July 27th, 2015 - Last weekly e-mail before Elder Loveless returns home!!

Family,

    Well it sounds like last week was good for you all!  I hope this next week is good for you all as well ;)  I still can't believe like you guys were saying that this is the last time I'll be writing to you before we see each other again.  I'm kinda nervous....and really excited, but I guess it's time for the next chapter of life. 

    This last week was good for us as well!  I was able to have one more person be baptized before I finished my mission, and I'm really happy about that.  It is one of the most amazing things in the world to see how someone progresses towards baptism, and how their conversion happens. 

    I really don't have too much to say, but this last week I also learned how to make flour tortillas so that will be fun to do after the mission.  I was going to send pictures, but I decided that it would be better to just wait until Wednesday and I'll show you all them.  Also because I left my camera in the house.....but it's OK! 

    So thanks for everything family! I'm still kinda not knowing what to think about all of this. It came so fast.  I love you so so so much and can't wait to see you in 2 days.....at 7 pm in Salt Lake City, Utah! 

    Have a great few days!  I love you all so much!!!!

-Elder Loveless

 

 

"Baptism of Abdiel."

July 20th, 2015 - Weekly Letter

Family,

    It sounds like you all had an awesome week!!! That new ride at Lagoon looks crazy.  I can't believe that they just keep making new rides there every year!!!! Crazy stuff.  And also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!  I can't believe that another year passed by like that, but you're still young, so don't even worry!!!!  I'm getting old too though.......almost 20......that's pretty scary.

    But this last week was really good!  We had planned to baptize a girl on Tuesday. So we went with the zone leaders and talked with her and her mom, and her mom gave her permission and everything, but the only thing is that they were going to leave to Cuauhtemoc for a few days, so we weren't able to baptize her.  That week though we knew that we had to baptize somebody, because we had prayed and felt that we needed to, so that same day we went and talked with another investigator that we had and his parents that are less active members, and they gave him permission....it was awesome!  I love to see how the Lord works in our daily lives......just like Nephi said, God doesn't tell us to do anything without preparing the way beforehand.  That is a way that He shows His love for us, and I love Him as well for that!!!

    Other than that though we have been working really hard in finding new investigators, and we have found quite a few.  I wanted to be able to baptize them this week, but then I remembered that this is God's work, and not mine.  Even though I won't be here to see the end result of these people that we are finding, I am happy that I am able to help them start their journey to heaven.  This work is amazing!!!  I also like something that they always taught us in boy scouts, that we should leave the area cleaner than when we got there......and it is the same here. I'm going to do my best to leave this part of the Lord's vineyard better then when I got here 5 months ago.

    "Cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated."  D&C 88:124

     There is a story about this scripture in the newest Liahona, and it talks about a man that asked one of the general authorities for counsel on how to receive revelation, and the general authority responded with this scripture.  They go on later to talk about how all of the prophets and apostles do the same and for that they live so much longer. We can recognize and receive better revelation earlier on in the day, and for that reason the scriptures say it.  It may sound like something little, but my small means the Lord brings to pass great things! 

     But yeah, like I always say, thanks for all of your love and support.  This is my last week of work.  On Sunday, I think, I am going to head down to Chihuahua because on Monday is the last day stuff with President.  We have the last interview that day and then dinner with President and Hermana Chavez, and then questions and answers time, and President is going to give us some advice for after the mission and what not.  I don't know exactly how it's going to work out, but either Monday or Tuesday I'll be able to write you guys for the last time.  So if I don't write on Monday don't worry because I'll write on Tuesday.   But I hope that you all have an amazing week! I love you so much and can't wait to see you all in 9 days!!!! Love you and miss you all tons!!!!!

-Elder Loveless

"Yeah, this is a normal sight here in La Junta. Geese just roam the streets."

"Some little girls wanted to hit me..."

"Chubby Chihuahua dog"

"The weather lately here in La Junta."

"cRaZy FaCe"

"Cleaning the baptismal font."

"Birthday party for Elder Vasquez - Crazy people here!!"

July 13th, 2015 - Weekly Letter

Family,

    Looks and sounds like Jon and Emma just loved Trek.  That's so cool!  I'm soooo happy for them!  That's also so exciting that you were able to go to soooo many things yesterday.  Today I had like a million emails, and a lot were from missionaries that just went home. Super cool.  I guess these months are the months of missionaries returning home, but also the months of missionaries heading out!!!! This work will always be rolling!!!

