August 27th, 2012

Ok....well I have a lot to share wth you both :)

First off, before I forget. What did you both decide in coming to pick me up in November? Also, I was wondering if the return flight could pass by Mexico City that would be nice, because a couple of my companions would be able to come to the airport (especially elder vite who lives really close). 

But back to the good stuff. 

Zone Conference: We had a wonderful Zone conference focused on baptism on one hand, and 90 percent focused on christlike attributes. It was really awesome!!! We have a lot of respect for Pdte. Cardenas, and truly he is a very faithful man and he is a good person that wants us to be happy and wants us to baptize the whole world haha. 

Cool story: 3 missionaries got put in jail last week close to Tapachula, but Pdte. Cardenas didn´t know that they were in jail or where they were. They were going to tuxtla in OCC, and the records said that they boarded the bus, but in Tuxtla they weren´t there. President Cardenas sent the assistants to a conference in Oaxaca while he went looking for the missionaries. He had been praying very hard, and after asking many immigration people and having many of them say that they had no idea, a man came up and offered to help. He made a few phone calls and found out that they were sent back to Tapachula in a prision there. As Presidente got there, they wouldn´t let him see them until they had done the paperwork so that they could leave (which takes a long time). After the whole ordeal, he saw them come out. Their shoes and belts and ties were taken away, so they looked really funny, but he saw them super happy. He asked them, how are you?! And they responded that they were so excited and had just taught one of the guards and were sending his name as a reference. They contacted and taught -- even in a little bit of a different situation. That is being a missionary. But they didn´t get hurt or anything, all was well. (but this is not to scare you, it is just a cool experience that happened to a few missionaries)

But ya, also Carmen got baptized. That was a neat experience, and she is really converted. She pretty much can teach us the great apostasy better than many missionaries teach it. Also her sister, Dania, is getting baptized on Sept. 15. And Edgar, Dania´s boyfriend, is such a prepared investigator--he is 21 years old, so stoked to get baptized, and felt the spirit "prompting him that this church is true" during the conference! 

Salvador and Rosario now for real will get baptized this upcoming saturday. They are so special. They are so humble, and have testimonies. They will get "married" after almost 50 years together this wednesday. 

Stake Conference was such a wonderful moment. I felt a lot of personal revelation, and it was great to have the vast majority of the recent converts and various investigators there with us. 

Also, I met a chinese woman and her husband who live in Bountiful and are members, and they don´t really speak spanish (well she doesn´t). So that was cool to say hi to them.

Also, Elder Vite is a good buddy of mine, and he has given lots of opportunities to help him stay focused on the work and not go TRUNKY.

Im happy. Oh and mom...I remind you to update the blog please. Pretty please with a cherry on top. :)

Much love,
ELDER PALMER

                                    The baptism of Carmen with some of the people that came

                                                       Carmen's baptism

                        I am eating the apple crumble---from the person that you sent the recipe, mom.

                                                   I liked this photo haha

THE LAST 11 LETTERS!

AUG 20^th           Some letters I bet are boring, so this letter will NOT be BORING.

Now, a quick review of the EXCITING things that happened THIS WEEK.

We are contacting a lot :) we try to be contacting 140 people and teach more than 20 lessons every week, and we are fulfilling those goals frequently.

Most importantly--DANIEL ALBERTO VAZQUEZ IBARRA entered the waters of baptism on Saturday and was given the gift of the Holy Ghost and the priesthood on Sunday. He is 23 years old, already graduated from medical school with his own dentist consultory. His girlfriend is an active member and the future dad-in-law is Alejandro that got baptized with us a couple of weeks ago. But, he is way strong, and we are excited for him.

We made a SIDEWALK as we did a SERVICE PROJECT, and I practiced my cement making abilities. That was awesome. An elderly man there, Salvador and his wife and a few other family members there will be baptized very soon (after they get legally married in this upcoming week). Every time we leave their house he says to us that he loves us. The Grandma also sent us a message yesterday that we arrived in their life right on time, and they are happy in the love of Jesus Christ.

THE IRON ROD ACTIVITY- JARDINES WARD - was an awesome project that we could lead (my companion did most of it, because he had already done the activity a couple of times). There were many investigators there and a lot of fun. At first we were there with like two families, and it was kind of like....um ok this will be kind of low scale. But then we invited the young men and women from other wards and the people leaving a baptism from another ward and BOOM it was a rockin activity. I, included was led into the vapor of darkness haha. But then, the bishop got up and gave such a SPIRITUAL testimony as he invited the members to avoid temptations and not let trivial things impede us getting our hershey´s kiss hahha...nah our ETERNAL LIFE!!! As we did the activity we turned off the lights and put on the fans in the rooms and with the rope we led it to different parts. We "hid" the tree of life (but put it where it was at first) and then had a lot of people tempting people to leave, and almost all failed at least once. But it was fun, and a good experience for the investigators too.

"Elders, My BOYFRIEND AND I WANT TO GET BAPTIZED so can you guys start teaching us everything we need to know?" Is what Dania, an 18 year old and Edgar a 23 year old that sincerely want to change their lives. Dania is the sister of a girl that is getting baptized this Saturday in our Ward. (Carmen) who is the cousin of other recent converts. So September 15th they are  getting baptized.

Also, we EAT SOOOOO GOOD in this ward. I love it. And I love the members in this ward a bunch…they are awesome.

Also, the ZONE is improving A LOT!!! ZONE CONFERENCE THIS UPCOMING SATURDAY...I will fill you in on that next week. I love this work, and when it is sometimes really hard or stressful stuff...its all good because everything I am learning now is helping me a lot in my conversion.

Also---P.M. means puntualidad mexicana...one hour late hahahaha.        Much love

                            Thats right, I am a construction worker now. Making cement is rather fun and hard work. 

