Hello everybody! It's been another week here in sunny EP/ST/SP. Elder Jones and I are still hard at work. The Antunezs got to go through the temple for the first time this last Wednesday to do baptisms. They loved it! The 5th ward is such an amazing ward. All we have to do is say "Frank and Grace need to go to the temple ASAP" and it gets done!
We had a cool experience on Saturday night. We went to our 8 o'clock appointment and they weren't there. We had visited everyone else earlier in the day, and Elder Jones and I were just kinda wondering... "Well, what do we do now?" Just then a young man, Eddy, walked past and we contacted him. He said "I really have to go, but where's your church, I'll go tomorrow." Yeah...right kid (Even missionaries get cynical sometimes) But we gave him the information just to humor him. Well who comes walking in the doors the next morning at 11:20 but Eddy! Double bonus, he works at Men's Wearhouse so if we baptize him we could probably get some sweet discounts on ties (I know I shouldn't be thinking about these kinds of things but I can't help it).
Last monday we went on exchanges with the assistants and had an amazing day, we found seven new investigators in half a day.
Yesterday at church I got about 10 comments "Elder Wilson, you're still here? Haven't you been here for a really long time?" Which isn't cool because then I always get the related question "How long have you been on your mission?" and then the "Oh wow! That's a long time. What are you planning on doing when you get back? Are you going to college? Do you have a girlfriend?" etc. etc.
Our investigator Carlos, is having a tough time working up the faith to ask for Sundays off from work. What makes it worse is he says he hates being pressured, and completely closes off any time you try to apply even a little pressure. So if anyone has any suggestions, please do tell.
Well that's about it for this week's edition. I love you all very much!
Love,
Elder Ben Wilson
Monday, April 20, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Brick, where did you get a grenade?
Hello everybody! It's been a great week out here in the desert. We had some wonderful services for Easter. We sang "Creo en Cristo" (I believe in Christ) in the Spanish ward along with the other two missionary companionships. I don't have a long history of singing in sacrament meetings so that was a little bit nerve racking for me but it went really well I think!
Also, we had quite a miracle this week. The Varela chronicles continue. We were scheduled to go on exchanges with the Chaparral elders this tuesday. Elder Jones was going to head out to Chaparral and I was going to stay here. Well the spirit kept impressing me "Go to Chaparral." I kept saying "No that doesn't make any sense, Elder Jones just got in the area and he doesn't know how to get around town yet, I can't leave the area." But the impression just kept coming "Go to Chaparral." So we called up the Chappy town elders and told them that there was a change of plans, that I would be going over there with them. Now we need to step back a second. Veronica Varela is an investigator that my companion and I found a year ago who has wanted to get baptized for forever but her significant other of 13 years hasn't been willing to marry her until a few weeks ago. The wedding date is set for April 26 and the baptismal date is May 2.
Well while we were on exchanges we went to teach Veronica. As soon as we got there to the house I could tell that something was wrong. I asked her how things were going and she said " Chewie* (her husband) says that if I keep meeting with the missionaries and going to church, he won't marry me. I'm not going to keep going with it. I'm not even sure if it's true anyways, it's just not worth it to keep going."
Well that was devastating to say the least. But in that moment I was able to do what no other missionary currently serving in the Arizona Tucson Mission could have done. I looked her in the eye and said "You do know it's true, I was there and I know you received an answer from God." and she couldn't deny it. We then went on to talk about trials and sacrifice (We read about Abraham from Genesis, it was pretty intense) and by the end she said "I'm willing to do whatever God asks of me." Veronica has met with the missionaries every day since then and she came to church yesterday. She doesn't know what's going to happen with her husband(or whatever you want to call him) but she does know that she's going to follow through with her comitment to the Lord to be baptized.
Do you remember the feeling of when you were a kid and you would stand on your Dad's feet and he would grab your hands and he would walk you around and move your arms kind of like a puppet? In the best of times, you feel like that in the service of the Lord. You act, but not on your own ideas. You talk, but the words aren't yours. You move, but it's someone else who's moving you. It gives you a new perspective on Jesus' prayer that we may be "One, even as thou, Father are in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us"
We also had an amazing experience last night teaching an investigator whose father died a few years ago. She wanted to know where he was, and if there was any hope for him since he hadn't ever accepted what we are sharing with her. We had already planned to teach her the plan of salvation, and it was incredible to see the peace and understanding that filled her as the spirit descended and comforted and testified to her.
