Sunday, November 27, 2016

As a school teacher, I get many pictures, art projects, notes, etc from my students. After the elections, one of my 5th grade students brought me one of these "home-made" projects. It was a bracelet with a heart on it. I thought it was just another "gift" from one of my students. However, she quickly let me know that she had made this to remind me and others that amid all the chaos and turmoil that was a result of the elections, we needed to remember to love and care about others. I was touched by her childlike solution to the troubles of the world. No wonder the Savior on many occasions admonished us to "become as a little child."

I feel blessed to live in this country that was carefully and purposefully organized by men wrought upon by the spirit of God. We can move past these elections, with love in our hearts as we unite in purpose.

One Voice Choir - We Are One 

November 25- Amazing Grace

I am thankful for the grace of God...

Home Free

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople

So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks...

(They Might Be Giants) 

Nov 13: Missing Istanbul tonight...

...And my dear family there!

BYU verses BSU...
October 20, 2016

Great fans, great road trip, great game...

I love to see these boys hanging out again!
(Even if it is with makeup on...)

Sunday, October 2 - Springville, Utah

"I don’t know if anything in this world could bring more happiness and joy than to know that our children know the Savior, to know that they know “to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”"

Elder K. Brett Nattress (General Conference, 2016) 

This quote from conference pretty much sums up my feelings as I have spent the last 4 days listening, talking, and shopping with Jordan. My heart is full. I recognize what a blessing this is in the midst of these trying times. How grateful I am for family, friends, leaders, and teachers who have helped mold him into a great man!

From boys to men...

November 2014

November 2015

September 2016

September 27 - Salt Lake City, Utah

No words necessary...

Monday, September 26 - Pachuca, Mexico

Bitter sweet...

Tulancingo, Mexico- Sept 19

Dear Family,

How is everyone doing? I hope that everyone is great! I am writing you all from Huasca de Ocampo, Hidalgo. We are visiting some cool sight-seeing places. I wanted to take this opportunity as one of my last emails to share a few things that I have learned from my mission. 

First of all, I know that most of you know that before the mission I hated reading. I'm sorry for using that strong word, but I really didn't like reading. It was always to me such a waste of time. I remember that at the end of my Senior year in High School as I started filling out my mission papers, I set a personal goal to read the whole Book of Mormon. I started with a goal of 1 chapter each night and even though I got home late from Sub Zero, (almost) every single night before going to bed I read a chapter. In the summer, I started taking my Book of Mormon to work with me. Reading still wasn't something that I loved to do but as I kept reading I got into the habit of doing it every day. When I entered the MTC I was reading in Alma chapter 30 or so. I kept reading and I started realizing the importance of the Book of Mormon. I started praying more than I ever had before. I got to the mission field and it sure was a scare, as it is for any new missionary, especially in a foreign country and speaking a new language. A few weeks into the mission I got to the end of the Book of Mormon and I prayed, prayed and prayed. I know now that the Book of Mormon is true. I knew it before, I knew it then, and I can bear my testimony now that I have no doubt that it is true. In the introduction of the Book of Mormon it says, "The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after His resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come." The Book of Mormon is the keystone in these latter days to achieve Peace in this life and eternal life in the next. I know that it is another testament of Jesus Christ and that it is the word of God. I love this promise that comes from Doctrine and Covenants section 84, 

"And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life.
 44 For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.
 45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
 46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.
 47 And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father." 

I know that this church is true. One of the greatest lessons that I have learned in the mission has been recognizing that it is the Lord´s work. His spirit has taught me and has helped me to know that, "I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." (3 Nephi 5:13) I love the Lord and I know that He has called me. I know that He prepares the hearts of the people to her His message. I know that this is His church. He is our Savoir and our Redeemer. I love Him and owe everything to Him. "Shall we not go on in so great a cause?" (D&C 128:22)

I love you all! Have an amazing week! 

Elder Paynter

Tulancingo, Mexico- Sept 12

 

Hey!

