Washing clothes isn't that bad. I don't know why everyone makes a big deal about it. I'm not sure what will happen with the whole job and car situation that is why I wanted to wait till January but I don't want to lose the scholarship so I will jump in and see what happens.
We are working with a lot of people and they are possibles to get baptized but we will see what happens. I am always working so don't worry about that. Grant is a great guy. I always loved having him as a coach. He was always helpful and really took care of me and I'm not sure why because he wasn't like that with everyone.
We will see how this week goes with rivalries and all. It always seems to go differently then planned so they just need to play them like another team and look to win and not focus on how many games they have won and stuff like that because its a game and they should play it because they love it and nothing more.
Trey is going to Argentina... thats so cool!!!
I will be rooting you on from Tejupilco!!!
This week was a pretty fun one. A lot of traveling for me haha so what happened we had interchanges and I went to Metepec and got to work with Elder Juarez who is from Chihuahua... great guy and it was fun and not so hot haha. We traveled from Valle where we had our District Meeting and got to Metepec at 2:30 and we went to the house and went to eat Little Caesars Pizza which I haven't ate in a long time haha... it was good. Then we went to work and I had a blast. I always do for some reason. I enjoy so much interchanges and I wish I could do it for the rest of my mission... maybe its because I just go and work with someone different in a different area and it is something new so maybe that is why I like it so much but who knows. We returned back to Tejupilco at 1 oclock and had to go to the food because it was super far away but it was fun to travel. I was exhausted afterwards but it was still fun. Also this week we found 6 new people to teach and we have over 25 people progressing and this week we will put some baptismal dates with some of them and see what happens. Its sad that the change is almost over and we still don't have the church yet and that soon I will be in my last change but its fun to know that I still have time to work and find people to baptize. It was a little bit cooler this week which was good because I was dying of calor (heat) but god loves us and sent us rain!!!! We got a little wet but thats ok. So that was my week and i'm excited to see what happens this week!!!
So I can't send pics because where I am at doesn't work.
Elder Cleverly
1. So do you have to do your own laundry?
Yeah we have to wash our clothes but its relaxing. Me and my Comp have some good talks at night while we are washing clothes and it is the most beautiful view from our room at night!
2. How did the conference go with President?
It went well. We talked a lot about ministering and how we can apply it to missionary work which basically is missionary work, but it was good and I had interviews with him because we are so far away so he took advantage of the time. I got to talk with him and we had a good talk and I think I will be finishing my mission here.
3. What time do you have church?
We have church at 10 and get done at 1.
Valle is beautiful and we love going there... its just a two hour drive that is the worst part. The heat stroke wasn't fun but I'm doing better and drinking more and watching my health. Lets just say I got hit by a wall or in superman words I got hit by kryptonite.... But suero is the true hero. The chapel is going to be awesome and its like a third companion because everyone knows about it here.
That sounds great for the schedule and with Kai in my class it will be nice so then we are lost together haha
So talking about a successful week... it was great!!! First the conference was great and I learned a lot and I am so excited to put it in practice. Something that we talked a lot about was the small and simple things and how they become big things when they pile up and it is so true. I have seen a lot of the small things become big things in my life and I think that sometimes we want to see these miracles of moving mountains or walking on water but we don't realize the little things going on in life and I have seen it a ton in my mission and reflecting back on my life. I have been truly blessed in my life and I am so happy about that. After that we didn't get to work until Tuesday because we were traveling all day but we got to work on Wednesday and ended up with 11 new people so we are still rolling but the best part about our week was first the scare that the church won't be opened till June because they have some complications and then the fact that Fernando wasn't going to get baptized, but we decided to take a chance and talk with Fernando about the whole situation. After all that he wanted to get baptized this week so we talked with him and then I asked him if he would get baptized this Sunday and he said yes!!! It was awesome and we were running around because that was Friday to try and get ready for Sunday but everything turned out awesome and it felt so good to get in the font again and help someone come unto Christ.... also because the water was super cold and it felt amazing ahhah. But seriously I felt like I was on cloud nine after and it was just a great feeling. We are now trying to find more people to do the same thing and its going good. I found a solution to my sleeping issue... its called a hammock haha. I sleep in a hammock now and its wonderful!!! It helps a lot!!!!! Now I can say I have done it all! .
So that was my week. It was a great one but still got more work to do here in Tejupilco!!! Love you Mom!!!
Elder Cleverly
It is nice taking a break from leadership but also weird jaja
The chicken foot was alright... not something I would prefer but thats alright...I have the story now haha
Thats sweet that Stock did good and that is cool about the fundraiser..I would have loved to play in that tournament.
I always wanted to umpire who did Stockton do it with???? Thats sweet!!
