Paynter Place: October 2015

Monday, October 26, 2015

Ixmiquilpan-October26

I don't have much time, But I love you tons mom!! Ill respond to your questions next week!! We did have quite a bit of rain this week!!

1,000 words...

That's 3,000 words today, folks!

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Ixmiquilpan-October 19

Hi Mom,

Short letter today! My companion and I are in Pachuca and we have to start heading home!! But I am going to try to answer your questions: yes, we can listen to church music, I have a usb to put music on from lds.org. I am senior comp. I'm not sure what tracting is, I think its like contacting people, and yes we do a lot of contacting. We find a lot of people through talking in the streets or in little shops or by knocking on inspired doors. We do get a lot of help from the ward. We have a ward mission leader and he helps keep things organized here and at times we get help from other ward members. Well, Mom, I just want to let you know that I love you tons and I am super grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ for giving me EVERYTHING! I love you tons!!

Elder Paynter

Thursday, October 15, 2015

October 15, 2015 - One Year Mark...

As we prepare to listen to Cody's homecoming talk this weekend, my thoughts are with Jordan as we celebrate his one year mark today! I am amazed at these young boys that return from missions as great men! I have noticed Jordan's growth as he speaks of the things of God. I can only hope he comes back with a life-long devotion to Him!

THEN....

NOW...

Despite my natural tendency to want him home again, their is no other place I'd rather him be. My heart even aches a little for these missionaries as they have to leave this "bit of heaven" and return to the "real world!"

Monday, October 12, 2015

Ixmiquilpan-October 12

Dear Mom,

How has this week been for you? Sounds like you had a great week this week! I guess you could say that I had a pretty good week too!!

This week I have learned a lot! I have learned a principle that is super important for every one of us and for our lives. Jesus is the Christ. He is our redeemer and savior. This church is his church. He still calls prophets in these last days. He loves everyone of us! His Atonement WORKS! We should know all these things without a doubt! Its just that at times in this life, we start to doubt these things or we don't feel 100% sure. If we really want to be filled everyday with a strong testimony that these things are true, we need to LIVE the Gospel. Knowing just isn't enough! We need to show that we know it and love it by the way we act everyday, by the way that we treat others, and by the way we talk with our Heavenly father every day. How will we every know that he lives if we do not live what he has taught us? How will we know if his atoning sacrifice works if we don't ever repent of our sins and put it in practice? I know that there is no other thing more important in this life than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He should be the center of our lives. I hope that every day I can apply these things more in my life to be able to testify to everyone that HE LIVES!! I know it, I live it, I love it!! I challenge you to live it!! It is the way that we can all know the truth!! John 7:17

I thank you for all that you do, Mom! Keep on being the best!! I hope you can keep loving the Gospel and always do what is right!! Love you tons!

Elder Paynter

Monday, October 5, 2015

Ixmiquilpan-October 5

Dear Mom,

First of all, General Conference was wonderful, I'm so grateful for the love that our loving Heavenly Father shows us in these last days. He showed me this weekend that he really listens to my prayers. I was able to get a lot of help and support from him this weekend. I loved all the talks that were given, but one talk that called my attention was the talk from Elder Larry R. Lawrence, he said a lot of things that I really liked, but mainly I liked what he said about being perfect, that we are not perfect, and we are not going to be perfect in this life, but now we can lay the foundation for the next life. It reminded me of the testimony that President Packer shared that there is nothing wrong with trying to be a good person. I know that we must always strive to be perfect. we should accept that we are not perfect, but we must not allow that to prevent us to progress to perfection here in this life. Also Elder Kim B Clark said that we do not need to be perfect but we must be good people and always try to improve ourselves. I know that the Lord expects a lot from me and all his children. I know that if we do what he has commanded us, we can inherit eternal life and exaltation. That was one of the many patterns and lessons that could see and learn at this conference. I loved it!!!!

This week has been good! I have had a lot more patience with my companion this week, but Im still struggling to enjoy myself with my companion. I just need to follow the Counsel that President gave me and keep following the spirit! Teaching has been good, we have one family that is really great, they are reading the Book of Mormon, but they struggle with coming to church because the husband of the sister is "die hard" catholic. But they are doing great!! Heavenly Father has allowed me to see his children the way that he sees them, with much love and a lot of hope! Time really has flown by, Im so sad that so much time has passed by, but Im looking forward to the service that still lies ahead of me!!

Mom, Im so grateful for the example you have been for me! I thank the Lord everyday for all my family, and for the opportunity that he gave me to be born in this church! I love you tons and hope you can use the Conference talks to keep enduring to the end and helping our family to be a united and loving family!

Love you and miss you tons!!

Elder Paynter

p.s. yes i did ordain kyle!

p.p.s. the Payson Temple is super pretty!!

Sunday, October 4, 2015

MEGHAN's timeline...

Meghan is FOCUSED! Once she decided to serve a mission she had the paperwork finished in one night, appointments for doctor and dentist within two weeks, and then her call within 4/5 weeks of deciding to serve. Grass does not grow under her feet!

Sunday, September 20... she received her living endowment recommend from Bishop Hartman. That night, she went to the Stake Center and met with President Pope. I asked when she wanted to go to the temple and she said, "I have Tuesday and Thursday night off." WOW! So different from Jordan. Nonetheless, we were able to get an appointment at the Payson Temple that Thursday night (September 29). It was a sweet experience, to say the least.

We were blessed to be accompanied by so many great women of faith, women who continue to be incredible examples to both Meghan and I.