progreso es exito

This week was pretty decent. I basically almost died from a sickness that may or not have been pneumonia. But I'm basically not dead anymore so were ready to start working again. 

Not too much to say today and besides the fact it's a little late, but I was thinking about success yesterday in church, because recently we haven't had very many investigators or baptisms, but yesterday in church this happened: I was waiting for everyone to come in and I was shaking there hands and stuff, and we saw the familia Felix come in, who we had visited a few times and they finally came back. and then we saw the familia Gonzalez come in, another family that we had been visiting for a while. and then we saw the husband of Hermana Solis come in, another investigator we have, and then we saw Romi and his family come in, and he's not a member and his family we helped to reactivate. It was so cool! and then to put the icing on the cake, the familia Esquivel, who we helped to reactivate, gave the prayers in sacrament meeting, and then Hermana Marissa, who we helped to reactivate gave a talk! So I was thinking about what success means because we haven't had many baptisms, and I realized that we are having success, just not in the way that I was necessarily searching it. I  think that's a lesson that I need to learn for all of life, that we can find happiness and success in the ways that are least expected. God always puts small miracles in our lives, we just need to look for them. 

Sorry for the not pictures but next week I'm going to send a few. Love you guys!! Have a great week!

Elder Jones

Life has been good lately, mom. Just going along with the work and trying to find people to baptize. I actually baptized someone yesterday haha, because I went to interview him and then he asked me to baptize him so that was cool. My past two baptisms have been people that I've gone to interview. So I guess I'm just likable lol. It's funny because there are some new sisters here, and one is from quintana roo (the state where cozumel is) and the other is from yucatan (the other stop on the cruise) and so I was talking about the cruise and turns out I'm just gonna stop at the two places where they're from haha. I've been thinking a lot about Moses 1 this week, and we're gonna teach about it in our fhe tonight. Next week I'm gonna send a longer email about it. But I love you a lot mom!! Have a great week.

blessings

****From Braeden's mom...I asked Braeden what blessings he has received since serving a mission. This was his response:

I would say that it's really just been that I've changed. I feel like I'm more like the Savior and that's something that I know will help me later in life when I get married and become a father. It's helped me to become a better son, a better brother, better grandson, companion, leader, and everything. And it's odd, because I'm really still the same person I was. I still tell dumb jokes, and I like rap music, and I'm really looking forward to Taco Bell when I get home. But my heart has changed, and my character has developed a lot. And I would say that's the biggest blessing in my mission.

seminary request

From mom:
If you have time...will you answer this question for seminary....

What blessing have you received during your mission?

We are studying Ammon ch.26 tomorrow where Ammon glories in God and all the blessings he and his brothers received from God while serving their missions. I thought it would be good to hear from a modern day missionary.

Love you so much!!!!

Mom

Elder Jones response:

I would say that it's really just been that I've changed. I feel like I'm more like the Savior and that's something that I know will help me later in life when I get married and become a father. It's helped me to become a better son, a better brother, better grandson, companion, leader, and everything. And it's odd, because I'm really still the same person I was. I still tell dumb jokes, and I like rap music, and I'm really looking forward to taco bell when I get home. But my heart has changed, and my character has developed a lot. And I would say that's the biggest blessing in my mission.

2 nephi 4

Hello everyone, just a short email this week.

A few weeks ago we went to go eat with the familia Esquivel, who got baptized in March, my old companion and I had recently reactivated them. However, that time that we had gone to visit them I noted that something was wrong with the Hermano. I wasn't sure what but he didn't sit down to eat with us or anything like that.  When we went to share a message with them he sat down with us and I realized that there was something wrong because he wouldn't even look me in the eyes whenever I spoke. Afterwards, he just opened up with us, and talked about how he was never good enough for his wife or his parents or brothers or friends or anyone and was just really down. I started trying to help him, and my companion talked about the sacrament and how we can become new people, and I mentioned how one hermano a few weeks ago at church said that what he learned in his mission is that ANYONE can change, and I mentioned that and he said "but not me...everyone can except me...just ask anyone that lives close to me". He was really, really down and said he wasn't even going go to church anymore. I told him that I couldn't help him then. That if his attitude was that way that it was true, he would never change. But I asked him to read this and I wrote 2 Nephi 4 on a napkin and passed it to him. That was a Tuesday. That Sunday we got to church and I saw him there and was a little confused but super excited so I went and said hi and then sat down. He then got up to share his testimony, which surprised me even more. And then he started to talk, and I was even more surprised. He shared a little of what he had shared with us and then shared what we had told him, and proceeded to say "I want to personally and publicly thank Elder Jones for what he shared with me." He said a few more things and shared his testimony. 

