Week Ninety-Three: July 30th, 2012

Dear Family,

Wow what a crazy week we've had this past week. So in the beginning of the week we were getting all of recent converts prepared with their own family names to take to the temple. We had to go to cementaries, Civil Record buildings, all the good stuff. It wasn't easy but we got through it and we are happy. We rented a bus from a member in the ward and we packed every one in. From our branch alone we had around 11 Recent Converts go, so it was deffinately a success. We had in total I think around 30 to 35 people go. When we got in the temple we had to provide the priesthood to perform all the ordinances. Seeing as we knew all the people and their ancesters they had me work as the recorder for the baptisms. It was way fun. It brought back a lot of memories working in the Draper Temple. It was a very spiritual experience for everybody. It was super good for all those that recently baptized and now they all have their sites on the temple in a year. This week we are having changes tomorrow. Only 3 companionships are changing which isn't a lot. Then on Thursday Elder Smith is going to go to the Temple and on Friday we have Concilio in President's house. It looks to be yet another busy week. Well Have a great week.

Love,
Elder Holton

Week Ninety-Two: July 23rd, 2012

Dear Family,

This week was a really good week but sadly an uneventful week. We have several investigators that are progressing and others that aren't. But that's how life goes. This week we have been focusing alot on getting our recent converts ready for an activity we are doing this week. We are taking a lot of our recent converts to go do baptisms for the Dead. Yeah we are really excited for the activity at the Temple. The Truth is The Family History was all Elder Smith's idea. I just knew how to do it. That's all. They all are preparing their own ancesters. It is going to be awesome. We are really excited. Man you guys had a really busy week last week but it sounded like a lot of fun. I'm not terribly homesick but that's because there is nothing in the world better than being a missionary. You should look into it. This past week I just finished the Book of Mormon after reading it for a month. haha Woohoo.

Well Hope you all have a fantastic week.

Love,

Elder Holton

Week Ninety-One: July 16th, 2012

Dear Family,

Things are going really well. We had a really busy week this past week. We have two investagators who are really progressing Tomas and Luis. They are both progressing wonderfully. Tomas is planning on being baptized on the 28th of July and Luis on the 4th of August. We are really excited for them both. Tomas is doing great. We taught him the Word of Wisdom Yesterday and the Law of Chastity. It went super well. He willingly accept both of them. We also taught Luis the Restoration of the gospel this past week and it was a very spiritual lesson. Luis is really getting involved with youth of the ward. He already has like 4 or 5 friends. It's awesome. Also on the 26th of July we are planning on doing a temple trip with all the Recent Converts (People baptized within the past 2 years) of our District (or stake). We have been trying to get all of our recent converts to get their own names to be baptized for them. We should have around 13 that go from our Branch. So we are super excited about them and the wonderful experience that they are going to have. Well thats really the most exciting stuff that going on down here. I hope you all have a great week and we'll talk to you later.

Love,

Elder Holton

Week Ninety: July 9th, 2012

Dear Family,

Wow This past week was crazy. Well to start off we had Zone Conference on Wednesday. It went really good. Elder Smith and I had to teach a class. We didn't really feel like we did that well but everyone told us that it was great so yeah haha. Then on Thursday we had a Wedding. Manuel got married. It was awesome I got to be a witness and sign. Haha They got married at 8:30 in the morning with was kinda lame but whatever.

Then on Friday we had Concilio where all the Zone Leaders get together at President's house. It was good. Learned a lot and now to apply it haha. Three weeks ago we had changes and half the zone changed out so the problems are different then they were before. For the most part the obedience has improved alot. Now we have other things to deal with.

Saturday was a good day. Manuel got baptized. It was a little small but the spirit was there. And Sunday I got to confirm him (My First Confirmation). Also in church on Sunday we had a lot of investigators come to church. It was awesome. We should be seeing 3 baptism in the next three weeks. So we are super excited.

I love you all a ton and hope you all are doing great.

Love,

Elder Holton

 This is a triple banana!

 AMAZING!!

 Zone Conference!

 On the Farm!

 Andrea got baptized last week!

 Getting my haircut last Monday!

Week Eighty-Nine: July 2nd, 2012

Dear Family,
We had a good week this past week. But as with all weeks it had it's ups and downs. Well this past week we had a baptism on the 30th. Andrea got baptized and it was an awesome baptism. A lot of her family showed up and supported her and it was just really spiritual. Elder Smith and I sang a duet of How Great Thou Art. We are going to try and record it and get a copy to you guys. Andrea was crying pretty hard. Even her Dad started crying. The thing is their family lives in another sector so we have our fingers crossed that they'll be able to get in there and baptize the rest of the family. We also are planning on another baptism this next Saturday. Manuel is getting married on Thursday so that he can get baptized on Saturday. So we are really excited. They asked us to be the witnesses at their marriage. So that's pretty cool.

We have been seeing so many miracles too.

This past week we were teaching English on Saturday as we always do and a Joven (youth) came up and asked what time church is at on Sundays. He expressed that he has been dating the daughter of the Stake President in Peñaflor and really likes the church. And believe it or not yesterday he and his girlfriend showed up at church. So we are also very excited about that. This past week also we had another Leadership Meeting last friday. It was fun to be able to see friends and talk to some of the missionaries that are in my old sectors. So all in all it was a really good week and this next week is going to be even busier. We'll tell you all about it next week.

Love,
Elder Holton

Week Eighty-Eight: June 25th, 2012

Also this past week we received Nick's travel itinerary for coming home! He leaves on Monday October 22nd and arrives on Tuesday morning October 23rd at 10:25 am! We are very excited!!
Dear Family,
We had a really good week this past week. Well to start off the week we had changes last Tuesday and half of our zone left. It was a little crazy. But it's all good. We are still getting to know some Elders. But all in all it was fun. I was able to see old companions and talk to missionaries that have been in old sectors. We have rainy days about once or twice a week. In the picture I sent last week we were trying to cross the street in that picture which turned into a river. Those were some boots that were gifted to me by an inactive member. We have already put them to good use. Honestly it is such a blessing and a priveledge to serve as a missionary. Well the highlight of this week is Andrea (one of our investigators) passed her interview and will be baptized this next Saturday. So that is super exciting. I love being a missionary. So this next week should be a busy one. I hope you all have a great week and I can't wait to hear about Jonathan getting the Priesthood next Sunday. I love you. Love, Elder Holton

Week Eighty-Seven: June 18th, 2012

Dear Family,

Wow this week was so busy but in the end it was a good week. So the highlight of this week for our sector is that Marina finally got Baptized and confirmed. So that was awesome. We also have 3 more people who are preparing for baptism that are all progressing super good. Andrea is a friend of a recent convert and has a date for the 30th of June. She is going through a lot of trials with her friends and family but she is converted and excited to be baptized. She has been making a lot of changes in her life and they have been hurting but she knows that they are for her good in the end.

The next date we have is with Manuel who is the like a step grandpa of Francisca who just got baptized like 2 or 4 weeks ago. He is progress also by reading and going to church. He is also excited to get baptized the 30th. And we also have a baptismal date with Andrez, the son of Marina, for the 14th of July. He felt something special in the baptism of his Mom.

This past week we had interviews with President King and they went really well. President basically told me that I will probably be Elder Smith's last companion and then finish the mission here. It rained like crazy this past week but it was all the more fun. Things are going great. Elder Smith is doing really good. We have changes tomorrow we have to go to. Half our zone is getting changed out. So it'll be a lot of fun. Well I hope you guys have a great week.

Love,

Elder Holton

 Marina was baptized!!

Since I had boots and Elder Smith did not I gave him a ride accoss the rain filled street!!