October 9, 2017~"Faith is Taking the First Step Even When You Can't See the Whole Staircase"

1.  How is your Comp doing?  Is he adjusting to missionary life?

~He is doing good and yeah he is adjusting to the missionary life little by little. I have to be more strict with him because he is new so right now we are all business but there is sometimes we joke around.  I just want him to learn and be a good missionary right now so I'm really working with him on that 

2.  Have you been able to get people to Church?

No we still haven't.  We have found people but when we go to their house they aren't there but we are hoping that this week goes better!!

Yes conference was good and the Book of Mormon is awesome!!!!

This week was a good one.  We went to the DF on Monday and got back in the afternoon because we had a meeting at President's house and so we had to go.   After that on Tuesday we had a good junta (meeting) and I taught a lot about the Plan of Salvation and how we can teach it better.   On Wednesday we had our p-day and on Thursday we worked normal.  Friday we had divisions with the zone leaders and it was super fun.  We found a lot of people.   First we passed by with Javier and his wife and they are enjoying the lessons but they need to come to church.   second we passed by with Pedro and he wants to get baptized and so he has to come to church to get baptized.   After that we got a reference from the temple and it turns out it was our neighbor in our apartment building and so we taught her and she has a friend in the mission and wants to learn more about the church and everything we do and she is planning to be baptized on the 29th.  After that we found a girl that had a dream and she needs to repent and so we are hoping she is good and listens to us.  We will be passing by this week with her.   We have a couple of more people but the people that are mostly interested are those ones and there families.   We had a guy tell us that he would rather like the earth to end then to live here... super fun and well we had a good time with them.  I worked with Elder Cetina.  He is from my generation and we had a blast and in the night me and Elder Pearson talked a lot and we got to know each other more.  He is awesome.   On Saturday we didn't eat anything because we were booked with citas (appointments) and so we were working all day and didn't stop to eat oops hahaha.   Sunday we talked about the organization of the church and service and then we had a meeting today for the District Leaders...so this morning we went and did that"!!!!!   That was my week.  It was a high accept for the fact that we passed by with some members from the Ward and they told us that they didn't want to be members anymore and they go to a different church:(   There are a lot of members like that and its sad to see....

I hope you guys have a good week and I love you Mom a lot!!!!

Elder Cleverly 

October 2, 2017~ "If We Sin, We are less Worthy, but We are Never Worth less"~ Joy D. Jones

1.  What is the question you are asked the most on your mission?
Well we are asked a lot of questions as missionaries. Sometimes its what do we do or what do we sell and for being from the United States its something about Trump or if I eat chili hahaha

2.  What do you like most about this area from the other areas that you have served in?
I like the area.  Its got a mix of city and pueblo and there are a lot of places to see and the view is awesome.  So I think that it is the nicest part of my area

3.  What was your favorite Conference Talk?
Honestly I couldn't tell you because it was all good but here are my comments I wrote during it about each speaker

Saturday Morning
Dieter F. Uchtdorf~Bobby the wonder dog that walked to his house in Oregon from Indiana:  Do we have the instinct to return back to him. (principle 1) we are not alone and he calls to us always to come back to him. You will know when he has talked to you and you will know when you turn to the lord.  Your life will be better if you will go to him.   He will direct your steps. He will guide you and sometimes he will carry you.  Begin your journey back home and help other begin as well.  Abilities will come through choices. D&C. 35:14. though we are imperfect God will use us if we are turned to him. You can't put your life in autopilot you need to have the desire to go and follow God.

Bonnie l. Oscarson:  Service. the Importance of service. Way to change the world is help your family.   We are needed to be givers. Who needs me today????

Dallin H. Oaks. If you are of the world the world will love you, but if you are not of the world the world will hate you. Salvation is on individual matter but exaltation is a family matter.   This life is the time to prepare to meet God again.   The family proclamation to the world.   The family is central to the Father's plan.

John. C. Pingree Jr.:  We all have a plan. Ordinary people are used to do extraordinary things. Focus on others. Discover and develop spiritual gifts. Each person has gifts.   What is my mortal ministry????   Rely on Christ.   The hand does the writing and the thinking the pencil doesn't do anything.

