Touch Of The Master's Hand

¡Hola!

First of all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! It was a great week being able to celebrate Christmas with investigators and members even though I got sick on the 24th!

Francisco didn't pass his interview because it turns out that he's not married and may have drank coffee. Emanuel passed, but the mom probably won't let him get baptized unless Francisco does too. We just have to keep working with them and involve the family so they can get married. It was a little frustrating, but we just need to have patience.

It seems like everything is going wrong for Leonardo Guatemala. He still has economic problems and on Saturday he and his family got news that one of his cousins is sick and close to death. The thing I admire about him though is that amidst the trials and afflictions he's having, he maintains his faith. He really trusts us and knows that we're his friends and we love him. His wife is willing to listen to us now and both of them desire to learn and live the Gospel. He knows the Book of Mormon is true and asked us what scripture he could read concerning his cousin. In order to comfort him we told him to read 3 Nephi 17 about when Christ healed the righteous that were spared after His resurrection.

On Saturday we had a training meeting for our zone with the Assistants. They taught and showed us how we can better our teaching and the new way is way better than the way everyone used to teach.

The most spiritual experience of this week was when we were able to visit Katherin and her family where they live in Nueva Granada with our Branch President, President Osman. We watched the video the Touch of the Master's Hand which shows how the Atonement applied to our lives can change us, clean us, and allow us to reach our divine potential. I love that video because none of us are perfect, but with the touch of the Master's hand He allows us to become more than we could without Him. I testify that that is true because I've seen it in my own life and in the lives of others. As we are touched by the love of the Savior and His Atonement our hearts change!

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

On Christmas Eve an investigator made us pizza 

¡Feliz Navidad!

Dear brothers and sisters,

We want to send you warm Christmas greetings together with your children. We feel very thankful for their dedication to this beautiful work, where the atonement of Jesus Christ has made great changes and miracles in the lives of the investigators, converts, and less actives. Thank you, thank you all for the support! Thank you for sending the best part of your lives here to our mission, San Salvador East!!! We hope you have a Merry Christmas and an amazing New Year!

Sincerely,

President and Sister Vasquez  

Can't Wait To Skype On Christmas!

¡Hola!

This week went by so fast! On Friday we had an activity as half the mission to celebrate Christmas with Presidente and Hermana Vasquez. It was cool being able to see everyone I know and each zone did a presentation relating to Christmas. Our zone did one about the Nativity. I had someone take a video of it, but it's too big to send in an email. On Saturday we had our branch's Christmas Dinner and we also did an act, but nobody took a video.

We hope that this Saturday Francisco and his son will be baptized and maybe José Araniva too. Leonardo Guatemala is having some economic and emotional problems and we talked to him and comforted him. He wants to get married and have his family live the Gospel, but he wants their support. We're going to see if we can teach the entire family next time we go. Can't wait to Skype on Christmas!

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

  Elder White, Elder Aldridge, and me at the Christmas Actvity we had as half the mission

 

 me and my zone

Instruments In HIS Hands!

¡Hola!

We had changes last week, but I'm still here with Elder Chamorro in Chinameca, yeah! Elder Aldridge is in my zone now! He's in Berlin so I don't get to see him that much, but it's still cool. 

Anyway, we're still working to help Francisco Ulloa and his son Emanuel be baptized. Emanuel really wants to, but Francisco is still a little nervous even though we know he's ready. He also got sick with the Chikungunya virus, but we gave him a blessing, so we hope he gets better quickly.

Leonardo Guatemala came to church for the first time yesterday and he really has a true desire to learn and live the Gospel. So far he's been keeping all of his commitments of reading the Book of Mormon, praying, and coming to church. He has so many great questions and is really prepared. The greatest part is that when he says he'll do something he does it.

One of our investigators José Araniva brought his mom and his sister to church yesterday and they want to know for themselves that the Gospel is true and has been restored. At first his mom didn't want to accept that the church "came from the U.S." and that Joseph Smith was from there because her husband had abandoned her and their kids in search of the American dream and got married there. She was mad, but then she said she'll read, pray, and go to church to be able to know for herself the truth.

I know that as we continue in faith, diligence, and patience the Lord will bless us and allow us to be instruments in His hands!

