Week 41

   Wow, well to start the letter, the Valcano next to the city is called Popocateptl, and it's erupting, so there is Ash all over the city. All the cars are covered in white ash, and then if you don't clean it off before night fall, the rain comes and it becomes like brick, all the windows and everything is covered in ash it's so crazy, it's actually really bad to breathe in the city with all the ash fall. 

    We started the week a little slow, we had a couple more meetings in the begging of the week, and I swear that because our mission is so small they have meetings every other day. I also did my first baptismal interviews this week. We had to go about an hour north to Ajusco to do it, and  they have just a house, it's like a mansion house as their meeting house, seeing as they only have a branch there. Whereas in this area, it's really rich and we have a ton of members, which is really nice, because they give us so much food, like I'm gaining so much weight in this area, this is the first time in my life that I've actually had to watch how much I eat. I don't even do it though. I eat as much as I can fit in my stomach without throwing up every meal. I love mexico!! 

   So one of the less active families that we found, their son got baptized. We found them just weeks before he turned 8 years old, so the day he turned 8 he got baptized under the Bishops authority. My comp confirmed him and it was a cool experience.  Elder Carrigan was really nervous to confirm someone in spanish. The family is soo cool and they go to church every week now without our help. The mom is 29 and has 2 kids, her husband was killed 4 years ago right in front of their house by a gang that came by and shot him down to death, sadly his 5 year old daughter was right there next to him. I wanted to cry when I heard the story, that was part of the reason they stopped going to church, but they are now in the temple prep class to get sealed as a family. :) 

    Somedays are really hard as a missionary in the city, but experiences like that change my atitude forever. We got down to work for the rest of the week, and we even saw our awesome mission president chewing out our Stake president. Seriously, I'm so glad that I stayed in this mission with my President. He's so cool and so bold.        Not too many men can chew out Stake presidents. It came down to again, when we needed 9 lessons again. Which is a lot for no transportation in this area, but like it says in 3rd Nephi, "If God has a commandment, he will prepare the way for us to complete it". 
    We got our 9 lessons, and one of the people that we taught I found like 5 weeks ago in the trash, her name was on a piece of paper in the trash, I took it out and it had her address on it. We visited her and she told us she had been waiting for the missionaries for 7 years. 

     I've been rolling with the part down the side of my head with a bunch of gel in the hair, it looked so funny in the begging, but it's something that you HAVE to do in this mission. My comp is rocking his spanish, he's learning it so much faster than I did, and he has a lot of good ideas on how to do the mission work. I need to be more humble in listening to him. Last P-day we climbed a really sweet hill and talked about Zelda and Pokemon for hours, with part of our district. It was nice to be in normal clothes, and then we bought pizza and had our meeting. The house is just as wild as usual, but the other elderes are being more obedient, and being blessed for it. We had an arm wrestling tournament in the house and I won!!! I never thought I was that strong, but I guess the morning workouts are helping. "I'm glad" to hear that your throwing away all the stuff in my room and painting it pink :) I can't wait to come home  to my new and imporved room. I love being a missionary. I don't want the mission to end, even though I only got 9 months and almost a half. Being district leader is my dream and training is a lot of fun. 

Love, Elder Ordway.

Week 40

   Well well well.....Things were going great. It's hard to believe that it was a week ago that we went to the temple. We have a super good couple that we visit almost every day. She is super Catholic and got really offended when we told her that we don't worship the Virgen and he is super christian. 

   He has serious problems with the book of mormon and Jose Smith, but they have the desire to be baptized; and they need a lot of work seeing as they are not married either. Along with that we are teaching a Jehovas witness that is having troubles receiving an answer, because she can't believe it. I've got to admit it though, if someone came to my door telling me the things that we tell her, I wouldn't want to believe it. For that I'm really glad that my parents raised me in the church.  

The week started out really slow. We just weren't having success and saturday morning we were 9 lessons away from the 30 with one day to get 9 lessons. We were called the night before. The zone leaders told me that I had a meeting with all the other district leaders Saturday morning in my old ward chapel!!! I was so excited to go back to my old church and see if there was going to be any members there. We arrived 30 minutes early after getting of the bus a mile early. I couldn't remember where to get off, seeing as I haven't gone over there in a long time. If I didn't get off early, I might have arrived and hour and a half early. Right as we got there the bishop gave me a hug and he told me that there was a ward activity in 30 minutes. I almost died. The Lord prepared that for me, and after our meeting,  I saw them all. Everyone in the ward. All my converts. Nayeli, Carla, Susana, Gabby, Raquel, marlene, were there, but there was 5 that didn't come because of work, but all my favorites were there, and once again after visiting with them, the ZL's told me to scram. I could have been there all day. They gave me a bunch of homemade bracelets and candy, and were crying again when I left. I felt so trunky, but we worked hard all day long and we got the 9 lessons that we needed. A third of our lessons in 1 day. 

