(Response to Dad's e-mail, in which Dad described going to Cori's wedding and reception--they had Mexican at a family dinner the night before--and in which Dad explained that Ian has been living out of his van while working as an ATV/Hummer trail guide in Moab--insert Christ Farley quote here.)
Dah! Mexican food. We made tacos the other day and...it jsut...wasnt the same. Itll be interesting to talk to Ian about living from his van. He always told me that was like a dream of his. haha
You know, I was actually thinking about that the other day. Also, I read in Alma where it talks about the seperation of the land of the Nephites and the Lamanites with the east sea and the west sea and the smal strip of wilderness that seperates them. It fits pretty well into florida, which would mean that the land of Zarahemla couldve stretched down to close to Georgia alabama area down south. (I think?) I need more study...and a map. haha Love you Dad! Eres lo maximo!!!
(Editor's Note: Well, that's one theory...)
(General e-mail)
Alright. So. I have good news and bad news. The good news will be a bit of a story, so heres the bad news first. I forgot my camera, so I cant send you all the epic pics I took last week. BUT, next week I will bring it and send off even more epic photos! Even of last weeks baptism. Yes, we had another baptism. Thats the good news! Now, the story:
So. Our stake has a goal this month to baptize 35 people. Admittedly, they are a bit to focused on numbers but without numbers we achieve nothing, so we keep working. Anyway, our Zone Leaders had kind been freaking out on us to try and find anybody in the entire world who we could baptized last week. I wasn´t to concerened with it becuase we´d already had two baptisms, but I still kept my heart eyes and ears open for miracles to happen. Well, my comp and I were walking down the street on Wednesday and this kid rode by on his bike saying "Chino! Chino!" calling me chinese. People here are a bit dull about racial differences. So then he pulls up beside us and asks if we are the mormons. Both a little exasperated by his youthfull antics we replied in the positive. Then he asked us if he new our ward missionary, Mariana. We again said that yes we did. He paused for a moment and just stared at us and we stared at him. I was about ready to just walk away, but the he said "Well, when can you come by to visit me and my family?" With the word "family" our attention was hooked. Right then we went with him to his familys house. He told us his name was Chico, and that he, along with multiple other friends, had attended church before with Mariana. And so it began. We met with Chico and another kid named Cleudi and invited them to be baptized for this last sunday. With the permission of their parents, they both said yes! Cleudis mom also wants to be baptized, but cant for now becuase she had a recent operation and cant attend church. She´s also living with a man who´s not her husband so....marriage. On the up side, when the Zone Leaders went to do the interview, she told them that she had had a dream. In the dream on of her friends in the church sat down next to her and told her that she needed to take the missionary discussions and be baptized in the mormon church. So thats cool.
Other miracles prepared for June or July:
So a few weeks ago we also recieved a reference from a member in our ward. His name is Yimi. (Jimmy) and lives with his family. His mom had been recieving the missionaries for years and years...like a long long time, but never wanted to act and didn´t belive that there was a true church. We met with just Yimi the first time and all seemed well. Then in the second visit, his Mom, Yanet was also there. So we talked with her a bit and she shared with us her experiences with the Missionaries and also, a dream that she had. The day after we contacted Yimi, the mom dreamed that a member friend of hers was standing in front of her, reading the bible. The member, our primary president, read some verse that talks about how the great and terrible day of the lord is nigh at hand and the time to repend is now. When she woke up, she new she needed to change something. So, we taught them the restoration and invited Yanet, Yimi and his sister to be baptized. They all said yes!
Unfortunately, the didnt come to church on sunday, so we have to move their Baptismal date...and Im pretty sure Yanet has to get married. Oh well. With the eye of the faith, she´s already been endowed!
Also, one of our recent converts, Emmanuel, was possesd or something like a month before I came to Boca Chica. So like 5 months ago. For all the time I knew him he was barely functioning. Blankly staring at us and barely responding in the lessons. Now he´s working, talking, and flirting like a normal man! He talked with us for like a half hour about how he could ask a girl out from our ward. It was awesome!
