A little bit of Gethsemane

HOLA!

Well I don't even know where to start this week! I spent a lot of time on my knees, and then the rest of the time in the scriptures! I've gotten soooo close to my Book of Mormon here in the mission. It's my best friend, and its always there! I read a lot in Alma 7, and I listened to a talk by Elder Holland called Missionary Work and the Atonement. So Christ's Atonement has been a big theme in my life every week! I can't think of a better theme and I'm planning on keeping it as my theme every day for the rest of my life! 

Something that really hit me deep when I was listening to Elder Holland, was that we all need to suffer just a teeny tiny bit to understand a little better His Atonement. The Spirit taught me that I am blessed to have His name on my chest everyday so I should happily take the heat that comes to his faithful disciples!  I understood a little better just how hard His life was. And even though He walked and walked and walked, and it was probably hot, and he was probably really hungry, and it probably wasn't too fun when people rejected Him. Even though they spat at Him, beat Him, tortured and then murdered Him, not once did He complain! HE loved them! Even though He has all the power in the universe, He let them do it!  The atonement gives me strength to come what may and love it, and try a little harder to do a little better!  I testify as one of His representatives that He lives, that He already suffered for all our heartache, shortcomings, imperfections, and sins! He is waiting for us to come unto him and be perfected! HE is my Savior and Redeemer and I love Him!

It was a full week of finding people, putting baptismal dates, and ignoring preachers who try to move us from our cause. We had a very successful Monday through Saturday! I got a little proud... and a little is too much! Sunday came and we only had 1 of the 15 people we found this week in church! For those of you who have been in the mission, you know how it feels to wait and wait after inviting everyone that morning to come, and nobody shows up! I was greatly humbled, and have many plans to change so it doesn't happen again the next week!

I love my compa! Elder Luis is awesome! We just laugh and laugh and laugh all day! My area is awesome too! The ward is great! We have a ton of lessons with our Bishop, but just about all the other leadership is inactive! 

That's all I got time for mom ;)

Con amor,

elder minnick

Elder Luis!
(Tam: I sent these shirts in Weston's last pkg - GO COUGARS!!!)

Tam: Loves his Charger blanket....
glad I totally "shrink packed" this and sent!!  

Salamaaaaaaaanca

que anda

Too many stories for this week! I'm grateful for my journal! I started a new one the other day! One day you can read all of them that aren't in Spanish!

Well....Tuesday super early I went to Queretaro to pick up my brand new baby missionary! His name is.... Elder LUIS! He's from Veracruz. He is 18, and played lots of baseball before he came on his mission.  He is hilarious...we get along great.  Almost too well... but like I said, good stories for another time :)

Compa (Elder Luis) y Presidente

We found our house after looking forever....it is DISGUSTING. I thought that I've seen some pretty nasty houses over the last couple months but nothing compared to this house. I'll spare ya the details!  But, it was a fun week.  My whole entire zone is opening...even my Zone Leaders.  Everyone but the Zone Leaders are training too.  My district is the only district in the zone!  My zone leaders put me in charge of all the numbers. SO FUN! There are 8 of us here, and I'm super excited!

This week has been soooooo hard. We work and we work and we work and then we work until we eat again, then we plan and clean and then we sleep and then we work again. I don't know if I can be more detailed than that, but if we do anything else this next week besides WORK I'll be sure to let you know!

We've been working lots with the ward. se llama bellavista! I already love my ward... there aren't a ton of active members but the ones who come are enlisted in missionary work. They are all super stoked to have missionaries here again. And its not even a dangerous place!  Nobody even called me bad words this week!  I'm happy here!

We had a toooon of really cool experiences this week.  I had a powerful experience this morning. I've been fasting for two guys we found this week. They are some of those investigadores that have a lot of time talking to the missionaries, but we have lots of faith that we can invite the spirit into their lives so strongly that they can't deny it!   God heard and answered my prayers this morning.  I felt very blessed to be part of this great work!  I've decided that being a missionary has blessed me more than I will ever be able to bless and serve others! 

con mucho amor

elder minnick

elder cuevas is going home... love this guy!!

Tam: The following pics are from last week.  He sent from his wifi camera while traveling to Queretaro on a killer bus with wifi!  

Tam:  My favorite pic in the last 7 months!!  

Add caption

One last pic with Elder Perez!  Weston will miss him!!  

ya me voy

Hello!!!!

Where to start!

This week: We didn't baptize Judith y Paco. They had some paper problems and can't get married till Thursday, and then they will get baptized Saturday. I'm soooo excited for them! I'm coming back after my mission to kidnap their baby!

