I Love Being A Missionary!

Hey, how are you all? Looks like you had another fun week. I had a good laugh reading about Keaton’s wait for his cleats...I can relate...getting new cleats in the mail is just exciting! They look sweet too! I thought you all playing baseball this past weekend, so I have been thinking a lot how the week of ball has been but you are all going this week...good luck!! Mom, I have been craving cupcakes....FIND a way to send me some ;)

It was a really slow week this week. It rained like crazy on Wednesday and even though we had a sweet day planned out, no one was home and there was no one in the streets. Friday was slow as well...what can ya do though? I get frustrated sometimes for a lack of success but I am staying positive because I know that is the only way to do things. But the good news is that we will have a SWEET baptism this Wednesday evening. Antonio (the tattoo guy) is ready to go. We had to straight up ask this week if had killed anyone but he hasn’t and this dude is gold. Just wants to be good with God. We passed by yesterday afternoon and he asked about having earrings because he has 2. We just explained to him that we shouldn’t have them even if the world says we should. He just said well if that is what the big man says than I gotta do it. Cool huh? He is super ready and is super willing to keep the commandments. I am excited to have a baptism like this because I have always wanted to teach and baptize a man who has lived a hard life, all covered in tattoos that has completely changed. God is fulfilling his promises and my desires little by little :)

On Friday, I went on interchanges in another area called Postal to do a couple baptismal interviews. Remember my convert named Cynthia?? The one that had the super cool dream and got baptized soon after in my last area? Well, the day we met her clear back in December, we met two other guys named Jairo and Augustin.  They didn’t live in my area so we sent the referral to the elders in Postal (where I went on interchanges on Friday.)  So I get to this house to do the interviews when Augustin comes walking in. Ha we recognized each other and proceeded to tell me that he hadn’t accepted the Gospel yet but he had introduced the Elders to his parents.  I thought it was really cool to hear that because God allowed me to see a little fruit of my work. Had we never met Augustin clear back in December, his parents wouldn’t be getting baptized this week. So I did the interviews for his parents who have changed their lives completely!! It was really good for me to be able to experience that because I now know that I am where God wants me to be. Even how hard it gets or how little success we have, God wants me to be here for now, so this is where I’ll be :)

Ha Elder Hunter has an ingrown toenail so it will be another slowwwww week while he is resting up. We will go later today to get that taken care of. I am glad I have stayed healthy and not had to worry about all that being a missionary. It’s all good though because we have trainings everyday this week except for Wednesday so he can get rested up. 

Well, have a good week of baseball. I’m definitely jealous!! Looking forward to this baptism and General Conference for sure!

I love and miss you all!!

Elder Roper

This pic comes right from the old border and a little monument there.  I have to laugh at the door that is cut into the border. We are teaching a guy right now that wants to cross illegally hahaha. It makes me laugh. Life in TJ is nuts :) love you all! 

It's Been A Weird Week

Hey, how are you all? Sounds like you all had a good week. It’s been a pretty normal one here. I’ve gotta tell you...the quotes from Turkey about watching the Sandlot gave me a great laugh today. I hope he is like that and not shy when I get home! What a guy! That’s too funny! Dad you’re right...he sure has grown up. I sure miss March Madness too, but I’ll be home for next year :)

Well, its been a weird week. I feel alone because I do everything ha. It’s been the first time in my entire mission that I’ve had a gringo companion and I’m the only one that speaks spanish ha. I have always been able to depend on my mexican companions to help me out if I didn’t understand something and now it’s the other way around :) But it’s all good though. I talk to him in English even though I know I should talk to him in Spanish. I don’t like repeating myself a whole lot though. So yeah he showed me like half of the area this past week and the people we are teaching. He is a good guy. Really quiet and reserved and I have become quite the talker in the mission, so its been rough not talking a whole lot this week but he is opening up a little more everyday. I teach most of the lessons and he is just kinda there supporting me but we are working on it ha. It will get better this week :) Oh, and yeah he already knows about the fish allergy as well as the ward. No worries Mom :) And yes he is a Boise fan.

Elder Hunter - my new companion from Idaho

There isn’t a whole lot of support in this ward right now. There hasn’t been a ward council meeting ever but we finally had one yesterday. The Bishop just wanted to do it once a month, but luckily the Elders Quorum President told him that we needed to do it every week. The Bishop asked us to bring a little training for next week and we are really excited to help the ward council. It should be a good opportunity for us to receive references and visit a whole bunch of less actives. So yeah, we are excited!

My area is seriously right on the border. In one of the pics you can see the border from some of the apartments.  It’s nuts! 