     Things are going great here. My comps spanish is a lot better. He teaches a lot like I do. I don't have much time, but I love you guys and I will wite more next week. ohhh and a less active member that I found, her son is going to be baptized tuesday and she asked me to do it...I love that family and I love my family...just a bit more... (; Love Elder Gordway

Week 39

   Wow, sorry that I waited till tuesday to write everyone, I actually had to work yesterday, when normally it's my day off. It was super hard to work on a monday, because I forgot to plan lessons for monday, and I still had to give a district meeting. 

  The week started out a little rough, people were falling through left and right; and to start the week off we had a really intense Law of Chastity lesson with a couple that's not married. Normally, I have the support of my comp to help me, but seeing as my comp doesn't speak a lick of spanish, it was a Law of Chastity/eternal family lesson, but in the end they accepted to get married. They are super poor, so it's going to be hard to get the money to marry them, but even if I have to fast for 40 days, I'll pay for their marriage license. 

  I also took a burrito full of pictures this week. We've been working hard with some less actives, less actives being 70% of the ward, and they all came to church, it was a miracle. One of which is the hermana Ulda, who makes and sells Tamales every day. We offered to help here one day, so on tuesday we went to here house and made tamales and Oaxacaños. We returned in the night to test them , to see if an american can keep up with the mexican demand for tamales. 

   My comp is still struggling with the spanish, but he's getting better, he's definitely a way better teacher than he was in the begging. He's a really good comp, he's humble and willing to learn, so willing that he almost sounds like me when we teach, but I love the guy. Our district meeting was good too, actually the Zone Leaders came out of nowhere to see how I would do and it was really good. The only thing that happened was in the middle of the meeting, a lady burst in crying saying that her son was lost. She showed us a foto (photo) and  we said a prayer, all the elders ran our of the stake center looking in all directions. When the President found out he called us all back and said not to worry about it. So I finnish the meeting and yeah.

   Today we went through the temple. We woke up at 5:30 to get there on time, being on the other side of the city and everything. My comp bought new scriptures and I bought 4 copies of the testaments. Everyone I know gave me money and told me to buy them the testaments. We got lost coming back haha, because we fell asleep on the micro and  the driver told us to get off. I had no idea where we were and especially my comp didn't have an idea. After a couple hours, we eventually found our way back home. We have a lot of people lined up to be baptized, I just hope that the Lord doesn't change my area in this time of success. I love training and being a district leader. It's been the fastest 9 months of my life. This computer is a little shifty, but I'll send home pictures here in a sec. Hasta la vista bebe.

 Elder Ordway

Week 38

Wow, so Elder Perez and I enjoyed our last days together. We went and ate Carnitas together and He packed while I wrote in my journal. Seriously, I already miss that guy and he's only been gone one week. But we arrived a little late to the transfers. Normally everyone and their comps that have transfers during the changes, meet up at a mother church. The biggest I've ever seen. Two chapels and a basketball court all indoor....the moment I got out of the car I saw my whole generation!!!! literally all of my best friends were there and all of my old comps. But Elder Milner (assistant) grabbed me the moment I got out and told me that I had a meeting for those who were going to be training. We ran to the meeting and I met my new comp. His name is Elder Carrigan. He's from Herman Utah  (of course, all from utah) He doesn't speak spanish at all, and his a little .....chubby.....haha but that doesn't even matter. (; We waited for him to have interviews with the president for a couple of hours as I got to know some of the Elders in the mission. I later learned that every single one of my comps and everyone, literally everyone in my generation are going to the other mission....It hurt me to hear that, because I love to death Elder Perez, and Elder Mathis. Elder Mathis was like my dad, and Elder Perez, my big brother. and all my friends are leaving in two weeks....But ive got to get over it.

