Monday April 24th, 2017

Hey guys!

This week was quite a bit slower. We're really close to the beach, and I think 90% of Navolato went there. There weren't hardly anybody in the streets! Contacting was quite difficult, but we made one contact, that was 100% by the Spirit. There's a little plaza in part of the city, and we went there to go contacting. We weren't sure who to go talk to. Elder Arzate looked at me and said, what do you think? I said a little prayer, and said him. An older guy in a cowboy hat, and a button down shirt. So we went over to go talk to him. We found out that he's been divorced for quite a while, and feels really lonely. We shared a little bit about faith, and prayer, and then made an appointment to go visit him. Oh, we also left him a pamplet to read. So, a few days later we went to his house to visit him. He was sitting outside, waiting for us. We taught lesson 3, which is faith, repentance, baptism, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. He had read his pamplet, and rememberred it, and understood it extremely well. During the lesson, we felt prompted to invite him to be baptized. He accepted! His baptismal date is the 3rd of June. We invited him to go to church with us, and he went! He loved it. He said that it doesn't matter if we get transferred, he wants to continue going to church. He's an amazing investigator!

We also were able to invite someone else to be baptized. Her name is Isabell. She was an investigator before we got here, but we taught lesson 2, the Plan of Salvation, with the kit, thanks! She understood it perfectly, and accepted the invitation to be baptized on the 6th of May. She also went to church yesterday. It was a pretty good week, just a little slow with contacting.

Earlier this week, we got asked to go visit an elderly lady who's been a member for quite a while, but her health is failing, and wanted us to visit her. When we got there, she started telling us about her family, then she started crying, and told us that she has planned her whole funeral, right down to what hymns will be sung. She asked us to give her a blessing, and I had the opportunity to give it to her. During the blessing I felt prompted to say "You have completed your purpose here on the earth". It scared me to death to say that, but as soon as I said it, I felt the Spirit super strong! It was an amazing experience. 

Two days ago, our Bishop's father passed away in his home, which has been a little tough for them. We went to visit them with Hermano Francisco, which is who we live with. We were with the family for about an hour, and we helped them put the body in the casket. It was amazing to me to see the difference in the reactions of those who have a knowledge of the Plan of Salvation, and those who don't. Life doesn't end with death, and I think I realized that more than I ever have before this week. 

I forgot to say that I got the packages, but no letters from the siblings.

Elder Radmall FINALLY received his Easter packages!!!

All in all, it was a pretty good week! I love you guys! Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Sandal is due to another in-grown toenail.

                                         

A bike ride just outside Navolato, Mexico.

Dad: Yes and yes. We communicate pretty well. We talk about whatever we want. My Spanish has improved quite a bit. He told me that I can speak Spanish, I just need a few minor corrections. And a bigger vocab haha  (Do you guys have companionship study, and can you communicate good with him?)

Mom: Yeah, it costs about 12 pesos for an hour.  (When you email from a ciber, does it cost you anything?  How does that work?)

Holly: There are regular grocery stores, and some little corner markets as well.  (What is grocery shopping like in Mexico...regular grocery stores?)

Sam: They have the same candy as we do, but they also have some Mexican candy. Honestly, I don't remember what they're called, but I'll try to remember for next week.  (What kind of candy and gum do you have there and what is your favorite?)

Dylan: I really like to little corner stores, because they're everywhere! Whenever we need something, we can just go.  (Describe the other stores in your area...what is your favorite one and why?)

Monday April 17th, 2017

Hey guys! This week was pretty good! I found a 9mm shell on the ground haha!!  I love training! I can do more of the things how I like to do them. The area is super big! and there´s a ton of work to do here! Our Area Book doesn't have much in it, and the people that it does have, don´t have addresses or phone numbers, which is really frustrating! But this week we made 28 contacts, and we have 9 new investigators. The elder I´m training is Elder Arzate, from Mexico City. He tells me that I´m super obedient, which I take as a compliment haha! His brother is also serving a mission in Sonora.

