And the Book?

This week I went on divisions with another Elder (my Zone Leader), one who was actually with me on the plane when we first got here to México. It was strange preaching with him and seeing how far we both had come. We walked back to the house after crossing the rivier and, due to the increased amount of sun, I was feeling a little bit dehydrated, so I went to buy a suero, an electrolyte drink common to Mexico, to keep myself going (it's like a Gatorade with less sugar). So, we went to the only farmacy I have ever seen here in Allende and bought it and started talking to the doctors there. One was very direct and even more blunt in letting us know he really didn't care, but the other seemed to be more care free and open. We ended with an open invitation to our English class we teach to which he agreed and set up plans to meet him there, but as we left he asked, "And the Book?" Caught a bit off guard I told him we didn't use a book, we just taught basic grammar and pronunciation. But he quickly referred us back to our mentioning of The Book of Mormon. So we ran to the house and went back later that day to leave him with a Book of Mormon that he could read. Seeing the power of the Spirit of his conversion brings a new testimony to the truthfulness of it's teachings.

Once we taught him (his name is Aristeo) about the Restoration of the Gospel through Joseph Smith, it was simple with his foundation in the Book of Mormon. As we went on explaining, he exclaimed, "It just makes sense!" Haha. You could see the figurative light bulb in his head turn on and his understanding increase. As he continues to read the Book of Mormon, his testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel and the need for his obedience to it's principles and commandments grows. It is great, and could be for some, confusing as to how a Book could cause a 53 year old doctor change his life so drastically. His faith conquers anything that is put in his path and my companion and I are surprised each time he chooses to overcome another one of his trials.

So, all is good. My companion decided after the divisions that we needed to start to exercise, since the other Zone Leader did it with him (the only day they really did, thanks...) and decided we should wake up earlier to exercise. Oops. But, although I wasn't excited, we are taking advantage of the opportunity to change the ward. Everyone is...willing to lose a few pounds, so we have the Bishop, the two Secretaries, the Elder's Quorum President, Aristeo, and a few youth of the ward all ready to play soccer with us every morning at 6 AM. Can you believe that Allende would have a turf field open to the public? Maybe someone does want me to exercise, so we've been just running for a week as we were lacking a soccer ball, but today we should have that all figured out. I have noticed that the type of person you are today is the person you are. Imagine that? So, stop seeing the future, and change the present. Are you happy with who you were today? Change it tomorrow.
May God bless you in your efforts.

Elder Andrews

Elders Andrews and Hernandez with the head of a statue of Christ.

The arm of a large statue of Christ.

A Day in the Life of a Missionary

As requested by my mother, I will take this time to let you in on some more details of what it is really like to be a missionary with simple experiences during the day with your companion.

So, here goes:

Elder Hernandez and I get up. It's still dark out. Still hot. Get ready. Study. Gets more hot. Perfect. Go outside. Sun. Walk to lessons saying hi to everyone and stopping people as much as possible and talking to them.

That is a bit of a weeding out process to try to find people that are willing to at least do a little bit of what you ask them to do (read the scriptures, pray, go to church). Eventually you find someone who at least says they might. Go to their house. Three examples from this week.

Eulalia (Lala). Mother of 3 teenage girls. Catholic Primary teacher. "I believe in the Bible nothing else, but talk to me." We talk to her quite a bit and she almost denies just about everything. We repeat everything EXTRA slow and get her to agree that, yes, indeed, prophets are important. We read from the Bible a bit, she says, "Oh, that's neat." We say the same thing even more clearly and more dircect from the Book of Mormon..."I don't get it." Not the first person to act dumb... Wrote in my journal, "Ignorance is one of Satan's strongest links to hell." She ended up denying it all and told us she would never ask God about our church in prayer. To top it off she is the first person to tell me that Joseph Smith was actually an apostate Catholic...

Paulino. 60 year old man. Retired Presbyterian Missionary/Singer. Stroke affected his throat. Now converted Dentist without patients. Said hi to him and he seemed to not have anyone else to talk to. Said he already had a Book of Mormon. Randomly stops our conversation to sing a worldly song he wrote about Jesus as everyone passes by on the main road. We try to talk more so he doesn't try to sing again. He sings again. Leave him some reading assignments in the Book of Mormon and go back the next day. He read! He said he believes it! We challenge him to follow his testimony and get baptized. He stops us and tells us in a slow stern tone: "I will never change my religion." We ask, "Not even if God told you that what we are saying to you is true?" With a blank stare he replies, "No." So, before he starts singing again, we try to get out and not waste too much more time.

