Week 19: One Month, Two Sons

The Good
This was a very good week especially compared to quarantine last week! So there is some exciting news that I forgot to mention last week, but I'll rewind 2 weeks. At zone conference, Elder Carlson and I were about to sit down for lunch when President Grisel comes up to us and asks "Can your apartment handle three?" After a short conversation he informed us that we would be getting a greenie on Wednesday and we were both super excited. Well he missed his flight last week so we got him this past Wednesday! His name is Elder Valencia and he is pretty cool! Very sporty guy and understands a lot of Spanish because his mom is Colombian. I am super excited that I have a second son and to hopefully train him longer than just a week (Although I have seen Elder Motrenson a couple times in the last few weeks which has been fun).

Elder Valencia said he hasn't ridden a bike for many years so he is getting back into it. Nogales is very hilly which can be kind of terrible sometimes but a good opportunity to rely on the strength of the Lord...literally. Well Saturday morning we went to this apartment complex that is up some really large hills. On the second to last hill we had to go up, Elder Carlson and I also had to get off our bikes because of its steepness and walk up it. I was walking up the hill with my head down just concentrating on getting up when I got a sudden impression to look to my right. In between the brush on the side of the road I had a perfect view of the apartments we were trying to get to. The first thought that came to my mind was "You are struggling to come here for them." Then right after the thought came to me "Tell Elder Valencia". When we caught up, before I could say anything, he looked up and said, "Why are we doing this? Why are we going up all these hills?" I asked him how many people he thought lived in those apartments. 237 he said. I relayed to him what the Spirit had just told me, "We are coming up all these hills because there are 237 people there that need to hear the gospel." He looked at me for a second and then said "Okay" before getting on his bike and going up the rest of the hill. I couldn't help but smile at his reaction.

We had a cool miracle that was kind of funny. So as a missionary we are used to people not answering la puerta or just closing it on us mid-sentence. We aren't used to knocking one door and another one opening, but that happened to us. We knocked on a door in these apartments and the door behind us and a confused and surprised little 10ish-year old kid said "Oh sorry I thought you were knocking on our door". We started talking to him and his mom came out and was super nice. She said she was Catholic and goes to church every Sunday, but she accepted our invitation to have a Bible study this upcoming week. We decided afterwards that it was no accident, but in fact God putting that person in our path that day. I have faith that that kid just changed his families life by opening a door (literally and figuratively).

The Bad

So this past week we were out about 3 miles from our apartment when it came time for lunch. We were all tired and thirsty and right next to a gas station so I was like what if we go get slushees? So we went in and also being hungry, got hot dogs for lunch as well. We sat outside the gas station and ate and drank and we were happy boys with full tummies, but on the way home and for the rest of the day, I found out why my parents have never let me eat gas station hot dogs before jaja. I'll spare the details but 'twasn't good.

The Beautiful 

Yesterday there was a harp duet for the intermediate hymn during sacrament meeting. They played Come Thou Fount and it might have been the most beautiful instrumental piece I have heard and the spirit was very strong. I wish I could have recorded it.

The Funny

So missionaries have a rule where if we are backing up in a vehicle, there has to be one missionary behind the vehicle to make sure it doesn't hit anything. Well we told Elder Valencia that the backer has to wear a yellow or orange vest when backing and he actually were it. It was so funny.

The Spiritual

Yesterday we talked a lot about joy at church. True joy is a feeling that fills our soul and is not fleeting. True joy comes only from gaining a knowledge that God lives and loves us. We all go through difficult things, some more challenging than others, but even in sadness we can find the hope in Christ that He offers us. Even God weeps, and yet He is the most joyful being in existence. This week I challenge you pick something that you already do every day-- eating a meal, going to the gym, taking a nap, practicing a sport, making a cutting board, painting a Madalorian helmet, arranging a bouquet of flowers, reading a book--whatever it may be for you, read the scriptures right after and see how joy-filled your life will become. 

I also encourage to you prepare to listen to General Conference coming up this weekend. For those of you who don't know, General Conference is when God's modern-day apostles and prophet address the world with what they feel inspire to speak about. Everyone can watch it and learn more about it at the church's website: 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng

I love you all and hope you have good weeks!

