Happy Easter

 
Hello Everyone,

     This week has been full of great things. We had a bit of a hectic day on Monday, so thats why I am writing today because we didn't have time. 

     First of all I would like to wish everyone a happy Easter and I hope you all enjoyed your spring break! Because I did too! 

     In this past week we found some new families to teach and they are so amazing! On Saturday, we had a great experience finding a family. So we had planned to stop by to visit an old investigator that we didn't know. We just found her info in the area book so we decided to go look for her at 4 pm. 

     However, our appointments that we had that morning fell through. My companion felt the need to visit this investigator even though we had planned to look for them at 4 pm. So instead, at 12 noon we went to the house. Just as we got there, Ana (the investigator) was standing in the doorway. Then her mom came outside to greet us. We explained who we were and she started crying. She expressed how stressed she is with her life and trying to raise her daughter in this fallen world. She felt like God really answered her prayers as we arrived in the exact moment that she needed. We have an appointment with them tomorrow, so hopefully we will get some great results and baptismal dates! 

     We found another family too. The Mom also expressed to us how she had been looking in other religions and that none of them had really pleased her. Also that she has been looking for a way to strengthen her relationship with her family. I was with Elder Zambrano (hes an AP right now) and we had a great lesson. Abigail (the Mom) started crying when her son Gerardo (19 years old) said the closing prayer. The spirit was so strong and she also committed to come to general conference this week and to be baptized on April 22nd! Miracles!! 

       On Monday morning we had a celebration with President and Sister Kirkham here on the Island with the entire zone. Just so you know, Elder Vargas and I are the only Elders on the Island now...the rest are all sisters. Its a bit weird to be honest. Anyways, we had an Easter Celebration and it was great. We painted Easter eggs! Which is a tradition that doesn't exist here in Mexico, but we had to because its Easter and all. It was great. The best part was making the eggs into egg salad sandwiches which were delicious! I told the other missionaries that thats what we do in our family, throw Easter eggs! and they didn't believe me haha!

 

     We also learned a bit more about Jesus Christ and the importance of this holy week. I love Easter week. It is such a wonderful opportunity that we have to celebrate the last week of the Saviors life. The work that he did here on this earth is the most important thing that has ever occurred in the history of the world. As Alma states in Alma 34 that without the atoning Sacrifice, all mankind would have been lost and would have perished. I am so grateful for the Saviors love towards each and every one of us. And his Resurrection is like the cherry on the cake. Because he overcame death, everyone now has that chance. I hope you all had the chance to see the video, "aleluya" which talks about the Resurrection and how we can all find a new life through Jesus Christ. In my time here as a missionary, I can truly say that I have found a new life in Jesus Christ. I invite all of you to look for Jesus Christ, to find the new life that he promises us through sincere repentance and baptism. Of course it had to be performed by someone who holds the priesthood of God. I know that This power has been restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. I know that the only way to return to our father in heaven is through SINCERE REPENTANCE along with all the saving ordinances of the gospel. I love you all and hope that you have a wonderful week. Hopefully you will all be able to watch General Conference this week. If you have questions about the gospel, you should write them down before conference and listen for the answers as you watch. That's what I am going to do! Have a great week!

     Love,

        Elder Strate

                       Basketball with neighbors and pizza from Dominoes