September 9, 2013, Passaic

1. We BAPTIZED Carla yesterday. She was so happy and she said she felt so calm and peaceful. However, Elder Dahl and I realized that we need to work REALLY HARD on getting the ward really integrated in her life. Pictures next week.

2. Steven Mongie (Lydia's dad) called me on Thursday. At first it was a bit of a shock but he told me he was in town for business but his colleague got sick and so he invited me to administer a blessing with him. I wasn't able to so we delegated it to the missionaries in Hoboken. But I talked to him for a couple minutes on the phone. It was nice and felt completely normal/comfortable. Lydia: your dad is a wonderful person.

3. Elder Dahl and I taught the young men / young women class yesterday. Guess what the topic was? Sexual Purity and Good Friends. Hmm.. I wonder why the teacher was "sick"... Anyway, we practically just threw down on them and read them a few Book of Mormon scriptures about sexual purity and staying away from negative influences. It was rad and pretty hilarious and I realized that I don't want to ever be a high school teacher. Kids are punks and ask dumb questions.

4. I am happy. LIFE IS GOOD.

I love you all. Sorry this was short. Thanks for all your support and emails and letters and whatnot.

EC

Bek - I sent you a letter today. Love you tons.

September 3, 2013, Passaic

Last week of the transfer... and I'm staying with Elder Dahl

Found out on Sunday night that E. Dahl and I are staying together for a 3rd transfer. Heyoo! It's gonna be great, although he's the only other companion that I've had that will be with me for longer than 2 transfers. We're excited to stay together because we've been working really hard for the past 3 months in Passaic but have not seen the success that we wish. HOWEVER, as I mentioned in the last letter, we have two ladies that are getting baptized soon.

Carla (Puerto Rican mother) will be baptized this Sunday and she's so happy and excited. She consistenly tells us that she used to curse, get mad at people, get frustrated easily, yell at her son, and she would never pray. "But ever since you guys have been coming over, I don't do any of that bad stuff anymore." She's so innocent and kind and hilarious. She's been reading the children's Book of Mormon with Jacob and she admitted to us that she liked it better than the actual Book of Mormon because it was so much easier to understand. We laughed and committed her to read them together so she could get the story and the scriptural aspect out of her reading. This week, we taught her the law of Chastity and the Word of Wisdom. She laughed at both and said she was already living them. When we committed her to live the Law of Chastity and she was busting up saying, "I'm a divorced woman.. NO SEX FOR ME!" I was dying after that comment. We also kifed her iced tea and bought her lemonade instead. She was totally fine with it.

Andrea: from D.F., Mexico. Has several children there. Walked up to her boss this week and simply told him that she would not work another Sunday. Also her boss was shocked in unbeilief, she was even more so. She told us before that she used to PLEAD to be able to work on Sundays. In rain and shine, sickness and health, she would work Sundays, so she could have a a few extra dollars to send to her daughter in Mexico. "I don't really know why I did it but I feel really calm and peaceful about the decision of telling him that." We freaked out with massive smiles plastered over our faces and told her that was the spirit that told her that tell her boss that. The spirit guided us to promise her that her daughter would have everything she needed and MORE, with the spiritual blessings that she would receive. The times we go to that building, climb into the rickety elevator, knock on apartment #9, and sit down with a humble Mexican family and their aunt/sister/sister-in-law, are sacred times that I cherish more than my own possessions.

Andrea is getting baptized on the 15th of September.

Other than the progres we've seen with Andrea and Carla, the week was a little slow.We contacted people, talked about transfers, dicussed our investigators, played Polish ping pong at nights in the apartment, and attended Mission Leader Council. The new monthly focus will be LOVE. Zone meeting is going to be great tomorrow, but we're a little nervous as we are still brainstorming ideas.

The gospel is true, Jesus Christ lives, and Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God.

Happy Fall,

EC

August 26, 2013, Passaic

TIME . . .

... doesn't really exist in the mission. It's just 2 years of liminal space (Nad remember when we talked about that?).

This week flew by. Lots of appointments, lots of people spoken to, lots of food consumed, (including Lomo Saltado and Papa a la Huan Cahina (sp?)), and lots of fun.

We finally taught Miguel and Chary again. Chary (less-active) served us up some biscocho (what Dominicans call "cake") from her daughter's birthday party yesterday. Hispanic people eat weird cake; it's always got chunks of preserved fruit and cheap frosting. But eh, it's great. I realized, sadly enough, that food is just food now. I like GOOD food, but I'll really eat anything. All it is really, is something to get us through the day. Anyway, Miguel hasn't been reading so we told him and to read the intro to the Book of Mormon and pray about it. He said he would. Every day I'm finding out quicker and quicker that all you have to do to gain a testimony of the church, (EVEN IF YOU JUST HAVE THE DESIRE TO DESIRE TO BELIEVE IN IT) is read the Book of Mormon, little by little and pray about it. It's that simple. Study the things you have doubts about and they will come clearly to you, by the power of the holy Ghost.

