Baptism, 6/24/13 letter

Hey family!

Sounds like you have all had a pretty good week. First of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY!!!! I can’t believe you are sixteen! I remember that birthday and it doesn’t seem very long ago. Hope you have an amazing week, and a great day. Just know you are now the designated taxi driver of the family. But luckily, you only have 2 little siblings instead of three! So Coop went to scout camp, I didn’t get if it is a stake one or a ward one. Are they working on merit badges? I always loved those; I hope he has a lot of fun. So are mom and dad still running? Or biking? Haven’t heard much about what you guys are doing.

So this week was crazy, exciting, frustrating, happy, sad, and just about any other emotion you can think of. Things went really well my last week in Matehuala. The members were working with us, and we put another baptismal date.

We also learned that Rosario moved back in with her boyfriend... that was really tuff news. And it looked like she was going to do the same thing and not make a decision again. She wanted to live with him, but somehow still obey the law of chastity, so that her daughter would be able to live with both her parents. We explained that that just simply wasn’t okay nor would it happen. She was super bummed because she thought she had it all figured out. She still couldn’t decide so we asked if we could come by the next day when her boyfriend was there. She agreed. My companions and I did a special fast and a lot of praying for her. When we got to the lesson as you can imagine he wasn’t the happiest guy and had a lot of questions. We explained them, and the reasons why they couldn’t be like that. We used stories and scriptures and basically we were all just stuck. Then I felt like saying something that honestly he probably should have wanted hit me for, but I said it anyway. I very directly told him he was not setting a good example for his daughter, that if they wanted things to change between them then they had to change something, and if he sincerely loved his family that this was the thing to do. I was ready to get thrown out, but he sat their silently and then said “ok I will move out”. Rosario couldn’t make a decision but luckily he did. We then made a goal with them to get married in a couple of months, and for him to stop drinking. He has also been coming to church with them and he asked if he could keep coming. And he actually already had 15 days without a drink. We told him yes of course. And then Rosario said she wanted to follow through with that date. It was a small miracle, okay maybe a giant miracle.

So that Friday we had the interview at 4. And we had planned the baptism for 8 on Saturday. But while we were in the interview the zone leaders called me and said that me and both of my comps had changes and that we had to come to the conference with all of our stuff, and we wouldn’t be going back to Matehuala. I was freaking out, I had them call pres. and I sent him a message but nothing was going to change. They finished the interview and I told Rosario the news. She decided that she wanted to get baptized that very day at 7 (it was 5). So we flew to the church filled up the font, (which takes 2 hours) got the baptism stuff and everything else ready.

It ended up being one of the best baptisms I have been to. Her boyfriend came and both of them thanked us about 100 times for all that we had done for them. It was amazing. There was also a ward activity that night so a lot of members were there and they were both able to stay and make some friends in the ward. It also worked out nice because we got to say bye to everyone there. It was really sad, we all felt so loved by the people there, about half the branch was in tears. It really made me not want to leave.

But we did, (oh and she did get confirmed Sunday even though we weren’t there.) and we went to the zone conference the next day. It was really nice; president has done a great job. That night we got the changes, and they ended up closing my area (which I don’t get cause it was really starting to take off, but I guess the Lord knows why). And I was bummed about that. I don’t know what will happen with our investigators. Then I got my changes. And right now I am writing from the city of Celaya, Guanajuato. I am in one of the biggest wards in the mission, with some of the best member support. My comp is Elder Lopez, he is from Nicaragua. He has about 6 months in the mission. And my old comp is going to be a secretary in the offices. I am going to miss him.

Anyway that has been my week. Crazy but exciting (on top of being really sick the last couple days...). I am really happy to be in Celaya, which means I will be in the Queretaro mission. I actually got to pass through there today and the city looks really pretty, and huge. My comp seems nice, but he talks really funny and I don’t understand him that well.

Oh and I wanted to share a quote from the president’s wife that is about missionary work but it applies to all things, I really like it. She said ‘Pray like everything depends on the Lord, and work like everything depends on you!’

Well I love you all, I miss you

Elder Utley

6/17/13

Hey Family!

Sounds like it has been a really fun summer! You are all making me jealous with the boating pictures. I guess everyone is busy, Mary’s birthday is coming up, and with her new job, that is exciting. That is a good summer job. And coop with his soccer, summer games sounds like it was a blast. Tell him to keep working his butt off. 

