CONGRATS MARIAH ON THE BAPTISM!!!!! ¿¡¿SHED!?!? WHAT SHED??
I am glad to hear that everything is normal at home. HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH!!!!! That's weird that you are 17, you'll be 18 when I get back home - even more weird. I hope you had a good birthday.
This is a really weird time of my mission for me. I think the hardest and weirdest times for me have been when I am about to hit a marker in time, for example, when I had six months time seemed to go slow. Sometimes I get the feeling that time just stops, or that it just doesn't exist. At this mile marker I am enjoying myself a lot more. I think I am enjoying this time the most that I have my whole mission. I love having gringo companions, we are both focused on the work and finally having results like they should be. The area I am in is golden, with a ton of golden people that have been baptized and are getting baptized. I hope Elder Riley and I stay together another transfer, who knows, we've got two more weeks in this one still.
We had a sweet baptism this week, Brayan and Jimena Vargas. They are really cool. The mom got baptized when she was a kid and we just started to talk to them. Brayan is pretty neat. We started talking to him and won his confidence helping him with his English homework. We were just talking to Brayan at the first, then Jimena started showing a little interest also, then she was actually the one that talked Brayan into doing it this week.
Today we are going to go to Presidents house for dinner at around 8. We are going with a guy named Alan, he is 22 and going to school here in Monterrey. We are going with some of his friends, hopefully two will go.
This morning we went to the gym (there is a member in the ward that lets us go to his gym free) and after we went to eat breakfast with a sister in the ward. She loves us. She made us salsa en queso with churrizo and eggs with beans (what a surprise). Later she stared making us pancakes, and she made us some cinnamon tea. We ate the pancakes with Jam and condensed milk. It’s been a good day.
Good luck everyone!!
Love,
Elder Waite
Sunday, November 6, 2011
October 3, 2011
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡HOLD ON!!!! Who is this guy that Hannah went to Homecoming with?? I've never seen him before. He looks a little like a thug, but Hannah looked happy enough. At least she had fun. Who did the football team play for homecoming? Did they win? Hope so. Hannah did you win at your game. Are you still running cross country?
Mom, that’s cool you went to Aunt Ann’s. I would like to get to know Seattle sometime. I have actually started to tell people that I am a Seahawks fan because they always ask me what team I like in football and they don’t know any college teams... the thing is I'm not sure I've ever even watched a full Seahawks game in my life. I have been thinking about Aunt Ann lots lately. She wrote me a letter, I hope everything goes well.
I loved every bit of General Conference, and am glad I am on a mission - otherwise I would have left the Priesthood session feeling about a foot tall. They talked really really strong (cough ...Elder Holland) but it was good because I left feeling very determined to do lots better in every aspect of life. I have never considered Elder Holland as one of my favorite apostles, which is weird because lots of people really like him. But now as a missionary we hear lots of things from him and I heard him on thanksgiving last year in the MTC so now he has a special place in my heart. I know we shouldn’t have favorites but now he is definitely up there. In case you are wondering my favorites are Elder Perry and Elder Oaks. Speaking of Elder Oaks the Sunday afternoon talk from him was amazing, that guy is pure doctrine. I didn’t get to hear Elder Perry.
We couldn't go to the Saturday sessions unless we had investigators. We had lots of people tell us that they would go with us but nobody did. Les dio flojera. Sunday we had a baptism planned, her name is Rosa. She thinks she is our mom, which is kind of creepy sometimes because she says weird stuff, but she feeds us all the time so it’s cool. She didn't want to get baptized but she finally consented and now she calls us her little angels (even more weird). We actually had two baptisms - the other was Vanessa, she is the one I told you about a while ago whose parents never let her get baptized. She is actually the niece of Rosa, and sister of Janeth who is the wife of Cesar (probably my coolest baptism). Vanessa doesn't live in our area but was always with Janeth when we taught her, so she comes here. Her mom works in our area, about 2 blocks from the church so she always comes to church here. Sunday the mom went to work but they told her there wasn't enough work for her so she got fired. She came to conference in time to hear President Monson... She felt so good after that she asked me what we would have to do to baptize Vanessa that day. Conveniently our Zone leader was right there and interviewed her and she got baptized also (THANK YOU PRES MONSON!!). I hope the mom will get baptized next week. It was a cool experience.
My time is running short which is a shame because I'm sort of in a typing mood. One last thing, Pres Romney has told us that it would be cool if you guys could write a letter to some of the recent converts, I have been thinking about this a lot with Cesar and family. This would be a great help to them because of the challenges that they have (by the way I have already invited them to the house when I come home). The battle that Cesar is having with the Word of wisdom is just starting and I know a letter would help him in the tough times. I was wondering if you could write them a letter with your testimonies or something in it. Their names are Cesar Roman, Janeth, Ares (7.5 years), Randy (3?), there is a baby but I don't remember his name. I would really appreciate it.
