Fam Damily Week 19

My Dear Family and friends. 

This has been one of the hardest weeks yet, but also the most rewarding. Elder Scott is now safely in his home, and it was hard for me to say goodbye to such a good friend and such a good missionary. I love that guy like family. Saying goodbye to him was a lot like saying goodbye to all of you back in september. Hard, but I know it is the right thing.  But my new companion is awesome. His name is Elder Read, He went to Davis high school and he is from Layton Utah. He is taller than I am which is pretty awesome because when all the kids here see us walk by, they drop their little corn on stick with mayonnaise and stare with with their mouth wide open and big wide eyes. I think we might be the two tallest people in the country. At least that is the way people act when they see us. He is an awesome missionary and has such a good testimony. He is here for the right reasons and he works hard. His spanish is not the best, but He has no fear and just speaks his testimony the best he knows how. He really testifies with the spirit and you can feel it. 

In our first lesson together we got 2 new investigators to commit to a baptismal date. It was really an incredible experience, we taught the restoration and then my comp invited them to be baptized, and then I invited them to be baptized because they didn't understand him at all, and they accepted. Then I was like, We think you guys should try to be baptized by the 21st of February and they said that is perfect. And it really was perfect because they had already planned on getting married on the 14th which means they will be living the law of chastity for the week before their baptism. SO SICK! I don't know why I just felt I needed to put the date for the 21st and it turned out perfect. They even went to church this week! The Lord is preparing his children and inspiring his servants. 

The worst part of the week: I got pooped on by a bird. That was lame. 

The best part: I had a ton of extra money this week and bought a but load of food, and we got two new golden investigators and I bought an Ipod so please send me all the music you like that is mormon tabernacle choir or hymns or instumentals of hymns. 

Week 18

Big news family, My companion and dear friend Elder Scott has completed his mission and will be flying home to Arizona on wednesday after two years of honorable service to the Lord. 

I could not be more happy for him, but it is always a little sad to see a missionary go home after giving so much to the Lord's work. He told me his is content, and happy, and a little sad. I feel the exact same, because I love Elder Scott and I am going to miss him a lot. 

Also, I will be training a brand new missionary and stay in my are for 12 more weeks. I don't know why but the Lord says I am ready to train. I will find out tomorrow who he is, where he is from, if he speaks spanish or not. And next week I will let you all know what happens. This will be fun but at the same time, really hard. 

I have been thinking a lot lately about all the hard goodbyes, I had to say goodbye to basketball, High School, My Friends, My Family, My Free Time, My Guitar, My Home, Good Food, and after all that Here I am having fun. So I think about how it will be hard to say goodbye to Elder Scott and I remember all those other hard goodbyes that led me to this point. How if I didn't ever say all those difficult goodbyes I would never have met Elder Scott in the first place. The Lord has a very incredible ability to turn a sad goodbye into an incredible new experience. So Yes I am sad to say goodbye to my trainer, but at the same time, I know that there is some great new blessing awaiting me. I have to give up the little amount that I now have to the Lord, and he can in turn give back more. He has never failed me up to this point, and I have a firm Faith that he will not start now. 

The Lord is Good, and He knows what is best. So just go with His timing, His plans, and His guidance and it will be all good. Sometimes we all have to say goodbye to something really really good, but waiting for us is a greater more beautiful blessing. I so testify in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ that all blessings are from God, and he is trying his best to bless us, we just have to follow him. 

I love you all and miss you all

que les vayan bien todos

Elder Wilson

Also today I had a chocolate shake from McDonalds so the lord is good and blesses his servants. 

Week 17

Hello family!

I had a really cool experience this week with a new family of investigators. I had to teach them without Elder Scott, Yup just me and a whole bunch of Mexicanos that don't speak a word of english, speak really fast, and say I have an accent. But I went with the Bishop of the ward and a member who used to be a bishop, so What could have gone wrong right? Two bishops and a missionary. 

But anyways I was really scared because it was our first lesson with them, and I was going to have to pretty much teach the whole thing by myself. It was a little choppy, but  It was a good lesson, and the spirit was there, and they all 4 accepted the invitation to be baptized if they receive a confirmation from the spirit. 

So I now consider myself a spanish speaker, because I can teach lessons, and right now at least, that is all I need right? Then during the lesson, something happened. If you grew up in the U.S.A. you probably would think it was super awkward and weird like I did. But apparently down here it is totally acceptable and normal to breastfeed a baby with out any shame or covering in the middle of a visit with complete strangers. haha, I was surprised. I guess you can say that is a good sign of mutual trust and friendship. 