So to clear up a little confusion, we receive the transfers this coming Sunday, and they happen next Monday. I am excited and not excited too, I know it’s very probable that I get changed and I am starting to really love it here and love the people. We finally have the trust of everyone and we have found like 8 new investigators in the last three weeks. The good thing is I have a great comp and he will keep up the good work. Also we have been in a trio for 4 weeks now, this is our 5th. We are actually covering two areas (which is good a bad, lots of work, not enough time) so when transfers come, Elder Finlay, who got added into our companionship when his comp had to leave, will get a new comp. And we think I will leave and my comp will get a new guy too, so both areas will have a companionship again. And the new missionaries started effecting last transfer, 16 got here with only 3 leaving so they opened like 7 areas, and it should be about the same this transfer as well. 

So this week was awesome. We have worked really hard for the last couple of months and it is slowly building up. Like I said we have found about 8 new investigators in the last 3 weeks, we are still teaching like 6 of them! We completed with the mission standard of excellence with 25 total lessons this week (which is not easy to do, but it counts less actives, investigators, and recent converts). We taught Rosario and she is going to get baptized this Saturday! And she came to church this week again. She is bringing her boyfriend to church but they are not living together right now. We are hoping to get them married soon, and I think he will get baptized with a little time. I really hope it goes through. We also had 13 less actives to church this week! This is a mission high for me. The most we had ever had before was 7. And the church assistance shot up about 20 people this week. It’s really fun to see all the fruits of 4 months of hard work, but like I said the bummer is we are finally seeing results and I think I will get transferred.

We also have a special zone conference this Saturday to say bye to our mission president. He is really great; it’s going to be sad to see him go. And on July first our mission splits, so I will know with these changes which one I will be in. It’s really weird to think I won’t be in the same mission as one of my areas, because I have been in both missions. I will let you guys know next week.

Well that’s about it for this week. I know that the church is true and that it is the only way to be truly happy in this life. I know by living the gospel principle our Father guides and blesses us. I know repentance is a gift, and such a vital part of this life, without repentance the Savior’s sacrifice would mean nothing. That is something we have been focusing in this week. And something I am trying to get better in. I would challenge you all to repent of whatever is necessary this week and go the church next week completely ready to take the sacrament, and have a spiritual experience.

I love you and miss you all

Elder Utley

Happy Father's Day

Hey Family!

How is everybody? Sounds like a fun week, with trek and all. I remember really loving it, did Mary like it more this time?

Happy Father’s Day dad!!! (I am pretty sure it’s this week right? if not early happy father’s day) Hope that you have a great one. Tell the kids they need to do something extra special for you! Thanks so much for everything you do for me! If it wasn’t for you I know I wouldn’t be where I am today. Love you.

Well the kids didn’t write, tell them to take like 5 minutes when they get on Facebook and write me ha ha. How did coops soccer try outs go?

So this week was a little rough because we were not able to find a lot of people. But the work is going good. It’s kind of hard having two areas to have to work in; they both kind of suffer a little bit. It’s also hard sometimes having 3 in a companionship because there are so many different ideas, but mostly cause its weird teaching in 3. But it’s going really well, we all get along really well and we are working hard and having fun too.

This week we got Rosario to church again, she is ready to be baptized; it’s just a question of when. She finally separated from her boyfriend, which is good, but it’s been hard on her and her daughter. So we haven’t put a baptism date with here yet but it will be soon we hope, she really wants to get baptized and says that she really like going Sundays to the church. We will see how it all goes.

The branch is doing a lot better, the church attendance is slowing going back up, and the leaders are actually starting to work again. We have also found some new investigators, finally, and they have been excited to know that. And to see some of the people we have been able to get to church or get back to church.

Today we also went to Real de Catorce, it’s a little hippie town about an hour from here. It’s really popular with tourists. It was super cool, there was a great view getting there, and then a tunnel about a mile long before you reach the town. The town just has a really cool look to it; I sent a photo that I hope you get. It shows a little of the city. I also bought that sweet jacket thing, and a really cool backpack. It was a fun day.

I know the spirit is real and that we need to do the right things to have it with us, and be in the right places. I know that the spirit leads and guides us and it is so important to keep with us.

Well I love and miss you all. Happy Father’s Day!
Elder Utley

Wedding, Baptism, Temple

Hey Family!

