Week 86. La Estancia, Mexico.

Week 86. Rocio and Jaziel's Baptism

What a week! Elder Walgren and I were able to witness a miracle this past week. Let me explain, so my very first day here in this area Elder Hernandez and I contacted a woman named Rocio. Elder Hernandez and I started teaching her and it was very obvious that in her youth she was never taught the commandments of God. We came to know that she was struggling with a lot of addictions, however she didn't know that what she was doing wasn't necessarily bad in the eyes of God. We started to teach her the lessons and each lesson we taught the spirit was very strong testifying of each truths of the gospel that we taught her. She decided to come to church for the first time about 6 weeks ago. Her very first time she got up to introduce herself in front of the relief society and said, "I am hungry to learn and to see if this church is true." We than started to teach the commandments and invited her to make the needed changes in her life to be happier. We taught all the commandments that are necessary for baptism about 4 weeks ago. This past Wednesday we had a lesson with Rocio to check how she has been doing with keeping the commandments. I was honestly expecting her to tell us that she had still been struggling to keep them and that it was going to take a while until she could be baptized. However after we passed over all the commandments on Wednesday we understood that she was keeping all of the commandments that we had taught her. I was shocked that she was able to drop all of her bad habits so quick! We than asked her what would be something that is holding her back from being baptized. She responded and said, "well what do I need before I can get baptized?" We than did a practice baptism interview and she passed with flying colors! She was ready and had a strong testimony about the church. We than explained to her and her son that they were ready to be baptized and take this big step in their life. They agreed that it was time. However, Rocio told us that she was going to have surgery on Saturday and that she was going to be in bed recovering for about 3 weeks. Elder Walgren and I than invited them to be baptized on Friday, one day before her surgery. They accepted and right after that we called up our district leader to come and do the interview. He came over and did it and than we called President for special permission to do the confirmation of the Holy Ghost right after the baptism service. We got permission from our Mission President and than we starting calling the whole ward saying that we were going to be having a baptism on Friday! Friday rolled around and we had zone conference and had to give a training session to the zone about the Book of Mormon. After the zone conference we had to run on over to the church to fill up the baptismal font and get everything ready. Rocio, Jaziel, and the members got there at 7 and we started the baptism service. The baptism turned out wonderful. The spirit was present and it was an unforgettable moment. I sat in the bathroom after the ordinance just thinking of how God can help people change their evil traditions. It reminded me a lot about the scriptures found in Helaman 15:7-9. I was amazed about how Rocio was able to change so quick. Talking to her at the end of the service I felt like I was talking to a different person than when I first met her. I now understand what it means when Jesus told us that we must be born of water and of the spirit. I testify that if we look at people not for who they are but who they can become we can be instruments in Gods hands to do miracles in the lifes of others. Oh and to end, Marco gave a talk in church yesterday! I love this work. Have a great week.

Love, Elder Gibson

Week 85. La Estancia, Mexico.

Week 85: Independence day!

Viva México!! This past week here in Mexico we celebrated their independence day. Friday night we had a huge fiesta with the stake. There was all kind of Mexican food, dances, even a mariachi band there (if you dont know what that is, look it up!). Also a few of our investigators were able to show up to the activity which was awesome! Im sure there were about 350 people there. Of course we ended the night off with fireworks!
On Saturday, we were able to go to the temple with Marco! Elder Walgren and I got permission to go and do baptisms with Marco for his first time. Marco explained to us that he really enjoyed the temple and could feel the spirit very strongly, the temple really is a huge blessing! Every week the time just goes by faster and faster, I am just trying to absorb all the spiritual and special experiences of the mission while I can! I love you all and have a great week. Sorry for the short letter but nothing too crazy happened this week, just pure work!

Love, Elder Gibson

Week 84. La Estancia, Mexico.

Week 84: Pazole!

This past week we were super busy! We honestly didnt even really have alot of time to work in our area this past week. However alot of great work was done. We started the week off with having exchanges with the assistants to president. I was with Elder Peirce and it was awesome! A quick story. We were ending the day walking back to the house and we were super hungry. We didnt have any money with us so we were unable to go and buy food. As we were walking through a super nice colony, an older lady screamed at us saying, "You guys want pazole?" Pazole is a super good dish that they make here in Mexico. Since we were starving, we gladly accepted! We entered in and it was just staright old people celebrating the indepence of Mexico. Just a little awkward!!😂 However, we sat down at the table with them and talked about who we are and what we do, oh and we enjoyed our pazole😂. After we got full we thanked them for their kindness and we were off! Man, Elder Pierce and I had a good laugh at that one (Check the attatched pictures). I did learn that God really does answer prayers. 😂
Okay now for the more spiritual side of the week. Marco got the Aaronic Priestood and his recommendation to the temple! Elder Walgren and I are going to go to the temple this Saturday with him to do baptisms. He is doing great! This week we also found a wonderful new family to teach. It is a mother and her 3 daughters and all of them have alot of potential to progress! Elder Walgren and I were super happy to see that even though we had little time in our area, we were able to find alot of great people. To top the week off, Elder Gillen and Miniel had a baptism. It was Elder Miniels first baptism in the mission so we went over to support them. It was a very special moment for thier convert Guadalupe and for Elder Miniel. I love seeing the fruits of this wonderful work. It was a great week and it has been raining like crazy! Have a great week.

Love, Elder Gibson

P.S Good luck finding me in the picture with Elder Bednar

Week 83. La Estancia, Mexico.

Week 83: Marco's Baptism

Well this week was fantastic! We had Marcos baptism and it was a great experience. I had the oppurtunity and blessing to baptize Marco. We did it to start off the mutual so that all the youth could be there to support him. The best part is that Marcos family came to his baptism!! In fact, they felt the spirit at the baptismal service so they decided to come to church yesterday for the first time! All 6 members of his family came, it was truly amazing. With it being the first Sunday of the month, it was the testimony meeting at church and Marco went up and bore his testimony! Elder Walgren and I were completely shocked. He testified of his conversion story and talked about his desires to serve a full time mission. He also wants to turn 14 so he can go to early morning seminary... What a devoted young man!😂 Honestly I give thanks to God for giving me these unforgettable experiences here in the mission. Only about 6 weeks ago I sent a email saying that we found a great kid named Marco who had desires to learn more about the gospel. Now, he has been converted and confirmed a member of the church. He has now recieved the first saving ordinace of the gospel. He is now on his way to a newly inspired way of life. What a blessing it is to take part in this marvolous work.

We also had our meeting with Elder Bednar on Saturday. It was a wonderful experience to have the presence of one of the chosen apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. He taught us how learing by the spirit is the most important thing. We took the 3 hours of the meeting just asking him questions. However, he didnt ever give us a direct answer. He would always respond to us with a different question based off the question we had just asked him. Through this way of teaching, we were able to think and elaborate for ourselves and recieve personal impressions to be taught by the Spirit. He taught us that as sons and daughters of God, we each have the ability to obtain an answer of our own questions by the power of the Holy Ghost. I now know that the scripture is true that says, "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." We are not objects, we are our personal agents, Act like a agent, not an object!

To end, we found two teenagers named Rocio and Brandon this past week knocking doors. They are brother and sister and they are awesome! They came to church yesterday and really enjoyed it. They have alot of potential to progress very quickly! I am thankful for all the blessings that happen this past week. I hope you all had a wonderful week as well. If not, its a new week! Take care!

Love, Elder Gibson

P.S A picture of the cockroach killing spree en la noche.