Week 50: A week of learning and cleansing (Spiritually and Physically)

Well this week has been a rough week, because we had a baptism planned for Wednesday but she backed out Tuesday night for her interview and hasn't even wanted to talk to us recently. But we will talk to her this week to try to get her excited again for her baptism!

But first things first, PICTURES! Well, yesterday was ST. PATRICK'S DAY! And so I had a green pen! And we ate green pistachio jello with Sister Madsen! Also we got to cleaning the house today and did a deep clean and found a tie.... There is a picture of it. It literally is growing. I ALMOST put it on to wear it to get a picture like that but I didn't want to stain my shirt XD

But going back to the week, well it has been pretty hard with a lot of stuff that has been happening which has not been normal, with baptisms that got cancelled, visas not working out, lots of things but my aunt Celeste sent me something this morning that really made me think. She said, "Life is what happens when you're making other plans. Make the best of it anyway!" Whatever happens in our lives, we must always make the best out of it! Because we came into this world knowing it would not be easy. But we knew that if we are faithful and doing what we can, it will be mu

ch more than worth it!

This week I have recognized that sometimes when things go wrong we need to not look outward, but look inward and spiritually cleanse ourselves. If we are not in the place that we want to be we need to first be doing everything God wants us to do. Then we can wait for the miracle to occur. And sometimes we need to change what we want so that it matches what He wants.

I know that through the small and simple things we do we will be able to make it to eternal life, and if we keep up on the small and simple things, it doesn't matter how many huge things come, we will be ok in the end. And so I would like y'all to remember that Jesus Christ is always there to help us when we call on his with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Have a great week!

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Elder Loosle

Secretario de Misión

Misión Mexico Oaxaca

Week 49: Another Baptism!

Well this will be short without pictures because we have a baptism in 2 hours! But the work here is great! We have a lot of stuff going on today so not a lot of time to write, or even respond to people XD

But this week has been good! I have been able to really focus on not stressing myself out because it was my first week as secretary without my trainer who taught me everything as a secretary and so I felt a bit overwhelmed because I started with a lot of work and not a lot of time to do it, but then after that I was able to manage it and now it has calmed down a bit and I am more calm. But I really have recognized how much the Lord has helped me in this past week! When He calls us to do something, it doesn't mean we are ready for whatever will happen in that moment, but it means that He has called us because He has prepared us for the work we are to do, and He will help us along the way so that we get everything done that is His will!

I know the gospel that I am teaching is really the gospel of Jesus Christ and it is the changes that if we make and follow this gospel, it will bring our souls to salvation.
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Elder Loosle
Misión Mexico Oaxaca

Week 48: Freddy got baptized!

Well Freddy just got baptized a few hours ago! He has been an investigator for like 8 months, and he has been through a lot of changes to be able to get to this point!

Although we had planned on 3 baptisms today, we were only able to have 1 because the other two we had to postpone for differing reasons. But we know that as we keep helping them they will get more and more ready for their own baptisms.

So all of the pictures today are from Freddy's baptism (besides one) and one of them is the different generations of secretaries that taught Freddy, which is Elder Sosa, Elder Moore and Elder Loosle! Because he was an investigator for a very long time, he had a lot of missionaries teach him! But one cool thing is that he is the first baptism that we as the secretaries have had in almost a year! Because we do have a lot to do in the offices, a lot of the secretaries couldn't find as much time to leave to work as missionaries, but we have found that as we organize our time, we can use it more efficiently in everything we do!

So some interesting things that we did this week. One of them is we found an American that is interested in learning about the gospel! So we taught a super great lesson last night in English! He does speak spanish but his English is better and he almost can't read in Spanish... But we do have some stuff in English that he can use! Also he is very interested to learn more! His name is Jorge, and even though he is actually Mexican, he grew us for most of his childhood in the US and just barely returned to Mexico to finish up the university and to teach English! He is a college aged student and he has a lot of desires to learn more!

But also, the other picture is when Elder Peterson, Assistant to President, was cutting everyone's hair in the offices because he is leaving on Tuesday to go to the Istmo! He is excited

, and so he was willing to give everyone a haircut before he left! Which is fine with me cuz that means I don't have to pay 50 pesos to get my haircut!

But also I wanted to say to everyone that this week has been fun, but also hard. With changes next week I have a whole lot to do and not a lot of time to do it, and messing up might get someone sent to jail or to their home country before their mission is up, so I have definitively felt some pressure as the secretary because I am still new. But I know that even with all that we have to do, God will always help us get everything done that He needs us to do. Because that is the most important. And He, as our Father, will always give us exactly what we need, so that we may be able to complete everything when He wants us to, not when we want to. So if anyone is ever feeling super stressed for one reason or another, just know two things. You are not alone. Because I can tell you I have also felt a bit of stress, but also our Savior Jesus Christ knows exactly what you feel. And the second thing is that God will ALWAYS love and help his children. And you as a child of God will receive that help.

Well, I hope that y'all all have a great week and make sure to have fun! 'Til next week!

Week 47: Life of an Office Grunt...

