Pictures!

March 28th, 2010. Yet Another Baptism!

¡CAMBIOS! -- Transfers!!

andddd not for us:) Elder Cirne and I are staying! and we are really happy about it too. There is just way too much we need and want to do here in Nuevo Hermosillo, and in the ward to have transfers right now.. well, not for at leasttt another 6 weeks!

WOW lots of stuff happened this week. I feel like my English is especially bad today (Elder Cirne and I are trying to speak English more when we are in the appartment, don`t worry. Oh and I`m writing in my journal, and writing letters to you all, so it should still be good. just sometimes it hurts a little more than other times to make the switch.) So forgive me.

How is everybody??? Again, it sounds like Emily`s and Mary`s lives are wayyy too cool. I had to promise Elder Cirne that we ARE normal people in the United States, and that it is very rare that people take trips to Africa, are in super sweet bands, and write music. I don`t think he believes me.

Really a tough week... opposition around every corner. Investigators dropping us... unnamed missionaries from other unnamed denominations visiting and confusing new converts... families not coming to church... people losing testimonies... marriage problems... financial difficulties.. and sadly the list goes on. But if one thing is clear, there is never a moment when everything goes wrong. President Velez has given me the assignment to study Joseph Smith History and apply what I learn to the work.

DyC 121 always comes to mind. and it`s true, sometimes it is only a small moment:)

I had the awesome opportunity to baptize Mayra Alejandra Vazquez on Saturday the 26th. Mayra is 15, she is also really cool, and was very very very ready to be baptized. Mayra`s parents, Carlos and Mayra were baptized by my friend Elder Mendoza about 9 months ago. Lotsss of missionaries have taught the family, and worked really hard with Mayrita, but she never wanted to get baptized. When Elder Cirne and I met Mayra, she had just started to read the book of Mormon... out of nowhere! She likes to read (she really likes Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings) and I guess the book of Mormon just caught her attention. We taught her a few lessons... talked about harry potter... and asked her what her goals were in life. She wants to be a writer, and wants to do what God would have her do. We asked her what she thought God wanted her to do right now.. and smiling, she said,

``Probably get baptized:)``

When we are obedient, have faith, work hard, and focus on the needs of others, things just seem to fall into place :) I have a testimony of that.

--JACK

March 21st, 2010... Baptisms!!!

WOW WOW WOW, WOW WOW WOW WOW

Sorry this email is coming in so late today, I as well, have very little time this week!! But lots to say!! It's okay ha ha I'll try to fit it into a letter or something.. I don't know ha. Sounds like things are going really well at home:)

LOTS happened this week. Trials... tests.. obstacles...prayer, fasting, success:) and miracles.

Like I said I don`t have all the time in the world, but, I`ll try to keep it really short.

-Starting off the week, it`s starting to get pretty hot.. and the locals are still saying this is nothing.

-I have pretty huge really painful blisters (ampollas) on both feet, but their starting to turn into caluses(sp?) I think

-Rosario...

Rosario called us and told me over the phone that she most like would not be able to get baptized this week:/ She shared her wonderfully simple and powerful testimony over the phone, but told us she didn't know when she was going to get baptized because her exhusband and her exmother-in-law came out of nowhere and are trying to take away her daughters..that she was going to be in court all week and that she didn't know what she was going to do, and that she'd call us when we could come by her house the next time...

These are all things missionaries never ever everrrr want to hear.(except the testimony, that was awwesome.)

Not very long after.. Elder Cirne and I found ourselves on our knees.. pleading for a miracle. All week we prayed and prayed and prayed -- knowing that if Rosario didn't get baptized this week, the obstacles and problems and everything would just get bigger and bigger and harder and harder. That's just the kind of guy satan is unfortunately.

BUT we still had Sagid, the genius 9 year old. DURING our lesson with Sagid on thursday(preparing him for his baptismal interview), I got a call! It was Rosario, telling us that she had about half an hour, and she needed us to come over that instant. I asked her why, and she told me, ``I need you guys to tell me all the answers to this baptismal interview thing so I can pass tomorrow``

Elder Cirne baptized Sagid (his first baptismal ordinance)

and I baptized Rosario (my first too: )) on Saturday:)

Sometimes it's a little rare... but it is definitely a pretty amazing experience to find someone, get to know them, teach them, watch them progress, gain a testimony, make friends in church, and get baptized.

The gospel is true, and the priesthood is real. I love you all soooooo much. I still cannot believe mary ellen is going to africa... what?.. hippos?... London?... What is this? Disney Channel? I love you to death mar bear.

Emily I am SO jealous!! I'd be more jealous if I hadn`t already seen Arcade Fire:) But I'm pretty darn stinkin jealous still. And with Katie White too! I actually remember the first time I heard Arcade fire was with you, Katie, and the Arron Twins. Oh and Josh and Jessie too! D-DAY! I miss you em.

Back to work,

-Elder Spencer