D. Todd Christofferson:  We must bring the Savior into our lives to be one.   Each piece of bread is different, unique just like us because we all have different sins.   Jesus Christ is the hope.   Holiness to the Lord

Jeffrey R Holland:  We should not beat upon ourselves. I'm trying to be like Jesus. Perfection is on the pension.  At least God is perfect.   The Gospel is for perfection of the saints... you come unto Christ and be perfected in him. Moroni 10:32. we are debtors and we were going to be thrown into prision but we have a King that loves us and let us free. Llittle more Godlike in the small things.  Steady improvement. I'm trying to live the life of truth.   Give help to anyone who is trying to walk back to God.

Saturday Afternoon
Gary E. Stevenson: Sun vs. Moon. Heaven vs. the World. Spiritual Glasses. If our perspective and sight is focused on God and protecting us we can see the sun. Pride vs. Humility.   Look through the lense of the Gospel 

Stephen W. Owen:  There isn't a team or person that goes undefeated in the game of life but we can still win through the Atonement and Repentence.   The Prodigal Son.   He was dead and now lives. Repentence is for everyone. Need to maintain and grow out testimony. 2 Nefi 31:20

Quentin L. Cook:. 2 Nefi 26:33.   We are equal.   This day and this time is the time to prepare to meet God. Serving humbly.   Section 112 (verse 10) be true disciples of Christ. Mosiah 17:9

Ronald A.  Rasband:  Coincidence or divine design?????  Everything is guided by God's plan.   This is a guiding hand above all things.   The Lord knows what we are capable of doing.

O. Vincent Haleck:  A man can live in darkness but they belong to the light.   Widows myte.   Gve all to the building up the Kingdom

Russell M. Nelson:  How precious is the Book of Mormon to you???? 29 of sept. 2017.   What would your life be like without the book...? What would you know????  What would you not have????

Priesthood
Dale G. Renlund:  Priesthood is used by inviting others to come unto Christ.   Covenents is a pledge. We pledge to avoid sin and to magnify our callings through the priesthood.  We receive hope, forgiveness, administering of angels.... and the keys if we keep our convenents.   With disobedience we can lose those blessings D&C 82:10. Is Heavenliy Father proud of me????

David F Evans:  We need to search our questions for ourselves. In the mean time we should do what it is right. To receive a question we need to live the gospel, to act and to sacrifice to learn the truth.   We should go to the best resources.   Keeping commadments brings joy in our lives. 

Richard J. Maynes:  Integrity is to be true ln all aspects of life.  To gain trust we much trust or put our trust in God and gain a testimony and a trust of the Lord.   First trust, second blessings.   Peace in the home comes from the trust. with integrity we will keep our covenents and gain the trust of others. Don't give up 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf:  Everyone faces spiritual challenges when God feels distint.   It comes from sin from sin or emotional wounds.   Just because trials are real doesn't mean its incurable. Everything is curable through Christ. if we have faith he will take our hands. He will help us and lead us on our way through his light.   When we are in darkness we will make poor choices and lose hope.   When we are in the light we can make the correct decisions.  We have a perfect brightness of hope. he that follows Christ will grow in the light and will eliminate all darkness.   The word of God is truth and truth is light and light is Spirit.   This light lightens our soul.   The light helps us to be born again.   If thy eye is filled with light your whole soul is filled.   Darkness can't exist in light.   The Lord has called us to bring light into the darkness. 

Henry B. Eyring:  Jesus is the head of the Church and he speaks through his prophets by revelation and he will give revelation to those that follow the servants of God.   It takes faith to believe and to listen to receive revelation but faith is essential.   Nobody is perfect but we are called to be servants of the Lord.

Sunday Morning
Jean B. Bingham:  If we learn more about the plan of God.  We will trust and progress. You will find joy in Christ.  If you learn of him and follow him.

Donald l.  Hallstorm:  Milagros (miracles) comes after faith.   Do I have faith not to be healed????? Being a child of God is a miracle.   Do you have faith in temporal things or in the plan of God????

David A. Bednar:  Sometimes we are running but sometimes we forget why we are running and where we are going. The proclamation. Sabbath is God's time.  The Sabbath is a time to elevate our vision to the blessings of God and not of the world. 

W. Cristopher Waddell:  We can hope and have peace through the Atonement of Christ.   We have control on how we will respond to our trials. Look to the Savior and live

W. Craig Zwick:  Look beyond what we see. Fear not. For those that are with us are more than they are with them (elijiah) We all see, hear, talk different.  What is it i most prize????

