Brandon, Luis, Familia G and Elder Chegue!

HELLO,

These past two weeks have been nuts! So much to do, so little time. We haven't had a ton of time to work because my comp had to go to 4 different hospitals in the past week and a half. He's having some knee problems, we are thinking its the meniscus (I don't know how to spell).  Just picture walking around with a 95 year old man all day. It's been a trial of my patience - and I am trying to learn patience-- so we can move on!!!  Pray for Elder Chegüe! He is doing a lot better at being obedient!!  Just keep praying for him!!

We taught Luis about the premortal life this week. After like 10 minutes he said something like, "so your telling me that I chilled with God before I was a baby and I forgot it all?" I guess it doesn't sound as funny as it was.. but you gotta imagine a giant Dominican saying it. He always calls me little white boy... we get along super well! We always sit together at church and we both sing really loud and it sounds really bad... but the ward gets a kick out of it.

We taught the Family G about the Plan of Salvacion this week.. it was tight.  This family has 6 girls in between the ages of 6 -17. We are always finding fun ways to teach them, so this week we taught with a puzzle and a card tower. I learned this week that the Spirit helps us be creative and speaks powerfully through simple things.  However, they didn't go to church this week. It was a little setback. We decided that we can't keep driving them to church with members.  We are helping them exercise their faith a little more, and one day they will have to go by themselves anyway. Its hard for them because they don't have much, but I know that when they keep the commandments God will help them out, they just need to exercise their faith a little more! We are still working with Mama G and her testimony in the BoM! She has a ton of good questions!

I interviewed a deaf boy to be baptized this week... it was sooo great. He's only 8 years old and super smart. We did it all with pictures and I learned a little sign language. 

This is Brandon...  he's deaf...what a stud!!!

I know that this is God's work and Christ is at the head! I'm grateful to be able to have a little part in His plan! I know He lives and loves us!

Happy 4th This week! I'm using it as an excuse to light something on fire... 

Elder Minnick

My Boy - Elder Chegue

Hey remember me?

From Tam: Only Pics this week!  I think Elder Minnick is a little mad I haven't written him a good letter in a while!  

Que guapo!!  

Siempre Hay Luz

Hello!

This week was blinding. Here's how it went:

Ran out of two things this week.... contacts and power.  Don't worry MA I'm going to the offices this Thursday and I'm sure they got here! They cut out power Tuesday and I ran out of contacts Wednesday... and I'm not a fan of my glasses so I only put them on when I gotta read. The rest of the day I walk by faith... in God and my companion. :)

Here are some things I learned...  I learned faith is to believe in things you can't see, including cars, trains and cactus. I learned the importance of eye contact, especially with dogs. I think the most important thing I learned this week is that God has a sense of humor and is a very creative teacher, cause I have learned A TON even though I can't see.

It wasn't until day four without light that I knew God was definitely trying to teach me something important, It was like the light switch worked on Saturday night when I was sitting on the floor next to a candle writing down some comments for some elders in my district. The Spirit told me lots of things, answered my questions, and gave me some ideas for my investigators!

I took the light theme to the extreme... We taught the life of Christ and apostasy with a bunch a little candles and the Restoration with a light switch. The Spirit taught eternal life with the fire we felt in our hearts. 

The mission life is great. The investigadores are progressing, the house is clean (I think) and I finished the BoM again this week. Its true in Spanish too! 

Love you Mom and Dad and Whit and Zane!

elder minnick

p.s. Aubs I got your letter from July 21st... it only took 11 months! I haven't laughed harder.

(Tam Note:  He got his contacts... and some other pkgs.  THANKS JILL AND PAUL.  I think Mexican Customs is waaaaaaaay harder to get things through than Guatemala.  I also told Weston to go pay the power bill and work it out with the mission later...)

Washing Machines

Hello!!

I had an awesome week! One of my favorites. I did exchanges with my ZL Elder Salcedo for a couple days... He is Dominican and we get along super well, and we had a bunch of tight experiences. He only gave me one word of advice.. told me I need to hold still during lessons, and the rest he taught by example. One of the greatest lessons  learned here is that the best teacher speaks VERY LITTLE.

We found a new family... they are GOLDEN... almost. The mama y papa only have to get married... but they want to and just need to find some papers and we are set. Its a big family to! In all they are 8, but 2 of them are members already. They were investigating the church like 12 years ago but then moved and couldn't find missionaries.... until we found them on the street. I'm not sure how they couldn't find missionaries in so much time but I'm sure God was preparing them. It was a blast getting them all to church Sunday... full truck and a popped tire. Good times!!

I washed my clothes for the first time in a washing machine today! I was mesmerized. I've never enjoyed a washing machine so much. I also realized how good life is back home, cause I have two washing machines in my house... and I also realized how ungrateful we are back home -- repent sinners.

I was bummed to hear Elder Perry died. I'm listening to his last conference talk right now, and I remember that even though he looked so weak, he was full of power when he testified of the importance of the family! Here's his last words to the whole world...

"We also want our voice to be heard in sustaining the joy and fulfillment that traditional families bring. We must continue to project that voice throughout the world in declaring why marriage and family are so important, why marriage and family really do matter, and why they always will.

My brothers and sisters, the restored gospel centers on marriage and family. It is also on marriage and family where we can unite most with other faiths. It is around marriage and family where we will find our greatest commonality with the rest of the world. It is around marriage and family that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the greatest opportunity to be a light on the hill.

Let me close by bearing witness (and my nine decades on this earth fully qualify me to say this) that the older I get, the more I realize that family is the center of life and is the key to eternal happiness. I give thanks for my wife, for my children, for my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren, and for all of the cousins and in-laws and extended family who make my own life so rich and, yes, even eternal. Of this eternal truth I bear my strongest and most sacred witness in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

XOXO

elder minnick

P-Day.... (Weston would rather be out and about)