December 7, 2011
Hey, how are you? I’m doing fine thanks, except it’s kinda cold. Yesterday we woke up to a little rain, but mostly it was just cold. It hasn’t frozen yet but it’s really close. Thank the heavens that we have a little heater here.
Yesterday was changes. Elder Riley left. I have a new companion, Elder Abbott, and I’m training! That was sort of a shock to me but I’m excited. I haven’t even been with him for 24 hours but I am having flashbacks to when I got here. . .I’m glad that’s over. I feel so bad for him. He seems like a really good kid. He is really skinny and short – it’s probably a little funny to see us together.
Right now we are waiting to go to district meeting. We are listening to the forgotten carols. I am starting to feel the Christmas spirit. I hope all of you are feeling the same.
Yesterday we had to go to the offices and I got a package from Aunt Amy!! I haven’t read the stuff yet, only up to the part that she said I had to wait to open the packages.
I sent you a package by our bishop who is going to Salt Lake for a couple of days. I was going to have you meet somewhere, however I think it would be a better surprise this way because you’ll probably get the package before this letter.
I just realized that today is D-day. Happy D-day.
I feel like the Lord has been giving our family a chance to simplify our lives through the stuff that has been happening lately. You guys are probably laughing at that, but it might be a little true.
Thank you for all you do for me, especially you Mom. I hope that you can all stay a little sane. I’m sure that you are all in a hurry like usual but I hope you can feel unified as a family. I feel unified to you.
There are commercials that the church has put on the TV for a free copy of Joy to the World, the copy of the movie made by the church. There are all sorts of people who just come up and randomly ask for one from us. It is one of the great tools that the church has provided for us lately.
It is an interesting time to be alive and a great time to be a missionary!
Love,
Elder Waite
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
November 1, 2012
Handwritten, snail mail letter. . .
Dear Waite Family,
I take pencil in hand to tell you that I am doing just fine. Today is Tuesday, usually we have zone meeting but this week we don’t because we have zone conference on Thursday. This morning has been normal. I woke up around 6:20, earlier than I should but I was awake and just decided to get up because I knew if I didn’t I would be more tired later. I exercised doing push-ups and sit-ups, ironed my shirt, showered, ate peach yogurt with corn flakes in it, then started to study.
I studied to the Mo-tab CD of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, and started to review my notes from General Conference, because in zone conference we are all going to share something that inspired us. I found in my notes something that said, “teach in a way that doesn’t impede learning,” and other various quotes about the Holy Ghost so I started to study about that.
In companionship study we just talked about the lessons that we have planned for today. We ended about 10 minutes early and went to a sister in our ward who has a blender and lives close, so we could make ourselves a banana with oatmeal shake. Right now is language study. I rarely study language anymore – not because we don’t want to, but because there are always so many other things that we need to do.
Today we are going to eat with an hermana that has a Mexican hairless dog. She usually fixes us picadillo or something like that. It should be good.
I has been getting pretty cold here at night – not enough to shut the window, but I have been using a blanket. I really like the brisk feeling that there is right now. The Mexicans don’t. I think that fall is my favorite time of the year, and it is easy to miss home thinking about the reasons why. However, I am glad that I am here. That still doesn’t make me wonder how you all are doing. In your letters it sounds like you’re all just as busy as ever.
I hope this letter gets to you, or the mail man just pockets the 20 pesos that it cost to send it. It’s not a long letter and I haven’t said much, but I at least wanted to say hi. Hi! I love all you guys and miss you.
Love,
Elder Waite
Dear Waite Family,
I take pencil in hand to tell you that I am doing just fine. Today is Tuesday, usually we have zone meeting but this week we don’t because we have zone conference on Thursday. This morning has been normal. I woke up around 6:20, earlier than I should but I was awake and just decided to get up because I knew if I didn’t I would be more tired later. I exercised doing push-ups and sit-ups, ironed my shirt, showered, ate peach yogurt with corn flakes in it, then started to study.
I studied to the Mo-tab CD of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, and started to review my notes from General Conference, because in zone conference we are all going to share something that inspired us. I found in my notes something that said, “teach in a way that doesn’t impede learning,” and other various quotes about the Holy Ghost so I started to study about that.