                                                       Daniel and his lady on the day of his baptism

                                                 A  few peoiple that helped us preprare the sacrament meeting room for the activity

AUG 13^th

I don`t have almost any more time, but I want to share one experience. Yesterday, an awesome member of the church was giving us the lunch (him and his family are always supporting us), and suddenly he said he wanted to sing us a song. He grabbed his guitar and sang us a song about Helaman`s warriors and missionary work. And then afterwards began to cry and hugged us. He then began to share how it breaks his heart when he sees ex-missionaries not living the gospel well. He invited us to be truly converted to the Gospel, not just now, but for all of life. I got a little emotional, and I remembered the grand importance of truly being converted. Yes, I hope to help the Zone contact 140 people every week, and baptize people every week, but also I want to help myself, my companion, and the Zone become truly converted for the rest of their life. 

sincerely,  ELDER GEOFFREY PALMER

AUG 6^th

Ok. And first off, wow! Dallin and Angela are serious aren´t they? December 18th is pretty soon.

Oh ya, and speaking of that, I am not trunky but I was talking with Pres. Cardenas about you guys coming, and that is still awesome. However, y´all should probably get in contact with the mission offices here or with the travel place of the church. He suggested that you guys come on Thursday Nov. 29th and we can be here as long as you guys want to. How long do yall want to be here? I want to be here the most that you guys do, but just to get that planned out would be good. I began my mission Nov. 17th, but the transfers aren´t until the 26th and from 27-29th we go to the temple and our with the missionaries from our "generation", which would be cool to do. But what is y´all´s plan? 

Another thing. with my blog, are yáll still doing it and putting the photos up there?

OK. As far as last week. The baptism of the Perez Lopez family was excellent. President had to interview the parents, but all went well, and they are now giving us the "comida" on Wednesdays to help the retention and keep contact. As far as Alejandro Ruíz, it was a miracle. He is a military guy and he got baptized on Tuesday (his whole family are members from like 20 years). However, on Friday, the military called him to work on Sunday in Michoacán. He was going to go, and to make a long story short they Alejandro got in a big fight with his wife, and almost said that they would get divorced (which is weird because they always have had a great relationship). He left the house, and as he was leaving Tuxtla felt impressed to turn around and fix things. He returned, postponed his work, and got confirmed, received the priesthood and is very happy about it. He also gave his testimony to the boyfriend of his daughter that he should make a decision for himself if he is going to get baptized or not. An hour later, we received a message that he wants to get baptized on August 18th. 

Also, EFY went on for the first time here in Tuxtla. It was a huge success with 900 kids from the whole state...some of them indigenous people. A couple of our recent converts and investigadores went there, and Carmen (a niece of a recent convert) told us that she is getting baptized on August 23rd. Also Yazmin is 23 years old, and her mom and sister got baptized in June, but she will get baptized this Saturday :)

Elder Vite and I are great friends. We passed by a few difficulties this week, but are supporting one another very well. I am very happy right now. Spiritually, I feel great. We are going to focus on helping the ZONE have a lot of success this month, and that every area can baptize :)

Oh, and please send Whitney my love. I fasted for her yesterday.
Well, that is all. I love you both dearly.        ELDER PALMER

JULY 30th---Photos of the baptism

                                         All went well as the Perez Lopez family got baptized and Alejandro got baptized! 
                                                   Salvador and Rosario should be next week. 

JULY 23^rd

I totally read the article. (http://spokane.latterdaysentinel.com/archiveEmail.asp?theEmail=178 )   That is a pretty sweet article on your mission.

Also, I met Elder Barrow the other day...he seems like a great guy but I didn`t really get to know him very well. He had told me that his sister was in Barton Creek Ward I think, but i didn´t connect the dots that that would mean that you would meet her :)

ELDER VITE AND I STAYED THE SAME. So truthfully we are kind of super stoked about that. Especially we wanted to be together for various baptisms this week:

Alejandro...his wife and his two kids are active members. He has been married for almost twenty years with her. He had his interview yesterday and will get baptized tomorrow. He is a fine man, and will be a future leader in the church. In one year…. I will come with Elder Vite when they get sealed.

La familia Ballina...guess what? The guy from Oklahoma is now in our area! He came home  and we are now teaching him. His parents are going to get marred on Friday and baptized on Sunday, if all goes well. The stake president here will help us get them married.

La familia Perez: Mateo, Lulu and their two daughters, Nayeli, and Alondra, also are preparing to get baptized this Saturday. But Mateo might not be able to, because he is really sick right now.  I love you both a ton!!! Y´all are the Best!

                          Those ants. They are called Nuku. I ate them. They taste really good fried. 

                                                                       ELDER VITE

JULY 16th    Mom, I totally remember when you told me that one of your favorite scriptures is D.C. 123:17. As I read your letter,  I thought of that scripture. I know that all will go well, as we do all we can and trust in God.  PLEASE send deep and sincere love to every member of our family. Especially, Whitney, Jasmine, Chelsea, and Nathan...and Angela. OK. I think I just said everyone. 

Oh, and mom, if you can try to call the guy from Oklahoma on Wednesday, I am going to tell his mom to tell him to answer. Just this time you guys could talk to him in spanish maybe haha. Thanks for having called him last week. Oh, and his parents are probably going to get baptized on the 28 de Julio. 

Unfortunately, I have almost no time right now to write, but it has been a great week. 

Quick rundown:

-With the family of the oklahoma guy, we did a service project and I learned to make cement, and we more or less put in a sidewalk there. That was a neat experience.

-A family that one of the kids didn´t want to listen just changed, and everyone is listening, and we feel like they will reach their goal to get baptized on August 4th. 

-On sunday, we taught priesthood and relief society about missionary work from the George A. Smith manual. It was AWESOME. We got up the members practicing, etc...and they totally are stoked. This week we should find a bunch of references.

I am happy. Life is good. The work is true. The people are great. My family is awesome! haha. 

JULY 9^th

Dear family....well mom and dad.

Mom----Important things!!!

     I have an important reference for you...He lives in Oklahoma, and he is the son of an elderly lady who came to church with her husband today at church. Crying, she told me that her son is drinking a lot, and he feels so lonely. Right now I just have his phone number, but later I will try to get his address. If you could call him right away and try to pass the reference somehow it would mean a lot for her. And I bet that he will progress.

