Something familiar...love

Ok...as you know, I had a great opportunity this week, a great blessing.  Elder Russell M. Nelson came to our mission to spend a little time with us and to teach us.  I will try with all the power of my vocabulary and writing to describe how it went this week.  Then I will think about it, and try on expound a little bit more next week.  But I wanted to tell you some parts that I loved. 

Elder Nelson shared with us SO MANY THINGS.  The thing I loved most was that sometimes, or better, many times, it wasn't by only his words but more by what I felt from the Spirit.  He touched many subjects and he left us a LOT of homework (for that I will be sending you more next week) but something definite, is that he loves everyone he sees.  You could feel it, and it was a familiar feeling to me, something I had felt before.  I loved it and I think it was a lesson he taught, in and of itself.  If you are a TRUE disciple of Jesus Christ, people feel it.  Many knew when he had entered the building, when he entered the room, because you felt a difference.  At times, that is how people feel with us, as members, or as missionaries.  They FEEL that difference.  It is a love, a feeling, only the Lord can give and people can feel the difference.  I loved it and it is a goal I have to have that feeling with me. 

After, Elder Nelson talked about many things, but one thing I loved was this-- it is something I have learned and shared with you a 100xs but I will share it again because I love the subject.  It is the Lord's way verses man's way.  The Lord showed me something important...man's way, at times, is still what I like to do.  The man's way to show love, is by showing it-- giving hugs, cleaning dishes, making beds, and other things.  It is something I have done all my life.  Then, the Lord's way....  Leave them.  Leave your family in the care of the Lord, leave those thoughts, those things behind, and work with all your heart might mind and soul for the Lord.  He will make your family so much happier.   I was a witness of that.  I hope you all know that I do love you with all my heart, but I will not say that I have got stuck thinking about you guys, or got unfocused.  Something I have seen, is that in whatever I do, it isn't as effective, isn't as powerful, as the way the Lord can do it, whether it is for you, or for anyone else.  I can teach someone with the best words, the best acts, and everything else, but the one who teaches is the Spirit.  When a person decides to take that step to go to a quite place, to pray fervently, and to receive personal revelation from the Lord, the Spirit steps in.  I can't cause that.  I can't make the Spirit come.  It comes when there is a desire and the Spirit can teach.  I hope that is something you guys can understand about my work here.  I try to contact everybody, or share the gift with everybody, not because I want them to know it came from ME.  I want them, for once, in a very long time, to feel a Spirit they were so familiar with before...that is what the point is.  Because I don't/ can't convert the people.  The Lord converts them, to HIS church.  And I love that part.  All He requires of you, and of me, is to try, to give 110%.  And I am happy that is the Lord's way. I could never help you the way the Lord has helped you.  I am grateful....SO SO GRATEFUL. for that.  Elder Nelson shared so much more.  He shared with us many parts of doctrine.  But I think the scripture that came to my mind, that I love, is 2 Nephi 32:2-3...

2  Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?

 3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.  

To be taught all things I must do.  I know this doesn't explain everything, not even a 100th part.  But I will organize a little bit more of my thoughts, and let you know next week.  I LOVE YOU EACH SO MUCH.  But the Lord loves you more.  I want you guys, your friends, my friends, my investigators, and the members of Colima to understand that.  Hope you have  great week. And that this serves for soemthing.

Love you tons!

Elder Goodman!!!!!

#sharethegift

OK. SERIOUSLY. GREAT WEEK.

NUMBER ONE PRIORITY:SHARE THE GIFT!

LESSON OF THE WEEK: As you feel the joy that comes from understanding the gospel, you will want to apply what you learn.  Strive to live in harmony with your understanding.  Doing so will strengthen your faith, knowledge, and testimony.  Acting on what you have learned will bring added and enduring understanding (Preach My Gospel. Ch. 2)

This week, we have been working HARD CORE, helping the people understand the Gift. First, if you haven't seen the video, please watch it. Seriously.... "He is the Gift," it can change the way you look at Christmas.  Here on the mission, it has been a powerful tool to really let the people know WHO we really are.