Hows it going? How have you been Mom? I hope everything is going great! We have been well here in Tulancingo! We have found a few new families to teach this week and we are really excited to see their progress! This week we didn't have any of our investigators at church, and we were a little disappointed. Its hard getting people to commit themselves to do the things of the Lord. I feel like there are so many bad influences in these days. I like what Elder Pearson says in his talk, "Stay by the Tree" he says that, "Two of Satan’s most powerful tools are distraction and deception." Satan is always attacking us in any way that he can. He will distract us with cell phones, TV, and other media. He will deceive us into thinking that all is well in Zion. So many of us fall into these traps and they are very dangerous! We need to always be "anxiously engaged in a good cause." We need to recognize Satan's traps and prepare ourselves against his attacks. That is what happens in the lives of so many people that we have taught. They get distracted and deceived. We need to rely more on the truths and principles of the Gospel. The Gospel way is the only way! I am so grateful for the chance that The Lord has given me to teach His Gospel. I know that it is the power of God unto salvation! Love you tons Mom and I hope you have a great week! Stay Strong! Keep striving! Love you!

Elder Paynter

Tulancingo, Mexico- Sept 5

Hey Mom!

This week has been another good week!! We had Stake Conference this weekend and two of our investigators were able to attend! It was an incredible stake conference! I'm sure that our investigators felt the spirit very strongly! In the Saturday evening session of conference Sister Kimball gave a talk and asked me to translate for her. I was pretty nervous, but it went very well! It was a short but very powerful talk! 

Today we are in Ixmiquilpan, one of my old areas, and we are visiting a few of the people that I met here! It's raining, but I'm sure that it will still be a good day! Right now we are going to visit a convert named Brandon that is going to serve his mission in 29 days! He's going to the Mexico Chalco Mission. It's only like 4 hours away from here! I am really excited for him! Its going to be a great experience!! 

I'm not too stressed about coming home, but I'm sure it will be a new and great experience. I have felt a little bit nervous/excited, and I know that I will soon start the next phase of my life! I am so grateful for this work. There is no doubt in my heart that it is true. I know that the Gospel changes lives. It has changed mine. I feel that I have learned so much and I am so excited to keep learning and keep sharing the knowledge that I have received. I am grateful for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I know that this is a great work, and without the guidance of the Holy Ghost and the divine help of our Heavenly Father, this work would not progress. I have seen so much progression in this work and am confident that the Lord is helping and sends angels and His spirit to prepare the hearts and minds of many. I love the Lord. I know that Christ lives! 

I love you so much Mom!! Have the best week!!

Elder Paynter

Tulancingo, Mexico- August 29

Hey Mom!

This week has been another excellent week! Leonides (the 84 year-old father of 2 converts) is doing great! He still has a lot of desires to be baptized and we have been planning with the ward to help him be baptized, we are really excited! Suzana is also doing pretty well, it has been hard helping her to find her answer, but I think that it will just require a little bit of patience and a lot of prayer. This week she couldn't come to our ward at 10:00am because she had to go see some family, but we went with her to another Tulancingo ward at 8:30am. This week we were blessed to find another golden investigator! Her name is Margarita, and she contacted us in the street, she told us that one of her cousins that lives in Pachuca had been telling her about the missionaries and the church, so she talked to us on the street and we went to visit the next day. She had been going through a few problems with her son that has had problems with drugs, and she was really stressed out about the whole situation because her son´s girlfriend just had a baby, and they have had lots of problems. We left a blessing in their home and we felt the spirit really strongly. She accepted a baptismal date, but this Sunday she didn't come to church. I feel like each day the Lord blesses us with many opportunities to serve and bless the lives of others. The mission really has been a great experience!

In my Book of Mormon reading I have been reading the Isaiah chapters in 2nd Nephi. I know that they are a little hard to understand, but I have learned quite a bit more. Today I was reading something really interesting. I thought is was really interesting that one of the chapters that Nephi includes is Isaiah chapter 11 and that in Joseph Smith History verse 40, one of the scriptures that the angel Moroni mentioned to Joseph Smith is that same chapter and he told the prophet Joseph that it was going to be fulfilled soon. In Doctrine and Covenants 113:1-4 explains a little more about that chapter and it basically tells us that in the last days the Lord was going to lift up a servant to be an ensign to the nations, one who had the Priesthood and was descendant of Joseph and of Jesse. I think it is really interesting that Isaiah could see these last days, and it is interesting to think that that person whom he mentioned could possibly be Joseph Smith. Cool stuff right!?

