Monday December 25th, 2017  

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!!!!

I felt so weird in the call home, sorry about that. We're having some problems in the zone with calls to families for Christmas, so I was a little worried about that, and I could hear Elder Antonio talking on the phone in the background with part of the zone trying to fix the problems without bothering me. It was also quite hard for me to think, talk, and get my thoughts together in English, so sorry for that.

Elder Radmall putting his Spanish to good use. 

Holly drew Forest's name for Christmas this year.

This week was pretty good! Ever and Teresa keep progressing more and more. This week we were able to commit them to baptism! Their baptismal date is for the 27th of January. We put it a little far off because they have to get married first.

 

Traditional stocking stuffers from home, thanks to Claudia Grover.  Lifesaver book, crayons, and a stuffed animal.

A  stocking for Elder Antonio too!!

Dylan playing his violin for Forest.  Dylan started playing the violin 4 months ago and asked Forest what his favorite hymn was so he could play it for him for Christmas.

We also have these other investigators, Raul, Gloria, and Marta. Raul is almost always working, so we haven't been able to talk to him a whole lot. We've invited Gloria and Marta to church these last two weeks, but they haven't been able to go. This week we were determined to have an appointment with them when Raul, Gloria's husband, would be there. Well, it worked out. We had an awesome lesson with the three, and we were able to answer many questions that Raul had. All three of them went to church yesterday, and all three really liked it! It made us really happy! I feel like they can progress pretty quickly, but Raul and Gloria have to get married before they can be baptized. We have an appointment with them on Tuesday night, hopefully Raul gets home from work in time for the lesson. It's the last appointment we have for the day, so we're praying and crossing our fingers and toes that he'll be able to make it.

Pizza is a Radmall family tradition for Christmas Eve.

(We get to open 1 present on Christmas Eve, it is usually pajamas.  We were able to send presents to Forest with Claudia Grover at Thanksgiving time.  This one was labeled "open on Christmas Eve". )

My companion and I had a pretty good Christmas. We ate pizza, ice cream, and drank Pepsi while watching Meet the Mormons. It's crazy to think that I'll be home for the next one. I don't think that I've completely wrapped my head around the idea that I'll be home in about 5 months. The time has gone by so fast!

John 3:16-17

I love you guys! Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Elder Radmall telling of a spiritual experience in Cabo San Lucas.

Questions:

Dad: Yep, Christmas Eve is the big day here.  (I heard from a Mexican waitress here, that in Mexico Christmas Eve is Celebrated, have you found this to be true in your area?)

Mom: Here there are a lot more fireworks and gunshots. (What is different about Christmas in Cabo San Lucas versus Christmas in Culiacan? )

Holly: It can sometimes be hard to accept that not everything we want, is what's best for us in the long run. When you want something really badly, pray to Heavenly Father to help you make the right decision and to do your best, and if you don't end up achieving the thing you wanted, it's because it wasn't the will of God. Which is where trust and faith really come into play. Just remember that God knows you personally and knows what's best for you.  (Why is it that when we work so hard for something, it doesn't turn out how we want?)

Sam: The "right" way to pray is how Jesus taught in John 14:13 which is praying to the Father and closing in the name of Jesus Christ. What you say is up to you. Just remember that it´s a conversation, not a list.  (Is there only one right way to pray?)

Dylan: Reading the Book of Mormon daily will really help you avoid temptations.  (How do I avoid temptations?)

Monday December 18th, 2017

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOLLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (Holly's 17th birthday is tomorrow)

and GREAT JOB SAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (Samuel had a solo in his band concert)

This week was pretty good! Well, first off, my toe continues to improve, with transfers........ we're both stay here for at least another transfer. We've been working with an elderly couple for a little while, and this week we invited them both to baptism and they both accepted. The husband's name is Antonio and his wife's name is Juaquina. Their baptismal date is the 27th of January.

So, earlier this week, we were on the bus, and when we got off we started to walk to our next appointment when we heard someone yelling at us from behind. When we turned around we saw a lady standing there waiting for us to return. When we returned she told us that she felt like she needed to talk to us so she got off the bus early. She's going through a really hard time with her kids, her husband, and drugs, and she was asking for some advice on what to do. We started to teach her about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Tree of Life vision, applying it to her life. Her husband won't let us come by her house, but we gave her our phone number and we're hoping she calls us soon. It was a really cool experience.

Elder Antonio studying

We have an investigator named Soar who works in a hotel as a waiter. He told me that there are some Americans that work there but in a different department. I guess they try to sell some things, but the main idea is that they make a lot of money. He told me that I should get a job there after my mission since I know Spanish and English to make some money. It could be good, but I'd kinda like to stick around Idaho!

Wrapped presents from home under his tree!!

We also have two other investigators named Ever and Teresa who are progressing like crazy! They read the introduction to the Book of Mormon, and when we asked them about it, they remembered who the Nephites were, the Lamanites, the Jaredites, Joseph Smith, the 8 Witnesses, and everything. Right now we're working on getting them married. They have the desire, so we're just helping them along the way. Ever even talked to his boss to get Sundays off so he can go to church! They were a huge blessing!

