Pictures at Mesa Temple (Elder Gutierrez-Gomez)

This has been quite the week. Our whole apartment was sick basically all week. Except me :) But now I'm getting it.. :/

 

I got my companion Elder Gutierrez to come out with me in the mornings, but he only goes on bike. We race around our apartment complex, (him on bike, and me running). I beat him every time. I think he has a hernia.... hmmmm...

 

We went out to eat last week and had Culver's. That was good!!! Got a little trunky, but worth it for sure.

 

We have 5 or so new investigators! One couple who is older, maybe in their 70's. We got a referral for their son, but he moved to Mexico. They expressed their interest to learn with us, so we have been working with them. They are very nice and have a great desire to learn, but they haven't kept any committments.

 

Another family is great!! They took lessons from missionaries in the last place they lived, but haven't made the decision towards baptism for one reason or another. They are a very young family. In fact, Elder Gutierrez is older than them both. They have 3 kids and 1 on the way. Their oldest daughter has cancer, and they struggle with that quite a bit. They LOVE the way the gospel focuses on families. Their biggest problems are leaving bad habits behind. Coffee, which is one that has been affecting tons of members out here, alcohol, and smoking. I know they will be baptized at some point.

 

Our other new investigator is a 13 year old from Idaho. He is living with his grandma who is in our branch and helps the missionaries a lot. He had to come down here for his own safety, because his step dad was beating him. He has wanted to be baptized for a while now, and actually had a date with other missionaries in Idaho. Our first lesson, we set a date for this Saturday, the 25th!

 

Aaron is still progressing, but still pretty slow. They are expecting in the next week. I think he is scared of what his family will think of him. He's close though.

 

We did a lot of service this week! And helped with a few blessings. One lady we visited in the hospital had been basically in a coma. Not really, but hadn't woken up to anything for a long period of time. Her sister was there who isn't a member. She was pretty hesitant on letting us do it, but gave permission in the end. We gave the blessing, and within a minute, she woke up with a smile on her face and thanked us for helping her feel the Lord's love. Very cool!

 

Last thing I want to mention. I had been pretty scared to talk to people on the streets for the first few months in Arizona. People aren't very friendly here, if ya didn't know that. Most are homeless, drunk, or gay. (No offense if you fall into one of these categories). During a Zone Training Meeting we had, we were brought across the scripture Doctrine and Covenants, section 60, verses 2 and 3. That changed my entire way of thinking and actually scared me a little. Point is, I now have no fear in the people we talk to, but only in not opening my mouth.

 

I have one request for you if you aren't already doing it. Please pray for all those who are investigating the church. Every prayer helps.

 

PS. we found out that our former investigator Blanca and one of her daughters will be baptized this Saturday. We both will be doing baptisms between the three we have this weekend. Wish us luck! ;)

 

Elder Pilkington

January 13, 2014 Quit touching me!

Lots of great stuff happened this week! And with all greatness, comes trial as well.

 

Last P-day I got in a little argument, that led me to hit another Elder. I have never been all that fond of men touching other men, and it happens A LOT here. Who would've thought on a mission? Anyway, one thing led to another and I ended up hitting him a couple times. The GOOD thing is that it stopped. Problem solved.

 

We have had several, meetings, conferences, and lessons that have helped me realize my full potential as a missionary, and how I can reach it. I have several plans to start becoming the best I can be. I know the person the Lord wants me to be, and I want to do all I can to become that person.

 

The best part of my week was being able to read my patriarchal blessing during personal study one day. I have strong testimony now, that as we are going through life, whether we are enduring challenges or things are all going well, if we prayerfully and reverently read and reflect upon our blessings, they will come to great significance throughout our lives.

 

We got up early one morning to attend a meeting with Elder Holland. We woke up at 330 and picked everyone up in time so that we could be there by 630. We were told however, that he wouldn't be able to make it. Instead, we heard from Elder Wright, who is still a General Authority. His message to us was powerful and direct. It was spiritual and to the point. He quoted Elder Holland and President Hinckley when he said, "It can't be possible to serve a full mission, do the things we have asked of you to do, change peoples lives towards Christ, and THEN go home to become inactive". Although I have no intention of leaving the church when I get home, this powerful talk, (instruction rather), helped me realize the importance of becoming truly converted to this gospel.