Well Mom, I hope you are doing well! I hope you have a great week! Is there anything that I can do for you before I get home? Buy a sombrero or something? Mexican Independence day is coming up! Should be fun!! I love you tons Mom! Have a great week!

Elder Paynter

Tulancingo, Mexico- August 22

Hey Mom!

Things are going great here! I am loving the mission! I am sad that it is coming to an end, but I am so happy because of all that I have learned and all the experiences that I have had!!! This week was a good one! We did a lot of service and Elder Pino from the seventy came to the mission! It was a great experience!! He taught us in a conference as well as our leadership council. He encouraged us to keep working and keep "raising the bar". I am so grateful to have the examples of many dedicated servants of the Lord who are always willing to teach and strengthen us. Today we went to Pachuca to renew my temple recommend... that's right, two years have passed since I got my first recommend! haha, it was a great experience to remember all that we need to do every day in order to be worthy to enter the Lords house. I was actually looking through a few of the letters I have printed out, and last night I was reading one that you sent me with this same list from President Hinckley. I read it and I feel like those are some great things to bring home. I have to admit that there are many things that I still haven't learned that I hope to keep learning so that I can become more spiritually prepared to return from the mission! We have been teaching an 84 year old Father of some converts in our area. He has a lot of desires to be baptized! The only problem is that he has been sick for quite some time and has been home-bound. Last week we took him to church with us in his wheelchair, and he liked it a lot! We hope to keep helping him progress towards his baptism! Im so grateful for this work! Like President Ezra Taft Benson said, "I love this work, and it is work!" I love you tons Mom!

Have a great week!

Elder Paynter

This silly missionary will be home with us soon! Still so bitter-sweet...

Tulancingo, Mexico- August15

Hey Family!

How are you all? I'm great! I am really excited and nervous! Today was transfers day, therefore we had to get a lot of things done, and we don't have much time to write today. We didn't have transfers, so Elder Merino and I will be starting our third cycle together here in Tulancingo. This cycle will be my last cycle in the mission, I am very sad that soon my full-time missionary service will come to an end, but thanks to the Gospel, I know that my life of service to others and to the Savior will continue onward much longer. I am grateful for all my family! Thanks to everyone who has supported me throughout my entire mission, and thanks for all the inspiring and encouraging letters written. I feel like I have been so blessed, much more than I ever could deserve. Im grateful for the Gospel and I know that Christ is our Savior. This work is His work. I know it. This church is His church, I know it. I want all my family and friends to know that I know these things are true. The Book of Mormon testifies of Christ and is the word of God. Christ lives. I have attached a talk by Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge, its one of my favorite talks! Read and ponder it! I love you all so much and thank you for everything!! Have an amazing week and live the Gospel every day!! 

Elder Paynter

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/the-way?lang=eng

Tulancingo, Mexico- August 8

 

Hey Mom!!

How have you been? I've been great here!! This week was a pretty great week! We had a lot of challenges, but the Lord knows our weaknesses and has strengthen us! We have given a lot of service this week! The Lord blessed us with so many opportunities to serve this week! We didn't have to look much to find people to serve!! I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve my brothers and sisters! Just like President Monson said, "Spiritual strength frequently comes through selfless service" I have felt that strength! This week Suzana, one of our investigators came to church! She is progressing very well towards her baptism. We arrived a little late to Sacrament meeting because we had to go to the Tulancingo ward to check up on our missionaries. We got to our wards meeting like 10 minutes late, but it was good to see that some of the ward members had already welcomed her and were sitting with her!! The Lords work will carry on. I know it. I'm so glad that he gives us the blessing to help in His work!