Henry B. Erying:  Doubt not Fear not. To have faith and follow the Prophet opens our hearts and it stays open as longs as we are willing to listen and to have faith.

Sunday Afternoon
M. Russell Ballard:  Keep the doctirne of Christ pure

Tad R. Callister:  Book of Mormon is the keystone of our Religion and it can be to our soul. The Book of Mormon came through revelation not from brilliance. Joseph Smith couldn't write a letter little lone a book. I would have to deny my testimony of the Book and the Spirit to say its not true.

Joni l. Knoch:  We have no right to judge and reject others.

Stanley G. Ellis:  The Lord trusts us. but not wise in thyne own eyes. Hard is strong. Choose the harder right than the easy wrong.   Do I have the faith to trust God????   Fear is a tool of Satan... fear not. 

Adilson de Paula Parella: Through the restoration we can learn that God calls prophets.  They are his mouthpieces here on earth. God hears and answers our prayers. God gives us blessing and trials to grow.

Ian S. Ardern:  The fisherman. Hold fast and stand strong til more knowledge comes.

Jose l. Alonso:  The love of God is shown through the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ. John 3:16. 

Neil L. Anderson:  Thoughts and feels are customized to you. God wants us to come home to him. "When we choose to have faith we prepare to stand with God. Our faith prepares us to be in the presence of God." Elder Hales


Yeah Elder Holland's talk was way good!  So I already wrote my thoughts on the talks from Conference this week and I'll tell you some more things that happened.  So the stadium is in our area and so we went one night because there was a game and it was crazy and it reminded me of tailgating and stuff like that.  There was so much food, things to buy and of course beer but there were a ton of police officers so we were good. On Friday I finished the book of Mormon on the 29th!!!! and I know its true....I thought what I heard in conference about the Book of Mormon was awesome!!!! We have been working with a couple of families. One the dad lived in the United States for a while and he says he is proud to call himself an American even though he wasn't born there. They haven't came to church yet but they are great.  All they are missing is the church things.  A guy contacted us and told us he wants to be a member and another family that lives on a top of a hill.   All they are missing is going to church so we will work with them this week to get them to come to church!!!!!!

Today we had a meeting with President in his house for the new missionaries and so thats what the pics are from.  I'm speedy Gonzalez hahaha but thats been my week.  I love you Mom!!!!

Elder Cleverly 

September 25, 2017~"Give Time to Holiness"

1.  Glad you were able to write us AGAIN and let us know that you and the other missionaries were okay from this last Earthquake.  So you could feel it pretty good?
I didn't feel it we just saw the cable moving and everyone freaking out but I haven't felt it once nor my comps.

2.  Were you still able to go to the Temple since there was the Earthquake?
Yeah we went and it was a cool experience to go

3.  Do you still have someone doing your laundry now that you are in this area?
Yeah there is a Hermana that helps us out and washes our clothes we just have to buy the soap

4.  Are there any big stores in this area or just small ones?
Yeah we are in the center so we have Walmart and Mcdonalds and big stores.  We have a lot here

5.  Is the chapel a bigger one or small?
Its big.  It is the Stake Center of Toluca

6. How many people are in your Companion's family? Are they all members?
it is him and his little brother and his mom that are members.  His dad and his family aren't members but of his moms side they are members

Yeah Independence Day is cool just no one in the streets hahaha
and yeah we hope that its not a big distraction having the stadium there.  Its sad what is happening and its hard to be in Toluca and not be able to help the people in the city with the Earthquake cleanup.
We are seeing the signs of the last days.  I read about it the other day in 3 nefi about these signs and it was exactly on point 
so its just signs to warn us to be ready spiritually.

That was a great talk.  I love it and its so true!!!!

