Phone call instructions + my week!

Dear Family and Friends!
Where does time go!? It is crazy thinking that it is Christmas Time
already and that the year is almost over! I am so excited for this new
experience of Christmas on my own where I can focus on the true
meaning, but I am also very excited to call home and see how my family
and bare testimony to them! This week I am sending a little letter
from our president that shows how the calls will work out and I am so
excited!!
Dear Elders and Sisters,

Each year there are questions about how to call home for Christmas.
Here are some instructions to help your call home be successful.
Please share this information with your family so they will be
prepared you will both be on the same page.
1. Please DO call your family on Christmas day. Per the Missionary
Handbook, please be careful that this call does not pull your thoughts
away from your service or create a financial burden.
2. The call shall last no more than 60 minutes. If your parents live
in two different households, you may divide this time between them as
you see fit. The call should be made from your mission phone UNLESS
your parents live outside the Continental United States.
3. For those of you whose parents live outside the Continental United
States, you must NOT use your mission phone to make this call. You are
authorized to either receive a call from them at a member's home or
contact them via Skype or Facetime using your iPad.
4. For all missionaries, if you would like, you may use your iPad to
Skype or Facetime your family. Please consider this option carefully
in that not everyone likes to Skype or Facetime and at times, that
connection can be poor. Please write your parents today to learn their
preference regarding a Skype or Facetime call or a phone call.
If you have any questions about this letter, please feel free to call
me directly.
Sister Ames and I pray that your experience with contacting your
family will be beautiful and meaningful. Please consider taking a
moment to bear your testimony to them at some time during this call.
It will help you keep your eye single to the Glory of God and at the
same time bless their life - perhaps in ways that will surprise you.
Thank you in advance for your faithfulness and obedience. As we strive
to be consecrated and obey with exactness, we will be able to ask God
with confidence for the miracles we seek.
Merry Christmas.
Love,
President Ames

If you have any questions mom or dad or fam let me know through email
and I will help you to understand what it is saying!
So on to my week! This week was so speedy fast and I had so many
amazing experiences and stories that I feel help me to grow a love not
only of the members but of my father in heaven! Here is my week in a
giant nutshell!
Week December 7-13 2015
Monday:
Wow it is still so crazy to me how fast Pdays go and how much you can
get done if you are really focused!! So my goal every pday is to email
back everyone who took time to email me through the week, and let me
tell you it is not easy. It is time consuming, but so worth every
second, because I love them all! So today we emailed in the morning
and Elder 'Otuafi was in deep emails when a dark completed man walked
up to him in a fem voice and asked his his name and if he could ask
him a few questions. So he said sure and the guys asked him all of the
gay questions and our views as a church. Elder handled it well and the
guy said thank you and walked off, but throughout the next hour he
kept coming back and telling him how handsome he was and asking about
his girlfriend. For me it was funny to see how nervous he was with
this guy that would not leave him alone and was being creepy, but it
was an experience I always can get him with! So today I went and got
another haircut, which feels like weekly, but it was so nice and I
love my hair! After the hair cut we went to the church with all the
zone and we actually played futsal and it was so much fun!! It is the
first time I have touched a soccer ball in 5 months and man I felt
like I touched it yesterday!! As we finished up pday we had the elders
drive us to the hospital to teach Jesus Vera and as we were driving we
realized that the car was on empty and that there was still about 4
miles to the next gas station, and man I can say that car was going by
faith and faith alone. It was an amazing time being able to pray for
us to make it and have it work! As we got to the hospital we found
Jesus looking so much better and not shaking as bad. He had all his
scans today and should have results by tomorrow. We taught him the
restoration in the point of view of Joseph Smith and he at the end
told us, "Elders, brothers, I know Joseph Smith is real, because just
like Jesus set it up for the old people Joseph set it up again for us
newer people!"
That there made me smile and we also downloaded the gospel library app
on his phone and he told us he would not be sleeping tonight! He
wanted to learn as much as he can while he is cooped up. I love that
man! So on our way home we took the bus and as we got off the bus
elder 'Otuafi looked at me and said with wide eyes, "where is my
iPad?" Come to find out he left it on the bus stop bench and we got a
ride by the  zone leaders to go get it!! Pine was very lucky it wasn't
stolen! It was an amazing day to talk with my family by email and I
love them all so much and miss them a lot this Christmas Season, but
know that as I go through this season relying on my Heavenly Father
and Jesus Christ, my testimony and relationship will grow in them!!

