WEEK - 48 Ixtapaluca

HOLA FAMILIA!!!

FELIZ NAVIDAD, FELIZ NAVIDAD...FELIZ NAVIDAD, PROSPERO AÑO Y FELICIDAD!

Wow I can't believe the year is almost over! It has gone by so fast! Elder Kartchner and I were talking about how fast its gone, and we can't believe we're going to hit a year! We just gone done with our Zone activity, we went to the Metro station and sang while Elder Kartchner played the violin! We all wrapped Books of Mormon with our testimony on the inside. It was a lot of fun, and I know a lot of the people felt the spirit in the metro- even though we don't sing that great! Just a little side note, in that CD I sent home there was a video of Elder Segura selling hangers. It’s funny because that’s how the people yell when they sell things on the metro station, today we were singing while they were trying to sell! Haha!

Our District activity is going to be the 25. The 24 is a work day, at 730 Elder Juarez is going to call, and then we received an invitation to eat dinner at a sister’s house. The 25 we're doing our District activity and then going to the San Andres family to call you guys. President encouraged us to find a family or someone on the 24 or 25 that progresses towards baptism. We're going to do it too! Our District activity is going to help us get a lot of referrals. We're going to visit 5 families for every companionship, we're going to sing, share a message, ask for referrals, and leave with another hymn.
The San Andres family number is-XXXXX, but just use the number you already had. Can you call between 7 and 7 30? We'll be there waiting at 7, and I'll have the phone card just in case. Sound good? I'm excited to talk to you guys! It's going to be fun. Hope you enjoy your Christmas package!!

The 12 days of Christmas thing has been so much fun. I think I have one of the most creative families! The scripture clues are great! I told Elder Juarez to wait to open all of his until Christmas, but he wanted to open one so he opened his tie. I really like the ties you gave me! I wore the all red one today to the activity, and Elder Wright in my district wants to trade me for it!!

I don't think I told you yet, we received a referral from a sister that lives in a little town called Montecorona. Maybe I did tell you, I don’t remember. The sister’s cousin isn’t a member, her name is Areli and has always wanted to get baptized but needs to get married first. This week we're going to take them to get married, and she'll be baptized this week! We also found a sister whose kids have already been baptized but she couldn't at the time. Now she wants to be baptized and her date is also for this week, her name is Connie.

Tomorrow we're going with our Stake to the Visitors Center. Our Stake President is renting a big bus to take all the missionaries and 5 investigators. It’s going to be a great time and I hope the investigators feel the Spirit on the temple grounds.

This has been a great time to be a representative of Christ. People are even busier during this time of the year, and almost nobody wants to take ten minutes to listen to us, but I know they feel the spirit when we testify of Christ and His birth. I know He lives, and that He is our Savior and Redeemer. I know that He came to this earth for that very purpose and that all we have to do is come unto Him and he can help us and change us more than we know. I have seen many sons and daughters of God change their lives as they truly accept Him in their lives. What a great time of the year, Merry Christmas everyone!
-Elder Rasmussen

PS- TRENT!!!!! OH Man I am just freaking out knowing your getting your call!! I'm so excited I'm letting out little cries of excitement as well!! Our Assistant's brother got his call to the North Mexico City

WEEK - 47 Ixtapaluca

Hola familia!!

We helped a single sister in the ward paint her house today. She bribed all the missionaries to come help with homemade pizza! I hope you liked the package, I know you might not like the statue of Popocateptl and Itzacihuatl, but I just thought it would be cool because its such a big deal here in this area!

Thanks so much for the package you sent! I am truly enjoying it! Our house has 7 years in the mission so there was an old Christmas tree here with lights and...what are those things called?...ornaments. I really enjoyed the tie you sent and the CD is awesome! Thanks so much, all the missionaries thought the 12 days of Christmas thing was pretty neat! Thanks for being so creative!

Maddie!! I can't believe you're turning 10 tomorrow!?!?! Thats CRAZY! You look so big too! I cant wait for you to get your Birthday present! You get a birthday present AND a Christmas present from me! You're lucky! Ahora voy a cantar.... Feliz cumpleaños a tí, feliz cumpleaños a ti! Feliz cumpleaños a Maddie, feliz cumpleaños a ti! (Now I sing .... Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy Birthday to Maddie, happy birthday to you! ) Love ya Mads!

