A warm homecoming couldn't come too soon for us!

The past few weeks have been a real roller coaster ride of emotions - both here at home and out in the mission field.  Elder Wright has been struggling; not with his testimony or his convictions of why he is on a mission, in fact, he is not necessarily anguishing over the language nor with the new culture, he has been contending with sinking feelings of depression and of anxiety which seem to have been aggravated under the stress of the work.   Much as he has had strong desire to continue to serve, and has developed a love for those he has served, he has found it very hard to cope with the under-toe of feelings that keep him from staying completely focused on the work.

While still serving full-time, he has been working with his loving mission president and a psychologist who is located in the Area Office of the Church to try to see if he can get through the fog.  The love and support that has been available to him has been amazing!  However, the internal battle between wanting to serve his mission until the end and to return home early to address these issues has been somewhat overwhelming for him.  Although it would probably take, at best, an additional month to start to see the fog lift; it has proven to be a too arduous of a climb for him to continue and has decided to temporary delay finishing his mission at this time.

I'm not too sure how best to describe the vast array of feelings and emotions I have experienced as I have come to understand the trial Elder Wright has had before him; I don't think I quite appreciated the magnitude until now as we have never really dealt with the level of despondency and angst like this before.  I had wrestled over questions like: How do I encourage him to continue when my heart yearns for him to be home?  How do I encourage him to come home when I know he may be faced with a new road of challenges here and all the blessings and personal growth he will surely miss?  I don't think there has ever been a moment in my life that I have felt so unsure and have been so torn between opposing thoughts than I have in these past few weeks.  I have now come to learn that this was because it was not my decision to make... while I could provide him fatherly guidance and counsel, it was ultimately up to him and his Heavenly Father to make.  I know that he had spent much time on his knees searching for direction and assurance to know what he should do, and I'm comforted greatly by this.

Of one thing I have been certain; like my love for him will always be there, I know his Heavenly Father's love is also unchanging.  There is no one that knows Elder Wright better than He. With his decision today, I am in awe with a great feeling of peace that has radiated within our home knowing that he will be fine and that his choice to return at this time was one that didn't come easy and that it was the right one for him.

While I have turned to much prayer and fasting to give Elder Wright the strength he might need to make the tough decisions, I have turned to the scriptures and conference talks to help me find answers.  Recently, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the LDS Church's Quorum of Twelve Apostles gave a wonderful talk on how we could best respond those we love who are confronted with mental and emotional.   I have also found comfort in his words and they have given me strength to share my thoughts and feelings with you about his trials.

"These afflictions are some of the realities of mortal life, and there should be no more shame in acknowledging them then in acknowledging a battle with high blood pressure or the sudden appearance of a malignant tumor," Elder Holland - October 2013 General Conference.

Often we hear of the missionary that is injured or becomes physically ill who must return home to receive the care he or she needs.  It's easy to share these stories because, perhaps for most, it doesn't require much effort to wrap our minds around this and accept these wonderful missionaries as wounded soldiers back from the battlefield.  However, for the parents of those valiant missionaries that have been afflicted with the debilitative aspects of depression and anxiety it isn't quite as simple or straightforward.  For most we might thoughtlessly expect that if they would square-up and face the difficult challenges of missionary work head-on and have positive attitude that they could see it through; or, if they would just put their shoulder-to-the-wheel and push through it they will make it!  For the depressed, it doesn't work that way.

I pray that as his fog lifts that he will remember the love he felt from his Heavenly Father when he made this decision to come home and that no feelings of doubt or regret will ever find room to creep in.  As a truly concerned father, my heart is full of love and gratitude while my mind is overflowing with positive thoughts and hope. We are so very fortunate and grateful to live in such a wonderful neighborhood filled with so many loving people that certainly will embrace and uplift him in a way no others could; many have already expressed so much of their concern and affection that we have felt brightened.

We are anxious for his prompt return and are excited to be able to hold him in our arms again and welcome him home from a job well done!

Visit to Coyotepec - Message from Elder Oaks

Today for P-Day, we are visiting one of the old areas of my companion called Coyotepec, a more typical Mexican town just North of our area.  We are in a 'hole-in-a-wall' internet cafe that belongs to one of the members here.  Well this week went by really fast and I honestly do not remember what we did.  Although I know it was a good week since I was able to talk to dad Tuesday but the call fell before mom could talk.  

This Sunday was really interesting because one of the people who are part of the stake presidency came and gave a message and it was just a slap in the face (wake up call) to EVERYONE. He said Elder Oaks came to talk to northern part of the DF he talked to all stake presidencies and some bishoprics and said something quite hard to them.  He said the reason why the ''work'' is not progressing like it should is because in the words of Elder Oaks ''You do not have faith''. 

