"Regarding one's testimony..."

"Regarding one's testimony, remember, that which one willingly shares he keeps, while that which he selfishly keeps he loses... Teach and testify. There is no better combination."

Thomas S Monson 1973

________________________________________________________________________

More moments from Pachuca.....

Lovin' this zone...

Under every shirt and tie is a hidden "Super Man" of a missionary. 

Elder Mendoza

 "Seriously Elders... WE wanted the refreshing smelly plug ins !"

____________________________________

"We have the most amazing leaders in the mission always checking up on their sheep..."  Lft-Rt : Elder Rubio, Elder Carlson, Elder Cardon (Zone Leader), Elder Caballero (Presidents Assistant)  

_________________________________________

HOLA PRESIDENTE COMO ESTA?

SE QUE BIEN. BUENO PUES ESTOY AGRADECIDO POR ESTAR AQUI Y TENER LA OPORTUNIDAD DE ESCRIBIRLE, PUES ESTA SEMANA FUE MUY BUENA, PUDIMOS LOGRAR 40 LECCIONES, Y LA VERDAD PENSÉ QUE EN ESTA AREA NO IBA A PODER HACER ESO, Y BUENO YA ME QUITE ESOS PENSAMIENTOS DE LA MENTE, LA VERDAD TAMBIEN FUE BIEN PADRE PORQUE TODOS LOS QUE VISITABAMOS ESTABAN COSA QUE AVECES NO ES POSIBLE, ADEMAS EH ESTADO PRACTICANDO MUCHO EL MANDAMIENTO DE HABLAR CON TODOS Y LO EH ECHO CON CASI LA MAYORIA DE LAS PERSONAS CON LAS QUE PODEMOS HACERLO, SE QUE AUN ME FALTA MEJORAR, PERO YA ESTOY VIENDO RESULTADOS, EHMOS CONTACTADO A UNA INVESTIGADORA, ESTABAMOS BUSCANDO A MENOS ACTIVOS DE LAS LISTAS, Y CUANDO VAMOS A UNA CASA Y NOS DICEN QUE YA NO VIVEN AHI IGUAL LES CONTACTAMOS Y HAN ACEPTADO. HEMOS OBTENIDO 3 REFERENCIAS DE ELLO, Y TRABAJAREMOS CON ELLOS MAS FUERTE ESTA SEMANA. IGUAL ESTA SEMANA SALIMOS A VISITAR CON EL PRESIDENTE DE RAMA, QUEREMOS AYUDARLE A LEVANTARSE DEL POLVO Y SEGUIR CON LOS ANIMOS QUE EN ALGUN MOMENTO TUVO, ESTUVIMOS ANIMANDOLO Y EL EL DOMINGO QUE LLEGÓ SE VIO UNA ACTITUD DIFERENTE DE PARTE DE EL ESO ME GUSTÓ MUCHO Y EL ESTA ANIMADO POR HACERLO ESTA SEMANA, LO HAREMOS EL SABADO, Y SIEMPRE LE HABIAMOS INVITADO A ACOMPAÑARNOS PERO EL ESTA SEMANA ACEPTÓ Y AHORA SIENTO QUE NOS TIENE MAS CONFIANZA. EN VERDAD CADA DIA QUE PASA ME GUSTA LO QUE APRENDO, Y BUENO ESPERO Y ESTE MUY BIEN PRESIDENTE SALUDOS :) Elder S

_________________________________________________

Remembering our purpose is to bring souls to Christ...

 This sweet sister was baptized by her husband... the baptismal service was wonderful and well supported by the ward. Kudos to these two amazing missionaries!

 Elder Almaraz and Elder Caballero taking report Sunday night in the office and still smiling.....

______________________________________________

This District of Missionaries knows how to work hard and make every second count ... we have some of the highest numbers of lessons taught coming from this group. They are EFFICIENT and EFFECTIVE!

__________________________________________

"Ahhh.... transfers are coming this week"- hard to say if these two will be together much longer. Elder Stewart has trained Elder Medina and they have worked hard together the last three cycles. Saturday night March 15th they assisted the sisters in their district with their baptismal service. A total of 6 investigators were baptized. Impressed!

Job well done...