His number is:(   )...thats how she talks to him, but I don´t know if that is how you would call it from the U.S. Im a little rusty on how phone numbers work there.

     I heard that after 2 years in mexico, one can become a mexican citizen, can you check that out? I totally want citizenship in four countries! N.Z., England, Mexico, and U.S.

Now to the mormon lion.

Sometimes letters are boring, so I will begin with an interesting joke that I heard from my companion. Once, in Africa there were two missionaries that were walking to another town when suddenly a lion began to pursue them. They didn´t know what to do, and so one of them said, " I know...we should pray and ask God that the lion can be converted a member of the true church." So they prayed, asked for that, and then kept running. After a couple of miles, the lion was almost on top of them. They stopped, and the missionary said, "Didn´t we ask God that we could be converted to the Gospel? I´m confused, it didn´t work..." But as they stopped and looked at the lion, he folded his arms and the lion said, "Father, I thank thee for this food that thou hast given me, please help it to nourish and strengthen my body...etc"      Haha. I thought it was funny.

Now on spiritual sides of things. I feel very spiritually uplifted. On wednesday, Elder Vite and I were in a lot of prayer and thought, and made a Personal Purifying List, and then a List for companions. We made a list of certain things that we feel we should change or get better, or not do, etc...to fully give our will to the Father. I have about 14 things on my personal list, and we have about 11 on our companionship one. We are keeping track of how many days we have been doing it (today is day #6) and we will view it as a 40 day fast. We have seen lots of blessings, and we have found many new people and families to teach.

I feel pretty happy on the spiritual side. A cool experience happened on Sunday....in the ward… often they have problem organizing service activities, because no one generally comes. However, an old man came to church with his wife, and while we were in Priesthood, he started thanking and crying for the help he has received this week. We found him, taught him, and a Brother from the ward who came to our lesson shared how his rented house has a lot of needs, and boom the men in the room began to offer cement, supplies, etc. and this Friday we are going to help in that project. The spirit was really strong in the room in that moment.

JULY2^nd

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well, I´m the only one with a nametag on in our family right now. How strange, and how fast time passes. I am so grateful for the way that missionary service has blessed my life. I just want to take the time now to thank you both for your service as missionaries. I want to express deep gratitude to you both, and to our Father in Heaven, for the grand privilege it was to spend such special time together in Spokane. Those are fond moments that have shaped my character and formed my testimony. I am so grateful for you both as parents, and a pray dearly that you find yourself safe and sound. And happy. I am not homesick, and I don´t think I ever will be (maybe because I haven´t decided where is my home haha), but I recognize that things will be different when I get back. No one will be a missionary...how weird! I am just going to work the very most I can these last six months. But, I want to emphasize that right now I thank you both for everything you both have done for me in the last two years. I don´t know how to describe it. I love you both so dearly. You both are my best friends.

Mom...thanks for your rockin´ package...that probably was one of the best ones that I have got. I went to the mission office, and opened it up with the assistants and secretaries...they sure enjoyed their part haha. They also got a little laugh out of the pink picture album, because they thought it was a purse. But I am going to put stickers about it and then it will be awesome.

Can I share a bit about the week? Well, on Wednesday, we had a leadership training throughout the mission and it was wonderful. We talked about the people, no numbers, about the firmness of the baptismal dates that we set, the invitation baptismal, etc. One thing we talked a lot about that was pretty awesome was "áreas de oportunidad". Every week we take out 5 Áreas de Oportunidad (AdeO), which are areas in which we haven´t reached our potential as a Zone, and then we think about the cause of the situation and the solution. We then call the district leaders, who inform their district members of these 5 AdeO, with the object to apply them each individually to every area. Then, the goals become personal, and not just vague wishes. Some of that is just the way I do it, but ya, I liked that part.

Um, Elder Mortensen is one district leader we have that is from UTAH. I get along really well with him, and have been focusing on his district these last three weeks (and the next three weeks I will be focusing on the other district). He is really a great guy, and is humble. He lacks like one transfer before he will be going home, but he is still looking for ways to improve. Sometimes, he calls me to ask how he can make his DIS. MEETING better. Well, on Thursday, I got to sit in on their district meeting, and a sweet spirit filled the room. It was so special. We started talking about needs in the area, and BOOM it was just like talking about people´s salvation, and it was so neat. Then we began to practice and the spirit was still so strong...I was crying a little bit and like 2 or three other missionaries. My companion walked in the room, because the other District had finished their meeting and he just said WOW. the spirit is soo strong in the room right now. You can feel the difference, etc. I was so happy for Elder Mortensen.

Um...what else? The bishop is like a friend to me. I want you both to meet him one day. Google " el cañon del sumidero - chiapas" That is totally in our Zone and it is gorgeous. We went to the viewing spots above, and we are going to ask for permission to go in boat below with our bishop.

I am learning a bit about how to help people who are having serious problems in the mission. There are many times that are learning experiences.

Just so you know, Mom, I am happy that I came at 18 years old. I receive lots of witnesses that I am here at the right time in the right place. And I hope to be doing the right things.

LOts of LOvE fOr bOtH oF yOu,      ELDER PALMER

P.s. don´t be getting trunky you two...oh wait, yall are already done with the mission! Nah, I am just kidding. But still, thats sooo weird, it hasn´t really "hit me" yet. haha

JUNE 25^th    Dearest MOM mama madre MOTHER female leader of family. Mah. mOmMy. ok. Im done haha.

So, I don´t have much time to write...cause we are going to go play soccer with the ZONE! But, what is your new direction in Texas? I mean address? You are going to live in texas right? haha.

But this week was good, I am stoked for the Zone, because it is improving a lot. And us too, a few people were going to get baptized, but they are facing obstacles right now. However, pretty soon, more people are going to get baptized, and Ill tell you about them later.

