Week 88

Mom and Dad,  

I really loved conference too and my ponderizing scripture last week was Timothy 4:12 because that is the one that the prophet shared, and I am not sure what my new one is going to be.  

So just to answer you question really quick, I am going to come home 20th of January but I do not know what time yet.    Yeah I have thought a little about how I am going to miss the whole semester and honestly there is a reason why.  I think that I am going to just wait and not go until spring.  I don't think that I am going to sign up for an online class but I will think about it.  I was just planning on coming home and working and serving and being with the family for a few months.  I think that will give me a good preparation for college.  

That is awesome for Alex about his birthday!  He must be really happy.  You are a great mom!  He and I are so lucky.  When I was reading your email I thought " WOW I am suprised that Mom didn't say, ´my little baby just turned 16, what am I going to do´"  But then I remember that your little baby has 15 years before she turns 16 so you and dad have a lot of time left!  I am sure that makes you feel happy and young like you are!  

This week has been great.  We have found a lot a new families. We are working with some amazing members lately.  There are 2 members that are helping especially.  One is Hno Robles, he is our ward mission leader!  He is an experienced, humble priesthood holder and has a lot of experience in life also.  We also have been working with a recent convert named Estefania.  I don't know if I told you the story with her but about 6 months ago I was in intercambios with Elder Fry, who was in this area before me.  Well we got an impression to knock a door and a 25 year old guy came out and said that he was about to eat dinner that he had prepared with his fiance.  So we asked him if we could come in and say a prayer for their food.  They were really kind and said that we could come back later.  I went back to by area and then heard nothing about them for 4 months until I talked to Elder Aguila who asked me if I remembered them because the guy´s sister got baptized.  She is Estefania.  Both of her parents passed away in the last 5 years.  She has so much faith!  She is the most converted recent convert that I have met in my mission!  Yeah, so when I came to this area I was really happy to see that through small and simple things great things come to pass.  So last night in exchanges we went and worked with Hno Robles and Estefania and the lessons were sooo powerful!  It was great because we had the experience and trust of hno Robles and the excitement and powerful testimony of the recent convert.  My companion and I felt like we were a powerful team.  We found a new family of 5 to teach last night because we follow an impression of the spirit to go to the house of an old contact we had!  The Mother of the Family broke down cry because she felt like we were sent from God to visit them.  They had been passing through hard times and need the gospel.  The love that I feel for the Families makes everything worth it!

I love you family!  

Elder Quist

Week 87

Happy revelation day,

I am touched in this moment for a few reasons!  First, a profound feeling of comfort given by the Holy Spirit has swept over me giving me a confirmation that the three new apostles are men called of God.  What a blessing.  Second and even more touching because of the spirit I felt in the talk of Elder Holland and Elder Bradly Foster who both talked about first the importance of Mothers and Second of Fathers. Elder Holland said To all of our mothers everywhere, past, present, or future, I say, “Thank you for giving birth, for shaping souls, for forming character, and for demonstrating the pure love of Christ."  I not only want to thank all mothers but especially I want to thank you Mom.  The spirit of gratitude that filled my heart as I listened to the words of an apostle of Christ will be something that I will never forget!  Mom and Dad, you have shaped my soul, formed my character and with out a doubt showed the pure love of Christ.  But more important then what you have done is what you are doing every week with your letters, and every day with your prayers to bless my life.  I love you both!  Thank you.  

That was a cute video of abby! She is so cute. It was a good week!  We were really busy and on Wednesday I got really sick with a fever.  I got a blessing from my companion and all I can say is that every time my testimony of the power of the Priesthood becomes more and more firm.  So, I am doing better now and Sister Bird took good care of making sure I got better fast!  

I love you all so much,  I´ll be looking out for the family on the TV in the conference center tomorrow! 

Elder Quist   

Week 86

Hey Family,

Well here I am again.  It was great to read your letters again!  It always makes me happy to hear about all the great things that are happening back to home.  Especially Quinn going on a mission!  That is sick! You are right, he is going to be great missionary.  Good luck to the McCay family, because it is hard to let such a good kid go! hahha but don't get too sad when he goes.  

