Week 26- Letter #27

Tue, Aug 14, 2012 at 1:10 PM

Hola, ¿Como estan? I had divisions with some of the other missionaries. Every missionary is supposed to have 2 divisions every transfer and we hadnt done them yet. Last week being close to the transfer we had to change 2 times within a short amount of time. The man that tripped was sick last time we passed by and we werent able to see him since. V is doing pretty good. We actually werent able to talk to her much but we did one day. She told us that M returned and said that he wants to hear more about the gospel and get married and after be baptized. Yeah the people here were just taught to do things that are of the world and not exactly things that will help them in the long run. Family T is a less active family with the wife as an investigator. They have gone to church 2 out of the last three weeks and the wife is actually going to be baptized after they get married (Kinda like the M and V Situation). The first baptism was awesome. It was soo cool to think that I helped in the change of this persons life. She was baptized by the person who brought her to the church the first time. His name is Hermano E. I actually cant go on the blog. As missionaries we are limited to lds.org, Email, and mormon.org. This week was the last week before transfers. On Tuesday we were able to bring one of the members with us to see some of our investigators. Each responded well and the member added a strong testimony. On Wednesday I had my first convert that came from playing basketball against him. We were able to play a short game of 2 on 2 and after he told me, with a glow of pride and joy, "I speak English." We talked a little bit in English and then set up an appointment for next Tuesday. He told me that he had been working in United states for the last 20 years making roofs, and had one time talked to missionaries. He should be a great investigator. On Thursday we had a meeting about the new changes with how the members need to help more in the missionary work and the Elders should do less finding and more teaching. On Friday we actually received some referals. But sadly they were not in our area so we cant teach them, but we passed it on to the other missionaries. On Saturday we spent the day with one of the assistants to the president because we are the area closest to the offices. He had divisions with another missionary but he would not arrive until late. It was cool to spend a little bit of time with him too and learn from him. On Sunday we had the Family T at church again, and 42 people in total there. They talked about the new plan in Sunday School and the importance of attending the temple. I also took some last pictures just in case I was going to leave the area. On Sunday night I received the information that I was going to be transferred to a small ranch in Durango. I arrived Monday night and met my new companion whose name is Elder Cortés. He is awesome it should be an awesome transfer. I love the area too. It is really cool. !pues hasta luego¡ Espero que les gustan los fotos. Elder Corbin

Week 25- Letter #26

Mon, Aug 6, 2012 at 3:12 PM ********************************************************************************************************* Photos 1. My zone of the last change. 2. My past district 3. Us eating with a member 4. Last minutes with Elder Camarillo as my companion 5. Elder Andrade

***************************************************************************************************************** Hola, This week was great. On tuesday we had divisions. I had one of the leaders with me on this day. I learned a lot from him. He really knows how to teach and how to bring people to Christ. I was able to learn from him in many different ways. We were able to talk with V on this day. She got really emotional as she explained to us that M had left her and that she was jobless and had no way to pay for food or anything. We talked to her about why the Lord gives us trials. We also received 2 referrals from a member and were able to teach them with the member. Wednesday we went with V again and put a date for her baptism for saturday. She accepted. We began talking about how the baptism would work and any questions she had. After we went and taught the T Family. The dad is a "fighter" and had been baptized about 30 years ago but went inactive. We were able to share a message with them about the Atonement. They accepted it pretty well. Thursday we had divisions again. I went to another area to teach with another missionary. With the help of the Lord we were able to find 2 new investigators for them within an hour. We had the interview for the baptism of V and also a couple other things to prepare for the Baptism of V. On Friday we did all of the final things for the Baptism of V. We got the white baptism suit, and talked with the bishop to make sure all of the details were set and all was ready for the baptism. He told us that everything was ready and that we just need to show up at 2 on Saturday for the baptism. We also went and talked with V a little bit to see if she had any final questions. She told that M had come that day and that he wanted to return. She told M that she couldn't do that because she was going to be baptised the next day and that it is against the rules of the church to live together without being married. It was cool to hear her confidence and desire to be a member of the church. On Saturday we had the Baptism of V. It was cool to see her be cleaned of all. It was kind of wierd to think that I had a part in helping her become a member. One of the members at the baptism was able to tell her that there is a job that she can have is she wanted. She gladly accepted. On Sunday she received the Holy Ghost and was confirmed a member of the church. What a cool experience to be part of. I know that this is the true church and that it is the only way back to Heaven and to happiness and eternal life. I hope all continues to go well for you all. Les amo, Elder Corbin

