Familia,
Voy a escribir esta carta en español obviamente. Esta semana tuvimos poco exito. Pensabamos que a lo menos 7 personas iban a venir a la iglesia el domingo, pero cero vinieron. Estamos enseñando a una Cristiana que tiene miedo del Libro de Mormon. Es lo que dice ella, que tiene miedo. Supimos que era porque penso que el Libro hablaba solamente de Jose Smith. Facil de corregir. Ella es muy padre. Ha estado orando para saber la verdad. La cosa es que Dios nos puso en su camino, pero no quiere aceptar que puede ser la verdad. Dice que queria ir a la iglesia, pero no quiere que su esposo quiera continuar yendo alli. Su hija tiene 19 años y si quiere leer el Libro de Mormon y quiere ir a la iglesia tambien. Es una familia muy especial y queremos mucho que se bauticen. Sabemos que es posible, solo que todos tienen que leer, orar, e ir a la iglesia. Tenemos tres otras familias tambien que son MUY especiales, pero tambien tienen sus problemas. Nos frustra un poquito. Pero esta semana nos dimos cuenta que si en realidad les amamos, tenemos que cambiar y ser mejores misioneros. Tenemos que hacer TODO, ser PERFECTAMENTE obediente a todas las reglas. Estoy agradecido que tenemos otra semana para empezar de nuevo.
Se que ya les dije que hay unos niños que me llaman "Chicharito" (el futbolista famoso de mexico) y siempre quieren chocar la mano, pero esta semana otra vez pude hablar con ellos cinco. Tendran como 8/9 años. Me hace feliz que aqui soy un heroe, el guerro que no puede jugar muy bien jaja. De hecho, si jugamos un ratito con ellos en la calle. Yo digo que un dia, cuando tengan mas años, van a querrer hablar con los misioneros. Sembrando semillas. Pues, espero que mi español no sea feo. Es diferente escribir en español por computadora que por mano. Les amo mucho!
Elder Mitchell Pollo
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
What a Week!
FAMILY!
What a week! We had Zone Conferences Wednesday through Friday. They last until 2 PM and then we have to rush back to our areas to make it in time for lunch with the members. Carne en su jugo. Look up a recipe because I think the hermana just bought it instead of cooking it. SO delicious. President told us a lot of things that we need to apply better in the work, but my favorite thing was when he told us we need to show our love for our investigators by doing things with them that we'd do with our family. He told us to cook them dinner. Bake a pie (!!!!!!). And be creative thinking of other things. So we're going to bake a pie with one of the families we're teaching. I wish I had my recipe book (that Reagan got me)!!! And we brought a pineapple to visit Israel. Basically it's HIS kitchen, so he made US the pineapple water. How? Easy. Cut the fruit. Put it in a blender with water and sugar to taste. Then add more water after it's blended, but in a bucket or a pitcher. So refreshing. Do it with strawberries. Or cantalope. It's one of my favorite things about Mexico. Anyway, he told us that we can never get discouraged. That we need to be EXACTLY obedient if we want to see miracles. "Obedience brings blessings. Exact obedience brings miracles." We did find an awesome family this week! They are looking for the truth. It's sad. A year ago their young baby passed away. The Catholic priest didn't give them the time to come and visit, or to baptize the baby. They felt hurt and rejected by their own religion. But we taught them that yes, baptism is required to enter the gates of heaven, BUT children don't have sin. They therefore have NO need to be baptized (Moroni 8), and should they pass away, they go STRAIGHT to the presence of our Heavenly Father. It was a very special lesson.
Last night was the end of this transfer. I can't believe I've been training an entire transfer! But Elder Silos and I are still companions! Another 6 weeks!