The mission home is separate from the mission offices. The offices are right outside of one of the chapels in Pachuca. The mission home is a little further of, but only like 5 minutes away. The Leadership councils that we have had have been held in the mission home! Its a pretty big and fancy home! haha

To be honest, its not easy being a missionary once you've got 22 months in the field. I feel like it was easier getting used to things at the beginning of the mission. I think that my testimony on the power of the Scriptures has grown a lot these past few weeks. I keep finding endless scriptures that have motivated me and helped me to keep my focus. I know that The Lord speaks to us through the words of His holy prophets. I have read 2 Nephi chapter 2 many times. I really love all that it teaches about the redemption that comes through Christ. This week I really liked a few verses that encouraged me to keep working hard!! verses 6-8 "6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise." In the mission I have come to know that Christ always calls us with his arms wide open. His love is offered to all. We have a great privilege and responsibility to make these things known unto all Gods children! This is another reason why I love His work. He watches out for each one of His children. He prepares a way so that we can obey all His commandments, but also gives us agency to choose whether to follow Him or not. I'm grateful for Him and His love for us!

I hope you are doing well Mom! I love you tons!! I have been working on my BYU essay and Ive advanced a little bit more, I just have to keep searching for free time. The time is going by very fast! Keep striving! Thanks for all that you do Mom!! I love you!!

Elder Paynter

It's been raining tons!! We haven't had anything very dangerous happen here, but the missionaries from Huauchinango and Xicotepec in our Zone have seen a bit more dangerous incidents. In Huauchinango, there was a big mudslide that collapsed a few homes, but that's the most severe thing that has happened.

Mexico Pachuca Mission Leadership Conference

Tulancingo, Mexico- August 1

Hey Mom!

How have you been? Ive been great!! First, about the pictures, The birthday cake was from my birthday last month, we do have a lot of normal street roads, but there are a few places that still don't have pavement. I did get my birthday package before my birthday, we were able to celebrate with pancakes and candles and party hats, it was great! The suit that I had on was borrowed from my companion, mine was in the dryclean, so he let me use one of his. Thanks for the reference of Gospel Topics Essays, there are quite a few people that ask a few strange questions about the church, so I printed off a few to study. 

This week I was reading in my studies and I found a scripture that I really liked. Its in the book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price. Its when God is talking to Enoch, and teaches and shows him many things. I found it interesting that while God shows Enoch the power that the devil has over the hearts of many wicked men, God weeps. Moses 7:28 "And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep,and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains?" Enoch is amazed that God in all his glory and perfection, was able to shed tears. He basically asks Him why and how. in verses 32 and 33 it says, "The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency; And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood;" The Lord explains here something that is very important that we should all understand. He has given us agency. He has given the freedom to choose, but with that, he has given consequences, and punishments. In the scriptures it talks a lot about the wrath and anger of God and how it is kindled up against those who perverse his commandments. This may scare us a little at times, but we should always remember how much the Lord loves us! He gives punishment when we sin because he is Just. But he weeps when we don't obey because He knows that he has to punish us. He loves us so much that He sent His beloved son, Jesus Christ. His love is infinite and extends to all those who have been crated by His hand. I love God and testify that he hates sin, but love us as sinners. He has all power to make us perfect as He is, and allow us to enter into his presence. I testify of these things!! 

Thanks Mom for everything! Have and amazing week!! Love you!

Elder Paynter

Tulancingo, Mexico- July 25
(This is the letter part...pictures are in the post below...)
 
Hey Mom!

Mom, thank you. Thanks for always praying and looking out for me! I can really see the many blessings that I have received for all your counsel that you have given me throughout my mission. I'm so grateful for all that you do for me! This week has been a good one! We have been working a lot with an investigator named Suzana, I don't remember if Ive told you much about her. She has had a lot of trials with one of her sons that for many years has had problems with alcohol and drugs. We have been trying hard to help her to stay happy and to strive to follow Christ. We have seen a lot of progress, she really has seen a change in her life. I'm grateful because the Lord has made me an instrument in His hands. I know I'm not always obedient, but I know that when I try, the Lord gives me strength to do what I alone could never do. I love this work!

