Yes for Mexico!

                                                                         

           First, I miss Bentley. I want to squeeze him! Now, let me describe this LONG week. First let me say that we kicked butt! Except with people coming to church. We found 14 new investigators! Two of them dropped us on Thursday though because apparently their parents were "enojados" Darn. We met a kid named Moises who really had questions with the Catholic church, so we were teaching him about what we believe. Then it became super hard to find him! And his dad kept wanting to talk to us, but he's CRAZY. We gave him a pamphlet, and the next day he'd returned it to us with a bunch of antimormon questions and facts stapled inside. Geez! Turns out, Moises got kicked out of his house. So now he'll be even harder to find. We taught a lot of cool people this week, but their issue is that we can hardly see them. I hope it all works out though. OH, let me explain pouch mail real fast! If you're going to send me pouch mail, then don't send it to Mexico! Send it to the POB Salt Lake address. But if you're going to send me a normal, enveloped letter, then send it to Mexico. Dearelder is fastest and most effective though. Now, as for Max! DONT SEND ME A MEMORY CARD! It'll get stolen for SURE. Just send me the CDS bc then it doesn't matter. Anyway, this week was Elder Parry's birthday, so I treated him to churros, icecream, and cookies! Delicious. We're twenty! So strange. And that day we had a lot of success! We were talking about how it was your (mom and dad) anniversary, and I almost said "They've been married longer than I've been alive!" Well, duh. Twice this week I accidentally opened someone's door. The first was when I leaned on it. The second was when I was knocking. Luckily in each case, no one was home. This week I had another hypoglaecemic (how do you spell it?) attack. I had to buy peanuts. I ate them while we waited outside a girl's house. Her name was Saira and she was singing to the radio REALLY loudly, so we were waiting for the song to end. It was really sweet of us. We didn't want to embarrass her. But it turns out that it was Saira's mother. Who ..kindly.. let us know that their family is Catholic and she'll be returning Saira's Book of Mormon, which she did. We're not teaching 10 year olds here! They're at least 19 every time! But still the parents get so upset! And it's the persons' choice! We're not forcing them! Whatever. So we felt depressed and went to get icecream for the second time in the week. We had a delicious lunch a couple days ago! An hermana set up a table in the shade for us and gave us cream of mushroom soup and bread roles, then a plate of stuffed chicken breast (ham, corn, cheese, green peppers) spaghetti, and a shredded carrot (with apple, walnut, raisin, and orange juice) mix. DELICIOUS. We had flan for dessert! MMmm. It was so good! We were so giddy! She told us it was because if her daughter were to serve a mission, she'd want her to be fed very well. Yesterday Elder Parry made us french toast before church. So I'm being fed well. And last night we got free tacos and horchata from a guy who owns a taco place!
  Anyway, there are more letters going out today! Words of Elder Parry (put into my words), nobody is perfect and yet a commandment is "Be ye perfect." How? Because when we do our best, Heavenly Father does the rest. He lifts us. He finishes what we started. He really helps us to keep that commandment!
I love you all! Time's going by quickly! I love that I'm in Mexico. Isn't it weird that soon Max will be on a mission, and that will be part of our "normal" life.

Love, Elder Mitch Poirier

"Pop Rocks!"                                    



5 months later...



Helado!



Dear Family,

  Another week in Mexico! Tomorrow marks my 5 month mark! Can you believe it's already been five months! Every month is so fast! This week we had a big, two-day conference with all the missionaries in the city of Guadalajara. We basically had a big training. I learned a lot and really felt motivated to go out and work really hard. Here in this mission we have what's called a Standard of Excellence, or certain goals to keep missionaries working hard and balanced. For example, we have to teach at least 20 lessons every week, bring 5 investigators to church, find 7 new investigators, contact 200 people, etc. But because this week we had this two day conference, it was extremely hard to complete the standard. We didn't end up doing it. Most people couldn't. It really stressed us out. We were walking really quickly every day, teaching everyone who was interested, and really focusing on the work. I finally realized how much more potential I have to work harder. And also, the words of Gordon B. Hinckley's dad came to my mind a lot. "Forget yourself and go to work". It actually works, which is great because this week I got TONS of letters. All the ones that arrived in Arizona after I got my visa, plus a bunch that had been sent to me or deareldered. Get this, Arizona told me "Please inform your correspondants that your address has changed. We cannot continue forwarding your mail." Really? Did they expect my mail to just automatically stop the random day I got my visa? Or that I wasn't telling people I'm in Mexico?! So dumb. Anyway, I loved the conference because in the morning we had to take a taxi, a subway, and a bus to get there. I felt like I was in Harry Potter for some reason. It was so cool! I really think I want to do a semester at the University of Guadalajara later. The city is such a neat place, but I really do look forward to being back in little Stuart Florida.

 "Alohamora!"

Anyway, my companion and I decided that we don't care about that standard of excellence. We're going to use it as our goal to keep us balanced and working with all our efforts, but I'm not going to let it stress me out anymore. I care more for the people and that we're actually finding and helping people who really are willing to do what we say will give them an answer that this really is God's one church. We lay it out so clearly. 1) Listen to the messages we share 2) Read from the Book of Mormon 3) Pray and ask God, "Is the Book of Mormon true?" or "Was Joseph Smith really called to be a prophet?" or "Are the things the missionaries are teaching me true?" We want to help people understand why it's SO important to know the answers to these questions. To you all, why IS it so important to know the answers to these questions. Anyway, we want to really focus on the people. And we are going to do all we can to make sure we are perfect teachers, perfect missionaries, so that it really only depends on the people.

This week I read John 21 again and really thought to myself, "Do I really love Christ?" It's hard to answer that question. I want to love Him. I know I love Heavenly Father- I see all the blessings He's given me. I feel Him when I pray. I know He loves me. But Christ? I understand all that Christ did for me and how it really affects me personally, but do I love Him? Do I know Him? It's hard to say. Anyway, I love being a missionary. This really is the hardest thing ever, but I think I must be naive to think that it will be easier after the mission. Because my work never ends.

I love you all! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!

Love,

Elder Mitchell Poirier

PS Last Monday I sent letters out to some friends and family. Tomorrow I'll get to do the same, but I'm sending them all home in a yellow envelope. Please mail them to the people. I've addressed envelopes already. I didn't have time to write letters to you all though! I'm sorry! But next week for sure they'll be sent out. At least I get to email you, right?




 



 Elder Parry, Elder Miller, Elder Wallace, and me.



Pictures!

BIRTHDAY CAKE!

                                                                     

Tres Leches



random red truck from prior email

                                             

                                                                                                   

Soccer

                                     

I'm 20!!!

Dear Family,
 I promised a happier email, so here it goes:
1) We were talking to a guy who was in the bed of his truck unloading things. Then he was getting out and hopped over this rack thing (I've included a photo of the truck). But the whole metal contraption lifted up and fell on top of him. And he was alright, so it was super funny! Crazy guy.
2) We were walking back from lunch with the Bishop when this man starts yelling at us from a distant corner "Pueblo Catolico!" and in spanish basically telling us to get out! This is a catholic town! You're not welcome here!! And he was shooing us. So strange. Imagine if in Utah the mormons acted like that to people of other faiths. It just doesnt happen.
3) I started running again! Well, I went once and then I was so sore! Plus from soccer last monday. So I ran once! And I'm going to start again. Everyone here is worried about their weight (especially my new compy: more on that soon).
4) One thing Elder Marlow was told before going home was not to judge his family for not being perfect. It's funny because as missionaries, we can practically be perfect, so I could see how some would go home and go nuts over their family not keeping the Sabbath Day holy, or watching certain movies, etc.
5) We said "Buenos Dias" to a woman and she said "Callete!" or "shut up". Really? Ouch
6) Churros here are only three pesos!!! That's about a quarter! Can you imagine if Disney World sold churros for a quarter?!
7) This week I met a little kid who reminded me of myself (as a kid). He was really shy and talked like I did in that safety/kidnap video "Yes. No. Yes. Laura Gerics." And he LOVED Harry Potter, so I told him I'm going to call him Harry Potter. I love hearing kids say Harry Potter in a spanish accent.
8) I've seen two sleeping hobos in the sidewalk, completely collapsed like they don't care where. It reminded me of that episode of the show about "what would you do" or something. But everyone just walks around them.
9) Now, last Tuesday I got a surprise call saying that I needed to go for a week to another area to be with an Elder whose compy went home early. So here I am in a place called Libertad. My new companion is Elder Parry. Last night we got our transfer calls and now we're compys for the next 6 weeks.
10) Elder Parry and I were walking on the sidewalk past a bunch of doors. At one door a hand popped out from under and started scrambling as if it was trying to grab us. Strange. So we turned around and tried to see if it'd happen twice. Nothing. But on the time going back to where we were heading, it popped out again!
11) Elder Parry told me Friday morning that we had to speak in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. In Spanish of course. First time! But it went really well. I felt really good about it and even got two compliments, which is a lot b-c Elder Parry says people NEVER compliment talks.
12) Elder Parry is really cool. He's from Utah (will I ever get a compy not from Utah or Idaho?). He talks about home and life after the mission ALL the time, so that's kind of hard. And he considers himself a "health freak". He doesn't eat tortillas. But we get along. And his last companion didn't do anything! So he's used to working alone basically but is happy I'm a hard-worker. I like him a lot, except when he corrects my spanish while I'm teaching (SO distracting) or when he teaches deep doctrine to people! UGH. But anyway, this is a cool area! I just wish I got a chance to say goodbye to Miriam.
13) Have you heard of the Luz del Mundo church. I hadn't. But it's SO big here. Their main temple is right next to my area. After my birthday cake (hold on..) we went walking in that part of town. It was really strange. And nothing against other religions, it just was nothing I'd seen before. The woman all wear long skirts, and yet there are still all the styles of normal life: goth, rock, etc. And they still divide into couples and are really touchy/kissy. It's not like a Bible school group. Anyway..
14) BIRTHDAY!! In the morning Elder Parry wished me a Happy Birthday. I'd forgotten ahah. I'M TWENTY! So weird. Elder Parry treated me to icecream. Delicious! I got mamey and coconut in a cone! So good! And then we met up with two other elders and bought a big tres leches to eat at a member's house. They all sang a different happy bday song to me (it's recorded on my camera, but too big to send in email) and then they made me take a bite out of it--no hands! And of course, the mom squished my face into it more. It was so fun! I love being a missionary!

