New Companion And Don't You Quit

My New Companion, Elder Navarro

Saying Goodbye To Elder Bonilla

My new companion is Elder Navarro, he is legit! He has been out 9 months. He is always so happy and very humble. I just have to tell you I am so tired. I have never worked so hard. He wants to work so hard and we work and work even harder. It is so awesome, I love it. I have never been so physically worn out but my spirit is never tired. It is the greatest feeling ever. It’s amazing to give all you have to the Lord for a cause that is amazing and so very worth it. I just love serving the Lord, it is awesome! This is funny; when Elder Narvarro and I eat dinner we have movie night. We watch videos that we watch with our investigators and Mormon Messages, its sweet. Anyway this week I was asked to baptize the Hermanas’ investigator. It was such a humbling experience. She attends the Principals del Evangelio (Gospel Principals) class I teach, so she requested that I baptize her. When I found out she wanted me to baptize her I was beyond humbled. At that very moment I wanted to fall upon my knees and just thank my dear Savior but I couldn’t, so I thanked him in my heart and that was very special prayer. I memorized the baptismal prayer in less than 2 hours. That next morning I baptized her. As we walked in the water I was very calm and peaceful. As I put her under the water, BAM, my heart went nuts and I was just like whoa. It was a great moment. I can’t wait to have the opportunity to baptize my first investigator. The baptism was even more of a sweet moment because Elizabeth attended. The spirit was very strong.

The theme of this week is all about Elder Holland’s words, “Don't you quit. You keep walking, you keep trying, there is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon. Some come late. Some don't come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in Good Things to Come.”

Once again I finished the Book of Mormon, and again it is true. As I read Moroni’s promise again, I got down on my knees to ask my Heavenly Father if this book was really true and again I experienced a strong feeling and I know for a fact the Book of Mormon is true. I wrote a very small testimony at the very end of the Book Of Mormon. I want to testify it is the word of God every sentence, every verse, every page. I want to share this knowledge with everybody!

The Book Of Mormon Is True

We had 4 investigators attend church yesterday. It was amazing. I felt the spirit so strong yesterday, all day long. Our lessons where filled with the spirit. During a lesson with our investigator, Sergio, I asked him if he would be baptized December 21. He said no, he wants to ask God before saying yes. My soul just screamed with joy. That lesson was a very powerful lesson because it wasn’t me who challenged him to baptism, the Lord did, and I was the voice. This is the experience why it wasn’t me, as we were walking to his house the spirit whispered to me to challenge him to baptism, I looked at the calendar and the 21st  stuck out to me. Right then I knew I would be the voice and an instrument in the Lord’s hands. 

No Longer A "Greenie"

I have a gringa friend in chichi. She is brand new missionary; she is from Morgan, UT. She is very nice and has a sweet spirit. She asked me how the mission was for me and I said very few people can say what I can say. She asked what I meant, I responded I have sat with Joseph in Carthage, I was in Gethsemane with Christ, and I have lived the lives of Peter and Ammon. I have been chastened and rebuked like Peter, I have felt the joys of Ammon and I am a diamond that is being smoothed. She was like what has happened to you and I said with a smile, the Lord has taught me, that’s what happened and those trails I have faced, I treasure, I am so grateful and thankful for those trails. So to all those that are suffering who read my emails through this blog “Don't you quit. You keep walking, you keep trying, there is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon. Some come late. Some don't come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end.” Trust God and believe in Good Things to Come. Trust in God and it will be fantastic. 

Chichi Soccer Field

What I love about Mom is that she let me give her a blessing before I left on my mission and what I love about Dad is that he helped with that blessing. I LOVE YOU BOTH, that’s a fact Jack! Ducks Forever!!!