   This last week for me was good!  It wasn't one of the busiest weeks, but it still was a great week, and I learned a lot as well. You know it's a good week when you've learned something new that will help you throughout your life!

    So Tuesday was my companion’s birthday, and I wanted to make it special.  So when we woke up I went and made him a good breakfast.  That was really good. And then, the day before, I gave one of the members some money to buy a cake and balloons and things like that, and it was sweet.  It was all ready and prepared, and then Elder Brown had to go to Chihuahua and took Elder Vasquez with him.  So I called the sister and we planned it for the next day, so it was all good. So then the next day, on Wednesday, we went and one of the kids distracted Elder Vasquez out back on the trampoline, and then we blew up a bunch of balloons and got everything ready, and then called him in. It was really cool, and he wasn't expecting it at all.  After it was all over and we got back to our house, Elder Vasquez turned to me and told me thanks, and he told me that he almost cried. I guess in his home it's not the same, and it meant a lot to him what we did.  I felt so special in that moment.....I think I literally felt the love of Christ......it was a really cool experience.  I'm starting to realize little by little why I'm Elder Vasquez' companion. 

    So yeah.....that was probably the highlight of the week. We also found a leader in a Christian church, and we've been chatting with him and it's really fun to teach him.  We finally got him to believe in something though, because we taught him the plan of salvation and when we talked about the 3 glories, he thought about it for a second, and told me that he believed in it.  He said that he had never heard of it, but that it doesn't go against his doctrine.  So slowly but surely we're making progress with a Christian church leader.....super cool!

    But yeah, I just wanted to share with you a cool scripture that I read this last week:

I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble.

And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.      -Alma 32:12-13

    When I read these scriptures this last week I realized that literally our weaknesses, trials, and difficulties can help us be saved. A lot of times people don't humble themselves until a trial comes along, but we learn here that if we take the trial the right way, we will truly be saved, because we will repent and be forgiven by God's mercy.   Later on in the chapter it talks about those that are humble without having trials pass, and they are even more blessed. Being humble isn't always the easiest thing.....but it is always the best option!!!  That, I do know.  So choose to be humble......and remember that our trials can help us be with God again one day!

    Thanks for everything my amazing family! Only 2 more weeks pretty much.  Not this Saturday or Sunday, but the next Saturday or Sunday I will be heading to Chihuahua for the last few things of the mission, so only 2 more weeks of work.....this week and next week. I don't really know how I'm feeling, but what I do know is that I need to finish strong!

      Thanks for all the love and support!!! I love you all and can't wait to see you all in just a few short weeks!!!

      Have a great week!!! Take care!!!

-Elder Loveless

P.S. It's really sad that Boyd K. Packer died....that's 2 apostles in the last month.

P.S.S. Elder Hoopes lives in California  

"Baptism of Martin."

"Baptism of Uriel."

"With some of the youth here!!!"

"With the new zone leaders and Gilberto!!!"

"With Aelin and Rafael!!"

"With Jocelyn!!!"

July 6th, 2015 - Weekly Letter

Family,

    That's so cool that Jon and Emma are going to be able to go on Trek this week.  That's something I always wanted to do, and I hope to be able to do it later on in life!  But I wish you all luck and hope that you enjoy Trek a ton!

    So this last week I feel like a ton happened....but at the same time I feel like not very much happened. How weird how that works right??

    It was good though because we were able to help 2 more of God's children be baptized.  The first one is named Martin, and the second is named Uriel.  Martin is a 13 year old kid, and Uriel is 10.  It was really cool because Martin wanted to get baptized more than anybody I have ever seen.  I had already known him, but he found us and he told us to baptize him then and there, so we talked to him a little bit and he got baptized. He found us on Saturday and told us how good he has felt since his baptism. He's a really good example for me as well.  Then also the other kid named Uriel is the cousin of one of our converts and, even though he probably doesn't understand everything 100%, he had a great desire to be baptized so he as well was baptized.  This is my last month and the Lord is blessing us a ton, but I have to keep working hard to finish my mission strong. 

    Just like you were saying mom about how you started crying because it was going to be the last time paying for my mission, I also got a little teary eyed yesterday, sharing my testimony, when I realized it was my last fast Sunday in the mission.  Yesterday while we were eating with one of the members, we were talking about a lot of stuff, and it finally hit me. Like even a week ago I felt like I still had a lot of time left.....but it finally hit me.....and I started getting teary eyed again. I'm going to miss the mission a ton. The opportunity that we have as young men to represent Christ, the only perfect person that has ever walked on earth, is amazing, and I would never change it for anything. I have grown to love Christ...and grown to love his Atonement. I am so grateful for Him, and I know that I will always be in debt with Him....which means I have to always work in this marvelous work! 

