Week 86 - All I Do Is Win

Hey family,

What´s up? Things are going well here in Ocozocoautla. Time is seriously flying by. This week I really did include pictures I hope you like them. The second picture is a picture of my zone - this week I want to tell you a little bit about the incredible missionaries that surround me. 

Elder Parker - Probably the most pleasant person ever. He is super humble and a bit quiet - but you can feel his spiritual power. He is a quarterback recruit at BYU and has 10 weeks remaining. He was a 5 time high school state champ at Hurricane High School (yes hurricane as in hurican, lavercan, and toquerville). once in football, twice in basketball, and twice in track and field.

Hermana Hernandez - Hilarious. She is a convert. The missionaries contacted her one day while she was in the street smoking a cigerette. She intended to rudely decline the missionaries invitation to visit her but found herself accepting. The same happened with all of the commitments - she intended to say no to reading the Book of Mormon, praying and being baptized, but ended up saying yes to them all. I wonder if she intended to say no to her bishop's invitation to serve a mission...

Elder Merrill - 18 year old from Provo Utah. His dad is a finance professor at BYU. Awesome kid. 

Hermana Zuñiga - is a great grandmother in the mission and only has 8 months. She was trained 2 transfers, then trained 2, her trainee trained, and her trainees trainer is training. Pretty intense. 

Etc. All of the missionaries here are an inspiration and I love them.

Dad - I would definitely recommend coming down for the Urvan. You could probably get a good deal on a used Combi. I can´t believe Roy is actually going to graduate - who would have thought. ha. :) Negative - no pot lucks

1.  Are the Ward members feeding you?

    they feed us lunch. We don´t eat dinner until we get home at night.

2.  What percent of meals do you have provided?

     - haha recently about 50. The members always forget. We send them messages to remind them and they don't read them. We call them and they don't answer...

3.  How much money do you spend on food each month?

     - Probably about 800 pesos. Enough for breakfast and dinner everyday for a month if you're thrifty.

4.  What is the rent cost on your home?

     - 1800. not too bad. In Tapachula I paid 800 ha.

5.  Why do the people like concrete so much?

    Helaman 3:7  And there being but little timber upon the face of the land, nevertheless the people who went forth became exceedingly expert in the working of cement; therefore they did build houses of cement, in the which they did dwell.

What goals have you set for the next 3-4 months?  Do you make goals that far out? Or is the life of a Missionary more focused on the near future?  How do you like being a trainer?  Do you keep in contact with any of your pad jobs from freshman year?  Too many questions?

   -None really. In terms of numbers we dont have any goals that go that far, but I could make some for personal progress. We have daily, weekly and monthly goals. I like being a trainer - really I enjoy any opportunity to teach. I keep in touch with Mike Ricks from freshman year. From this week on I probably have a friend finishing their mission every week. Not too many. :)

Love you dad

Andee - Fear the tree. I love it!  Are you excited to be a Cardinal? It would have been nice for Roy to tell me, but you are a much more reliable source haha. haha I can´t believe you are selling the computer Roy won. He should give it to me to make up for destroying my Acer haha. just kidding. In response to your command, ´´Go find those ready to hear the word!´´. I say, ´´yes, I´ll´´ haha. Love you AD

Mom - I hope you're having a good time in Toquerville. What is BLM? I like your insight from Preach My Gospel. I like how that part says over and over ´´they need´´, ´´they yearn,´´ etc. My lesson from this week is just about doing what you are asked to do and letting the Lord do the rest. We are asked to do at least 140 contacts each week but hardly anyone in the mission actually does it. So this week my companion and I decided to do it - and we did. We were so blessed. We ran into so many people that were prepared to hear the gospel. Too often we use all our efforts to do the work, but we ignore the things we are asked to do. This week we went back to basics and were very blessed. 

Well, time is just about up. I love you guys!

Elder Roth

Con Eduardo

My Zone

Week 85 - Elder Hales slayed it!!

Hi,

Elder Hales slayed it!!

I always love your emails, but this week they were especially funny. My ribs hurt haha. It's been a really good week. I´m glad to hear you all enjoyed the conference - I got to see all 5 sessions and I loved it! How are the general authorities so cool?

I guess I really don´t have much to report so I´ll just get on to your emails. 

