I love the Mission!

Dear Family!

  I think I finally figured this out a little bit! This week I read a talk by Elder Bednar that he gave to future mission presidents this past July. For whatever reason it really hit me what my purpose is. In Preach My Gospel it says my purpose is "to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the Restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end." To repent is to change one's way of thinking and living to be in harmony with God's commandments and way of thinking, etc. I've just been skipping to baptism. This week we really had a TON of success as I noticed my attitude changed (because I understand my purpose). We helped people to realize that by keeping their commitments to read, pray, go to church, etc they are showing God their desire to do what is right and to receive a remission of their sins. Then baptism fits in so wonderfully and simply. Baptism is a promise with God that they'll continue keeping His commandments and really do all they can to live with Him again. I feel GREAT!

 This is the last week before changes. It is really possible that either Elder Willett or I get changed (he's been my longest companion--three changes!). We really want Sigifredo to get baptized. He told me "hazte cuenta que ya me bautice." Which means basically, "consider me as already baptized" because, he says, he does want to get baptized, but needs to work a few things out. But we were the missionaries who finally helped him to get an answer. I love him and his wife Tere! She LOVES church. She really has been looking for the truth her whole life, and it amazes me how grateful she is that she really finally found it. I have to go! I love you all! I'm glad you had a happy thanksgiving! I look forward to calling home at Christmas! How wonderful that Max keeps getting to hear from apostles. This week is the mission tour. Elder Tenorio of the 70 and Area Presidency is coming to Guadalajara on Friday. Supposedly he'll be accompanying one companionship, and supposedly it's VERY possibly somebody in our zone. Who knows? But it'd be SO incredible to have one of the 70 come see my investigators! I hope so!

  I love you all! Harry Potter isn't bad! It's just a distraction! Don't worry, I'll come home in 10 months and the thing that you'll REALLY only hate about me will be my AWFUL TAN!

    Love,

 Elder Mitchell Poirier

Thanksgiving Week

Dear Family!

  I love you! I hope you don't mind that I bought a blanket at Walmart last Monday. It's getting really cold at night and that has been causing me to be sick all the time. So I got a gator-colored blanket! I feel great! ("great" with a spanish accent--"guh-rate"). Elder Leon, an elder that lives with us, loves learning and practicing his English. I give him all the little sheets of paper from that calender mom had sent me when I was in Arizona (the one that helps me learn random spanish phrases). It helps him learn random English phrases. He's a really funny guy, but really strange. Usually he drinks from what looks like a little wine glass, but he takes it and acts all ceremonial with it before drinking. I can't really explain. It's just weird. BUT Elder Willett and I went to Catholic Mass yesterday (our investigator, Juan, invited us to go and see how it is). We realize that Elder Leon is acting like the Father while doing the whole wine thing. Elder Leon used to be Catholic. Mass was interesting. I don't think it's very similar to what Mass is probably like in the United States. I think Catholics here in general are just way different. We did see how there were so many people really there to be closer to God. It made us sad actually that they need Him so desperately, but when He sends us to their door they reject us. It's like the lamanites who were blinded by their traditions. I have respect for all religions, of course, I just know that this is the one that God really leads and guides through the living prophet, Thomas S. Monson. So I believe that God actually sends us to people who are really looking for all the blessings He offers. I'm grateful that we do find those who are ready for our message. Yesterday Tere (who had been taught by missionaries over a year ago) told us that since the first missionaries, others have gone by once or twice, but for whatever reason she wasn't able to give them the time. She'd tell them to come back at a certain time, and they never did. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father lead us to her door. That's why it's SO important to be in tune with the Spirit. Sigifredo still hasn't decided if he'll get baptized... Aye. Pray for me! And for Max! I love you all family! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! I'm grateful for all of you!

Love,

  Elder Mitch Poirier

Weekly Email dedicated to Max

Dear Max and Family!

