November 9, 2015
Dear
Everyone:
This
week was pretty awesome. U wrote down some stuff I wanted to mention to you
guys but mostly they’re just stupid stories! This was a super fun week we
laughed a lot and worked hard and are finding new people.
Some drunk
guys start talking to us in the street and tell us they’re gonna kill us
because they’re Chapo Guzman’s cousins and a bunch of crap like that. Then they
demand that we teach them something. So my companion starts talking about the
word of wisdom, etc. and they didn’t like that one bit. They said a whole bunch
of ridiculously funny stuff but the best part was one said to us, "Look
here, I’m Jesus, you’re Jesus, we’re all Jesus!" and so I said "You’re
right. Let’s put our hands in here in a circle and on the count of three we’ll
yell JESUS!" ahahah And they did it. It was great. They didn’t yell Jesus
but they put their hands in the middle. (Also in this context they used the
name “Jesus” as a normal person’s name because one of them was actually named Jesus.
So it wasn’t sacreligious or anything!!!
After
reading these stories, all I can think is "Oh, President Velez what have
you done making me a zone leader?" ahah
We’re
teaching the Velazquez family, and we put baptismal dates with them! They’re
super awesome and were super committed to go to church yesterday but for some
reason they didn’t go! We waited and waited but they never got there. But we
have an appointment to day so well see what’s up.
We’ve
been contacting lots in the street. Normally we have like 25 or 30 street
contacts a week. So we find super cool people, but most of them don’t live in
our area. But it’s cool how the Spirit guides us and allows us know who to
contact. Like yesterday we were walking and I felt I should talk to some guy,
but I ignored it because we had an appointment. A block later I felt I should
go back, so we went back and talked to him he invited us right in and we put an
appointment with him for another day. Its good knowing that were not working
alone here and The Lord guides us.
It’s
not hot here anymore. That’s cool that Abby and Ashtin and Kaleb are all out in
the mission field. Send me their emails so I can write them! And mom, I’m not
getting married to anybody! I’m gonna be single forever like George Clooney!
ahah.
Okay
for Christmas my companion wants a Melchizedek ring like mine (I forgot how to
spell it in English) and an oil vile, and a SLC temple tie clip. I would like a
sweater vest! peppermint bark, mint fudge (that mom makes) and I think that’s
it. Mostly we just want candy. ahahha
But I
also wanted to ask about my driver’s license. I lost it a while back and I want
to know what I should do to renew it and get a new one.
But
everything is great here! Thanks for writing. Everything is just swell here
lots of good stuff happening!
Also I
wanna know about the election! And Halloween. Send me pictures!
Love
Elder Latimer
November 16, 2015
Hi all:
This
week was pretty calm and pretty normal. We had our zone meeting. It was
awesome. We talked a lot about unity and have the courage to leave behind
investigators that aren’t progressing and trust that in a later date with other
missionaries they will get baptized.
Things are calm here. Kaleb is in the Baja, California Sur so I won’t be seeing him! ahah He also doesn’t have a phone for some reason so I haven’t talked to him. I’ll write him today though. I called his district leader and he said he would tell Kaleb to call me but nothing yet.
We
haven’t been able to visit any of our investigators that have baptismal dates
this week. They sort of fell off the face of the earth. But were looking for
new people we started a sweet activity me and my companion made a gold box
(gold plates) and inside we put in a Book of Mormon and pamphlets and dvds and
stuff like that. So were gonna give it to a member family each week so they can
pass the stuff out to their friends.
Also I
have got some sweet connections with an Elder here who can order special
missionary name tags that have the mission name on them and a scripture on the
back. You can get them in whatever language too! So I’m gonna ask for a few. If
anyone wants one let me know! They only cost 45 pesos. Also if you could send
me some money I’m gonna buy some sweet new scripture covers that would be sweet.
The’yre like 1000 pesos.
I heard
and read a little bit about the manual changes, but it wasn’t very clear to me.
From what I understood is that basically if you’re gay married (ahha) you get
church disciplinary action and those children of gay parents who go out on a
mission have to denounce the practice of gay marriage but not their parents.
And those children who live with gay parents won’t be able to receive the
priesthood, which I didn’t understand very clearly as to why. It wasn’t very
clear to me obviously because I don’t get a manual.
All the
members turning against the Bretheren reminds me of a scripture that says “the
love of men will grow cold and their hearts will fail them.” (D&C 45) Also
in Paul’s epistle to Timothy when he says that:
1 This know also, that in
the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers
of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents,unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false
accusers,incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having
a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from
such turn away.
