September 21, 15

Hey Everyone!

Life down here is just full of surprises! It Rained! A Lot! And we ate Crepes, Which are actually a traditional Mexican Dish! Ok, not really. But they were still really good!

So I wasn´t really expecting this to happen, but it was raining for nearly a full day! Back home, yeah, that might happen. But here? Almost never! I have truly developed an apreciation and love for the rain.

Spiritual Thought for all of you: I was watching some Mormon Messages and this phrase really struck me: A Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So let´s make sure that step is in the right direction. Make sure that it´s the step you should be taking. Every action we have has far-reaching consequences. Sometimes good consequences, sometimes bad consequences. Most of the time we can´t see the consequences, not at first. Most of the time we want to see the promised blessings immediatly, but that´s not usually how God works. First we have to take a few steps of faith, and then the path becomes clearer. So remember to trust in God. Remember to rust in his plan for us. God kows all things, and we truly know so little. 

So who are we to doubt God and his ways?

Also, Mexican Holidays! El Grito! the 15th of September! 

And Mexican Independance day! the 16th of September!

We had divisions that day and I was with Elder Brazell, our Zone´s Fearless Leader. Basically what you do is stay up until about 11:00PM and then shout "¡Viva México!". This was the night that their war for independance began. And they celebrate their Independance day the following day. Here are some photos of our "Grito". As well as our trip down to the Centro

So that was this week´s fun activities! Have fun everybody! 

Sincerely,

Elder Phillips

September 14, 15

Hello Everybody!

I´ve got photos this week! Woohoo!!

So this week has been super awesome. Eating Ice Cream, Rededication of the Mexico City Temple, Zone Meetings, and other amusing tidbits!

We had some Ice cream this week. This doesn´t happen too often down here. And it was delicioso. Chocolate covered strawberries and tres leches. Super good. yup.

1st Photo is of my companion and I. Elder Ramirez with the red tie, and me with the purple tie (in case you couldn´t tell. I´m looking pretty brown these days) 

2nd photo! My Zone of missionaries! all 20ish of us after our Zone Meeting!

3rd photo! Because you know, there´s always that 1 selfie.

So This week was also the Rededication of the Mexico City Temple! We were able to watch the Cultural Celebration and then the rededication and they were super amazing! The Celebration was all about how the church arrived here in mexico and the pioneers and missionaries and stuff! It was really awesome and you can probably still watch it on LDS.org if you´d like to see a bit of Mexican culture!

Fun News! A missionary down here is from Boise Idaho! Elder Engberson I believe is his name. He´s not in my area, and we only met once, but yup! he went to Rocky Mountain. Cool beans, right?

The Lord has been good to us here in Juarez, Blessings are flowing in constantly. And when we look at the big picture (The Really Big Picture) We can truly understand how little is truly required of us to recieve these blessings. Blessings of families, safety and health, and in the end, eternal life with our families. And all we are asked to do is keep the commandments and live our life as Christ lived his. Now is that really too much to ask? I don´t think so.

And so I end this letter. I know that the gospel is true. And I´m here to share it. If you know that the gospel is true too, I invite you to share it with those you love. 

Read your scriptures,

Go to church,

Stay in School kids 

& Stay Classy Boise,

Elder Phillips

Hey Mom!

That is all so wonderful! Mostly. I´m glad to hear that Margi was doing well. And all them girls heading out on missions! I think it´s just something they decided to do to help pass the time until I get back :) If you get their emails, send them to me! I´d love to hear from them all!

Thanks for the pictures, I always love seing the family! Remind Taylor and Tyler that they look like goofballs. And the package arrived! Awesome! Thank you for sending the Mormon Messages and The Hymn Books! I had started to think that you´d forgotten! Can you believe that I´ve already been out here for 5 Months? Crazy how fast the time flies! And the Star Wars Fruit snacks too! Super delicioso! 

Don´t tell him I said this, But has Brother McOmber been putting on weight? maybe it´s just the picture, but dad´s looking slim and Brother McOmber is looking a bit bigger in the middle. Just Saying.

So people in this area have begun asking me for my Facebook. Which is totally fine and all, But I need to enlist your help. I need you to update it! Like go through and remove the worst photos (from back when I was super fat and stuff) And maybe add some new ones of the Idaho Scenary. I seem to remember 1 picture in particular of Jack and I during Mary Poppins that may need removed... You know the one. If I remember correctly you have the Facebook info and all. jdphil@cableone.net. password: I think it was 123soccer123. I think. maybe just soccer123. or something like that. Por Favor!

I Love You Mom!

Elder Phillips

Heyyo Daddyo!