But the family is really good and eager to learn. 

I hope you all know how much I love you and I wish I could tell you in person about all the experiences I am having here in Puebla. Until I get that chance, I will give you some pictures of recent adventures. 

First off we celebrated the Mexican equivalent of christmas on the 6th of january, the dia de los reyes magos, the day of the 3 wise men

Then elder Scott and I bought ourselves reyes magos presents, authentic world cup Mexico jerseys and mexicans don't like to smile in pics so here is us pretending to be authentic

then I got a package full of candy, christmas letters, and a tie and socks from the ward that was sent on november 19th. haha mail is sooo slow here. 

Week 16

Happy New Year, week 15 is my first letter home in 2015!

Also, this has been my best week yet. We had a great week. We started by celebrating new years with burritos again on wednesday. Throughout the week we found six new investigators to teach that are really good. And we taught a really funny lesson to people who pray to this idol that gives them things. The son of the family told us he prayed to the idol to get an xbox, and sure enough, he had an xbox right there in front of us in the living room. It is kind of sad how lost people are here, religiously speaking. 

Elder Scott and I have been doing awesome, everything is just going so good for us this week. Our goal for next week is try and put a baptismal date goal with every one of our investigators. 

I wish we had a huge long story of awesome things to tell you. But I did get an awesome present from someone in our district for our district gift exchange. I will attach the picture, it is a little small, but I Love it sooo much. 

anybody else like cast away jokes?

This missionary is very happy and loving the work so I hope you all continue to do your best in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone! Everyone who is baptized, Read Mosiah 18 and quickly review the covenant you made when baptized and your responisbility to share the gospel with everyone, in every place you find yourself, in every opportunity, and despite what the world may say or do, You promised to be a disciple of Christ so keep your Promise and you will be blessed!

¡Feliz año nuevo!

Elder Wilson

Week 15

Hey family!

Last week was christmas which was awesome. We had a real Christmas posada, a kind of super catholic Christmas tradition. You can look it up and see what it is, but don't worry, we didn't worship any idols, just sang the songs, remembered the Savior and finished with a piñata. On Christmas eve my companion and I ate candy, cookies, banana bread, and watched Joy to the World. Christmas day we spent mostly with the other elders in our ward and finished by going to dinner with the Ward mission leader and his family. For the classic Mexican Christmas dinner, which we had twice. They eat: Roast turkey, bacalao, beans, christmas pierna (pork chops?) and fruit salad. and coca cola, lots of coca cola, with mexican rolls called tortas. 

I was all delicious and then afterwards we got to call home! 

It was awesome to talk to everyone that was at megans house. It was a much needed little trip back home for those 90 minutes. 

This week was very slow as far as people to teach. We had a hard time finding anyone, because obviously, they are all on christmas break, but this next week should be much better. 

We had a cool experience with Burrito Wednesdays. Because wednesday was Christmas eve, we changed burrito wednesday to saturday. We went to our favorite little burrito place with the other elders in our ward. When we arrived, they were eating burgers. We asked them why, and they shared the following experience. 

They were just sitting waiting for us to get there when a man talked to them about an experience he had with some mormon neighbors. He and his family were very poor, and they couldn't always afford food, and their neighbors would give them milk and other things, and helped them to get by during that difficult time. He said they were very generous, and even gave him a book of mormon that he still has. He said to those elders, he felt it was time to give back, and bought them both a burger and a drink.  They asked if he would like to listen to missionaries, and he accepted, and they got his address and name. He lives in our area so the other elders passed the info to us. all this took place about 5 minutes before we arrived so we still havent met this family. 

The point of sharing this story, is that by doing what Christ would do, by serving our neighbors out of love and charity, we help them to feel of His love. Those feelings urge them to seek after Him, with open hearts, and open minds. When they feel that, they begin to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a story of a seed planted, by simple acts of love and service, that grows into something big. This family is now willing to accept Jesus Christ and His representatives into their home because of this simple act of service. 

So please, go out and serve, you may not see the results, you may only plant a seed, but every act of selfless service allows others to feel the love of God. If you have within your means to be the answer to somebody's plea to the Father for love, support, assistance, or just friendship, then go and do it! You may one day find that the seeds we plant here, will continue to grow and spread, and even after this life, they will remember your acts of love. You can be an answer to a prayer. 

Love you all,

Merry Christmas

Feliz Navidad

Pictures of 

Pinata

Popocatepetl the volcano with snow on top!

and 

my district after our zone activity

we made snow men, then threw snowballs at them. 