6 For of this sort are
they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with
sins, led away with divers lusts,7 Ever learning, and never able
to come to the knowledgeof the truth.
Being a
missionary is sweet. Also let me know when I need to sign up for classes and
all that junk or will I have time to do it when I get back? Nothing is really
new here, were finding cool people and having funny street contacts. Last night
this catholic guy told us "I love God. I don’t really understand anything
though. I go to church and when they say “amen” I say a”men,” open the bible
say whatever you want and you’ll get an amen from me." I really like
meeting funny people in the street.
Also I
don’t know if I told you but sushi here is awesome. It’s made with carne asada
shrimp avocado cream cheese and it’s deep fried!!! Way better than normal
sushi. You’ll have to come here on vacation and try it sometime. I love
it.
Things
are great here have a great week! Love you guys.
November 23, 2015
Hi All:
First
off, what’s a man bun?!?!?! I’m not sure if I want to know. I want a bomb
sniffing rat!!!!! Please send me one that would be so sweet! That’s great
everyone is gonna be home for Thanksgiving. Here people don’t even celebrate it
so they just jump from Halloween/day of the dead immediately to Christmas! So
that’s cool also well get to participate in a new initiative for the church,
"A Savior is Born" so that should be sweet.
Dad
send me a picture of your new car! That sounds pretty sweet. That’s good Joe is
really focused on school, sounds like everything is going good.
This
week was pretty tough. We had like 2 days of straight rejections and stuff. 1
guy wanted to bash with us and started telling us a whole bunch of crap and
saying he read a book called the "true story of joseph smith" ahah.
But he was saying a whole bunch of garbage. I don’t remember the whole story of
what was said but at one point I just said "how many times have you read
the Book of Mormon or the Bible?" and he stutters and says "well ummm
like... ummm" and I said "Exactly, you don’t even know what you’re
talking about it. Go read it at least once then you can come back and talk to
us." That seemed to shut him up.
A
similar experience happened the next day. But the guy wasn’t as contentious.
But I’ve noticed in the mission I’ve never been left without words. I’ve always
been able to defend and testify. And it always leaves them quiet. It’s kinda
cool because we obviously defend with scriptures and teach then then testify
but I’ve noticed that bible bashing gets you no where, and no matter how much
knowledge you have or how well you know the scriptures the people aren’t gonna
believe you unless you share a sincere testimony.
Later
that day some drug addict was walking around asking for alms ahhaah "alms
for the poor." He said he needed money to buy a taco so instead of giving
him money I gave him some cookies i was eating, and my comp gave him his water
bottle. He stood there for like 10 seconds then yells a swear word and throws
my cookies and my comps water into the street.... And I had just bought those
cookies so that was really sad.
Then
like half an hour later a blind lady was trying to cross a really busy street
at 7 at night! So we go out and help her across. She explains to us that she’s
trying to take a bus so she can beg for money. So we stop and help her flag
down a bus, a couple pass by and one finally stops and right when she’s about
it get on the bus driver sees who she is and speeds off. Then she starts yelling
at my comp saying "what did you do you $%&()? Why did he drive
away!!!!" ahahah She wasn’t very grateful but eventually we helped her get
on a bus. It was quite a day.
But we
are teaching an awesome new family that lives kinda far away. But they’re family
of the bishop of this ward and the bishop of another ward (my first area). They’re
super awesome and have come to church twice and accepted baptism. So well probably
see some baptisms soon because they have a lot of support and came to church of
their own will no one invited them. Plus the dad’s sisters are both members and
wives of the bishops. So pure power.
Also we
found an awesome Christian guy. He’s the son of a reference we received. His
dad died a month ago. But he invited us right in and fed us and talked with us
for like 20 minutes. The sad thing is that he doesn’t live in our area. But it’s
always a great experience finding people.
You
guys should send me some pictures (through email) of us skiing and stuff. Also
I don’t know if I told you guys but I need a little money to buy new scripture
cases. I don’t know if you’d be able to send me some?
Things
are really great here. We didn’t get changed so I’ll be here for Christmas.
Love,
Elder Latimer
November 30, 2015
Dear
All:
This
week was great. Lots more success. The family were teaching went to church
again and we put baptismal dates with them for January 2nd so we’re stoked
about that. I’m pretty sure they’ll get baptized before then. It would cool to
have a "White Christmas". The members are helping us a lot. We work a
lot with the Patriarch and his family. They always come with us to visit
people, invite us over to eat, etc. Actually today in the morning we went over
decorated a Christmas tree and ate breakfast and talked for a while so that was
fun.