This week we had the opportunity to go to the temple in DF! It was such an amazing experience! The Temple here is really really pretty. It was great to see President Bulloch and his wife there with us in the session too! After the session we all went to the Temple cafeteria and ate, then we went to the Stake Center and had a devotional. The Spirit was there so strong in the chapel, we had a testimony meeting first and then Presidente spoke. He told us how we could spend Christmas. He said we could be with the members on Christmas Eve and Christmas for three hours, “OR BETTER you could work in the work of the Lord and find a family.” He said several things like that, he gave us the option to choose if we want to work or be with a family on Christmas Eve and Christmas. We're going to do a District service activity at a Hospital I think. I'm trying to plan it out right now, but that should be fun!

Okay family, I cant believe you guys ate the HOT TAMALES!!! I saw a picture a while ago that you were going to put them in my package, and have been anxiously awaiting them along with all the other gringos in my district! I listened to your tape and had to laugh when you all were enjoying them! Haha sorry, it was just pretty funny to me.

TRENT! I cant believe you have your papers in already!! That's so awesome bud! I can't wait to see wehre you go! I'm praying that you'll go to the best mission in the world- MISIÓN MÉXICO ESTE!!!

Allright we have to go, we have to head out to a little “pueblito” or little town called Miguel Avila Camacho. Its up in the mountains, where there's two wards. We received a referral and we're going to go check to see if she can be baptized this week!
Con mucho amor,
Elder Rasmussen

WEEK - 46 Ixtapaluca

Saludos a todos!
My birthday was a lot of fun! I am really in the best place in the world to celelbrate my birthday-MEXICO! The sister who gave us food found out it was my birthday and made this really awesome food called "Mixiotes" (pronounced- mishotes) And they bought me a cake! Later we went to the San Andres family and they made us lasagna!!!...and another cake. We didn’t just eat the whole day, dont worry! Thanks for the gifts guys, the nativity scene is awesome! And the tie was great too! Thanks!

Today we painted a sisters house in the morning, then we mailed your package finally!! Now we`re here, it took us a long time and my companion wants to get a haircut before tomorrow so thats what we´re going to do right now. I ahve to make this really short because we want to do it before pday finishes!

My new companion is Elder Juarez. He´s from Guanajuato, and was Elder Bertin’s companion before in Palmar, Pachuca! He’s a good guy, and hes ready to have success here in Ixtapaluca!

We´re going to the temple tomorrow at 1030! It’s going to be great, I miss going to the temple.

Christmas- President is going to talk to us about that tomorrow, but what I heard is that we can choose to talk on Christmas Eve or Christmas day, you guys pick. I was thinking I have a telephone so you can call me if you want to there, Id ont know how much more expensive it would be. It woudl probably be better the San Andres family.

Love you guys, have to go sorry its short!
Elder Rasmussen
ps- Mom, I did get the package, the second one Ill get tomorrow! You should get your package this Friday.
Thank you for the letters, I have to go now!

WEEK - 45 Ixtapaluca

BUENAS TARDES FAMILIA!
We received the changes last night, Elder Martinez is heading out of good ol San Buena! Hes pretty bummed out cuz he wanted to stay here for Christmas (I think he just wanted the package you’re going to send my companion for Christmas!! ) He’s excited though to get out there and have the same success that we were blessed with here.
This week we changed houses, so we were busy doing that. I have your package all ready to send off, we´re writing our emails real quick and then we have to go to the post office before they close. I’m sending your stuff in the same box you sent me, I didn’t have a box big enough! Thanks for the Christmas presents, I won’t open them until Christmas, I promise!
This week Elder Martinez and I saw another miracle, the hand of the Lord in the work. Sara and Jessica have already been baptized, but Sara’s husband Sergio wasn’t too sure about it. This week we talked alot with him, and he told us he wasn’t sure. He went to his baptismal interview and realized he had no need to be afraid. I know the Lord blessed him and softened his heart, his wife Sara and their daughter Jessica were praying the whole time that he would accept! Yesterday I had the opportunity to baptize him, it was a great experience!
The San Andres family invited us over for Elder Martinez birthday. They made us steak and ribs, BBQ style! It was so good. I haven’t had food like that in a long time! Elder Martinez really enjoyed it!