So family! I love you! Thanks for all your emails! I hope you all have great weeks! Especially you, mom and dad! Happy Anniversary!
Love,
Elder Poirier

Hola!



Dear Family!

  Thanks for your emails this week. I love being in Mexico--we baptized another person, the father of a family of 5 kids. His wife and the kids old enough had all been baptized a few months ago. He had at first been seeking to destroy the church, and even wanted to attack the bishop, but his heart has totally changed. I'm so happy for their family! It's hot here! Today we played futbol as a zone. That and the baptism were really two of the few things that I enjoyed this week. As I said, I love Mexico. But being a missionary seems to just get harder and harder as you try to be the best you can be. I've been thinking a lot about the things I've learned so far in these 4 months, and even listed it all out in my journal to make it easy for reference. It's difficult being a missionary many reasons, but to me, especially this week, I have one. There is a lot of emotional stress, but the trouble is that you can't deal with it the way you used to. I can't go swimming. I can't go for a drive or listen to music or hang out with friends or read a book. You have to find some way to deal with and get over it. This really is a great work, I really am enjoying myself, and I really am learning and growing. But it's really hard. That's the one thing I want Max to be prepared for. There will be annoying companions. There will be rejection. You will be away from home. Communication is limited. I want Max to make sure he knows that before he goes on his mission so that right away he can know how to deal with it all. I'm sorry if this email isn't so cheery, but this week really was difficult.

   Something happy...I love getting everyone's dearelders!!! I wish I could reply to them, but I have no time!! It's so sad because I can see everyone just stop writing me :( But the dearelders really lift me up. Also, this week we got to eat lunch with Miriam. I love Miriam!! She's so happy ever since she got confirmed!! She feels such peace and spirit! I'm glad to hear all is well at home! Thanks for the birthday wishes!! I love you all!! and Dad, sorry my ties are too short! I love you!!! Just know that I am happy! This mission just is making my introspective personality or whatever go on a frenzy! My mind is constantly reviewing and pondering and learning and it's just really hard on me. I feel like I'll never be the best missionary I can be ahah, like it's impossible to go home without regrets!

   Love, Elder Mitchell Poirier

 

"Difficulties show men what they are. In case of any difficulty remember that God has pitted you against a rough antagonist that you may be a conqueror, and this cannot be without toil.”Epictetus, Greek Philosopher

 

“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure”Peter Marshall

 

Really, I'm in Mexico!