Cool story. So, two converts. Alicia and Eveling, are really smart and were very doubtful about baptisms for the dead. Then, after we left they told us that the Mom sat down and prayed out loud to have understanding and to be able to know if it was a true principle. She opened her eyes, and then grabbed a Liahona that a member had given her and opened it in that very instant to a page that explains why we get baptized for the dead, she said "I didn´t know prayers could get answered so fast!" She got a testimony, and went on Friday, and they loved it!

That same member that gave the Liahona is Brother Galán. He is awesome, in charge of institute in Chiapas, and was an ex- mission president counselor. He gave an inspiring class of such spiritual power to our "Elders Quorum"...this Sunday, it was just us two, him, and investigator, and one other member. But he didn´t worry about few people, and just gave a WOW class. I was changed, and inspired to never lose excitement about the work. It was on Pres. Uchtdorfs talk in Priesthood the last conference. the WHY behind priesthood service, not just the WHAT.

I gotta go! Love you a bunch, and I feel very good right now.

I can´t believe that next week yall might be in TEXAS!!!! How weird. PLEASE SAY BYE TO THE BYERS FOR ME. AND ALSO SAY BYE TO OTHER PEOPLE THAT YOU KNOW ARE IMPORTANT FOR ME.

Love,

ELDER PPALMEERR

JUNE 17    First off...I want to answer the questionnaire you sent.

Is Elder Vite Mexican? Yes.  Where is he from?  Mexico City  What do you love about him?  He is way funny and for me he is easy to get along with. He is also very focused on baptism and his purpose. He is very direct and very good with people. What are you learning from him? The importance of inviting more often people to baptism...we invite 14 people with a baptismal date this week, and it wasn´t just a number. It was truly seeing if they would accept it, and Elder Vite never beats around the bush...sometimes he just asks an investigator that we have had, while he just got to know them, What is it that impedes you to get baptized? He does that question a lot, and in a good way. We are going to have a lot of success together.

Are you easily busy in a day, or do you have to find things to do and search for things? This week has been pretty chock full of things to do. We taught 14 lessons with members, 12 others, and 4 lessons with less actives.

Are you tired most of the time or is missionary life pretty easy and normal for you? Just when I get emotionally down or hard on myself life is hard...generally I am learning to love missionary life. And I am so happy this last transfer and this one, because I feel like finally I am really being myself and trying to be the best missionary I can at the same time.

Do you wake up easily?  Do you fall asleep easily? I fall asleep very easily, except when we have something really exciting going on the next day, like a lot of baptisms or something like that. About 2 months ago, it was always way easy to wake up, but recently it has become a little bit harder...But I am always on my feet at 6 20, and after I get some fresh air, I am up and at it. And in a normal day, I am not tired during the day.

Do you see much of your mission president now you are closer in? Ya a lot more, and I have to call him to ask permission for things a lot more. I am finally getting to know him.

Where is Elder Hercules? He is a Zone Leader in Tapachula right now...he is sweating it up right now! I almost died for heat there in winter...imagine summer! Ooooh.  He went there after 10 and a half months in the offices!

How did your talk in ZLC go about pride? It went well, and I enjoyed studying it. It was convenient because they made a lot of nice comments about our work, and so I was already in the mindset of giving the praise to God and not soaking it up ourselves.

How are you doing for money and food? Um...not so well. Haha. But don´t worry, its just I bought Elder Covington´s hammock. So, if you can this week, it would be nice to receive a little bit more for backup money...because I used my backup money. But if not, I won´t complain haha.

How is your bathroom situation? Going to the bathroom is not so much a problem here, especially because we have a powerful toilet and I don´t have to use a bucket (like in Independencia).

Did you have many come to church this week that came when you had almost 20?  are they progressing? I didn´t really understand your question...I think it is if the 17 people that came to church a couple of weeks ago are still coming.  And yes, 9 of them are now Recent Converts, so they still came yesterday.

In what ways are you changing? I am changing physically haha. Nah, thats not the question...but by the way I am six foot ten right now. I grew a lot haha. Just kidding. But ya, I am changing a ton. I am learning to lead a companionship and other people, without being bossy. I am senior companion to a missionary that almost his whole mission has been district leader with a young companion, so I learn from that too. I am learning to trust more in God. I am learning how to stay happy in the middle of difficulties. I am learning how to reach goals that I set. I am just a lot more happy right now. Truly, I have changed soooo much these last 6 weeks. I am also a little more confident in myself, most of the time...in other words I beat up on myself a little less frequently.

What are your strengths as a missionary? 1. I love people, and try to never say bad things about other people. 2. I am focused on the work, and don´t get distracted. 3. I recognize that I have weaknesses and I try to constantly be improving.

How are you using your faith and strengthening it? I am trying to use my faith with the goals we set, or that other missionaries in the Zone set. I try to use faith as we plan the actions we will take, and as we reach our goals. I try to strengthen it as I soak it all up when investigators share how their testimony is growing. When investigators (or converts) share a spiritual experience they had, my faith grows a lot.

What are you studying right now? It depends. 20 minutes I am doing the Book of Mormon highlighting thing that yáll challenged me to do. 20 minutes PME---generally scriptures for the missionary discussions 1-4 and 20 minutes one of the 8 principles. Also, I have studied a lot recently on how to set and reach goals, and have been focused on strengthening my testimony of the restoration.

Are you seeing the little miracles in every day?  Sometimes. I can get better on this one. When I write in my journal, I do. But it has been very difficult recently to find time, while I am trying to increase our communication with the district leaders. But, I will try to improve!!!

Do you still love your mom?  Just checking! I love you sooooo much. My love for you and dad has deepened immensely. I am very proud to have you both as parents, and am certain that we will be best friends after the mission.

I’m out of time. LOVE YA!

JUNE 11th

ELDER PALMER  So...this week was pretty sweet. However, the Covington/Palmer era has finished, and Elder Vite will be coming here. I was actually his companion for one week in Tapachula while I was waiting for Elder Dìaz to get over Denge. He is a really funny guy, and we get along really well. We always were joking around asking ourselves when we would be companions together, etc...haha. And now we are. They say he has been baptizing a lot of people, and he comes from Ocosingo as a District Leader right now, so he will fill me in on Yajalon and Ocosingo--:)

This will be interesting to be senior companion, and I will have to take a few more decisions, but I am pretty excited.

