tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1298774482273719182023-11-15T23:09:13.349-07:00Elder Justin Powell's Mission to MexicoElder Powell's updates from Monterrey MexicoDan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-39620551784538830222013-11-24T15:07:00.001-07:002013-11-24T15:07:28.164-07:00November 18, 2013<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello
Everyone,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How have you been? I
am doing great. The mission is doing very swell and I am loving every moment of
it. Well this week looks like it will be a lot of work and things to do. I hope
there is enough time to take in the Mexican culture and all before I leave. But
I am excited for this week and it should be a great one. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This past week went by
very quickly and I am literally shocked to be in front of the computer screen
again writing to you all about the past week. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well on Tuesday it was
fun. We went on an interchange with the Zone leaders in Reynosa West, and it
was funny because the Elders are called Elder Jensen and Elder Powell (yes
another elder Powell) and the funny thing is is that we are both from Spokane,
Washington as well and I am like 3 months older than him. Oh that day while we
were contacting and working, it was funny because everyone thought that it was
a joke or that we were in some ranking system in the church and that the name
"Elder Powell" is like a rank like a bishop or father or priest in the
church. Haha Yeah it was funny. But he is a good friend of mine; maybe he is a
family member of mine. Who knows? But it was a good day with Elder
Powell. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqydUuzSjFIaN-nRNxVMioa55-UKfyAeuMzb89CuC7hk27q6pMjfGTNWb1eM5XbhW0f5OR3BG36_ZYm-p6dQIZuRuPRa-4L2BOXe-EhVqK6LIsy_NQlabGK3kIQk1R2ryOdQSsXMTNpD8/s1600/Bowling+in+Mexico.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqydUuzSjFIaN-nRNxVMioa55-UKfyAeuMzb89CuC7hk27q6pMjfGTNWb1eM5XbhW0f5OR3BG36_ZYm-p6dQIZuRuPRa-4L2BOXe-EhVqK6LIsy_NQlabGK3kIQk1R2ryOdQSsXMTNpD8/s320/Bowling+in+Mexico.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bowling...Mexican style</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Wednesday, it was a
lot of business in the offices and then we had a pretty good moment in the
lunch. Well it was my last lunch with Sister Alma Ochoa and it was kind of sad
because she cooks soo well and she is a great sister and always pumped. She is a
high spirited person and it has been a joy to work with her this time I have
had here in San Jose. But we have been teaching this sister named Arizeli and
Alma has been helping her out with giving testimony and stuff like that, and
Arizeli has had this super hard decision to make at the end of this month. What
happened is that she left her boyfriend in this other state when the whole
family came. The family got to know the church here in Reynosa and got baptized
just a little bit ago and she was the only one that didn’t because she has this
super difficult work schedule and all. But returning to the time with Alma
Ochoa in the food, we decided to do a fast with the sister to see if she would
open her heart and stuff, it was definitely needed because we are on the clock
because she is leaving November 28th. Ugh... <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well the next day we
had a lesson with Arizeli and it was pretty powerful. In the morning Elder
Capiz and I had a good study session and learned about the charity. While we
were reading about charity, something came to my mind about what to do. So at
the lesson, we read Moroni7:44-47 with the family and afterward did this dynamic
where we all gave a compliment to Arizeli. I started and told her that she is a
great person and trying to do the best, and that she is a great example and all
that. My companion was next and then after it was the family. Oh it was super
spiritual! All the family members were just sharing how much they loved her and
wanted her to stay with the family. They were all crying pretty much and it
even got me teary eyed as well. But it didn’t end as well as we planned because
she has a hard heart and pretty much told her family that they will be ok with
her being away from home and family while she is looking for fake love. Well I
stepped in because I have gotten a firm testimony of where the true love is. I
told her that her boyfriend probably loves her, but the only people that love
her the most and unconditionally is the family and that she is about to abandon
the family for one that loves her conditionally. By the sounds of it, the guy doesn’t
sound very great and she is a typical 19 year old girl. But I shared with her
that I was exactly the same way. I told her that I have come to realize and I
also regret that I didn’t spend that much time with the people that love me the
most- my family. And that instead of playing baseball with my little brothers,
I was better off going to the movies. Yes I love my friends, but I spent far
too much time with them rather than with my family that loves me
unconditionally. Arizeli was kind of pricked but still was hard in the heart,
but I pray that she finally realizes that before it’s too late, like in my case
where I finally realized that lesson in the mission and not before. Well I hope
it’s not too late right ;) But maybe she will realize that before she lives,
pray for her please! :)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am very excited to
see my family and be with them and I am grateful for them. I say family as well
to all who are my dear friends and that have helped me to be here. I have an
enormous family and I love you all very much. It’s going to be difficult
balancing my American-Puerto Rican-Mexican family :) haha<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well that was the
experience of the week and there were more, but better to tell you when I am
home. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here´s to the last
week of pure work, well it’s a lot of planning and meetings with the transfers
coming up, but it should be a great one. A lot of activities and farewells. I
am mixed up with the feelings but ever so pumped to serve. I love you all so
much and have an amazing week! :)</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMa9vK1AunVE9k4_pJzLfu4fQbitF6_nKm-C0C2RXAERRxLiUj7Q7O1n4E5gB_-P4S2gWYLPphBI4Y3ou9NS_D5ondrTlXan9Q42Cy2T2vDZMRy5vfxUX845DYKzPEjMXBPapMNbVbKPg/s1600/Justin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMa9vK1AunVE9k4_pJzLfu4fQbitF6_nKm-C0C2RXAERRxLiUj7Q7O1n4E5gB_-P4S2gWYLPphBI4Y3ou9NS_D5ondrTlXan9Q42Cy2T2vDZMRy5vfxUX845DYKzPEjMXBPapMNbVbKPg/s320/Justin.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-37389491536763064932013-11-24T14:59:00.001-07:002013-11-24T14:59:47.855-07:00November 11, 2013<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hola
Everybody,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How are you all doing?
I am doing really well. This past week was a pretty good week especially
yesterday with the events that we had. There have been a lot of good things
going on and I love the mission. I cannot believe that this will be my third to
last letter to my home. A lot of my companions from the MTC and stuff are
already home or are going home this week, but I will be the last one. But I
will be home the day before thanksgiving haha. I am excited to see all the
family and friends! I am not excited for the snow and cold though. Now that I
am Mexican, who knows if I will be able to handle the cold over there, haha.
Believe it or not, it’s still hot over here. Not like that much but you can
still work up a sweat. And in the nights it gets pretty cold, so a lot of
people are getting sick. It’s just a bad time to get sick and all...that’s all.
I don’t know why I get sick, I always wonder if I am normal or no because the
other day it’s cold, it was raining and we are dripping wet. I didn’t get sick,
haha. Not like I want to get sick, but who knows why I am not. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYbmHMyIddas_yBzg9PQHGVjXFmlSmrCGfq6hZJS0tft7dNzIQkudrrOj44g97XY0NGa-d5duelc4S5Pni5bx0iIVUMD5FEs0NBxO2U5p9lBd_3FKVQ_rFLm0TDbqOkf5XKAaO9iaRoE/s1600/Soaking+wet+after+the+rain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYbmHMyIddas_yBzg9PQHGVjXFmlSmrCGfq6hZJS0tft7dNzIQkudrrOj44g97XY0NGa-d5duelc4S5Pni5bx0iIVUMD5FEs0NBxO2U5p9lBd_3FKVQ_rFLm0TDbqOkf5XKAaO9iaRoE/s320/Soaking+wet+after+the+rain.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soaking wet in the rain</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Today is going to be
interesting because all the office missionaries and us are going bowling! It
should be fun, I have never gone bowling on the mission and I have always
wanted to with my buddies in the offices so it should be fun. I am excited; we
are going to leave at like 4.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well this week was
very good; on Tuesday was a normal day. Nothing too special, just that this
sister in our ward has been struggling with life and she is very good at
putting on a mask because she is very happy always. Well on Tuesday we felt
this impression in going to this sister´s house for some reason. Well we went
and we sat down with her and her 2 kids, we winged a lesson because we didn’t
know what to really say due to not planning much, but we confided in the spirit
and taught a good lesson. At the end, after her being happy and all, she starts
crying and the kids got serious as well. I kind of started worrying a bit and
then she said that we came at the precise moment because she was thinking about
doing something drastic and life changing in those very moments. She shared
that if we wouldn’t have gone to her house in time, something could have
happened. Wow big testimony builder again for me!! We gave her a blessing and
she felt better, every day we have been going by to see how she is doing and
she is doing a lot better. The family is a great family and pray for them
please. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jgg_YuFPMjpiTlurYTKmCLtU0xNthW5vysb80duYZgZHJrmw_va9RFeaZzSQn1sw3FuN2bjY4p3NUo4EK87UuBPEM0LJR-DhV8KUHNi6QhT4RV-n_tpGkWZ-n03HSFmAjwWbIJNT0ro/s1600/Teachers+and+missionaries+at+the+church+open+house.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jgg_YuFPMjpiTlurYTKmCLtU0xNthW5vysb80duYZgZHJrmw_va9RFeaZzSQn1sw3FuN2bjY4p3NUo4EK87UuBPEM0LJR-DhV8KUHNi6QhT4RV-n_tpGkWZ-n03HSFmAjwWbIJNT0ro/s320/Teachers+and+missionaries+at+the+church+open+house.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teachers and missionaries at an Open House</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Wednesday, we had
interchanges with the missionaries in Rio Bravo. It was interesting in the
morning because this one elder had his birthday and President wanted to take
him to breakfast, so we had a really good American breakfast on Wednesday
morning. Afterward was one of the weirdest experiences that I have ever
experienced in the mission with the weather. It started raining and then it
rained hard for like 4 hours straight. And we were outside for all of it. We
helped this guy get his truck out of a hole in the road because the roads were
like rivers, oh we were all wet! We were just walking through rivers and
floods. It was quite the experience. We got to the church for the ward counsel
and went to the bathroom to dry off; we used the electric hand dryer to dry a
bit. It was pretty funny, Elder Gonzalez, Javier and I had a funny time drying
off. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Thursday I had
another surgery on an ingrown toe nail again. Due to walking a ton, we can get
several so I was due in again. Well going in, I was nervous because the last
time I fainted while I watched my toenail get ripped out and everything without
any feeling or pain. So this time I had my eyes closed. I swear I can handle
blood and stuff, but not my own. I guess I just get super nervous, but it was
an experience that my companion even took video. Haha<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yesterday was an
awesome day. Cielo got baptized yesterday and she was very excited. The primary
organization has been helping this girl in a part family get active in the
church and we taught her and she got baptized. It was very neat because in her
baptismal service she sang a hymn and it touched her mom´s heart. Now her mom
is getting active and her brothers as well. It was a pretty neat experience. I
am happy for that family. And yesterday was the open house; I will send you all
a picture of us with the teachers in the open house activity.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_z3zq5mhgppHRiH9gS5fe8rZycsGdnMHmxXt1MCrZ_dKuB6DtVa-tPyRBoWcpp1AneJdBsY91Tj3mLhFSaQQsbGrAXPVC7sB034n8InSakS9BlaUyCNDVt4KjcAiDKeBXtZ_s8Yxgag/s1600/Cielo+and+her+family.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_z3zq5mhgppHRiH9gS5fe8rZycsGdnMHmxXt1MCrZ_dKuB6DtVa-tPyRBoWcpp1AneJdBsY91Tj3mLhFSaQQsbGrAXPVC7sB034n8InSakS9BlaUyCNDVt4KjcAiDKeBXtZ_s8Yxgag/s320/Cielo+and+her+family.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cielo and her family</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well everything is
good, I love you all very much and I hope you all have an excellent week-<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Powell <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-50773361001931030242013-11-24T14:45:00.002-07:002013-11-24T14:45:33.690-07:00October 28, 2013<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hola
to everybody,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How have you all been?
I have been doing super good; just busy with a lot of things this past
week. Let’s see where we begin haha<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Tuesday we had this
sister training meeting. Well it’s to train the sisters in the mission to learn
English and to work harder in the mission. So we came to the offices like at
630 AM to finish the training PowerPoint. What was funny is that now with Elder
Ropp gone, I was the only American that was going to participate in the
training meeting. So yeah it was pretty interesting because my English is
seriously close to awful and I was battling a bit with talking and teaching the
sisters their English. But it was fun, and then we taught about how we can be
better missionaries with more success. We gave each of the sisters a little
planner cover that reminds the sisters of their purpose here in the
mission. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZNoAuDOluYD1nhmriaqHkg__u6hk8YjypizV2J2tJW_L7bATmouS-Op1TF0lo4vt9lC_GrzKxGI3gzLu1efUPBw7P1hCmca67I3WVLW4ONoHf9GfxRsM0RTIwj2bcZo-g6lbUfbUVRk/s1600/Visiting+a+quarantined+Elder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZNoAuDOluYD1nhmriaqHkg__u6hk8YjypizV2J2tJW_L7bATmouS-Op1TF0lo4vt9lC_GrzKxGI3gzLu1efUPBw7P1hCmca67I3WVLW4ONoHf9GfxRsM0RTIwj2bcZo-g6lbUfbUVRk/s320/Visiting+a+quarantined+Elder.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting a quarantined Elder</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well my mind is on
another planet right now because we have so many things to do but I will tell
you all of one thing that happened yesterday. We had a mission devotional last
night where we invited all of the x missionaries to share their experiences and
it was super good! There were like 80 people that showed up. This one sister
had her tape player and put on a recording of a day in the mission. She held it
up to the microphone and it was very spiritual! She was crying while it was
playing and she shared a great testimony. Afterward, many other brothers and
sisters that are dear friends of mine shared their testimonies and it was very
neat because there were PowerPoints and stuff like that. I almost cried because
of how much I am going to miss the mission. I will definitely miss it because
it is a great experience. Afterward we showed a video and it’s the new hasten
the work of salvation videos and it’s called "I´ll go where you want me to
go". I invite you all to watch it because it is super good and it can help
a lot to sharing the gospel with people. But we asked for referrals last night
from everyone and we received 50!! So we have a ton of work to do!!!!! :)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well I love the
mission, even though it is quickly coming to an end, I hope that you all that
are able to serve, go because it is the best experience and you can definitely
receive much life guidance. It will help you to be a better you. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY43I5uiKUGu3SIpvZ9RoHL0XnaOIW4Dp4i18_vHKraYFOdZZO7H1b2uP60hlObgL5vhm6646TkPtx3hysFL0zmIN3quf9KCE_usvRa4Kc32laxgnsmL435XOQP88FBX-_buDmMR49hI/s1600/Eating+American+food+at+Carl's+Jr..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY43I5uiKUGu3SIpvZ9RoHL0XnaOIW4Dp4i18_vHKraYFOdZZO7H1b2uP60hlObgL5vhm6646TkPtx3hysFL0zmIN3quf9KCE_usvRa4Kc32laxgnsmL435XOQP88FBX-_buDmMR49hI/s320/Eating+American+food+at+Carl's+Jr..JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating American food at Carl's Jr.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you all and see
you soon, I will write more next week because we will have more times :)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<br />Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-11489878025312962682013-11-24T14:38:00.003-07:002013-11-24T14:38:57.152-07:00October 18, 2013<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello Family and Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How are you all? I am sooo sorry that I couldn’t
write a letter to you last week. I was super busy and there was literally no
time to write and just enough time to tell the family that everything was all
good and safe. But this week was a great one and I have a lot to share in this
letter. So brace yourselves for a lot of experiences that happened this past
week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well last Monday it was super crazy the whole
transfer and everything. We had already planned the travels and everything for
all the missionaries getting transferred. Reynosa is the center of the
mission, but there are several zones that are hours away, and we always travel
on charter bus when we get transferred and have exchanges. So Nuevo Laredo
is like 6 hours away on bus, and the highway to Monterrey from Nuevo Laredo was
flooded... And so we had to cancel the whole trip of that group of missionaries
and readjust a lot of trips, because missionaries can’t travel alone in
transfers. Oh what fun that was, but it came out fine. Just some pulled hairs from
my head, but all good. Well the two missionaries arrived at like 3 pm Monday,
and President and Sister Morales took Elder Capiz and I with them to meet the
new missionaries. The two new missionaries are called Elder Andersen and Elder
Ricks. They were actually pretty excited and fine when they got off the plane.