We've been working really hard with Carla. In the second lesson we had with her, we set her with a baptismal date for the 1st of September. For those of you who have served missions and done role plays, it was EXACTLY LIKE A ROLE PLAY. She just smiled a replied like a robot missionary, "No, that's too soon". We then tried to work out her doubts, told her what she needed to do, and promised a bucket-load of blessings. So she's still set for this Sunday but we're not sure if she'll make it. She doesn't have the strong desire yet. But she's amazing and is progressing little by little.

ANDREA came to church yesterday! She was so happy to be there too. She stayed for the first two hours and then left to work. Bummer that she couldn't stay as the Relief Society is starting to play (and will be playing in the future) a huge role in her conversion. She'll be baptized, just not right now. She needs a few more weeks, HOWEVER, we had an awesome exchange on tuesday where Portugese speaking, Elder McEwan, and I taught her about our purpose on this earth and how the gospel of Jesus Christ is SO crucial. I love working with newever missionaries that are still learning their language. (side note: Elder McEwan, is a tall, waterpolo player from Miami, Florida, who is a Pandora hipster, and visa waiter, waiting to get to Brazil). I would teach a few points and then Elder McEwan would testify in his new Portugese. And oh man, everytime he would open his mouth the spirit would just fill the room. When we committed Andrea to be baptized on the 15th of September, the spirit was at it's peak, I think that's why she accepted the date. And then after we said "in the name of Jesus Christ, amen" everyone was smiling, and Hermano Garcia (we were teaching in their home) looked up at us with his huge, loveable smile and said "Gracias elderes. Muy bonito su mensaje hasta que quiero yo bautizarme otra vez!" (Thanks Elders, that was a wonderful message - so much that I want to get baptized again!) Haha, that family is amazing.

So many miracles are happening. It's a wonderful time to be a missionary.

I know the church is true. I love EVERYONE.

EC

August 19, 2013, Passaic

This week was great but no tengo ganas de escribir para nada hoy. (I

don't feel like writing at all today).

CHRIS - I read The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock yesterday. I

actually read it out loud to my companion and he laughed the whole

time (I was reading like Anthony Hopkins).

Anyway, like I was saying, this past week was really good. We ate like

pigs though. Passaic is an area where EVERY missionary that passes

through gains weight. But it's alright because we wrestle and work out

a bunch. EVERYONE: You wouldn't believe it, but I actually think I'm

getting stronger, due to the fact that we wake up at 5:45 and run and

lift. I feel pretty good, but then our 3 nightly dinners kind of throw

it off.

Not a whole lot to talk about . . . 

We taught Miguel (Dominican baseball player) again this week. It was a

good lesson. Hno. Matos, from the High Council came with us and

seriously explained the spirit better than I've heard anyone else do

it before. Member missionary work is the raddest, most heart-warming

thing in the universe. We also got contacted by 3 drunk guys, 2

Mexicans and a Guatemalan (first one I've met in Passaic). We would

ask them a question like "Can we come visit you guys tomorrow?" and to

every question they would blurt out the ridiculous, spanglish answer,

while swaying back and forth "CLARO QUE YES!" which is like "Of

course!" IT was hilarious. We then set up an appointment to talk with

them at the church but I suppose they were so drunkt hey didn't

remember because they didn't show. Anyway, hilarious.

On Friday we committed a super inactive 23-year-old girl to come to

church. She didn't show up. A little frustrating, but HEY. That was

the first time we actually got a lesson with her and the lesson went

well. She'll come eventually.

There's a lot more to talk about but no TIMEE>>>>> I love you all. I

know the church is true, the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and

that God is our very Father.

EC

ps - You're all amazing. Go to WORK.

August 12, 2013 Passaic, NJ

Melina Bello and I

Great great great big week with tons of miracles. It's the first INTENSE success we've seen in Passaic, which made me happier than I thought I could be. 

HOWEVER. First item of business is: OSWALDO AND GUILLERMINA MANZANO GOT MARRIED AND BAPTIZED in Plainfield yesterday. They are MY FAMILY. If you think you are happy, COME on a mission, meet a family, and get them baptized. THEN tell me how you feel. You have no idea. Elder Leon and I taught and baptized O+G's two kids and O's brother, Feliz. We were waiting for G to get a form of identification so they could take out a marriage license, get married, and get baptized. We worked really hard but didn't see a whole lot of success. I then left, Elder Bell came in and with TONS of help from lawyer, Elder Mortensen (senior missionary) they got married yesterday at 5 o'clock and baptized into the kingdom of God at 6. Life is wonderful. Now, let's get back to Passaic, home of ruffians and brigands.

