WEEK - 21 PACHUCA, MEXICO

Mexico City East Mission - I counted 164 Elders, 20 Sisters, 8 Senior. Total 192 Missionaries (click on photo to enlarge)
8 de Junio de 2009
HOLA HOLA! Que tal?

Whoa, what a week!! We had some great experiences, and learned a lot!
What is that saying in the Rasmussen house again? Mom’s always what?? Yeah, I know- RIGHT! I thought they were just kidding when they said it rains every day here during summer…they weren’t. Last Monday after Teotihuacan it was pouring.


Souvenirs from teotihuacan, I hope they get here!
And was I ever grateful to have those awesome boots Mom insisted I bring. Let’s just say the drainage system isn´t very good here…as in, the main street, Federalismo, has about two drains. So when it rains for thirty minutes it looks like a river! En Serio! (we´re a little downhill)


L toR: Elder Sander, Jamie Morales, Benita Morales and Trevor (Love those pictures in white ! ! ! )
Benita y Jaime- It really is a miracle that we found this couple. This is the hermano we found when we were walking and knew we had to come back to that street. Jaime has a kidney problem, and has to go to dialysis every other day. His wife, Benita, is a really nice lady. She was open to the message of the Restoration. Thanks to the testimony of her husband, and the promise that comes with the Book of Mormon she was converted. Her baptismal interview was Friday, and when we visited her a few hours before she told us she wasn’t sure about being baptized. We promised her if she read and prayed after we left, she could receive an answer. We waited for them at the Church, and when they came we asked Benita how her prayer went. She looked at us with a smile and said ¨Very good!¨ The next day we went to marry them in a city close by. The Judge is a friend of the missionaries and gave us a discount! We baptized Benita the next day…barely. She’s in the ward Palmar which starts at 11. We were there at 9 for Constitucion when the lights went out! We didn’t even think much about it until an hour and a half before her baptism when we realized- we need electricity to pull the water from the well to fill up the font! We thought of a bunch of things we could possibly do to fill it up. We thought of siphoning the water out, of calling a truck to come fill it up, going to another building…when one of the members said ¨why don´t we just break the well open? ¨So we did! Some one had a hammer and they broke the lock! Some young men ran home to get buckets, while we started with what we had. We ended up filling up big trash buckets with water to fill the font, it was quite a sight. I was pretty wet before we even started.
When the meetings ended we started the baptismal service. I was in the water first and I thought it was pretty darn cold, but Benita after said she didn’t even feel it! After I baptized her she was crying. I am so thankful to have this opportunity! It really is the best feeling in the world! I can´t describe it. I thanked Heavenly Father after for sending us this success, because really if we have any success at all it comes from Him!


Trevor is the one in the middle with bent knees . . . . making sacred memories ! ! ! !

And to top it all off- Joel passed the sacrament this week! We each gave him a tie because he didn’t have many.
Oscar, Joel´s brother, doesn’t really want to go to church. He’s never been, even though every Sunday we go by to wake him up. He really needs the gospel right now, we’re trying to help him the best we can but he doesn´t want to listen to us. I’m sure he will, we just have to maybe pour water on him to wake him up one Sunday! Oh wait, we already tried that! haha

The sister in law of the Bishop, Beatriz, finally decided with her husband that they were going to get married. So this week we’re going to help them too! Elder Sander says I´ll be a pro at marriages before I leave here. Beatriz has two boys that are really excited to be baptized too! Also this week we´re going to help Ana be baptized. I think I’ve told you a little about her. Ana doesn’t know how to read, and has a hard time remembering things. So we’ve been visiting her a lot to help her. Elder Sander even taught her a little to read! She was supposed to be baptized yesterday, but couldn’t come. Also this next week, Jorge Hernandez could be baptized. I don’t know if I told you about him. He’s in his 30s, a lawyer, his wife is very Catholic, and is AWESOME! He is one of the most spiritual people we have taught. He knows he needs to be baptized, but is worried what his wife will say. She’s traveling and won’t be back until the end of this month, so he wants to wait. We’ve been praying for him to make the right decision and be baptized this week.



Dad, I promised I´d tell you about our Zone Conference. I have my notes here…
Well I told you a little about McConkear. I don’t´know If I explained it very well to you, I was in a hurry. It’s a verb that missionaries made up, it means to teach with power, exhort, animar con fuerza (I think that’s encourage with strength) so that they do something- or be baptized. Our Assistant gave that lesson, it was awesome!
Pres. Bulloch talked to us about our relationship with our companion. We read the chapters with Alma and Amulek, and how they supported each other and how we should really support our companions.

I love the Book of Mormon! I know it’s true! Right now we´re reading about when Christ came to the Americas, and it has so much meaning because I´m here where I am! President Bulloch told me in an interview that this is the land where the Book of Mormon took place. Teotihuacan was so awesome, and I really felt that what Presidente said is true.
I read this in my study this week, it´s one of my favorite verses…(I think probably one of every missionary´s favorite verses)
3 Nephi 5- ¨Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.¨
That scripture has so much more meaning, when you wear a badge that has His name on it. I´m so very thankful to be serving my Savior and Redeemer here in Mexico. This really is the greatest work! Whenever it´s a little hard, all I have to do is remember who I represent, and know there are thousands of elect people, just waiting to hear the gospel! Thanks for all your support, love you.
Con Amor,
Elder Trevor Rasmussen

WEEK - 20 PACHUCA, MEXICO

HOLA FAMILIA!