    We got to work as soon as we returned to our area and I leanred that Elder Carrigan was cut out for mexican life. He had problems with the hills in our area and the food is too spicy for him..haha....His first 10 minutes together... he left his backpack in the taxi. He left all his scriptures, camera and his bag....which sucks a lot, becasue your scripture are you weapon of war. I would rather be in Mexico with my scriptures than with just money..He doesn't have any money either and the mission took forever to get him his card. So I used like 400 pesos on him..But besides all that, I really enjoy our time together. He doesn't like to talk that much, but he is learning fast. His spanish is super bad and doesn't have an appetite. I don't know how he even walks with how much he doesn't eat. Maybe I've just been used to mexican size meals. Where your eating for an hour and a half..hahaha..he still hasn't gotten sick yet, but is only a matter of days. I still have to teach him about the culture here, because he offends people every time we enter into a house...haha...for example, when people offer you food; you have to take it, becasue people will think that you think their too poor to accept it or if your too modest ( like "no im fine thanks"). They think your rich and don't feel at home... there is a lot to learn about the culture and how you should act, especially when it contradicts the misson rules. But we are going to work hard together this transfer. I have no doubt in my mind that he is going to open up here in a couple days. 

   I imagine it's  big shock for him to have to eat cactus and spicy food and walk super fast and super far. He found 200 pesos in the street and never told me until this morning, when I've been running out of money..haha..he thought it was fake. I hope the missionaries in the house don't rub off their disobedience on him, because from utah, they are either the best missionaries or the worst, but I already know he's going to be the best.

    Our district is a little disobedient and frito, but I know we can help them. We had triple the lessons as another area and half the time. I spent hours on the phone with the zone leaders and president and all the areas in the district talking about meetings and a change of preparation day, and there was an earthquake last night. So I had to call everyone. Just today we had our 6th of the 7th meetings we have to go to and the president talk specifically to the new disctrict leaders and how their going to feel alone and without help, but we need to learn to go to the Lord...and it's true, it was a hard week and I felt no support from anyone in the district, and then the Zone Leaders got on my back for this and that. I'm sure it's all part of becoming a better missionary. 

   Two americans came to the ward today and it was weird seeing americans that weren't missionaries. They married mexicans and served here a long time ago. They returned to visit and we talked a bit. I still don't feel like I'm a good enough missionary... I've gotten really trunky again, as I once again saw my old ward...that came to the stake center at the same time as I  did and to hug them and shake their hands (to the girls) it was tough to have to go back to San Pedro, but I feel focused and love this area now more than I have before. 

   I love hearing about the stories and success of Christian, Eric, and Tyler, and Erik, and Annica, and Mckenna. I feel happy having been choosing  to serve at this time and be a leader to the upcoming generation and army of missionaries that are coming. We will see how Elder Carrigan progresses this week, I'm sure its much harder for him than me right now. I love you all and I feel the Lord's help in my life more than ever. 

Elder Ordway

Week 37

   Wow, what a great week. Seriously, I know I  always say that, but the mission is full of miracles...I freakin' love being a missionary, and I know that there was a reason that I was called to be a missionary in this time, when the Lord is accelerating his work. 

  We worked super hard this week, like no other. Even with the sun beating down on us, we completed the 30 lessons. It came down to our last day(saturday) with an hour and a half left of the day, when we found a less active family and taught like 9 people, all surounding us, then an active family and we completed exactly 30, it was a miracle and really hard, with how big this area is too. It's the same size as my other area, just without hills and no transportation, and it's super rich...haha not true, one 4th of the area is super rich and all members, and the rest is poor and no members. We had our usual reports on sunday and when we left to my surprise I saw my old bishop at a seminary graduation at the stake center in another delegation, then my old mission leader, then literally half the ward came out of the chapel!!!! It was a miracle to my see all my favorite members and my converts there!!!! They are now enrolled in seminary and super active in the church. I talked with them for like a half hour. I wanted to cry when I had to go, because I still haven't gotten over my first area and how awesome they are... and  Jared received the Holy Ghost and everything came out good. 

   We are working super hard with the less actives because that's the work we do here, not so much focused in baptisms but saving the lost sheep of Christ, and to see less actives return to church and be in the temple prep class, is sooo awesome, it's like a baptism on steroids. Last night we received our changes. The two elders in the house are staying. Elder Perez is going to Hermita acuclo to be a Zone Leader...hahaha.....and I'm staying as District Leader and I'm training a new missionary!!! Everyone was screamnig when we received our transfers. Elder Valenzuela was going crazy, he was so happy for me and Elder Perez. It's funny that every single one of my comps leaves the area as Zone Leader, every single one of my comps. I'm the Zone Leader Trainer, but I found out that all of my comps and my whole generation is going to the other mission. I will be staying here for sure alone with all the new missionaries coming in.. I still don't know if whom I'm training, it might  be mexican or american, or another country, but I can say that I'm going to miss Elder Perez.....He's a great missionary and he teaches with love and kindness. We are super good friends and I will miss his argentinian spanish words and accent. 