I don`t have a ton to write today...truthfully. But a quick rundown of the week. First off, yesterday Elder Covington baptized an 8 year old kid and confirmed him. I forgot my camera and so I can`t send the photo...but ya, it was pretty cool.

We are enjoying eating with the converts on Mondays and Tuesdays, and we are excited for Alicia and Tania and Ana Isabel that Bishop might call as Ward Missionaries. It was a great joy to see all of the converts we have in this area come to church, along with 9 investigators. Josè Alberto has a neighbor and friend that has come to church, went to his baptism, and is way stoked. He will get baptized on the 30th. Also, the president of the Young Women is a great sister, and we work with her family a lot. Her daughter`s boyfriend, 23 years old, dentist, great guy...will get baptized in the 23rd of June. Also, her husband is a non member in the army living in Michoacán. The missionaries came to his house, and he set a baptismal date, but he will come to Tuxtla to get baptized in our ward with his family the 14th of July...so I am excited and grateful for that opportunity. Also, Nayeli, a young girl who went to the Mexico Temple Visitor`s center will be baptized this Saturday, if her dad gets out of the hospital in time.

We are finding a lot of people, too. I love this ward, and hope that we can baptize all of the peple that God has prepared for us, and help them stay active. 

Sooo...for today thats about all. Mom, next week do me another questionnaire, and then I will get more ideas of stuff to tell you.

Oh ya, and one other thing...the ward had 102 people! Thats the first time I`ve been in a ward or branch over a 100 in my mission! :)

Your son, ELDER PALMER

Dearest Mother and Father,

I really enjoyed reading your letters. It sounds like such a wonderful experience you both have had this week with various baptismal services and lots going on. I can`t imagine how you all are feeling with this last month coming on. I can imagine the determined attitude that you both have to leave the mission in the best condition possible for the next mission president.

Well, I have had a wonderful week, and also some sad news. I´ll get the sad things out first. I heard a couple of hours ago that Eneyda -- that got baptized in Independencia -- passed away. It is really real to me....the plan of salvation. It didn`t shock me, because I had known it was possible, but it still surprised me a little bit. I feel the impression that as soon as I can (after the mission) I should do the temple work for her...do I have to wait a whole year for that?

On Tuesday, we have Zone Leader`s Council. It was very very interesting. I don`t know if I mentioned that last time, new rules were introduced 1. we ccn`t play with any animals and 2. we can`t eat from stands on the street (the second one is soooo hard!) But this Council, there weren`t any new rules. Last transfer various Zone Leaders changed and this coming transfer 8 more will change...making the majority of the Zone Leaders new...so that will be interesting to see. It is cool to see in other areas how their attitude affects sooo much the results and the success that they have. Elder Hercules this transfer will be leaving the offices (after 10 and a half months) and go out, probably as a ZL. I`m crossing my fingers, because I know that Elder Covington will be transferred this transfer.

I feel sooo happy to be in this area. So. Saturday. It was pretty special the Baptismal Service. Lots of members came, and their weren`t enough seats so some of us had to stand. There were a couple of talks, we sang a special musical number, and then the ordenance. First, the Hernandez Family was baptized. We were behind the scenes with Anabelly and her four kids. We took turns baptizing and it was so fun, spiritual, and happy. Josè Alberto is 13 years old, and he was sooo happy to be baptized with pretty much his whole family. It was very special. Then Alicia and Evelyn were baptized. Also, very special. Afterwards, the Primary President gave a welcome and Faith in God to Alondra, the YW Pres gave Personal Progress to Evelyn and Viviana, the Bishop gave Duty to God to Josè Alberto, and the Relief Society Pres gave a welcome to Alicia and Anabelly and Tania. Afterwards, Evelyn and Alicia (the two on the left side of the photo) gave their testimonies. They are both very intelligent, and gave firm testimonies. She shared how she had attended 8 years pretty faithfully a Christian Church and never felt to get baptized, and here in less than a month she could prepare herself for that step. It was pretty special all of it. I am so grateful for the opportunity that God gave me to see that!

Um...the confirmations were neat, too. With Josè, they mentioned that he would serve a mission, and with Alicia (without knowing anything beforehand) they told her that her organs would function correctly...she had surgery one month ago.

What else? Um...I went on divisions with Elder Finn--who has 5 weeks in Mexico. That was fun to remember the beginning. That also was interesting to feel what it is like to have to teach a large portion of the lessons. But he is great.

Nayeli is a 19 year old girl studying biology. She has come to church 2 times, and her Mom 6 times. She had a baptismal date...but truly it wasn`t really that firm, because we still don`t know her super well and things like that. But on Saturday she said that she wants to get baptized. So, if her Dad gets out of the Hospital before Saturday, she will get baptized then.

We eat really well here. The members send us pizza, tamales, and more tamales, and more tamales. Haha. Its awesome. And we drink lots of Pozol...Blanco or de Cacao. I like Pozol de Cacao the best. Google it...its awesome. Speaking of Pozol, Alicia--who got baptized--was the sister that we ate with today for the meal, and she gave us a ton of pozol. And right now I am having stomach pains cause I drank too much, soo I think I will go now. But, I love you both bunches! EEEXXXIIITTTOOOO!!!!!

ELDER PALMER

May 28th, 2012

                                                                    Baptism from Saturday

Dearest Mother and Father,

First off, in response to Mom`s letter. I like when you attach mission letter`s of my friends. I had time today, so I read it all. That is something good…thanks!  As far as my stuff that you all will be moving…just leave it there with the new Mission President and I´ll live with him for a couple of months. Nah, I`m just kidding, haha, if you all want you can take it to Texas, although knowing that I will certainly be going to BYU maybe it would be better there in a storage unit. But I trust that Mom will make a good decision. Oh, and please keep my trumpet in a safe place. I get cravings to play it a bunch haha. But, I trust your decisions.

