Elder Colton West

Elder Colton West

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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Week 30: "Winter" is coming!

Another week has flown by, and with it goes the change.  I feel like every time I blink another month has gone by.  Before I know it I'll be an old man (in missionary years)!

We've been working like crazy this week, and it's paid off.  We found another family of new investigators.  They already attend another church, but they are really interested in the doctrine of eternal families, because that's something that their church doesn't teach.

Which brings us to something new that's going on in the mission.  President Vasquez has challenged us as missionaries to not just teach the missionary lessons, but to teach doctrine to our investigators, from the first contact.  Elder Yaxón and I have been doing that already by giving new contacts a DVD that talks about eternal families.  Presidente took it even further.  In a district meeting, he challenged us to teach about the House of Israel, and how we all can receive the blessings of one of the 12 Tribes.  We've seen a lot of success contacting that way.

Note for non-members: if you want to know more about eternal families or the 12 Tribes, light up the Bat Signal to call for Mormon Man. 

Now, the explanation for the title.  There aren't really seasons here.  The average temperature only varies by about 5 degrees Celsius throughout the year because, you know, tropical climate and all that.  The only difference is that here we have "summer" and "winter", or as gringoes say, the dry season and the rainy season.  Winter is a bit late in starting this year, but it's definitely on its way.  We got trapped in the church on Friday night by a torrential downpour that turned the streets into rivers.  No, I'm not kidding.  There was a good 5 inches of water in the gutters, overflowing the curb.  And the stormwater system was so over capacity that manhole covers got lifted by the water pressure, and a geyser started in the intersection by the church!  That's what the picture is.

Have a good week!

P.S.  The reason for last week's email title is this: in the ward here we have 5 different guys who go by the name "Tito."  So when someone says to talk to Tito, one always has to ask "Which Tito" (Cuál Tito?).


Elder Colton West

El Salvador, San Salvador East Mission


Editor's Note: We have received a LOT of pictures over the past 10 days or so from Melissa Vasquez, the mission president's daughter. (HOORAY! and THANK YOU MELISSA!!!) Whenever there is a zone or district meeting, a temple trip, or any other opportunity, this lovely young lady takes a ton of pics and puts them on Facebook for us missionary mommas to share!  I have so many that I think I will share a few each week for the next couple of weeks.  Elder West only sent one this week, of the flooded street, so these extras are a welcomed treat!



Temple Day 5.12.15
Ilopango Zone?
With President & Sister Vasquez
I believe this is Elder West's district in Ilopango.
He is directly behind the sister in the blue.
This is probably his district in Ilopango. Elder West, 2nd from left.
His companion, Elder Yaxon from Nicaragua, is center
Elder West having some fun with Melissa Vasquez,
mission president's daughter and photographer extraordinaire!
The storm-water system was so over capacity that manhole covers got lifted
by the water pressure, and a geyser started in the intersection by the church!


Friday, May 22, 2015

Week 29: Which Tito?

Another crazy busy week here in the mission.  I can't believe how fast this week has gone by!

We did two really awesome things as missionaries this week.  First off, we went to the temple on Tuesday.  And by "we" I mean my zone because most of the others went last week.

For those of you who don't know, the last time I got to go to the temple was in December.  That's a really long time ago as far as temple trips are concerned.  As missionaries we can only go to the temple on days that are scheduled by the mission office, and Tuesday was the first Temple Day in my time in the mission.  And it was absolutely amazing.  The temple is a spiritual recharge beyond what you know, even for the missionaries.  I am eternally grateful that we have temples in this day, and that we have one close by.  Church members: I hope you all are attending the temple regularly so that you can receive the blessings that come from doing so.  And if you aren't, I invite you to repent and claim your blessings.  Nonmembers: please ask your friendly neighborhood Mormons about the temple. They would love to tell you all about it!

The other really awesome thing that we did was a contacting activity as a district.  On four different days this week we went to parts of our areas and contacted every house.  We gave everyone a card with the Articles of Faith, talked about that for a minute, then asked if we could come back another day and teach more.  We handed out 300 cards, and just for my area we got 48 references from this activity, and gave many more people the opportunity to know a little bit more about what the Mormons really believe.

I hope all is going well for you all!  Take care!

Elder Colton West
El Salvador, San Salvador East Mission

Editor's Note: Sorry for my late posting/sharing. We have had company the past week and tons of senior year activities with Caleb. Commencement was last night and I'm finally taking a few minutes to get Monday's letter posted here. We have no idea what the title of this week's letter means as Elder West forgot to tell us!  I also have a TON of pics of the Temple day and a district meeting that I will post later. 


 
Outside the San Salvador Temple
(Editor's Note: we love the reflection camera snafu that cause the streak of light above his head.
Kind of symbolized the enlightenment that can come to one's mind when worshipping in the temple)

Monumento al Divino Salvador Del Mundo
"Monument to the Divine Savior of theWorld"

That's a cockroach.  It was bigger than my thumb and invincible. 
I am now very very afraid.