Week 7- East L.A. California-September 23, 2013

Buenos dias everyone!

                           So this week has been the first week we have been using buses and the public transportation stuff. And I have to say, it has been super awesome. There have been a lot of people we have been able to talk to, and it is so great to meet them and see all these different backgrounds people come from. And there are people that are super nice and open to us. There was a guy that gave me a small pie and another who gave me one of the toys he sells (he was one of those guys that goes around and sells toys, and this one he proudly claimed that he invented this one). On the other hand, there are people I try to talk to and be nice to but they give me the coldest of shoulders. But it happens! It's super fun because it's pretty much like talking to the people I talked to to get a picture. President gave us this guideline called the CASH system which works super well.

It goes like this:

Compliment (Ex.: Hey I like your shoes!)

Ask (Inspired question Ex.: Where did you get them?)

Smile (Be nice)

Help (show that you are there to help them and really care for them)

 We have gotten a good amount of referrals, but with some, the spirit tells me they're not quite as ready as others... Kinda cool! One bus referrall we actually passed to someone in our zone and they had they're first lesson with him yesterday and he committed to being baptized! Pretty awesome stuff! President told us that all the referrals we give out, we'll get them back and the success will be shared.

We had a trainer/trainee meeting and all the kids from the MTC finally came in. The kid from SOAR got here too! It was weird seeing him haha. But it's funny because tomorrow I am most likely going to the 6 week trainer/trainee meeting since I got here early.

We are currently living with the zone leaders and it has been pretty fun to be with them. They are both really energetic and have great attitudes. We had our first Sunday as the new Boyle Heights ward. We had a good amount of members show up, more than I expected, actually! There still aren't any callings other than the bishoprick, but they are getting it all together for next week.We taught this family, the Soliz family, who was passed off to us by our district leader because the areas changed and what not. The wife has a bit of a tough time thinking she can change from Catholic to Mormon, but I shared Papis conversion story and I could tell it helped her because right after she was like: You know what, I'll read this book and when we are done with the swapmeet stuff, we'll go to church and see if this is true. So I am hoping this works out. The only thing is that they have a bit of a tough time retaining the information we teach from lesson to lesson. But slowly they will surely progress. I can't quite think of anything else to share, my mind is kinda going blank. 

Love you all very much! :)

Elder Pérez in China Town

China Town

Week 6- East L.A. California-September 16, 2013

Hello everyone!

            To start off: so remember those rumors and such about the wards splitting that I told you about last week? Well, turns out it happened! This new transfer my companion and I will be part of the new Boyle Heights Ward. We will also be opening a new area, Boyle Heights South, but it won't be too different since it is still all the projects, just added a few more streets to the west. Our new district consists of my companion and I, (he's on his last transfer by the way) the district leader and his trainee who will be coming in tomorrow, and the zone leaders. I am super excited to be in this district, I feel like whoever the new trainee will be, I will be learning a ton from our other district members. But we don't have any hermanas since it's too dangerous for them. They are putting hermanas in the ward I was in though, but they're not putting in just any regular hermanas. They're putting one who  is from Mexico, she lived in Chihuaha for some time because her dad was Mission president there, she actually came in the same day as me. And her trainer is Hispanic as well, she is awesome from what I heard. Sometimes I forget we even have sister missionaries because I have only been in all-guy districts so far...

This week, we passed by Rosa Villasenor and her 40 year old son Oscar. Rosa is an inactive member. The reason for her inactivity is: as her husband lay on his deathbed, he made her promise that she was never going to go back to the mormon church. He was an active member, the thing is  he got offended by something dumb and made her promise that. Right now she is going through some physical struggles. She has an extreme form of diabetes that caused her to lose her leg a few years ago, and now she is losing her sight. When we last talked to her (Wednesday) she told us she stopped by the doctor and she is now in danger of losing her other leg. We gave her a blessing, but my companion and I talked about it after and we agreed that it's hard to reassure someone in that situation. If it is the Lord's will, it will be done. Now, her son is a cool guy. The first day I met him he asked me what my name was. I responded: Elder Perez. His response: No man! I want your first name, I'm not gonna call you that. haha so he calls me Pablo. But he calls my companion by Elder... Maybe it's cuz I'm so young haha. But I like that he calls me by my name, reminds me that I am still human. Before I came into the area he had promised my companion and his previous companion that he would read the Book of Mormon and he'd send them a letter once he was done telling them what he thought about it. And he is keeping up with that promise! We had a good talk about the Book of Mormon and he had some great questions. I then invited him to church and he said he would come this upcoming Sunday. I am hoping that this interest he is acquiring will spark something within Rosa so she will realize that the promise to God is more important. 

