03-30-2015

So this week was a really really good week.

My comp and I are now getting a little more acquainted with the area, and the members and investigators here. This is actually a really good area. It is just a branch of about 85 people that come each week, but they members work so so hard, and want to help. It is really really cool to be in an area where it is not only the missionaries responsibility to bring people to the gospel.

So this week not a whole lot happened. We did normal work and continued working on learning the area. We met a lot of members and less actives this week, and then also were able find a few of the old investigators that the other elders had, and meet with them to get to know them so we can continue teaching them.

The main thing I want to share this week is a story about something that I was lucky enough to see on Friday night. I learned so so much from what I saw, and I would really really like to share it with all of you. 

So Friday night we had an appointment with a less active family, where the mother is not a member. I met them once before when I went on splits with another elder just before their two daughters got baptized, and was kind of culture shocked a little because of the difference in life that they are living. 

They are a family of 6. The mom and dad, and four kids, Guadalupe, Fernanda, Angel, and Roberto.

They live in a house with two rooms, but one of them is smaller that our front porch. (About 8x6 feet) And the other is about 20x15. They work so so hard to support their family, and every time they pray they ask that the Lord will please make sure that they have food on the table. It is such a humbling experience to visit them, and I have truly fallen in love with the family, and the spirit that they have. 

So now to the story. 

It was Friday night, and it was absolutely freezing because a storm was coming in. And this family was out with their stand making BBQ chicken wings. And we were sitting there with them teaching them a lesson, when a man walked up, and stood next to the tent. He looked homeless, and was wearing a very tattered jacket. He was waiting for the chicken to get finished to that he could purchase a few pieces. 

We then finished up our lesson, and I went  over and talked to him for a few minutes. I found out that he lived in a small shack at the top of the hill, but he was very very worried about the storm because he has a hard time staying warm. I then watched this sister, who is struggling to put food on her own table, give him a box of chicken, and when he went to pay she wouldn't accept the money, and told him that it was free. 

This was such a touching experience, and I am so grateful that I was there and able to see this. I think that every single one of us can learn from this, and put into practice that it is not important to worry about our own worries, but try to do everything that we can to help others, and make their own burdens a little lighter. 

This is the challenge that I have for all of you this week is to forget about yourself, even if it is only for 15 minutes, but help someone, and make their burdens just a little lighter. I can promise by doing this you will see a change in your life, and will be blessed, and feel happier!!!!

I love you all, 

And hope to hear from you all next week!!!

Con Much Amor,

Elder Mason Millar

These pictures are my view out of my window in from of my desk every day. If the air is clear we are able to see the volcano with snow, and it is beautiful!!!!

The other is of the iron that was in the house when we got here.

The dog reminded me of my own.

And the four elders in the ward got invited to the Relief Society party!!!!

03-24-2015

Hello all,

So sorry for not writing last week. I was a little busy, and ran out of time to get a mass email written.

But yes, I am still alive, and breathing. 

So this last week was another week of changes for me. I was not expecting to be changing areas, but what do you know... Another new area for me!!! This has now been four areas, and four companions in just about 5 months in Mexico. 

So on Tuesday morning we had changes, and I found out who my comp was. His name is Elder Huallanca, and he is from Peru. He has 9 months in the mission, and our new area is now his second. We were assigned to work in Campestre 1. This area is right next to my last one, but is only a small branch with only about 70 people that assist every week. This is the first branch that I have been in, and is actually the area where the members actually do the best job at their callings, and want to help the most.

So because both my comp and I are new to the area, we have just kind of been walking around the area for the past week. Trying to do the best that we can, and trying to meet, and know members. It has been a struggle, and we wake up every morning and look at each other and say. "Quien Sabe!" 

