La iglesia es verdadera (The Church is True)

What's up my dudes! This might be a long email so stay tuned. This week was actually way dope. I ate iguana for the first time, we put 2 more people on date, and my man Isai is still the boy. 

Okay so Tuesday I ate iguana. Don't worry, it wasn't Gerald. We let him go and now he's living his best life outside the church building. Iguana lowkey tastes like chicken but the texture is like fish. Kinda weird. Kinda good. It also came with iguana eggs which kinda sucked not gonna lie. The flavor wasn't awful but the texture was yucky. And the fact that I knew it was iguana egg was gross haha. 

So the people we put on date are named Gaby and Diana Luz. Gaby is a friend of one of the members and she met with the missionaries 15 years ago and now she's coming back to church. She's a super nice lady. She has a little bit of fear because she doesn't know everything so we explained that faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things. The other lady is the wife of Isai. She walked in at the end of one of our lessons with Isai right before the prayer. She stayed for the prayer and afterwards we invited her to join the video call the next day. We didn't think much of it because we had gone over like 5 times before that and she never joined us. We just figured she wasn't interested. Well the power of an invitation is crazy. She joined us the next day and we taught the plan of salvation and that caught her attention. A couple days later we met with them and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ and put her on date for May 2. She was a little hesitant at first but then we presented our little plan... listen to how sick this is. 

April 22 is the day Isai has his baptism. The following week he will receive the priesthood and that Sunday (May 2nd) he can baptize his wife. The church is so true my dudes. 

I'm gonna finish off my email with the story of Isai and why I love the dude so much. He lives across the street from the church, literally his front door to his house is the back door to the church. He told us he always looked for religions and wasn't interested in anything they said. One day he was in his bed pondering and said a prayer asking God to show him a sign. 2 days later he was watching YouTube videos and saw an Ad on how to pray. He filled out the information and thought nothing of it. We later called and started teaching him. When we gave him a Book of Mormon, he read 7 chapters before our next appointment. He is currently in Mosiah 4. (update: Isai just called me and he has finished Mosiah!) He told us when he received the Book of Mormon he knew for a fact this was all true. He told us the Book of Mormon strengthens the bible and he LOVES everything. He came to church with his family and saw the fast offering and tithing slip and says he wants to donate. I love him so much! 

I know for a fact I am back here for him. When I got to the mission, my President said he is surprised they let me come back. They were cutting people off once they had less than 6 months left. When I got back I had about 5 left. I kept thinking there had to be some reason that I got back here and it is totally so I could meet Isai. Not only are we helping him strengthen his testimony, but he is helping me strengthen mine! Everything happens for a reason! 

If you read this far, pray for Isai, Diana Luz, Gaby Torres, and Víctor Sanchez. Please and thank you! 

Love you all! 

Elder Wilde 

Gerald

What's up dudes! 

Crazy week that was long and short so let's see if I can remember everything. We obviously had an amazing General Conference, we put 2 people on date, and I caught an Iguana! 

I'll start with the Iguana. So Sunday after conference I walked out of the room we were sitting in and went to the doors of the church to look outside and I saw an Iguana. My companion came out and asked if I wanted to catch it so I said yeah. We opened up the front doors and went outside and then it ran inside the church and we trapped it in a room. I was honestly scared to grab it at first thinking it would bite me, but Gerald and I connected real well and became friends. We took him over to a members house to show them and they enjoyed that. 

The work is still going! We found 7 to teach this week. A couple of them might be solid but it's tough to know because all of it is over phone calls so it is a little difficult. We also put 2 on date this week. Isai is one that we put for the 22nd. We originally said the 28th but he said he wanted to be baptized the 22nd because that's his birthday. We put another for May 1st, his name is Víctor. He is the dad of one of the members and is super dope. Honestly its freaking hard to understand his accent because homie is missing some teeth but it's still fun to talk with him. 

Friday we had divisions with the DL. His name is Elder Pantoja. He is from Puebla and was originally in Chile. He's an interesting guy but it was fun getting to know him better. 

The highlight of the week was obviously General Conference. First off, 20 freaking temples? I thought they would announce 6 but I was way off. When he was reading the temples I felt the spirit so strong. The church is so freaking true. I loved all of the talks and I found it interesting to see how different everything was as far as recorded messages and certain speakers. The main thing that stuck out to me was knowing that we can do hard things. Honestly, coming back to Mexico wasn't an easy thing. Spanish is hard, the food is different, and I'm not in a nice house with a car like Gilbert. But, I know despite all of my "challenges" I am becoming a better person and the Lord is with me always. #TheChurchIsTrue

Love you all! 

Elder Wilde  

This Ain't Gilbert

Buenas tardes my dudes! 

Figured I should start my emails off in Spanish because I am in the Promised Land haha. First week back in Mexico went well! It's a little different than the first time and is still weird adjusting to the language and the culture but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it in no time. 

I am currently serving in Minatitlán, Vera Cruz. We cover 3 branches named Juarez, Santa Clara, and Pradera. I'm actually super stoked to be here because I've heard nothing but good things about it. The food is freaking good, especially memelas. They are like a giant taco but in the form of a pizza and it slaps. It's also nice because it's not as hot. I still sweat like crazy because of the humidity but at night it's pretty nice. 

My companion is named Elder Muñoz and he's from Mexico City. Dude is a homie and a hard worker. We get along pretty well and he helps me a lot with my Spanish. The goal is to get me fluent in Spanish and him fluent in English haha. 

