Week 82. La Estancia, Mexico.

Week 82: Many blessings!

Well first week with Elder Walgren was filled with alot of work and blessings. First off, Elder Walgren is from Mccall Idaho. Aint that crazy?? Puro Poder!! It has been nice to talk about Idaho a bit this past week. He has around 10 months in the mission and is awesome. He has alot of energy to work and we have set some really high goals to accomplish this transfer.

This past week we were able to obtain the permission of Marcos mother to be baptized. What a miracle! It was a very long process however with alot of prayers, God was able to soften the heart of Marcos mother to really understand the importance of baptism. However the key to receiving it honestly wasnt us, it was Marco! Marco shared his testimony with his mother and even shared many scriptures with her. These are the things that impacted his mother and changed her point of view. As we showed up to his house to get the signature, we had a brief meeting with his mother, Marco shared his testimony about the Plan of Salvation. It was incredible to hear and see how this 13 year old young man had been converted unto the gospel! It was a testimony builder for me that the gospel is for all ages. Someone who is 13 can receive peace and joy from the gospel just as someone who is 85 can. Marcos baptism will be held this Thursday and I am super excited! He has truly been converted unto the gospel and even has desires to serve a mission. The best part is that his sisters are now very interested and are going to come with us to church this Sunday.

This past week we were able to have a great experience. We found a family and the mother of this family commented to us that she had been going to church when she was 16 with the missionaries. However, her father wouldnt let her be baptize back then. She than later lost contact with the missionaries but she commented to us that she really liked the church and would like to return. She has 4 kids and they are all willing to learn! We hope that they can turn out to have a true desire to progress and learn more. Wish us luck!! Anyways, I hope that you all have a great week. Always stay on the straight and narrow path, its the way to live a truly happy life. This Saturday Elder Bednar is going to come and visit our mission, I am very excited to hear his words!

Love, Elder Gibson

Week 81. La Estancia, Mexico.

Week 81: Transfers!

Well the day has come. Elder Hernandez and I finally had changes! Elder Hernandez is going to go and be zone leader in a different zone. I am going to be staying here in the area and will receive a new companion named Elder Walgreen. I am not sure where he is from but next week I will have more information! I am super bummed out that we had transfers but all changes are good! Elder Hernandez and I were together for about 6 months and it is going to be like saying goodbye to a brother! We have made memories that I will never forget. We have seen miracles happen together and the best part is Utah is close to Idaho! It will be awesome to see him after the mission. However, I am super excited to get a new companion to keep working here in the mission with the little time I have left!
I am so excited to keep working with all of the people here in this area! There is a lot of work to do this transfer and I am going to give it my all! Next week I will give more information on our investigators! Keep living the gospel and always hold tight unto the Iron Rod. Have a wonderful week! Some pictures of some service in the sun! Elder Hernandez and I when he hit a year and with Elder Gillen, Hernandez, and Miniel! Have a great week!
Love, Elder Gibson

a little extra note...

A lady in Jared's Mission sent us a sweet message during the week about how great of a missionary he is. She also attached a few pictures from a service activity they had and some others when they were in their home. It was so fun to hear from a complete stranger that he has made such an impact on her's and her families lives! And, it is always good to see him!

Week 80. La Estancia, Mexico.

Week 80: A Week of Good Work

This past week Elder Hernandez and I had divisions in the area of the assistants. Their area is in a colony called independencia. This colony is well known here in Monterrey because it is just like the favelas in Brasil. Also it is the largest colony in Monterrey. It is also well known for its poverty. It was very interesting to work in such a different atmosphere. It hurt my heart to see so many problems and so much iniquity among them. It seemed as if everyone we talked to did not have any beliefs in God due thier situations. I reflected about how people can be born into this world with such hard circumstances. How people are brought into this world with a very slim chance of making it out of your teenage years without serious problems. This was on my mind and honestly bugged me for about three days until studying one morning, revelation came into my mind. This thought was that no matter what, Gods plan for us is perfect. That God knows our circumstances. That God is really so perfect, he has made a spirit world to bring forth his gospel unto every single one of his children. I gained a firm testimony that everyone will have their oppurtunities in this life or the next to enter into Gods presence. With this I fell extremely blessed to have been born in this wonderful gospel. After this experience, I felt a great desire to get out and share this restored message with everyone! I hope that each and every one of you are grateful for the blessings you guys have! With so many blessing, we have to be the ones to reach out to our friend or neighbor in need. I am thankful for all of these unforgettable experiences here in the mission.

Also to end the week, we were able to have 10 investigators at church with us. In the morning we did divisiones with 2 members from the ward to pass by for everyone! Many of our investigators showed up to church for the first time. It was truly a miracle! However it was kind of stressful! We had to run from the primary to the young mens to the relief society to make sure everyone was doing okay! 😂 Brandon, Marco, and Geraldo (New guy we found this week from Texas, speaks perfect English!) all had a white shirt and tie on. It was so great to see them all dressed up keeping the Sabbath Day holy. Marco wasnt able to be baptized this past week due to lack of permission from his mother. Please pray that his mom will let him be baptized soon! Your prayers really do help!

To end, Today we went to a place called Chipinque. It is a huge mountain that we as a district climbed up today! It was so nice to get out in the wilderness. Love this place! Anyways, I hope that you all have a wonderful week. Take care, God bless you all! Also Elder Hernandez completed a year this past week!

Love, Elder Gibson

Week 79. La Estancia, Mexico.

Week 79: 18 Months Completed!

This week has been filled with ups and downs. I will start with the down moments to finish on a positive note. We had a lesson with Brandon on Friday and we taught him the Word of Wisdom. During the lesson he commented to us that he is struggling with keeping this commandment. Hearing that hurt Elder Hernandez and I because he has been progressing so well! We encouraged him that repentance is real and that he can overcome his addiction. However he seemed very sad after we had explained this commandment. He pretty much zoned out mid way through the lesson and I than asked him how he felt. He told me that he felt sad and dissapointed in himself. Deep down I was happy because I could see that he was going through the first faze of the repentance process. We hope that he will be able to use the atonement in his lfie to help him overcome his addictions. Also, Pablo had to get surgery on his knee! This made it so he couldnt come to church with us yesterday, however he promised us that next week he would be good to go! Rocio was also sick all week and wasnt able to come to chruch, but we passed by her house last night and gave her a blessing. She texted us this morning saying that she feels alot better! Love the power of the Priesthood.

Now lets move on to the good news. Marco is ready to be baptized! The only thing we are waiting for is his mothers permission. He has told us that she has told him that she is all for it! His baptism date is for this Saurday. Please pray that we can complete this date for Marco! We also had lidership council this past week and it was great to talk about the mission goals and what we are going to do to complete the goals! To end off the week, we had the zone activity today. We played minute to win it games and ate little ceasers. To top it all off, we broke a piñata filled with candy! Its been a good week over all and hope that you all are enjoying your summer! Take care. By the way, I completed 18 months!!

Love, Elder Gibson