Earlier in the week, my companion and our padmates companion had to go for an interview so I went with Elder Alvarez to his visit. And dang was it a great visit. We visted the Rodriguez family. And I was so humbled in that visit. This man has 9 kids, one who is about to have a child of her own and lives elsewhere, and he lives with his parents due to his circumstances. But the living conditions were undesirable to say the least. And he is going through an extremely tough time, won't go too much into detail on that. But his spirit and faith has been coming a long way and it was amazing to hear what he said. He gave me advice on picking my friends and what a real friend is. He told me: Yeah I have buddies and guys I'll hang out with, but they're not my friends. My friends are my family and you guys. (Missionaries) I felt super honored that he would consider us, naive young missionaries, as his friends and people that he cares about and admires.

Those two were the main people I wanted to share this week.

This week at church we met as a stake to announce the changes. And they requested that the missionaries take care of the blessing and passing of the sacrament. It was suuper cool!  Our mission president gave a great talk afterwards and commented how just about 6-8 years ago we were deacons doing the same thing without a real good idea of what we were doing. Made me think for a bit haha, things have changed a lot since then. I think that's all for right now... 

Did you guys like the Armenian pass along card??

Love you all!!

Week 5- East L.A.-September 9, 2013

Hello folks. To start off, remember that first family I told you about that we had to pass off to the English elders? Well they're getting baptized on the 22nd of this month, how crazy. And the second family we passed off, we had a pass off lesson, and I was so astonished to see how willing to change, learn, and come closer to God they are. That is probably going to be another 4 baptisms right there. I'm just glad they're coming to the gospel. 

So this past week has been a little poor, numbers-wise, but we feel like we are making a good amount of progress. We have been visiting a good balance of members, less actives, and potentials. We have gotten our door slammed in our faces a few times too, but it happens haha. So Reyna, she's the mom of Steven, the little white kid. And also the mom of three recent converts. She is less active, like very less active. Next week she could possibly be getting deported, which really worries me because she said she doesn't want to bring her kids to Guatemala with her because it'd probably be a lot worse for her to take them with her. The thing is that if she leaves, Manny, the oldest son, would have to step up. Problem is, he has a girlfriend and a daughter, but he's barely at the house cuz he's too busy hanging out with his cholo friends, so I am praying that it works out for them. 

Another set of big news for us, they are dissolving the ward that is East to us, Montebello. They haven't had a bishop for about 8 weeks now... And they have had a lot of other problems. So what's going to happen is that Bel 1 and Bel 2 will mix and get some of those Montebello folks. And then there will be a new branch, Boyle Heights Branch which is made up of the good old projects (my area) and I think Monterrey Park. So my companion and I think we are going to be put in the new branch to help them start up. Which is very exciting and intimidating at the same time. The cool thing is though, that the active members in our area, are super solid members. So we'd have a good group to work with. We are probably going to be a new district too. Not too sure yet, but the office just called asking if we could fit another companionship in our apartment and we already have 4 people. So very soon, we will have 6 people. It's gonna be nuts. 

The past few days, the temperature has been cooling down, finally. It's been like straight 90s here and everyone said it's supposed to be cooler here haha. 

Oh and 2 cool facts about our mission:

1. We have 7 languages: English, Spanish, Tagalic (Philipino), Chinese, Korean, Samoan, and Armenian. We are the only other mission other than Armenia itself that speaks that language. Pretty cool stuff

2. L. Tom Perry, at a stake conference a while ago (this is according to my companion) spoke here and said that we have one of the best mission presidents in the world. Which makes me feel privileged to be in this mission.

Something cool I learned this week in my studies as I read the book, "Our Heritage" was about service.

So there is this story about the first missionary called to serve in England. He goes off on the boat and about 100 yards before they hit the dock, this missionary jumps out of the boat because he was so excited to serve. I kinda thought about that and thought, how eager are we to serve? Not necessarily spread the gospel, but to just serve our neighbors and others. Kinda made me think and realize we need to have that same zeal and excitement to help others and not hesitate to do so.

Love you all!!

ps. my Spanish is improving hahaha

Week 4- East L.A. California- September 2, 2013

East L.A.

Howdy folks. 

I'd like to start this email off by letting you guys know that the Arcadia mission is a pilot mission. This means the Bretheren try stuff out on our mission to see how successful it would be. That being said, we are going to have our cars taken away and only ride buses and bikes. AND we are getting iPad minis sometime in the next few months, so that's pretty cool. 

Well, my companion and I have been having a tough time finding investigators. Since we're both new to the area, we're kinda trying to meet everyone and pick people up. BUT we had last week this golden family who is so ready to get baptized. They even went to church and we hardly taught them a lesson! The problem is though, they feel more comfortable going to English... so we had to pass them off. 

And Guess what happened last night? We visited this nice lady who had stopped us in the middle of our road and told us to go and visit her. And she is just as golden as the last family. BUT she would rather learn in English with her family as well so we have to pass her off too. 

