Wednesday, November 16, 2016

16 Nov 2016 - He's Home and Released....

Elder Padilla arrived into Dulles International Airport at 9:30pm Monday Nov 14. He was released by President Jon Dionne Tuesday Evening. He is now doing all the things necessary to prepare to go to BYU-I in January.  He will be speaking in his Manassas 2nd Ward on Nov 27th at 1pm. (8001 Barrett Drive, Manassas VA)

Some Photos of the honorably returned Missionary...






















~FIN~


Sunday, November 13, 2016

7 Nov 2016 - one week....



oh goody I'm so excited! 
love you mom! see you in a week, don't cry. 

31 Oct 2016 - Short Timer...

Dear Family,

2 weeks. I got it.

love Elder Padilla

24 Oct 2016 - Upbeat week

Hey Family,

This week we started to really focus on the members and get them working in the missionary work. We had stake conference last weekend and it ended up being another one of those meetings like ''Hey members, we need to do our part in the missionary work and wake up and realize that its not all the missionaries job.'' I feel like they've said it a million times now..I'm hoping that one of these times its going to stick!! hahaha
Elder Christensen and I are trying to help the members have their own spiritual experiences and talk to their friends and family members, that's all! Just talk! hahaha it seems so simple, but little by little!!

I'm super happy all the time and its super funny cuz when I contact someone in the street they ask like ''why are you so up beat?'' and I say ''its cuz im going home in 21 days.....I mean, it's cuz the gospel has blessed me so much in my life...and...'' hahahahaha

This is SO CRAZY!!! I'll be home so soon!! 

So pumped! 
So we found a family in the ward and they have 2 kids of the ages of 10 and 12 and they've been attending church their whole life and they aren't members!!! its like WOW!! you arent member?....''you wanna be..?'' and they say  ''ok, yeah you can baptize whenever you want'' hahahahaa that was my favorite part!

Well, I love you guys.

Elder Padilla ðŸ˜‰

Monday, October 24, 2016

17 Oct 2016 - Jesus Baptized

We baptized Jesus.

Love you guys.

Elder Padilla



10 Oct 2016 - Zona Guasave

Dear Family,

So today we had a zone activity and it was pretty fun! We played water balloon capture the flag (its still hot here, so thats why) and ping pong, ''sting pong'', soccer, and FRISBEE!!! I literally get so pumped whenever I see a frisbee here because I love to play and it's really not that common here, everyone here thinks it's just a game you play with your dog in the park. 

So our zone is called ''Zona Guasave'' (Wasabay) and this zone when I got here was the zone where everyone got super discouraged to get sent to because its the lowest part of the mission and super far away from the mission offices and that's been the reputation of this zone ever since I got here, well, it's changed! The zone leaders told us that in their leadership conference that they had, president and the assistants gave time to them to explain to everyone else what they've done to have so much success!! It's so crazy, we were like the scum of the mission but now everyone's looking to us now to set the example for the mission!! It's so Awesome! We were so pumped to be together today and the craziest part of everything is that we're the smallest zone in the mission. 

This Saturday is Jesus' baptism and he's progressing a ton! Haha he invited his neighbor to his baptism and now we're teaching her and we'll see what happens there.

We found a few families yesterday and I'm just pumped about all the great things we're seeing here.

New dunkin donuts? Sweet! 
Well you know what they say:...You can never have too many dunkin donuts. (ed- Its Krispy Kreme)

Love you guys a bunch!
Elder Padilla

4 Oct 2016 - Still in Guamuchil

Dear Family,

Well it's my last transfer. I'm still in Guamuchil, still district leader but now I'm training. His name is Elder Christensen and he's from Salt Lake City, Utah! He's super great and ready to learn! He also knows a ton of spanish so that helps!

So I had to go to Obregon to pick him up and they didn't want us traveling late so we stayed the night with elders and so that's why we haven't had the chance until now to write...yeah, I'm pretty tired..but really pumped.

This week will be really fun and we're gonna work like monkeys to get this ward back on their feet!

Don't remember everything that happened this week but what I do know is that 5 more Mondays and I'm home with lukey bear.

The conference was the bomb diggity and I watched half in Spanish and half in English...I'm sorry but it's so much better in English.!

Love you guys!


26 Sep 2016 - Another Great Week

Dear Family, 

This week was another killer week!
Got invited to a meeting in Los Mochis and gave a few words about being a leader. 
Then went to an area in my district called Angostura and we went to the ''playa Colorada''.....the beach.
That's what its called, there's only a little cove that they use to fish but we got to help scrape the scales off fish and I totally opened up my hand because nobody told me that the fins on these fish have pokey guys.

