Sunday, May 5, 2013

April 28, 2013

 Well first off my companion is called Elder Garcia he is from Guatemala!! He's 21 just like kami... But no she cant date him.  lol  yes that is something I have been working on is baptizing and retaining families because I have learned the importance of families, and that they can live for Eternity and for ever! 
lol It's an intersting question but yes there are tons of dogs and animals running around.  dogs, pigs, cats, chickens you name it I'm pretty sure I've seen it loose and running around. lol  It's something fun about the mission!  lol Tell Grandma that I wish her a happy birthday and I hope she has a lot of joy and happiness and I give a huge hug!!  Wish I could be with you there.  Also a huge hug to Ryan!!  It feels so weird not being there for all the fun times,  But I know I need to be here. Something I've learned that in the ancient times the family was seperated for commandments of God but I've learned that through those experiences they become closer to God and when they reunited they are stronger.  It's when God shows us that we are never alone,  He gives us the same needs that we need where ever we are.  I know the pioneers were strong because it wasn't their strength alone,  just like here because I'm truely weak.  The thing that keeps me here and working is Christ,  He teaches and shows only with His love do I do all that I have.  I have learned that always giving Him and there is no fear, I reieve all strength to overcome all trials and tests that I receive.  To be honest I'm 100 percent grateful for Him because I've become more then I ever thought I could be.  I truely never thought about what the mission would be like but just as many say it's something worthwhile that changes not only the heart but the soul.  Making my favorite church hymn come to life which is Teach Me To Walk in the Light.  When I came I wasn't sure how to walk like Him but now I have direction I know where to go and what I'm doing.  Im not just walking to walk lol
The lessons taught and received here are endless,  I feel like the apostles trying to recieve all the teaching but there isnt time or paper to do so.  All I know is that Christ lives that this is His church.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is something that gives a change we become just as we started,  Being children however full of understanding and light choosing good over bad and becoming just as Jesus was.  The gospel has many twists and turns and sometimes complicated but I've learned that all of it has one center which is Christ if we took Him out everything falls.  For that end I focus on Him always and know that its' His glory that I give and through Him i am!  He Truely is all
I love you mommy!!
Elder Trujillo 

April 21, 2013

HEY!! Well there were lots of changes that have occured in this last week!  First off my companion Elder Palma has now left me and is over in Granada,  I am with a new companion named Elder Garcia he is from Guatemala which is cool because it is the first companion that I have had from there.... I think by the end of the mission I will have a companion from every place in Latin America!! I have had from Panama, El Salvador, and Guatemala I only need a few more! lol But he's super awesome and we have been doing some great work here!  It was funny this Sunday we were having some difficulties and the one thing we ended up doing that day was more then we did all week!  It was kind of baffling to see how hard we worked to find the people who are choosen for us and out of no where falls a family that is 100 percent ready to hear the gospel.  Sometimes I don't understand why God works the way He does but what I do know is somehow it always works out in the end no matter how strange the situation may be.  As far as now we are getting along pretty good just a little bit on confidence and after that we learn more about each other.  That's something that I've really been trying to work on is gaining the confidence of every single person so then they are more open.  I have found that the faster the confidence comes the faster and more easier it is to talk and to converse with the people.
  As far as the Easter package I really haven't received anything I'm still waiting but for sure I will let you know if I get it.  If they gave it to the mail I'm sure that it will take a little time to get to me but we will see.  For baptisms we haven't had any but there is one that is planned for this week that we will have and the others we are preparing will be for the month of May.  We should be able to baptize about 3 or 4 families next month so it should be great!! 
  For me everything is going great something that did change is my very first companion in the mission is now in my district!! We got to talk and we were able to remember old times it was super awesome and we were laughing about all the experiences.  It's weird how much the little things can bring people together and bring some of the greatest joy.  The work is going well we were able to get to know some people.  I am trying to put in practice all the things that I was able to learn in the other change so then we will find success.  One thing that I was able to see and to start to understand is everything starts between me and my companion our relationship really defines the work that we do.  Really its impossible to do it alone and the strength of two change everything.  That's probably the struggle right now because with me and Palma we were super close and we had a great relationship but right now I'm trying to adjust to my new companion and to learn how he works and so we can become closer.  Sometimes it's hard but hes' a good guy and really is here with a big heart.  I know this change I am going to learn so much and it's only for my good.  It's interesting to see the experiences that I have had in the mission and knowing that God gave me each challenge because He knows that I will go through that time again in my life.  One thing essential that I have learned is don't complicate things and just be happy.  I've learned that many missionaries take things and complicate them more then necessary.  Which is a phrase from my new comp.  Don't complicate things and be happy,  That with the phrase of Palma everything happens teaches me that It's really up to us to be happy its a choice somethingthat we can be as a person.  It's brought me a lot of peace and happiness and I know that it's all going to be ok... in every situation.  
  I Love you mom! I Love our family who I know each of them were given to me to grow to who I am now!  I know Christ lives.  I LOVE EACH OF YOU!!  
Love Elder Trujillo

