Week 100: Monk would be so proud and some crazy stories too!

WOW 100 Weeks and tomorrow 23 months time sure does fly!!!!

The funny thing is I feel it haha- no its a joke haha! but the funniest things are the things that make you laugh haha but its true. the dumb thing someone does or the secret of just trying to make someone happy. but really i have lots of stories from my mission as well.  My companion hasn't felt good and i try to make him smile and forget about the hurt he feels. Telling mission stories are fun!! and after 2 years there sure are a lot!!  the good thing is we know the church is true and that we are all sons and daughters of God. Its just funny the way people are sometimes. like this week we were late for a leadership meeting in Tuxtla with Elder de Hoyos because some people decided to block off the road to get attention so we walked to tuxtla, haha, well about 8 miles of the road, till a police officer gave us a ride and we got in a taxi and got to the meeting.  its just things people do to get attention but a lot of times its just dumb.

Speaking of the meeting with Elder de Hoyos we really got our eyes opened to what the possibility of the work of salvation can be like. We went and he told us that we need to invite the people so they can come unto Christ but the reason we do that is so they can really really be converted to the Lord. Its amazing how the Lord can work through people. He told us to find a member, the closest to our investigators, and have them pass by after we teach them and read and help them a long to a long and everlasting conversion. He told us that 30,000 people get baptized in Mexico in a year but only 10,000 to 15,000 stay in the church and the reason is they don't have the right amount of help from the members. He told us to look with our eternity eyes and see what these people can become. It was a really good meeting about the importance of the members and about, what he says is part of Chiapas’s history, the Book of Mormon. He says that here in Chiapas lived some of the people from the book but who knows which ones.  It was cool to hear that.  It was a good privilege to see and hear him and he told us to get to work we have a mighty and lasting work to do.

Road Block!

Traveling to Tuxtla

 I thought of a few scriptures that explain it all, "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." (3 Nephi 5:13) and "the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord." (3 Nephi 6:14) The church was lingering but the worthy and truly converted souls stayed firm. and well it is true the people who are truly converted really stay and have everlasting life if we are just a little converted we aren’t going to stay its like the talk from Elder Anderson in the last general conferance we need to have our roots buried deep and grow up in windy weather. Its great! the gospel, right?

Ok a funny thing that happened this week was yesterday as we were walking to see some people and a man was out talking to his friends and he sees us and as we are passing by he says, "God really came down this morning and well gave me this beer, and it will happen when he comes for the second time he will come down and give us all a beer and he will drink with us!”.  We just chuckled and turned around and said, “sir you are not just a little off course you are a long ways off course here's a pamphlet of the Word of wisdom”, we said “read it and we’ll be waiting for you in church next week at 10”.  He laughed and said thanks ill read it. Then we kept walking and well here there are a lot drunk people especially Sundays and well he told us that we were really off course and crazy that we shouldn't have even come on our missions and we smiled and told him that God loves him and he shouldn’t drink because that's why he’s in the street, he just yelled, “well maybe I should repent but I like the street its comfortable”, we said “ok that’s fine you can be here but Gods not going to help you if you're drunk”.   He said, “maybe so but I still like to drink and well god has never said its not good”, we took out another word of wisdom pamphlet and we said “he does now! read it and we´ll see ya next week at church”.  maybe they aren't that funny but really it doesn't just happen once or twice it happens a lot and well like the people blocking the road and thinking they are tough with just some sticks and their faces covered you can keep the people from getting to there destinations you just think why do you do these things? or the place (address) someone told the sister missionaries that he lives there but all there is there is a post for the electricity so well he told a lie! but all is good and we are happy! lots of great memories!

Not a real address!

 Well hope you have a great week and I love you all!! Don’t forget to smile!

Elder Jaymes Monson

Week 99: Crazy!

Wow! 99 weeks that’s crazy and I’m starting my 100th that’s even weirder!!! Oh well I guess its about time haha.

What a week it was a really tough week but a pretty good opportunity to learn and apply the things God has in store for us. We are still working and doing what we can and we are seeing some big blessings and its been a good experience learning and applying the things we need to do to get better and to do better. It just is interesting at times we really don't know what to do but the Lord knows it and its just fascinating to see the work in action. We are just happy to be here. It was really interesting- we had some interviews with President George this week and he told me that he just loves me and loves seeing what the zone is doing and how we are. He just is super glad that we have everything under control and well he can rely on us. It was good, he gave me a hug and said, -well I am sort of mad that you'll be leaving soon I wish we had more missionaries like you Elder Monson-. Wow some really powerful words and I'm really glad I got to hear that, you know sometimes you really need to hear nice things to help you realize that what you are doing really matters for the person you are working for. It wasn't just that it came from him it came as an answer to prayers and well yes mom i only have about a month left how great it will be to see you again. but one month still is lots of time to make the best out of it and don't worry ill do my best!

