Monday May 14th, 2018

HAPPY MOTHER´S DAY!!!!!!!!!!

Well, Dylan, you need a haircut bud.  (referencing a photo sent to Forest)

This week went by super fast! So, we have church a 10 am and we eat at 2 pm. After church, we have Ward Council, and we have to drop Jesús off at his house. Well, yesterday, Ward Council went a little long, and we ended up getting to Jesús´s house at 2 pm, and our food appointment was super far away. So, we started walking to our appointment, when a guy yelled at us and motioned for us to come over to him. He told us that he was the owner of the taco business, and asked us if we wanted to eat. We told him that we were on our way to eat, but he insisted on giving us food. He gave us a complete order of meat, with the tortillas, salsas, onions, and pop that we ate on our way to the food appointment. When we got to the food appointment, the sister gave us chicken soup, and cake. We were so stuffed! It was awesome!

This week we were also able to place a baptismal date for the first week in June, and we plan on putting another one this Wednesday with her daughter. They, as well as Jesús went to church which was awesome! On Friday, we also took 3 youth to mutual, which was pretty sweet! They re-enacted Lehi's vision and then we explained what it all meant afterwards. Jesús loved it! and the other two youth thought it kinda iffy.

I got the Higginson's,  Mom's and Holly's letters today. Thanks!

I love you guys! Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: Actually I have told it to a few of my companions who also like that type of humor. They thought it was hilarious. haha  (Have you told anyone your blue Mexican joke?  haha)

Mom: Probably all the little jokes with Jesús and his family. They're a lot like our family.  ( What was the funniest thing that happened to you this week?)

Holly: Talk about or think about how you can apply what you read/studied to your own life.  (How can we make our scripture study more meaningful?)

Sam: Nope, not yet. but I'm getting there! can you?  (Can you do 100 push-ups in 2 minutes yet?)

Dylan: If they've made any positive changes.  (How can we know if we have had an affect on people for the good?)

Monday May 7th, 2018

Hey guys!

Congrats Sam on going to the Temple! That makes me super happy that you want to be in the House of the Lord. I know you had ISATs, and it was super early in the morning, but I also know that the Lord blessed you immensely for going to the Temple. Great job on working for the Lord!

  

(Forest got to call one last time as a missionary for Mother's Day.  He called from a member's home.  He had to think about how to say some words in English.  We talked about what he wants to eat when he gets home in 4 weeks...steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, and a good salad with ranch dressing.  He also mentioned wanting desserts and jerky.  Sounds like he has missed meat.)

We've been working crazy hard! Committing people to go to church every day of the week, doing brief visits every day, sending message reminders every night, and praying for them. And only one kid went. I don't know what else we can do to help them. But on the bright side, the kid that went is named Jesús, and he´s 12 years old. He loved church! At first, he helped us convince his mom to let him go, then we talked to the Young Men's President to invite him to mutual on Friday, and then Jesús told us, and his mom that he wants to go to mutual and to church again on Sunday! It was awesome! We're now trying to focus on his entire family. Yesterday we gave service as well to them. His mom makes tortillas, so we helped her make 15 kilos of tortillas! haha but as we were making the tortillas, we talked about the Plan of Salvation. It was a pretty cool experience.

There was a lot more reverence at church yesterday as well, which I really appreciated! I hope it continues to get better!

I love you all! Have a great week!  Talk you to in 2 hours!  (He called for Mother's Day on his p-day.)

-Elder Radmall

Videos from our Mother's Day Skype call...(Funny thing...Forest could not hear his mom's voice very well...haha!)

Questions:

Dad: Yes, I still get hot easy, but I'm sure I'll freeze back home.    It's being received really well. Yesterday, priesthood was on ministering, and how we do it. I´m really excited to work with it back home. (Do you still get hot easy? You may freeze here:) Also, How has the ministering been received in Mexico?)  (your questions from your letter) More about the city- it´s pretty dirty. There are immigrants from Central America travelling to the U.S. who beg for money at a few speed bumps. How is street contacting now that you know Spanish- a lot better, and a lot easier. It's now a lot easier to get to know the person and relate something to the gospel. Do you run into gangs?- there really aren't gangs here like back home, they travel more in secret for the most part. From what I've heard, they only travel in big groups when they're going to fight.

Mom: Raul still hasn't decided to get baptized, and 5 de Mayo practically doesn't exist here.  (Any news on Raul getting baptized?  How was Cinco de Mayo? )

Holly: To Los Cabos, and I've heard that Mazatlán is really pretty.  (Would you want to take your wife back to your mission?  If so, what are the top places that you would want to take her?)

Sam: I like knowing where the food comes from, and potatoes.  What is your favorite thing about having a garden?  What is your favorite plant to grow in the garden?)   (your questions from your letter) ideas for downstairs- a workout area. Are you excited to go to Garden Valley? yes.  Should I (Sam) buys a pistol from the S.O.? yes. How tall are you? 5ft 11in Shoe size? 10 1/2. Favorite color? blue.

