Hey Mom and Dad! How is everyone doing? I am doing well.
We haven't had baptisms for about 2 weeks, but we are doing really well. We just need to find more people to baptize. We hope to have a baptism this week of a sister named Carmen. She's a great person. She's the daughter of a sister that was just baptized. Josefina and her grand-daughter are going to be baptized the 20th. Josefina has taken a long time to a accept a baptismal date, but has finally consented. She is so awesome. She's had a rough life, and is coming to God for the first time in her life. I have seen a transformation in her life. She's so much happier. She's allot like me actually! We have personalities a lot alike. I've been able to help her and understand her more than anything. Two other sisters are going to church every week, but still haven't accepted a baptismal date. They're really funny. They laugh all the time. They do have the pure desire to be happier and to be closer to God.
Kayra, that was just baptized, the woman in the picture I sent you with her daughter, has been having some problems. She hasn't come to church for two weeks. I am a little worried about her. Petra and Abel are progressing so fast! They already have a strong love for God and the Book of Mormon. It's been awesome to see them progress. They are going to be a strong part of the church here!
My branch president is named Jose Luis. He;s a great person. He is SHORT but has a really big testimony. I have been working well with him and his counselors.
Have you gotten the new manual for priesthood and relief society? It's about the principles of the Gospel. It's a great book! I'm starting to read it now. I've been able, in these past few weeks, to understand the Atonement a little bit more. The Atonement is what changes us. We are changed through the power of the Atonement. It's is what has made everything possible!
Do you have any ideas of activities we can have, or things that we can do as a ward? Something cheap but fun? I wanted to go caroling with the branch, but that idea got shot down. They don't sing too well down here. Actually, yesterday, I taught a choir of young men and Young women. They sing pretty well, they just need to practice. The members here are so great! They love to participate.
A convert of Elder Anderson is having a hard time. Her name is MariLu. She's struggled through out her life with alcohol and is getting help from the church and Alcoholics Anonymous.
Keep these little Mexican people in your prayers please! They need all the help they can get.
The virgin's day comes soon. How I hate that day! They set off fireworks FOREVER!! The fireworks here are so loud and obnoxious! They also celebrate the Virgin by dancing, drinking, sinning and all sorts of wickedness. My companion says that the Virgin of Guadalupe is Satan in a skirt.
We're gonna find out soon where you're gonna call for Christmas. I'm excited to talk to you. Now I'll be able to talk to Max a little bit right? Can he talk now?
I miss the little kids more than anything. There are such cute little Mexican kids here. I've got a favorite one. His name is Bryan. He's so fat! He's only ten months old and his HUGE! I call him Goliath.
We sing a lot here. Elder Anderson doesn't like to sing very much, but he does it. It's good to help people sing here. The church is growing little by little, very slowly. But it is progressing!
I love you all. Thanks for all the help and love. I hope you have a great day and week!
Russell
Elder West
