WEEK - 96 Casas Aleman / Aragón Zone - AP

Nov 22-10

Hola

"And faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God qualify him for the work."

This was really the theme of our Leadership Training this last week. President Hicken talked a lot about how we qualify for having the Spirit in the work. He told us that if we would just have an eye single to the glory of God, we would be qualified. He invited us to read D&C 4:5-7, and find the attribute that we need to work on. He promised us that we would find more success in the Lord's work as we did so.

It was just wonderful to be with President Hicken for this whole week. Elder Walk and I felt like the mission home was more of our home than our house. We were there last Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday night. Then Wednesday and Thursday night we were in Pachuca with the zone leaders. They were two day trainings with two zones. This week we are going with the other half of the mission. We also just found out that Elder Tenorio, counselor in the area presidency, wants to come visit our mission the second week in December. They want to know why the MME is having so much success. That will be great to have that time to be with a 70!

I have to tell you about this, yesterday was the primary program for Casas Aleman. Valeria and Lalito were so excited! They got to church about half an hour early and were sitting in their seats ready to go. They both had on the future missionary badge I gave them. It was a very overwhelming feeling for me to see these two wonderful kids sing with conviction "How could the Father show the world.." and "I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints..".
 

Valeria got up and gave her line with so much enthusiasm and belief. She said, "Jesus Christ teaches me how to live." It was short and simple but she said it because she knew it! What a great family. I love this family so much! 

Medina-Martinez Family- at the Mexico City Temple- 11-3-10

Eduardo is going to be receiving the melquisedec priesthood here soon, and I think Alva is going to be getting a calling too.

Well, just a little about my companion, guess I haven't said much. We were talking the other day about what we did before the mission for work and we found out that we both have our real estate license! Pretty crazy huh? We decided we're going to have to open a real estate business.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST- I can't wait to tell you about this. We were with the Zone Leaders from Pachuca last week, and when we were there I saw the number for a Bishop in my first ward in Pachuca. I called him up to ask him about how some of the converts were doing. He had some GREAT news for me.

Picture taken at baptism in Pachuca over 1 yr ago

Beatriz is going through the Temple THIS Saturday the 26!! She is so excited, and her husband Gonzalo along with their kids will enter in December to be sealed!!! Wow, I can't describe my joy when Bishop Cruz told me that! Then he told me that Juan Carlos Trejo married a recent convert after he was baptized. He has already received his endowments, and they are waiting for her to hit the year so they can be sealed!! They were both converts that Elder Mora and I taught.

" 9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

  10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard (our) prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me. "

I remember reading this scripture the first time we had a baptism in Pachuca, and feeling the joy of seeing my brethren truly penitent and coming to the Lord. I remember reading it after Beatriz and her kids were baptized as well. I was talking to Elder Walk about it and it is such a wonderful feeling to know that when we know the converts are going to enter into the Temple, we feel like maybe, just perhaps, we were instruments in the hands of God to "bring some soul to repentance". I remember I have always read this scripture throughout the mission, and I have always wanted to know and to feel that maybe, just maybe we were instruments in HIS hands. I know He did everything, every success comes from Him. THIS is my joy. 

Les amo!

Elder Rasmussen 

WEEK - 95 Casas Aleman / Aragón Zone - AP

Nov. 15, 2010

HOLA!

Today we had our training with the new missionaries. Actually, we’re going to have the meeting right now in 20 minutes, so I don't have much time to write. 

Javier in center baptized by member

FIRST- Javier was baptized yesterday. He is the Young man I told you about. We contacted his mom and turns out he had already been to general conference once. What a great Young man! He’ll do great. His friend (the one on the right) baptized him, he is a recent convert of Elder Cordova, the Elder on the right.

We married Leo and Karina this week. They were so excited to go to church but Saturday night Karinas grandma got sick and nobody could go to watch her. So she had to stay Sunday morning to watch her. I think they’ll either get baptized this week, or next week.

We contacted a wonderful family this week, Omar and Liliana. Long story short, THEY'RE ELECT!!! Omar had a dream that he was being baptized with his wife. She was only able to go to church this week, and Omar is going to go next week. We’re not sure why he didn’t go, but Liliana loved church.

Yesterday we had a wonderful stake conference with President Eyring, Elder Bednar and Elder Christensen. Elder Christensen was the mission president here about 10 years ago. Pres. Eyring gave a great talk on claiming our heritage, and Elder Bednar gave an inspired talk on revelation. It was a true blessing for our investigators to hear these Prophets testify of Christ. 