So how is everyone doing? I haven’t heard from the kids in a while, sounds like they have a little extra time now (hint hint). But sounds like everyone is having a great summer!

So is trek this week? Tell mom and Mary good luck, I loved trek. It will be a good experience. And tell Coop to work his butt off in tryouts. I heard a quote really loved this week that really goes with how I am trying to live my life and tried to live it before as well. They were talking about a motto (saying?) that is “NO REGRETS”. And someone said “There are only two types of pain in this life, the pain of hard work and the pain of regret."  How true that is, hard work is temporary and it pays off, but regret never goes away. 

So this week was definitely one of the best weeks of my mission. I sent a bunch of pictures, I hope you get them. To start on Wednesday morning we had the wedding of Maria Elena and Alberto. They are so happy. It was a little anti-climactic for me because they did it in the government offices and it was basically just reading of their rights as a married couple and signing things, but they were so excited and happy. Alberto came to me after and really thanked me for helping him take that step for his family. Then the next day we had the baptism of Maria Elena. She asked me to baptize here, which was a really cool experience. They are such a great family. The baptism actually went really well; there were a ton of branch members there and a strong spirit. Everyone that was supposed to showed up (late, but they came) and everything just went smoothly. Usually baptims are really stressful but not so much this time. Then after the baptism, the branch didn’t really come through with a party for them but one of the members that helped us with them invited us and them to his house for dinner and cake. It was a good day.

And on Friday night at 1230 we left for the temple in Monterrey. It was about a 5 hour bus ride (in a really uncomfortable bus, but we got there), and needless to say I didn’t sleep much that night. And we got to the city of Monterrey and I was awake, so I got to watch as we came in. It was the coolest city I have seen in Mexico and one of the coolest I have ever seen. It has a ton of mountains and the design is really well done in the city and it is well maintained. Anyway we got there and it was still dark and the temple was lit up which was really cool. Then we had to wait till 9 to go in because another ward just barely beat us there. But that was okay. Yesenia got to go in and do baptisms and she loved it. Unfortunately they have a temple rule that missionaries can’t do baptisms or confirmations there so we didn’t get to help... But we got to do a session, my first one in Spanish. It was really cool, it was exactly the same but I think I paid a little more attention and I learned a lot of things. And then they needed some people to help with sealings cause they didn’t have enough so I got to be a witness at some sealings, it was really cool. And we actually saw 2 brothers get sealed to their parents who are dead. There was a really strong spirit there, I had never seen a sealing before.

Anyway that was basically our week. And we found a couple of new investigators that look really promising. The only bummer is we have changes in 3 weeks and I think I will get changed so I might not be able to see everything through. But it’s been cool to see this area and this branch change from when I got here, things are really picking up and we are seeing a lot of success. 

Well I hope you guys have a great week, and enjoy the pictures. Thanks for sending the pictures of the lake and Mary and Brooke. It’s really fun to get those; they are both growing up really fast.

I love you and miss you

Elder Utley

Hey I forgot to mention we got put in a trio this week. Elder Finlay who lives above us is now part of our companionship. His comp had some problems and had to go to the offices in Léon. So it’s been interesting, it’s a little harder but he is a good kid and works hard. He has like 3 months left in the mission. Anyway that’s kind of weird being in a trio. But it’s the way things go. 

Mission Conference

Hey family

Sounds like you guys had a busy week as usual. Good to hear the running is going well, that half marathon is coming up quick. And Coop’s soccer games sound like a lot of fun, did he have a tournament this weekend or they just played 3 games this week? Mom said that you guys did fathers and sons but something different but no one told me what you did? Glad that you all had a fun weekend.

So this week was interesting, we had a lot of activities in the branch, and it didn’t really permit us to work that much, on top of the fact we had some district meetings and stuff and moving houses, it was a long week but it was good. Tuesday we did move houses again, it nice to be back in the house I really like, but I really don’t like one of the elders that lives above us, he has a really strong personality and if he doesn’t get his way he kind of acts like a little girl, and I haven’t really done anything to him but I am the only one that will really stand up to him or tell him no, so he really doesn’t like me. And moving again was a pain, but that’s the mission I guess. Overall it’s good to be back there. Then on Wednesday we had district meeting because the other elders got here Tuesday so it wasn’t on Tuesday like normal. On Thursday we had another funeral; there have been a lot of deaths here in the last couple months. On Friday they did their mother’s day activity which was really cool. And on Saturday we had our missionary activity that we had been planning for like a month. The elders in our zone from San Luis told us they were coming to sing with us at a park to try and find people, so we set everything up, told all the members, obtained a permit to sing in the park, and then the day before they called and told us they weren’t coming. So we were all kind of bummed, instead of having like 26 elders singing we had 8. And it didn’t really work that great but it was okay, we contacted a lot of people and gave out something like 200 pamphlets. 