Week 18: Rona Attack...Sorta

The Bad
So as the subject line suggests, we had a run in with covid this past week. So basically Elder Fox started not feeling well and his lungs started hurting a lot and he was just exhausted. He is an asthmatic so he just attributed it to that, but then my companion, Elder Carlson started feeling exhausted, had a runny nose and a burning in his chest. On Wednesday, him and I went to a person that him and Elder Fox went and taught a week and a half ago on exchanges (the day before I got to Nogales). Well when we got there the dad said that his whole family has covid and he is the only one vaccinated (imagínese eso). Elder Carlson figured that that is why him and Elder Fox were feeling the way they were. So we called President and he said to get tested and quarantine until further notice. It took 3 days to get the results, and they came back negative thank goodness. Those 3 days of being locked in the apartment were terrible though and was just an overall bummer. 

The Good

We had zone conference this past week on Tuesday which was super fun. I got to see Elder Mortenson and Elder Holman and my old district which was a lot of fun. I also got to see Elder Ruiz because we were combined with the East zone. Then we had just an amazing training from President about using our time wisely and how to testify with power. It was probably my favorite zone conference so far.  President is such a powerful teacher and I learned a lot learn a lot and do a super spiritual.

The good thing about being in quarantine is that I was able to study learn more than normal. I've never been a huge fan of studying but but the mission is taught me to love the scriptures so as you're really cool chance to take it and learn more about certain topics of the looked awesome but that I'm really important and sometimes hard to understand. 

Elder Carlson and I also got to spend a lot of time together in the apartment so we  Shared a lot of stories about our lives and just laughed together a lot so that was super fun we also got to do several puzzles together and so had some quality binding time a comp unity is the best.

The Beautiful

I think it is so beautiful how people are so willing to help when they see others in need. During our quarantine, several members from both of our wards called to check up on us and bring us dinner and I just think it is amazing how good people have a natural desire to help others in need. 

The Funny

So Elder Carlson is actually reassigned here and was in Ecuador for 3 weeks before covid hit. Then he spent 5 weeks in total quarantine and 4 months in the apartment as a missionary only able to leave a few times a week to do service and shopping. To say the least, he is done with covid. When we got back from the covid test, he slumped in his chair and looked at me with a tired face from across the room and said "Elder Holt, I'm going to consider it a huge win if I get dressed these next few days." (No se preocupen he did shower and get dressed every day jaja).

The Spiritual

During quarantine, I was able to finish reading Saints vol 1 which is a history of how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored and the early history of the trials if the Saints and the church. As I read and listened to it, it helped me realize the magnitude of the sacrifices of the early saints and how much faith they had. Because of their faith, the Lord delivered them in His time and His way, which always ended up being what they needed in the end. There were mobs, political contentions, dissenting members that fought the church, false allegations, death, disease, harsh weather, unjust incrimination, and it seamed like the very gates of hell were forcing their way open to attack the saints and the true and restored church of God. I read a verse this week in Alma 36 that says as members of Christ's church we must remember the bandage of our ancestors and swe the times God delivered them when they demonstrated their faith and trust in God. Of course for them in ancient times it was easy to see Moses parting the Red Sea or Joseph's story who was sold into Egypt as God delivering our ancestors, but we don't see those types of miracles very often now in day. It is also very easy to feel disconnected from the Bible accounts because we live in such a different era now, so what does it mean for us to look and see how God delivered our ancestors from bondage? I think a large part of it is seeing how the Lord guided the Saints through the commandments he gave them and seeing how He delivered them out of trial after trial. By looking to their examples, we can follow the council Alma gave to his son (and in reality to all of us) in Alma 36. 

Now the question is, how will we be the examples to those who follow us in the generations to come so that they can look back in our day to see how God delivered us out of bondage (or out of our trials) through our faith?

I encourage you all, whether member of our church or not, to read the Saints book because it will strengthen your faith. You will be able to see the hand of the Lord in the lives of His children in days past, and will learn to better recognize it in your life.

I love you all and hope you are well. Let me know what you are praying for so I too can pray with you! Remember the blessings the Lord gives you every day and you will find happiness.

Week 17: Like Father Like Son

The Crazy
When I started my mission, I was given two trainers that you all probably know by now. Elder Medina has been our for a while, but my other dad, Elder Ruiz, had just come out of his training which means he was "flip-training". I didn't even get a full transfer with Elder Ruiz when he got emergency transferred to replace a missionary that went home. As the subject line suggests, I am much like my father. Like Elder Ruiz, I was put in a trio to flip train my son Elder Mortenson, but also like Elder Ruiz, my time with him was short lived.
On Wednesday during personal study, we get a call and it was from President Grisel, my mission president. I answer and he says "Hey is this Elder Holt?" I say yes it is and he then says, "I need to visit with you for a bit. Elder Brannon down in Nogales is going to have to go home for some medical stuff and I need you to go down there to replace him. Are you willing to do that?" Completely shocked, I came up with the most eloquent and educated answer I could under the circumstances, "yeah". "Awesome well you'll be leaving tomorrow morning so you'll probably want to have all your things packed tonight. Thank you Elder Holt!" I was practically speechless for the next two hours.

