Mexico Pachuca Mission: "...choosing to be changed"

"When you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed."

President Ezra Taft Benson

"Happy Birthday Elder Smart!"

___________________________________________________

Two of our great "Representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ" waiting for their district leader in front of the church gates in a little shaded spot.

____________________________________________________

"Where's Waldo?"

This district of Elders is WAY TOO HAPPY!

Elder Gomez (center) from Tecamac II leads this cute group.

Can you find the missionary who is the English Language Specialist?

Thanks Elder Iverson (far right) for this great undertaking. He tests the native speakers weekly at district meeting on a module in their English Language Study manuals. No small undertaking!

_______________________________________________

"Elder Tippetts and Elder Flores posing for a selfie!" Your house looks good Elders! Thanks so much...

"How are we ever going to get to our next appointment on time at this rate of speed? We really need to ask President about bikes?!"

_____________________________________________

"The greater part of happiness depends on our disposition and not on our circumstances."

Martha Washington

"Doing a little service..."

Our hardworking Elder Katich and Elder Galo were invited over for a little barbacoa lunch by a great investigator. Elder Katich was a little excited and commented on how tasty it truly was... he even said the investigator got a hug of appreciation from two hungry Elders!

______________________________________________

Sometimes it is wise to open at least one eye when brushing your teeth after getting out of bed and saying morning prayers. You might have an extra unexpected friend.

______________________________________________

Elder ___________ here,

There are so many things that I learn in and out of study, for example, I was taught about the beautiful blessing of repentance while I was walking. I was walking off the sidewalk and on a dirt road. I kicked a piece of cactus towards my leg, and I had to stop and pull it out as well as the needles that remained in my leg. It was during my personal study that I reflected on it and was taught of repentance. Some choose to walk off of the sidewalk or safe path and onto a path with cactus. Some may walk through without harm, however being close to danger will inevitably get you in danger. You will most likely kick a cactus towards your leg, thus preventing your progress since you have to deal with it. You have the choice to keep going but imagine the pain you will feel. I testify that it is better to deal with the spiritual pain then and there and to avoid the path that allowed you to endanger yourself....

___________________________________________________

Two more of God's special daughters learning more about the blessings the Gospel has to offer. Our Elders are such a great support to each other. We are so proud of all these Elders and Elder Stephens (center) and his attention to detail as a district leader.

_________________________________________________________

"Inviting others to Come Unto Christ" is why we are all here serving in Pachuca. These moments are precious...

____________________________________________________

Tecamac II Zone Conference-

Tuesday Feb. 25th 2014

No matter who is speaking, our attentive Elders are always so focused and willing to participate. I love how handsome and professional they look in their suits; and how prepared they come mentally, spiritually, and physically.

"An eating Elder -is a happy Elder!"

At each zone conference this cycle we we did a game where each companionship picked one wrapped gift or could steal a gift from another companionship. They were simple things they could use in their homes. It was a quick and fun game... and they always found the joy in whatever they took home. So, if anyone runs out of TP in Tecamac II... just call Elder Ordonez and Elder Iverson for a roll!

Tecama II Zone Conference

Dropping off Elder Martinez and Elder Martinez at their home after zone conference. These two are the perfect picture of "Loving the Work"...

_______________________________________________________

Pachuca Sur Zone Conference- Wednesday Feb 26th 2014

Music always sets the tone for the meeting- and our Sisters are always willing to jump up and lead the group.

Elder Christensen and Elder Barrio well prepared...

"Some missionaries may wonder whether they are in the right place, in the right mission. It is no accident for them to be where they are assigned. The Lord knows the missionaries. He knows their mission presidents. I think He knows who their companions will be. I don't know the detail to which He knows the future, but my impression is He knows a great deal. He calls missionaries to the places they are assigned. So, even when it's difficult, you can have confidence that the Lord knew the difficulty in advance, and just as He assured Nephi that He wouldn't give a commandment save He prepared a way for it to be accomplished, missionaries can have that same assurance, tough as it may be, whatever the situation, that the Lord knew the difficulties would be there. He has prepared a way. Have faith. Go forward."