Thanksgiving
sucked. I didn’t even remember until like midday. But luckily I ate a turkey
sandwich for breakfast so that counts. A sister in our zone told me her parents
sent her like 8 pounds of mashed potatoes and stuffing but totally forgot it
was Thanksgiving and didn’t eat it. It’s sad here basically after Halloween
everyone puts up Christmas lights, but I’ve been rebuking the practice, and
telling them that putting up Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving is not of God.
I don’t
know if I’ll die in this area. I feel like I’ve got one more left. There’s been
lots of talk that I’m going to be the next assistant. But I like being a Zone
Leader because you get to work with lots of missionaries so I kinda hope I stay
here. Maybe for my final transfer I’ll go to the Baja! But who knows?
Oh I
know an elder that can order special missionary name tags with scriptures on
the back and the mission name like the mission presidents have so I ordered one
for dad in Chinese, one for Josh, Joe, Tyler, and Ryan. If the littles want one
with a scripture tell me what scripture they want! Also dad and Josh should
tell me if there’s a specific scripture you want. Or if dad wants it in English
and not Chinese.
Things
are going really good. We’re gonna have some baptisms soon. Oh dad, I have a
question. I’ve studied it and think I have the answer, but I’d like to hear
what you think. When we get baptized, it’s in the name of The Father, The Son
and The Holy Ghost, but after that every other ordinance in the church is done
in the name of Jesus Christ. Why is the ordinance of baptism done differently?
Yesterday
there was a new convert fireside that no one told us about until like 4 hours
before it started and they also asked that I could prepare a 10 minute talk...
ahha. That happens a lot here. They’re like "We’ll just tell the
missionaries like half an hour before that they have to talk and they’ll be
fine." It has happened to me a ton in the mission. But it’s okay, it helps
you come up with stuff really quick. But it was good because I got to see a ton
of people from my first area. Time goes by really fast
My
companion was actually playing the prelude music and the bishop walks up and
says "Elder can you give a ten minute talk on the atonement?" ahha
like 5 minutes before the meeting started but all went well.
Tomorrow
we have a leadership conference so that should be exiting. Also we have a new
initiative of the Christmas video that came out so hopefully like last year
well see a lot of success from that. I miss playing sports. I feel like my legs
are all skinny now because I never get to run or jump or do stuff like that. I’m
super jealous that you all got to play in the turkey bowl.
That’s
cool that Joe and Josh are having lots of fun in school. I’m excited to be up
there with them soon. I hope Ryan goes, that would be a blast.
All is
well in Zion. Zion prospers, ahha. Have a good week! Love you guys!
Elder Latimer
December 7, 2015
Dear
All:
This
week was pretty great. We had 4 baptisms in the zone and had our leadership
conference and zone meeting so it was a really busy week with lots of meetings
and interviews but it was fun. The family Medina feels a little nervous about
their baptismal date and feel it’s a little soon. But I think once they start
reading and everything they’ll have the desire to do it but we’re not gonna
push them or anything.
It was pretty
cool, they live really very away in a little "pueblo". I don’t know
what the English equivalent would be because it’s not a village, more like a
small town. ANYWHO, they live really far away and the 2 parents could go to
church because they got called into work. So they sent their 3 kids in a bus to
the church ahha. It was great to see that they like going and understand it’s
important that they go.
We were
able to teach a great lesson. We cut out and laminated pictures form the Ensigns
and taped them to plastic cups and made a pyramid to teach about how Christ
established his church. It was cool and they promised to teach it to their
parents later that night. We also gave them a BOM.
Also we
have a special goal as a mission to have a baptism in every area this month, so
we did a special fast for that and were hoping to see a lot of miracles this
month.
Today
we got together as a zone to practice a musical number for the mission Christmas
party, so we played ping pong (with the stuff you guys gave me for Christmas
last year). It was the first time I used it, but it was a blast! We also made
brownies (the ones you guys sent me) and we played spoons. Our zone is super
awesome and we have a lot of fun together.
Things
are going great pretty excited for this month. We’re gonna have a lot of
success. That Christmas party looked like a lot of fun. It doesn’t feel like
Christmas here because it’s hotter than Africa.