So my district and I have been working really well together, we've been baptizing every week that we've been together and it doesn't look like we'll be stopping for a while!! Super Stoked to be with these guys, and girls, everyone really is putting in their part and it helps a lot!!!

I'll try to send pictures...

have a great week!

What if I told you guys that I don't want to come home and that I want to stay in the mission....HAHAHAHA kidding. no mom, you were not mistaken, 50 and counting....Im ready. 

Love you guys! So pumped!
Elder Padilla



Maria and Miguel.
(Mary and Michael)


12 Sep 2016 - Climb every mountian...

Dear Family,

So today me, my comp and two of the elders from my district climbed the tallest  mountain in Guamuchil. Its called ''La Mochomo''. Mochomos are really big red ants that kill people here. We left super early and its was super scary because there were mountain bulls in the trail. I didn't even know that there were bulls in the mountains. It was scary because we had to advance and they were all staring us down and ready to charge. We decided to make our own path and finally we got to the top. It was super pretty and we were above the clouds.

Im super stoked about seeing my itinerary, 64 days. Piece of cake.

I'm just really happy with the progress I've made in my life through these past two years. Its really cool to have a baptisms but what I come home with is more important I feel like. 

I love you guys,
Elder Padilla





29 Aug 2016 - Pure Work

This week was pure work work work work work and work!!!

The members are super stoked that someone is showing a little bit of life.
This ward has been through a lot of apostasy in the past, that's why it hasn't been able to grow that well but I'm more than sure that we can turn things around here.

I'm seeing some of my converts in the other ward so that's pretty sweet!

I honestly cant even remember what exactly happened this week I just know that we kicked trash!

Love you guys!
Elder Padilla

77 days....but whose counting....

Someonewhosenameislukeandisnowtallerthanmomsaywhat!

22 Aug 2016 - Back in Guamuchil

Dear family,

I'm back in Guamuchil. There are 2 wards here. The Guamuchil ward and the Evora ward. Last time I was in the Guamuchil ward for almost 8 months and no they've sent me to Evora. But I'm district leader and so pumped to be back and see all the members I got to know. 

12 weeks and counting, so crazy!!
My comp´s name is Elder Mendez. he's from mexico city and he only has 3 months in the mission but I'm super pumped to be here and we're going to see some miracles.

It's going to be a little different on Sunday though because in the last ward I was in there were like 180-200 members every week. Elder Mendez told me that last week there was only about 27-28 people. I told him that we're going to plan some activities to get the members excited so we can start rolling with the baptisms!!!

So pumped!! A lot of mixed feelings right now but the one and most important is to keep focused and let time pass on its own..

Love you guys!!
Elder Padilla

15 Aug 2016 - Greatest Week

Dear family, 
This was probably the greatest week of my mission life. It went by super fast but we were just having a blast with all the people we teach. So I told my comp, Elder Aleman, the other day that ''Hey man, I'm getting a little tired we gotta do something fun or switch things up a bit so that we're not walking so much in the heat.'' So every lesson we go to, whether it be, investigator, member, less active, We Play that ''Spot It'' game.!! And that thing works like a Charm!! Its wakes everyone up, makes them all pay attention, its easier to invite the whole family to listen, and whoever losses has to say the opening prayer, Its a dime piece and we've been having a lot of fun and success! 

Today we went bowling again as a zone because we've been working hard and this Friday we're going to go to the hospital in the morning and hand out free ''bread and chocolate milk'' to the people outside and sing hymns and track a little bit!!!
Super pumped for that!

A few weeks ago the word got out about the soda rule. We can now drink soda and so what I did when I had exchanges with one of the district leaders in my zone was that we had a total Bro fest! I'll send the picture, it was LEGENDARY!!

Love you all, yes it is very hot here and yes mom, I am wearing my sun screen.



IBC Root Beer!!!

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

8 Aug 2016 - TOO HOT....



Family Padilla,

This week was NUUUUTTTTSSS!!!

So yesterday we had like Super Man laser vision level UV rays and the three wards that attend our building had to go at 8am.
The last 2 hours were cancelled and everyone went to their houses afterwards with the council to stay indoors until 5 or 6 in the
afternoon. So, our president told us to stay inside the houses, visit members, less actives, investigators...anything so that we weren't the in the street.