Week 14

Hey everybody,

It's almost Christmas!!!!

I hope you are all ready, becuse I am. I made about 4 dozen choc chip cookies, we are going to give them to some people here in the ward. Also, we are going to be teaching some great Christmas lessons this week about the Nativity story. 

There hasn't been anything too extaordinary that happened this week. We had some good lessons, but mostly, we are excited for Christmas to come. We continued our new tradition of Burrito wednesdays. Which we will continue on both christmas and New Years.  

I got some interesting Pictures this week, hope you like them. First is all my cookie supplies I bought, second an interesting sign in front of somebodys house by their garden, and third is Elder Scott and I celebrating Burrito Wednesday after our nightly planning session. 

I hope you are all enjoying this wonderful season to focus on the Savior, His Birth, His Life, His Example, His Death, and His LOVE! Remember Him always.

On Sunday we had a really good lesson about Service. We were asked to think of one talent that we have. I said, I love making cookies. 

Then we were asked how we could use that talent, for it's real purpose, which is to bless the lives of those around us. Perhaps your talent is singing, cooking, drawing, smiling, talking, or anything else. Remember that this talent is a Gift from God. Now, think of how you can use your talent to serve other people and help them to feel Christs love for them. Now go out and share your talents, our of selfless service and love. 

 17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellowbeings ye are only in the service of your God.

Go out and serve the Lord this Christmas!

Love Elder Wilson

I also finally recieved some Mail! it is dated November 7th and November 14th, One from bonnie shirley , one from Grandma Carol, and one from the First Presidency also One big one from Mom dated November 12th. SO that's how long it takes for mail to get to puebla, don't beleive the lying people in the mail rooms.... nothing in mexico is ever on time.

Fam Damily Week 13

First off, 

We had 17 appointments scheduled this week to teach non members. All seventeen in a row fell. Either they weren't home, or they called a few minutes before to cancel. Sometimes people are just flaky, we call these people zucaritas, because that is the name for Frosted Flakes in Mexico. One of these fallen citas was my fault. I got lost, and I was on interchanges with a brand new missionary who just got here to puebla on Monday, he was from Arizona, and spake almost zero Spanish. Anyways, I don't know the part of our area we were going to very well, and I couldn't find the house we were supposed to go visit for almost half an hour. We finally found them, begged their forgiveness, and put another appointment for the following week. My bad. But Now that the new missionaries are here, I'm no longer the youngest in the mission! 

On Wednesday we went to changes meeting, I didn't really enjoy it, It's like a 200 missionaries in one room, they all receive their new area assignments and everyone is cheering and crying, and some are really scared and worried, It reminds of high school, its an emotional trainwreck of young adults. 

We found this really good little taqueria near our house that makes burritos, they are soooo good. We officially started burrito Wednesdays and have gone back twice now. The cook is from northern mexico, where they actually eat burritos, nobody in puebla has ever even heard of burritos except the norteamericanos and this guy. We get along with him really well. 

I learned a cool new slang word, the word for fraternal twins, is cuates, and so anytime you talk about someone who is "your brother" or a really good friend, you say they are your cuate, or your twin that doesn't look like you. I have a lot of cuates here on the mission already. 

Wednesday we ate with a member family, they made Puerto Rican food, because on of the sons served his mission there. Fried bananas, rice, and meat, pretty good.

Story of the week starts Friday night when I prayed especially hard to find somebody that would actually listen to us and let us teach them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Suddenly I had a feeling like, I'm going to find someone really special tomorrow. Its a prayer I have said a hundred times, but this time, I really felt I would receive an answer the next day. 

Sure enough Saturday was just like every other day. All of our appointments fell, we had nobody to teach, and no idea where to go. We sat down on the sidewalk and prayed as a companionship once again. Once again our day was still just walking the streets looking for somebody to teach. Finally after literally 3 or 4 hours of walking, we headed to our last appointment of the day, so far, they hadn't cancelled. On the way, we said Buenas Noches to a Latino man on the sidewalk as we walked by, He answered with Buenas Noches, Como Estan? nothing out of the ordinary. Bien gracias, we said and kept walking.  For those who don't speak Spanish

us: Hello, good day

him: good day to you too, how is it going?

us: good thanks

Suddenly in a very southeaster U.S. accent he said 

Where Y'all from? 