April 14, 2013

HOLA!!

Its been great here. It's been weird thinking how fast time flies and that within no time we are going to be having changes.  It's nuts how much one can really learn when they are always looking for the opportunities to do so!  I have learned so much this last change and have been able to grow so much!  Not yet I never realized how many people are in this area... I contact the same house like three times and end up talking to someone different... sometimes it confuses me because I forget... lol  but it's always fun and an adventure.  Well I'm not sure how the pants are doing but I'm sure they are amazing... lol  I havent gotten any package yet I have been keeping my eyes out but as of right now I dont have anything.  I Was able to see Jason it was weird to see him and to see him in misisonary clothes... but it was funny knowing that its good ole Jason! lol  I haven't heard from Justin either he wrote me once in the MTC but after that I didn't get anything so I'm not too sure whats up with that.  I've been trying to find the way to get into contact with them.. not too sure if they are writing letters or what.  
 

Thats what I'm talking about missionary mom and missionary son taking over the whole world together!! Nothing will stop us from teaching EVERYONE!!! lol

That's cool I went to one of the classes of the family history once it was super interesting how it worked out and how everything functions.  I was a little confused but it was cool to see them find all of their family and to read the stories that they had.  Thats awesome that we are going to have more missionaries!! As far as the sister missionaries are going there are usually about 15 or 16 each week so yeah we are seeing many sisters.  It's cool for the first time I met a sister that was 19  a little weird to see how different the older sister misisonaries are.  lol  
 
  But as far as the weather goes I think I might die when I get back.  I'm looking and super hot here and I'm hearing super cold there... I don't wanna come back. lol It's gonna be weird to see snow again and to feel cold.  

Well for me here in Nicaragua it's been great I've gained a love for this people more and more.  As well as learning love and charity for each person we find and teach showing them the way.  It's most fun for me to talk with the people after they have changed so much and to talk about how much they have changed and to see how much the gospel blesses the families and each person.  It strengthens my testimony for this work and as well as the gospel knowing that its true each day.  I have not passed a day when I havent been happy.  I seem to always be happy and when I feel like my energy is low I start to work and in no time I feel like I have 100 % energy!  This work brings a joy that one can hide,  It fills you up and its like a addiction.  You feel good and want to do more and more and more.  I feel almost like the people of King Mosiah who said we dont have any more position to do bad but good continually.  Always trying to help others to understand and to bring them the joy and happiness from this gospel.  I'm truely enriched and the only thing that saddens me is that I didnt see it before.  However God has a time for each person and He will help all come unto Him.  Just as we are seeing with dad!  I know we will all enter the temple one day all dressed in white.  Because I can see it and I know it will happen with a pure knowledge.  I love you mom and cant wait to talk on mothers day!!!!!!!!!!!! te quiero!!!
Elder Trujillo

