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!