letter from 2/15

Well this week was so busy and so satisfying, but some good things have to come to an end. First of all I have been transferred! I am now with Elder Cevallos my new companion in Fresnos here in San Luis Potosi. Back to the week though Elder Rosas and I were working a ton! Elder Rosas unfortunately though was sick just about the entire week, but he also was a warrior in that he worked the entire week. So as well this week we had a lot of surprises such as our investigator left out of town for two weeks, the one that was going to baptize, but I know she will the following week, and many other things. My companion found a lot of new investigators, and he and I did a ton of work to help investigators come to church this week, but the most satisfying part of all the work was that we did it all with members! I was absolutely ecstatic that we were able to help members and they were kind enough to help us in return. At the end of the week we were extremely tired, but happy. It was hard though for my companion and me when we heard that we had transfers because we really didn’t want to be transferred, but it’s the mission life and as well the Lord knows where and with who we need to be. 

I was extremely edified and instructed by the lord this week. If there is anything that I can comment it would be this: "Strip yourselves of all Pride and listen to your companion (Wife, Husband, Leaders, and the Lord). It is an incredible blessing that the Lord has called us to preach the gospel two by two. The benefits of a companion are simple, someone to talk to as well as someone to tell you what you need to do to get better and be better. My companions have been an absolute blessing to me because they have taught me so much and helped me to strip myself of pride and become a saint. The same principle should apply with those who are married and with those who are members of the church following the direction of their leaders. I know that if we are humble and submissive to our companions that we will leave stronger and happier than we have ever been. I love when my companion tells me and helps me to change and that the savior as well teaches me day after day that I must change. 

Elder Perfili

I LOVE YOU ALL

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Old Companion

New Companion

Obediecia

 Well sorry for now writing last week, but I promise that I’m alright actually last week I wasn’t able to write, but I saw three different General Authorities and shook hands with two. I Heard from Elder Renlund, Elder Mayans, and Bishop Causse. As well the wives of Elder Renlund and Bishop Causse. It was a very unique experience, but as well very strengthening experience. I was absolutely amazed with the testimony that he had and the spirit that you could feel in the room. After that we returned to SA Luis I forgot to mention we actually received permission to leave our misión and go to Guanajuato see him. This week though has been really good. I can say that my life is busy, but there is always time to do what the Lord needs us to do, This week my companion and I went to Aguascalientes again for a leadership conference and we both were a Little under the weather, but we left very edified and full of energy. We are extremely happy as well because we are going to be able to baptize this week! We are teaching an investigator in the Ward extension and she is extremely excited and prepared for it. As well it’s hard to believe, but we have transfers once again here in the misión at the end of the week. I have known idea either if I’m staying or leaving, but either way I’m happy because I love my area and the missionaries of my zone.

So I had been pondering a lot lately on a commandment that we must live if we want blessings. Obedience, or Obediencia. It is very simple and ties into everything else that we do. I have truly come to learn this commandment the more I live it. The scriptures are clear that if we obey we have the Lords promise and if we don’t obey and we have no promise. I testify of that principle. I know that when we obey God and his commandments he blesses us, and when we don’t we don’t receive his blessings and promises. I reflect on the advice that I received once from a leader and he simply said don’t doubt for any reason just obey and don’t doubt. I know that if we do this that the Lord will bless us in our lives I know that as we keep the Word of Wisdom we receive health, I know that if we pray God hears us ad responds, and I know that if we fast with a purpose he will help us receive the blessings. Therefore Obey! "Si me amais guardad mis mandamientos".  

I LOVE YOU ALL 

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Elder Perfili

Whole mission

Auguascaleinte mission

Family Home Evening

Well my brothers and sisters this week I am thrilled to be able to write you all and tell you of the progress my companion and I have begun to have. So here in San Luis we have begun to work a lot more with the members of the church in our missionary efforts. We have a family home evening every week in the house of a member and form what are called nucleus's which are to strengthen members, investigators, less actives, and recent converts. It is a great idea that the mission is using and that helps the members and missionaries work together. To the part though in which we have progress, so we have been teaching a family of three and each one has excepted a baptismal date as well two have been coming to church they even came to stake conference this week. Also another investigator that we have is the granddaughter of our convert Magdalena. All were found through the assistance of members or in other words referrals. I know the word that all members dread when the missionaries come to eat, but it’s the only way that is efficient in helping Gods children be served, taught, and baptized. As well my companion and I have very little time together, but we get along so well. This weekend as well we had the opportunity to have stake conference and an area seventy preside during the conference. He was extremely funny and taught with power. We learned quite a bit which I would like to share later, but I know that God really does love us and there is no doubt about it. 

Well this week I feel the desire to speak about something I learned which I believe will benefit you all as well. So this year here in Mexico we are working a lot on strengthening the country so that it may be self-sufficient or that’s the goal. The Book of Mormon took place in the promise land, and where is the promise land, Mexico. Others might jokingly say that it would be somewhere else, but there wrong. The Book of Mormon was written as an evidence of the restoration, but in the first page of the Book of Mormon, Mormon clearly says that the Book was written for the Lamanites, and others. Where I’m going is that the Lord has made it clear that this is the same Promised Land that describes the Book of Mormon and it is the same promise that Lehi left when he said that it will prosper according to their obedience. I know that God has given me that opportunity to serve in this beautiful country, but more importantly help the promise of Lehi become a reality and that the Lord may truly be able to bless the earth through this country. I know that God calls ordinary men who make mistakes, but he makes them extraordinary in his timing as well as a nation. 