Dylan: I'm not exactly sure, I like a lot of them. But I'm gonna let my wife pick.  ( What temple do you want to be married in?)  (question from you letter) what song should I play with Holly at the piano? The Spirit of God.

Monday April 30th, 2018

Hey guys! I don't have a ton of time. This week went by crazy fast! The area is pretty dead as far as progressing investigators go so, we contacted a ton! We ended up having 12 new investigators and we committed 9 people to go to church. The sad thing is that none of them were able to go. But for me, it's bitter sweet. I'm sad that they couldn't go, but also glad because sacrament meeting was awful. I honestly didn't feel the Spirit for all the things that happened. Hopefully next week will be better. We have two families that we are teaching and are progressing quite a bit. We're hoping to commit a few people to baptism this week. 

I'll have to let you know more about the area and my comp next week. I love you guys! Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: I haven't seen a cool sombrero yet, and I'm gonna ask permission to go to the store at the baseball stadium to find a cool Tomato hat.  (Have you found a sombrero or Tomato's baseball?...Tomato's is the professional baseball team in Culiacan.)

Mom: Raul still hasn't been baptized, I got letters from Dad, Sam, and Dylan. and no.  (Did you get to baptize Raul?  Have you gotten any of our letters yet?  Have you gotten any of your travel information for coming home?)

Holly: Not a whole lot. When they do, just to give us a fist bump.  (Do the little kids come up to you a lot?  What do they say/do?)

Sam: At 5pm  (Any idea what time you will be calling for Mother's Day?)

Dylan: You will be received into the kingdom of Heavenly Father.  (D & C 81:6-7  What does it mean to have a crown if we are faithful to the end?  Also, read D & C 82:10.)

Monday April 23rd, 2018

Hey guys!

Well, I got transferred. It's a little weird transfer but I'm super excited for it. I'm in the same zone, but as Senior Companion. My companion is Elder Encarnaciòn and is from the Dominican Republic. He has been out for 7 months. President wrote me and told me that I need to help him with his obedience and what not. So we're gonna work hard! Ever since I was made a Zone Leader, I haven't had too much time for personal study, nor any time to relax at night for phone calls and what not; but now that I just have to focus on my area and my companion, I'll have plenty of time to study. I'm super excited for that!

But, I'm pretty sad to leave the people in Barrancos behind. They are really starting to progress, and we had a baptismal date for this week. One of our invs told me that he wanted me to baptism him. Since I'm still close by, I'll most likely ask permission. I've really come to love that old guy. His name is Raùl.

I wasn't able to take pics with any of our invs because we didn't find out about our transfers until last night and we transferred in this morning which makes me a little upset. The cool thing is that our last day in the mission we can roam around Culiacàn taking pics with invs and what not. So I'll definitely be coming over here.

I love you guys! Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: The people.  (What will you miss most about Mexico?)

Mom: My time in Navolato. I really enjoyed it!  (What has been your funnest experience in Mexico?) 

Holly: You get used to it haha  (How weird is it to share a room with guys you really don't know?)

Sam: Apart from the family, guns. (What are you looking forward to most when you get home?)

Dylan:  Agua de Cevada (Barley Water) it sounds weird, but it`s amazing!  (What has been your favorite drink in Mexico?)

Monday April 16th, 2018

Hey guys!

Not quite Idaho, but close!

Wow! What a week! Well, we've been having a hard time finding new people to teach, like 3-7 a week, but this week we were able to find 11! Finally! It's never been so hard for me to find new people to teach. With one of them we challenged him to be baptized in the 2nd lesson, and he accepted! but... he didn't go to church because he had to work, so he date fell through, but we're gonna talk to him about that tomorrow.

So, I think it was Thursday, we were walking in the street and we passed by this house that really loud music playing. I looked at my companion and said, "we need to contact that house" . So we yelled until someone came out, and it turns out that she's been a member for about 25 years but stopped going to church about 20 years ago. She now has two kids who are not members and are now being taught the lessons. It was an awesome experience!

We also challenged a lady named María to be baptized and she accepted! It's gonna be pretty sweet because she only has one leg, so we'll have to put a chair in the water and have a couple guys help her in. She's progressing a ton! Sh'´s never liked to read, but is now reading the Book of Mormon. She's "Catholic" and has the church really close to her house, but comes to church with us, and likes it. The sisters have actually already planned to go and visit her house.

A member lent me a pioneer book they bought in Utah.  Look what I found inside!!  (The Loader family is one of our Pioneer families that came across the plains to Salt Lake from England.  The Radmall's come through Maria Loader who was 19 years old when they came to Utah.  Patience was her sister.)

Yesterday, 20 minutes before church started, we were walking in the street to pass by for some investigators when we received a message from the bishop asking us to speak in Sacrament Meeting.... 

It went alright. I talked about how we all have challenges and temptations in life, but it's super important to put God first and fulfill our callings.