In companionship study we just talked about the lessons that we have planned for today. We ended about 10 minutes early and went to a sister in our ward who has a blender and lives close, so we could make ourselves a banana with oatmeal shake. Right now is language study. I rarely study language anymore – not because we don’t want to, but because there are always so many other things that we need to do.
Today we are going to eat with an hermana that has a Mexican hairless dog. She usually fixes us picadillo or something like that. It should be good.
I has been getting pretty cold here at night – not enough to shut the window, but I have been using a blanket. I really like the brisk feeling that there is right now. The Mexicans don’t. I think that fall is my favorite time of the year, and it is easy to miss home thinking about the reasons why. However, I am glad that I am here. That still doesn’t make me wonder how you all are doing. In your letters it sounds like you’re all just as busy as ever.
I hope this letter gets to you, or the mail man just pockets the 20 pesos that it cost to send it. It’s not a long letter and I haven’t said much, but I at least wanted to say hi. Hi! I love all you guys and miss you.
Love,
Elder Waite
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
January 16, 2012
Hello Family,
How are you all doing? Today is the last day of the transfer for us. I'm pretty sure I'm not going anywhere and neither is my comp. The plan that they gave us is for two transfers and we only have one. I will be in this area for six months... a quarter of my mission. But I like it, the members are cool, my comp is cool. Sadly I don't have baptisms to report this week. We had two possible baptisms this past week, however they didn't feel ready and the sister is afraid of water. Willie and Guadalupe went to church with us and also a really old guy that sold me one of the oldest, coolest cameras ever for fifty pesos. We aren't sure if he wants anything but we'll see.
It was stake conference this week, It was really good, they did a broadcast from Salt Lake with Elder Rasband and Elder Oaks. Everything was great except they told everyone that it stated at 10 so we got there, started the meeting, and turned the projector on to see that the program would start in 55 minutes. Everyone just chilled there or left for a little while. Surprisingly they also talked a lot about temples as well. Thanks Mom for telling me about Sacrament Meeting and Dad’s talk on temples.
NO time:( As far as talking about me this week, I love these chapters of the Book on Mormon - Moroni 7 and Alma 41.
Love,
Elder Waite
How are you all doing? Today is the last day of the transfer for us. I'm pretty sure I'm not going anywhere and neither is my comp. The plan that they gave us is for two transfers and we only have one. I will be in this area for six months... a quarter of my mission. But I like it, the members are cool, my comp is cool. Sadly I don't have baptisms to report this week. We had two possible baptisms this past week, however they didn't feel ready and the sister is afraid of water. Willie and Guadalupe went to church with us and also a really old guy that sold me one of the oldest, coolest cameras ever for fifty pesos. We aren't sure if he wants anything but we'll see.
It was stake conference this week, It was really good, they did a broadcast from Salt Lake with Elder Rasband and Elder Oaks. Everything was great except they told everyone that it stated at 10 so we got there, started the meeting, and turned the projector on to see that the program would start in 55 minutes. Everyone just chilled there or left for a little while. Surprisingly they also talked a lot about temples as well. Thanks Mom for telling me about Sacrament Meeting and Dad’s talk on temples.
NO time:( As far as talking about me this week, I love these chapters of the Book on Mormon - Moroni 7 and Alma 41.
Love,
Elder Waite
January 9, 2012
Hello family!
Thanks for the email, I really enjoyed it this week. This Feel Great in 8 team thing is interesting . . . I’ll be my own team. What do you get if you win? ¡Hechenle Ganas Hallie and Sadie!
We had a legit week. Uriel got baptized. He is the son of Francisco and Lydia. I hope to report that the parents get baptized this week. We had a legit dinner with President and Sister Romney. The baptism was especially good. I don't know why. Another Hermana named Lucy went to church. She is pretty much blind and deaf and doesn't understand me with my accent... I appreciate her faith. She has extreme family opposition.
The past 5 weeks I have been studying faith. It’s a pretty amazing thing. I think I'll compile my thoughts and send you something next week.
My comp is doing very well. I love training.
I also love you guys, have a good one.