Thanks for all you do for me. I really love you guys. THANKS FOR THE PICTURES!!!!! I´ll wait for more... maybe from the hike or something.
Love,
Elder Waite
Mom, that’s cool you went to Aunt Ann’s. I would like to get to know Seattle sometime. I have actually started to tell people that I am a Seahawks fan because they always ask me what team I like in football and they don’t know any college teams... the thing is I'm not sure I've ever even watched a full Seahawks game in my life. I have been thinking about Aunt Ann lots lately. She wrote me a letter, I hope everything goes well.
I loved every bit of General Conference, and am glad I am on a mission - otherwise I would have left the Priesthood session feeling about a foot tall. They talked really really strong (cough ...Elder Holland) but it was good because I left feeling very determined to do lots better in every aspect of life. I have never considered Elder Holland as one of my favorite apostles, which is weird because lots of people really like him. But now as a missionary we hear lots of things from him and I heard him on thanksgiving last year in the MTC so now he has a special place in my heart. I know we shouldn’t have favorites but now he is definitely up there. In case you are wondering my favorites are Elder Perry and Elder Oaks. Speaking of Elder Oaks the Sunday afternoon talk from him was amazing, that guy is pure doctrine. I didn’t get to hear Elder Perry.
We couldn't go to the Saturday sessions unless we had investigators. We had lots of people tell us that they would go with us but nobody did. Les dio flojera. Sunday we had a baptism planned, her name is Rosa. She thinks she is our mom, which is kind of creepy sometimes because she says weird stuff, but she feeds us all the time so it’s cool. She didn't want to get baptized but she finally consented and now she calls us her little angels (even more weird). We actually had two baptisms - the other was Vanessa, she is the one I told you about a while ago whose parents never let her get baptized. She is actually the niece of Rosa, and sister of Janeth who is the wife of Cesar (probably my coolest baptism). Vanessa doesn't live in our area but was always with Janeth when we taught her, so she comes here. Her mom works in our area, about 2 blocks from the church so she always comes to church here. Sunday the mom went to work but they told her there wasn't enough work for her so she got fired. She came to conference in time to hear President Monson... She felt so good after that she asked me what we would have to do to baptize Vanessa that day. Conveniently our Zone leader was right there and interviewed her and she got baptized also (THANK YOU PRES MONSON!!). I hope the mom will get baptized next week. It was a cool experience.
My time is running short which is a shame because I'm sort of in a typing mood. One last thing, Pres Romney has told us that it would be cool if you guys could write a letter to some of the recent converts, I have been thinking about this a lot with Cesar and family. This would be a great help to them because of the challenges that they have (by the way I have already invited them to the house when I come home). The battle that Cesar is having with the Word of wisdom is just starting and I know a letter would help him in the tough times. I was wondering if you could write them a letter with your testimonies or something in it. Their names are Cesar Roman, Janeth, Ares (7.5 years), Randy (3?), there is a baby but I don't remember his name. I would really appreciate it.
Thanks for all you do for me. I really love you guys. THANKS FOR THE PICTURES!!!!! I´ll wait for more... maybe from the hike or something.
Love,
Elder Waite
September 26, 2011
Hello Family!!Happy peach season!!! I am a little sad that we are missing it. I guess I'll just enjoy it more when I get back. Thanks so much for the pictures that you sent. I loved them. I am sending you a picture of the recent baptisms that we have had - the two kids are Oracio and Karina. The lady is Janeth and the other picture is of her husband this past Sunday, I had the opportunity to baptize him. His name is Cesar Roman, he is a really rough character. He has tattoos and gave up doing a lot of things that were against the word of wisdom. The funny thing is that he is one of the people that were most ready for baptism when it came. As far as the question about the active baptisms, Maria and Martha are the only ones that don't go to church.
This is Elder Riley’s address: 212 west 100 north - right by the old tabernacle just so you can drive past and see his parents some time.
Pictures of the shoes: these are the ones that are from the Kater shop. I'm pretty sure that if we send a picture they will send us a new pair free but I'm not sure. If not I'll just buy some here.
Addition to the Christmas list: I don't know if you remember the blue addidas backpack that I have. I didn't use it much because I don't like it. I don't know where it is. I might have given it to Hannah. If there is nobody using it then I think I could use that. I don’t really care that I don't like it...it’s pretty hard to be cool as a missionary so I wouldn't mind using it right now. If you are just dying to get something else for me I could use a season pass to one of the ski resorts near Rexburg for 2013.