Dad - Sorry to offend you for your Mexican food habits haha. I guess you'll just make yourself some shells and cheese from now on. :) Haha I don´t remember saying that I am in a crazy crazy place but it's true - every day I just look around me and can´t help but smile. President Packer's talk was really good - I enjoyed that one too. Sorry about the car situation...my suggestion would be a Nissan Urvan - you could use it to carpool people to work like the combis. You´d have the coolest ride in town.

 I enjoyed Elder Ballard´s talk as well and I´m glad you are taking on the challenge. I´ve read that book (Preach My Gospel) tons of times - this week I learned more about humility. The seccion about it in chapter 6 talks about the symptoms of pride, which I can see in myself. I´m trying to be more humble. I'd recommend you start this week in chapter 1. That's always been my favorite chapter. I especially like the quotes from the Presidents of the church at the end. If every member understood the missionary purpose and our missionary responsibility we would see even more miracles than we see now...that's a lot of miracles. 

1.  How do the members react to conference?  Do they come to the building?  Do many have internet connections?  Are they able to watch at all?
      - It depends on their commitment level. Some see it as a week off, others as the highlight of their 6 months. They go to the stake center in Tuxtla - though I don't know why because our chapel has internet. About 30 percent of the members have internet in their house.

2.  Tell us about your trainee companion?
     - My companion is named Elder Stephens. He is from Las Vegas. He is 18 years old and he is learning quickly. He´ll be a really good missionary :)

3.  What percent of American missionaries become very fluent in the Spanish language?  Are there any that just cannot master it?
     - Most get pretty proficient, with varying levels of mastering the accent. We had one that spoke perfectly - people thought he was a Mexican. There are some that never really get it down as well. 

4.  Do you anticipate being able to attend the Tuxtla Gutierrez Temple within the next 4 months?
     - I should go the last day of my mission. Other than that - no.

5.  Do you know if any of the people you have taught have been able to receive the Endowment?  If they did, would you be able to go?
     - I´m not sure if anyone I have baptized has received the endowment. A lot of people I have taught have received it. If one of my converts gets sealed and I am in Tuxtla I can go. Other than that I won´t be going.

Thanks for your email. I think all is well in Provo ha - 

Mom - I would love some 86 degree weather. It feels like it's about 86°C out here. I´m sweating all over the place right now ha.  Elder Bednar's talk was a good one. Among other lessons, I liked the subtle - do what your wife says because if you don´t you´ll probably end up looking like an idiot. ha. Enjoy your last 2 Institute classes! I love you!

RAD - You guys made me laugh so hard. That carry on bag was one of the most brilliant moments of my life. I can´t believe they let me though security with that. I´m glad you liked Stanford - I´m cool with visiting Palo Alto anytime ha. Also, when Dad drives right next to you without ever looking over. funniest thing ever. Enjoy your last 2 weeks at BYU. I love you guys.

Steph - Poor little Chey bears. :( I´m glad to hear you like my emails. Those are some good insights - I especially like the vacuum cord analogy. You are tougher than your tough times. Love ya!

I have pictures for you but the computer doesn´t recognize my card. I have so much more I want to tell you but time's up. I love you guys.

I´m looking forward to talking to you on Mother's Day.

Till next week

Elder Roth

Week 84 - Ocozocoaulta, Ocozocoaulta

Dearest family,

:) Life is good.  Sorry for the short email last week, this week I´ve got more time.  This week was a bit tough - but I´m tough too, so that's ok.  We had a baptism fall through and most of our appointments went through as well.  We probably walked about 8 miles both Saturday and Sunday.  But no worries - I'm still all smiles ha.  This week two sister missionaries are coming to our area.  So we had to split it.  As it turns out our half is fairly devoid of investigators, so we´ll be working on that a bit this week. 

Thanks for your emails.

Mom -  I'm glad you and dad are together in PVB.  It seems like these last few months you have spent alot of time apart.  I´ll be staying here in Ocozocoautla another transfer - hopefully 3 more transfers.  I really like it here, the members are awesome! :)  Thanks for working out the housing situation for me.  I really had no idea about any of it.   ha. I love the parable of the prodigal son - I never get tired of reading it.  I´ll do my best to spread the love haha.  I´m always trying to be the type of missionary that you hope I am.  Love you Mom!