Janet and Eduardo. Recently married. Daughter of 2 months. Leave a Family Proclamation to the World with her and set an appointment to go back to her house when her husband is home. Go back the next day. Get chairs out. Sit down. The husband says: "I have nothing to say to you. I recieve you as human beings with the education that my parents taught me, but I will hear nothing about your religion." Ok... Well, "Is there anything we can do for you?" To which he replies, "I think it's better if you just leave."

And, so now I would assume you know why I don't share many stories of what we do. But when you do find someone that is interested and willing like we have with two others, there is nothing better than seeing them excell and seeing the power of God work in them and their families.

I think the best think that we can learn from this is to see that if God really did tell you to change something, would you do it? Would you be willing to follow? I will say one thing, if you do not read the scriptures, you are not a follower of Christ, you are a follower of someone else. Trust not what you may hear, trust rather what you know and what you have felt.

"Don't compare yourself with other christians, compare yourself with Christ; he is the only one you follow."

So, take the time in your life to let the Lord soften your hearts that you may be willing always to do all that he would ask of you. Only then can you be confident that the Lord is on your side.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31

Elder Andrews

Meet the Family

So, I'm off quick to set the example to my son, but here's the family:

Elder Rime to the left.
Me in middle and,
Elder Hernandez on the right.

He is from Cancún. Wow! He is already a better missionary than I am, but I still try to teach him things here and there. He is way excited and is learning Spanish fast! :P

I learn things every day from him and realize that everything I do bad he tends to copy. It's funny how you learn more while teaching, but its a higher responsibility and I wouldn't have it any other way. I honestly do love it when if something goes wrong it is my fault, cause that means it's always up to me to help make it better as well.

As I went to pick up my new son, I saw 2 more missionaries get sent home early. There is absolutely nothing I detest more than having to see a missionary go home early. It is THE worst thing that has happened to me in the mission. Above all else. In that moment you wish there is something that you could do, but many times it is left to the fact that they didn't help themselves. So I would invite each one of us to always seek to progress; that we may never fall behind. May we each be obedient to all the Lord's commandments and search diligently the scriptures to be able to follow the path ahead of us.

With love and prisa,
Elder Andrews

Notes:

"Son" refers to a missionary that an elder trains. Elder Rime and Elder Hernandez are Elder Andrews' "sons" in this way.

Translation:

prisa = hurry, rush

Elder Rime, Elder Andrews, and Elder Hernandez.

Message from Elder Andrews

Dear Friends and Family

This was one of the very brief messages I received from Elder Andrews today:

"Tell everyone I am staying in my area and I'm training a Mexican. I'll know who tomorrow."

Thanks for your love and support!

Katherine Andrews <3, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Sister-in law, etc. 

Faith, Consistency, Leadership

In my personal study this morning I opened up to D&C 42 and began to read where I had left off in my studies. I read on to see many types of miracles that are wrought by faith and the priesthood, but what seemed even more miraculous to me, is what comes after:

52 And they who have not faith to do these things, but believe in me, have power to become my sons; and inasmuch as they break not my laws thou shalt bear their infirmities.

53 Thou shalt stand in the place of thy stewardship.

Too often do we work at something for a while and after not seeing the desired results, we give up. I have found this to be true in my short service to the Lord, and so I would offer this thought from the Lord.

Let us not be worn down by those who just can't seem to get things right, lest we ourselves become like unto them. But rather, may we stand firm in the place the Lord has appointed us and reflect his light onto those who need His help.

Elder Andrews

A Week of Water

I hope you all liked last week's email. And to follow it up I would just ask that all read:

Lucas 14:27-35

27 And whosoever doth not bear his across, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

This week was an interesting one. Lots of run around with the district. 

We have to cross a river to get to our area, and this week we did divisions. It just so happened that it was one of the windiest days here in Coatza, which means waves on the river. Since we cross in a little boat, it makes it a bit more interesting and this time was the first time they required us to wear the life jackets. Not many times will you see a missionary in a life jacket. We cross the river at least once a week. 

We went with the Elder's Quorum President to have him accompany us to a lesson after we had been calling him all day to no avail. He was just relaxing in front of his house with his year and a half old daughter. He found it odd as well that his phone wasn't working either so I handed him our phone for a bit to figure out the problem by calling himself a few times. All while we practice our Zapoteco (a dialect from Oaxaca) with his mom. So, after playing with the phones for a bit he left us to go get ready so we could leave. After a few moments he came back and gasped. His daughter had snuck around the corner with our phone and his and was dunking them in a bucket of water. Oops. Haha.