First, for me, we got to see the video and get an official start to this week.  Seriously, just seeing it made me get excited.  IT IS CHRISTMAS SEASON.  THE BEST TIME TO SHARE THE GOSPEL FOR THE PEOPLE HERE AND WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE IT!

So this week, we went straight to work showing the video to anyone who would let us! Investigators, contacts, members,  EVERYONE, and it has been great. 

We had an investigator, C... he is A..'s brother and A... is a recient convert.  He had some questions about God, about if He really exists.   So we showed him the video.  At the end, he told us that he KNEW God loved him because He showed it by His actions.  C... changed, and he said, "Can I share this with someone else?"  We told him, "Of course!"  He posted it on facebook, and shared it with one of his friends, who then accepted the missionaries.

Then, we went to R.., other recent convert.  We showed him the video.  He said it was good, but he was thinking more beyond that.  The next day, he called us, "Elders! I showed it to my friend.  He is in my house right now!  Can you guys please come and teach him?!"  That was a little bit enthusiastic, so we went there after some visits and his friend was waiting.  He said he loved the feelings he got when he saw the video, and when we talked about Christ.  He decided to go to church this week!!!!! 

Last, was a sister in our ward, Sister M...  She had some problems trying to figure out how to share the Gospel with her friends and she was a little bit sad because of being rejected at times.  When we ate dinner with her, we showed her the video.  She  changed her attitude. "Everyone will like this!" she said, and she decided to share it with all her neighbors, friends, and family this last weekend. 

I know these are a bunch of experiences, not about me, sorry....the mission isn't about me. 

BUT!

The thing is this....
These are people from all different backrounds with lots of history, but they can RELATE to this video.  They can remember WHY we have Christmas.  I love it!  Seriously, there are many more things I could share but I think the most important is the message of the video.  I have to understand and apply the Gift in my own life.  I would not be able to share it if I didn't undertstand it.  That has made all the difference.  If you can't tell in the letter, I AM SUPER EXCITED.  This is the time to share!   I am so happy it is my job to share it with everyone and anyone who will listen.  But, if I want to do it well, I have to live it.  I have to be obedient.  I have to strengthen my testimony every day.  I have to live what I preach.  It is the same for everyone of us:)  I hope you guys can share the Gift.  But first, discover it, and accept it.  Then, share it:)  I love you guys so much!  I want you to know one special thing... I know with every fiber of my being, that my Savior lives and I know I can be clean through Him.  It is a fact.  I have done it and continue to do it every week of my life.  I hope you know how important He is for me.  Because He is my gift.  Jesus Christ is the most precious thing I can share with anybody else.  I love you soooooo much!  You are amazing.

Love,

Elder Goodman!

By the Spirit...

This week...SUPER HARD CORE-- WORK HARD, PLAY HARD, PRAY HARDER. That is all. 

We have been working to find anyone and everyone that will listen (like always, but a little bit smarter this week) and we have been focusing on families.

We wanted to "teach when we find, and find when we teach" and seriously, the Lord blesses us SO MUCH.  We have been finding families, and the thing I realized, is that it all had to do with the Spirit.

I have learned something super important, it is something little and I want to share it with you.  It is this... When I started the mission, I was excited, I talked with lots of people, and sometimes I thought my "young" mind wasted a little bit of time were I shouldn't have... decisions of "good, better, and best" right?  But now, we have been trying to find people and there are two ways to do it.  I can find people by my own work and what I think works best, or I can find them by the Spirit.  They are very different.  So I planned to find people by working by the Spirit and this is what I have found.

“When conversion takes place, it is through the power of the Spirit. In order to succeed in missionary work, these three things must occur:  We must feel what an investigator must feel in order to receive conversion. We must understand how a missionary must feel in order to teach with the converting power of the Spirit. And then we must understand how a member must feel to succeed in participating in the conversion experience” (mission presidents’conference, 3 Apr. 1985).

