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... 

Maple Mountain High...

(sorry John Denver)

Did I mention that I LOVE these mountains?

See the rainbow?! Not even a drop of rain!

I very rarely find a version of this song that I don't like. It has to be my all-time favorite Christmas song. I have never heard of "Home Free" but am quite impressed, nonetheless!

O Holy Night

Ixmiquilpan - November 15

Dear Mom,

This week has been great!! First of all, I didn't get the chance to tell you that i almost got blown up two weeks ago! I was trying to light the flame in our water heater (here in Mexico they aren't automatic) and I guess I skipped a step and when i stuck the lighter in the boiler, I basically got shot back by a bunch of flames!! haha, I'm sure Ive overestimated the story a little bit, But i did burn all of my arm hairs off and lost a few of eyelashes haha!

Things are great! I'm getting along pretty well with Elder Acosta. He's really great! We have had quite a bit of rain, the nights get pretty cold as well! But it's not too cold compared to Utah cold. We have been looking a lot this week for new investigators, and we have found a few, just trying to find people that are willing to hear our message! We have been working hard as well with the members. It really is important to gain their confidence and help them with their needs as well!

It's crazy to think that Meghan is almost heading out to the mission! I'm super excited for her! I know she will learn a lot! One great lesson that I have learned here is that I've learned to accept and love the will of the Father. He has promised us Peace in this life and Eternal Life in the next life. We just have to be willing to live and love his Gospel! Everything is going well here!! I know that this Gospel has probably changed my life more than I ever had imagined before!! I know that this church is true and that the Gospel blesses us in every moment of our lives, and in EVERY type of situation! I love it!

About the music, I just want some music like O Holy Night or other songs that talk about Christ, I'm not sure we can listen to Rudolf or Frosty the Snowman, haha. Love you tons Mom!! Have a great week!! Love ya tons!!

Elder Paynter

Get-Out Games...

Who wouldn't want to be locked in a small room with these girls for an hour?

Good times with good friends....

Ixmiquilpan - November 9

 

Dear Mom,

I love you tons!! Even though I don't have lots of time this week next week Ive decided to write a note for the next week to scan and send to you!! I just wanted to ask one small favor, could you send some good christmas music through email to listen to this Holiday season? I love you tons Keep up the good parenting work!! Tell Kyle I love him!!

Elder Paynter

Ixmiquilpan - November 2

Dear Mom!

Happy Halloween! I hope you all enjoyed it very well! Here we saw quite a few people that went out trick or treating, we practically couldn't find anyone at home! haha They really do have some great traditions here! With their whole Day of the Dead when they put up their shrines or altars and leave out a bunch of food so that the dead people can supper. 

My new companion is really great! He is really nice and is a hard worker! I'm still in Ixmiquilpan and now I'm District leader in a district with two companionship's that are training! Only one of the sisters has more time than me in the mission, I feel like the Grandpa of the district haha! My comp is from San Luis, one of the states here in Mexico. It's pretty close to the mission haha. I have been learning a lot every single day!! I'm so grateful for every blessing that the Lord has given me!! I love him so much!! I can't believe that Meghan is almost going to leave!! Just Thanksgiving and then she's gone!! I'm sure she will do great!! 

I do love the example of Ammon. He was a great missionary! But I think I like the story of Alma the younger more. He really was an incredible missionary, as all of them are. He was very wise, faithful, devoted, and a fearless missionary, I would love to develop attributes like him as well as all the great missionaries of the Book of Mormon! I really do love to read and love the Book of Mormon. I know it is true!! 

Thank you so much Mom!! I'm sorry I'm not the greatest or fastest typist, but don't worry, I will share every single detail of the mission when I get home!! Just know that I know this work is true! I love my Heavenly Father and know that he loves us!! I love you tons mom! Keep being a great example for me and for everyone!!

Elder Paynter

 

 

I had to post all three. I just love his new companion's pose in each one! 

 

 

 Ixmiquilpan - November 1

Sunday Surfing on the blog...

That's my boy (goofball)!

New Companion...Elder Acosta