We stopped dead and went straight over to talk to him. He is from puebla, but raised in Atlanta Georgia. It was so nice to talk to another american. We will be teaching him for the first time tonight. But honestly he seems so accepting and willing to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am almost certain it will go really well with him.

THE LORD ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS! 

Love you all 

Elder Wilson

Sana means health. We found this next to a burning field of garbage. 

Hermano Gabriel

A building we found that reminded us of the good ole' stars and stripes. No disrespect we just thought this was a really beautiful thing to see. We miss the United States sometimes. 

Fam Damily week 12

 Here is the view from my rooftop:

This week has been pretty good, we got a new investigator, a less active member who is in a free union marriage, or unofficial, and we are teaching his "wife." She is gold, she accepted the baptism invitation and hopefully we can help her get her testimony, and then, Christmas wedding and baptism! our other investigators are a part member family, they are really logical, and have lots of doubts about the church, but they are reading and praying and coming to church, so we are happy with what we've got. 

Yesterday we watched the christmas devotional in english, so we had a good break from work to just focus on the savior. If you haven't watched it yet, I highly recommend it, it was beautiful. 

My companion Elder Scott really loves taylor swift, like a lot. He loves her more than any other singer or musician, and he had heard that the she has a new single called shake it off. I told elder scott i heard it and it was pretty good, because I heard it once or twice before my mission. Anyways we were walking past a little corner store, and we heard music playing and it was in english so we slowed down to hear what it was. Elder scott looked confused, he didn't recognize the song. But then I realized it was taylor swifts single, and my whole face lit up and i said, 

This is it!

he was so surprised

then we stood there next to the store till he heard the whole thing. He was soooo happy to finally hear it. The next three days he was singing it and that little gift really boosted both our spirits. I think it was god's way of saying, thanks for all your hard work, here's a little treat. Now keep working. Elder Scott was so happy, and he still sings it from time to time. I don't think I will ever forget that or that song. 

I just want to say Happy Birthday TYTy I sent you a letter, who knows when it will arrive though. and a little present in there too

I hope everyone is enjoying the christmas time, here in mexico, christmas is just weird. So I'm just pretending like it's a really long summer full of Mexican holidays for the next two years, and I will celebrate normal christmas when i get home. 

Merry Christmas to you all

Elder Jacob Wilson

Week 11

Family and friends,

I hope you all had a great thanksgiving. We got to spend thanksgiving with a member here who served in Utah so we had mashed potatoes, gravy, and some really gross Mexican turkey. But then he gave us cupcakes so I can’t complain. I feel right now, like everything that was the ‘real world’ was put on hold, like you guys are all just on pause and when I get back, it will start where I left off. Which I guess is partially true, unless you are 5 or 2 or just barely conceived, and your going to grow 3 to 20 inches and be a completely different person over the next 22 months. All the kids I know will be shockingly different.  I feel like it isn’t actually Christmas, Thanksgiving didn’t actually happen, and snow isn’t falling at my house. It’s a very weird feeling. I also feel like I’m not going to get any older. Like I’m stuck in a weird missionary limbo. I don’t know, just something that’s been on my mind. If any of you wish to escape the real world, I testify the mission is the way to go. 

So as far as the work is concerned, we have no new investigators, nobody progressing, and nobody who is coming to church except one small part member family. We don't have much, but we are working with what weve got. 

I hope that everyone of you is doing well, because I'm doing really great.

I recently sent a couple of birthday cards and a christmas letter. The woman at correos de mexico said it should arrive in 15 days, but I don't know, so just be on the lookout for those. 

Christmas we are going to be with a rather wealthy member family, or as they call them in mexico, fresa. Not wealthy in U.S. terms, wealthy in puebla terms. Which means they have a kitchen table and a working stove and oven  

Our new house is much better, it has a working shower and we're living above members who like to give us food and cake. But it is really cold in our new house in the mornings because nowindows that get sunlight and it's concrete. So I'm glad I brought gloves. 

I think when I get home, I'm going to have a very strong appreciation for good infrastucture. There are so many sidewalks here that are destroyed, lead to nowhere, are covered in trees and weeds, or are guarded by a pack of wild dogs. I miss the good streets and nice sidewalks.  I just want you all to know I love the USA. 

Also I love the gospel.

also i love music, so if any of you want to send me some music you think is Missionary appropriate then I will gladly accept and judge if it is appropriate. :D

also, I'm thankful for my family because you guys are all the best. I miss you and love you all very much. 