Addition to the Christmas list: I don't know if you remember the blue addidas backpack that I have. I didn't use it much because I don't like it. I don't know where it is. I might have given it to Hannah. If there is nobody using it then I think I could use that. I don’t really care that I don't like it...it’s pretty hard to be cool as a missionary so I wouldn't mind using it right now. If you are just dying to get something else for me I could use a season pass to one of the ski resorts near Rexburg for 2013.
It’s been a good week, pretty stressful. I have realized more and more how blessed I am to not have been born in Mexico. Cesar has been telling us lots of stories about growing up in the streets. There is some really bad stuff that goes down in Monterrey. I'm pretty sure he is still alive just to get baptized and sealed as a family. I really really like his family, they are just good people.
There is a picture of me, Elder Alonzo E. Toledo y Elder Puentes. We all lived together last transfer. There is also a picture of me trying on an overall.
I love you Guys!!!
Love,
Elder Waite
Elder Waite
September 21, 2011
Hello Family!!!
Man I love hearing from you!! Guess What I got CHANGED!! I was really sad when I found out but I am now glad for the change. Elder Puentes was probably the best comp I had had so far, and definitely a blessing. However I continue to be blessed right now because I am now with Elder Riley. He is from Garland, Utah -- a couple miles south of the gas station in Riverside. He only has a change less than me (same time as Elder Hemsley), but seems like he is fresh off the plane. He is one of the most excited people about missionary work that I know. I really can't ask for more.
I am now in an area called Mitras, still in Monterrey, and actually on the corner of my old area. It is cool. The missionary before me left with a bunch of people for us. We didn't have any sure baptisms planned but we really focused on this one lady (Janeth) and she got baptized. Also two other kids (Karina 17 and Oracio 14) got bapatized that had been in teaching forever. Janeth is a really neat lady, she cuts hair and is married with three noisy kids. The husband and her sister who came to the baptism are who we are focusing on now. The sister is 14 named Vanessa, but the parents don't really want to give us permission to baptize her. We've been promising blessings so far for them. The further and further we get in the week we might have to start promising condemnations. I haven't had much practice in this kind of thing before so we'll see how it goes. Cesar Roman is the husband of Janeth. He was a really really rough character, and still has a few rough edges. He has had lots of problems with the word of wisdom, and we are having faith that he will get over the temptation and be able to get baptized. The good thing is he really wants it and is solid and plenty of people have stopped cold turkey before, but we have the Lord on our side. I have been the part of lots of extremely powerful lessons in their house. My testimony is now so much stronger from knowing them, and there is only one member in the whole family, they will be legit (this is hopefully another temple family). We actually have a lot of people we are teaching right now, and the members love us. I am really excited to work here.
As far as Christmas lists go I really don't need anything, the pants you sent are great mom. I'll probably be sending you a picture of some shoes that you could get for me but they aren't terrible yet so I'll wait on that. Some things that would be nice are the regular deodorant, shaving cream, and razors. I don't know if you can send that stuff. If not it’s ok. It’s just really expensive here. I would really like one of those cool razors that you can change the heads on. I can't use razors that have less than three blades because it irritates my face. Maybe some music would be cool. Disney is allowed here, and in Salt Lake I heard some Hans Zimmer and that I really liked. I bought a CD player that can play MP3 discs. I don't know if you know how to make MP3 discs but it would be easier for you and me that way, but I'm happy with whatever.
One more thing, the President lives in Sierra Madre, and we live with the missionaries in that area. President has called me and offered his house to us any time we need to have some people feel the spirit. So we can call Sister Romney and go over there any time they say and they will feed us and do our job for us. It’s legit. I hope to get to know President really well these next few months. We took Janeth and Cesar over there Sunday night, they loved it.
I love you guys and thanks so much.
Love,
Elder Waite
Man I love hearing from you!! Guess What I got CHANGED!! I was really sad when I found out but I am now glad for the change. Elder Puentes was probably the best comp I had had so far, and definitely a blessing. However I continue to be blessed right now because I am now with Elder Riley. He is from Garland, Utah -- a couple miles south of the gas station in Riverside. He only has a change less than me (same time as Elder Hemsley), but seems like he is fresh off the plane. He is one of the most excited people about missionary work that I know. I really can't ask for more.