Miracles, miracles, miracles! Love you all! I promise lots of fun pics next week!
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Monday, May 23, 2016
23 May 2016 - Boca Chica (Santo Domingo)
(General e-mail)
Well. Well well well. This week was really cool in some ways, but rather challenging. Lets start on the challenges so we can end on a positive note. My son is proving to be quite a hassle in his terrible twos, but Im sure hell grow out of it. Also, our investigator church attendance was down...to 0. That was pretty disappointing, especially because alot of our Baptismal dates dropped. We also split the area. That was alot more complicated than it should have been. Alot of arguing and fight over territories. It felt like two generals at a war table negotiating cities.
On the up side, we are working much better with our bishopric and members in general. There is alot more unity and strength in the ward itself. We also found 3 new families to teach. One of which, the Duran family, have been investigators for a long time. Their son, bryan, is already a member, and he is a STUD. Best future missionary ive ever met. The main problem of this family was marriage, but we brought in the big guns with our first counselor and got them commited. It was a really cool lesson. While im writing this Im itching to leave because we have to catch a bus back to our area (were in the capitol) and I dont know when the last on leaves. ALso, its a long walk. Itll all be well though. Nevertheless, this will be rather short. We also had Zone conference this week. That was great as Pres. Corbitt shared with the noobies his shpeel about having great faith. Really inspiring and all that.
These weeks cruise by way to fast. I jsut feel like I dont have anything to say!
How about a house report. So our house has alot of problems. My toilet doesnt work and the other bathroom barely does. ALso, the tube from the other bathroom got melted by past missionaries so now we have a little bit sewage spewing into our backyard everytime we flush...so...thats pretty missionary. Weve also had water very on and off this week. What we really need is a new house. haha
So. The work is good. I live and I love it. The more I study the scriptures, especially the p´lan of salvation, I realize just how kind and patient God is. He truly loves us more than we can imagine, and thus gives us every and any oppurtunity to repent and come to him. This is especially evident in DyC. There is a saying here that "Dios es Bueno!". God is Good! I am in totaly agreement. "I know that my Father loves me."
Love you all! Thanks for your prayers and support!
Love
-Elder Frogley
Well. Well well well. This week was really cool in some ways, but rather challenging. Lets start on the challenges so we can end on a positive note. My son is proving to be quite a hassle in his terrible twos, but Im sure hell grow out of it. Also, our investigator church attendance was down...to 0. That was pretty disappointing, especially because alot of our Baptismal dates dropped. We also split the area. That was alot more complicated than it should have been. Alot of arguing and fight over territories. It felt like two generals at a war table negotiating cities.
On the up side, we are working much better with our bishopric and members in general. There is alot more unity and strength in the ward itself. We also found 3 new families to teach. One of which, the Duran family, have been investigators for a long time. Their son, bryan, is already a member, and he is a STUD. Best future missionary ive ever met. The main problem of this family was marriage, but we brought in the big guns with our first counselor and got them commited. It was a really cool lesson. While im writing this Im itching to leave because we have to catch a bus back to our area (were in the capitol) and I dont know when the last on leaves. ALso, its a long walk. Itll all be well though. Nevertheless, this will be rather short. We also had Zone conference this week. That was great as Pres. Corbitt shared with the noobies his shpeel about having great faith. Really inspiring and all that.
These weeks cruise by way to fast. I jsut feel like I dont have anything to say!
How about a house report. So our house has alot of problems. My toilet doesnt work and the other bathroom barely does. ALso, the tube from the other bathroom got melted by past missionaries so now we have a little bit sewage spewing into our backyard everytime we flush...so...thats pretty missionary. Weve also had water very on and off this week. What we really need is a new house. haha
So. The work is good. I live and I love it. The more I study the scriptures, especially the p´lan of salvation, I realize just how kind and patient God is. He truly loves us more than we can imagine, and thus gives us every and any oppurtunity to repent and come to him. This is especially evident in DyC. There is a saying here that "Dios es Bueno!". God is Good! I am in totaly agreement. "I know that my Father loves me."