There are a bunch of people here that speak both English and Spanish. It has actually given us some chances to teach new people because everyone here tries to talk to us in English...it’s actually pretty funny some of the stuff they tell us.  One half of my area is like civilization, paved streets and normal people and the other half is dirt roads, really poor and crazy people. So it’s interesting to see the change every day from civilization to poor parts ha. I am pretty used to it though. I’m sure you all would be in shock to see what we walk around in all day...we are perfectly safe though :)

 We are really focused on finding new people to teach right now – whether it be talking with people in the street or finding references through the members. It has been rough and like you said Dad, I just have to keep it up instead of shutting down. It’s an uphill battle we are fighting but it will all work out in the end. We found various people this week, actually a lot, but I don’t think they will progress, but we will see what happens. We actually helped our neighbors out - carrying their grocery bags to their house, they accepted a return visit. We taught the Restoration and everything was great but when we went back they weren’t home and now they just say they are too busy for us....ha it’s disappointing but oh well. I am kinda down about it...imagine how our Father in Heaven feels. Yikes!

The only person we are teaching right now is a guy named Antonio. He grew up in California, but they just deported him six months or so back. Ha this guy is covered from head to toe in tattoos. He was a professional tattoo artist.  But he has since repented and wants to be baptized. He says ha has attended various churches but the first time he went with us he said he felt a deep peace inside his heart and a warmth that he had never felt anywhere else.  Bingo! So this guy knows the Church is true. He says he has polio (if that even exists anymore??) and doesn’t know how much longer he is going to live. He just wants to be good with God before he dies. He is a real good guy though and treats us really well. His aunt lives in Utah and gave us the referral just a little bit ago. I noticed the other day that he has a tattoo right by his eye that is a tear drop and if you have that tattoo that usually means you have killed someone. Ha so we are going to have to ask him straight up if he has killed someone..yikes ha. And if that is the case he will have to wait to get baptized. I’ll try and get a pic with him this week so you can see him soon :) it has been my dream to have a convert like this guy! Keep him in your prayers!

Saturday we had an open house type thing in the Stake Center. My boy, Elder Manis and I, were angels (guides) in the tour and that’s why we were dressed in all white. It was fun to see all the members from my first area, Otay, and chat with them for a bit. 

Here are some pictures of my new apartment.

Dad thanks for putting the money in my account. I’m doing my best not to spend a whole lot, but we are paying a bunch of money in taxis and buses and what not. Not to mention food. 

Well, that’s it for this week!

I love and miss you all!

Elder Roper 

My First Gringo Companion

Hey, how are you all? Looks like you all had a good week! Mom, thanks very much for the quotes. They will help me out quite a bit in the coming days! Turkey looks like a stud speaking in Primary and Hayden looks great playing ball!! Man, I miss you all! I got a good laugh out of what Turkey said about having to put the T-ville split T on the Highlander.  Do it Mom!

So, yeah the changes are always rough. I was really surprised with the changes this transfer. My companion got sent to be babysit with the zone leaders and it was my time to go, so that’s why they changed us both.

It was a bittersweet day yesterday saying goodbye to all the friends I have made in Las Villas. We couldn’t even say goodbye to all of our converts...there just wasn’t enough time. Here are pictures with Bro. Joshua that will soon going on a his mission and Bro. Juan that got baptized back in January. I am sad to leave them but excited to see what awaits me. 

So as for the changes . . . I stayed here in Tijuana. I am in the ward that is called Industrial. I am right here on the border again. So Dad, when you come to San Diego, you will probably be able to see my area ha! Actually in the sector just over from where I started in Otay. It’s bringing back a lot of good memories. I will be going to the same chapel where I went when I first got here to Tijuana, so I should be able to see my converts and the members from a year ago.

As for my companion – it’s my first gringo companion!!! His name is Elder Hunter from Cuna, Idaho. He has 3 months and just finished his training. I will be his second companion.I don’t have pics yet so you will have to wait a week Mom :) But I’ll have some asap!

I am still District Leader. I am real nervous because this area of TJ hasn’t had a whole lot of success in the past but we will just have to work hard and talk with everyone to have success. Things will work out in the end!

Well,  I love and miss you all! Gpa and Gma Mangelson -  have a happy birthday! Have a great week and please keep us in your prayers so that we can find people to teach! 

Take care!

Elder Roper

Missionaries of the Mexico Tijuana Mission

The Lord Prepares People To Accept The TRUTH Even By Means Of Other Churches

Hey, how are you all?? I am super jealous of your week you all had this week! Hayden, glad to hear the season started on a good note, keep up the good work! Keaton, thanks for the advice buddy. I am starting to get tired with 15 months but I know the Lord will bless me with strength and energy to finish strong!! And congrats on earning your wolf! Dad glad to hear you had a fun time skiing! We will have to go when I get home!