To answer your questions... we normally teach about 15-20 lessons a week. For easter we had a good dinner with one of the families from the 5th ward... and then went out and worked. The weather is warm and sunny, but not too hot. We don't have a branch, we have two wards, and they're both normal sized wards. How are my clothes holding up? They're not. However, somehow I'll manage to make it to the end with what I've got. No use in buying more missionary clothes with 4 months left. We eat with members 6 days a week, and one of them usually forgets so really about 5 times a week. I have learned to LOVE Mexican food except for Chicharrones and Menudo. In a p-day we have to wash the car, do email, do laundry, go shopping, clean the apartment, and today our P-day ends at 2 because we're on exchanges with the Assistants.
That's all for this week's edition. I love you all very much.
Love,
Elder Ben Wilson
*Chewie is a nickname in spanish for Jesus... don't ask me how.
Also, we had quite a miracle this week. The Varela chronicles continue. We were scheduled to go on exchanges with the Chaparral elders this tuesday. Elder Jones was going to head out to Chaparral and I was going to stay here. Well the spirit kept impressing me "Go to Chaparral." I kept saying "No that doesn't make any sense, Elder Jones just got in the area and he doesn't know how to get around town yet, I can't leave the area." But the impression just kept coming "Go to Chaparral." So we called up the Chappy town elders and told them that there was a change of plans, that I would be going over there with them. Now we need to step back a second. Veronica Varela is an investigator that my companion and I found a year ago who has wanted to get baptized for forever but her significant other of 13 years hasn't been willing to marry her until a few weeks ago. The wedding date is set for April 26 and the baptismal date is May 2.
Well while we were on exchanges we went to teach Veronica. As soon as we got there to the house I could tell that something was wrong. I asked her how things were going and she said " Chewie* (her husband) says that if I keep meeting with the missionaries and going to church, he won't marry me. I'm not going to keep going with it. I'm not even sure if it's true anyways, it's just not worth it to keep going."
Well that was devastating to say the least. But in that moment I was able to do what no other missionary currently serving in the Arizona Tucson Mission could have done. I looked her in the eye and said "You do know it's true, I was there and I know you received an answer from God." and she couldn't deny it. We then went on to talk about trials and sacrifice (We read about Abraham from Genesis, it was pretty intense) and by the end she said "I'm willing to do whatever God asks of me." Veronica has met with the missionaries every day since then and she came to church yesterday. She doesn't know what's going to happen with her husband(or whatever you want to call him) but she does know that she's going to follow through with her comitment to the Lord to be baptized.
Do you remember the feeling of when you were a kid and you would stand on your Dad's feet and he would grab your hands and he would walk you around and move your arms kind of like a puppet? In the best of times, you feel like that in the service of the Lord. You act, but not on your own ideas. You talk, but the words aren't yours. You move, but it's someone else who's moving you. It gives you a new perspective on Jesus' prayer that we may be "One, even as thou, Father are in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us"
We also had an amazing experience last night teaching an investigator whose father died a few years ago. She wanted to know where he was, and if there was any hope for him since he hadn't ever accepted what we are sharing with her. We had already planned to teach her the plan of salvation, and it was incredible to see the peace and understanding that filled her as the spirit descended and comforted and testified to her.
To answer your questions... we normally teach about 15-20 lessons a week. For easter we had a good dinner with one of the families from the 5th ward... and then went out and worked. The weather is warm and sunny, but not too hot. We don't have a branch, we have two wards, and they're both normal sized wards. How are my clothes holding up? They're not. However, somehow I'll manage to make it to the end with what I've got. No use in buying more missionary clothes with 4 months left. We eat with members 6 days a week, and one of them usually forgets so really about 5 times a week. I have learned to LOVE Mexican food except for Chicharrones and Menudo. In a p-day we have to wash the car, do email, do laundry, go shopping, clean the apartment, and today our P-day ends at 2 because we're on exchanges with the Assistants.
That's all for this week's edition. I love you all very much.
Love,
Elder Ben Wilson
*Chewie is a nickname in spanish for Jesus... don't ask me how.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Bonesaw is ready....
Hello everybody! It is indeed transfer week and I am... still here in El Paso/Sunland Park/Santa Teresa! I have a new companion, his name is Elder Jones. He's from Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye territory). Elder Bennion is headed over to Chaparral! That's pretty exciting. Three months ago he was an English Elder enjoying University wards and steak and potatoe dinners, and now he's headed to the ghettoest part of the mission.