Elder Waite
Thanks for the email, I really enjoyed it this week. This Feel Great in 8 team thing is interesting . . . I’ll be my own team. What do you get if you win? ¡Hechenle Ganas Hallie and Sadie!
We had a legit week. Uriel got baptized. He is the son of Francisco and Lydia. I hope to report that the parents get baptized this week. We had a legit dinner with President and Sister Romney. The baptism was especially good. I don't know why. Another Hermana named Lucy went to church. She is pretty much blind and deaf and doesn't understand me with my accent... I appreciate her faith. She has extreme family opposition.
The past 5 weeks I have been studying faith. It’s a pretty amazing thing. I think I'll compile my thoughts and send you something next week.
My comp is doing very well. I love training.
I also love you guys, have a good one.
Elder Waite
January 2, 2012
Hello Family!!
It’s a pretty nice day in Monterrey today. All the smoke from the fires and fireworks from the party on Saturday is cleared out. How was the party for you guys? They really know how to party here. I would like to know how much alcohol was consumed the past weekend here. We had fun - ate dinner (twice), tried to keep some recent converts from drinking, lit some fireworks and broke a piñata. I'm glad we had cool people to kick it with. I was worried about Sunday and if we would be able to bring anyone to church but the family that we have been teaching went - Francisco, Lydia and their kid Uriel. Uriel wants to get baptized this Sunday (I think we will be able to do that for him). Francisco was supposed to get baptized this week but he never had a dream that he needed to feel like it’s what God wanted him to do. Sometimes people are so funny and want some of the funniest things. I just realized how funny it was that we have been praying for some random guy to have a dream... I have actually had lots of people ask me to translate their dreams, most of the time I have no idea what to say so I just change it a little and make a reference to some scripture that talks about baptism. Latin or Mexican people are dreamers (which proves even more to me that they are descendants of Lehi). I think that is an active form of people receiving revelation. Thinking about that I feel a little left out because I only remember that I have had a total of two dreams as a missionary.
Not a lot of news this week. I whole heatedly agree with Mariah when she said that missionary life is over-eating, under-sleeping and stressful. I think this is a way God prepares us to live normal stressful lives. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I helped put out a truck that had caught on fire New Year’s Eve... it was pretty intense.
I love you,
Elder Waite
It’s a pretty nice day in Monterrey today. All the smoke from the fires and fireworks from the party on Saturday is cleared out. How was the party for you guys? They really know how to party here. I would like to know how much alcohol was consumed the past weekend here. We had fun - ate dinner (twice), tried to keep some recent converts from drinking, lit some fireworks and broke a piñata. I'm glad we had cool people to kick it with. I was worried about Sunday and if we would be able to bring anyone to church but the family that we have been teaching went - Francisco, Lydia and their kid Uriel. Uriel wants to get baptized this Sunday (I think we will be able to do that for him). Francisco was supposed to get baptized this week but he never had a dream that he needed to feel like it’s what God wanted him to do. Sometimes people are so funny and want some of the funniest things. I just realized how funny it was that we have been praying for some random guy to have a dream... I have actually had lots of people ask me to translate their dreams, most of the time I have no idea what to say so I just change it a little and make a reference to some scripture that talks about baptism. Latin or Mexican people are dreamers (which proves even more to me that they are descendants of Lehi). I think that is an active form of people receiving revelation. Thinking about that I feel a little left out because I only remember that I have had a total of two dreams as a missionary.
Not a lot of news this week. I whole heatedly agree with Mariah when she said that missionary life is over-eating, under-sleeping and stressful. I think this is a way God prepares us to live normal stressful lives. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I helped put out a truck that had caught on fire New Year’s Eve... it was pretty intense.
