He's home!!!!!!

     Dawson returned home Tuesday, July 19th, 2016 at 5:07 pm at the Lethbridge Airport. He left Cancun at 6 am, flew to Dallas, then to Calgary, then to Lethbridge. He was greeted by this parents, sisters, Strate and French grandparents. Bryce & Cindy and their two youngest. Allison and her three children (Kevin will be down this weekend). Rhonda & Scott with Ali. Along with camera men and Dawson's two good friends Connor Rango Wright and Carter Hansen.
     We had posters, maracas and lots of cheering to welcome Dawson as he came through the doors. After all the hugs were done, we went to Rhonda and Scott's for a BBQ. At 6:30 pm we left to get Dawson to President Randy Wilde's home in Welling for him to get released. It was a spiritual, but tough moment for Dawson as he had to take his name tag off. We stopped at the Blue Goose on the way home and he got a snow bob.
     He are some pictures from the event, I'm sure more will be added from a busy week as he sees more friends and family.

Meme

My last letter

     Hello Everyone,

     ¡¡Estoy bien muerto!! 

     This is my last week in the mission field... how very sad to think that! 

     Therefore, this will probably be my last letter. So I will try to make it good! 

     I have learned so much in these two short years as a missionary. I can definitely say that my time here has been very well spent. Lots of people have asked me if its really worth it to serve a full time mission. If its worth sacrificing two years of our lives to serve in a foreign land, speaking a foreign language, talking with utter strangers about God, and all of the other challenges and difficulties that arise. Is it all worth it? I want to say to you all that it is worth it. Every single year, month, week, day, minute, and second is worth it. Its not easy, but its definitely worth it. I have been able to draw closer to my Saviour than ever before and have learned countless things about him and his restores gospel (those of you who are returned missionaries know what I´m talking about). There is honestly no other experience that competes with the mission. I would not trade it for 1 billion dollars. No amount of money, or other worldly riches can amount to the blessings that one receives. I have seen these blessings in my personal and family life. I love this work and I am grateful that I still have one week left to wear this name tag to represent Christ and his church. 

     I want all of you to know how much I truly love you. I´m sure that you are all annoyed because I always say that in my letters. However I say it because its true! I have learned that love truly does conquer all! That love is charity, which is the pure love of Christ. It doesn´t matter how hard someone is, or how much we get rejected, spit upon, or hated for the name of Christ. Love is the greatest antidote for all! I have seen people with the hardest hearts in the world, and how the Saviours love has softened them. 

     Thanks for reading all of my letters throughout these two years, I hope that they weren´t too boring! I´m not very good at writing but hey I try! 

     May we all press forward with steadfastness in Christ until the end. And never forsake his gospel or his church. I invite you all to read a chapter from the book of mormon this week. Moroni 7 which talks about charity and many other wonderful things. This chapter has changed my life and I know that it will change yours. 

     For the last time, thank you all and have a wonderful week in the work of salvation!

        Love,

            Elder Strate 

New Mission President

Hello Everyone,

This week has been good. We got to know our new Mission President and his wife, the Reynoso family! They are so awesome. We had a meeting with them in Cancun on Wednesday and it was wonderful. They have a very strong spirit about them and I know that they were called by God to guide this mission!

They talked about some very basic things/rules as missionaries. Like obedience, knowing how to teach, etc. It was great. He compared the mission rules to a lighthouse. That when we are "out at sea" the lighthouse will guide and protect us always. However if we choose to not follow the light and go where we want, we can get lost and maybe even die at sea. I feel like this principle not only applies to us as missionaries, but to all members of the church. Obedience is the first law in heaven for a reason! Without out it we would all surely be lost.

Also, this morning my companion and I went to the Hacienda Mundaca. He hadn´t been there yet so we went and explored a bit. Its really beautiful there and lots of things to see! Let´s just say that as we were walking through the forest, I saw some cool light coming through the trees.

Only 2 weeks left....man I can´t believe it. Going to have to work extra hard to finish strong! Thanks for all the support and love. Hope you are all having a great summer and may the spirit be with you all!!

Love,

Elder Strate

                               My Comp - Elder Moreno