March 31, 2013: Happy Easter

Yeah it was a great Easter Sunday even more because really me and my companion were able to see a grande miracle!! We found people that I like to call gold!! Pretty much they fell from the heavens!  We were pretty much rejected by everyone this week as it has been a holiday weekend... it was looong! lol But saturday night I told my companion pray for a miracle because we weren't going to bring anyone to church! lol that next morning we went to our recent converts house to help them out getting ready and something amazing happened two of the cousins were there and they just started asking tons of questions and in the end they were like ok lets go! lol super funny but awesome because it truly was a miracle for me because just the night before we said those exact words!  It's made me look at the tender mercy of the Lord.  Its made me think of the words of Prophet Alma who said if we can only but give a particle of faith in our Lord and Savior yea even to experiment on His words.  I felt exactly like these words were coming out smacking me on the face.  And I realized that really God gives so much compared to what we do.  We do a small part and He gives us more then our arms can recieve.  I every day write down all the blessings that I received that day and it brings me down to the depths of humility.  But in the same time I am lifted up and rejoice because I know I have God as my power, and as my friend!  I dont worry because I know when I fall he's gonna lift me up. I have learned the importance of being grateful.  It does so much for us knowing that He loves us, and that He cares for us, Keeps me from being prideful,  And makes me love Him even more.  I've learned it's not just enough that we talk with God but that we have a relationship with Him just as we have here with another person.  It's made the long days short and the hard times easy, knowing that all that I go through is what I need,  even though sometimes I dont fully understand I have realized just as Christ says not my will but the will of the Father! It's made me laugh even more about the phrase of my companion because he always says everything happens!  Not realizing it he was teaching me humility, to accept the Fathers will and just be happy!  I've learned that attitude makes the difference we have the choice to look at things how we want,  we have the choice to act how we want with different situations,  It's given me a whole new perspective on agency because now I feel like I'm using it how God wanted.... to give us joy, We aren't here to suffer we aren't here to be sad but I've learned that we need to enjoy the things that life has to offer!  It's supposed to be fun through the hard and easy there is always joy around.  Even in the most difficult situations there is joy!  Like this week I was angry because we just walked in the burning hot sun all day and in the end of the week we were filled with joy to help someone to learn... that joy came from God and I realized that things happen for a reason and that it's only for our good!  It's accepting that its God's will and if we follow Him, He will show us the door out.  It made Ether 12:27 make more sense because He gives us weakness so we are humble... lol oh wait He did that to me... and I couldn't be more joyous!  It's how we want to see things!  I know that everything is for a reason and it's so we can become better!

Anyways as for talking with people day; Utah how freaking fast do things get arround!! I was like I'm gonna tell mom about this and she will be amazed... NOT I guess I will have to tell the people the next time to tell no one so I can tell you!! lol But yeah they were super cool I think we talked for about a hour... lol it was awesome to talk in English... lol kinda hard.  But yeah they said they lived close to us like on 1400 south or something like that not quite sure.  This week we have a baptism,  I'm still in Acahualinca, I write in a computer place... lol  we are going to have changes April 16 I decided I don't like changes! lol but they are good so we can learn... I guess... lol For me I'm happy and just filled with joy!  I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in my life right now!  I'm learning to take every day with joy because time is short and I want the whole time to be Enjoyable!!!  Everything is going great and we are helping lots of people!  I know that God truly lives and that Christ the son is the reason we can go back to him!  I am slowly learning of his love!  I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
I MISS YOU TONS!!! ONLY 362 DAYS LEFT!!! PWEFF
Love Elder Trujillo