    "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people." -Alma 7:11

     I am so grateful for Him, and I hope to be able to grow even closer to Him in these 3 weeks that I have left.  I thank all of you for all your support.  I hope Jon and Emma have a great week at trek!  I love you all so much and miss you tons as well! Have a great week.....take care!!!

-Elder Loveless

"Crazy beetle things that come out at night here in La Junta."

"We played minute-it-to-win-it games with the youth."

June 30th, 2015 - Weekly Letter

Family,

    AWWWWEE, I can't believe that Ashton and Cohen were baptized this last week!  That is so exciting!  I was always hoping that I could be there for their baptism, but I'm still super excited that they got baptized!!!!  Sometimes I get excited to come home too, but then I realize that I still have a month to work hard!  Not that I don't like the mission, but I am really excited to see everyone again!!!

    But this last week was really cool!  It wasn't one of the best weeks that I've had in the mission, but it was probably one of the best weeks of my life.  On Tuesday we had a training meeting with President Chavez, and through President, I received an answer to my prayers.  There is something in my patriarchal blessing that is really interesting, and I was doing what it said, but wasn't seeing the blessing that is pronounced there.  There was a word that I didn't understand very well, and even though I studied it a ton I could never figure it out.  There were some days that I would stay up all night thinking about it, and couldn't.....and it made me sad.  But President cleared it up for me!!!!

    “And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.”  –D&C 88:67

 “For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”  –D&C 84:45

    In the first verse we learn that a body full of light comprehendeth all things.....like everything!!!  And then in the next verse we learn that the scriptures are true, therefore they are light.  President taught us that when we have light we don't sin, and more, we see miracles.....because we understand and comprehend everything!  We comprehend the reasons why we should do things, which makes it easier to do.  As I came to understand this principle I figured out what that part of my blessing meant....and now I have seen the blessing pronounced.....which increased my testimony.  I get emotional when I think about it, because for all I did to understand my blessing, God knew better when I needed to understand it.  I love Him....and I know He lives....and I know that he watches over us always!  We can't live being a mirror of someone else’s light....we have to learn to produce our own light, so that when we leave on our own we don't sin, but we help in the Lord's work.  The world is dark...and if we can't produce our light, surely we will get lost!

    I just wanted to say thanks to my amazing parents.  Before the mission you both helped me arrive to the point where I'm at, and it was because of the light that you both have.  It was enough to get me here, and I thank you for your help and support, and more than anything, for being worthy!  If it weren't for that who knows where I would be right now!

   I hope you have a great week! Only 29 more days.  29 more days to keep increasing my light of Christ!  I love you all so much and miss you tons!!!!

-Elder Loveless

"Yeah, we played with a ton of water!"

June 22, 2015 - Weekly E-mail

Family,

    What a week!  It's kinda sad here in Mexico because they don't celebrate Father's Day at all.  Like it's just another day.  But HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!!!  Thanks for being an amazing example to me and the rest of the family.  I hope that one day I can be as good a dad as you have been to us!!!!!!

    So this last week for us here in La Junta was good!  We worked a lot and then on Thursday I went to an area in the zone called Matachic.  In that area is where the other district leader, Elder Sanchez is, and the zone leaders wanted us to work together for a few days.  On Saturday it rained ALL day, so we were just wet the whole day, but it was way fun! 

    Another reason I went to Matachic is because President Chavez asked me to play the piano for the district conference of the district Madera.  So on Sunday I played piano for the district conference.  In the district conference was the temple president of Colonia Juarez also, so it was cool to hear from him and his wife.  After the meeting President Chavez took me back to La Junta.  His whole family was there so I got to chat a little bit with them. His daughter was telling me all about the new stuff in the world.......craziness!!!!  Also President Chavez' sister came down to visit, and she was there too.  After she got married she moved to Utah with her husband, and they live in Harvest Hills!!! Small world huh! The only thing though is that she goes to a Spanish ward, but she was telling me about everything that had been happening in Saratoga Springs.  Her name is Sister Herrera, and she is in the Saratoga Springs South stake.  Don't know if you know her, but it just made me realize what a small world it is.  Who would've known that President Chavez' sister lived in the little town of Saratoga Springs.