I love you family! I'm so happy that Max's papers will be sent tonight! How crazy! WOOHOO
Love,
Elder Mitchell Poirier
What a week! We had Zone Conferences Wednesday through Friday. They last until 2 PM and then we have to rush back to our areas to make it in time for lunch with the members. Carne en su jugo. Look up a recipe because I think the hermana just bought it instead of cooking it. SO delicious. President told us a lot of things that we need to apply better in the work, but my favorite thing was when he told us we need to show our love for our investigators by doing things with them that we'd do with our family. He told us to cook them dinner. Bake a pie (!!!!!!). And be creative thinking of other things. So we're going to bake a pie with one of the families we're teaching. I wish I had my recipe book (that Reagan got me)!!! And we brought a pineapple to visit Israel. Basically it's HIS kitchen, so he made US the pineapple water. How? Easy. Cut the fruit. Put it in a blender with water and sugar to taste. Then add more water after it's blended, but in a bucket or a pitcher. So refreshing. Do it with strawberries. Or cantalope. It's one of my favorite things about Mexico. Anyway, he told us that we can never get discouraged. That we need to be EXACTLY obedient if we want to see miracles. "Obedience brings blessings. Exact obedience brings miracles." We did find an awesome family this week! They are looking for the truth. It's sad. A year ago their young baby passed away. The Catholic priest didn't give them the time to come and visit, or to baptize the baby. They felt hurt and rejected by their own religion. But we taught them that yes, baptism is required to enter the gates of heaven, BUT children don't have sin. They therefore have NO need to be baptized (Moroni 8), and should they pass away, they go STRAIGHT to the presence of our Heavenly Father. It was a very special lesson.
Last night was the end of this transfer. I can't believe I've been training an entire transfer! But Elder Silos and I are still companions! Another 6 weeks!
I love you family! I'm so happy that Max's papers will be sent tonight! How crazy! WOOHOO
Love,
Elder Mitchell Poirier
Monday, June 13, 2011
This Week in the Mission
Dear Family!
We baptized Israel this week!!! Woohoo! He has had such a hard life, but has come a long way. Really, I wish I could tell you about all of his experiences because they really are powerful and inspirational. We'd asked him to write "his story" during the nights that he had to stay awake by the hospital bedside of his godfather. Those twelve sheets of paper are something I'd like to share with you five when I get home. Salvador received the Aaronic Priesthood this Sunday! And Blanca stayed for sunday school! We didn't have the Gospel Principles class because it's so unprepared and boring and small. The Gospel Doctrines is taught like mom would teach it, fun, participation, learning, laughing, spirit. So afterwards, Blanca said, "que padre" which interpretted means "how cool." Oh yeah, Salvador bought us each a sombrero! So nice of him! But now we have to carry it around the rest of our missions. It's huge!
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| Salvador and me |
I don't have much time, but we brought Janeth this week to an FHE with the Lopez family. She really felt the Spirit as she watched the short Restoration video. She cried during the First Vision. We really want her to get baptized, but she wants to wait until her sister who is mormon comes in september to visit. Janeth's (janette) husband is awful to her, so she's also looking for a job so that she can move in with her mom and support herself. Basically it was a great week, but our numbers were awful. I feel like I DON'T know what I'm doing as district leader nor as a trainer. Aye. I love you family! I miss you!
Love,
Elder Poirier
Monday, June 6, 2011
Love from Mexico
Family!
¡Que tal? I miss you all! I wish I had gotten some more emails to read (hem hem Max, Cassie, Dad). But anyway, this week was really fast, but SUPER stressful. Basically, it all had to do with Israel, who we were going to baptize this week. But before I talk about that, I have a funny story. Last Tuesday I got TWO packages from you all! The first said that it contained deodorant, vitamins, and other things, I can't remember. But when I opened it, there was a dress, a necklace, and a card addressed, "Daughter." ahahah WHAT? I thought that mom must have mixed up packages to Aleksi and I. But I opened the card and it was not for Aleksi. I got a dress and a necklace all the way here in Mexico that was intended for some girl in Rhode Island. How? Well, the post office must have put the customs form on someone else's package! The other package I received had candy, deodorant, vitamins, etc. but it didn't have a customs form. Funny. So now I have to mail this dress back to the sender. Aye.
