Monday, January 23, 2012

BLESSINGS FROM OBEDIENCE

The hardest thing for me to do in life is get down on my knees every morning and night to pray. I didn't have the habit before the mission and I am still working on it. It is not something we can just check off a list. In Spanish it is a SER....not ESTAR. To be or not to be praying, that is the question. I pray every morning and night now. I can feel the spirit even more in my life. The Savior promises to illuminate us if we do what is right, I feel a raise of illumination.
I am happily healthy and am loving life.
This last week Elder Johansen got really sick and the doctor (who he talked to over the phone) gave him the wrong medicine and he got even sicker having a temperature of 102 degrees. It was not good, but funny because the hermanas had the privilege of injecting him ten times....in the buttocks. Right cheek in the moring and the Left one at night. Hermana Cleo got a kick out of it too. Throwing darts.....
Jose Luis Reyes and his girlfriend Sol came to church yesterday along with 10 other investigators. Yes, this is the most we have ever had in the church.
Hermana Pati's son is in northern Mexico serving and we hear alot of his success stories....I know we should not compare ourselves to other elders or people but I just had to step it up. So the three days we worked, we worked hard. Inviting everyone we can to church, and also inviting them to invite their friends. It worked. I am not going to take any credit for it. All to my Father in Heaven, may the glory always be His.

I have heard the world is getting worse, hopefully with the elections this year we can change that....right Sister Pockrus? (Yeah, you too Tex. I guess you can put a vote in, maybe they will let you vote for me too.)
The things we find joy in change through out life. The way we act, grow, feel, talk, walk and play. We are always changing, for the good or bad. The first one is better and easier. We have learned that through experiences. Yes, it brings trials, problems....but what more do we grow from?
The more we practice something good or we learn more truth we gain more light and power.
In Preach My Gospel there is a Attributes of Christ Activity, I do it every day now. It is a new addiction. Try it....you may like it. If you don't like it, like Mrs. Wright says "Your Wrong". (one of his teachers in High School)
We are looking forward to baptisms in February. The Victor Family wants to pick a date that has alot of importance or is special. The 14th is special. But Elder Johansen does not like that because he leaves on the 5. Sad day.

Jose Luis came and played soccer with us today, yes we can now play. How cool right? I just don't want to get hit in the face. So I am scared of the ball, so what? So, Jose knows the Stake president. The mom of Jose took care of the Stake Presidents kids. He ate dinner at their house and everything. And Jose said to me "Why did they never invite me....?" Ha ha. Good question. I guess we need to work on the "Every member a missionary" (Thanks Pres. McKay)

Well, that is all I have. Losing my English. Gets harder every day...we will see what happens.
Happy trials. (not sure if he meant trials or trails. I will have to ask him next time. Take it how you will)
Love Elder Chadwick

Monday, January 16, 2012

A DREAM

Dear Friends and Family,
It is amazing what can happen with two Elders who have never taught together before in their first lesson.
On Thursday I did divisions with Elder Reyes. He is from Baha California. Pretty cool. Anyway, we couldn't find both of the referrals that Elder Johansen gave us so we started to contact a street up from the privada.
On our third door, (who said three was not the magic number should go back to elementary school) the man behind the green door went to find his key and so we waited for like two minutes. His mom ended up walking up and let us right in. We introduced ourselves as servants of the Lord Jesus Christ and that we were called by one of His prophets to bring them blessings. Elder Reyes asked where the man went and she called for him. He came down with his future wife.
Jose Luis Reyes, age 26 and Sol 20. Escogidos....Anyway, we started teaching and things just clicked. In a talk by Elder Holland he talks about the divine companionship. The Two missionaries and the Holy Ghost, and when a new doctrine or point is brought up the Spirit touches their hearts and everyone in the room knows it is true. That is how it was. Jose was looking for a change and we had just what he needed.
Thank goodness for Elder Callisters talk on the Book of Mormon and the two points, the Bible and the Book of Mormon and how there is only one line connecting them. That is the difference between us and the rest of the world. We challenged him to be baptized and he acccepted, so did Sol and the next day his mom.
We challenged him to pray and ask God if this was true....we past by the next day and he had prayed. He felt a joy and peace he never felt before and then he went to sleep and had a dream.
In this dream he saw a bright light and it was God speaking saying "This is your destiny, you need to do this so you can help others." After he told us this I asked if he thought it was a answer to his prayer and if these things are true. He said yes!
Elder Johansen said something about the priesthood and right after I asked if they wanted blessings. All of them said yes. So we went upstairs, around the cable guys, and to a quiet spot to do the blessings. It was one of the most spiritual moments I had using the priesthood. After Jose asked us when could be a missionary after he was baptized. That took me by surprise. It was simply amazing. He wanted to be like us, so I told him when him and Sol are older they can go on a couples mission.
I know the Holy Ghost is a real personage of spirit and that if we are obedient he helps us every step of the way.
I want all of you to know that I know Christ lives and He loves each one of us. He is always there and will be forever.
I had a conversation with President Spannaus that was really interesting. This was over phone. I asked him how we could talk to Christ to get to know him better like a friend. He answered saying "we pray to our Heavenly Father and we can know more of Him through studying and doing what he would do."
A friend of mine named Kiko told a story from his young life that really had a great effect on me.
When he was nine he was baptized and the missionary gave him a tie and a book of Mormon. He would walk outside his house every day and have to walk past his uncles and their friends drinking. They called him a name in Spanish, I cant remember what it is, but it means that he changed his religion for the wrong reason. Religion Changer. Ouch. He had to shake their hands and kiss them on the cheek. Years later in a family home evening, (these are huge here, there are more then 50 people that come to this thing) and he told the story about his tie and Book of Mormon. After, when they were eating, Moses and Flor, both bishops now, came and apologized to him about calling him names and mocking him. He compared this to Nephi and how he stood up to his older brothers.
We need to sometimes do this so our families can receive or come back into the gospel. I hope we can be that example for our family and friends.
In Sacrament meeting Hermana Pati shared the story about the three young men in the ice cold river. I was crying like a little baby.
I feel more at peace now in my mission, the mission is easy, all we worry about is our investigators. Love it. I am completing 14 months tomorrow. 10 months to go.....
Well, love you all and have a wonder Martin Luther King Jr. Day. And remember....DREAM BIG and then pray to Heavenly Father to make your abilities great to help you achieve your dreams.
Love Elder Chadwick

