THIS WEEKS EMAILS

hey all!

Well this was another great week! Cant believe we are already in 2010! That is just amazingly crazy. The ridiculously loud fireworks woke us up at 12. Here in Veracruz, they burn the Viejito, or the old man. The make a scarecrow type old man out of old clothes and news paper. Than they put fireworks inside of him, than, yea you guessed it. They burn it. And it is super loud. The do it as a symbol that the old year is out and let the new one in. WE helped make one but obviously we didnt get to get it see burnt. We are teaching a man from venezuela that knows english but he speaks like a redneck and he says so himself its really funny to here. We have some other people that are starting to look that they could progress well, but we are still laking investigators as it usually is here with a change of area. I'm just so happy though that my little nephew has been sealed to the eternal family! even though no one sent me pics that i asked for:) I'm sure there will be some. Man what a true and amazing blessing. I just love being a member of Gods gospel, the one endowed with the power and authority to seal things on the earth and in the heavens. Its amazing beautiful and sometimes just unbelievable the love God has for his children. We can all know him personally. We can all come out on top of a horrible situation, one you think that no one could survive, that seems to be drowning you. But we are all children of God, and we all have the right to call upon Him in the name of his first born Son. I love it. I love you all. Today we went to Tajin, ruins thousands of years old, i love to see the Book of Mormon up close. Have a great week!

I love you all

Elder Redfern

Hola todos!Right now I am sitting in a Cyber like I do every p-day to write you a nice letter, but this pday is a little bit different because I am sweat from every single pore of my body. I feel like I am doing one of those classes of yoga that have in 90 degrees. It is incredible the humidity that exist here and the heat is…absolutely wonderful, at least ill be loosing a few pounds .We had the most successful week of my mission and everything was wonderful. Omar, Victor and Gabby all got baptized. It was a little crazy the day of. The baptism was suppose to start at 7 and 5 min till Omar still hadn’t showed up, he had a stroke and struggles walking so we just figured he was in camino but when we looked and didn’t see him anywhere we freaked and I just booked it. My companion was a good 10 strides behind and I am pretty sure all the people outside thought we were crazy, but I was not about to let Omar miss his baptism. When we got to his house he told us a button had broke on his shirt so he had to change, and you can imagine how long it takes for him to change with only one arm that moves. It was a really special moment for me to help him put on his tie and help him roll up his sleeves so that he could look nice at his baptism. He is wonderful. Oh and Victor for the first time yesterday (at our follow up chat after baptism and confirmation) prayed a loud with us. He had never done it before, was always so scared. I seriously don’t know if I have ever been happier. The whole time he prayed I had the biggest smile on my face, my checks started to hurt. Then he told us that he wants to start preparing for a mission. And today I got news that someone I had been teaching in my old area finally got baptized. Fa, the little things in life are just the best!Transfers were this week and I am staying with my comp which I am super excited about. We are going to start another English fast which should be interesting (two Americans who enjoy chatting in English cutting it all out, should be fun) but I need to enjoy this moment I have to be swimming in the Spanish language. I can’t begin to even express the joy that I continue to feel everyday in my mission. I am also learning that it is a joy that I could have everyday of my life even after the mission if I want it. I just need to always remember what is important. In church this Sunday in Relief Society the women were talking about how they need to start thinking about themselves more, one in particular said she has just done too much for the church and needs to focus on herself. I couldn’t help but feel like these women had it wrong. And of course my bold self I raised my hand and shared Matt 10:39 basically it says the man who tires to find his life will lose it, while the man who looses his life for Christ shall find his. This is not an easy thing to do. But we all wonder why it is that missionaries are so happy, and it is because they are trying to forget themselves( I def still not perfect at this). It is what we should be trying to do all our lives. Forget ourselves and go to work. I hope one day I will be able to give ALL of myself. I love you all. I love this gospel and I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!

Keep in touch. KEEP THE FAITH!!!