So, me and Elder Aleman had 2 baptisms and one was an 86 year old lady named Isaura whose missing her right leg. The other is named Enrique and hes 63 years old and is in a wheelchair. I'll send pictures but they're a little blurry haha. 

All the missionaries are going a little nuts right now because the word got out that we can drink soda now and the first thing me and my comp did was go to the ''Extra'' and buy some IBC root beers!!! BUUYAAHHHH!!!

I'm doing great but I'm getting tired..hahaha.

Love you guys, Elder Padilla



1 Aug 2016 - Reply to hearing Matt and Shelby are getting married

WOOHOO, GO MATT!

25 Jul 2016 - IBC



Sorry we gotta go. I don't have time to write. I love you so much!!! tell Luke to give me 16 more weeks and we'll go out for some IBC root beer!!

18 Jul 2016 - 17 Weeks...

Dear family,
 
First of all, yes, I totally remember going to Hill Cumorah with some dark skinned family. I remember climbing trees but not actually watching the pageant.
17 Weeks left!! Oh man its getting real.

So we had interchanges with some of the elders in our zone. I went with elder Garcia (Aka. Daddy) and my comp went with the district leader. I did the interview of their investigator that got baptized and this guy is nuts. He got both of his legs amputated and he bought an electric chair with wheels so that nobody would have to go get him for church. He has had a crazy life. Hes 65 and he wants to change. Hahaha, he took the Word of wisdom to heart and welded a pull-up bar to his wheelchair so he can do exercise every once and a while.

These weeks are flying. 
Gotta go!
Love you all

11 July 2016 - Transfers...

Dear Family,

Well, this week was week of transfers and because it was the first transfer from the new president we all had no idea what would happen. 

In our zone, we only had 3 transfers and theres 28 of us..so not much changed. I'm still here with Elder Aleman and we're having a lot of success. 

It was a little awkward the other day when we went for our investigator. Haha 
So we're teaching a woman, and her son. She's separated from her husband and is looking for a better life for her son. So we planned to go by and walk to a members house together to get a ride to church. We get to her house and knock like 40 times and nothing. So we left a little Jesus card on her door and went to leave. When we turned around to leave, a dude drives up on his motorcycle, walks up to the door, rips in half our card and walks in the house. hahaha. I literally busted out laughing when we threw it to the ground because it was SOOO unnecessary but anyways, 30 seconds later she walks up with her head down and walks in. He comes out and is like, ''CAN I HELP Y'ALL?'' And she says, ''Come back a little later...''auuughhhhh. Satan's trying to steal our investigators...hahaha

But yeah I'm thinking about buying a hat to shade the sun because I'm really getting cooked here. Right now its 99 but says ''feels like 106''.....cosy.:)

I'm super pumped right now and ready for these last 18 weeks of the mish! Crazy right?!!!

Love you guys!

4 Jul 2016 - Independance Day

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!
I honestly forgot it was today, they do not give any indication here that there's an upcoming holiday!!! And even less when its an American holiday. 

The new president is super funny and both him and his wife have a ton of energy and are excited to work with us! 

I don't know why but I never have time to write you guys like I could before! 

Love you all! 

I'm loving the mission and Elder Aleman says hi!

27 Jun 2016 - New Mission President Myers



Dear family,
Well the new mission president got here today! We all wrote in our letters a big Welcome to the mission segment!! We're very excited about the arrival of President and Sister Myers!! We'll have our leadership meeting with them and the assistants on Wednesday!! Super pumped! 

Ha, so we had an interesting experience with a new investigator that we're teaching! So his name is Abelardo and he lives with his mom because he needed help with his drug problem and it was causing problems with his family. So we found him with his mom outside his house and began to teach! He went to church yesterday and is so ready to leave his past behind and turn a new page. He'll be baptized July 30, but we're thinking about putting the 23 because he's so ready, I'll keep you up to date!

Anyways we taught him and turns out 2 doors down lives a Christian church priest and apparently Abelardo's mom goes to his church and so I guess he felt threatened!! Haha So the 2nd lesson we go and he comes over to ''greet'' us. We knew from the beginning his intentions...He was just trying top mark his territory I guess but he comes over, mid lesson, and starts Bible bashing...But my comp is like a walking Bible and starts spanking and denying everything he says. It was pretty intense but at the end we invited him to read the Book or Mormon, gave him a copy and he said he'd pray and ask if it was true. 3rd time we go over, he saw us and ran. HAHAHAHA. Whatever, he was super weird...during their church services they play music and dance and run in circles...I'm glad we don't throw ourselves on the floor in our church...hahaha
Its cool to see the progress in the people you teach! 
We're super pumped for the families we're teaching!
One of our investigators is going to buy us hats!! WOOHOO!! 
Love you guys.
P.s. dont worry mom, I'm using sun screen!! 