Happy thanksgiving and almost christmas

Elder Jacob Wilson

Week 10

So week ten went by really quickly. Started with Interviews with President Stellmon, that guy is awesome. He has so much energy and zeal and excitement for the work, Im pretty sure he never stops working, also he is much thinner than his picture from when he started, I think its because he is always working, even when he sleeps, he's just that devoted.

He told me when he was deciding where I should go and with who, he had 2 companions and 3 other areas in mind before this one and this comp. He tried to put me elsewhere with other people and in his words "the Lord wouldn't let me put you anywhere else, or with anyone else. For some reason your calling is very specific right now. I don't know why, but it's up to you to go figure out what that reason is." It was a very powerful statement for me and the spirit testified to me that what he was saying is true. So know I am officially on the hunt for my Reason. I honestly don't know what that is yet. But I have a feeling it will be something that culminates over the next 5 weeks. Something that will be hard to recognize at first, but that will come into focus with every day and week. I can't wait to find out what it is, and let you and President Stellmon know. All I know right now, is that it is everything to do with bringing people to the gospel of Jesus Christ. So this week we found a new house and next week we will be moving, it is an upstairs apartment on articulo 13 in constitucion Mexicana. We are going to have hot showers and NO WORMS! Huge plus. 

This week we taught a very sweet family, they are less active members because the mother has cancer, and she has been going to other churches in search of a miracle. We taught a great lesson about enduring to the end. Not the end of anything good, but the end of all the bad, the end of pain, the end of sadness, the end of cancer and dissapointents and temptations, and the end of all things bad. Then we can enter into the rest of the Lord! This father we taught has a very strong testimony of the plan of salvation, that he will be with his wife in heaven one day and that they will be free of this trial in their life. It helped me a lot. Also, there are rumors here that the church is looking for land to purchase so they can build a temple in puebla, can anyone confirm or deny those? I would do research but I don't have time.

Another thing this week was we did a small interchange, I went with Elder gutierrez from mexico city and we worked in his area. He is learning english here on the mission and speaks pretty well, I helped him with english and he helped me with spanish. He told me my spanish is perfect, that i have an accent but it isn't bad, or in other words, people can understand me, it just sounds like im an american. Good to know, I'm understandable 

Once again we are back at 2 investigators, we were at three, but one didn't show up to church, so now we are back to 2 that is progressing. She is great, we think she will probably get baptized. Her and her son both seem ready to accept the gospel. 

That's all for this week. 

Love you all and miss you all. 

Elder Jacob Wilson

week 9

Hello! 

This week was rather uneventful, Almost every investigator we were supposed to meet with decided to cancel or just not even be home, so we only got to teach one. That is the frustrating familia M. I'm not supposed to use names I found out. But they have 2 less active parents, and 4 kids who aren't baptized. They are extremely kind, but they are a family of flakes. They never follow our appointments, either they are fourty minutes late, or they say they're on their way to church and never make it, or they just simply aren't home. Very frustrating because right now the daughter is the only one we have with a baptismal date, and if she doesn't go to church, she can't get baptized on time. Other than that I am doing really well, I understand anywhere from sixty to seventy percent of the spanish people speak here. And I gave a talk on Sunday and nobody looked tooo confused so I guess I can speak fairly well. 

I think for thanksgiving we are going to a members house from Texas and going to ask him if he wants to have thanksgiving dinner. And for Christmas, everyone is inviting us to go and eat and have a good time. The 24th is a lot bigger here than the 25th so probably on Christmas Eve. 

Today we went and played futbol with the ward and all the old guys here are so good. I'm pretty sure every single Mexican is better than me at futbol, alll of them. 

sorry, there just wasn't a whole lot to tell this week.

Week 8

Week two was a hundred thousand times faster than week one. We had to take one sick day for me and Elder Scott, because we both caught a little something for one day. But we are fully recovered and back to work. I haven't been taking many pictures but I will try my best to describe the are we work in. 

Every corner has a tortilla shop, a Mexican bakery or paneria, a little tiny tienda or basically a 7eleven, and somebody selling stuff out of one of those  3 wheel nacho libre bikes. about one third of the roads are paved, one third used to be paved in the nineties and are now totally destroyed, and one third are just dirt. The most common way to get around is walking, bikes, motorcycles, scooters, volkswagen bugs, and buses. Less than ten percent of the cars here would pass a safety and emissions test in the United States, so I really enjoy when someone offers us a ride and we get to experience a mexican car ride. This week was very similar to last week, still don't have any potential baptisms or progressing investigators. We did meet a new lady though who was really excited to go to church last sunday, except she and our other family we are teaching didn't make it to church. We even insisted on picking them up but they just said, no no no elders we will meet you there on sunday. Frustrating, but good to know where they stand, so we can better teach them about church attendance. 