    So yeah, this week we also baptized!!!! I don't have pictures though because I was Matachic when she got baptized, but it was amazing. On Saturday there was a party at the church to celebrate Father's Day, and so a ton of people went.  The zone leaders ended up baptizing somebody, and then after a little girl and her mom told us that the little girl hadn't been baptized before and wants to.....so of course, she got baptized right then and there.  She's so cute though.....her name is Cinthia and she's 8 years old.  The Lord has been blessing us tons with all of these people!  I know that This is His work, and not mine. 

    So.......I realized yesterday that in one month is my birthday!!! So like......I'm almost 20.  That is kind of old. Well not like really old, but kind of.  So that's coolio!!!

    Well family, thanks for everything that you all do for me.  I love to read the family's letter every week to see what's happening over there in Utah.  I'm so grateful that I was sent to this specific family!!! I wouldn't change you all for the world!!! Thanks for everything and have a great week!!!!  :)

Love Elder Loveless

P.S.  I'm so proud of Emma for starting to drive!!!! YAY!!!

P.S.S.  That's so awesome mom that you are almost finishing the Book of Mormon again. I'm in the middle of Alma!!!!  LOVE IT!

"The kids dressed us up!! Haha!!"

"Baptism of Porfirio!!!"

June 15th, 2015 - Weekly Letter

Family,

    It sounds like you all had a very busy, but awesome week last week!  I guess it's Jon's last high adventure for a while!!!  And with David Matthews, you don't have to go.  I didn't know him that well, so don't worry about it.  I love to see the fun that you're all having over there in Utah.  Is it really hot in Utah right now??? Because here in Chihuahua it's Really hot.  But it's great.....still loving it here in La Junta!

    So this last week was really good!  And it all started with the zone activity we had on Monday.  We just played soccer for a few hours, but we hadn't done that for a while, so I finally got all my energy out again. 

    On Tuesday we had to go to Chihuahua because it was time for my companion to renew his visa.  It was cool because there is a service missionary named Elder Arrieta that is from here in Chihuahua, and he is going to serve his mission in the offices for a year and a half, so when we went we were chatting and he thanked me a ton. He told me that I was one of the reasons he served a mission, because when I was in Lagos and Elayne got baptized, I insisted that he baptize her, even though he has health problems and it was going to be really hard, but he told me that for persisting him so much, it helped him have the desire to serve a mission.  So that was really cool to hear that from him.

   Wednesday was also a great day!  After lunch we went to Maria Elena´s house, one of the members, and we helped her pretty much for the whole day to move stuff around in her house and clean up.  She just barely finished making an extra room so we moved everything from the other room to that room.  Also, for the first time ever I got to see fireflies.  I didn't know that they existed here, but the children of Maria Elena took us out back to look for some, and they're really cool.  So when it started to get later, we played with fireflies!! 

    Then from Thursday to Sunday I went on divisions with Elder Zarco, and my companion went with the other zone leader to another area in the zone.  It was fun, and we worked our butts off, because we had to work in both of our areas, or in other words, the whole city. But it was way fun. When Sunday came around the Lord blessed us and we had 4 investigators at church.

    Sunday night, or last night, we saw a miracle as well.  So about 2 weeks ago we found this kid, 9 years old, that wanted to be baptized, but we could never find him again.  So last night as we were walking around, we only had about an hour until we were supposed to enter into the house, and we found him sitting on the street.  He's what they call a Tarahumara....it's like the original race here.....they're literal Lamanite descendants.  So we found him and we went to baptize him.  I feel really bad for the kid because he was just so happy to go with us to the church.  When we were going to take pictures he grabbed our cameras and started taking pictures like crazy....he had never really seen a camera.  He has a really sad story, but now he's baptized....clean!  And we're going to continue helping him so that he has a better life then he would've had if it weren't for the church. 

     So yeah.....that was my week. Also one of these days last week I was thinking about punishments.  I was thinking, well God does everything with a purpose, and everything He does helps us get closer to Him.....so then why does he punish us??? And that's when I read this in D&C 95:1

   "Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I  love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and I have loved you."

   So it made me realize that the Lord punishes us to help us NOT have the temptation.  He punishes us as a way to free us from temptation. I hadn't really thought about it much like that, but it's because God loves us....just like it says in the end of the verse. 

    I love this church, I love this gospel, and more than anything, I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I wouldn’t trade anything for the blessings that the Lord has gave me throughout my life!!!!

    Thank you all for everything you do!!!  I hope you all have a great week....love you and miss you all!!!

-Elder Loveless

"Me in front of the train."

"Us with the youth."

"Ana, our convert, and her family!!!"

"With one of the little girls from Guerrero!!!"

"With my new piano trumpet."