1. Met a Dominican baseball player named Miguel a couple of weeks ago who played for the Diamondbacks in Arizona. He was moving into his new apartment in Passaic, when we passed him and Elder Dahl gave a fist-pump and yelled "Go DIAMONDBACKS!" (he's from Phoenix). The guy stopped and yelled something back to us. We ran back to him and contacted him and started talking to him about a weird mix of baseball/Arizona/the gospel. It worked. We saw him again on Wednesday and found out his sister that lives with him was baptized about 15 years ago in the DR but went less active soon after. He's 22, prays beautifully, loves our message, and accepted a baptismal date for the 1st of September. 

2. Elder Packer (Assistant to President Jeppson) came on an exchange with us on Tuesday and we saw all of our investigators that needed an extra push. He's an incredible missionary and it was great to have him with us to see how he worked. We saw Andrea and Juan, taught a powerful lesson about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, and then committed them to come to church. They came and they were happy. More progress to come with them.

3. Isbeth Santiago, our investigator from Panama read Mosiah 24 (the chapter we left for homework) and didn't understand it. So instead, she read 1 Nephi chapters 1-14. She LOVES the Book of Mormon and knows it's true. We're planning on setting her with a date for the 25th of August. When we teach her and her twin sister Carmen they act like they're 16. They giggle, make jokes, complain, and talk about how life is hard. We're just there to teach them the gospel and make them feel good about themselves.

4. Our new investigator Carla (Puerto Rican lady) came to the other Elder's baptism on Saturday night. She brought her 6 year old son, Jacob too. They both loved it and Jacob was asking tons of questions about baptism after. After the service, we showed her the chapel and the spirit was super strong. She felt great and said she was coming back, but couldn't make it to church on Sunday. But she's coming next week!

That's the update for this week. The gospel is true. J. Smith was a prophet. I'm eternally grateful for the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for the Book of Mormon, for music, food, friends, family, companions. 

EC

ps - We wrestled last night in our apartment because our landlord and their family left yesterday for Puerto Rico. They'll be gone for a month. I got a scraped ankle, bashed knee, carpet burns on my elbow. I almost got choked out by a beefy Salvadorian's shoulder. It was great fun but I get really competitive when fighting. PEACE.

We go hard in Passaic

We offended the sisters . . . buying back our love

Bowling on P-day

Nightly planning when we've been working 67 hours straight

Mu buddy Elder Gitlins went home a few weeks ago

August 5, 2013 Passaic, NJ

This week was NUTS. Just really really crazy. Let's just say

1. There was almost a fist fight in our apartment (won't say WHO). It ended with an Elder threatening to beat the snot out of another and storming outta the room angrily. Good thing we're missionaries, because he went straight to his room to pray. Me and the other Elder in the apartment just said "RE-LAX. You guys need to chill." It was pretty scary as I'm just a sensitive cat.

2. Chests got waxed for Elder Wood's birthday, (it hurt so bad, good thing I just a had a little patch.. so now I'm hairless), Elder Hoyt (missionary that just died (finished his mission)) left behind a Brazilian waxing kit. So last week Elder Dahl waxed his stomach (he bled) and this week for Elder Wood's birthday, we waxed his chest. It was hilarious, I'll send photos someday.

3. Ate a ridiculous amount of fatty food. I feel like a chunst ox. On Friday, we ate Bistec a lo Pobre (Peruvian dish.. I think that's the name ) with a Peruvian hermana. BIstec a lo pobre is a thin steak, peruvian style, on a bed of rice, with a fried egg on top, and fried bananas. Also, we had a soup for the appetizer with huge chunks of Peruvian corn and chicken. Pretty impressive meal. THEN, immediately afterward we went to the Garcia's house (one of my favorite member families.. I've mentioned them before). The ridiculous thing was we called hermano Garcia the night before and told him that we wouldn't be able to eat. Welppp... we get there and there was a whole pizza that they had ordered for us. Ay. I ate 3 pieces and then wanted to die. Elder Dahl almost hurled but we kept at it. THEN. We went to see Gus and Kat (awesome Columbian and Peruvian couple). They're both younger (in their 20's) so they had all 6 missionaries in the Passaic branch over and we had a little party for Gus and Elder Wood, for their respective birthdays. It included eating Chinese food and an ice cream cake. We literally felt like committing suicide after the night was over. Also, the night ended with Elder Diaz slamming the ice cream cake ( made my the sisters) into Elder Wood's face. IT was awesome.