The Bad

So the next morning I had to leave my son, a companion I think I was going to get along very well with, and the only area I had known as a missionary. It was pretty rough having to say goodbye to people and felt weird because Elder Medina had gone through that like a week and a half earlier. I also didn't get to say goodbye to everyone since it was such short notice, but I got to visit all the top people I would have liked to say goodbye to so I guess i can't complain. I'm mostly just said I won't be able to finish Elder Mortenson's training.

Also, since the Elder that I replaced was the one that had already been in this area and we are only a week into transfers, both my last area and my current area are basically being whitewashed so it will be a fun transfer!

The Good

Well since I was going to be leaving, the district decided to have district sports at 6:45 on Thursday which was actually really fun. We played ultimate Frisbee which I hadn't played since I was at BYU, and those of you that know me probably figured I had been itching for a good game of Frisbee. It was a whole lot of fun and a nice way to say goodbye to my district. It won't be goodbye goodbye though because I'm literally going to see all of them tomorrow at zone conference so it isn't terribly sad.

Before I left Sahuarita, we had finally been able to find this one lady that Elder Medina and I had taught like a month ago, and when she saw us she was actually really excited. She was busy right then, but she set up a time for us to come back, and I know Elder Mortenson and Holman will continue teacher her so that is good!

I made it down to Nogales safely and I am loving my new companion. His name is Elder Carlson and he is really funny and a hard worker. He wants to improve on his Spanish too so he tells me all the time to just correct his Spanish whenever I see something so the man is pretty humble. He is also a beast at basketball. I met him at zone sports my first pday on the mission and the man can ball up. We work fairly similarly as far as missionary work goes and so I think we will be able to get a lot done this transfer which I am excited about. 

Since I have been here for about 3 days and he almost 2 weeks, we are kind of making it up as we go. Because of Elder Brannon's health, they weren't able to do much or leave the apartment much (oh sí, andamos en bicis aquí) so Elder Carlson and I set a goal to find 2 new people in the 3 days that we had left in the week, and we found 3 so I'm excited about what we can accomplish together. 

The Funny

There were a lot of funny instances that week but I think my favorite happened at my last dinner in Sahuarita. We had steak, salad, and green beans which were all very good. Well I had been talking to the two families (mis favoritas) saying by to them and I'm almost done with my food when I realize that Elder Mortenson had not touched his steak. I didn't say anything but about 10 seconds later Hermana Valenzuela asks "No tenemos gustó la carne?" Elder Mortenson looks at me (which he often did when he tried to speak Spanish and felt unsure) and says "Puedo tener...uh... I don't know how to say knife in Spanish" and I realized that Elder Holman and I were given knifes but not Elder Mortenson and he couldn't eat his steak because he didn't know the word for "knife" (cuchillo). We had a good laugh.

The Spiritual

This past week I read a scripture that hit me in a different way than it has before. Alma 34:16 says "And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption." When I read that I realized that, yes, we have to have faith in the atonement and God's plan for ourselves, but we must also have faith that it works for others as well. Often times we see other people struggle with things that are different than our challenges, but for all we know they are doing the best to apply the atonement in their lives. We don't know how hard it is for them, but our Savior does and He decided to suffer for them too.

In Isaiah chapter 49, God compares His love for us to the love of a mother for her baby. How could a loving mother forget her baby when it is at her hip all day long? How can she forget when it wakes her up night after night? How can she forget when its life depends on her? It isn't possible. Christ says His love for us is greater than that, and yet sometimes we question if He really remembers us. Well how can He forget when He suffered unimaginable pain for us? How can He forget when His blood stains the ground at the Garden of Gethsemane? How can He forget when His very hands and feet serve as reminders? It isn't possible. His atonement is a show of His infinite love and it works for all of His children! My challenge for all of you is to have faith in God's atonement and know that it can work for you no matter how far you feel. Then, have faith that His atonement works for other others and forgive someone this week. I promise you will be blessed and will be filled with relief.

I love you all and have a great week!

