Blessings of Dedication

Dear Family,

Another week down.  It was a very exciting week.

First off, on Monday after I wrote, we went to visit a reference that we received from a member. Her name is Norma. She is the girlfriend of a member in the ward. We went at 8:00 at night to visit her, and there is no light in her house. We had the lesson outside with only the light of the moon. It was really cool because we couldn't read out of our scriptures, so we recited all of the scriptures that we needed to use by memory. I didn't realize how many scriptures we have memorized in Spanish. It was a really cool lesson and she accepted a baptismal date for the 24th of October. We went back to visit her on Wednesday, and asked if she had prayed to know if Joseph Smith was called as a prophet, the Book of Mormon is true, and if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same church that Christ established in the Bible. She told us that yeah...she knew it was all true. She had prayed, and had received her answer that is was all true. That was super cool for us. She has accepted everything that we have taught her. This week we are focusing on the commandments, then her baptism is on Saturday! 

My companion and me in our new apartment.

Also on Monday, I received a special invite to a District Leader Conference in Villahermosa. It was super cool. We had a specialized conference/training about all of the responsibilities as a district leader. We focused a ton on the new protocol of the Mission. Working week by week. Focusing on all of the smaller details so that the larger picture turns out more and more perfect. Every week we contact for the next week, visit the contacts from the past week and baptize the investigators that we found two or three weeks ago. For every person that we find within a week the goal is to have them ready and baptized two or three weeks later. He taught us that as district leaders we are like the Bishops of the mission. It is our responsibility to be the model for all other missionaries. President told us that all of us were in that meeting because he sees us as the missionaries that can be the model. If not...''you will not be here in the next conference''. The model is the example in everything. Obedience, teaching, contacting, and baptizing every week. I am not a district leader right now, but I am applying everything that he taught us in the meeting so that I can become a better missionary. I don't know why I was called to that meeting...what that means for me in the future...but we'll see:)

Also, I have become the chorister of the mission. Every single meeting that I go to, my name is in the program as the Chorister. It's cool.

On Wednesday we met with William's family. They have been progressing and coming to church, so we went with the intention to put a baptismal date with all of them. We had plans for them to get baptized on the 24th of October so that William could baptize them all before he left on his mission. (He leaves on the 27th!). We had a really nice lesson with them about the Plan of Salvation and at the end we invited them all to be baptized on the 24th. All of them told us that they needed a little more time except for his cousin. She accepted with a ton of enthusiasm. William is going to baptize her this Saturday. We are going to keep working with the rest of his family to help them come to the point where they feel like they are ready.

Thursday we went to Villahermosa to visit the doctor for Elder Reyes's knee. The doctor ended up telling us the same thing that he told us last time, but we got to go to Villa. William came with us. After his appointment we went and bought clothes for Elder Reyes. We went to a mall. That was a little weird. I haven't been in a mall for nine months! Everyone thought that we were super rich because we were in white shirts and ties. They were all trying to get us to buy the most expensive stuff.

On Thursday night I went with Elder Lopez to visit Javier and his family. We taught them about the power of the priesthood. We talked about how baptism is not our goal for them. It is the Temple. That a year after their baptism, they can be sealed as a family in the Temple. We are going tonight to teach them more about Temples. Hopefully the Spirit comes with us and we can get over the speed bump of the Sabbath day. They are an awesome family and I am praying that we can help them prepare for the Temple.

Saturday we had another baptism. Ernesto Rosaldo. He is 85 years old, but is the sweetest little old man. His baptism was super awesome and he received the Holy Ghost yesterday. He takes care of his two sisters who are as old as he and are sick. We are going to visit his sisters this week to see how we can help them out. We are also teaching his nephew, Eduardo, right now. He has a baptismal date for the 31st of October. 

85 year old Ernesto ready for baptism.

Working Week by Week

Elder Reyes and I have figured out how to work super well together, and to have success. We always invite our investigators to be baptized in the first lesson. With that, we can find their doubts of fears. I have started singing hymns in our lessons to invite the Spirit too. It works:) We are focusing now on growing our work. Right now we are having one or two baptisms a week. We are trying to grow that and have more. We are really seeing the blessings of dedication.

Transfers are this week. We are going to get calls on Sunday for transfers Monday. I am hoping that I don't have transfers. I want at least another transfer here in Frontera with Elder Reyes. We'll see what happens. Wherever I go, and whatever happens, it is what the Lord wants. Gotta trust in Him.

As for the weather here....it is pouring rain almost every day and every night. It is really nice because although I am still wet all day, it is now from rain...not sweat. It has cooled down a lot and I am in love with the weather now.

Anyways...I am doing really well and I am Happy. It is so fulfilling when you work hard and focused, and then the Lord blesses you. Remember always to be thankful for your blessings.

I Love you all so much. Have an amazing week!

Elder Cavenee

P.S. Estan Invitado. These are the invitations that I made.