So look what I found early in the morning? Two of our awesome Elders all ready to go... they met me at their front gates just before study time was over so I could drop off some blueberry muffins. I was headed to do a couple of house visits- they promised me their house looked amazing....

___________________________________________________

 Elder Cruz and Elder Heninger looking sharp and professional. I dropped them off a book shelf and their house looked great. Then off to their first appointment they went which was rescheduled- so they went to a home to do service. So proud of these Elders. 

______________________________________________

These sisters are great examples of

 "Loving the Lord and Serving Him the very best they can"

Elder De La Cruz (our first born in the mission) and Elder Beck waiting at the church gates for the other set of Elders to bring the keys. District meeting in Zumango- house checks- and homemade chocolate chip cookies... I really enjoyed Elder Becks meeting today and I now know why I went there to visit. As there was something taught/discussed that I needed to hear... it helped me to re-evaluate my work here in the mission and motivated me to be better.

PRACTICES- PRACTICES- PRACTICES  

But they really do help -even though they are dreaded...

 President 

So one my favorite experiences this week was teaching the _____________ family. This Family is super great and practically golden. Unfortunately they like coffee a lot and one of them likes to drink beer and smoke a little bit. But I feel like we helped them put a stop to that this last Saturday night:) So we taught the Word of Wisdom, it was really good and they were all on board to drop everything, until I said that they needed to stop it now :) I told them that if they were really committed to this commandment of God then we would take out all the substances of their house right then and there. They hesitantly agreed, and so then I proceeded to say, alright, go and get the coffee and alcohol then! They went and got it and we went outside. As the family poured out these toxic substances on the ground in front of their house I felt a load of joy come to me as I saw them taking the first steps...  what a great calling I have!!:)

Elder P

 Look at this group? Do I even worry one day about the work in Zumpango? NOT... and their houses inside looked awesome!!!

______________________________________________

President Egbert- Elder Caballero - Elder Almaraz

_________________________________________________________

HOLA PRESIDENTE BUENAS TARDES. 

TENGO MUCHAS GRATAS EXPERIENCIAS DUARNTE ESTA SEMANA!, LA OBRA MISIONAL ES LO MEJOR UQE HA PODIDO PASARME, SE UQE CADA DIA QUE EL SEÑOR ME DA EL LA MISION MEXICO PACHUCA ES UNA BENDICION, LO BUENO LO MALO LAS RISAS Y LOS MOMENTOS MALOS, TODO, SE QUE ESTOY DONDE DIOS ME NECESITA. 

DURANTE ESTOS DIAS HE DADO GRACIAS POR MIS LIDERES DE ZONA, LIDERE DE DISTRITO Y COMPAÑEROS, ELLOS ME ANIMAN A SER MEJOR Y NOS COLOCAMOS METAS ALCANZABLES, TODOS LOS DIAS DESCUBRO CON MAS RAZON Y CLARIDAD ANTE MIS OJOS QUE SOMOS UNA GRAN FAMILIA. 

EL DIA DE HOY QUIERO CONTARLE QUE HE DESCUBIERTO EL AMOR PURO DE CRISTO EN ESTOS DIAS. TENGO UN GRAN TESTIMONIO DE LA ORACION Y LA FORMA EN QUE DIOS CONTESTA NUESTRAS ORACIONES. SE QUE DIOS NOS CUIDA EN TODO MOMENTO Y QUE LA MISION NUNCA SERA SENCILLA PERO SE QUE SIEMPRE SERA LO QUE DIOS QUIERE QUE SEA. 

ESTOY MUY FELIZ DEL AREA EN LA QUE ESTOY TENGO UNA EXCELENTE COMPAÑERA QUE ME AYUDA A SABER LO QUE TENGO QUE MEJORAR Y QUE SIEMPRE ESTA CONMIGO PARA TODO, ESTOY FELIZ MUY FELIZ. DURANTE LA MISION HE CONOCIDO A UNA HERMANA LUNA DIFERENTE. DIFERENTE A LA QUE HABIA CONOCIDO ANTES PERO ¿SABE QUE PRESIDENTE? ME ENCANTA.

