Week 72 (02/13/17)

Hello everyone! Happy Valentines day (unless you're a missionary)! 

This week has been extra good. We finally had interviews and zone conferences so we got to see President and Sister Cahoon along with Elder Gallegos, my comp from Piedras Negras.

We had zone conference on Wednesday. President is putting a lot of emphasis on keeping the flame of faith alive. I feel like there are so many things that we need to change as missionaries to have the most success but it's really hard sometimes...I feel like I need to change so much in order to do everything we need to and we are trying really hard. President shared a quote by Joseph Smith about how even the least of us can have the same visions he had if we just have sufficient faith. It still boggles my mind that if I just have enough faith I can be visited by angels and I can speak with Heavenly Father but I know it's possible. I think it's just going to take a lot of work...

On Thursday we had interviews which was really good. I love talking with President because he is always encouraging us to do better and helping us improve. President helps us so much and he really wants us to improve to help more people receive the Gospel. This work is such a miracle. I don't know how a bunch of young men like us could have any success if this weren't the truth. Haha!

For the rest of the day Thursday we worked with Elder Gallegos. He came out with us and helped us find new people and gave us help in the lessons. It's fun to work with my old companions and see how they have changed.

On Saturday we found a new family of six. They accepted us really quickly which was kind of surprising and they were really friendly. I feel like they will progress pretty well.

Until now I have seen more than sixty birds. I think I could do a little better in Utah but for being in one place in the middle of the Mexican desert I think sixty is pretty good for two months. Haha! I'm pretty sure I saw some pelicans today. They were far away so I need to consult my book.

Well, that's it for this week! I hope that you are all well and that you have had a good week. Everything is good here and the work is marching along.

Con mucho amor,

Elder Steiner

Week 71 (2/6/2017)

Happy Monday everyone!

I kind of ran out of time to write today...Sorry! I had to write a lot of stuff in my email to President Cahoon.

This week was good. We found lots of new investigators and we are working toward the new goal that President set. Every companionship is supposed to be getting 16 new investigators each week. Mathematically if we get 16 each week we will baptize every week. That's really crazy and kind of hard but I'm confident that we can do it especially if we follow the Spirit. The Spirit is key in this work.

I now have 68 birds since the 26th of December. I think I'm doing pretty well for being in one city. Maybe if I go to Saltillo before the end I can rack up my big year numbers. Haha! The last few nights we have seen huge flocks of what I think are Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. It was crazy last night because we were walking by the river and all of a sudden the air is filled with crazy whistling noises and then a huge flock of birds appears over us. Birds are so cool. 

Well, that's all for this week. I hope you are all well and that you have a great week. God loves us all and has a plan for each and every one of us!

Con mucho amor,

Elder Steiner

Week 70 (01/31/2017)

Happy pday!

Today has been a pretty good pday. We have been a little busy with haircuts and extra lunch with our neighbors but still good. I think that my hair got cut a little too short this time but whatever. I feel like no matter how they cut it here it always grows in fine. Missionary hair must be magic in some way. Haha!

On Tuesday we went to a missionary homecoming and sang some special hymns for him. It turns out that out of all the missionaries in our zone Elder Reid and I have the most musical experience (I still feel like I have very little) so whenver they ask us to do special songs he plays the  piano and I have to direct everyone. It usually turns out okay.

This week was pretty eventful with a bunch of baptisms on Saturday. Our branch ended up having eight baptisms in one day. We baptized three kids and the other elders baptized a family and another girl. There was also a child baptism for the branch. It was a really good day and the week leading up to the baptisms was really fulfilling. Elder Reid and I even bought some 9 peso (50 cent) wafer cookies to celebrate and treat ourselves.

Today is the end of my 12th change. Only five more to go and then I come home....Only a year ago I thought that I would never be this far along. Much less training, being a district leader, and being able to baptize. I've learned so much as a missionary and I know it's all due to the Atonement. Heavenly Father has taken me and molded me into something better. I still don't know what's coming in these next seven months but I'm really looking forward to growing and learning.

Thank you all for everything! I hope you all have a good week!

-Elder Steiner