Week 24

Hey everyone! 

So this letter is probably gonna be short, but I got some news! I got transferred this week!! 

I'm in a huge area called La Presa, and it's a little dangerous here haha it's right next to cuatepect, which is the most dangerous area in my mission haha 

So staurday we were waiting for the transfer call from opur Zone leaders, and we finally got the callat 9:00, and my comp tells me that I'm leaving!!! I'm like what!?!?!?! Liar! you're leaving! (cuz he has almost 7 months in Ventisca, and I only have 4)  

But sadly it turns out that I was leaving..... I've only been in La presa for a few hours and I already miss the people in Ventisca.. 

I cried a lot, and I cried with my friends in Ventisca... And they cried for me... I didn't want to leave. 

I had some many amazing people that I was working with in Ventisca, and the same night we found out about tranfers, we were with one of my Investigatores, Rafiel, and he was begging me to help him, he said multiple times, help me, help me, come back to my house and help me... 

and then I got moved accross the mission... So I'm super sad about that.. 

But this new area seems to be alright! It's huge, and on the side of the mountain, so I'm gonna be super tired all the time from hiking all day everyday haha it's a good thing I like moutain climbing!!! 

it's also pretty different from ventisca, and a little more crazy haha 

My new companion is Elder Cornejo!!! yep!! I have 2 different companions with the same name!!! haha 

My new comp seems to be super awesome! So I'm looking forward to working with him!! 

but I'm expecting to be robbed at any moment here haha so I'll have some cool experiences lol 

oh and that suprise that I mentioned last week, was we were going to show up for transfers in a limousin when my comp get's transferred!! haha but Elder Cornejo from Chile didn't get transferred, and the limousin turned out to be super expensive haha 

So I'm pretty short on time, But this work is great!! It's hard, and long, but at the same time, it's the best thing I've ever done! 

I'm a missionary Of Jesus Christ, and I have seen the blessing of gospel in my life and in the life of others, and now I'm here helping people come unto christ and helping them receive the blessing God has in store for them! 

Ever day I have to rely on God to help me and guid me, God is Merciful, and he love each one of his Children, and he wants all of us to return to him, and that's why he sent me here. I didn't want to leave ventisca, but I have been called of God to La presa, I don't know why I'm here in this part of the mission, but Faith isn't a perfect knowlege of things, but it's a hope for things which are not seen, but that are true. 

Love all you guys!! hope you have a great week!!!! 

Please continue to write me! I always love hearing from you! 

Adios! 

-Elder Elkins 

Week 23

Hey everyone!! another good week here in Mexico! 

I have a few good stories for you guys haha 

Well first off I want to honor a sister missionary here. 

A couple weeks ago I witnessed the death of Hermana Anderson, she was out in the mission for about 1 year, and for that entire year she was sick, and finally President Hall gave the word... 

And so she is reading this right now in her house haha don't worry she only got sent home! When a missionary get into the mission they are born, and their trainer is their father/mother and when a missionary leaves the mission, they die. 

So yeah Hermana Anderson Was the first missionary that I saw die here, and I was pretty sad, she was in my zone for about 3 weeks before she got sent home due to health problems. Which is a huge bummer cuz she was super awesome!!! Always super funny, and made every one laugh super hard! 

And she can sing amazingly!!! 

I consider her a great friend!! And she said she was a, Black lady inside a German Body, with a mexican heart, and a british accent!

hahaha that defines her perfectly!!! 

So yeah we had our last zone meeting with her, and after the goodbyes, while she was walking away We all did the HungerGames sign with the three fingers lol 

it was weird to know that she was going to be back with her family in a few hours! 

It's even more weird to think about when I die in the mission haha 

Also people kinda go crazy in the mission haha 

That same Zone meeting, my Zone leader, Elder Allison was kneeling on top of a chair staring out the window, while rocking back and forth, and whistling, like he lost his mind haha if you imagin it it's pretty funny lol 

alos had some more fun with dogs this week!!! 

