Last email before Mexico!!!

Hola Familia!

   Yo quierro compartir me experiencias con Ustedes! 

It has been a pretty crazy week! We have 7 investigators, and 2 more that we only teach 2 times a week! By the way, I figured I might need to tell you guys I'm not on the Main MTC campus! I'm at a different place! Sorry....totally forgot about that! We have been doing HSI, or Speak Your Language every day all day! It has been so wonderful!!!!!

The Lord has really taught me a lot about tender mercies! Whether it is just getting a Letter from somebody, or read a scripture, or something reminds me of why I am here. The best part of being here is just being able to teach investigators and bring happiness to people! There is something called TRC, where we get to teach real investigators, or new converts. This woman's name was Hermana Romero, and she was talking about how she isn't super "experienced" in the church, and she was embarassed that sometimes she had to watch videos in order to understand the Scriptures. In my brain I was freakin out! I wanted to scream out "Hermana! We are CHILDREN of God! We aren't grown ups! God is the only grown up! Don't you dare feel bad for not knowing everything!" But I didn't say that.. I held back! But as me and my companions explained to her that NOBODY knows everything about the Church, she got tears in her eyes. And it was so awesome as I shared and testified to her, that the point was, God is so happy she was just trying! That as long as she was doing her best, God was so proud of her, I know the Spirit was testifying. The Spirit does that everyday for me. My favorite companion. There are such random times, and I think depending on the Lord, isn't really understood, until you get put in a situation where you have no idea what to do, and you just pray, and the Lord helps you.

    We are always busy, with class, idioma (language), personal study, and studying and preparing for our different things, sometimes taking a break. Praying. It is so helpful! I know that with the help of the Lord, everything is so possible. How could it not be?! Also, Dad would be proud of me....I fell asleep on my knees three times this week. After praying, I just like to sit and listen, and then I sack. haha! My knees hurt so bad this whole week. It was so great! Also, pictures, SO AMAZING. I love just looking at them! I know. It has only been like a month, but we do things all day, sometimes at night it is like "oh wait, I have a family?" haha! I got our whole district to do a FHE in the CCM (Family Home Evening in the MTC). We all shared pics, and I think it was real good for some of the kids, they chilled out a little bit after that. People here are sometimes wound way to tight. But we fix that right up:) No worries! I think things here are awesome, but really, I'M SO STOKED FOR MEXICO. It just seems cramped here! I'm ready to be out, doing things! Teaching people a message of wonderful hope and love. I am really crazy excited! You don't even know! And I found out 2 areas have washing machines...that's chill! 

     I just wanted to say thanks for everything! From everyone, but especially my family! I love you so much! And I got letters! I responded! But it is in mail! Love you so much! If you have questions, let me know! I hope this isn't too boring for you, but it is my life! Hope everything is good and everyone is safe! Loved hearing from you! Love. Amor. Wonderful:)

Love you!!!

Elder Lincoln Goodman!

 Leaving for Guadalajara on MONDAY!!! Looks like Elder Goodman got his backpack :)

 So Typical...

 " I drew on Elder Swenson's face...he fell asleep during study time. that is what happens!"  (Notice the tape and JaKelle bracelet, never without)

 His companions

 "apparently the temple sky was cool...idk...but I took a pic anyway." (Lincoln can't see the color, but knows the beauty just the same....good picture, Elder Goodman!)

 Having too much fun!!

          This made me laugh, still has tape on his finger... old habits :)

Working hard!!

Thanks for sending that package! And thanks for all your help! I'm leaving the 30th! One more pday in Utah! I know this will be all over....but it is crazy stressful sending back messages in only 30 min...so get ready! haha!

My comp's are Elder Ashby and Elder Waite. They are sick.  The district is super fun! We are the oldest! So we help out a lot of other people! Most all of us are going to Guadalajara! Have Cassie email or Dear Elder me if she wants me to come see her and stuff! I have pday on Wendnesday! but I am at the other campus. Not main! So I have to kind of plan it out! This week was really good! It is wonderful. Spanish is so good. Just constant syl (speak your language-spanish) all day! That is what we do! If we can't say it in Spanish we don't say it at all! Soccer helped me understand when people are machine-gunning spanish, but I now also have bad grammar from listening all the time....haha! Life is bomb! We have 5 investigators. Brenda and Raquel have commited to baptism, and Enrique is close. Then we have Adam and Perry, who are college frat boys! haha! They need the Gospel, and I think they are going to love it! This week devotionals were on not backing down when you teach the Gospel and who you are. They said something really cool, when Alma says in the scriptures, "Oh that I were an Angel, to trump the Gospel to all the world." Then, I kind of linked it to 2 Nephi 32:2-3! It is really cool how we have that power to speak with the Tongue of Angels as long as we listen to the Holy Ghost! It has been pretty nuts. During lessons, you say things that you aren't sure about, but they are what the investigator needs. In Spanish none the less. I think the coolest part, is realizing the name on my chest. I was teaching a lesson and explained, that if Christ came to their door, if they would let him share a message, then sharing that we represent him. And realizing it isn't just on a plaque. Cheesy, but I think there is a difference when it is in your heart. As I study every day, I learn more and more about how much I really love my Savior Jesus Christ, and how lucky I am. I love this Gospel. That is the reason I'm out here! And one of my teachers during coaching was explaining that to me, that she could tell. And I was so glad! Because there is a difference in the kids that are here to convert people and do a mission, or the people who want to bring people closer to Christ, and serve a mission. Not saying I'm one or the other, but I definitley hope I'm the latter. At least I feel like it when I'm teaching.