HOLY COW WHAT DID HE SAY??? He said ''You do not have faith''. That's like as if the Savior came down and said that to the people! But it is true; I can see that not many people here are united in the cause to spread the gospel.  Many faithful members and as well as the very less active people say that the members here are NOT united and this is a big problem that I don't think is happening just here in Mexico but all around the world.  

Our goal is to help unite the ward and I have been thinking is to help the church as a whole and help us individually is that we first must strengthen the family.  I recently read a talk from Pres. Benson (in Spanish!) concerning this in the Liahona of 1994 of who knows what month.  

I encourage all who read this email to exercise their faith and not be afraid to share the gospel.  This work is super important and must not be looked over and forgotten.  It truly is the time where members and missionaries (M&Ms) work together. 

I hope everyone is happy and are doing great.  Thanks for cheering me on and helping me. 

Love you all!

Elder Wright

More pictures than words!

 Hermano Arturo and his Daughter Hermana Minerva 

 ward baptism of 8 year old Natalia

 With the Flia. Hernandez

Bautizmo de David

Week 6, but who's counting? Chased by dogs

Today for P-day I think we are just cleaning the house, going to Wal-Mart, and getting some sleep!

Stereotypical dog encounter suspect #1

Stereotypical dog encounter suspect #2

Well, this week was pretty funny because the most stereotypical thing happened to us... We were chased by dogs! Apparently, I was almost bit, so says my companion, but now as I look back at this experience I laugh about it like crazy. 

The only time I see my district are at district meetings cause we can't do things with other missionaries. However, there is this really cool elder from Payson Utah in my district named Elder Colby and we would have been good friends back home cause he goes jeeping as well.
    

We also had 3 baptisms this Saturday for Hermano Arturo and his Daughter Hermana Minerva and also a ward baptism of 8 year old Natalia.  Her family is so cool and I love visiting them and they love us so much as well and can't wait for us to return. (I think those pictures are going to have to wait till next week cause the pictures are on my companions camera because I forgot mine...) 

This coming Saturday we will have another baptism for David, who is 9 years old. We have to teach all the lessons to him since he didn't get baptized at 8 years old.  But he is so cool!  We also received 5 new investigators this Sunday from the members who invited them.  We will meet with them sometime this week as well.  We are working with another family (Hermano Alvaro) they could use your prayers because he needs to get married in order to get baptized.

I don't know much about Alvaro but he really wants to be baptised as well as his kids, but his wife is the only thing keeping from that happening right now; she said she'll get married it's just we are hoping that it actually comes through. It's the culture in Mexico not to get married.  He even mentioned he would move out of his house to be baptized.

I want to talk a little concerning the Atonement of Jesus Christ because I had another experience with it this Sunday when I just felt terrible and hopeless.  I was just not happy all this weekend and I felt really burdened.  I was praying like crazy for help and I didn't know what to do.  When Sacrament meeting started I got the impression to apply the Atonement.  So that's what I did and I literally felt like my burdens were lifted.  I do not know why I did not do this sooner because man was I feeling terrible.  So just know that no matter what is troubling you no matter how big or small.  You can receive the help you need through the Savior.  Well that was my little quick message.  I love you all and I love hearing from you every week. Talk to you all next Monday!

Love Elder Wright

PS. 

How's Zach doing? I haven't heard from him for a couple of weeks.  I still haven't heard from Miguel either.  But Ashlinn recently sent me a nice letter....I heard Zach is just dying of boredom that he even volunteered to read to Sister Patterick's school kids!   I do get to share emails from my MTC district sometimes too - which is nice.

Quinta semana en Mexico - and a missionary's dad's thoughts.

Street view from Google Maps - his area near church bldg.

Well this past week we didn't do much because my companion got sick and I got a terrible headache this past Wednesday but we feel better now. 

It rained a lot the past few days but I don't get cold at all at least not yet..... Well I've been really struggling the past few days as well, especially yesterday!   I felt like just quitting and going home and stuff cause I really wasn't happy at all! I dunno how to explain really, except yesterday I just was not happy.  It kinda feels like I am not getting anywhere and ya, I dunno, I was upset and slightly angry at my companion for a comment he made that really offended me; and, conference was only in Spanish so I had no idea what was being said and two years still feels like an eternity.  I'm trying hard to overcome this but with a companion that will be going home in 5 weeks, it is kinda hard -- still these two years is literally 10% of my whole life so far--

I write to my mission president every Monday ( I report how the area is going, how my companion and I are getting along, how I am personally, and what miracles there were) and let him know that we get along for the most part it's just when he makes those comments I get really ticked.  Anyway, I didn't mention that I felt like quitting, I just think that I wasn't happy yesterday.