This week was good even though I was tired due to the fact that I only slept for two hours. On Monday we just had a little time to do some things and then we got to work.  We contacted a lot and it was great!!!!   Tuesday we had Elder Lara and Elder Morales (Brock knows Elder Morales from him mission ) came to our house to sleep over and to go to the temple with us.  We bought pizza and because of that and staying up talking I only got two hours of sleep.  We woke up at 3 to get to the church to leave.   The car ride was fun going there singing songs and experiences that has happened to us in the mission and then we got to the temple and we had a great conference about sacrifices and being willing to sacrifice our prized possessions for God and then we went to the temple and I had revelation and that is something personal but it was awesome.  On the way back we got to talk some more and it rained super hard and we got back late.   I got to see Elder Osorio and Elder Edwards!!!! 
Thursday we worked normal.  Friday we found a family that the dad lived in the United States for a while... 19 years in fact and his whole family got baptized but him and so we taught him on Saturday the Restoration and it was a great lesson and my child did great teaching.  So they are our investigators right now.  We are excited to continue and hope they progress so that they can make a convent with God through the waters of baptism.   We got to take pics up on a hill and you can see the whole city!!!!!

That was my week.  We have a lot of people to teach this week so we hope its a good one.  I love you!!!!!!

Elder Cleverly 

Elder Cleverly with Elder Osorio and Elder Edwards

September 18, 2017~"One of God's Greatest Gifts is the Joy of trying again."

I left the last area because I had a lot of time as Zone Leader and President usually changes Zone Leaders after 4 changes and I went one more as Zone Leader and now I'm training again as District Leader haha.  I have been blessed to be in leadership positions and my comp is trying to learn English.  He just asks me questions and doesn't study so I write down what he needs to study first before he asks questions.
Yeah there is a volcano here and I want to go but we don't have permission because we are going to go as a mission together.  It does get snow.  Where I'm at there is a soccer team called the 
Diablos... they are pretty good and you already know I'm going to buy a jersey hahah

Thats good that the game turned out well.  I'm glad that Stock got to play too.  Thats too bad about BYU... they just don't seem to have the offense that they want and need changes I think. 

This week was the week of Independence Day in Mexico and this day is always crazy and we don't seem to have much success because there is no one in the streets...but this day I love here but it will be the last time I will be here during Independence Day the rest of the mission.... anyways on Thursday we had a really good day of working and so I taught my child how to contact and so we contacted and we found a couple of people as well.   Something that we are doing is that we are asking for references because we literally don't have anyone to teach so we are asking if they know anyone that we can teach... nothing yet, but the Ward and the members are great.  I like being here.  Its just I have been changing so much I haven't been able to establish anything due to the changes and not having a comp that know the area either.  It is a challenge and so I'm up for it.   Friday is when we had Independence Day and well we didn't find much but we had a party and well the church was full of people and it was fun... but since it was dangerous for us to be out on this day we went home at 8 but before we went home we had to buy food and drinks and we stayed up watching the fireworks so that was fun. The next day on Saturday was the actual Independence Day, the 16th but they celebrate it for 2 days and we started working earlier and well there was nobody in the streets because everyone was in the center at the parade haha.   After that we went with a family and ate breakfast some tacos and Atole (a Spanish drink) super good.... as well as papaya with honey haha  then we passed by with more people but nothing.  We didn't find anybody and President wanted us in house at 7 so we got home and went to bed earlier because we stayed up the night before and there isn't much going on at night on the 16th. The next day we had church and I gave a talk so I have talked now in each Ward and I also taaught Sunday School class which was about sacrifices and during that all you could hear was GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  because the soccer stadium of the Diablos is super close so we heard everything hahaha.   We passed by with a few members after that and then we went home and now its today and we haven't done anything and won't do anything today because p-day ends at 1 and we need to work because we are going to the Temple on Wednesday!!!!

So that has been my week and here are some pics...I love you Mom!!!!!

Elder Cleverly 

September 13, 2017~"There are More Ways to See than with Our Eyes"~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

1.  So this week is transfer week.  It came so fast, I almost forgot it was.  Everything still the same for you?
No I am in Toluca now ...in the center... its called centro. I'm training and he is brand new missionary.

2.  Glad you were safe from the Earthquake.  When I heard about it I really didn't worry too much because it hit far enough away from you that I figured it didn't effect you.  But did you feel it?
Yeah we felt it but the main damage was far away..Yeah President wanted to calm all the families that were calling him 


Thats crazy that the fire was so close ...it hasn't been so close before to our house but you can see that we are in the last days. 

