Every Moment Counts!

Mum! I luv you! (in English accent, of course)

Thank you sooooooooo much for your letter!  Seriously!  I am so happy to always hear the testimony of each and every one of you!  I love to see the difference every week:)

This week was great!  We have been doing a lot of work here in Colima, and the Lord is hastening it in many different ways!

First, I wanted to tell you guys of some of the miracles that have passed these last few days! The first on is about Cesar.  We have been working to find new investigators here in our area.  Very few people were really progressing, and we decided, the first few nights here, to start with prayers.  We pray every day, all day, and it has really payed off!  One of those blessings is Cesar.  His friend sent him as a refrence one day and we found him.  He thought it was so great, to see clean cut, organized adults like us....;)  And, he wanted us to pass by another day!  We did and it was so great to see how the Lord had prepared him to recieve us!

He had been in some tricky situations with buisnesses...and had  some problems with lying (yeah..cool huh?!)  He felt like he was a little 'dirty' of the things he had done (really...he felt filthy.)  He went with his friend to church because he thought it might help him feel better..there, they talked about lying, how it wasn't ok, and that Jesus Christ and the Atonement were important to becoming clean...he asked for more, wanted more, and that is were we come in.  As you can see, Cesar felt that need, the need to change.  The Lord had touched his heart.  But his friend, the one that brought him to church, thought he would never listen...and that of all her friends...he was last on the list to accept the Gospel.

Something so big that we can never get into the members heads, is that they have a part in missionary work.  It is a calling as a witness of Jesus Christ.  God will never NOT put someone in your path that needs the Gospel, and no matter how sure we are that they won't accept it...the fact is we aren't all knowing, and God is-- SO TRUST IN HIM!! hahahahaha:) 

I learned the same principle.  We had to search for a house because we were helping to open a new area for some missionaries coming here and they needed a place to live.  We couldn't find one!  We looked and looked, contacted, looked, worked some more, and looked again. And we couldn't find anything.  We had also been praying.  Finally, the perfect idea came. Pray right there.... and we prayed in the street.  Then we were led on a wild goose hunt, and in the end, WE FOUND THE PERFECT HOUSE.  It was SOOOOOO COOL.  It HAS AIR CONDITIONING!  It didn't even say that it was being rented, it didn't have a sign, but we knocked on the door just because we felt we should.  The man said we were mind readers. hahahahaah! It was a great experience. 

And in the end, I just wanted to share the most important thing this week.  I gave a talk, teaching gospel principles, and I taught about "the role women play in spiritual moral." (yeah...that was a little difficult seeing I am not married. But thanks to mom, I have a testimony). But the one I loved to give the best was the talk about missonary work.  I wanted to share some thoughts with the family.

Alma 26:27,30-31. Is shares a principle super important. If we are ALL missionaries, we all have to pass through these afflictions. Doctrine and Convenants 4 says with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, ALL your mind, ALL your strength.  To me, it doesn't sound like an easy work.  So, my challenge is, this next week, to give it ALL.  Every minute, every moment, as a witness and member of the Church of Jesus Christ. Sorry if that is wierd or may be difficult but something I felt I should say. How many of us, as members, really give 110% to the missionary work every week? 

I know the Lord answers our prayers.  There were so many expierence I want to tell you, that I never have time to write about, but I want you to know that I know my Savior lives.  That our ways, are not the Lord's ways. His are SO much higher, so much BETTER.   We can't write someone off when we don't know what they are really going through.  The Lord will work through us if we let Him. I love you all tons. I am so grateful to be here.  I miss you, but it is a blessing to see YOUR testimony grow.  I love you tons, more than you will ever know. 

Remember Him in all you do.:)

Love,

Elder Goodman!

A New Area :)

Fam Bam!

