Monday, March 27, 2017

Open the door when He knocks

Hola,

Elders Greenwood and Calizaya (companion)




This week was pretty intense! We had lots of hard days where our lessons fell through and life was a bit rough. BUT! As always, out of the darkness, comes the sun. And last Saturday, I don't know how, but we found just about everybody in their houses! We had great lessons, felt the Spirit, and committed many to go to church the next day! It was absolutely Wonderful!




District plus some extras from zone




That is something that I learned this week -- the hardest of times will always be followed by some sort of recompense. Lots of times we just have to pay the price necessary to have those good times.








District before transfers





I have also found that there are always little miracles that happen during those hard times. On one of those super hard days, we were out contacting. And, I was knocking on a door, AND I saw the people in their house! And they would not answer the door. I was pretty frustrated in that moment.






Zone before transfers

I continued on and knocked on the next door, and a car pulled up in the driveway. Now, normally, the people here have to get out of their cars and go open up their garage door manually. But, there have been moments when people have stayed in their cars to wait for us to leave so that we don't talk to them. So, when the guy that pulled up didn't get out of his car right away, I thought that it was one of those moments, and I started to walk away more frustrated.

Transfer day - Check out the Taxi!





Then, a little thought came to my head telling me to go and talk to that man. I thought to myself, "Really? Was that the Spirit?" I said a quick prayer to confirm that it was the Spirit. It was. I went over and talked to the dude. He turned out to be SUPER cool! He used to talk to missionaries all the time and he wants to learn more!

The Lord will not leave you alone in any moment, even in the hard times. We just need to be willing to open the door when He knocks.




Love you all! Have a great Life!

Elder Greenwood :)



Monday, March 20, 2017

This Week was a Week

Hey Peoples!

Elders Radichel & Greenwood - Sweet Tunes



Life is going well here in Mexico. Just finished up 19 months on March 19th! The time passes too fast. This last month FLEW by. It's crazy. I love the mission :)

Zone Meeting






This week we put in some good work. I got to do some divisions with Elder Radichel and we went to see a family of his who is getting ready for baptism. It was great to see them and talk to them. They are such a great family. They haven't even been baptized yet and they write their names down on the missionary calendar to give us lunch every once in a while! They are super awesome. We even ate with them. They gave us Agua Chile. It's basically seafood with Mexican spice. :) First time trying octopus! Whaaaat?!

Lookin' good, Elders!
Cool pic!















Lately I have been working on following the Spirit in every moment. And it is amazing how everything works out when we turn our life over to the Spirit. I have seen many miracles by doing so. I love the mission!


I love you guys! Thanks for all that you do!

Elder Greenwood :)


Monday, March 13, 2017

Special Miracle

Hey people! This week was a pretty great week! We had lots of good things happen.


A special miracle that happened to us this week happened on Saturday.

Normally, my comp and I, when we plan for our day, call up the people that we have lessons planned with so that we can be sure that they will be there and see the desire that they really have to hear the message that can change their lives.




So, that means that we have lots of unknown numbers in our phone that we call sometimes. Not everyone answers the phone either, and sometimes they call us back to see who it was and we look through our agendas super fast to find their name and talk to them when that happens.

So, we did all that, and started heading to our area. And, on the way there, we got a call from an unknown number! We started looking through our agendas to see who it was, and nothing! We did not have that number in our phone. Elder Calizaya answered and said stuff like, "We're the missionaries, do you remember us?"


And the person said, "Yes."



And Elder Calizaya ended up asking at what time we could go and visit that person.

The person said 11:30.

Elder Calizaya then asked where the person lived.

And the person didn't hear and hung up.

We tried calling back several, and I mean several times. No one picked up.

So... there was nothing to do. And we went on with our day...




And, around 11:20 - we went to visit a certain contact that we had a lesson planned with. But we didn't find her. We found her husband who, as it turns out, was baptized years ago and stopped going to church not too long ago. We talked to him a bit, invited him and his family to church again, and, when we were leaving, we asked for his number. AND IT WAS THE SAME NUMBER THAT CALLED US BEFORE! Our minds were blown! It was super cool. And, it helped us see the hand of the Lord in our lives more. It was special!

Have a great week everyone!

Find those Miracles!

Elder Greenwood :)


Tuesday, March 7, 2017

#LoveIt

(Sent 3-6-17)

What is up, Peoples!

District Bonding - Fancy, Matching Sunglasses 




























"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)

Life is going strong here in the mission field. We saw many many miracles this week. #Loveit
New Ring

We saw the return of 2 investigators who had previously left us, Silvia and Eleonor, from the family that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. The father still doesn't want anything to do with us. But, we teach his wife and daughter the true gospel because they want it in their lives. Silvia told us so. She told her husband that she was planning on changing religions. That brought the tears to my eyes :)





This week, I learned a lot about challenges, and perspective. I learned a little bit more about the vision that God has for us and how every challenge that we have in our lives is preparing us in the best way possible (depending on how we act during that particular challenge) to reach the Godlike potential that God wants us to reach. 

Some scriptures that really helped me this week, if you would like to read them, were:
  • "Finding Joy in Life" by Elder Scott
  • Alma 36:3 - And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.

  • D&C 58:2-4 - For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven. Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.
  • “Adversity” in the book True to the Faith.

I love you all and hope that all is well. :D

Elder Greenwood :)