Dad - About 85% of your emails mention your ´´support´´ that you give me by eating Mexican food.  haha.  You crack me up.  Next time you go to a mexi restaurant ask the guys there where they are from. There are a ton of Chiapanecos in the United States (most of the Mexican's there come from southern Mexico given that it is poorer than northern Mexico.) To be honest the food here isn´t anything like the food in Mexican restaurants - it's better there :). 

1.  What is the status of your camera?  Have you taken many photos?
     I really don´t take many pictures at all.  Sorry.  But I have the goal of sending you at least one picture each week from now on. 

World's Best District

World's Best Companion

 I seriously love Elder Shelley so much! 

Being with him was like having Roy as my mission companion - 

a constant party both spiritually and otherwise. 

2.  How long since your last dose of de-wormer?  What is the status of your gullet?
      Too long...Murphy doesn´t have anything on me in the gas department.  I really am looking forward to the next de-worming pill they send us.

3.  Do you use videos much in your teaching?
     No - lots of people don't have DVD players. And of those that do, about 98% of them don't have the control so you can't change the language.  It's really frustrating.

4.  I understand an investigator should attend 5 times to show a pattern for baptism. What percent of your investigators attend at least once, but do not attend five times?
     Most investigators that go once keep going. The trick is the first time. 

5.  What is the air quality like in Ocozoco?
      Better than Tuxtla. There is lots of dust and there are no emissions standards so it's a bit not ideal ha. It could be worse though, I could be in Mexico City. 

That's so awesome that Roy sunk the putt.  I was wondering when Steven went home and when Michael left.  That's so awesome!  Congrats to both of them!  The next package you send me will probably be the last considering that they sometimes take 2 or 3 months to get here.  My only request is instant grits.   haha. And any other food you can manage to get me that doesn't exist here.  I shop in a convenience store so the selection is super limited.  Love you Dad!

AD - Have a great time in Palo Alto!  haha Eayden is hilarious.  And Roy is such a delk.   ha. Remember how Roy destroyed my laptop... haha.  Hopefully he´ll protect this one a bit better.  Love ya AD!

Steph - Ty and Ry look like twins.   ha. You are a great mom for taking them to the temple. I cherish my memories of youth temple trips more than almost anything else.  Keep on taking them!  Have a great week.  Love ya!

Till next Monday,

Elder Clark Roth

Week 83 - Hi

Hi guys,

Sorry I don't have much time today. Next week sister missionaries are coming to Ocozocoautla so we have to find a house for them today. I´ve also got lots of other stuff to do. 

This week has been good. We have been going nuts on contacts and baptismal invitations and we have seen lots of miracles.

Thanks for your emails. I really appreciate them. Sorry that I don't have time to respond to them today. But to make up for it I sent you some pictures. 

Most of them are from a pueblo outside of Coita called Lucio Cabañas.

 the panoramic is Coita, 

and the dude with the oxen is Coita as well.

It's a strange strange place haha.

I love you guys. I´m doing really well but I am super tired ha. 

Week 82 - My Week Alone

Hola,

It's been a crazy week. But a good crazy. Here´s the 6 sentence run down. On Tuesday Elder Shelley headed of to Pijijiapan - after he left they told me that my companion wasn´t here yet so I spent the rest of my day with the zone leaders. On Wednesday I worked with a returned missionary from the branch and we had an awesome day, at 7 I had to start back to Tuxtla so I could sleep in the ZL´s house. Thursday - Work with another RM, elders from Cintalapa come to take me back to their area. Friday - Work in Cintalapa, do a couple of baptismal interviews for them, sleep in Cintalapa. Saturday - come back to Ocozolandia, work with a youth from the ward, he leaves me, find another person to work with me, sleep in my house with another Young man from the ward. Sunday - Wake up at 5:15, go to Tuxtla, pick up my new companion, miss church (oops), go to a different ward´s meetings, come back to Coita. 

Pretty crazy right? I´m pretty tired now - I´ve traveled a lot, slept on the floor 4 nights in a row, but now all is well. My new companion is Elder Stephens, from Las Vegas. He´s cool - we are excited to work together and should have lots of success. He already speaks Spanish fairly well, but he has a hard time understanding people. He´ll pick it up quick though. We are going to trabajar como negros. haha. (thats not racist in Spanish...) :)

Thanks for the emails. 