Alma 32:15

Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: It's really made me think on the changes I've made in my life, and how I can better my own life. It's really strengthened my testimony of the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (How has seeing change in others, changed you?)

Mom:  We've been doing a lot of service and giving out contact cards with the name of the video and the webpage for Light the World.  (In what ways have you been able to participate in the Light the World initiative?)

Holly: Getting family and friends together and eating a ton of delicious food :)  (Tell me about your favorite Mexican tradition at Christmas?)

Sam: No.  ( Do you and your companion exchange gifts?)

Dylan: ummm if you can, A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief, if not, Nearer My God to Thee  (What hymn would you like me to play for you on the violin when we Skype on Christmas?)

Monday December 11th, 2017

Hey guys!

Well, first off, my toe. It's doing a ton better! The doctor still hasn't told me I can get out and go like normal, but we're doing it anyway. This week I started to use my normal shoe because I've gotten sick and tired of my sandal ha-ha!  It seems to be working just fine!

So, the other day we were walking to an appointment in an apartment. The apartment that we were going to is set behind an apartment where a member lives. While we were walking up to the apartments, the Sister walked out of her apartment smoking a cigarette! In my mind I was like what?! When she saw us, she got really embarrassed and hid her cigarette behind her back. We actually eat with her every other week, and she's got a good sense of humor. I walked up to her, and just smiled and said, "Let's see if we have a gift for you haha!" I reached inside my bag and pulled the pamphlet entitled "The Word of Wisdom" and handed it to her smiling. She started to laugh a little and just shook her head. She felt awful though. I don't know if she read it or not, but I had to lighten the mood for her a little.

Well, I haven't really described what Cabo San Lucas is to you guys, so I guess it's time. My area is the area farthest away from the beach, which means it's the area furthest away from the touristy parts. The touristy parts are really cool according to the pics that I've seen, but my area is a little more poor. There are a lot of sand/dirt streets with a lot of homes made out of scrap wood and metal. There are a ton of little kids and dogs running around everywhere. If you'd like to look it up on Google maps, our area is from the Colonia Lomas del Sol to the Colonia Gastelum.

My companion and I are getting along pretty well, and I honestly don't know what's going to happen this transfer. It's possible that we both stay here, but I don't think so. I think that there's a better chance of him leaving, but who knows!

Have a great week! I love you guys!

2 Nephi 9: 41-43

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: Yeah, but the appointments are at lunch time, because that's the big meal of the day here.  (Do you have regular dinner appointments set at church?)

Mom: Some eat turkey, but according to our investigators, a lot of them are going to eat Posoli.  (What are the traditional foods eaten at Christmas in Mexico?)

Holly: As missionaries we don't really go into depth about the 2nd Coming with our investigators but, the signs are being completed. In my personal opinion, it's very close. Nobody knows the time or the hour, but before I got to the mission, the other mission president felt the impression to say in a missionary meeting that many of the sisters and elders present, would be alive during the 2nd Coming. I also have felt the impression multiple times that it's close. Make sure that you keep holding on the iron rod, so that you're prepared to meet your Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.  (How hard is it for your investigators to comprehend the second coming and how fast it is approaching?)

Sam: The great food!  (What are you looking forward to the most on Christmas besides talking to us?)

Dylan: Ha-ha! the food. I love it!  (What is your favorite thing about Christmas in Mexico?)

Monday December 4th, 2017

Hey guys!

This week was pretty good! First, I'll let ya know how it went with the Doctor. He said that it's doing really well and that it'd be hard to get infected at this point. He told me that I can now work half days in streets without dirt, but I've been working in the dirt full time for the past two weeks and the Lord is healing my foot, so I think I'm gonna keep putting my trust more in the Lord than in man. I still have to wear my sandal, but we're working hard.

  

Our week was a little crazy. We had a baptism, a zone conference, stake conference, splits with the Assistant to the President, and a ton of reports.

The baptism went pretty good, but it was on the day that we had to buy all the food for the zone conference, so it was a pretty packed day. His baptism was on Friday, which is the day that we do weekly planning, which took up most of the morning. After weekly planning we went to the church, which takes us about 30 min by bus. We filled up the baptismal font and started planning out our report for the zone conference. When the baptismal font was full, we left to go to Costco to buy the food for the zone conference, but Costco is about 40 minutes from the church building. We bought all the stuff and then went back to our area. We didn't get back to our area till about 4 pm, and we usually eat at 2 pm, but since we didn't have time, we ate at 4 pm. Once we ate, we passed by for Socorro, and went to the church building for his baptism which started at 6 pm. It was a pretty crazy day!

The Zone Conference was really good! President really focused on the Sister Missionaries, and the power that they have to share the gospel. It was really cool! In Stake Conference he talked about his favorite super hero, the missionaries. He explained what exactly we do, and that we need all the help we can get from the members. It was a really powerful talk!