Next week we are going to the Temple!! Ill write you next Monday and tell you the time.
Well that’s all for today, we have to hurry to the post office before they close! Thanks for all the letters and nice things you sent me. We are eating with the San Andres family again for my birthday dinner, they invited us over to eat lasagna!
Con mucho amor,
Elder Rasmussen

WEEK - 44 Ixtapaluca

TEOTIHUACAN OTRA VEZ!

Hey everyone,
Well today was a national holiday so the San Andres family had the day free and asked us if we wanted to go anywhere. We asked if we could go to Teotihuacan, and they took us and the other Elders in our District, Elder Segura and Livingston. We had a great time, and I hope I can get some pictures off to you so you can see some more of it! Elder Livingston and Martinez had never been before, so they really liked it. Elder Segura had only been one time before and couldn’t see everything, so we all had a good time.

First I want to tell you about our miracle for the week. About a month ago we found a family who had been baptized about a year and a half ago. Their dad didn’t get baptized. We have really been trying to help him progress, but he never really showed much interest. About two weeks ago he came to church, so we went and visited him again and set his baptism date. He said he would read and pray, and then tell us. Well this week we went to visit him, and when we went in we asked him about how he felt for his baptism, and he said he was ready! His name is Dagoberto Barrera, we baptized him on Saturday and he was confirmed on Sunday. We truly saw a change in this mans life, he was really closed at first but we saw how after reading and praying about the Book of Mormon he realized this was true.

“Te hallaré mi querido amigo” went awesome! It was one of the best activities our ward has seen in a while. At the end we all sang the song. I dont know if it exists in English, but it really is an amazing song. As we sang it, it was really neat to look out and see some of my “queridos amigos”- or “dear friends”- that we have found. I really believe that we knew these people before, and that we promised them we would find them. We testified to the members of the ward that they have “queridos amigos” that they havent found yet. “queridos amigos” that are just waiting for them to share what they have now. I know this is true, and its true there too! At home there are a ton of people that are just waiting for us to open our mouth and share a little of the best thing that will bless their lives. I also wanted to tell you about a video, Im guessing its on YouTube. Its called “By Small and simple things”, we use it here in the mission to help the members give us referrals. Watch that video, and you’ll understand that it really is easy to share the gospel, and that by “small and simple things, great things come to pass”.
This week Elder Johnson the area president is going to come to tour our mission. Its going to be a great experience, and I know I will learn the things I need to apply to be a better servant of the Lord.

December 8 we’re going to the temple as a mission!!! I am so excited, its been way to long since I’ve been to the temple. Ill give you more updates on that when it gets closer.

Elder Segura and Elder Haro (another elder in my district) are going home next Friday. They have been telling us that since a month ago their family was telling them “Oh, can’t wait for you to be home, we have everything ready, do you want to do this or this?” They said its really really hard to stay focused when their family says things like that, so I’m just asking you in advance, please don’t “kill me” when I get to have that much time in the mission. Thanks!

President Bulloch sent us an inspiring message today. I hope you can translate it to be able to understand it. Maybe Ill translate it for you, it really is powerful. The title was, “Cumplir o morir”- Complete or die.


A través de los años yo he tenido muchos secretarios y asistentes administrativos. Los mejores son los que cuando se les pide hacer algo, lo hacen, lo hacen rápido, y lo hacen bien. He tenido otros que han regresado varias veces para explicarme porque no se podía, buscar maneras de pasar la tarea a alguien más, tardar de cumplir, o a cuestionar mi decisión.

“Through the years, I have had many secretaries, and administrative assistants. The best are those that when asked to do something, they do it. They do it fast, and they do it well. I have had others that have returned many times to explain to me why they couldn’t, to look for someone else to pass it to, to take longer to complete, or to question my decision.”

He goes on to talk about Nephi and how he wouldn’t leave until he had the plates, and how we should have that attitude as missionaries. Then he closed with this powerful statement,” Why does the Lord use a young man or a young woman to teach the gospel? The Lord uses the unlikely to accomplish the impossible. That is His pattern.” Elder Russell M. Nelson

I want to be a missionary that doesn’t ask why, try to slack off, or question. I want to do it. Do it fast, and do it well. I want to complete with my objective as a missionary the best I can and give all I have to the Lord.