I hope you both have the best month of your mission in this month that is coming up! I love you both so much, and am honored to be your son :)

On my end of the stick, things are going great. This was another awesome week! I´ll spoon feed it to y`all day by day

Monday: We played a bunch of soccer last Monday...getting out a lot of energy. Que bueno, eh!

Tuesday: We had a meeting with our District Leaders. We were focusing more than anything on the Church Attendance. Also, Elder Covington shared the example of the stripling warriors and it was a pretty spiritual moment. Cool experience with that...we had been planning on bringing two of our investigators who had problems with attending church to the meeting to see the District Leaders practice teaching them, but unfortunately at last minute they cancelled on us. We were praying in our heart to find 2 people to bring to the meeting. We pretty much gave up as everyone was busy, and went to the meeting. After teaching all that we planned, and just as we were about to start the practice, Elder Covington got the spiritual impression that we should go outside real fast and find two people. We told them to wait a second, and then we left and contacted the people that we could really fast. We saw two people sitting down, we went and contacted them...and then we found out that they were members, but it didn`t matter. God wanted them to practice with the missionaries. The missionaries were surprised as we brought 2 people in and told them that we would be practicing with them...they didn`t know that they were members. We could learn a lot to see them teaching in a real situation, and God answered our little prayer.

Also, on Tuesday, Isabel and Angel decided that they would get baptized. Angel is the nephew of Isabel, and his Mom moved back with them and gave him permission to get baptized. She called her ex-husband, his dad, to tell him and it took us way off guard...she told him that his son was going to get baptized, she invited him to the baptism, and she said that she would probably get baptized soon. We have only taught her one time.

Wednesday: We visited the Bosque District in their District Meeting...actually its our district, but we change around every week. That was fun, and we also had a meeting with the Stake Missionary Director--Hno. Madrigal, who recently finished being a mission President in Panama in 2010. He is such a humble guy and I enjoy working with him. Every month we go to the meeting of the Bishoprics and Stake Presidency to give a report of the Zone and to plan activities. Next week, we will do a trimester training to all the ward missionaries and mission leaders. He will give a half hour to me to teach about The Attention that a Ward Missionary should give to an Investigator...I don`t know if that makes sense in English but in Spanish it does, and then Elder Covington will train on something else.

Thursday: Weekly Planning-- We visited Nayeli and Lulu, a family that went to a church activity in Mexico D.F. and loved it. And Nayeli is preparing for Baptism June 9th.

Friday: ZONE CONFERENCE. It was pretty sweet. Just our Zone, the assistants and president for the first part. Then, he had previously assigned us to invite a member from our Ward to come a little later. Our Bishop came, and we practiced in front of everyone how we can work with him, planning "Noches Familiares" Family Nights...something different to FHE, to teach about how to be a happy family with references, and stuff like that. It was pretty cool. I like our Bishop a lot. Then, in the evening we had a movie activity where we watched The Testaments with the investigators...like 12 came, and really enjoyed it. I love the spirit at the end of that movie.

Saturday: ANA AND ANGEL`S BAPTISM. It was a way special baptismal service. We totally felt the Spirit, and as Ana Isabel left the water, she mentioned that she felt like a trembling feeling inside of happiness as she left. She has changed a ton since we first began teaching her. Oh, and we found another cool family that is really interested. They committed to come to church the next day.

Domingo: Ana and Angel got confirmed. 15 visitors came, seven of which-Alicia, Evelyn, and 5 from the Hernandez family, are going to get baptized this Saturday. I hope all goes well with that. It was soo cool teaching Alicia and Evelyn afterwards. Alicia in like 40 years old and Evelyn like 15. They are both really smart, and Alicia is a teacher. Evelyn was set on getting baptized because she prayed before going to church last Sunday to know if its true, and felt an answer in the church. Alicia was  a little less sure. She was attending a Christian Church when we found her, and she had been there like 3 or more years. But she never got baptized, because she didn`t feel ready or secure. She decided with the Spirit yesterday that this Saturday she would get baptized with Evelyn.

Pres. Cardenas asked me to prepare 10 minutes for the ZL Council tomorrow about how to overcome pride.  I recognize more and more the importance of giving the Lord the credit for any good that happens. I am learning well that the blessings on my mission - are just blessings from the Lord.  I want to always remember that.


LOVE,
ElDeR pAlMeR

                                                                      The Hernandez family.

                  This is the lady mom called and talked to to set up the mother's day call.

                                                        The people that came to the baptism

May 21st---
Mom and Dad,

Might I say that this week has been one of my favorite weeks in my mission. It was awesome. Not just for the great things that happened, but because I felt the Spirit a bunch too. I felt the Spirit sooo much as we taught the restoration various times, and as we heard about the progress of many investigators. Also, it was a classic moment when the Bishop was reading the list of names to give a welcome to the visitors and various members were caught way off guard and started looking around to find the new faces. 

The Hernandez Family (9 people just from that family) is a very big family and they came to church.  We are growing to love them and seeing great progress in them. There is a single Mom that lives with about 5 of her 8 kids, and we are teaching some of the other kids and their spouses too. I would send photos, but for some reason it isn't letting me. A couple of the kids are set on baptism, and the mom is working it through...worried about falling away after getting baptized. 

We had a spiritual experience with Ana (who will get baptized this Saturday). The Gospel Principles class was about Obedience, and she told us that after church she felt an impression from the Spirit that to be obedient she needed to box up and put away all of the Saints in her house (even though she had already stopped believing in it). The Spirit entered the room so strong as she shared that experience. She is very excited for her baptism, but her 7 year old daughter was pouting all day yesterday when she understood that she won´t be able to get baptized for another year. 