Love you all! Thanks for your prayers and support!
Love
-Elder Frogley
Monday, May 16, 2016
16 May 2016 - Boca Chica (Santo Domingo)
(Response to Dad's e-mail, in which Dad shared about losing his glasses to a wood chipper; also, the company the city contracted to install street lights in my parents' neighborhood caused an electrical surge that friend a bunch of homes' electronics; also, we visited Front Sight for some handgun training.)
Nooooo! The glasses! Are you getting some nice horn rims to replace them? ;) You should at least order from Zennioptical. Its so cheap. haha And no power? Thats crazy. Que palomos those electricians (is that how you spell that?)
I find my self going through the front sight drills sometimes. Dern muscle memory is a reall thing. haha Prayers fulfilled!
Well thanks Dad! I´ll write the big letter in a sec.
(General e-mail)
Baptism!! whats that? Its a double baptism? How superb! Yes, Miriam and Antonio finally got baptized. it was really great. Elder Call and I even did a special musical number of brightly beams our fathers mercy. Twas swell. We are hoping that their other cousin Liliani will be baptized next week as well.
As for investigators in general. We are working we 3 families who want to get married and baptized and well as various individuals. We been having big drops in our people with dates as church attendance seems to be a problem for some.
This week was...quite busy, confusing and crazy. As it turns out, Im not finishing Elder Calls training. I am instead getting another kid named Elder Valle. He´s a bit crazy but I´ll work with patience and charity and stuff. and now he´s reading over my shoulder. haha oh well.
And now I have to print a map and all my other campanions are bugging me so I´ll have to cut this short. More details and photos next week. Love you all!
Nooooo! The glasses! Are you getting some nice horn rims to replace them? ;) You should at least order from Zennioptical. Its so cheap. haha And no power? Thats crazy. Que palomos those electricians (is that how you spell that?)
I find my self going through the front sight drills sometimes. Dern muscle memory is a reall thing. haha Prayers fulfilled!
Well thanks Dad! I´ll write the big letter in a sec.
(General e-mail)
Baptism!! whats that? Its a double baptism? How superb! Yes, Miriam and Antonio finally got baptized. it was really great. Elder Call and I even did a special musical number of brightly beams our fathers mercy. Twas swell. We are hoping that their other cousin Liliani will be baptized next week as well.
As for investigators in general. We are working we 3 families who want to get married and baptized and well as various individuals. We been having big drops in our people with dates as church attendance seems to be a problem for some.
This week was...quite busy, confusing and crazy. As it turns out, Im not finishing Elder Calls training. I am instead getting another kid named Elder Valle. He´s a bit crazy but I´ll work with patience and charity and stuff. and now he´s reading over my shoulder. haha oh well.
And now I have to print a map and all my other campanions are bugging me so I´ll have to cut this short. More details and photos next week. Love you all!
Monday, May 9, 2016
9 May 2016 - Boca Chica (Santo Domingo)
(General e-mail)
Well actually this will be rather small as I had the privelege of talking to the majority of the people that read this thing. BUT as for the poor, degenerate saps who missed out on the privilegio de oir mi voz, (that was a joke. calm down...no really, you can holster your pistol. come on now, put it away. there we go.) here area few brief words. The week was great, but the baptism got cancelled for rain. The kids are all still pumped though! Elections for the president are next week and we have to be careful with all the crazies out. I did get a free hat though. Everything else is fine. The call with the fam was amazing and the week was normal.