March 24, 2013: One Year Mark

I feel super bad for not writing very much these last few weeks I was pretty upset when we weren't able to write the next day even though they said we could!  But now I am writing and this week has been going great!! But as for my area I'm still in Acahualinca which is in Managua!  The district is doing great we have been baptizing and this last week we were able to baptize a family that we had!! It was a super spiritual experience and they were all so happy to be able to enter the waters!  I felt so joyful and full of happiness that I couldnt stop smiling!  lol Oh I remember the Utah weather I sometimes wish that I could be there because I sometimes get bored of the heat...  lol sometimes I get so sad wanting to be doing all these fun things with you guys... but I know that I need to be here for my Lord first and he will bring true happiness! The grand things that I've seen and all the situations that I've had have helped me to change and to become more of a man.  I never truly knew how childish I was before the mission and right now I'm still a child but I've learned so much and have grown to trust in my Savior and put all in His arms and if it's His will I follow and accept it.

Mom I couldn't even express all that I feel and how grateful for you and dad and the family for all that you have done for me and are doing just so I could be here.  I have seen the tender mercies of our Lord.  I know that He lives and that He is always there for me!  I am so grateful for your example that ALWAYS helps me to become better and for showing me the steps of the Lord that I now understand.  I now understand why I am here and I'm not confused or lost... But as I have lost I am found.  Like its promised that if we lose our life for the Lord's sake we will find it.  I know that I truly have found life and what it truly is.  I wish I could express all that I'm grateful for.  I know that the gospel is true that Christ lives and that through his stripes we are healed!  I am so very thankful for everything!! 

I hope everything is going well and that if there is anything I could do for you just let me know!  I love you guys so much!!

LOVE Elder Trujillo

March 17, 2013

HEY FAMILY!!

Well I'm doing amazing we are preparing a family to be baptized this week!! We should be baptizing about 5 people!! I'm super stoked and very excited to be able to help this family that we have to enter into the waters of baptism.  I'm getting enough food I think that's the last thing you should be worried about because they feed us like crazy here!  It's the water because sometimes we are walking all day in the sun that before we leave I drink about 6 bottles of water.  Yea its pretty exciting that they were able to dedicate another temple!  Plus it was super beautiful looking I wanted to go in so bad.  For right now I'm doing good there isn't too much I need because they have everything here just the American candy they don't have!  

As for my week it went super great and we were able to help the family we are teaching gain a testimony!  They learned that it was true from all the things that have happened and they now know that God really does answer our questions and they are super excited for their baptism.  As we went over there to teach she told us she knew it was true but this time not only the wife but also the whole family.   After they had received their answer they have been going to everything to all the activities and everything!! They are way amazing and I feel so much love for them!  So this Friday we are going to be having a wedding so then they can complete the commandments and then we are going to baptize them on Saturday!! I am super happy because the story they explained helped me to really realize that the spirit is truly guiding me.   It helped me to realize that even though I may not feel it at every second I know I have it.  So we went to go find a family to go to church last Sunday and as we went over they didn't want anything I decided to say lets go over to find family Alegria!  However, my companion didn't want to call and the other part is that I don't like to use the phone because they talk weird on the phone so I don't like it but I decided to do it this time.  I called and they were actually heading to the church but what I didn't know is that they decided to go back home.  However, when I called it made them feel like God truly does want them to be there.  We went over and walked with them at church and there in the church Hermano Ervin received a answer to his prayers knowing that the church is true.  Ever since that point they have been super strong and wanting to go to all the activities in the church.  

Elder Trujillo

March 10, 2013

FAMILY!!