  First of all, I got the package on Sunday! WHOOP WHOOP new shoes! and a WONDERFUL Christmas CD! Thanks Max! And thanks for the letter Cassie! Now, I decided that I wanted to summarize what I said to Max on the phone today. First though let me explain that I wasn't going to call, but yesterday in church I had the great desire or feeling to talk to President Jesperson and ask for permission. I got all nervous and probably wouldn't have done it were it not for Elder Willett who convinced me. So I called President and he totally was okay with it. I don't know why I'm so intimidated by him. He's incredible though. So anyway, today I got to call from his office phone. I sent the photos. Only a few tears came to my eyes, but I love you Max! I'm going to make a list:

1) As for your first companion, be super humble, meek, and patient. If you are like me then you'll get annoyed really easily and get an attitude with them, etc. But now I look back, and It's just because I wasn't very Christ-like. So work on those attributes first. Chapter 6 of PMG. And don't worry too much about the MTC. Everyone complains about it, but I loved it. And everyone loves it as soon as they are in the field. It's great there. And Christmas there will be great. Apostles come to the MTC on Christmas! But you decide if you should switch to the advanced class.

2) Personal Sanctification. I sent photo of the article. It's that if we want the Spirit to really testify of our words, then we have to be worthy of it. Unfortunately even talking about HP makes the Spirit not as strong with us. You'll understand this more later in your mission, when you get to the point that you just want to see the success already! You want to feel the spirit SO strongly! I'm on day 6 right now. My list of things to give up are: inappropriate thoughts, sarcasm, harry potter, quoting movies, talking bad about anyone, getting frustrated with dumb rejections, cutting people off who are talking, daydreaming about the future, disobedience, wasting time, normal music (even in my head!), and killing bugs and picking leaves for no reason.

3) Read the talk by President Eyring from this past GC and print it. It talks about working even when you thought you were done working. I think it was the Priesthood session. Great. Oh and take notes on the Jeffery R. Holland MTC talk. Bring it with you on the mission!

4) When you miss home, don't look at photos or read letters again. Instead mentally and physically draw the investigators you are going to find, teach, and baptize. They're waiting for you.

5) Obedience is critical. It brings blessings. But being EXACTLY obedient brings miracles. So don't write letters not on P-day. Do your best to not obsess over letters. It's hard.

6) This wednesday we had a zone meeting with President Jesperson. We each had to ask one question for him and his wife to answer. I thought of a few questions, but I knew that they were wrong to ask. Basically they were murmuring questions. How comes. But the Hermana Jesperson caught my eye and somehow could tell I had a question I didn't want to ask. She told me in front of everyone that she knew and that I was going to have to ask it. So I thought of a different question. Does God love me the way the mission president does (Standard of Excellence, always more I can do, etc) or the way my parents do (no matter what they are so proud and I am the best missionary ever)? The answer was great! President told me that my real question was simply, "Does God love me?" True. And yes he does. He explained the parable of the talents. I may have two and some others have 4. But if we both do ALL our part, we get the SAME reward. So maybe my success isn't as great as others', but my reward will be the same--life eternal. And nobody is perfect, that's why Christ takes each of us from our own best and makes us perfect. The Hermana told me that I'll know the Lord accepts my sacrifice if I feel the spirit working through me. And I decided that if my parents were to understand the mission, they would want exactly what President wants out of me. So I feel motivated.

7) I'm sending a photo of my journal of the wednesday I left for the MTC!

           I love you Max and Family! Max, you're going to make a much greater missionary than I am! I love you and miss you!

Love,

  Elder Mitch Poirier

Hairstyle?

Family!

That's it! I have only 6 minutes to write you all! Well, I'm thrilled for Max, but I really wanted to know if he watched the Jeffery talk yet.... It is so incredible! I love you all! Until next week. Here's a funny photo to cheer you all up after this lame letter! It's how many mexican young men style their hair, except that their bangs are cut even. I love you all!

Love,

  Elder Mitch Poirier