It's so wonderful to see people progress in the gospel

December 24, 2013

So we had another baptism last week! He was baptized along with 5 other primary kids in the ward so it was a pretty big baptism! It was pretty awesome also cause one of the girls that was baptized was baptized by her dad who Elder Bushman and I baptized back in July so it was really awesome to see him baptize his daughter. I also gave him the priesthood a while back. It's so wonderful to see people progress in the gospel.

In district meeting last week I had our district look up D&C 15:6. It says, "And now, behold I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen." Obviously as missionaries we teach people and "declare repentance" But what does repentance really mean? It means you change and so by asking people to commit to doing things we are inviting them to repent. Like asking them to read the Book of Mormon or to come to church. And we are to do that so we may bring souls unto our father so that we may rest with them in His kingdom. It is so awesome to see someone you love and care about be baptized. 'Im sure many of us have had those experiences. But how much better would it be "rest with them" in Gods kingdom? I think the best perspective to have is an eternal perspective. I hope that when any of us have any missionary opportunity before us that we have an eternal perspective. I know its scary and all but think about how amazing it would be to see them be baptized and see their lives change then think about how much better it will be to see them on the other side?? And what better time to do it then now? Its Christmas! This is the best time of the year to share your testimony of Jesus Christ. I hope we can all remember the true meaning of Christmas and be grateful for the things that we have. I am grateful to be serving right now. I really do miss my family and friends but I know this is where I am supposed to be doing the Lords work. I am grateful for all the love and support I receive every week. It really does make missionary work a lot easier for me! I love you all and hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Love, Elder Jaden Espinoza

 Demonte and Deaundre James

Went on exchanges with the zone leaders and they had their ward Christmas party. 

 The other missionaries in his ward

Us at Damions orchestra recital!

MEXICO!!!!!!!!

An awesome week!

December 17, 2013

Hello hello,

Last week was an awesome week! We had another baptism! A member had been telling us how he was talking to his friend and answering his questions about the Church for a long time now and how he wanted to invite him to church. Of course we told him to do it right away lol but it still took a little while until he finally did and sure enough he came to church. 4 weeks later he was baptized. I know I say this probably every email but the Lord seriously is preparing people for His gospel. I can guarantee we all know someone who is being prepared. We just have to make the hard yet simple step to invite them to come to church or to a church activities. Its simple things like that that lead to someone being baptized and having their life changed forever. After teaching Tyler just once he had a scheduled baptism date for the 1st of January which was so awesome! We continued to teach him and make commitments with him and he wanted to get baptized sooner! So we were like okay sweet now we have to cram a lot of information in him and teach him about the word of wisdom cause we knew he had problems with that. But when we taught it and he understood what it was for he was willing to completely give it up. I even asked him what he would be willing to give up to be baptized and he said, "Anything except my family." It seriously is so amazing to see someones life change right before your eyes. I can only imagine how his friend who introduced him to the gospel felt after he had baptized him. There is so much joy in seeing people you love change their lives for the better. That baptism was also the most spiritual baptism I have ever been to. Its amazing what the spirit does to people when they open their hearts to it.

We were able to have Elder Foster of the 2nd quorum of the 70 attend our zone conference yesterday. He truly is a man chosen of God to do the work that he does. It was the best and most spiritual zone conference I have had as well. He talked most the time and just really helped us understand how important we really are to our Father in heaven. It was actually really cool. He talked about how NASA pointed the Hubble telescope into what they found to be the darkest spot in space. They had it on there for 10 days straight and what they found was millions of other galaxies. They did that again a few years later and found the same exact thing. It made us all feel very small in comparison to the other things God has created yet we are the MOST important thing for us. So important He sent His only begotten son to die for us. It really was an amazing conference. At the end we all sang the primary song "A Child's Prayer" I've never felt my Father in heavens love for me that strong. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. 

We have another baptism coming up this Saturday which is pretty awesome! We are excited! We are also excited to get to Skype with our family next week! I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Christmas break! Remember what really is most important during this time of year :)

Love Elder Espinoza

ps. Totally forgot last week to congratulate Chiawana for winning that state championship!!!!

Tyler Nelson and Bro. Davis!