So anyway, Israel has been caring for his padrino (godfather) in the hospital for almost a month now. The padrino is named Eduardo. Eduardo fell the other week and fractured his hip. He's been waiting in the hospital for the operation since. But because he has other medical issues, there has to be somebody to watch over him 24/7. Eduardo's real family has ditched him, so Israel is left to care for him. This week we went and visited Eduardo in the hospital, made him laugh a lot. We gave him a blessing. On Friday he had his operation. Israel told us that everything went well. He was really content. But at 1:45 AM Israel texted us that Eduardo began convulsing and his life was in danger, and basically that he wouldn't be able to be baptized Saturday. We were really bummed. What do we do? 1) Get everything ready to have the baptism and convince Israel to still do it, or 2) just wait until the next Saturday. We couldn't agree as a companionship what to do, so I suggested we kneel and pray to arrive to a conclusion together. After the prayer, we both meditated over it for a little to feel the Spirit's answer. When we shared our feelings they were the same, that we should get everything ready for the baptism, but let Israel decide. When we went to visit him, he looked awful. Very exhausted and overstressed. Basically he decided to wait for this coming Saturday. Poor guy. But we visited again yesterday and just talked about a bunch of normal things to give him company and let him be a little distracted. I pray that this Saturday nothing will go wrong and that he'll have a beautiful baptism!
Family, the mission is the most stressful thing ever. But it's alright because it's very worth it. And it goes by ridiculously fast. And I haven't even completed my year mark yet (they say that after a year time disappears).
I love you and I'm glad to hear that two of you are doing well!
Love,
Elder Mitch Poirier
Brother and Son
¡Que tal? I miss you all! I wish I had gotten some more emails to read (hem hem Max, Cassie, Dad). But anyway, this week was really fast, but SUPER stressful. Basically, it all had to do with Israel, who we were going to baptize this week. But before I talk about that, I have a funny story. Last Tuesday I got TWO packages from you all! The first said that it contained deodorant, vitamins, and other things, I can't remember. But when I opened it, there was a dress, a necklace, and a card addressed, "Daughter." ahahah WHAT? I thought that mom must have mixed up packages to Aleksi and I. But I opened the card and it was not for Aleksi. I got a dress and a necklace all the way here in Mexico that was intended for some girl in Rhode Island. How? Well, the post office must have put the customs form on someone else's package! The other package I received had candy, deodorant, vitamins, etc. but it didn't have a customs form. Funny. So now I have to mail this dress back to the sender. Aye.
So anyway, Israel has been caring for his padrino (godfather) in the hospital for almost a month now. The padrino is named Eduardo. Eduardo fell the other week and fractured his hip. He's been waiting in the hospital for the operation since. But because he has other medical issues, there has to be somebody to watch over him 24/7. Eduardo's real family has ditched him, so Israel is left to care for him. This week we went and visited Eduardo in the hospital, made him laugh a lot. We gave him a blessing. On Friday he had his operation. Israel told us that everything went well. He was really content. But at 1:45 AM Israel texted us that Eduardo began convulsing and his life was in danger, and basically that he wouldn't be able to be baptized Saturday. We were really bummed. What do we do? 1) Get everything ready to have the baptism and convince Israel to still do it, or 2) just wait until the next Saturday. We couldn't agree as a companionship what to do, so I suggested we kneel and pray to arrive to a conclusion together. After the prayer, we both meditated over it for a little to feel the Spirit's answer. When we shared our feelings they were the same, that we should get everything ready for the baptism, but let Israel decide. When we went to visit him, he looked awful. Very exhausted and overstressed. Basically he decided to wait for this coming Saturday. Poor guy. But we visited again yesterday and just talked about a bunch of normal things to give him company and let him be a little distracted. I pray that this Saturday nothing will go wrong and that he'll have a beautiful baptism!
