This week was pretty good, as always. It was extremely hot as always, but its all good. 

It was a pretty successful week as well, so that's all good. Today is the final day of this transfer, 

so we will see if one of us will be transferred tomorrow. I believe that if one of us is going to get transferred 

it will be me because I have more time here than him, but I don't think we will be getting transferred 

because I only have like two months here and he only has like a month here. We will see tonight if we will 

be transferred. 

Other than that--yesterday we had 5 baptisms.  We started the baptismal service at 6:30 in the morning. 

We woke up at 4 in the morning to go and set up everything for the baptism. The thing is my stomach was 

killing me all night long, as well as Elder Martinez, so we only really got like an hour of sleep each. I was having 

cramps in the middle of the night. But anyways, we got everything all set up, and the family showed up on time 

and everything, so that was amazing. The thing is-our ward is bien flojo. So the bishop was like twenty minutes late, 

ward mission leader was even worse, So we had to wait forever to actually start the service. But we started and 

it was actually really awesome. We had a bunch of people at it as well--like 40 people--so that awesome. 

And then on top of that it was just amazing. I had the opportunity to baptize the dad and mom and the youngest 

daughter. Elder Martinez baptized the two middle daughters. It was awesome because we just know that 

they are going to be extremely strong in the church. And we honestly believe that the girls are going to serve 

a mission when they turn 19, and the mom's the type of woman to be the president in the Relief Society or 

something. The daughter that's the youngest was really, really awesome. she was the most excited out of all 

the family to be baptized. hahaha when we entered the water she couldn't even stand still or hear me when 

I was talking to her. So I had to settle her down, and told her, 'Now you gotta stand still for like ten 

seconds and then after you can bounce around.'  It was actually just a really cool experience. 

Other then that we had a pretty successful week of teaching and finding people that are ready to listen 

to the Gospel. We found another complete family that all want to be baptized--so that's pretty fun. 

The problem is the dad works Sundays and the mom has to attend another church every other week for school. 

So we are currently working with their two kids (the third is already baptized). And they attended church 

this Sunday and participated in everything. And when the young women's president asked them to introduce 

themselves they explained how they were talking with the missionaries and everything, and how everyone 

is invited to their baptism which is 17 de junio. So that was really fun to hear that they are already inviting 

people to their baptism. Other than that we have been working hard with the rest of our people as well. 

All in all we had 9 investigators in the church so that we awesome. We have another baptism this Saturday. 

All he has to do is fulfill and follow through with his repentance process--which this one is actually really 

hard, but we have been working really hard with him on seeing that if he just puts his faith in God, 

everything will be okay. Yes, there is going to be consequences for your actions, but God will forgive you, 

even if this other person doesn't forgive you. 

Oh yeah, it was also really nice because yesterday we received a phone call from President, and he was 

giving us his praises for our work, and also how he was really proud of all the work we have been doing. 

So yeah it meant a lot to me.  Then he spoke in English and I said, "Ah Presidente estamos en Mexico 

habla español por favor jajaja."  He thought that was pretty funny and got a good laugh out of that. 

And then at the end of the phone call he gave me some pretty big news--I'm changing missions to the Mexico 

Merida Mission!!  I asked him why, and he told me its because right know we are about to receive a bunch 

of new missionaries, and this mission is running really short and only has like 72 missionaries, so me and 

6 other missionaries are transferring there.  I told him my brother is going to serve in that mission and he 

gave me congrats, and how he hopes I get to train him. The seven of us are going to be transferred in six weeks.

That is all I got for this week. 

Church is true--go be awesome (Anne Bagley)

This week was another good ol' week out in the field of the Lord.  My English is slowly going away 

and I really can't have a normal conversation in English. haha   During the English class every Monday 

with the whole zone its just really bad. We try to have spelling competitions, but we then realize that 

we don't know how to spell anything, and end up using a dictionary the whole entire time.  Also just trying 

to remember stories in my head is really difficult, and all of it is in Spanish (I can't really think in English 

anymore--all of my thoughts are in Spanish)--so what's up. But in all honesty I do feel my speech 

impediment (with the R) coming back when I try to speak in English.

I really never thought I could learn Spanish and be useful with it, but I have come to learn that God has His 

hand in His work--and my life.  I know for a fact that I would have never been able to learn Spanish

or remember it without the Lord's help.  Its amazing to see how far I have come how far I can go with the 

Lord's help. 

