Week 16 - Happy New Year - (January 5, 2015)

Hey guys! Another week of adventures in the world of Mexico!  Its going pretty well down here - it's been getting really cold lately (which is why I love that new jacket so much, mucho calor cuando yo lo llevo!!) and its been a pretty fun week. 

We had divisions twice this week, and the house that we went to for food on the 31st was the mas chorcho in Parral!   They seriously gave us an amazing meal. It was almost like a Thanksgiving dinner it was so amazing!

We have so many investigators now, its crazy difficult to get everyone in for lessons every day. I feel like I'm running around everywhere, which is great!

The New Years Eve was pretty awesome, though we had to enter the house at 7 (instead of 9) because of mission rules.  Then, at midnight, we woke up to a rush of gunfire!!!!  They have a tradition here where the just shoot their guns up in the air to celebrate the new year!  Its crazy!!!!!  We have a cement roof so we were fine, but it was still crazy awesome!  We were joking around with people the next day about the rain of bullets that result from this......   But we were all good!! 

One of our investigators has an incredible amount of strength.   She has had her answer from day one, that this is the true church of god, she knows without a doubt that this is the church of God.  The only problem is her husband. He told her that he'll divorce her if she keeps coming to the in his words "gringo iglesia"(only gringos here are the missionaries).  He's out of town now, but despite this, she still has a strong desire to be baptized.  She knows this is true.  She has no doubts, and even though this could ruin her marriage, she wants to follow what she knows God wants her to do.  Following God, and doing those things that God would have her do, will give her happiness for the eternity, and not just this life.  She knows this, and this is why she wants to continue in this path of God.

I just want you guys to know that I do know this is the true church of God.  This is the only place on earth, where we can receive the covenants and promises that have been promised to us.  There's not a doubt in my mind that God will give to those who ask him, and that He gives us trials so that we can grow and become stronger.  God will always be there to support us through our difficult times.  Always.  The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and this book has continued to help everyone who diligently search it, looking for answers.  My challenge for you, is to stand strong.   Stand strong in what you know is right, what you know is true.  It may be difficult, but I promise you, that you can do it.   Have faith in God, and he'll always be there, and in the sacred name, of our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Siempre Fuerte,

Elder David Pettingill

Week 15 Christmas! (December 29, 2014)

Fire Christmas Eve

New sweater from Grandma and Grandpa Pettingill

Playing with fire ;)

Hey guys!  Time for another week of adventures to be jam packed into a small and quick email! 

To start off, here's a pic of what the money my Gma and Gpa Pettingill sent me bought! It is SO warm!  Muy caliente!!!!!  Its perfect, cause its been getting really cold lately..... I bought it when we were contacting a whole bunch of people outside of Walmart!!!!  We contacted so many people in those few hours!!! Using the cards ël es la dadiva!  

Look up "he is the gift"on youtube, or on Mormon.org!  It's an amazing 3min movie that we've been sharing with people all of this month.

Christmas eve was lonely... Me and my comp weren't invited anywhere.... So we had a fiesta in our house!  We had to be inside by 6... But we still had a great time!  We made a fire in our fire pit!  I was even a wizard for a night! My mom will post the photos!

The next day, we had a White Elephant gift exchange with our zone, which was pretty great! Then I got to see my family!  It was so freaking awesome!   On skype of course... But it was still great! My sisters are growing up so much guys! Its crazy!!!!!   And spiritual thought of our week?  Watch the video and you can see my spiritual thought!

Week 14 - Early Christmas! (December 22, 2014)

They both got Broncos shirts for Christmas :)

David and... the cartel?

Sharing a Christmas message through song in Parral

Hey guys!! This week was great! I'll try to tell you real quick. We had a lot of people stop taking lessons, then we also had a lot of people not progressing, so we dropped them. We were in the dumps emotionally recently, but we've been working hard and we've actually found a lot of new people that seem ready to accept the gospel!

This past Saturday we went to Chihuahua for a Christmas celebration! All the missionaries went!  It was so much fun! SO MUCH GOOD FOOD!!!!!! They had chocolate fountains, and my table of 8 elders got 2 huge turkeys all to ourselves!!!!!!! Then we got to watch a bunch of different people take turns swinging at a pinata which was hilarious! Big dog pile of elders at the end!!!!  Then we got our packages!!! Special shout out to The Frodshams!!!  Uncle Nathan, Aunt Rebecca, and the kids!  Grandma Frodsham, Aunt Christina, and the Wayments!!!! Thanks so much you guys!!!!  You really made this Christmas special!

Me and my companion met the cartel the next day!  Got a couple pictures with them and their big guns!

That same Sunday night we had a huge choir/contact activity in the middle of central in Parral!  I was in the choir, but then decided to go out and contact instead of being part of it!  Was great!  We found so many people that day! And I barely had any difficulties in talking with them!

Hope all is going well.  And even more special shout out to my sisters and parents!!!! They sent a lot of great stuff too (including a jacket which was really needed because I lost mine while walking in another area) .... But its all good now!