I love you,
Elder Waite
December 26, 2011
Hello Family,It was cool to talk to you all yesterday. I was going to tell you more about our Christmas experience that we had on Saturday. We went over to some recent convert’s house. They were going to eat, and they were also planning on reciting and laying down the God Child (which is a Catholic tradition - usually in the houses you can find them laying down or sitting depending on the time of year). Anyway, we got there they were listening to music (worldly) and everything. We helped get the tables up and chairs set up and then they all sat down and the mom started saying the Padre Nuestro or the Lord’s Prayer. She had the necklace with the beads and cross with her little book and everything. There were two boys kneeling by the birth scene with the baby Jesus, and at certain parts of the things they were saying they would take the old clothes off, clean the doll (Jesus) and put new clothes on him. Everybody seemed to know what was going on except us. You could also tell the ones who really actually had faith in what they were doing and the ones who did it just for tradition (luckily the converts just did it for tradition, I was happy to see their faith in the Church and how they knew that this stuff wasn't right. I think this is one of the most confusing times of their lives. Just imagine having done something one way your whole life and when you get baptized eve rything changes. . .everything). I enjoyed being there and watching just to know what they do but it didn't really feel like Christmas. When they finished with all the beads and stuff they say, they passed out candles to everyone and from one candle lit all the rest then started a song that said something about all the sinners coming to Jesus, then they kissed the doll and crossed themselves. All in all it was really interesting to see all the stuff they do.
I am sending pictures to you - Christmas Conference, ones of the Elders that I came with, along with my gifts. Thank You!! And then comes the favor that I need to ask you. There is this lady that loves these little dolls, they have a special name but I don't remember, the girls probably know, anyway it would make her year if you could find the two that are marked in the picture and send them to her, or me. First she wanted to know the prices, if you could research it a little I would really appreciate it. I think that is all. Thank you for all you do for me. Is there snow at home??
I love you!!!
I love you!!!
Love,
Elder Waite
Elder Waite
December 14, 2011
Hello Family!How are you all doing? I am doing great, I'm sorry but I don't have time to read the email you all sent me, but I'll print it, Thanks very much! I GOT 2 PACKAGES!! I am sending you a picture with our tree and everything. And thank you so much for the blender, and the nativity set and the tree. We had lots of fun putting it up. I love Christmas.
You might notice that my companion got changed. That’s right, I got a new comp - I mean really new comp. They think I can train this poor guy. His name is Elder Abbott from Murray, Ut. He is a really good guy and Training is So FUN!! I could do this for the rest of my mission, but I am so glad I am past that stage of not knowing what is going on. He is a solid missionary. He is really grateful for the gifts that you all gave him. We have had a lot of really good lessons lately.
We have someone planned to get baptized this week, his name is Pedro, the Husband of Gloria that was going to get baptized a couple months ago. She might get baptized if she prays. We'll see today.
I am excited to get to talk to you soon.
Love,
Elder Waite
December 5, 2011
Hello,
I am sending you this email early because I have been worried about the letter that I was supposed to write for the Missionary Connection Newsletter. I'm not sure if it’s late but for some reason I think it is. Anyway I'm sending it to all of you.
Hello and Merry Christmas to all the West Side missionaries!!
It's so cool to think about all of you out there. It´s even cooler that we are all working for the same cause. I am still loving Mexico and loving being a missionary - I am even learning to enjoy the hard things that I have to do. Time seems to be flying by. I just barely hit my 13 month mark! I am grateful for the opportunities that come to learn and grow every day. I love this time of year and I am excited to see how the Christmas spirit will help us in our labors. I have been thinking about the Christmas story and one part in particular has called my attention - when the angel appears to the shepherd and says "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." I wanted to share this with all of you because as missionaries we have an opportunity to bring good tidings of great joy to all people that we come in contact with. Christ is our Savior and Lord and we are in all parts of the world serving him. May God bless each one of you this Christmas season and I will be praying that we can all have a "White Christmas".
Love,
Elder Waite
Well that’s that. I like reading the messages from all the other missionaries but I don’t like to write it. I’ll write you all a little more, later today.
Later. . .
Hello Family!!
I am really sorry about what happened last week with my email, the time ended before I was done and the guy was going to charge me 10 more pesos to use it longer and I'm cheap about things like that so I just sent it. No I haven't gotten any packages yet. They tell me there are hundreds in the offices. I hope you all enjoyed the Christmas Devotional from the first presidency, I was really glad some investigators showed up so we could go with them.
