Happy 13th Week:) 9 months left!!!

Whats up Mom!

Dang I like the Bathroom. When did you start this? Did the Cheap Construction Worker do it for you? Hopefully all goes well with the counter. Have you sold my car yet? I didn't see it in the picture. 

 I just wrote Dad a letter. Everything is cool here. I see what you mean when you say that you work with teenagers. I am now working with teenagers. We have two missionaries in our zone that are straight up Flojos. We went on exchanges with them and one of them straight up lied to my face. I was furious! Kept my cool, but I hate it when I get lied to.  If it was up to me, they would be sent home. 

Sorry My address is: 

44240 20th St. E #4

Lancaster CA, 93535

My Mission address is:

Elder Andres Ruelas

Bakersfield Mission

3512 Coffee Rd Suite B

Bakersfield, CA 93308

This week was a good week though. We found 4 new investigators and 3 of them are a family. They are SUPER Solid. They came to church and so did our investigator that is skitsophrenic. The Branch that I am in isn't that great, but the investigators still liked church. The son who is 13 years old really liked it and made some new friends. The dad said "Esto es lo que yo estaba esperando" right before he left. I am super excited for them. This area is super hard, but when you find people like them, it makes it all worth it. I like it better for the work compared to my last area. There is a ton more latinos here, but I do miss my last area. Seeing my converts and the members and all. 

Yes I got the shoes and the money. I like the mints, the Cheetos are making it hard for me to lose weight. They are good though. Thanks for everything. I really appreciate it. I do need to find the Post office. Start sending things home. I also had to buy pants today. I was down to 1 pair of pants. I bought them from Walmart.

Sorry but there isn't much to say.

LOVE YOU

Your favorite Child!

Elder Ruelas

September 16, 2013

Whats up Mom!

Hey so it turns out I am getting transfered. And I am going as a zone leader! I can't believe it. Nervous and excited at the same time. I don't know my address so I would send the shoes to to the Mission office. I wear size 11 and they were Ecco shoes. Honestly this week nothing much happened. We had some cool lessons and we found a lot of people that are staying in the English work....it's all good. As long as they get baptized haha. I really liked the pictures you sent me. I'm printing out the the one where Isabel is sitting by herself. Yes I got Dad's letter but I won't be able to write him this week.

LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

Elder Ruelas

P.S. That is awesome about Boyd's mission call!

September 13, 2013

Whats up Mom,

Thanks a ton for the Scriptures. They are awesome! Kind of a slow week. Yesterday there was a baptism though. Daniel is so awesome. Elder Frost and I found and first started to teach him and he has been super solid ever since then. Once the split of the area happened, I didn't get to teach him anymore. He writes Mexican Music and has sold his songs to big artists I guess. I am gonna try to send a video of him playing. I can't remember if it is one of his songs though or if he was just playing somebody elses. He is good though. It is so crazy because he is 19 and he was telling us yesterday that he wanted to go on a mission! I really hope he does because he would be a super good missionary. 

How is everybody doing? I just realized this morning that if Sky didnt get my letter the first time 4 or 5 months ago, then Miguel and some other people probably havent gotten my letters from back then either. Hopefully things go better for you this week at work. Hopefully they go better for us too. We have been giving a ton of referals over to the English Elders so hopefully things start to come our way as well, but we will see.

Well that is pretty much it. LOVE YOU!!!!!

Elder Ruelas

 

Daniel

We did a blitz in another area and this is the view they get every day

Daniel before his Baptism. He was Baptized by Elder Monzon

 

August 19,2013

Whats up mom.

Dang the pictures of the party looked awesome. All the kids look so much bigger! That is awesome that my Tio Manuel and Mari Cruz came with the kids. I was planning on writting them back from my Birthday. I have so many people to write back. I still have to write back Aunt Debbie. I don't think I have been to the places in Chicago that you took my Tios to. 

Congrats on the new job. Hopefully the people are cool and have hot daughters my age.....what?....who said that haha. I meant so that they can get converted to the gospel that is what I meant. Missionary Work. How are the missionaries in the ward? How is dad doing with going to the temple? How is your missionary work going? The Leaders here are really pushing their wards to get involved in the work. Every member a missionary. How is everybody doing in the ward? Any crazy stories lately? Hopefully the ward keeps on growing. 

This week we had a Confirmation. Our investigator is officially a member of the church. It was super cool. Things with the companion is going a lot better. He is very awkward. He calls himself a geek all the time. That is the type of companion I have. Very hard to find things to talk about because he came from a SUPER Mormon family. Another companion that has never seen any movies. Since our area got split they are now both bike areas. Plus every Sister in the mission is to get a car. President Wilson doesn't want the sister missionaries riding bikes. No I haven't found any post offices. Then again we don't have any time to look. I am really starting to dislike P-Days. Super stressful. Being on bike when it comes to doing grocery shopping and email and all the other things sucks since we have to rely on other missionaries to give us rides. Patience is running kind of thin right now. I just want to take a nap. I honestly can't wait to get back to work. Ya honestly nothing has really happened this week. I try to have cool things happen during the week to tell you but nothing ever happens. 