Family, the mission is the most stressful thing ever. But it's alright because it's very worth it. And it goes by ridiculously fast. And I haven't even completed my year mark yet (they say that after a year time disappears).
I love you and I'm glad to hear that two of you are doing well!
Love,
Elder Mitch Poirier
Brother and Son
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day!
Dear, dear Family!
This week we baptized TWO people!! Whoop whoop! That really made us so excited! All the deep doubts that Salvador had about whether Jesus was even the Son of God all came back this week. We tried to help him resolve them again, to tell him to read and pray, but this time he was so concerned and overwhelmed with these doubts that he said he couldn't even concentrate enough to read or pray. Honestly, it was a little frustrating, but we knew that if only he read, he'd find his answer. The day before his baptism, we took him to see the baptismal font and gave him a blessing of comfort. The next morning he told us he had read Alma 32 again and "The Living Christ" as we'd asked him to do, and he got his answer!! He was baptized that evening. Salvador really felt amazing after coming out of the water. I'm not sure I've ever been given such a long and big hug! I'm pretty sure that no missionary at that baptism had ever received as big hug as Salvador gave them. Elder Moberg (my brother) says that Salvador was practically having a seizure in his arms. We felt thrilled to see both Salvador and Abel confirmed on Sunday! I love baptizing! Abel was able to quit smoking! He now joins his family! In one year they can be sealed as an eternal family!
We had a pretty busy week. I had to give two baptismal interviews. They really are really special experiences. Unfortunately one of them wasn't ready to be baptized; we decided she needed more time. One of the baptismal interviews was all the way in a part of the city called Tepatitlan. We have to take an hour long bus to get there and stay the night with those two elders. (District leaders do baptismal interviews for their district, zone leaders for the baptisms of the district leaders). So I started reading "Our Heritage" again. Hooligan! But anyway, we found some really cool people this week. We hope to baptize this coming weekend again. It's Israel, the guy who bakes pies and cares for his godfather who has cancer. Israel still hasn't got an answer yet, but has quit smoking so that if he does feel he should get baptized, he could do it this Saturday. He's a really great guy, so I really pray that Heavenly Father will help him recognize his answer.
We haven't had electricity for two weeks now. It's ridiculous. They should have put it back on by now. We've been planning/journaling in candlelight every night recently. One night two Catholic youths knocked on our door to invite us to some event. I opened the door, and they were a little nervous, quickly invited me, but said something like, "I see you're busy, bye!" I thought it was because I was still wearing missionary clothes and laughed to myself. But then I realized they were freaked out to see four missionaries with candles lit, as if it were some ritual or sacrifice. Aye. How embarrassing! What do those Mormons do?!
I love you family!
Love,
Elder Mitchell Poirier
Monday, May 23, 2011
8 months down!
Dear Family,
This week went by SUPER quickly! I don't even know how.. We DID baptize!!! Blanca asked me to baptize her! And this week we're going to baptize two more people!! FINALLY! It was really a special service. She said she felt so different afterwords. Family, can you believe I have 8 months now?! How does time go by so quickly?! I'm a third of the way done. This week Elder Silos and I worked really hard, but besides the baptism, we didn't have the success we wanted. We hope that it was just something to test our animo and perseverence. We did have fun still! On Friday we got icecream, Saturday tortas ahogadas, Sunday free tacos!, and today we played soccer! We are being 100% obedient and I'm trying to help him become a great teacher. I'm really glad to have him as my compy. I think that soon we'll be better friends. Speaking of friends, I got to call Elder Padgett this week to tell him that Blanca got baptized. We had originally started teaching her. He was super happy! 8 months...
