1 year later and wiser too!

Howdy!

Another bi-polar weather week here in Salamanca! Some rainy days and some sunny days, but either way I'm happy.  My face is nice and sun burnt, but my shoes are still full of water!

It was a solid week...especially with one of our investigators. His name is Alfonso. He is 76 years-old. Siempre wearing his suspenders and his fancy suit jacket no matter how hot it is... but this guy is awesome.  We found him because he came to the capilla looking for a woman a couple weeks back!  He sounds crazy and even though he's as catholic as they get, he accepted the gospel. He's only got to go to church 2 more weeks before he is baptized.  And we are hoping he can finally understand some important things!  Sometimes its harder for the elder folks to understand... but I think I'm finally getting this whole patience thing down!  He will learn whether he likes it or not!  I can't help but laugh because he reminds me a little of Grandpa Chuck but catholic and with serious heart problems!  Sometimes when the spirit is really strong I get worried he might have a heart attack!  Not kidding either! Saturday we cut the lesson short so he could go to the hospital!  He was there all night but still came to church the next day!

Today it has been 1 year since I received the Melchizedek Priesthood. So today I decided to dedicate my studies to the oath and covenant of the priesthood and my patriarchal blessing.  Between the two I gained a greater respect for the priesthood and what a blessing it has been and will be for me and my family.  Surely there isn't a gift greater that he has given us.  I know that it is by this power that we will return to live with Him forever. I testify that His power has been restored to the earth. God has given it to his worthy sons to bless all mankind. He has promised us all that He has! As I studied all this I renewed my promise with God to be a better, faithful, prepared, and worthy priesthood holder. He asks of us so little, and gives us more than we understand! 

elder minnick

Hello

No big letter this week! The Internet cafe is horrible and I don't feel like writing... its one of my least favorite times of the week!

No changes! In the whole zone.  I'm still DL and my zone is my district so I'm pretty my ZL #3 here... and that means I'm in charge of all the numbers!!!  It was a good week. I'm very pleased to stay here for another transfer with my comp!   He's awesome, even though he doesn't have much of a testimony.  His parents and uncles forced him out here... so being obedient isn't on his list of prioridedes!  But that's okay!  We are working on it!  This last change was my favorite by far.  I learned a ton, and even though we had almost 0 success,  I was still a successful missionary!

I took a ton of photos the other day.. it rained all week! Il'l send them by wifi tomorrow!  I took some money off the card, the bank had some problems and I had to pay rent!  But don't worry the mission will pay me back!

All is well! Love you all lots -- send me pictures and tell me about your lives!

elder minnick

Elder Luis!

This Is the Christ ♬♪ ~ Mormon Tabernacle Choir : Book of Mormon MUSIC

Leaning on Dad's testimony until I earned my own!

Elder Luis and I had a killer week. It was a battle... especially with my body. All that weight I've gained... gone. I don't know who is praying for me to lose weight, but please stop! There aren't very many public bathrooms around here, and if there are, they don't have water or paper! I don't know what's in my stomach but I hope it dies soon.

We had a ton more success this week. The members have helped a ton and we had more in church this week! I love the ward here. The people are awesome. I really don't ever wanna leave here, and changes are coming this next Sunday. Crossing my fingers that we stay!

I had a flash back experience Wednesday. We were reading part of 3 Nephi 11 for comp study, and I remembered a very special moment that I had with dad about 5 ish years ago! We went home teaching to the Erbs, and dad shared that his favorite B of M chapter was 3 Nephi 11... after we went to the Pratts, and when they asked me what mine was I thought, "well I've never read passed the first chapter, so I'll just stick with what dad said, and tell em that 3 Nephi 11 is my favorite, cause dad knows the B of M is true so he must know whats up.."  So I did, and its stuck with me since.

When my comp asked me what my favorite chapter was in the B of M, I quickly responded 3 Nephi 11, and when he asked me why I shared with him my personal testimony of the Saviour, but I couldn't help but think of when I stopped leaning on dad and walking on my own. I've never had a wow conversion moment, but I'm thankful for my loving mom, my little big sister, and many other friends and family who allowed me to lean on them when I wasn't quite sure. I thanked God that night for blessing me with a dad that taught me and helped me even when I never asked for it!  Love you dad.

My thoughts turn to the song "This is the Christ". (my new fav) I post the words here because this is my testimony!

They heard His voice, a voice so mild.

It pierced them through and made their souls to quake.

They saw Him come, a man in white,

The Savior, who had suffered for their sake.

They felt the wounds in hands and side,

And each could testify:

This is the Christ.

This is the Christ, the holy Son of God,

Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind.

This is the Christ, the Healer of our souls,

Who ransomed us with love divine.

I read His words, the words He prayed

While bearing sorrow in Gethsemane.

I feel His love, the price He paid.

How many drops of blood were spilled for me?

With Saints of old in joyful cry

I too can testify:

This is the Christ.

This is the Christ, the holy Son of God,

Our Savior, Lord, Redeemer of mankind.

This is the Christ, the Healer of our souls,

Who ransomed us with love divine.

Elder Minnick

This is the Christ - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

2 Ma

dear mom,

I know you absolutely love the whole dumb blog thing but I'm not a fan of it... and I thought it would be better if I wrote you a real letter instead and you can show it to whoever you want. :)  (TAM - well I want to show it to all of you -- ON THE BLOG!!!  LOL)  

It was HOT this week. I miss cold snow-less winters back at home (not) I got sunburnt for the first time in a couple months, and yes I already threw away all the sun screen you sent with me ;)  (TAM: I'm not going to tell him we had the best snowstorm this week - he will be very jealous)

We had interviews with President Tuesday. It was awesome. I don't know why it feels so good to have somebody tell you that you are a sinner and that you need to repent. I didn't exactly love interviews or PPI's before my mission, but those few moments with Pres. are some of the best learning moments. Tell Zane to take notes when he has interviews with Bishop, and then actually do what he says. I know its hard Zane, get over yourself :) 

This week was a whole lot better than last week!  Lots of hard happy work!  I had my first baptismal interview this week, and it is up there on the list of powerful spiritual experiences! My patriarchal blessing nailed it when it says that there aren't many things greater than seeing someone change their life and come unto Christ. It's a happy thing when we personally come unto Christ, but its pure joy when you see others make the change. Spend a few hours studying your scriptures and even more in the temple, but if you aren't a living example of what you have learned, you probably didn't really learn much at all. And when you are a living example of what you have learned, you are always sharing the gospel, even if it is only by your way of life.... that's what the Spirit taught me during this interview!

I'm starting to put on a little weight...I gotta lay off on mexi coke (way better than home coke), those dang street tacos and I gotta ask the sisters in my ward to stop giving me food, even when I tell them if I eat more I won't be able to walk!  Don't worry ma, they take good care of me here. We are gonna start running 3 times a week so I can see my feet again... :)

I thank God everyday for the greatest ma on the planet. I owe all I've ever had and all I will have to you. Love you more than all the Mexicans in Mexico and in the states ;)

love your favorite child,

elder minnick

PS Happy Late Birth Day Parky... and don't worry man -- I will have our room all set up for BYU when you get home :)  congrats son

PPS  Shout out to my boy jakethesnakecahooner! Argentina won't know what hit em ;) Get reading your B of M and PMG every day. Learn to be obedient BEFORE the mission. To obey is better than to sacrifice!   1 Samuel 15

From Tam: Weston is learning to cook (wings and fries) and iron!!  Mother's dream pics right here: