Just Another Week in the Selva (Jungle)

Hola todos!!

This week was another really good one and we had a lot of success as far as lessons go. Elder C. is a workaholic and I really like that about him. We were still struggling this week to find a teaching groove together but I think we have found it. We had a lot of really powerful lessons this week, ones that strengthened my testimony for sure. 

In one of the lessons we were talking about the Restoration and at the end, Elder C. invited E. (our investigator) to kneel down and ask if Joseph Smith was a prophet. She did so and while she was praying the spirit was really strong. At the end she said, "I feel something right here..." as she pointed to her chest and then she couldn't finish what she wanted to say because she was choking up. She said she felt something she had never felt before and knew that Joseph Smith was a prophet. It was tough teaching her at first because she couldn't differentiate between praying to God and to the Divino Niño (Divine Son) but we explained prayer earlier this week and now she prays like a champ. She and her two kids came to church yesterday and now we are working with her husband. Unfortunately the trend still is showing in that her husband is pretty hard to talk to.  He works a lot first of all but second, he isn't that used to talking about religion. He is a really great guy though and I even got him to laugh a couple times this week! Believe me, with this guy it is tough to do. Haha            

            Another investigator, L. is recovering from a leg surgery and that makes it good because she can't run away from us!! Yeah! Last night she seemed different so we asked her what she was thinking lately and she told us that she was really excited about everything we were teaching for the first week but that she didn't feel as excited and wasn't sure why that was the case. We explained the role of the Spirit and also talked about what Satan likes to do at times. Elder C. showed Moroni 7, the way to judge, and after talking it all over she was back on board and she even said she was excited again. It showed because at the end of the lesson both she and her mom asked quickly, "Hermanos, cuando regresan??" (Brothers, when are you coming back?) Elder C. invited her to pray as well and when she was done her smile was priceless.  I really have learned the power of prayer this week once again.  

Honestly the mission is still tough and I really miss all you guys but when I focus on why I'm here and what the Lord expects of me, it gets better. Along with that, when I receive answers like I did [this week] I feel like I can't let God down because He never does that with me.  Oh how great the goodness of our God, right? I hope you all know I love you so much and that you're always in my prayers. Keep on keepin’ on but most of all, keep the commandments for in this there is safety and most of all PEACE.  Really, there is!

 

Con Amor, 

Elder Jaussi

 

Elder Jaussi had this picture of Presidente and Hermana Garcia taken to wish his brother, McKay a happy birthday.  :)

 

3 Nephi 13:19-20

Hola todos!

          I'm still in Mérida and Elder C. and I are still the Zone leaders in Zona Brisas. I tell you what, Elder C. is such an awesome missionary.  I really hope I can be like him. He has one month less than me but he is a machine. He teaches really well and he is really funny too. We get along pretty well too which always makes it good.

I told all the immigration ladies last week that I was leaving but that before I left for good I wanted to take a picture with everyone. They were sad but at the same time they were excited for the picture. I'm going to give them copies of the Book of Mormon too and I hope we can stay in touch after the mission to see if anything ever happens. I honestly think a couple would accept it.

3 Nephi 13:19-20  “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.”

 

 

I'll let the pictures do the talking... The worst part is, they didn't take any copies of the Book of Mormon!!! The Pearl of Great Price was left in our house too!

So, Elder C. and I stopped by the house at around 6 at night and when I opened the door we saw all our clothes thrown across the house. The first thing we thought was, "Man we sure are pigs. Did we really leave the house that nasty???" However... When we turned the lights on, we saw broken glass all over the kitchen, suitcases thrown open, and unfortunately things taken.  Elder C. had his iPod and speakers swiped, our DVD player that we have in the house was stolen and my shoes!!! Not my athletic shoes!!! It's all good though.  Elder C. and I both had the same train of thought really: Number 1- At least we are safe.  Number 2- I'm kinda ticked at that stinkin’ guy!  Number 3- This is such a sweet story to tell the fam!!!! Haha

Elder C. and I have had some good chuckles about it all but now we've got to figure out how to put the metal protectors on better so we can sleep a little better.        

            Well it has been quite the crazy week this week. There really is a lot of work in Chichen Itza and having to train in the offices as well makes it even busier.

Elder Jaussi with Hna. G, who just completed her mission.  Elder Jaussi said that she is a great missionary.

 Elders Jaussi, T., and C. riding in a "Nacho Libre" moto taxi

 Combined nametags create Elder Jaussi's full name

 A "lovely" spider outside the apartment

Semana 6......Cambios!

Elder Jaussi, along with Elder T., Elder F., and Elder H. put in some late hours re-working maps for the entire mission one night this past week. 

Transfers occurred and Elder Jaussi will begin training his former companion, Elder H. to take over his immigration duties.  He will spend time in the mornings with training and spend the balance of the day working with his new companion, Elder. C. from Bountiful.  He is looking forward to being back out in the field and working with Elder C., who he says is a great missionary.

1 John...Because That's a Tiny Book

Hola todos!!              

             I don't have much time to write (thus making this a tiny book) because I have to go run to priesthood session on the other side of Mérida.  Yep we got the first conference session in good ol’ ingles.  Tomorrow, maybe not but we'll see.  We watched it with the Assistants. This being our P-Day we can watch every session. Tomorrow we have to find an investigator for the second session but we all can watch the Sunday morning and priesthood sessions.
             I still am able to play piano every week in Sacrament meeting and sometimes in zone meetings, district meetings or things like that. That is one of the only things that wards remember me for: the piano.  Most ward members if they see me after I leave always say "Oh how we miss the piano!!!" Even though they've changed my name to Elder "Juicy" these last few weeks, it's good my piano legacy will be left behind. Haha (Elder H. always laughs because he says their pronunciation of my name has gotten worse the more we've been here in Esperanza.) 

This week we found an awesome family. When we found out our investigator was pretty drunk, we had to nicely leave, with Elder Hall telling me that he thought we should go back and contact a family he had seen.  I didn't really recognize them but I am sure glad that he did.  We went back and talked to them and the dad completely stopped what he was doing, put on his shirt and said, "Please, come inside!!" He didn't really know what we had or what we taught but he said that he had always seen missionaries walk by his house so he was interested.   

He and his wife have a cute little 2 year old son and the wife's sister listened to us too. They all listened so attentively and really looked like they were interested.  We have invited them to come see conference with us tomorrow and we're going to pass by their house to go with them. They already read assignments given and now we are just trying to help them accept a date. 

Along with them, we found a sister of a recent convert in our ward and we are going to try and start working with her. Things are going well and we're working with the few members that are willing to help us, teaching lessons with them present to back up our testimonies.  If you guys aren't able to help the missionaries much in teaching lessons, you should try to do that because it really helps a lot in the lessons.

How about "The Giff's" talk?!? I thought it was really cool that he is a Seventy now.  He sure talks fast!

 

Apparently, there had been some painting done in the offices so the Elders put on these masks to block the smell.

 Watching Elder Bednar's talk during a General Conference session.

 Eating in a member's home?  Not sure, but here Elder Jaussi holds up a "Happy Birthday" sign for his brother, Aaron.

 Elder Jaussi and his fellow missionaries wishing Aaron a happy birthday.

"How Do You Say 'Normal' en Ingles?"

Hola todos! 

As seen by the decrease in catchy title lines, things here in the Mish mash have been just about normal as we say here in Mexico. I just keep on keepin’ on here if you catch my drift.  I really hope this email doesn't disappoint you all too much so I'll be racking my brain for some good stories to tell you all. 

 

This week we had conference that lasted two days and each day lasting 10 hours. Most of the time was spent practicing which is always good because I don't have much time to teach unfortunately in the offices but after about 6 hours... I was pooped I must say.  It was good though and I learned some things that I hope to implement in my teaching. 

 

Also while we were there, I got to catch up with Elder H. (an elder that was in Champoton when I was in Escarcega) which was good.  He also went to BYU so that will be fun to be able to stay in touch with him there. He let me borrow an article he had by Elder Todd R. Callister entitled "Becoming a Consecrated Missionary" and it is WAY good.  I don't know if any of you have ever heard of it but it really is awesome. He talks about what consecrated missionaries do, how they are and what one needs to do to be one. I learned a lot and this week set some personal goals to become better and more focused.  I have found that my biggest weakness is either fear or just lack of diligence. I don't necessarily fear talking to people but I always fear that I won't know what to say.  Elder Callister says that in order to be a consecrated missionary you have to overcome that fear and talk with everyone because that is one of the most repeated commandments given to missionaries in D and C: "open your mouth and testify."  This week I have been doing my best to talk with everyone and their dog but also giving 110 percent every day.  I always try to be able to come home, take off my shoes and then tell God that I gave it my all for Him.  I figure the promise in DyC 4 is a very awesome one "para que aparezcais sin culpa ante Dios en el ùltimo dìa." (that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day)  I highly recommend that talk even though it really only applies to missionaries. 