I was just watching a video on lds.org that I really loved. https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2016-01-006-staying-spiritually-fit?category=youth-media&lang=eng Its true that in this life we need to be spiritually prepared. We cant expect to perform in the precise moment when we have not prepared and trained to perform. We cant expect that we will have all the answers to our trials in life if we don't study to know what may come. Im grateful and I give testimony of the power of the scriptures. They are a guide to each and every one of us. I know that God has given them to us to strengthen us and prepare us to be able to perform obediently in our daily trials. We should all learn to put in practice what the scriptures teach us and not just treat them as a temporal item of temporal value, but rather an spiritual item of eternal and temporal value. They have the power to change our lives and guide us through the struggles and difficulties we may face. My invitation is that we may all learn to choose the right now in our lives. We may be passing through easier times, but we should prepare ourselves for when the storms come. Like the Lord taught in Luke 16:10  "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." and as it states in the Hymn, Choose the Right, "Choose the right! There is peace in righteous doing. Choose the right! There's safety for the soul. Choose the right in all labors you're pursuing; Let God and heaven be your goal." I know this church is true and testify that now is the time that we must prepare to return to our fathers presence. I love this work!

Thanks Mom for everything, I love you tons!

Elder Paynter

p.s. I know I've gotten a little behind in my essay homework, I need to get it done, but honestly the hardest part has been responding the first question. Ive done a lot of thinking, and I hope I can come up with a good response.

Tulancingo, Mexico- July 25

Tulancingo with Elder Merino

(No letter...yet... but some good pictures!)

Trainer-Elder Gomez

 

 Tulancingo, Mexico- July 18

Hey Mom!
How are you? I'm doing great here!! we have had a pretty great week! I know its a little bit strange having a return date, Time really does fly!! I'm so grateful that I have had this opportunity to serve in the Lord´s work. I hope to finish strong and to keep seeing miracles throughout the rest of the time that I still have left. I can´t believe that Sky is finishing so soon, It doesn't feel like 2 years have already passed by! I am sure that he has had a great mission, I'm so grateful for his example. Things here in the mission are going great! President Kimball is awesome! We have been able to meet him and talk with him on quite a few occasions. He is from Idaho I think, but has lived in Provo for many years. When I first met him he asked me where I was from and I told him Springville, and he said, "Ah, right around the corner!" He has been teaching a lot about "The Culture of Christ" Basically he is helping us to think more in Christ and not so much in the rules and all that. Rather, we need to ask more, "What would Jesus do?" It has helped us to make a lot of better decisions, and we have been able to feel more the spirit of Christ in our mission!
I like what you were commenting about Testimonies. I know it is hard to get the youth to really love the Savior and His church, with so many distractions in the world right now. Its true that one has to desire a testimony to receive one. If one hardens his heart, the spirit has no room to testify of truth. A testimony is good, actually great, and I am sure that at many time we all receive a "testimony" of some gospel principle. I'm sure that all those girls at girls camp have received testimonies. The hard part is helping them to become converted to Christ. That is the intention that President Kimball has in establishing a Culture of Christ. He has mentioned to us that we need to become converted unto Christ. I really like the story of Peter, from the New Testament. When he was called to follow Christ, he straightway left his nets and followed him. He knew that Jesus was the Messiah. He saw miracles, received revelations, and bore testimony that Jesus was the Christ. But, all those testimonies that he received weren't sufficient. When Christ was tried before Caiaphas, few people asked Peter if he was one of Christ´s apostles and he denied three times. In the "made famous by Elder Holland" scripture story of when Christ appeared again after his resurrection to the apostles on the shores of Galilee, Christ asked Peter three times if he loved Him. And I feel like that was the turning point for Peter. That was when he truly became converted to Christ and His Gospel. He then went on to change the world and to establish the kingdom of God on the Earth. In Matthew 18:3 Christ said, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Conversion is the key to true discipleship. Conversion is the key to entering into the kingdom of God. Our Father in Heaven loves us all and wants all to become converted, but we cannot be converted against our will. We need to choose today whom we will serve. Christ lives. There is no doubt in my heart. But I know that unless I allow this testimony that I have received influence my decisions everyday, I will not become converted. Conversion is a process, it requires righteous desires and actions. Conversion allows us to "Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him" (Moroni 10:32) My invitation is that we may all come unto him, and let his Holy Spirit guide us unto true conversion.
I love you bunches Mom!! I love the Talk that you sent me! President Egbert shared it many times with us, I will be sure to review and ponder about it this week!! I hope you have an amazing week and I hope everything is going great!! Love you tons!!
Elder Paynter

 Tulancingo, Mexico- July 15

 

Hey!