We missed the bus leaving Teotihuacan, and got here late. I´m trying to write as fast as I can. Thanks for the emails! I´m going to answer everything next week. Just a few things…

This week in our Book of Mormon reading, I felt really grateful for a Mother that taught me so well. In Alma 56Ñ46 and 47 it talks about what their mothers taught them, and I really know my parents taught me to have faith. Thank you!

Yesterday Pachuca played in the championship of soccer. They had the game here in our stadium! It was so crazy, because when they lost the whole city was dead quiet. When we asked two teenagers what happened one of them was near tears!

Trent I started laughing really hard when I heard you have a handprint on your back!! Haha

(Trent went to CA with a bunch of his friends to celebrate graduation. While at the beach Trent forgot to put sunblock on his back, but somehow came home with the imprint of someone's sunblocked hand on his sunburned back)

Dad, congratulations on your new calling. I´ll be praying for you!

Everyone! We need your help! There are two little girls in our ward that have been going to another ward, that know the gospel is true, and know the book of Mormon is true, and knew every part of the lessons, but are scared to get baptized. Their mom wants themt o wake up one day and say I wan to be baptized mom! Also, the sister of Consuelo, Rosalinda. She needs to go to church two more times, but has to find someone to cover her for work! I appreciate your prayers so much.

Dad, I want to tell you about our Zone conference, don’t´w orry I haven´t forgotten I took good notes. Soething I want to share real quick- there is a ¨verb¨here called McConkear. It comes from when Bruce R McConkie was in his mission and helped Dry Mormons to be baptized. We talked about how some people really do know the Book of Mormon is true, and do everything including paying tithing but don’t´want to be baptized. We talked about how to help them, I´ll write you more next week!

Maddie and Maeg, thanks for writing me! I´ll reply next week!


Sorry this is short, I´ll write more next week! I love you all, thanks for your support and love.

Elder Trevor Rasmussen

WEEK - 19 PACHUCA, MEXICO

Trevor’s district at the MTC 1/25/09 L to R Elders: Jason HURST (Artesia,NM), Trevor , Jesse SPENCER (Canyon City, CO), Jesse Kelley , Trevor Mays (Huston, TX), Trevor Isrealson (Providence, UT), Ethan Kartchner(Meridan,ID), Alex Bertin (Bountiful,UT)

Original MTC district: Elders Bertin, Mays, Isrealson, Hurst, Spencer, Kartchner, Rasmussen

Querido Familia,
Wow, what a great week!!! MULTI Zone Conference (I saw everyone from the MTC, that was fun!), Mission picture, and food! We ate this big sándwich called a torta. It was awesome.
haha today I contacted 15 peopel in a combi! I think they only looked at me and listened because it was funnyt o see a gringo speaking spanish! haha it was fun.

In the Mex., Mex City East Mission they have trainers like other missions but it seems the Elders like to take it to another level and show "Generations". This picture is for Trevor's comp. Elder Sander (he is Trevor's PaPa and is going home in about 3 wks.) it's one of his "family" lines. Making this a 4 generation picture ! ! ! Elder Pastrana would be his Great Grandson. Elder Sander even looks more seasoned. . . but remember it's not the years, it's the mileage and the road traveled. . . . he has been an awesome missionary ! ! !

Elder Sander trained Elder Mora, who trained Elder Howard, who trained Elder Pastrana, Elder Mora is training a new Elder Fulton from CA

Yesterday we baptized an 11 year old boy named Euri Jave. His family has been inactive for about 7 years and

This is a picture of hermano Sanchez their ward mission leader. He is coming up to Utah and has offered to help return Trevor's shoes to us.
our AWESOME Ward misión leader Bro. Sanchez helped us find them. We´ve been teachign them for about a month, and the family is starting to come back to church. There are about 5 families that live in this house, and I think they´ll all start coming back! Euri was pretty excited too.
Consuelo, Joel, and Leilani were confirmed this Sunday! Every Sunday we go to pick up new investigators and we were two minutes too late, when w ego to the church the doors were closed and we couldn´t go in. We missed their confirmation! We made it up to them though. I found a nice leather bound triple combination in the MTC, I say found because it was on the ¨offering table¨ or the ironing board where everyone puts their stuff that they dont´want. I also found a nice leather bound Bible and I decided that I wanted to give it to a convert in Mexico. Elder Sander and I wrote our testimonies int he triple and gave it to Consuelo later last night. She really liked it! Mom, Elder Sander and I decided our mothers dont´need to worry because Consuelo is like our second mom! Haha, last night she asked ¨You eat on Mondays right? Where are you eating? Are you srue you have food?¨Hahah!