 

Aside from these few events that took place, the work is going. Not quite the degree that I would like, but it's not up to me. I just follow the promptings and do as I'm told.

 

Love Elder Pilkington

January 8, 2014

Hola todos!!!

 

This has been a great past few weeks! So many great things have happened since I last wrote, but unfortunately, I don't have a ton of time today to describe everything in detail.

 

Here are the basics:

 

New Years Eve: We were instructed to be in no later than 7 due to possible drunk drivers and other issues that could arise. We were able to attend a wedding of some investigators we started teaching, but had to pass on due to some 'bad blood' in the branch. They got married, so that she could get baptized with her daughter. The baptism happened on Saturday, and we didn't have the opportunity to attend. Although technically they weren't our investigators, we counted those baptisms as partially ours. We went back to the apartment and watched 17 miracles and slept. Also, I tried Menudo for the first time, and I wasn't as bad as people say, but at the same time, I wouldn't ever want to eat it again. My uncle was right when he said 'it tastes like stinky feet'. (Sorry to those of you who like it. Sounds kind of mean, but hey, the truth hurts).

 

On New Years Day, we did a Tri- zone activity. We basically spent 7 hours watching movies OR playing board games OR playing sports. I stayed with the sports the whole time, and we played dodgeball, basketball, football, soccer, rugby, frisbee, etc. It was a good day!!

 

We have a few new investigators. One is an 80 yr old woman who can't walk, see, or hear very well. Maybe we can find the lessons is braill? (Not sure if that's how you spell it) She is VERY close to God, and wants to improve her life. Other investigators are a younger woman who is learning english. She is very VERY catholic, so wish us luck. If any of you have any Bible references that are SOLID, let me know. I know a few, but probably not enough.

 

We gave several blessings this week as well. Those are my favorite part of being a missionary! The best part about it, is they don't stop when my mission does! :) Several times this week, I have been so spiritually lifted that I don't feel like I am walking. Those feelings are absolutely amazing!

 

Testimony meeting here was amazing as well! There were more people sitting on the stage waiting to share their testimonies and thoughts than there were in the congregation. That is how it should be EVERYWHERE!!

 

Well, that's it for now. I am just about out of time.

 

Have a great week!

 

Carino,

 

Elder Pilkington

Dec 30, 2013...Happy 46!

This has been a SLOW week!!

 

Last week on P-day, we were helping other missionaries with everything, so it was very hurried and stressful. That night, we had a few lessons, and a family home evening. Those felt way more relaxing than the rest of the day, which is usually backwards for me. We talked about the Priesthood. We have been working with a member for a few months to help him acheive his first goal of receiving the priesthood, and he finally did it. It was a happy moment for his family!

 

On Christmas Eve, we visited some people that don't have anyone to spend it with, and shared some spiritual thoughts and scriptures with them. After, we spent some time helping members prepare their tamales. We watched a video with a member family about the creation of the Salt Lake Temple. It was really good!!! We had tamales for dinner, and went caroling to investigators and less actives with our zone. There was one family we visited that were immensely impacted by our songs and blessing given to a family member on his death bed. It was very spiritual for everyone that was there!

 

On Christmas, we skyped our families!!! That was by far the best part of my week! I was allowed to go to the mission office because I have an international companion, so we spent some time with the mission president as well! I kept thinking it was going to be a little hard and sad for me, but surprisingly it was happy and joyful!! We went back, opened presents, and had ribs for dinner with the Branch President and his family, who remind me a lot of my own extended family. We went to the temple lights that night with a member family and their kids who are visiting and not members. They enjoyed it a lot, as did I.

 

We had a district meeting on Thursday, so that pushed back our studies. The meeting was great! We talked about and resolved some issues we were having in the branch, and learned some new insights from each other. We had more tamales for dinner, and went to the temple lights again with another investigator and his brother! That was a great night as well.

 

We didn't accomplish ANYTHING on Friday. Studied for several hours, and went to a New Year's party. We didn't even weekly plan! The second week in a row. My comp doesn't want to because we don't have investigators. We DO have investigators though. And even if we didn't, planning on how to get more is the best thing to do to get more. That got me kind of heated, but because I'm a trainee, I can't do anything about it apparently. Another day of the Lord's time wasted...:(

 

Saturday was full of service. MORE tamales!!! I ate probably 50 last week. It's better than menudo though.... We visited referrals that we had but NOBODY answered!

