Just an INVITATION...

HEY  FAMILY!

Well, I loved all the experiences you guys shared! Seriously! I am so happy to share missionary work there in the States. That is what I like to hear!!!!!   War against Satan... kick some butt ALL OVER THE WORLD! hahahaha! Sorry, it is because I just got done playing soccer, and I am hyped!

This week has been super great.  Well...yeah....we will go with that-  Super great! I was in Guadalajara on Monday and got home at 11:00pm.  We worked on Tuesday and woke up at 3:00 in the morning Wednesday to go back to Gaudalajara and have the confrence with Elder Christensen, a president of the seventies. It was seriously great and we were on fire... Ready to teach and save the world.  Then we had to travel 6 more hours and we got home too late to preach,  so we had to wait for the next day. But seriously, I love it!  That many missionaries in one place?  It was super cool.  I think it is because everyone has a general understanding of how the mission is.  It is like veterans all meeting together to work and improve the missionary work.  I loved listening and understanding a little bit more of how I can share in such a better way!

But enough about my personal progress, we had a lot of progress in our area this week and lots of work. We are still progressing with Oscar, we should be waiting like 2-3 weeks for him to be baptized.  Amelia... we are teaching the lessons over again for her to remember! She is progressing so well, and she is super great.  She said the other day, "If I get baptized, I can get the Holy Ghost right?  I want that so I can help my family."  It was one of the best things to explain what and how the Holy Ghost works with people, and for her to understand and have that desire!  We have many others,  sorry if I don't tell about them every week but they are also progressing and also have goals for baptismal dates.  One of these is Alejandra. A different one that the singer.  She is pregnant and is also is progressing really well. She was having some problems (sickness and things with her pregnancy) and I was able to help her get better and fixed up good after a couple days...She was a little suprised I knew something about pregnancy, so thank you Mom!

We also found a new family this week.  One of our investigators, Ramona (is getting baptized soon also) has some neighbors.  Ramona is a little bit older and lives with her kids.  But at times she gets lonely.  One of her neighbors, Israel (sick name) is 10yrs old and wanted to be her friend so he gave her a chicken. (I wish I could just give someone a chicken to be there friend).  Later he wanted to go with her to church. Then we visited with Ramona and Israel, and then Israel's family.  Israel listened to 2 long lessons, taking it all in and smiling the whole time.  He and his parents are now planning for baptism, and are going to church!  I just wanted to share the story because it is super amazing.  The Lord works every week in ways we don't know. 

Those are the best things I have to share this week. I have been really happy about many things this week, just waking up every day to share the Gospel.  I know that is super cheesy, but I am serious! Also, to know that I have the Lord and the Holy Ghost as companions all the time! I know when it is offended and leaves, or when we can teach and everything works good.  I hope you guys remember that... you have a companion at your side 24 hours a day! He is on your team and he wants to help you. I just wanted to write the last quote that was in my folder before I left on my mission... "Be the person, that when you wake up in the morning and your knees hit the ground to pray, Satan says, "Oh crap! He is up."  Remember that... to keep fighting and to pray for the help of the Spirit.  The Lord is preparing people for you too! You just have to invite them to do something.  Keep everything up!  If you can't tell, I love hearing about the missionary work there in AZ!  I love you!  Stay safe!  Know I think about you all!

Love,

Elder Lincoln Ellis Goodman!

A Little late :(

This email was from 2/11/14 and Lincoln was traveling to and from Guadalajara for mission conference.  Sorry I am so late in posting, to much going on that week and not enough time...

Hey Fam! 

Sorry, I couldn't write yesterday, I was in Guadalajara for my temporary residence and was traveling all day! And, I don't have a lot of time but I did want to update you on my week! So here we go! 

First, I hope everything is well! Vacations in Utah sound super great!  I loved seeing pictures! I hope it was wonderful.  I am happy you guys were able to feel the Spirit and everything that week! Also, FAYE. YOUR HAIR IS SUPER LONG. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?! Are you gonna cut it off or keep going?! I was super suprised. And D looks super smart. hahahahahahaha! Just had to say that. You all have super sick style:) 

 Also, yes, I am still with my trainer. We have been here a quarter of my mission, and I know basically everybody.  We are gonna be killing it in this area:) We found out something... we started visiting people the Monday and Tuesday after changes and we saw something...that I think woke me up a little bit.  As we passed by our recent converts, less actives and investigators, we saw tears in their eyes, more than once - them saying, " The Lord answered my prayers. I kept hoping he would. "  Two things I learned. 1. That people really love me the same I love them!  Maybe I can't always show it, but they can feel it and I am hoping I can transfer that Christ like love to them.  2. Elder Monsalve and I know how to teach faith really well...so well that if those people keep praying like that, the Lord will never change me to a different area!  I might be here for a LONG time...hahaha!:)   

So, this week we have been here, in Mexico teaching people Salvation every day...the normal. But of course, it has been amazing! Many blessings, and many signs that I know this is the Lord's work. 