I, Elder Goodman, no matter who I am, or how great or bad I am, it doesn't help me or make it possible for ME to convert anyone.  I CAN'T DO IT.  The Spirit converts, and without the Spirit my time will be a waste of time.

I started the week trying to find a little by myself.  I know....sometimes I have a hard head....but I was trying and we were hitting some roadblocks.  Then, we changed our tactic. We had to do what we were doing by the Spirit.  We found, talked, and acted by the Spirit. Some of the best days of my life...being guided and teaching so strongly by that Spirit that really knows everything I should and can do. 

AND IT WAS SO EXCITING, WE SAW SO MANY MIRACLES-- people that NEEDED the Gospel in the time frame that we found them.  But it wasn't just 1 or 2 or 3 of them.....It was SO MANY MORE.   That was the blessing, to see how many things can happen if we trust in the Lord's time, working by the Spirit.   Seriously!  We ended up working hard this week, and we ended with many blessings.  It is hard to explain, but this much I can say.

When I am here and writing, I can't decribe it perfectly but I will try.  To be led by the Spirit is something I have had to work on, but it is something I have loved.  It makes you excited, it makes you have energy, and I love being able to feel that peace and help when I am teaching others. What happens is this... I think of all things and I have realized, it doesn't have to just be on the mission, but in ALL I DO forever --The Lord wants me to go a certain way, and if I focus on Him and have a good relationship with Him, I will understand His will so much more.  I will change my will to be in line with His will, and in turn, be more like Christ.  I love it.  And I hope everyone that I get to meet will understand that, that they have a chance.  It is through the Spirit that we know how to change, to become like the Master.  And that is what our Heavenly Father wants.  I love it. 

I hope you have a great week! Love you!!!!!

Love,

Elder Goodman!

Nice Ties!!

The value and significance of work

(A little Q&A to get started :D)

1. How are you doing?  MOM....you always ask that question....my answer is almost never going to change.  I am GREAT.  I LOVE IT HERE.  That is NOT a lie.  So don't you worry:) All smiles and love and the Gospel here in Mexico!!!

2. Are you well yet? ...from what?! Mom, I have been well for a long time:)  No worries. Thanks for your help in everything, DON'T WORRY. BE HAPPY. 

 3. What are your plans for Thanksgiving? uh.......teach people, and help them realize how grateful I am for this Gospel.:)  Cheesy, but true.

ok... this week... straight quote, “I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work!If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the  Spirit, he will touch the heartsof the people and he will be happy.  There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for all time and talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry.  Work, work, work—there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work.”

–President Ezra Taft Benson

This week, we WORKED.  And we worked hard.  We have decided, that we were loosing a little bit of that vision of work, so we went to it.  To tell you the truth, the first few days....didn't go so well, and we learned something much more important.  It is the second part of that quote, to teach by the Spirit.  That is what we had to do, what we had to focus on. There was  a difference and you could see it, between following the Lord's will in the work, or trying to hasten it by myself.  That doesn't mean that the work wasn't good.  The promise is true.  But the thing was, there is a DIFFERENCE.  By those little difference, bring about great changes. 

Recently, we have had a new church building built in our zone, and IT HAS BEEN A GREAT BLESSING.  A really great mercy from the Lord, especially during this season.

So much of our success, was central to that, this new church.  With the new church, we had been inviting everyone and anyone to the "preopen house" and many people were excited. People from all over Colima came to see it, and many members were so proud to show and invite their friends to the new Chapel.  It was really a great blessing and that is what I loved to see.

J... continues to be on fire, inviting anyone he can to come unto Christ, because he REALIZES how important it really is for him.  It is amazing.  Really, he has been working hard and I love seeing that fire of ALL the recent converts in this area.  THEY REALIZE THE BLESSINGS, and they really want to share it with others. 

Lastly, we have been focusing on finding families, and we have been raising the bar in contacting any family that we can come in contact with (in any reasonable way, and when the Lord tells us, of course)  As part of that, we have many new families who are listening and want to understand and recieve the blessings of the message of the Restoration.  That has been a great blessing... to see first, that they ACCEPT us.  Second, that they listen and are willing to act of the things we give them.