So this week was a good week but also bad. So first off I got to go to Valle de Bravo.... it is so beautiful there! I loved it and I want a house there that's for sure haha. Its the best get away place ever!!! That was Tuesday for our junta de distrito (district meeting) and when we got back we went to work. We started working closer to the church because its closer and they can get to the church faster and two because its a better area and so we worked there the entire week. It was nice to stay in the same place and work there. That night I wasn't feeling the best and when we got back to the house it got worse and I got really sick and on Thursday I was in bed till 1:00 because I was feeling awful. I think it was a golpe de calor (heat stroke) because it was from the heat but the good part was we have doctors here that are members so we went there and they helped. There is a drink here called suero and honestly I don't think it exists in the U.S. but it works miracles. Its like Gatorade but more like a medicine. I drink it daily here to sustain me with the heat. After that passed we found 15 people this week and we had 4 people in church and we are going to have a baptism soon. He was going to get baptized this week but the thing is we are going to be getting a capilla (chapel). Right now its a casa de oracion and there are enough members to get a chapel and the chapel will be opened in 2 weeks so he wants to wait till the chapel opens to get baptized. We are going to be the first to baptize in this chapel. I am pumped! I don't want to wait to baptize him but I will be patient haha. This week was a really good week. To explain the fotos... one is of the name of Tejupilco, one is a river that is black because it is contaminated and the others are a foto of me and of the sunset... it was beautiful. Good thing I won't need to bring my shirts home because they are so disgusting now. They are sweaty and filthy from the dirt. I wash them by hand but its got a lot of black and blue marks from the contamination so its crazy! I'm enjoying every moment and tonight we are going to stay with the ZL because tomorrow we will have a conference with President. I am pumped to see him and hear him!!! Love you Mom!!!!
Elder Cleverly
1. How long has Elder Luna been out? What is he like? I'm sure you told him how Brock served in El Salvador
He has 13 months out. He is a little serious when it comes to some people and the members but with me he isn't like that. He is a good guy and we have fun together
2. Are you a District Leader or Zone Leader or getting a break?
President is giving us a break haha. Me and Elder Osorio and Elder Lipscomb and Elder bradley... we are all taking breaks from leadership!!
3. Do they have a church building there? How many missionaries are in that area?
They have a casa de oracion but they are building a capilla (Chapel) here and it will be done next month
Yeah it is a cool place but the downfall is that it is so far away we can't do much and we can't communicate with anyone and its super hot hahah
Its really weird that Kaelyn will be in 9th grade. Thats too bad that they aren't doing well and we will see how it goes with the rest of the season and if they can make playoffs. Clearfield has a bunch of good kids and its good to see them do good and win but also we want our school to win too.
Thanks for the thought. Alright well first I can't see the pics that you sent me of Stock playing baseball. Second I want to know if I have to bring things back or can I leave a lot of things here because I don't want to carry everything home.
This week was definitely a different feel since I was in the offices for so long but I had fun and we found 19 new people to teach which I have never done in my entire mission... which was super cool. We don't have many people progressing because we are in this little tiny pueblo. They like to listen but that is it so we are really working hard on making it obvious what we want and who we are and why we are different. I am dying of heat though haha. It is so hot here you have no idea. It is the hottest area in the mission and the members don't have a lot of money so they can't give us a lot to eat or drink so literally I will come back so thin. I will lose weight that is for sure and I will be tan too. I have sun burns on my arms and neck from being in it but the good part is that on every corner there are stores to buy water so we spend a lot of money during the day to drink water. In the house its hot too so I have to sleep with two fans on so that I can sleep and I sleep without a blanket.... but its a cool little pueblo and we are excited what we can do here. On Sunday we had to climb this really big hill to get to the comida and well the hermana gave us chicken feet so that is what that pic is and well as you can tell my shoes are back in action haha... nice and dirty and ruined. That was my week...nothing crazy cool yet but its super crazy that my time is running short because I will only write you guys 9 more times... thats super crazy!!! Well I love you mom!
Elder Cleverly
1. Well where did you end up at? and who is your companion?
I'm in Tejulegos!!! no the real name is Tejupilco but they say Tejulegos because it is super far away. My comp his name is Elder Luna. He is from El Salvador.
2. Who took your place in the office?
His name is Elder Boggess... great missionary. He is relatively new
That would be cool if the tempmle was right there. It would be close to our house. Yeah conference was super good. I'm still in awe about what happened.
Yeah I play croquet. Its super fun but now I can't play because I left:( I bought the airline ticket haha.... it was the last thing I did before I left because I had to show Elder Boggess how to buy them. It was the only flight that day from Delta so that is the only time we could have gone
That is good that Kaelyn is going to tryout. Also good that you had some mother daughter time... its always good. We will see if baseball if they come together as a team or not.
Last week I was training Elder Boggess to take my spot which was super hard and I was anxious to know where I was going to and on Sunday in the night President told me I would be going to Tejupilco...a place super far away but I was excited because it is like Ixtapan... its a pueblito but its hot here thats for sure haha. Also its super far away and I got so used to being in Palmas that I feel like I will be here for a little bit and then I will be going back to Palmas but I don't think that will happen anytime soon because of the distance. Its weird that I won't be by President but I know that I'm suppose to be here and I will enjoy every moment but I will miss Palmas. The funny part is that I will be going back to Palmas but when I do it will be because I will be going home which is so soon...I'm nervous!!!! But I don't have much else to say because I have only been here for a day but I do like it a lot and probably will finish my mission here. Its real now!