I was expecting to be a stress counselor for the new American missionaries due
to all the gossip of Reynosa and how super dangerous it is, but no they already
knew about Reynosa due to several former missionaries that were here before and
that I knew from this mission. Indeed it is a small world. Afterward we
went to Carl's Jr. (classic American missionary choice), and it was pretty
good, I have kind of lost the sense of how good fast food is. Pretty
crazy, maybe my homecoming dinner will be at McDonalds (hahaha just
kidding). <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmHJIAkbqWjtfOHLtjpx0Dgy10nuuaYaK-3X-vNKb0iDLL5aTcB9N5p4ua-EbPOBk8zx3EEBUowHgO7OfwYvujgus4tarBdSJa8w1IuQQw-4IbhPJyL5Z3sWsR96VmEP84Y2_t-IiN-4/s1600/Justin+and+Elder+Capiz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmHJIAkbqWjtfOHLtjpx0Dgy10nuuaYaK-3X-vNKb0iDLL5aTcB9N5p4ua-EbPOBk8zx3EEBUowHgO7OfwYvujgus4tarBdSJa8w1IuQQw-4IbhPJyL5Z3sWsR96VmEP84Y2_t-IiN-4/s320/Justin+and+Elder+Capiz.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders Capiz and Powell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Tuesday was the transfer-training new
assistant-trainer training-new missionary training-interviews with the finished
missionaries-dinner with finished missionaries-entertaining missionaries
waiting for their companions- day. Haha Oh Tuesday night was the best sleep I
had ever had in my life. But it was pretty good, a lot of familiar faces of
former companions and friends. Elder Berrios (my former companion and friend)
finished his mission and he left on Thursday to Texas. Good missionary and will
be missed. I just feel old now, it’s very strange because I don’t feel like I
have 23 months in the mission, but everything is telling me that I do. I have
mixed feelings about the whole finishing. It’s just weird, but I am very
excited to see all of my family and friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well on Wednesday we had a great day with it
being the first work day, well it went alright because I still don’t know the
area super well, so yeah it was a bit of a struggle. But Elder Capiz is a great
missionary, super humble and kind. He is seriously this little kid in a tall
man´s body. Haha. Everyone calls him Niño (kid), it’s pretty funny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thursday we had a really good experience in
teaching. We are teaching this family, and the mom is named Monica and her kids
Alejandra and Miguel. Well Monica has been in a deep struggle lately due to
family issues. It’s been really hard for her because her husband lives all the
way in New York and she lives all alone with her kids here. She feels sad a lot
of the times it’s a struggle for her. But we talked about how confiding in God
will bless lives and help people feel confident and peace. She said that she
learned some things about confiding in God more and I am glad that she feels
peace. We gave her a blessing and it was super helpful. She said that after the
blessing, all of her pain was gone and she was fine. Very neat experience, very
spiritual. It was a testimony builder for me to see how depressed she was to
finally now gaining self confidence and good self esteem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Friday was my companion´s birthday. We got a
cake and pushed his face into it. Pretty funny moment. Elder Barlow had
the cake in his hands and shoved the cake into his face. Super funny!
Haha. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ncelYhNJT_UPTiqTgmLyUa6w-n8aUwjLjbk5FW7uzV5BHC7FI5BkX02Iyh1983u5PKW8N-5q3eTxCci6Noc0WPfGhy1dlfq1vp4TVmwBj9FDDUXm2KpcpDIRdiR6jn1XIYkTlkYrjCI/s1600/Elder+Capiz+birthday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ncelYhNJT_UPTiqTgmLyUa6w-n8aUwjLjbk5FW7uzV5BHC7FI5BkX02Iyh1983u5PKW8N-5q3eTxCci6Noc0WPfGhy1dlfq1vp4TVmwBj9FDDUXm2KpcpDIRdiR6jn1XIYkTlkYrjCI/s320/Elder+Capiz+birthday.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Capiz's birthday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We then went to go teach and had a lot of great experiences as well. We
taught the importance of reading, praying and attending church using the
demonstration with the 3 cups and 3 spoons. It was pretty cool; it’s a great
example of how the 3 activities of reading, praying and attending church are
all supported by the other. I learned that if you do the three frequently, than
you will have much spiritual power. You will be able to overcome your
challenges and difficulties. I know it’s true because it’s happened in my life.
On the mission, it hasn’t been the easiest with a perfect life and no trials. I
have had many trials on the mission, but I have received much guidance and peace
when there has been times of much frustration. But there have been days where I
haven’t read the scriptures, and the day kind of goes by like whatever. When I
have been obedient to applying the 3 principles, those weeks are the
best and miracles happen. It can and will happen to all of us who give it their
best to doing the 3 activities. You cannot just pray without reading, because
how would God be able to specifically answer your prayers with guidance.
We can’t just not go to church because where will we be able to apply what we
have received from God in serving actively in the gospel of Christ. We
can just apply one principle or another, but it’s not or near the same as
applying the 3. I invite you all to apply the 3 by praying, reading your
scriptures and attending church, and God will bless you. And if you have
doubts, read President Uchtdorf´s talk this past conference. Everyone will
have doubts, I still have some doubts because that is part of this
life and I am willing to accept that I cannot know everything, but we should
give it our best shot with what we already have from God and run with it. It
was very interesting teaching that lesson to the 2
families because I really just realized all this recently, it’s
like connecting all the puzzle pieces together. Haha. But it was a good
teaching day Friday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Saturday was even more interesting and fun.
Well we went to the offices and walking out of the door at like 11 AM,
passes this new Toyota corolla into the parking lot. Elder Capiz and
I just stood there like "who is this?" And we see hopping
out of the car was Elder Gonzalez (Area 70) and Elder Johnson (70 and
Pres of Area Mexico), our faces changed just pure shock and we went
to go help them with their luggage. Oh that was a nerve racking hand shake
because Elder Johnson is like our head boss here. Haha. After
helping Elder Johnson a little, we had to go help the
sisters move into another house and it was a sketchy experience.
They live on this 3rd floor apartment, and we had to move all the
furniture down these steep stairs. It was pretty freaky but we did it. And
then we returned to the offices at like 2. After we went to our food
with this family, they took us to one of the fanciest restaurants here haha. I
was surprised, but I had Chile Relleno. Oh it was delicious!!!!! I will miss
the Mexican food a ton!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well this week was great, there were many
other things that happened, but I have no time to tell all the experiences.
But I love you all and I hope everything goes well for you all.<br />
Love, <br />
Elder Justin Powell <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-39252959018898322252013-10-08T01:11:00.001-06:002013-10-08T01:11:25.944-06:00Justin's flight itinerary for his trip home!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIedlVjcHdSQVDiEcZpVfldxDTBfde2WvLgHc47jma0t2KWeUTDkJq29dLkDGS89FHXBZWO0y1QLCNf89L_eYLgUvWcczTKsjc0XhIw41Mhx-OU8hH_VfPyu9B0DrhgeAg7AmRNboWaxs/s1600/Justin's+plane+itinerary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIedlVjcHdSQVDiEcZpVfldxDTBfde2WvLgHc47jma0t2KWeUTDkJq29dLkDGS89FHXBZWO0y1QLCNf89L_eYLgUvWcczTKsjc0XhIw41Mhx-OU8hH_VfPyu9B0DrhgeAg7AmRNboWaxs/s640/Justin's+plane+itinerary.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-16205426759814888922013-10-08T01:01:00.002-06:002013-10-08T01:03:19.098-06:007 October 2013 -- More Conferences and Justin's bulletin talk/letter in Spanish<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello
Everybody,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How are you all doing?
I am doing pretty well. Today is crazy because we have to plan transfers and a
missionary is going home today so we have a planning day today and not a
preparation day. So yeah it’s a bummer and I don’t know if my letter will be
very long, but I will try to write a good letter to tell you everything that
went on this week. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well on Tuesday we
were in the offices all day doing a training meeting for the monthly leadership
council meeting. It was focused on how we can study better and be more diligent
in the morning with the studies. I learned quite a bit from it and it was
pretty cool to look up how to study better. Something interesting that I have
learned from studying is the very importance to having a study journal when you
read your scriptures, because pretty much you are writing your personal
scriptures. It’s one thing to just read scriptures, but it’s another thing to
scrutinize the scriptures and to study it out. So, it's best to write down
personal revelations and feelings close to the scriptures. And of course to be
focused :). But on Wednesday we gave the training and it was pretty good.
President Morales gave a good training about a real growth in the church and
how we should convert the new members and not just baptize the investigators.
Something that is much needed in these days. Something shocking about the
church growth in Mexico is that there were 40,000 baptisms last year, and only
100 are completely active!!! :/ But we learned about how to have a complete
retention of those new members, and we have definitely slowed up on the whole
conversion process, but the people that are getting baptized, are people
looking to serve and stay in the church. It will be a real growth in the
church. But on Saturday in conference I heard that the church is the fastest
growing in the world now with 15,000,000!! Let’s keep it going right so that
all can be blessed in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Sister Morales
shared this very neat experience with us. It’s a long story, but she has a firm
testimony that the Holy Ghost is what guides us and brings us the closest with
God. She talked a lot of having the spiritual guide always by your side that
you can always be happy and pumped to do the work. The spirit really does help
us to be in the right path and it’s definitely a helper so that we can feel
comfort at all times. I really loved her talk. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Everything else was
good at the training meeting. It was a blast. We ate tamales for lunch, good
food.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIxe5U_L0iGgyfOzybyoknWhzcMNRbjYQoXHZLrJI2U8zqEjWX1nmrrj1E95ZZWwpNzpVpg2HjOnHJqnpBBnZwsg-cpA8wiauqOc8W3EhdPsKBEdwe0r8bBuhUg8g_uvmAlGY5_ptoo0/s1600/Conference+missionaries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIxe5U_L0iGgyfOzybyoknWhzcMNRbjYQoXHZLrJI2U8zqEjWX1nmrrj1E95ZZWwpNzpVpg2HjOnHJqnpBBnZwsg-cpA8wiauqOc8W3EhdPsKBEdwe0r8bBuhUg8g_uvmAlGY5_ptoo0/s320/Conference+missionaries.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leadership Council Conference</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well conference was
awesome!!!!! It was the best I have ever seen in my life because the messages
were so inspiring and I really did receive a lot of answers!!! :) I hope you
all feel the same with the conference! I really loved Pres. Uchtdorf's talks!!
They were amazing and the two of them were both huge answers to me. I invite
you all to read the talk his talks from the regular session and priesthood
session to learn more and receive great answers because they are both very,
very inspired. I love conference and you should love it too when you watch it,
hugely inspiring. </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMYsTAR4s1iKT2oDhyRyzEiKiG1ntO2K6CdMg8XkpQykej9T0ZDfpt0pjyk1AfxTdGqA_rxVlRsGLh9Lpzbio-HlERgiVgVMqmMjjuuUAkTWH8Cr1WGSDZge20yq5L6TQncP_jnratck/s1600/Conference+in+Reynosa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMYsTAR4s1iKT2oDhyRyzEiKiG1ntO2K6CdMg8XkpQykej9T0ZDfpt0pjyk1AfxTdGqA_rxVlRsGLh9Lpzbio-HlERgiVgVMqmMjjuuUAkTWH8Cr1WGSDZge20yq5L6TQncP_jnratck/s320/Conference+in+Reynosa.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General Conference in Reynosa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well I will send my
talk that I had to write to the entire mission in the monthly mission bulletin.
It’s in Spanish, sorry but there ya go. I love you all; I will try to write
more next week. God bless</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div style="background: white;">
<b><span lang="ES-PR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-PR;">Sea usted mismo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<b><span lang="ES-PR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-PR;"> Queridos Elderes y Hermanas,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<b><span lang="ES-PR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-PR;"> Es un gusto poder compartir algo con ustedes y
estar sirviendo a su lado. Espero que mis palabras puedan ser de ayuda en su
servicio misional.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<b><span lang="ES-PR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-PR;"> La obra misional es algo magnifico y nosotros
como misioneros hemos sido llamados a servir a nuestro Padre Celestial,
“Creemos que el hombre debe ser llamado por Dios...” (A.F. 5). En esta época,
el evangelio realmente está siendo predicado “…a toda nación, tribu, lengua y
pueblo” (DyC 133:37), con la visión de cómo predicar el evangelio elevándonos
más cada día. Hemos sido muy bendecidos al estar sirviendo en este tiempo de
cumplimiento.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<b><span lang="ES-PR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-PR;"> Estamos aquí con el mismo propósito y llamados a
la misma obra, pero Dios nos llamó específicamente a estar en donde estamos en
este momento para poner en práctica los dones y talentos que tenemos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<b><span lang="ES-PR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-PR;"> Somos diferentes en persona, cultura y
habilidad. Somos de diferentes partes de este continente (o del mundo), y hemos
venido de familias distintas. Tenemos el mismo propósito, y la razón porque
estamos aquí es para servir Dios con los dones y talentos que él nos dio.