Week 16: A Proud Father

The Good
This week was an awesome week! I have had a lot of fun with my two new companions. 
Elder Holman has been out 18 months technically (although he started his mission over 2 years ago, he went home during COVID for 8 months). He is a very wise missionary with an extensive understanding of everything we teach. He has a strong knowledge of the scriptures and loves to work hard. I also think he knows more about Joseph Smith than almost anybody I have ever met. I love him.

Elder Mortenson, my first son, is also a wonderful missionary. He loves to practice Spanish and is not afraid to talk to the members which I love about him. He is a very confident missionary and is willing to try anything he can to improve. He also has motivated me to work out a lot and the man has a scholarship to run at UVU after his mission so believe me when I say I might lose the 10 pounds I gained in the first 3 months of the mission.

We went to a mission call opening on Wednesday and it was awesome! Grabill Rubio will be the first missionary to ever serve from the Esperanza branch in Sahuarita, Arizona. He will be serving in Santa Ana, El Salvador andbi couldn't be prouder of him. Elder Medina was very excited when he heard the news. 

A cool experience from this week was when Elder Mortenson told us that he felt prompted to go to this one man's house because he we need to give him a Book of Mormon. We had found this man a couple days earlier, but it was a bit later at night so we just set up a time this Thursday. I felt kind of weird to pass by since we already had a time later in the week to have a study, but what kind of father would I be to my greenie if I taught him not to follow promptings? So we went and started talking to him and after talking a bit about something he was building in his front yard (I'm not sure if Elder Mortenson actually knew what we were talking about), Elder Mortenson, Libro de Mormón in hand, just went in and started testifying in his broken Spanish. Initially I was taken aback by his boldness and courage, but it was perfect and Elder Holman and I started explaining more about the Book of Mormon. The man was very hesitant to take it because he did not want to be confused, but after explaining that the Book of Mormon teaches what the Bible does and just clarifies some things, he accepted our invitation to read 3 Nephi 11. Greenie miracles are real! I am very proud of what Elder Mortenson has done so far. 

My favorite part of the week was that we got to go to the temple. A young adult en nuestro rama went through the temple for the first time and invited us to go with him. It was a very beautiful and spiritually powerful experience. I am so grateful for temples and all the promises God makes to His children. 

The Bad

Leading the area has been a bit of a challenge. I have been in the field for just 3 months and so I still feel like I don't know what I'm doing and when both my senior companion and my greenie look at me to know what to do when we are planning or if a lesson falls through, it can be a tad stressful. The Lord assigned me to Lea this area though so I know with His help it will all be okay.

The Beautiful

I'm not sure what it is exactly, but there have been so many butterflies this week. It is really cool and really beautiful when we would brush our hands against a bush and then 20 lovely butterflies fly out of it. The pictures do not do it justice.

The Funny

Elder Holman told me before we met Elder Mortenson that the most fun part about training is making up fake mission rules. We have been making them up all week and it is so funny to see his innocent little face every time. For example, one night Elder Mortenson said that he was tired and was going to go to bed early. Elder Holman said "Sorry Elder you have to go to bed at 10:30 every night." He looked at me all confused and then I just said "Well Elder you can go to bed earlier but we will just have to write President about it on Monday." Poor Elder Mortenson was so shared and confused. (Yes we went to bed with him shortly afterwards.)

The Spiritual

One day during companionship study, Elder Holman said he wanted to study something with us as a companion. We opened up to 1 Samuel and read the story of David and Goliath. David was a small shepherd boy with no fighting experience, nobody believed in him, and he had to face a literal giant. None of this mattered to him though, because he had faith and confidence in the Lord. In the end, David triumphed over Goliath. 

The Spanish area in Sahuarita (the area we are in) was opened by Elder Medina and his two companions before Elder Ruiz and I. That makes this area 6 months old which is extremely new. Elder Holman then told us, "This area was opened by Elder Wurtz, a former AP; Elder Allen, a former zone leader; and Elder Medina, one of the best teachers to Hispanic people I have ever met. Now we have a Elder that is flip training and one that is 2 days into the mission, but the Lord put us here for a reason. If we have faith, we will triumph in this area." This message hit me deeply.

Sometimes we feel like we have Goliaths in our lives, and sometimes we feel like little David, but we must remember that the Lord does not look at our looks, stature, social status, or anything else temporal. He looks at our heart, our will, and our desires. You are doing better than you think, I promise. Just ask God; He loves making you feel loved.

I love you all and hope you have blessed weeks.

I will send a ton of pictures next week I promise! I will remember to take some throughout the week.