We also have been working with that family that needs to get married, they are doing all that they can but it’s going really slow getting their papers to get married. We had a baptismal date for this week but I don’t think it’s going to happen. It probably will be pushed back to the next week. It’s okay the good thing is that they are at church every week without us having to go get them and they are really excited to be there. And it will happen it’s just a matter of time. We also have another investigator who is going to get baptized on the 9th of June, but she has to separate from her boyfriend or get married and she still isn’t sure. But the cool thing is she says she is willing to do what it takes. She told her boyfriend if they have to break up so she can get baptized that she will do it. I hope she goes through with it, she has been an investigator for a long time, but I think she will, she has a really strong testimony, stronger than a lot of members. Other good news is that Yesenia is going to go to the temple the first week in June as well! So that’s exciting, she had told us no before but we figured out that it was a money thing, and it’s like 200 pesos round trip so I am just going to pay it. She just didn’t want to tell us she didn’t have the money to go. I am excited for the temple trip; I have never been to the temple in Spanish!

I did order the triple for my comp but it hasn’t come yet, we are super far from the offices and I sent it there. I am hoping that I will get it at the mission conference tomorrow. And I am super stoked for the conference! Elder Christopherson is coming and one of the presidency of the 70 (I think). We are leaving today to go to San Luis and then tomorrow in the morning to go to Aguas Calientes. It should be a fun trip and super, super cool to listen to an apostle.  

Anyway the work is going kind of slow here but I am excited to be here in this area. I really love the people that we are working with right now. I know that this is the Lord’s work and I feel privileged to be working in it.

I love you all

Elder Utley

Happy Mother's Day

Hey family!

It was so good to talk to you guys last night. Everyone looks and sounds really great. The kids are growing up fast, they all look older, especially Brooklyn. I was a little shocked how she didn't say anything, is that normal now or was she just shocked? Sounds like you have a good week ahead of you; I hope dad and coop have a fun time at father and sons. You guys should definitely go downstream fishing, that is the very funnest way to do it. 

So good news is that we didn't have to move today, we will probably do it tomorrow. The new companionship will be in training which means they will get here late tomorrow. We will have to pack everything back up which will be pain but we don’t really have to move anything big like furniture or a fridge.

Today we hiked the mountain that is close to Matehuala. It was quite the adventure, it was really, really foggy and we couldn't see and we didn't find the trail so we just kind of bush-wacked it to the top, it was super cool and had some amazing views. The bummer was that at the top we didn't get a view because it was really cloudy, but on the way back down we did. It took nearly the whole day, we kind of got lost and we took a few falls a piece (I actually ripped my pants on a cactus ha ha) but it was fun. It reminded me of home, and it’s something I haven’t had the chance to do in a while.}

So mom asked about the temple, we should be able to go on June 1st. I am super excited. The family that is for sure going is a less active family that we have been working with since I got here and they finally got active again and worthy to go. They are sealed but it’s been a long time since they were active and they have an adopted son who now has 5 years and they are going to get sealed to him. Apart from them well we have 2 other converts that I am hoping will go. And maybe the baptism we have this month, her and her husband will want to go too. But I am super excited, I haven’t been able to take any converts or members to the temple yet in my mission and a lot of missionaries go their whole mission without having the opportunity.

Well I am excited for this transfer, we are finally seeing some progress in the area. Because when I got here it had almost nothing, but over the last few months little by little it’s gotten better. We still have a ton of work to do but I think we could have a lot of success this transfer. And I get along really well with my comp, so it will be fun. 