Week 24- Letter #25

Mon, Jul 30, 2012 at 5:16 PM Hi, Dont have much time today either. Things went great this week. We were able to have an investigator go to church on Sunday and now he is able to be baptized. We are going to see what happens this week. We also talked with V, and she said that M had left her. So right now we are seeing and planning on if we are going to baptize her this week of if we should wait until they are married. We were also able to help a family paint their house in a couple different rooms, and move furniture for them. I really enjoy the mission and am continuing to learn more everyday. I know that this is the true gospel and that Jesus is our Redeemer. I know that this life is only preparatory for the life to come after death. For this, I know that challenges are but small things, and as it says in the scriptures when Jesus spoke to Joseph Smith, "that thy challenges shall be but a small moment." I hope all is going well at home and that they continue to go well. adios, Elder Corbin

Week 23- Letter #24

Mon, Jul 23, 2012 at 1:37 PM Hola, ¿Como estan? Im glad this week went well for you all. Im glad that camp went well and that Eliza was able to have a friend with her for the camp. Im glad Brett and Conner are having some learning experiences and that Dad was able to find another job. Thats awesome. I have not received a letter from Jacob but it might be at the offices. I'm not sure. I asked one of my leaders if Grandma and Grandpa could write me from email and he said that that is fine. A couple questions for you all. When does Brett return from California? Have you guys recieved the Birthday cards (those are really usefull by the way. Thanks Mom and Aunt Shell!)? This week went pretty good. On Tuesday we went with V and she told us that M says that he is not sure if he wants to get married, and that it is a huge responsibility. We are trying to find a time when we can go and talk with him but they werent there this week when we went to the appointments later in the week. We also found a man last week who we challenged to read the Book of Mormon last week. He told us on Tuesday that he read a little bit of the Book of Mormon and went to bed one night and that in the early morning he woke up and was walking in the dark and tripped over a toy and hurt his elbow and was left with a scab there. He told us that it happened because he read the Book of Mormon the night before. We were able to explain to him about how Satan works and that he will do all he can to make people believe contrary to what is true. We challenged him to read again and he accepted. On Wednesday we went with a less active family and read a chapter in the Book of Mormon (Moroni 10), and then talked about what was said in the chapter to help them understand better. We also helped a sister paint her house. On Thursday we contacted a lot. We were able to find a couple people who are willing to listen about the Gospel. We shared with them the plan of salvation and they both accepted it pretty good. On Friday we helped the Sister finish painting her room that we helped her start. It is a bright yellow on 2 walls and the other 2 are solid orange. Quite the choice of colors, huh? On Saturday we talked to the Bishop about the plan that we have for the missionary work in the ward. We were able to talk a little bit about who we could focus on to bring them back to the church. On Sunday we went to church and we saw V there but not M. Overall a pretty good week. I am so grateful to be a missionary and I know that this is the true church and that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet of God on the earth. I hope all continues to go well for you all. Les amo, Elder Corbin

Week 22- Letter #23

Mon, Jul 16, 2012 at 7:47 PM Hola, So your going to girls camp huh? That's awesome. Where are you going to be going for that? It sounds like things are going pretty well down there. So the address that we give to our parents for mail and all that is to the offices. There they are distributed to our leaders in a monthly meeting. After that they are distributed to the individual missionary. So, quite the process huh? ha,ha. I asked the leaders if I have received a package though and they said yes. So I haven't received it yet but they said I should receive it in the upcoming weeks. That's cool that Jake is going to Texas, and Spanish speaking. About the emailing me from Grandma and Grandpa.... I'm not sure but I will ask and let you know next week. This week was pretty good. Its funny because the kids here don't know English of course, but there are a couple words that they do know and they are proud of it. So every time they see me in the street they say "Hey man!" Just a random thought about my area. haha. On Wednesday we went and invited a Priest of the ward to go with us to contact different houses. He came and was pretty well prepared. He told us that he had gone with the missionaries after and that he was already planning on serving a mission. So that was pretty cool. We also talked to Vanessa on this day. We did the questions for baptism with her and she passed all of the questions too (Besides that they aren't married). Thursday we went with one of the deacons in our ward to the appointments we had. He did great, answering little questions here and there as we went to the different appointments. On Friday we were able to help one of the members with a talk that they were going to be giving on Sunday (and it went great on Sunday). We also contacted for most of this day. On Saturday we were able to go with the deacon again to our appointments. It was a good experience because he and his mom wanted to do a fast for the first time so we helped them out with their questions and teaching them how they should do a fast. On Sunday we went to the district meeting expecting a change but our district leader told us that we would be staying in the same area even though we don't have a mission leader. I'm excited for the challenge to do all we can to get the ward excited for this new change to have the members be missionaries. Today we went to a buffet for the first time. It was pretty good. We spent 2 hours there in intention to eat all the food in the restaurants but sadly we weren't able to achieve that goal. I am grateful for the gospel and for the Savior in my life. I'm also great for you all and all your support on my mission. A couple questions. When does Brett return from his work in California? How is Conner's reading going in the Book of Mormon? Les amo, Elder Corbin

