Monday, July 24, 2016

Hey Guys!!!

Good to hear there will still be a chance for me to work in the hot sun! I was going to miss that!

You may notice that I took some money out of the account we have set up... a couple of reasons. One, we are helping to cover a part of the cost for a couple that is going to get married.

And two.. 

I went to TAJIN!

Sorry there wasn't really a chance to ask permission from you guys. But its a world heritage site, and its in the one city of the mission I was never in. I got permission from the President to go and I figured it was worth a little extra spending. I took a ton of pictures haha!

We were working a lot this week, and not everything came out how we had hoped... there were 5 people on their way to getting baptized on the 7th, my last Sunday in the mission, but they didn't make it to church. Two of them still could get baptized before I go home though, if they can commit a little bit more seriously to attend church!

We had a baptism this week. I don't know if I mentioned that two of my converts and two other recent converts received the Melchizedek Priesthood a while back, but anyway, they were there too and are going strong.

​Ariana has been going to church for quite some time. Her mom can't get baptized because her husband has stopped listening to us and they aren't married. Her niece goes to church but can't get baptized either because her mom has only gone once thanks to the fact that she works on Sundays, and since she is only 11, she can't get baptized without her parents (new rule). But Ariana was excited to be able to be the first person in her family to take this step! She's changed a lot, and her family too!

Also... my missing tooth made its appearance...

​So that made for a weird experience last night. Thankfully my gum doesn't hurt any more...

Monday, July 18, 2016

[Note: items in blue brackets have been added for clarification]

Hey guys!

Having a good time and working like crazy, got my last hair cut and we're doing our best. I just finished the essay for that seminar and all of this paperwork! [for Princeton] Gah, it ate up all my time and now we're cutting into my work time! Sorry I can't write more but I will see you soon anyway!!! Love you guys!

This week we worked like crazy and no one came to church. BUT we have two couples who have decided to get married so that they can live the commanments, and theres still time for one of the couples to get baptized before I get home! 

Love you tons, sorry I can't write more!

Elder Wadman

Monday, July 11, 2016

[Note: items in blue brackets have been added for clarification]

Hey guys!

Glad to hear things went well for Kate and it looks like she has a really nice place!!! [referring to Kate finding an apartment in NY]

Also nice to hear about a talk from someone from the Ward that I actually know! The Hursts have always been a great example for me.

I had a pretty busy week too. We decided to try and complete the 'nomas de excelencia' of the misión [standards of excellence 'of the mission], which basically means we were running like crazy people all week trying to teach enough lessons and find enough new investigators. We managed to reach the goals in every category except lessons with a member, where we were two lessons short. This week we're going to get there, don't you worry!!!

Letter to Bishop Utsch 7-4-16

Bishop Utsch,

I'm doing great! I'm here in my fifth area. It's the only small branch that I've served in here in the mission, but the work is really fulfilling. The branch President lives in another ward about 2 hours away, so during the week, we're about all there is to help the members to learn and live the Gospel. I really, honestly love these people and I can´t even imagine having to get home and not being able to spend all day looking for people who are ready to accept the Gospel. 

These last few months have been challenging, it´s difficult to see that even with experience and hard work, things don't always come out the way that one hopes for the families that they teach. I'm happy and doing everything I can to serve these people, but it's definitely an uphill battle, and failure hurts a lot more when you know there isn't as much time to make up for it anymore.

Next fast Sunday is the day I have marked off to actually fast for myself, for guidance and help to set goals for the next stage of my life. Until then, I have work to do!!!

Thank you for the support and encouragement, I'm excited to see the ward family again!

Until then,

Elder Wadman

Monday, July 4, 2016

[Note: items in blue brackets have been added for clarification]

Hey guys! Thanks for the [pre-mission] pictures! Wow I really got lazy about cutting my hair sometimes, didn't I??

This week went really well! The members have been a big help and we're doing what we can to get things done the right way. Some of the investigators that have a lot of attendences in church fell through this week, but we're going to see if we can get them excited again. Super excited to hear that Ryan is headed off on a mission. The work that family history missionaries do is SOOO IMPORTANT! And if I have to shovel rock [with Dad] in summer, I'm all for it!

My new companion, Elder Flores, is a great help and I'm really glad to know that he is my last (16th) companion, because we get along well and work a lot :) Lets hope that that means we can change some lives too!!!

Monday, June 27, 2016

Hey Guys!

IM STAYING IN VEGA!!

It's official, I am in my last change in my 5th and final area of the mission. My companion, Elder Flores, arrives tomorrow. Elder Cáceres is going to Xalapa with a good friend of mine. I have 6 weeks to make the absolute most of every minute I have to build God's kingdom!

It's been a great week. We were running around fixing up the new house of prayer, which is actually very old because the original owner was a general in the Mexican revolution. We repainted, stained some doors, and everything. We sent 14 members to the temple on Saturday, and when they got back a handful of them stuck around to help us clean.

I also have a little story. If you remember the families that we baptized a couple of months ago, you might remember a 14 year old boy named Octavio. He's a little bit wild, but I get along really well with him and he goes to church EVERY SUNDAY even if his parents can't make it. He got home late because he was helping paint some doors in the house of prayer after the temple trip, and the branch president asked his mom to forgive them.

His mom said that there was no problem, that she was just happy that her son had been able to live his dream. She said that every night since we had left him a picture of the temple, that he had kept it under his pillow, and was waiting for the day that he would be able to go to the temple.

Yeah, it was a good week.

Lots of love,

Elder Wadman