Cha cha cha changes

So long Elder Bustamante ... my Chilean friend. ;0(

I'm am sooooo stoked for Rex to go out on a mission! man he's going to do awesome down there in Brazil. Maybe he will run into Cody Buhler?! Awesome news. Thanks for letting me know about that. It's always good to hear what's going on with my people back there. Sounds like Youth Conference was a blast too. 

But yeah! You got the letter...I am a now a district leader..annnnd a trainer..annd I'm still learning Spanish all at the same time hahaha. Holy cow. I'm super nervous but it should be way awesome. I think I'm going to learn a lot during this next transfer. My companion, Elder Bustamante, just left today. I'm so sad to see my Chilean friend go. He has had a huge impact on me. I'll never forget that guy. He has taught me so much.

Well I just moved out of our apartment a couple days ago into some member's home. They are awesome!!!! It's a thousand times better living with these guys. One morning we woke up and they had a ton of pancakes for us =D Yeah, the dad is a cop so that scares me sometimes. But anyways, I'm already loving it in the new place.

But this week was a solid week though. A couple days ago it was raining, and we were just outside walking. We saw this Hispanic lady and her family running down the street, so we stopped by and started to talk to them. It turns out that this lady is a less active member! (You'll find a lot of them in Idaho). She graciously let us in her home. Immediately she starting unfolding her story about how she lost her husband a year ago and how she has lost faith in everything. We were able to testify of God's love for her. We taught a wonderful lesson and we gave her a priesthood blessing afterwards. It was a  super special experience.

Luke is a District Leader (and he's also a trainer of other missionaries)!

(the word art is this letter)

Dear Elder Petitt,

Congratulations on your assignment to serve as District Leader. With this assignment, great trust has been placed in you. I encourage you to be an example for all over whom you preside in at least the following ways:

Exact Obedience-the blessings that come to missionaries, who are obedient with exactness, are immeasurable, and by being an example you will be able to help the missionaries in your district be obedient.

A Preach My Gospel missionary so that you can show the missionaries in your district how to be successful.

A Leader who lifts and inspires the missionaries with love.

A Missionary who is focused on your purpose to bring others to Christ

A leader who is diligent, humble and hard working.

Teach the missionaries that baptism is central to our purpose to bringing others to Christ, and through your example show them how to baptize. Remember to call upon your Heavenly Father and He will qualify you for this work as you rely upon him in faith. You can also call on your zone leaders, and me for counsel and guidance.

Serve with all your heart, might, mind and strength in furthering this work. It is a privilege to work with you in this leadership role.

Love,
Marvin T. Brinkerhoff
Mission President

Not just potatoes . . .

Preaching the gospel to all nations, kindred ... and tongues.

It's not just potatoes in Idaho!

People just need to be loved

There's one thing I have learned about being in the Idaho Pocatello mission. People just need to be loved. In this mission, EVERYONE knows who the missionaries are. So, you simply can't knock on a door and say "Hello! We are missionaries of the..." yah. You have to really relate to the people and get to know them...then they'll ask more about you and why you are the way you are. One time I tried giving a mormon.org passalong card to this lady, but she absolutely refused to accept it. But once I just started talking to her and asking her questions about life, we started laughing and having a great time...then she accepted the card. So ya see?? people just gotta be loved.

 

The other day we had a huge all-day Spanish activity with the other Spanish branches in Idaho Falls. It was a blast! There was a huge soccer tournament, super delicious food, and lots of Mexican music =D

 

Let's see, what else happened? Oh yeah!! We got chewed out by a Jehovah's Witness hahaha. Man, people really don't know what we believe. She was telling us that we didn't believe in the Bible and lots of other crazy stuff. Well of course we believe in the Bible people! We just continued to smile, offer some service ,and explain clearly our beliefs. I don't think she really listened to us though ha.

 

I've just been thinking though...I'm already going on my sixth month and i still haven't gotten a baptism. It's easy to feel discouraged for going without a baptism for that long...i can't remember what kind of success Skylar and Kyle had, but it gets to me sometimes. But this morning I read in Helaman chapter 10 verse 4 and 5 and that kind of gave me some hope that I'm not a total failure! 

Blessed art thou, LUKE, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.

 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

I remember when Brother Gardner talked to the youth and shared his mission experience. he didn't baptize one person, but he planted so many seeds. Maybe that's my calling in this area.

 

We did find this guy who randomly stopped us and asked if we were Mormons. Apparently he took the missionary discussions for like 6 years, but somehow he lost touch with them. He wants us to come by like every week and teach him!! He's pretty solid too. He loves the mormon missionaries because they help him feel good =D sooooo we are way excited to work with him.

 

Our Branch President wants us to put on another fireside. The leaders really liked it and it really helped out with the unity of the Branch. woot woot!  

 

Well take care familia!

FHE with the Blakesees

The Blakesees sent another short video clip of Luke doin' a bit of soccer.  

"We are cooking panini's, cookies, Brazilian bread pudding, and Pizza. What else can can a missionary eat!!!!"
Tony Blakeslee