So I had to go to the line again today to renew my visa here in TJ. It was the only and last time I will go the rest of my mission. It was really weird seeing San Diego and a bunch of gringos and hearing people talk English. I spent the trip with Elder Peisley talking about the mish and life back home. I couldn’t help but think, man the next time I am hear crossing the line, it will be to go home...ha these next 8 months will FLY by. I gotta live it up!

So, this week has probably been the hardest week of my mission up to the point. We had the hour change on Saturday night and the 4 of us woke up sick with sore throat, dizziness, the usual ,etc Sunday morning. The weather has really warmed up. But every 10 days or so there are cold streaks and we end up with colds. Good ole TJ and its crazy weather :) So we are resting up today and trying to stay up on fluids.

Mom you asked about transfers. We have transfers next Monday morning. They call us on Saturday night to let us know. I have only 3 months here in this area. So it could go either way. I will be sad if I leave this area for all the converts and friends here. Ha one of them offered to go pick you and Dad up in April and bring you down here...I told him no thanks :) I know they aren’t going to bump me up to Zone Leader so it could honestly go either way. So if you don’t hear from me next Monday that’s why :) I’ll try and get you all a quick message letting you know whats up.

Elder Gonzalez is doing a lot better. I am doing my best to help him out and help him work hard while enjoying his mission. He has grown a lot and I will miss him if they change him or if I leave. Ha he is super worried about his woman back home and I just tell him well now you understand why the prophet asks us not to have girlfriends before the mission huh? :) He is a good guy and as long as he has good companions he will be fine. Its been fun to see his change.

Oh and our next zone conference is the first week of April. I could use more Mach 3 razor blades - just replacements. I know they are expensive but its just not the same shaving with a plastic razor. And oxy face wash por favor :) Thanks!

So, its been about the weirdest couple of weeks of work in my entire life. We haven’t had any success finding people in like a month. I don’t know if its because we had so much success the last transfer and the Lord is testing us, or if its a lack of effort on my part or what has happened. Its been rough though.

Remember Oscar that I told you about last week? We had another legit lesson on Friday. He wife received her answer after our first appointment but never told us until Friday. She had a dream where she was in the chapel looking for the true church and a man whose face she never saw, dressed in ALL white, told her that this was the true church. She started crying when she told us this - so did I. It was the second time one of my investigators has received revelation is such a profound way.  She told us now she had to desire to be bapitzed but wants to wait for her husband. He then started telling us that the first time he took the Sacrament in our church he felt a wave of emotion and almost cried. I took that for his answer but he then told us that he had felt the same feeling in the Christian church when he went. He asked us to differeniate the feelings. Man, what a task! I have no clue how this came out of my mouth but I shared Isaiah 55:8-9 and told him that even though it seems silly, the Lord prepares people to accept the TRUTH even by means of other churches. Ha he sat there stunned by the Spirit. But he hardened his heart and pretty much asked us the prove the Book of Mormon true with the Bible which we did. This guy just needs to pray and he will be set. He told us he was going to finally pray but if the Lord told him no that we would never come back to his house. Ha i started laughing and told him that was fine and that we would put our confidence in the Lord.  So we have two possible baptisms this week if Oscar has receives his answer by Thursday evening... :) This family is super ready and I know without a doubt in my heart that they are part of the people that I told before this life that I would find and bring them the gospel just like Pres. Schulte told me in my blessing when he set me apart. I am forever grateful for writing down what I was told in that blessing. So we see what happens if we baptize this family this week or not!

Dad, keep up the hard work back home. I know its hard because we don’t see results as fast as we would like and I imagine its even harder in SLC. Tell the bishop right now to put me as your assistant to help you out when I get back. I imagine the work and meetings are a lot harder with members that have a bunch of time in the Church and want to do things their way. I will always refer back to Preach My Gospel to do the things the Lord's way. 

As for the questions about TJ, we see Chiclet gum but everyone chews what we chew back home. Here along the border things are a lot like the United States but everyone says in the South its how everyone thinks it is-donkeys, and sombreros, and washing clothes in the river and what not. I love it though.

The temple is really progressing and I heard today that it could possibly be dedicated next April. Hopefully I am free and have money to be able to come to the dedication. It’s the biggest temple in Mexico and it will be such a blessing to the people!

With all the violence in Russia, did they assign Aubrey Thompson to another mission as well? That’s too bad to hear about all the violence!