I LOVE YOU ALL

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Elder Perfili   

turning point

The week went by at a good pace the wonderful thing though was seeing the amazing results that God let us be a part of. Right now we have investigators and progressing investigators. My companion and I are loving each other and are having a good time. He really is just full of energy and life that sometimes it’s hard to contain him. As this week we had a lot of opportunities to visit people who were completely led and us as well to their doors. I’m happy to be here in the service of the Lord and know that he will help me. 

I just wanted to share with you all something. In the talk by King Benjamin in Mosiah chapter 2 we read about service, but I want to focus on one thing. Service to God. The entire chapter he explains the importance we have in serving others, but he says as well the grand importance that there is in serving God. As I reflect on his talk and this part I began to think about the plan of the area Mexico for this year. It says that we will support the hastening of the work of salvation. I as a missionary see now more and more that I only need to serve God. As I serve his children I serve him as I serve my companion and missionaries, investigators members, and less actives. I and you will be serving God and that is the only way to truly come to know him and love him more. Of this I know. 

I LOVE YOU ALL

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Elder Perfili

baptism

Well me brothers and sisters I am extremely happy because this week was awesome. We BAPTIZED!! It almost fell through again, but the Lord allowed us to see the miracle of one of his children repent. Well this week was enjoyable up until the holiday. Here in Mexico it is known for a few things especially the parties. So on New Year’s eve at 12 in the morning the people here in San Luis like to light fireworks welcoming the New Year. During the night it sounded like I was in a war zone, but we were kept safe the entire time. The following morning due to the festivities the streets were completely empty. It was a little strange, but at the same time nice because my companion and I were able to help other missionaries this day. As well this weekend was full of a ton of excitement with the transfers. I forgot to mention I think, but I’m still here in Joyas as the Zone Leader the only difference is that now I’m the senior companion. My companion yea finished his mission and was sad, but I know that he is happy to go home and see his family. He went home smiling as he left for Aguascalientes. My new companion is Elder Rosas. He is from Veracruz and we arrived in the mission together only he has one month less than I do. We are going to work and have a lot of success I’m positive of that. The baptism this week was the best part though. As I sad it almost fell through, because a family member had passed away the day before and she wasn’t sure that she’d be able to come, but in the end she said that she still wanted to and it was one of the best feelings that I have had. 

So I wanted to share with you all the importance once again of repentance. Why do I talk so much about this, because this principle in the gospel of Jesus Christ is vital to our progression as children of God. When we are set apart as Elders we literally separated from sin. This principle was taught by Spencer W Kimball. Thinking about it our repentance process is the same. As we begin to repent we see that we are separating ourselves from what Satan wants to what God wants. As we begin to look for the will of God we begin to make changes that pull us away from all that is miserable to a happy state. The important part to remember though is that once we have been separated from that which is evil we cannot return to do the same. We’ve been separated from it if we truly repent and the atonement of Jesus Christ promises us that, but we have to do it constantly. I live this principle more and more each day, and I cannot stop gratifying God for the changes that he has made in my life. I love repentance and that I change from a natural man to a holy man. I know that it is possible for anyone who tries. I know and do not doubt it!

I LOVE YOU ALL

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Elder Perfili

Baptism

Saying goodbye

Christmas 2015

Well it’s late, but Merry Christmas! I hope that you all passed a very jolly and holly Christmas this year with your families and with your loved ones. This week was very fast, fun and above all spiritual so this week started off well with some lessons and our progressing investigator moving toward baptism. On Thursday though is where I would like to begin. So as we all know it was Christmas Eve or in Spanish Nochebuena. Normally on Thursdays we have what’s called weekly planning. After the weekly planning we went to work, but it’s a little difficult to work on Christmas Eve. We did our best, but it was at the end of the day that I think we really felt the Christmas Spirit. The Elders from my district and my companion and I decided to get together and have a devotional that night. Normally in my home i can always remember that we were the traditional family who gathered as a family o read Luke 2, Heleman 14, and 3 Nefi 1. This night we did the same, but it was special. The spirit was felt in our small home and above all it will be a memory that I will forever hold in my heart. After that Christmas morning we played basketball and then prepared for our Christmas activity. The activity was fun. We broke piñatas and as well we shared gifts. I shared a photo of the gift I received this year and the Elder who gave it to me. It is a very awesome sarabe or in English poncho. On Christmas as well I spoke with the family and was glad to see hem al again. The time maybe isn’t sufficient, but to see and hear their voices always is nice. After Christmas though it was tough, because our baptism fell through until next week! We were shocked, but as is well because it’s positive that she will baptize. On Sunday though we had a Christmas miracle with 3 new investigators in church. As well they just showed up by themselves! 

Now something short. So this week I can’t lie I was pretty let down with the fact that Magdalena didn’t baptize this weekend. I couldn’t understand why, what didn’t I do, is my desire to baptize not strong enough, am I not obedient enough, what else could have been done? Then as I was sitting in church on Sunday the thought enter in my mind, did you ever think what I want for you as I thought about that it hit me truly. My desire to baptize maybe isn’t wrong, but did I look for what God wanted for me? Reflecting upon the experience now I see that truly the work of salvation can hold a very strong desire in our lives and as well that we can work with all we have, but maybe it doesn’t pass when we would expect it. The Lord knows his children and knows when it is there time as well he knows what we should do. If we want to work in the vineyard the question should always be Lord what does THOU  WANT ME TO DO? I know he will respond and if we do we will see his hand in our life.

Elder Perfili

I LOVE YOU ALL

HAPPY NEW YEAR

God Be With You Till We Meet Again