Hey! I just wanted to say thank you for always writing! You are amazing! And it is wonderful to hear from everybody on Mondays. Sorry I don't always respond at the same quality...:/

This week was great.  The area is a lot different from my other one to tell the truth!  Colima is a different state, so there are different challenges! But, we will be working to improve in every way possible:)

This last week, we have been visiting many different people and investigators, with many different names, faces, and needs.  The greatest thing I have seen is the way the Lord works with the instruments He has.  We might be good instruments, but sometimes, He needs a completely different one to do what He needs to accomplish His plan.  We each have the characteristics that are special for us.  And we are all different tools for the Lord, but there are ways He needs to use each and every one of us.   Our Savior wants to use the tools He has  every day. 

This week we baptized a girl named Jennifer.  She is the most recent, and last convert of her family.  It was wonderful to see the "way of the seed" the missionaries first talked to her sister, and then to her parents, and finally... we talked to her.  The Lord works in mysterious ways, but it was wonderful to see the difference in her life when she got baptized.  And we will see what waits in store for her family:)

This week, we really have also been working just to get to know the area.  My companion doesn't have much time here, so we are getting the help of members, and have had a great week.  

How are the missionaries there in our stake?!  How many are there?! Do they have investigators in our ward???  Do you guys feed them? hahahahahaha!  I just wanted to ask! (Glad Lincoln is checking on us...and yes we feed our missionaries and we have investigators!)

Also... hopefully, I will be sending a package in the coming weeks to you guys-- AT LAST. 

And sorry that this letter is all over the place, really, there are many things in my mind! Sorry!!!!

Well, that is really everything for this week! Short, but more next week. Love you all! 

I miss you!

Love,

Elder Goodman!

Transferred! A new adventure :)

Fammmmmmmmmily!

Hey! Sorry I couldn't write yesterday! As you already know, I got transferred and it was like 10 hours in bus.  SUPER FUN.  But it was worth it to get here in Colima!  It is going to be great! 

This last week we had many miracles, and we always do... some little, some big, but all are wonderful!  And I never feel like I can sufficiently share them with you via email!  But once again, I will attempt.

This week, we knew might be the last week there for one of us, Elder Enriquez and I, so we tried to give that final squeeze of the sponge before transfers came!  Victor is still progressing and was reading every day.  He has changed completely.  When we met him, he was a drug addict, with his hair freaking crazy in a ponytail and no one was sure he was in the world or not.  But when we started to teach him, he wasn't on drugs, and after that....he never took drugs again.
For those of you that don't know... for someone to stop a serious drug addiction from night to day is actually dangerous.  It can cause so many problems, for your body or for your mind. So about 2 weeks ago he was really struggling and asked us to give him a blessing.  He never had problems again.  The desire, the need in his body, or the reactions...it all stopped.  He could focus. He can sit still!!!! And, it is all from that blessing and power of God.  He reads, and prays every day.  Victor told us, without us ever saying or connecting the blessing to the his recovery, that it was like putting on protection for a day against Satan.  How true it is!   I was so happy to see those changes take place with him.  To see his testimony grow is a blessing for me every day.

Also, we have been working with some other people.  One person we were working with is Naty.  Through her, God taught me an important lesson.  Because we contact and teach so many people every week, there are times we can't pass by all the houses because they are different cities, or because they give us false directions or numbers.  Well, we talked to Naty, and she said we could pass by any day in the afternoon, and we hadn't been able to for about 5 days.  But the fifth day, she found us in the street and YELLED "BUENHOMBRE! Why did you never pass my house?!"  It was something that almost never happens....and I was surprised!  I then realized, I hadn't even realized ALL the blessing my father had given me. He gave me one of his children and I hadn't passed by her house for 5 days!  It was something special to see her excited for us to pass by and showing US the message.  Wake up call Elder Goodman! haha