Training new missionaries how to enjoy La Honda

A Little about our training that we did today. The new missionaries got here on Saturday and two of the four stayed with Elder Walk and me. They are excited to be here and it was a great opportunity to teach them how to contact people. I remember having that excitement and wonder when they told us that our goal is to have a baptismal service every week. Their eyes kind of light up and get excited to go out and baptize. 

Elder Ras- Sis Hicken -Pres Hicken - Elder Walk

President Hicken’s training is always just the best! He taught us today that good missionaries are defined by their obedience and dedication, not by their positions. Elder Walk and I also trained about how to find the elect. It was a great experience!

I have some great news! Eduardo is going to receive the Melquisedec priesthood this next Sunday! Isn’t that great??! He has been a member for about a month!! Also, I called Pres. Alvarez from Ixtapaluca and he told me that he was going to interview Hermano Sergio Reyes, form the Reyes Garcia family. They are going to be entering into the Temple soon, they’re just finishing up with their Temple prep classes. Do you remember Areli in Ixtapaluca? She is a 16 year old that we married. She is the relief society secretary and just had another baby. Her husband Danny was just interviewed for the Melquisedec priesthood as well, I need to call Pres. Alvarez again to see when they’re going to start their temple prep classes. They also hit a year soon!

The work is going forward! The Lord is blessing the mission, and I love it here in “Ver-heaven”!

This week and next week we are going to be doing a mission tour with President to be doing a training that we do every three weeks called Leadership Training. It should be a great week!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Rasmussen

WEEK - 94 Casas Aleman / Aragón Zone - AP

 8 de noviembre de 2010

ANOTHER GREAT WEEK IN PARADISE!

“…his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” (Jeremiah 20:9)

FIRE IN THE BONES- THAT is what I feel. I love this work. I can’t stop, I want to keep on going finding all the elect that are out there just waiting for the restored gospel in their lives.

Edler Ras and Elder Walk with mustache gifts from home

Well on Tuesday we had the changes meeting. My new companion is Elder Walk from Farmington, Utah. He is such a great Elder and I am really thankful for this time to work with him. He has an excitement for the work that I haven’t felt since being with Elder Galindo. Not to say that my other companions didn’t feel it, there’s just always been something different. He is the best missionary in our mission, and we’re both just ready to go out and find the elect!Elder Walk, and I were contacting people in the street last week when we contacted a lady that seemed very interested. We were going to say bye to her because she didn’t want us to go to her house, but as we were walking away she said “Here’s my son’s number, call him and we can set up an appointment.” We called her son later that night, and went the next day. Javier is an 18 year old that has just been waiting for the gospel! He has a friend that was baptized in the ward next to us that took him to General Conference. When the missionaries asked if he wanted us to go to his house, he said no. He wasn’t ready yet. When we visited him he said he was surprised that we had talked to his mom, because that meant for him that he really was supposed to listen to the missionaries. That same day at night we were contacting and we both saw a family go around the corner, our eyes lit up and went after them. They also said that we couldn’t go to their house right then because their baby boy was sick. As we were about to say bye, we both felt like we should put an appointment for the next day, they gladly accepted. We went the next day and Karina and Leonardo are so elect. They are very humble and willing to accept the gospel in their lives. She even told us when we took her to the Visitors Center that she had heard of the Church before, but she just “wasn’t ready”.  Actually, her mother used to tell her as they passed the Temple that the angel on the top is called Moroni! My companion and I thought that was just great that our investigator testified to us that she had been prepared to accept the gospel. We are going to get them married this week.

11/7/10-Himilce de Jesus Peregrina Rosas e Ilse Maria Peregrina Garcia

A few weeks ago I was with Elder Lopez and we were checking the ward list for members. We chose an address and when we got there we met Himicle and Ilse. They told us that the family we were looking for didn’t live there, but let us in to teach them. They told us that they had never been visited by any religion and felt they needed it, (I thought in my head, you bet you need it!!) We baptized Himilce (pronounced- eemeelsay) and Ilse yesterday.  What a great mother and daughter. They love the Book of Mormon and have testified to us several times that it is true. I’ve had experiences with them that I haven’t had with any other investigator. Ilse has often asked us at the end of the lesson if she can share a scripture with us from her study in the Book of Mormon or while she has been doing Personal Progress. WOW! Himilce really strived to stop smoking and was able to do it! She has also testified to us of how the Atonement has had an effect in her life and changed her. What a blessing to see this change!