We´ve been teaching Enmanuel and Cristina, they weren´t able to go to church yesterday so their baptismal date is the 7 of June. Cristina told us about a dream she had. She opened a White book and read something, she coudln´t remember what it said but knew that she had to stop smoking, and knew that it was from God. So she has just stopped smoking, from 5 a day to none! We have also been teaching two daughters of an inactive sister. The dauhters go every week to another Ward, but their dad wouldn´t let them get baptized until they´re older. Well now they´re older (11 and 9) but their mom doesn´t really want to go back to church. Yesterday they came! But their mom still isn´t sure about them getting baptized. We´ve been praying for them a lot, we hope their mom will let them get baptized this week. We have also been teaching the sister in law of the bishop. The brother of the bishop and her need to get married before she and her two kids can be baptized. They had a date set for this week, but now all of a sudden they aren´t sure about getting married. So we´ve been praying for them as well, we told them that if they keep putting the date off it will be harder and harder with more temptations. We have been teaching a lady named Ana. She is very humble and poor, She has 4 daughters, and can´t read. We started to teach her how t oread, which is pretty easy because she knows all the letters already. She didn´t come to church yesterday so her date is the 7 of June as well.

This week we saw a lot of miracles, with Cristina for example. I want to tell youa bout another one. We were walking in the street Puerto Tuxpan, when all of a sudden I Heard a faint voice say ¨hermanos!¨ Elder Sander adn I turned around at the same time, I looked at him and said ¨DId you hear that?!¨he said yes and we looked for sonmebody calling for us, but there was nobody. We were ina hurry to another appointment, so we memorized our location and hurried off. The next day we planned to knock all the doors near that area. As we were knocking, soembody had CCR blaring out their window, I thought that was kind of funny, I haven´t Heard that for a long time! When we finally got to the apartment with the music ont he 4th floor of the building, a man opened it. Without a Word from us he said ¨Come in, come in! Que dicen?!¨ We looked at eachother a little surprised and went in. We found out Jaime Morales has been inactive for 15 years, he was the secretary of his Ward and something happened with his family, married a catholic and has been inactive since. He has something wrong with his arm, and is handicapped. He and his wife went to church yesterday! We felt blessed that we were able to find him and his wife, and know we were supposed to find him.

This really is the work of the Lord! I know it with all my heart. I hope next time the Spirit doesn´t have to shout at me to get me to listen, so I can find more people like Jaime and his wife. I´m so lucky to be here, I´m learning so much everyday fromt he Book of Mormon and my companion. Thanks for all your support and emails, sorry I can´t reply to each of you individually.
Con Amor,
Elder Rasmussen

WEEK - 16 PACHUCA, MEXICO

The Elders get together for some P-day "Futbol" fun ! ! ! !
Querido Familia,
Whoa what a week! We weren’t sure if we were going to have a meeting until Friday. As soon as we found out we went telling every member we saw that we were going to have servicios, and everyone told us “Thanks, but we already know.” We’re always the last ones to find out! It was so great to go to Church! I learned we take for granted some things like the Sacrament. We weren’t able to take the Sacrament for a month! Technically, we ( the missionaries) were considered inactive. Haha!
Saturday the 16, (the day before Sunday, the NIGHT before Consuelo and her family are supposed to be baptized) we went to Consuelo’s house at 7. We get there, and as we walk in I thought I heard a whisper that said “She doesn’t want to be baptized tomorrow.” Sure enough, the first thing Consuelo tells us is that she doesn’t want to be baptized tomorrow, but in a week. My heart sunk, I’m sure I probably made a funny face. Elder Sander acted like it wasn’t a big deal, I think a lot of people say that in the mission. We just talked to her, and told her about all the blessings that she’s going to receive. Her sister was there. This sister, Rosalinda, never has been interested in listening to us, but this night she was basically telling Consuelo that we were right and she needed to be baptized. She never said that night that she wanted to be baptized. We just went on to say “You’re going to need a change of clothes, sandals, a towel…and a smile” And that was basically the last thing we said about it. All during this her sister was peering over The Book of Mormon, reading very intently. We told her we’d like to talk to her as well, and promised her the Book has blessed our family and will bless her life. She held the Book up and looked at us and said..
“THIS Book has blessed YOUR family?! I want these blessings!....But I’m not going to be baptized” “Yes hermana, it’s okay. If we mark a chapter will you read it?” “YES!!...but I’m not going to be baptized!” It was so great to hear and SEE the example of Consuelo to her family. We left her 3 Nephi 11 and Moroni 10:3-5. I’m sure she’ll be baptized.
Well, Sunday finally came. We were praying all the night before and that day that Consuelo would come with the four things we told her she needed. We got to Church and…. What do you know?! Consuelo was there with Joel and Leilani with all their stuff in a big bag.

At 12 o’clock, we started the Baptismal service. We had the wonderful, sacred opportunity to help three of our heavenly siblings take upon themselves this covenant. I baptized Consuelo first, she was shaking because she was so nervous (probably the only person there as nervous as I was!...maybe.) Then I baptized Leilani. I didn’t explain very well that you need to hold your nose, and she came out of the water gasping for air…oops. Elder Sander baptized Joel after. It was the greatest feeling ever! I was so happy, but not just because we “baptized three”. These are real people, who through study of the Book of Mormon and prayer, changed. We saw the Atonement working in the lives, the change that can only come when we accept the gospel.