It sounds like BSU was having a bad day. But I do really like that CTB picture you sent me :) it´s pretty legit! I think they should make CTB rings. Which reminds me, did I ever tell you I lost my CTR ring? I can´t remember. But yep, life happens. You should start calling on those punks at church to give last minute talks. That´s not unrighteous dominion, right? I´m pretty sure that the man upstairs would understand :)

And how did Ellie´s talk go? was this her first one ever? That´s pretty exciting!

So our mission president has a son on a mission right now. He has told us, As an official rule of the mission, That writing your parents and answering their questions is a MUST. It is an official rule now. But yeah, ok. I guess I could do that. I was trying to write more anyways, but sometimes it´s difficult because we dont have too much time.

The package did arrive and it did make all of my wildest dreams come true! Thank you for sending the hymn book! It is super awesome and I bring it everywhere with me now. And the fruit snacks too :) totes delish. I have been cursed with another companion who doesnt like star wars. I don´t understand, Is God Punishing Me? It´s been a real trial of faith.

I´m glad you saw Justin! I think he´s been trying to avoid writing me or something. But I´m glad he has a calling and is going to church! 

And Pedro is from Juarez! I´m going to find his house! or maybe just call him: "Hey is pedro there." " Who is this?" "I´m a missionary, I like his best friend ever. Gosh"

That´s how our conversation would go.

Glad to hear your making progress with the island too! It looks awesome!

I Love you!

Elder Phillips

September 7, 15

Hey everyone I hope you are all having a great week! Not to much has happened this week, but I guess I learned something knew. The more one understands the Atonement, the more they can bless others lives by being an example of the believers.  I hope you are all having a great week! Thanks for all the things you´ve done for me! Te amo!

Share a smile with someone new this week! A little thing that means nothing to you could mean the world to someone else!

Love,

Elder Phillips

How Awesome! I´m glad to hear that all´s been going so well! Fitmania, Work, Everything! And how did Eli ask Megan to Homecoming? Was it supercool? I will get a new mission president in July I think. They serve for 3 years. I will be here for his last year and the first year of the next one.

I´m glad that your lesson went so well too! do you have a calling as a teacher right now? I don´t remember. In the young women, right?

I will recieve the package today around 7pm, at the end of our meeting. 

So I didn´t have the chance to take any really good pictures yet, but I have been scoping out a few good places. Next time we´re close, I´ll take some pictures for you!

Unfortunately, I don´t think that 6 months of fitmania is a prize. Shouldn´t it be a punishment for the losers? Just saying. "Congratulations! You worked so hard here´s your prize: More Work!"

haha, sorry my letters have been pretty lame lately. Not much has been going on down here. We´ve been struggling a bit. Numbers are looking down, but we´re trying to keep our spirits up! The members are a wonderful support and I´ve been trying to work better with them. And my companion too. We´ve had some troubles, we don´t always get along well, but we´re trying. We havent had a fight yet [lucky for him, cuz I´d totally win ;) ] and we´re trying to work better together. 

I actually was starting to think about a mission extension. However, the President of our mission always says no. So I think Ill ask him one of his last days, and then ask the new one too when they change :) that´s the plan!

How´s school going for the kids back home? Any fun things going on? Any other thinggs you´d like to know about this area or my ward down here?

Love you always!

Elder Phillips

Sorry, I´ll send photos to you next week! I´ll have a bunch for ya!

Love ya!

Elder Phillips

Sounds like you did have a fun week! I do miss hamburgers. They have them here, but they just arent the same :( And how are the boyces doing? Seth has been out for 3 weeks now? maybe 4? Pretty awesome!

I´m still hoping that BSU creams BYU. Sounds like a good game, but nothing BSU can´t handle. Any new players with a lot of potential I should know about?

And Russell got his call! To Kentucky! That is so awesome! What part? 

Elder Ramirez and I are partying it up pretty good down here. He doesn´t really understand English (only about 20%), so we almost always speak in spanish. It is rough, but pretty awesome. I have been practicing my jokes in spanish too. The only problem is that none of the puns translate well :( He has 15 months in the mission and hasnt learned english yet. Thats bad news. All the Mexican Missionaries are required to learn/study english for 1hr every day. But... I dont think that most of them do. I´m trying to push him, but he really doent want to learn. He´s a little bit "frito" as the Mexicans down here say. Just means he's kinda started to relax. But he´s still a good missionary.

And yup! We have our Zone Meeting today in about 2 hrs, so I´ll get to open it! I´m hoping for a pony (we´re not allowed to have pets, but I think I can just hide it in my room and my companion won't notice).

