Segunda Semana Ouch

Elder Facer w/ his mission president and wife, President and Sister Spannaus

well sadly we went two weeks with out baptizing.... elder snyder helped me realize that if our desires are right, and we are dedicating everything we can do to the Lord and his work, we really can baptize every week. well we actually thought we had a random baptism, but he actually fell through. he calls himself Hugo, has 13 years, and seemed really ready, and we found him on thursday. we tried to jump right in and get him baptized because he had already talked with the missionaries about a year ago, had been to church at least 3 times. so he started to prep him, but on friday, he missed our appt., drank coffee that morning, and he is a little messed ùp in the head. so we dont really know if he is actually serious about all that he tells us. so sadly we had to cancel on him...

we also had a little nine year old boy Juanito. his dad is a counselor in the bishopric, but sadly doesnt really have desires to force his son to be baptized. juan just wont decide, because he is terrified of water! who would have thought that simple thing would keep someone back from baptism and eternal salvation.

we got 13 new investigators this week, and again, shockingly, [well not really] almost every single one of those were from member referalls. speaking of one member in particular, her name is isabel. she is incredible and i think has already given us 5 referrals and fed us twice. her son served in torreon, and is now married with one kid. the reason i bring him up, is because i swear on my life: hi is SASQUATCH! its amazing. he is very big, has the long crazy hair, cant talk very well, and keeps appearing out of no where! its so funny. some things that animal planet never told me about sasquatch, is that he is mormon, served a mission, married with one kid, and actually wears a OAXACA poncho every day! if i can every get a picture of him i definately will!

to finish what i was saying about the members, it is sadly kinda just how i expected it on sunday. no offense to any latino who may read this, but the meeting didnt start until 25 after 9, because no one had shown up. hahaha. but at the same time, it was very sad to see that, because also none of our investigators showed up.... well 3 out of 14. one of our chosen families was going to come, but appearantly the jerk super catholic husband wouldnt allow it. we will talk to them tomorrow to see what happened.. it is the mom karina, son luis, and daughter alejandra. they all love the gospel and want to be baptized, but the husband comes every weekend from mexico city. he has at least one other family, and doesnt care too much for this family, but for some reason doesnt want them to be baptized... please pray for him to have a soft heart and be willing to change his mind by the power of the spirit, and the love of our eternal father in heaven. it honestly broke my heart. but at least our baptism for this friday came! her name is ana. she chatted with the missionaries before, but didnt remember a whole lot. but really wanted to be baptized, so we are helping her!

we have other investigators who are doing very well, but because of the marital problems here, no one wants to change and get married to be baptized. people just dont want to spend the money, or the hassel of it, when they feel they are in love. also almost every girl is pregnant at around the age of 15, it is so sad to see that.....

my spanish is improving a lot, but im still not great. i understand about 90%, but just cant respond how i want to, or even know the words. the investigators have commented on my spanish many times that for so short a time, i am doing very well.

most of the members are good, but its so sad to see that they dont fully understand the importance of baptism for a new investigator. they are willing to reach out and be friends, but wont help push anyone to baptism.... we are trying to always show the members we are working our hardest, and we always ask for a referral from every member, and also we are going to start asking investigators who they would like to bring to our next lesson. i think that will be a good thing to do.

mom: to do pictures, i will either need you to send me the camera cord, or i will send the memory card, but remember either way it will take approximately six weeks for me to get it...

sadly, i think i got prideful that i didnt get sick my first week. i have had the mexi-squirts almost all this week, and especially today.... while we were at the super mercado, i threw up like three times. i have felt pretty sick, but at least it has been sunday and p day, so i didnt have to be out contacting or teaching with it. i really just hope that it will go away soon....

thank you tara, emily, and maryjo for the letters! i love to hear how everything is going:]

i love you all! thanks for all you do!!

elder facer