I am now in an area called Mitras, still in Monterrey, and actually on the corner of my old area. It is cool. The missionary before me left with a bunch of people for us. We didn't have any sure baptisms planned but we really focused on this one lady (Janeth) and she got baptized. Also two other kids (Karina 17 and Oracio 14) got bapatized that had been in teaching forever. Janeth is a really neat lady, she cuts hair and is married with three noisy kids. The husband and her sister who came to the baptism are who we are focusing on now. The sister is 14 named Vanessa, but the parents don't really want to give us permission to baptize her. We've been promising blessings so far for them. The further and further we get in the week we might have to start promising condemnations. I haven't had much practice in this kind of thing before so we'll see how it goes. Cesar Roman is the husband of Janeth. He was a really really rough character, and still has a few rough edges. He has had lots of problems with the word of wisdom, and we are having faith that he will get over the temptation and be able to get baptized. The good thing is he really wants it and is solid and plenty of people have stopped cold turkey before, but we have the Lord on our side. I have been the part of lots of extremely powerful lessons in their house. My testimony is now so much stronger from knowing them, and there is only one member in the whole family, they will be legit (this is hopefully another temple family). We actually have a lot of people we are teaching right now, and the members love us. I am really excited to work here.
As far as Christmas lists go I really don't need anything, the pants you sent are great mom. I'll probably be sending you a picture of some shoes that you could get for me but they aren't terrible yet so I'll wait on that. Some things that would be nice are the regular deodorant, shaving cream, and razors. I don't know if you can send that stuff. If not it’s ok. It’s just really expensive here. I would really like one of those cool razors that you can change the heads on. I can't use razors that have less than three blades because it irritates my face. Maybe some music would be cool. Disney is allowed here, and in Salt Lake I heard some Hans Zimmer and that I really liked. I bought a CD player that can play MP3 discs. I don't know if you know how to make MP3 discs but it would be easier for you and me that way, but I'm happy with whatever.
One more thing, the President lives in Sierra Madre, and we live with the missionaries in that area. President has called me and offered his house to us any time we need to have some people feel the spirit. So we can call Sister Romney and go over there any time they say and they will feed us and do our job for us. It’s legit. I hope to get to know President really well these next few months. We took Janeth and Cesar over there Sunday night, they loved it.
I love you guys and thanks so much.
Love,
Elder Waite
Sunday, September 18, 2011
September 12, 2011
Hello Family!!!
How are you all doing? Sounds like you are doing grand. ¡¡¡¡¡¡HAPPPY BIRRTHDAY MOM!!!! I'll have you know that I was thinking about you all day and what a good mom you are. Thanks for everything you do. I hope you had a good day, from your email it sounded so.
Also, happy anniversary to 9/11. Yes I certainly do remember that, however my version of the story is different than yours mom. I remember riding to school on the bus and when I got in there everyone was watching the TV. I don't remember hearing about it at home but I do remember how it felt. At church yesterday a kid that is about 15 asked me about it. He didn't remember anything. It was tough and weird explaining it to him, I felt sort of old.
Today in the night we are going to receive a call about the changes that are going to happen. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go or at least there is going to be a change in our companionship. I'll let you know next week. I'm really going to miss Elder Puentes. I've had more fun with him and am better friends with him than any other of my comps. I could handle being with him the whole time. He is doing a lot better by the way. I'm going to miss him.
I have been thinking about the stuff I need for Christmas, but I can't remember anything right now. I do like it when you send deodorant because it is ridiculously expensive here.
We had another miracle this week, her name is Brisa. She asked us if we could baptize her. Her dad is a member and her mom doesn't like the church, but she knew it was right and had read all the pamphlets that the missionaries had given to her dad. Now her little brother wants to get baptized also. They are really cool.
I wish you all the best of luck. And challenge any of you to a push up and sit up doing contest in a little more than a year...
Love,
Elder Waite
How are you all doing? Sounds like you are doing grand. ¡¡¡¡¡¡HAPPPY BIRRTHDAY MOM!!!! I'll have you know that I was thinking about you all day and what a good mom you are. Thanks for everything you do. I hope you had a good day, from your email it sounded so.
Also, happy anniversary to 9/11. Yes I certainly do remember that, however my version of the story is different than yours mom. I remember riding to school on the bus and when I got in there everyone was watching the TV. I don't remember hearing about it at home but I do remember how it felt. At church yesterday a kid that is about 15 asked me about it. He didn't remember anything. It was tough and weird explaining it to him, I felt sort of old.
Today in the night we are going to receive a call about the changes that are going to happen. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go or at least there is going to be a change in our companionship. I'll let you know next week. I'm really going to miss Elder Puentes. I've had more fun with him and am better friends with him than any other of my comps. I could handle being with him the whole time. He is doing a lot better by the way. I'm going to miss him.