I would like to share another awesome experience that I had with my son. WE were doing his training, talking about the faith, and I felt really prompted to share the thought that "those that are with us are greater than those with them" That just lead into a super spiritual discussion about the divinity of our calling and how much God loves us and how truly weak Satan is. It was really powerful and I felt very, very impressed that Tyler and Grandpa have been, are and will be helping me throughout my mission. I knew that in that very moment, they were there with me. I would love to describe everything in detail, but I dont remember it all and Im out of time. It is written in my journal though. Love you all!!
May the 4th be with you and Revenge of the 6th with my nerd son.
Well actually this will be rather small as I had the privelege of talking to the majority of the people that read this thing. BUT as for the poor, degenerate saps who missed out on the privilegio de oir mi voz, (that was a joke. calm down...no really, you can holster your pistol. come on now, put it away. there we go.) here area few brief words. The week was great, but the baptism got cancelled for rain. The kids are all still pumped though! Elections for the president are next week and we have to be careful with all the crazies out. I did get a free hat though. Everything else is fine. The call with the fam was amazing and the week was normal.
I would like to share another awesome experience that I had with my son. WE were doing his training, talking about the faith, and I felt really prompted to share the thought that "those that are with us are greater than those with them" That just lead into a super spiritual discussion about the divinity of our calling and how much God loves us and how truly weak Satan is. It was really powerful and I felt very, very impressed that Tyler and Grandpa have been, are and will be helping me throughout my mission. I knew that in that very moment, they were there with me. I would love to describe everything in detail, but I dont remember it all and Im out of time. It is written in my journal though. Love you all!!
May the 4th be with you and Revenge of the 6th with my nerd son.
Monday, May 2, 2016
2 May 2016 - Boca Chica (Santo Domingo)
(Response to Dad's e-mail, in which he talked about a huge wind storm that blew through, a wonderful stake conference, and the upcoming Mothers Day call.)
Wind? Thats super weird. Here its been raining pretty steadily for like 3 days. Now its just reaaaaaaaally hot. Like this key board is slippery from the sweat on my hands. Stake conference sounds amazing though. Im going to try to get permission to use this Google Hangouts thing. To be honest, as busy as we´ve been here, I totally spaced that sunday is mothers day! heh heh. We will see what happened, but just have skype ready and maybe we can coordinate google thing from there. We will see. Im trying to call at around 1 or 2. I know thats kind of early for you guys, but I cant call in the afternoon. Also, it depends if theres power because our light schedule is pretty wack. If not in the afternoon, then at night. We might even have to do it the next day! Anwyay, Love you dad!
(General e-mail, which includes a wonderful testimony. Please note, I believe he means "Ether" and not "Either" when referencing Book of Mormon scripture.)
Alright!! So this week was pretty swell, even if it did have its twists and turns. Frist off, DAPHENEY GOT BAPTIZED!!!! Yay!!! The other 3 we had planned we ended up putting for next week because they didn´t actually ask their parents like they said. So they will be the first baptisms in our new chapel. Yep! New!! We´re finally moving out of our nasty temporary building and into a real, freshly remodeled chapel! Also, our house is getting crazy remodeled! Everything is just so good! And of course transfers are next week. Oh well. Its the Lords work, not mine! I don´t have a whole bunch to say this week, but I do want to share 2 very special experiences before I book it to our FHE.
So! Dapheneys baptism was great. We didnt have alot of people there, but it was still a great experience. We had a really nice service and then went to the beach to do the ordinance. As we walked out into the water however, she started shreaking and hollering about how cold it was and I had to practically drag her to where the water was deep enough. You should know that baptizing in the ocean is hard with all the waves and stuff. Last time I almost fell in and did lose my sandal. So this time I chose a nice sandy spot where I had a firmer footing. As I performed the ordinance, everything went smoothly. I didnt fall. Then, as a started back toward shore, Dapheney shrieked and grabbed my arm as she slipped on a rock. As a result we both took a dip in the ocean. I came out of the water laughing along with my comp and the members on shore. Dapheney was hooting and hollering for Heavenly Father to save her from the cold water. I dont understand how people that live on a tiny Island, like 5 minutes from the beach, can be so terrified of the water. Im a land locked man and I LOVE the water. Just a bit confusing.