How is everybody doing? I really hope you are all staying well. Dad, is it getting cold there yet? How many animals do we have now? When do the girls get off for school? Mom, that’s neat about your new job. I hope you are taking notes about jerky making so we can better the jerked venison. Hannah, does Jr miss start yet, or are you not going to do it? Are you in the play? Maren, What books have you been reading lately? How is being a big ol' 8th grader? Hallie, the last time I saw you, you had curley hair, what do you have now? How is Belle? I don't know if you remember but you gave me a missionary marble. I still have it and I have carried it every day of my mission. Sadie, are you taking good care of Janie and including her in the playing time? How is it not having to sleep with Hallie anymore? if I remember right she snored... maybe you do to. Janie... GET out of TOWN!!! Are you being good and singing lots to make everybody happy with your little voice? Are you keeping Mom good company while the others are in school?
This week went very well for us. I'm not sure how the next week is going to turn out but I felt satisfied for a little while for the work we did. Irma finally got baptized!! We have been working with her for a really long time. The kids are still in the air right now but I have faith that the heart of the dad will be softened. There are lots of people that can progress that we have right now. I don't know if I told you about Gloria and her husband Pedro. We were teaching them a while ago but Pedro was really sick and it just wasn't time. We stopped by on Saturday and Pedro was pretty much all better. They were really happy to see us and there was just a really good feeling there. I hope they start progressing again. We also have another guy called Helios, he has some problems but we are working with him and his family. I don't know if I told you about the guy from Indianapolis that we met. He is pretty cool but he was super lost. He can barely speak Spanish and has been here for about 3 years - he might be another one of the people who keeps progressing this week.
Anyway the work is going on. I am enjoying myself here. I have been studying about my purpose a lot lately and have enjoyed the focusing that it has given me. I like having a definite purpose and something that we need to do. I would also recommend a study of Moroni 7. I hope you are all enjoying the Christmas time and spirit that there is, not to mention Mom’s cinnamon rolls. I love you all, and I wish you all the best.
Love,
Elder Waite
PS - Peace on earth, and good will to all men.
I am sending you this email early because I have been worried about the letter that I was supposed to write for the Missionary Connection Newsletter. I'm not sure if it’s late but for some reason I think it is. Anyway I'm sending it to all of you.
Hello and Merry Christmas to all the West Side missionaries!!
It's so cool to think about all of you out there. It´s even cooler that we are all working for the same cause. I am still loving Mexico and loving being a missionary - I am even learning to enjoy the hard things that I have to do. Time seems to be flying by. I just barely hit my 13 month mark! I am grateful for the opportunities that come to learn and grow every day. I love this time of year and I am excited to see how the Christmas spirit will help us in our labors. I have been thinking about the Christmas story and one part in particular has called my attention - when the angel appears to the shepherd and says "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." I wanted to share this with all of you because as missionaries we have an opportunity to bring good tidings of great joy to all people that we come in contact with. Christ is our Savior and Lord and we are in all parts of the world serving him. May God bless each one of you this Christmas season and I will be praying that we can all have a "White Christmas".
Love,
Elder Waite
Well that’s that. I like reading the messages from all the other missionaries but I don’t like to write it. I’ll write you all a little more, later today.
Later. . .
Hello Family!!
I am really sorry about what happened last week with my email, the time ended before I was done and the guy was going to charge me 10 more pesos to use it longer and I'm cheap about things like that so I just sent it. No I haven't gotten any packages yet. They tell me there are hundreds in the offices. I hope you all enjoyed the Christmas Devotional from the first presidency, I was really glad some investigators showed up so we could go with them.
How is everybody doing? I really hope you are all staying well. Dad, is it getting cold there yet? How many animals do we have now? When do the girls get off for school? Mom, that’s neat about your new job. I hope you are taking notes about jerky making so we can better the jerked venison. Hannah, does Jr miss start yet, or are you not going to do it? Are you in the play? Maren, What books have you been reading lately? How is being a big ol' 8th grader? Hallie, the last time I saw you, you had curley hair, what do you have now? How is Belle? I don't know if you remember but you gave me a missionary marble. I still have it and I have carried it every day of my mission. Sadie, are you taking good care of Janie and including her in the playing time? How is it not having to sleep with Hallie anymore? if I remember right she snored... maybe you do to. Janie... GET out of TOWN!!! Are you being good and singing lots to make everybody happy with your little voice? Are you keeping Mom good company while the others are in school?