Con mucho amor

Hna Redfern

HOLA!!!FELIZ ANO NUEVO!!!! WOOP WOOP. We are going to finish off this year strong with 3 baptisms today! We are super excited. It’s my comps first baptism in her mission so she is super stoked. 5 more hours… How great is it on the day that my nephew is going to be sealed to my family I am able to participate in helping 3 more people receive the blessings of life eternal! Oh happy day ;) Just got another email from Daddio saying they just left the Temple and Gavin is going to receive a name and a blessing, FA!!! Gal, this day couldn’t be better. It was really wonderful to talk to everyone, even though it was only 2 min each, but it was worth it just to hear every ones voices. Yesterday I had the opportunity to teach two districts at our district reunion. I got the call from our Zone leaders the night before asking me to do it. I of course said yes because I love to teach but immediately felt nervous that I would have to stand in front of members of the church, whom most speak Spanish better then me and teach them how they can be better missionaries. Ahh. That morning we listen to Brother Bythyway while doing our usual workouts and felt inspired to talk about rising above, living the higher law and putting our desires aside. I tried preparing but nothing really profound was coming to mind but I knew that they Lord would direct my words as I relied on him. And he did, it went well, I think. My comp told me I am the next Sherri Dew but married, haha! (Fa, I would love to be the next Sherri Dew and of course I hope I am married ;) But I have learned on the mission that it really doesn’t matter how much you know, or how well you speak what matters is if you turn yourself over to the Lord and let him do the teaching through you. And then he teaches you. I reminded myself of the importance of letting go of my desires, my passions, and my wants for this time that I have to devote to the Lord and serve. But not only for now, there are a few things that I still need to give up for after the mission so that I can continue to be an instrument in the hands of God. I love this work, I love my life. If there are people who still doubt just take a look at my family and the wondferful blessings we continue to receive. Its incredible!!!I love you all! Keep the Faith!Hna Redfern Well i hope that everyone had a great Christmas this year, and that we all remembered the real reason we are celebrating it, Christ. What a blessing it is to get together with the family and share the holidays together, and i hope that you all took advantage of that this year. Appreciate and love the time you have with your fam, it is really a true blessing. It was great to be able to talk to my parents all of my brothers and sisters, and sisters in law, and my nephews! Although i didnt get to talk to Whitney, but i assume she was talking to her brother in the mission. I loved how tyson told me they were talking gavin to the temple!! oh how amazing. This week will also be something so especial. Here in Poza Rica everything is great, just working on finding more people to teach. I love being a missionary. Verdad que si elder sanchez? its just so amazing. I got Brookes cd and my sister in law has got talent!! whooP! even though Christmas already passed, i have only christmas music so ni modo. I hope everyone has a great new year(campanita) and that we can start off this year and make it a year of taking steps. If we havent gone to the temple, lets go, if we have, lets go more, if we pay 8 percent of Tithing, lets pay the ten. If we watch tv on sundays, lets not. If we we sometimes fast, lets do it AT LEAST once a month. The small and simple things arent really so small, but they are simple. God takes the small and simple and makes them great. Let this year be a year of change,. But for the better. I love you all soo much, have a great week!

Elder REdfern

A Forever Family

Yesterday redeemed my feelings about 2009...its been a hard year. A year of pain, struggles, joys and wonder.

The faith has been there...

We knew this day would come we just didnt know when...

And this morning as I watch little Gavin toddle around the house.

Tyson encouraging him in his endeavors..."Come on Gavi. I will help you"

I cant help but feel my eyes fill with tears...

They are a FOREVER FAMILY...

I feel the stress and tension leave my body...

I see the relief in my son and DIL eyes...

We fianlly were able to see Gavin blessed by his father...

It was a day full of miracles...

I had the priviledge of holding Gavins hand on his parents as they were sealed. He wanted to get up. I wasnt about to let that hand go. This would be forever. A few minutes of crying was nothing compared to the tears that have been shed this year.

It was joyous having all my kids in the Temple that are in the country...but knowing that each one of my children could enter the House of the Lord was the real joy!

“What a blessing to have once again on the earth the sealing authority, not only for this mortal life but for the eternities.”

We are grateful for the sealing power...in fact...feel special that we get to go to the Temple each time to seal these precious children. It has been a journey, a challenging one at times.

I have felt your prayers for our family. I am thankful for your fasting. For your pleadings. I have felt loved...the words seem so trivial but

THANK YOU!!!!

"Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, He understands our suffering. He understands our grief. . . . Sometimes the very moments that seem to overcome us with suffering are those that will ultimately suffer us to overcome."