So this week I have been feeling very blessed!  We had 2 zone conferences this week and things are going really smooth.  It is nice being able to teach the same subject every time because we have been able to get the kinks out  and focus on what the spirit want us to change each time according to the missionaries needs.  So I don't know if I told you yet (I think I did)  but in my last area, valle hermoso,  the three investigators that were progressing got baptized within the next couple weeks.  Brandon, the 20 year old young that had aspergers,  he is now preparing to get the priesthood and progressing significantly.  Diana, the super chosen investigator that is the sister of another recent convert. And Jasmine,  a reference from a member that lived in the same street.  When Elder Fife went home I got to talk to him for a bit of time and he told me all about how everything went because I wasn't able to got back to see the baptismal services.  He said that everything was amazing.  I also recently talked to the sister missionaries in valle hermoso and they told me that Diana and Jasmine have been going out to do visits with them!  They did divisions the other day.  That made me so happy.  Diana said that she wants to serve a mission!  She is only 26 and I think that's still in the age range for sister missionaries!  That is such a miracle.  Moments when I hear about the progress that convert are still having that I have been able to be part of their conversion process, makes me so happy!  I recongize whose work this is.  He is all powerful and how grateful I am to be an instrument in His hands! #bestday.  Oh and and by the way Jonathan from the Family Sanchez is going to serve a mission!  He is an American citizen because he was born over there, so it is very probable that he gets called to a state side mission!  That would be sick so that he can learn English!  

But as for the investigators that we have right now, everything is going great!  We are teaching about 5 people that have a lot of potential to get baptized. 3 of them are members references, and the other 2 are contacts.  

One of the member references   His name is Roberto Quiñones.  He as been going to church on and off with his girlfriend who is a member with 2 kids (she got divorced).  He is about 30 years old and has never been married but they are soon going to get married. He seems like a very shy person but we have been trying to get him to open up to us by sharing our personal experiences with him and letting him express what he is feeling.  We have been able to tell recently that he was not totally open with us.  So a few days ago when we were talking about how he was feeling with his relationship with his Heavenly Father he told us that he felt good but confused.  We asked him why.  Though it was hard for him to express, he responded with another question "Elders,¿why do I feel peace and comfort when I pray sometimes and feel a huge emptiness in my soul in other times?  We asked him to explain what he thought, and he told us EVERYTHING.  In short he never felt the love and support from his parents.  Due to this, he has formed a dis-confidence in himself!  He feels like he is NEVER good enough.  As he talked about his past he broke down.  The spirit filled the room as a this child of God, bore the most deep feeling from his soul as a sacrifice surely worthy to the Lord of his repent soul. Many tears were shed.  He told us that never in his life had he felt full or good enough.  I tried to relate to him because I have felt some of the those same feelings but that is not good enough.  We bore our testimonies of the power of the atonement.  It is what filled me, and I know that it is going to fill that empty space in his soul.  The Power of the spirit is un-real.  

I am so grateful for the mission because it really allows me to keep my baptismal convent "to mourn with those that mourn,  to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort."  There is nothing more satisfying.  

I love you some much Family!  Have another great week!  

Love Elder Quist fbd

Week 85

Good afternoon family,  

Mom make sure that you are letting Abby get enough sleep, I am learning that it is really important, hahahah.  I am SO tired!  but don't worry mom,  I know that you are the best mother ever.  This week has gone great for my companion and I.  Last Sunday we had the opportunity to see the re-dedication of the temple in Mexico City.  It was such a spiritual experience. President Eyring and Elder Holland both were there (My two favorites).  So how is everyone doing this week?  How is Shelby doing?  What is she up to?  and Alex?  I want to hear from you Alex when you get a chance. 

Well things in our area have been pretty normal.  We are finding really good people and the members are really helping us.  I feel tired but great!  I have learned this week that our desires really determine what our success will be!  