Well we now have a projection of 8 baptisms this October because we lost 2 investigators who decided to stop listening to us and one investigator we had to move her baptism to the first week of November because she is not able to attend church this coming Sunday but she'll get baptized that is all that matters cause she REALLY wants to get baptized.  The baptism of her mom Maricela really touched her and pushed her to know that this is the true church on the Earth. 

Well since not much happened this week I am not sure what to write about for this letter and I can't talk about Conference since I didn't understand any of it since it was in Spanish ;) so I think I am just going to write about Mexico and what kind of goes on during a normal day. 

random street in Cuautitlan Izcalli

So of course we walk a ton here in Mexico but when we have to go somewhere far in a short amount of time we have to take these vans called ''combis'' which are some of the sketchiest things on the planet since there are no seat belts, a ton of people cramped together, most of the time the driver is crazy and speeds and swerves in and out of traffic, and there are speed bumps the size of Mt. Everest.  Sometimes I am gripping what seat I have as best as I can to feel somewhat secure on the short but scary drive to where we need to go.  Also when it rains the streets turn into rivers and the combis almost look like boats.  The water on the street reaches up to almost 5 to 8 inches of water some places more than that. 

El 'tianguis' in Cuautitlan Izcalli

My church building is almost a half hour away from our house and we have to walk all the way there in our suits so you can imagine that we are dying of heat on Sundays.  Everything is so cheap here so I've already bought two really cool superhero shirts (Superman and Aquaman) for only 6 bucks each at a place called Tianguis(?) I have no idea how to spell it but it is a flea market that is in our area every Tuesday and sometimes we check it out to see what's there. 

El 'tianguis' in Cuautitlan Izcalli

Well I am not sure what else to talk about Mexico but if there are any more questions I'll gladly answer. Love you all I'll talk to you next week about our baptisms this weekend! :D

Elder Wright

(pictures extracted from Google searches - no new pics from Elder Wright this week!)

Missionary Dad's thoughts: 

It is important to explain that some of Elder Wright's letter to his family was comprised of an email dialog that he and I communicated back and forth; I incorporated it into this draft while trying to maintain it within the context as it was shared.   Please note that while some of it was expressed as a personal conversation between father and son, it is not my intent to show any lack of decorum or propriety by doing so.   I simply feel impressed to share it with you - primarily to accurately illustrate how Elder Wright is doing and to help you focus your prayers on and for his behalf, and to exemplify the unique challenges that our young missionaries face when they enter into the mission field. 

I think often times we hear about the testimonies, the adventures, the humorous moments, the miracles, and how wonderful missions are (and they really are wonderful!), but we don't always hear about the personal struggles, adversity, and the trials that our sons and daughters face while on their missions - of course, they all have them and in varying degree of severity! Perhaps they don't always tell us what's troubling them, but then again, maybe they do and we fail to share it with others...  (I'll admit I had my own reservations at first) 

Despite adversity and trials being a normal part of missionary life, and albeit a very necessary part; I think as parents we fear that by sharing these personal details we somehow discredit their righteous desire to serve and exhibit their debilities.  It pains me terribly to know of that my son is struggling and I can't be there for him.  It troubles me even more to think I might doubt his strength to endure them because I know he has never been faced with such a hard task before him.  But I have a tremendous amount of faith both in him and in the love our Savior has for him, for I know with certainty that as he learns to trust in the Lord he "..can do all things in Christ" (Phil 4:13). He will be strengthened to do whatever our Heavenly Father requires of him. I know that his faith will proceed the miracle; first the test of faith then the miracle. I have learned that the way we react to our trials can oftentimes help strengthen our faith which can prepare us for the blessings.  So I candidly share these thoughts with you, in part, because  I think that without knowing what goes on between the lines of our missionary's letters all who may read them may fall short of witnessing the full grandeur of the blessings that will surely follow.  

The fact is missions are difficult!  And for some more so than for others; but none are without their unique challenges or desafios.  This weekend while speaking with my father regarding the missions his grandchildren are currently serving, and then briefly touching upon my mother and his recent missionary service, he recounted a comment from one of his friends from the Stockholm Sweden mission where he had recently served and had previously served as a 19 year old over 50 years ago.   

While in a large church gathering, my father's friend over heard a comment from a mother of a missionary, confessing to another mother "My son's mission in Stockholm Sweden is really hard!" 