Which means "who knows" when we are trying to figure out what to do for the day. Other than this everything else is great. We spent the first three nights in the house just cleaning because the elders before us just kind of destroyed it. I have yet to even try and clean the fridge, because it is disgusting. And we finally got a new iron today because ours was kind of a goner. (I will include a picture)

On the day of transfers I forgot my bag of toiletries on the taxi, and by doing this lost my retainers, so last night I spent the night at President's house so I could go to the dentist today. So most of the day was spent with President, which was really cool! It was a good opportunity for my comp and I to be able to get to know him a little bit better. I also got the opportunity last night to practice the piano for close to two hours last night at his house. Man was that so wonderful, and his piano sounded absolutely incredible!!!! Being at President's house was really cool though. It is about on the level of Doc's house for those of you who know, and this morning he made waffles. It kind of made me miss home just because it felt like I was at home!

I also had the opportunity last week, and this week to go to both Costco, and Sams Club with President and his wife. That was one of the weirdest things I have done in Mexico. Because they are American companies they are identical to the stores in America. It is really really weird walking through them because honestly the only thing Mexican in them are the words. 

Other than this, not much has happened this week. 

Know that I love you all, and you are all in my prayers. 

I would love to hear from all of you next week!!!

Con todo mi amor,

Elder Millar

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03-09-2015

Buenas Tardes,

Hey everyone, so this week went by really fast, but was so full of things to be done!!!! 

So starting with Tuesday... We woke up early to make it to the church so we could watch Meet the Mormons before our zone conference. Man was that a good movie, but did it every make me homesick watching and seeing the Utah mountains and snow!!!! 

I can say if there is anything I miss most it would be the mountains, and my bikes!!!! I never realized how relaxing it is to just plug in headphones, and go on a ride! I will definitely be coming back to Mexico with a downhill bike to to city riding though!!!!

So other than the conference it was a pretty normal week. We have two investigators that will be getting baptized on Saturday. That should be good, other than the color of the water out here is Paraíso. It is just a little bit brown!!!

On Thursday I was not feeling well, and didn't make it out to work. It was a very boring day, but I got a lot of reading done, and was able to catch up a little bit on my sleep!

On Saturday the other two elders that live with us had a baptism with four people that got baptized. It was a good baptism, and everything went well. Later that night we had an awesome lesson in english with a guy named Christian. He lived in the states for most of his life, but got deported, and is waiting to be able to work on his papers. He has some problems with drugs, but we are working through them, and I am really really hoping that he can get his life turned around. He wants it so so bad, but is stuck in a hard place! 

That is about all that has happened this week. I bought another plant. A little tree for my desk!!!! And next week I will probably have some news about changes. My comp has been here for 8 months, and I am pretty sure that he will be getting moved. Who knows though!

I love you all so much, and you are in my prayers!!!

Les quiero,

Elder Mason Millar

03-02-2015

Hello All,

So this week was kind of a bummer. There were ups, and downs. But the biggest down was that none of our investigators came to church yesterday, and because of it we had three baptismal dates fall through. But it is ok. Everything happens for a reason, and the only person that knows why is the Lord! 

Other than this not much happened. I was on splits on Wednesday with the zone leader, and learned so much on how I can better the way that I teach. 

So today was a fun day. Ten of the elder in the zone got together to climb the mountain that we live on. It was super fun! It took us about an hour to get to the top, and even after getting to the top we were not out of the smog!! The view from up top was incredible though!! This city is absolutely gigantic!!! It is so big that we could not even see the entire thing! 

On the way down, we went down this shoot of sand and small rocks, and it was like skiing. Yup! I skied in Mexico City!! Who needs snow when you have hot dirt!!! After this we had to wash off though, and it was disgusting the amount of dirt that came off of me when I got in the shower today.

So I am sorry for the short letter this week, but it was a pretty uneventful week! We had a really good zone meeting, and I did receive my birthday card from the family today!!! The Farting dog made me laugh!!!

Tomorrow we get to watch Meet the Mormons, so that should be good! 

I love  you all, and pray every night for you!!!

Les Quiero,

Elder Mason Millar