This area, Navolato, reminds me a lot of Twin.

  

With the river, canals, fields, and everything. 

The people here are really receptive. The ward is pretty small though, about 50 people attend the meeting. I guess there are a lot of in-actives. On Wednesday we went to eat with one of the members, and she had us sit down on her couch while she finished preparing the food. After a minute or so she came back in and told us that her husband is inactive, and that if we want to talk to him we can. He was sitting out front, so we got up to go talk to him. When we were in front of him, Elder Arzate said, "Do you believe in God?" and he said "Do you?" Elder Arzate replied, "yes." and this inactive member said "Good for you." I was like, bro. you don´t start the conversation like that with and inactive member haha!! So, I just started talking to him, turns out he´s a mechanic, so we talked quite a bit about that. We gave him our number for if he needs anything, and then he actually ate with us. 

When we got to church, in walked this inactive member. His name is Ricardo, and I guess he was the bishop like 30 years ago. Hopefully he comes this Sunday too.

After church we talked a lot with the bishop. I guess the ward is really divided, so we planned an activity to try and reunite the ward. The bishop is a good guy.  He told us that he´s always had this type of idea, he´s just never done it.

Our ward mission leader, Fidel, is a real good guy. He reminds me a ton of Grandpa Tucker. How he talks, walks, his actions,  everything reminds me of Grandpa Tucker which has been fun. He took us out to lunch today for sushi.

 

Our room

                             

 

I´ve also received letters this past week. From mom and dad with the Plan of Salvation kit, Grandma Tucker, and from the Higgensens. Thanks for all the love and support! and Congratulations Holly! (Getting asked to prom) That's awesome! I hope you have a great time!

I love you guys! Have an awesome week!

-Elder Radmall

Dad: I´m loving it! but it can be a little difficult at times.  It´s a  little stressful, but I like it. (How are you liking training a new companion?)

Mom: It´s a lot like my other ones. Really small, but there are quite a few more kids in this one.  (How is your new ward?)

Holly: He´s a good guy, he´s missing his girlfriend.   (Tell me about your new companion.)

Sam: It´s about 50/50.  (Are the roads paved in your new area?)

Dylan: It´s quite a bit smaller than the other ones I've lived in, and it´s above the house of some members.  ( Tell me about your new home.)

Monday April 10th, 2017

Hey guys! So first off, I'm getting transferred! I'm going to an area called Navolato. About two months ago the missionaries there got robbed. I will also be training a new missionary. Elder Minarik told me that the hardest thing to do in the mission, is open an area, and train at the same time, which is what I'll be doing. Everyone we talk to tells me that the area is super dangerous, that I need to be careful, but the area is really pretty! It's a little poor town. I'm really excited, but also pretty nervous.

Earlier this week, we were gonna go help the Sister Missionaries do a service project for one of their investigators. They weren't able to go on their own because their investigator is a guy, and lives alone. But anyway, the Sister Missionaries had found a box of kittens on the side of the road, and were trying to find a home for them. The service project fell through, so we tried to help them find a home for the kittens for about 20 minutes with no luck. Elder Hernandez got quickly attached to them. Finally, the Sister Missionaries called us and let us know that they found a home for them. I'm not sure who was happier...me, or Elder Hernandez haha

 

In this past General Conference, President Uchtdorf encouraged us to learn more about the signs of the Second Coming.  In the Spanish Book of Mormon, there's a section entitled "Signs of the Times". I went through every reference and looked it up in English so I would understand everything, and so I could really study it. I studied it for 4 hours on a day when Elder Hernandez was sick. After those 4 hours, I knew a lot more, and had 7 pages of notes. It was awesome!

At one point during the week, Elder Hernandez asked me how I learned Spanish so quickly. I didn't know that I knew very much, but he told me that I understand just about everything, which is extremely weird for the amount of time I have been in the mission, so that was pretty cool.