I hope everyone is doing alright! I'm doing excellent here! I just want you all to know how much I love you!! I don't have much time again, I have decided to send more letters through mail so I can tell more things about how things are going here!! My leaving date will be the 27th of September, I couldn't extend it, even though I wanted to! Love you all tons!!

Elder Paynter

 Tulancingo, Mexico- July 4

 

Hey Mom!!
Things have been going great!! Today we didn't have to go to Pachuca, so we have a little more time to write! This week we got to know President and Hermana Kimball!! They are awesome!! They are very excited to serve, and very ready to help our mission. President Kimball has had many callings as YSA bishop, stake young mens president, and others, so he really loves working with you youth!! We all got to personally introduce ourselves with him and talk a little about us. When I told him that I was from Springville, he told me, "that's right around the corner!" They're great and I'm really excited to work with them! Hermana Kimball says that she is going to make a blog and an Instagram and maybe a Facebook page... haha!
Time really does go by fast!! I cant believe it! Today I finished reading the Book of Mormon and I want to start again!! Its the best book!! I really love Moroni´s last words, verse 32 in chapter 10 has always been a favorite of mine!!
"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God"
It helps us understand the only way that we may reach eternal perfection, by coming unto Christ and being perfected in Him. "There is no other way" He is the way. If we want his grace to save, perfect, and cleanse us, we must come unto him. I love what Moroni also explains in the book of Ether.
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27) (also one of my favorites!)

If we humble ourselves before him we will become obedient. If we are obedient, the spirit will always be with us. I believe there is no greater help in this life than the Holy Ghost. If he is always with us, he will guide us to perfection and we will become more like our Savior. And if that is how our life will become, we will in nowise be able to deny the power of God. I know that the Savior loves me and has healed my weaknesses through his grace. I am grateful for his love and mercy, and I know with all my heart that He lives. He is a resurrected and glorified being who loves each one of us and longs that we come unto him and strive to be mor holy and humble. I love the Lord and thank him for all that I have and for all that I am!

Im so grateful for the Book of Mormon, and whenever I have trials or struggle of any kind in my life, I know exactly where I need to look to find peace and tranquility. Its in the Book of Mormon. Everything we need to know in order to find eternal life is in the Book of Mormon. I wish, like Alma, that I were like an angel, that I could invite all to read the Book of Mormon and to share the great message of happiness and eternal life that it contains!

Well Mom, things are great as always. I love this work!! Today was transfers day, but because President Kimball is new, there weren't many transfers, so I will be with Elder Merino for at least one more cycle. We are ready to keep on working hard! This month we should have a lot of success!! Hurrah for Israel!

I love you tons Mom!! Stay safe!!

Elder Paynter

Tulancingo,Mexico - June 27

Hey Mom, 

I really am ok! President Egbert gave us a new rule as Zone Leaders that we have to go to Pachuca each Pday to pick up materials and packages, that's why I haven't had much time in the past few weeks as well as this week! Every thing is great! If I don't have time to read your emails I always print them out to read them so don't worry!! Things are great!! I tried talking to President Egbert about extending my mission but he told me it would be better to talk with President Kimball to see what he says. Today the Kimballs arrive to the airport and tomorrow the Egberts are going to the Airport to leave. Its a quick transition. We just have to keep working hard and being obedient to what ever change President Kimball makes!! I was reading this week the book that you sent me for my birthday called Believing Christ, Its real great!! It has helped me understand a lot better the "saved by grace, not by works" principle. Even though it is very important to strive to keep the commandments, we have to realize that alone, we will never be made perfect. We need to accept the atonement in our lives and always repent and try harder!! I love you tons Mom!! Have an amazing week!!

Elder Paynter

 Mexico-June 13

Hola a todos! Saludos de México!