Transfers went very smooth!  It was the first time that I participated with president in the transfers.  It was an awesome experience to see and learn from the revelation that he receives!  He really trust in the impressions of the spirit and does not doubt.  This was probably one of the most stressful weeks of my life!  It really was crazy and we had so much to get ready for the transfers.  On Tuesday morning there is a huge transfers meeting and all the missionaries that have transfers and their companion come to the offices with all their suitcases and we have to organize all of them!  Then we all go into the sacrament hall and the companions give their testimonies.  Then my companion and I announce the transfers in the whole mission and as we call them out they go and sit next to their new companions.  After that meeting we go straight into a training meeting for the new district leaders. Right after that we start another meeting for the new elders and sister that are going to be trainers.  So basically that whole day is just packed.  We then go into presidents office and update his board that has the organization of the whole mission with magnets.  That takes about 2 or 3 hours and then we head over to presidents house which is in the other mission to update his board in his office in his house.  By that time it is about 8:00pm and we start eating.  At that point we can start to relax!  It was pretty nice because we get to be with all missionaries that are finishing their missions the next day.  We were all sharing the funniest experiences that we have had in the mission!  I haven't  laughed so hard in a year and a half.  It was even better because a lot of them are good friends and I had 2 of my ex-companions their! Elder Astacio(la republica dominicana) who was my trainer.  I love him so much!  That was one of the hardest times of my mission but we took some time to remember together the good times and bad times!  I can tell that we have changed so much since then!  It was such a spiritual experience!  I also got the opportunity to talk with Elder Fife, who was my companion right before Elder Cook.  As I talked to him I noticed a change in my self.  I noticed that I loved him when just 6 months ago before I was his companion he was one of the missionaries that I wasn't to sure about.  That just goes to show that one can come to love anyone with enough prayer and service!  After dinner president takes the time to have a really spiritual devotional where all the missionaries that  go home share the most spiritual experiences that they had in the mission.  We get back to the offices at like 11:30 or 12:00  and have to get all the suitcases ready because the next morning we get up to go to the airport at 4:30am.  Then 2 days latter we had first zone conference, so we had to plan what we were going to train to the whole mission.  One down and 9 more to go.  haha Yep I feel pretty good but yes that week was hard and stressful but I am learning a lot!  but I do notice that I have grown. At least I am not scared to speak in front of 100 people anymore!

hahahhah dad That is funny about Trump!  and yes it is a very common occurance that we contact someone that asks us if we are Americans followed by the question...."yeah and what is up with the Trump guy, why does he hate Mexicans?"  They are all pretty upset.  So we just tell them that  we know nothing about that but that we do love Mexicans! haha

Love you dad and mom! Keep being the best! 

Elder Quist

Week 84

What a blessing it is to have Abby in the family, I bet she always keeps things interesting!  wow that makes me happy to hear that you are going to pave the road.  That will be very big change when I come back.  I approve! hahah.  Say bye to Quinn for me!  He is going to be great!  This week has been an exciting week!  It is the week before transfers and we are going to be really busy until the next week and then zone conferences start next transfer so we are going to be even more busy!  

So this week we had a cool adventure 2 days ago.  On tuesday night I was finsihing exchanges with a Elder Canalizo, one of the Zone leaders.  We were in my area and we called a taxi because we had to go all the way back to their house to swtich back to our companion.  It is usually a 45 minute taxi ride.  So the taxi got there and we got on the freeway!  Everything was normal and suddenly the hood of the taxi un-clipped and smashed into the windshild.  The taxi driver slams on his breaks and weaves through the traffic to get to the slow lane. We slowly came to a stop as semi-trucks were flying by.  We could only see through a little crack where the hood wasn't  blocking our view!  So we sat there in a complete stop in the slow lane due to the fact that there was no shoulder on the freeway, just a cliff and a river down below.  We got out of the taxi and made sure that the cars coming could see us.  We tied the hood of the car down just enough that we could get to the next pull off to be able to safely call another taxi.  We got there and payed the taxi driver.  We were waiting there for a few minutes and not one of the taxis stopped.  They usually don't stop on the freeway.  We had our hand out so a fuerza civil truck(that is like a federal police car) pulled to a stop.  They rolled down the window and asked us where we were going.  They told us to get in.  My companion looked at me and said "should we do it"  I got the impression that we shouldn't say no because I didn't want to deny the police! So we get in the back seat of the police car and just sat there in silence.  A feeling of fear came over me when I remembered all the stories of the mexican police turned bad. All the worst thoughts came to my mind but I won't mention them to not scare you mom! haha.  After a few minutes of silence the police man driving said,  and what were you doing on the the side of the freeway Elders.  I breathed a sigh of relief as he told us that he was a member from a ward in the west mission!  hahah.  So he took us all the way to the house and we had a nice personalized free ride.  The best part is that as we sat there on the side of the mexican freeway I was praying that we would make it back safe and find a safe taxi, that was the same moment when the fuerza civil stopped and picked us up!  I know that it was an answer to my prayers!  Who knows what could have happened with two missionaries on the side of the freeway but the Lord protected us!

We got to the zone leaders house safe and pulled up in a sweet new ride.  My companion and the other zone leader looked out the window and saw the truck and said "oh what did we do this time?"  then they saw us get out and were shocked! hahah

I love you all so much!  I am safe now!  don't worry!  Talk to you in a couple weeks!