Well I love and miss you all! Have a great week!

Elder Roper

Here are pictures from the sister that I baptized yesterday. I ended up confirming her as well...first time I have done that in my life. Super good and humbling experience. 

And a picture after district meeting on Tuesday!

Love you all!

The Spirit Is So Important In Our Lives!

Hey how are you all? Hayden -  super excited for ya buddy! Congrats on making the freshman team! You will have a blast of a year! I’m jealous that you are living this time in your live...live it up and enjoy it to the fullest! You will have fun and grow a lot.  Mom, it looks like you had a fun time with all the Missionary Moms downtown. How is it being a missionary mom? I’m glad you were able to experience that!

It POURED this weekend. Okay it wasn’t that bad but it was the best rain I have seen in a year here in TJ. It started Friday morning and was on and off all weekend until Sunday afternoon. We had a lot of fun-well I had fun walking around in the rain all day. I dunno but I am a fan of working in the mud and wet.  It’s not everyday that we get to work in the rain and mud :) And yes mud. Ha there aren’t many paved streets in my area so it made for a fun weekend and a messy house after! 

It was another slow week of work this week. We are having a rough time finding people. Finding is the key being a missionary. If you find, you have success. But if you don’t, you don’t have success. So we are really focused on that right now. Getting the members to present us to their friends and family, and talking to everyone in the streets.

It’s always so interesting to see how Satan changes people after we meet them. They are almost always interested in why there are so many churches today so they accept a visit in their houses. But after the first visit they start hiding from us, or changing the appointments and what not. Ha we went and hunted down one of our investigators and finally found her home. She told us she wasn’t interested anymore because she thought she had to be in the chapel 7 days a week and after her baptism she was going to be a monk, etc hahahaha. We had to sort things out and the point of the story is that she accepted another date, now that she understands everything. Needless to say Satan always toys with our investigators and if we don’t see them everyday or every other day he makes them fall. It’s fun though! We have 5 dates on track for the last week of March that I hope get baptized so we don’t blank this month. The Lord will bless us though :)

Dad I have to tell you, We are on the same schedule for the Gospel Principals class. And I enjoy it just as much as you do. I have been through it quite a few times now and I learn something new every time through. I remember switching into that class before my mission and it helped me a lot. We have had 2 really powerful classes these past 2 weeks. Its been because it helps the investigators see that normal members can teach with the Spirit as well.  This week we talked about prayer as well...when, why, how, and all that jazz. Remember my convert Cynthia? The one that received her answer in a super cool dream? She shared her testimony yesterday of how she had received an answer to her prayers and how she would always have a testimony of prayer. Super cool!! We were all crying - the Spirit was that strong. Cynthia's mom has since started coming to church every week as well as her brother, Jose Carlos. He is 19 and on date for the 27th.

Then last week we talked about the Holy Ghost. Again, who, why, how and what not. The teacher, Hno Dany, asked us to share an experience we had had as missionaries with the Holy Ghost. Every Thursday we are teaching Hno Dany's brother, Oscar. Oscar met the missionaries about 3 years ago. They told him to pray and what not. So Oscar prayed sincerely to know the truth. And the dumb Elders never went back to his house...ha so Oscar took that as his answer that the Church wasn’t true.  Fast forward 3 years to Elder Estrada and I. We met with him about 6 weeks ago. We told him that we weren’t going to miss the next appointment and to keep praying. Needless to say we missed the next appointment due to interviews that I had to do in another part of the city. So he took that as another answer that the Church wasn’t for him sadly. But we have met with him for 2 weeks straight now and he is really progressing. When Oscar was 15, he was in a Christian church and preached in the streets and everything. So he has ALOT of questions. He has asked the same questions to his brother. So 2 weeks ago Oscar asked us the same exact questions to see how 2 Mormon Missionaries would react. Because we had the Spirit with us, we answered the questions in the EXACT same week Oscar's brother answered them. Dany told us this after the appointment and it blew me away. The Spirit is so important in our lives!! Oscar won’t accept a baptismal date because he doesn’t want to rush anything, but he told us as soon as he gets his answer he AND his wife will get baptized. I sure hope I am around for that baptism because it will be great!!

Lets see . . .  what else has happened?? Another sister asked me to baptize her this upcoming Friday. She and her husband contacted me in the street about a month ago. They don’t live in my area and the sisters have taught her and prepared her for her baptism, but she wants me to baptize her because I was the first missionary she had met in her life...ha talk about being in the right place at the right time!

I love and miss you all! Sorry for the lack of pics! Double next week :)

Elder Roper