This week we decided to stop teaching this old woman named Jenny. She's a 65 yr old American woman living on NO money here in Mexico, depending on a few churches for food, clothes, and shelter. The last time that we taught her, as we were saying goodbye, she grabbed my shoulder and leaned in to kiss my cheek!! What?! NO. She was offended, to say the least. But I'm a missionary! "What? You don't let your mom kiss your cheek either?" Um.. but you're not my mom! Also, I figured out a way to be smart with people who tell us rudely (such attitude) that they don't have time when we knock their door (instead of being kind and saying that they are not interested). I say, "Okay, we'll pass by tomorrow!" super kindly. It helps them learn that a lack of time is not a good enough excuse for us.
A couple nights ago, my compy and I were talking for a while about how each of our investigators would be as members of the church. It made us really happy. For example, Ceñorina really loves serving others. She usually goes to the hospital on Sundays to visit people who don't have families or any visitors (she doesn't even know them). What a great Relief Society sister she'd be! We did it for all of our investigators. I think it's important to have vision! And it helps us feel more love for them all.
I love you my family! Until next week!
Love,
Elder Mitch Poirier
This week went by SUPER quickly! I don't even know how.. We DID baptize!!! Blanca asked me to baptize her! And this week we're going to baptize two more people!! FINALLY! It was really a special service. She said she felt so different afterwords. Family, can you believe I have 8 months now?! How does time go by so quickly?! I'm a third of the way done. This week Elder Silos and I worked really hard, but besides the baptism, we didn't have the success we wanted. We hope that it was just something to test our animo and perseverence. We did have fun still! On Friday we got icecream, Saturday tortas ahogadas, Sunday free tacos!, and today we played soccer! We are being 100% obedient and I'm trying to help him become a great teacher. I'm really glad to have him as my compy. I think that soon we'll be better friends. Speaking of friends, I got to call Elder Padgett this week to tell him that Blanca got baptized. We had originally started teaching her. He was super happy! 8 months...
This week we decided to stop teaching this old woman named Jenny. She's a 65 yr old American woman living on NO money here in Mexico, depending on a few churches for food, clothes, and shelter. The last time that we taught her, as we were saying goodbye, she grabbed my shoulder and leaned in to kiss my cheek!! What?! NO. She was offended, to say the least. But I'm a missionary! "What? You don't let your mom kiss your cheek either?" Um.. but you're not my mom! Also, I figured out a way to be smart with people who tell us rudely (such attitude) that they don't have time when we knock their door (instead of being kind and saying that they are not interested). I say, "Okay, we'll pass by tomorrow!" super kindly. It helps them learn that a lack of time is not a good enough excuse for us.
A couple nights ago, my compy and I were talking for a while about how each of our investigators would be as members of the church. It made us really happy. For example, Ceñorina really loves serving others. She usually goes to the hospital on Sundays to visit people who don't have families or any visitors (she doesn't even know them). What a great Relief Society sister she'd be! We did it for all of our investigators. I think it's important to have vision! And it helps us feel more love for them all.
I love you my family! Until next week!
Love,
Elder Mitch Poirier
Monday, May 16, 2011
Training...
   |
| Elder Hernandez, Elder Silos and me |
My Dear Family,
Yes. I'm training. His name is Elder Silos. He is from Toreon, Mexico, which is up by Texas. He reminds me SO much of me when I first went to Arizona and was hating everything. Poor guy. He's super homesick when we're stuck in the house, but then feels great when we're out teaching and having success. By the way, we completed the standard this week! WOOHOO. Only 9 companionships did it. Anyway, at least we get along. And this weekend we have two people who should be getting baptized! So he needs to cheer up lol. I was with someone I didn't get along with and not baptizing. But it's alright. I'm being patient. It's only hard for me to be patient when I have to answer all his questions two times (the first time he never understands). Perhaps it's my spanish. Anyway, we're being diligent and I'm trying to show him a good example. We had a week of miracles! One investigator, Salvador, had a change of heart and mind. All the doubts he had about Christ were resolved when he finally prayed about it and read Alma 32. He's getting baptized this sunday!!!!!! And Blanca also is ready. She wants a fresh start in life, cleansed from all mistakes and sins. So she's getting baptized this sunday too! Please pray for them! This week we gave a blessing to a woman named Ceñorina. She told us right after that she felt something strange- a peace, or tranquility. She said she couldn't explain it. Whoa. We were so happy! She's progressing towards baptism also! Basically Heavenly Father has really blessed us this week! And all the people we're teaching. I'm super grateful and super excited to start baptizing. I really feel like the Lord is making me the man I need to become. I just have to keep being patient in afflictions, obedient, and humble (willing to change).