Elder Henry B Eyring

__________________________________________________

"Elder Stewart and Elder Stucki we love your blue ties!"

"Lovin' our Hermanas!"

________________________________________________

Mexico Pachuca has the BEST Missionaries EVER!!!

Our great missionaries, volunteers, and members are so supportive. What would we do without them?

"Oh My Heavens!!!"

_______________________________________________

Hola muy buenas tardes Presidente

En mi misión eh encontrado muchas personas que necesitan el evangelio que están deseosas de vivirlo y ver cambios positivos en sus vidas

Me gustaría hablar de una de ellas el día de hoy se llama "Juan" quiterio cruz, en una ocasión yo mi compañero y un miembro nos encontrábamos contactando una referencia esta no estaba y ningún plan de respaldo se encontraba en su hogar

Algo fastidiado por el intenso calor seco de Pachuca pude recordar las palabras de presidente cuando nos dijo “si todos sus planes caen deténganse hagan una oración y pidan por revelación al señor para que el pueda iluminar su camino y pueda hacer llegar pensamientos edificantes a su mente y corazón y puedan encontrar a esos vasos escogidos que dios a preparado con mucho amor para recibir este mensaje “

En esa ocasión me sentí como el profeta cuando dijo “sé que si alguien necesitaba sabiduría de dios ese era yo” nos paramos en medio de la calle y yo ofreci la oración diciendo padre hemos hecho lo que tu, nos has pedido ahora necesitamos saber que puerta inspirada es la que deseas que toquemos cuando termine la oracion recuerdo que solo abrí mis ojos y dije:

ESA ES LA CASA era una casa rosa que se encontraba a 50 metros de donde estábamos situados lo medite y toque la puerta y en el momento presiso y en la hora precisa un señor canoso de unos 45 años abrió su puerta y nos dijo que desean:

Yo con valor y con el poder que se me había dado de lo alto le dije SOMOS REPRESENTANTES DE JESUCRISTO Y SABEMOS QUE SI USTED

ESCUCHA ESTO QUE COMPARTIMOS LE BENDECIRA A USTED Y A SU FAMILIA

El dijo con una voz entre cortada ”SI LO SE PASEN”

El día de hoy pasamos y me sorprendí mucho mas ya que si había pensado que el era un escogido hoy lo corrobore estábamos compartiendo la restauración del evangelio de Jesucristo y enseñábamos a el la parte de los profetas y las dispensaciones cuando el nos preguntó:

USTEDES CREEN QUE DIOS HOY SE COMUNICA CON LOS HOMBRES mi compañero y yo nos vimos a lo ojos y testificamos que si pero lo mejor fue cuando compartimos el libro de mormón a el, juan compartió con nosotros que el sabia que Jesucristo no solo podía haberse comunicado con los habitantes de Jerusalén y no solo podía el compartir su evangelio a los del viejo continente y recito de memoria un pasaje que dice:

TAMBIÉN TENGO OTRAS OVEJAS QUE NOS SON DE ESTE REDI AQUELLAS TAMBIEN DEBO YO TRAER Y OIRAN MI VOZ Y HABRA UN REBAÑO Y UN PASTOR

Era evidente el era un vaso escogido del señor y el necesitaba escuchar estas cosas que nosotros compartimos le invitamos a leer el libro a meditar el contenido en su corazón y a orar para saber si era verdadero el nos dijo muchas gracias yo necesitaba esto

Testifico que hay personas esperándole para que usted habrá su boca y comparta con ellos lo que sabe que les va a bendecir ya que ellos necesitan esas mismas bendiciones que usted recibe pero ellos no saben solos como encontrar la verdad le invito a orar para pedir revelación a dios para encontrar a estas personas estos hijos de dios que merecen ser bendecidos de la misma manera que lo es usted es mi oración y suplica en el nombre de Jesucristo amen.