I think I am not doing so great at of expressing this very well, but it is the best I can do in this moment.  I worked on this... the Lord will hasten His work, how He wants, when and where He wants.  My actions and my humility, demonstrate what kind of instrument I will be in His hands.  If I really work on being the best I can be, He makes up for it.  Maybe that has been my message like 50 hundred times during the mission, but I hope you and I finally understand it.  The Lord loves you and I for who we are, and He wants ALL of us to get back to Him.  So when he puts you or me in a situation to share the Gospel with someone else, we shouldn't be selfish and worry about sharing it, or trying new ways of doing it.  If the Lord says to do it, do it.  It is a lesson I have still been working on.  I love this Gospel.  I love being part of hastening the work, helping others, feeling what I feel, and getting to help others know their Reedemer in a way they never thought possible.  I love my Savior, and that is why I am out here. I don't want to miss the little opprotunites to work out here, whether it be one person, or a family, or a card, or a pamphlet.  I love you:) 

love,

Elder Goodman!

To change behavior...

MOM. LIFE IS WONDERFUL HERE IN MEXICO. I LOVE IT.

This week, has been great. I will try to update you guys in the best way.

This week, I decided to do something. That is, apply what I learned with Preach my Gospel, our book we use 100xs a day. 

The phrase today:“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.” 

– PRESIDENT BOYD K PACKER PMG cap. 2

I think, finally, our investigators, our recent converts,  our less actives, and of course I, understood this a little better this week.

First, with J.... --He just got baptized and he is learning to apply this quote.  He has had a hard time with all the "rules" (commandments) of the Lord.  But with time he understood the importance of obedience and also, of sharing what he knew.  This week, he brought a friend to church.  He was showing him all the cool things and told him of the standards we live. The friend asked, "Isn't that a lot to worry about?  A lot of commandments?".   J...said,  "I obey the commandments because I want blessings.  More commandments, more obedience, more blessings.  So no,  I think it is something to be GRATEFUL about." (almost direct translation.)  It was great to see him change, and understand how important it was to share the gospel... and LIVE IT.

Another example... we have Sister R....  She is passing through some hard times and struggles with smoking.  We told her about the Word of Wisdom.  She has been trying a long time to change, but this week, she finally realized the WHY.  She understood after a special lesson that it wasn't for her, or for baptism. It was for her daughter and more importantly the Lord.  It was sweet to see her face as she understood that part, and as she gained faith that she COULD change,and that she finally understood the doctrine of WHY.

And then, the members.  SUPER POWERFUL this week.  We have opened a new building this last week, and we had a "pre-open house."  The members of the stake hammered hard core the missionary work in every way they could.  They were inviting taxi drivers, workers, friends, and family. They were so proud and excited to show this church and the happiness it brings to everyone, and they showed it with their actions.  We were giving tours and we saw so many people changing,  seeing the message we really bring and what we really do.   They understood this week, that we are all a family and what that means, that it is worth it to bring one brother or sister to the Gospel. 

The point, was that the study of the Gospel, changes behavior.  And really, in every part of this, I have seen that. For me, of course, it has changed WHO I AM... every day, little by little, and that is the point.  The Gospel works within and when we understand something, and we really apply it,  then we change and become more like Christ. I love that principle.  I love learning line upon line, precept upon precept. And I really know, that THAT is how the Gospel works.  Not jumps and leaps, but little by little, step by step... I love it!   I was excited to see these changes, but I am more excited about the week to come.  I hope you all have a wonderful week.  I love you all so much.  Enjoy every minute of studying the Doctrine of the Gospel this week:)

Love,

Elder Goodman!!!!!!!

Focus on the positive!

MAMMAAAAAAA! 

Life, in Mexico is perfect, let me tell you . You are amazing and really, I will try to update you hard core this week.