I got a letter this week from Elder Glenn (my compy in Douglas). He told me that two of our investigators got baptized after I left!!!! That made my week!!!! I can't tell you how much I miss Douglas, Arizona! Please, can we go there the Christmas I get home?! Seriously! Consider it. I just wanted to tell one other thing that really made my week. There's this group of eight boys, all about 7 or 8 that live on one street and are always outside. They've decided that I look like Javier Hernandez (Chicharito), the soccer player for Mexico, turned Manchester United (the one I loved watch play in the World Cup this summer), so everytime they see us, they yell, "CHICHARITO" and wave at me! I feel like a hero! Two days ago they actually all came up to us and gave me high fives. They asked if I played soccer. I asked if they liked Harry Potter.
Anyway family, I love you! I'm glad you all had a great week! I'm not so sure I'm happy with Cassie's week. But I'm in Mexico, so whatever.
Love,
Elder Mitchell Poirier
Yes. I'm training. His name is Elder Silos. He is from Toreon, Mexico, which is up by Texas. He reminds me SO much of me when I first went to Arizona and was hating everything. Poor guy. He's super homesick when we're stuck in the house, but then feels great when we're out teaching and having success. By the way, we completed the standard this week! WOOHOO. Only 9 companionships did it. Anyway, at least we get along. And this weekend we have two people who should be getting baptized! So he needs to cheer up lol. I was with someone I didn't get along with and not baptizing. But it's alright. I'm being patient. It's only hard for me to be patient when I have to answer all his questions two times (the first time he never understands). Perhaps it's my spanish. Anyway, we're being diligent and I'm trying to show him a good example. We had a week of miracles! One investigator, Salvador, had a change of heart and mind. All the doubts he had about Christ were resolved when he finally prayed about it and read Alma 32. He's getting baptized this sunday!!!!!! And Blanca also is ready. She wants a fresh start in life, cleansed from all mistakes and sins. So she's getting baptized this sunday too! Please pray for them! This week we gave a blessing to a woman named Ceñorina. She told us right after that she felt something strange- a peace, or tranquility. She said she couldn't explain it. Whoa. We were so happy! She's progressing towards baptism also! Basically Heavenly Father has really blessed us this week! And all the people we're teaching. I'm super grateful and super excited to start baptizing. I really feel like the Lord is making me the man I need to become. I just have to keep being patient in afflictions, obedient, and humble (willing to change).
I got a letter this week from Elder Glenn (my compy in Douglas). He told me that two of our investigators got baptized after I left!!!! That made my week!!!! I can't tell you how much I miss Douglas, Arizona! Please, can we go there the Christmas I get home?! Seriously! Consider it. I just wanted to tell one other thing that really made my week. There's this group of eight boys, all about 7 or 8 that live on one street and are always outside. They've decided that I look like Javier Hernandez (Chicharito), the soccer player for Mexico, turned Manchester United (the one I loved watch play in the World Cup this summer), so everytime they see us, they yell, "CHICHARITO" and wave at me! I feel like a hero! Two days ago they actually all came up to us and gave me high fives. They asked if I played soccer. I asked if they liked Harry Potter.
Anyway family, I love you! I'm glad you all had a great week! I'm not so sure I'm happy with Cassie's week. But I'm in Mexico, so whatever.
Love,
Elder Mitchell Poirier
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