So this week  me and Elder Bonner finished traveling all over the place.  we had to go to other areas to do some things that were important. We didn't really work in our area that much and on Sunday we weren't expecting anyone to come but a guy that we contacted a while ago came.  He had read some of the Book of Mormon and he had questions so he came to church and he had a heart attack and so came because of that as well.  After we got the call that I would be leaving and I was sad because I have enjoyed being with Elder Bonner but thats how the changes are. I was told that I'm going to open an area and with a child (new missionary) so I have a new missionary.  His name is Elder Castillo and he is from Veracruz and he is learning quickly.  We haven't been able to have a full day of work yet due to changes and then trying to find members and with today being p-day but tomorrow we should be able to settle down and get to work.   I'm in the center of the capital of Toluca and its cool here... different from the city but then again I haven't been in the pueblos for 10 months haha.   So thats really whats happened with me.  I hope you guys have a good week. Love you mom!!!
Elder Cleverly

One of the room's in Elder Cleverly's house that he just left in Anahuac 

Kitchen in last area

Elder Cleverly's bed

Elder Cleverly with Elder Johnson (who was a past companion he trained) with his new companion that he will train

Elder Cleverly with his new companion Elder Castillo from Veracruz Mexico.  He will be training Elder Castillo

The New Missionaries and their Trainers.  Elder Cleverly and his Comp are on the 2nd row from the back

Another picture of Elder Cleverly with Elder Castillo

September 4, 2017~"Believe You Can and You are Halfway There"

1.  What was important to you about this past week?
I will answer that in my what happened in my week

2.  What has the weather been like?
Its rainy here like everyday

3.  Have you seen or spoke with Elder Edwards lately?
I spoke to him today but other then that no

Thats good that they won.  I am glad that they played good!!!!
Tell Brock that I say happy birthday 

So this week I think has been the week of my conversion. It was a hard week to take in, not because it was something hard or that we weren't in our area, the hard part was the fact that we aren't going to baptize this change... But it was the best week of my life.  So we first started with concilio (council) which I really enjoyed.  Honestly it was a good time being able to share experiences that have helped us get better and do great things.  I learned and loved when we talked about the doctrine and what is it and how we should understand it.   I also loved the invitation of Elder Osorio:
Vivir (Live)
Comprender (Understand)
Enseñar (Teach)
This is a great invitation... to first live and understand the doctrine and then teach it and that was something I loved from concilio (counsel) that we learned about.  After that we went to El Mirador and I got to work with Elder Johnson who is new and is learning and it was fun to be with him and be able to teach him and learn from him because the new missionaries are always eager to learn and ready to work.  I think after awhile we stop trying to learn or we think we know everything.  I know that isn't the case because I have learned a lot every single change that I have had.  We can always learn from the new missionaries... a lot of things. I didn't sleep the best that night...I gave up on sleeping because it was so uncomfortable sleeping on a couch that is in the house in El Mirador haha but thats alright.  On Saturday we contacted a camion (truck)... we just got up in front of like 50 people and we told them who we were and what we do and if we could pass by with them and we contacted each person on that bus haha.... but the stories that I want to share are the stories of some people that we have met.
So first is a guy named Alejandro and he has seen the missionaries before but never talked to them, but me and my comp contacted him like a week ago and thought nothing of it, but he was looking for us and found us in Santiago, a different area, and we were able to talk to him and he told us about the day we first contacted him and how it had been a hard day and he had left his house to get some air and that is when we contacted him and it was just awesome to see God put him in our hands and he is really interested.  He is actually is a brother of one of the investigators we had in Castorena.
The next person was a reference from an Hermana and she has had a lot of difficulties in her family... her son, and husband, and parents have passed away, but her husband was a member and we went to the house.  We didn't have any directions or address just a reference... Green House haha and so we went to the house and there wasn't a green house but saw a house that had just been painted and so we knocked there and she lived there and come to find out she returned to her house early because she felt like she should be at home and then we showed up 10 minutes later so it was awesome.  The last is the sweetest girl ever!  We left a pamphlet with her and she read it.  She is 8 years old and she was so excited to listen to us. Her mom wouldn't let us in because her husband was there but it was cool to see these people so happy to see us and hear what we have to say.

So that is why I say its my conversion change because I have really worked and worked and worked and nothing but I have now seen these miracles in people and it just brings joy to my heart and I am so happy to be here and I think I would say this change has truly made me into the person that I want to become.

Elder Cleverly