Porque Él tiene un propósito para cada uno de nosotros en esta misión. Él tiene
un camino preparado para nosotros en esta misión para conocer personas que
necesitemos conocer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<b><span lang="ES-PR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-PR;"> A veces sentimos presión a ser como otro
misionero, como un misionero robótico, o como otra persona admirable a
nosotros. Pero realmente debemos ser nosotros mismos para poder cumplir con
nuestro propósito que Dios nos ha puesto. Realmente es posible ser obedientes
con exactitud, mientras que magnifiquemos nuestros dones y talentos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<b><span lang="ES-PR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-PR;"> A mí me gusta la parábola que Jesucristo contó
de los talentos, que se encuentra Mateo 25:14-30. Cuando el señor dio a sus
siervos talentos, Él estaba esperando que no solo se quedaran con la cantidad
de talentos que recibieron al principio, pero que los talentos de los siervos
podrían ser multiplicados. El señor quería que los siervos hicieran algo más
con sus talentos.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<b><span lang="ES-PR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-PR;">Nosotros somos los siervos de Dios. Hemos sido dado
talentos y Dios espera que magnifiquemos nuestros talentos en una manera
extraordinaria. Cuando realmente estamos magnificando nuestros talentos en la
obra misional, estamos cumpliendo con el plan de Dios y utilizando los dones y
talentos que Él nos dio. Al cumplir con el plan que Dios nos dio, realmente
podremos recibir muchas bendiciones, lograr mucho éxito y ser un
instrumento <a href="" name="14194a0981d24778_0.1__GoBack"></a>más eficaz en esta
gran obra del Señor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">
<b><span lang="ES-PR" style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: ES-PR;"> Yo sé que tenemos un amoroso Padre
Celestial, que está dispuesto a ayudarnos desarrollar nuestros dones y
talentos para que seamos grandes misioneros y misioneras en esta obra. Yo
sé que no requiere muchas cosas diferentes e incomodas para lograr éxito
en la misión. Solo sea usted mismo en la obra misional, guardando los
mandamientos, para que cumpla con su propósito en la viña del Señor. Y ustedes
tendrán mucho éxito y un desarrollo de ser un gran instrumento en las manos de
Dios. Que Dios les bendiga, les amo mucho. En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-15510158935182076012013-10-08T00:40:00.001-06:002013-10-08T00:40:25.828-06:0030 September 2013 -- More travel and funny Sister Conference<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello
Hello Everybody,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">HAPPY BIRTHDAY
KATY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!
How are you all doing? How was your week? What is new? I would love to hear
from you all; you can all send me emails when you get the chance.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well everything is
going good, working with our ward and all. Really cool things happened this
week. Everyday something very interesting happens and I love that about the
mission, there is always something to learn from everything, even the
bad. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well on Monday, I
played basketball for the first time in a long while and I am bad now... It’s
sad but I will get the skills back hopefully. Haha. But it was fun just
shooting hoops. Today we are going to play soccer and some catch with the mitts
that I have still from you, Dad. I love the mitts still and it’s fun to play
catch still. :) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Wednesday we went
to Valle Hermoso to have interchanges with the ZLs and it was a good
interchange. I saw a lot of familiar faces over there and people that I dearly
admire. I love Valle Hermoso and the people there are very nice and Friendly.
This time it wasn’t the best because there were a bunch of mosquitoes!! We were
in a lesson outside with this investigator and his wife who is a member. I was
with my dear friend Elder Muñoz and the lesson was during the sunset and at
night is when there are billions of mosquitoes in Valle Hermoso. Well every
hand movement I made, I hit like 100 mosquitoes... Oh it was crazy. The thing
is that we were teaching the investigator how to fast to receive an answer, and
this guy was wearing shorts during this lesson with a gazillion mosquitoes! I
told him that that for God being outside with shorts on was enough of a
sacrifice to receive an answer. I felt for the guy, but somehow he managed. He
said that he will still fast, so he should be receiving a super answer from God
for his determination and sacrifice. Haha Also we had to clean the baptismal
font there and in there were a ton of mosquitoes as well... Well I jumped to
hold the tube that pumps the water out and yeah what a blast! Haha Getting in
the water and doing that job was for sure my ``dirty jobs'' application.
Hopefully they call me so that I can be on TV. I`ll include that photo too.
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjbzqMeHkN0azZ5iDLHvaZpkhkHXSpBh9P0KO73agSgLixI9u03iM9TM-aaVhqYHuPyxo3KQLKjqkBshpK9A5xiILxDTCOTKhX85SLmKpYYfGZlaK73VrBr-3jsTZQNVbR2LpgpgiQek/s1600/Cleaning+the+font.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjbzqMeHkN0azZ5iDLHvaZpkhkHXSpBh9P0KO73agSgLixI9u03iM9TM-aaVhqYHuPyxo3KQLKjqkBshpK9A5xiILxDTCOTKhX85SLmKpYYfGZlaK73VrBr-3jsTZQNVbR2LpgpgiQek/s320/Cleaning+the+font.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dirty Jobs...cleaning the font!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I saw the Sister Maria
Ezequiel and she is a member! I don’t know if you remember her but I was
teaching her almost a year ago and after separating herself from her boyfriend
and baptizing herself, she got baptized a little bit ago and when I saw her we
were both sooo happy to see each other. I will include the picture, but she is
very active and I am glad that everything worked out for her and that she got
everything arranged to be able to take that step in her life and be very active
in the church. She went to the temple last weekend and said that she loved it
soo much and wow, she has changed a lot. She is this new woman ready for anything
to happen, and she is a strong missionary as well, she is inviting every moving
object to church. Haha. I felt a lot of competition with her to preach the
gospel haha. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6BYWUW-fMYcUMlO7h30MaH34EA6zBxkOi6JnierSlfDWSmbthVk0RqFX3Je9Ond0aVOvVqteQLfTo5CGdtAEYzoqSaQwN2LCNpRfDhdpZCT65lLperhacKxpCV-ELFRsAuhF7As3aPY/s1600/Justin+and+Sister+Maria+Ezequiel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6BYWUW-fMYcUMlO7h30MaH34EA6zBxkOi6JnierSlfDWSmbthVk0RqFX3Je9Ond0aVOvVqteQLfTo5CGdtAEYzoqSaQwN2LCNpRfDhdpZCT65lLperhacKxpCV-ELFRsAuhF7As3aPY/s320/Justin+and+Sister+Maria+Ezequiel.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin and Sister Maria Ezequiel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But I saw other familiar faces as well. I didn’t get to see Max
but I heard that they are going to get sealed on December 14th! I might
have to return to Mexico, or extend. Who knows, but I would love to go to see
the sealing in Monterrey. I am going to pray a ton to see if I can go. Also
some dear friends of mine in Valle Hermoso are getting married in December. Ugh
they are the same age as me and already in that process, haha. I am not a kid
anymore it seems. Haha. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Thursday we went
back to Reynosa and had a good day. Nothing much happened that day—just work
and good work. It was hot that day but it was good. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Friday we had this
conference to train. We trained all the sisters in the mission with their English.
Super interesting--nothing like training 12 sisters that don’t know how to
speak English. Haha No but it was very fun. Sister Morales was directing the
conference and she wanted to do this special day with the sisters to try and
pump them up. And so we trained them for about an hour and ate pizza. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpw173_rnBlUFpd6yVp5Uwqm39zvqDlJ6bawgR96iOzS6vbAEk4D62EYuxLNtiU3wbUZ9Fak0dGx5lyOKXWQWFmDlnjXCzMkTP_datlGQZQ8vGuWpN9alTQkHdY_pbXbQpqbAThGryxqE/s1600/Elder+Barlow+Justin+and+Elder+Vargas+with+the+pizzas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpw173_rnBlUFpd6yVp5Uwqm39zvqDlJ6bawgR96iOzS6vbAEk4D62EYuxLNtiU3wbUZ9Fak0dGx5lyOKXWQWFmDlnjXCzMkTP_datlGQZQ8vGuWpN9alTQkHdY_pbXbQpqbAThGryxqE/s320/Elder+Barlow+Justin+and+Elder+Vargas+with+the+pizzas.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders Barlow, Powell and Vargas with the pizzas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was
kind of awkward because Elder Ropp and I were the only men there, and it was
like this girly conference. At the beginning we started with the hymn and
prayer and wanna guess what hymn we sang? Yep As Sisters in Zion... haha and
yeah Elder Ropp and I felt kind of weird and nothing like sisters giggle at us
singing this very sisterly hymn. Anyway we were teaching basic English
communication to the sisters because most of them are going to train American
sisters in the very near future, like the first American sister in like 5 years
is coming in November. And she has red hair! Haha just like my family. Haha But
we were focused on how the Latina sisters can survive with their companion for
the first week with the American sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then on Saturday was a
pretty good day, well remember Gerardo? He got baptized finally and I got to go
to Rio Bravo to see his baptism. It was really good and he was ready. He is a
good friend of mine and now he is pumped to be in the church and to serve
diligently. He is definitely responding to God`s call to serve him in his
church. I'll include the pic as well. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NNG4ttWZhDUieDvuBtx_1FEd6VTSrDHDF6mL7f4WqQRh4uiwMd1eQW06kNMmVOpq7fUQ19YySF6WfpPr-qcC9S2fyp0yXtl2ZGJJWUuaPgje6NJ4oh0AAmNKmNGkJLs1qQ56tUU8uFE/s1600/Baptism+of+Gerardo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NNG4ttWZhDUieDvuBtx_1FEd6VTSrDHDF6mL7f4WqQRh4uiwMd1eQW06kNMmVOpq7fUQ19YySF6WfpPr-qcC9S2fyp0yXtl2ZGJJWUuaPgje6NJ4oh0AAmNKmNGkJLs1qQ56tUU8uFE/s320/Baptism+of+Gerardo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baptism of Gerardo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well everything is
going well, wanna know something funny? I weighed myself the other day, and I
weigh 153 pounds when I started the mission 177. Haha but I feel great, but
nothing like having huge shirts and parachute pants right? (Haha the clothes aren’t
that big... haha) Don’t worry though I am eating, Mom! Haha. But just working
and walking all around kind of makes it hard to gain weight. But I promise that
I will try to eat more! Haha <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you all and
take care! Be cool and serve your fellow man. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin
Powell <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-49168072290558252072013-10-08T00:15:00.001-06:002013-10-08T00:15:52.343-06:0023 September 2013 -- Justin travels the mission and enjoys Mexican culture<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello
Everybody! How is everyone doing? I am doing great! Just working a ton now with
everything and it’s been a blast with the work. My ward is super cool and fun
and always willing to work with us and I feel very grateful to be with them to
work. I am in an area that is fairly small and there is quite a bit of work to
do still. We had to leave behind a bunch of investigators this past week
because we didn’t see a bunch of progress with them, but we were able to find
more people that really do want to progress and teach. But hopefully we can
dedicate a good amount of time to them, it’s just we have so many things to do
here in the offices and less time to the area, but it’s all good. I found out
that 2 people that I was teaching in Rio Bravo were baptized this past weekend
and I was super happy to hear that! It was soo sweet and they were both happy
so I am happy for that. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My companion and I
went all the way to Nuevo Laredo to have an interchange and it went well. We
woke up at 5 in the morning to go on the bus. We went to the bus station to
leave at 6pm to Monterrey and the buses were filled until the bus at 7:45...
Well that was a good start. But Elder Ropp and I slept a bit at the station and
hopped on the bus. Oh I was sooo happy to see mountains again in Monterrey.
Here in Reynosa its desert and flat. The only closest mountains are in
Monterrey (3 hours away) and oh it was cool being in Monterrey again. I really
miss that city and the vibe. I would love to tour the city on day. It’s a fun
city. And we left on a bus to Nuevo Laredo and we traveled a total of 7 hours
to Nuevo Laredo from Reynosa. Pretty fun trip. I tried to sleep but I don’t do
very well in moving vehicles so it was a little difficult, but Elder Ropp was
out like a baby pretty much the whole trip. Well we were late to start the
interchange but we got there and had a good day. I got to work in a half of my
old area and it was great to see a lot of the people that I knew and the
progress that there has been. My friends that got baptized while I was there
went to the temple this past weekend and it is super cool to see that effort
they are giving to live the gospel and they both have planned to go on the
mission and bless other people. I was very happy to go and see a couple of my
dear friends again and maybe in the future I will see them again. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week we are going
to Valle Hermoso to do interchanges with the missionaries there and President
wants us to do interchanges with my old area as well :) haha. Interchanges are
fun! I can visit more dear friends and help the missionaries to learn something
new. Interchanges are cool to get to know many missionaries and people. I have
gotten to know so many people and their backgrounds. I always learn a lot from
the interchanges and I hope that the missionaries learn from me in the
interchanges and they are always a blessing for me. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This past Friday was
the Noche Mexicana (Mexican Night) and like last year, just filled with rich Mexican
culture and it was a blast.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQ6VMTibitTOhxuQYe8VmVtZLAa64PzFyvWhzmV1fTaKz0-aEUcVFvufErHLuU49OHYPU8lWQwTdlkLJRuZ6FfJ6GbahIxa0ALsBelhF4ocjThCxAY4molCJp9lESH0kOMNTkE-jxo0E/s1600/Mexican+Night.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQ6VMTibitTOhxuQYe8VmVtZLAa64PzFyvWhzmV1fTaKz0-aEUcVFvufErHLuU49OHYPU8lWQwTdlkLJRuZ6FfJ6GbahIxa0ALsBelhF4ocjThCxAY4molCJp9lESH0kOMNTkE-jxo0E/s320/Mexican+Night.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> There were so many investigators there as well and
that had fun, and they want to know more about the church. But it was very neat
to see the ward having fun and I have already made dear friends here in this
ward and it was just a fun night. I will include pictures. It was funny because
everybody wanted me to participate in a game and I was scared and my companion
pushed me to play and I went up with some other brothers and it was pretty
funny what happened. So its hot potato with a sombrero (Mexican hat) and you
have to put the hat on your head while the music is going on and twirl in a
circle and pass the hat off to the guy next to you. I was the first to lose
because the people in the circle were dancing to the music and twirling fine
and I had to do it slow because we can’t dance... But it was a temptation to
dance the Macarena haha.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ18kGYRxLhartMM__iX8MkSbJDy9bU2BYDFKnwwQX-UEERB7EDa0rSmAjBTNkoYta0jHUeqKfgXlyVhjdX0ePUF5f1rCasXndbRFC2jaAIaJBriuTIHPDFktuw3hwUE3OF1cXeyauaPY/s1600/Justin+dancing+and+playing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ18kGYRxLhartMM__iX8MkSbJDy9bU2BYDFKnwwQX-UEERB7EDa0rSmAjBTNkoYta0jHUeqKfgXlyVhjdX0ePUF5f1rCasXndbRFC2jaAIaJBriuTIHPDFktuw3hwUE3OF1cXeyauaPY/s320/Justin+dancing+and+playing.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Mexican Sombrero and dancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then we went to the house with tacos and had a good
dinner at home because the party went on and we had to be home on time. But it
was really neat and culture filled. It made me think about how much I am going
to miss Mexico and the culture here. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well I think that is
all the abnormal for this week because the normal is preach and teach the
gospel and everyday is filled with those things. I love the work, it’s awesome
and it’s for everyone. Help and serve everyone and be kind to all. We all need
to be a light to this dark and ever darkening world. And so shine that light
bright! I love you all and God bless<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justino Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-79894033456377673912013-09-19T23:51:00.002-06:002013-09-19T23:51:32.656-06:0016 September 2013 -- Justin continues learning life lessons<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello
Family and Friends,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How have you been? I
have been doing pretty good. This week has flown by soo fast and I can’t
believe I am here again before the computer writing you guys. It’s crazy all
that you learn and how fast the time goes by. Today I complete 22 months in the
mission and I cannot still accept that I am this old in the mission. I hope the
time goes semi slower so that I can finally realize how old I am in the mission
and that I can enjoy more of Mexico. Today is the National Mexican Independence
Day! So today should be kind of fun, haha. A lot of parties and stuff here in
Mexico, I think there is a big parade. Looks like everyone will be having fun.