My companion and I came to the conclusion that we are not being specific enough in our prayers. We always ask to be able to teach those who are ready to hear the message, but we never include in Spanish. So we're gonna be working on that. We spend pretty much all the time looking for people and finding them in the projects. And there's some crazy stuff that as parents it would probably be better you didn't know happened here haha. But the people are generally pretty cool. 

We had zone conference this past Friday and it was amazing. The president and his wife spoke to us and they commended our zone and the Spanish missionaries for basically being better than the English missionaries haha. From what I've noticed (at least within our zone) we don't really have any bad missionaries. Everyone is pretty humble and hard working, which is fantastic. They all tell me that the English Elders are just awful and rude. Another reason I'm glad I'm in the Spanish mission haha. But I think the reason we are generally more humble and all that is because a lot of us are still trying to learn the language and also, because of the people we deal with. Dealing with the people of the projects who don't have so much, really brings us all down to earth level. And a great quote that our president shared that I thought you would enjoy is:

"The enemy of best is good" 

 

East L.A. Chapel

Oh and I forgot, some fun facts I learned. Belvedere 1, we just call it Bel 1, is the first Spanish ward to be founded in california. And I also found out that I am the first 18 year old to be serving in the ward. So that's pretty cool

Elder Pérez' Apartment in East L.A.

Night View

East L.A. Projects

Week 3- -Arcadia/East L.A., California-August 26, 2013

Ok here is the big long letter, so brace yourself. 

I am currently in a trio with Elder Markham and Elder Matthews. Markham leaves tomorrow so it'll all be normal soon. 

I don't quite know where to begin. I am in East LA right now, and this place is like mini Mexico, no joke haha. The people are great though. Since we've been having to do a lot of organizing and such since one elder just got here and another is leaving, we haven't been able to do a ton. But we have been visiting this family, Cordevas, who half the family is member, mom is very much less active. She even has a white kid, he is literally the only white kid I've seen running around these projects. He is 8 and baptized, his spirit reminds me a lot of Valentina's. And it is hilarious cuz he has a Mexican accent hahaha, and he speaks better Spanish than English. I showed him my family pitures an he said Valentina looks better with out glasses hahah. But It's been cool visiting them. 

We also taught a "golden family" which is like a missionaries dream, they are so ready to be baptized. But we had to pass them off to the English missionaries because they went to the Spanish ward (we brought 7 investigators to church!!) and they didn't feel as comfortable :/. But I am just glad they are getting baptized and getting closer to God. 

Oh! I forgot to say something. So my "Welcome to East LA" moment was on my first day with the first guy we went to visit in the projects. He is the same age as me. He was pretty bummed out because he just found out his ex girlfriend was pregnant. His words (which got me laughing after): "man, well maybe it wasn't me.. At least I hope it wasn't.. I really hope she a hoe". The projects are just great! hahah, definitely a different culture here. 

Tomorrow Elder Matthews and I start working together, and I'm excited. Bel 1 is the ward I'm in, it's the first Spanish speaking ward that was founded in California. And the church buildings here are waay different. Our apartment is pretty nice though, no cockroaches or anything. Just some ants but it's no big deal. 

August 20, 2013
Elder Pérez arrives to the mission field in Arcadia California

Elder Pérez with his Mission President, Presidente Becerra

I got the package and bike and everything just fine. The mission president is awesome as well, I love him! I don't have too much else to say so I'm gonna send another email with pictures. Love you all~

Week 2- MTC Mexico City-August 19, 2013

Today is my last day in the MTC. All the Mexicans left this morning, well most of them. There's a few wandering around looking a bit lost haha. But they put me in the district with the other elders who are going to Arcadia. It was a bit bittersweet to see everyone leave, and it will be once I leave, too. 

It's like the prologue to my new chapter is about to end.  But nothing too different from last week happened this week. Just ready to go to California now. My flight will be going to Phoenix first then California. 

The food here is making my bathroom visits frequent and less than pleasant so I won't mind the change there too much. I'm just gonna send a bunch of pictures now. The first one is with me and elder Cole. The picture with the sandwhich looking thing, that sandwich is the best I've ever had, but just eating half of it made me sooo full. One of the elders in my district who is tiny, was determined to eat the whole thing and he did! he also threw up a few times after hahah. 

And I met these hermanas that are basically the same as me, Hispanic American. Looks like there´s hope for me in the future ;). And there were a few Colombians here too! One reminded me a lot of tia Sonia

Week 1- MTC Mexico City August 14, 2013

Well, I don´t even know where to begin. So they put me in the native program with all the Mexicans, right? Which is cool. But my companion barely spoke Spanish even though he lived in Panama and Mexico for 6 years...(He went to ASF too). SO since he couldn't handle it, he switched out and got a new companion as well as I did. My new companion is from the Dominican Republic. He speaks a bit of English too so I hlep him with that at times. But it has been great. 