Tuesday:
Today I was afraid was going to be a really long day, because we had
over 4 hours before dinner and 3 hours after. However, to start off
the day we had the Bond's over to inspect our house and I swear that
he is one day going to be a mission president! He is so solid in the
gospel! So after they showed us some cool scriptures and stuff they
headed out and I found 2 packages with my name on them!! We opened
them and found awesome stuff inside!! My parents and family are the
best and really know how to make me and my companion feel at home! So
after we opened the packages we went out to work. We worked so hard
that we were able to have 2 other lessons, both with contacts, and the
amazing thing was is that I lead out the day and lead the lessons! I
can practically understand everything that is being said and I really
love it! I never thought Spanish would be so enjoyable! I would say
the first 6 months of learning it were very hard. All I can say is
that it was almost a stress put on my shoulders to try and speak it
all the time, but know it is like a switch. It goes on and off
amazingly and the weirdest thing is that I can not say fast sentences
to my companion Without stuttering, but when I talk to investigators I
can say things perfectly! I know that it is because of the power of
God and I love it so much!! So we had a brilliant idea to go to a
Mexican super market to find people and we asked the main manager if
we could talk to the costumes if we don't disturb them and they gave
us permission. So we talked to a few and gave some cards out, but as
we were leaving the lady we talked to stopped us and asked win really
humble voice, "can I have one of those cards of Jesus and is there a
day I can learn more!?" So we, excited and happy said, "yes here the
card is and when would you like us to talk to you?" So we talked for a
bit and then left so she could get back to work and it was so great!
The work is really changing in this area!! To end, we received the
best news from an investigator! Jesus called us crying and said that
he got news that he will be having full coverage insurance for the
rest of his life to cover what the hospital calls a disease, because
his injuries will be there more or less for life. He was so happy and
it is a blessing for him to have that help and he now feels that God
truly is watching over him!! Really today we walked so much and talked
so much that I just want to drop!
(2.)(3.)(4.)

Wednesday:
Today for me was a little bit slower day that seemed to drag on for
along time, but the more I think about it I know that it was slow for
a reason. I believe the lord wanted me to learn something and I am
glad that the day went the way it did! So today we went to the church
to practice a Christmas Program that a member from our ward is helping
us to put on. We have a Christmas party this Friday and we are putting
on an act of the Saviors life. So we practiced for a good 2 hours and
then Hno. Torres gave his testimony thanking us for what we do. It was
very nice and I truly love him.
So after our practice, Hno. Torres took us home and we had the
opportunity to study the for 3 hours! As we got going for the day we
walked about 30 minutes to a Mexican  supermarket to find out that we
hit perfect dead hour where all the people are picking up their kids
or working. There was no one in the store, so we contacted around for
a bit realizing that only English speakers lived in the area! As we
realized that we decided to go across town and contact some people
nearby the TWU campus and as we passed the house of our investigator
Jesus' house we got a text saying he was home and right as we walked
up we saw his medical supply truck come where they were delivering his
new bed and everything! It was a perfect opportunity to serve him! As
we were in there he signed a no resuscitate order and ask that we
signed it as witnesses. It was a little hard for me to do as I thought
about it, because I don't ever want to loose him, but I did it,
because he wanted me to! After a little while of people coming in and
out of his small room we decided we were just in the way, So we headed
back for dinner eating at the Texas Women's University Chick Fillet.
We caught a bus nearby to go to the church where we had an amazing
lesson with and investigator, Angela. She keeps telling us she wants
to be baptized, but just not yet. She has investigated the church for
over 2 years now and we are ready for her to make her decision. So we
planted our flag, or goal for her and she has a really good plan to
help herself to find the answers she needs. We are excited for her and
know she will receive her answers! So we had a little spare time so we
planned at the church while YM AND YW was going on. As we were
planning we were attacked by two little kids who we took some pictures
with after that tackled us to the ground! After a little planning and
being tackled we got an amazing brother in our ward to take us home!
It was a great day!