For us, we will be chilling in the offices.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well this week was
loaded with many events!! It was a really good week of instruction and
learning. So we have been applying a lot of changes in the mission. There is a
program called ''The Work of Salvation'', and it’s a program implemented even
more since the world training session in June from the general authorities. It
consists of many changes of the way we work and that we work more efficiently.
A lot of the x missionaries would be shocked to see how we work now because it
is very different. Well this past week Elder Valenzuela (Member of the 70) came
to give training to the missionaries and leaders in our mission and it was a
huge success. I learned a ton, and even though we weren´t doing a lot of
proselyting, I was still exhausted by the intense spirit in those meetings.
Well there were a bunch of changes. But I want to give you all some info on
what he said before I drop into the changes. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">First of all Mexico is
a powerful country in baptisms, but it is horrendous in retaining the new
converts. Last year there were 40,000 converts last week and only 100 of them
are completely active and progressing perfectly. When he said that, I was sooo
shocked and I asked what happened to the rest???? Well the rules here for one
to be baptized is to make sure that the investigator goes to church twice
before he gets baptized. Well now it’s been changed to 5 times. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another change (or clarification)
is that the stake president and the bishop control the missionary work in their
areas. So we have to coordinate completely with our leaders. I´m guessing that
the culture back then, and even now, is that the missionaries have their work
and the bishop has his. Well the work is for everyone! If the missionary work
is struggling in an area, well it’s not just the missionaries that are in need
to improve, it’s the ward and the leadership. Now everyone is living the words
of David O. McKay ''Every member a missionary''. So it’s been pretty cool to
see the transformation and it takes pressure off of us because we don’t have to
do a lot of finding and stuff. The key is that the members are finding and we
teach, so that the investigators don’t just go to church because they are
friends with us, but they go because they have a friend, and that we taught
them until they are converted, and that they work and be like Christ. So really
cool way how that is transforming. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have learned a lot
when it comes to what I want to be after the mission. Elder Valenzuela said
something really interesting to us yesterday that stuck to me. He said that
these changes aren’t for us but for your kids when they serve their missions.
And he explained that when we go home, we have to teach them everything that we
have learned so that they can be more powerful missionaries than us and that
they can be better Disciples of Christ—that they can love and serve the people
a lot better. So I have the goal to be a great role model and missionary for my
future kids so that they can be better missionaries than I in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN0yxiPYEE8v4pyIgmT8mK6py6pEYfWVfNEUXBlovbALL9aT4L_CYwit5ElqBVHa9GvNfj5nw2b_CiwkwobMS6lp74vwHPaW0zjX9V3Ag8cqjlix0ZCyoN5mIdp6Vi41SCAWiZlMq6b8/s1600/Office+missionaries+with+President+and+Sister+Morales+and+Elder+and+Sister+Valenzuela.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghN0yxiPYEE8v4pyIgmT8mK6py6pEYfWVfNEUXBlovbALL9aT4L_CYwit5ElqBVHa9GvNfj5nw2b_CiwkwobMS6lp74vwHPaW0zjX9V3Ag8cqjlix0ZCyoN5mIdp6Vi41SCAWiZlMq6b8/s320/Office+missionaries+with+President+and+Sister+Morales+and+Elder+and+Sister+Valenzuela.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Office missionaries with President and Sister Morales and Elder and Sister Valenzuela</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wow seriously, I
learned a ton!!!! Sorry if I am going off on a spur... My journal was super
full that day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well something that I
learned yesterday in the ward conference yesterday. It was very interesting and
I want to share with you all what I learned. Well the counselor in the stake
shared with us that the love of Christ and to love like him is for all of the
life. And he shared a story of something that happened. There was a man who had
a 7 year old house. A wall in the house got damaged so he took the sheet rock
off and there was the framing of the house. The owner noticed that there was a
lizard that was on the wall stuck, and he looked closer and saw that he couldn’t
move due to a nail that went through his leg when the house was being
constructed. For some random reason the lizard was in the way when the nail
went hammered through. Well the owner was astonished that the lizard still had
a body and looked closer and saw that the lizard was still living! So for 7
years, the lizard was living in the same position without movement due to his
leg being nailed to the wall, underneath sheet rock and wood! It is impossible I
thought and couldn’t believe it. But the man observed the lizard for a little
while and what he saw was astonishing. He saw another lizard, that came with
food in its mouth to give to eat to the lizard that was stuck. The lizard ate
and kept holding on. Does this amaze you? It’s to say that this other lizard
gave to eat for 7 years! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The point here is that
this lizard that was free stayed with his companion and gave his companion to
eat for 7 years due to an attribute, love and charity. It touched my heart
because Jesus Christ is the best example of this; he serves us forever and
loves us forever. He serves the people and loves them endlessly. Imagine
everyone had this type of love and charity in their lives, the world would be
peace. I invite you, like how I was invited, to love and serve your fellow man.
Start in your families with your husband or wife, brother or sister, father or
mother, son or daughter. Love them and have the attitude to serve them
endlessly and without expecting anything in return. Jesus Christ is the
happiest man in the world and to be like him in service and charity means we
will be as close to happy as he is. I promise that your lives will change for
the better and you will be happier. No one is perfect like Christ, I certainly
am not, but we can all give it a shot and change gradually everyday so that one
day we can be just like him. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well as you can tell,
this week was fantastic and with a lot of learning lessons. Church is great, it’s
true and I love it. It’s a great place and everyone should be a part of it, and
if you just believe that it’s true, you will gain a testimony soon. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love you all and
thanks for everything that you have done for me. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-21798959270732744662013-09-19T23:34:00.003-06:002013-09-19T23:34:42.711-06:009 September 2013--First week in mission office<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello
Family and Friends, </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How are you all doing?
I am doing fine and dandy. I am just here in Reynosa now in the mission
offices. It’s been a lot of work this past week. It’s quite a bit of work for
sure and I am seriously learning a ton! What a different experience from being
in the field full time. Well it’s been a good week though, I am in the area San
Jose (Saint Joseph Smith haha), Reynosa. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBrHrn-suRZxzTKe-AKNMPaJsgINRIIgc8dV7kig4DHiW6xN6Jx4knWUwVah7S4DCLYscQAadSGomJmgGPmMM55G_KoWFHissLX6awpenqpp6G1J4m_kCTEihIRYB0gufIHaFD6DmEyU/s1600/Office+missionaries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBrHrn-suRZxzTKe-AKNMPaJsgINRIIgc8dV7kig4DHiW6xN6Jx4knWUwVah7S4DCLYscQAadSGomJmgGPmMM55G_KoWFHissLX6awpenqpp6G1J4m_kCTEihIRYB0gufIHaFD6DmEyU/s320/Office+missionaries.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin and the rest of the Reynosa Mission office missionaries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I got here on
Monday, well we were with all the new missionaries. There are quite a bit of
Americans this time and it was cool talking to all of them and to see how
animated they are to preach. It’s so strange because I remember super well when
I was in their position more than a year ago. And when I was talking to them I
felt soooo old! They graduated this year 2013! I am seriously old now! :/ Well
I do have 22 months in the mission, soo I guess I am old. The other day I
hopped in the mission van (2013 Honda Odyssey) and I saw president take his iPhone
and make this phone call from the van and with video, and just a bunch of other
gadgets that I have seen though.. It’s quite the advance that the world has
made and I have to catch up quite a bit...<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The great thing about
the offices is that there is always food and we eat quite a bit! When we went
to the last supper with the Heroes (missionaries that finish), we went to this
buffet and it was delicious and as well, we ate with the new missionaries. It
was seriously hard for me to eat a lot because my stomach is a lot smaller than
before and little by little I will be gaining weight! So I won’t hop off the
plane super skinny or anything like that. Haha<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXOuVaNi3H5pFxHJd6ydR_66TQwVcoDIsRoEYG_ziaDTYiXJPCOoU4zWcQndnR-R_rIQEPbJ10VJbjqzfI0bcCiUa48iGXOzUD2a8RTRvgnwztJZQb1m9ZhEy1kWgtVa9-mGoDWRNysQ/s1600/Jusitn+and+his+new+companion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXOuVaNi3H5pFxHJd6ydR_66TQwVcoDIsRoEYG_ziaDTYiXJPCOoU4zWcQndnR-R_rIQEPbJ10VJbjqzfI0bcCiUa48iGXOzUD2a8RTRvgnwztJZQb1m9ZhEy1kWgtVa9-mGoDWRNysQ/s320/Jusitn+and+his+new+companion.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin and his new companion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The families that I
have met are very genuine and I love them as well as all of the families that I
have met in the mission. There is this family called the Salazar family and
they are very spiritual and so converted to the gospel. One thing I learned
yesterday from their testimonies in a lesson yesterday is that they are recent
converts of 2 weeks!! I was amazed on how converted and united they are as
members of the church because it would seem like that they have been in the
church for a very long time! But they shared their testimony about baptism, and
trying to help this man to be baptized. It was a very good moment and I was
spiritually moved by their example and dedication to the church. They left
their home to come to Reynosa from Michoacán (Southern Mexico). They came here
with nothing and they found everything when the missionaries talked to them.
They shared with us that starting with nothing, they found the greatest
treasure, which is the gospel of Christ. They came without jobs, pretty much
sleeping on the ground, but still united and changing their lifestyles, they
were able to receive the fullness of blessings from the gospel, and are now
very happy. It’s a miracle and I am so grateful to my father in heaven that
they are in my life. I have met great examples of people and families and I
hope my family can turn out as successful as many of the families that I've
met. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One thing that helps a
lot for a family to be very united is to do small things together, like eat
together, family home evenings and family prayer. I think family prayer in the
morning is what sets off the families on the right foot and it’s something that
I have learned this past week. It’s a goal that I have to pray with my future
family and be united in that way and I invite you all to pray in family and see
the blessings. I have seen many miracles and changes from families praying
together and it’s a good way to grow closer together. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well I love the
mission and I love you all. I think they already have my plane ticket bought
for the 27th of November. So I will see you very soon because the time
flies quicker now with this assignment. May God bless you all and read your
scriptures!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Elder Justin Powell </span></b>Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-73993638699522842072013-09-02T23:37:00.003-06:002013-09-02T23:38:48.468-06:002 September 2013 -- Justin is the new AP in the Mexico Reynosa Mission. That's my boy!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #500050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well
Family and Friends,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #500050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How are you all doing?
I am doing pretty well. Today are transfers and I am getting transferred again...to
my 8th area! I will be going to Reynosa and now it’s a for sure that I have
been in every city in the mission. Seriously, I have known Monterrey, Matamoros,
Rio Bravo, Nuevo Laredo, and now Reynosa. Haha. It should probably be
complicated now to visit because there will be too many places to go and visit.
But my new assignment should be fun. It was kind of funny how I got it. I will
tell you the story. On Friday night, we had an appointment like 8
blocks from our house and it was this sister that wanted us to teach her
husband. Well we arrive at the time that she says, 8:15, and we enter and
just sit there waiting for the husband to finish showering, or in the bathroom.
Well he comes out at 8:45 and was surprised and then we started
talking and sharing a lesson, but it was getting late and it was past 9 and we
were worried. Well the lesson was awesome, he said that he has had 17 years
getting to know the church and learning with his wife and he has never wanted
to get baptized. Well he accepted a second visit, which was a miracle that he
accepted. And he said that what we were talking about in the lesson is exactly
what he was reading in the bathroom in the church magazine that was left in the
bathroom. Super interesting and another miracle in the mission where it wasn’t
just a casualty that he read what we talked about. But during the last prayer
at 9:25, the phone was ringing. I look and it’s the mission President…oh I
was freaking out. He had said in the last conference that the goal is get home
at 9pm, but if an appointment goes longer than expected, than by 9:30 at
the latest. Well we book it home and then at home I call him, and he was like
how are you, and we start talking. Well he asked if there were going to be
baptisms in the zone and I said yeah president, and I was kind of confused. But
then he said ok Elder that good, well I call for transfers in the zone, and I
was like oh ok. And then he said there have been transfers in your area, and I
was like oh wow, and then he said that we need to report to the offices on
Monday at 4pm to and that we will stay the night in Reynosa and that in
the next day there is a training with all the new missionaries, and after Elder
Love (Assistant to the President) will be going to Rio Bravo with my companion
Elder Gonzalez (now is where my jaw is dropping to the floor), <u>and Elder
Powell you will stay and be the new assistant to the President. </u>The world
blacked out in those moments but I was grateful for the new assignment and I
accepted it. So now I am going to Reynosa and work in the offices with
President Morales. My last 2 transfers, and there will be no feelings of being trunky
or anything like that. I am excited and I hope I can fulfill to the fullest my
new calling. Pray for me please! :) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #500050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well other than that,
life and the mission have been great. We have been teaching Gerardo, and he is
a grand friend. It’s been 2 months since he´s gotten to know the church and he
has progressed so much this past month of August. This past week has been pure
of miracles that happened to him, where basically he cannot deny that the
church is true. We taught him on Wednesday about the law of tithing,
and told him as well that he will have an interview with the mission president on
Thursday due to some repentance issues. Well he told us on Thursday about
what happened on Wednesday night. He was praying to God saying that
he doesn’t want to be a part of the church, and asking why I need to be there and
a bunch of questions like that. Well he fell asleep and was brought to a dream
where he was before a blurry window, and he saw a king behind the window and
Gerardo said that he asked the king ¨why do I need to be in that church?´´ and
the king replied, ''because I love those people, and my heart is saddened´´.
Gerardo told us that I felt the spirit strongly because Gerardo that day had a
huge change of heart. I was super shocked by that change and he is doing sooo
much better. Well he is progressing and is changing. It’s a true repentance and
it’s a miracle. Gerardo is going to be a grand leader in the church and here is
a photo of us. </span></b></div>
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</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8kDw48k5e0vhmWyW6C3eREaSvB3qBx2wn5g2YWd2SAMlai-LlHheSwhC8kpefeqTZytK3Pn3CNZoxyd_2i8gYYNjx_a27-dGWshJVb4I_SQhT6aaTQTiIhhu63FGPvjMIFz6ZKg8wos/s1600/Justin+and+Gerardo+in+Reynosa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8kDw48k5e0vhmWyW6C3eREaSvB3qBx2wn5g2YWd2SAMlai-LlHheSwhC8kpefeqTZytK3Pn3CNZoxyd_2i8gYYNjx_a27-dGWshJVb4I_SQhT6aaTQTiIhhu63FGPvjMIFz6ZKg8wos/s400/Justin+and+Gerardo+in+Reynosa.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin and Gerardo in Reynosa. Geez, I should have always been taking pictures of him against a green wall if I would have known it would have made his beautiful green eyes stand out like that.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #500050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well I leave today at
2:30 pm. ugh...but here comes the new adventure. Bring it on. I love you all,
the mission is the best. Lesson of the week for me that I learned from Gerardo
is that knowledge of the scriptures is nothing until we put the knowledge in
practice. It’s all about the action and not about the knowledge without action.
