Monday, August 8, 2016

Hey guys!!

Can't handle the bundle of emotions that are flying around. We had a wedding on Wednesday, and the couple is going to get baptized next Sunday. Eleven Investigators came to church and there was attendance of 43 in the branch. Nine of my eleven converts made it to church. Well I say eleven of thirteen because the couple that's getting baptized is super excited and prepared.

It's been a time for a lot of goodbyes, and it starts to sink in that I won't walk these streets anymore, and I won't plan how many lessons I'm going to teach either.. or references contacted.

I love you guys and I'm excited to see you. 

I did everything I could out here, I gave all I could, and I couldn't be happier. Or more sad to say goodbye.

See you on Wednesday!

Elder Wadman

Monday, August 1, 2016

Hey guys!

Glad to hear things went well with the rocks! I had a white shirt and tie all ready to go out and work in the sun (I've gotten pretty used to the uniform), or maybe I could burn off some of my missionary tan lines and have an excuse to buy non-dress pants that are my size...

Haha I imagine that all of the weird animated animals with funny names that are on all of the bread products in the stores are probably from the movie that you guys saw.. that's about the only way I inform myself about the real world - ads on junk food... Not that I buy that.. I just see it...

But actually, because there is not money for junk food.

The reality that my mission is coming to an end finally starts to sink in :(. The couple that is getting married this week couldn't make it to church. They killed a pig to celebrate their wedding, but when they got up early to start it was raining and they couldn't get the fire started very early. That meant that they ran late and couldn't leave the thing half done and didn't go to church. They are still on track to get married and baptized, but the baptism will most likely be my first Sunday at home. It's sad to know that I won't be able to be there when they take this step, but I'm glad to know that with or without me they are ready to make a change in their lives, and that there is more than one family that I've been teaching that will likely be baptized in the weeks and months that come. What more can I ask for?

We worked like crazy, as always, and 5 people made it to church for the first time. What a great blessing.

On Thursday we sent 7 youth from Vega to a conference in Martinez. 2 are my converts, 2 are investigating the church, and 2 are recent converts, and 1 was the branch presidents son. They had a great experience, and stayed with the branch president the days of the conference since he lives in Martinez. We got a chance as missionaries to divide the 120 youth and take them to visit less active youth and invite them to the conference. I ended up visiting a family I had coincidentally visited in another mass visiting activity a few months back. We got her excited to go to the conference, and she said she would go, but only if she could bring her non-member cousin. The missionaries in the ward were excited about that...

Anyway, I'm feeling good, glad that I can be certain that I gave a great effort for all of these two years, and that I still have 6 days of work to do!

Love you guys, and see you soon! Not sure if I will get the chance to write this next week, but I'll do my best to get something out to you!

(Also.. 2 more little tooth pieces, even smaller this time, came out. my gum is a little bit worse for wear right now, so something tells me that there are going to be a couple of problems at the dentist. It seems to be healing but I've got a lot of tissue that has to grow back, so we're in that process.)

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!!!