This week went very well for us. I'm not sure how the next week is going to turn out but I felt satisfied for a little while for the work we did. Irma finally got baptized!! We have been working with her for a really long time. The kids are still in the air right now but I have faith that the heart of the dad will be softened. There are lots of people that can progress that we have right now. I don't know if I told you about Gloria and her husband Pedro. We were teaching them a while ago but Pedro was really sick and it just wasn't time. We stopped by on Saturday and Pedro was pretty much all better. They were really happy to see us and there was just a really good feeling there. I hope they start progressing again. We also have another guy called Helios, he has some problems but we are working with him and his family. I don't know if I told you about the guy from Indianapolis that we met. He is pretty cool but he was super lost. He can barely speak Spanish and has been here for about 3 years - he might be another one of the people who keeps progressing this week.
Anyway the work is going on. I am enjoying myself here. I have been studying about my purpose a lot lately and have enjoyed the focusing that it has given me. I like having a definite purpose and something that we need to do. I would also recommend a study of Moroni 7. I hope you are all enjoying the Christmas time and spirit that there is, not to mention Mom’s cinnamon rolls. I love you all, and I wish you all the best.
Love,
Elder Waite
PS - Peace on earth, and good will to all men.
November 28, 2011
Hello Family,
I hope you didn't have any questions for me this week. I just skimmed the email quick. As I was reading the past emails from you I realized I had for gotten to tell you about Vanessa’s mom, nothing ended up happening with her. We tried and tried but she doesn't live in our area, so then we finally just sent the other missionaries over there. She got pretty mad and told us another time that she didn't want us to talk about the church with her anymore. I think she was between a rock and a hard place because I know the husband doesn’t like us and got pretty mad at her when she gave the permission to baptize Vanessa.
I hope you didn't have any questions for me this week. I just skimmed the email quick. As I was reading the past emails from you I realized I had for gotten to tell you about Vanessa’s mom, nothing ended up happening with her. We tried and tried but she doesn't live in our area, so then we finally just sent the other missionaries over there. She got pretty mad and told us another time that she didn't want us to talk about the church with her anymore. I think she was between a rock and a hard place because I know the husband doesn’t like us and got pretty mad at her when she gave the permission to baptize Vanessa.
We actually had the same sort of thing this week, we had this golden lady but the husband got mad and we left.
I am doing good. Here are pictures of the baptism we had, and a couple of other pictures.
I am doing good. Here are pictures of the baptism we had, and a couple of other pictures.
Love,
Elder Waite
November 21, 2011
Hello Family,
I'm going to pull a ‘me’ also this week. (Camden wrote this replying to both Eve and Mariah’s letters for the week saying they were pulling a ‘Camden’ this week and writing short letters).
It’s been a good week. Martha got baptized - it was a really good experience with President and Sister Romney in attendance. We also ate dinner with them this week. Working with and teaching Martha has been a god experience. We didn't have to push her or convince her to live commandments or anything, it was perfect. Wednesday I was pretty worried because she still didn't know if she was going to get baptized or not, and we told her to read the BOM and pray. The next day when we asked her, she just said, “Dios me hizo saber que estoy lista y preparada para bautizarme este domingo ¿lo puedo hacer este domingo verdad? ¿A que hora va a ser? (God told me that I am ready and prepared to be baptized on Sunday. I can do it this Sunday, right? What time will it be?). It was so good to hear those words. We have had a couple other experiences like that that are amazing. The first time she heard about the word of wisdom she stopped drinking coffee.
We also found an old lady that is a member on accident. She is in love with an Indian (I can’t remember the name) and Poncho Villa. We were just talking to her and she asked for a blessing, we were about to give it to her when her daughter walked in. We ended up giving them both a blessing. While we were in the house I could feel their faith, but I could also feel how they had built themselves and their faith in a box. I have felt that way quite a bit on my mission. I'm still battling to not build myself into a box.
I feel bad that lately I haven’t been including very many of the experiences that I have like that with you guys, I'll share more of the spiritual stuff that happens.... but not today. I need to go. Have you got any letters from me? I've sent some by Mexican post. I'd hoped you would have gotten them by now.