Blessings come for those that work and put <u>all</u> the teachings
of Christ in practice. For God, those books of words from prophets and apostles
are nothing of importance to Him. What´s important to him is the application of
the <u>teachings</u> and not just knowing the teachings without doing
them. Live your lives in action; serve and love your neighbor and you will be
much happier than you already are. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #500050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you all and
thanks for all your love and support. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #500050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bring on these next 3
months of missionary work! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #500050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #500050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcJRamMmNbpoetzktWAaN9W36yxJoYQJDnGuDmLo-JybRcNwlnWeWrbaoM_bIV0k5xWauZ82dEsZXqrb5wp45F4S0aIxjCuFi4bdSgWu1-_KBDj2tEF6IFUEJFer0rRhezsSfHDOPayM/s1600/Reynosa+Zone+with+President+and+Sister+Morales.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcJRamMmNbpoetzktWAaN9W36yxJoYQJDnGuDmLo-JybRcNwlnWeWrbaoM_bIV0k5xWauZ82dEsZXqrb5wp45F4S0aIxjCuFi4bdSgWu1-_KBDj2tEF6IFUEJFer0rRhezsSfHDOPayM/s400/Reynosa+Zone+with+President+and+Sister+Morales.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Reynosa Zone with President and Sister Morales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="color: #500050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-7494772295346156372013-09-02T23:14:00.001-06:002013-09-02T23:14:47.237-06:0026 August 2013<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Hello
Everybody! Well today is a crazy day because we have to do a bunch of</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br />
<span style="background: white;">internet
things in preparation for Elder Valenzuela (70) that is coming in</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">about
a couple weeks and we have to do a bunch of predations and studying</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">so
very little time today. But I will send a couple pictures so that you</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">all
are happy! :)</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Something
interesting that happened is that we are working a ton to</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">make
the branch into a working branch so that the members don’t just go</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">to
church on Sunday, but that they start working in the missionary</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">work.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">This
past week we had a family home evening in this less active</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">member’s
house and it was pretty neat. We went and invited this other</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">family
that we are teaching to come to the family home evening and</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">they
live super far away in this neighborhood like 2 miles away from</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">where
we were going to do the family home evening. Well we went for</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">them
and they were all ready, Manuel and Silvia, and their daughter`s</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Itzel
and Dora. Well we went in bus and that was pretty fun, it was a</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">super
long bus ride but we were just talking about things and it was</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">fun.
And then we got to the house, had the family home evening and it</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">was
very well done by the other family and I felt the spirit. We</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">talked
about the importance of the family and this family was touched</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">and
they now want to get married and do things the right way. I</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">was
impressed. At the end we played a game to decide who says the</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">prayer,
I learned this game from Elder Berrios and everyone needs to</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">say
"yo (I) (a type of metal)" and I started saying "yo cobre"
and</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">no one
knew anything about the trick to this game and the trick is</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">that
when one says "yo oro", he or she says the prayer because they</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">said
"I pray" but they thought that they said "I gold". It doesn’t<br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">work
in English, but in Spanish it works because ``oro´´ is gold and</span><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">pray. Haha.</span><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Well
we are off; I love you all and have a great time. Schools back!</span><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Love, <br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Elder
Justin Powell</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-4034978561062035562013-09-02T23:08:00.002-06:002013-09-02T23:08:48.851-06:0019 August 2013 Sometimes the mission is just...logistics.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello
Everybody,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How are you all doing?
I am doing great. Just enjoying the heat, getting super tan and skinny. Loving
life and we are getting the ball rolling in this area where I am at. It’s hard
because this branch is full of Sunday members, but we are trying to bring some
mission spirit in this area so that everyone starts working and getting referrals.
We had some successes in this week with some referrals, but they came from less
active members. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Something cool
happened with a less active member this past week. His name is Gregorio and we
visited him on Wednesday. He is an ex-missionary, not married yet, is like 26
years old, and we went to his house and he was there. And we invited him to the
church to chat and we went. He said that he felt super special and wanted to
continue. He was pumped and now he is working with us and he wants to be our branch
mission leader because we don´t have one right now. So I am pumped because he
wants to work and he has some pretty killer ideas that can help us a ton to
have some more success here. We are at a slow climb but now some pieces are
coming together and we are getting the things going. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This past week we had
a zone conference and it was pretty special. There was a lot of information
shared that helped us a ton to get some things going. We watched the videos on
LDS.org close to the missionary work and how to do the work more efficiently.
Well the videos were super cool, if we had members thinking the same way as
those members and doing the same things that they do. We have got work to do
and we have a bunch of projects thought of:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1) A HUGE map: We went
to this print shop and ordered a map of our area about 5´x6´ and it’s huge! And
we are going to put with tacks and banners all the members--active, inactive,
and investigators. And we are going to use it to plan our days and to present
in Branch counsel to show where the presidents of every organization can go to
save and help the inactives come to church so that we can have bazillion
members at church now. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2) An X missionary
activity: There are sooo many inactive x missionaries! So we are going to do a
conference-barbecue, invite our mission president to come talk at the
conference, and all the x missionaries are going to present photos and stuff of
their mission. So it should be pretty cool how that all turns out. I am stoked
for it; it will be on August 30. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week rained for 2
days. Well it was pretty crappy what happened. Because in the morning it was
super hot and sunny. Oh the sun was horrible. And then at like 4 these huge
clouds just came and poured. We were soaked in the rain because we were really far
away and where we were there are no trees or anything. So just getting wet,
pretty fun. All these kids just playing in the streets getting soaked, taking a
bath, and everyone was looking at us like they are crazy... haha. But it was
fun. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Today is cloudy and
hot, maybe it will rain? We cleaned the whole house, and now it’s a clean,
clean house. Thanks mommies for teaching me some cleaning skills, they come in
handy. Especially when there is a house full of spiders and cockroaches! It’s a
war against those things, but little by little we are winning. We were
remodeling the house quite a bit; we were under construction with the map and
the new planning desk that we put up. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well I love you all,
21 months completed! Time is flying soooooo fast!! I am now kind of freaking
out because there are only 3 months left; I have to do more exercises so that I
don’t get off the plane skinnier than a stick and everyone freaking out. Haha
No don’t worry I am eating. I love you all and may God bless you. Go to church,
it helps and saves your life. :)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-46595198637828188142013-09-02T23:00:00.002-06:002013-09-02T23:00:48.235-06:0012 August 2013 Justin is learning some life lessons<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello
Family and Friends, </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well this week was
sort of uneventful. Sorry. Haha. I am asking my companion right now what
happened and it sounds like from him as well that nothing much happened either.
It was a super fast week and we worked a lot and it was a bunch of the same
things. We are preparing 4 people to get baptized this next week and they are
awesome! Well we are going to marry another couple again! Haha. But the sister
is so happy to get baptized, and really I saw how the gospel was able to
penetrate into the family´s heart and help them in their situation. They were
struggling big time and they wanted to separate, but now they are trying and
will get married. Hopefully everything will turn out well. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I am still trying to
get accustomed to the area and love it, I miss the Condesa. When I was in the
branch here in Rio Bravo a year ago, I came to the branch where I am at right
now in interchanges like 3 times and didn’t like this area and loved my area
Condesa more. But now since I am here, well I am giving it what I got and trying
to be very positive. My companion and I are trying to be positive about
everything, even when there are bad things. I found this cup in our house and
drew a line at the half of the cup. I put it in-between our desks and told
Elder Gonzalez that we need to remember this glass and look at everything like
the glass half full and not half empty. It’s helped out quite a bit; there has
been more progress here. My companion is a perfectionist and can be critical,
even when something good happens. Like when we put a baptismal date with a
couple of people this past week, and when these people never accepted before,
my comp was a bit critical on what were the small defects and hard on himself.
Well I am trying very hard to help him out with being positive and he is getting
better. I told him today that life sucks. It sucks horribly if we just look at
what is going on. If we focus on the now and just float, it sucks. But what
makes triumphs in life are the goals and plans we put and our focus on the
future and what we can become. When we focus in progress and in the future,
life is beautiful because we are always remaining positive and always forgiving
ourselves of what are our defects. I told him that I am a perfectionist, but in
the mission, there is no perfection at all. Nothing turns out the way we plan,
so the mission would be horrible if we were always trying to focus on the
defects, but if we focus on the future and but goals and plans every day, we
have more success. I had to learn that here in the mission, and we always have
to be willing to adjust to circumstances. So we are both learning together, to
be more positive with everything. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well everything is
going great! I love the work still and sorry if this letter wasn’t the best but
there are sooo many things to do right now and this week is going to go by
super fast too and be eventful. I love you all; I promise more info next
week. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you all,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-54793916167086302532013-08-22T00:02:00.001-06:002013-08-22T00:02:09.368-06:005 August 2013 Justin performs a little toe surgery...not so successfully. Haha!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello
everybody,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well today is pretty
interesting, I had a little surgery today. Well it’s been like 2 weeks ago that
I operated myself at home because my little toe has a slight ingrown toenail,
my very first in my whole life. And I tried to operate myself (don’t worry mom,
I used rubbing alcohol and the clippers, I didn’t use like a butter knife or
something like that haha), and it didn’t work, actually the toe opened up and I
was bleeding, so epic fail. Well I tried to be strong, but I couldn’t walk very
well and I had to talk to Sister Morales about my toe. Well we traveled this
morning to the foot office in Reynosa and there was the doctor, well he looked
at my toe and did the whole surgery in 5 minutes. Super quick and he just
treated my toe like a super pro at that stuff. But he put anesthesia and my toe
went all numb, and so I didn’t feel anything, but he looked like he cut half my
toe off and I fainted... ugh hahaha I got to work on that if I am going to be a
doctor right? But everything is fine, we are all good medically. Sister Morales
(Presidents Wife) is very nice and caring and she really wants the best health
for all of us. Very precautious and I doubt that I will having any other
medical problems in these next 3 months due to her health program for us
:). <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well this week was
pretty alright, still getting to know everything, but it’s going fine. The
members are nice and everybody is lending a hand. Well not with the visits, but
they are working and inviting people to church. But we had something super cool
happen. On Tuesday morning, we were planning the day and we had this
appointment with this one teenager (Sofia) that isn’t member in her family, the
only one remaining (besides her dad as well). But in that morning I got this
feeling to invite this lady that is a recent convert (Diana) in my old branch
that I knew since I was there a year ago. Well we call this sister (Diana) and
she was cool with coming and so she said that she was going to meet us
somewhere. Well later on in the day, she calls to say that she doesn’t have her
jeep and that she will need a ride. Well we were looking for a bunch of rides
and no one was available. So we were a bit frustrated, but we sat at the park
to meditate what to do and I told my companion that we should go back to this
store where a member works and see if for some chance that her husband was
there. Well we get there, the husband was there and available to help. So we
left and went pretty far for this sister (Diana), and to tell you the truth, it
would have been logical to just cancel with this sister (Diana) to come for the
visit, and just continue with the visit without the recent convert to be there.
But we felt like we shouldn’t have canceled. Well we get the sister, get to
church a little late but the other family and Sofia were there, we start
sharing the message, and Sofia knows that this the true church, but is just
flat out scared. Diana, the recent convert, shared this mega testimony and the
spirit was super strong there and it was such a cool moment. And Sofia was so
attentive and it was a neat experience. Diana also shared that this lesson that
she was in with Sofia, she had already seen it before, she dreamt it! She
shared that in the lesson and everybody was just flat out in shock. Just
another testimony to say how real this work is, and more just knowing this
sister Diana because I remember when we first talked to her a year ago, and she
not wanting anything really but a year later completely transformed and in the
gospel receiving blessings. Very awesome moment. Sofia also is now more
confident and there is no doubt that she will be baptized shortly. Sofia said
that she will talk to her dad and share her feelings and desire to be baptized
to her dad. Huge testimony builder for my comp and I.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Gonzalez and I
are doing super fine, he is cool and a great worker, I am excited to see what
the remainder of our time gives us with working with him. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well I love this work,
every young man and woman should go on the mission because you change lives and
it changes yours. I will be the same Justin Powell because the mission isn’t to
change who you are, but it’s to make yourself stronger and to be a better
person in general that can be productive. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you all and I
am excited to see you all and to begin my adult life journey. I am grateful for
everyone´s support because you all contributed to this miracle in my life. May
God bless every one of you and keep working hard in God´s work, doing small and
simple things to all so that it makes the world to them. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">P.S.- Sorry if my English
was horrible in this email, it’s a struggle to speak English now... haha<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-68574701589970915312013-08-21T23:55:00.002-06:002013-08-21T23:55:30.015-06:00July 29, 2013 Justin is back in his beloved Rio Bravo!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello
Family and Friends,</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well I am guessing
that everybody heard but I am back in Rio Bravo!!! I wanted to surprise
everyone that I was going to Rio Bravo, but this Elder that was here told
everybody that I was coming back, so surprise ruined. Oh well... haha. Well it
has been a crazy week. I kind of knew my area before because I have been here 3
times in exchanges, but I never was like astonished by it. But it’s a good
area, but nothing is better like being in my old area here in Rio
Bravo-Condesa. But I will get accustomed to this new area hopefully. The thing
is that I now have 7 areas, goodness gracious, when I come to visit; I have to
go visit the entire border pretty much... But I have loved all my areas and I
am sooo grateful for all the help that everyone has given and me and all the
memories in every one of them. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well my companion is
Elder Gonzalez and he is a good worker, he reminds me sooo much of my buddy
Reggie Roberts but Mexican. It blows me away how much they act alike. But he is
awesome and fun to talk to. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the house where I
live, ugh it’s a disaster though. I am getting my cleaning and repairing skills
on. And so we have that fun adventure today, hopefully we can make looking like
a missionary mansion soon, just a step at a time because there is never time to
do any personal stuff like clean well and stuff like that. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> On Friday, we
had exchanges and I went to the Condesa to work with this Elder there and it
was a great day. It felt so bizarre to be there because it felt like I was a
youngster in the mission once again, but a year has already passed since I was
there. While we were there, not a whole lot has changed. It's just that several
of the friends that I have here weren´t there because they are on missions. But
I saw some very familiar faces, who were once investigators, now very active
members and I was sooo happy to see those changes in these people. I also had
something very spiritual happen to me conversing with a very good friend of
mine here in Rio Bravo. I know for sure that God answers prayers when we ask him
with faith. I have had a testimony of prayer ever since I decided to go on a
mission, but this experience was a very spiritual and a huge testimony builder
for me. I didn’t get transferred here for just whatever reason and I was privileged
to converse with and help a good friend in need here in Rio Bravo. I was able
to be a part of somebody´s prayer and help, and my testimony has grown stronger
of how real this work is and that we are really instruments in God’s hands. We
just have to be obedient and receptive to God´s guide. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well I hope everyone
has a great week and that everybody is very blessed. And remember be willing to
help and receptive to the spirit when Guides you to help those in need. It
feels overwhelmingly joyful when those moments happen. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you all and I
hope that you all have a great week.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-68203477305236568042013-07-22T21:55:00.001-06:002013-07-22T21:55:26.060-06:00July 22, 2013--Lessons learned from birthday cake<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello Family and
Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well sadly I am
getting transferred again, and I think for the final time. I feel sad every
time I get transferred because I love everyone that I work with; it’s sad to
say goodbye. Ugh... But I have a special assignment, according to the
president, so I will go and do. I am pretty excited too, so it will be fun.