   This change went by super fast and I now am rocking the part in my hair, it took me my whole mission to succom to gel and a part down the side. But it's the most classy. My watch broke and so I'm in the hunt for a new one, I can't role around mexico with the golden watch that Christopher gave me, it would get robbed the moment I walk out the door. Two weeks ago some thugs robbed Elder Perez's watch, luckily mine was already broken. There are 6 elderes ion my district and I'm stoked to be able to help it because, every area apart from ours is dead, they have no success, and the Elders are kind of frito or they don't try. Things are going great here and I could barely sleep last night. I'm truly nervous. I don't think I have it in me how to train someone in this area, I still don't know the other half, it's a striaght maze, I swear impossible to learn. Without a map, I'm dunzoo. I love you guys and I'm stoked to be able to tell you how it's going with my new comp. Here in the mission we call it your son or child. so I'm going to be a father haha... 

  Love Elder Ordway

Week 36

Yaaaay.. A very good week indeed. I've learned so much this week about the personal revelation that one can have if they search diligently. Even though we had an awesome baptism....Our area is not the strongest...the president came out with a new way of doing the work, which involves teaching 30 lessons or more every week and not leaving without a reference..its hard, because people here are super flaky, or forget, or just are lazy..I imagen that all missions are like that, but the worst is that people feel no guilt, they straight up lying to our faces..We had a lot of interchanges this week, which hurt us a bit. Especially, because I've had to show other missionaries my new area 4 times in a row now...but I've learned a lot more of the area. it's big. It's like 2 pueblos enteros ( 2 whole towns). 

   We were super happy to baptize Jared this week too.. the zone leader came to do our interview and we had completely forgot to fill out the schedule, we were running around the city trading comps and it never got filled out. In the morning of the baptisms Elder Sanabria and I ran to his house and his dad wasn't home to sign it and give him permision.!!! luckily his awesome sister helped us with all the dates. I ate a whole pineapple in 3 minutes and have been slowing down on the pictures, I know... but at the baptism no one showed up... welll people showed up but our mission leader, bishop, and youth leader wasn't there.. so Elder Perez conducted and gave a talk that he whipped out of nowhere, Jared asked if I would baptize him and it was awesome. He didn't try to stand up after, so I had to go hulk mode and pull him out...hahaah... 

   We had intercambios (changes) with our zone leaders, and so I showed him around. At the end of the day he chewed me out for not being a robot missionary. Basically that me and my comp are working hard enough...But you have to be humble and take advice from leaders in order to get better, so this week I'm definitely going to put into action what I've learned. I just bought two pineapple for a buck each, and I'm so stoked to eat them. Seriously fruit here is so delicious. I'm eternally grateful for the mission I have, even though I've never been a big fan of big cities to be able to see the whole city from our area and learn how to orient yourself in the middle of so many highways and metro busses, and the spanish language is so awesome, and the stories and how much I've learned about the catholic church. hahaha and the virgin.

  My comp and I when we returned from interchanges, we just hugged and said that we missed each other... even though he's got a little argentina pride. He's one of my best friends. He's a hard worker and an excellent example. We have transforms in 6 days and I don't even want to think about it. It's a hard area, it's not all fun and baptisms in this area, but I'm learning so much, I should close with my testimony...Sé que el libro de mormon es lo mas correcto que todo lo demas libros en todo la tierra. Tengo un testimonio firme que Dios nos ama tanto y que tiene un plan por cada uno de nosotros, aunque pensamos que estamos solos en los problemas. todo es una prueba para ver nuestro obediencia. Sé que estpy en la obra del señor, y que no hay mejor jefe que ël. He aprendido mucho acerca de la expiacion de cristo. Yo Sé lo que hizo para mi y no voy a simplemente dar un poco de mi corazon a Él. le amo y no puedo esperar hasta que tenga la eternidad con cada uno de mis hermanos, papas, y amigos. lo mejor cosa que puede haver en el mundo es nada mas que predicar el evanglio que sabe es verdadero. Les amo  ( I know that the Book of Mormon is the most correct book in the world. I have a firm testimony of God's love, and the plan he has for each one of us. Even though we think we are all alone when trial faces us, God is there, to see our obidience. I know that I'm working in the Lord's work. I have learned a lot about our Savior.. I know what he did for me, I love him, and I cannot wait to spend all eternity with my family and friends. The best I can do in this world, is to preach the gospel. I love you all,

Elder Ordway