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

 Guess what?! Elder Aldridge is in my zone!

The Lord Is Helping Us Accomplish HIS Will!

¡Hola!

This week we had an activity at the temple for invetigators and it was excellent and gave results! One invetigator Leonardo Guatemala told us yesterday that what he saw in the temple was extraordinary! He wants him and his family to learn and be baptized and one day enter the temple to be sealed and become an eternal family! 

When I was with Elder White we taught the Elders' Quorum President's family and they were receptive, but he had to go to the U.S. for an emergency and  we couldn't visit them. He came back yesterday and took his family to the Christmas Devotional! 

We are still working with Francisco Ulloa and his son Emanuel so that they can fulfill their goal to be baptized this Saturday.

I know that the Lord is blessing us with those who are ready and we can accomplish what He wants us to!

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

Elder Chamorro, Emanuel Ulloa, Elder San Diego and Francisco Ulloa at the temple activity

Joseph Smith: The Prophet Of The Restoration

¡Hola!

This week was pretty good. On Wednesday we went and helped a family make tortillas and on Saturday we helped another family thresh corn. We're working on constantly getting new investigators and helping them progress. Two of them that are getting close to baptism are Francisco and Emanuel Ulloa (father and son). They've already come to church three times, stopped drinking coffee, Francisco and his wife are married, and they're really excited to be baptized! 

This week we're going to have an activity on the temple grounds for non-members to come and learn about the temple and gain the desire to listen to us and prepare themselves to one day enter and receive all the ordinances of salvation and exaltation for themselves and their ancestors. We also had an activity in the branch and we watched Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration. There weren't as many people as we thought would come, but a few came. The problem was that a lot of them probably thought:"Well, I came to the activity, so I don't have to go to church!" We hope that a lot of people come to the temple this Saturday though.

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

Francisco Córdova's Baptism

¡Hola!

So, we had another baptism!!! 

Francisco Córdova's Conversion Story:

Francisco Córdova was a street contact who the missionaries had been visiting for some months. He had a lot of questions and doubts at first, but through the Gospel he was able to repent of his sins, overcome his weaknesses, receive answers to his questions, and feel the cleansing and sanctifying power of the Atonement by being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost. This next Sunday he's going to receive the Aaronic Preisthood and then he'll be able to help us convert his family and friends and help the investigators we already have to continue progressing and be baptized and confirmed!

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

Francisco Córdova's Baptism

Katherin's Baptism

¡Hola!

This. Week. Was. AWESOME!

We finally baptized Katherin! 

Katherin's conversion story:

Katherin came to church one Sunday with her sister Zulema. Zulema asked us to give Katherin study (the lessons) and we did. She was really prepared and was a golden investigator! She had some doubts at first, but by teaching her and with the help of her sister she learned and understood super fast and cultivated the desire to follow the example that Jesus Christ and her sister have given and be baptized. She was baptized with Chikunguya! She has strong faith and testimony and wants to serve a mission in the future! Katherin and Sulema understand missionary work. They want their parents to enjoy the blessings of the Gospel and we started to teach their mom the day Katherin was confirmed!

This Saturday we're going to have the baptism of Francisco Córdova!

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

Katherin Coreas and her sister Zulema

 Elder San Diego and Katherin

 Me, Katherin, and Elder Chamorro

 Hermana Felícita and Katherin

Elder San Diego, Elder Llamacponnca, Hermana Felícita, 

Katherin, Elder Chamorro, and Elder Villalobos

The Lord Is Shaping And Molding Me Into Who HE Wants Me To Be!

¡Hola!

This week has been awesome! We're working hard and things are really starting to pick up here! We've been able to find more of the Lord's chosen, those who are more prepared to receive and obey the Gospel, and they've shown that by coming to church this week! Some of them have already accepted baptismal dates! The best part is that most of them are family of members! Two of our investigators, Francisco Córdova and Katerine Coreas, are finally ready for their baptism which will be November 22! The Lord is really blessing us for our efforts and will continue to do so as we work hard and trust in Him and His Spirit!