Well this week was a solid 40-45 week (that's 104-114) when it comes to the weather.  And we aren't talking 

about a nice, dry heat.  We are talking about 114 and more with the humidity.  Its pretty darn fun!  I am 

literally sweating out of every part of my body--my hands arms, legs, back, and a lot more. haha  It is actually 

so incredibly funny, because we will sit down in a lesson and I'll lift my arm up and there will be a puddle of 

sweat where my arm was, but esta bien. haha   Oh yeah, and also my fingers will get all wrinkly--like when 

you are in water for a long time.  But its all good guys; its all good.  I'm going to come back really skinny--with 

no water weight haha   However, I am drinking water every single day--a lot of water. 

Anyways this week we have been focusing on just serving as many people as we possible can.  We are talking 

with all the leaders in the church and asking them, 'What do you want us to do for you; and what numbers do 

you want to see in two weeks?'  They will tell us a number and we start working really hard to accomplish this 

goal with these people. The seminary teacher asked us to bring 8 people to her class and what not, so we 

worked really hard with literally everyone, and when the time came there were 12 people in the class.  But 

there's a problem because this teacher is really 'confiden' with herself and doesn't do anything wrong--

so yeah we had to stop working with her cuz it turned into us doing everything and then her saying really 

offensive things to us and the investigators. 

We have also been working really hard with this family we have been teaching. They passed their interviews 

and all and they are going to be baptized at 6:30 in the morning this Sunday!  So hey-bright and early. But 

they are a great great family.  And to be honest--know more about the Gospel than most people in our ward. 

So that's actually really, really funny.  But they are a prime example of baptizing converts--not less active 

members. We (with them) are always the first people at church every Sunday, as well as our other investigators. 

We are there before the Bishop every Sunday  (he doesn't give us keys to the church building) so we 

usually have to wait outside for like ten minutes waiting for someone to bring keys. But its all good. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=SsrZ1XqwQlg

This is a great video talks about how we need to love all people, so I think mom will really like this one. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1BEgZsTWMA

Another great video about faith and trials and what not, great video highly recommend it.

I love you all--keep up the great work. 

Church is true--go be awesome (Anne Bagley)

This week was pretty good as always. Had a lot of success and what not. Unfortunately, I don't have any stories at all for this week. All I got to say is that with exact obedience and just being yourself brings a bunch of blessings and success.

My companion and I have been trying to be as obedient as possible because we need the blessings in the work. So with this effort we have been receiving a bunch of blessings in the work. We are seeing a bunch of people progressing, and also just the Spirit in the lessons a lot stronger. Another great thing is that we are being more direct with people. Its not like a 'bad direct', just an honest direct.

In lessons where they will start to make excuses of why they can't do something like read or pray or attend church, and we feel the Spirit telling us to be really direct. So its usually me that gets to talk during this time and in one lesson (I'll just share the experience).  So we were teaching this one lesson and we asked the guy why he didn't go to church. He told us that it was because he wanted to earn more money in his work. We then asked him if he believed that the lord would bless him if he would follow the commandments and if he had faith in these blessings. He told us yes, he had faith in the Lord and his power. And so we asked him to sacrifice three days of work so he could get a divorce, get married, and then get baptized--and all within two weeks. He told us that he would think about it, but in truth he wouldn't do it. So I said, 'Well, if I'm hearing you correctly, you're telling us that you have faith in God, which is good, but you don't have enough faith to make three sacrifices?'  He then said, 'More or less yes'. And I told him,  'Well hermano, you're telling God 'well, I have faith, but I'm just not going to show it'.  And God is going to tell you, 'Well okay. I'm just not going to show you blessings.''   I said that if he isn't willing to show God his faith then God cant bless him, and that he would continue to have troubles in his work.  But if he would only act on his faith he would have more success in his work than he's ever had.