I'm doing super great and extremely happy!!  As for now I don't have any parasites but I also hope I don't get anymore! lol  You think its warmer there... i didn't think Nicaragua could get any hotter!! lol I actually like the hot weather because at the end of the day I am so exhausted that I just go straight to bed!  However, we still haven't gotten to the hottest part of the year but I guess we will see how things go because its supposed to be getting even hotter (and yes i am drinking a ton of water) lol i know you worry so I will just say it! lol  YES we get to see conference!! It's like the best part of the year!   One experience that I had was we were leaving the house and I fell down off the stairs to our house and was just sitting on my butt outside and my companion just was laughing his head off and all the people that saw thought it was super funny... even I was laughing because it truly was.  I just played it off and its helped me and my companion get even closer because we can laugh at our mistakes and just look at them as something to laugh at because we have learned that everyone makes them and its not a huge deal. Well this week has been amazing!!  Me and my companion are doing great work and we are helping the people here to learn and grow!  We should be baptizing a family on the 23 of this month and its going to be great!! I am super stoked for it and I can't wait!! They both have a testimony and we are pretty much waiting for the day!  We have been able to grow super close to them and they are super happy!  We also have another family that we should be baptizing on the 30!  So we are doing amazing and are filled with joy to be serving in the Lord's vineyard!  This week  I had a great experience with the member that is down from the states!  He really has helped me to learn and to grow as a missionary.  Me and my companion have been talking about the mission and everything and we have come to the conclusion that the reason we do all we do and the reason we are here is for love.  I have been studying love this week and its such a amazing thing to learn.  Its something so small but yet so complex.  Learning what love means and putting it into practice has brought a grand change in my heart.  I learned why I'm here even more,  I now understand the Atonement of Christ more,  And even more I have been able to find the success through love!  Love is what healed all those people in the Bible and Book of Mormon.  Love blocks out fear, pride, and everything bad!  I have been praying really hard to be able to filled with the Lord's love... it's changed me... Its brought grand changes and it's helped me to understand more and to be filled more with the spirit being a better instrument in the hands of God.  I know I don't understand fully the love but I am still learning and growing!  I know I love each and everyone of you because every time I read your letters it fills me with joy and happiness and iI would do anything for you!! I pray for you always and always wish for the best!! I wouldn't know what i would do without you!! I love you so much!! 
Elder Trujillo  

March 3, 2013


Hey, it's pretty crazy we are about reaching the one year mark!! Everyone has told me after one year the time goes by super fast!  As far as my contacting is going... its great!! We have found a ton of new families and we are in this moment teaching 20!! My companion and I are working super hard so then we can get them to church and into the waters of baptism.  This week we were able to have 1 of the families in church which was awesome and we had 6 people in total but we hope for next week to have 2 families more!! It should be good.  I still am in Acahualinca with my companion Elder Palma still.  As far as the missionary he is doing great and is learning every day it's awesome to see the changes he has been through and how much he has grown and become better.  David (the guy on vacation)  he is still hanging out with us and helping us to teach and to do service.  However, he told us that on the 7th he is going to be going to Granada for a little fun.  He said everything is cool and fun but he wants to go to the beach and to do some things like that so he will leave sometime soon.  But some other news, we are going to be having a gringo president for the mission!  His name is Russell he is from Florida.  He will be here in July so not too much longer we will have a new president.  It's sad because I have been able to learn a lot from Pres. Monestel and It will be weird when he isn't there interviewing me. lol but i guess there is a time for everyone... just like missionaries.  

I'm glad to hear everything is going well over in UTAH.  This week has been really busy and we have had a lot of divisions with the district leader and the zone leaders.  I went to both their areas and taught with them and was able to learn a ton.  With the zone leader it was a great surprise because everyone told me he was hard to work with... however by the end of the day we were talking, laughing, and having fun.  It was a huge lesson for me because in my head I just was thinking oh no this should be fun... but I decided to go with a open mind and just follow what the spirit says.  Afterwards I looked back at the whole day looking at all the lessons I learned and they were many.  I started to do this every day and to see how much we can truly learn each and every day.  I was able to see the gospel used in my life and where it could be used.  I was filled with grand joy knowing that the gospel isn't just something I know but it's also something that is being used.  I truly am filled with the joy knowing that I am walking with the Savior, I know he is next to me teaching me to walk.  I before would get fearful of How people would accept what I was saying... however, I have learned that they truly are my brothers and sisters and I couldn't stand thinking of them living without this joy just because they don't understand. I each day am learning and I've come to understand the words of prophet Gordon B. Hinckley which are to just be a little better than you were the day before.  Seeking every day and looking for a learning experience is usually what helps me to be better than the day before searching for ways to use the gospel in my own life helps me to show others to use it in the same way.  I know that this gospel is the gospel of Jesus Christ, I know that He lives, and that He guides the church. I know if we put in practice the gospel we will find the perfection that Christ lived and that we will become as He was.  

