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.  😊)

Monday March 26th, 2018

Dang! Sam looks like he's getting really tall from the pic!

As to the question of if I'm getting taller, I think the correct question would be if I'm getting wider haha! Nah, I think I'm about the same height and width.  We no longer have to hand wash our laundry.  There is a member here with a laundry service.

Having fun with his companion.

This week was an alright week. We're teaching an 18 year old girl whose grandma was baptized last September. She's been listening to the missionaries since last May and hasn't accepted the invitation to be baptized. Well, she finally accepted it. Her name is Mineyko. We thought that the reason that she didn't want to be baptized had something to do with not wanting to repent, but we finally found out the real reason. She didn't want the missionaries to stop coming by. We assured her that we would still come by, since we have to teach recent converts all the lessons again. She then accepted the baptismal date. This happened last week, and her baptismal date was for this Friday, the 30th, but when she talked to her mom and dad about her wanting to be baptized, they told her that she didn't have permission, that they wouldn't allow her to do it. Well, she's 18 so she can do it if she wants to, but she's afraid that her parents wont pay for her schooling if she gets baptized.  We have an appointment with her tonight, so we'll see how it goes.  The other day we talked with her and her mom for like 3 hours trying to convince her with scriptures and the whole 9 yards, and at the end of the discussion she said, "I know it's true, but no." I was like, are you kidding me? So pray for Mineyko please.

We also found out why Raul doesn't want to be baptized yet. His wife, who is a member, yells at him all the time, and sometimes yells cuss words. She also talks badly about him to their kids. He told us that he knows that the church is true, and wants to be baptized, but not until he has the support of his wife. Yesterday we talked to the Bishop, so we'll see how it goes this week. He's a really great guy.

Yesterday, we were coming out of Sacrament Meeting, and I was met by a huge surprise! Standing outside the building waiting for me, was the Abitia family from Navolato. They came over to see me! It was amazing! They told me that they want to buy me a cake one of these days since I got transferred out of Navolato on my birthday. It made me so happy to see them! All the kids except for the oldest, who is a teenage girl, wanted to give me hugs. It was awesome!

I love you guys! Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: They're doing good. They're a little small for my feet, and they have a few paint stains, but other than that they're doing good. I'll definitely have to buy shoes that are size 10 1/2. These ones are size 10.  (Since you don't do anything fun, how are the Nike's holding up?)

Mom: I may have grown a little. Maybe. haha I really like the flavor Root beer, and strawberry :)  (Have you gotten any taller since you left?  What is your favorite snow cone flavor?)

Holly: Make sure that he respects you, have fun, and keep the commandments. Make sure that he knows that if he hurts you in any way, shape, or form, your big brother will be home in just a couple months haha ;)  (Brotherly advice on dating????)

Sam: I'm sure I stalled it more than once haha but great job bud!  (So how many times did you stall grandpa's truck when you fist drove it? Grandpa and I went for a drive and he said watch what I am doing.   Just a little further we switched spots.  I only stalled once!  It was my first try and haven't stalled since.)

Dylan: I have an idea, but let me search a little more before I give you the answer.  (If people in the Bible grew to be hundreds of years old why don't we?  How did it change?)

Elder Hernandez, one of Forest's former companions that has completed his mission, sent the next 10 photos to the Radmall family.

Tuesday March 20th, 2018

Hey guys!

This week was crazy! We lost two days due to having to round up baptismal records, search for signatures, and take them to the mission offices. We actually entered a High School for one of them haha it was pretty weird! We entered, asked for a certain person, they told us where he was, and they just let us pass by without anyone leading us. We found him, had him put his finger-print on the baptismal record, and we left. We also had to go to the school where the bishop works, which is downtown, super far away from where we live. But all in all, we got the records to the mission offices.

On Saturday, we went to see Raul, and had a big sore on his tongue that wouldn't let him eat or talk very well. He's been having problems with the Restoration and the Priesthood, but he asked us to give him a blessing. We gave him a blessing, committed him to go to church, even though his member wife wouldn't be in town, and then we had to go. When we got to church he came over to us and stuck out his tongue haha but it was free of any sores! We then told him that the power of the Priesthood is real, and he said, "Yeah, I think it is." It was awesome! It was a huge testimony builder of the Priesthood.  We have an appointment with him tomorrow and we're hoping and praying that we can commit him to baptism.   

Raul and Elder Radmall

Raul Escalante

Olga Escalante

Daniel continues to progress a ton. He bore his testimony in Ward Conference, and we're trying to get him called as a ward missionary.

My companion and I get along great! He's from the Lima West mission.

I love you guys! Have a great week!

-Elder Radmall

Questions:

Dad: Every once in a while there's a word here and there, but not too often.  (Do you ever struggle with your Spanish in shopping or non gospel topics?)

Mom: He's a great guy! He likes to skateboard.  (Tell us about your new companion.  What part of Lima is he from? )

Holly: A lot of times, they express their love more openly to the people.  (How do the sisters differ from the elders in their way of teaching?)

Sam: 8  (How many sisters are in your zone?)

Dylan: nope  (Other than your toe and the time you had to go to the hospital, have you gotten sick or had to be on any medicines?)