June 8th, 2015 - Weekly Letter

Family,

    What Sister Randall said is probably actually why I am companions with Elder Vasquez.  I hadn't really thought about that until just now. Tell Sister Randall thanks!!!  I can't believe that everyone is getting married.  That's kinda weird to me......but it’s okay.  I guess that's one of the next steps after the mission.  And that makes me so happy that dad is going to take off work for a few days to help me out.  That's good because I'll probably need a translator!!!  Oh and also, shout out to Jon for becoming assistant manager at Tenny's.  He's working a lot harder than I did before the mission, and that's going to help him a lot during the mission!!!

    So this last week was pretty good.  On Wednesday we had a really cool meeting with President Chavez.  He taught us about the difference between principles and doctrines, and he used the example of the Word of Wisdom.  The principle behind the Word of Wisdom is not just what we shouldn't consume, but it's that our body is a temple.  Principles are laws that have and will exist forever, and so some people wonder why the Word of Wisdom is a principle if it didn't always exist but it did.  In Noah's time, cigarettes didn't exist, and Christ....He also drank wine.....but it's because it was different.  They couldn't eat certain meats, and things like that.  The Word of Wisdom is to help us have our bodies healthy, and for us in our days it's different than back then.  So that was really cool what President taught us. 

    Then it was also way cool on Friday.  So the week before one of the assistants and Elder Zarco went to talk with one of our 'eternal investigators' and still couldn't crack her, but they did get her to commit to baptism this last week....Friday. So we actually didn't have any time to talk with her until Friday. So we arrived and she was acting a little weird but her husband told us that she wanted to get baptized but didn't want to admit it, so at 6 that night they arrived.....but it took her 2 hours to finally enter the chapel.  It was good though, because on Sunday they all arrived.....with their little boys in tuxes and everything!!!  Her husband is a member, but very inactive, so Ana getting baptized was amazing!!!  That was a miracle!!! :)

    So yeah....that was my week!  It was a lot better than the week before.  Thanks for everything my amazing family!!! I love you all so much!!!  Have a great week!!!!

-Elder Loveless

Training in Cuahutemoc.

June 1st, 2015 - Weekly Letter

Family,

    I'm so glad that you were able to see that video mom! I was just about to leave to go back to La Junta and Elder Clayton came up and told me to say a few things and then he was going to show you when you went to his homecoming!  Sounds like last week was pretty crazy for you all, but it's probably a great feeling that it's finally summer, and you can all finally rest a bit.  It's finally starting to feel like summer here too. This last week was one of the first weeks since last summer that almost every day was pretty hot, but everyone is saying that June is the rainy month, so this month I'm hoping that it rains a lot! 

    So this last week was alright, but I think that it was more of a learning week for me.  At the beginning of the week I was super excited, and then after about a day or two I wasn't as excited any more. I guess my companion’s story is that he didn't want to serve a mission, but his bishop tricked him into filling out the papers, telling him that they were for something else. So then his call got there and his bishop told him that he was going to serve a mission, and so they kind of trapped him.  Poor kid still doesn't act like a missionary even after 13 months, and he doesn't have any desires to work.  I'm going to try to help him the best I can, because I know that Christ can change anyone through his Atonement. 

    I also was wrong though in the way I acted. I just kind of was sad the whole week. With Elder Hansen we knew and talked with every single person in La Junta, and everybody loved us.  So when we went to church yesterday, the members were all like, oh now that Elder Hansen left Elder Loveless doesn't want to interact with us, and stuff like that.....and I knew it wasn't true. So I started to think. First, even after the stressful week, we had 5 investigators at church which is pretty good.  And then second, why should I be acting like that if this is the Lord's work, not mine.  It doesn't matter who I'm with, or where I'm act. If I have faith in Christ, everything is possible.  So I told myself yesterday that I wasn't going to change for anybody.  All of the members love me, but not how I was acting.  Also, two more of our recent converts, Luis and Gilberto, received the Aaronic Priesthood this last week! That was super exciting to see that 3 of my recent converts here in La Junta have the Priesthood! That made me super happy!