YA NO SOY LA MISMA DE ANTES Y NO PUEDO SERLO NUNCA MAS. SE LA RAZON POR LA QUE VIVO Y QUIEN DIRIGE MIS PASOS, SE QUE DIOS HIZO PROMESAS CON CADA MISIONERO EN LA MISION MEXICO PACHUCA,Y QUE SOLOS LOGRAMOS POCO PERO UNIENDO FUERZAS Y BUSCANDO LAS PROMESAS INDIVIDUALES LOGRAREMOS EXITOS GRUPALES! 

AMO LA MISION Y AMIS PADRES DE LA MISION (PRESIDENTE EGBERT Y HERMANA EGBERT) CON UNA AMOR SINCERO, GRACIAS POR SUS ANIMOS Y CONFIANZA, NO LO DEFRAUDAREMOS. QUE TENGA UNA EXCELENTE SEMANA. Hermana L

________________________________________________________

"Servants of the Lord" 

Serving up the Gospel of Jesus Christ... Its message can and will change each individuals personal circumstance.

Hermana Contreras and Hermana Luna

____________________________________________

Presidente, está semana, ha sido muy muy interesante, nuestros progresos, aumentan, y aun que nuestras debilidades siguen ahí y los ataques de Satanás son continuos, por más que caigamos, siempre estaremos yo y mi compañero dispuestos a levantarnos, adoro el inglés porque es otra manera de expresar mis sentimientos, y adoro la palabra "ARISE" que aun que se lo que significa en inglés suena más potente y más exhortador.

He pensado mucho en como nos llama desde que llegó a México, nos dice que somos familia, y nos llama hijos e hijas de la misión, y eso me recuerda no sé porque mucho a Helaman y sus 2000 guerreros, y quiero pensar que un día llegaremos a ser tan fuertes como ese gran ejercito lamanita, y tener gran confianza en nuestro capitán, nuestro padre, para atender con toda diligencia sus ordenes, ejecutarlas con tanta destreza y conseguir el éxito en está terrible guerra espiritual, que aun que el éxito ya está predicho, una gran ayuda de una gran obediencia con exactitud tendrá parte en ello.

Pero recuerdo que aun que esos guerreros fueron invencibles, recibieron muchas heridas (Alma 58:40) "Más he aquí, han recibido muchas heridas; no obstante permanecen firmes en esa libertad con la que Dios los ha hecho libres; y son diligentes en acordarse del Señor su Dios día en día... y su fe es fuerte en las profecías concernientes a lo que está por venir"

En estás últimas conferencias, capacitaciones, nos ha enseñado que grandes milagros, y grandes progresos vienen en camino, muchos ya se están viendo y mantenemos esa fe, en lo que usted nos ha dicho y en lo que podemos llegar a ser, y hacer, en está gran obra, Presidente, he recibido muchas heridas a pesar de eso, trato de seguir siendo fuerte, y mantener mi fe en lo alto, y me ha ayudado, mis heridas tal vez fueron profundas, pero aun estoy dispuesto a pelear hasta el fin de mi batalla, sí es necesario dar la vida por aquellos que me necesitan, y gracias por curar mis heridas y el estar pendiente a mi necesidades.

Puedo prometer que pelearé hasta el final con esa fe con la que fui criado, y fe en las profecías concernientes a lo que esta por venir.

Love you Elder M.

_______________________________________________________

A little peek in the church cultural hall... they wanted professionals, so I guess that's why I wasn't out there. Beautiful people with a beautiful culture and I am feeling blessed to serve here in Pachuca, Mexico.

Elder Rogel is that you? Elder Castro?  Oh my!!!

 I think these are my super heroes... I'll take the one in the middle too.

____________________________________________________________

Are you guys even supposed to be up there? 

 Spending some quality time together on Monday afternoon....

 "The field is white and ready to harvest..." Our missionaries are contemplating the power of prayer for the spiritual sensitivity to recognize opportunities. They are building more reservoirs of courage to open their mouths and to share the good news of the Gospel.

___________________________

This baptism of Elder Katich and Elder Galo was a sweet experience. Our amazing Elders doing a little happy jig.... This is Jennifer who got baptized and is the daughter of two of their investigators. However, her brother (pictured right) just returned from his mission and baptized her! It doesn't get any sweeter than that according to Elder Katich... the Dad and Mom may soon follow...