It turns out that I can listen to anything church musicy, and anything instrumentals, like piano guys, or covers or whatever, so I think that very soon I will be buying an ipod, and some speakers. My companion has both but after he is gone I don't know what I will do. 

Every day we have basically the same schedule, wake up, get ready study until about 12 then teach until 1:30 then go to Lunch, then go to teach for the rest of the night. We always eat a late lunch and a really late dinner somewhere inbetween appointments. 

The great sin of Mexico is this: apathy. Most of the members don't have it, all of the less actives have it, and about half of the rest of the people we meet have it. They just don't care about the right things as much as they ought to. Nobody wants the best, they just want to be comfortable, its very different from the United States, where everyone always wants the best. In my opinion, people here settle for less than they are worth and less than they deserve. It is really sad. But they're are a lot of people here that have this awesome fire burning inside them to share the gospel. 

This one lady hermana Ernastina, she is gold, she is always helping the missionarys, feeding us, coming to appointments, she really gets how important this work is. So you all have a challenge from this missionary. Go to your ward mission leader, tell him you want to feed the missionarys and tell him that you want to go on the next opportunity to go with the missionarys to teach a lesson, or offer your house as a location that the missionaries can bring people to teach. (Many times we cannot teach, because we are not allowed to enter the home if there is not a man in the house with us) then become friends with the missionaries and the person you teach, If you are already doing these things, then I give you blessings and love, if you are not, then you may receive my blessings and love as soon as you do. I don't mean to rude, but missionarys need members, we have already had to cancel lessons, because the members cancelled on coming with us. Now I'm not blaming these members, they had good reasons to miss the appointments and I would never expect them to put us before there own personal affairs, I'm just saying there can never ever be too much help in this work.  Missionary work, is all of our work, so please remember your brothers and sisters who need this gospel and share it with them. In the name of Jesus Christ and as one called and set apart to preach the gospel I promise you will be blessed for this. 

If anyone has any questions please ask away,

Referring to my title, there are literally hundreds of little wild dogs. Most of them probably have weird diseases or fleas, and the movie nacho libre is spot on, the corn, the lucha libre, the 3 wheel bikes, the clothes, the houses that are made of concrete, and sometimes the food too. spot on depiction of mexico. 

Fam Damily week 7

I flew into Mexico on monday night, the weather was warm and I felt really tired because I had been awake since 2 in the morning. It smelled weird, I mean the whole country, for about an hour, then I got used to it.  We landed, went through customs, and met the president, his wife, and a few of the missionaries. We took a big ghetto white van to the Mission home, which is one of the most beautiful homes I have ever seen, Marble floors and stairs, beautiful wood doors, a big table. We all ate together and got to know the president and his family. He is one of those people that is a no nonsense, get to work and obey the rules kind of guys, but he does it in  very loving and personal way. He is about 50 pounds lighter now than in his picture, so I was surprised when I first saw him. His wife is the same way, they are here to work. We spent the night at the mission home, I slept in an awesomely comfortable bed and then Tuesday morning we started getting all our stuff for the mission, a few books, some medicine, and some advice. Then we took a taxi to the Intercambio or changes meeting. All the missionaries in the mission were there in a chapel, we were assigned our new companions, and we got all our luggage, and our areas and off we went. 

Elder Ryan Scott, the former assistant to the President, he is from Gilbert Arizona, he is the middle of 4 kids, and he is golden. We are assigned to the Mayorazgo stake, and the ward is called 16 de septiembre. We took a taxi to our little house, met our district leader and his comp, elder Fryer from utah and elder gutierrez from Mexico city, and got ready to go to work. Our apartment is big, but it smells like a flooded basement full of dirty socks on the main floor where there is just the kitchen and the boiler and two rooms that are being "renovated" according to the guy we rent from. the whole house is cement, as are all houses in this part of mexico. the hot water works if you leave it on for about 4 minutes, and it is suuuuper dusty, as is all of Mexico. 

Upstairs there is our bedroom with two twin beds, our shower, which isn't too gross, and our study room: two chairs two desks, a bookshelf, a fan and iron with ironing board. 

Me and my companion get along soooo good. He actually looks a lot like my brother tyler, and they are a little similar but not too much. I love my companion. 