 "Duck Man"

With Love,

Elder Mcilmoil
November 18, 2013

 
Total tortillas for the week: 35
 
Scriptures of the week: Moroni 10:31-32, Alma 18:32-35

Spaghetti And Totillas

Yep, Loving Some Cream Soda

Changes, Investigators, And Being A State Champ

Tuesday: Pizza Day

I'm so excited, in JANUARY ELDER COOK is coming to the MISSION. I think I might get to see Bret. Make sure and talk to him about it. I'm so EXCITED! Changes are on Tuesday and Elder Bonilla is leaving. So I get a new comp tomorrow. I trust the Lord is sending me someone who is meant for me. I can't believe I have been gone 4 months, crazy. Last Tuesday after district meeting the district ordered 8 or 10 pizzas because Tuesday is 2 for 1. It was sweet. Also last Tuesday was divisions and I got to stay in Chichi. The division was with Elder V. It was a blast. I learned a good lesson not to get a bigger plate than you can handle because things will come up and you won't be able to finish that plate. Yep, it was a hard lesson to learn but a good one. He also taught me every investigator progresses. EVERYONE, some very slowly and others very rapidly. We just need to have patience. I'm gaining more and more confidence everyday to street contact. I street contacted 4 people on my own. That was a huge accomplishment for me. I felt so happy. I also sent my first text message in Spanish last week, it took five minutes. Elder Bonilla was laughing so hard.

P-day Burgers: Man Vs. Food

I have learned a lot this week. My zone leader gave me a copy of a talk called the Fourth Missionary. I have been reading it and have learned so much. I'm learning at times I do the Father's will grudgingly and at times I would rather do my own will. I learned that was horrible of me to do, for when I do those things I don't benefit from them. I went and knelt down and gave the Lord my heart and mind. After I prayed I felt a relief. Later that night I felt a happiness I haven't felt before. Doing the Lord's will truly brings you happiness. It's a happiness that we have only felt every now and then in our life. I also learned last night that I need to serve these people like Ammon. He desired to serve the Lord and by his simple acts of kindness he inspired thousands who were previously considered the most unlikely potential converts to join the Church. I need to be a faithful servant like he was.

I bought some flea stuff for cheap just to see if it works, not sure if it does but that's fine. I know this is going to sound strange but I'm grateful that I have fleas. They have taught me a lot actually, it is kind of funny.

Tie From Our Investigator

One of our investigators feeds us dinner every time we teach them. I have a love for these two people that I have never had for anyone. I just love them so much. They are very devoted Catholics but you can see the spirit has touched the wife in the lessons and you can see the husband's heart slowly soften. Their names are Jesus and Dina. Jesus even gave me and Elder Bonilla a tie. They are some of the nicest people I have ever met. They have so much respect for us and are so very kind. Our investigator Elizabeth is having doubts and won't accept a date, we challenged her to pray about the problem. She knows the church is true, but says she isn't sure. So frustrating because the spirit is so strong when we are teaching her. It just hurts knowing the gospel will change her life forever and she can't see it. Anyway I'm teaching this one guy English. His name is Richard. He has very good English but it's funny because he can't read English very well. We were also teaching him a lesson and I said a few things in English and WOW. I learned that English is this dispensation's language. The spirit was so powerful when I said those things, I felt some power dwell up in me. It truly was amazing. I have also learned if people can read and don't read the Book Of Mormon they cannot know the truthfulness of this church. It is so frustrating when they don't read. ARGH. This one lady has a great knowledge, she will read every pamphlet we throw at her but not the Book Of Mormon.

Right now I am more proud to be a missionary than a state champ. A state champ has zero meaning compared to saying I am a MISSIONARY for THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS. I am also somewhat ashamed of who I was before the mission because I have seen how selfish I was. I can definitely say as of right now I have lived two lives. The life of Peter and Ammon. It is very humbling to say that.

What I love abut Mom and Dad is their testimonies.

Adios mucho amor, Ducks Forever!

Elder Mcilmoil
November 11, 2013 

Total tortillas for the week: 38

I have a chapter and a scripture this week: Moroni 7, study it and youll learn so much. The scripture is Matthew 16:25