On Saturday, we were saying goodbye to the Davalos family, and they were getting ready to go on vacation. Gregorio, the dad, was assembling a cargo holder thing that goes on the top of the car, and he could not figure out a certain part. He had watched videos, but just couldn't get it. He asked me to help him, and I got it super quick. It was awesome!

Elder Radmall following directions.

Lightning McQueen!!!

 

I love you guys! Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: I'm doing great!  (How's your health?)

Mom: I think mostly just getting excited to share the gospel.   (What are the greatest needs of the people in your ward?)

Holly: My favorite hymn is "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief". At first, yeah it was kinda hard, but not anymore now that I know how to pronounce the words.  (What is your favorite hymn and is it hard to sing them in Spanish?)

Sam: The Valenzuela Family. We've grown really close to them.  (What will you miss most if you get transferred?)

Dylan: Thankfully no.  (Have you had to eat any dog meat?)

Email #2  (After he got to his new area)

I still haven't had time to read the letters, we've been super busy with the new missionaries. I got three from home, one from Maddie, and one from the Higginsons. The missionaries in the mission offices didn't say anything to me about any packages, but I'm sure that they're under a lot of stress right now due to lots of new missionaries coming in today.   My companion is native. His name is Elder Arzate, from Mexico City.

My other areas were (sorry, don't remember how to say it in English) bien tranquilo, but this area isn't, so I'm gonna have to really bring out my street skills. Yeah, my companion is pretty cool. He has two older brothers, one serving a mission right now, and the other returned about 9 years ago from this mission. I think we're gonna have an awesome time!

I'm in my new area right now. It's flippin' huge! it's big enough that we have bikes. The bikes are the mission's.  Tomorrow we're gonna have to study the map like crazy and try to talk to some members. We live on the second floor of some members who are awesome! They told us that the bishop lives far away from our home, so that'll suck. I'm about to get comfortable talking in Spanish on the phone. I've literally been on the phone all day trying to get us a ride from the mission offices to the area, and I did okay.

The area is the city Navolato, and the little towns that surround it. It's a pretty dangerous area. A month or so ago, someone planted a bomb on a bus and blew it up, and about two months ago the missionaries got robbed while they were riding their bikes.

Love you guys!  Stay safe!

Monday April 3rd, 2017

Hey guys!

This week started out quite interesting. On Tuesday we had splits with the Zone Leaders. Usually I go with one of them, and Elder Hernandez with the other. But this time Elder Slocum had to go with the Assistants to the President, so we were in a trio with Elder Cancino.  We were standing outside her house talking to one of their investigators for a little while, then we were invited in. It was about a 45 minute lesson that Elder Cancino and I taught.  We taught about faith and repentance. The investigator was really receptive and had really good questions. 

Later in the day, we were crossing a street, and this guy stopped his truck and started yelling at us. He was saying that Americans are killing Mexicans and that Elder Cancino and Elder Hernandez need to run. That's the jist of it anyway. There were quite a few cuss words mixed in there as well. I thought it was kinda funny, but it was also a good reminder that I need to watch my back since there are people here who aren't American friendly.

We also have an investigator named Lucrecia. One time that we went to teach her this week, she was busy, but her grand-daughter that lives with her wants to learn English. Her name is Daniela and is about 6. We've had a couple lessons, but this time I had Elder Hernandez take a little video of part of it.

On Thursday, we had splits with Elder Meadows and Elder Calvo. This time I went with Elder Meadows. It was a really good day! We had 9 contacts, 7 lessons, and 4 new investigators. We work really well together! 

Elder Radmall and Elder Meadows

  

Burger King with Elder Meadows, Elder Calvo, Elder Radmall, and Elder Hernandez

We also had a lesson with Mario. It was a really strange lesson. He told us about 10 times that we're the best friends he's ever had. The sad part was that he was really drunk. He was slurring his words and drooling. So that was sad.