The only things that I dont think you can find down here are Mini English Hymn books. If you could find one up there, that would be awesome! And of course, Reeses Peanut-Butter Cups. Yup. They dont have those delicious american candys down here. they do have a bunch that are a bit spicy though. but they´re kinda strange. I don´t know if I like them or not yet.

And I think that the study group idea is great! if you need a good chapter to read, Ether 12 is always a winner. But also starting from the beginning is a great way to do it to help them understand more of the book. What are your ideas?

We had some complications with a lady we were going to baptize. Her name is Anabel, the almost wife of Rojelio. First, she has to marry her husband legally. However, it turns out that he´s married to another woman in the US and has, as she so kindly puts it, A "Concubina" in every other state (in mexico).

Did you know that Mexico has states too? I didn´t know that at first. 

Anyways, their wedding got postponed a bit because of this. But She´s stilll going to church regularly and stuff. Pray for them! They´re going to need it!

Well, thats all for today. Any other questions? Comments? Concerns? Ward Gossip or Jokes?

Elder Phillips

August 31st, 2015

Crazy sounding week! 

1st off that door! I can´t imagine that dad is super thrilled about it. But I think it looks fun :) Is it permanent? are you going to get a new door or will it be waiting for me in 2 years?

And the tabernacle! That´s pretty legit! And you got to learn a lot about Christ, the Atonement, and the Priesthood too! pretty awesome. 

It´s unfortunate the horseriding lessons are coming to a close, but sports are good! Ellie is in Volleyball, Anna is in Soccer, and Megan in rugby? right? Down here in Mexico, every Wednesday the youth gather at the church to play soccer. Sometimes volleyball or basketball, but mostly soccer. As missionaries, our mission president wants to be safe and not play any sports. It´s rough, and I have to admit that I may have broken that rule once. Just once. And as for the photos, I´ll work on sending you some next week. But for now, just remember that I still have all my hair and I look great. 

Our Zone Leader is Elder Brazzel(American) and Elder Borgel(Mexican). Elder Brazzel is going home in 4 weeks. He´s from Nevada I think. Our District leader is now Elder Ramirez(Mexican) and he is my new companion! We had some special transfers and Elder Aguilar went to Casas Grandes (Another city in our area), Elder Lastra came from there to be Elder Sanchez´s companion, and Elder Ramirez(who was with Sanchez) is now my companion. 

Our Ward mission leader went inactive so last week we got a new one! Hermano Gonzales Zapata. He´s pretty cool and excited for the work. I think I told you a bit about him already, right? last week? 

Anyways.

And so that´s how megan poisoned herself! That girl has the absolute worst luck! But I´m glad she got a blessing and that it´s all better now. 

And we have our Zone Meeting on the 7th and a District meeting later today. 

The District leaders and there companions had a meeting with President Derbez this week. it was 4 hours long, in spanish, and I understood practically all of it! My spanish is officially functional! I am able to understand almost every work in most conversations and answer questions without having to stop and think about it! Awesome! Not quite fluent, but somewhat close. My new companion doesnt speak any english either, but fortunately, my spanish skills have become sufficiently epic. So yeah, that´s what´s been going on with me.

I Love You!

Elder Phillips

I will start taking more pictures soon! This area is really boring, but I´ll see what I can do for ya :)

I thought I would throw in a picture of the door since he mentions it. Quite a beauty, right!

And this is the tabernacle that our Stake Young Men put together

And here is a section from a letter to Dave, most of it was similar to mine.

Something funny happened this week: we basically got our fortunes told. 

We were walking home from church when we ran into an old man (not too old, 60yrs?) and started talking about religions. He believed that we worship Joseph Smith and we think he´s Jesus. We explained to him our beliefs and began talking with him a bit, casually, about religions and stuff. He told us that he believes we all have a guardian angel and that our angels were talking to each other. To prove his point, he told us what his "angel" was saying about us. That my companion likes cooking and will someday be a great chef, but he wont be a great missionary because his desires are elsewhere, in the things of the world. And that I would be a great missionary, a Saint, a Bishop and eventually an Apostle. Interesting thoughts and all, but I think I´ll stick to my Patriarchal blessing. He also said that my companion would marry a girl named Jacqueline Smith. Yup. Definitely legit.

So that was our funny experience this week. Not a whole lot else happened though.

I Love you Dad, Keep up the good work!