Hey Family! How are you all doing? I'm great here!! Thank you all for your birthday wishes! I had a great birthday! I keep realizing that time really does fly!! The mission is great! Elder Medino and I are working hard to help as many people as we can! We are doing great! Today we had a Zone Activity so we don't have much time to write, but I wanted to write to everyone to tell you all thanks and also to share my testimony. I love the Scriptures. Many times as we study throughout the week, there are so many scriptures that just have a great impact on me, even if they are scriptures that I have read so many times before. As I was reading in the 128th section of Doctrine and Covenants, I read a few verses that just shot pure power into my testimony! As Joseph Smith explains the importance of proxy baptisms and keeping records in the church, he takes a moment to encourage and lift the members of the church saying, "Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth out of the earth; glad tidings for the dead; a voice of gladness for the living and the dead; glad tidings of great joy. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that bring glad tidings of good things, and that say unto Zion: Behold, thy God reigneth! As the dews of Carmel, so shall the knowledge of God descend upon them!" As I read this verse, it helped me remember the mercy and love of our Heavenly Father, as well as the importance and eternal greatness of his work and his plan. I know that this church is true. There is no doubt in my heart. I know that this work is the work of almighty God and it is to change the world. I know Christ lives, and is ever willing to lift us up on his shoulders and carry us home, if we will only turn our hearts unto him. I love my Heavenly Father. I love the Gospel! "Brethren,  Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing." I love you all and miss you very much!! Stay safe and do what is right!! 

Elder Paynter

Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

Mexico-May 30

 

Hey Mom!

Good to hear that things are great!! I'm doing great here!! The area is great!! There aren't many investigators, but we are still looking! We did find someone last Monday who really could progress! We hope to keep finding and serving so that we can have more people progressing! We are living in the house that the elders were living in before us, they left it a little dirty, but we already got that problem fixed!! Things are going great!! I love my companion Elder Merino! I think he is the first companion that I have had that loves basketball as much as I do!! But even without that, he is a great missionary and a great friend! We have been working real hard! We have bikes in this area, so its a lot easier to get from one place to the other!!

I was reading this week a little in 1 Nephi 13, I really love all the visions that Nephi saw in these chapters, there is a lot to learn! I really like when the Lord is speaking to him and tells him of his coming many years before he came. "For, behold, saith the Lamb: I will manifest myself unto thy seed, that they shall write many things which I shall minister unto them, which shall be plain and precious; and after thy seed shall be destroyed, and dwindle in unbelief, and also the seed of thy brethren, behold, these things shall be hid up, to come forth unto the Gentiles, by the gift and power of the Lamb. And in them shall be written my gospel, saith the Lamb, and my rock and my salvation." (1 Nephi 13:35-36) I love it because first of all, the Lord testifies to Nephi that he will come to the americas. The second part that I love is the Saviors own testimony of the Book of Mormon. He says that what will be written in the Book of Mormon will be manifested to us in these days, and that it will contain the Gospel, the rock and salvation for us in our days. The Book of Mormon is true! It is our keystone to gaining eternal life!! I love it and hope to continue reading from it every day!! Love you tons mom!! Keep on being great! Have a great summer vacation!! Love ya!!

Elder Paynter

 Tulancingo, Hidalgo-May 22

Hey Mom!!

This week was pretty great!! We had lots of success this week!! We were able to receive more referrals from members this week! And you know that when we receive referrals, the work goes a lot easier! Thats what Preach My Gospel teaches, that the ideal form of teaching is when the members share the Gospel with their friends, family, neighbors, etc. and then they go with the missionaries to teach those people! We were also able to have quite a few investigators in sacrament meeting this week! It was a pretty great week! I have been in Pachuca for the pást 6 months, in the Constitución ward and the Tecnológico ward. Today was transfer day!! I had transfers... its always sad leaving areas, but the Lord always has other things in store for us as well! I am now working with Elder Merino, we will be opening up an area as Zone leaders here in Tulancingo! Not one of us knows the area at all, so I hope we don't get lost!! I was in this Zone earlier in my mission when I was in Xicotepec, so I do know a little bit of how to get from one town to another haha! We are really excited!! Its going to be fun! 