The Romero family wasn't able to go to the temple because of finances. And also, because they left in January not Feburary. So, we helped with the finances part. He recently got a new job, and one day we were talking and he said, "Elders, we aren't going to be able to go to the temple."  I don't think he expected my reaction of, " Brother Romero, you are going to go to the temple and getting sealed to your family if you have the faith. Don't you dare doubt God. Let's get to work." hahahahaha! That night we set up a budge, and they definitely will be ready by March, IF it is the Lord's will.  But we can't go with them, it is a new rule...but it is totally ok:)  

Also, we have been talking with Oscar, he has been having problems with his future wife, because he couldn't pay for his house.  So he moved in with her.  No, don't worry, they are in different rooms and they read the law of Chastity pamphlet every night!  hahaha! But he won't be able to get baptized if she can't get her birth certificate and they can get married - because it is also a rule...have to be married to the girl your living with :)  So we have been helping them figure that part out. They have been trying everything possible and we finally have a plan that will work. They will get the birth certificate the 13th, get married the 14th, and he will be baptized the 15th... IF the Lord wants.:)  That is something I have learned a lot about. Sometimes, we want to just do the things.. but I have figured out that in every facet of my life, I should ask God because it is important. So we have faith, and we will see how everything goes. Then we recieved fruits of our faith. 

One of the best things that happened this week was on Saturday.  Amelia (Saul's Mom) accepted a bautismal date and is preparing more for that day.  She testified that she knew the church was guided by Jesus Christ and that she wanted the gift of the Holy Ghost to help her and her family.  It was a great moment for Elder Monsalve (pronounced Monsalvay) and I, to be able to see that light in her eyes.  She is super super stoked and is preparing really well...  more blessing we get to see.  

And finally, we were able to teach the singer, Alejandra.  She is a singer and is now turning down all of her work on Sundays to go to church and obey that commandment.  It was a great week, when we were able to see the work the Lord does for us, always behind the scenes. Every day is a blessing, and I am always excited to put on that name tag and be a servant of the Lord!!!!

I hope that was an ok letter! I am trying to do better! I am doing so well, and I hope you guys are too! I love hearing from you. And I think about you each and every day. Thanks for all you do. Love Always!

Love,

Elder Lincoln Ellis Goodman

Short but Sweet :)

Elder Lincoln wrote this the same time he wrote the poem for his cousin.  Short and sweet but we sure love hearing from him!!

Fam Bam!!!!

   Was that a pic of Saul with you and your companion? (me) yes!   How was the work this past week?(me)  Super AWESOME!  All of Saul's Family is now listening, and we are also progressing really well with Oscar.  He is getting married to a member the 14th of Feb, and baptized 15th.  It will be great!  We have many others, that we have recently found, who are working really well.  And of course, we are working with less actives every day!   What new things have you eaten?(me)  um.....pig ears...and I learned how to suck the marrow out of a bone. hahahahaha!   Do you need more recipes to make and experiment with?(me)  um...I don't think so.  Everything is well and I eat good! We don't have much time to cook! hahahaha! So maybe you get to go to the temple with Romero's this month?(me) That is a sad part... it was in January, and they couldn't go.  But they are planning for March except we can't go with them:/ But I hope we can activate somebody soon! I want to go to the Temple!!! 

Medicine (totally forgot that in the last package, but didn't know if you found some)- (me)  Medicine would be nice, but I can buy it here if need be. I can't find an inhaler... well, one that works.  I bought one for about 3 bucks (that was the most expensive) and it isn't actually medicine....it is like air in a can....so if you could send one or two that would be great! 

I am so happy mom with the Temple! And so jealous! How great! I am so happy that you were able to share that like a missionary :) 

 Also, youth confrence sounds SICK. I am so happy that all went well! I hope dad is well! And I am sure that ALL was super cool!  Also, thank you mom for sharing how it was and that lesson about self-worth vs. self-esteem. 

I hope all of the family is good, and that everyone is doing well! This week, we finally played futbol!!!!!!!! I was soooooo happy! And they said something like "dang, that white boy has got skill!" I think I always look a bit more on the heavy side and I think that they definitely weren't expecting me to run so fast. 

Our area is progressing really good. We have activated families, and taught many! Valle Dorado (one of our colonies) knows us by "the colombian" and "elder Buenhombre" hahahahahaha! I love you! sorry I can't share so much! But you guys are always first in my mind, and who I write! I love you!!!!!

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Tribute...

 This is Joshua Roberts.  Although his life was not very long, he managed to teach us all how to love.   Josh loved everyone and always wanted to hug you or hold your hand.  We will miss his hugs, but his presence will be felt every time we remember the love of our Savior.  Thank you Josh-man, for loving us and teaching us how we should love one another.  When Elder Goodman found out about his beloved cousin, Josh, he wrote this poem....

Remember the Plan.

Do not stand by my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep,

My body is gone, there is no life left,

It will move no more, it is there to rest.

But my Spirit is living, it won't die.

I wouldn't just leave you there to cry. 

I'm in the green grass, the feelings you get when you pray,

I'm there for you every single day.

You know the plan, I'm better with my body there.

No restrictions, no heavy burdens to bear.

I'm free, I can do so much more here,

Remember that, when you want to shed a tear.

I know that is what everyone says, but the key is to TRUST.

To say to the all-knowing "Ok. Comply to thy will I must."

Maybe it isn't specifically easier that way,

But know that you will always make it to the next day.

Look for those signs that the Lord will send,

With him as your light, your life will begin to mend,

And I will never leave, I'll be by your side,

When you fall down, or get dominated by the tide.

We will fight as a team, and then in the end,

We will meet, and be together once again

I will tell you I love you, I will give you the biggest hug I can give,

But for right now, enjoy that you live!

The Lord has promised you and I something great,

We can be together forever, no terminating date.

All you have to do is endure to the end,

No matter the trial, no matter the bend.

One step at a time, steady and sure,

Look to the future, the time will go by like a blur.

But please, don't stand by my grave and cry.

Because I am not there. I did not die.

Like I said, not sure if it is good. But if you think it will help somebody, that is great. Love you all! And if I was there I would have given you all big hugs!!

Love,

Elder Goodman!