The Spirit is definitely real. Half of the guys in my district (including my companion) are converts. One of them recently converted about a year and a half ago and he is soo uptight it´s ridiculous. The other converts have been saying it's because he's new, which makes me hope papi wasn't like that. What he does is isolates himself as we're having fun and then gives us a scripture saying we're children of the devil and all this stuff and that it's gonna be bad for us on our missions. He doesn't tell me that because he thinks I'm un buen chico though. It's just one of those things he'll have to learn out in the field. 

But anyways, I met up with Hermano Camacho and also said hi to the Pratts for you, they say hi back haha. 

Oh and almost forgot, thanks for all the notes you guys hid in my clothes. And highlight of the week would have to be last night. I gave my first blessing. In Spanish. To someone I barely know. So what happened was that one of the sisters in my district hurt her ankle and asked for a blessing. And my companion asked who had not ever given a blessing (he's the district leader). I raised my hand not thinking anything of it, then next thing I know he called on me to give the blessing. Not gonna lie, I felt pretty intimidated. So before I said the blessing, I knelt down in the middle of the room and said a prayer asking for God to be able to use me as  a tool for the priesthood and to be able to say what He wants me to. Well I gave the blessing, don't quite remember what I said exactly, I know that was one of the times I spoke the best Spanish though hahah. But as I shook the sister's hand I saw that she was crying. And I had this great burning feeling in me afterwards as well. It was amazing. I knew that she wasn't cyring because she thought my words were awe-inspiring, but because she felt the Spirit the same way I did.  Very cool stuff. 

To finish, this morning we went to the temple and also did that in Spanish for the first time haha. I'll be coming back with a Mexican accent. Love you guys!!:)

MTC District

Elder Pérez and Elder Cole

MTC Dorm

At the Mexico City MTC with companion on the right

MTC District

More elders going to Arcadia California

Best sandwiches ever!!!

Mexico City Temple with companion

Mexico City Temple

Week 0-Called to serve

Sunday, 4 August 2013

Southlake Ward

Colleyville Stake

Setting Apart of Isaak Pérez as a missionary by President Gottfredson. In the circle are Carlos Pérez and Bishop Drew Johnson.

In the home of President Gottfredson are Sister Gottfredson, Heidy, Jakob, Kamilla, Valentina Pérez, Ida & Romina Castromán, Patricia Marquez.

Pablo Isaak Pérez Castromán, by the power of the Holy Melchezideck Priesthood, we lay our hands upon your head and set you apart as a missionary in the California Arcadia Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and bestow upon you all of the rights, privileges, responsibilities, the blessing and the authority associated with this, most sacred call.

Elder Perez, you now are set apart as a representative of Jesus Christ.  You’ll have the opportunity to represent Him, in bringing the gospel to the individuals living in the California Arcadia Mission. We bless you, that you will be apt to the task. That as you study diligently and work hard and bear testimony to those individuals in the mission, that the Holy Ghost will be your constant companion. That when you bear witness and your companion bears witness, that the Holy Ghost will seal that testimony and the spirits of those that you talk to will leap within them and they will recognize that they have just been testified of truth. We bless you that you will be able to find individuals for whom your personality is uniquely suited, that you will be able to seek out those and make friends easily and through those friendships and then, bearing testimony, many individuals will come unto Christ. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with those who are less active, whose testimonies once burned brightly, but who need now a refresher and a reminder. We bless you that you will be able to testify with power to those individuals and they’ll remember the feelings that they’ve had and make decisions to return to the Church. 

Your mission will be a great training area for you for the rest of your life. You’ll learn from companions and from your Mission President, you’ll learn from your investigators, and as a result you’ll be able to develop your personality even further and your wisdom, your understanding and knowledge, which will be of great value to you throughout your life.

We encourage you to write home and e-mail home regularly, to be positive in those letters and to strengthen your family through them. We bless you that as you do so and bear your testimony that they’ll be able to see your growth and development, it will be a great blessing for them and they will be blessed spiritually and temporally through the efforts that you put forward.

We bless you with health and strength. This is a two-year sprint, you can afford to work hard and we encourage you to wear yourself out in the service of the Lord and the Lord will give you the strength that you need and will buoy you up and renew your body so that you can continue to go out and continue to work hard. As you work hard and work to be one with your companions, the Holy Ghost will be your constant companion. You’ll be able to know which direction you should turn and whom you should approach, how to teach. We encourage you to learn to listen to the Spirit and when you receive a prompting, to act upon it immediately or to write it down and then act upon it as soon as practically possible. In doing this, you’ll come to understand revelation. You’ll also see much success as you follow the direction and guidance of the Spirit. All these blessings we pronounce upon you, and do so in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Saying good-bye to Lukas

With Papi & Mami

Todos los hermanitos juntos

Elder Pérez