We worked LIKE MANIACS THIS WEEK!
We have been running on the daily, to help my comp out, and we go to a bunch of different things.....so yeah....but there are more pics to come, we are having some technical difficulties.

This week was great.  We have been working with quite a few people, but we are really trying to work on finding ALL the people the Lord would have us teach.  So we have been working on talking to EVERYONE. EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME.  There are a lot of people here in Colima.  Let me tell you, we have contacted many people daily, and this week, we were working on really applying it hard core.  The thing was....with more people to talk to, you see two things.  First, more rejection.  Second, more miracles--and that is wonderful to see. This week, I didn't have much time once again.  I AM SO SO SO SO SO SORRY...really... I will make it up.  But I learned one important thing.  The 100 "negative" (for lack of other word) experiences and their memories are destroyed with 1 "positive" experience.   I love that part about life.  We, as human beings, don't LIKE to remember the bad.  The Lord blesses us with the ablity to remember the good, and enjoy it while it lasts.  I love this time- seriously.  We are working hard to make every minute count for the Lord.

I hope you have a great week. SORRY. X2...SERIOUSLY.

love,

Elder Goodman

 P-day fun...you just HAVE to ride a chicken at some point in your life! haha

 Elder Goodman's Zone

Leadership Training

Short but sweet!

Ok mom... so sorry... This is a horrible week/day for time.  This is what happened.

I can't send pics, but next week we are going to go to a different place so we can send pics.  I promise.

This week was amazing.  I have NO TIME to write.  We got stuck hard core in traffic and I can't write almost anything.  Really, forgive me, and I promise I will respond to everything next week :) 

1. J... got baptized!  It was amazing.  He is super intense and bore his testimony yesterday and everyone could feeling the spirit.  It was great to see the members strengthened by his love for the gospel.

2. O... was stoked to get baptized after seeing the baptism of J...

3. J... is super excited about the gospel and invited 8 people to his baptism, all very happy and excited about the church.  HE HAS A FIRE!!  And it is amazing.  He understands really how the Gospel and the Atonement change lives, and he wants others to feel the same hope.

This week, I had to learn to do the Lord's will, not mine.  One of the hardest lessons to learn for me because I am sure, every day, that I will give 110%.  But the question is if I will give 110% doing my work, or the Lord's work.  I know it is cheesy, but I am serious!  And it is something I have had to learn.  The Lord's work, is very different from my work.  And sometimes I don't understand it completely, but the Lord doesn't ask me to understand.  He asks me to just do... with faith.  I love this Gospel.  I have loved seeing the atonement work in MY life and then be able to teach it to others, who have then taught it to even more.  The LORD LOVES US SO MUCH, and I am so grateful to know that.  I love teaching it to others. I love life!

Be happy. Be mormon.:)

Love,

Elder Goodman!

SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY it is so short... promise to make up for it!

These hands...sure have been busy the last 15months!  I love this picture because it reminds me of the work that is so important...hands of service, hands for hope and hands of love.  These hands have been doing a great work!

The WHY...

Hello!! Hi mom... I love you.

To answer some questions: 

1. How was your week?  SUPER HARD CORE TWICK THE TWIRL 110% AWESOME.   

2. What is going well? Ok....little bit harder question mom... seriously? Everything!!  There you go.  We are working hard to find new investigators, and contact anybody who will listen.  We have had some great baptisms that are working to be going to the temple soon, and  WE ARE SO EXCITED FOR THEM.  Really, that is what we are excited about.  I have seen the difference in our point of view.  Like the talk says, to see our investigators not at baptism but at the temple and with their families forever.  That is what we want, that is the goal.  Baptism is just the first step, even for us.  We are excited to see them taking these next steps toward the temple.  And, we have baptisms coming up too.  J... is working hard core and O..., and many others. (for Dailynd, we are teaching like 26-30 investigators, and 10 less actives or people that just got baptized)

3. What is NOT going well? Nothing... to tell  the truth.  We are working hard but sometimes, we don't see the fruits of the work we do.  It is hard to let people choose for themselves, and to see some not get excited or not understand the message we are trying to teach.  To tell you the truth, of about 100 people we talk to every week, only 5-15 want to listen.  It is a little hard, but we are happy to do it and the ones that listen are so worth it:)

4. What are some of your challenges?  We are trying to help people get to church and helping them understand the importance of things after baptism, because we don't ever want them to think that baptism is the LAST STEP.