I love you so very much each and everyone of you.  I'm sorry I didn't write very much but I hope you know that I love you and care for you.  I hope you are all doing well and that your joy is full!  Love you with all my heart
Love 
Elder Trujillo    

February 24, 2013

Wow

I cant believe how much has been going on over there!! I still haven't received the talk of Justin and Iwould like it very much if Skyler was to send that to me!  lol  ....I would like to exercise but most of the time I get up at like 6 to have an hour and when its time I look at the clock and just shut my eyes. lol I don't have that much dedication in the mission... for sure after... I hope.  lol  I will however relate it to the scriptures... I was, before the mission, strong in the strength of men... but I now am strong in the strength of God.  haha right now I decided its a sacrifice that I need to make and after God will bless me.   I have only gotten a little bit chubby not too much so its fine.  lol This week has brought me such a great experience and it came through the good ole trial.   It has helped me to see the joy in all things not only when things are good but also when in times of trial.  The joy of the gospel overcomes any difficult time that we have or any problem we go through.  It's helped me to see the will of the Father and to say not my will but your will be done.  Accepting the situations He gives me, truly gives me, the uplifting joy knowing that I am being perfected to have a hope and love for all things.  Its interesting to see the way God sees and to try to learn from every experience we have and to try to become better every day.  One thing I have learned this week is patience with myself... something I  usually have lacked in my life.  Always wanting to be the best and to be perfect is something I have always wanted,  However, I have learned that sometimes we need to forget about ourselves for the sacrifice of others, putting their needs above what I need and what I want.  Not just saying I love them but doing all I can to show this love that I have for them.  By helping them to understand the true gospel and doing everything and giving everything we have to them and to God so then He can show us what they need.  I have been teaching a young teenager with 19 years of age and he has the greatest desire to serve a mission and he told us he would love it if we prepared him to do so.  We then told him that we would do all we could so then he would be able to get to that point.  As we have been teaching him the testimony has grown we were able to baptize him this Sunday.  However, we continually talk with him and help him to learn.  The thing that is hard is that he doesn't learn very fast and that he has trouble retaining the knowledge that we give.  We then decided to teach him again after his baptism and to see if he would progress.  We went back for the first lesson and he told us he read the whole first pamphlet and that he was ready to learn and to grow, as well as he told us that he had been reading the Book of Mormon!! about 10 pages!! He started to tell us what he has learned... As I saw the joy on his face I was filled with immense love for him and my desire to help him to understand grew stronger and stronger.  We are now set up to teach him every day because it is what he wants and he told us he wants the other pamphlets that we have so then he can read.  He truly has a desire and a love for the Lord and wants to follow Him.  I started to think about how the Lord helps us to overcome our bodily difficulties.  The last time we visited him today he was telling us how he feels like he has never been more happy in his life.  Seeing this young man grow and to see his progress touched my heart so greatly that I have the strongest desire to help him to serve.  I know that God will help him to learn and to grow because like it is promised that those that search will find and according to their diligence in finding they will obtain the more or the less part of the word.  I know he will find the more part which will lead his life to joy and happiness.  I only hope he serves because he will help so many people.  I am so glad for this gospel and the joy it brings for all the experiences that I have been able to have and for the opportunity to look at things the way God does.  
I love you so much mom and am so thankful for all that you do!  I will send you the picture of the baptism next week!! love ya
Elder Trujillo