September 4, 2010

Thank you so much for the stuff you sent with dad!!!!!!!!!!!! I really appreciate it, and my mission leader says thanks for the stuff too haha He's a stud, I'm glad you could do something for him, he's done a lot for us missionaries here! He made us breakfast this morning, pancakes, sandwhiches, eggs, etc... Soooo good. This afternoon we're going to Presidents house for lunch for me, Elder Stevens, and Elder Maes' birthday lunch. Today I eat super good hahaha
When dad was here, I could hear his voice in the other room hahahahaha it was pretty funny and weird. Elder Ashby's coat is perfect hes stoked.
This week we got to go on divisions with members and investigators. Theres 2 young men (14, 18) that are getting baptised on Saturday and sacrificing a lot to do so. They've been going to church for almost a year now, but had to resolve some stuff, but lots of miracles have occurred for them the last few weeks, and they are preparing for a mission already. Its amazing to have investigators teach lessons with you to other investigators because it truly shows they have a testimony and have no fear of the world to share it. They will make great priesthood leaders and Fernando, the 18 yr old, has plans to go on the mission as soon as he's able time-wise and come back and baptise his mom. He has no other family, and his mom is extrememly catholic and closed off to the decision that he's made, but he's still willing to do everything possible to live in the way that he feels God has prepared him for.
We have a number of full families that we are teaching, lots of excellent future priesthood holders, and the ward is slowly growing and getting excited for all these changes. The bishop called President and asked if he could take us somewhere are 10pm and the President approved us for where we were going (we had no idea it was a surprise) and he took us out to pizza hahaha it was pretty funny, but way good.
Theres a family that we're trying so hard with Miguel and Noelia and their kids (10 and 8) and they still havent come to church but God has been preparing them so much and they recognize that. They stopped smoking a year ago together just cause they felt they ought to, on another impulse he quit his job that was making him work Sundays, and now is the most successful haircutter in the area, and doesnt work Sundays or Mondays, and makes a TON of money (they have a Wii!!!!!!!!!! First I've seen in the Guay since the console is about $1000 and the games are about $100 each) etc... Everything has been working out perfectly for them and they know it but aren't ready to make some changes so we'll see what happens.
Another family we were teaching we went over to the house for the appointment and the mom, Laura, came out and tried to hand us the Book of Mormon in tears and said her husband wanted no more of it all. We got to talk to him and he said he would allow his wife to keep learning and going to church and everything, but he wants nothing more and won't allow his kids either. So thats pretty bittersweet. He's going out of town and she's going to church so the kids will be able to go with her Sunday and hopefully their testimonies will soften his heart. Laura it getting baptised the 25th, and if all goes well, her daughter will be baptised with her! We'll see what the Lord has in store for the family. Satan tries so hard to take down families its incredible!!!
This last week was the Santa Rosa, a huge yearly storm that starts EVERY YEAR on the 30th of August haha Dad can tell you about it. It sure made proselyting interesting. A massive tropical storm at freezing temperatures will never be my favorite working conditions, but it turned out alright haha Elder Ashby was sure glad to have his coat just in time heh
Well, thanks for everything, let me know what all is going on over there! I'm here early and havent seen your emails, so I'll answer any questions next time I guess. Dad, let me know everything you got to see and do, where you ate, etc...!!!!
Love, Elder Magnusson!!!
P.S. With all my photos, please just keep them safe, please don't post them all! I have something I want to do with them. Your fine to look at them and can post like 5-10 or something if you want, but I don't have hardly any photos of baptisms, zone activities, etc...and I need the memory card as it is with all the pics in the same order so when I get back I can get all my pics from old comps and piece it all together good. So PLEASE don't post my pics on facebook or anywhere PLEASE PLEASE