5. What helps you to keep going? Ok... to tell you the truth, the "why".  Every day, every contact, everything I do, has to have a why and the why of what I am doing.  It changes... why am I contacting this person, why am I teaching this lesson, why am I giving this person a Book of Mormon.  And the thing I have realized, is the 'why' can't ever be for me, at least in part, because it doesn't work out like it should.  It is the Lord's work.  Why do I do what I do?  Because I know it is what the Lord wants.  Here, you can't work for a baptism.  You have to work to help a child of God get back to his Father.  That is the point, and THAT makes the difference.   First, I like to remember the covenants I have made, because that is part of everything we do.  And second, I like to remember that why.  The why, usually has to do with love, or with those two wonderful commandments the Lord has given us, to love Him and our neighbors.  But it is my choice. MOM... OK...THERE ARE WAY TO MANY WHYS AND IT IS WAY TO HARD TO EXPLAIN... but easy.  Because I love my Heavenly Father and I love my Savior.  That is it. 

6. (This question was about something specific for my lessons that I am teaching)  The questions that I really like are "How do I know if I am becoming converted?" --Are you progressing?

7.  "Why is work an important gospel principle?" because God has to work to be God.....

those are my answers.

8.  I know you know about work, but how did you get where you are with regards to work? Work, is the point of this world.  If I don't learn how to work, I  can't progress.  If I can't progress, I won't be able to live with my Father in Heaven again.  That is the spiritual part.  But in everything, I will tell you the truth, the WHY.  The WHY has to be strong enough to get me to do something.  WHY  am I doing it?  And if I change my why, I change my attitude, I change my work ethic.

I love you tons.  Not much time today, but hope that helps.  I don't know how to explain it, but one day, I will explain it well, in person. LOVE YOU ALL TONS...REALLY.

Love,

Elder Goodman!

How you finish...

FAM BAM. WHAT IS UP?

Questions: 

1.  So...how are you?  I AM STOKED. LIFE IS GOOD.  WORK IS HARD CORE.  I AM GREAT.

2.  How is your new companion? He is chill!  I will be sending pics the following week!  But he is hard core, and we will see if he has enough patience with me....;)

3. What is his name and where is he from?  Elder Monzon (sounds like Monson)....imagine that in the church.  The prophet and hombre bueno in church....it makes for a laugh.  He is from Guatamala. 

4. Is your appetite back or is it a work in progress?  Yeah... all is well.  Everything is good once again.  Sorry to worry you guys.  But really, nothing big, no worries:)

 haha  

5. What do you need? nothing! 

6. What would you like in your Christmas package?  Yep, the time is already here and I usually send it off at the beginning of November, so you need to let me know.  YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEND A PACKAGE.  NO WORRIES.  BUT THANKS.  I STILL HAVE TO SEND YOU GUYS A PACKAGE...IT WILL GET THERE.  I PROMISE. (Don't worry, I will be sending a package anyway :))

 I can't believe the holidays are just around the corner (mom)-- I can't either.

 Good and bad....they come and go so fast :(  

7. How  was your week?

Ok cool... I will explain my week.

This week, was hard core...and great.  Seriously, no complaints.

Something I have seen is the way the Lord helps us out in whatever we are doing.  There might be harder days, or better days, but if you are doing the Lord's will, you can't end badly. 

This week, we worked hard.  My companion had to slowly get to know the investigators, the less active members, and also the members in our area and of our ward.  So we had a lot of working, and walking to do. <= good thing.

The thing is, no one was at home and many decided to leave on vacations, or they were just  out and about when we wanted to visit them. <= challenge.