Zapoteco (spelled ready for you to pronounce it right)

N-eye Shelly (Naixiele) -- I love you, I care for you

Daw arÉ -- Da ´arí -- come here

Bee saw naw -- Bisanáh -- My brother

Elder Andrews

Elders Smiley and Andrews crossing the river.

Heart, Might, Mind, and Strength

Today I wish to add my voice to those whom we heard just a few days ago as we heard the Prophet as well as others call for higher dedication to our Lord's work. We live in a time where we must not be passive stand-byers. But rather, we must play an active part in the hastening of the work. So, how can we dedicate or consecrate ourselves more to the work? Must we promise something more to the Lord? As I learned over a year ago in the Villahermosa Temple, we must not make another covenant with the Lord, we just need to be true to what we have already promised.

It is what we have promised at baptism and what we reaffirm in the temple.

"...and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people,and are willing to...stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God,and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—" (Mosiah 18:8-9)

"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day."  (D&C 4:2)

Maybe it's because I'm a missionary and I recite this every week, or maybe because it is my newest study activity to look for and see the influence of every time these elements appear in the Book of Mormon and New Testament (heart, might, mind, and strength). Since before any of us were born, since before Joseph Smith, since the beginning of time, this work has always required our all. So how do we dedicate all? How can we give all of our heart, might, mind, and strength and consecrate ourselves unto the Lord? It takes a conscious and constant effort. I hope that each one of us can comtemplate [sic] our efforts in the Lord's work and see in what way to improve.

Heart. 

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21)

The heart is often used in scripture as a figurative place where resides our deepest desires; the things we most want. 

My sister Allyson this week shared how our deepest desires are often distracted by other things and sometimes we lose track of what is most important to us. She shares: "The other day I went to the temple and I realized how easy it is to take the gospel for granted. Life can be so busy and weigh you down that you can slowly be desensitized. I realized that I slowly forgot what the gospel of Jesus Christ was all about and the blessing it is to me and my family. Life can be hard, but it doesn't have to be. As we strive to do our best we can find the peace and happiness that our hearts desire."

Might.

This might is not a might of just "maybe". It is a might of all that you have. It's not a maybe I'll do it, it's a yes, and I'll give it my all. The most well known example of this is Christ's observance of a widow paying her offerings at the temple. 

(Mark 12:41-44)

The translation into Spanish uses "alma" or, in English, more commonly known as "soul". Therefore, this type of might refers to giving our entire soul to the Lord. 

Mind.

"But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions,and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction. O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever." (Jacob 3:1-2 Lisa's Favorite Scripture).

What should our thoughts be then? I have learned that we are not just shooting to be good. The telestial kingdom is good, but that's not where we want to be. We cannot focus on just not having bad thoughts, but having our thoughts also consecrated to God and His purposes. 

So what then should you think? I'd advise you to take the counsel of two Book of Mormon prophets:

Jacob:

"Wherefore, we would to God that we could persuade all men not to rebel against God, to provoke him to anger, but that all men would believe in Christ, and view his death, and suffer his cross and bear the shame of the world; wherefore, I, Jacob, take it upon me to fulfil the commandment of my brother Nephi." (Jacob 1:8)

Mormon:

"My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever." (Moroni 9:25)

Also, 

"Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven." (D&C 121:45)

Strength.

 "Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions." (2 Nehpi [sic] 4:29)

We will always have forces against us, but that does not mean that we need not try harder. May we always pray to have the strngth [sic] of the Lord with us.

"But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not fear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for protection; therefore, when the armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them." (3 Nephi 4:10)

So, if there are changes to be made, how then, can we make them?

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength,then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God." (Moroni 10:32)

I testify that the Atonement of Christ can change us, and that His grace is sufficient for those who permit His sacrifice to touch our heart, might, mind, and strength, and convert us into what He wants us to be. This is my prayer, and the desire of my heart for each one of you. God bless us in our efforts to give ourselves unto Him. 

Elder Andrews

Funny Tag Along Story: President Morales came last week and video recorded our teaching. I was sharing the story of Daniel and the Word of Wisdom and it was the lead in story of describing everything and so the lesson just seemed SUPER boring. And then they jumped ahead and our investigator (a real one who has a date for the 26th) said "I testify that all you have told me is true. When I first met you I knew nothing but now I know everything." And so everyone made fun of us that our investigator taught better than us, but it was nice to see that the Spirit made the connection with her--the point being emphasized.