Dad - Bummer about the car. One question: does the gas pedal click when you floor it? haha. I would have done the same thing - you ruin the wheels, you ruin the car. I hope all goes well in Atlanta today. That sounds like a really good topic for a talk. I remember you telling me that you never really learned how to pray until you were a Bishop. I know exactly what you mean now - I've truly learned to pray as a missionary. I´ve also learned a billion other things - the mission has been good to me. The transfers were indeed unexpected - but I guess that's the way it goes. 

1.  What chapter of PMG did you spend the most time with this week and what did you learn from it?

    Umm - I spent time in a few - We did our district meeting about chapter 1 and chapter 7 (Our Missionary Purpose and How to Learn the Language - which I had never taught nor heard in any prior meeting.) But we have some new missionaries in the district that need help with the language so I taught it. I also spent some time in chapters 3, 4 and 6.

2.  Tell us of something good you were able to do on Sunday.

      Pick up my companion. Let me tell you, its tough without a compy. New missionaries may feel somewhat useless but they really help more than they imagine. We also got to teach some lessons and talk with our Branch Pres. It was a good Sunday.

3.  When do you get your new companion?  Already have him? If yes, tell us about him.

     See above :)

4.  How is your language study?  How much are you progressing?  How much staying the same?  How is the accent?

      Language study can get a bit tedious sometimes, but now with a new companion it's a bit more exciting - more than anything I´m just helping him out. I´m progressing a bit still, but not very quickly anymore. My accent is pretty good. 

5.  What can we do do help you in your efforts to Preach The Gospel?

     I love what President Uchtdorf taught. Lift where you stand. The best thing you can do to help me is help the missionaries in the ward - give them referrals, go teach with them, befriend their investigators, etc. The members here are helping me tons.

Yeah, we had carnival.  It was awful. Nobody actually likes it - its just more trash, more drunk people, and more danger than usual. 

Love you Dad. Have an A Number 1 Super Winner week.

Carly - What a joy it is to hear from you. I´m glad you enjoy the emails and I really am so happy. Wow that was fast! I hope you can stay in Florida - it is after all the best state ... well maybe. Thanks for your prayers and your missionary efforts. Love ya.

Mom - Wow, I love the insight in the feeding of the 5000. I had never seen it like that before. But it's the truth. I am so so glad to hear that you have been talking with Isaac. I pray for him often. One little adage I´ve made myself in the mission is: ´´I believe in the prodigal son.´´ I have seen so many people, who have ruined their life with riotous living, ´´come to themselves.´´ People are good - we are children of God and the sparks of divinity are within us. I believe that most people do come to themselves and I love it when they do. There is a video with Elder Holland called, ´´The Other Prodigal Son´´ - it's awesome. Anyway. I love you mom! You are the best mother I have ever had! haha :)

Andee - You´ve married a lunatic. And tell that bum to write me! haha. I´m glad you enjoyed your week and were able to laugh at Roy. You say that I have more important people to write...do you realize that normally only you, Mom and Dad email me? haha. You´re hilarious. 

Well, time is up. Love you all ! 

Elder Roth

Week 81 - Life is Wonderful

That is the prettiest car I have ever seen. Congratulations Dad. :) Well, I´ve got good news and baddish/good news. The good news is that this week was awesome! Our members are helping us out so much and yesterday was just an awesome Sunday. The baddish news is that Elder Shelley just got transferred. He is going to Pijijiapan, where he will sweat more than he ever has. I´m going to train a new missionary but I don´t know who it is yet. I´m really excited about that, it will be great. 

Thanks for your emails. I always look forward to them. 

Dad - You made a good choice on that car. It's awesome that Dunn Avenue has so many missionaries- I seem to recall the Jax Beach ward having 10 missionaries at one point, but 12 is unheard of. We are so far behind on the technology. But I won´t complain - we are doing some good work here. I hope the Xpedex project goes well and doesn´t require the self denial you put yourself though in January and February. 

1.  What are some of your recent favored scriptures?

     -that's tough. One of my favorites is Alma 26:22. We have been using that one with the members to help them realize their potential to bring souls to Christ - all they have to do is have faith, pray, repent, and do good works; and they can bring thousands of souls to salvation. Not bad.

 
2.  How is Mexico different than you anticipated while in the MTC?

     - haha in every way. It's tough to answer that because I really don´t remember what I was expecting in the MTC. But it's poorer, hotter, and better haha :)

3.  Tell us about an investigator you are currently working with?

     - We found a guy named Jeremias this week. He is really really humble and just wants to learn. We invited him to get baptized in the first lesson and he accepted without a second thought. He is really cool.