Well, there is always the other things......that I decide to do for about 30 minutes where we have free time. We made a burrito caja. A box that holds our iron, and we cook mac and cheese, or burritos, or pizza, or tortillas. Because we don't have a microwave. haha! I'll send pics! And we had a lightsaber fight. And I scared the crud out of my comp with these beedy red eye nerf goggles that glow. Random things. But totally fun. Sometimes, people need a little bit more smiling, so I'm happy to help....haha! Ties are a huge thing. It is psycho. people are crazy. 

I don't really know what else to tell you about! We do about the same things everyday! I've been studying Acts and also the book of Alma, just about the Missionaries, and it always makes my day. I love praying and reading. Sorry alot of this is Gospel...but that is kind of my life! Please keep let me know how everything is going! I guess once I get to Mexico, it is a lot more difficult, and pouch mail is ridiculous slow! Thanks for all you do! love you!

Love you all so much!!

Elder Lincoln Goodman!:)

 Ties, Ties, and more Ties!!

 His District, not having fun at all!! 

 Loving all the smiles!!

"Burrito Caja"...microwave!

He has his VISA!!!

This is the e-mail, but a hand written letter should be coming this week that he sent off last week...Loving this missionary!!!

Madre and Fam!!!!! I WAS GETTING MY VISA LAST WEEK. ALL DAY TRIP.  I wasn't able to email basically at all! But I got my Visa! I love hearing from you guys! It is so awesome!  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PANTS. And for the food! Everything was so awesome! and the Dear Elder Package! It has all been so awesome! Thank you so much! I've loved it all!! I love you guys tons! Hope Faye's Bday was a blast! Maria agreed to get baptized, I'll be sending you pics soon! Also, I have two new investigators Raquel and Brenda! They are good people and love their families a ton! The Gospel is so awesome in the way if fixes all problems! I love teaching in Spanish! And when I pray, it is really cool to pray in Spanish! It is more intimate! I can say a ton, but I'm not all that good at grammar....like English too much in High School or something! haha! Everything here is so awesome! I love life! But I miss you guys a lot too! Every day I look at the picture of us all! I sometimes wish I had a couple more...just of life and stuff..but I am SO grateful to have that one to look at and I'm so glad you put it in my bag! I miss you guys a ton! Lizzie's laugh and squeeling, or Dailynd's letters, or just being able to talk with Faye and Ash all the time! And sleeping over. Or you and me watching the newest Bones or CSI, and Dad talking about his seminary class....I love all the memories, and I think we are a lot closer that we think Mom! At least I am. I love you all! And I think about you everyday! Not to the point were it is distracting, but when I'm sitting in my bed, EARLIER THEN 11, and think about things like that! I know it has only been like 3 weeks, but days get really long, so it seems longer! I love hearing from you guys though! And I love getting chewed out for getting my visa and not being able to email:) Hope life is good for everyone! Sounds like you guys are having a blast! Ash and Faye are kicking butt! And Liz and D are being amazing as always! I hope work is good and things for you! And Dad is done with his rush time at the beginning of the school year! I love you guys! Thanks again for the packages and things! Our schedule is pretty awesome here. Work out. Study. Eat. Study. Teach. Plan. Study. Eat. Study. Play basketball for an hour. Teach more. Study more. and if it is Sunday or Tuesday, a Devotional! This last devotional was given about member missionaries, and using them to our benefit! I thought about how our family always shares the Gospel with our friends and things! I think it is good! I loved that. Also, so many kids here are way to sheltered, or don't know how to talk to people. It is ridiculous. But totally chill. Lately, I've been studying the life of Christ, and trying to know him as a person. It helps so much when you are talking to somebody, and realize, "God is giving me the responsiblity and opprotunity to teach one of his children of the hope and happiness life has to offer, and bring them closer to Christ." And when I see them as my brother or sister, and a person with so much potential, it is a wonderful experience. I might not be able to speak very well or explain everything perfectly, but that isn't my job. My job is to listen to the Spirit, follow promptings, and love those people. Easiest job of my life. Because people are amazing! I love it all so much! I know Christ lives. I know he is my Savior. And I know anyone, at anytime, can be comforted when praying to the Lord. My favorite time of the day is when I get to pour out my soul. And I do it so much! Before lessons, before meals, before study, after lessons, after meals, after study, and at night, in the morning. Basically, all day. And it is so wonderful how merciful the Lord is. I already knew that before the mission, but definitley in a different way now! Anyway, my letter says more too, so hopefully you get that! Is this letter long enough?! What do you want to know?! I love you all! And I'm grateful for all you have done!  Love you so much!  I am SO grateful for all you guys have done already! I miss you tons! And I hope you are all doing well! I love you so much, and am so happy we get to spend eternity together:) The Lord cares about you and is watching! Something I am sure of:) Because I pray for it multiple times a day! Love. Love. You think I kind of love you guys?:) Hope this next week is awesome!

Love,

Elder Goodman:)

At the Marriott Center!!