Also
were teaching a less active member haha, He’s hilarious. He’s like 50 and lives
alone and has like 6 dogs but he’s awesome. He’s super lazy and gets tired
after doing the littlest things. And we were teaching him once and 2 of his
dogs started "creating physical bodies for puppies in the spirit
world" and my comp says "ummmm your dogs are doing
something...." and the less active gets up and yells "NOOOO, I CANT
AFFORD TO HAVE ANYMORE DOGS!!!!" ahha and runs over and starts hitting
them with a broom. But alas he was too late ahhaha. What a great lesson it
was.
But he’s
going to church now and always buys ice cream for us so I’m not complaining! Oh
and I was able to see the devotional. It was great! But like i said it doesn’t
feel like Christmas here so I don’t really get home sick. But I love being
here. I always get to see people from my old areas ahah. I know like every
single person here. The stake.is gonna be really sad when I leave. I won’t have
time to say goodbye to everyone :(
Love,
Elder
Latimer
December 14, 2015
Dear
Everyone:
It was
a great week. My package got here, and we loved it! Especially all the candy.
My comp is really grateful for the stuff you sent him and I’m jealous because
you sent him a really cool tie. But I loved it. I got to use the sweet sweater
vest for the Tiajuana temple dedication and got a lot of (mostly sincere)
compliments! It’s almost too much candy to eat so I’m sharing a lot of it ahha.
This
week a guy called us from Phoenix, AZ, telling us that we contacted him in the
street like 2 months ago, and he kept the card we gave him with our phone
number. He then told us that he got baptized 2 weeks ago in Arizona!!
whoooooo!! It’s cool seeing the fruits of our labor. Also he gave us the address
of his mom and sister because he wants us to visit them so were pretty stoked
about that. It’s cool to see what can happen when you just open your mouth and
invite someone. Makes me think of all the people that may have joined the
church just because we chose to give them a pass along card and help them.
I’m
really sick. I went to the doctor today and there are 2 horrible diseases that
mosquitos have here, which are dengue and chincunguya. It’s sort of like a
Mexican malaria ahha. But Saturday my bones ached really, really bad, but we
went out to work anyways in the rain and I think that made it worse. Then I had
a really high fever all night and couldn’t hardly sleep and then my throat
hurts so much that it’s hard to eat anything AND I have hives all over my
body.
The
doctor ruled out dengue so it’s almost sure I have chincunguya, but I have to
go back Wednesday to do some more tests. Also I haven’t eaten in 2 days because
we did a special fast as a zone to have some baptisms and when we finished the
fast I didn’t feel good enough to eat. Also I have diarrhea. WHOOO CHRISTMAS
MIRACLES!!! ahha But I’m happy I guess. Also this sickness I have can last for
a week or 3 months so hopefully I’ll get better quickly! I hope so because I don’t
have a fever anymore and my bones don’t ache!
Also my
comp sort of wants me to go out and work, which kinda sucks. OHH! And thanks
for the books!!! They’re awesome! I’m almost done reading The Great Apostasy. It’s
a great book!. Also I think I have a cavity because I haven’t gone to the
dentist in like 2 years. It doesn’t hurt but I can see it. Should I just wait
till I get home to get it checked?
i also
know how to solve the Rubik’s cube. Just shows that applying yourself every
time you go to the bathroom has unlimited possibilities.
That’s
cool you guys are in NYC. I’m surprised it’s not a lot colder HASHTAG
globalwarming
Also
our investigators are doing really well. They didn’t get to come to church
because of the temple dedication, and they were kinda bummed about that. It’s
kinda a slow process because we don’t see them very much so it’s kinda
frustrating. But we’re happy. I really don’t know if I’ll get changed. We have
changes in 3 weeks so well see! I really like this ward so I don’t mind if I
stay!
Things
are just dandy. Umm, I’m not sure what else I need to tell you guys... Just
thanks a lot for the package, it was awesome. You guys thought of everything! I
actually really enjoyed the socks (they were much needed). I think this was the
first Christmas that I actually got socks for Christmas. It’s quite the cliché.
Also the extendible backscratcher it makes daily and weekly planning much more
enjoyable.
I don’t
have much time to write so if I forgot something please forgive me! I love you
guys! Have fun in NYC
Elder
Latimer
December 21, 2015
All is
well in Zion. The doctors aren’t sure exactly what it was because I had all the
symptom of dengue and chincunguya, but it didn’t show up in the blood work. But
I’m better now!! It was a pretty horrible experience. I had a super high fever
and I broke out in hives. I got tons on my feet and they itched so bad, but no
amount of cream, powder, water etc. could calm the itch haha. It was crazy. I never
had something like that before. So I didn’t get much sleep.
