Monday, February 22nd

Alright...where to begin?

Well, we are working with some amazing people. A few less-active families. We had a REALLY good day for church yesterday. We had two investigators, and at least 5 less-actives that came. It was exciting to see them all there. It's been great to be working with these people.

We have a baptism lined up with an 8 year old girl for the 14th of March. Her mom is not a member, but her grandmother is. She's really smart, and knows a lot about the church. Her older brothers are members, and are good examples for her. We're excited for her progress. It's been a while since I've seen this kind of progression...(back in Weslaco).

We are doing a lot of work with the ward list, and updating it. We have changed a LOT of information. It's been many years since it was last updated. We have found some good teaching an re-activating opportunities from working through the ward list.

It's been in the mid-80's here lately, which is nice, but then I think forward to the summer and how hot it's going to get if it's already in the 80's. Oh well, I guess it will be the last summer on the mission.

Elder Hargrave and I get along really well, and we seem to be united in our teaching and finding efforts, which really has helped out a lot.

I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and for the opportunity that I have to know of the truthfulness of the gospel. It really is an incredible opportunity to help out in the spread of the gospel to the people here in South Texas.

I love you all.

Love,
Elder John

Monday, February 15th

Hello again from Zapata. It's another week already. Transfers were this last week, and Elder Peterson got transferred. So, I have a new companion. His name is Elder Hargrave. He's from Orem, he went to Timpanogos. We have a lot of mutual friends, which is fun to talk about.

Well, we've been working with a lot of less-actives, and working on the ward list. It's been a lot of work, but we've been able to get in contact with some really great families that have a lot of potential of coming back to the church.

This week we had about 10 people at church. Our branch president and his family couldn't come because of an illness. And we were missing a couple of other families. So, suffice to say, it was small, but it was still good.

I continue to lose weight, and get into shape, which is really exciting. My goal weight is 175, I'm about 7-8 pounds off of that, but I'll get there eventually.

I love the people here in Zapata. I'm including a couple of pictures, and I'll explain the stories behind them.

The first is an egg cracked over my head. Well, we were at a less-actives house (the one that's starting to come back), and one of them cracked an empty egg-shell over my head. Well, another kid thought that was funny and ran and grabbed a real egg, and cracked it over my head.

The second is another kid in that family. Her name is Sarahi. She made a face for the camera, and we thought it was funny. The other is a more normal picture of her (with me in the background).

Well, I love you all. Continue forward!

With Love,
Elder John

Monday, February 8th

Wow. Already the 8th. That's so crazy.

Well, things are going well here in Zapata. Transfers are this week, but I'm pretty sure I'll be staying here. I'm hopeful that I will anyway. I really do love it here in Zapata. It's already becoming my favorite area.

Well, yesterday was a decent day at church. We had 18 people come, and we were even missing a few of the regulars, which was exciting. It's so good to see people coming out to church. With time, I know that we'll see it grow here. I'm just grateful for the opportunity that I have to work here, and to help out the branch in whatever way I can.

We're working with some great people, but they're struggling to keep commitments. I'm hopeful that we can help them better understand and accept what we're teaching.

The weather here this last week has been about 80 degrees. It's been really nice - driving around with the windows rolled down. It's a good feeling.

I'm trying to think of anything else to talk about. It really is just the same things pretty much every day here. Just different people, etc.

I have been amazed to see the hand of the Lord at work here in Zapata. I've definitely seen people's lives been touched, and changed.

Well, I don't think that I have much else for this week.

I love you all.

Love,

Elder John

February 1st

Wow, it's already February. Can you believe it?

Well, the most exciting news for this week is that the less-
active family that came to church last week came again
yesterday. Also, yesterday, we had 28 people at church. It's
been great to see more and more people coming. I'm so
grateful for this opportunity I have to work here in Zapata.
I really feel that this is where the Lord wants me.

I have learned and grown so much, especially in this area.
I've found that I really just need to be myself, the best me,
but still me. I think that too often we become robotic in the
things we do. I've found that the Lord works through our
personalities to bless the lives of those among whom we're
called to labor. For example. This less-active family that's
coming back to church used to be very active. They told us
that one of the reasons that they're coming back is because
we have fun. We're not just robotic I guess. Like, we're
ourselves. We're just ourselves, our best selves, but still
ourselves. It's kind of hard to explain, but that's how I feel.
I hope that made sense. If not, I apologize deeply. :)

Well, the weather here in Texas has been pretty fickle. One
day it was 85, the next, it was 45. Bizarre. Oh well.
Currently, it's overcast, and rather cold. We'll see how
things go. I'm just glad that it's not in the 100's yet. Give
it a few weeks.

Well, I love you all, and wish you all the best this week.
You're all in my prayers.

Love,
Elder John