SO WE WALKED MORE. <= solution.

Cool huh? hahahahahaha! No, but something really amazing that we had seen is how the Lord led us by the Spirit.  Maybe not everyone was in their home... like ever.  BUT, when we DID find them, the Spirit was so strong in the lessons and we could feel it testifying of every word we said.  We felt that we had been guided to the people we found, and if finding those souls and those people meant walking a ton,  it was worth it to help out one of my brothers or sisters in the end:)

Also, this taught me a special lesson that I had learned a long time ago.  I believe I learned it in the MTC.  It is a saying, "It doesn't matter how you start, what matters is how you finish." And that was awesome to see.  How we ended the days, how we ended lessons, showed where our hearts and desires were.  It was something I loved and it really fired us up  this week!

After that, we had some seriously cool experiences.

One... we couldn't find anybody in their houses so we had started contacting on the way to the next visit.  As we were doing so, a sister told us that she was a less active and that her whole family had been baptized.  She hadn't been found on any of our lists, so she told us directions to her house and everything and said she wanted us to visit.  It was a tender mercy to find her and her whole family.  If we hadn't been contacting, she would have continued letting the missionaries pass by her house without saying anything,  like she had for the past 2 years.

Second... J..., one of the investigators hit a hard point this week.  With his family and everyone fighting, life was little down, and his work was also.  He came to us one  night in the church and explained all that was going on.  He asked how it was possible that the more he looked into the Gospel, the worse things seemed to get.  We thought about it.  I will tell you the truth, there are like 100 different ways to answer that question for me and I didn't know which he needed.  But, then we went to the scriptures.  We talked about SALVATION. How salvation wasn't cheap, but was definitely worth it if he always had it in his mind.  That the rules, were not rules or restrictions, but more opprotunities for us to be blessed.  That if he wanted blessings, the point was to follow those specific commandments.  It was great to see him change his attitude and he ended saying, "Well, I want to SHOW the Lord I am serious, so if you have any more rules you guys want to tell me, tell me all of them right now!" hahahahaha!  It was great:)

And also...O... was a blessing.  We have had problems getting him to chruch and we were praying on how to help him.  Well, we went and visited him and he said he not might be able to go.  He had  some excuses so we told him, to do what the Lord wanted.  But, we were unsure when we left.  Saturday we passed by O... house, because we were in the neighborhood again, and he called to us from across the street.  He said he felt a NEED to go to church, and that he was sure he wouldn't miss... and he did come.  But something we saw, was that he had changed.  Not from us, but from the Lord, and it was wonderful to see him in conference.

Last... we had Stake Conference.  Me and my companion helped in the priesthood session to teach the members a little bit more about the work of Salvation, especially missionary work (we have a little experience in that part).  It was great to see the brothers and sisters receive revelation during our talk/lesson, and writing down things they wanted to do.  Although we hadn't had much time to prepare, the Spirit guided us, and helped them know what they needed to do in the next six months.

I think that was the best.  Looking at all that, the phrase comes back, "It isn't important how you start, it's how you finish."  It applies to so many things...the week...my life...today...tomorrow, and what God wants for me.  Maybe regarding the whole week, I could say it was rough or that it was great, but the thing I loved is how we finished.  It has been wonderful.  I love it out here,and the thing about life, is how you finish.  I love you guys so much.  Hope you have a great week, and enjoy everything:)

LOVE YOU TONS. WITH LOTS OF HUGS.

Elder Goodman!!

Count the blessings

LIFE IS GREAT. 

Sorry if this letter is short....we had changes this week, and we don't have a lot of time-o  But I want to let you guys know I love you and that I wrote you first!....haha:)

This week was full...Full of work... Full of learning... Full of Sickness...Full of Meditating... FULL OF BLESSINGS.

yeahhhhhhhhhh....