Yesterday,when I was still in Tecnológico the Bishop asked me 5 minutes before sacrament meeting to give a talk, so I threw together the most important thing that I could think of in the moment. I ended up giving my talk about the Priesthood. I want to share a few of the thoughts that I shared at church. Well, as missionaries we share Lesson 1 or "The Restoration" at least once a day. We all know that the Church was restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith. With the restoration, we received many great blessings from God. For example, The Book of Mormon, Temples, True Doctrine, an understanding of the Lords plan for us, missionary work, eternal families, etc. But without the Restoration of the Priesthood, our church would fall under the same category, and would carry us just as close as other churches to Gods presence. The Restoration of the Priesthood brings to pass all the blessings of the restored church. With the true priesthood authority, we can be baptized in order to receive the remission of our sins. We can receive temple ordinances in order to be with our families forever. We can become as our Heavenly Father is, perfected and glorified with everlasting power and domain. But, why is the Priesthood so necessary to achieve these things? Surely, some may think, if we just live good lives and strive to be good people, we may be able to achieve eternal life... but that is not the way the Lord has and will bring to pass the eternal life of his faithful and obedient children. He explains in Doctrine and Covenants section 84, the reason why we need the Priesthood for all these things. In verse 19 it tell us that the Priesthood holds the keys to the secrets of the kingdom and the Knowledge of God. As we read in John 17:3, Eternal life is being able to know our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father uses the Priesthood to exalt his faithful children. That is why D&C 84 goes on to say in verses 20, 21 and 22 that for that reason the power of the divinity is manifested in the ordinances of the priesthood like baptism, confirmation, the sacrament, the endowment, and eternal sealing. That is why the priesthood is so important! I am glad the our heavenly father has blessed us with the priesthood and I hope to always be faithful to him in order to be "sanctified by the Spirit" and to become worthy of an eternal life in the presence of my Heavenly Father! I know that this church is true! I know it! 

Elder Paynter

Constitucion, Pachuca - May 22

Sunday Surfing...

 

 Constitucion, Pachuca -May 17

Hey Familia!!

Things are awesome here!! Were working hard!! Enjoying every opportunity to share the Gospel with Heavenly Fathers children! I dont have time to write this week!! I sure love you all!! Heres a talk I want you all to read!! https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/opposition-in-all-things?lang=eng

Elder Paynter

 

(No need to say anything Alicia....)

 

 A few pictures from our Pday today!!

 

 

Constitucion, Pachuca -May15

Nineteen months down today....

Constitucion, Pachuca -May 9

Hey Mom!

I also enjoyed talking yesterday! Even though we didn't get to talk very much, it was really great! I love what you shared with me about sacrifices! I have seen that it is an important and necessary principle of the Gospel. I have heard plenty of times when we invite people to read the Book of Mormon or to go to church or to do any other commitment, many people say, "if I have time, I'll do it." I feel like if we live by that phrase, we will never achieve any great accomplishment in this life. We need to sacrifice, always!! We will never magically have extra time every day of our lives to read the scriptures, we need to MAKE time. We need to SACRIFICE some of our personal time to do all that our Father in Heaven asks of us!! I know that this is true because I have seen in my own life that when I sacrifice my time to the Lord, he has molded, blessed and helped me in many ways! I love the Gospel! I am grateful for the truth in my life!! Love you tons Mom!! Hope you have an amazing week!! 

Elder Paynter

May 8-Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day. It started with breakfast in bed made by two kids who had been up since 4 a.m. Jacob insisted I celebrate Mother's Day and not his birthday, as we will be doing that next Sunday, he wanted this to be "my" day. 

Between strawberry-chocolate waffles, chocolate truffles from the ward, and Magleby's chocolate cake, what could make Mother's Day any better?

Calls from my two missionaries!!! 

We talked with Meghan for a good amount of time. She is doing well and is really loving her mission. As we were wrapping up with her, Jordan called. We were having sound issues, so we could only see him. Meghan had to go, so we let them wave good-bye to each other. At this point, she fell apart. She couldn't even speak-good thing since he couldn't hear us anyways. It was a sweet moment. (Interestingly, she didn't cry over any of us?!) 

Jordan, too, is loving his mission. He struggled to find the English words to use in conversation. He dreams in Spanish, answers in Spanish, and speaks in Spanish! It will be an interesting transition when he comes home.

(Did I really say that? It is certainly coming faster than I dare think about!)

I certainly cannot end this post without a tribute to my dear mother whom I love more than words can express. Her patience, love, dedication, and testimony have been beacons of light and strength for me throughout these many years. 

I love her and hope to become half of the woman she is today! Happy Mother's Day, Mom!