This General Conference was the best conference I've had. I felt the Spirit so strong! There was a lot about the Plan of Salvation, and the Holy Ghost. I just want to share a couple quotes that I really liked.

"If we are not rooted in Christ, the pains of this world will destroy us" -Ulisses Soares

"Do not lose you faith because of people around you" -Yoon Hwan Choi

The Elders that watched General Conference in the same building.

Elder Gummow (from Gilbert, Arizona) and Elder Radmall watching General Conference in the clerks office in English in Culiacan, Mexico.

I also really liked what Elder Bednar said about missionary work. That we are called to the work, and assigned to  an area. The place we serve doesn't  matter as much as the work we do.

This week was pretty good! I love you guys! Have an awesome week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: Conference. The Spirit I felt during conference was incredible! I was also able to watch it in English with Elder Gummow from Gilbert, Arizona.  (What touched your life the most this week?)

Mom: I really liked how much they talked about the Holy Ghost and how we need to follow the prompting the first time.  (What did you like best out of General Conference?)

Holly: That it doesn't matter who you are or what  you've done. Everyone can change. The changes I've seen in some people are incredible!  (What is the best life lesson that you have learned so far on your mission?)

Sam: It's  going to impact me and my future family and those around me immensely! Awesome prank by the way! hahaha  (How do you think your mission will impact you for the rest of your life?)

Dylan: No too much now. We drink a lot more of a juice type drink now.  (How much Coke do you drink?)

Monday March 27th, 2017

Hey guys!

Since you both had the question of where we'll be watching conference, I'm gonna answer it in the main letter. We'll be watching it at the church. Almost all of the members go to the church building to watch it. There's another Elder that's from Arizona that'll be there, so hopefully we can go to the clerk's office and watch it in English so we can hear their voices.

On Tuesday we had a multi-zone meeting. These meetings have gotten a lot better. Probably because I now understand what they're saying haha but I enjoy them. There were a lot of talks on obedience, repentance, baptismal dates, and teaching people, not lessons. It was a really good meeting.

After the meeting, which lasted till 5:00 in the afternoon, we went to visit Mario.  With this visit and the last one we've had with him, he's become really contentious. We're not sure what's happening. This time I was really direct with him about what our purpose is, and how we need to teach. We have a lesson with him this week, so hopefully this one is better. If not, we'll most likely stop teaching him for a while.

Dinner with Rosa Maria and Elder Hernandez in Culiacan, Mexico.

On Thursday, Elder Meadows and Elder Calvo had four investigators ready for baptism interviews. Since Elder Hernandez is the District Leader, he had to do the interviewing. We had one at 4, one at 5, one at 6, and one at 7. So we didn't have a ton of time to work in our area. But in that little time we had, we made 3 contacts, taught a lesson in which we made a baptismal date, and the other lesson we had a member that was able to teach with us. For the time we had to work, it was a great day! The area that we had to go to for the interviews, is close enough that we can take a bus. After we were done with the interviews, we went to wait for the bus to go home. Well, after one hour of waiting, the bus hadn't passed by, nor a taxi. But, something quite funny happened haha. So there we were, standing on the side of the road, in the dark, waiting for the bus. And this older guys comes jogging up the road in sandals and smoking a cigarette. When he got to be in front of us, he stopped, dropped to his knees, put his hands together like he was praying, and said (in Spanish) "With your permission", then stood up and kept running. I looked at Elder Hernandez and said, "I didn't give you permission haha". It was one of the weirdest, and funniest moments of my mission.

Elder Hernandez messing around

This week I was also able to teach more in the way I would like to. I've had a hard time coming up with examples in Spanish to help people understand better, but this week for some reason, I was able to come up with them.
It was awesome!

So, for the scripture this week. I felt impressed to share this scripture, and when I read it, I had second thoughts about it, but then the prompting came again to share it. I think that it's something that is quite often difficult for us to do, but is necessary. So here it is: Doctrine and Covenants 64: 9-10: 

"Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.

"I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men."