My comp had a really hard week. He told me I could share his experience. Wednesday morning at 1:30 AM we got some calls and messages and we found out that his grandma, who is more like his mama cause she raised him, was in a coma and probably wouldn't make it the night. My comp is a stud, he's the only member in his family. President called us Thursday to pass the news that she had passed away. It was really really really hard to see him struggle, but Elder Perez's testimony of the Plan of Salvation is unshakable. He really is an example to me of putting his faith in Christ and relying on the Atonement.  I saw the Spirit work through him strongly as he testified of our Savior and his ultimate sacrifice!

We studied the doctrine of the resurrection together almost every day. I testify that God has a perfect plan for every single one of his children! I testify of the Living Christ. I know he already conquered death so we need not fear. He already paid the price of all our heart break, so we can feel His perfect love in our most difficult times!  I was inspired to start memorizing the Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles this week. I got about half of it done in Spanish, and when I get that down -- I'll memorize it in English! It's my testimony that He lives, and because He lives, we too will live.

I'm getting changed! Very bitter sweet. I'm sad to leave my comp and all the amazing people I've met here in Leon. But I'm excited for the next part of my mission! I'm going to Salamanca... the only thing I've heard about the place is that it smells awful cause of the crappy air... but I don't care! I'm gonna go train a new baby missionary! I'm pumped! I'm also opening a new area and am district leader! I'm excited for this new challenge and I pray that I can be more patient and humble!

ya me voy,

elder minnick

Judith y Paco.... baptism coming soon!

Part of the fam...

More fam...

Even more fam!!!!

My new suit!

Doin' work!

More work

Yes... she let me sign her wall!  That's eternal paint!

Pray in your heart!

Hello!!!

Muchismo gracias for all of the happy birthday wishes! My eyes popped out of my head when I saw how many I had! I'd love to respond to them all but I don't type very fast! I feel very, very loved! Thank You! :)

Some weeks feel long out here but the majority go by too fast! This week was one of the fastest! I don't know how to slow this whole mission down but if somebody does please let me know!

We had a multi-zone conference with President this week! It was sooooooooo awesome! One of the things that really touched me was when we talked about having a prayer in our hearts. I've probably heard it about a billion and 5 times but I guess I never really understood it. Christ taught that we should have a prayer in our hearts constantly, in every single moment. So I tried it this week, and we saw miracles! I learned how easy and simply the Spirit can work through us, but only if we let it! 

Some of the miracles were simple but others were huge!! We saw a ton with Judith and Paco! They aren't married...but they are working on it. But we had a really cool lesson with them on tithing. They don't exactly have any money to get married, but we made a promise with them that if they fasted and prayed the Lord would provide a way for them to keep the law of chastity and get married in this next week! They called us two nights later and told us that Paco got an early pay check and they went and paid this morning so they can get married this week! We are praying real hard that they can be married Friday. President gave us permission to baptize them Sunday after church because I'll probably have changes next week! Its been soo cool to see them progress so fast this week, especially because we've been teaching them since November!

I was very humbled because I learned that I've been relying too much on my knowledge and my abilities, but I know that by the power of the Holy Ghost and the enabling power of the atonement ALL things are possible, and when we allow the Spirit to do the walking and the talking -- miracles follow!

elder minnick

Cake Face!

Made pizza hoy!

Weston having fun with his comp!  

To Obey is Better Than To Sacrifice

Hola mis amigos. Mexico is great and much warmer than home :)  Had one of those weeks where so many things happened that I can't remember last Monday. Friday is even a little hazy. So I'll start today and work backwards.

I bought myself a fancy new birthday suit. I love Mexico because if you look hard enough you can always find dirt cheap but super cool things. Then we walked around the centro again and saw all the cool things here in Leon for the 100th time! I guess I've learned the city pretty well! 

(Tam note:  I asked Weston... "Is BDay suit a real suit?"  This was his response, "hahah yeah I didn't even think of that... clarify for me.  It's light gray and awesome. I pick it up next Monday!")

Sunday.... I spoke in church.. again :) This time on love, service, and missionary work. My three favorite things. We had a ton of people in church -- filled one row with investigadores and another with less active members! Sundays are either the worst or the best... its awful when nobody shows up, but miracles happen when they do and start talking with the members.  I love Sundays because of the Sacrament. I wish I REALLY understood the sacrament before my misión. Best 10 minutes of the week by far. 

Saturday... We helped a guy move to another house. I rode in the back of his truck with his chickens, llama, and mattress. I'm mad I didnt have my camera. Classic.

Friday through Monday... Like I said this part gets hazy and I can't remember what happened before.

I learned a ton about obedience this week. Not because I'm a disobedient missionary, but because I'm not a perfectly obedient missionary. I learned that disobedient and not perfectly obedient are the same thing! I also learned that obedience is better than sacrifice! 1 Samuel 15:22  So that means I have lots of repenting to do! This week I'm especially grateful for the opportunity I have to learn from my mistakes, and above all for the Atonement -- only through Christ's ultimate sacrifice can the weak become strong!