Having a close tie to the Stockholm, Sweden mission, my father's friend felt obligated to respond and said something to the effect "Really?  I think you have been misinformed; Sweden isn't a tough mission!  It's one of the easiest missions!" 

The look of bewilderment on that mother's face had to have been priceless! 

He continued "The food is great, the streets are clean, crime rates are low, and the living conditions are top notch!"

To which the mother timidly interjected "...they don't have many baptisms!"

His friend then jokingly replied "Oh, you mean the people!  Yeah, they are hard!"  

Contrasting my mission that I served from 1991 to 1993 in the Dominican Republic to my father's mission in Stockholm, Sweden in the early 60's and then later returning with my mom  for a second mission in 2008/2009 - someone on the outside looking in could easily say my mission was the toughest!  The heat, the humidity, the lack of running water and electricity, the dust, the mud, the torrential rain, the mosquitos, the bucket showers, the huelgas (localized strikes - civil unrest), the loud noises, illnesses, new foods, thin mattresses on cots, and all the walking were just some of the things that were presented as challenges.  Of course, I had to learn to deal with the differences, both in culture and environment, but those seemingly difficult things became almost non-existent once my focus turned from within to those around me. 

However, in comparison, what actually made my mission difficult and what also made it so wonderful, life changing, and special was learning to love as the Savior loved.  Whether in Boise, Buenos Aires, Santo Domingo, or Stockholm ultimately what makes missions hard is learning to have a Christlike love for everyone (see John 15:12,17).  Once I truly loved the people I loved where I was!

Having charity, or the pure love of Christ, doesn't come easy.  One of the reasons that it can be difficult is because we must live in a day and age of failing morals, wavering beliefs, and in a world that teaches different values than what Christ had taught.  The pressures of the world are staggering and can be more so on a young man who had never ventured very far from home before.  As our Savior pleaded on the cross to our Heavenly Father He prayed, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14).  He continued in the next verse saying “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil”

Being a missionary is a great example of being in the world, but not of the world.  Something that we all should strive to live by.  Elder Wright, in his short time being on his mission, has already been witness to much wickedness and even dangerous situations; enough to make the faint hearted fear.  But, he has also witnessed the happiness that the gospel of Jesus Christ offers to all that embrace it.  He stated in an earlier letter recounting one of his distressing experiences.  "Later that day the scripture where it talked about forgiving everyone and let Christ do the judging came to my mind.  So I prayed for <individuals> as well that they may one day come to know about the gospel so they can be forgivin and no more hurt the lives of any other person."  This account alone tells me he has felt what it feels like to love as Christ loves which will help him overcome the trials that living in Mexico may present him with.

A short while back, our local bishop challenged my family and everyone in our congregation to finish reading the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.  It happens that my reading this week is in the last section of the book in the book of Moroni chapter 7... a great lesson on Faith, Hope, Being Meek, and Having Charity which may sum up all of my thoughts.  In Moroni 7: 44-48 Moroni talks about one cannot have faith or hope if he is not meek, and if he is meek "...he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity. 

45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."

I know that as Elder Wright develops his love for those he serves and serves with, he will find that his mission will also be wonderful, life changing, and special.  The time that he recognizes that he has left won't seem like it is long enough to do what he has to do.  As part of the fatherly advise I gave my son, I challenged him to forget about himself and lose himself in the work.  It's this father's prayer that he learns this simple truth: that “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:35).

A missionary dad.

Semana cuatro! Coke verde, bigotes, and 'Waiting on the Lord'

Well I must say the weeks go by really fast and I'm almost at 2 months this coming October 20th (8 weeks on the 15th)!  I'm not as preoccupied with this being two years anymore and I'm having a lot of fun here as well.  My companion is really cool and we get along really well. 

 

My generation of missionaries come today (the ones that went to the MTC at the same time) and I am going to the presidents home as well with them for dinner because I missed out.  I think its kinda funny that I now have a month more experience in the field..

This past week was a lot of fun because we are teaching some little kids the lessons at their homes and they are so funny!  For me, it is much harder to teach children the lessons than it is to teach adults the lessons.  It seems my Spanish is getting better when i am just talking but in lessons it just starts to stink.

The families we are teaching are all really nice people and I like talking to them.  Though this one family (Flia. H), where we teach the kids, the brother of the dad who lives there does not have hands from his elbows down.  He seems to have a really hard time because his wife and family left him because he lost his arms and not many people are nice enough to help him.  He is a really cool guy and when I have to shake his hand i shake his elbow which is kinda funny but I really like this guy and I want to help him out.  We have been trying to motivate the members to want to do missionary work by praying and fasting for opportunities to share the gospel and it is slowly working but the members here are so awesome!  Most of the homes where we teach are just made of concrete and some are really small and compact and look poor but some random people have nice TVs with PS3 or Xboxes

Well the expected amount of baptisms this month is 11 people! So every Saturday we are going to have a baptism! HOW COOL IS THAT!