 

Last night we had a ward activity where we showed part of the "Hastening the Work" and we talked along with the Bishop. Let me tell you, this Bishop is quite the guy. He gave a rousing talk and after he asked me to talk and at the end, all of the members who came were talking, basically like a ward council, about what we could do to invite more of their friends, neighbors and family members to come unto Christ. I left really happy and I feel really good about things here in Esperanza. The ward really is so great here. The bishop gets the job done really well and I like that.

 

N., the niece of P. came to church this last Sunday too!!! She said she really liked it and she even was ready about 30 minutes before because she was pretty excited to go. The ward ladies really have been so good to her too. They have been visiting her and answering all her questions. This week, we did divisions and Elder H. and Elder M. invited her to be baptized but she said she was going to talk to her mom to ask permission. Pray for her so that her mom is all right with it all. We invited her mom to listen to us but she told us that it still hurts her to talk about things related to her husband's death. We'll keep working with them both though.  

 

Also, we have been working with an former bishop here and he is named Bishop Y. He is such a great guy and he is always giving us references and one of his buddies he told us to visit accepted a baptismal date and is coming to church tomorrow with his son!! He started crying in the prayer (the first that he had ever done he said) and asked God to help him make the changes that were necessary. Bless the heart of Bishop Y. His wife is [not being faithful at the moment] but he is still as happy and faithful as ever. Keep him in your prayers too, porfis? He is one of my favorite guys here. 

 

Well... El fin se acerca y hay poco tiempo (the end is near and there is little time).  I love you guys!! 

 

Con amor, 

Elder Jaussi

Sea feliz, sea Mormòn

 

 A cookie given to them by an investigator.

 Posing in front of  graffiti-covered wall.

 Cheesin' it up with companion, Elder H.

 Elder Jaussi with zone leader, Elder C.

Fruit Flies, Black Flies, Angry Flies, But Mostly Time Flies

Hola todos!!

¿Què andan haciendo? I (What have you all been doing?) This week has been superb as usual and it definitely flew by for me.  Sometimes I don't realize that it's P-Day until I check my planner the night before when Elder H. and I start planning.  I can officially say it though.... I think going to the mission field again would be a good thing. With this much time in the offices I feel like there isn't much that can be thrown at me that I haven't already seen. (Knock on wood of course!) Either way, I'll just do my duty with a heart full of song. (Which I often do, cranking Priesthood session music, baby!!)

Speaking of Priesthood Session, I am super stoked for conference coming up.  This week while I was finishing up some immigration papers, I had on a talk by Elder... I don't remember his name, but he was talking about his love of General Conference. He gave the talk in a 2005 priesthood session and he told of how he and his brother would often go outside to play ball while they had the radio playing general conference. Sound familiar? He said he and his brother both knew that they would be given a test by their mom to see what they had learned so every few minutes they would stop playing to listen in.  I had to smile thinking about the brothers and me doing that too and then I realized, as did the Elder, that I shouldn't have done that.  He said that he has since repented and now Conference has come to be some of his favorite times of year.  I hope it stays this way for me my whole life and not just now when I'm a "goober missionary" as far as loving conference and looking forward to it. Elder H. and I are doing all we can to watch it in English again. It's still the language of the Heavens for me.... Haha

This week has been pretty normal as far as the mission field goes. We really are struggling to find new investigators but we are trying to lay a good foundation by working with the members.  P.'s baptism was really great but his confirmation was even better.  After we finished the blessing and were going to help him stand up, he kept sitting in his chair and didn't look up for what seemed like a really long time.  He pulled out his little hand towel, lifted up his glasses and slowly wiped away his tears. He looked up at us and just gave us the greatest smile and little nod of the head. This guy is really so sensitive to the Spirit and recognizes that he has done the right thing.  The only worry is, his family and friends keep asking him why he did what he did and what not.  We keep visiting him, though, and our ward mission leader (who baptized him with the help of Elder H.) keeps bringing him to any activity that the ward has so that we can keep him on track.