This week I was able to watch that movie Ephraim's Rescue again along with the movie On the Lord's Errand about the life of Thomas S. Monson and it helped me think about the kind of man and servant of God I want to be. I know that as I live the Gospel the Lord will make me into what He wants me to be. I've already been able to see that here in the mission He's shaping and molding me little by little into who He wants me to be!

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

 a huge live tarantula

Receiving Revelation From The Lord!

¡Hola!

Well, Elder White had changes and now he's in Berlin! At least he's still in my zone though! My new companion is Elder Chamorro. He was in my district when I was in Santiago de María and he was in Berlin. He was born in Costa Rica and he came from Nicaragua, so he's a citizen of both countries.

We're working hard and in just this week we've been together we've seen a lot of growth in our area! a lot more people are accepting to listen to us, accept a baptismal date, and keep their commitments! As we seek His guidance and listen to the Spirit He will help us discern the needs of our investigators and know what to do as we study and plan for them!

Our zone leaders asked us to write a vision with goals and plans of what we want to accomplish for this change. At first, I didn't know what I should put, but as I started, I really received revelation from the Lord of what I can do and accomplish this change and in the future and I know that as I always do my 100% best that the Lord will bless me and guide me in all things by His Holy Spirit as I strive to live worthy of it!

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

a pink dragonfly

Laden With Sheaves Upon Our Backs!

¡Hola!

This week has been a little tough. Last week we were finally able to contact all the references we had gotten from talking to people in the street, but it didn't yield too great results. This week we've been struggling to get references from talking to people in the street and the majority of them didn't accept to receive us in their home. 

The baptismal dates we had fell for different reasons, Francisco Córdova still doesn't have a testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Restoration, Katerine doesn't live in Chinameca, but she didn't come to church so we couldn't teach her, and we aren't sure about René Nolasco because he hasn't been to church in a while and on top of that he should have been baptized five times ago. 

Despite all that, the Lord has blessed us with two new investigators, Armando and Estela Hernandez. Both of them have a date for Dec 6 and Armando came to church yesterday. He's golden! He wants to learn all the commandments and keep them and so far he's kept all the commitments we've given him! He's got problems with smoking and coffee, but I know and he knows that he can overcome it with the Lord's help. 

Even though things are a little tough right now, I know that as we work diligently and double our efforts with complete faith in the Lord, He will bless us so that we are laden with sheaves upon our backs!

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

 Bird migration which means it's summer now

The Power Of The Priesthood

¡Hola!

This week was pretty good. Elder White and I are still working to find those that are chosen and prepared and we're seeing progress little by little. We've been able to start working a little more with the members and as we do so everything will start hastening. Members are the key, without them, we're not going to achieve as much as we could be while working with them.

The earthquake was crazy! Elder White and I were just sitting at our desks and at around 10pm everything started to shake! We ran outside because the house is made of concrete like pretty much all the houses in this country. It was concerning because for a little while we lost service on our phone, probably because everyone was trying to use the lines at once, but after a while it came back. After, we just waited outside for half an hour just in case of an aftershock, but nothing happened so we went inside and went to bed. I heard it came from the Pacific and it might cause a tsunami, but I'm not completely sure.

We've been able to help our investigators progress more and at the same time root out the one's that just aren't progressing. Yesterday my testimony of the power of the priesthood increased. we were able to give our investigator Katerine a blessing because she had a fever. She said that she could feel the power and after her body hurt a little bit and then the fever was gone. I'm grateful for the calling to serve and minister among my brothers and sisters and it reminds me of a scripture James 5:14-15:

14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Like President Glazier always said: "¡Adelante! (Forward!)."

¡Levántate! ¡podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

 P-day in Berlin

lookout in Berlin

Response From President and Sister Vasquez to the Earthquake Off The Coast of El Salvador

Todos los misioneros de la misión El Salvador San Salvador Este, incluyendo su hijo o hija, están bien. (Doctrina y Convenios 84:88)

Con amor,

Presidente y Hermana Vasquez


All of the missionaries in the El Salvador San Salvador East Mission, including your son or daughter, are ok. (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88)

88 And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.

With love,

President and Sister Vasquez

 Lizard

Repent And Strive To Be More Like Our Savior Jesus Christ!

¡Hola!