 

Well, my message today that I would like to share is concerning ''Waiting on the Lord''.  And what I mean by that is: when we have trials or difficult tasks and we need help but don't know what to do and are feeling down;  we need to be patient and hope that one day our Father in Heaven will answer our prayers in his own time.  So often we pray and pray but we want the prayer answered right now.  However, that is not always the case.  We need to be like the Savior when he was in Gethsemane when he felt alone and had to complete his very difficult task.  He asked his disciples to ''Watch with me'' three times! Yet he was ultimately alone without the companionship of his disciples or his Father.  But he chose to drink the bitter cup and suffer our pains and afflictions.  He waited upon his Father, saying, ''Thy will be done'' and continued on.  I know if we but have faith, remain patient, and continue moving forward in our trials, we will soon find the help and peace we need.  Again, the key is we must have faith in the Savior, because He knows how we feel and wants to help us!  I know this from my recent experience - This past week I was feeling slightly hopeless with my abilities to  teach in Spanish but I prayed for the help to be better.  I put my trust in our Heavenly Father because I know he answers our prayers and at the end of the week he answered my prayer and the answer was so simple. 

 

Well I hope everyone is happy and doing well! I pray for you all everyday and night!  I love you all and I'll talk to you again next week!

Elder Wright

 

Here are some more random pictures that he sent:

GREEN COKE! - sweetened with Stevia

 MTC companion in USC sweats

 MTC District

 Not sure if the shower should be clogged that high up!

 Elder Parroquin and Elder Wright

 It's easier to grow a bigote in Mexico!

 

Semana 3: 'Bettering' with a new comp!

Well I am in a new area with a new companion already! This last Wednesday I was randomly transfered to a new area called Colinas.  (I think the ward is called Colinas and the mission offices are just up the street!)   I like this area so much better because the people here are so kind and help me with my Spanish.  I might be here for a while since this is my first full cycle or whatever.  I am actually still really close to my last area and I'm still in the same zone.  I will probably be here for another month since this is the last cycle for my companion since he is my trainer.  And I am not sure how long each transfer is yet.  Maybe every six weeks? Maybe more? 

 

My companion is called Elder Garcia and he only speaks Spanish and has a slim understanding of English so I can only speak English when I write or think!  Elder Garcia is from Mexico but I don't remember where and this is his last exchange; lucky duck.  I'm beginning to forget words in English already as well cause last night writing in my journal I tried to say ''mejorando'' but all I could think up is ''bettering'' I don't even know if that's right or not cause I think it's wrong. 

 

Well this last Sunday I had to teach the Gospel Principles class about Talents to investigators and new converts..  I had only that morning to plan and I had a few things jotted down in my agenda.  It went really well because I got them to participate and  it was just awesome!  We learned that it takes faith to better our talents and strenghthen our weaknesses.  I shared the story of Enoch with the class where his weakness was speaking to people but with the help of our Heavenly Father his mouth was filled with what to say.  I related myself to Enoch by telling them I am still learning Spanish but I know with the help of our Father in Heaven I will be able to improve if I put effort on my part as well.  My lack of Spanish as well I think helped the people in the class really enjoy the class and want to participate and teach. 

 

This last Saturday we had a baptism for Hna. Maricela.  My companion baptised her and I was one of the witnesses.  The Spirit was really strong in the room and even her family who are not members felt it and some wanted to be baptised as well. 

 

There was one experience I had this week;  Friday, I believe where a sickly man walked up to us and apparently asked us to bless him.  It wasn't until we started walking that my companion told me he wanted a blessing.  When we got to the members house to eat lunch I had such a strong impression to find this man and give him a proper blessing because if the Savior was there instead of me he would of blessed him and since I represent the Savior I should of gave him a blessing and he came to us to help him.  For a while this feeling was bothering me that we needed to find him but when we were about to finish opur food the feeling disappeared.  I think I needed to have just left lunch and went to find him because when the feeling disappeared I know it was too late to find this man.  It is very important that we listen to the promptings of the Spirit right when they come to us because we never know if it will be to late to act on it if we wait to long. 

 

Im trying to have small goals like get to the end of October and stuff so I dont worry so much that this is two years long.  Because only weeks are going by fast not months.  I know I got one month under my belt but it is still very hard for me especially when so many missionaries are talking about how excited they are to go home in a week or a month.  That is my only trial at the moment. 