4.  What sights and sounds are around you today?

    - Same as always. Street vendors, Vespas without mufflers, horns, etc.

5.  Are you still using your Unisource bucket, or any bucket?

    - ha! The Unisource bucket isn´t mine. But yes I´m using buckets often - I still use them for laundry sometimes, they are my mop buckets, trashcan, etc.

Have a great week Dad. I love you!

Mom - That sounds like an awesome baptism. There are so many good people in the world just waiting to hear us open our mouths. Sorry I don´t have much time to respond today. But I love you! Tell Sheila that I got her package this week and send her a ´´thank you´´ for me. :)

Roy - Congrats again. I got your Christmas card - you and AD are the best. I hope that what I have said plays absolutly no role in your decision process. haha. Have a good week. Love you bro.

AD - Thanks for reminding Roy to write me this week. You're making my mouth watering just by mentioning Cafe Rio´s salads. They are so good. I have no idea where I want to live or anything like that. Perhaps next week I´ll know... Root for my cougars! Love ya AD.

Well, time's up. 

I love you guys!

Week 80 - Roy, you are such a bum :)

Hi.

First of all, congrats to Roy. He must be so deep in celebration that he didn´t find time to write me. I´m interested in hearing what his decision is. Thanks for your emails. I love them tons. This is coming in a bit late because we had a 3 zone activity today. We went to the Cañon de Sumidero again and played some sports. It was lots of fun. 

We had a great week. 96 year old Marciano got baptized and confirmed- he is awesome. We are just loving the work.

Andee-Dawn - tell your husband to repent. He didn´t even tell me that he got accepted to Stanford. Have a great time at Soldier Hollow! Last time was awesome! Does Roy still have the same morning routine? you know...you have to wake him up about 5 times, he asks you to make him some toast, etc. haha. That kid is hilarious. Love ya AD!

Steph - Its good to know that Ty and Ry don´t forget about me. One of the assistants when I got here was named Elder Barrow and he was from Houston, Texas. Your Stake Pres wouldn't happen to have a son that served in Tuxtla, would he? We do not have iPads...not even close. You know in An Idiot Abroad when Carl is talking about all the things China needs before it needs an iPhone? - same story here haha. Love ya Steph!

Dad - my tech savvy parents ha. The world of sports seems interesting. I´m really glad that you are back at home. Hopefully you can get back in the tradition of your early morning bike rides. Don´t forget to count the steps to the water :)

1.  Why does it look to me like many of the homes are under construction, or otherwise not finished?
     haha, that's a good question. If you are referring to the the fact that the sides aren't painted - that's just  normal. Paint is expensive... if you refer to the the fact that there is a ton of sand and gravel in the street so that the people can mix cement, that is just normal too. People are always making something out of cement.

2.  Have you received your iPads yet?  The missionaries here in the Florida, Jacksonville mission have.
     No.

3.  Tell us about an investigator that you are currently working with.
     There are a bunch, but one of my favorites is Eduardo. His wife and daughter recently got baptized but he had to work Sundays so he couldn't go to church. He was finally able to get Sundays off though - so he´ll be baptized once he has his 5 attendances. (is that proper English?) He is awesome. This Sunday he was asking us when he can get a calling, because he wants to help out more in the branch. He is super solid. 

4.  What have you learned about prayer recently?
     Lots. There is a section in Preach My Gospel called Accountability. It talks about how we ought to discuss our efforts and our results with the Lord. I have been doing that recently and I have founds lots of ways to improve. Too often we talk at the Lord - we need to talk with him. He listens. I don´t ask for many blessings anymore. More so, I just thank him for all that he has given me and talk with him about the things I need to improve.
Love you dad!

Mom - haha, you are hilarious. You gotta love fast and testimony meetings :) I talked with the President today - he said he´ll send in the endorsement, hopefully this week he´ll do that. I have absolutely no idea what I want to study when I get home. I'll talk with you guys about that when I get home. For right now I´m not going to worry about it too much. 

Well, that's pretty much a week in the life of a Mexican missionary. Life is rocking. I am smiling and sweating (and smell so bad right now haha). Love y'all :)

Elder Roth