I’m so grateful that Heavenly Father blessed us with this success. We are doing this 90 day study of the Book of Mormon, and we’re in Alma right now. I’ve learned so much! Things I’ve never seen before (I think I’ve said this already, but it’s true. Every day!) I promise that when we read the Book of Mormon with a sincere prayer, we will receive personal revelation. In Alma, if I’ve learned anything I’ve learned that success comes from the Lord. Also, something I read this last week was something that came to mind after Consuelo’s baptism.
Alma 29:10. "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 my prayer; yea then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me."
THAT is real joy, when we see children of our Heavenly Father coming unto Him. I’m so happy, I really can’t describe it. I think I could go the rest of my mission on this joy that I feel. I’m ready to go out there and get doors slammed in my face over and over again, just to find that family or individual that is prepared and ready to hear the Gospel.
This last week we found two “jovenes” or teenagers. Enmanuel y Cristina are progressing. Our only problem is that it’s hard to find them! Enmanuel goes to high school in the day, and at 10 he goes to work cleaning mcdonalds and gets home at 7 in the morning. Cristina works all the time, she was smoking 5 times a day but we foudnd them (again, not really us) and took them to Church. She hasn’t smoked- ONCE! She said her friends even offered it to her! This Gospel is amazing. I know this Church is true, I know Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I know that as we strive to come closer to Him, HE comes to us too. The Book of Mormon is true, and has the power to change lives. I’m thankful for examples like my parents and grandparents that keep reading that amazing Book. You’re a great example!
I love you familia, thanks for all your support!

WEEK - 15 PACHUCA, MEXICO

HOLA FAMILIA!!

It sure was great to talk to you all yesterday! I don’t have much time to write today, we weren’t able to go to Teotihuacan, but we went to Real del Monte. We’re planning on going next Monday to Teotihuacan.

Ok, whats wrong with this picture . . . . . . TIES have been vanquished by the Mexican Government . . . . instead of the FLU . . . .major cause of spreading the FLU ? ? ? ? Politicians . . . . go figure ! ! !

Real del Monte was pretty cool, it’s a pueblo here in Pachuca. It’s also the highest altitude in MX. I bought some cool little things for you, whenever I can find a place to send them!
Random fact: With the influenza, I guess they say it’s dangerous to wear a tie. So we haven’t been wearing ties, I forgot to tell you that yesterday!
Well lets see…something I didn’t tell you all on the phone.. Our reading in the Book of Mormon is awesome! Everyday I find something new that I have never noticed before. As a missionary, there is so much that I can apply. Really we can apply it to all of us but I don’t know it just has more meaning when it says the Anti Nephi Lehi’s could never fall, because of the faithfulness of the sons of Mosiah and Alma! I realized I really want to become an instrument in the hands of the Lord. In Alma it mentions this phrase quite a bit. As I studied, I realized how I can become an instrument. I know as we work hard, put our trust in him, fast and pray, we can become this kind of instrument and missionary.
I know this is the work of the Lord. I’m so thankful to be a part of it! I know the message of the Restoration can bless people’s lives, I know that through the Atonement we can receive more joy than we thought possible. This is what I tell the people here, and it’s so awesome to see the change in people.
Coming soon…Elder Sander y Elder Rasmussen…en la ropa bautismal!

Les amo con todo mi corazón,

Elder Rasmussen

WEEK - 14 PACHUCA, MEXICO

HOLA FAMILIA!

In spanish the song that says " shall the youth of zion FALTER, in defending truth and right?" (sorry I can only think of it in spanish) in Espanol its Fallará en la defensa...
Our theme for our District this month is, NO FALLO EN MAYO. And let me tell you family, no vamos a fallar en mayo, entiende?!?
Okay, first of all. This whole swine flu thing is NOT a big deal. There are 25 million people in Mexico City, and not that many are sick. And definitely not here in Pachuca. If it was a epidemic I think we would have met someone who was sick, or known somebody who knows somebody who is sick, but no. Don’t worry I´m still going to follow the rules and everything, I just don´t want anyone over there to worry, cuz really it´s not a big deal.

Wow what a great week! Well, a hard one, but a great one! It was only hard because we walked by hundreds of people we could of contacted but couldn’t! The Lord truly blessed us.

Por ejemplo, usually we go a whole week with maybe 5 or 6 referrals from members. This week, we couldn’t talk to anyone in the street but we could visit members. We received 14 referrals from members this week! All of them accepted a return appointment, and almost all of them have a baptismal date. Saturday night, we were walking home and a member happened to be walking out of her house. She stopped us and told us she wanted her friend across the street to hear the Gospel. We set up an appointment, and went last night. She just had a hernia and has a hard time walking around. We shared the message of the Restoration with her and her member friend bore her testimony too. It was really powerful, and I know Jovinta felt it too. We asked her to give the closing prayer and as she did, she asked Heavenly Father for a knowledge of how her family can be together forever or something to that effect (we had mentioned it earlier in the lesson) and as she did, she started to cry. After, we gave her a blessing. Elder Sander and I both felt during the blessing that she would be healed. I know she´ll be dressing in white here soon.

Another day we were walking (we do a lot of that) and a member pulled up in his car. He is a recent convert (Elder Sander´s “dad” baptized him) and he invited us over to share with his daughter. At first she was very closed, and didn’t really want to hear. One thing I can say is that no matter who it is, after we teach the first lesson people always smile a little more or are that much more open.