I love you guys! Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: Super great!  (How are you getting along with your companion?)

Mom: Finding the house of the less active and talking in Sacrament Meeting with only a few minutes of preparation.  (What has been your most spiritual experience this week?  What has been the hardest struggle?)

Holly: Sportsmen's Warehouse haha for food-Hot Rod Grill. I also like going to Shoshone Falls, and Dierkes.  (What is your favorite place to visit in Twin Falls?)

Sam: Great question! My comp doesn't even know.  (What was the animal that you sent a photo of 2 weeks ago?)

Dylan: No, because I've been studying for our investigators.  (Have you finished my scripture challenge?

Monday April 9th, 2018

Hey guys!

Wow! What a week! This was the fastest week of my entire mission! Monday, a normal P-Day. Tuesday, the multi-zone meeting. Wednesday, normal work day. Thursday, splits with the APs. Friday, normal day which includes a two hour weekly planning session. Saturday, normal working day. We only had three days to work! It was crazy, and it sucked haha! We weren't able to work very well because on Wednesday we had to do a lot of follow up visits because we weren't able to work on Tuesday. And Friday was full of appointments because we couldn't work on Thursday, and Friday morning is when we do weekly planning. Saturday was full of short visits reminding people to go to church. It was crazy! We had 12 people committed to go to church, and we were super excited! The most I've ever had was 10. Well, we left the house early Sunday morning to pass by for all of them, and we had also found people to give them rides to church. Well, a few had go to work, so weren't at home, others told that they were going to change their clothes and never showed up. All in all, four investigators  went to church, which isn't bad, but we've gotta figure out what happened to the other 8 haha.

We're working with Raul again for this Saturday. He knows he needs to do it, and wants to do it, but he's been having problems with his wife, who is a member. So, we've been focusing a ton on the family, and we've talked to the bishop as well. The other day we had a super direct lesson with them. It was basically a marriage council haha but it turned out really well. Please pray for them.

Holy Burrito Batman!!

I love you guys! Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: They've been talking quite a bit. Mineyko has shared her testimony, as well has Lana. Mineyko's mom is starting to listen a litlle more, so we´ll see what happens.  (Tell me about that investigator that contacted Lana in California.)

Mom: It's starting to warm up, but so far so good as far as people accepting the message go.  (How is your weather right now and does the weather affect the people accepting or not accepting your message?)

Holly: Depends on what it's for.  (What would you pick... silver, gold, or black?)

Sam: There's a lot of them. But I really like 3rd Nephi because it talks about when Jesus Christ came to the Americas and explains His doctrine really well. I encourage you to read it as a family.  (What is your favorite book/story in the scriptures?)

Dylan: Blue. I don't know haha it's just always been blue.  (What is your favorite color and why?)

Monday April 2nd, 2018

Hey guys! I don't have a ton of time because we were helping a recent convert, but wow! What a week! I have felt the Spirit more strong than I have in my entire life! First off, we were able to commit new people to baptism. One is a guy who was baptized not too long ago in an Apostolic Church, but has now gone to the LDS church twice, reads the Book of Mormon, loves the Book Mormon, and prays. He's progressing a ton! We just have to get over the fact that he will no longer be a part of the other church. He committed to us to pray and ask God if the LDS church is the true church. His name is Gustavo.

The other person that committed to baptism is Daniel's grandma's sister. She is super excited to learn more, and in particular to have her faith grow.

General Conference was AMAZING! Wow! I've never felt the Spirit so strongly and consistently before. I can't describe how I felt. I think the changes will really help us be more united, and better disciples of Christ. I also think that it's interesting how much they focused on the Book of Mormon last conference, and personal revelation this conference. The 2nd Coming is really near, and people are going to persecute us, and try to deceive us. Now is the time to have a strong testimony of this gospel to not fall later on, and to not be tricked by the Devil. Remember all the promises promised by the Prophets and Apostles about reading the Book of Mormon is true. I know that it's true, I know that Russell M. Nelson is a prophet of God, and I know that this church is true. 

I love you all! 

Have a great week! 

Helaman 3:28-30

-Elder Radmall

We make doughnuts during Saturday's conference session.  Guess Forest made sure they got some too.  :)

Questions:

Dad: I think that it'll be a great change!  (What are your thoughts on one Priesthood (Elders) Quorum?)

Mom: I have not gotten your letters yet. His name is Bryon Malpartida.  ( Favorite parts of conference.  Have you gotten any of our letters?  (What is your companion's name?  You only told us Byron before.)

Holly: Most people tell us that they don't need our help :(  (What kind of service opportunities do you have?)

Sam: No, it's a normal area.  (Are you in a poor area like when you were in Cabo?)

Dylan: A red doberman. I think that these changes will start to weed out the people that don't have a strong testimony of this church, and unify those that do. (Answer to last week's question) 2 Nephi 2:21  (What kind of dog do you want to own?  What kind of impact do you think the changes announced in conference will have on the church?  (Don't forget to answer my question from last week.  😊)