Finally... this saturday, as our plan, our last baptism as a companionship was an investigator named Miriam, and a boy named Angel!  Miriam hurt her leg, and couldn't be baptized Saturday in the morning.  So we planned for just Angel.  His mom is Daniela, and they had been less active, but Angel told us he wanted to get baptized.  We taught him and he recieved an answer perfectly clear that the church is true!  But we had some...technical difficulties with the baptism....and it wasn't possible to happen.  First, he was dissappointed.  But the craziest part was his mom.  She had been mad at some of the members for never helping her or never helping her feel welcomel.  Well, again, we had had some problems again with members here....but she explained her testimony to her son.  She told him that EVERYTHING happens for a reason.  She was so sincere as she shared her feelings, that no one is perfect and that really, there was no reason to be offended or feel bad.  She told her son that they would do the baptism next week.  After she talked to her son, she came up to me and said, "Elders, you were right. When you share your testimony, it strengthens you personally.  I think I have to share that a little bit more with others.  Thanks!"  It was a blessing to see a sister who had felt offended, share with her son, that it wasn't important.  To share  the things she believed.  She wasn't sure of certain things.  She hadn't even completely forgiven the members yet. But she had the faith to say the words, and feel the power and truth that were in them. 

The Lord works in misterious ways! But at least the week ended well! 

I hope the stories make sense. But they taught me a lot, every single experience.  That is why I share them with you!  I know it problably isn't always the most interesting or those crazy stories, but they are things I feel that I should share!  

I hope you guys have a great week! And thank you for your letters always, sorry I don't always respond in the best way!

Also, my comp is from Peru and his name is Elder Tejada (Tehada).  He is 26!  It is super cool.  Well, later!  I will send pics next week!!!!!!

Love,

Elder Goodman!!!!

Live what you preach!

I had to include this little inter-change between my oldest and youngest....totally makes me laugh every time!! Lizzie gets so excited to write Lincoln and I type EXACTLY what she tells me :)

(from Lizzie)

Dear Elder Lincoln,

How was your day been going?  I have 2 boyfriends...Nash, Cruzer, and Landen.  I am meeting this guy named Mark, they guy who is coming at our house for Faye.  And I hope you are doing good on your mission.  I am going to kindergarten and I have swim lessons.  Will you still read books when you come back?  I know some of words...I, the, am, is --then I have this word...why, my,are.  

I love you!

Lizzie loves Lincoln

Liz!

My day is great!! Thanks! I count 3 boyfriends?! And why 3?! It is better if you have 0..:) Who is Mark? Is he cute? And punch him for me, he shouldn't touch Faye! I am doing so good! And WOW! You are going to kindergarten! Congrats! How are swim lessons? Let's go swimming when I come back!!!! And We will SOO read books. LOTS. And wow, you can read, and are doing so well!!!! I love you sooooooo much!

Love,

Elder Goodman:)

Now for Lincoln's Letter....

WHAT UUP FAM BAM?!

SOUNDS LIKE A BLAST THERE AT GIRLS CAMP!  I hope you guys had a great time!  Seriously! Sounds like it was a party and had great activites:)  I hope you guys enjoyed a ton and that it was a great start to the summer!