So that was fun, but this week we also had a really amazing lesson with Angela Ramirez. We found out a while ago that she is having problems with the Law of Chastity. Its really a rather bizarre situation, but the details arent important. Anyway, we brought her best friend Bebe (return Missionary) and Bebe´s brother, Isidro (future missionary) to the lesson to talk about the power of faith. We shared in Either and various examples of supreme faith the the BoM and the Bible, ending in the picture where Jesus knocking on the door with no handle. We have to open this door. The Lord cannot save us against our will. Then we had Bebe invite Angela to be baptized. She said no, but the conversation that proceeded thenceforth was spectacular. We finally ended with a special prayer. We had planned to do the prayer and then just sit in silence to listen to the Spirit, so that Angela could be more concentrated and intune with the still small voice. When we invited her to pray however, she said no and pushed it off on my son. I said that, No, she should do it and then knelt. Everyone followed suit and we waited expectantly for Angela to pray. My dear trainee however misunderstood and started to pray instead. My first thought was "Dang it! Thats not what was supposed to happen!" Then I just started praying like crazy for the Spirit and the my son would know what to say. He said a great prayer and then, before everyone arose, I felt very prompted to say my own prayer. So i started. Everyone hurredly knelt back down and I plead to Heavenly Father to help Angela know all the things we´d taught were true and that we loved her and that she could know of her Divine Potential, Etc. Etc. I started crying about half way through as I was just about overcome by the Spirit (I had already been pretty watery thoughout the lesson). Then, Bebe prayed. Another really sweet prayer. The Spirit was so strong. Then I invited Angela to pray again. After a brief pause, she too prayed. She asked Father for the strength to overcome her temptations and lots of other really good things that I wont say for privacy´s sake. Afterwards, we all arose from our knees, and then sat down in our chairs once more, to sit, ponder, and continue silent prayers.
I have only ever felt such a Spirit in the temple.
During this silent time I felt like Moses, that I stood (or sat) on holy ground. We all continued pleading to the Lord for Angela and I shed more tears. I felt, purely and with obstruction, the divine and perfect love that Heavenly Father has for this, his daughter, and for each one of us. I cannot describe such a feeling.
I knew in that moment that Angela would be baptized. I´m not sure when, or if I will be there to see it, but she will.
My dear friends and family. I love you all, but more than that I know that God loves us. He lives and watches over us each day. He weeps for our sorrows and rejoices in our success. He wants us to be happy, but provides opposition that we may grow to be like Him. He is the Grand and Eternal Father. He who was, is and forever will be. This is His gospel. In the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Wind? Thats super weird. Here its been raining pretty steadily for like 3 days. Now its just reaaaaaaaally hot. Like this key board is slippery from the sweat on my hands. Stake conference sounds amazing though. Im going to try to get permission to use this Google Hangouts thing. To be honest, as busy as we´ve been here, I totally spaced that sunday is mothers day! heh heh. We will see what happened, but just have skype ready and maybe we can coordinate google thing from there. We will see. Im trying to call at around 1 or 2. I know thats kind of early for you guys, but I cant call in the afternoon. Also, it depends if theres power because our light schedule is pretty wack. If not in the afternoon, then at night. We might even have to do it the next day! Anwyay, Love you dad!
(General e-mail, which includes a wonderful testimony. Please note, I believe he means "Ether" and not "Either" when referencing Book of Mormon scripture.)