This week was pretty crazy! It still hasn't hit me that I'm in Mexico!! But I'm starting to look around and love it. Last P-day we went to this big mall that sold a bunch of knock-off things: jerseys, shoes, bags, jewelry, etc. I didn't buy anything, but it was pretty cool to walk around. The vendors yell at us Americans, begging us to buy things. And they'll try to rip us off, but you can barter the price. It's pretty cool. Also, in the United States they have icecream trucks, but here they have icecream bikes. They have the icecream in the front of the bike and they ride really slowly with music playing. Its that song that the Penningtons taught you how to play on the piano really quickly!!! So funny! Anyway, last week Aleksi asked me what I smell when I walk on the streets: dead dog, garbage, gasoline, mango, citrus, churros, or jasmine! Those are the things I smell most. And you always hear roosters and barking dogs. Anyway, for 4 pesos all the little shops sell fresh bread, different varieties, frosted or sugared. It's SO good. I need to stop spending my money on it, but its SO cheap. Everyday we have to cross a big highway on foot. My companions joke that it's like playing Frogger! So dangerous. By the way, Elder Marlow definitely runs like Rett (the grandpa shuffle). Another cool thing, poinsiettas grow all year here in Guadalajara, so they're everywhere! And at church this Sunday, there were only 47 people--including kids and infants!

Now, this week I got to baptize Miriam!!! That scripture I gave her really helped her realize that she doesn't have to have a perfect testimony to be baptized. She just needs the desire to believe. I'm so happy for her! And she's finally decided to let her heart speak, not her mind. And she's found peace. This week we also taught three guys in a dentist office. They make dentures basically. They are all really awesome and close to our age. I'm excited to see them progress. I got mom's dearelder last monday. I'm expecting to get the pouch mail soon. I guess dearelder is faster! So tell everyone to send me a bunch!! Also, tell Max to send me a CD full of January's photos. I got to have an interview with President again. Basically he asked me if I was a Nephi or a Laman. Am I going to learn from challenges or murmur and blame? I realize that I don't want to be the best missionary to prove myself to President or to gain his respect or admiration. I just want to work and be the best missionary, proving to Heavenly Father that I can lead and baptize. Then I want to go home. Love, Elder Mitchell Poirier

Oh Mexico

FAMILY!!

   I'm in Mexico! I don't know where to begin, so I'm just going to list it all:

1  There are shops at every corner, like little gas station shops, except that they don't sell gas. Plus, people sell little snacks and stuff at their doors. So if you're ever thirsty or hungry, it's right there. And everything here is SO cheap! One of the stores sells Chanpurrado (I learned how to spell it correctly- thanksgiving)

2 We eat lunch everyday with members, not dinner. But here the people don't treat missionaries as friends, they really have respect for us. So you don't really build relationships. But the food is really good!! I do wish i could have mate though :(

3  We're teaching a woman named Miriam. She's maybe in her late 20s. She owns a vet shop. She's really awesome, but has trouble believing that God actually calls prophets in this time. She feels good about everything we teach, but she doesn't have the faith to just believe. So I felt inspired to share Alma 32: 27-28 with her. Even just the desire to believe. I think it'll help her a lot.

4 There are dogs everywhere here. Whether on the side of the road in a black bag, barking from the rooves of the houses, or following us everywhere we walk, you ALWAYS can see a dog. They are all dirty though, not like McGraw or Bentley.

5  We live in a 3 story apartment with two other missionaries who are Mexican. The house is nice, but we keep it SO dirty. The bathrooms smell really gross, but all the elders honestly don't notice it. I bought flipflops so that I don't have to walk around barefoot.

6  We work really hard to reach our weekly goals. We do a lot of walking--it's exhausting!! And I'm trying even harder to be 100% obedient. My studies are effective and I feel good! I do wish that Elder Marlow and Elder Rodriguez were closer to my age. They are really cool and funny (well Marlow, not so much), but I feel like a little kid. It makes me miss Douglas!

7  I did have to do laundry! We have a washing machine that just churns the clothes and water. We have to fill it, wash it and drain it. Then to get the soap out, we fill, wash, and drain again. Then we hang our clothes to dry. Eventually I'll have to actually handwash though. Here in Guadalajara, the weather is nice, very dry and warm, the low 70s I'd say. We live in a town called Huetitân (accent over the a).

8  Everyone here shakes hands, pounds it, hugs, and then repeats the hand/pound. It's hard to get used to. And sometimes they don't pound it, but shake and then make rings around each other's thumbs. It's hard to describe ahah

9  I'm so afraid of getting sick! Already I got diarrhea, not too bad, but still. It's enough to make me scared of what's to come in these next 20 months! Also, it's SO strange that everyone speaks spanish. Yes, that's obvious, but it really is strange. You just have to be here i guess.

10  I will not get mail really. It gets here safely, but in a long time. And THEN I have to wait for my zone leaders to need to go to the office where they can pick it up. Because it won't be forwarded to me. And if I'm at one end of the mission, that could be a long time waiting. So if you write me, don't expect a prompt response. SAD

 

I love you!!!

Elder Mitchell Poirier 

 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.  Alma 32:27-28