All in all, things are going just superb and I'm still "lovin’ every minute of it"  I'm sorry there really isn't that much to tell you cuties this week but hopefully we'll have some great stories to tell you next week.  As Mormon says, no miracles happen because of lack of faith so you best be believin’ that Elder H. and I will be taking faith pills along with our beans and rice!!

I love you guys! Have a great week!!

Con amor,  
Elder Jaussi 
Sea feliz, sea Mormòn

 

Taylor didn't say who these people are.  Possibly ward members who attended P.'s baptism?

 Elder Jaussi sporting the Jaussi Reunion t-shirt that we sent to him.  He definitely needed the short-sleeved version for the climate of the Yucatan.

The Rains Came Down and the Floods Came Up

Hola todos!!
As we say here in Mexico, "Ya somos dos,"  (two of us, we are two--maybe a reference to Noah and the Ark?) because it has been raining like crazy here the past few days.  Don't fret though, there haven't been any problems with floods.  The streets always get flooded but then after an hour or two they're back to normal with the usual puddles here and there.   

This week Elder H. and I have been struggling to try and balance the office things with our area because our area is a little bit farther away. We'll figure it all out though, I'm not too worried about it. We just need to get a good foundation set up here with the ward members so we can start finding people to teach.  

We had a pretty neat experience the other day.  P., our investigator, has always been inviting his niece to listen to us and this Tuesday we finally got her to sit down for a bit. We started talking to her about Family History and about God's plan for families. She told us that 5 months ago her Dad passed away and that he was her best friend. She told us that it was really hard for her but that she is doing her best to cope with things. We promised her that she would be able to see her father again but that God needed her to do what He has asked us all to do. We invited her to pray that night about the truth of the message and she said she would.  

The next day we had put another visit with her and her uncle but she wasn't able to make it. As we were about to leave, N. (his niece) showed up and when I asked her if she was able to read the Book of Mormon and pray she said she had prayed but not been able to read.  She then went on to tell me that that same night that we had visited her she had a dream with her Dad and he was dressed in white. She said that he was said and he tried to tell her something but she couldn't hear what it was he wanted to say... Wow, right?? We told her we were going to come back and talk to her more about that and we're planning on giving a really good Plan of Salvation lesson.  I just hope that the Spirit will tell us exactly how to get to her heart.  I think it would be awesome for her to go to the temple with her uncle and see him be baptized for her dad.  I'll be sure to keep filling you in on that good stuff.   

Also, today is... P.'s baptism!! Even though we came in halfway as far as teaching him, I really love this guy. He has such a powerful testimony and it shows that he really has felt the spirit but more importantly, that he recognizes it.  This Tuesday however, he told us "Hermanos, (everyone calls us that) I don't think this Saturday is a good day. Let's wait until the end of September, first of October so that I know more." I was a bit shocked but he told us that with all his time sitting out front and time to think he had been thinking about all of the things he DIDN'T know and that it would be better to wait. We began talking to him about baptism and asking him how he has been feeling as he has studied about the church.  He told us that he knows Joseph Smith is a prophet, knows the Book of Mormon is true and he knows he needs to be baptized. We then shared him the story in Acts 8 of the man getting baptized after only saying he believed in Christ and then we invited P. to be baptized this Saturday. He did his funny little smile and said, "Okay, you guys fixed all of my doubts. This Saturday seems good to me." 

He really is so prepared and it showed last night at his baptismal interview. Our District Leader came out of the interview and said, "That guy seems more like a member than an investigator. He knows so much!" Next week I'll be sure to send you all pictures, ¿sale, vale?

Bueno... That seems to be all my friends. I hope all is well in your neck of the woods.  Have a superb week!!

Con amor, 

Elder Jaussi
Sea feliz, sea Mormón

I caught a little lizard this week and remembered that I promised Calvin I would tell him about the wildlife here... I haven't done so good a job with that so here is a start!! There are a bunch of these little guys everywhere here Calvin!