Well, I love you familia! Thanks for all the support you give me, again I really enjoyed the package. I am still enjoying it, and will at my birthday.

CUMPLIR O MORIR!

Elder Rasmussen

WEEK - 43 Ixtapaluca

BUENAS TARDES!

Mexico City gets pretty cold in the winter! The volcanoes have snow on them and because they're so close the wind blows and hits us with the really cold air.

Well, surprise! I got my birthday package already! It was pretty fun to get some very needed things from you guys, and Elder Martinez really loved his stuff that you sent him! The shoe inserts, and the pen. Everyone wanted my pen that Dad made me, and with the shoe inserts we feel like weŕe walking on air. I really enjoyed the recording that you made. I can’t believe how Seth sounds! Seth! You’re growing up buddy! He sounds like Chad! The Birthday card was awesome too, thanks to everyone for signing it!

This week was great. President Bulloch came to the house on Friday. Wow, we battled to get the house looking good. The missionaries have lived there for years, and even though it was clean as it is ever going to get (thanks to moms great teaching skills) President and Sister Bulloch recommended we find another house. So we are on a search for a new house in San Buenaventura, wish us luck! We had interviews with President in our house too, that was a neat experience. We were in our room where we study, and it was just so cool to have our President there with us. He blessed our home so that we can have the Spirit there and be able to work with power and authority. It was really special to have our mission president there, blessing our home. I’ll always remember that experience.



Yesterday we baptized a 15 year old girl named Jessica. Her aunt is the Stake Young Women’s pres., and she is really excited to be a member. I think I told you about how we found them... or maybe not. I don’t remember. We received the referral from the Visitors Center, and when we went to visit them nobody had left their direction there. We asked their aunt, but she hadn’t either! It was really a miracle. Her mom and dad are progressing for their baptism this week. The Lord is really blessing us with complete families!



Saturday we went with the San Andres Family to the Visitors Center. They really, really enjoyed it. They have the goal to go to the Temple in a year. I sent the picture we took when we went. It’s really cool, they have a room that talks about the temple, and when you’re in the room, you can see the temple through a big window they have. The sister missionary asked if they would like to go in one day and they all said yes!

This Saturday we are having a ward activity. We ve been planning it for a while now. It’s called “Te Hallaré mi Querido Amigo”- I will find you My Dear Friend. It’s about two friends in the Pre existence that find out one is going to be born in the church and the other no, and the one friend promises to find him and baptize him. Its going to be short, but great! It’s to help the members get excited about the work. We are going to act it out and then we have a presentation with pictures from the converts of the members in the ward, and the new converts in the ward, and at the end we have all the primary kids holding a little plaque that says “future missionary”. It will be great and we pray the members will get more excited about the work!

OH! Crazy news! Elder Martinez told me that a Sister Saucedo was one of the missionaries that baptized his family in Monterrey. Then he told me she lives in Pachuca, I remembered that there was a sister Saucedo in Palmar! We called Elder Bertin and asked him to check, and he called me back and said that Sister Saucedo (in my ward in my Pachuca) baptized Elder Martinez and his family 13 years ago! Small world!

Yesterday we confirmed 6 people- the San Andres family, and Adań and Viri. The other companionship in our ward had four confirmations, so in all we had 10 confirmations in our ward! It took up most of the time too! We confirmed them, they passed the sacrament, and like two people bore their testimony and it was time to go to the next class. It was overwhelming for me to see so many people being confirmed. I thought of the scripture in Alma 29:10. My joy really is full, seeing so many of our brothers and sisters coming to the Lord. This really is the Lords work, and I am so grateful for the time we have here to work with everything we have so that the work goes on even more.

Thanks for the letters, Ill be praying for you with Dad being gone, and for Trent! Love you,

Elder Rasmussen

Week 42 Ixtapaluca

HOLA HOLA!
Hope everyone enjoyed Halloween, here they celebrate "Dia de los Muertos", that’s today! Everyone puts on their costume before Halloween! On Thursday and Friday kids were already in their costumes!