Elder Phillips

August 24, 15

How does megan manage to run over her foot with a parked car! that´s pretty hilarious :) i mean, uh, that´s terrible! yeah. I hope she recovers soon. She has had a rough year. But I don´t remember her poisoning herself, What happened there? (she parked the car at the school, got out, saw a rock in front of the tire, pulled it out, the truck rolled forward RIGHT ON HER FOOT!  She had to push the truck off her foot to get it out!  They think she has a stress fracture and she has to stay off it for 6-8 weeks. Crazy kid! What a year she has had.  Broken wrist, concussion from red rover, stabbed a pocket knife through her cheek, poisoned herself, and ran over herself with a parked car!)

And Ellie didn´t make the A team, thats a real bummer. But she´ll be able to help the B team be the best! back in middle school our basketball B team played against the A team and beat them pretty soundly. I think if they work hard, they can do the same!

And Mark Goodale got injured too! How long was he even out for? that really sucks. Just remind him that the best thing for him to do is recover quickly and then head back out. how did he injure himself anyways?

So a little bit more about the wonderful world of Juarez,

This city is crazy huge! Like really really big. I dont really know how else to discribe it. There are different Colonias (Colonies) all throughout and around the city, but I havent really gotten a chance to see many of them yet. Some of them sound really interesting. Colonia Juarez is a Mormon Colony. Loads of Mormons! Another one has a bunch of Polygamists. And there´s even one nearby a beautiful deserty sand dune area! I believe the one we´re currently closest to is called Praderas de los Oasis. 

This week my companion and I both got sick. I think it was strep throat, but I really dont know. Sore throat, fever, a bit of a cold, a funky white thing on my tonsil. Yup. But we´re better now! My companion is also now the District leader. This means I have 30 minutes extra to write you guys! Yay!

So we´ve been teaching this guy, his name is Alex. His wife is a member, but not super active. He knows the bible super well and always has a lot of honest questions. Like why dont we use wine in the sacrament? Aren´t all sins equal? and stuff like that. Some really good questions that I´ve never really thought about. Christ said to use wine, so why use water? Answer: D&C 27. Honestly, we could use wine. But it isnt important. Its the symbolism that matters. And the other question, are all sins equal? Answer: Alma 39. The problem here is that he hasnt yet read much of the book of mormon and hasnt prayed about Joseph Smith. Because the doctrine is clear, but the bible isnt. That´s why it´s so important to pray and recieve answers about these things.

Anyways, that was just some intersting stuff I came across this week.

Have fun! Party hard! Remember that God knows you personally and loves each of us more than we know! 

Elder Phillips

Dear Everybody,

I´m sorry, but this is going to be pretty short today.

Being a missionary, you teach a lot. You teach a lot of people a lot of different lessons using a lot of different scriptures. However, as a missionary, you learn a lot too. You learn about the scriptures. You learn to love them. You learn that you can recieve answers to prayers.

This week was a learning experience. Nothing huge, nothing profound. I think it rarely is. But by teaching others about these basic principles of the gospel, we come to truly understand them for ourselves. And when we truly understand them, we can better teach and live them. "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God." (Mosiah 2:41)This week I was able to observe that this is a true principle. Commandments are here to help us, to guide us, and to give us happiness. Not a brief happiness, but a lasting joy that comes only through living righteously.

So Live Righteously. 

Elder Phillips

Jacob 5:12

August 17, 2015

We didn't get a real letter from John this week, don't know what happened…. He managed to get a quick one to Dave though!

      There is 1 huge downside to being here in Mexico: Nobody knows what Mtn Dew is. I have decided that I must begin a quest to find it. There are many little shops (called Tiendas) all around where they sell coke products, chips, peanuts, and more or less everything else that is unhealthy for you. but none of them have Mtn Dew. But I won't give up! Kindof like that guy from Zombieland, This is my objective! There is a slightly chilled can of mtn dew out there in Mexico somewhere, and it aint gonna last forever!

I really hope the Buckners progress. How long have they been talking to the missionaries? And what got them interested? what is really holding them back? 

And Wish Ellie luck for me! I hope she makes A team and becomes one of the best!

So you and I are both slimming up quite nicely from the sound of it, I think we should have a competition! I don't know what it should be, but we definitely need to have a competition! 

I love you dad!

Elder Phillips

On Mon, Aug 17, 2015 at 10:17 AM, Dave Phillips <boisedwp@gmail.com> wrote:

As you can si, my espanol has begun to blossom. I am pretty mucho bi-lingual.

We went up to the lodge this past weekend with the mcombers, johnsons, dahlia, Saints, and buckners. We also had Kate and Tadman Nettles with us. We had a great time. It was a bit crazy with that many people but everyone got along well. There was a bunch of ATV riding, and fishing, and boating, and playing on the beach. There was also way more food than wa needed, so I did my best to gain 30 pounds in two days. I did not quite make it, but I cam close!  Everyone had a really good time.