I found a quote in a little quote book I have that I like.
“No ray of sunshine is ever lost,
But the green which it wakes into existence needs time to sprout,
And it is not always granted to the sower
To see the harvest.
All work that is worth anything
Is done in faith.” –Albert Schweitzer

Elder Sander and I decided that is what we´ve seen. We have taught a bunch of people that don´t want to progress now, but I know we have planted some seed there.

left to right: Elder Kartchner, Elder Rasmussen,Elder May

Wednesday we took a trip to the Immigration Office, that was fun! All my district was there, minus Elder Bertin. Everyone has a sweet tan (we were all pretty white in Utah!) Everyone is excited, and doing well with their Español. We went to the Church office building after and President was there with all the secretaries and Assistants. He told me dad emailed him. I said uh oh, are they scared? And he said “ No Elder, su papá tiene mucho fe…mucho fe.” (faith) I know it too! I know my parents have mucho fe!

Okay, Día de Las Madres! We are going to call you Saturday night to set everything up.   It´ll be fun to hear from you all!

This week really was awesome. Consuelo and her family are anxious to be baptized! Theyre getting antsy, their date is the 17- IF we have meetings this week. We´re teaching Marisol, and she is really progressing. I could tell she felt the spirit when we last spoke. We bore testimony of the plan of salvation and how she can see her Mother again. Maeg, I heard about your friend. I´m really sorry. I´ll share with you what I shared with Marisol, 2 Nefi 2:24. I don’t have my English scriptures but it says “All things have been done in the wisdom of Him who knoweth all things” My institute teacher taught us about that the day that Mr. Adams died. It gave me so much strength to know that everything that happens, happens because the Lord has a plan and a purpose for everything. He knows everything that is going to happen, and why they happen. We just need to trust in the Lord.

Well until next week! I´ll give you a call Saturday night around 6-7 your time. Love you all! I am so thankful to be a ´part of this work. I cant believe Ive been here a whole 6 weeks already! We´re in cycle 2 now! This is Elder Sanders last cycle, and we are going to put our trust in the Lord and go to work! Don´t worry, we´´ll be sending pictures of us in white here soon!

Con Amor,
Elder Rasmussen

WEEK - 13:2 PACHUCA, MEXICO

Hey Elder have you wondered why so many people
are wearing those funny masks . . . . . .

“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.” D & C 84:88

What a crazy week! First of all, I AM OKAY! We are wearing our nerdy dentists masks so we don´t get sick. It is actually kind of funny, on Thursday we were walking and I told Elder Sander that more people are wearing a mask than usual! Haha we didn't know until Sunday that this whole thing was going on. Some members gave us these masks, I didnt really want to wear mine, everyone told me I should and I still didn´t want to. I told Elder Sander we have a “spiritual mask” and we don't have to worry if we´re obedient. Then he said “ Elder, if you get this flu, you could get sent home!” “oooh…. Okay. I guess I´ll wear it then.” If you were here in Pachuca you´d laugh, lets put it that way. Here is how we found out about this whole thing…
I think I have told you about Consuelo. She is the “oro” or golden that we were led by the Spirit too! Seriously! We planned byt he spirit to go to that street, and I know that it was to find her. She has four kids, Oscar 14, Joel 12, and Leilani 10. She just got over a divorce, and I´m sure that's tough on her. We taught them almost every day last week, and they are doing awesome! They are keeping their commitments and every time the light of Christ shines brighter in their faces. It is so amazing to SEE the Gospel working in their lives. Anyways, Sunday comes along. We usually go by each of our investigators homes, the new ones anyways, to pick them up. We passed by Consuelos because we wanted to remind her and what not. So we go by at 9 45 and they´re not ready! She told us that she received a text from a “Sandy” saying that church was canceled! We told her no way, that somebody didn't want her to go to church! She said oh okay We´ll be there then! So a Little later we get to church and the bishop is out front with a really serious look on his face. He told us that Church was canceled for the week because of this flu. Haha…oops. Turns out a sister in the Ward texted Consuelo to tell her that it was canceled. Consuelo showed up with two of her kids too! We called the President and he told us to stay in our house yesterday and just rest. This week we can´t do any contacting and that's the next story…

This past week we worked so hard. Heavenly Father blessed us so much with finding people who are ready to hear the gospel. I went on divisiones with my Zone Leader Elder Tanner from Gilbert! Theres four of us from the Gilbert area here, Elder Tanner (Highland, he knows the Packer family) Elder Reed, and Elder Howard. Anyways, Elder Tanner and I were walking down the street Javier Rojo Gomez in the Colonia Santa Julia. We were looking for Calle 2 so we could visit a recent convert, but somehow we walked a Little too far.. like half a mile or so. I thought that was weird, and that for sure I should have seen the street sign. We back tracked a Little and found calle 2, and there walking down the middle of the street were a lady, her mother, and three kids. We introduced ourselves and asked if we could share this message with them. They said YES. So we went to their house and long story short they´ve accepted their baptismal date, 10 of May, and were going to go to Church if it hadn´t been canceled !
We found others to teach too, which is a real blessing because we can´t knock doors this week. We can only teach those who we had before, and last week Heavenly Father blessed us a ton with posible investigators. (sorry this computer is changing my words to Spanish! haha) I have tos ay the past 5 weeks were a Little bit of a trial. We were working hard, knocking doors and everything but not finding anyone who coudld really progress. Then week 5 comes and we finally have investigators progressing, with a baptismal date set! We are Reading the Book of Mormon as a misión in 90 days. I really like in Mosiah 24:15. I learned if I just need to submit cheerfully and with patience to ALL the wil of the Lord, even if that means no baptisms for a whole cycle! I´m so thankful for all the blessings from the Lord, I really feel blessed to be here.