Another thing is just being myself down here. I've learned that people are going to be drawn to you if you are just yourself. And also because God sent us down here for our personality, so we need to show it and not change it. So my personality (if you know) it is a different personality, and I don't really like doing things the conventional way. So I've just been trying to think totally on how I can help the children of the Lord down here in Mexico. hahaha

Well it has been really paying of. With the family of Gustavo and Lucero I'm trying so hard to work with the daughters and getting them to read the Book of Mormon, and they just are bien flojo and don't read. So I put all the cards on the table last night and told them a bunch of stuff and in all honesty, afterwards I was just drained--it was weird. But I told them that I'm going to leave my scriptures here in your house, and I have highlighted all of what I believe are the most important versus in the Book of Mormon. I said 'I'm not asking you to read a chapter a day.  All I'm asking is to to read one of the tabs every night with your sister--nothing more.'  Then I said, 'This is your salvation, and you guys need to take charge of it.  So I'm not going to ask in a week if you are reading the Book of Mormon.  I'm going to trust you guys and your word that you guys will read.'  It wasn't rude at all (don't worry).  I put all the love and care into this invitation.  I fully believe that they will read the Book of Mormon--at least a few versus every day this week.

The Witness by  Boyd K Packer:  So this talk is pretty dang good and you guys should all go watch or listen to it all. Wow! Talk about finishing strong. Watch it all the way through.

That's all I got for this week.   Have a great week.

Church is true--Go be awesome.  (Anne Bagley)

Mother's Day with the Family!!!

This week was another great week of éxito.  It started off Monday night with Elder Flores and I receiving

a phone call from the Assistants telling us we had transfers once again.  This time it was Flores that was 

leaving the area--not me. So we didn't sleep at all that night due to him packing all night, but its all good 

I got another companion.  So I have had a total of three companions within a month--hahaha--but its all 

good.  I am finally companion mayor--whoop whoop!  So this week we worked really hard and everything 

was just clicking for us. We had success on every single one of or indicadores claves, so that is a great way 

to start off my career as mayor haha. When Sunday finally came around we had eleven investigators in the 

church and six with a baptismal date--the best numbers in the zone.  Oh and don't forget we have our 

multi zone reunion tomorrow so we are really happy with our results. The thing is everyone is progressing 

so its awesome--awesome--awesome!

Story One:

I really don't have any good stories this week, so I apologize. But with the family Agilardo Diaz, man they are 

the definition of golden investigators. My lider de districto told me that I needed to ask the all of the baptismal

interview questions this week, and its not like I can say 'no', so I interviewed all of them. and when 

pregunta 4 came around (if you don't understand pregunta 4, ask someone who does), and I thought oh 

man we are gonna have some problems here. So I had everyone shut there eyes cuz you know its a pretty 

personal question, and I had my comp close his eyes as well. I started to ask all of the questions pertaining 

to pregunta 4 and when I finished with it all they had a total of 0 problems with it. It is a modern day miracle. 

And with the other questions sobre their faith in the BOM, Jose Smith, y profetas, they all had faith that they 

were true--it was amazing. 

Another story with this family is we had to teach the word of wisdom to them.  It was like the third lesson 

(or second, I don't remember), but at the end we invited them to follow the word of wisdom. And they gladly 

accepted to follow it--that night they would start. So we then asked if they had anything that would be a 

temptation for them in the house to break this commandment and they told us 'yes'. We then asked them to 

give all of those things to us in that moment and never use or buy these substances again, and they actually 

gave us all of it!!!! It was amazing and we also did the same thing with like three other investigators 

and they also gave us all of the stuff. The problem is its not the best thing to have in our garbage--all 

of these things--so we have all of the things on our sinners table--haha.  Gonna ask/go buy some garbage 

bags that are black hahaha. 

So anyways this family is just progressing out of this world. We were having problems with one of the 

daughters not reading the Book of Mormon, and were trying everything to try to help her, but nothing 

was working.  So I had to pull out on of my tricks. I told her that the next visit we are gonna have a 

family home evening and you and Lucero have the lesson on this chapter, and your mom has the activity 

and we are going to bring cake so we are all going to complete all our tasks.  And if not, well we cant have 

any of the other stuff. So we return with the cake and she had read not just the chapter but four other 

chapters in the Book of Mormon.  And she told us that she had felt that it was true and now understood 

why we were always urging her to read.  But man this family is so ready for baptism. haha  They have their 

baptismal date for the 28 de mayo--its a Sunday before church at 630 in the morning hahaha.   But hey,

 they are all for it.

That is really the only story I have for the week.  Oh,  and also planning the wedding of two of our 

investigators hahaha,  Its pretty fun. And all I gotta say is that it is extremely important to follow what 

the Spirit tells you to do.  If you don't then sorry its actually a pretty big sin--says it in the Bible.  Look it up. 

But anyways, always follow the Spirit no matter what its telling you to do, He is perfect and knows where 

you need to go. 