Special thought of the week?  John 14:15!- "Ïf ye love me, keep my commandments."- Jesus Christ

Siempre Fuerte,

Elder David Pettingill

Week 13 - he got to play Nephi! (December 15, 2014)

David got to be Nephi in the ward Christmas play

Hamming it up in the apartment

Ward Christmas party with pinata

Ward Christmas party

All right guys time for the next weekly update! So this week has been pretty crazy awesome! I'm loving the missionary life!  Its going by so fast.... Can you believe that I'll have been out for 3 months in 2 more days?  Wow!   I miss you guys like crazy!  And hey, I want to thank you all for all the support you've given my family!  It means the world to me that you guys love them so much and I want you to know that I pray for all you guys every single day!

SO this week was pretty crazy!  Geronimo's family, one of his sisters sons got very sick.  He's in the hospital right now..... He's been slowly getting better, and we're doing everything we can to help them.  

 

We had a Christmas party as a branch too!  That was a ton of fun!  had a pinata!  the kid that knocked it down almost killed a couple kids cause he kept on swinging, but I was able to catch the stick before he hit anyone ;)  

Also we had a Christmas play!  My companion and I were in the choir, but then a couple of people didn't show up for the play... SO me and my comp filled in!  I was the prophet Nephi (from in the days of Christ's birth), and my companion was the angel Gabriel! It was great!  Everyone loved it! Sent pics to my madre so I hope she shares! :D  

 

Spiritual thought of the week?  Hmmmmmm, a lot of people here think that baptism is only something that's necessary to get into a church.  Not true!  I want you guys to read 2 Nephi chapter 31! Tell me what you guys think ;) 

 

Love you!  Hope all is going well! Oh and it rained a lot this week! The streets were literally rivers!!!!!!!!!! We got so wet... But I had a rain jacket (Thanks parents!) so I was all good :) My comp borrowed my umbrella!

 

Siempre Fuerte,

Elder Perigill (how they pronounce my name here)

Week 12 - found a rat! (December 8, 2014)

Baptism of Geronimo

Got his Christmas package!

I ate a rat...

The rat just before we caught it...

David got to play Santa! With Geronimo and Elder Narvaez

We found a rat in our house, and then we caught it!  I was really hungry though, we probably walked like 13 miles that day easy!  So I ate it.....   Haha other than that, this week has been great!  Baptized a 14 year old named Geronimo!   His family is coming close behind him too!  We keep finding new people! Sometimes I get discouraged when we're rejected by people, but it's all worth it!  Not even Jesus was accepted by everyone.... 

Everyone is getting into the Navidad spirit now!  Its crazy beautiful!!!!  Having fun, and learning more and more every day!  

Siempre Fuerte,

Elder D Pettingill

 

[In case you're concerned, the rat was a glow in the dark rubber rat we sent for Halloween, but had just gotten there :)]

Week 11 - Thanksgiving

It's a chihuahua in Chihuahua! :)

 

Thanksgiving dinner at the church

Pondering the greatest of life's mysteries...

Hey guys! Another week in the mission and its going great!  Had Thanksgiving this week!  It was a surprise, and it was good!  I kept finding little bones everywhere in the food, still trying to get used to that.  And the rocks in the beans, those are interesting!

The older a lady is here, the longer they want to talk your ear off.  Even if you try to say something they just go on and on and on...... I start speaking in English so they'll take a quick break, then I get a chance to say a quick principle to them!

Everything is going great and I miss you all!  Thinking of you!  Its weird, I feel like I walked into the MTC last week!

Week 9 - Birthday week!

David's birthday cake! (we challenged David to fit all 19 candles we sent him on one Ding Dong :))

At mission home in Chihuahua?

 

David and a new friend

David and Elder Narvaez at baptism of Lili

David chillin' in hammock :)

 

Hey guys!  Quick update again!

Do you remember the guy I was talking to you about last week (the one that I said needed a hard lesson)?  Well, we talked to him again, and I want to say that I followed the Spirit and spoke with love to him!  He's wanting to be baptized the 22nd, he just needs to quick smoking now....  

The Spirit also does some pretty strange things.... I was telling my story of how I came to the knowledge that this church is true, to a guy who has been going to church for the past 15 years (and has a testimony but doesn't want to get baptized).  I've told this story so many times, but the Spirit was so incredibly strong, it actually made me cry like a little baby while I was talking to him..  I'm not ashamed because I've told this story hundreds of times, and its never happened until now. This is what the guy needed though.  He's taking more lessons from us, and we'll see if we get him baptized this week or not.  I just want to say the spirit will make you do weird or strange things sometimes, but the Lord always has his reasons! 