According to the assistants, we were having too mad of success and so they want
us to split and spread our work habits to other places. It was kind of strange
because when a companionship is working super well together, they usually stay
together, but now surprise. Haha! But it will be good. Now it’s my 7th area
(nobody has 7 areas in their mission) Haha! The longest time I have stayed in
an area is 4 months... haha. But I love every one of my areas and I miss them.
So now I have gotten to know all the zones in the mission Haha! But here´s to
my next and hopefully last area.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week was my
birthday and yes I did get my face shoved in cake... it was unexpected. My
companion snuck up on me and...Yep--in my mouth, nose, eyes.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9n2vBjNgc-M9O5sGoOkXDLjXdkQ1HXcw7zAjtBjKpqOce4OCP_GmcyerRBh9qRIvSUF22VOV1a3I88h3ZNPhuF7Z6vhSphYu-NVY33mmEtbrRSnVRBxvs5qcTutPtzZ-OkBf6V2g85M/s1600/Justin+birthday+cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9n2vBjNgc-M9O5sGoOkXDLjXdkQ1HXcw7zAjtBjKpqOce4OCP_GmcyerRBh9qRIvSUF22VOV1a3I88h3ZNPhuF7Z6vhSphYu-NVY33mmEtbrRSnVRBxvs5qcTutPtzZ-OkBf6V2g85M/s320/Justin+birthday+cake.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Haha! It was pretty
funny and we got 4 cakes. Dang Facebook, everyone sees when it is
somebody´s birthday and a lot of the members knew about my b-day and surprised
me with cake. So we arrived to the appointments and cake... But it’s all good,
nothing like a good headache but I am soo grateful to be surrounded by very
kind genuine members of this church here in Mexico that really know how to
follow Christ. They are all exemplar to me. I will miss the members and people
of Nuevo Laredo; I will for sure come to visit one day.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Speaking about the
cake, we had a cool moment. Well it kind of hit me on my birthday. As members
we receive, so many blessings. But we also we receive more so that we can give
to those that don’t have anything. Well after I had my face shoved in the cake
with this family, we left and I had half of this huge cake and I kept thinking
``how am I going to eat all this along with the other cakes?´´ Well at the
instance that I thought that, I heard this little frail voice ``would
you give me a small piece please?´´ This lady that was in front of
this abandoned house, with ragged clothes, and who probably had a hard life,
asked for a piece of cake. Well I said yeah and she went inside, brought a
plate and this old fork, and while she was getting the stuff, I sat there
thinking ``wow well here is what I can do with the blessing that I received in
abundance, and give to another that has barely anything; it would make her week
probably.´´ Well she brought the stuff and cut half of that cake and served up,
I felt awesome and it was a lesson for me. I really did comprehend the
scripture in Alma 37:6: Now ye may suppose that this is
foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and
simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many
instances doth confound the wise. So really it was something super small for me
to give that piece of cake to that lady, but for that lady it made her week
probably, because she smiled and was happy and I was super thrilled for her.
But my point is that it was something very tiny for me to do, and for her it
was gigantic. At home I had more cake and it was all fine we were both happy
and it was a spiritual moment for us two. So what do we lose to give a little?
Nothing. That was a crucial moment for me and these 2 years I give to the
mission is really nothing for me in losses, but I come out better and people as
well. Because God has given me so much, enough that I have much to give to the
people. Every faithful member is in the same situation and I invite all to give
a little and make somebody’s day, week, year, or even life. It will make you
happy and make the other person happy. Because God has blessed us enough to be
blessed and to bless others. Crazy learning lesson for me, I love the mission
because every day there is a lesson of life. It’s awesome; everyone able
should go on the mish. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well I´ve got
packing to do, here´s to my (hopefully last) new area. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you all,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My address is:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PO BOX #71<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Los Indios, TX
78567-0071 <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-42188498627976044292013-07-22T21:40:00.002-06:002013-07-22T21:40:28.292-06:00July 15, 2013<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello Family and
Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well this week was
super crazy and with a lot of stress. There was sooo much to do and I am
glad that we have the chance to have a P-day where it’s like a weekly mini
vacation for everything that goes on in the mission. But it was a good week!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Tuesday I went to
work in this other area with another missionary, Elder Camas. He and I went and
walked a ton!!!! It was kind of funny how that day went because literally
nobody was home... But in the evening we went to this Part Member Family that is
less actives. They all speak English, but like with a Texas accent and
everything! Haha. Well one of the daughters is not a member. And she doesn’t
understand Spanish, so it was my official first time teaching in English. Oh my
English was horrendous but I felt super good about speaking in English. It was
pretty entertaining and fun.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last Monday night we received
a phone call about a zone conference on Friday; that the President is going to
come and meet us and have a meeting with us. Well we had to prepare pretty much
all of it, so all week we were running around doing things, and the zone
conference turned out pretty good. They are very nice people, President Morales
and Sister Morales. Very powerful people that are very intelligent. They gave
us a message about how we are the pioneers of this mission and to us that we
are the first missionaries in Nuevo Laredo in the new mission and it’s up
to us to set the tone of this zone. Well I love that pressure and we are
working a ton to keep up the work. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He also talked about
how we should always be willing to change up the things. That we
should be progressive and not always doing the same things over and over again.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well we put that into
practice and we got some really cool results. Right after the zone conference
we were thrown a curveball because we had an appointment with this investigator,
that is female, with her sister, in the church. They arrived without a male...
We cannot be alone with just a lady; it's a pretty serious rule in the mission.
So we didn’t know what to do... But then I saw some kids playing soccer close
by and we went to talk them. We invited one of them to come over and he
hesitated a bit but he said that he would be at the church in the minute. Well
we went back and he didn’t come, but then we went to get the kid that was
sitting out resting from the game, and then he said ok, called one of his
friends and then all of the kids playing were like ``lets take a break´´ and
they all came to listen. We had this huge lesson in the chapel section of the
church and it was pretty cool how all these teens just came over, and we were
able to have this lesson with the investigator. It was pretty cool and I saw
the blessing in always thinking extra ordinary. It’s the best and it brings
results. I was blown away on how that worked. And this investigator, Laura,
accepted to be baptized on the 18th, hahaha. She didn’t want to be baptized on
the weekend and chose Thursday, and I said it’s my birthday and she was like
well that would be cool. Hahaha So second year birthday should be a grand day
again, I hope. Ugh 21 years.... I’m an adult pretty much... haha Well its
fine.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tomorrow I will have
20 months on the mission... I am amazed on how fast the time flies by. But here’s
to 4 more months!!! :)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you all and
have a great summer!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-77683306986258752492013-07-12T03:03:00.002-06:002013-07-12T03:03:18.847-06:00July 8, 2013 Justin sounds amazingly happy!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello Everybody!!!
Well this past week was pretty good and very crazy with a lot to do!!!! We were
running all around Nuevo Laredo all week for teaching, meetings, interviews and
just a bunch of stuff. These are very good times. Well first news is that
we managed to teach Itzel everything in a week and she is now indeed the
fastest baptizing convert I have ever taught. She is a great person and her
family is now super pumped to get taught as well! But ahhh this week was sooo
fast and with a lot to do to prepare Itzel´s baptism!</span></b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEFiFWarLcPjHZG-Mt2xxFq17KXIrATtS1n8qoj6i9Xlt6CwZmcYKXL5DINWgGqlxZyy6Y2jjmPZKMkZlNJ9ev_AhM-xEQIQCQ_V4ar5u6tTsujnRcGXDoleEReGpdT49nfI2UDFCpKI/s1600/Itzel+being+baptized.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEFiFWarLcPjHZG-Mt2xxFq17KXIrATtS1n8qoj6i9Xlt6CwZmcYKXL5DINWgGqlxZyy6Y2jjmPZKMkZlNJ9ev_AhM-xEQIQCQ_V4ar5u6tTsujnRcGXDoleEReGpdT49nfI2UDFCpKI/s320/Itzel+being+baptized.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin baptizes Itzel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI52dPKFKtidthem_Pndb09ydplFgeTNRW65HG51caFe9BqBRS6E3_U21sBLZz-TqCCjfVRyFm2D07C2eS-T0eQuonQxTigGGR2H2ZYtiEAVQj1mn5tYraoRWtHFc4n2PXJuEFlpYd4QE/s1600/Elder+Marecos+Itzel+and+Justin+at+her+baptism.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI52dPKFKtidthem_Pndb09ydplFgeTNRW65HG51caFe9BqBRS6E3_U21sBLZz-TqCCjfVRyFm2D07C2eS-T0eQuonQxTigGGR2H2ZYtiEAVQj1mn5tYraoRWtHFc4n2PXJuEFlpYd4QE/s320/Elder+Marecos+Itzel+and+Justin+at+her+baptism.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Marecos, Itzel and Justin at her baptism</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> Seriously there was
no time to even think of what day it was... haha. But yesterday was an awesome
experience and it was a great success. She has a bunch of friends already in
the ward and it makes me feel very happy when there is someone new, that
everyone is so friendly and wants to get to know the new person. Mosiah got
baptized as well and he is super happy because his dad didn’t allow him to
until Elder Marecos and I went to that house 2 weeks ago with guns a blazing
ready to spiritually make the dad let his son Mosiah get baptized because one,
he has been going to church forever, and two there is never a non member named
Mosiah. Every Mosiah is a member!! Haha<o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Saturday it
was my companion’s b-day and Itzel gave him a cake to take to the house and at
night Elder Marecos and I sang happy b-day. It was pretty funny because we had
no candles or anything, just matches. So I put a bunch on the cake and they
were like all connected, and Elder Marecos was lighting them and it was such a
big flame on top of this cake. And then after he had to bite a piece of the
edge of the cake. Here in Mexico it’s a tradition to bite the cake and usually,
if you´re smooth, you can push the guys face in the cake. Well I was taking
video with my camera and Elder Mareco´s camera, then I set my camera down when
Elder Marecos went in for the bite, and he didn’t notice, and with all pleasure
I pushed his face in the cake. YES! That’s 2 comps that I have shoved cake in
their faces. :)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGMvENvubqeOpZHy2TqKRHMAgG2rd56cbqzc8tgzZXCNuVOTUnLf29QEk3m-OTr-VL2MaqpV2nrNmgNLysy9CT8XlIWe9OqFifb7IEMN_39lEtJM5LUPAWnNwHhoLOtOyN3EccCgp_sA/s1600/Elder+Mareco%2527s+cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGMvENvubqeOpZHy2TqKRHMAgG2rd56cbqzc8tgzZXCNuVOTUnLf29QEk3m-OTr-VL2MaqpV2nrNmgNLysy9CT8XlIWe9OqFifb7IEMN_39lEtJM5LUPAWnNwHhoLOtOyN3EccCgp_sA/s320/Elder+Mareco%2527s+cake.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder Marecos and his birthday cake--pre-face plant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hmmm... What else? We
are trying to get this 18 year old Raul baptized as well because he knows it’s
true and at Itzel´s baptism yesterday, he was super happy. But he is just
scared... We are going to be patient and loving so that he feels that it is a
pact between him and God and not in-between us and him. He is such a cool kid,
he is a drummer and he loves music. He says that he likes Metallica... haha. A
lot of people here really like the music from the states, but like oldies like
ACDC, Guns n Roses, Metallica, and U2, oh and they LOVE the Beatles here. So
many shirts and stickers with these bands. Sometimes it’s a struggle to forget
the music when you are completely surrounded by it!! But I am managing it. But
yeah Raul is awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">News from the mission,
my mission will not finish until November 27th. The Reynosa mission has
been extended 2 weeks. I am happy, I know you all aren’t (well at least I
hope you all miss me ;) hahaha), but I’m in God´s business and not in
mine. But I am pumped, 2 more weeks of service. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love the mission, love
you all and I miss you all! Serve your fellow man, make new friends and invite
them to Christ! It’s fun to do that because the gospel really converts everyone
to better than what they are. Happy July as well, it’s the best month ever!!!
haha :)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-90282444386851511582013-07-12T02:52:00.001-06:002013-07-12T02:52:42.278-06:00July 1, 2013<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello Family and
Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How have you all been
doing? I have been doing pretty well. This past week was the hottest week ever!
Haha it was like 110+ degrees. It was super hot, but it was a great week. We had
a ton of success and we found a lot of really good people that want to be a
part of the church and receive the blessings. It’s a joy to see that people
want to listen and it has been very cool to see that happening. Something super
cool happened this past week with one of our investigators.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A couple of weeks ago
the missionaries gave us this referral from a contact on the bus. This 19 year
old young adult named Itzel talked to Elder Gunnel while the missionaries were
on the bus to an appointment. While on the bus, she asked about what the
missionaries do and what’s our church. She was interested and all. So the
Elders gave us the referral and we went to visit Itzel this past Saturday. When
we got there she invited us in, the parents were in the back room because they didn’t
want to listen and they are also Pentecostal Christians so even less. Well we
chatted to Itzel in her living room and talked about what we teach but we didn’t
teach anything really, just kind of talked about how she can receive blessings
from listening to our messages. She then started asking many questions about
the mission and stuff, and she asked ``could I do what you guys do?" I
couldn´t believe what I was hearing!! Well we invited her to church and all,
she said yeah and we said that we would pass with a brother to give a ride. So
we then asked everyone and no one could of given us a ride!!! So in the morning
we hopped on the bus and went to the neighborhood where Itzel lives. While
waiting for the bus we call this young guy, Aaron, who is preparing to go on
the mission, to accompany us with Itzel since we can’t just be alone with her.
So he said he would be waiting at the gas station close to Itzel´s house.
On arrival to the gas station, Aaron wasn’t there yet. So we waited and no show
still. We were kind of panicking because Itzel was waiting and there was 20
minutes left to get to church. So we said a prayer, my companion and I, and I
asked that everything will go well and that we can get Itzel to church. As I
lifted my head to finish the prayer, a guy in a shirt and tie hops off a
passing bus. It was Aaron!!!! I was seriously shocked because the prayer was
like instantly answered. But we still didn’t have a ride... So we are walking
towards Itzel´s house and 30 seconds after finishing the prayer walking, sister
Vargas passes in her car saying that she apparently ``forgot something in her
house´´ and she needed to go home. So she says that she could give a ride. Well
we were completely shocked! God just answered our prayer in less than 1 minute.
Well we went to Itzel´s house and she was ready and happy. We went to church,
Itzel absolutely loved it!!!! She said that she wanted to go to the temple trip
on July 20th!!! :O. And a bunch of young sisters in the same age group as
her were talking to her and she felt very good in the church. She told a sister
that she wanted to get baptized and that she felt the spirit very strongly.
