Hacienda Mudaca

     Hello Everyone,

      First of all...happy mothers day to all the mothers out there! There are so many out there who are wonderful and are really changing this world for the better! However, I have to say that my mother is the best in the WHOLE world!! There are not words enough to describe how wonderful she is and how much she has done for me. Thanks you mom for everything and I love you to Kolob and back!!

       So this morning we went to a place called, "Hacienda Mudaca". Which is the house of the guy that discovered Isla Mujeres. And he was a pirate!! Thats cool. There are a few ruins and other things here. And there are crocodiles here too! It was great! 

 

 

          It was also great to get to talk with my family yesterday. The family is so important to us and also to God. 

      

       There is a reason that God put us here as families. It is not just to live and die and that being the end. Rather, an eternal family that can live together with the one day in the celestial kingdom! However, we get to choose if we really want that or not! God won't force us to do anything, he just invites us. I now invite all those who are reading this to really ponder about that. And what are the changes that you need to make in your life to accomplish that. Its not going to be easy, but its well worth it! Repentance is a woderful gift people! Without it, we could never enter back into God's presence. I know the gospel is true. I know that repentance is real and only through Jesus chrsit we can be saved. And witht he help of his authorized servents who hold the priesthood of God, we have access to all of this blessings. Make a choice!

        Thanks everyone and I love you all so much!

          Love,

              Elder Strate

Turtle farm !!!!!!!!

Hello Everyone,

            Remember last week when I said, "I don't know what happens when you put two rednecks together?" Well I was right. Lots of things happened!! I will try to remember them all. 

 

            Okay, so first off. The Island is so beautiful! Lots of heat but there is a nice ocean breeze to cool us off too. This morning we went to the "Tortu granja" which means turtle farm. Its like an aquarium that has turtles and other fish. Starfish, lionfish, nemo, lobsters, seahorses and lots more! I took took many pictures to send but I will try to send at least a few. 

 

            So, my companion is great. Earlier this week, we were putting up a close line to hang our close in the house. And my companion was tying it on the door somehow. I saw that the line started to slack a but so I reached to grab and adjust it, and at the same moment my companion decided to shut the door...needless to say my middle finger got slammed in the door lol. But it wasn't too bad. It hurt for a bit but I'm fine now! Another day, after a visit we had with a member, he offered us some fruit with yogurt. So we sat down on his couch and he brought some sliced fruit with yogurt in a bowl. Then my companion started talking and ranting about something while he was eating and "accidentally" flinged a spoon full of yogurt all over my pants...that was pretty funny. I can just say that we have become really close friends  in just one week!

            We also have some investigators that are awesome. Some old investigators have started to progress too. There is lots of work here on the island and I am so happy to be here! We are the only missionaries on the island. I am so blessed to be able to serve here in this mission! Its the best mission in the WORLD! Thanks for all the love and support! Have a great week and a happy mother's day!

         Love,

                Elder Strate  

Officially an Islander

Hello Everyone,

     I got transferred!! I am no longer in Cozumel. I got transferred to Isla Mujeres!! I can officially say that I am now an Islander because I have been on both the Islands here in the Mission Mexico Cancun! Yay! Isla Mujeres is part of the Cancun Stake. Cozumel goes to Playa so I am not longer in the same Stake. 

     Isla Mujeres is very similar to Cozumel. Its a lot smaller and its very narrow. There is just a small branch here, and I think I will have a calling in the branch too. And my companion tells me that I will also be playing the piano! Yay! My new companion is Elder Coffman and hes from Texas! I don´t know what happens when you put two rednecks together, but I am going to find out this transfer! He is awesome and there is a lot of potential here in the island. 

      So, I am going to share with you all an awesome story that happened to me this week about transfers. So, about 4 days ago while I was sleeping, I had a dream. In this dream, I was talking to President Kirkham and he told me that I was getting transferred. So I asked him whereto? And he told me Isla Mujeres. I couldn´t believe it and then I woke up. Then later that morning I told Elder Vargas that I had a dream and that President was sending me to Islan Mujeres. He was just as shocked as I was! 