We arrived to the area and found out we were whitewashed, which means we have no investigators, no appointments, no potential investigators, and we are starting from zero. But this week we have taught 4 lessons to members, asked eveyone we can for referrals, started talking with a less active named ricardo who is deeply offended by the ward (his mother passed away a few years ago, and many members said they would visit him and comfort them, but nobody ever did, he has a strong testimony but feels his ward has no untiy, and wants nothing to do with them right now.) another less active who reminds me of grandma carol named lulu, a very sweet woman who lives in a very humble home, she gave as cold coca cola and made us sandwiches, she is very sweet, just doesnt go to church as often as she should. We did have one lesson with a part member family. Familia monge, they are two baptized parents, with 2 kids at home who are not baptized. the daughter seems very interested and the family knows they should go to church. I think the kids will get baptized soon. 

My ward here is awesome, every single day at 2 o clock we meet up with elder fryer and gutierrez to eat a big delicious lunch, which is the main meal of the day here, not dinner, made by someone in the ward. It always consists of some sort of soup, followed by a meat entree, and vegetables or pasta. It is delicious, a little bit different, but still very delicious. the only thing I haven't like was the fried grasshoppers, that we caught ourselves, and this weird melon looking vegetable called chayote. It's just bad. But I have had, mexican spaghetti, stew, beef, poyo kentooky, (pollo kentucky, or kentucky fried chicken) little ceasar's pizza, rabbit stew, pasta, and every single meal there is a hot stack of tortillas, and some sort of citrus juice. 

We can't drink tap water so we just buy big ten gallon jugs of water at the oxxo (like a 7-11) that is right next to our house. The street food here is not poisonous like everyone says, its actually really good, there are tortilla shops, sandwich shops, taco shops, bakeries, pizza places. Some a little more ghetto and sketchy than others, but just about all of them are the same, family owned little tienda with their own little spin on things. 

The people here are so kind, they will not let you into their home without buying you food, they don't even have food at there house, they just call the nearest taco shop, or send someone to go get us food. and everyone down here loves the coca cola, they call it el poder. The power. 

I havent received any letters or packages yet, nor do I know if I will. I really have no idea how all that works yet. but I did have one letter waiting here for me from lindsie that was from my first week in the MTC. 

The work here right now is unofficially nicknamed lazarus by me and my comp. Because with the help of Jesus, we're about to raise it from the dead. And i mean total zero, no investigators, nothing. So we have work do to. 

I understand anywhere from 40 to 70 % of what people say here depending on how loud they are, how low there voice is, if they have teeth (many do not have teeth, its kind of sad, and kind of funny at the same time) and how old they are. My companion speaks really well though and understands just about everything. He helps me with anything I don't understand. 

Tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, and saturday were spent walking around trying to find people, old investigators that were dropped, members we could teach and ask for references, less actives we could teach and ask for references, and trying desperately to find people to teach. 

some funny things about mexico, the buses, are more like roller costers, they go as fast as they want, slam on the brakes, have no rules or person limits so people literally just hang on and stand on the steps if it is full, the drivers all have super ghetto decorations for their bus. Emily especially would think they are hilariously ghetto. there are no police here, or traffic laws, so everyone just kind of drives around however and wherever they like, especially the taxis,  Everyone here has these weird vigin mary statues, totally idol worshippers here in mexico, Everyone has super ghetto houses, with cracks, and no windows but everyone has a state of the art sound system for blasting their music. they especially like American pop music. they never take the bones out of the meat when they serve it to you, a lot of people have gold and silver teeth, if someone speaks english they just say, hello my friend, as they pass in their car, they love to eat pan or little round bread rolls about the size of a cantaloupe. they are just finishing dias de las muertas, which is a week long halloween ish celebration where people dress up and kids go trick or treating for monedas (coins) in the streets. it lasts about four days and every night we have seen little kids asking for monedas, but sadly we are to poor to give money to the kids. everything here is suuuuper cheap. I can get new blu rays for about 3 american dollars, and a new pair of dress shoes for about 50 american dollars at the department store. (There is only one near our house.)

I am doing really well, I am really happy, working hard, loving the people and the culture, feeling the spirit, and learning spanish. 

Love elder Wilson

Fam Damily Week 5

Dear whole family whom I love,

I am really anxious to go to mexico, but in a good way. I want to just be there already. I have really come to enjoy the MTC, and I'm really going to miss my district. I have no idea what to expect in Mexico so I am just going to hope for the best. I still haven't heard from my President so I guess I will meet him when I get there. My flight plans came, and my president told me I can call all of you from the airport in Houston. Which means I can make a call to mama, megan, lindsie, emily, tyler, dad, grandma, anyone who wants me to call. I have 5 Hours, but I would like to keep the calls to about 20 minutes maximum. That is what my president recommended. basically they said I have freedom to call whoever I want that is family. So have your cell phones charged and ready during my layover time in Texas :D I am going to miss being so close and all the packages and letters every day from momma but I will be happy in Mexico. 