Well I just want to bear my testimony, I didn't get the chance last night. I know that Christ lives, and loves us. He blesses us and wants the best for us. I have seen it so many times in my life and the lives of others here on the mission. We have tests in the life but if we will trust in the lord he will ALWAYS be there. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and the work that Christ did through him changes people’s lives. I know we have apostles today and that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet. I know the Book of Mormon is the truth and we can get closer to God by it  than any other book in the word. We find peace and comfort in the scriptures and got talks to us though them. There is a phrase I really like that I heard a month or so ago that says if you want God to listen, pray. If you want God to answer, read. I know that to be true. I know that we can find joy in this life, and that in fact is our purpose here. In 2 Nephi it says men are that they might have joy. We just need to learn to take the advice of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Come what may and love it!”

I love and miss you all

Elder Utley

(PS that was my 2nd of 4 calls so I am coming right up on a year, and they next time we talk the time to come home will be super soon. Time is flying)

Cinco de Mayo

Hey family!

How is everything going? Sounds like you all had a fantastic week. Sounds like fun that brook did a Cinco de Mayo party in her class. She definitely celebrated more than I did. Here it’s not really anything, this last week they had child’s day which is like mother’s or father’s day but for children and that’s kind of a big deal. We did a party for the little kids in the church. And they had like their labor day and everyone got of work for that. But they don’t really do anything special for 5 de Mayo, I think that’s more of an American thing. Lots of people think it’s like their Independence Day but it just celebrates the battle of Puebla. (Their Independence Day is in September, and it is supposed to be huge) The only thing I have seen today because they are celebrating today is that some of the kids don’t have school.

So everyone asked about the trip to Houston. It was like a 40 minute flight to Mexico City, then about 2 and a half hours to Houston, and about 2 from Houston back to Leon. Three of us in that picture are from our mission; the two others are from Guadalajara Este. They were really cool. I don’t think my stomach has really recovered from the food yet but it’s a lot better. Dad asked if they have pizza here, and yes they do, it’s actually really popular, but not as good. In the big cities they have Dominos and Pizza Hut and sometimes Little Caesar’s. Little Caesar’s is almost the same, the other ones aren’t really that good. They actually have a local one here that’s the best that I have had in Mexico, called Pizza Classic. You also asked about my Spanish, I actually feel really good about it, I don’t really have any problems with it and I am feeling better and better with it as time goes on. I can understand just about everything, sometimes I just have to pay really hard attention. But I don’t ever have to worry about it anymore so that’s nice.  

This week was kind of tough, but it’s been good. We are in a kind of slow area, but we are working hard and I think we found 2 families to teach this week, but they were both gone for the return appointments. We are definitely going to look for them this week, they seem really great. I am definitely learning a lot from being here, so that’s the good thing. We didn’t have the wedding this week, nor will we have it this week, we weren’t able to get the medical tests done that they need, but we will do it this week, and then you have to submit the papers 5 days before the wedding and it can only be Monday through Friday, so it will for sure be next week. But they keep coming to church and they are super happy and excited about the gospel, that’s the cool part and the reward of missionary work. I have seen that in a few families here, we got one family reactive again and this one where the wife is investigator and the husband is less active but basically an investigator again because he didn’t know anything. Oh and Yesenia is super excited about the gospel and learning so much! And she is teaching the gospel to like everyone she knows; she is working on a referral for us that we hope to have this week. And there have been some other families we have helped a lot. I guess the work is just different in a tiny little branch in a small town then in a big city, and it takes some getting used to because you have success in a different sort of way.

We do have transfers this coming Sunday; actually I will probably get them while I am talking to you guys. I am thinking I will call between 5 and 7. I’m not really sure if there is a time difference. So we will get there at 5 and I don’t know when it will be my turn to call but it should be between 5 and 7. I think I might have transfers this time but I’m not really sure, part of me would like it but part of me would be super bummed. I wouldn’t get to be here for the wedding or baptism of Maria Elena, but the good thing is I know it will happen. And I would like another change with my comp that I have right now. But who knows, I think it’s like a 50 50 chance. We also have a zone conference this Thursday; that should be good, they are always uplifting. Oh and Elder Christopherson is coming on the 21st this month and we have a mission conference to go see him, I am pretty stoked. And we have that zone activity that mom asked about, we are going to sing hymns in the central plaza and have the members take down references to find more people because no one here really has many investigators. And the rest of the people from our zone will travel here to help us. But it got changed to the 18th because of mother’s day.

Well I love you guys and I look forward to talking to you all on Sunday.

Elder Utley