"It still amazes me to see the spirit work through my companion and myself"

December 10, 2013

Hey, so last week was a crazy busy week! We have been teaching lots and lots of lessons with investigators and lessons to less active or recent converts. Its pretty crazy how fast time flies when you stay busy doing the Lord's work!

I think something I noticed this week is how sensitive the spirit really is. And just how hard it can be to tell when you are being led by it and when you aren't. I think the more and more you act on any prompting the more you will be able to tell when the spirit really is prompting you to do something. Also your little every day things like prayers and scripture study have a lot to do with it as well. I noticed last week that when my studies weren't the best that there were some times where I just did not know what to say to people. And the days where I had better studies and really opened my heart to our Father in heaven through prayer is when I said exactly what needed to be said.

We had a lot of pretty sad and crazy things happen this week with families not having enough to make ends meet and needing to find a new place to live or families trying to move to another city to find a better doctor to help for some needs. Its so sad and heartbreaking especially when there really is'nt a whole lot you can do as a missionary but give them a spiritual uplifting. But those moments where you say exactly what it is they need to hear is truly an amazing experience. It still amazes me to see the spirit work through my companion and myself. And there are times where I did'nt even notice the spirit working through us but the more and more I pay attention to it the more I recognize it and realize how much God really does love his children. It's truly amazing to see his hand in every ones life. Its also sad when people don't realize it. But the closer we get to our Heavenly Father the more we see the many tender mercies He gives us throughout the day and the more gratitude we have. This is also the time of year for much gratitude and giving! I hope we can all remember what Christmas is really about.

So we have a baptism coming up this Saturday! A member had been talking to his friend at work for a while now answering all his questions and what not. So he finally brought him to Church a few weeks back and we started teaching him and next thing you know he's getting baptized! Crazy how people are sooo prepared for the gospel. This is something that will never get old because so many people go through so many experiences yet they are all somehow in some way being prepared for this. His life story is very interesting and his life has been saved on a few occasions! So he knows he was meant to do something here on this earth life. And now he has found it! We also have another baptism coming up next Saturday which is also exciting! Its an exciting time to be serving the Lord!

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!

Love, Elder Jaden Espinoza

Merry Christmas!

December 3, 2013

  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I sure did. Got to hang out with members of the ward all day. They're basically family to me now so that was really nice :) I am sad I had to miss out on all the get togethers but I know this is where I am supposed to be. Last week was a little slower cause of the holidays so lots of people were gone but we were still able to have a very productive week and taught a lot of lessons! It really is so amazing to see people progress in the gospel and the blessings they receive from it :)

  Iris Fox was baptized the day after thanksgiving. We have been going over to her house since September now and now all that are over 8 are baptized! :) We have grown really close to that family and it will be sad when they move :( But we definitely have made life long friends with them! And lots of other people here in El Paso.

  The work here is going so great. We might have a baptism this week and will have one next week for sure. We are trying to have a baptism once a week this transfer and we really feel as if we can do that. And if not, at least average a baptism a week. The ward is doing so wonderful at introducing their friends so they can learn the gospel. Member referrals really are the best way to bring people into the gospel.! So everyone go share the gospel! I know I say that a lot but it really is sooo important. My comp and I were talking about how the hastening of the work has been prophesied and prophesied in the scriptures and how we feel as if a lot of people don't realize that that is happening. Those specific words have been prophesied. "Hastening the work of salvation" What is the church's newest addition to the website? That same exact thing. That prophesy is coming to pass. But it is up to us as members of the church to share the gospel. A lot of people have the mindset that they need to go out with the missionaries to help them with the work. Which is not a bad thing at all. But missionaries real calling are to assist the ward with missionary work. We are here to help all of you with missionary work! Its the members duty. Ours as well but the most successful way is through the members! So like I said earlier go and share the gospel with your friends! You would be surprised at who is prepared now and who is being prepared.

  I hope you all have a great week! I am looking forward to Christmas so I can skype with my family! No offense to anyone but when people ask me what or who I miss the most its my little bros! lol

  Congrats to Cortez and Roman for making it to the state title! Good luck and make good ol' Pasco proud! Love you all!

Love ,

Elder Jaden Espinoza

The Fox family! all over 8 are Baptized!

Snow in El Paso!