I love you mom!!!
1. Should we just say WOW...Layton Utah Temple...What did you think when you heard that? I have to be honest. I actually cried later just thinking about having a temple right here and felt so blessed that we will be able to. The strange thing is that a few years ago Dad was telling about the Lady at his work telling him she thought she had seen Pres. Uchtdorf here in Layton looking at land and maybe they were looking for a temple site. We had talked about how we didn't think that would be the case because of having the Ogden Temple and Bountiful Temple close and then today...so crazy!
I screamed.... it was awesome!!!! I am so happy but where are they going to put it??? I'm pumped... its super cool so hopefully it will happen soon!! President told me that he hopes it gets built fast so I can get married in it haha... he has got big plans for me now ha
2. How was Easter/Conference? What was your favorite part of Conference?
Well I sent you all my notes so take a look!!!! I loved it though and all the changes is just amazing. You know that he is inspired to do those things so I'm super happy for everything!!!
Yeah it was fun at the park. I was with that little girl for a little bit. She is a great little girl... so cute!!!
Thats too bad that they didn't do well. That is good that Stock did well. It sounds like Clearfield is doing good so they might need to watch out and not say its just Clearfield because they can come and get ya.
Yeah I saw the same thing with Service and being a Child of God and other things among that but you can read the notes!!!
It does sound like that and well it is going fast here too...It's April already...I will be home in 3 months... thats scary!
So this week has had a lot of interesting changes. First is that I will be leaving. President told me that he wants me to finish my mission good so he is going to let me go out for my last 2 changes. So this week has been training because my son (person that I'm training in the offices ) is here so I have to teach him a lot of things. Its a lot of work to train everything in a week but I got to go to work because its the grind haha. Also I had my interviews with President and he left it to me to ask him anything and I asked him if I have been a blessing in his life like it says in my Patriarchal Blessing and he told me I have and expressed his love for me and the help I have given him so it was a great feeling that my work was a blessing. That was pretty much my week and since I sent you the fotos I will keep this short but hope that you like my notes and hope that they have some good relaxation this week and know that I love you guys!!!
Foto with Elder Marin. He came to visit me!!!
Croquet fotos...I won
And my notes!!!
Yea I got the email with the sizes and and I got something for everyone even...Lexi and Fernanda!!! Yeah I remember that day too haha it was good... do people know about that??? I don't know what I would do if I had it to do over again. I liked knowing but who knows... I can't go back so I don't know what I would do!!!
The Buehlers are just great!!!! and the Grossens love having them around and so do we. Its a little tiring to be teaching them everything but we are getting there. Yeah the flat tire was fun but I am just glad that I didn't get my suit dirty.
That sounds like what we do as missionaries. Sometimes we as missionaries are searching for people to teach and well we hear stories and we go up and just try to get to know them and love them first and from them we can teach them and well even if they are removed from the church... we should still not be afraid to share our beliefs and such even though they don't agree. The only thing we can do in situations like that is to love and that is the best thing we can do in any situation. We are teaching by example. I'm not sure what their back story is on that but its not what I need to know. All we need to know is how to love them and do our best on doing that and from there it will be better and you will see them come around. They sound like great people and I'm glad that you went over and were a missionary for a day and helped someone. We have a friend that he isn't a member and doesn't really want to go to church and all we did was show him our love for him. We were the only people that showed him love and well we received a message that he was going to take his life and he tried but ended up breaking his legs instead. He talked to us after thanking us for the love and support that we have given even though we aren't family or someone he really knows. Sometimes we will have those days that we don't know why we are doing things but we do them and later down the road you will see the results. I like the quote by Elder Holland that talks about blessings... its says: " Dont you quit. You keep walking , you keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon. Some come late. Some don't come until heaven but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. trust god and believe in good things to come!!!
Its true, I am trying to be like Jesus everyday, have that love and compassion for everyone and its hard but you have to have your eye on the prize just like its says in 3 Nefi 13:33 that we should look for the kingdom of God first and the rest will be added upon it. I know that this is a great week to testify of our Savior because everyone is focused on the Savior and not on the Virgin or anything else. They are focused on our hermano mayor (Older Brother) our ejemplo perfecto (perfect example) someone that is willing to do anything for us and so during this week I challenge you guys to learn and study and come prepared to learn more about our Savior and come with questions on the Savior and personally how he blesses your lives. He blesses my life one through the people he has put around me and the examples that I have to learn from. That is one of many and I know you will find more than just one.
This week was a crazy one because it was a lot of training and a lot of stress because we were doing the close so it took a lot of time and energy out of us but we got through it and we are on a more tranquilo week hahah. I love you Mom so much and I sent a sneak peek on things I bought so just know that its something Mexicana!!!
Elder Cleverly