I have been thinking about the stuff I need for Christmas, but I can't remember anything right now. I do like it when you send deodorant because it is ridiculously expensive here.
We had another miracle this week, her name is Brisa. She asked us if we could baptize her. Her dad is a member and her mom doesn't like the church, but she knew it was right and had read all the pamphlets that the missionaries had given to her dad. Now her little brother wants to get baptized also. They are really cool.
I wish you all the best of luck. And challenge any of you to a push up and sit up doing contest in a little more than a year...
Love,
Elder Waite
September 8, 2011
Hello Everybody!!!
I am really happy that you are all doing well, and I hope you are all staying sane there at the house.
I think it would be fun to help Dad with the fence out back, it’s probably the old one that only has three wires and isn't on the property line. Did you end up taking it down to the creek? So what are you all planning to do when Josiah and Austin are there? I hope you tell them hi for me and they enjoy their time there. I'm pretty sure Catherine still has a huge crush on Josiah so if your need someone to entertain them she could get the job done.
Thanks for all your prayers on my behalf and for my comp. This week we struggled and didn't have any investigators in church or baptisms but Carolina got baptized so that was good. I was also struggling a little. I read 1 Chronicles 28:9 and it sort of exploded the feeling of fear that I have always had that God judges us on where our hearts really are. I have always felt this way is right but I was really frustrated with myself and how weak I am. I was thinking and praying and one morning as I was putting on my tie. I remembered about something Mariah sent to me and started to look for the letter, I should have remembered this scripture but I didn't, Ether 12:27. Mariah said something about when we feel weakness that we are just getting closer to God. The scripture explains it really well also so I'll let you read it and hopefully understand what I was feeling. Just a little spiritual thing for you.
I hope everything is great. I love you guys.
Love,
Elder Waite
I am really happy that you are all doing well, and I hope you are all staying sane there at the house.
I think it would be fun to help Dad with the fence out back, it’s probably the old one that only has three wires and isn't on the property line. Did you end up taking it down to the creek? So what are you all planning to do when Josiah and Austin are there? I hope you tell them hi for me and they enjoy their time there. I'm pretty sure Catherine still has a huge crush on Josiah so if your need someone to entertain them she could get the job done.
Thanks for all your prayers on my behalf and for my comp. This week we struggled and didn't have any investigators in church or baptisms but Carolina got baptized so that was good. I was also struggling a little. I read 1 Chronicles 28:9 and it sort of exploded the feeling of fear that I have always had that God judges us on where our hearts really are. I have always felt this way is right but I was really frustrated with myself and how weak I am. I was thinking and praying and one morning as I was putting on my tie. I remembered about something Mariah sent to me and started to look for the letter, I should have remembered this scripture but I didn't, Ether 12:27. Mariah said something about when we feel weakness that we are just getting closer to God. The scripture explains it really well also so I'll let you read it and hopefully understand what I was feeling. Just a little spiritual thing for you.
I hope everything is great. I love you guys.
Love,
Elder Waite
August 29, 2011
Hello Family,Wow Hannah, great email!!! You fit just about everything in there... This email won't compare. We don't have time at all ever. As for me I am good, but really stressed and fed up with some of the stuff that happens in the mission. I don't tell you this that you lose faith in the missionaries, but one of the toughest things I've had to deal with in the mission is how the other missionaries act, that and how hard it is to see people who are ready to progress in the gospel and in their lives but reject the message.
However, I am really grateful that two little angels, Carolina (the small one) and Frida got baptized this week, that was legit. The pictures are of them. It’s so cool to see the changes baptism makes in people’s lives. I wish you could see the before and after of both the girls. Even though they are both just girls you can just see and feel the light of Christ in them more.
I love you all. I have the best family ever, and I hope you are all well. Stick in there with school Hannah, the faster you learn to deal with the stuff that other people do the better. That is definitely one thing I'm still struggling with. Cheer hard at the football games and tell Mr. Summers hi for me.
Love,
Elder Waite
However, I am really grateful that two little angels, Carolina (the small one) and Frida got baptized this week, that was legit. The pictures are of them. It’s so cool to see the changes baptism makes in people’s lives. I wish you could see the before and after of both the girls. Even though they are both just girls you can just see and feel the light of Christ in them more.
I love you all. I have the best family ever, and I hope you are all well. Stick in there with school Hannah, the faster you learn to deal with the stuff that other people do the better. That is definitely one thing I'm still struggling with. Cheer hard at the football games and tell Mr. Summers hi for me.
Love,
Elder Waite
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