Also, Sunday morning we leave early to go for investigators (and as a bonus the woman that you talked to, Mom, when you called makes us breakfast on Sundays and invites us without us asking anything! She is a great member, and she came with us to that lesson with Ana). As we were walking to the first house a drunk man started talking to us in the street. We were really short on time, and it crossed my mind to ignore him. But we stopped, talked a little, took his address, gave him a pamphlet, and then invited him to church--which would begin in like 1 hour. He said, in a drunk way, that he would wash himself and meet us at the church (pretty far away...20 minutes walking, 10 minutes in car more or less). We didn´t think much of it, but as we walking in the Sacrament Meeting there he was, sitting towards the back! He said that he accidentally went to the Catholic church in front, but they told him that he wasn´t invited there and directed him to the church. So we will try to find him this evening. I hope he can progress. 

I think I mentioned about Alicia, Evelyn, and Yazmín last week. But they are also pretty excited, and Evelyn said that before she entered church last week she prayed to have guidance if this church is true, and she feels like God answered her prayer by the Spirit in Sacrament Meeting.

Elder Covington is such a good guy. I look up to him a ton, and am finding it easy to become very good friends. I am also trying to persuade him to room with me at BYU afterwards (but he has a future Mrs. Covington that maybe will have more influence than me haha). We are always laughing a lot, and I am certain will not have any problems together.

As far as Spanish goes, I have realized that I have a bunch of room for improvement, and Elder Covington puts a lot of effort into it and is helping me to get better too. I feel good in a lot of ways, but I am 1-expanding my vocabulary and 2-trying to kill the words here and there that I still say "Americanly".

I am really grateful for the blessings that God is giving us. I just pray and hope that we can help these people not just get baptized, but become converted to the gospel too. I know that God will continue blessing our area a lot, if we stay humble and keep working hard. The other areas in the Zone are having some difficulties--especially with helping investigators come to church. Various areas didn´t have any investigators this week in church. Maybe next week you could write some suggestions for me on how to TEACH missionaries how to help their investigators take that step so important. 

Ooooh...and I have my first divisions and my first baptismal interview. I almost forgot. I went to an area called Reforma with ELDER GÜERECA. He is really young in the mission, and is a good happy big guy. His companion is the District Leader--Elder Gabbitas (I got to know him well, as he was in my district for three transfers in Tapachula). It was good to be with Elder Guereca and to try and excite them a lot about the work. Their investigator, Hugo, is very prepared and just got married the same day as his baptism. They told me beforehand that there possibly could be problems with question number 4, but all went well, and he was very ready for baptism. I got  little emotional as he offered a very heartfelt prayer and shared in it his testimony and love for the Gospel.

I talked in church on Sunday. I really enjoyed doing it. I shared three contacting experiences that gave me an opportunity to share a pure testimony, and shared how we develop a testimony, what it is, and why we should share it.

I think that is about all for this week. I think I will be writing more frequently like this. A letter for Mom and Dad together, unless there are other things to say only to one. Oh and please tell Chelsea or someone to enter facebook and accept the friends and put a note that it is her, not me...if thats all good.

Much love---y´all are the best!!!!

ELDER GEOFFREY PALMER

May 14th
Mom and Dad,

It really was great to talk to you both. I am really excited about the work. And truly, I am loving it.

So you want details....I will give details. TODAY IS ELDER COVINGTONS BIRTHDAY. And so, we were pretty excited. We are going to go down town to eat in a China buffet, and buy ties. Then we have a lesson with Ana Isabel (an aunt of a recent convert that will get baptized on the 26th), and she will give us cake. Afterwards, we will go with Tania Ana belli and their family and we will invite them to get baptized on June 2nd today, and then they will give us more cake. Then we will go and stop by for a little bit more cake and dinner from another Sister haha.

Yesterday was pretty cool. Nearly 100 people were at church. 12 of them were investigating. Three especially just loved it (They have been attending another Christian church). One of the15 year old kids asked the mom, "Hey...I like this church a lot more and it is closer...can we start coming here now?" And the mom is reading everything we leave with them. On the second lesson, the Mom asked for a copy of the Book of Mormon before we could ask if she read the pamphlet we left with her. We just got to know them on Thursday.

Um...what else. Ya, I told you both a little bit about when I ran into Marco Antonio, a less active 18 year old from Yajalon. We baptized his sister in law, Yadira. Unfortunately, he has a bunch of family problems, but he is going to church here in Tuxtla, is finishing up high school, and preparing for the mission. My whole time in Yajalon, he didn´t ever enter the church, in spite of a couple of really spiritual experiences that we had together. But he has changed, and we both had a tender moment when we saw each other. He started crying, and I almost did too.

Our house is sooo hot. I did not sleep my first couple of days in this area. And I have a personal fan going the whole night. But now it isn´t so bad, but I am always sweating. I am used to it.

Our Zone is pretty small, truthfully. Just 16 missionaries, but 4 sisters. Almost all of the Elders are gringos, which is way different...I have almost always been the only American.

Well...I have pretty much gotta go now...BYYYYYE love you both a ton.

I am very grateful for the friendship I have with both of you, and I look forward to hearing about your excitement in the last transfer of your mission!

ELDER PALMER

May 7th, 2012

Hi blog, I don´t have much time today. But I just want to say that I am loving being in a big city...Tuxtla Gutierrez. Our area is great, the ward is big (from what I am used to), and there are lots of investigators progressing. I don´t have to shower with a bucket of green water anymore, so that is a bonus. My companion is Elder Covington, from Arizona...and he is an awesome missionary. I am learning a ton from him. 

Muchas gracias,

Elder Palmer

April 23rd, 2012

Well...I don´t have a ton I want to write, however I would like to share the following information:

1. Elder Bednar´s visit: what a wonderful experience we had as he came. He gave us two of his talks to study and two scriptures  to memorize. It was very special as he taught us. I learned of the grand importance of praying with the objective to act in harmony with what we ask. Also, the pivotal point that I learned and that will help me a lot as a missionary was the importance of helping others learn by faith. Sometimes, we read scriptures or leave commitments with the intention to explain everything and give answers to every question, but no...as a missionary to an investigator, and as a parent to a child, teacher to student, etc...we must give them the direction to go in order to help them find their own answer. He taught how we cannot treat an investigator, child, or student as an object being acted upon, but help them use their agency in their favor.