This last Saturday we had the baptisms of two brothers, David and Edgar Colmenero. They're thirteen and fourteen years old, we had to reactivate the Mom and we're still working on their older brother (inactive) and their Dad (Non-member). It was a great baptismal service, and they're wonderful young men.
We had a couple of investigators at church. Carol showed up which is awesome. I think I already mentioned her, she's 17 years old, and she called for a book of Mormon from a pass-along card that she found in her door. Her Dad won't let us teach her in the house, so we had the 2nd lesson at starbucks and we have an appointment for tomorrow at Whataburger. (We're debating whether or not we should go back to Starbucks when we teach the word of wisdom). She's got a baptismal date for this month and she's progressing well.
We're all excited for Conference this weekend. We're all taking our guesses on who the next apostle is going to be. I've got:
1) Neil Andersen
2) Cesil(sp?) Samuelson
3) Richard G. Hinckley
I tried to convince Elder Bennion that we should take bets but he wasn't a big fan of that idea. But now he's gone and Elder Jones is her so we'll see what he says. Just kidding... (but seriously)
Frank Antunez received the Aaronic priesthood on Sunday. That was a very special experience. He was so excited. It was so refreshing to hear his perspective on the priesthood. After church he just kept asking us "How can I use this? How can I serve? How can I help my family with this?" I love hearing outsiders' perspectives on things such as this. It makes you realize how much you take for granted. You've got to realize how others look at the word priesthood. Grace was so proud to have a priesthood-holder as a husband.
We had to tell an investigator to stop praying to Joseph Smith. Catholic habits can be hard to kick. We found out he was using the picture of the first vision from the first lesson pamphlet as an imagen. (image? idol?) I know that that's bad and really not that funny but I had a really hard time keeping a straight face when he told us all that.
The Varela family drove out from Chaparral on Saturday. They remembered that it was my birthday and they took me to lunch. That was awesome. Veronica's 11-year boyfriend is finally marrying her on April 25th (The same one that I taught a year ago when I was in chappytown). She asked if I would do the baptism if I was still around, and I will be! Yay!
Well that's about it for this week. Thanks to whoever sent me those white pants and that white tie. I really appreciate it. And thanks to Grammie for the birthday card.
The work is going great out here! I love being a missionary!
Love,
Elder Ben Wilson
This last Saturday we had the baptisms of two brothers, David and Edgar Colmenero. They're thirteen and fourteen years old, we had to reactivate the Mom and we're still working on their older brother (inactive) and their Dad (Non-member). It was a great baptismal service, and they're wonderful young men.
We had a couple of investigators at church. Carol showed up which is awesome. I think I already mentioned her, she's 17 years old, and she called for a book of Mormon from a pass-along card that she found in her door. Her Dad won't let us teach her in the house, so we had the 2nd lesson at starbucks and we have an appointment for tomorrow at Whataburger. (We're debating whether or not we should go back to Starbucks when we teach the word of wisdom). She's got a baptismal date for this month and she's progressing well.
We're all excited for Conference this weekend. We're all taking our guesses on who the next apostle is going to be. I've got:
1) Neil Andersen
2) Cesil(sp?) Samuelson
3) Richard G. Hinckley
I tried to convince Elder Bennion that we should take bets but he wasn't a big fan of that idea. But now he's gone and Elder Jones is her so we'll see what he says. Just kidding... (but seriously)
Frank Antunez received the Aaronic priesthood on Sunday. That was a very special experience. He was so excited. It was so refreshing to hear his perspective on the priesthood. After church he just kept asking us "How can I use this? How can I serve? How can I help my family with this?" I love hearing outsiders' perspectives on things such as this. It makes you realize how much you take for granted. You've got to realize how others look at the word priesthood. Grace was so proud to have a priesthood-holder as a husband.
We had to tell an investigator to stop praying to Joseph Smith. Catholic habits can be hard to kick. We found out he was using the picture of the first vision from the first lesson pamphlet as an imagen. (image? idol?) I know that that's bad and really not that funny but I had a really hard time keeping a straight face when he told us all that.
The Varela family drove out from Chaparral on Saturday. They remembered that it was my birthday and they took me to lunch. That was awesome. Veronica's 11-year boyfriend is finally marrying her on April 25th (The same one that I taught a year ago when I was in chappytown). She asked if I would do the baptism if I was still around, and I will be! Yay!
Well that's about it for this week. Thanks to whoever sent me those white pants and that white tie. I really appreciate it. And thanks to Grammie for the birthday card.
The work is going great out here! I love being a missionary!
Love,
Elder Ben Wilson
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