We were with Felipe, and he was visiting people with us, and we saw the black dog that doesn't like me and a another dog too haha 

So Felipe grabs a stick and starts running after the dogs waving it around, and so the dogs freak out and run away from him, but then the dogs turn around and start coming after us!! haha then another person runs up and was throwing stuff at the dogs haha so that was fun! 

We also got into trouble with the police here!!! 

So part of my area is right next to the MTC here in mexico, and one night, aftyer we visited a person, we saw missionaries in the houses of the MTC and so I climbe the wall, and my comp climbs a tree, and we called for the missionaries in the MTC and like 10 of them ended up coming out and they were like MISSIONARIES! REAL MISSIONARIES! hahaha 

and so we're talking for a little bit, and guess who shows up! 

THE COPS!!! hahaha 

someone called the cops on us cuz they thought we were doing a robery!! haha 

When I first saw them I thought that we were in huge trouble! Cuz a lot of cops here are currupt! But these two were super cool, and they just asked us not to do that again cuz the people here freak out haha 

We also have a Baptism set for this saturday!! Her name is Silvia, and she's been an investigator for about 2 years! That's super cool! I'm excited for her! Cuz when we make the covanent of Baptism with God, and become his faithful followers, he blesses us more than we can comprehend!! And I know that Silvia and her family will be blessed greatly as she and her family come unto Christ! 

Without this gospel and the guidance and blessing it brings, my life would be so different, and a whole lot worse!! 

I know the gospel is ture, and I know that as we follow our Savior, we will be taken care of in this life and in the life to come! 

I have a lot of friends who are mormon, and friends who are not mormon, but I invite all of you Mormon, and not mormon to partake of the goodness of Christ, become his folowers, and enjoy the countless blessings that come from his loving Mercy. This is my testimony in the Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ Amen

Week 22

Hey everyone! 

So another crazy week here! 

I'm not sure where to start haha 

So there was another black dog that tore my leg off again haha but I turned around and chased it off haha what is it with the black dogs here?? lol 

Oh Oh oh!! I found the California's rain!!! It's all here in Mexico! haha we had a super big storm come through this week. Everyone was scared cuz the power was out, trees were falling, there was blinding lighting, that shook the appartment buildings and everything haha I loved it!!! 

My comp said he thought it was the Second Coming of Christ! 

But yeah like no joke, the winds were probably 100 miles and hour. And a ton of trees fell! There are quite a few smashed cars, ever more brken car windows, downed power lines, and destroyed fencing. The place where we play soccer got destroyed pretty good, but people still play there haha 

There have been crews working for the past week to clear all the trees that fell. And they were big ones too haha 

we also lost power for a few hours that night. 

And during the storm a tree limb fell in the road in front of our house, blocking cars from getting through. So my comp and I ran out and moved it. We were out there for less than 20 seconds, and we were completely drenched! haha so yeah that was super fun! 

still haven't gotten another love letter from that girl if you were wondering haha 

and also this week we've been teaching an invesitigator of the church, and all her neighbors know her, including members of the Church. 

One member told us about our investigator. He told us that she practices whitch craft.... yeah I'm serious haha 

It turns out she does some kind of ritual that allows her to be possed by spirits. 

Other missionaries have told me that they've seen that kind of stuff before, but I didn't really expect to find it here. And my comp and I have reason to believe that what our investigator's neighbor told us is true. Last time we met with her, my comp and I both felt like there was something else there.. 

Her name is Anacelia, and she's super nice, and accpets everything we teach her, and she's been to church a few times. So we'll see how this goes haha 

So that chick who likes me, her mom is going to be baptized! we took her to visit the temple grounds, and go through the visiters center, and after that when we asked her what she thought of baptism, and she said that she wants too!!! :D :D 

So the plan is right now that she will be baptized on the 28TH!!! 

We alos have another invesitgator who is Golden!!! She loves everything that we've taught her!!! 

But sadly she is going to spain for the next month so we won't see her for a while. Hopefully she's be able to find the missionaries in spain, and so then they'll be able to teach her!!!! Her name is Itsi, and she's super awesome! she's been all over the world performing in shows as a dancer!!! 

