister Pyper. She is pretty great. She is from Seattle, which is awesome because I love Washington!! There are two sets of Sister Missionaries in my district and we are all going to Raleigh. The two sets of Elders in our district are going to Richmond, VA. My teachers are awesome! Sister Dodds is probably my favorite though. In the past day and a half she has really helped us to expand and deepen our knowledge of the gospel. She is constantly asking us why, why, why. Yesterday we learned about the importance of baptism and why it so essential to making it back to our Heavenly Father. We learned that Heavenly Father has said that no unclean thing can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. That is why we must take the name of a perfect being upon us so that we can be cleansed. Thus, when we are baptized, we take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ because He is a perfect being and even though He is perfect He still came to this earth and was also baptized. Our other teacher's name is Sister Bowen. I really like her too. She has really done a great job at making us feel welcomed and comfortable. Here at the MTC they have all of the lights set up which I absolutely love!! I took pictures but I have to buy one of those SD card usb cables in the bookstore....so I'll have pictures next week. Well. I am so grateful for all of your love and support. Remember to continue to talk to your Heavenly Father because He is real and wants to hear from all of us. I love you all so much!!

Love,

Sister Paynter

Letter to little sis...
 
Hey Kay!

Thanksgiving was great! We didn't do anything super big, but we did eat a lot of food! We ate with some members and they gave us so much food! It was pretty much like thanksgiving! My companion is great! Hes really funny and laughs a lot at my jokes, what can I say I'm a funny guy. I wish I could go to temple square, I remember so much how pretty it is with all the snow and lights and especially the nativity set!! I love it!! Well Kaylie thanks for always being a faithful letter writer even though at times I am not the best! I love you tons! Thanks for everything!!

Con Amor

Elder Paynter

Ixmiquilpan - November 30
 
Dear Mom, 

You I'm sure you don't need letters from me to know how much I love you! Thanks for everything!! This week has been another good week! I really am enjoying every single day! But the days just go by so quick!! I am so excited for Meghan!! Tell her I miss her and am so proud of her! I can't believe the time has already arrived! The best part of the mission is really feeling the Love that Heavenly Father has for us and for all of his children! I know that she is going to change lives!! She will be a great missionary!

I can't wait for this holiday season! I loved it so much last year and I know I will love it again this year! Have you seen the new videos from the church on christmas.mormon.org ? I hope that you and the rest have the chance to share some of the Christmas spirit with everyone else! I know that this year is going to be great! I am so grateful for the Savior! I know he loves us! I know that without him we would be lost, hopeless and alone. (plus this world wouldn't even exist) I know that he is our Lord and Savior. I am grateful for such a great family and the opportunity that I have to serve the Lord and receive the blessings that he is willing to give me! 

I love you tons and hope you have a great week and that you prepare really well for this Holiday Season to remember that #ASaviorIsBorn 

Love you!!

Elder Paynter

 

Thanksgiving...

I have so much to be thankful for. 

*Meghan...my soon-to-be missionary. She has a sweet testimony of the gospel and strives to always do what is right. Her decision to serve the Lord was all her own. Despite her fears of missionary work, she recognizes that it is what the Lord wants her to do at this time. She will be a dedicated and obedient missionary!

*Elder Paynter (Jordan)...my missionary. He has grown so much since leaving home for the mission field. His letters are short but heartfelt. His testimony of the Savior is powerful and continues to serve him well as he testifies of the restoration of the gospel. His constant smile warms my heart each time I see it!

*Kyle...my sweet senior. His infectious laugh causes me to either cringe or laugh with him, depending on the volume. He has an undeniable love for life (as long as I am not telling him what he should or shouldn't be doing :). There is nothing so endearing to me than a great big Kyle-hug. It assures me that even though I often cramp his style, he still loves me.

*Kaylie...my fashion coordinator, make-up artist, and general "coolness" monitor. There are many sides to Kaylie. She has an impulsive side that is creative and fun... that often leaves dirty dishes, melted crayons, paper scraps, etc. She has a loud side that involves laughter, screaming, and sarcasm battles. But there is also a tender side, that is concerned about the welfare of her family. Her thoughtful contributions to scripture study or family night are certainly treasured.

*Jacob...my baby boy. Despite his 12 years of age, he is still and will forever be my little boy. His obsession with my hair continues to make me chuckle. He tries so hard to be the "tough" middle school guy but still loves "hugs and kisses" from his dear old mom. He is learning to serve at church by fulfilling his duty as a deacon, as well as learning many skills from his scouting activities.

I am grateful for the sacred responsibility to rear these children unto the Lord. They make me strive to become a better mother and daughter of God so that I might be a "living" example of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love them dearly!

Sunday Picture Gallery from Pachuca, Mexico...

Renewing Visa's...

Zone Activity...

Ixmiquilpan - November 23

Dear Mom,

I am so grateful for you Mom! I think that you more than anyone else have been the greatest example in my life!! Everyday I realize that the Gospel is true, and to think I always have had you telling me what is right and wrong! At times I know that I ignored and at times rejected your counsels, but everyday when I see the hand of God in my life, I realize all the lessons that you have taught me throughout the years! Love you tons mom!

Well I'm sure you know that I have learned a lot in my mission. Everyday I learn more and more. Right now in my mission, I am trying to make decisions that will have good influence in my life. I know that the spirit is so much stronger in the mission, and I know it will be much harder to stay strong and faithful when I return home. All I want to do now in my mission is continue strengthening my foundation and testimony. But I do know now more than I have ever known in my whole life that Christ lives and he loves each and every one of us. There is no greater love that exists than the love he has for us, his friends, if we are willing to keep his commandments, he will help us to feel this love that he has for us! John 15:13

Right now I feel really confident with my Spanish, the Lord has blessed me a lot to be able to mess up a lot, and I have been able to learn a lot!! I think one of the greatest trials for me has been staying consistent. Right when we think everything is going well, more trials come. We need to always be preparing ourselves for each trial that comes, if we drop our guard, the adversary will attack. Even with the small things, we need to always do what the Lord commands! I have had the great blessing to be strengthened by my trials and by my imperfections and weaknesses, but I know that our Heavenly Father gives us weaknesses so that he can strengthen us!! Ether 12:27

I know this is true! I love it!

I hope you have a great week Mom!! Love you more than you could possibly imagine!!

With love

Elder Paynter

 THEN...

 MTC Reunion

NOW...