Questions!
1. This is Elder Sanders last cycle, the one that's coming, or his last six weeks. He studied English before and he´s been learning here. He speaks English really well, but we speak in Spanish the rest of the time. When I really can´t understand he helps me out, but we´re going to start speaking English in the house so he can go to BYU.
2. There is a nice Little internet place right by our house, it costs 10 pesos a hour and is the fastest around.
3. Mom its okay to read my letters! Haha, dont worry about it! The numbers: The first is baptisms this week, the second confirmations, and the third is investigators at Church. The others are visits to members who need to be confirmed and what not.
4. Missionary work is awesome. It is harder than I thought for sure! I thought everyone wanted to get baptized! Haha just kidding. We´re working hard and I know that's what missionary WORK is!
5. The missionaries before us didn't leave us much to work with. All the investigators they had all need to get married or divorced and really don't want to do much, so we can´t help them. We basically started from scratch.
6. Haha the natives… some think I speak really good Spanish when I tell them I´ve been here a month, and some just look at me with scrunched faces even when I know I´m speaking understandable Spanish. I think they think to themselves •” Wait this guy is White, he can´t speak Spanish!” (Bro Taylor and I talked about this! haah)
Send more questions, I think I can tell you more that way.

Well I have to go. Don't worry!! We have protection from the Lord. Pretty soon I´ll be sending pictures of a baptismal Font! I love you all, hope you got the pictures okay!

Con Amor,
Elder Rasmussen
Ps- dad, the Church is in colonia Rojo gomez, street Emiliano Zapata and C.N.C. There is no number. Our house address is in the picture. Sorry I couldn't send more pics of the hsoes, if you need mroe i will next week.

ps- mom, good job at not having a break down! I´m praying for ya! We´re safe, really. Tell uncle George sorry I couldn't reply today

ps-i think its okay for everyone to write me, I just cant write an email back to them.

WEEK - 13:1 PACHUCA, MEXICO

For the dad it is comforting to see such great leadership in Pres. & Sister Bulloch. I feel very confident Pres. Bulloch is taking every precaution in safeguarding the missionaries, and am impressed with the spirit of the message below.
The truth is Elders, . . . what worries me the most is the potential outbreak of fear, loss of focus and disobedience among our missionaries, the things that will destroy us spiritually. I want you to know that your greatest protection comes from exact obedience to all of the mission rules and a consistent effort to do the work of the Lord. As is promised in the Missionary Handbook, “Following these rules will help you magnify your calling and will provide you with physical and spiritual protection .” Daily obedience and diligence creates a protective shield around you. You know that there are many great promises of the Lord for those who keep His commandments and serve Him in righteousness.. Now is not the time to fear, to relax, and to make excuses or to be disobedient. You need the physical and spiritual protection of the Lord now more than ever before. You should meet this adversity head on and move forward with greater faith and a determination to accomplish all of your inspired goals. The Mexico City East Mission never gives up! Move forward Elder with trust and with more faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and on to the victory.* *

* *

“Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deut. 31:6).

“Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:33-34, 36).

With love,

President Bulloch

WEEK - 12 PACHUCA, MEXICO

Haha, that´s our ¨theme¨ in the mission. After every district meeting we put our hands in a circle and do a little chant, here in pachuca its: ¨PACHUCA EN AGUA!¨haha
Preach My Gospel quote of the week:
¨Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause. Lend your efforts to helping people...Stand higher, lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those that hang down. LIVE the gospel of Jesus Christ.¨ Pres. Hinckley

Well Hola familia y todos!