I love you guys! Have an awesome week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: We can't drink it, but we can brush our teeth with it.  (How safe is the water at homes and your place?)

Mom: Probably just getting together with other Elders and playing basketball. It feels nice to put on shorts and run.  (What is the coolest/funnest/most embarrassing p-day experience that you have had so far?)

Holly: I really like the parable of the lost sheep.  (What is your favorite parable and why?)

Sam: One interesting concept that I've learned was in priesthood the other week, but isn't super spiritual. It was about planning for the future. The question was "should we ask ourselves what do we want to study? or what career do we want?" the answer is what career do we want. If we don't know what career we want to go into, then we won't know what to study.  (What is the coolest thing that you have learned in church while in Mexico?)

Dylan: Preach my Gospel, Missionary Gospel Library, and Teachings from the Presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.   (What books do you read besides the scriptures?)

Monday March 20th, 2017

Hey guys! I can't believe that I've been out for 9 months tomorrow! That's crazy! It's gone by so fast!

Earlier this week, we went to visit Hector and Luis. Hector is 11 and Luis is 9. They're super smart, and have desires to learn more about the gospel. At the end of the lesson I felt prompted to invite them to be baptized, and they accepted. Now if we can only get them to church. We're gonna work on teaching their mom this week as well.

The steep steps going up towards the church

The Ward Mission Leader

We also went to teach Mario. He's a really good guy, but he was really contentious this week. It seemed like he was just trying to find ways to combat what we were saying. We invited him to pray and read the first pamphlet again this week.  We have an appointment with him on Wednesday, so hopefully he's cooled down by then, and actually prayed and read his pamphlet.  He's super smart, which is good, but can be hard because he reads with "Natural" eyes, and not "Spiritual", so he doesn't understand things completely, and often has questions from previous lessons, which is at times frustrating.

A little while ago, we had made a contact to a young couple named Jesus and Marivel. They're about 30 or so, and have two little kids, one being only 6 months. We passed by to teach them this week, and were joyfully accepted. They have their own juice business, and Jesus has another job, so we can only teach them together on Thursday and Friday, but they're awesome! Their business is closed on Sundays, and Jesus doesn't go in till 2 in the afternoon, so this week we're gonna invite them to go to church.

This morning we got together with Elder Meadows and his companion, and some of the members of the ward, and played Volleyball and Basketball. It was pretty fun, but it got super hot! Our feet got really hot with the concrete court!

Editor's note:  This video and photo were sent to Alisa on Facebook from Olga Raquel Arias Chong.  She is the Bishop's wife in the ward where Forest is serving in Culiacan, Mexico.  Raquel asked for the homemade pizza crust recipe that we use at home.  She had the missionaries over to make it on Monday March 20th, 2017.  They used hot dogs. mushrooms, and chile peppers as toppings.  She sent this video within a few hours of the missionaries being in their home.  Gotta love technology!

I don't just have one scripture for this week, but a story. For this week, I encourage you to read Matthew chapters 5-7. It's the Sermon on the Mount.

I love you guys! Have an awesome week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: I've really come to love reading and studying the gospel. It's something I look forward to every morning.  (How has your scripture study changed, since becoming a Missionary?)

Mom: My shoes are doing great. I felt like an idiot when I couldn't remember the word "Recipe" in the video that Raquel sent you haha and yes, the Restoration video is in you tube  (How are your shoes holding up with all your walking?  (We would love it if you answered the questions in our email too.  )

Holly: I love Enchiladas Suisas (if that's how you spell it haha) so I don't mind cooking those, but cereal is a lot easier haha  (What is your favorite thing to cook?)

Sam: Yes! We would die without one. Actually, for my first transfer, we didn't have one. We just used fans.  (Do you have an air conditioner?)

Dylan: hmmmmm This week we went through the old contacts we've made, and decided on which ones to go back and try to teach, and just about every one that we went back on, accepted us. So that was pretty cool.  (What spiritual thought have you had the most this week?)