And we've become good friends too! We're definitly gonna party after my mission! haha 

and transfers are the 30th of march! I should get a new comp that day. And we got a big suprise for all the missionaries when we all meet up for tranfers haha but I can't tell you guys right now haha 

Well that's about it for this week. 

Hope everything is going well back at home! Love and miss you guys!! 

I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the true gospel God has given us to help and guid us in this life!! 

Have a great week! Keep being awesome! 

-Elder Elkins

Week 20

Hey guys! Another good week! 

This week was insteresting, it had crazy girls, drugs, tears, and the Spirit of God! 

So I guess I'll start off with my situation with the girl who's crazy about me haha 

So she still likes me, but I haven't gotten another love letter from her, but holy crap, her mom is in on it too!!!! 

We had lunch with them one day, and the girl wasn't there, but her mom was, and her mom said, as we were eating, "you have to come back and marry my daughter!" and I'm thinking in my head, holy crap! This lady is crazy! 

These people don't even know me!! I'm like yeah you would freak if you found out that I love to hunt! 

And so I pretented like I didn't understand her, which I did, but most of the time I still can't understand the people here. But My companion, in his bad english, made sure that I understood what she was saying haha thanks a lot!!!!!! 

But we've alos been helping them move houses, so ther next day, we went to go help them, but this time I brought my hunting hat with me, and I talked onlyu about hunting with the girl and shared some bloody hunting stories hahaha she didnt like that :P and later on that day, I showed the girl that likes me, pictures of Rachel ( a good friend of mine) 

And she didn't like that either, so hopefully all that will get her off my back haha but my comp and I decided never to go back to that house again haha 

and it turns out there's another crazy chick here who's after my companion! the first problem we had with her, was she walk up to us in the street and asked my companion for something, that I don't want to write about haha 

but a week later, she found us again, but this time, she full on tired kissing my comp!! hahaha Mexico, is crazy!! 

and yesterday, my comp and I were walking back to our house, after lunch, and we saw like 20 police cars, and 10 motorcycles parked in the street, and we were like what the heck happened??? 

And then I thought it's probably a drug bust. and yep I was right!! 

we continued to walk back to the house, and we walked past a party out in front of a house, and then they start yelling ELDERS ELDERS! Come join us! then a few startede singing a song about the elders, someone was cussinbg us out, and they were all drunk (all that is pretty common here in Mex) haha 

But then we saw like 20 police running towards the party, and then 20 more on the other side, and they were all geared up with assult weapons, and they crashed the party hahaha the pèople in the party were pretty upset! lol 

And so we get back to the house, which was super close to all this, and we told out neighbors. And our neighbor was like, oh yeah there's a drug lord in that house haha 

I've seen a few drug deals here but not a drug bust! haha 

But speaking of drug lords, it turns out one of our investigators ( a person we're teaching) 

was a former drug lord. His name is Rafiel, and he's super funny!!! he's the guy who speaks perfect english! 

But this week we invited him to go to church with us, and he said yes!!! 

and this week was super great because the first sunday of every month, the members of the church have the opportunity to share their testimony on Jesus Christ, and his Church, and Gospel. 

So it's always super spiritual! 

A lot of members stood at the pulpit, and spoke, and I did as well. 

Even though I can't speak spanish, it was one of the most powerful messages, and testimonies I ever shared, and I cried. 

If you know me, you know that I don't cry a whole lot. So I know the spirit was super strong cuz I was crying. 

I talked a little bit about my family, and how much I missed them, and that I sacfriced 2 years with my family to be here, to serve them and the people of mexico. 

And afterwards, I sat back down with rafiel. He said that my testimony touches him. 

and that he wants to read the book of Mormon!!!! 

It truly was an amazing experience!! 

we also brought and Member of the church, who doesn'¡t attend very often cuz she can't walk due to a car accident. And she needs about 5 people to carry her to church. 
But after my testimony, she promised me that she is going to attend church every week now!! Cuz she knew how much it meant for me to leave my family, and she also felt the spirit of God!!! 

