December 7, 2015

Hey mom!

So good news! Yes, Pictures this week! So here are a few of me and my companion! I'll make sure to send you a list of the package. I don't think that they always check them, but most of these things are for safety purposes. Just in case they feel like searching our christmas packages. I don't really get along with my companion. I try to, and I try to be patient, but it is hard. Seriously hard. He's very prideful and not very diligent with the rules. I know that I'm not perfect either, but it's hard. I have been able to learn a lot though. I think that's the value of this type of companion. They say that "God puts you with each companion for a reason, so learn the reason and learn from your companion", I think it's a reminder to me that I need to be more humble too. I've learned that when patience is needed, a prayer is your best friend.

I'm learning to like this area a lot. We've had good things happen and bad things happen. It's been quite an adventure. In the holiday seasons, people usually fire a lot of guns to celebrate. No, it isn't legal. But no, they don't care. Most nights we hear gunshots nowadays.

We weren't able to actually celebrate thanksgiving, but in all of our lessons we taught them about gratitude. We taught shared a lot of scriptures about christmas too! They may not celebrate thanksgiving, but they are a very thankful people. The husband of one of our investigators invited us over to eat chinese food (chinese food in mexico is a dangerous thing), and we were super worried -being poisoned by angry anti-mormons or narcos is unfortunately a very real possibility down here- I am still new here and don't know him very well, but I've heard some stories. He doesn't want anything to do with the church and is currently separated from his wife (he was abusive when she told him that she wanted to get baptised). So we were a little worried and said a few extra prayers in our hearts before eating the possibly poisoned food, but it was all good. actually it was really good. And afterwards we played a fun little game called "WWJD?", all about real life situations and the teachings of jesus. More than anything, we just got to share a bit more about our religion and our faith with him. It turned out to be a really great visit.

One Investigator had both her kids baptised (ages 13 and 17), but she couldn't because her husband didfn't want to get married. She has faithfully gone to church every week for the past several months with her kids. Well this week, he left. She had tried the "Ultimatum" before, but he hadn't married her or left, but suddenly: POOF. He's gone. It was bad, but good. She can now get baptised, but they were together for 15 years. It's been hard on them.

Fun fact for ya: We eat a load of chicken here! I really love chicken, but eating it every day gets a little old. Fortunately there are thousands of different types of salsa that we can use to spice it up a little (or a lot!).

To answer your questions: Yes, I got both ties :) I do have to be careful in using them though, because our president is very strict about our ties that we use.  But Yes, They are awesome! My companion wants to trade ties with me for them, but I told him "Psh, Now Way José!". Get it? It's funny because his name might actually be José :) haha

And thank you so much, I really don't have time to write group letters. When we change areas, we have to write to all of the people we baptised every week (or at least 1 or 2 a week), so I don't get much time. Thank you!

And that super legit mini frisbee is super awesome! I bring it with me to entertain little kids. Unfortunately, they all want it. So that's a problem. But it's awesome!

I Love Love Love Love You!

Elder Phillips

Tell the girls I love them! And Kate too! And Dad too!

(Dave and I got just a little different letters, so here is they part of his that was different (I think))

How awesome! We don't have any snow down here :(.  It gets really cold, but no snow. My companion was asking me today if we really go sledding like they do in the movies and I had to laugh, "Of course we do!" I told him. But he's from an area super warm and has hardly ever even seen snow! I love the snow! The cold weather, standing close to a warm fire, roasting s'mores... it's the best!!

I don't really get along with my companion. I try to, and I try to be patient, but it is hard. Seriously hard. He's very prideful and not very diligent with the rules. I know that I'm not perfect either, but it's hard. I have been able to learn a lot though. I think that's the value of this type of companion. They say that "God puts you with each companion for a reason, so learn the reason and learn from your companion", I think it's a reminder to me that I need to be more humble too. I've learned that when patience is needed, a prayer is your best friend.

Have a great week! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Elder Phillips (pronounced down here as Peeleeps or Feeleex)