¡Ya Estoy a Mitad de Mi Primera Transferencia!

September 4, 2017

¡Hola Fonz Fam!

It's crazy to hear how things have picked back up at home with Homecoming, the beginning of week 3 of school, and a bunch of birthdays around the corner (Please don't go crazy this year, I mean I'm hundreds of miles away and I can only imagine;).

This week we had our first apartment inspection done by Elder and Sister Finsters. We keep it pretty tidy around, but they were nit-picky. There were some fingerprints on a cupboard and dust on the hood of the stove, but that was all they could find. They were really impressed overall, especially with our bathroom and work areas. For our efforts we received an "A" grade as well as a couple of York Patties (They aren't as good frozen), but we ate them anyway.

Earlier this week we found a man named Nate G. He was really interesting but was completely open to the Gospel. We set a baptismal date with him just two days after my birthday. I was able to bring him to a convert's baptism this last Saturday so he could see what it looks like. I also invited him to come to our spanish sacrament meeting Sunday, and guess what?! He actually came! After the meeting Nate said he liked the spirit he felt and that he wants to become a Mormon. I was so excited, but there's only one problem with him...he speaks mostly english. His mom is full on native, and he was too at one point, but because he doesn't use spanish very much, he's lost his ability to use it. So he asked if he could go to the english ward and so we had to refer him the local english Elders. Darn, we pretty much gave them a baptism, but at least it's still continuing the work.

We have a different investigator we are helping to get to baptism. He is really cool and just moved from Mexico in 2015. His name is Alexis and he's about my age, if not a little older. We've only taught him the Restoration so far but we have another lesson planned where we'll teach him the Plan of Salvation tomorrow. I see him progressing to baptism; we invited him on the first lesson, but he didn't accept straight up because he realizes that it's a big commitment. Which is good actually because we don't want people who will be baptized and then go inactive. He has been reading el Libro de Mormon and been praying about it, so I'm exciting to find out what he's discovered for himself.

Because this last weekend was Fast Sunday, there is this nice member who buys all the missionaries in our Zone dinner the Saturday night before. His name is Brother Phillips, he always takes us out to this place called Chang's which is a Mongolian Grill Buffet. It was super good and nice change from Mexican food, which is what I've had for dinner the last two months. After dinner he also bought us supplies like nice body washes, watermelons, and cereal! And it didn't stop there. I didn't know this at the time, but he also takes us all out to breakfast the Monday after at Elmer's. So this morning we got up extra early, picked up a couple Elders, and made it to our breakfast appointment at 7am. Él es muy amable y va a regresar al cielo para vivir con Dios con seguridad.

I hope I didn't give you too big of scare from last week's experience, it might not have been that intense as I wrote it, but it was something I was very cautious with nonetheless. I was actually on an exchange with a different Elder, so Elder Clarke totally missed out.

D&C 45:57 says:

"For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day."

I know that if I ever do come across any similar situations that the Holy Ghost will warn me and God will protect me as long as I keep His commandments and diligently do His work.

I love all of you and hope that you can recognize all the blessings our Heavenly Father gives you everyday.

Love,

Elder Fonnesbeck