A lot of times as a missionary I kinda just feel like I'm wasting my time. IDK why I'm supposed to be here or why I do what I do...that I'm not really helping. But every once in a while, things like that happen, and it's a big testimony to me that maybe I am supposed to be here, and the spirit is working through me. I love seeing those miracles and being able to be part of them. 

I know this church is true and that miracles do exist, depending on the faith that we have. 

enjoy this barbecue that we made

the best district in the entire mission

back row: hna Martinez, hna Yanza, hna Oropeza, hna Burgos

front row: e Bowles, me, elder Pearson (one of our zone leaders)

love you guys, have a great week!!

Elder Jones

missionary ethos

I'll get to the subject hear in a minute.

Muy buenas tardes de Sauces Toluca. Today we had a dope Elders conference. It was the first time that all the Elders in the mission were together at the same time. 

I haven't been this tired in MONTHS. But I'm still decent at soccer so that's good. 

​

​These are my homies I'm gonna room with at BYU (except the kid in the middle. He's cool though.)

These past two weeks have been kinda lazy because in our area. No one who lives here is from here so during the holidays they all leave. This week we're excited to get back into the grind. 

Two weeks ago on the 24th we combined wards and the Primary president from another ward spoke. Here in Mexico there's a tradition that sometimes is more popular than Christmas, It's el dia de los reyes magos ( or day of the wise men) and it's January 6th. That day the wise men bring the gifts to the kids. however, in Guadalajara she said that normally the niño dios brings the gifts. The niño dios is Jesus. That was really interesting because it really is Jesus who brings the best gift, which is eternal life. Because of his sacrifice, we will someday be able to overcome death the same way he did and be able to live with our families forever. 

Also with the dia de los reyes magos, there's a special cake thing called a rosca, and it has a lot of plastic niños dioses inside the cake. So basically everyone cuts the cake, and if you get a niño dios, then on February 2nd you have to bring everyone tamales. It's a pretty fun tradition. 

Finally, one of the best young men's leaders ever (well all of mine were actually the best ever....I got lucky) but anyway Brother Fisher sent me the Seal Ethos  (the Navy Seal Creed) in a letter a little while ago, and it seemed really interesting to me. I decided to make a missionary version. (if anyone who was a Seal gets offended by this sorry, not my intentions.) Here it is:

Missionary Ethos

(modeled after the SEAL Ethos)

In times of war uncertainty, there is a special breed of man ready to answer the Lord's call. A common young, but with an uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside the greatest missionaries that have ever existed to serve God, the people, and bring them eternal life. I am that man.

My plaque is a symbol of honor and heritage. Bestowed upon me by God himself, it embodies the trust of those I have promised to serve. By wearing the plaque I accept the responsibility of my calling and way of life. It is a privilege that I must earn everyday. My loyalty to God and the people is beyond reproach. I humbly serve God's children wherever I'm assigned to serve, and whatever the language may be. I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the inherent trials of my calling, placing first the happiness and eternal life of others. I serve with honor in public and in private. The ability to control my thoughts, words, and actions, regardless of circumstance, sets me apart from other men. Uncomprising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.

We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of leadership I will take charge, lead my companions, and accomplish our purpose. I lead by example in all situations.  I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. The Lord expects me to be more obedient and more dedicated than others. If knocked down or rejected, I will get back up and try again, every time. I will draw on every ounce of remaining strength to bring salvation to the souls of men. I am never out of the fight.

We demand discipline. We expect dedication. The salvation and happiness of my fellow brothers and sisters depend on me--my obedience, my dedication, and the spirit I carry with me. My training is never complete. We're constantly training and have an eye single to the glory of God. I stand ready to share the gospel anytime, anywhere, and with anyone. The execution of my duties will always be done with the utmost love. Braver and greater men than I am have gone before me, and have built a grand reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst of conditions, the love I have for God and those that I serve steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.

To finish, I just want to share one more saying that I learned which is "no hay viento que favorezca un barco sin rumbo" or in other words, there's no wind behind a boat without direction. I hope that makes sense. But this new year as we're making new resolutions and trying to change, we need to remember that if we have no direction, there's no wind that is really useful for our boats in life. One time another super good leader named Brother Rawlins said "a goal not written down in just a wish" (I'm sure other more famous people have said that, but one time Brother Rawlins said it too). Lets all put goals this year, so that there will be wind behind our boats all year long. 

I love you guys and hope you all have a great week! 

Elder Jones

Hey everyone! Sorry no email this week bc I'm just exhausted and talking with my parents and I'll tell you this joke in spanish. Your assignment is to tell me what in the world it means.

cual es la diferencia entre una oveja y una oveja naca?

una oveja dice "veeeeee", y una oveja naca dice "ira ira ira"

Love you guys! Put some good resolutions this year.