le deseo una excelente semana y saludos a hermana egbert hasta luego les amo bie

TRANSLATED

Hi good afternoon President,

In the mission I found many people who need the gospel and who are willing to live and see positive changes in their lives. I would like to tell you about one of them today- his name is Juan. On one occasion my companion and I along with a member were trying to contact a reference, but they were not home and either was our back up plan.
Somewhat annoyed by the intense dry heat of Pachuca - I in a moment remembered the words of you President when you said " If all your plans fall through- Stop- say a prayer and ask the Lord for revelation so he can light your way and uplift your thoughts so you can do what it needed with all your mind and heart; that you may find those chosen vessels that God has prepared with much love for this message "

At that time I felt like the prophet when he said " I know that if someone needed wisdom from God that was me ". So we stood in the middle of the street and offered prayer saying "Father we have done what you have asked- now we need to know through inspiration what door you want us to knock." When we finished the prayer- I remember that I just opened my eyes and said :
"THAT IS THE HOUSE"- which was a pink house that was 50 meters from where we were situated. Immediately we knocked on the door and when a gray-haired man of about 45 years old opened his door and asked us what we wanted.
So as missionaries with value and power from above I told him "WE ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF JESUS CHRIST AND WE KNOW THAT IF YOU LISTEN TO THE MESSAGE WE HAVE TO SHARE IT WILL BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY."

He responded in a soft voice. " I know, come in".

We started teaching him and he asked us. " Do you today BELIEVE THAT GOD IS COMMUNICATING WITH MEN?" My companion and I looked in his eyes and testified that yes we do and we testified of the Book of Mormon. Juan shared with us that he knew only Jesus Christ could have communicated with the inhabitants of Jerusalem and could only share his gospel to the old continent and recite from memory a passage that says:

I ALSO HAVE OTHER SHEEP THAT ARE THOSE OF THIS FOLD also I must bring and they shall hear MY VOICE AND BE ONE FLOCK AND ONE SHEPHERD.

It was obvious Juan was a chosen vessel of the Lord and that he needed to hear these things we had to share. We invited him to read the Book of Mormon and to reflect the content of the book and then to pray with all his heart to know if it was true. He told us he would and thanked us very much.

I testify that there are people waiting for us to open our mouths. I know it will bless them as they need those same blessings that you receive when you find the truth. I know if we ask our Heavenly Father he will guide us to these children of God who need the blessings of the Gospel.

I wish you a great week and greetings to sister Egbert . bye love Elder C

Pachuca Sur Zone Conference February 26th 2014

__________________________________________________________

Tezontepec Zone Conference - Thursday February 27th 2014

Zone Leaders Elder Esteves and Elder Unamuno had everything set up and beautifully ready for our arrival. A great spirit in this zone conference.

Tezontepec is our newest and smallest zone at this time; but has incredible missionaries with supportive ward/branch leaders who attended and participated. Stake President Lozano insisted on providing lunch for the entire group; he is the most involved and supportive servant of the Lord. We so appreciate all he does and gives so unselfishly. He always comments, "No, Hermana Egbert, this is a blessing for my family." He just in the last 4 weeks sent his two middle daughters out on missions in the world. Those missions will be blessed by the service of these two outstanding young women!

"I just love the expressions on the missionaries faces..."

"Lunch has arrived!"

"Elder Tippetts is ALIVE!" (rt). I was so glad to see him in person at Zone Conference. His first and second week in the mission was rough as he ate something bad that about killed him. Never a complaint, rather just pulled up his boot straps and did what he had to do to stay alive and keep the work moving forward in his area. President and I so grateful for his good companion Elder Mora, for his recovery, great attitude, wonderful faith and work ethic.

These missionaries are so brave and eat anything and everything...

"I'm wondering, how quickly we can get all of us some kind of mental evaluation? Look at us....You should be worried at home!!!"

Tezontepec Zone Conference February 2014

"President, Don't leave me here with this crazy companion!"

These two are actually amazing zone leaders who are very conscientious of their responsibilities and the missionaries in their care. We love you both!