 

2. Interviews with President: we talked about Concordia a long time. He told us to find an economical house in Concordia so that we can start having church services there sometimes. We  go on divisions (exchanges), Elder Aguilar and I, in order to have a missionary in both sacrament meetings. Yesterday, I went on divisions with the Branch President to Concordia and we visited the less-actives.  I am sure the church will grow a lot there...and fast!

 

3. Remember in Xochimilco an elderly couple I mentioned (familia Giron Garcia), well I found out talking with other Elders that they got baptized! That was pretty special...and the Diaz Gomez family from Xochimilco sent letters showing that they are still active in the church :) 

 

It was fun to see all of my companions (almost)...Elder Hercules, Elder Lopez, Elder Walker; Elder Diaz, Elder Sanchez, and Elder Rios all at the same time...I was just like overwhelmed.(At Elder Bednar's visit)

Geoffrey's last four letters--we have been busy!

MARCH 26^TH, 2012

    Dear blog, I enjoy writing to you but I have been neglecting writing thorough personal letters to my parents, so excuse the shortness of this letter. However, I am overall very happy. Transfers were fantastic...very sad to see Elder Ríos go (he was the easiest and "most like me" companion that I have had) but it was good to get Elder Aguilar. He is almost finishing his mission, is from Puebla, and seems like a solid missionary. But it was such a joyful reunion to see Elder Walker (my ex-companion that I had for 6 months in Yajalon). I love him like a brother. Also, remember Victor and his family? We met him when he was drunk one day, and from that conversation many people have been brought to the gospel. He gave us a reference through which Anilu and Jordy joined the church and they gave us a reference through which Josue was baptized. Well, he and his wife got married and with their two kids got baptized a couple of months ago. That made me soo happy...and it was nice to hear something positive in spite of the many difficulties that they are facing in that area.

     Eneyda, who got baptized 2 weeks ago, is severely ill. Her body just like stopped working, and she can´t move anything. It was special as the Branch President and a few members were able to support her and drive her to the hospital in tuxtla. It was very sad to see, and she will be in our prayers.

     That´s all, folks...

ELDER PALMER

APRIL 2^ND 2012

   Well, i am short on time today...but a TON has happened.

     Also, quick update the baptisms attached are from the elders in Xochimilco right now. They baptized 3 (and next week the fourth of that family that Elder Sanchez and I were teaching.    So, thats great :)

      Also, President Cardenas called us on Friday and asked us, where are you?. We told him that we were in Benito Juarez, a little town about ten minutes away...and then he told us, Ok I am here Independencia see you there in the park of Benito in ten minutes. So we talked with president, and "coincidentally" (God is amazing) Benito Juarez is where our Branch President lives, so we met with President Cardenas and our Branch President, and the Assistants. That was fun. When I was in Dad´s mission, I thought it was so weird that sometimes missionaries would be nervous around him, but sometimes I feel a little nervous around President Cardenas honestly haha. Now, I know why. Especially when he drove 3 or 4 hours just to come and see us (and later return 3 or 4 hours).

      Also, Church was AWESOME! Ya...by the way, we couldn´t see General Conference (bummer)...there isn´t internet in Independencia, and the leaders told us to stay here. But, we had fast and testimony meeting, and Erick (a 15 year old really smart kid that will be baptized this Saturday) shared his testimony. He is an answer to our prayers...a future missionary, and leader in the church. Also, they announced that this Saturday will be the baptism of Mauricio and Claudia (a young couple...Mauricio is a brother of Arizz and Yadira that just got baptized), Cristopher, Erick, and possibly Ivan. We hope and pray that the baptism will all work out.

     After church, Erick wanted to go out with us...so he came and accompanied until 9 o clock...and presented us with various friends. He put the goal to finish the book of Mormon in a week and a half (that is faster than I have ever read it...and he’s never read it!).

     Oh, and the place of our church building will change this week! Woo hoo...and President Cardenas will put a computer in it for our Branch President! 

     Love y’all and thank you for your prayers...maybe I don´t know who is praying, but I certainly can feel the strength of many prayers on my behalf.

ELDER PALMER

APRIL 9^TH, 2012

  This entry will be short as I want to write a good letter to Mom. This week Christopher and Erick got baptized...they had soo much opposition but fulfilled their goal and are continuing with a lot of excitement and enthusiasm for the Gospel. Erick has read up to more or less Alma 40 in just this week, and plans to finish the book this next week. Erick beforehand (as a 15-year-old) taught classes in the Catholic Church...he has soo much of the Bible memorized...and this week a bunch of the Catholic leaders and youth came to his house to persuade him not to get baptized, but he responded them by making them listen to him read all of 2 Nefi 27 and sharing his testimony of the Restoration. He is a strong kid, and rather exited to be in the church. Christopher is almost 19 years old, and right now almost no one of his family and friends is very supportive (but we are working with his mom).

     Jonny is a young man that goes on his mission to Puebla this week...the photo of the Branch is from the Farewell that he had. We will now have 2 missionaries serving from the Branch. Christopher told Jonny that he is excited for him and hopes that when Jonny gets back that he will already have left on the mission. There was a special spirit there. Oh, and we are now enjoying our new meetinghouse...its pretty good in my opinion.

     Mauricio and Claudia wanted to get baptized in a certain river that was full of people for the vacations...so if all goes well maybe this Saturday they will take that step.

    I love the Independence Branch of the Misión México Tuxtla Gutierrez!      

ELDER PALMER

APRIL 15TH, 2012

    We had 63 people in church yesterday. That is the highest we have had. Many families are reactivating and regaining enthusiasm due to the new location of the meetinghouse, Jonathán leaving on a mission, baptisms happening in the ward, etc. So, that is wonderful. Although, some things about church need to be improved...we should probably remind this one Sister not to bring her dog so it doesn´t sniff everyone during sacrament meeting, etc...but no complaints. 

     Elder Bednar will come this Saturday, and I am so excited to be strengthened by the Spirit in Tuxtla!!!

     I´ll update more next week...adios :)

Elder Palmer