Elder Quist

Week 83

Mom and Dad,  just so you know that was not really in n out last week but the picture completed its purpose!  haha.  They wrap the hamburgers in what ever leftover paper and plastic there is!  and I guess they got the plastic that the ketchup is made of from in n out!  You asked about I was reproved for. Well President really didn't reprove me on anything big but just little things that are going to help me become more effective and disciplined as leader.  He is very direct about what we need to do better but it really helps!  

Well it makes me happy to hear that you are still having good fun back at home with the McCays.  I was worried when I left that you would get old too fast! hahah just kidding.  I know that Abby is keeping the family young!  I am definitely myself around my companions but you know me,  it takes me a little time to get comfortable around people I dont know but the mission is changing me!  Hey, tell Truly that I say congratulations.  I had not remembered that she was already engaged but I do'nt know if it is because I forgot or if nobody told me!  I think that I forget things really easily about things going on back home.  

This week has been a very busy week!  when we have consejo de liderazgo we are here in the offices a lot more, it is a little sad not to be in the area that much but I am so happy with the people that we are teaching in our area! They are awesome!  Also my companion from my last area told me that 3 of the investigators that were preparing to get baptized when I left valle hermoso already have gotten baptized.  My one transfer there paid off although I have not been able to be there for the baptisms but that doesn't' mater!  

We are teaching an investigators that is a mix between grandma Dorthy and grandma Cathy( athough no one can get up to there level and replace them for me but she gets pretty close;))  haha  she is 80 years old and she is the most choosen investigator that I have ever taught!  It is amazing how receptive she is to the spirit!  I love her so much!  There are few lesson in my whole mission that I have felt the spirit so strong as I have felt with her!  I will tell you about her next week but I feel so blessed!  

This transfer has gone by so fast and I feel great about it!  time is flying by and it makes me want to make the best of everyday!  

Have a great week family!  Talk to you next week!  Love you all.

Elder Quist

Week 82

Time seems to be flying by.  Like I have said from the beginning of my mission it is like a time warp.  But it is a great time warp.  It was good to hear about how the family is doing!  Mom, that is awesome that you are going to be a english teacher.  I could have never imagined that for me but I am jealous of Alex because he is going to have the best teacher!  I love the videos and pictures that you sent this week!  They were great.  Abby is so adorable.  Sometimes I tell people about by family  and about have a sister the is 19 months old.  They are usually pretty shocked! 

This week we had some awesome experiences again!  Two days ago we were having a rough morning and we could not find anyone.  At 6:00 we went to an appointment that we had set a couple hours before with a young adult that invited us to come back!  At about 4:00 we talked to him for the first time and he looked like a fresa kid but we contacted him and he said that he didn't have time to talk just then because he was eating with his girlfriend.  He was surprisingly very interested and I learned something very important in that moment, the character of someone is easily shown in the way that that treat other that they don't know in front of the people they love(family or friends).  When we taught him he was being taught by the spirit.  I also learned that the light of Christ is something really.  Although all his life he had been taught other ways of believing, within 15 minute of the influence of the Spirit, he started to recognize eternal spiritual truths.  That is our job as missionaries.  Help people feel and learn by the spirit so that the spirit can remind them of all things that they have know, truths from this life and truths from the life before.  

I went on exchanges to my old area, Sada Vidro and saw a lot of beloved members.  What a blessing was that for me!

My area is pretty much like my area sada vidro( my area when I was with Elder Juarez).  They are right next to each other.  It is 26 year old colonia(that is old for Monterrey)  so that means that most of the people there are older and have their traditions very rooted!(d&c 93:39)  but we are seeing mircales and the Lord has prepared many people!  My companion is sick!  He is from Idaho and he loves football, wakeboarding and basketball!  so I guess you could say we get along well!  President is awesome and with more responsiblities I feel like I make more mistakes.  It is very humbling and makes me realize how much I need the Lords help.  President Bird is so great, and is really great at leading.  He understands what Joseph Smith meant when he said "  Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved"   

That reproving really stings sometimes but without a doubt he shows me an increase of love after!  The baptism by fire sometimes feels like a real fire within but then the Holy Ghost comes and soothes that burning sensation after the needed effect takes place!  

Love you family!  have a great week!  

Elder Quist

P.S.  Mom although there is a lot of stress and hard times as a missionary, I am  actually surprised myself that I am not lying when I say that I am in peace and happiness always!