This week was amazing! We baptized an awesome family, The San Andres family. I know Ive told you about them. They weren’t sure last week if they were going to be baptized this Sunday, because they were going to go on a trip. We went last Monday after we reported and went to teach them. We went praying that we could convince them to not go on this trip. I guess I have to explain the trip. They wanted to go to this weird retreat thing, its a thing sponsored by Alcoholics anonymous. Basically they make the people that go write their whole life story down and they make them feel bad about it until they have an emotional breakdown! It’s crazy! Antonio (the dad) wanted to go because he said the last time he was there he asked Heavenly Father to show him the right way, the next day he said he saw us walking down the street and that’s when he said "Good luck!" We of course contacted him, and he said that he felt like the needed to go back and finish what he started. We talked to him about baptism and the importance of it, we used President Bullochs "Baptismal Invitation" and when we had finished, Antonio was in tears. This family is really special, they know the Book of Mormon is true, and they really wanted to be baptized. So they decided they were only going to go Friday, Saturday and then come back early on Sunday. We were by their house on Saturday and we saw their little girl, Sammy. We said hi to her and she said "Hey, my parents are here!" We went ot visit them, and they didn’t say anything but we suspected that they didn’t really like their trip. Later, after their baptism, Antonio told me they didn’t like it anymore!! Later last night we went with the bishop to visit them, Antonio told us how he used to think that living under commitments would be worse for him in his life, but he told us how he felt free to make choices, more free. The Lord really does prepares people to receive the gospel, especially families!

We found about 3 or 4 families this week. The Lord is truly blessing this area!! The Lord blessed us to be able to bring 17 people to Church this week too. Elder Martinez and I really saw the blessings of the Lord in the work. It's so amazing to see the people that the Lord is preparing. For example, we checked a referral from the Visitors center and it turns out the mom of the family has a sister that is our stake young women’s president. We figured she gave us the referral, but it turns out she didn’t do it, and nobody in the family left their name in the visitors center. They don’t know who gave the referral! This family is awesome, and they’re excited for their baptism as well.

Yesterday we had Stake Conference. Presidente Bulloch came to the conference, and gave a great talk. He basically told the members how important their job is as members of the church to help us in the work. It affected the people so much, that the San Andres family even commented on it when we visited them with the Bishop! They said how important their role is now as members of the Church to help the missionaries. It was a great talk!

This Friday President and his wife are going to come to our house to check it our and make sure its clean! We’ve been working hard because the missionaries before us left it a mess complete with skateboard marks on the floor that will not come off!! In two weeks Elder Johnson the Area President is coming to speak to our mission! We are getting ready for it! It's going to be awesome to hear him come. The Area Presidency mailed a letter about two weeks ago, inviting the members of the Church to pray and fast for the leaders of Mexico and for the members of the Church. It’s a powerful message, hope you can translate it on Google.

Mom, you are right! Its hard to think in English now, I know my letters aren’t as detailed as they were, its just really hard!
I don’t know if I was able to describe this week well enough, but it really was amazing. It was one of the most successful weeks I’ve had in my mission, and it all came because of the Lord. He gave us all of our success!! This work is the most important thing we can do, I hope you are still inviting everyone to come unto Christ! Don’t get discouraged if they say no, just think of all the people the Lord is preparing to hear the gospel!!
Con mucho amor,
Elder Rasmussen

Week 41 Ixtapaluca

BUENAS TARDES FROM MEXICO!!

Did you know in Mexico its okay to carry a lion and a tiger in a cage in the back of your truck? Haha! The circus was in town last week, so theyŕe carrying around all their animals. It was kind of funny, they put the tiger and lion asleep sometimes, we saw them when the car was stopped on the side of the road and people started to come and stick their hands inside the cage!! They woke up the tiger and it roared and smacked the cage! I guess some people dont value their hands!

Last week in the changes meeting, the new District Leaders had a meeting with Pres. Bulloch. Elder Bertin is a new District Leader as well! He talked to us about our responsibility, and that he and the Lord really trust us. He told us something that made me realize the importance of our job. He said that he is loaning us the keys that Elder Bednar gave him when he set him apart to give baptismal interviews. Im learning to really rely on the Lord as I take on this new job.







Its been so cold here lately! All the houses are made out of brick, and there's no heater so at night we are freezing! Poor Elder Martinez has never been in the cold in all his life! He wakes up every morning freezing to death. The volcanoes have snow on them, They look pretty cool! Ill send the picture of the “Mujer Dormida”, or the “Sleeping woman” If you look it looks like a lady sleeping! Haha, go figure!