THIS WEEKS EMAILS

Her new comp on the left
FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!

I seriously can’t believe it is Christmas week. Probably because I am sweating like a pig and the only time we hear Christmas songs is in our house if we are lucky and the CD player works (thank you Whitney, my comp almost started to cry she was so happy to see that I got a Christmas CD!). Christmas is just very different around here. They do have little trees that some people put up in their houses but about 1 in every 500 house have Christmas lights.
BUT this may be the BEST Christmas ever…why? Because my nephew will soon be sealed to his family, my family, for time and all eternity. My dad has finally been blessed with a good job after many months of fasting and prayer. My little sister is stronger then ever in her testimony. My brother Brandon is doing well in his work and I am assume well with his new wife (she is winning points with me with the fun little packages ;). And I think my new nephew is alive and strong but its been a while since I have heard from the Stevo side…I guess its pay back for all the letters I didn’t write him J. And I get to be a missionary with one of the coolest, hippest brothers in the world! LIFE IS GOOD.
AND we had three baptismal interviews this week and they all passed, Omar has to get a second interview for something in the past but we are pretty confident its going to be fine. He has almost completely stopped smoking, in the past three days he only smoked half of one which is a huge step for him. He and Victor accepted to get baptized on the 30 even though they did not want to at first. And little Gabby is going strong. She is 9 from a HUGE family of members, some active some not. But she has the support and completely understands when she needs to do. So we are totally stoked, going to start the new year off good.
So many blessings, but I would lie if I said that this Christmas week has been the Best Week Ever (good show VH1). It is tough knowing its Christmas but not really feeling it, it just isn’t the same here. Instead of dwelling on the differences we decided to get out and sing for the people. We have been going house to house singing and sharing a short message for Christ. The people have been super receptive and it has been a good reminder to me what Christmas really is all about. And even though I am feeling a little sad that I don’t get to be with my family on Christmas I know that I am apart of something much more important right now. Bringing the message of our Savoir to other families. Yesterday we taught a family that just lost their dad one month ago (he was stabbed right in front of their house) and I felt so happy to be able to share with them a little message of hope.
I hope that we can all remember the real meaning of Christmas this year. To celebrate the birth of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ.
I Love you ALL!!
KEEP THE FAITH





Wow so lots of stuff to talk about. First of all im writing now because i got changed! Totally unexpected. My comp had more time than me in my area and he was expecting to leave, but we got the changes and it was me. Its been tough because one family is getting married today(!) so that they can be baptized on saturday, and their kids cried when i left because the oldest wanted me to baptize him. ANd another family of 5 is getting baptized in two weeks, but the Lords will is what we follow. I may have been a little shocked, but i know the Lord has plans for me her. i am in Poza Rica area Totolapa with elder Alvarez he only has one change in the mish so hes really new. But it should be great here. Christmas in a brand new area and everything should be interesting. I get to talk on Christmas for 45 minutes, but it will be great to talk to the fam, even Tyson!! Hopefully we can work this out to be able to talk to bree. Well also on wednesday last week we had a baptism of Hermano Villalobos who had been an investigator of 10 years! And he was the only one who wasnt a member, but now they have got the goal to go to the temple!! I love it. Its just so awesome being a missionary. Its the best calling in the world. Man time is just going by soo fast. I love Christmas! This time of year is so marvelous, even though im sweating. I hope you all have a merry merry Christmas!!
Feliz Navidad
Elder REdfern

THE NATIVITY

A CHRISTMAS POEM

At Christmas time there was a man
who looked so out of place
as people rushed about him
at a hurried sort of pace.

He stared at all the Christmas lights,
the tinsel everywhere,
the shopping center Santa Claus
with children gathered near.

The mall was packed with shoppers
who were going to and fro,
some with smiles, some with frowns,
and some too tired to go.

They rested on benches
or they hurried on their way
to fight the crowds for purchases
to carry home that day.

The music from the stereo
was playing loud and clear
of Santa Claus and snowmen
and funny nosed reindeer.

He heard the people talk about
the good times on the way,
of parties, fun and food galore,
and gift exchange that day.