First...work.  We were super busy this week to tell you the truth.  We have had Family Home Evenings almost every day (everyone gets excited about those....the Elder's are SO creative...;)) Also, we had council this last week and that was great.  With baptismal interviews and everything else, we have been a little busy.  But it is AWESOME.  That is how the work is!  And the problem is the weeks pass by SUPER FAST.

Second...full of Learning. 

The Lord has seemed to teach me, that I have never learned TOO much.  That it isn't possible.  That even after I have dissected a scripture, went super deep, and understood it on like 70 different levels, there is still something I might be missing.  And to tell you the truth, it is super crazy.....I think I will be sharing more of that next week...because it is hard to explain.

Third...full of Sickness. 

I don't really like sharing this part, but I did want to let you guys know that I have been sick. Yeah...poor kid, I know, but it has been a little rough.  We still went working but, in the end, my body couldn't run farther that was meant to, and I went down swinging. hahahahaha! I think the thing is, it was still spiritual for me.  To be sick, in bed, throwing up at any thought of food....my thoughts were guided to many things.  To view and to meditate...and it was a major blessing.  The Lord allowed me to take a step back, to say, "Ok whoa, where am I REALLY in my life.  What do I want to do, and how am I going to do it,  so that I can become the best servant of the Lord I can in the time that he has left for me here in Mexico."  It was time to do the self-evaluation, and it was a major blessing. I was really sick and wouldn't mention it if I wasn't, but that is what happened...and that is how life goes. Woo hoo!

Full of Meditating...

(see last paragraph)

Full of Blessings....

This week--AMAZING.

J... is progressing super great.  He is the bomb, and seriously, he always puts a smile on my face when we see him for lessons in the church.  Whether it has been a bad day, or a good day, a day of rejection, or a day of major success, the Lord always gives us people like J... to lift us missionaries up.  He is super excited and happy to see all that is going on.  He loves learning.  I think the thing that makes him STAY so solid is that he reads.  HE ALWAYS READS, and it strengthens him in his temptations, and anything else he passes through.  Althought he does have his temptations and all, he is going hard like a champ. 

Now....J..., isn't the only person progressing, or who reads, or anything, to tell you the truth, but I wanted to tell you about him because he helps me.  His example of early conversion helps me in my times of conversion also. We are excited to see him in white.:)  One day, with his Father in Heaven when we can all be together!

Also, we have had a major miracles these last days with new investigtators.  The members have been getting excited about the missionary work, and that helps us!  One of our recent converts, A.., has been really excited to share the gospel and she looks for every opportunity...like ALWAYS looks.  One day, she  passed a street vender who was talking with a man about God and religion and everything.  She had the chance to listen and join in.  She shared her little bit (she had been practicing, because she was nervous) and she said she felt good.  But better yet, the man asked her to share more, so she took his address and gave it to us.  We visited him and his name is O.... He told us he wanted to know the truth and of course, we were more than happy to share it with him.  He said he was ready to do whatever was needed, but to tell you the truth, I was lacking a little faith.  Two days later, we passed by and O... had read the pamphlet we had given him.  He had started to read the Book of Mormon and he had started to pray.  In all the problems he has and things he is going through, he told us that was the only place he had felt peace, in the scriptures. It was important and a blessing for us, to be able to teach another one of my brothers the things he knew BEFORE:)

Well....to tell you the truth....those are just little things.  I don't know how to explain to you guys everything that goes on here.  We do a lot of things.  The work of the Lord is the work of my life so it is hard to describe in a letter, but the experiences  that I share usually describe the whole week in a nutshell.  With all the rejection or the problems, crazy stories or temptations,  experiences or trials, or no matter how many times we get turned down, the thing I realize is it always leaves positive. The Lord makes sure of that:)  That we have hope and have the happiness in seeing His miracles.

I love this work and everything I can do for this work. This is the work of the Lord. I know it.  I testify of it.  And I am so happy I can participate in it!!!!

Hope you guys have a great week. Love you tons.

With LOTS OF LOVE. SERIOULSY.

Elder Goodman

Found this gem on fb from one of Elder Goodman's friends in Mexico!! Thanks!!