Election craziness

Hello Everyone,

     This week has been a bit better than the last. We are starting to find some more people to teach, but its still hard. Yesterday we were not allowed to proselyte. The elections took place yesterday. People here are a bit crazy when it comes to politics, so thats why we stayed inside all day. If they don't get what they want, then they will take out their machetes and knives and just riot! It seriously gets crazy!! The other day I heard that two people died because of the fights. That one party doesn't agree with another. Crazy!! We were able to go to church still, so that was good. But thats all over know, so hopefully we can get the missionary work going because the people aren't focused in politics anymore haha. 

     The members are super happy that they have someone that can play the piano when we sing hymns. There wasn't anyone who knew how to play before. So thats going good! I hope that everyone had a great week. Keep writing and sending your love and thoughts!! Another week in the Work of Salvation!! Couldn't be doing anything better!!

     Sarah- You think its hot there!?!? ITS 40 DEGREES HERE EVERY DAY AND THE HUMIDITY IS THROUGH THE ROOF!!! I SWEAT JUST FROM STANDING OUTSIDE, IN THE SHADE!!!! Lol. Sounds like your busy, and thats awesome!! Keep doing wonderful things and always being a good example to your sisters. And Derek hahaha.

Love,

Elder Strate

Hello Everyone,

     First and foremost...I would like to wish my two amazing sisters a happy birthday!! Sarah on May 22th and Miranda on May 30th. I think, haha! Happy birthday and hope you both had a wonderful week full of fun!

     So, life is pretty slow here in Calotmul. We don't have many investigators to work with but we are starting to find some more with the help of the members. Its also difficult to talk to people too because usually there are not many people walking in the streets. And we can't knock on doors, so we're going to have to do something. 

      However, things are starting to get rolling here!! There is a piano here in the house of prayer, but no one knows how to play. So. guess who gets to be the Branch Pianist!?!? Thats right! I do! And yesterday was Branch Conference so the members were super excited because I played. Actually, later today we are going to the house of prayer and I'm going to try to teach some of them how to play. Key word, "try" haha. But I'm excited and hopefully we can keep gaining the confidence of the members. 

 

     We do have an investigator with a baptismal date for the 13th of June. And shes progressing really well so far and we shouldn't have any problems! (fingers crossed!) We are also planning an ward mission activity so hopefully we can get some more people to teach. Well, thats about all I've got. Thanks for all the support! Keep being faithful and immovable in the gospel!!

 

Love,

Elder Strate

Transferred, training and DL

Hello Everyone,

            I have lots to say and not much time, so I will try to remember it all and write it all!!

Okay, first off we had a conference on Sunday morning. And guess to came to visit us!? Elder David A.Bednar!! Thats right!! He came to talk to us. All of us!! All the missionaries in this mission. We are like 130 or something like that. It was so awesome, and we got to take a picture with him!!!! Not individually, but as a whole group. It was amazing. 
     

                                          Dawson is on the back row, 4th from the right.

           So in preparation for this special meeting, we were asked to read and study 3 talks by Elder Bednar. And when we started, he made us super comfortable and told us not to worry and that he wasn't here to condemn us haha. It was basically like an interactive meeting were we just talked back in forth to one another. He started off by asking us what we learned from his talks we studied. And the people who wanted to speak and share what they learned raised their hand, stood up, and a microphone was brought to that person so talk to Elder Bednar. And guess what!? Thats right. I talked to Elder David A. Bednar!!! How awesome is that!?!? Then he also asked me some questions about what I shared with him. But not questions about church doctrine or or personal questions. Just like, about how the part I shared changed the way I do things as a missionary. Questions like that. It was so amazing!! You have no idea what its like talking to an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ!! Wow. When he made eye contact with me, I literally felt a powerful shock that penetrated my heart and my entire body. Not a bad shock, but I felt the spirit so powerful that I can't even describe it!! I wish you were all there so you could have seen him and felt the spirit too!!! I KNOW THIS CHURCH IS TRUE!! And Jesus Christ is at the head of it!! Working through is Prophets and Apostles!!

            So, now I finally did get tranferred!! I am now in a small town in the state of the Yucatan. A very small town called Calotmul (Call-oot-mool). It is so wonderful here!! Its about the size of Magrath(speaking of population that is). I think its smaller geographically. Anyways, I really like it here and I also have a new companion! His name is Elder Del Cid and he is from Guatemala. And he just barely started his mission, so I am going to finish up his training. Yep I am a trainer now!! This is my first time training!! Hopefully I will do a good job haha. Also I am the district leader here, Double assignment for the win! This town is actually a really poor place. The people here work hard but they don't earn much money. Maybe 10 dollars a day...maybe. But that doesn't seem to matter here because everyone is so happy! 

            Sorry I don't have any pics to send of the house or anything right now. But our house is a lot bigger than the other one in Playa. And I do feel like I am at home. Being in a little town and all! There are also a lot of less actives here, so we should have lots of work to do!! 

            Anyways, thats about all I've got for right now. Thanks for all your love and support!! Keep praying and sending thoughts!! Oh, and I''ve almost been out for 10 months..!! Wow time flies!!  

     Lots of love,

                Elder Strate

Got to be a tourist today!

Hello Everyone,

     I hope everyone like my spanish letter last week!! Who knows, maybe someday in the future it will happen again! 

     So this week has been pretty good! We have some investigators that are progressing nicely. 