Church is true--go be awesome (anne bagley)

Reply Reply to All Forward More

This week (as always) was pretty good

. However, nothing to grand or spectacular happened so I'm sorry for that. 

Story One:

We  had great success this week when it came to finding people who are ready to be taught and hear 

the gospel. My companion and I currently have an operation going on trying to convert all of our 

neighbors.  Its a slow process but its coming along. We have like a total of 20-30 of our neighbors in our 

teaching pool. However we found one family who lives just like four houses down who are really, really 

ready to progress. We were just walking on the street when we decided to stop and talk to one of our 

neighbors who we have never talked to--just the usual buenas when we pass by. So we talked to her and 

she was very "standoffish", but agreed to have us visit her the next day when her husband was home. 

So like good missionaries, we put down an appointment and returned the next day. We taught L1 and 

invited them to read the Book of mormon (we gave them all a different chapter to read). The lesson went 

really really well and they asked us to come back the next day and teach them some more. So we go back 

the following day like great missionaries never missing an appointment, and we talk about the things they 

have read. We then talked about how important it was that they read the scriptures, not just the LDM but 

also the bible.  And also that it is extremely important to pray to your Father in Heaven every single day. 

They then started to talk to us about how they were in search mode to find the true church of God. They 

had been members of many many different churches in their lifetime but for one reason or another they 

had left the churches. They weren't just like once a month goers to church type of people either. their 

daughter played the drums in one of the church bands and the mom was the director of the choir, so you 

know--pretty active. The mom then started to talk to us about how she was praying the morning we had 

first passed by to know what church was the true church, or if there even was one. She then told us after 

she said 'Amen' no less than five minutes after we stopped at her house and started to talk to her. She 

didn't know how to react or really anything and that's why she was so standoffish at first. The family then 

started to share with us that they do have many many questions but they do feel that this church is the 

church that God has restored, not rebuilt, restored on the earth today. We then invited them to church 

and they happily agreed to join us, even though church is at 8 in the morning. The best part about it is its 

the whole entire family--the mom and dad (Gustavo, Lucero) and four daughters (Lucero15, Adriana 14, 

forgot this ones name but she has 7 years, Genesis 2). They also loved going to the church building and 

participating in it all.

Story 2:

We have been teaching more or less another complete family as well. Its an grandma and grandpa and 

their grandchildren that live with them. They have a very, very deep desire to be baptized but the thing is 

they are both technically married to two different people, but have been living together for the past like 

23 years. So as we all know--that's against the Law of Chastity, so they would have to change. Usually it 

would take over a year or so to get a divorce and then get remarried but the Lord has His hands in this work. 

It would take over a year because there is a law in Mexico that states that you can not get married to 

another person in the same year as your divorce, even if you guys have been split up for a lot of years. 

However the missionaries here in Veracruz are pretty much the number one resource for marriages in 

Jamapa and other things so the judge helps us out on a lot of things. So we called this guy up and asked 

if there was any way to get around this law, and he told us that he would look for a way. So he calls us 

back and says that there is a wrinkle in the law and that if the person doesn't have any young children 

menor de edad then they could get married within the year. But there was another problem a lot of 

these divorces take forever to go through so we started to work on this problem and do some digging. 

And also talking to a lawyer about it. So we figured out that the lady's first husband was married to 

another lady in Oaxaca before he married Sabina in Jamapa, but he never got a divorce. And then once 

he left Sabina he got married to another lady in Xalapa without getting a divorce. So we then asked what 

that meant and the guy told us that it really should only take a day and all she would have to do is sign a 

paper and boom no longer has a legal husband--and the best part is she wouldn't have to pay anything 

at all. For the husband, the judge said that he would put it on the top of the list and it would only have 

like a week or less wait. 

So all in all the moral of the story is God has a time for everything. God knows when we are prepared 

to hear His message and when you are not ready to hear the message. He knows the desires of your 

heart even when you don't know them at all. So really, all you have to do is trust in him, put your faith 

and will in His hands, And what will happen next? Quien Sabe--but we do know that it will be the best way 

for us we just gotta trust in Him. 

"He means He knows the way out and He knows the way up. He knows it because He has walked it. 

He knows the way because He is the way"

That is really all that I have for this week. Church is true. Book is blue (Troy Parker) 

Church is true--go be awesome (anne bagley)

Reply Reply to All Forward More