Elder White and I are still working hard to talk with everyone so the Lord can guide us by His Spirit to those that are chosen and prepared to receive the Restored Gospel. Yesterday we had interviews with Presidente Vasquez and we talked a lot about how we can think big and come up with new ideas and ways to receive references. Last week I had this sickness called the Chincunguya. Luckily I didn't have it too bad, but it still was annoying. I had a fever, headache, I felt drained of strength and energy, and my spine/back hurt because it gives you pain in your bones. I asked Elder White for a blessing and a few days later I was at 100% again. The symptoms weren't as strong as more serious versions. Presidente Vasquez told me that it's a blessing and not a curse because it could lead us to new investigators. He suggested that we find members who have it and go to give them a blessing according to their faith and then ask who else of their neighbors, friends, or family has it so we can go do the same and may be receive references that way. We as a mission are following the counsel of the Area Presidency that if we want different results, we need to do things differently. I know that as I rely on the Lord to grant me revelation and inspiration to direct my area that He'll do so as He sees my faith by my works.

We have three investigators progressing toward baptism and confirmation: Francisco Córdova, René Nolasco, and Caterine Coreas. Each of them is super prepared and we're working with them to build their faith and testimony of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of the Gospel by the prophet Joseph Smith and repent of their sins. We're expecting to baptize all three of them in the next three weeks! I know that prayer really works and that God answers us according to our faith; Caterine didn't think her dad was going to give her permission to be baptized and we prayed so his heart could be softened and he gave her permission!

Yesterday was Fast Sunday and I could feel that Spirit as members went up to bear their testimonies. I was thinking a lot about how important the Sacrament is for us and how we should always treat it as the sacred ordinance that it is. A time to meditate, reflect, and ponder about the past week. Think about the Atonement and the infinite blessings it brings into our lives. Repent and strive to be more like our Savior Jesus Christ and live more exactly the covenants we've made. I'm grateful for the privilege I have to partake of the Sacrament each week and I know that as we do so faithfully all our life, we'll receive Eternal Life!

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

When we had splits it rained and at night we were walking and I slipped over 

a slippery part in the street! I didn't get hurt, but it all happened in less than

 a second and I was on the ground!

General Conference En Español

¡Hola!

This week was great. We're really applying the principle of talking with everyone and we've been able to see the fruits of our labors. Also we've gotten more new investigators. We've got a few investigators who are progressing towards baptism and beyond and we hope to have even more as we continue finding and helping people to repent of their sins.

Conference was really great. It was a lot different because we didn't have a way to watch it in English, but I could still understand. Everything was pretty much focused on being more like and following the example of Jesus Christ while also increasing our faith and testimony. I think it was President Monson who also said that we can't practice self-justification for our sins..."For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance." In all, it made me want to be even better and continue striving to become as perfect as I can in this life so that after I can be perfect even as my Father which is in heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ are perfect.

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

 pupusas grandes de queso con ajo y jalapeño (ajo=garlic)

The Church Is Advancing Like A Train!

¡Hola!

This week was a little disappointing because we had to postpone Francisco's baptism, but I know that with some time he'll be ready.

Also, we had the opportunity to attend the temple! It was a great experience to be able to meditate about the covenants I've made and how I can improve and be more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I testify that the temple is the House of the Lord and that if we attend frequently we will receive strength and protection from on high, answers to our questions, and solutions to our problems. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know and love each one of us perfectly and individually and always desire to help us if we come unto and obey Them with a willing heart and mind.

Yesterday we had a meeting in the stake center and one of the Area Seventies Elder Duarte came and spoke alongside President Vasquez. It was about missionary work and the responsibility of the members. I really hope it helps to change things and that the members will participate more actively in this great work! It also helped me and Elder White to think about how we can improve. We've been focusing on talking with as many people as we can and declaring our power and authority to teach and baptize as President Vasquez taught us. Elder Duarte shared a story of a missionary that impressed him who had a goal of receiving 1000 references in his last week in the mission. He got 1020! It really impressed me too and made me think about how I can improve to have more that love and urgency for this work.