9 year old Luis Angel (above) though small in stature is mighty in spirit. He was baptized tonight (Sunday- March 15th). The primary children below sang a beautiful song, and the Elders were highly involved in this wonderful event where the spirit touched by heart. I had tears in my eyes because of the music, teaching, and testimonies shared by others.  I rate it in the top 5 of organized/well done baptisms that I have had the privilege to attend. His little tie was cut and adjusted to fit him... so cute.... 

Nice Job Elder Cruz/Elder Heninger.

__________________________________________

<<< NO COMMENT NEEDED HERE >>> but...

Are we sure these are our missionaries? 

Yep.. I checked. They are!!!

"Seriously? Who would have thought that a drivers education program exists in this part of the World?" No other comment needed here either... as your kids can explain about the driving here in Mexico...

________________________________________

"...so we have this one investigator..." 

I think that's how the conversation was going in Spanish. We love Elder Mora and Elder Tippetts who work so hard and are so obedient. Their ward today was very impressive... we are sending a second companionship to this area on Tuesday to help them with the Work of Salvation.

______________________________________________________

President and I had the opportunity to attend the baptismal service of Hermana Palacios and Hermana Peterson. (Second set of sisters on the left). They had 5 investigators baptized tonight and it was a packed house with lots of ward support. Other missionaries from their district and the two assistants sang a beautiful hymn to support these darling sisters. One hour before this service Elder Stucki and Elder Pena had one investigator baptized... What a wonderful evening... 6 investigators baptized in one font in one night! Let me remind you that these are real converts we are working for and all have attended church 5 Sundays before baptisms are scheduled.

___________________________________________

This almost looks like the highway dept at home...

 One working and the other ones are quality control... Sunday night before transfers and all is well in Pachuca Mexico.

__________________________________

Hola,

So this week went by fast, this cycle is going by fast. This week we went and visited a lady and her 2 kids. This ladies 2 year old said "hi hi hi" to us one day as we were walking down the street. We both decided to talk to her and asked if we could share a message. This happened 2 weeks ago; but on Saturday we finally got to have a lesson. She told us a story of the day we contacted her and how she was praying. She wants her kids to choose if they want to be baptized. 10 minutes before we walked down her street we said a prayer in the street because all our appointments fell through. She then told us we were an answer to her prayers. It truly was amazing and I learned that the scripture that talks about us being the ones that deal with their sins if we don't preach to them. I realized if we weren't being obedient or working hard and doing all we could -we never would have had the inspiration to stop and talk to them. When i understood that i realized how important it truly is, it doesn't just affect us it affects the people who we could come in contact with that are ready to hear the gospel. Its peoples salvation on the line and its up to us to help them. It was a great day and a great week. thanks for all you do and will do. Love Elder R

_____________________________________________________

"Find Them That Will Receive You."

______________________________________________________-

hola buenas tardes presidente como esta?

por aca todo va muy muy bien! esta semana que paso fue excelente!!! encontramos muchisimas personas para enseñar... es bien padre como el señor nos va guiando a sus escogidos... :D en esta semana ibamos caminando una noche mi compañero y yo... y pues estabamos buscando a una referencia que nos dieron... era en un lugar como a 30 minutos de nuestra casa... entonces vimos a unas personas caminando por ahi... fuimos con ellos y les preguntamos la direccion y ya nos dijeron que no sabian donde era... entonces aprovechamos para hablarles y contactarles y ya nos dijeron pues si quiere platicamos en lo que llegamos a la casa... y ya fuimos platicando con ellos todo el camino... y ya como que ellos se querian deshacer de nosotros jaja! y dijeron... pero mire puede preguntar a esa señora... quiza ella sepa donde es... entonces fuimos con esa señora y tampoco sabia... pero tambien le contactamos a ella... y ella acepto que pudieramos ir a visitarle otro dia... como a los 2 dias fuimos a la cita con ella y resulta que no estaba... pero habia un señor a lado que estaba trabajando... lo contactamos y lo invitamos a escuchar.... y el acepto!!!! lo hemos visitado 2 veces, el y su familia son unos campeones...!!! ya tienen una fecha bautismal para el prox mes! cumplen con todo lo que invitamos a hacer! son excelentees!!! me doy cuenta que cuando hacemos nuestra parte el señor nos bendice y nos brinda las personas que el esta preparando! estoy bien contento por esoo y se que el señor puede bendecirnos mas si seguimos obedeciendo al espiritu y abriendo nuestra boca. gracias presidente por la vision que nos ayuda a adoptar y ejercitar en nuestra obra diaria. espero que sea una buena semana para usted y estamos seguros que tambien lo sera para nosotros. gracias por todo.