Well can't remember if I told you last week but Sister Adasme wrote me an email, but other that her I haven't gotten anything. 

Love You!

Elder Ruelas

Elder Sawyer and I with our Recent Convert Hortencia and her granddaughter

Elder Frost and I with Hortencia and Elijiah

 

July 29,2013

Whats up Mom!

I could be leaving next Tuesday, but I won't find out till this Saturday. I use my money and I got Nate's email. I emailed him back. I would like Adrian's email. I don't have it. 

This week was pretty cool. We found this guy from Mexico who writes music for other Spanish bands. We are teaching this Athiest who is really cool. His Sisters are really interested but their mom just won't stop talking. We just want want to teach the kids and then teach her. She won't stop talking! You taught me well not to interupt people. The branch here is awesome. They are really helpful. We have some younger members who just got baptized within a year and they are struggling with their testimony. The President of the Branch has asked us to re-teach them. They are awesome so we do it gladly. One of them collects shoes too! I just can never get away from them haha.

That is funny about Brother Heath. It is good that Bryan and Jeffery like to debate haha. I want to go to this 3 Samari's place. It sounds good. Has dad gotten his dentures yet? He should. I will send his letter today. I didn't get a chance to do it last week. 

Tell everybody in the ward whats up for me. Tell Brother Laughead that I am sorry for not writing him back yet but I plan on getting on it soon. Also the Burtons.

I think that is it. I can't focus. I have been writing your email for about an hour haha. 

Love You

Elder Ruelas.....your son......your favorite child.....ya haha

July 22, 2013

Whats up Momma!

So this week was a pretty cool week. As well as an interesting week. We did exchanges 2 days straight and when I was on exchanges with one of my old companions we found a family of 7! It was super cool and weird. He was talking to our member that we had with us and I just randomly go up to this door. I was about to stop and go back because we have already given somebody there a card when they were outside. But for some reason I just kept walking to the door. We could hear people but they didn't answer the first 2 knocks. I check my watch and we still have 10 minutes till our appointment across the street. So I knock one more time. It was kind of because I was annoyed with my companion and the fact that they were being loud. Plus the owner wouldn't answer the door. The 3rd knock and they answer. The guy was really funny. He has 4 sisters and it is his mom and his dad. The mom had gotten kicked out of her own house last week because of some Jehovah Wittnesses so she got kind of nervous and mad at her son  because he let us in. But I sweet talked her haha. Turns out Angel, the one who let us in, has a friend that left on his mission and gave him a triple combination. They were all super interested and I can't wait to keep on teaching them. What I am super shocked about is how we got to their door.

Something else that was crazy was something that happened on Friday. You have to promise me that you won't get worried. So we were eating dinner with our ward Missionary Leader and we have to leave early. Well we run into his Grandson who is a little mental and was drunk. He went crazy out in the front lawn and was yelling at the neighbors. The neighbors tell us to get the member and the grandson comes at us threatening us that if we call the cops he was gonna beat us up. He was yelling at my companion so I stepped in cause my companion is small. I try reasoning with him telling him we aren't gonna call the cops but that isn't getting through to him cause he is way too drunk. He tried to push me with his body wieght, chest to chest, but he wasn't getting me to move and I bet that made him mad, but it made me laugh. Finally I was like whatever and said that we were just going to leave. He had to have the last word and you know how I feel about that. Don't worry though I kept my mouth shut and kept walking. We get to the car and call his Grandpa and he comes out and tries to calm the situation until the cops come. The grandson actually gets closer and closer to the neighbors and we didn't want to leave incase we have to jump in. The reason why I wanted to share this story is not to scare you or get you to worry,  but it is because the power of Prayer is great! We were in the car and we were debating to get back out to help the Hermano because he is probably like 5' 5" and his grandson is about my height. We just decide to pray. The Hermano kept him under control and the cops came within like 5 minutes. From what we hear this guy is a loose cannon and anything could have happened. I know Heavenly Father answered our prayers. Everything calmed down.

That was pretty much our excitment from the week. Other than the fact that I left the keys in the trunk of the car and when the trunk shut, the car locked. That was pretty much our week. Bashed with a Jehovah Witness and she couldn't prove to me that it has to say the name of the people God uses to do his work. She was bashing on Joseph Smith and I wasn't having it. I'm not having it with anybody. I have been studying the topics a lot and that has helped me to be more confident in my contacts. I don't pull out scriptures, I just ask them to show me where it says what they said and most of the time they can't show me so I pull out a scripture to prove them wrong and most of the time they get mad. The truth hurts and this Church is true.