 President Hicken asked us to type up an article for the newsletter, and this is what we wrote-

Fixing Breakfast w/ Pres> Hicken for new Elders

Elder Isrealson enjoying some food

PODEROSOS MISIONEROS DE LA ESTE-

¨...Y éstos son mis pensamientos tocante a la tierra que os daré por herencia; porque será una tierra escogida sobre todas las demás... Y dijo el Señor: Poneos a trabajar ....Y sucedió que el hermano de Jared se puso a trabajar, y sus hermanos también¨ (Éter 2:15-16). Élderes y hermanas, desde los días de Adán y Eva hasta ahora, Nuestro Padre Celestial nos ha mandado que trabajemos. El trabajo es el fundamento del éxito. Es el secreto de cada misión exitosa. Si queremos llevar el fruto que el Señor nos manda que llevemos, tenemos que ponernos a trabajar tal como el hermano de Jared. Tenemos que tener la visión que hay miles de elegidos en cada área de la MME, y que cuando nos ponemos a trabajar el Señor nos bendecirá con un servicio bautismal cada semana.  "GO TO WORK!! PONEOS A TRABAJAR!!”

-Elder Rasmussen y Elder Walk

Translation-

( 16 And the Lord said: Go to work and build, after the manner of barges which ye have hitherto built. And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did go to work, and also his brethren…” (Ether 2:16) Elders and Sisters, since the days of Adam and Eve our Heavenly Father has commanded us to work. Work is the fundamental of success. It is the secret of every successful mission. If we want to bring forth the fruit the Lord expects of us, we have to go to work like the brother of Jared. We have to have the vision that there are thousands of elect in each of the areas in the MME, and that when we go to work the Lord will bless us with a baptismal service each week. )

When we found that scripture, we just loved it and knew that we could share it with the mission. It is a commandment from the Lord- he tells us to go to work, but will we be like the Brother of Jared, will they be able to say “and they did go to work”??. I sure hope so. That’s what we say everyday when we leave, “Let’s go to work!”  

I want to tell you about some of the converts in the area. Brandon and Oliver blessed and passed the Sacrament last week. Lupita, Brandon, Oliver and Alba and her husband Eduardo all went to the Temple last Tuesday to do baptisms for the dead! They couldn’t wait to get in to the Temple, and when we told them that they could enter to do baptisms, they were just so excited! They loved it.  THIS is why I’m here. THAT is what brings more joy than anything. Seeing those who have truly converted to the Lord and want to do His work with all their heart is what causes more joy. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to see this mighty change of heart. May we all remember that mighty change of heart we have had, and GO TO WORK in this our Heavenly Father’s work.

Con mucho amor,

Elder Rasmussen

WEEK - 93 Casas Aleman / Aragón Zone - AP

1 de Noviembre del 2010

 

Hola Familia!

This week was great. Elder Lopez finished his mission strong and worked hard until the end. 

 I think the best part of all was that I was able to work with Elder Galindo! His brother finished his mission in the north-west mission today, with Elder Zach Johnson! Elder Johnson was changed from the west mission to the north-west mission. Anyways, he was Elder Galindo’s twin brothers companion. I was with Elder Gaindo on Saturday until today. He was so excited to see his twin brother and his parents. He is such a great missionary, I’ve never seen a missionary finish the mission so dedicated and working. I told him on Saturday that I felt like it were as though we were still companions! What a great way to finish the mission, working hard until the very end! I’m glad I could work with him one last time.

Tomorrow is "Day of the Dead", but everyone is celebrating it right now. They kind of combine Halloween with this day and from the 31 to the 2 they go around asking for candy and dressed up! Pretty fun! A typical Day of the Dead thing is a chocolate or sugar skeleton head that they decorate and put on the offering table for their ancestors.

Today we trained the new Mexican missionaries, fresh out of the MTC! I’m with an Elder named Elder Zamudio, from Baja California. We had a great training meeting, and the Spirit was strong. Tomorrow we  have our changes meeting, and on Wednesday at 2 the new American missionaries get here. They have been delayed for a while, they are in California and should have gotten here in August! They’re 10 missionaries, so that is really going to help the mission. It’s kind of hard to explain, but the mission had missionaries leaving but no missionaries coming! Now we are growing and I think we’re experiencing some of those growing pains. I mean that in a good way. The very new missionaries that have only been out for a month and a half are training missionaries almost as new as them! It’s a growing experience for many, and it makes me remember how I felt when I was given the assignment as trainer. But I know the Lord blesses us, and all we have to do is be obedient with exactness, work hard, have the Spirit and the Lord will bless us abundantly.