Elder C

name them one by one...

Count your many blessings- name them one by one...

President and I have so much to be grateful for as we experience this time in the mission with amazing young women and young men from all over the world who are serving unselfishly for 18-24 months as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.We along with these Elders and Sisters are learning and growing as individuals and representatives of our Savior Jesus Christ. In this last cycle of zone conferences we have encouraged them to be bold- to open their mouths and share the good news of the Gospel that has the power to improve everyone's personal circumstances. We encourage you at home to consider what you can do to move the Work of Salvation forward in your small corner of the world. Have you invited a neighbor to church, do you do your home teaching/visiting teaching faithfully, have you gone with the missionaries serving in your area to teach investigators, have you invited friends or neighbors over for a family home evening, or have you borne your testimony to someone less active? I truly believe that if our missionaries are obedient, diligent, and are faithfully working coupled with members who are willing to assist that the work will move forward at a significant pace. I testify that if we seek for personal inspiration and ask for help that we will find courage, become more bold, that we will make and find opportunities to share the "good news" and that our personal efforts will mean something.

Sunday- March 2nd, 2014 headed into the St. Augustine Church building....Notice the brave little girl who played for the entire meeting.... so impressed! Our oldest daughters family that came to visit were quite impressed.

Monday- March 3rd 2014 we headed to the dinosaur park for an hour with the little grandsons. Oh it was so worth the $10 pesos to get in.... Yes- for all 6 of us to enter was the equivalent of like $4.00 US. Can't beat that for a mini theme park! Only in this great country of MEXICO! Loved it!!!

Tuesday we went to a little zoo that is close to Pachuca. They have an amazing variety of animals... I was impressed. Most looked like they are starving- as the "straw" they feed them lacks the nutrition they need but little Tucker (4 yrs) and Tatum (23 months) loved it as much as we did. They were fascinated with feeding the giraffe carrots. 

Monday afternoon we invited a couple of missionary companionship's who live close over to the mission home to have a hamburger and to meet our kids. We wanted our family to see what amazing missionaries we have here in the Mexico Pachuca Mission. They said they could see why we say, "We have the BEST in the WORLD". They were able to spend some time with Elder Smart and Elder Lopez on Sunday at church, others on Monday at the BBQ and they met a few additional missionaries in the office on Tuesday morning while a few were waiting for their companions for VISA renewals. Our daughter Tia Marie verbalized "Your sisters are so cute!"- I know, I totally agree!!!!

 President did a great job on the burgers and the Elders patiently played with Tucker and Tatum... 

 The sisters were troopers running around the yard chasing the little boys and retrieving plastic balls... Tucker said he wants to be a missionary in MEXICO!!!

 "Simply delicious..."

 Tucker helped make a delicious chocolate cake so he wanted to squeeze the whipped cream on top and pass it out..... "Good job Tucker!"

 I think Elder Reese (left) is putting a few pounds back on after that rough start in the mission.... he was a trooper! I agree-its obvious huh... Elder Beesley and Elder Reese together as companions looks like way too much fun!!! Elder Caballero is smart tucking his tie in his shirt so sauce doesn't spill down it... I wished we could have had our family meet every missionary.

 Elder Caballero trying to keep up with Tatum and save him at the same time from getting conked on the noggin' from Tuckers baseball bat! Thanks Elder for your help... and Elder Jones having high hopes Tucker can hit the ball that far!

 Oh when it comes to Ping-pong and soccer these kids are serious players... the girls hold their own... no mercy shown there!

 "Boys will be boys"- in 10 minutes a serious game with strategy and sweat ensued. Gotta love it!