Only the spirit of God can change these people the way that they were changed that day!! I know it's because this is the church of Christ, and this is his work!!

Love you all!! and have a great week!!!! 

-Elder Elkins 

Happy Valentines day, mexican style!

Happy Valentines day, mexican style!

Week 18

Hey Everyone! I have a little bit of time left! I just got back from playing some futbol, and dang the people we were playing with were tough haha but I'm getting a little better :P 

And sorry if I don't get to all your emails today! 

So I got a joke for you guys haha 

So a Crazy Chilean, a short Mexican, and a Tall White Cracker walk past a, Black and racist, dog. Who gets attacked by the racist black dog?? 

The tall white cracker of course. Them black dogs don't like them white crackers hahahaha 

Yeah I can say I've been attacked by a dog now. He was pretty good sized too haha he just ran up and went all football americano on me, almost knocking me down. I don't know why he didn't sink his teeth into my leg, cuz he easily could have shredded my leg haha But I won't complain about him not chewing my leg! After he ran into me, he just was barking and snarling, And I just sat there and starred fear in the face haha Felipe (the short mexican) Ran up and chased the dog a little bit, and then I did too haha but there were people watching the whole thing (probably the dog's owner) And so we didn't want to get after the dog too much, cuz everyone here is super animal rightist.

And I keep seeing that black dog everywhere! It's sitting outside the door of the internet Cafe I'm in right now. 

it's everywhere 0.O 

So yeah that was fun! 

And hope you guys had a good Valentines day!! Cuz mine was the most whackface day ever! 

I'll tell you of one thing that happened haha 

So I teach english classes on saturdays, and one of my Students is a 15 year old girl. She's super good at english, and is pretty much fluent. 

She's been studying english for 10 years now. 

And so after the class she said happy valitines day, and gave me a donut! I was super happy about that! I didn't think it really meant much cuz the people here are pretty generous with food. But after the donut, she gave me a letter.... and in my mind, I'm like ooooooooohhhhhh ccrrrrrrraaaaaaappp. 

And after that she gave my comp a donut, but not a letter. And then I was like ooohhhh hhhhoooolllyyy ccrrrraaaaaapppp. 

We said good by, my comp and I started walking to our house, and I read the letter.... and I was like.... 

NO MACHES!!!!! PORQUE YO!?!?!?! 

I told my comp about the letter and he's like oooooooohhhhhh craaaaaapppp. 

We translated it so he could understand, and then he was like oooooohhhhh hoooooolllllyyyy cccrrraaaappp!

We had to call President Hall, and tell him. I almost got transferred areas, cuz when a girl like a missionary here in mexico, it's a problem. 

President said I could stay here, but if I get a second letter, I'm leaving the next day hahaha 

And girls back at home, don't worry, I'm a missionary. So nothing will happen hahaha 

(But please try not to kill eachother when I get back :P )

The letter pretty much said I'll wait for you. 

And that the spirit I bring can be felt kilometers away. 

and I'm like yeah I'm sure it's not the spirit you're feeling girl haha 

So yeah that was my Valentines! 

Another quick story here is that absolutely no one has Root beer!!!! 

I was in walmart one day eating a hambuger from burger king (which was nasty) 

And there was also a KFC. And in California, KFC is known for their Root Beer, but here it doesn't exist!!!! NNOOO!! 

I asked them, but they didn't know what it was, and eventually the entire staff was at the front counter, trying to figure out what I wanted. But then I saw a tiny list of Sodas that they had, and there wasn't any root beer, so I said oh okay, bye! and sadly walked away with no root beer... 

But apparently they have it in Cualtipec, which is one of the most dangerous areas in the Mission. So yeah I'm hoping I go there, so I can get some root beer! 

and I had planned on sharing a spiritual story with you guys, but I gtg now, so next week! 

Love you all and Keep being awesome! Have a great  week! Love you! 

-Elder Elkins

Week 10

Hola Mi amigos!!