So we met with the missionaries and the buckners again last Monday and will again tomorrow. It is going pretty good but sometimes I wonder if they (especially the mom) is really serious about it. They love the results of what living the gospel results in: joy, happiness, family, friends, string values, etc but I think that they may have a hard time making the decision and not being prideful and able to admit the gospel is true and not be influenced by others who don't agree. It is great being part of it -- this is the first time since my mission that I haven't been involved in missionary discussions.

Ellie is doing volleyball tryouts. She should know in the next few days if she made A team or B team or something else. She is feeling pretty good about how it is going. I think she will either be on A team or she will be one of the best on B team. She is really enjoying it and wants to do well.

It is good to hear the language is coming along for you. That is something I never had to deal with so I can't give much advice, other than:  Do Good, Be Good. It is also cool to see that you and your companions are having success in bringing people to the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is Awesome!!

Mom and I just finished another FitMania challenge. It was good. I am less fat now than I was before and my Achilles is healing nicely. I am able to do most things now. They say it will take a full year to get close to normal. It has been 8 months and i already feel close to normal. That is one thing that FitMania is good for - it keeps me pushing to do more and do better and strengthen it each day. Just like spiritual health- it is a process that requires constant effort to get better little by little each day.

I love you. You are awesome. Keep up the good work. You are a great example to your siblings and to you cousins.

David Phillips

August 10, 15

Hey Everyone!
This week we had a mini tornado! It was super mini, but it was big enough to tear a bit of the roof off our neighbors house! It was strange because it usually doesn't get very windy here. The weather is usually just kind of bland. But it was fun, I tried to take pictures, but i didn't have my camera with me. And as all you photography professionals out there know, It's pretty hard to take a picture without a camera.

As far as languages go, I think Spanish is as easy as it gets. It isn't easy, and having the gift of tongues sure does help, but it is much harder for the Mexicans to learn English. We use vowel sounds in our language that they dont understand or know how to make. It's tough, but all the missionaries down here learn a new language. I'm also thinking about starting to learn Maya soon. Not super soon though. But I don't know anything about their language, pronunciation is like spanish, but grammar wise? who knows? So I think I'll stick to spanish for a bit longer. But it's coming great! I can teach a bit now, mostly the 1st and 3rd lessons. As well as the Commandments. the 10 commandments still trip me up though(I always forget how to say "Thou Shalt Not Covet and stuff).

Our English classes have been going well, but we don't have as many investigators as we would like showing up. Many want to learn english, but don't want to go to classes. doesn't make a whole lot of sense, now does it?

We met with Alex Leon this week and got to learn more about his family. His wife is a member of the church, and he is a Christian. He loves the bible and is very receptive to the message of the restoration. We are going to teach more about Family Home Evening this week because they want to learn how to strengthen their family. They are super awesome, and kind, and hilarious too! They have 2 kids who are quite the handful but during the lessons they practice sitting reverently. 

"I don't believe in luck. But I do believe that when we work hard, we have better luck."
-Obispo Vargas

Mosiah 4: Super awesome Chapter!

Warmest Regards,
Elder Phillips

Hey Mom!

That is quite the DI steal! I like it. I'm glad to hear you've been having fun (and Fit-Mania), and that The Buckners are taking the discussions! Awesome! That really is super cool! And don't worry about Ashley. Usually when they aren't mature enough there isn't really much you can do for them. Just pray, teach them, and hope she makes the right choice.

I would like you to know that my teeth are beautiful pearly whites. Perfectly taken care of. Except I might have forgotten to brush this morning... But other than that, They're very well taken care of!

We have transfers coming up next week. It went by crazy fast. I feel like I've only been with Elder Aguilar for 2 weeks. I'm hoping that I can have 1 more cycle here in this ward. Hna Gomez (the recent convert) has a son named Rojelio. He has been a member for almost 2 years but fell away a bit about a year ago. He started working a lot and got a girlfriend and they were living together for a while. She left him about 3 weeks back. We taught about baptism and Rojelio wanted to get married, come back to church, and live the commandments again but she didn't really want to. So she took her 2 kids and left. But last week she came back and now they have a wedding date! Yesterday the Bishop visited them with us and talked to them about marriage. And the kids want to be baptised and the mother is thinking about it too! everything is just now falling into place but it may be time for me to leave. If it is, I pray that the next missionaries can do a good job here. That family is super awesome right now and very enthusiastic about the church. 

Just thought you'd like to know a bit more about what's been going on down here.

Lots of great experiences, wonderful food, spicy food, and spiritual experiences. So what are megans plans? Mission? College? 

Love You!

Elder Phillips