Constitucion, Pachuca -March 28

Hey Mom!!

 

How's it going?? This week has been pretty good! We were able to find a few new investigators this week! We found a family of four that looks like they are really interested, the family is made up of a young couple and 2 kids that are 9 and 11 years old! We have also found quite a few other people that we hope to see progress. 

 

Things are going pretty well with Elder Child. you asked me if we had any new experience this week so don't blame me if you get worried! By the way, don't be worried, we are alright!! haha, This week we got mugged. Haha, like I said Don't worry about anything, we are alright. So, it was like 8 at night and we were waiting in a park for a member that was going to go on a visit with us, there were a lot of people outside and there were a lot of stores open, so there were a lot of people in sight. But, two young men, left their group of friends, there were like 25 years old, and we weren't scared or anything, its quite normal for drunk people to come and talk to us. So, we were just acting casual, and they came up and started talking with us. One was obviously drunk and the other had a handful of cotton in his hand, and as he constantly held it up to his nose to sniff it, we figured that he was pretty high. The one that had the cotton started talking and started saying that he wanted 500 pesos, and he started searching my companion. But we just acted calm and told them that we were just waiting for a friend of ours. We then asked him why he wanted money, and with his hand held up to his mouth, making the "hang loose" sign, we found out that he wanted beer. So, we told him that we would go to the store and buy him a beer, so we started walking towards the store and he followed us when a truck full of other young guys pulled up and started talking to the guy that was drugged. We waved goodbye to the guys in the truck and they waved back. I think they knew that this other guy has caused quite a few problems, so they were nice enough to help us get out of that problem!! It was a pretty fun and new experience! I feel blessed that The Lord is always Looking out for us!! I felt like the Sons of Mosiah, Because the Lord has promised Mosiah that he would protect his sons during their mission efforts to call their brethren and the Lamanites  to repentance. That was pretty much the only cool experience this week! 

(Should I be concerned that that was the only "cool" experience?)

 

I'm excited for General Conference this week!! I hope that we can all prepare ourselves in a way that we can learn and know how to progress in this true Gospel!

I love the Lord and I know that he lives!! I love you tons Mom!! Stay Safe!!

 

Love

Elder Paynter

 

That's certainly one way to remember Fast Sunday!

Constitucion, Pachuca -March 21

Dear Mom!

This week has been pretty good!! We don't have very many people progressing right now, we didn't have any investigators in the sacrament meeting this week, but we are still working hard with a lot of joy!! We do have a few investigators progressing, but some of them have a few problems like getting married, or obtaining permission from their parents. Elder Child and I are doing great!! We do like working together! We do love joking around about speaking English in México. It may not sound like something funny, but we do get a few laughs out of talking in English! All is going well here! Do you remember tracting in your mission?? How did you find success in finding new investigators to teach?? We have found quite a bit success basically by talking with everyone in the streets and knocking on inspired doors. I love talking to people about the Gospel. One of my favorite things about the mission is teaching. The Gospel is just so perfect and just makes so much sense. I just love helping others come unto Christ and participate of his redeeming and live-giving mercy. When one converts himself over to the Gospel, he just feels the need to share it and help others to receive the blessings of Eternal Life. Just like my favorite Book of Mormon prophet, Alma, did. When he had been converted over to the Gospel of Jesus Christ he dedicated his life to help others to repent and come unto Christ. (Alma 36:24) I love the Gospel and am Grateful for the Redeeming love of Christ our Savior. 

I love you tons Mom!! Hope you are doing well and that you can also help others come unto Christ this Easter Season!! Love you tons!!

Saludos!!

Con amor,

Elder Paynter

 

 

Saturday, March 19- Provo City Center Temple Cultural Celebration

I don't think words can express what I felt last night at the cultural celebration. I am not sure why I was so emotional. There are no real "ties" to the tabernacle, nor Provo for that matter. But it became apparent to me last night, that this was "my" temple. Maybe it was the refiner's fire that it went through to become what it is today that touched me so deeply. It is a process that we all must go through (or continue to go through) at some point in our life.

The dances were amazing, the history inspirational, and the music powerful!

Kaylie and Jacob participated in our stake's performance, "Sometimes He Lets it Rain." 

To view, click on the link below:

Springcreek Stake Dance - Cultural Celebration 

The footage does not do the finale justice, but the song is still beautiful!
 
Finale 

 Constitucion, Pachuca -March 15

Dearest Mother!!

I love you tons Mom!! Being a Zone Leader is a bit stressful when a few missionaries dont want to do what needs to be done, But the best part is being able to serve and inspire. This week has gone pretty well! We are looking a lot for people to teach, we have had a bit of success. I really love being here!! Today we had to go to a Zone activity, so as you know, not a lot of time this week!!

This week has been pretty good!! We have been teaching quite a few people and we are seeing a lot more progress. We have a few people getting ready to be baptized in April. Should be great!! This week we start sharing the #Hallelujah initiative it should be pretty fun!! We are so excited to keep working and finding new people! I really like the quote that you sent me! There is a lot to learn! I really do enjoy teaching the Plan of Salvation because there is really so much that we need to understand and apply! I'm all good!! Things are going great!! I'm healthy, I'm happy and really excited for this work!! I love you tons Mom!! I hope you have a great week!

Elder Paynter

 

 

Constitucion, Pachuca -March 13

SUNDAY SURFING...

So grateful for this blog...Thank you, Sister Egbert!

Constitucion, Pachuca -March 7

Hey Mom!!

Things are going great here!! Sorry I couldn't write you last week, we only had an hour to write, and I didn't get a letter from you this week. I know that the scriptures say that we cannot justify any sin, but know that I still love you, even if I don't get a letter written out to you!! This week has been great!! Elder Child and I are having a lot of fun!! Working really hard!! I think our first day together we talked in Spanish like the whole day, but we quickly realized that some jokes only make sense in English!! We are working hard to keep all the missionaries in the Zone in line! haha, This week will be full with leadership conference, Zone training, and Divisions with the Assistants!! It should be great!! I have read this week the whole chapter of Mosiah, this time I tried paying a lot of attention in the movement between the three stories of King Benjamin to Mosiah, Zeniff to Limhi, and Alma the older to Alma the younger. It gets me a little confused with the changes in time and locations but in the end I got a better understanding of it!! One of my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon is the conversion of Alma the younger. One of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon is Alma 36 when Alma explains to Helaman his conversion!! I love that chapter!! I really love reading it again in Mosiah chapter 27. I love when he says that "every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him". Every one of us will have to stand before the judgement bar!! Everyone!! I know that we really are in our time of probation, where we need to repent and become cleansed through Christ!! My testimony is that He Lives and wishes that all may return and live in happiness forever!! I love Him and know that he loves me and every child of God!! I love you tons Mom!! Stay safe!!

Elder Paynter

baptism of Maria del Carmen, and Federico (the little one!)

Constitucion, Pachuca -March 6

Sunday Surfing - Transfers...