Questions and answers
Answers...
How are you doing really?
Fantastic, attitude changed after a talk with a former missionary. I will share the story in the big blog email.

How is your health?
Amazing. Have not felt better. I have energy every day and love it.

Is there anything you need? No

How are your feet and shoes? Hermano Pepi forced us to take 500 pesos each and buy something we needed so we went with Hermana Tede and Hermana Pati to buy pants for Elder Johansen and Shoes for me. They are great.

How are your clothes? Great. Just to let you know I take good care of my clothes and if I need any I will let you know.

Do I need to replace anything? No

Thanks

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

BLESSINGS

Dear Family and Friends,

Monday Night…and Tuesday of last week

After district meeting I went on a van to catch another van…to go to Tixtla with Elder Ballesteros. He is from Columbia, no tortillas there. He has like this Boston/Jersey accent but in Spanish. It is so cool. He is soooo verde pero awesome. We had an adventure finding a half catholic half luz del mundo (Light of the world) She had a lot to say. Her half religion is a break off of ours…curse that ex missionary who founded that church. They are very confused. They have some things right but…not really.

We also found a man who believes in God but does not believe Christ is His son. He believes the bible to be the thoughts of men nothing more. He does not believe in Christ. Then what are we…he told us that we are His expressions. Very interesting. Couldn't really do anything there.

We ate Mole (Sound it out in Spanish and it tastes better) it was great. At a part member's home the father is starting to go to church again, his wife said she would like a blessing. I asked if the Hermano is an Elder. He said yes but is not worthy. I told him to he needs to be active so he can bless his family and others. We gave his wife a blessing and he gave me a hug thanking me for the advice and I was also pleased to have a new family of friends.

That night we had a FHE with the family Salozar. They are just a couple. She is his second wife. His conversion was mostly because of her. She worked in Salt Lake and loved going to the temple there. She said she saw the Savior twice there. I believe her because the spirit pushed me in that moment that she was telling the truth. I have had a lot of these experiences with the spirit lately. I personally love them. Anyway, I am excited to see this family go to the temple before the middle of the year.

Wednesday

Back with Elder Johansen we decided to do things a little differently and bless the world…literally. Every appointment we asked them if they wanted to be blessed and they all said yes. Like 30 people this last week. There is almost no better way to feel the spirit more directly before baptism.

We asked everyone if they wanted to be blessed, we then explain where we received the authority to do so and then we bless them, ask them how they feel and then ask if they want to feel that all the time. Then comes the challenge to be baptized….all accepted. Two words…..absolutely amazing.

Friday

Friday was the day of the Kings. This is the day that Mexican children receive gifts brought by the 3 kings, or Magi. Lets just say I forgot to leave my shoes by the tree. No gifts for me :(

Saturday

We continued working with members to receive references and with the blessings. Also received the assignment to speak in sacrament meeting on the Atonement.

Sunday

Went to church and gave my talk and learned a lot from President George Albert Smith. After we ate Mole again. We then visited Victors family at 6 giving them all blessings and learning the Victor (the father…there are two) he is almost done with the President G A Smith book and Principles of the Gospel, also the Book of Mormon…..lets just say the rest of us need to step up being baptized and all. We need to crave the word and live it. I am trying my best to keep up with him and all the families we are teaching right now. Love it.

Monday

Soccer is now legal in the mission….YES! We played basketball and then a little futbol.

We then went to Walmart. Ten chicken nuggets for 90 cents…just livin the life down here. Then to the mall to eat Chinese food for the first time in almost a year.

I am about to complete one year in Mexico…..how cool is that.

I opened a letter I wrote to my self in December 2010…it was nice I was keeping up with my goals.

Anyway, have to go to district meeting.

Love you all

ELder Chadwickisimo

Letter to Elder Chadwick's Dad
This week was amazing. We gave blessings at almost every house we entered. Everyone loves blessings.
It is our knew approach to everything. We just say that we are called by a prophet and we are here to bless your family and they let us in.
It is so sweet. I am excited to use the Priesthood more. We gave at least 30 blessings this week.
I have never given that many in a week before.
It is just magic but not. Totally more useful then the Force.
So we bless them and then we ask them how they feel and of course they feel great.
Would you like to feel like that every day....? And of course they say yes.
That is when I challenge them to be baptized. No one has turned down the invitation this week.
I miss you and the family, but can believe that at the end of the year I will be with you and the fam.
I was talking with Hermana Tede and she said that I could come back and live with her. (She has grand children don't worry.)
She said I could start a music school. 50 pesos per student for and hour. 10 students in a class. 500 pesos per hour or $50 American buckerooos...
An idea nada mas.
Love ya
Elder Chadwick