     So, on Sunday morning, President Kirkham called us so I answered. And he said that I was going to be transferred. Then I asked him If I could guess where I was going and he said ¨sure¨. I replied,¨Isla Mujeres¨. There was a pause, and then stuttering a bit he replied to me, ¨ugh, yes. How did you know that Elder'¨. Then I told him about my dream and that the Lord revealed to me that I was going to be transferred there. He took another pause, and just responded, ¨Wow¨. We talked for a little bit after that and he explained to me how the Island is and everything. I just have to say that in that moment, I felt something very special. It was definitely the spirit, but this time it was different. And I don´t have words to describe it, just amazing! I had never felt the way I did when President confirmed that I was going to Islan Mujeres. It may not sound like anything very interesting but for me it is. I recieved REVELATION!! However, I still don´t know why the Lord revealed it to be beforehand, but I guess I will find out why this transfer! 

      I know that personal revelation is real. I also know that God acts according to the faith of this children and that miracles really do exist. 

      We also had Stake Conference yesterday in Playa. It was wonderful and I got to see lots of members and converts that I know from Playa and Tulum. Its been a year since I was in Playa so it was good to see everyone. Also, President Kirkham talked in the meeting and he mentioned my experience with the dream and everything! Then he told me to stand up, and then told the story. I feel famous now haha. Now everything thinks that I am a prophet haha! (or is it just me...?) Needless to say, yesterday was a wonderful day.

      Thats what happened this week. Thanks everyone for all your support and love. Hope everyone is well and healthy. Until next week!            

     Love,

           Elder Strate

 

     Some pictures from Cozumel. Bishop Cuevas and his family. Me with Brayan, an investigator thats going to get baptized soon! Then me with Yazmin and Victor. Awesome members! They make some delicious empanadas!

 

 

 

 

Transfer!

     We know Dawson is getting transferred today but don't know if we'll hear from him. Going from the big island of Cozumel to this small island of Isla Mujeres. Looks beautiful. After this, next transfer is Canada!

Brother, you have saved my life

Hello Everyone,

      This week has been great. We didn't have a baptism this week, however I did get to baptize someone! His name is Paul and he is in the other Ward. I had the privelege to interview him and also baptize him. What a wonderful experience it was. He has such a powerful tesimony of the gospel and how it has changed his life. I will never forget the what he said to me as we stepped out of the baptismal font, "Hermano, me ha salvado la vida". Which means, "Brother, you have saved my life." 

     Those words penetrated my heart so profoundly that I will never forget it. I know that It wasn't me who saved his life, but Jesus Christ. I am still forever grateful for this opportunity I had to help Paul with his eternal progress. I know that through Jesus Christ, people can change. It doesn't matter who you are, have been, or where you live. The Saviors love and healing power is for EVERYONE! I love this gospel and I get to see it in action every day in the lives of many. 

      Well, transfers are next week. Don't know where they'll send me. Thats what happened this week. Thanks everyone for all the love and support. I knot that this gospel is true and that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live. Have a wonderful week!

      Love,

             Elder Strate 

Visit

Sister Christensen, who completed her mission before Christmas, came back for a visit and we were at the office at the time.

Package arrived

Hello Everyone,

       This has been a good week. Mom, you don't have to worry any longer, I got the package! Thank you very much! I am enjoying the treats and the socks! 

 

 

     Some interesting things have happened this week. 

     So, almost every Sunday here, there are tourists/members that come to church. Yesterday I met Stuart Pennington who served in Argentina with Tyler Hansen! Cool! What a small world that we live in...so this morning we went to eat empanadas with him and his wife. It was great!

     Oh, and something weird happened too. So me and my companion were walking, and a guy in a scooter came up and started talking to us. I think he was drunk and he had just finished doing some brickwork, so he had a pickaxe with him. He asked if we were mexicans and my companion said yes, and I did too! He was relieved because if we weren't, he was going to hit us with his pickaxe...then he started ranting about Donald Trump and how much he hates him because supposedly he hates mexicans...and a lot of other things that I can't remember haha. Good thing that I am Mexican the whitest that you've ever seen!   

     We also had our Leadership meeting in Cancun and later our zone meeting here on the island. Its was great. I was able to learn lots about how to be a better missionary and to teach the doctrine of christ. Focusing especially on the first principle, "Through Jesus Christ we can be cleansed of sin". About the importance that Mercy and Justice play in the gospel. Because of the commandments that God has given us, there is justice. "Mercy cannot rob Justice". Alma 42 for more details. Man, I love the book of Alma! Teaches us everything. Its like the book specially written for the missionaries. 

Thanks everyone for your love and support and prayers! Have a great week in the work of Salvation! 

     Love,

         Elder Strate 

                                         The Betos Family - Brother Betos makes the best empanadas!!!!

 

                                            We saw a real life pirate ship!