Monday, January 18, 2010

Elder Callen, Maxfield. 150 baptism's. Dos Por Dios. 6550 blog hits.

Elder Callen and Salazar (click on image )

Hey dad,

Things are well here. Sorry for writing late, we have been very busy today.

Last week we got a couple married here in Leon, and right after we had them married we went straight to the church and had them baptized. It was a great baptism. Here in the mission we are busy getting things ready for the visit of a general authority to our mission. It will be a 70 but I can't say who yet! You'll have to wait until the 27th of this month to find out.

We have some great investigators right now. This Sunday we were able to bring 10 investigators to church. We have an older couple we are teaching, the man is named Rodolfo and his wife is named Mati. They really love us. They are already inviting us to dinner. They just need to get married but they are definitely going to get baptized. This past Sunday they paid their tithing and they aren't even members yet. Its amazing how the lord prepares people. I am enjoying my time with Elder Callen and Elder Maxfield. We work hard, all the while having fun, it makes the hours fly by. Some days we dont even realize we have worked 10 hour. The days and weeks fly by now, and we dont realize we have worked 60+ hours weeks.

The mission is doing ok. Right now we have around 175 baptisms and we are hoping to end with 350, we only have two weeks to do it but I know we can. Something weird about the Mexico, Leon mission is that we are alot like the NY Yankees, we come through at the very end. We usually baptize most of our people the last two weeks of the month, making our goal. We are still working on getting the new vision drilled into the minds of every elder here. It takes time and redundance. We constantly have to be reminding them of "Dos por Dios" (Two for God). Once the missionaries start thinking about baptizing only 2 every week instead of 8 a month they wont be so stressed, they can focus on the small goals all the while progressing towards the real goal. As for our mission coming in 1st in Mexico for the year, we still dont know yet. The report from Salt Lake still isnt here yet but I imagine it will be here this week.

Anyways, I am really excited to hear that Seth Trader was called to a Canadian spanish speaking mission. I had the opportunity to work with ex-assistant Elder Schow whom is from canada. Elder Schow was a really awesome Elder who was just great in everything he did. I know that Seth will really enjoy Canada while having the benefit of learning a foreign language. I meet a lot of people here in leon who have lived, or have family living in Canada. He will have his hands full!! I am so grateful for having accepted a mission call. I know that this is what the lord had prepared for me. How great a calling to be teaching people about the restored gospel, and helping them become members of the true church. Lately we have been listening to missionary president seminars, as well as Elder Tad R. Callister, Elder Jeffery R Holland and Elder Dallin H. Oaks last conference talks. They are really inspiring, so much so that we usually listen to one of them before we leave the offices to work.

Love you all!

Elder Salsa

Aguascaliente housing tract (click on image)

4 comments:

Jeff Trader said...

Elder Salazar,

With all the rain we are getting here, things should be mighty green by the time you arrive.

Yes, Seth is thrilled with his call. I can only hope he will work as hard and effectively serve those put in his path as you have done. Thank you for being such a wonderful example for him to look up to.

There is nothing more peaceful and rewarding when leaving a mission than to know you have left nothing on the field; in other words, you gave it your all and expended every ounce of energy in serving. I am confident your greatest, most effective, work will ocur during your last few remaining weeks.

Jeff Trader

Anonymous said...

Elder Salazar:

Wow, what a great message Bishop Trader has given you.

I hope you appreciate how many baptisms you will have accumulated when you leave your mission. I know the Lord will.

We have two Sister Missionaries now serving in the 6th & 7th Wards. They would love to have a tenth of your successes. They are dedicated as you are and I am sure we will see some results of their efforts before they are transferred out

Elder Michael Aiono arrives in LA next Thursday and will be a speaker in our sacrament meeting on the 24th. He should have many interesting things to tell us about his mission.

Bishop Bowring

Anonymous said...

Hi Benj,

Classic picture......My "Church" family in England (the mom) tells of how she was reading the Book of Mormon and smoking at the same time. She felt bad stubbed it out and that was that. They have sent kids on missions and are very strong members in my little home town of Grimsby!

Michael Aiono gave his homecoming talk today in Sacrament and it was fabulous. What great experiences he has had and he had a love for the people...such a great day today.

I know you are working hard to the very end. Keep up the great work.

Con Carino

Sue C

mom2charlie said...

My son is currently serving in the Leon, Mexico mission. I came upon this blog while searching for Pres/Sis Cox's blog and when I asked Jordy about you he said he definitely knew you. I think he said you were his zone leader for a while??? He said you are a great missionary and you helped him a lot.
Thank you for your service to the Lord. I hope you have great memories of your mission for the rest of your life.
Sis Lisa Guthrie
mm to Elder Jordan Guthrie
Leon, Mex 3/09-3/11