Mexico City #20

Mexico City #20

February 10, 2014

Dear Family

Well another week gone, and I have to say this has been the fastest week ever!!!

Wow, well this week we had changes (transfers).  That was super crazy.  Both me and my companion got changed!  What?   That really threw me off, but my old companion Elder Gomez got SUPER grumpy about it the whole time.   I just wanted to planch him (When I say planch, that means chew him out).  Haha!   What he doesn´t get, is that all the transfers are direct revelation.  If the revelation is from Christ or his servants, it´s the same.  But as I was saying, we went on Tuesday, the day of transfers to visit our investigators, and converts in the ward.  When we visited Sister Victoria (our convert) she started crying so badly.  It about broke my heart!  That was a really special moment to see how much she loved us, and she just kept saying, ¨I´m going to endure to the end.¨ That was really awesome!

Well we went to changes and I got my new companion.  His name is Elder Solis.  He is from Medida, which is a city in Yucatan, another state here in Mexico.  Fun fact: There are 32 states here in Mexico, and one Distrito Federal like Washington DC.   He lives like 2 hours from Cancun.  He´s a really cool guy, really different from my old companion.  For one thing, I can really see that he loves to be a missionary.  He loves to teach, and I can see that we are going to have a lot of success.  One thing, he loves to planch, which is super funny.  The people love him, and that will be a good thing to learn, how to earn the trust of the members.  

Ok well my new area is Chamizal.  It is in the state of Mexico, the state that surrounds the Distrito Federal.  It is super dirty, and smells bad, but I love it!!!  One thing is that everyone calls this area the “Promised land! “  Everyone says this is where all the incredibly prepared people live.  I know why, it´s because everyone lives such humble lives.  

This week, I got to know the area.  There is a river that goes through our area called Rio de los Remedios.  They tell me that at one time this river was clean...that is hard to believe.  There is more garbage than I have ever seen in my life in that river, and the water is straight black.  It smells sooo bad, and at night when we cross the bridge over it, we can here dozens of rats  squeeking around!  eeee!

Well as I said, I got to know the area this week, and this ward really is special.  When we went to church on Sunday, I got the chance to learn so much, because the people here really LOVE the gospel!  It was really cool!  

This week was really good, and I want to share something that has really been coming to my mind lately.  

Well there is a family in our ward that lost a child this week.  The daughter had a miscarriage.  We went to visit them, and talk to them about the Plan of Salvation.  As we taught, I felt impressed to share our experience with Maximo.   As I shared my testimony of the plan of salvation, and the feelings that I have felt, I received a stronger knowledge that families can be together forever.  The spirit testified through me that our Father in Heaven loves us, and that we will see Max again.  This is so amazing.  For me, it makes me want to work so much harder so I can win the prize of living with Jesus Christ, my family, and you all for eternity.  This is all possible because of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.  Wow.  HE IS OUR SAVIOR.  He makes it all possible!  I know it.  As Joseph Smith stated, I , Clayton Rodney England say now,

“And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!”

I testify that Christ lives, and that Max will live again.  I testify that we will see him in the spirit world.  I testify that we have such a sacred responsibility to be true, and finish the race.  I know these things, and I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love

Elder Clayton Rodney England

Mexico City #19

Mexico City #19

February 3, 2014

My dear family,

This morning we found out that we have changes!  Haha!   The weird thing is that we both have changes!  Crazy right?  That hardly ever happens here!   Before I tell you about it, I´m going share a spiritual moment.

Just a few minutes ago, the sisters from our district passed by to pick up some mail from my companion.  While they were here, a Sister, Sister Durham, from Logan was really emotional.  We started talking, and she expressed some family problems.  I could tell that she was feeling a bit down.  A thought hit me.  I asked her if she would like a priesthood blessing.  She felt she needed one, and we talked to the owner here at the Internet Cafe.  He´s our investigator and gave us permission to use the back patio for the blessing.  So we went back there, us Elders, and the Sisters, and we gave her a blessing.  I served as the voice, and it was such an amazing feeling.  I didn´t have any words in mind.  The Spirit just told me exactly what to say.  He told me what she needed to hear.  That was really powerful.  After the blessing Sister Durham expressed her gratitude for the priesthood, and told us, a little like our moms would say, ¨Don’t you ever forget it.¨  That was a nice reminder of our love from Heavenly Father. 

I hope you appreciated that thought, and now I will continue with the week.  Well this week, Elder Fiestas from my district finished his mission!  He is a really good friend, but because of that, his companion, Elder Phethean was with us in a trio, which was incredibly interesting.  You may remember me mentioning that there was an Elder that acted exactly like Dwight Schrut.  Well this is the Guy.  Haha!  He always has something interesting to say.  By interesting I mean SUPER INTERESTING...But he has a heart of gold, and I know that he´s always going to be a great friend. 

Well this morning like I said we have changes tomorrow, so next week I will let you know.

Ok now I´m going to use a little time to write you all individually, so I hope this was sufficient for a letter...if not...too bad :)

Love Elder Clayton Rodney England

P.S.  I just got the packages of the letters from dad on his mission, and the package from the England Family Christmas party!  That was really special thank you!!!!