This week was awesome. Oh just an fyi, I print off your letters before and read them and then email. Go ahead and email me ALL YOU WANT and I´ll still have time to reply, promise :)
Question time!
1. Do you sleep on a bed or hammock?
-We live in the City, pretty much. Elder Sander says nobody sleeps in a hammock in the mission. I think a hammock would be more comfortable then my bed! haha, but my awesome pillow makes up for that!
2. Do you have a kitchen, running water, hot water,(irons in water do not count!!!)
-We have a nice apartment. After we cleaned it, its pretty nice. Every morning we light the water heater, like the one at home, and the water is usually too hot. The water is fine, we got the bill for the water for this month. $58 pesos, or 5 dollars, not bad eh? The kitchen is small, but we have a refrigerator, sink, and a pan to cook pancakes in (which I made this morning, and I have to say were pretty good...I dont know if Elder Sander thought so though! haha)
3, How do you wash your clothes?
-There are a ton of lavanderias around. We got permission from Presidente to take our garments and everything to one around the corner. The lady is really nice and washes and folds them for 10 pesos a kilo. So its about 3 dollars each time, but hey at least I´m not washing them on a rock.
4. Do you fix your own meals? What do you eat besides chicken feet?!?
-Haha chicken feet was only once. We eat some really good food! Por ejemplo, the other day we were walking down the street and we see a tent with¨barbacoa¨ on it. So we decide we would see how much and everything, I was picturing a bbq, you know a bbq with steak and hot dogs...nope. The guy pulls out some meat from his cooler and looks at me and says ¨billy goat meat is really expensive here!¨ ...yeah we decided not to try it! Yesterday we had molé, I thought of Uncle Steve. It was awesome! We only eat with members at lunch, that is their big meal, but they always feed us a ton. We eat dinner only if we´re really hungry, there are a bunch of taquerias around, dont worry they´re okay to eat at! Tacos el pastor are the best. I´m sure nobody over in Az will be surprised that I spille molé on my shirt yesterday...ay ay ay.
5. Are you wearing your sunblock? Make sure you protect that beautiful Danish skin!!!!
-Yes I´m wearing it, and I´m still getting a nice tan too, maybe I´ll get my wish and look and sound mexican after two years!?!
6. Have you used your water purifier?
-No not yet, we dont´really need to. We buy a 20L thing of water for 3 bucks every week, I just fill my water bottle up with that. I´m sure I will need to use it sometime though, I´m glad I have it.
7. How are you and Elder Sander getting along?
-Elder Sander is great! He has one more cycle left after this, hopefully he´ll still be here, I don't know how I´d get around without him. He is a hard worker, and I learn a lot from him when we teach. He has some awesome analogies and its kinda funny, when people give him excuses he asks them directly ¨why can´t you come to church? you can do that later can´t you?¨ It´s awesome.

Mom, you even caused a riot here in MEXICO! When I pulled out my mini PMG all the Elders in my district said ¨NO MANCHES!¨and pulled it out of my hands! I wonder what its going to be like when the Spanish one comes. (you did say she was sending one right? I can´t remember)

Nothing big happened this week. The investigators we were working with towards baptism either said they don't´want to, or can´t. You have to be married to get baptized, and a lot of people aren´t. Its hard to get divorced here and a lot of our investigators have to do that first. BUT there were a ton of miracles this week.
Friday night Elder Sander told me about this thing called ¨Referencias Celestiales¨Its where you start with prayer for inspiration, then one of the companions reads out 10 street names while the other writes them down. You both look at the names of the streets, and pick the three or four you feel you should go to the next day (this is during nightly planning). Then you come together and see which ones to go to. We had three same street names, so we decided we´d go to them on Saturday.
Saturday came and we went to Mezquititlan in Parque Poblamiento (I think.) One of the first doors was a lady who was interested but couldn't talk cuz she was moving in. We invited her to church, told her what she should wear, and told her we´d pick her up. She said she wasnt sure but woudl try to be ready. Sunday came and when we went by she was ready to go! We went to Church and after testimony meeting, the stake president introduced himself and talked to her. She asked if she could bear HER testimony, and the President said ¨Adelante(Go for it)¨ Cool eh? We have a cita with her tonight.

Also, we´ve been praying for service, to know who we can help and what not. So we were tocando puertas (knocking doors) when we knocked on the door of an older couple that lives next to a member. We went in after the lady said her husband was sick. We went in to their small home to fnd a man in a bed moaning in pain. This guy has had diabetes for the past three years. I´m guessing it´s slowly impairing him. We gave him a blessing, and asked if we coudl help with anything. The wife said we could help put him in his wheelchair, which we did, and returned later to put him back in his bed. We did it yesterday too, and will continue to do help them this week. Hopefully they will want to hear the message of the restoration sooner or later!

Also on Saturday, we were walking down Puerto Tuxpan and I saw this family and the dad kept looking at us. Elder Sander was talking to some young men from the ward, and I knew we needed to talk to them. I told Elder Sander, Elder, we need to go contact them! So we walked over and the wife and the daughter hurried away but the dad stopped to talk. Turns out he´s been going to another ward in a different part of the city for a year but never been baptized. We took down his ¨datos¨ or address and went back later. He answered and told us to come back later, when we did they were there but wouldn't answer. _I think the wife doesn't want to listen, and that is why, but still pretty cool! My whole point in telling you all this is that the Spirit will direct us if we just open it up for him too.

We are studying the Book of Mormon for 90 days in the mission. We highlight all the principles of conversion, Christlike attibutes, everything the Lord says, and references to Christ and write the total on the bottom of the page. I´m learning so much, We´ve used scriptures from our morning study in our lessons several times! It´s so awesome. I´m learning things to apply as a missionary. It has really strengthened my testimony that the Book of Mormong testifies of Christ, on every page.
Well I want to send some pics so I´m going to send this. I love you all, If you want to know specific things, you could send an email with all the questions and I can print it off before and take time to answer them.

Thank you for all your prayers and support, this is the greatest work in the world and I´m so thankful to be a part of it!

Con Amor,
Élder Rasmussen

Dad- Our Chapel is on C.N.C. and Emiliano Zapata. Our house is on Tatzadho and Tulancingo, the orange one on the corner.