Alright!! So this week was pretty swell, even if it did have its twists and turns. Frist off, DAPHENEY GOT BAPTIZED!!!! Yay!!! The other 3 we had planned we ended up putting for next week because they didn´t actually ask their parents like they said. So they will be the first baptisms in our new chapel. Yep! New!! We´re finally moving out of our nasty temporary building and into a real, freshly remodeled chapel! Also, our house is getting crazy remodeled! Everything is just so good! And of course transfers are next week. Oh well. Its the Lords work, not mine! I don´t have a whole bunch to say this week, but I do want to share 2 very special experiences before I book it to our FHE.
So! Dapheneys baptism was great. We didnt have alot of people there, but it was still a great experience. We had a really nice service and then went to the beach to do the ordinance. As we walked out into the water however, she started shreaking and hollering about how cold it was and I had to practically drag her to where the water was deep enough. You should know that baptizing in the ocean is hard with all the waves and stuff. Last time I almost fell in and did lose my sandal. So this time I chose a nice sandy spot where I had a firmer footing. As I performed the ordinance, everything went smoothly. I didnt fall. Then, as a started back toward shore, Dapheney shrieked and grabbed my arm as she slipped on a rock. As a result we both took a dip in the ocean. I came out of the water laughing along with my comp and the members on shore. Dapheney was hooting and hollering for Heavenly Father to save her from the cold water. I dont understand how people that live on a tiny Island, like 5 minutes from the beach, can be so terrified of the water. Im a land locked man and I LOVE the water. Just a bit confusing.
So that was fun, but this week we also had a really amazing lesson with Angela Ramirez. We found out a while ago that she is having problems with the Law of Chastity. Its really a rather bizarre situation, but the details arent important. Anyway, we brought her best friend Bebe (return Missionary) and Bebe´s brother, Isidro (future missionary) to the lesson to talk about the power of faith. We shared in Either and various examples of supreme faith the the BoM and the Bible, ending in the picture where Jesus knocking on the door with no handle. We have to open this door. The Lord cannot save us against our will. Then we had Bebe invite Angela to be baptized. She said no, but the conversation that proceeded thenceforth was spectacular. We finally ended with a special prayer. We had planned to do the prayer and then just sit in silence to listen to the Spirit, so that Angela could be more concentrated and intune with the still small voice. When we invited her to pray however, she said no and pushed it off on my son. I said that, No, she should do it and then knelt. Everyone followed suit and we waited expectantly for Angela to pray. My dear trainee however misunderstood and started to pray instead. My first thought was "Dang it! Thats not what was supposed to happen!" Then I just started praying like crazy for the Spirit and the my son would know what to say. He said a great prayer and then, before everyone arose, I felt very prompted to say my own prayer. So i started. Everyone hurredly knelt back down and I plead to Heavenly Father to help Angela know all the things we´d taught were true and that we loved her and that she could know of her Divine Potential, Etc. Etc. I started crying about half way through as I was just about overcome by the Spirit (I had already been pretty watery thoughout the lesson). Then, Bebe prayed. Another really sweet prayer. The Spirit was so strong. Then I invited Angela to pray again. After a brief pause, she too prayed. She asked Father for the strength to overcome her temptations and lots of other really good things that I wont say for privacy´s sake. Afterwards, we all arose from our knees, and then sat down in our chairs once more, to sit, ponder, and continue silent prayers.
I have only ever felt such a Spirit in the temple.
During this silent time I felt like Moses, that I stood (or sat) on holy ground. We all continued pleading to the Lord for Angela and I shed more tears. I felt, purely and with obstruction, the divine and perfect love that Heavenly Father has for this, his daughter, and for each one of us. I cannot describe such a feeling.
I knew in that moment that Angela would be baptized. I´m not sure when, or if I will be there to see it, but she will.
My dear friends and family. I love you all, but more than that I know that God loves us. He lives and watches over us each day. He weeps for our sorrows and rejoices in our success. He wants us to be happy, but provides opposition that we may grow to be like Him. He is the Grand and Eternal Father. He who was, is and forever will be. This is His gospel. In the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.
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