 

So far on P-days, we just shop for food for the week, write, sleep, watch church movies, and eat hahah  The food is most of the time really good. The only food I did not like was mole.  Though mole verde is super good!  They don't have burritos or use pinto beans and they eat everything with spoons.  And, by the way, the new group (the one that went into the MTC the same day as I did) won't arrive till next week I think.

I hope you are all doing really well and are happy.  I love you all just 23 more months to go!

Week 2: Ninety-nine more weeks - and no Shower!

Well I have now survived a whole two weeks in Mexico! Weeks seem to be going by really fast now since we work like crazy!  Even though we only probably teach 3 or 4 lessons average a day somedays around just 2.  I am really progressing really fast in becoming a better missionary everyday with the help of my two awesome companions.  

I am participating more and more in each lesson as well.  I memorized the first vision in spanish in a few minutes and that day shared the account to two investigators who just lost their son.  The spirit was so strong when we were teaching but the man hardened his heart like many people have done so in the scriptures.  He refused to take more lessons but I was saddened because of that for we planted the seed and maybe the future missionaries may find success.  

There is this guy named Jesus who has read the BoM twice and already has a testimony that it is true and wants to be baptised!  No one has ever taught him as well!  He contacted us one day and told us he is a Mormon by conviction haha.  I really like this guy cause he stood up during priesthood meeting when the Elders quorom pres. was assigning home teaching stuff and got right up and told everybody that they need to do this so we can build the kingdom of God and bring more people to church.  

That was also the first day I gave a blessing as well.  Holy Cow I was nervous at first cause i'm still working on Spanish but I prayed before hand and when I gave the blessing I know the words came directly from our Heavenly Father because I couldn't have thought up those words by myself it would of taken hours almost! 

Well my testimony has been growing so fast while I have been here. I already can't wait for my homecoming talk so I can share my testimony.  Love you all! Talk to you all next week! just around 99 more weeks to go!

Questions from David:

1- Have you taught anyone who is interested in the church? 

Yes I taught a lot of people!

2- Do you have a washer and dryer? 

And nope hahah we have someone do it for us

3- Do you have any chores in your house? If so, what is your chore? 

We don't have assigned chores we just clean haha

4- Do you have to take a shower in hot water or cold water? 

Our shower stopped working..... hahaha

5- Does the water taste different than in the USA? 

nope

6- Have you played Fúbol with the kids or with the missionaries? 

I have not played soccer yet

7- Are you getting fluent in Español?

and slowly I am getting better haha


I love you so much bro!  see you in 99 weeks! 

First week in México - 'one step in front of the other' but watch out for the chocolate on the ground!

Well I have survived a week in Mexico and I am struggling to use this Spanish keyboard which has more buttons than normal!  So to be honest my first thought on my mission was ''Can I actually make it through 2 years of this?'' Because I thats a long time.  Though I know I can do it I just have to focus on the now and ''Put one step in front of the other, and soon I'll be walking out the door!'' My companions are really cool Elder "H" is from St. George and Elder "P" is from Veracruz Mexico.  They are the Zone Leaders here too and they have been helping me learn and get in the work of things here.  

How does an 18 year old quantify 2 years?  As I think back to what was going on 2 years ago, it seems like just yesterday that he got his drivers license.  It was almost two years ago when it was announced that men can serve missions at 18!   Honestly, the last two years have just flown by so fast!  I guess to put it into perspective - 2 years is only 4% of my total time here on this planet while it makes up 11% of his time spinning around the sun!  In other words, for me to comprehend this - it would be like me taking off for 5 years and 22 days!  

I like his attitude about putting 'one step in front of the other' he will see that time will fly by fast.  Time will be measured from Pday to Pday, then fast Sunday to fast Sunday, then Transfer to Transfer, then by that time he won't even be counting!   But we will! :)  

My first day I was here I was already able to bare a strong but simple testimony to this lady named "C".  I was listening to her story and how she really wants to be close to God.  I had the biggest impression to tell her that our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ loved her so much and I said if you prayed tonight you will recieve an answer to your doubts, questions, and to know what we taught is true and she'll know we truly are representatives of Jesus Christ. I have become confident that I can still bare strong testimony and teach with the Spirit even if my Spanish is still lacking.  

It is still frustrating when there is so much to say and you are limited by a small vocabulary. However, the Spirit is what converts us and guides us - and he recognizes this.  It was good that he learned this while still in the MTC when he felt like giving up.  What he might not yet recognize is that often times it is in these moments the Spirit will help him recall words and enable him to express thoughts in a manner much easier to be understood.   

