Week 40 - La Pena de Bernal

Yesterday, we got permission to go visit the Peña de Bernal with a family that we are teaching. We got back last night and didn't have time to email. We are checking references online right now, so I just thought I'd let you know that I am still alive. I'll write you all next week. All is going well!

Love,

Elder Rasmussen

Week 39 - Walking and More Walking

This was a very fast week. Even though we probably walked the most this week in all of my mission, it was a great week. Not much new. We had to leave some non-progressing people. But we found a great couple. One thing that I really like about this ward here is that it doesn't matter what people have done in the past, if they have a desire to repent and change and come back to church, the members will try to help them make that return. Sometimes we don't let people repent. 

Elder Holland spoke about that in a BYU speech: "A Robe, a Ring, and a Fatted Calf". He said "Of course, one of the added tragedies in transgression is that even if we make the effort to change, to try again, to come back, others often insist upon leaving the old labels with us."

"When a battered, weary swimmer tries valiantly to get back to shore, after having fought strong winds and rough waves which he should never have challenged in the first place, those of us who might have had better judgment, or perhaps just better luck, ought not to row out to his side, beat him with our oars, and shove his head back underwater. That’s not what boats were made for. But some of us do that to each other." 

Hopefully you all can read that talk, it is one of my favorites.

Hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Elder Rasmussen

Week 38 - Leonardo's Baptism

Hola,

This was a really great week! Leonardo got baptized and when he bore his testimony it was really amazing. He expressed that he knew the church is true and that the Book of Mormon is true. He also gave a lot of thanks to God that he was able to be baptized in His church. It was awesome to hear his sincere testimony. 

Rain season is starting, so we are going to get a lot of street rivers. It makes crossing the street without getting our socks wet a lot more interesting.

All is well here in Satélite. Happy Father's Day Dad! You are the best Dad in the world! Hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Grant

1. With Leonardo

2. "Lluvia" Street with a river going down it. (Lluvia is rain in spanish) lol

Week 37 - English Class with Luis

Hola,

This was a really cool week. We worked really hard this week and found a lot of new cool people to teach. On friday, we went to help one of our investigators (Luis) teach his students english. It was really funny. We were with students that were like 10 to 12 years old. They asked a lot of questions, like "come se dice ayer en ingles?" We basically just translated for them for like an hour. haha. But we also got to play soccer with them, they are so funny. It was a really cool experience. 

Not much new, but I really like my area and my comp. Life is going well. Hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Grant

1. With Elder Wright.

2. Dorky selfie exactly when I turned 20 years old. haha

3. Cooking hot dogs.

4. Selfie with Elder Avendaño from Oaxaca

5. In the bus station with Elder May and Elder Paul

Week 36 - Satélite and 20!

Hola,

This was a really good week. It was a really nice change to be in a good area with a good comp that wants to work. I am really blessed. It has been super hot all week, and supposedly it gets hotter until july. That'll be fun...

We are teaching a really cool older guy, named Leonardo. He is soo ready for the gospel. The missionaries before me found him contacting. He has also come to church these past 3 weeks by himself, and he brings his granddaughters. It is awesome to see how the Lord prepares some people so well.

Thanks for all the great emails. It's been a great day, but a normal one too.

Love you all,

Grant

Week 35 - 8 Months and Changes!

Hola,

I am free!!! I got changes and I am out of the offices! I am still in Querétaro, but on the west side. I'm in an area called Satelite, with Elder Wright, from Alpine, UT. He has a year in the mission. I'm really excited for this change. I think we'll have a lot of success.

Not much happened this past week. But a cool story. Yesterday Pedro y Monica came to church again. And in the second hour, in Gospel Principles class, Monica told us that they've thought and prayed about it and they've decided they want to be baptized. I am very excited for them, and a little sad that I had changes, but it's all good. 

The church is true. I've had a lot of really tender mercies this week. If we look for the Lord's hand in our life, we'll find it all over the place. Love you all, have a great week!

Love,

Elder Rasmussen

P.S. I'll try to send pictures, but if not, I'll send them next week.

Week 34 - Josue's Baptism and Skype

Hola,

This was a really good week. I've been with Elder May almost all week. Elder Mercado has chicken pox and Elder Jimenez from Veracruz, the new one, has had some weird infection on his feet, so he can't leave to work either. 

Yesterday it was really cool to talk to my family. You guys are the best! I love you all! Then right after, we had a really awesome baptismal service for Josue. His dad was able to baptize him. It was really good.

There's not much more to say, haha, this week was pretty normal.

Love you all! Have a great week!

Grant

1. The Soto Family, (E' Jimenez, their nephew, Josue, Hna Elizabeth, Jimena, Hno Ramon, yo) After the pic was taken, Hno Ramon ended up doing the baptism.

2. Skyping

3. With the Gallardo Family, (Jesus, Odilia, Adrian, yo)

4. Package from Camille and the Clark Family, Thank you!!! You're the best!