Also
the fever was so high that I got a bunch of blisters on my face, very charming.
So I didn’t work for like 3 days so I was bored out of my mind and read a lot,
and made a lot of funny videos.I’lll have to show you when I get back.
We had
our mission Christmas party too. It was awesome. We did special musical numbers
as zones, played a lot of games, ate great food and we watched a Disney
movie!!!! Best day ever. I haven’t seen a normal person movie in forever. It
was "inside out" I really liked it. I also beat President Velez in
musical chairs and my socks and vest were a big hit! I was glorious.
#davidarchuleta
I won’t
write too much so we can talk about stuff. I think I’ll call Christmas eve
around like 5 or 6 if that’s okay. Unless we can find another member to let us
call Christmas morning. But I’ll call Christmas eve to talk/to let you know I’ll
call Christmas morning soooo yea. Dad your foot is gross but cool. My companion
almost puked when he saw the pictures. Who took them???
Love,
Elder
Latimer
December 28, 2015
Hello!
It was good seeing you guys, even though I couldn’t think of anything to talk
about. After I had hung up and ton of stuff came to mind, and lots of stories.
This week was pretty calm, really not a lot of work because of the holidays.
But we had fun. The members gave us sooo much candy it was ridiculous. We have
enough chocolate and cookies to last us a while.
The
sisters in our zone had a miracle baptism this week. The son of some members
(who is like 30 years old) had been reading the Book of Mormon by himself and
decided to get baptized. He’s from another state in Mexico so he came all the
way to Culiacan to get baptized right after Christmas so that was cool.
On
Christmas the members who were gonna give us food forgot, so we bought sushi,
then in the evening we got invited to a member’s house to drink/eat ponche
which is like boiled fruits with cinnamon and deep fried tortillas on the side
it was pretty good. Then they gave us coffee mugs filled with chocolate, and
they drew Jake and Fin (from adventure time) in missionary form on them and put
our name there too. It was pretty great, the members here are awesome and treat
us like family.
That’s
super sad that Jace lost his drone. You guys should send me some pictures from
Christmas. I’d love to see what everyone got.
Also my
friend is telling me the apartments were you signed us up to live have like
super strict rules and don’t let you do anything. He wants to live in Nauvoo. I
don’t know if that would be a problem for Joe and Tyler. He says they have
curfew guards and if you’re a minute late they dont let you in. sooo ahah but
if they can’t I’m still fine living there! Or if they want to live at the
Ridge! It’s in front of the temple and close to campus
Hmmm
what else to tell you guys... nothing really. We were able to teach some good
lessons and give lots of blessings on Saturday. We gave a blessing to an
investigator that had a stroke or has Parkinsons and he can’t talk very well,
then to 2 sisters in our zone, and to a member from one of my old areas who
called us and asked for one. It’s a great blessing to be able to serve others
and to be able to help when called upon
Pretty
great week! i hope you guys are doing good! if you’re on right now feel free to
respond!!
Love
you guys
Elder
Latimer
January 4, 2016
Hi All:
This
week was pretty chill, not too much. Umm, we had changes and I got changed. I’m
the new assistant to the President so I’m kinda nervous, but excited at the
same time. It’s awesome because we get to go to Los Cabos and La Paz and Mazatlan
like once very change so that’s cool. Also we get to eat breakfast with the new
missionaries and go to the final dinner of the elders and sisters who are going
home! So it has its perks.
This
week was really slow. NYE is crazy. People just get drunk and shoot guns and
then the whole New Year’s day they keep getting drunk. It’s quite impressive
actually. They’re pretty diligent.
So we
said goodbye to all the members and we didn’t get to see too many investigators
and the changes were crazy. We have a ton of work to do and lots of reports so
that’s kinda hard but it’ll be fun.
I would
love to go snowboarding and to conference but I also would like being home. It’s
kinda hard to decide if you could give me an idea of when we would go or for
how long it would be that would be great.
I just
need to know what kinda stuff I have to do when I get home -- like shop and
dentists and doctors and what not!
Things
are great here. I don’t have a whole lot of time to tell you what’s going on
but there’s nothing too much here!! Miss you guys a lot! Hope all is well!!!
Elder
Latimer
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