One More Change in Haciendas

ELDERFJERSTADANDIARESTAYINGTOGETHERINHACIENDAS! :D 

Phew. We are excited. :) 

We are seeing a lot of success with the ward here. We just did a ward activity this last Saturday that worked really well. We sent up a bunch of carpas (how do you say that in English?) and had a little open house with little booths for each church organization (Relief Society, Quorum de Elderes, etc.), and then had the biggest tent reserved where the ward mission leader and the ward missionaries conducted people on a little path that explained about the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, and other topics that feature the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation. We saw a lot of success, and have more than 20 references to visit this week, many of which have large families. We are very hopeful. 

Today we went out to Ocoyoacac to get marriage papers in for a couple that is getting married this Friday. The family is incredible, and very excited for their baptismal date. They will be getting baptized on the 22nd. The mom and dad (Marisol y Antonio) are both ecstatic about what they are learning in the church and the Spirit that they feel there. Marisol comes from a Catholic background, and Antonio was completely athiest. They have both progressed so much, and are so happy that everything is coming together. They will be phenomenal members of the church. 

We have one other family that is really awesome that we just found. A mom (Jessica), the dad (Gregorio), and then three sons between the ages of 8 and 13. The oldest son has been studying with the Jehovah's Witnesses, but has not been corrupted yet. He understands really well the scriptures (better than most adults and even some missionaries :) ), and is really excited. The dad isn't all too impressed with us, but from what we could tell it has to do with fear. Fear of something new, güeros, and something that implies commitment. We are working through that now, and hope to see them becoming members of the church this next change. 

Elder Fjerstad and I are doing great! We have found a great balance of having fun and working hard, which is also yielding lots of fruits in our everyday work. I could not love the mission more. 

Thank you all so much for all that you do! I love you so much! Have a wonderful week! 

Love, 
Elder Kennington 

Preguntas Bien Rapidito 
Q: Did you get all of your ward mission lesson things all written up and ready to go? 
A: Yep! And we are working on more. The idea is that the ward missionaries go around sharing them and teaching and inspiring the members becase missionaries come and go. Elder Fjerstad and I want to have an impact that lasts far beyond the length of our stay. I am really excited that we have one more change to make it even bigger. :) 

Q: How are the three newly-baptized sisters doing (Giselle and her sisters)? 
A: They are doing great! Their dad is getting worse and worse. Hortencia (the mom) is seriously considering getting separated from him. It breaks my heart to see the family struggle, but they are becoming stronger because of it. They are incredible incredible converts. :):) 

Q: Any news on Jairo, your first baptism who had cancer? 
A: No. I still haven't found out anything, aside from that he is still alive and doesn't believe in God. :/ Things are looking pretty dismal for his family. The dad is worse than ever. Italia is still active, but struggling too. Sigh.