 Headed back to their areas... as those two hours went by way too fast. We are missing Elder Contreras and Elder Hernandez as they jumped in the car just ahead of this picture with our office couple for a ride closer to their area. You can tell how Tucker felt about the ten missionaries he hung out with today! That smile can't get any bigger-

__________________________________________

Pachuca Mex -Nuevo Hidalgo 

House visit to Elder Beesely and Elder Reeses' home away from home....

 The sunglasses are way cooler...

 Our missionaries are the most happy and positive kids in all the world...

 Still wouldn't trade a one of them!

______________________________________________________

Family-time: PRICELESS

Wednesday Morning- Good byes at the airport... never easy. Bitter sweet really; maybe another visit next year here to Mexico. Tucker said he would stay with us here in Mexico forever if he could have his bike. I told him no problem we can find him little friends, a pre-school, and a bike. What else do you need at 4 yrs old?

"Are you pretending to work?"

President back to work answering emails, phone calls, and contemplating the upcoming transfers...  I told one of our friends serving in a Mexico City Mission that a few weeks ago this was our theme for the WEEK ... 

"Our mission is one tent short of a full blown circus!"  

 ...she emailed me back saying the following week they had all the tents! Thank goodness we can all have a good laugh when the stress level gets a little elevated!

_______________________________________________

Thursday- Mission Leadership Training 

Breakfast of cheesy eggs, bacon, and blueberry muffins.... training... and then lunch served of homemade sloppy joes, green salad, and cream-cheese brownies. I'm not sure what my favorite part of this monthly meeting is... I love having the zone leaders and sister leader trainers in the house. I dread the day we grow too big and won't have enough room in the mission home. They squeeze in perfect for now... keeping our fingers crossed....Sorry for the terrible picture- my fault as I thought the camera sitting on the ironing board on top of a Styrofoam cooler would be high enough. But- we are not seeing Elder Esteves and Elder Vaquez very well.... sorry Elders. Plan "B" next time.

Training today focused on increased quality practices in all training's and helping missionaries learn to really "listen" when teaching- what are the individuals needs? 

_______________________________________________

Friday - Pachuca Sur Zone Capacitation- 

What a great group of missionaries. The Zone Leaders commented when I asked them how they felt about the training that  "it went well". Special thanks to all the zones that had their training today. I can't be everywhere... so I apologize for not having pictures from the other groups. This specific training occurs the day after the Leadership training as the Zone Leaders return to their areas and train their missionaries.

_____________________________________

Moments captured...

our missionaries always look so professional

So... if I was walking down a street in Mexico and saw these two handsome, happy, and intelligent young men I would stop to listen to the message they had to share. Wouldn't you? Elder Ellis ( An amazing new missionary 5 wks in country) and Elder Ceballos ( President's recent assistant who goes home in one week- and is training Elder Ellis his last cycle). What a perfect match they have been. A testament to the fact our Heavenly Father has his hand in every part of what takes place here in the mission. Our new missionaries have been paired up with trainers who have been perfect for their needs. This next transfer (in one week) will put a lot of pressure on our sister missionaries who are going to be training. As we have 24 sisters right now... many of those sister leader trainers who are not available to train and we have 12 new sisters coming next Monday. We have complete faith and confidence in all our sisters to step up to the plate, train these new sisters and open new areas- even though some of them have only been here 5 weeks themselves. Extra prayers sent this way for these missionaries are always appreciated as it is no easy task! 

________________________________________________

 A little Monday afternoon pizza/soccer...

________________________________________________

"Check out that Mexico Sunset!"

_______________________________________________

"Serving every day of their mission in such a way that when they get out of bed every morning, Satan says, 'Oh no...SHE's AWAKE!"

 Abigail's baptism in the Pachiquilla Ward with Hermana Contreras and Hermana Dominguez. 

____________________________________________

"No missionary can determine the lasting effects of his or her labors."

Elder Richard G Scott

 Elder Perez and Elder Gomez using their P-Day for service. 

What a wonderful example they are ... thank you Elders.

 We barely fit on this couch with all these furry friends....

 Shopping on P-Day at Wal-Mart for the weeks groceries...

 Gotta love these prepared missionaries!

__________________________________________

Elder Esteves and Elder Unamuno ... "Enjoying the Mission"