I know the end is drawing near and we need to work harder now than we ever have before, members and missionaries in all the world, to save the lost sheep and bring them into the fold of the Good Shepard, Jesus Christ. He has called ME and YOU to participate in The Work of Salvation in this critical time to help all who are willing, to come unto Christ and be saved through the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah. We are playing a literal role in The Gathering of Israel in preparation for The Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we do not participate in The Work of Salvation (Missionary Work AND Temple Work) our exaltation may be at stake. Each of us made solemn covenant when we were baptized to do so (Mosiah 18:8-11). Each of you who has been to the temple also knows what covenants you've made. If we work together, the Lord will pour out blessings and His Spirit abundantly upon us and work miracles through us! Like Elder Duarte said:"The Church is advancing like a train, we can stand and watch it go by, or we can run and jump on!"

"Do You Love Me? Then Feed Sheep!"

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/the-first-great-commandment?lang=eng

"Are You Sleeping Through The Restoration?"

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/are-you-sleeping-through-the-restoration?lang=eng

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

 Elder San Diego and Elder White

 Elder San Diego and Elder Llamacponcca

¡Bienvenidos a Chinameca!

¡Hola!

So, I got changed again! Now I'm in a town called Chinameca with a branch and my companion is Elder White from St. George, Utah. President Vasquez made a new zone called Jucuapa so that we don't have to travel as much and I'm in that zone. Santiago de María is also in the zone and pretty close so maybe one p-day I can go and visit the members and investigators over there!

Elder White's a really great companion. There were a lot of things that he and I want to change and we're working to get more investigators by talking with everyone and getting the members involved.

Elder White took me to visit an investigator who's had the missionaries for 8 years and he knows a ton! He's just a tiny bit crazy and hasn't ever wanted to accept a baptismal date. We resolved some doubts that he had and pretty much taught everything. At the end we invited him to read, pray about when should be his baptismal date, and come to church. We also invited him to be baptized the 25 of October, and he said that that's too far away, but that we'll keep talking and he'll keep praying. 

One of our investigators Francisco Córdova is hopefully going to be baptized this Friday! We just need to have the baptismal interview and keep daily contact to make sure he's stopped drinking coffee. We also got a new investigator yesterday who came to church with her sister who's a member. She really has the desire to learn and be baptized. Sure she's got her doubts, but all of that can be resolved. The Lord is blessing us and will continue to bless us as we do His will in all things!

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

 Elder San Diego and Elder White

 Elder San Diego and Elder Rodas

La Sirena de Alegría (The Mermaid of Alegría)

Leaving Behind A Legacy Of Hope

Hola!

This week has been great! We've been able to find, teach, and prepare more investigators to repent and be baptized. The Ramirez family is almost ready to be baptized on the 27! We just have to teach a few more lessons. Investigators always feel like they need more preparation, but I really feel like they're ready and they understand everything. We were able to share the talk from President Eyring about leaving behind a legacy of hope and the impact of their decision to be baptized; that it will bless them and future generations forever.

If you're wondering why I didn't write yesterday it's because it was independence day and we worked a regular day. It was a little tough finding people at home, but we were able to visit a few.

This week is changes! We'll see if I stay or get changed! I really want to stay one change more, but wherever He needs me I'll go!

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

 a Jesus shrine that was in my house in Rio Grande

nos vemos Elder Ramirez ¡Adios Río Grande!

Hastening The Work Of The Lord!

¡Hola!

This week has been awesome! We had some huge storms come in a couple of days and we got completely soaked with our shoes filled with water! 

We've been helping our investigators understand that we're literally representatives sent from God to help them repent and be baptized in order to receive forgiveness of their sins and continue onward receiving all the ordinances of the Gospel. 

We got ten new investigators this week and five investigators came to church! On Saturday we were able to celebrate the birthday of Florentino one of our investigators who turned 15. He and his family are progressing a lot. Since we started visiting them they haven't missed a week at church! We're working to help them be ready to be baptized September 27. The members have been getting more involved giving us references and visiting less-actives and investigators with us. The work is starting to pick up more and as we continue forward we'll be able to hasten the work together!

¡Levántate! ¡Podemos hacerlo ahora!

Love,

Elder San Diego

Familia Ramirez 

 Familia Quinteros

the first pupusa I made myself! 

 Familia Rodriguez