Hey Brother Thomas told me Adam got his call! Tell him congrats, and that I'll help him practice his Spanish! Haha, can you tell him to write me an email? Gracias!

Yesterday, we baptized Adan y Viriana. Theyre two kids of an inactive lady. Elder Sander and Elder Mora had found them and tried to teach but they never could, so they left the teaching report in the Area book, we found it and taught them. These kids are great, and were so excited to be baptized.

We are teaching a family of four, called the San Andres Family. They are really awesome, when we taught them the Word of Wisdom, they gave us their last four cigarettes, dumped out their alcohol, and gave us their expensive coffee. They are really progressing, and it amazes me every time to be able to see the change in peoples lives. When people start to complete with the commandments and repent, you can see the Atonement working in their lives. It is a testimony everytime, that Christ lives and that he really is our Savior and Redeemer. I know it without a doubt, because I have seen the effects of his Atoning Sacrifice in the lives of many people. I know Heavenly Father lives, that this is His true Church, and that people can change their entire life when they put their trust in HeavenlyFather. This is the work of our Heavenly Father!! What a wonderful opportunity to spend two years of my life serving Him. Love you all,
Elder Rasmussen

Week 40 Ixtapaluca

Hola Hola!

Interesting Mexico Fact- Our Bishop is a graphic designer and a few years ago went to Europe and won for the best design for Readers Digest. Pretty cool eh?



Maddie! Gabriela wrote you a letter, shes waiting for your letter!!
“Hello, my name is Gabriela Mancilla Hernandez. My Moms name is Piedad and my dads name is Robert. My older sisters name is Fabiola. She is 21 years old. My brother is 16 years old, Im the smallest. Elder Rasmussen and Elder Martinez are visiting us in my house and they teach us the word of Jesus Christ. We are reading The Book of Mormon. They gave us a beautiful packet of family books for Church. Your brother taught us to make “Pan Frances” (French Toast) in Family Home Evening. They are nice. Your brother is very “pleasant” (??agradable, nice?) and teaches us things and guess what? We were baptized and confirmed and they took us to see the Temple in Aragon! WE hope that some day you come to México to visit us and stay in our home. If we have the opportunity to go we will visit you. I hope that you write me! -Gabriela”

Sister Piedad signed up to give us food yesterday. She said the only day available was yesterday, her birthday! It was very humbling, they cooked us one of the best Mexican foods called “El Hambre”. It is so delicious, but I can just imagine that it costs a ton of money. Piedad worked every day last week, cleaning all the houses she could just so she could give us this food. It was very humbling...and even though we were full from the French Toast we made for Francisco and Fernando (the two kids) we stuffed it down because we know what a sacrifice it was for them!

This week Fernando y Fernando, and Raúl were baptized. There are just awesome! Fernando y Ricardo (I just realized I put “y” for and..wow this is hard to write in English!) and their family are progressing and are reactivated now. Raúl is doing just awesome with staying away from smoking! Next week we have two kids of an inactive sister that wants to start coming back to Church. Theyŕe names are Viri and Adan.

We just finished the cycle so last night when we called Elder King our District Leader he told us we didn have changes, but that he did. Then he told me that I am going to be our new District Leader! Iḿ a little nervous, but ready to take on this challenge. I know if I put my trust in the Lord, he will help me be the missionary and district leader that HE wants! Tomorrow I am going to do my first three interviews!

Well, times up. I feel like I dont have as much time to write or say what I want to because I have to think about it so much! Haha, ADIOS!!
-Elder Rasmusse

WEEK - 39 Ixtapaluca

Want to know something random and crazy about where I’m at? There’s a VOLCANO called Popocateptl (or something like that, we just call it the “Popo”) And the other day it emitted ASH! Haha it was pretty cool. About 8 years ago it erupted lava, and the people that have lived here in San Buenaventura a long time were here to see it. They say the Japanese bought it, and are putting bombs around it so it will explode and they can get all the minerals that are just waiting inside! Haha I think that’s just a story though! Oh but don’t worry, if it does explode while I’m here then it will go towards the other side, towards Puebla. Whew! I know, I know, you were worried right?