Mom- Have you sent anything in pouch yet? I´m curious to see how long it gets here. No worries about the package. Some CDs would be nice, Elder Sander has a bunch of music and a cd player so we listen to that every day. Anything you´d want to send me woudl be a treat, really! Thanks for being thoughtful. Happy Birthday again, I love you!
Grandma and Grandpa- Thanks for the emails, I really appreciate it!

WEEK - 11 PACHUCA, MEXICO

Hola hola familia!
I have 30 minutes to write you today!
This week was great. We´re working hard to find as many people as we can. The problem we run into, and a lot of other elders here, is that people love to hear the message or anything about Christ. But when we encourage them to read and pray to know for themselves the message that can change their lives- they don´t. Alot of times after a lesson, they will say thank you and tell us they´re catolícos and don´t want to change. So we´re going to take a new approach this week, we´re going to start teaching more short first lessons, so we can reach more people. After conference this weekend, we´re going to get the members involved more, or try at least. We have a plan to go to the members homes for a short visit, and ask them right then to have everyone write down a few names they know. Then ask them to pray about the names, share a scriptures with them, then come back the next day to see who they have. Hopefully it will work!
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=114054482221229652040.0004666afc317de7d9100&ll=20.109417,-98.780351&spn=0.030909,0.038495&z=15">

Dad, you have our area exactly right! It´s a triangle. Our street is Tulancingo. We´ve been working alot in the "Puerto" streets, they´re apartments in Palmar. There are alot of people there that we can contact. Our area is pretty big so we´re going to start going to the other ares of Santa Julia.

Mom, Elder Reed is in my zone, he´s in a different district though. My district leader is also our Zone leader.

Okay you ready for this? Remember in the Church News they had a bunch on the Mexico City East Temple? I remember when Grandpa showed that to me, I looked at the picture of all the missionaries in front of the temple and wondered if my future companion was in it, well he was! Elder Sander is the 4th one in from the left, barely poking his head in the picture. The 7th elder in is my Zone Leader, Elder Camacho. Pretty Crazy huh?


L TO R: Elders Camacho ZL, Trevor, Sander(Comp) , Tanner ZL

Wow, Conferencía was perfecto no? The first session was in Spanish. That was hard! I wanted to know what Pres. Monson was saying, and I caught some of it. But I definetly caught when he talked about México! Everyone in that stake center perked up and whispered and got excited. It was neat to hear that. I felt the spirit so strong in that conference though, so that was good. That was how I had to learn, by the spirit! I really liked when they sang Israel, Israel God Is Calling! It reminded me of our home because Mom always has the hymns on! I don´t know why but that particular hymn has always stuck out to me, and I remember hearing it in our home.

Then the choir sang Consider the Lillies of the Field! I dont know if I told you or not, but in the MTC I sang in the choir once, and that was the song we sang! I´m so glad I was able to sing that one, it has so much meaning especially now that I´m in the field. I know Heavenly Father cares about every one of His children and wants them to find true happinnes in this life.

It was awesome to hear Elder Ballard speak! I felt some type of connection with all of the Elders that participated in conference we heard in the MTC.
I really liked Elder Pearsons talk. I want to thank you Mom, Dad, Grandpa and Grandma for having faith. He said "If we do not give them faith we have given them little" You 4 have definetly given me that and I¨am so grateful for that! Thank you. Dad and Grandpa, I wanted to thank you too. In priesthood Elder Costa quoted Elder Ballard saying that fathers need to "prepare them both spritiaully and temporally to look and act as servants of the Lord". I felt very grateful to have you two as amazing priesthood examples to look up to. Thank you again to all four of you, Pres. Monson told us to thank our parents, and if I have felt anything being out here inthe field its gratefulness for all you have done for me, every lesson and act of love, I have felt really grateful to be raised by such wonderful parents, and have such wonderful grandparents.

I really likied Elder Eyring´s talk in priesthood. Actually alot of these talks helped me specifically as a new, junior companion. Elder Hollands talk was great! When he said his message was to a new missionary feeling homesick the other elders in my zone looked over at me to see if that was me or not! haha!
The last song was awesome. "God Be With You ´Till We Meet Again" I felt the Savior´s warmth, and love knowing He really will watch over my family "till we meet again".
Yup, Conference was great! I learned so much and am going to be a better missionary because of it.

Sorry, I guess my whole email was about conference. I dont know what exactly to tell you about here, Everyday we go to our teaching appointments. We do alot of contacting and I´m getting better at that! Every other Tuesday we get mail, so tomorrow we should get some in our District Meeting. Hmm, what else..Do you have questions for me? Oh! I ate patas de pollo the other day! I knew it would come sooner or later! (chicken feet) It wasn´t as bad as I thought it would be, I just tasted like chicken- go figure!

I love you all, sorry I don´t have time to email each of you, Trent and Maegan and Maddie. We only get an hour to email. This Church is true! I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know the Spirit guides us and the promise is DyC 88 that He will go before our face is real. I have felt the Spirit speaking through me, when my Spanish vocabulary is drained and we´re in the middle of a lesson. How else would I be able to teach about Enduring to the End if the Spirit wasn´t there to help me? Thank you for all you do for me back home, I love and appreciate you all. Adios!
Élder Rasmussen