Kite Day, Joseph Smith Is A Prophet, And There Is Hope For Everybody

Elder Mcilmoil-Missionary/Vampire

Curb Jumping: A Tragic Bag Accident

OK where to begin for this week. Halloween was a success for me anyway, I was a missionary the whole day and on November 1st I was a vampire missionary. (Hahaha-Thanks for the teeth Mom!) At zone conference we found out that there will be no more backpacks, we will be using side bags. So the next day I went out and bought me a side bag, it lasted on 3 hours before it broke. Seriously all I did was jump off a curb and snap, it was done. No worries, it will be fine. Yesterday morning was a little chilly but by lunch it heated up and became really warm. Anyway for lunch some members served us soup and a warm drink. I was sweating like crazy because the soup was hot, the drink was hot and it was so hot outside. It was crazy but the soup was so good. It was one the member’s birthday so we had cake and it was good! The members we ate with are one big family so it’s nice to see their relationships with each other. It is so fun being with them. Not much else to say about the food this week, nothing to strange. I did have some kind of salad not sure what to call it but it was way good; I think it had some kind of tongue in it and I didn’t know it until after I finished eating.

Halloween Treat: Helado Sundae

Kite Day

This week was kite day in Guatemala. On November 1-2 Guatemalans celebrates Día de Todos Santos (All Saints Day) or Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) by flying kites.The locals believe the kites reach up to heaven to the souls of loved ones. The kites carry messages from the living to the deceased. The kites are all very different, it was way sweet. We celebrated with the branch by flying kites; I even bought one to fly. It was just so cool. Día de los Muertos is crazy. Like I said it lasts two days and each day has a different name. It hurts Chichi because of all the Mayan influence. One day everybody was in central and then the next day everybody was in the cemetery. Me and Elder Bonilla walked this one street and it was basically just us. Even thought it was cool to see, I’m glad it is over.

My Kite

This is crazy; we taught a lesson that nobody could hear a word because of the rain. It was so loud in the room all you could hear was the rain on the roof. All you could see were mouths moving. It was kind of funny. This morning on the way to Chichi the micro bus played Ghostbusters, I Love Rock And Roll and some other oldies, boy was it hard not to sing along and listen but I was able to stay focused by reading Our Search For Happiness. I have to say that is one great book.

One lesson particular lesson this week sticks out in my mind. We watched the Joseph Smith Movie and I cried and cried during the whole movie. All I can say after that leccion (lesson in Spanish) is that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. He was Called of God. When he prayed to our Father in Heaven about what church was true in 1820, God the Father and his son Jesus Christ stood before him and answered his prayer. I know he saw God the Father and his son Jesus Christ. I know that he translated The Book of Mormon. I know that he sealed his testimony with his blood. He died for truth. Praise To The Man is one of the most power hymns about the prophet Joseph Smith. We must always Praise The Man, Joseph Smith. I know this scripture is true Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. I know Joseph Smith is still a prophet of God today and that he lives in his mansion.

This week I read in Ether 12 which is about admitting our weaknesses. So I sat down and wrote down my weaknesses, I encourage all of you to do the same for the spirit is very strong when you do and you feel so much better because you admitted what you need help on and with. The Lord will help you overcome each one of those weaknesses.  After I wrote down my weaknesses I read this scripture Ether 12:37, “And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore, thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father.” After I read that verse I just felt a calm feeling. This gospel is true and we can live in mansions with our Father in Heaven. I started First Peter today. His words are so direct and filled with power. I am grateful for the scriptures. We are teaching a man who has been a catholic for 49 years and there is hope for him. There is hope for everybody.

Yep, That's How We Cut Limes.

What I love about Mom is that she dressed up as a soccer player for Halloween. What I love about Dad is that he fulfills all of his callings. 

Ducks Forever,

Love Elder Mcilmoil 
November 4, 2013

Tortillas for the week: 52

Scripture of the week: Ether 12:27 

Zone Conference

Elder Mcilmoil-Missionary/Barber

A Solo, A Week All About Faith And I'm So Happy

"The Good Samaritan"

This week has been sweet. The Rama (Branch) had a talent night (tarde de talento) and I sang a solo in English, Armies of Helaman. Just me singing a solo in public! The song was ok since my voice isn't the best; but I did it! The things you do on your mission, crazy. Also the priesthood, Elder Bonilla and me acted out the Good Samaritan. Yep I was the good Samaritan. It was so funny. It was a success, the Rama loved it. The people that performed in the talent night did great. We had culture dances, two sisters did a hip hop dance, someone lip synced, the primary kids which is 4 girls danced to two songs. It was a blast.