This week, we have had some great uh...learning experiences...hahaha:)  We have been working hard and finding many new investigators, and also helping all the others progress and go to church!!!  This week, we have found a blessing, and his name is Victor.  Victor is an investigator working really hard to change.  About a month ago he was a drug addict and didn't have a house.  He was a soul that really was lost.  He has done 180 degree turn.  The Lord and the atonement have changed him completely. He is now reading the Book of Mormon every day.  He has a testimony of who he is, and he is working to be better.  He has been working so hard, and we are so happy for him!  We found him one day in the street, he talked to us, and we found out his cousin was a member in our area.  We talked to him, and he had many challenges.  But then he passed through some choice challenges.  The Lord put him through the trials to humble him, and then Victor listened to us.  He says that before he would try and hit missionaries in the street....and I am glad he didn't do that when he saw me:) hahahaha!  Maybe it is because I am so big and muscly that he was afraid ;)  But really it was a blessing.  Now, he is planning on getting baptized!  The reason I wanted to share this with you is because it made me think.  Victor was at ground zero.  He couldn't get any lower.  So, he accepted and used the atonement of Jesus Christ completely.  He has HAD to depend and change completely. Then I was thinking of me.... As a missionary, people have tendency of thinking that I think I am perfect or that we have very few faults. Or as members of the church, that we use the atonement when we worry or have big sins to take care of.  But it is more...we need to use it every day.  The goal is to be better the next day than you were today.  As missionaries, we have goals, we work hard.  We have to figure out how to better our teaching, better our area, and better our lives every day.  How can we testify to someone of the way the atonement of Christ can change their lift if I am not using it every day?!  So this week, I wanted to send that message.  Later in the week, the family Flores were supposed to have one of their kids baptized.  He was so ready, but his dad changed his mind.  We faced some challenges, but he will be baptized this next week!  His dad is again, also at ground zero.  But the hope is in Christ. It is in our message, that is the difference.  Many churches teach about Him, our Savior, and how through Him we can be saved.  The truth is that we can be saved, but it is only though faith on His name(1).  We have to repent of our sins and depend on Him(2).  By committing to get baptized  by someone who has the authority so we can be washed clean(3)!  Without the atonement, there is no help.  Then be able to receive the purifying power of the Holy Ghost(4), to help us continue changing, and to be better.  And last, is persevering(5).  I know that the Church is so true. It is based off these 5 aspects.  That is our message.  There is a chance for everyone, and if we want to testify to others, we must use the atonement ourselves!  I love you tons. 

Love you all tons! Enjoy your week:) Remember your Savior.:)

Elder Lincoln Ellis Goodman

When it gets tough...

Sounds like everyone is wiped out this last week.  I hope you are all doing wonderful!  And really, I am so happy everyone is done with School!  That is crazyyyyyyy!

Ash and Liz...Congrats!  That is so great!  I am so happy for you guys!  Seriously!!!  That is so great!!!  Sorry I couldn't be there for your graduations!  But you were both SO BEAUTIFUL in the pics!  Seriously-- Stunning!! :)

This week, I will tell you, it was full of its up and downs to tell you the truth.  It was full of many uh....."learning" opprotunities:)  Sometimes, the Lord teaches us we need to change the way we are doing things when we get the same results.  It is a way of experimentation and growth that I have loved, and still don't understand perfectly. hahahahaa! 

Funny you asked mom... the truth?  We did get sick.  When I say we, I mean my comp and I:)  But because of ALL the knowledge I have about medicine;)  and my mom... I healed us both-- and we went to workkkkkk:)  It was wonderful!  Thanks for all the things you have taught me mom!

Also, wonderful trials of the world are making it a little bit of a challenge for some of our investigators to continue progressing:)  Ramona, who was supposed to get baptized this week, ran into challenges.  Her husband, who isn't married to her, but who wants to leave, told her he is going to stay in the house another year.  She can't get baptized until he leaves. She came to us, crying, saying she wouldn't be able to be clean of her sins and sharing with us how she would have to wait another year to be baptized!  We felt the spirit super strong as we comforted one of our sisters and a daughter of God when she thought she wouldn't be able to go on any longer.  The Lord is putting her at her limits.  But it is because she will see the difference in the end.  We also have been having struggles.  I know I am usually so happy, but we have seen some people start to give up, or when no one answers us... that we, as a companionship just end up saying "man, what are we doing wrong?"  But the Lord has always blessed us.  I think there are two lessons this week.  The first has to do with the last. That we sometimes don't feel capable to do the things the Lord needs of us.  The truth is, we aren't.  BUT, the Lord will help you, if you are trying your best.  Through Christ, you will BECOME capable.  That is the point.  Reminds me of 1  Sam 16:7 (But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.)  There is no reason for us to say we aren't able to do something.  We judge by the eyes of men.  God's judgement, is so much higher, and he sees so much more.  No matter the day,  no matter the darkest hour, the Lord is aware.  And He is hoping you learn so that you progress in this life-- Day by day...week by week. 