I am actually in one of the nicer areas of my mission, the ward we attend is called Villas I believe and our house is bright pink!.  We take a lot of public transportation and walk around a ton in this concrete jungle.  There are so many stray dogs here and that means a lot of ''chocolate'' on the floor.  

Interesting word choice - 'floor'!  In English we wouldn't use this word unless all the stray dogs were running around in people's houses leaving their mark... However, in Spanish  suppose that the word 'Piso' can be interchanged for floor and ground... I know his mom often times confuses it! ;)  I couldn't imagine that he is thinking in Spanish yet.. but I found it funny that he used this word.

We eat so much here because breakfast we eat a ton and then at lunch we are always fed by members who give us so much food and we have to finish it all or otherwise they may get offended.  That means I am always about to explode everyday during lunch.  

Could it actually be possible to 'Gain' weight while on your mission?  Hmm, we will have to see...

Fasting on the mission is also really hard as well cause I felt so weak that I didn't even have the energy to move but I was fasting for this investigator to be able to find the money/way to have his wife divorce her last husband so he can get married with her and get baptised.  I also fasted so that I can learn Spanish easier and have the strength physically, emotionally, and spiritually to be able to survive and work my hardest these 2 years.  

Oh yes - I can imagine that this has got to be a common issue that these young missionaries have to resolve.  One week into his mission and already real world issues are coming to light!  As a family, we too fasted for him to be able to feel more comfortable with the language and that he might be able to have the strength to do the work.  

We also do not get many baptisms here either because there are more rules in order for people to be baptised here.  They need to also go to church 5 consecutive times before baptism.  Also there seems to be a lack of unity between the members and the missionaries here as well so luckily I read Grandpa's book before I was told I am not aloud to read it here on my mission.  I think I can help strengthen our ties better from what I learned in that book.  That's one thing I want to focus on in my mission so that the people we bring into the church stay in the church as strong members as well as make life easier for new missionaries to get referrals   

I'm glad that he was able to read the book my dad gave him just before he left on his mission - I know he will be able to touch more lives when he works well with those in his wards and stakes.  

Well I love you all and I really miss you and I can't wait to see you guys again. PEACE!

Here is a little note he sent to his mom as they were fortunate to both be at the computer at the same time this afternoon: 

Hi mom! I'm doing good I think I answered a lot of your questions in other emails I just sent.  We have to go to this internet shop place and rent computers to use.  Yes ive been taking my vitamins.  I also ate Pizza Hut today which was like 200 pesos.  There are hardly any bugs here as well.  Only I saw A huge spider when we were walking around that's bigger than two fingers put together. 

Elder Wright assigned to La Zona de Tepalcapa Oeste!

 

To his mom's relief, at 9:30pm we received an email from his mission president - Pdte Titensor informing us that Elder Wright had arrived in the mission field and all is well!  He was met at the airport by Pdte Titensor and his wife then visited with him back at the office.  He was placed with the zone leaders Elder Parroquin and Elder Hansen in la zona de Tepalcapa Oeste in Mexico City!

Phone call from the Airport -

We finally received the anticipated phone call from Elder Wright this morning around 8:30am.  He woke up at 4am (I don't think he know that this time existed!), traveled with his district to the airport, and then went off all by himself!  After finding his gate he promptly gave us a call!  I was amazed that he was able to learn how to use a pay-phone and that pay phones are still available!

This was the first time in 12 days that he was without a companion and now he would now be flying solo to Mexico City!  His companion had another flight taking him through Atlanta while the rest of his district were off to their missions in New York, Virginia, and other cities in the United States.

He sounded really good and was happy to be able to finally speak with us on the phone.  While he didn't sound nervous, I would have to imagine that the thought of traveling to Mexico by himself had to be a little nerve wracking!  Elder Wright really enjoyed his time in the Missionary Training Center but he was happy he didn't have to spend any more time there.  The dreary thought of having to stay there 6 weeks, had he been placed in the basic Spanish program, off-set his feelings of anxiety not being as proficient with the language as the rest of his district!  He really seems that he has come to terms that his proficiency will come later.

It is anticipated that he will arrive in Mexico City just after 6pm (local time) tonight!  We hope that we will be able to hear from him once he enters the mission home!

Lost in Translation - "¡PATO!"