That almost concludes my letter. Sorry there wasn't very much spiritual stuff in this letter but here's a quick snap of events that also happened this week. (you all know I know this church is true :))

We got a call on Monday from an inactive sister in the branch. We tried to contact people to visit her, (we had appointments) but nobody could, so we canceled our appointments and left to see her. The 4 of us elders went. She was crying, devastated and basically told us about a bunch of domestic violence problems she had recently had. We listened for about an hour and a half and then talked with her about the the love of God. We bore our testimonies and told her that she needed to seek him. We ended with a prayer and we left the house with the spirit. And then, almost every day that week, we visited her and did everything we could to uplift her. Her name is Carmen Santiago from Panama. One night we went over with 2 Dominican sisters in the branch, one, the Relief Society President, the other the Gospel Principles teacher. ALSO, Willy Bello, the sunday school president came out to see her and was a HUGE help in fixing a bunch of the problems going on. He even brought Hna Santiago AND her twin, investigator sister to church yesterday. EVERYBODY: If you are reading this and you are a member, know that you can play an incredible part in the changing of a life. This sister was so broken down and depressed but with the help of faithful members who were willing to sacrifice their time, resources, and energy, a lost daughter of our Father was brought back and is currently on the path back into reactivity.

That is my life. I love it and I will never give it up.

EC

PS - Thanks for all the emails. You're all great.

July 29, 2013 Passaic, NJ

Alrighty. I've now been in Passaic for about 6 weeks, going on 7. This area is awesome. I've had a couple of realizations lately that I've wanted to share:

1. Everyone has been and is being prepared by God. Just remember that some are more prepared than others.

 2. More often God wants us to say "I will do this" rather than "What should I do?" He'll always back us up if the decision is righteous. God is proud of us and wants us to ACT on what we feel is best.

3. Being a leader doesn't mean ACTING like you have authority. That's abusing and making a mockery of the priesthood, the very power that Christ used to create our bodies and the earth. Being a leader means always using your authority in way that is consistent with the will of Heavenly Father.

I've been thinking a lot about talents lately. Our Father in Heaven has given us all gifts and abilities. He gave them to us before this life and he expects that we use them. USE THEM. Do all you can to make them grow. You have them to 1. Bring joy into your life and 2. Bring joy into the life of others. God likes it when we're together, using our rich talents to make others happy.

This week was pretty gnarly. We went to another baptism yesterday (ZONE 3!!!!! HEYYOOOO!!) in Paterson. Those Paterson elders are destroying it over there. We're so proud to have them in our zone. Elder Brincklow and recently arrived Elder Bennett have been working really hard over there and are seeing miracle after miracle. I love being their boss, and proudly reporting to President about all the baptisms we're having in our zone. Get THIS:

-Our July monthly goal was 3 baptisms as a zone. We got 7.

-Our quarterly goal was 8 baptisms as a zone (from July to September). We already have 7. 

-We are going to have to readjust our goal. Makes us feel like a couple of kings. (I'm smiling as I'm writing this).

We had a lesson with our investigator Nesto (40-year-old Dominican man) yesterday. We invited him to be baptized on the 18th of August. He accepted. He originally had doubts of being baptized twice. We explained the Priesthood, the way Christ was baptized. After we asked him WHY he wanted to be baptized again (it's this little "answer-searching" game we do as missionaries where we ask a question looking for a specific answer. It's not a good idea cause if they get it wrong, it makes you look like a fool). He said because he wanted to be baptized how Jesus was baptized. He's humble and kind and loves his family. He's going to be baptized and it's going to be magnificent.

We also contacted a Mexican guy. He was wearing jeans, a white t-shirt, and was carrying soccer shorts and cleats in his left hand. He was walking quickly alongside us so we asked him where he was going. To play soccer with friends, he replied. He then asked us. We said, we're going to teach people about Jesus Christ. He smiled and said he had wondered what we were. He had seen us walking around for some weeks now. As we talked and walked we came to a place where we had to separate as he was going a different way than us. He shrugged it off and kept walking with us. We asked him if we could teach him about Christ. He said yes. He also said, I'm really lost man. I need you guys. 

It felt amazing to be there at the right time. God is watching out for his children. 

EVERYONE IS PREPARED. JUST SOME ARE MORE PREPARED THAN OTHERS.

EC

ps - ALL MY FRIENDS ARE MISSIONARIES. (corruption of Trevor Christensen's photo project "ALL MY FRIENDS ARE MONSTERS")