Well we hadn’t taught her anything yet and she was like already super pumped to
go to the temple!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well we went to her
house later in the evening and getting there, she was crying and said that her
mom was arguing with her and stuff about doctrine and we were like NOOOO!!! But
she let us in and there were the parents sitting down and we kind of calmed the
situation down and started the lesson. The mom shared with us something very
spiritual. A couple weeks ago the mom said a prayer asking that her daughter
could find the path of God in her life. In those times it was like the daughter
was kind of being rebellious. The next day the daughter had come home telling
her mom that she met the missionaries on the bus and that we were to come soon
to teach her. Well all of the stuff that I said passed by and the mom said in
those moments that her daughter didn’t want to be a part of religion or baptize
herself in the Pentecostal church, but 2 days just getting to know us and that
we never taught anything, Itzel wanted to get baptized!! After that lesson my
comp and I were just like flipping out about all that happened yesterday and
how God really does work super hard in the mission work. The spirit really does
touch people and it amazes me how real this all is. Like I´ve said in the past,
I came on the mission without a pure testimony that I would say that I believed
in everything of the church. But everything that has happened in these past
couple weeks has been amazing me and I know that God lives and he is very
active in this work. It’s a complete miracle and we had no part in anything of
Itzel and her desire to follow Christ. Now she is preparing to be baptized this
Sunday. I have never known somebody that got baptized in 8 days just freshly
getting to know the church. Craziness!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well that was a long
story I know but it was very impressive to me and I hope that it helps you all
out in your testimonies. I know that prayers are answered and when we are
obedient, then miracles happen. If everything was easy, like for us getting a
ride from member easily yesterday, then we wouldn’t be learning because in
order to rise there needs to be a fall. When we were sooo out of ideas and with
a bunch of worry yesterday, we turned to God and stayed obedient, and God gave
us a miracle with Itzel. Say your prayers, be obedient in God´s
work (Jacob 5:72), and God will bless with miracles. That is my advice to
you in these times of trouble, Dad. I know that God will help you, but turn to
God first and put him in first place, and you will see the miracles. Pray with
faith, Read your scrips, go to church and get active, and you will see the
miracles. I can promise you that.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love this work, here’s
to July! I can’t believe that I am old (21 on July 18th). Wow well
time flies. I love you all! I will send the address next week for those who
want to send cards or anything.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-3454491547946477182013-07-12T02:44:00.001-06:002013-07-12T02:44:21.840-06:00June 27, 2013 Justin gets called on to speak to his zone<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello Family and
Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Powell reporting
live from hot Mexico. It is a blaze but we are working at full speed. And we
are seeing all the blessings of God through all the work and struggles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This past week was a
good week; it was pretty interesting with everything that’s happened. On
Wednesday we had a conference with President Walker and his wife. It was all
the missionaries in the city and our zone in Nuevo Laredo. It was pretty cool
because we got to say goodbye to all the missionaries in the city because the
mission is dividing into 2 missions. There were like 110 missionaries present.</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> I</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> got to see all the friends that I have created here in the
mission. I saw former companions and a lot of my brothers that I will miss
completely. It’s sad that we are dividing, but ``that’s just the way it is</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: MingLiU; mso-hansi-font-family: MingLiU;">"</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. Haha Before the
conference started, we had to prepare talks and the President was going to
select 3 of us to give a talk. Well Elder Vasquez was directing the conference
and called who was going to give talks after we started, he said ``Hermana
Lopez, and then Elder Powell, and then Elder McStraw.</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: MingLiU; mso-hansi-font-family: MingLiU;">
My</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
stomach jumped to my throat pretty much... haha! And I looked</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> a</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">t the President and he looked at me with these eyes of terror
haha he was just joking around but it was a nervous moment for me. But everyone
was saying that I did a good job in my talk, </span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: MingLiU; mso-hansi-font-family: MingLiU;">s</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">o I guess it was
alright. And then after we said goodbye to the mission president and sister
walker. I included a photo of Pres, sis Walker and I. I am going to miss them
like crazy!!! :( But they are going to serve in another part of the world in
this amazing work.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Saturday, it was
Moroni and Angel</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: MingLiU; mso-hansi-font-family: MingLiU;">'s</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> baptism and it was great. All the youth were
there to support. It was awesomeness, and Moroni and Angel were baptized by
their dad. Oh it was a great transformation in that family and I am sooo glad
that the family is now complete and they are pumped to progress in the gospel.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWUJ0eHCgBJksThZf1fS9fiv1pfxQkqxODszGQ7wlk8tPLSkwW7eCrB_8AGz3qBbmyHUe1-R1Yo4uoKtJz2Mo8wxOBaQpz0zVGjnGhwdwDby57ivIx9pTqjBSLt4fPgAfel6FOBYSu0A/s1600/Justin+in+Nuevo+Laredo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWUJ0eHCgBJksThZf1fS9fiv1pfxQkqxODszGQ7wlk8tPLSkwW7eCrB_8AGz3qBbmyHUe1-R1Yo4uoKtJz2Mo8wxOBaQpz0zVGjnGhwdwDby57ivIx9pTqjBSLt4fPgAfel6FOBYSu0A/s320/Justin+in+Nuevo+Laredo.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin in Nuevo Laredo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAQmQVaHL0dnk6X9e_ZVVScBsm-Wrw0gqIhPUN4kuxUm9Y_9pJb2BnZOd9MnuQROhY3HNUjdADjUbUrS8BgJ1v6NMaytbHaHE4f1vo85yDhaCditHZP6DykyYHNHPLL3HmgTdzrjBMl4/s1600/Ramos+family+baptism.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAQmQVaHL0dnk6X9e_ZVVScBsm-Wrw0gqIhPUN4kuxUm9Y_9pJb2BnZOd9MnuQROhY3HNUjdADjUbUrS8BgJ1v6NMaytbHaHE4f1vo85yDhaCditHZP6DykyYHNHPLL3HmgTdzrjBMl4/s320/Ramos+family+baptism.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramos family baptism</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We are teaching
various families right now, later I will tell you more about a family that we
are teaching that are called the Ruiz family.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And in these past
couple of days we have been to the hospital and I have never been to the
hospital in</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> m</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">y whole mission to
give blessings. So this guy Victor is a referral from other Elders here in
Nuevo Laredo, but what happened is that his 18 year old daughter got into this
accident and almost died on Friday. But we didn’t know anything of that until
Friday night when we called him on the phone to put an appointment. When he
answered, he sounded distraught and not very good. He was in a big struggle
because he barely separated from his wife and his daughter was on her death
bed. Well we had a good conversation of prayer on the phone and we said that we
will pray for his daughter. When we hung up, I called the other Elders to do a
special prayer and we all grouped together in a prayer. The next day in the
morning, we called Victor to see when we could pass by the hospital to give a
blessing and Victor answered the phone, but relieved and he was actually
changed. He said that she recuperated and that she is awake and all. WOW!!!
Very powerful moment. We went to the hospital and gave the blessing, the
daughter looked normal and Victor was happy. Testimony grower for me. :)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And today we went to
the hospital to give blessings to a new baby and the mom. The baby was born
with water in his lungs and so we went to the hospital. When we get there we
were there and went to the floor where the baby was. Apparently no one has seen
the baby because once out of the womb, it went straight to the ICU. The
hospital didn’t permit anyone to walk in, but the sister that was with us
(grandma to the baby) said that there was a miracle in the hospital because
they allowed only us to enter and not even the mom yet. But my companion went
in because I have a sore throat and didn’t want to get the baby sick. Yes we
broke a rule because I wasn't with my companion, but I really couldn't. I know
God will forgive us because it wasn’t our intention. Haha. But then we gave a
blessing to the mom and left the hospital. The hospital is right next to the
border and right next to the bridge to the states. I got a picture of the USA
:) haha but very cool moment this morning with that adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yesterday was a super
cool training meeting with the apostles and prophet about member-missionary
work. I know that if the whole church works together in this great work, we
will have</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-hansi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> a</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> ton of success and
happiness in our lives. It is a joy to help many come unto Christ and it’s the
purpose of this life, to serve one another and love God first. This life isn’t just
about us, but it’s about God</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: MingLiU; mso-hansi-font-family: MingLiU;">'s</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> children. If we would all serve each other,
this world would be so much better than how it is right now. So much better! So
do something for someone today, serve your fellow man because you will be
serving God. I invite you all to serve at least one person a day everyday this
week and to tell me how that experience went. I would love to hear about those
experiences. It may seem scary at first, but it is so much better after the
service and you do feel so satisfied.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcKGmLU5i2puq4JQEyFg0uii7iBsGb6aUiC0osEuy75UedgK6Svyyvv3AsQuJU0Na-hmkwa5tZJm5TdINQUf3EdcUHvBlxbcdTSYgQ7waEG5_MltUp8esxyHd-7Acq-fxeLUg641RgmU/s1600/Justin+says+farewell+to+President+and+Sister+Walker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcKGmLU5i2puq4JQEyFg0uii7iBsGb6aUiC0osEuy75UedgK6Svyyvv3AsQuJU0Na-hmkwa5tZJm5TdINQUf3EdcUHvBlxbcdTSYgQ7waEG5_MltUp8esxyHd-7Acq-fxeLUg641RgmU/s320/Justin+says+farewell+to+President+and+Sister+Walker.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin says farewell to President and Sister Walker</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love this work and I
love you all!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-31406070177165323782013-07-12T00:50:00.002-06:002013-07-12T00:50:42.931-06:00June 17, 2013 One of my very favorite letters from Justin<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello Family and Friends,</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">¡Saludos de Mexico! How are you all doing? I am
doing really well. This past week was a great past week! It was very good and I
loved it very much. We had a lot of success with a lot of lessons given, a lot
of investigators in church and it’s such a blessing that many want to change
their lives and come to Christ. Thank you so much for your prayers because they
are for sure being answered.</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The weather here is sooooo bipolar!!! It was
super hot earlier this past week, then on Thursday it got super humid and
cloudy, and then Friday super rainy and cool. And now we are at 40 Celsius
(like 100+). I can never get a grip on this weather but gotta keep working
through the thick and thin (I believe that’s the phrase).</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCua3_B3HJ2xiosy2a1oY_HWjsW2pPWI9tSugAjFKBJ61k7x6LiRLsyWMLcwOomjxfwCwSzQA-bufvgKj2-r1Dpja0x0N2RnknYQFGdB1pOYZyjQGEfgJNO7A4NFIfF-TqD55uBTqlZsQ/s1600/Carolina's+baptism.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCua3_B3HJ2xiosy2a1oY_HWjsW2pPWI9tSugAjFKBJ61k7x6LiRLsyWMLcwOomjxfwCwSzQA-bufvgKj2-r1Dpja0x0N2RnknYQFGdB1pOYZyjQGEfgJNO7A4NFIfF-TqD55uBTqlZsQ/s320/Carolina's+baptism.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baptism of Carolina</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We had the baptism of Carolina. </span></b></div>
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<b>She is
Yolanda´s daughter and she was sooo excited to get baptized. She is the
pioneer in her family because the rest of the family has other repentance
processes and Carolina wanted to get baptized as soon as possible. So then we
helped her prepare and on Friday was baptized. It was very neat to see all of
her family there supporting her. She is seriously the pioneer in her family
(other than her aunt and uncle who are in the ward); she is 9 years old and is
such a joy. She is also very, very brave and it made me feel pathetic compared
to how brave she is because all of her family were criticizing her for her
decision and the only ones that were helping her were her mom, aunt and uncle,
and us. Her grandma was seriously with the attitude of disowning her, but she
made her decision and I know that she will be blessed. Reminds me of the
example of Nephi in the book of Mormon and 1 Nephi 3:7, I learned something
from Carolina to be brave and strong with decisions, especially the ones with
God because God prepares the path to fulfill what God wants with us.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7UESKKCYtS6WsD3P7Wwn18nUi9DmREo18stbU2-O7BR_VGrddCTdxkbfDoiET0HS96uH-AIn4LV06GqVVy8-73Bi7csLGD4eCwNoP-jXT0is1kZAqa2dQZG2LoEkELDo9LDv5vWCLKQ/s1600/Carolina+baptism.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7UESKKCYtS6WsD3P7Wwn18nUi9DmREo18stbU2-O7BR_VGrddCTdxkbfDoiET0HS96uH-AIn4LV06GqVVy8-73Bi7csLGD4eCwNoP-jXT0is1kZAqa2dQZG2LoEkELDo9LDv5vWCLKQ/s320/Carolina+baptism.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carolina's Baptism</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This past week was interesting because we got
to know a new family that has a couple of issues that I can completely relate
with. The family is called the Ramos family. 2 weeks ago, we were in church and
a dad with his 2 sons arrived to church. We asked who they were and turned out
that the dad is a member but taking his kids to church. His kids aren’t members
but are preparing to be baptized this coming Saturday by their dad. His kids
are named Moroni and Angel and they are 14 and 9 years old. Well come to find
out that the kids only visit their dad on the weekends and stay with their mom
during the week, as well as that the mom actually lives in the same
neighborhood as us. We went to go visit Moroni and Angel in their mom´s house
and come to find out that the mom is a member and the mom and dad divorced.
They were very active and everything but the kids was very young when the
parents got the divorce. And from time to time went to visit their dad. They
never went to church but now the dad decided to take his kids to church. Does
this sound anything familiar dad? Well I seriously feel for this family and I
definitely can relate to this family because I was in the same exact situation
as Moroni. So these last lessons have been helping them to become stronger
family/families. What really got my heart was yesterday. We went over to the
dad´s house for Angel´s b-day party to teach them and they invited us. The Mom
was at the party as well; it was like if the family was back together again.