SHOUTOUT...Great Grandpa Heaton! Happy Birthday the 23rd! You're the youngest 90 year old in the world! Love you!

Elder Minnick

Tam Note:  Missionary Mom FAIL!!  It is Weston's birthday THIS Friday, the 24th.  We totally forgot to wish Weston Happy Birthday on Monday (yesterday).  I was thinking we had another Monday.  And... he probably won't get his bday pkg. either.  SOOOOO, help a mom out!!! Email Weston a quick happy birthday!  weston.minnick@myldsmail.net   We can flood his inbox with belated Birthday wishes!!!  Thanks for your HELP!!  

Tam:  Classic Weston.  GQ pose with his eyes closed!!  

super late Christmas

Hola,

I need to thank all my wonderful friends, family, and Abbey Kener for the packages this week! 

(TAMI: Weston sent a separate email that said he got packages from Aunt Kim, Jill Klein, The Willes Family, Keners and ME.  SO SO happy he finally received them.  I'm not sure if the Mexican post or the mission is just WAAAAAY slow at delivering... but Weston didn't seem to care, just loves hearing from you all!!)   

My zone leaders hate me, cause they had to bring all 6 packages here all the way from Queretaro :)     Ha Ha Ha they will forgive me after I share all the candy I got.  Elder Perez told me to tell you thanks Mom!  He told me that this week I need to help him write a thank you letter in English! He is learing fast... he can say "Elder Minnick is pretty" and he can almost pray without help!  WOO!!!

This week was super normal. We worked hard, walked a ton, and ate too much. Yesterday we were walking to a members house to eat, and they live in a not so pretty place.  This drunk guy started talking to me in English.... and next thing I knew he had one of my shoes!  It was awesome!  But he was super drunk and fell over... he dropped my shoe and then started talking in Spanglish again like nothing happened.  We had a good laugh!

We are going to have a wedding next Monday!!! Judith and Oscar. We are hoping they will get baptized the 24th... I'm praying for it!  They asked me to be a witness but I don't think I can! Either way I'm stoked. We've been working with them forever.

Well there's your little update of my life. Hope all is well back home, and if not, its because you need to read the Book of Mormon MORE, and exercise MORE humility!!!! 

elder minnick :)

Christmas finally came!!  Thanks Aunt Kim, Jill Klein, The Willes Family, Abbey Kener, and MOM!

Christmas!!  

2015

Familia,

I had a wild New Year's Party! Bought a bottle of coke and lit a fire in my house. Burned some cockroaches and made a torch with an axe bottle. Went to bed at 10:30.... pm or am, I'm not sure. The two liter coke hit me hard.  Legit though, the morning of the New Year was HILARIOUS. So many drunk people in the street. Most of them were sleeping.  Everyone lit fires all over-- so that was fun. I had some really great conversations! Won't forget this day.

No but really this was a super crazy week! So many things happened and I had a ton of cool experiences. We had two surprise baptisms! They weren't so much a surprise but EARLY! We had them both planned for the 10th of January but Maria de Jesus told us Wednesday that she got a job on the other side of the country, that she was leaving next Tuesday and it would be better if she wasn't baptized. It was a littttle frustrating in the moment but we didn't take no for an answer...I was ready to drag her into the baptismal font if I had to. We have been working with her since November, passing by her house almost everyday and she is so awesome! But after some super powerful lessons and some inspired promises, and asking President if we could baptize her this past Saturday -- she got baptized! It really was a miracle, and I won't forget this tender mercy. The other baptism was Erik! His mom is a member, but they became less active two weeks after she was baptized, and that was five years ago!! It was cool to see the family reactivated! Erik is a stud. The baptism was last minute but we still had an awesome experience! 

We contacted this guy in the street named Pablo! He lived in Utah for 17 years, his two kids and ex-wife are members, and some missionaries at Temple Square gave him a B of M. He got deported 8 years ago. This guy has been an answer to my prayers. I found another B of M in English to give him. He's been typing it up, because he wants to practice -- next month he starts his job as a customer service guy. He did a ton of construction back home. He told me he worked on the temple grounds and he always talks about President Hinckley. He told me one day he met him! I don't know how much I believe because he's convinced hes still alive! Pablo is a funny guy and will be baptized next month!

It was a super hard week and sometimes I just wanted to fall over cause I was soo tired, but it was so worth it. There is no greater feeling then helping other people come unto Christ! My testimony of prayer and fasting was strengthened this week!  I know God hears and answer every single one of our prayers, and answers them in the perfect way!

Happy 2015,

Elder Minnick

Tam:  Comp desk clean... Elder Minnick desk dirty -- Weston doesn't have Britt around!!!  :)  

"My Saturday is better than your Saturday!!"
Tami: Weston has the knee pop down  

 

Tam:  Love to see them BOTH smiling!!  Good sign!!