     This morning we went to Tulum to see the ruins! I have to say, they are amazing!! I will try to send as many photos as posible, because I took a lot...like more than 100... hey don't judge!! Lol. 

     It was awesome. Elder Smith and I went with two other Elders in our district, Elder Chavez and Elder Vargas. 

 

     It was an adventure! It was so amazing because this is really the setting of the Book of Mormon. The history of the Mayan people here are descendants of Lehi when he came here from Jerusalem. And Elder Smith had already been here with a member who knows a lot about the details. So he explained it to us too. Its amazing how the details match the history and the things that it talks about in the Book of Mormon!! It is so true!! I would like t explain it to you too but its better if you were to come here. Oh, and there are a bunch of iguanas here! And they get pretty big. 

 

     Also, this Sunday (yesterday) we had our meeting in the new church! Actually the new Stake. Its called, "Stake of Zion". How awesome is that!?!? So thats the scoop for this week everyone. And we are having transfers this next Sunday, and who knows if I will stay or go haha. 

     Thanks so much for all your love and support and we'll see next week if I will stay here or if I go somewhere else!! 

          Love,

              Elder Strate

 

Tulum

     Tulum is the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city serving as a major port for Cobá. The ruins are situated on 12-meter tall cliffs, along the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Tulum was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Mayas; it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. Old World diseases brought by the Spanish settlers appear to have been the cause of its demise. One of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites, Tulum is today a popular site for tourists.

Howdy

Hola todos,

Me gustaría empezar dando gracias por todo mi familia. Específicamente mi madre. Ayer tuvimos la oportunidad para celebrar el día de la madre. Este día festivo is algo tan potente y tan maravillosa. Porqué tenemos la oportunidad para agradecer todo lo que han hecho nuestras madres in nuestras vidas. Entonces, quiero expresar el tanto amor que tengo para mi madre. Ella ha sufrido muchas dolores y pruebas tratando de crecerme en una ambiente buena. No hay palabras que pueden expresar todos los sentimientos que tengo hacia ella. También quiero que ustedes sepan que las madres son un regalo que nunca tan especial que a veces no comprendemos de todo el amor que ellas tienen para nosotros. 

Ahora bien, pues creo que ninguno de ustedes estaban esperando un mensaje totalmente en español verdad? Jajajaja. Bueno, esa era uno de mis ideas desde el principio de mi misión. Pero, yo tenía que esperar hasta que yo pude hablar español jaja. Espero que entienden y si no, pues lo siento. 

Bueno, ahora pues algo acerca de esta semana pasada. Tuve la oportunidad hablar con mi familia ayer. Era algo muy especial para mi y espero que todos nosotros podemos apreciar mas nuestras familias. 

Todo está bien aquí. Yo y mi compañero estamos trabajando más y encontrando algunos personas más para enseñar y bautizar también!! Lo siento, pero no tengo fotos nuevos para hoy :( pero, por lo menos una carta es bueno todavía! Jaja. 

Soló les pido que pueden seguir orando para mi. Y pues, esto es todo creo. Muchísimas gracias por todo el amor y buenos pensamientos. Dios les bendiga y tengan buena semana!! 

Con Muchísimo Amor,

Elder Strate 

Now in English...... funny kid

     Hello everyone,

      I would like to begin by thanking my family. Specifically my mother. Yesterday we had the opportunity to celebrate Mother's Day. This holiday is something so powerful and so wonderful. Why we have this opportunity to thank all who have made our mothers in our lives. So I want to express much love I have for my mother. She has suffered many pains and trials trying to grow me in a good atmosphere. No words can express all the feelings I have for her. I also want you to know that mothers are a gift that ever so special that sometimes we do not understand all the love they have for us.

      Now, as I believe that none of you were expecting a message in Spanish totally true? Hahahaha. Well, that was one of my ideas from the beginning of my mission. But I had to wait until I could speak Spanish haha. I hope you understand and if not, then sorry.

      Well, now for something about this last week. I had the opportunity to talk with my family yesterday. It was very special to me and I hope we can all appreciate more our families.

Everything is fine here. Me and my partner are working more and find some more people to teach and baptize too !! Sorry, but I have new photos for today :( but at least one card is still good! Haha.

I can only ask you to continue praying for me. And then, that's all I think. Thank you for all the love and good thoughts. God bless you and have a good week !!

With much love,

Elder Strate

Mother's Day

Dawson and Derek were able to Skype at the same time so they could visit with each other. We had Great Grandma Strate, Grandpa and Grandma French and Grandpa and Grandma Strate over to visit with them too.

6 days until I get to call!

Hello Everyone,

     I don't have much time to write today, but I will fit in what I can! 

This week has been pretty good. We had interviews with president and it was pretty awesome. I look up to President Kirkham so much!! He truly is called and inspired by God to help us here int he mission field. We have also found some new families to teach, which some of them are members but others not. So hopefully we can complete the membership of these families!! 

     Hopefully we will enter the new stake center this week. They didn't finish the construction in time so we have to wait a bit longer. Yesterday we went back to the house of prayer, but hopefully this upcoming sunday we will be in the new stake center. 

     Hope everyone has a great week. I've got to go now but I will see a few of you this Sunday on skype!! Take care and always stay strong and faithful in the gospel.

     Thanks girls for letters. Thats so awesome girls with your sports!! Congrats on the triple play Sarah!! Keep having fun and always remember to keep the lord's commandments!! scriptures, prayers, going to church too!!!

      Just so you know, my skin is even darker now I think haha

     Love,

     Elder Strate