Elder Bryan J. Warner: Week 5 in Las Puentas!

HEY HEY! What a week!

How did everyones week go?!

Let me get a little caught up on a few of the things that happened last week..

Starting with interviews with the President: they were awesome. They lasted a little longer than normal, so he could get to know everyone a little better. One thing I really loved that he talked to me about was his goals and focuses on the mission. As of now, his main concern is converting the missionaries before the missionaries convert the investigators. He talked a lot about obedience and how many missionaries go through the motions because they don't take the rules seriously. It's more of them going through the mission, rather than the mission going through them.

Following, we were able to have Leadership Council. There were a lot of new faces from all of those that left last change. And next week we will have 6 more leaving. The majority of the council focused on a new method of missionary work that will be taking place in November. The area presidency has been inspired to change a selected few of Mexico's missions into working purely with the members --- for the cause that there are so many who are baptized and quickly fall away from the lack of friendship and support in the church.

We also were able to go on "crazy divisions" in the zone with the objective to help some of the missionaries see some of the blessings they become accustomed to and forget about. It went really well and the majority came back after 2 days ready to return to their areas to work. I had the opportunity to bring my MTC companion back to my area and work with him for a few days.

Today we had the opportunity to go to the temple and we were one of the first to get there so I was able to snatch the Book of Mormon and open it to read some of the answers and council I have been looking for in these last few days and weeks. I love the temple! Following, we, being three zones, went to a buffet. Normally after those events the restaurant puts signs in the door that says, ´No Mormon missionaries allowed´ from the amount of food they eat. I have heard it's happened before. Then we were able to do a little Mexico shopping on the ghetto strips.

P.S. I forgot to mention that we had a ward activity that we organized. it was themed on the Tree of Life where our convert, Bibiano had to follow the "iron rod" or in this case a string blind folded, then we took off the blind fold and tempted him with coke, cup cakes, and music like the scripture says eat drink and be merry. He had one of the young men (acting as the holy ghost) try to keep him on the path while all of us were trying to tempt him to stray from the path. At the end of it all, his wife was there with a branch we broke off from a tree acting as the tree of life. It was a cool message that the members liked!

Pictures:

-The zone

-Notche Mexicana! we were able to bring a few investigators, not to mention Bibiano's (our convert) wife rehearsed with the Relief Society to do a dance, it was awesome.

-These poor little lambs are delicacies here in Mexico!

-This is a little lady we ran into contacting. I told her that her monkey hanging on her door was cute and she went inside and got scissors to cut it off and gave it to me. Also we were able to help her out and throw those cigarettes away.

Next time we talk, we'll be at changes, well see what happens!!!

Love you all!

Elder Warner

Hey sweet mom!!! How are you doing!?!? How was your long week? It feels like i havent talked to you in forever! Well, I just feel happy right now. Another thing you mentioned, I am very, very blessed to be able to stay in an area to see the progress of these incredible investigators and converts!! The majority of the people here know me and we always wave and what not. I wouldnt mind staying here another change. Well, things are going by a little too quickly. But, I'm enjoying every moment, easy or difficult. It all pays off. I hope you are doing well. You're my super hero! I love you mom! Bryan