 

Yesterday, we sang again in church and studied for a while after. Then we visited a less active kid and talked to him about the gospel, and THEN we went to dinner and ate MORE tamales, AND mole. It was good, but a lot of food! We went with a member and had a lesson with 2 new investigators.

 

Not a very successful week, but a great week to feel the spirit of Christmas!

He looks so good!

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas 2013....LOVE my boy! (Elder Gutierrez-Gomez)

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!

 

This week was pretty slow again :/

 

Last P-day, we got the great opportunity to get up at 530 and wax the car. We always go with the ZL's in their car, so we often give rides. Last week, we gave lots! By the time we got home, we only had about an hour to ourselves. Normally, we have 3 or 4. Packed day!! We had a sad lesson with a man we have been teaching, informing him that he can't be baptized unless he gets a job that doesn't make him work on Sundays. As important as church is, I don't agree with this decision. I feel like he is ready to be baptized, whether or not he will be able to come to church often. Several members have asked me about it as well, all of us thinking he should be able to be baptized. Hopefully that gets resolved in the next couple weeks.

 

We had a zone conference this week as well. THAT was a spiritual meeting! We heard from several missionaries, as well as our AP's and the President and his wife. Very good information that will help us improve as missionaries. I was able to play piano for that meeting, as well as most others that I am in. There not much that is more spiritual than being in a room full of missionaries singing songs about Christ. I love Christmas songs! Later in the night, we visited with a family we used to teach. They are getting married this week so that they can be baptized before the year ends. They said they will invite us to both their wedding and baptism, and maybe even ask us to perform the baptisms as well.

 

On Wednesday, we were able to get a LOT of great studies in. I am doing my best to organize and perfect my Libro de Mormon according to the bulk of the scriptures we use daily on the mission. My goal is to make them organized enought to use them for the rest of my life. After dinner that night, we met the sister missionaries at a house of one of our most progressing investigators. We unfortunately found that she and her family live across the street from our area. The meeting to transfer missionaries was a sad one. All three of the girls started to cry and the younger kids all ran up and hugged us. The sisters were VERY impressed with how well we have taught them and even more so with how well we filled out the progress records. While we walked home, a lady yelled at us from across the street for 10 minutes about the church. It was some pretty colorful language she had about mormons. Right after that, we saw a homeless man dancing in circles in the road. Gotta love Phoenix ;)

 

Elder Gutierrez's tires were both flat for a while, so we went this morning to get new ones. It took us almost 2 hours to get there and back, and another 2 hours to fix it. A LOT of wasted time. At least we have bikes now. We barely had time to plan for the week, which is KEY in staying organized. As we were riding towards a few homes, it started POURING rain!!! It was crazy! We were soaked in a matter of minutes, and the majority of the roads were flooded. Sidewalks as well. We got splashed by waves when cars passed. It was insane!! We visited a less active, but he was STONED out of his mind, so we just kind of walked away and left him. We visited another less active, and found out that he has been studying the Jehovah's witness bible for the last little bit. No wonder why he has so many weird questions.

 

Friday was a SOLID day!! We did exchanges, so I was with our DL for the day. We went to the hospital to get my heart tests done. Luckily I am ok, but the best part, was the President's wife met us there and let me call my Mom!! It was so good to talk to her, but really unexpected. That was the first out of two times I am going to talk to her this week! :)

 

We had another exchange on Saturday. I was with Elder Haney in his apartment, which I love, because they have a really nice gym!! I was finally able to get some decent exercise in! It was a day of studying for us, but that night, we went to the Asian buffet that we go to once a month. It was GOOOD.

 

Church, as always, was great! As a missionary, you are able to feel the Spirit so much stronger! We had a Christmas program, which was great. It really keeps the reason behind CHRISTmas in our minds. We did visits with a member, and he challenged everyone to give a gift to the Savior. That is my challenge to you. Whether it be service, bringing more people to the gospel, or just being nice to everyone, give Him a gift he will enjoy.

 

Sorry this is so long, but I thought I should make up for the pathetic one last week.

 

Love you all and Merry Christmas!

 

Elder Pilkington