So I've officially been to a baby shower and helped two people get married now!  Send me more pictures (over email or in the mail)!  I take pictures of all the pics you send me :)  I absolutely loved Lizzy's scrapbook!!!! The Hermanas' here are keeping me well fed.... Though I'm losing so much weight! Those packages you sent are helping to add some on though ;)  Mas Steak strips! And mangoes!  My companion wants you to send an extra for him ;)  Haha Oreos and those frosted animal cookies would be absolutely amazing also!  I'm becoming more Mexican every day!  It's crazy! And weird, but its so beautiful and wonderful.  I'm falling in love with the people here every day, and I absolutely love it!

Love and miss you guys!!!!!

Week 8 - November 10, 2014 - Hard lessons and demon dogs

David and companion - Elder Narvaez

David outside of small village

David with Elder St. Pierre - cooking??

Hey guys!  Sorry I don't have much time again this week!  I'll write this email first next time!  So this past week was soooooo cold!!! Starting Monday night, it didn't stop raining until Saturday afternoon, and the temperature dropped down so low that I could see my breath!  Haha I didn't have a rain jacket too.... I had the umbrella though! Which helped out so much!

We're teaching this new family - they have about 5 people in it who are old enough to understand what we're saying.  They are such amazing people! We've only taught them about the Restoration and church attendance, but they're already being missionaries!  They're always inviting new friends over every lesson saying, "Hey the missionaries are coming - they always have a great message!" The Spirit is always incredibly strong when we teach them.

Right now, we're also teaching this 25 year old man. His whole family is Mormon, but he doesn't want to accept the gospel because he enjoys the ways of the world more.  In case your wondering, in Galatians 5 or 6 it talks about the fruits of the world and the fruits of the Spirit.  The next lesson is going to be a hard one.

Elder Narvaez and I talked about it, and we are going to give him a hard lesson.  We've taught all about the blessings, what you have to do, and he just doesn't want them.  His family is such a wonderful family too......  I'm going to be talking about Nephi's vision, the mists of darkness and the fall of the great building.  I'll also talk about how the Lamanites ended up as a people after they rejected the Lord.  Its all in 1 Nephi 12 (I'm pretty sure -don't have time to look in my scriptures).

I don't like dogs here anymore..... There are three demon dogs in my area.  And a lot of the dogs here don't have a home and they just roam around.... a lot of them die of starvation, or search through the trash.

Week 7 - November 3, 2014 - 1st baptism!

Hey guys!!!! Ready for the first week of miracles???? Technically the first 4 days in Mexico????  By the way sorry about grammar and spelling in Englich, the keyboards here are sticky and weird..... haha ok, so I got here and we took a giant taxi to mission headquarters where we dropped off our stuff then went to a big buffet restaurant!  Met the Mission President!  He's a great nice small Mexican man!  Haha - we stayed at mission headquarters that night and the next day got our new companions!  I got a native speaker... who is also fluent in English!!!!!  He's been a lot of help, and one of the best missionaries out here in the field, even though he just barely finished training!  He´s a district leader and a trainer right out of being trained, so this is as much of a challenge for him as it is for me!

We are in serving  Chigabata Paran!  Its a crazy area, very beautiful, very poor.  The people here are so amazing and humble!  We have a ton of investigators, and getting more every day!  I'm learning more and more every day and seeing the gospel help people in their lives so much!  Its been weird seeing everything in Spanish for a change, but its awesome!  For the past while, I haven't been able to understand anything because they speak so fast and all the words are jumbled together......   but it's getting better!

Friday night we were talking to an investigator, and she and her boyfriend wanted to get baptized.... but she had to get married first to him, and needed a signature from her mom who she hadn't talked to in a while. We tried to convince her to go and talk to her but she wouldn't, so we went talked to the mom ourselves (she is this sweet old lady who wants to make us hamburgers soon and take some more lessons)!  Anyway, she said she'd be willing to if Alejandra came and told her why she wanted to get baptized.  So we walked back, told Alejandra, and she and her boyfriend walked with us to her mom who then signed it and talked with her.  She seemed really surprised about some of the things she said.

Anyway the next day we ran into even more roadblocks like not being able to find Alejandra's birth certificate (the mom had it under a huge pile of papers) and then we couldn't find her boyfriend who thought the baptism wasn't going to happen...... but in the end, I had the wonderful opportunity to baptize both of them!  The Spirit was incredibly strong, more so than usual, and that night the language finally clicked for me.  When we were teaching a family after the baptism, I realized that I could understand most of what they were saying, except for random words here and there. I could finally tell their words apart, and it wasn't just a weird jumble to me!

Every day is full of these wonderful moments, and I will tell you guys more next week! Just know that I'm walking like 10 to 13 miles a day, I have gotten some pretty big blisters, almost have a hole in my shoe, and I'm absolutely loving it here!!!!!!!!  Haha even the spicy food, even though its killing me!  Oh! you guys will be proud, I actually am eating lettuce and tomatoes, rabbit food.......  Haha but its all going great! 

More pics from David's 1st day in Mexico - October 27, 2014

David with new Elders/Sisters in the mission October 27, 2014

David with new Elders/Sisters in the mission October 27, 2014

New Transfers October 2014