"I'd like to know what's going on,"
the man was heard to say.
"There seems to be some sort
of celebration on the way.

And would you tell me who this is
all dressed in red and white
and why are children asking him
about a special night?"

The answer came in disbelief,
"I can't believe my ear.
I can't believe you do not know,
that Christmas time is here.

The time when Santa comes around
with gifts for girls and boys
when they are asleep on Christmas Eve,
he leaves them books and toys.

The man you see in red and white
is Santa Claus so sly.
The children love his joyful laugh,
and twinkle in his eye.

His gift packed sleigh is pulled along
by very small reindeer
as he flies quickly through the air,
while darting here and there.

The children learn of Santa Claus
while they are still quite small.
When Christmas comes he is the most
important one of all."

The stranger hung His head in shame,
He closed a nail pierced hand.
His body shook in disbelief.
He did not understand.

A shadow crossed His stricken face,
His voice was low but clear.
"After all these years they still don't know."
And Jesus shed a tear.

THIS WEEKS EMAILS

Hey yall!!
Well, another week has passed by and I don't think that words can describe the joy I have felt this week. Nothing special has really happened but I have been converted yet again. We are always taught that if we humble ourselves and let the Lord direct our paths He will but we continue to do things our own way. This is how the devil teaches half truths, he wants us to think we have to do it alone. We do have to put our effort in, we have to work hard, do our very best, but then we have to let the Lord do his part. Sometimes things don´t work out the way we wanted them to because they weren´t meant to work out that way. I feel like I have learned this lesson. Something I have been trying to do is counsel with the Lord in all my doings like it says in Alma 37:37 and He has been directing my path. I feel like the sons of Mosiah when they came back from their missions and how they said that the blessing they received was being an instrument in the hands of God in bringing people unto repentance. I have felt like that this week, that I really am just a tool (usually I use this word negatively to describe cocky men, but in this case it´s a good thing!) in the hands of God. And it is a wonderful blessing. I feel like I am finally letting Him take the wheel (oh how I love Carrie Underwood, remember Heather??? 3rd row!!!) We are trying to keep the Lord´s will in mind while working with 4 of our investigators to make it to baptism before the end of this transfer. They have some doubts we are trying to eliminate, I know that as we teach and focus on their needs we will be able to help them. On my way here I was telling my comp about how stinking happy I am being here (I think I tell her almost everyday). This was the BEST decision I have ever made and I couldn´t be more grateful to be here. I just hope I am showing my gratitude through my work! I love you ALL. KEEP THE FAITH!! And keep writing ;)
Hna Redfern

Hey all!

Well isn't just reading about your nephew being one step closer to being part of the eternal family just so amazingly amazing?? Yes is it! Love it. Have a mentioned that being a representative of Jesus Christ is pretty much as awesome as it gets. There was a random moment that has happened thousands of times in the mish that struck me. We were in a lesson with a part member family whom we are teaching the spouse of a sister in the ward, when she said in her prayer, thanks for sending us your word here through these missionaries. Its something that has been said in tons of prayers by members and investigators alike, but it hit me good. Man two years is just not long enough. Yea it hurts when you teach someone the gospel and they reject it, but just like it says, i don't member how it goes in English but in SEC 18 how great will our joy be if we bring an Alma to God, even if it be just one. But how great will it be if we bring many souls. We are teaching two great families right now, this week, si Dios quiere, i will be a witness in the civil marriage of a couple so they and they're kids can get baptized! We also have a baptism on Wednesday with a man who has been an investigator for 10 yrs. Oh the tender mercies of the Lord. Im sweating way to much for it to be Christmas, but the spirit of the Lords (celebrated) birth is still here. Man, isn't this just so cool? Also, the mission isn't just beams of sunshine, but it certainly is the best two years. There is strife and stress, but we really are taking care of by the Lord. I love you all soo much. Any young man who reads this if you have any doubt about serving a mission for the Lord, i promise you, as one of his representatives, that you will have more joy than ever on your mission. you might feel a deeper spiritual pain for those who don't accept than ever, but you will NEVER regret dedicating two añitos to the Lord. Never. No me estoy jactando, yo se que nada soy, but i will boast of my lord. Alma 26 12. I could never do this without your help and i thank you guys so much.,

love Elder Redfern