But yeah this week was interesting. Adjusting to the Mexican culture is tough and fun. For example, in Gilbert I was honked at by members every second while riding a bike. Here when I get honked at, it's by a taxi and out of habit I always wave then we have to explain that we don't need a ride. We also have to cross a river in a boat to get to one side of our area. The thing that is the best though is all of the attention I get haha. I feel like a celebrity walking down the street and I have already had some pictures taken of me... I even had a 65 year old tell me I am her dream man. Gotta love the Mexican culture! 

As far as the work goes, it is a lot easier here than in Gilbert. We found 5 people this week which isn't too bad. We also had 5 at church and this week are probably gonna put some people on date. We do most of our teaching on phone calls just because we don't know where they live. And let me tell ya, understanding these people on the phone isn't easy, but I'm getting used to it. 

I've already met some dope members. One of the families lives right behind us and they are so sick. My Spanish is getting better because I just sit and talk with them. We go there because a girl that lives there isn't a member and we are trying to get her baptized. I love this family because they will straight up tell me when I don't say something right and then I'm able to correct it. Most people just lie to my face and say I don't need to fix anything so shoutout to them. 

Anyways, so to summarize the week, it was long and short all at the same time. Sometimes I was stressed as freak because the change, but other times I was straight chillin. I have learned what it means to trust the Lord. I probably won't learn the language as well as I'd like, I probably won't get as comfortable as I'd like, but I will see miracles as long as I trust Him. The church is so true man.

Love you all, stay sweet!

Elder Wilde

From Mexico to Arizona to Mexico Again

One year ago today I found out I would be returning home from Mexico because of COVID-19. Tomorrow I will be returning to finish my last 6 months! I am extremely grateful for the 10 months I have had in Gilbert, Arizona and all of the lessons I learned! The AGM will always have a place in my heart! I am also extremely grateful for Jesus Christ and the opportunity I have to represent Him. I love this Gospel so much!

One More Week

What's up everyone! 

I've only got one more week in Gilbert and it's kinda sad honestly. When I first got here in June I was ready to go to Mexico and couldn't wait. Don't get me wrong, I'm still pumped for Villahermosa but it is gonna be sad to leave here. I've learned a lot of things and have met a lot of great people! Especially the area I am in right now, there has been a lot of people who have become great friends. 

This last week was kind of weird. My companion Elder Barlow got transferred to Highland and I am in a trio with the Elders I live with until I leave. It was sad when he got transferred because we really got along! We now cover 2 areas so there is not ever free time which is good! 

There's not much in the area going on other than the few people we are teaching! I also finished the Book of Mormon again this week. I sat down and grinded through the last 100 pages so I can finish it in English again and switch over to Spanish. I am sending all of my English stuff home because I really wanna get my Spanish down! 

But as I finished the Book of Mormon again, I still have a strong testimony that it is true. Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. I love this Gospel. The Book of Mormon has the power to change your life and I PROMISE that. When you have doubts, struggles, or anything else, read the Book of Mormon. 

Love you all, 

Elder Wilde

Quick Trip

What's up my dudes! 

Another solid week in Gilbert and Salt Lake... I'll explain that in a second. 

So this week we had a lot of solid visits with members and non members. There's a family we are trying to pick up to teach and they LOVE Elder Barlow and I. We went there like 3 days in a row and they talked to us for at least 45 minutes each time. They are super active in their church so right now we are just building a good friendship. I was able to go over and hit in their batting cage and man did it feel good! 

The other visits were amazing as well. What we did to get in the door was take bread to them. Elder Barlow makes some killer bread so he made like 12 loaves and we took it around. Even if people don't wanna hear a message, they can't turn down a fresh loaf of bread. I really think the area is gonna have a lot of work in the next few weeks. 

Now for the fun stuff. I went to Salt Lake today to see the Mexican Consulate because I'm supposed to go back to Villahermosa! If everything goes according to plan, I'll be back on the 23rd. I flew out this morning at 7:00am and I am writing this email on my flight back. I was able to spend the day with some of the Elders that I was in Villahermosa and the MTC with! Funnest p-day I've had in a while! We finished our appointment at the consulate early and had about 4 hours to kill so we went over to the mall, temple square, and Vivint Smart Home Arena. Seriously so fun! 

This week my focus spiritually was conversion. I got an email from my mission president in Villahermosa this last week and in it he asked me some questions. One was him asking what I want to accomplish in my last 6 months of the mission. I obviously wrote that I want to perfect my Spanish but I also said I want to stay converted to the Gospel and continue in my personal conversion. I then shared my testimony in church on Sunday and talked about the same thing. The church is so freaking true. Take some time this week to see how your conversion is and if it isn't what you'd want it to be, I invite you to work on it. 

Love you all! 

Elder Wilde 

Bull Whippin'

Hello my friends!

First week of this transfer was pretty chill and we had lots of cool stuff happen! We had 5 non members at church, set up a "lesson" with a family, and learned how to do a bull whip. Not too bad if you ask me. 

So real quick, last week I didn't talk too much about my companion because I wasn't with him yet. His name is Elder Barlow, he is from Huntington Beach California, and is originally assigned to Tahiti. He's a homie I really like him. 

So the nonmembers we had at church came because a member gave a talk and had invited them! Members are the key! Elder Barlow also spoke and it was awesome to feel the spirit work through them. There's a mom and daughter that came and we think they have a lot of potential. I'm praying that we can teach them! 

So the "lesson" I referred to wasn’t an actual lesson. This family is so freaking dope. They are legit the nicest people ever. I told them I would get them Crumbl cookies, using the gift card I got, so I did it. We then talked for like 20 minutes about sports and TikTok haha. The daughter is on the US national team for softball so I am gonna go back and hit off her... if I can hit it. I'm hoping to go back and do that this week! The point is you have to get to know people and as you do this the spirit will let you know when the time is right to teach an official lesson. 

Not anything else to add, love you all! 

Elder Wilde