Week 21- Letter #22

Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 2:38 PM ¡Familia! ¿Como estan? Its pretty wierd to think that I already have 5 months seems like not much time ago that I was at home leaving for the mission. Time has definitely flown by. I would like to go to the temple but we cant go because it is not in our mission boundaries. This week was a little wierd because I had 12 weeks with Elder Camarillo and we changed on Monday. His name is Elder Andrade. He is from Tampico Mexico area. He has 15 months in the mission and lots of baptisms. We went to M and V's on Tuesday, but only M was there. We talked with him about the questions for baptism. He passed with all of them except that he is not married. We are still trying to work with them to get married. We also talked with 2 families of less actives. They said that they would be going to church on Sunday. On Wednesday we had another meeting with the Mission President as a zone. He said that we are going to be changing so that we will be having every lesson with a member and that we would be focusing on helping the less actives and looking for references and to focus on them too. References from members are important because that is where most of the baptisms come from. He said that we would not be contacting anymore until October. He also said that if we don't have a ward mission mission leader and a ward council that we might be moved out of our area. So I might be moved because with our little assistance to church we don't have members that can take these positions. But this doesn't start until next week. Thursday we looked for more less active members and invited them all to the church on Sunday. We also asked them why they weren't coming anymore. Friday we went with one of the members from the ward to look for more less active members. We had some success but a lot weren't there. Saturday we found a new investigator that we are hoping will be able to keep the commitments that we give her, but she goes to a different city every Saturday and Sunday where her mom lives. We also helped someone paint their house and clean the house too. Sunday we didn't have any less active members or Investigators but we are going to work even harder this week so that we have some. I have a question- Where is Jacob going for his mission? I hope that all turns out well this week. Les amo, Elder Corbin

Week 19- Letter #20

Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 3:30 PM Hola familia, Te llamo Michelle! Excelente! My pants are working out great! It actually says on the pants machine wash cold but I didn't see that... haha. About every week we sweep and mop. We don't have a vacuum though, or carpet. Normally no cleaner just water. The lady with the bread business did agree to pay tithing. I am not sure if the business picked up or not. We almost always walk. I think only one time we had a ride. haha. We got our gas fixed and so now we have a stove. We made pizza on Thursday and it turned out awesome. I normally eat cereal though. I also bought Nutella and crackers for another option. I haven't received the package yet but I think it will receive it in like a week or two. Thanks for the package. Yeah the change of companions was only for a day. I am still with Elder Camarillo but we change permanently on Monday. Well for a person like you described I would start with the restoration and work through the other lessons, meanwhile giving her commitments that will help her personally. M and V are not married. This is the thing that we are waiting for. After they are married they can be baptized. We are hoping that they will begin to have a desire to be married. They have a 3 year old and a 1and a half year old. Yeah the bed that I have my feet just dangle off the edge. Tuesday we had a lesson with M and V. We talked about the Commandments, and lesson 3 the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They took it pretty well and understood it pretty well. Wednesday we had an appointment with M and V too but they had to go. So instead we went to a part of our area and contacted. On Thursday we went with some less actives and some recent converts and shared some scriptures and made pizza. On Friday we talked with our Bishop about what we could do to better the ward. We also found 2 new investigators. One of them plays the saxophone for work and travels to USA for every weekend to play. Saturday we went and did some service for someone in the ward by mopping and sweeping a house. We also went and talked with a recent convert. Its weird to think that this is the last week with this companion but we will see how it goes with the other one. Adios, Elder Corbin