Thursday: HAPPY 6 MONTH MARK!!
Wow today was such a good day!! We started off the day busing over to
the church and having a Zone Council where we set our goals for the up
coming months and learned what we can do to become the best
missionaries possible! I believe I learned a life principle that I
want to share and have you all try. Every week take time and
prayerfully ask yourself what 2 things you can do to improve your
spiritual body, and then after you ask yourself that, ask yourself if
there is anything else you can do, and if there is fix your 2 points
to put in perspective what you can do! I also learned the importance
of following up with the members and investigators. It caught my
attention that we have been taught thousands of times the Importance
of the iPads and phones to communicate with everyone, and I believe
the main reason is to follow up in every aspect we possibly can. As I
was sitting there getting to know my new zone a sister asked my if I
knew an Elder Booher who served in Hurricane, and I said, "um of
course I do!" Come to find out it was her brother who was Elder
Booher!! So know after knowing him I have the opportunity to serve
with his sister!! It was cool!
So this evening we had a special privilege to go on an exchange with
Hno. Pumphrey who is a white man in our ward and come to find out he
comes to our ward, because his wife wants to learn Spanish because he
knows it from his mission in California and loves the Spanish wards!
So we went and visited another white member in our ward who recently
got baptized and his wife left him and their little baby boy. We
focused on the story of Job and how he stayed faithful and it was an
amazing lesson! Awesome thing about that lesson is that I can say I
taught a lesson in the Dallas Mission boundaries, because we were
outside of our mission. It was a weird thought thinking that we were
out of our mission, but that it only took us 5 minutes to drive to
Denton again. Then we went and visited with Crystal, a recent convert
that Elder Lickiss, my last companion baptized. She was really solid
and was so sweet! The reason we went was to invite her to come back to
church every Sunday and it was well worth our time!! All in all I
learned a lot from Hno. Pumphrey and learned that missions are meant
to be enjoyed, not endured!
(6.)(7.)
Friday:
Wow today the last few day and the next 2 day to co,e are just really
hectic and party days for us as missionaries! Yesterday was my 6 month
mark, today was our Christmas party, tomorrow we have our coordination
meeting and a dinner with converts and then Sunday we have an amazing
musical at the church in the evening!
So today we had the opportunity to give service all morning by helping
set up chairs and tables and even decorate till the mid afternoon.
Then as we got home we had enough time to call about 30 different
random contacts on our cell phone and invite them to the activity we
had. It was really fun and then we headed to the activity. As we
walked in I saw a cello on the far side of the gym, and of course I
went and played it! I wish I would have gotten a picture, I will get
another chance and will take on then! However, us as missionaries took
part in the program and acted out parts of the savior life and it was
really an amazing experience! Elder Otuafi and I also had the
opportunity to be part of the nativity and had such a great time. I
feel as a missionary that I am really able to focus more on the
spiritual side of Christmas rather than wrap myself in all the
Christmas bows and paper. My challenge for all of you is to truly find
the meaning of CHRISTmas this holiday season and to watch the birth of
our savior. As you do I promise you will find or think of something
you can do to change someone's life this holiday season. CHRIST is the
gift and always will be the best gift I will ever receive in all of my
life.
(8.)(9.)(10.)
Saturday:
Wow today was such a great day! We started off the morning with a
great missionary coordination meeting where I was able to really
understand my role as a missionary and I hope I have the chance to go
into the meeting in the morning with the ward council to get more
involved! So after our meeting we went to the library and had a great
weekly planning. We did it in perfect time and were able to really
have a good companionship inventory. I am definitely not ready for
marriage, but I can say that I am excited to have a comp inventory
with my wife and not a missionary!;) So for my 6 month mark we went
and ate on top of a restaurant calls LSA Burgers. It was very pretty
and we found a funny picture of Jesus and how the world twists views
to make everything seem okay to do. And as we returned home I found my
Package of my Christmas starter package!! I got all my Christmas trees
and lots of decorations!! I have the greatest family in all the world!
We had a great opportunity to contact more people today in an
apartment complex close to our church, and we really number wise
didn't have a lot of success, however, we found a family that let us
in and even let us stay and teach them a little more than we had
planned. They just arrived from Honduras 3 months ago and don't know a
lot of English and so we told them we would come and teach them. They
excepted and they said they will be to the Christmas concert tomorrow
night at the church. They seemed very interested and we are hoping and
praying that they are interested. They were golden and love the
savior! So this evening we had the opportunity to go on an exchange
with Hno. Islas to teach and active family about the plan of salvation
and how the temple applies into that. They haven't been to the temple
to be sealed yet, but we taught them a great lesson and it was so
spiritual. I am so grateful members who have more experience than us
who can truly bare strong testimony that the church has changed their
whole life. It was a great day and I only expect them to stay the same
or be better!
(11.)
Sunday:
"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
This is a quote I have just really come to love, and every time I read
it I find a new way to look at it. So today I had the opportunity to
practice in the ward choir that is really small and not amazingly well
like the one back home, but man did it bring back really good
memories! We practiced 2 songs and man did I want to conduct for the
older man that was up there struggling. However, we develop our
talents by doing. So today at church we had some great talks on the
Christmas season and also had a talk of a departing missionary to
California this Wednesday named Sam Stasser. It was a great sacrament
meeting and we even got a less active back to church!! During our
lessons I learned a lot of things, and the one that sticks with me the
most is how when Jesus our Savior comes again he will come not as a
baby where only few new he was born, but in all his glory and Angels
about him to proclaim that he is the savior of the world! I look
forward to that day where I can be with my savior, but man do I still
have a lot of things to fix to make sure I am truly ready for his
coming! So after church we went to dinner at a recent converts house
named Moises. His mom made us his home made Venison soup with rice,
tortillas and even a bean that was more mashed like a potato. Is was
so good and I learned a lot of cool things about of course the Texas
Hunting season and how it works! Funny story about that meal! As I was
eating I began sweating so bad and they were all asking me if the food
was to spicy or if I needed a tortilla to cool me down, but the weird
thing was is I didn't feel it was hot, I was just sweating so they
made fun of me saying I am still to gringo, but one day I would be a
Hispanic! So this evening we had the privilege to go to the concert
called "an evening of Christmas Joys." It was so pretty and I was very
impressed with the organist and beautiful horns and trumpets! I
received the best compliment by a Hispanic that onLy speaks Spanish.
She said, "wow you are amazing at your Spanish for only having 6
months learning it." I felt in heaven and I was finally filled with
that missing Christmas spirit that my family helps me get. But now I
am excited for Christmas, but at the same time realize it will be so
different. I would say more centered on Christ, the true meaning!
It was such a beautiful day full of Christmas Cheer!!
Can you imagine if every day was Christmas, but focused on the true meaning!?