Dear everyone, I will now be turning my life over to the people of Mexico, I don't know if that sounds easy to anyone, but for me, that sounds pretty scary. Please pray for me to be humble, and hardworking. Also, we had a really great devotional from Elder Godoy, that same one who spoke in conference. As it turns out, he is the father of Elder Clasby's companion. haha so I know have even more connections to the highest ranking members of the church. 

As a messenger of Jesus Christ I testify of his love for all of you. Also, he will reveal everything to those who will diligently seek. (first nephi 10:19) So keep looking, do not ever stop, you are entitled to know the mysteries of God if you will seek them and choose the right. 

I want you all to know, that I know, this is the sacred work of God, and he needs a lot of help. 

Jesus Christ is the Captain of our Salvation, follow him, and he will always protect you. His armies cannot lose, and his cause cannot fail. We have already won, Good has already beaten Evil, now is the time for us to choose which side we will be with for eternity, and to help others choose as well.  

I love you all I miss you all. 

Vaya con Dios  (Go with God~God be with you)

Elder Jacob D. Wilson

Fam Damily Week 4

Dear Family

I have had some wonderful adventures here. Actually that's a lie.  I only ever go to about 4 places. class, home, cafeteria, and the bus to the main campus. But I want you all to know I am now 1/24 done with my mission. that is pretty incredible how fast the first month went by. My investigators here are my teachers and one guy named Brian Meza. They all have different stories about their doubts and the gospel and what they do and don't beleive. It's pretty interesting how real it feels to be teaching my teacher, who is pretending to be an investigator. You should all try it. I hope I don't disappoint you all but the MTC is not a place where a whole lot of magical mystical things happen. And I'm starting to get excited about actually going to Mexico to teach real people. I have less than two weeks. Mom tells me every single day in a letter to think in spanish, but that is just not happening. sorry momma. In the last week I found a really awesome scripture in 2 Nephi chapter 2 about our purpose. It's great. go read it starting in verse 11. I will be trying to write more letters. but than again I can only write on Thursdays. vamos a ver. Anyways, I want you all to know I am doing really well and that nothing exciting has happened so I don't have any new pictures. Does anyone have some Jimmer Memorabilia they could send me? I have a missionary here who is the worlds biggest jimmer fan and he would love it. I still don't know why everyone is saying Tyler is not getting my emails, but if you could just forward them. That would be great. TyTy, I love you and I miss you. 

My climax of the week was with my maestra Hermana Adorable. She was pretending to be a less active member who hasn't been to church in 5 years, and doesn't beleive she needs the church or God anymore. What it came down to was this. Her daughter had died during childbirth, and she couldn't understand why. I'm thankful we have such a strong family beleif in the gospel and that our family has always been so strong through our trials. Trials suck, everyone has them, and Jesus helps heal them. Sometimes we can avoid trials, sometimes we can't. But one thing is that we can always have the Lords help. 

When Joseph Smith was in prison, he wrote Section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants. He cried out the Lord O God where art thou. The saints were suffering, his family was suffering, he couldn't understand why these horrible trials were happening. And then in Section 122, the Lord replies. 

 3 And thy people shall never be turned against thee by thetestimony of traitors.

 4 And although their influence shall cast thee into trouble, andinto bars and walls, thou shalt be had in honor; and but for a smallmoment and thy voice shall be more terrible in the midst of thineenemies than the fierce lion, because of thy righteousness; and thyGod shall stand by thee forever and ever.

 5 If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perilsamong false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thouart in perils by land or by sea;

 6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thineenemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thyfather and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawnsword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and ofthine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age,shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father,why can’t you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men goingto do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by thesword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowlaround thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;

 7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands ofmurderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou becast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; iffierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness,and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all,if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee,know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience,and shall be for thy good.

 8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thougreater than he?

 9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remainwith thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days areknown, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fearnot what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

God shall be with you all forever and ever, your trials will be but a small moment. One day we will look back, and all will be well, and we will understand, but for now, we can only have faith. 

I know it is true, I love you all and miss you all, and I pray for you all daily. 

Adios, Mucho amor

Love Elder Jacob Wilson