The second thing is that we recieve the things we need most, when we need them. This week wasn't that great, but the thing I learned, is what Christ did in the darkest hours of his life. He turned outward. He didn't pray only for himself. He looked for somebody to serve.  And that makes all the difference.  There were people this week, who NEEDED with their whole soul two missionaries who were humbled and listening to the spirit.  Now, not saying we were perfectly humble, but we were looking, and praying for a way to help somebody, and we recieved the answers.  

I know that this also is a short letter, I am so sorry. But know that whatever you are passing through, you will make it... Heleman 5:12 (And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon therock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.)  Doesn't say we will be exempt from the fiery darts or whirlwinds of the adversary. But that we will be able to make it through them.  Not easily, but with a foundation on a rock, our Savior, Jesus Christ.  So whatever or whenever something is happening, dig into that rock.  It isn't easy, but it is sure.  And it is the sturdiest place you will ever have. 

I have a testimony of Jesus Christ.  I know he is the person we need to be like.  I know that this is His church and that the things I have learned in this church, I would never learn anywere else.  I love you all so much.  Enjoy the summer:)  I hope this letter helps somebody. hahahaha! 

Love you all! Enjoy the week!

Love

Elder Lincoln Ellis Goodman

Those of you that know Lincoln pretty well, knows he would always text a scripture every night to his contacts.  He sent some more, to get you through :)

1 Sam 16:7, 1 Sam 17:45-46, Amos 3:7, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 1:18....TOTALLY Lincoln!!

I love this kid!

MOMMMMMM you are going to kill me!  I tried to send the pics and it took forever so I can't write much, but I really wanted to let you know that here in Mexico, it is amazing. We are HASTENING THE LORD'S WORK DAY AND NIGHT.  My companion has recently told me that when he wakes up in the middle of the night, I am teaching lessons or contacting in my sleep.  So really, day AND night!  We are going crazy with two baptisms, that both fell through this last week... Israel and Ramona.  They are different families, but we were so excited for them!  Israel is a kid we found smoking marijuana and asked him what was going on!  We have taught him and he has changed his life completely!  But, his parents won't let him get baptized.  We are really going to be working and following the spirit with that situation this next week.  Ramona, she had to kick her husband out (because they aren't married, and he wants to go somewhere else if she gets baptized).  But he didn't show up.   We hope first, that he is ok, and second, that Ramona stays strong and can do what the Lord wants her to do.  I think the best things this week, were the promptings of the Spirit.  Every day, all day, we teach, follow our plans, and wait until the Spirit says we need to do something.  Searching in such a way has really changed the way we teach.  The investigators feel it.  They understand it.  And with these two examples, when they understand, they are willing to give up anything.  We have a less active family and they are preparing for the temple.... the Flores family.  

We asked a question that struck a chord, that I wanted to share it with you... "are we willing to give up EVERYTHING for the Gospel?"  We say yes, but God will not just take an answer, He will put us through the work.  He will work with us, guide us, and we will pass through trials that we never thought we would need, so that we can grow in that testimony.  We have to go MORE than we think we can.  That is what I learned... We have to go to the border where possible meets impossible.  We have to give 110%, and keep giving it.  Then, the Lord carries us OVER the boundry and into the impossible.  He is the only way.  It is impossible to live with my Father in Heaven, if I am not giving 110%, or without His help.  I can't reach any of the goals He has for me without Him, or my 110%.  That is what I think the Lord wants.  We give everything.... our family, our friends, our house, our food.  Or maybe to the point where it isn't our food, but the food of our family (harder for me) and the Lord says, "It is for your good."  I know that to be true.  I can't write much today, but I wanted to just share that with you guys.  When focusing on so many different people, it is hard to update you on all of them.  But the overlying lessons my companion and I learn help us to share it with others, and do it with a stronger Spirit.  Therefore, that means somebody, is really needing it right now.  Trials are pushing them to the limit, and they need to Gospel to continue.  That is why we talk to people.  That is what I want you all to know.  And I want you to know that I know the Gospel is true.  There is no fiber of my being that doubts it.  I know it with all my heart, and I will be the Lord's servant until the end because it is worth it.  I love this gospel.  I love my family.  I love my Father and the plan He has! 