Well, I'm not really an office grunt, just lots of paperwork that I have to do sometimes. But it is ok, because I like it! It is pretty fun! And when we leave at like 3ish we get to be normal missionaries!

Speaking of being normal missionaries we have 3 baptisms scheduled for next week! As secretaries, it is hard to get baptisms, because we don't have the opportunity to work in our area as much as other missionaries, but I know that the Lord helps us as we do our best, and it is definitely the quality of time spent teaching that counts more than the quantity as a mission secretary.

But something cool about being secretary is that I learn about stuff really quick! Like in my old stake (Monte Alban) the entire stake is having a "white night" tonight! Or like 12 people are getting baptised! But that will happen for our stake next week! Talk to y'all later!

Week 46: The Office

Well this has been a fun and really short week, mostly because my week has only been 5 days... But it has been fun! I am learning a lot about the things that I will have to be doing over the next 6 months here in the offices, and well I am liking it a lot! We are still able to leave and be normal missionaries after like 2 or 3 and we have our area and a baptism in 2 weeks!

But with the pictures...
So we visited the spot where they filmed Nacho Libre, well one of the parts, and took some fun pics! My secretary trainer and companion right now is the one jumping onto the assistant Elder Peterson

This is the cast of The Office, Mexico Oaxaca Mission. (Left to right) Elder Peterson(Assistant), Elder Cabellero(Assistant), Elder Moore(Secretary that I will replace), Elder Vazquez(Financial Secratary) and me(Mission Secretary).

After that we went to visit a cool church that is called Santo Domingo. (It means Holy Sunday if you want a translation) But it is a big catholic church.

I have the picture of my last district meeting in my last district, from left to right the people are, Sister Valdez, Sister Paz, Elder Loosle(Me), Elder Zavala(my old companion), Elder Solano(my companion), and Elder Zelada.

Last night the secretaries and the assistants ate pizza to welcome me into the offices!

Also I took a turn to be Nacho Libre with Elder Peterson! These were the best pictures from the nacho libre shoot. But the scene is like the fight scene in the alleyway because the chips got stolen. So if you don't know what I am talking about and haven't seen Nacho Libre, that is your homework.

But also something that I have learned this week that we talked about in a zone conference was obedience. We talked about how there are 3 levels of obedience to whatever rule or law, whether it is of men or of God.

The first level is because of fear of punishment, but people who only obey because of fear will not always obey, because once the fear is diminished no one will obey.

The second level is an external reward. We only obey because we want the blessings. That will help us but only until we think there are better things then these blessings.

The highest level is obedience because of love. For our Savior if we are talking about commandments of God, and for our parents or others if we are talking about other things.

When we obey for obedience, we will not only receive

blessing but will not fall because if we have that love for Christ, and all mankind, or charity, "Charity never faileth" (1 Cor. 13:8)

Well, that more or less finishes up my time and my stuff, so I hope y'all have a great week and a wonderful day, today and every other day!

'Til next week!

Week 45: Well, that was a short time in Yagul

So tomorrow I am heading out of Yagul to go to the offices... I will be the new secretary of the mission! I will be in training for 3 weeks and then secretary for 6 months so that will be fun!

And cool, because well even though it is heating up a lot I'll be inside air conditioning until it starts to cool down a bit at like 4.

So it will be very different. But I know that the Lord will help me a lot! And I know that even though I didn't have a lot of time here in Yagul, I am sure that I helped the people I needed to help and the missionaries who will follow me here will be able to see the fruits of the seeds that I have planted!

But with the pictures.... 1&2) VIUDA NEGRA!!! (Black widow!) We found it in the house of one of our members and so we killed it.

3) I had to pack and I was sad, but I didn't want to be sad, so I was batman instead. Lol. But packing I did put on this mask that we used in the mission program last month!

But I know that even though I would have loved more time in Yagul but  I know I am needed elsewhere! But my dad told me something very important today. He was reading a conference talk that is called "What Lack I Yet" And it is a very good talk about what we can do to keep bettering ourselves so that we can really reach our divine potential. I think we should all focus on what we need to do to become who we can be and to do that we need to implore our Heavenly Father in prayer. To finish this letter I want to share one scripture from Ether, 12:27
 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

Well, I hope that y'all can have a great week and for future reference my days that I will be emailing for the next 6 months will be on SATURDAY!

Week 44: Ok, well I learned a lot...

This week has been a lot of learning for me. As a senior companion I have felt a bit bad when I haven't been able to remember something or I messed something up but I know that as I have really been able to see these things, I have been able to start to see changes as well. Where I have been able to help my companion out more and recognize what people need and what God is really trying to tell me! I would love to go into more detail, but because of a curtain fiasco, I got cut on time by like 30 minutes XP But that is ok, ya get what you get.

Anyways, I know that I really have been able to find out a lot of things that are really important for me to know and one thing that I know that is important for all of us to know is that God loves you. Individually! And He will do everything that you need to help you reach your salvation! And not only that, but if we are all trying to do what He wants, He will help other reach their salvation through us! But I really hope that all of y'all have a great week and a great day, and keep on keeping on!

Till next week!