This little tid-bit came to us as a surprise Saturday afternoon; apparently Elder Wright had a little free time to send an email.  I had asked him in an earlier email to tell us a little about his district and any funny stories that may have happened since he had been at the MTC.  While much time is spent learning and preparing, no matter what, something funny is bound to happen:

"A quick funny story I was able to come up with is when we were doing that Holy Ghost activity where one person is "blind" and the other person is to guide them around like the "Holy Ghost".  So I was the Spirit this time around and my companion was about to walk face first in a tree but I couldn't remember how to say "Duck!" and I couldn't quickly ask him how to say it cause he would of hit the tree.  So I just said "¡Pato!" hahaha.  He hit the tree after just saying "What?" So ya that was a quick funny story I was able to think up."

For those of you who aren't familiar with Spanish - Pato is the Spanish equivalent for the animal friend that Mickey called Donald or the season that Elmer Fudd looked forward to with much passion... not the typical word that a Mexican would shout out to avoid a head injury!! :)

"Also what's funny is that one of the Branch Presidency looks like Barney from The Flinstones.  So Elder Garcia would say "Pedro!" in a high pitch voice to us when we see him.  Apparently Pedro is the name for Fred in Spanish Flinstones..."

Obviously, Elder Wright had forgotten that he used to watch 'Los Picapiedras' as a child!  They were constantly on at abuela's house in La Vega... and we used to change the audio setting with on the Cartoon Network to Spanish at home when he was young. This and 'Godzilla' were among his favorite muñequitos...  He should have remembered that - right?!

"By the way I met Elder Christianson from The District tv show here at the MTC.  He's the blonde one in it.

I feel like I am ready to go on my mission by the way even though i've only been here two weeks. "

If you haven't seen an episode of the district before, you have got to click on this link :The District and see what missionary life is like in San Diego.  I think a new season is about to begin in September!

He was able to see and talk with his cousin Josh while at lunch on Thursday this week which he mentioned was really nice.

He flies out on Monday - we are looking forward to his early morning phone call!

First Letter from MTC "FINALLY I CAN EMAIL"

"The MTC has been a bittersweet experience so far but mostly sweet.  I have never felt the Spirit so continually in a single place.  I have a pretty cool companion named Elder Ruiz from California going to the Mexico City Northwest mission and is leaving the same day as me.  I should be leaving Sept. 1st; this coming Monday to Mexico where I am able to call you guys!"

I think his email sounded a lot like my first letter I sent home - 'bittersweet' is a great adjective to describe what the first week of life in the MTC is like!  Being away from home, maybe feeling a little inadequate with the language wondering how it is that you will be able to express your most deep feelings in a words that don't come to you naturally!  What's got to be tough is being in a district with native Spanish speakers!  Those feelings of inadequacy would be compounded! I was in the MTC for 8 or 9 weeks to learn Spanish - by the end of the last week I was so ready to get out in the field; however, I vividly recall that as soon as I landed in the airport in Santo Domingo those feelings of inadequacy promptly returned!  I remember thinking that whatever that person just said to me sure was NOT Spanish!

"I really miss and love you guys a lot.   I have had so many great spiritual experiences here that I don't know how to write them down (wrote them down in my journal so when I get back you can read all my experiences in possibly more detail)."

Oh yeah, the Journal!  I think I wrote everyday, while in the MTC, not so frequently when I was out in the field! :)  

"One cool thing that happened to me was on Sunday where I prayed in the classroom bathroom so I could be alone and I asked our Heavenly Father for help to be able to receive the Gift of Tongues and the Interpretation of Tongues.  Later that day I met with my Branch Presidency but speaking with President Call and then with Brother Nellson I was given the confidence to not worry about my Spanish even if it needs work because all we need is to be able to bring the Spirit to testify of the things we are trying to say are true."  

"The time here at the MTC are hard and sometimes are discouraging but I try to look at the bigger picture and I try to think about the people I am about to teach.  I already am growing to love those people even though I am not there. I can't wait to share the gospel with them... " 

This is so true!  I know his testimony of this will only strengthen while in Mexico City.  The Holy Spirit is what converts us - you can be the most eloquent speaker but if you don't have the Spirit, it will serve no purpose.  

"By the way I went to Las Vegas yesterday....  To get my visa at the Mexican Consulate. That was my favorite day so far of the MTC because I was free from this place and I was able to make new friends.  Two missionaries were able to give BoMs to two people at the airport in Vegas as well. "  

Ah ha! That's one of the reason we hadn't heard back from him since we dropped him off on Wednesday!  What an adventure that must have been!  Almost like a mini-mission! :)

"Well I miss you all and there hasn't been a day I haven't thought of you guys. I really love each and every one of you.  I can't wait to speak fluent Mexican with you all when I get back from my mission."

MISS YOU TONS CALL YOU WHEN I LEAVE! SO BE BY THE PHONE! WOULD REALLY LOVE LETTERS FROM EVERYBODY!

Love Elder Wright