There is safety in reading the scriptures.

January 14, 2014

Hello,

Last week was definitely a better week than the week before! We taught a lot of lessons and committed more people to baptism! We have 5 people on date and are hoping to set at least two more this week! We had weekly planning yesterday where we basically plan out our week and set goals for how many lessons we want to teach and what not. It was pretty crazy how many people we are teaching! One of our main worries is time! We will most likely have to split a few nights this week which is always good I just hate missing out on any lessons! But the work here in this area is just crazy! Its so exciting to find new people to teach that are really wanting to learn more about Jesus Christ and His gospel. This last week we also have received the most referrals Ive ever had in a week and its sometimes difficult to go and try to contact them when we are so busy teaching lessons! Its definitely not a bad problem to have that's for sure haha We should be seeing lots of baptisms coming up in this area. I hope I never leave lol! You would think after being  in an area for 7 months it would get old but not in the El Paso 1st ward! It is sad though cause its that time of year for military people to get moved around so lots of people are moving out :( But! lots of people are moving back in as well so I guess it kinda makes up for it haha There were also lots of changed in this zone last week. My district was the only one that didn't change lol But half of my district from the mtc is in this zone! So none of us can wait to go play basketball together so we can see each other again! Its been a long while since some of us have seen each other! Very exciting!

So a while back I started reading the Book of Mormon and one thing that I really noticed this time around was how precious it was for them to have scripture. They sacrificed so much to go and get the brass plates from Laban and afterwards they thanked God and immediately searched them from beginning to end. Nephi talks about how precious they were to them and how they knew it was wisdom in God that they should have them. I'm sure he could not express on paper how much they meant to him. After realizing that, I've come to realize how I have totally taken the scriptures we have for granted. We are so lucky to have what we have so easily accessible to us. I could not imagine life without the scriptures and especially the Book of Mormon. Before my mission and even during I have often thought how awesome it would be when we will get all the other scripture that's missing and how much deep doctrine will be in there. That would be nice I cannot lie but what we have is obviously enough cause I don't think there is any person who does not constantly learn something new or have a new light on a certain scripture. What we have really is a blessing from God and is totally wisdom in God. There is safety in reading the scriptures cause when we do really all were doing is inviting the spirit in our life to teach us and bring things to our remembrance. I hope a goal that everyone has is to study the scriptures daily. Only good things will come of it. Well I hope everyone had a great week and once again thank you for all the love and support!

Love Elder Jaden Espinoza 

 The Fox Family moved to Alaska

I'm staying!

January 6, 2013

Well we have transfers comin up tomorrow and all I wanted was to stay here in the El Paso 1st ward and....I'm staying! My comp and I were convinced I was leaving. I woulda been soo sad! But I guess my work here is not yet finished which is totally okay with me! I've been here for 7 months now and have loved every minute of it! But it is gonna be that much harder to leave next transfer. I'm pretty sure I wont stay another one lol But its definitely happened before! So this last week was definitely the slowest week I've ever had on my mission. I think in total we had like 18 lessons cancel on us. But it was new years so we kinda figured it would happen. Then I got pretty dang sick but luckily the members in this ward are awesome and totally hooked it up with some good stuff haha Idk what it was but it sure did work! lol So even though last week was super slow and we didn't teach very many lessons and I was sick it was still a wonderful week. The university sisters in my district had a baptism. It was a girl that we had to hand over to them cause the university ward was better for her. But it still never fails to amaze me at how prepared people are for this gospel. Also we had an investigator who dropped us come to church on Sunday and totally wants to start taking the lessons again. She's Methodist and I guess she felt like she needed to go to a Methodist church again so she went for a few months and I guess it just felt really empty to her after coming to The Lord's church. We were so excited for her when we first started teaching her and now its even more exciting that she has completely made up her mind for which church she want to join :) We have lots of investigators we are working with that really want to learn. And now its the new year so people are wanting to change their life around. We also have this investigator who has read the Book of Mormon cover to cover and completely believes everything we teach him and that this is the restored church of Christ but he is a casual drinker and just cant give up that life style. Anyway we have been making commitments with him where we give up something for a week if he gives up alcohol. Its been pretty fun actually and hes been doing good. Anyway we committed him to stop drinking at midnight on new years so he can start the new year off without drinking. We went back new years day and he clearly did not keep his commitment. He was pretty hung over and had us come back two days later. So we did and he was in even worse shape than a few days before. I actually felt pretty bad for him cause he lives alone and doesn't have a car. He was very very sick and didn't have any kind of food he could keep down so he wanst eating and was dry heaving. He was in terrible shape. So we went and got him some chicken noodle soup and saltine crackers and what not. My comp and I were sayin how this was totally a sign for him to stop drinking and he better realize it. So when we get back he totally says, "I think I'm done drinking guys I'm taking this as a sign." We both almost leapt for joy but we had to hide it lol But was soon as we left we let it all out haha it was soooo awesome! So he should be getting baptized soon :) Well I hope everyone had a safe new years! And I hope everyone is starting out the new year and a good note :)

Love Elder Jaden Espinoza

"there's no comfort in growth and there's no growth in comfort."

December 31, 2013

  Well I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Christmas! It was really nice to be able to Skype with my family! Its pretty crazy to think that I've used up half of the times I get to Skype home! The time sure is flying by.

  Christmas was pretty nice here. We had a nice sunny and warm Christmas lol. It was in the mid to high 50's I think. Sure didn't feel like Christmas!! But it was nice to be able to hang out with members here. They're basically family to me now lol. Kinda like a home away from home.

  We were still able to have a busy successful week as well. We've been teaching lots and lots of lessons. We have also been finding a lot of new investigators who seem to really want to learn more about Christ and His gospel. As missionaries we kind of go through these stages where we find a lot then teach a lot then baptize a lot. We're kinda at the point where we have done that and are going back to finding lol. But were working on being able to keep it all constant. Our mission president wants us to baptize weekly. its tough but its definitely possible if we have the faith and diligence to do so! This area is a perfect place to do it!

  We have transfers coming up next week and we are both hoping we stay again! I would be way too sad to leave this area. But if the Lord calls me to go somewhere else I will willingly go!

  Not much else has happened here in El Paso. Just the same ol same ol. I hope every one has a happy and safe new year! I also hope we all have set some goals that are reasonable but will also make us stretch! There's a quote I love that goes something like, "there's no comfort in growth and there's no growth in comfort." Makes complete sense to me! I hope everyone sets some spiritual goals as well. It doesn't matter where we are at in life we can always strengthen our relationship with our father in heaven! Love you all and hope everyone stays safe!

Love Elder Jaden Espinoza

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!