Enjoy your week:) And remember that the trials now, don't compare to the millions of years AFTER this life, and this suffering....So don't ever sweat it:)

Love you! Hope this makes sense!

Elder Lincoln Ellis Goodman

 I FOUND DRPEPPER... FROM THE U.S. and I shared that with my companion.:)

 We baked the cake! Don't even ask me how... but we did it, and thank you so much! IT WAS GREAT!

My comp didnt believe that I had skill in crane games. So I won him one... in one try... he wanted to cry, and he thinks I am like superman :)

Finding the Lord's way...

THANK YOU TO ALL FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES. I really am thankful and hope everyone ELSE had a good week also:)

This week was super great.  To tell you the truth.  The Lord has blessed us greatly every week, and I am always excited to write a little bit more about it on Mondays!!!!!

Well, first, we started of the week rough.  Just want to let you know.  Well really....the week was a rough one.  Not many people were in their homes, and we lost some, and others "lost intrest" in the message.  So I can apply that at the end of this letter! 

But anyway, this week we found a reference named Javier, and it was seriously a little crazy! What happened is we saw him in the street about 2 weeks ago and contacted him.  We felt and then followed the spirit, as we began to teach him the first lesson there in the street. After, he said we could visit again.  Then later, we recieved him as a reference.  The member only said, "He lives on that street.  That is all I know and I don't remember his name."  So we went there to that street and we found Javier!!  He has been having problems with thoughts of suicide and he is really in a rough spot.  He is older and a great guy, and we were so happy to find him.  We entered his house to find that he had put all the pictures from the first pamphlet on the walls!  We knew it really was a blessing, and we definitely plan on updating you about what happens with Javier.  It was then  I realized, that really, there are two ways in this world; the way of man, and the way of God.  The way of man, is full of the things we can't do perfect, and has imperfections and faults.  But the Lord's way is perfect, and really, it never fails.  It isn't our choice... His way just keeps working like He wants it.  SO IT IS A  GREAT BLESSING TO BE PART OF AND TEACHING THAT WAY OF GOD ALL DAY EVERY DAY.  We contacted Javier for a reason and we recieved his addres for a reason.  I know it!!!

Also, the Lord wanted to reinforce the lesson so he gave me another experience.  We had contacted a reference about 1 month ago, named Liz.  She said she wasn't interested, but about a week ago, she contacted us.  She said, "I need a message right now.  My husband needs a message right now. Can you guys come and share one with us?"  As we went over to her house, we felt the spirit.  The Lord's plan for Liz, was something I had no clue about.  He touches the people we don't know, and we may never see it.  It is a blessing every time. That is why we talk to 100 people every day, asking for other people who need the gospel....because we never know when they will be ready!

After that experience was the best part, on Saturday.  I had been worrying about how to be more effective.  No one had been at home and we couldn't find people to help.  It was like there was a slump in our area.  I can't stand slumps!  So I of course, prayed, planned, and we tried our best.  It all payed off Saturday.  That day, we found people everywhere!  We are walking in the streets, and our investigators show up.  We found members who were offering to help!  It was a great day!  Last moment... THE LORD'S WAY.  I know I had a testimony of that before.  But really, I continue to say it until it is stuck in my head.  My way will NEVER be as effective, no matter how hard I work.  I am grateful  for those spiritual pushes the Lord gives us to say "Hey...remember that lesson you learned the hard way?  You aren't about to forget it are you?"  It helps... I know the Lord loves each one of us.  I testify of that every day. And no matter how cheesy it sounds, I know it is true.  His way, in everything... tests, school, family, is better than my way!  

I love you tons!  I am stoked to talk with you when we talk on Sunday... really!!!!!  I love you with all my stinkin heart!!:)

Love,

Elder Goodman

sorry it is so short...I will work on longer letters :)