There at the party was only dad, mom and kids. It really touched me because
they were all happy and the kids were sooo happy, Angel even said that ``this
day is the best day ever because my family is here and the Elders are here on
my birthday´´. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHfsF_Yy_g3WQ6Wxh_4SvGdd7Soc0QsENFovqm_IFojL2STJWbJc3fnA4Bp9ctziL2hem4PrxfuICJzgaM7YjsLR2MfkXDuRfu7B8JqKL_OX8IUya11GKuNW1ghrHwJMdENIfd5-UvhI/s1600/Ramos+family+for+Angel%2527s+birthday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHfsF_Yy_g3WQ6Wxh_4SvGdd7Soc0QsENFovqm_IFojL2STJWbJc3fnA4Bp9ctziL2hem4PrxfuICJzgaM7YjsLR2MfkXDuRfu7B8JqKL_OX8IUya11GKuNW1ghrHwJMdENIfd5-UvhI/s320/Ramos+family+for+Angel%2527s+birthday.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramos Family for Angels birthday</td></tr>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we had to go, the brother offered to give us a ride to our
next appointment (he only had 2 hours left with his kids for that weekend
visit, but opted to still sacrifice his time to give us a ride), and we began
to talk a bit. I never really got to know the brother that well so I took
advantage of the opportunity to get to know him. So I asked him about how is
his Father´s day and he said that it’s all right but he hates this day (wow I
thought I was talking to my dad that’s Mexican haha). And began breaking down
and I really felt for the guy. He is a great father and trying to do everything
possible for his kids, he said that he doesn’t really understand God for
punishing him with not being able to be with his kids all the time. I really
was heart wrenched because this very same situation happened to me but just in
a different viewpoint. But what I told him is that he is a great father and
that his kids love him to death. I also said that this life is full of trial,
but there are blessings after every trial and life, if we do what’s right, <u>always</u> ends
up in happiness. I started sharing about my own personal experience with
divorce and broken families, and I am truly grateful for my life because I can
help people like Brother Victor and his family. I am truly blessed because my
dad remarried and has a beautiful family. I have a great step mom that cares
for me and loves me; she always asks about if I am safe because she really
cares. I have a very intelligent brother, Jack, that is very humble and kind,
and is a great athlete as well, a great example for me. I also have a great
brother, Noah, that is funny and always caring, he is a delight and really a
light in my life. I also have my sister, Kate who is an absolute sweetheart and
she has been big joy and is always positive and happy, if it weren’t for her,
life would be depressing for me for a lot that has happened because she has
really picked me up with her happiness in depressing times. If it weren’t for
the divorce, they wouldn’t be in my life. And in my own family that has
been here since I was little, in my dad, mom, Josh and Bri; they are all a
great blessing because of making a broken family become 2 functioning families.
My dad is a great example to me and I really look up to him and my Mom has
taught me many useful things and is very caring as well. Without them I wouldn’t
be me now and without Josh and Brianna, well less because they are great
blessings to me as well. And we all have our problems in our families, but we
have really made a separation in our family become a blessing. We all
communicate with our parents and everything is at peace. I then shared with
him, that if it weren´t for the divorce, I wouldn´t have such great blessings
like the ones I have in my family today. I have 5 brothers and sisters and they
are all a great blessing to me. I love them very much, I miss them and I am
grateful for the hardships I have had in my earlier life to have the blessings
that I have today. I challenged him to look for the blessings in your family
now and pray to God always because he will guide you. It was a seriously
spiritual moment and I am grateful to be here in the mission to help families
grow stronger and be more blessed. I love this family to death because we
relate.</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Remember to love your family members and when
times are tough in your family, look for the blessings. Don’t focus on the
glass half empty but in the glass half full. God always blesses and we are
surrounded by many. Life shouldn’t be always depressing or sad, it’s meant to
be happy. Cherish every moment with your family members as well and love them
all for who they are.</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love the mission, it’s a great experience
and I love you all.</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.5px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-78831526755502750092013-07-12T00:06:00.000-06:002013-07-12T00:27:43.300-06:006.10.13 Surprise Visit To The Monterrey Temple<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hellos to everyone,</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well this week was awesome! We went to
Monterrey on Tuesday for leadership council with the President on Wednesday. So
we left on a bus to take a trip for three hours to Monterrey and got there at
night. We spent the night in the mission home and all the other Zone Leaders
from the border zones spent the night too. It is soooo weird to see new faces
and I never would have thought that I am like one of the oldest in the mission.
Ugh where is the time going!!! But the next morning we woke up and got ready for
the council, we went to the chapel where we usually have council and to my
surprise, the assistants walk in and out like President is not here, he is at
the temple waiting for all of us. I was like ``oh my goodness we are going to
the temple!!!!</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxZD1nkcqtO8hyB54fm-tn5bgxn8GLW2QQk_rhEMdqEmIrMRcCTPO7r2Blp0SxAtmYgZn18ErNkrZaRBfi1RofrB25JYDwyj8G65H2GgvmKkIwg57WXeDFhqFgCTXx6AKUZhWLZd0pPo/s1600/Justin+at+the+Monterrey+Temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxZD1nkcqtO8hyB54fm-tn5bgxn8GLW2QQk_rhEMdqEmIrMRcCTPO7r2Blp0SxAtmYgZn18ErNkrZaRBfi1RofrB25JYDwyj8G65H2GgvmKkIwg57WXeDFhqFgCTXx6AKUZhWLZd0pPo/s320/Justin+at+the+Monterrey+Temple.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So we took a bus to
the temple and it was a blast, I was with all of my buddies, some of my
companions from the MTC and others that I have been friends with here in the
mission. We took a lot of pictures and I was in heaven because I got to see the
beautiful parts of Monterrey.</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We got to the temple and we took a bunch of
pictures of the temple and of the garden, and it is a beautiful place.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsM_phqVIZZRgOZkCQ9FkyUvnSnf8m6JKczWN1BanFJTiZEbHDriXFAJK0N6szE2wuHIpaCcBcth-q3xFfaYyiiTw7O44HuDqupZRIt_K5le0ivtV-a7MyEyvw4hJplMI0d9C2LdS0CU/s1600/Justin+at+the+Temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsM_phqVIZZRgOZkCQ9FkyUvnSnf8m6JKczWN1BanFJTiZEbHDriXFAJK0N6szE2wuHIpaCcBcth-q3xFfaYyiiTw7O44HuDqupZRIt_K5le0ivtV-a7MyEyvw4hJplMI0d9C2LdS0CU/s320/Justin+at+the+Temple.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></b></div>
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> I
included a photo so that you can see the temple. We then got greeted by the
President and his wife. We then got instruction that we were going to do a
session all together. Oh I was soo happy for that too!!! It</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: MingLiU;">’s</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> been a long while
since last February that I did a session. So we walked in all happy and we did
the session. It was seriously such a spiritual moment and it was definitely a
huge moment of unity there. It was President Walkers last moment with us in the
temple and it was a very uplifting spiritual moment that I cannot really
describe. It was a very good moment of the week.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEI7wYChSk48yR2eV5zOAi0bFDsKxFNLpZq5UK4ej4mEjW3o2qqO80luJVSAGpVQm46-VsxFfvhLzPO2ked3MSd55OJTLRmUini8rHwuaR2UqjmI3kTojvJfg9Kews0cBw9QmQEa8bTmM/s1600/Surprise+Temple+Trip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEI7wYChSk48yR2eV5zOAi0bFDsKxFNLpZq5UK4ej4mEjW3o2qqO80luJVSAGpVQm46-VsxFfvhLzPO2ked3MSd55OJTLRmUini8rHwuaR2UqjmI3kTojvJfg9Kews0cBw9QmQEa8bTmM/s320/Surprise+Temple+Trip.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We returned to Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas,
Mexico (my area) on Thursday morning. And as we went back to work, everything
changed for my comp and I. We had some very good moments this week, It was a
very spiritually uplifting week.</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One lesson that I learned this week is the
essence of making time for God. While in the temple I thought about after the
mission and if I will have time to go to the temple regularly or to even read
the scriptures like how I have been the mission. It will be a struggle like how
it was before the mission. But one thing that came to my mind is that if we
make time for God, God will make time for us and what we need to do. Before the
mission I didn't really focus on putting God first like I should have. I
worried more of what I wanted. But in the mission, it’s pure dedication to God
and what I have been getting from the mission is what I wanted all along
because of what I have invested in God and what he has given back to me as a
reward. After the mission I want to make time for God in my daily life because
I know that he will make time for me in whatever else I need to do or whatever
else is best for me. I know this principal applies to everyone else of you
because you are all my brothers and sisters of the same God. I invite you all
to make a time for God every day, even if it is 5 to 10 minutes, and you will
see the blessings. And you will want to make more time for God until you get to
the point where God is guiding you down a path of complete happiness and
protection. Make time for God, and God will make time count for you.</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well that was a lot in my mind, that</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: MingLiU;">'s</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> what I received as an
answer in the temple. Haha. Wow well go to the temple as well, everyone, when
you can to get some crazy good answers!</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you all and I miss you like crazy! Keep
serving everyone and making time count in doing the uplifting things. Read your
scriptures and act according to what you learn, that</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: MingLiU; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial;">’</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: MingLiU;">s</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> the most important is the acting.</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love,</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell</span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-81681895002822863472013-07-11T23:58:00.002-06:002013-07-11T23:58:06.238-06:00June 3, 2013<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello family and
friends,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How are you all doing?
I am doing great! It is officially now getting hot here! And now the work is
getting very good. It is sooo bizarre how that works. I’m guessing that God
blesses more for our actions and our effort. Yesterday we finally got things
rolling super well, we got 8 investigators in the sacrament and it was pretty
powerful. Especially for 2 people that were there.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhgsrops1YiDo-5GUyjBDxY7miqycxVLK7M3Id5LbHmv6ZuPdLSzd_axtD3myF5EXLOGwX-LtvFqQh1FLOmhmAMznnGrxX0F8ncs2-YosrQHrzwy1Ro8CNVlBjWubzPD4WPdGbbgfVOs/s1600/La+Zona+de+Nuevo+Laredo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhgsrops1YiDo-5GUyjBDxY7miqycxVLK7M3Id5LbHmv6ZuPdLSzd_axtD3myF5EXLOGwX-LtvFqQh1FLOmhmAMznnGrxX0F8ncs2-YosrQHrzwy1Ro8CNVlBjWubzPD4WPdGbbgfVOs/s320/La+Zona+de+Nuevo+Laredo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Zona de Nuevo Laredo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 months ago we received
a referral to visit this lady, we went and she wasn’t there. But her boyfriend
was. We talked to him and he was member and he got baptized in another part. He
has been inactive for a long time and so it was actually pretty cool to get to
know him. He is a great guy named Hilario. So we invited him to church and he
went. As well, he then introduced us to his girlfriend and stepson. The
girlfriend is named Eugenia (Eugene in English :) and she is the one that gave
the referral to other missionaries) and Ramiro is the stepson. So we started
teaching them, and they were pretty quiet and kind of closed people. It was a
little difficult. And we invited them to church, but they never went. Every
weekend from then on, we invited them to church, and they would say yes and
then not go. So this past Saturday, we invited them to come and we said that we
would go for them Sunday morning. Well they live pretty far and the brother
that was going to take us couldn’t, so we couldn’t go for them. So we were
there at church just hoping that they would come and not just stay again, it
really did feel like the last strike for them if they wouldn’t come. Well the
sacrament meeting started and the first hymn started, then the prayer, and I
got pretty frustrated. I went to usher the door for the prayer, and as I stood
there, I said a quick prayer just for comfort and that for one miracle that the
family could have come to church. Well the prayer ended, I open the door to see
if anyone entered and right there was Hilario, Eugenia and Ramiro standing
there smiling and I smiled so much. Seriously I think I can have a contest with
the Joker in Batman for the biggest smile (according to Hilario, Eugenia and
Ramiro) haha. Well that was a super cool moment, and I then regained my
testimony that the trials in life are to get God´s help. I prayed in my time of
trial, and it changed to be 2 changers in my life. One that this family came to
church and loved it and they are now becoming happier, and two that God will
always be there to help us and guide us only when we look for his help, and when
we look for his help is when trials come. God would never just punish us, he
just wants to help. But if we are always happy and if everything is perfect,
then there is really no purpose or no glory or no hope, there is probably
nothing to live for. So it was a cool experience.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As well I had the
opportunity to confirm Macario yesterday in the sacrament meeting. He is a
great guy and he bore his testimony. Very humble and is a gentleman. He came to
church with a white shirt and a tie, and asked if I would teach him to do his
tie, well I taught him, but he had the same look on his face watching as I did
when you taught me for the first time dad- lost and confused. Haha But he
said with time he will learn.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">OH YEAH... My new
companion is Elder Marecos and he is super cool. He is a funny guy and he is
always pumped to work. He´s got a super cool past story and is a great convert
to the church. He and I really get an understanding. He is from Paraguay and
says that he wants me to take him to the states after the mission because he
wants to visit Utah sooo bad! Well I told him that fine, but you gotta give me
a tour of Paraguay as well. It was a deal. Haha Paraguay looks like a beautiful
place, so I´ve got a numerous list of places to visit after the mish. He also
talks a bit of English, he knows some funny sayings. When a person rejects us
harshly or something like that, he says with his accent ``the person is going
to the hell´´. Hahaha funny stuff and he says ``oh boy´´ all the time. And his
accent is something very similar to an Irish accent. Pretty cool and funny. He
loves heavy metal music. I like it too. </span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6V3O5eT1lX90et7HI8SCCCDPZtnHxZAK4op2SoqOuFvyau7g8qV2VO76lJkFfvkMO-o6KFyzuLtZaWJIdgzD7CyVcsHHa49BIizIWVMZLrBgqVB6ZGBEbFUkAelzes_AFgJjPU2Riufk/s1600/Justin+and+Elder+Marecos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6V3O5eT1lX90et7HI8SCCCDPZtnHxZAK4op2SoqOuFvyau7g8qV2VO76lJkFfvkMO-o6KFyzuLtZaWJIdgzD7CyVcsHHa49BIizIWVMZLrBgqVB6ZGBEbFUkAelzes_AFgJjPU2Riufk/s320/Justin+and+Elder+Marecos.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin and Elder Marecos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We get along great and its
fun times over here in Nuevo Laredo, and we have got so much work to do so
I am pumped to get the summer rolling and the people converted to the gospel of
Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well I believe that
all for now, but I will send pictures as well, I love you all! Write me k?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin
Powell <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129877448227371918.post-423254542983946822013-07-11T23:10:00.004-06:002013-07-12T00:00:07.180-06:005.27.13<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello Everybody,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well today is going to
be a quickie because we have to prepare a mission program thing and we also
have transfers with a district meeting at 6. Just a lot of things today so…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This week was good, a
lot of good things. We presented this program to all the members in the ward to
train the members to work in this missionary work. When we presented it, we got
so much approval from the members and it was very pleasing to see that the
members were actually so pumped to work. Every Sunday we will be training 5
families in a 5 week span to train them to be missionaries. So we will see
what happens and I know that it will have success according to the excitement
of the members.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My Comp is now getting
transferred to Reynosa... :( It was a great time with him and I learned a ton!
Great Elder and we will definitely be hanging out after.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOc8FpE_egyYtSm8IWwI-vjEdJLY4XDFyfDZye03k5JItrX-hFfYhBRLylOIeTlh6PNDqbyp9hMKp6hPzu8iso4g6Psc7iSYsxQiSX6hyphenhyphenpxwOPhzewwl4LLxp1BDMDn2h9VS54VOCdMEY/s1600/Justin+says+farewell+to+Elder+Berrios.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOc8FpE_egyYtSm8IWwI-vjEdJLY4XDFyfDZye03k5JItrX-hFfYhBRLylOIeTlh6PNDqbyp9hMKp6hPzu8iso4g6Psc7iSYsxQiSX6hyphenhyphenpxwOPhzewwl4LLxp1BDMDn2h9VS54VOCdMEY/s320/Justin+says+farewell+to+Elder+Berrios.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Justin says farewell to Elder Berrios</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now my new comp is
called Elder Marecos and we will see what’s up.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love you all and
take care! Be safe and read the BOM! :)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elder Justin Powell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Dan Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05937984786428774067noreply@blogger.com0