It is just amazing to hear President Hicken train the new missionaries. He receives revelation in the trainings, and says something new that they need to hear in that moment. He is always positive. He casually made a side comment that ever since that day they were robbed they are trying to look forward and not backwards. He said something else that I don’t remember, but the point is that he and his wife are examples to everyone of faith in the Lord. If we could all have that faith, we wouldn’t worry as much because we would know who’s hands we are in. Today he also testified to the missionaries that the people in the street need to see that we have the Spirit with us and that we’re just not normal men, but that we are representatives of Christ. That had a deep impact on me, and I have been thinking about that as well. If the people in the street can recognize us as His representatives, the results will be really really different! In D&C 29:7 it says that the elect hear His voice and don’t make their hearts hard (literal translation from Spanish to English, not sure if that’s exactly right!) and in order for that to happen, we have to have the Spirit with us always! If not, the elect wont have a way of recognizing us as true representatives of Christ. I want you to know that there are elect in Gilbert Arizona. There are elect in Spain. There are elect in any part of the world, just waiting for the truth. If we are diligent, and faithful, and patient the Lord will bless us with the opportunity to find them and bear them our testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that if we do this, the Lord will bless us abundantly- even more than we can imagine. Always have the Spirit, and He will put the elect in your way. I know it!

Les amo mucho!

-Elder Rasmussen

 

WEEK - 92 Casas Aleman / Aragón Zone - AP

26-Octubre-2010

Carmona-Padilla Family,This is Hermana Lupita,her son,and her mom Baptism- 17-October Confirmation-24-October

           Hey sorry about writing a little late this week. Yesterday we were with Presidente all day. We slept at the secretary’s house on Sunday, and on Monday at 9 we were at the mission home to plan the transfers. President really does receive revelation in every moment, and it’s a great feeling to see the Spirit telling him who should be with who. Elder Lopez and I tell him what the zone leader’s tell us about the missionaries, and he makes the decision. We finished at about 1 and headed to the offices so the secretaries could take us back. When we got there though, Elder Lucas the missionary in charge of the new Americans, told us that we are probably going to get 11 more missionaries! We never know when the Americans are going to get here, they have been in California for about a month or two and are finally going to get here. We went back to the mission home and planned for these new elders, and in total we should be getting around 25missionaries next week! It’s GREAT because our number of missionaries is going back up! When I got to the mission there were about 200 or maybe more, and now we’re at about 140 or less. This should really help the mission out!

             Elder Lopez and I learn so much from Presidente. He has such faith, and is ALWAYS positive. It sounds like you heard already about their van being stolen. They had to go to the police station to put a claim in, and were there till really late. We had interviews with him the next day, and both President and Sister Hicken were completely calm. They have so much faith and are always positive. It would have been really easy for any of us to complain about having the van stolen, but he didn’t. From the very next day President was still very positive and happy! He and his wife are a true example. 

        Medina Martinez Family - showing 1yr to enter the Temple.  Cousin & former MME missionary Dan Lopez on right came back to visit from Utah.

  

  I have a great story for you! We visited Alba and Lalo this week, and Alba told us that earlier last week she heard her kids playing, and she started listening to them. First of all I guess I need to explain that their kids LOVE going to the Temple. They can see it from their room, and when the lights go out in their house they always check to see if the lights are on at the Temple. 

 

Anyways, they were playing and they had put on their “Future missionary” badges that I gave them, 

Lalito Medina Martinez 3yrs

Lalito (the 3 year old) was on the sofa with his hands out like the Christus statue,

Valeria Medina Martinez

Valeria (the 4 year old) said “Brothers and Sisters, at the end we’re going to give you a card like this (as she showed the card up like the sister missionaries do),and now we’re going to listen to Jesus.” Lalito, with his hands out, said, “ I’m Jesus, behave, and don’t fight with your little siblings.” Haha! I thought that was just great.  Valeria wants to be a missionary!

            

  

          

              Well Elder Lopez goes home this week. The Lord has truly blessed us these last few weeks. I have really learned so much from my companion, he’s helped me to grow and to help President more. I’m thankful for a companion like him.

 

Hope everyone has a great week! Thanks for your love and support,

Con mucho amor,

Elder Rasmussen