I have been reading a lot this week I hope my mom can catch up so we can finish in a month, but I read Helaman this week and what a great book it is. I read something that really caught my eye and interest it says, "But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head." (Helaman 13:38) I was just thinking and saying I never want to be told this haha I would rather hear “And behold, thus hath the Lord commanded me, by his angel, that I should come and tell this thing unto you; yea, he hath commanded that I should prophesy these things unto you; yea, he hath said unto me: Cry unto this people, repent and prepare the way of the Lord." (Helaman 14:9) but I was thinking maybe I was sent for this reason, I was sent to bring the people to repentance and to bring them to the light. To prepare the ways of the Lord. Jesus Christ is our "Eternal Head" he is the head of our army we are part of his army and he leads and guides us wherever we go. He has sent us to cry repentance to these people and well am I doing it right? I sure hope so. It says that Samuel was about to go home and well throw in the towel saying these people don't want to listen, but then he received an answer to prayers that said go back and preach then when he found the door closed he didn’t say oh well I did my best, NO!  He climbed on an wall and shouted with a voice I would say of greatness and with all his might shouting the things the Lord had put in his mouth to say, isn’t it interesting that the Lord promises this to us as well, he said, 

"Behold, and lo, I have much people in this place, in the regions round about; and an effectual door shall be opened in the regions round about in this eastern land.

 Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls.

 Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;

 For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.

 But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.

 And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say."

He promises us that if we just do his will the spirit will testify. We saw this this week when we went to see Enrique, it was a great lesson wow a great man.  Our good friend Victor didn't know exactly what the needed to say to help him accept the baptismal invitation. But all he did was testify! and he testified with the strength of angels and with he confidence that Jesus is the Christ. It was powerful!!  He said, Brother I was like you but here I am sitting by your side, God loves you and he wants the best for you Baptism is the best thing in the world do it and God will guide you forever. This is the truth and it will make you free. don’t ever think other wise! There was more he said but really we cant do this work alone this member made it so easy for the invitation and well he is changing this mans life through the power of God that he has and the spirit he brings into this mans house. wow what power.  Then Enrique said why didn't you come over some other times without the youngsters, as he calls us, Victor said well I will to help you get ready for this day! wow I’m so glad I could be there and feel the strength. I Know its real!

This week I have been studying about it in Chapter 11 of Preach My Gospel and well its amazing! "for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." (2 Nephi 33:1) its amazing to see how the people really are changing to do good for themselves and doing this good for the good of God. Its been a great week but even better than the week was the experiences we have had. God knows us and he knows our strengths and well if we only do his will we will be blessed in abundance.  It’s interesting to talk to people in the street and they just say I have the truth but then just tells us they don’t want to listen to the truth the best ones are like I know you your a Mormon do you know that you worship Joseph Smith? and the Mormons this and that. Its funny because they are telling us what we are supposed to know and well we chuckle and say- sister can we come by to clear things up? She then says no I’m from a different church and my paster says I cant, -oh sister you have your freedom to choose that’s why god has given you agency and well choose what’s right. Its a great thing I know the truth so I can testify of it.  "And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.

 Behold, I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.

 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved." Come with the broken hearth and a contrite spirit and he will let us in! I know it and testify of it!!!

Well I love you and I love this work!!!

Elder Jaymes Monson

Week 98: This is exactly how i feel right now, "Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord, I know in whom I have trusted."

Well today has been a fascinating day and really this whole week has been just filled with greatness.

Starting out we had transfers and as zone leaders here we were asked to wait with the missionaries whose comps left so we could receive the new one so we where there all day Tuesday and well not too fun to say the least but all went well. Then we were waiting with a sister and well we received a call and you would never believe who it was. Pres. Alverez from Ixhuatan he had just sent his son to the MTC that morning and was hungry and in San Cristobal so he called and took us to breakfast. What a great guy!  My mission parents haha but a special treat and we spent a little bit of time together and then they went home and we received some more missionaries and it was really awesome just seeing them and pres. Alvarez giving me a hug and saying man we have missed you and when you coming over son we want to host a party haha i told him that i didnt know but that i would talk to my family to check and see when we would come and  inform them before. But they are great!!! so ya then later on this week we did lots of stuff this week. 

We Saw a man named Enrique who a couple weeks ago was a little on the hesitant side of things not really wanting to put god first in his life. but this last week we gave him a challenge to do, we told him if he went to church this week he would be blessed he went last Sunday and well this past week he has changed completely and its amazing!! he really felts that he needed god more in his life. he went from, well you can stop by only these days, to telling us last night, Elders come by every night if you like to drink a nice hot coco or a hot cider. he really put the batteries in not only saying if you would like he asked us to do it and well we will get a member who is right there for him named Victor to jump in and take him up on these offers and stop by and chat with the man to help him out. its amazing what the gospel can do in peoples lives. I just love it!! You follow up and well the lord does the rest. I read these verses this week and it might be a bit long but Its some powerful material from Nephi.  

16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.

17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.

22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.

23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.

24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.

25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.

26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am Angry because of mine enemy?

28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?

32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walkin the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!

33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.

34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God.  (2 Nephi 4:16-35) 

Sorry i said it was long but really this is exactly how i feel right now, Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord,  I know in whom I have trusted.  Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul. Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever. I will praise my god forever more! i am forever in his debt really I have never felt the way i do right now in my life well its more like just about 24 months 2 years of this feeling I love my god. and will praise his forever and ever. its amazing what the lord can do for you! he is always embracing us in his arms of mercy, Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Its amazing the gospel of Christ.

 Today was a great day we went to tonina, its a ruins site and well i wish i could tell you all about it but look it up its called "Ruins de Tonina" and its beautiful and well president George took us as our zone activity and what a great blessing it was.

I know this church is true the gospel is true I am his hands and will never let him down and will Praise his forever!! I love this work!

Love you all!! take care!!!

Elder Jaymes Monson