20 Jun 2016 - Too busy... Do Ya Love ur neighbor???



Dear family,

this week was super duper dopey dope!!! 

I'm having lots of fun in the sun! We baptized the grandma of the family, Teresa, last Saturday but we don't have the picture..sowwy. I'll get it for next week!!

We had a zone activity and I taught them all ''Do you love your neighbor'' BOOYAH!!! SUPER FUN!!!
Don't have much time but I love you lots!!
Elder Padilla

13 Jun 2016 - Youth Temple Trip



Dear family,
This week was super baller!
To start, we had interchanges with the elders from the Mayo ward. I think I forgot to tell you guys but Elder Garcia, that trained me, is back in my same zone. So he came to my area and we worked together like old times!! He goes home in August!. Haha poor guy..
So about the new mission president, I honestly can't remember if I've mentioned anything about him to you guys but he gets here at the end of this month and he and his wife come from Utah. 
The week went by really fast but last Saturday was something really special. The two girls that got baptized were able to go on the stake youth temple trip to Hermosillo (its the closest temple to our stake). And the best part about it all was that on Sunday in Sacrament meeting they gave Lizbeth, the older one, the chance to bear her testimony about her first experience in the temple and wow!!! I'm so proud of her! 
I'm not gonna have the chance next week so...HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!! 

6 Jun 2016 - New members progress

Dear Family,

So these weeks have been super super exciting!! 
Inline image 1
This family is so great and the two girls are getting ready to go to the temple this next weekend!!!
We're working with the grandma right now and we're planning for this friday..fingers crossed!!!

It was pretty emotional and exciting to see the mom give her testimony yesterday!! I felt so proud to have been able to teach her and help make these covenants with Heavenly father!! 

I love you all and I'm so happy...A little trunky but alls good!!
Elder Padilla

30 May 2016 - Transfers

Dear Family!

We had transfers this week. I'm in the same area but my new comps name is Elder Aleman! He was already here in Obregon so it didn't take long for him to get to the area. 

Laura got baptized last saturday!!! Her daughter and niece are preparing to be baptized this Saturday that's coming up! There's a youth temple trip the 11 of June so it'll be perfect for them to get ready and be able to go with the other youth from the stake!

Our new mission president gets here at the endish of June! I'm sad to see President and Sister Munive leave but that's just how it goes!! 

I don't have the pictures of the baptism but when Elder Wahlstrom sends them, I'll email them to you guys!!!!
The mission is so HYPE right now!! I'm so happy with the work and the members in my area!!!! 

A lot happened in the week but the best part was ending the transfer with a baptism!!
Love you all!
I'm doing great!
Elder Padilla

23 May 2016 - BBQ

Dear family, 

Well this past week was super awesome once again!!! I'm just loving this area!!
Last week our attendance in the church was 193, this week it was 121. Dropped a ton, but the good news is is that our gospel principles class had every chair filled!

So the our 4 investigators that we're teaching week to the church again and are really loving it. They're really getting a lot of friends in the ward and that's helping a ton to help them progress. The relief society and young women's are doing a lot of activities and that's why this ward is so awesome I think!! AND, June 11 there's going to be a temple trip for the youth of our stake and so the young women leaders have already started working with their youngins to get them to take family names to the temple!! 

This Saturday the elders quorum is going to have a BBQ party and we got invited. They were all asking what each other could bring and we were like ''We'll bring the investigators!''.

Soooo, about the dressing and grooming guidelines, we haven't heard anything about our mission and our president hasn't given us permission as of right now to start with the sisters wearing pants, but as soon as we hear we'll be wippin out the RAY BANS!!! hahaha I hope we can! I'm so pumped right now...maybe with the switch of president we'll know..

So in Elders quorum we talked about  how we can treat our wives better and one of the other missionaries in the ward stood up and said ''It really makes me sad when we go over to eat at a members home and the wife is slaving away in the kitchen and we ask to help and she says no and her husband is just sitting there on the couch not doing anything.'' 

Anyways, Me and Elder Wahlstrom went to the Yaquis Baseball Stadium and took some pictures but the computer is being all weird so I'll send them as soon as possible. 

Love you all. 

Enjoy your week.