Soda In A Bag

So on Sunday I gave another talk. It was on faith in Jesús Cristo. I prepared it Sunday morning because Saturday night is when we found out that one of the speakers wasn't going to be at church. Me and Elder Bonilla were asked to speak which is good. Also I'm teaching the principals de evangelio clase (principal of the gospel class) on Sundays. We only have one investigator that comes. 

"Do you think they ship cougar tails to Guatemala?"

One of the hardest things on the mission is to resist listening to English music and singing along. At times I can resist and others I fall and slip but I'm getting better. I'm starting to like some Spanish songs, I can't really understand any of the songs. By the way I'm teaching Elder Bonilla English. I just have to say it's the funniest thing in the world. I'm sure Elder Bonilla thinks my Spanish is the funniest thing in the world. Since Halloween is this week I'm going to buy a helado sundae (ice cream sundae) and some American candy. Guatemala celebrates día de los muertos on November 1st.

Guatemalan Turkeys

This week has been all about fe which is faith. Every chapter in the Book of Mormon I read, every lesson I study, everything has to do with fe. I'm so grateful for fe as it brings peace and assurance when I submit to the will of the Lord. Elder Scott said, "Faith can become a vibrant, powerful, uplifting, inspiring force in your life." I have learned when you start to truly love the Lord and love the people the language comes. But you have to have fe for it to come. The language is coming. By having fe we see people not as they are but as they can become. FAITH PREVALITH ALL THINGS. Always have fe. Faith can bring strength and truth when reading the scriptures, during trials, and the help to understand more fully when listening to the words of the Prophet and our leaders. We must have fe when we pray, we should not just pray but pray fervently; trusting in the Lord and submitting to the Father's will. Our fe is increased when we struggle and faith also builds our character. We need to strengthen our faith everyday by listening to the spirit and being obedient.

P-Day Somewhere In Chichi

So we had a lesson with two sisters Juana, Ingrid and their brother Ricardo. The spirit was so strong, WOW! Seeing the spirit work through me and Elder Bonilla was amazing. Words were just coming to me.You could see the spirit truly touch their hearts. Words cannot describe the experience. The leccion (lesson) was at a member's house, during the leccion a member showed up so we had two members to share and testify. When the other member sat down I felt that I should have her share her baptism experience. I asked her and she shared her experience, it was amazing. The investigators didn't commit to baptism but they said when they receive their answer that the church is true they will commit to a date and be baptized. They said they would ask the Father in prayer that night. After the leccion we gave them a Book of Mormon. Ricardo picked it up immediately and started to look at it and began to read. It was very neat. Elizabeth didn't get baptized, she needs to attend church 2 more times. She was very sick this past week so we only visited her once this week. We gave her a blessing. I've learned and still learning that power in the priesthood is real and can only happen when you have faith. Our faith is the strongest when we our ourselves are not trying to be someone else. We also taught this lady that told us there is no correct church on this earth. She told us she believes in Christ and all religion is good. After the lesson we asked to pray about the church and receive knowledge why this is Christ's church and to find understanding why other churches are not correct. She said she would. I believe this was her first time listening to the missionaries. I really believe when you start to picture your investigators in white your mouth is opened and your tongue is loosened.

Another Great Day In Chichi

The Lord lives and knows what we need. His hand is always extended to help us. We just have to put in the effort to take hold. When we feel like we can't go any further we just have to find faith and take his hand. I just want you to know I'm so very happy and so grateful to serve a mission.

Guatemalan Style: Mayo, Ketchup and Hot Sauce

What I love about Mom and Dad is their emails and how they keep me updated on my cougars. (That's whats up-bowl eligible!)

Ducks forever and keep the faith

Love,

Elder Mcilmoil 
October 27, 2013

Tortilla total for the week: 55 

This week I don't have a scripture. Its a hymn this week: I Stand All Amazed

READ IT. JUST PLEASE READ IT AND PONDER IT'S MESSAGE.

 

'The Hot Bun!'-Guatemalan Hamburger Chain

Photograph Skills

My Si Cup Of Wisdom-That's A Fact Jack