So sorry if there are missing letters in this email, I type too fast for his computer haha

 my email time got cut short yesterday cuz we had a district activity. So I'm writting this now!

 I'll tell you a Little more about mexico!!

You all have probably seen the Harry Potter Movie, with the crazy bus driver seen.

That is exactly what the buses here do. No regard for speed, and swerving around cars haha literally!

And the buses here get so full that people literally hang out the doors haha I haven't gotten the chance to do that, but I look forward to that day haha

And when you get off, you have about a 2 second window to do so, before the bus takes off.

I've had to jump once. But I stuck the landing!! I've Heard of other missionaries eating it when they jumped haha that would be funny to watch hahaha

Another thing here I realized, is that the dogs, not the people, are super racist!! haha

Whenever my comp and I walk past dogs that are behind a fence they always want to kill us!!

But I'll stand there and watch that same dog, and whenever a mexican walks by, the dog is totally Chill!! It's literally only my comp and I!! ANd it happens eveyday!!

and the people here let their dogs run free everywhere. And during the middle of Church, and dog came in and said hi haha

totally random, and pretty funny!!

This week, we also had our Ward christmas party! The mexicans here know how to party!

haha we had a musical performance, and then we had like 6 or 7 piñatas!! I was able t whack the last one!! it was super fun!!

I ended up knocking it down, and we couldn't put it back up, so we just dumped it on the ground, and The Bishop here is pretty fun, he ran up and laid down on the Candy to keep it from the pack of wild niños, and so me, Elder Cornejo and a few other hemonos all dog piled on the bishop!! it was super funny! I wish we got it on video haha

So my district activity last night was Christmas Caroling!

We went to a house of a family here, and the mother, and a few of her sons were home, 2 of her sons are pretty Young, probably around 5 or 6.

so we sang to the mother who was standing outside with us, and then we were talking to her, and one of her Young sons jumped out the door completely naked and yelled someting in spanish that I didn't understand. Then he ran back inside  hahahaha I'm still laughing about it :P And the sister missionaries were with us too, and they were a Little  embarrassed when they saw that haha super funny!!

anyways we continued to talk to he Mother, and she stated crying because her father is in the hospital with cáncer. She thanked us a lot helping her feel loved and cared about.

And after her,went when to a Widows home, and sang silent night, she started crying too. And thanked us a lot as well for helping her feel loved, and cared for. She lives alone with her 6 dogs. And was sad because her daughter who was living with her, isn't living with he anymore.

Out of the hundreds of people we could have visited here, God guided us to the 2 who needed it most. I'm grateful that my father in heaven guided us to his daughters who needed it the most.

I also went on splits with My zone Leader Elder Allison this week too.

and went to go meet with a lady who almost got baptized. She had all the lessons, knew the doctrin, and knew that this is God's Church on earth. And the week of her baptism, she just dropped it all, and the missionaries haven't been able to meet with her, for 4 months. But the day I was with Elder Allison, she let us in her house. Allison wispered to me, it was a miracle!! it truly was! we shared the video about Christmas, He is the Gift. (if you haven't seen it go watch it right now!!!) And then at the end, we asked her tp pray.

As soon as she started, she started crying. Her brother has been in the hospital, and she has an broken heart because she is worried about her brother who has serious injuries from a crash.

My fiends, I testify to you that prayer is real, and that God loves each of us, and hears our prayers.

When this sister started praying, I know that God was communicatng to her and that she felt his love. I have felt his love. and he wants all of us to feel his love. It's an amazing thing, and if you truly want to feel it,all you have to do is ask, with real intent, having faith in Christ. God is always watching us, and wants to help and comfort us in all things. All have to do is ask in prayer, and then let him help us. 

And prayer so easy my 3 year od sister can do it.

Just adress our heavenly father, express your feeligs, ad the desires of your Heart, and close in the name of Christ.

it's that easy, and it's real!!

But I gtg now, time to get to work.

have a great week!! Love you guys!!

Merry Christmas!!

-Elder Elkins