    I also had a really cool experience that really touched me deeply.  So I don't know if you guys remember my first convert here in La Junta, Rafael.  So I think it was the first week of May or April, for fast and testimony meeting, I went up and bore my testimony.  I bore my testimony about trials, and I shared Emma's story.  I remember getting teary eyed, and as I looked out at the members, a lot of them were teary eyed too.  So all was spiritual, but then I kind of forgot.  Yesterday though, we were just finishing church, and Rafael comes up to me and tells me he wanted to ask me something, so I said of course, whatever you want to ask me.  So then he asked me how Emma was doing, and I said that she was doing really good, better than before. And then he said, that's awesome. He told me that every single night since the time I bore my testimony he had been praying to God to protect my sister, and to bless her.  And I started getting teary eyed.  My recent convert, only has 2 months as a member, and doesn't understand too much still, had been praying to God.....to bless my sister.  That was a huge testimony to me. I knew that he knew that God existed. He doesn't even know my sister, but he has the pure love of Christ, worrying about people he doesn't know.  He has to be one of my favorite people that I have come to know here in Chihuahua.  He's definitely somebody that I will never forget!!! 

    So yeah, in the end of the week I took the sacrament and told myself that I was going to be better. There's no point in being sad....just gotta keep moving forward, working as hard as ever, because I only have 8 more weeks.  8 More times of writing to you all on Monday!!! 

   Thanks for everything that you all do for me! I love you all so much, and miss you tons too!!!  Have a great summer!!!!!!!  Enjoy every moment!!!

-Elder Loveless

"Pic with the train monument and Elder Vasquez in La Junta. This place is known for making trains a long time ago."

"The baptismal font in San Juanito."

"Elder Vasquez and me!!!"

"Baptism of Gilberto. Rafael baptized him!!!"

"All of Briana's family."

"Baptism of Briana in San Juanito. She is in love with me. I gave her my facebook and her cousins tell me that she is always looking at my pics :P The little girls in Chihuahua, hah!!"

"Playing with the kids in San Juanito. This is one of the kids that I interviewed a while back that got baptized."

"The house of worship in San Juanito....really small!!!!"

"Another Baptism!!! Her name is Tere!!!"

"We had a huge activity to celebrate Mother's Day!!!! A ton of ladies came. I played the piano a bit."

May 26th, 2015 - Weekly Letter

May 26^th, 2015

Family,

    Wow. It sounds like your week was jam packed with awesome stuff!  I can't believe my little sister already graduated from Lakeview. I remember that day.  So long ago.  I'm so proud of my little sister.  I'm also super happy for Jonny boy.  Just the interview with the stake president and that's it. In less than a month hopefully he gets his call.  There's so much happening that it makes me excited as well!  I want to wish Jon good luck this week.....the last week of senior year was pretty stressful, but it's way fun!!!  But that's cool.....also, HAPPY SUMMER BREAK MOM AND EMMA!!! 

    So this week was pretty crazy.  On Tuesday we celebrated Mother's Day, and it was awesome because a bunch of people came.  One of our investigators named Tere arrived, and she got baptized that night.  It was awesome because one of the investigators that came, named Cayetana, left telling us that she also wanted to be baptized.  We have her planned for this weekend. She's super excited!!!

    Then from Wednesday to Saturday I was in San Juanito. We worked so, so, so hard, and got 2 baptisms over there. One of them is a cute little 12 year old named Briana.  It's really funny because when I interviewed her I told her to invite me to her quinceñera, and then her cousins told me that she is super, super excited.  I was reflecting back on my mission, and I've told a lot of girls that I'm going to return for their quinceñeras.  Probably should stop. I don't think I'll be able to make it to all of them - haha, but it was way fun in San Juanito.  A missionary is the branch president there, so it's always fun to go there to work with them.

    So we got back on Saturday and that night we found a miracle. A guy found us and wanted to get baptized more than anything. It was crazy.  So we talked with him, the zone leaders interviewed him, and he got baptized on Sunday morning. His name is Gilberto. That has to be one of the weirdest things I've seen on my mission so far.

    So yeah, Sunday was good, but at night we found out that all of the other missionaries from La Junta had transfers.  The new zone leaders are Elder Zarco and Elder Blanco, and my new companion is Elder Vasquez from Honduras.  So yeah, La Junta is pure Spanish except for me now. This will be a new adventure for me! I'm excited though! It'll be good.

   So yeah, so that's the update here in La Junta, Chihuahua, Mexico. Thanks for everything my amazing family! Hope you all have an excelente week!  Love you all so so so much!!! Take care!!!

Love, Elder Loveless

Elders Christensen and Valenzuela visit to the mission.

"Another pic of Mario at church! He's 13...and he's a stud."

"Our baptism of Luis!!!!! (We worked hard this week.)"

"First baptism of the week....Mario (It was just destined for me to baptize somebody on my mission named Mario :))"

"Our cigarette tea."

"The family Torres on Mother's Day."