Okay just a small investigator report, Dad asked me to do that and I forgot! It´s hard to type in English now. I wish you all understood Spanish so I could just type faster and not have to think so hard! Haha okay here’s the list---
- Piedad, Roberto, Beto, and Gabi- This family is awesome! They are kind of poor, and really humble and they do so much for us. They always invite us to eat even though we know they barely have enough to eat. When we try to refuse Sis. Piedad gets upset and tells us to sit down and eat! Fabiola still doesn´t want to come to Church, we’re trying to do everything! We just have to find the right way to help her. MADDIE! Fabiola wants to hear from you! She gave me a letter to translate and send to you, but I forgot it. If you write her a letter I can translate it, she wants you to be her “pen pal”, cool huh?
- Ricardo y Fernando- These are two kids, Ricardo is 10 and Fernando is 9. I don´t remember if I told you about them. We saw a man walking alone and we contacted him, he told us he was inactive and invited us to his house. They have a “papeleria” in the back of their house, we enter through a small door in their papeleria haha its kind of funny to see me squeeze through the two foot high door! Anyways, these two kids are awesome! They’re going to be baptized next week. Their Mom, Cecillia, is an Avon seller and gave me a cool watch! The people here really care about the missionaries.
- Beatriz and her kids- Beatriz is an inactive member. She has three kids that have the age of baptism. She was a miracle! She went to Church almost two years ago when Elder Sander and Elder Mora were here. They made a “registro”…whats that word….form? Investigator form? With her direction and everything. When we were praying for help to find new investigators we found this sheet with her name and direction! Her kids are awesome, and they have their date for the 25.
- Alicia- She was supposed to be baptized last week, but was in DF all week and didn{t come to Church. We´re going to find her and she´ll be baptized this next week.
- Raul- I told you about him! Raul is awesome, he contacted us in the street right after his wife had kicked him out. He asked us what we do, and what we teach. He accepted his date for this last Sunday, but he smoked. We gave him some suckers to pull out whenever he hast he temptation to smoke, and it really works! He is really excited for his baptism next Sunday because he knows Heavenly Father is the only one who can help him with his wife. We told him we´re not very good for giving advice about his wife and him because we´re not married! Haha


This is a picture of Maria del Carmen in the center with ward members
- Maria Del Carmen- She was baptized yesterday! Tonight she told us we have to come over so she can try “Pan Frances” or, French Toast. It´s becoming a tradition in our ward! The missionaries before would buy a cake for every person, but Pan Frances is more original, right?

Mom! Haha I thought of you the other day! We had to teach the Law of chastity to Fernando and Ricardo. I was trying to think of how we could teach it, we ended up teaching about movies and how we should be careful with what we see on internet and movies. I told them imagine that the movie is a like a cookie, that looks really good, but if you put a little bit of dog poop in it would you eat it? They made a face and said NO!! We compared that to movies and internet and I think the “cookie example” really helped, so thanks! Everything you’ve taught us we can use in our mission!
We went with our District to play soccer today. I was the designated “picture taker” because I´m so bad! Haha just kidding, my knee was hurting, and we’re an odd number so I sat out. After we went to a plaza in Ixtapaluca and found Chinese food!! It wasn’t quite like Pandas, but hey that’s okay!
EVERYONE! I need your help! My companion, Elder Martinez, hasn’t been getting letters from his family. His parents don’t use computers, and his brother is always busy so he never can. PLEASE send him some letters. Use Google translator, and send it to him! His email is-
eldermtzsolano@myldsmail.net

This is for everyone that reads this! POR FAVOR AYUDEN A MI COMPAÑERO!
Okay, well we have to take off. I love you all! I just want to end with a quick story. Our goal every week is to get as many people as we can to Church. Last week we had a ton of people that said they would go to Conference, but only 4 went. This week, we really worked hard. We prayed so hard for the Lords help. This Sunday we were blessed with fourteen investigators at church! It was a huge blessing! I know this is the Lords work. I am so blessed to be a missionary in the best part of the world! Mexico is awesome! The people here are so ready to accept the Gospel, and come unto Christ. We have seen so many miracles, and all of them have been at the hand of the Lord. Love you all,
Elder Rasmussen