Helaman 5: 9-12

I love you guys! Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: There are quite a few stray dogs, and my comp is afraid of them haha and the food from the street vendors smells amazing!  (Cabo have a lot of stray dogs? and How are the street vendors:)? )

Mom: ice-cream and tacos  (What did you buy with the pesos Sister Grover gave you?)

Holly: Humility and a desire to serve.  (What attribute is key to being a good leader?)

Sam: I just open my scriptures and share the first scripture I see. (How do you decide what scriptures to send to us?)

Dylan: We don't have time to bake treats :(  (Do you ever get to bake treats? and if so...Whats your favorite? )

Monday November 27th, 2017

Hey guys! Well, I´m still waiting for the pics from the elk hunt.... haha!

My toe is doing quite a bit better. I have a doctor´s appointment on Thursday, so we´ll see what he says. The cookies were amazing! There are still a few left. I have now read all of the letters, and yes, I was surprised by quite a few. Thanks for all the support!

Forest has always loved Mustangs!

This week we were contacting an apartment, and nobody opened the door. We had started from the top, and worked our way down. We were knocking on the last door when an SUV pulled up. I looked at my companion and said maybe she lives here? When she walked up to us she said "Hi elders!" in my mind I was like, member. She ended up telling us that she's been inactive for quite a while, but her husband isn't a member and wanted to talk with us. We sent an appointment and had a great lesson with them. He works all week, but has Sunday off. They said that they were going to go to church, but didn't end up going.

On Saturday were walking to an appointment and we contacted a guy walking in the other direction. His name is Eleazar. He's only 21 but he started asking us questions like, "When Jesus said in the Bible that He has other sheep that aren't of this fold, what did He refer to?" and "When Christopher Columbus came to the Americas, there were already people here. Where did they come from?" They were perfect questions for the Book of Mormon to answer. We shared a few scriptures with him to answer his questions then gave him the book and invited him to go to church; and he went! He's a person that has really been prepared by the Lord and I am grateful for the opportunity to help him find the correct path. 

Gregorio's baptism went great! The sister missionaries also had a baptism, and they planned out everything. It was the first baptism I've had without a ton of stress attached to it. I felt really weird, but super happy! Gregorio was baptized by Brother Guillermo, and I was really happy because Gregorio's girlfriend went to his baptism as well. She hasn't showed any interest in the gospel before, but we hope that she'll start listening to us. We don't know where she lives, but she's at Gregorio's house a lot.

Mosiah 4: 14-15

Mosiah 5:5

Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions?

Dad: Being able to see and hear the people from different states of Mexico. The accents are quite a bit different.  (What is your favorite thing in Cabo?)

Mom: To trust more in the Lord.  (What have you learned from the trial of your toe?)

Holly: Listening  (What is the most important thing when teaching a lesson?)

Sam: Yeah. There's just about all the candy bars here. Especially because there are a lot of Americans here.  (Are you able to get any American candy bars besides the ones that we have sent you?)

Dylan: Pretty much the same thing.  (Do you do the same things every p-day or do you switch it up?)

Monday November 20th, 2017

Hey guys!

Wow! What a surprise! I was not expecting 2 huge bags! Thanks for all the letters and stuff. I really do appreciate all the support! It made me really happy.

All the letters and "stuff" from family and friends

The other day we were street contacting, and we were knocking on a door, when we heard from behind us, "Are you guys from the same congregation from here in Lomas del Sol?" We turned around to see a short Jehovah's Witness Lady. We looked at her and said, no, we're the true church. Nah, just kidding. We told her that we were missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She just said oh, and walked away. But we thought it was pretty funny haha.

Well, Gregorio fell into temptation again on Saturday due to his girlfriend. He has now decided to leaver her once and for all. He also has gotten two of his friends who live next to him in on listening to us and to stop drinking. Yesterday we went by and wrote out some goals and plans such as reading the scriptures, praying, going to church, doing the 12 Steps, etc, and had all of them sign it to confirm that they would keep the rules and help the others to stay in line.

Socorro is still going good! His learning process is a little bit slower, but he's progressing quite a bit.

My toe is doing quite a bit better. My next appointment is in a week and a half. The shoe does help a ton! I can now walk a lot better. I'm just worried that I'll forget that my toe is injured and it'll end up more swollen, but we'll see how it goes.

Mark 8:35

I love you guys! Have a great week!

-Forest

Questions:

Dad: yeah we can, I just haven't. I'll try to take one this week. (Can you still make videos and send them? or have the rules changed?)

Mom: My Mission President hasn't told me anything, and the doctor says that it looks really good. I took a picture of it this morning and sent it to you. (When do you go to the doctor again for your toe or what did he say this week and how is your mission president doing about how much you have been able to do?)

Holly: Not a ton. (Do you do a lot of service labor in your area?)

Sam: We're looking for a new one, but there aren't a ton of options.  (Did you have to move apartments?)

Dylan: Read the Book of Mormon daily. You also asked me to look for a scripture for you in you letter to me, so here it is: D&C 24:8  (How can I make my testimony stronger?)