Love,
Elder Waite
I'm going to pull a ‘me’ also this week. (Camden wrote this replying to both Eve and Mariah’s letters for the week saying they were pulling a ‘Camden’ this week and writing short letters).
It’s been a good week. Martha got baptized - it was a really good experience with President and Sister Romney in attendance. We also ate dinner with them this week. Working with and teaching Martha has been a god experience. We didn't have to push her or convince her to live commandments or anything, it was perfect. Wednesday I was pretty worried because she still didn't know if she was going to get baptized or not, and we told her to read the BOM and pray. The next day when we asked her, she just said, “Dios me hizo saber que estoy lista y preparada para bautizarme este domingo ¿lo puedo hacer este domingo verdad? ¿A que hora va a ser? (God told me that I am ready and prepared to be baptized on Sunday. I can do it this Sunday, right? What time will it be?). It was so good to hear those words. We have had a couple other experiences like that that are amazing. The first time she heard about the word of wisdom she stopped drinking coffee.
We also found an old lady that is a member on accident. She is in love with an Indian (I can’t remember the name) and Poncho Villa. We were just talking to her and she asked for a blessing, we were about to give it to her when her daughter walked in. We ended up giving them both a blessing. While we were in the house I could feel their faith, but I could also feel how they had built themselves and their faith in a box. I have felt that way quite a bit on my mission. I'm still battling to not build myself into a box.
I feel bad that lately I haven’t been including very many of the experiences that I have like that with you guys, I'll share more of the spiritual stuff that happens.... but not today. I need to go. Have you got any letters from me? I've sent some by Mexican post. I'd hoped you would have gotten them by now.
Love,
Elder Waite
Novemer 16, 2011
Hello Family!!!How are you all doing?? I'm pretty good. About the house... it is on the street ART. 123, in-between the streets M. Barragan and Jose Justo Corro, if you are going north on ART 123 it is on the west or left side right after you cross M Barragan. It is the second house, there is a house right on the corner and we are the one that follows it. It’s mostly just white from above - you can see our mini orange tree that is ripe right now. Hopefully that helps when you get on Google Earth. I sent you pictures of the house and the church (it’s really nice) and of the baptism we had on Sunday (Miguel, he is pretty cool but has some problems, just like everyone else. He was a reference from his Grandparents).
Yes, I can still send stuff with Sis Romney to be mailed when she goes to Texas.
Well, I'm sort of in a stupor of thought right now, for some reason I can’t think of anything to say. It started because I was trying to remember something I was going to tell Mom that she asked me last week. I can't remember... I bought some new shoe laces today. Both of my shoes needed new ones.
The Temple was great this week. I think I like going because every time I go I realize something different. The thing is, up to this point I have just been happy because I feel like I am hearing better the Spanish, but today I was thinking about all the times I have realized something different and I thought it was because of the Spanish, but it might have been revelation... I'm still a little confused and if not a little disappointed in myself for not acting more on the revelation that I have received. It’s a good thing that happened to me either way.
The Temple was great this week. I think I like going because every time I go I realize something different. The thing is, up to this point I have just been happy because I feel like I am hearing better the Spanish, but today I was thinking about all the times I have realized something different and I thought it was because of the Spanish, but it might have been revelation... I'm still a little confused and if not a little disappointed in myself for not acting more on the revelation that I have received. It’s a good thing that happened to me either way.
I had some legit revelation this week. We were talking to Santiago (he is getting baptized on Friday) and he strait up told us he didn't want to get baptized, and he thought the Catholic Church was right. We spent what seemed like a long time talking about his doubts without getting anywhere. All of the sudden I thought about using the scriptures (or better said, the spirit put it in my mind) that I should use the scriptures, so I went for the Bible. I was about to pull it out of my backpack when I had the feeling: what are you thinking you fool, the Bible is just going to confuse him more and you don't even know it that good. So I pulled out the BOM still not knowing the scripture I was going to use. The book fell open and he read Moroni 10:3-5 and as I was sitting there after thinking about what I should say he said, “pues yo se que su iglesia es verdadera” (I know that your church is true), and now he is getting baptized.
Love,
Elder Waite
Elder Waite
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