Love you mom,

Elder Ruelas

July 15, 2013

Hey tell the missionaries that you are my mom and that you have to have all day Sunday to write me...haha jk.

Whats up Mom,

Hey so looks like both of our weeks went by terribly. We took a huge slump in teaching people. Everything cancelled as usual. We did get a car though and I am the one driving. I didn't realize how much I miss driving. I can't believe I said that haha. It has been fun though. Even though it was a hard week I learned a lot. I learned the meaning of diligence. Working hard and effectively all hours of the day. I slipped one time this week where I let my companion and I kind of "slack off." We helped these potential investigators move and we just kind of talked with them for an hour without sharing anything. I don't know how you want to classify that but either way it shouldn't have happened. The next day we got right back to it and went to work. I also learned that I haven't been taking advantage of my studies as much as I should have. I know the doctrine that I teach but something that I am doing now is finding both Bible and Book of Mormon references to support each doctrine. I would only do one or the other, but now I want to do both because this week we had a lot of people bash with us and it just made me mad. I'm not finding these scriptures to bash with these people, but just to know for myself the truth.

Hey so did you charge the missionary for sitting in my car? I can't wait to get home and chill with the missionaries. I am going to be going on more visits with them when I get home now that I know what to say in visits. We have a return missionary who is planning on coming out with us a lot more. Hey so yesterday we had this lady who we are teaching who came to church for the second time in a row. She is awesome. She has a Baptismal date for the 4th. We are excited. She absolutely loves Relief Society. Every time we see her after Relief Society she has the biggest smile. She says that she learns so much from that class. We are working a lot with her.

Ya so that is about it. Like I said nothing is going on here. Tell Everybody I say whats up and tell Brother Bromwell to get better.

Love You!

Elder Ruelas

P.S. I might be sending some stuff home today, I just have to find the post office 1st.

July 8, 2013

Hey Mom

I wouldn't worry about pants. I am planning on waiting on getting clothes when the summer heat dies down. The address to the new mission home is 3512 Coffee Rd Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93308. I met my new mission President on Friday. He is awesome. I have no worries my last year. No I am not eating off of street corners. My new area is straight up desert and there is not a single taco stand in sight.

This past week was really good. We found 3 new investigators. 2 of them are married with kids. Pretty interested. The last one was an old investigator that we found unknowingly. She would not pray though. I don't get why people think that they can't pray. I hate the excuse that they aren't good at it since hey haven't had any practice. I have to keep my cool to keep the love in the room haha. What was really awesome that day was that we went to an appointment but we forgot our phone with a recent convert. We are helping him train for football, if he reads and prays everyday, comes to church each week, and tries to get a friend there so that we can see if they are interested. We book it back to the park where we were at and I just hear a guy say, "Hey can ya'll do me a favor?" Turns out this guy was an old investigator who really likes the missionaries but he would never go to church. He was just going through a really rough time. He wanted us to keep him company as he walked to this house that was really close. He is starting to look for "HIS" church. We will see what happens. It was a really cool week. To top it off, we are teaching somebody who has been taught on and off since 2008. She would not go to church at all and this Sunday she showed up and she really, REALLY liked it. She wants to bring her grandaughter next week. She is awesome. I know that I say this a lot, but I really like this area. I am learning a ton. I am seeing even more miracles and how important it is to have the spirit with you so that conversion is possible.

I hear you on the baking. My last companion baked a ton and it was good, and I did not lose a single pound. I heard about the plane crash but nothing too much. That is awesome that Boyd gets to go on his mission! It is going to be awesome. Everything is just changing so much. The way the prosyliting is developing is nuts! We might get to use Facebook, plus we also are getting tablets. I might not be here to use them, but every companionship is getting one.

I really like the pictures of Isabel. She is stuntin like its a habit in the car. I guess I like the picture of Lucy as well. Just don't tell her I said that haha. I did get to see the movie of Isabel and Lucy and it was great. I can't wait to get home and see her. LESS THAN A YEAR! HAHA CRAZY!!!!

Well I hope everyone is alright. I love you mom! and Everybody else.

Take Care

Elder Ruelas

P.S. Every Missionary has to start getting side bags A.K.A messenger bags A.K.A MURSES. I am going to look for one today. Hopefully I can get a super cheap Louis Vitton or Coach haha. Na I'm gonna try to look for a Jordan or a Nike. So that's why I might have a charge on my Debit card for so much. 

July 1, 2013

Hey Mom,

Yes I got  Sister Bromwells card. How do you know that I am going home July 2nd? Did the new mission President tell you anything? Because as far as I know, I am going home a week later. In San Fernando I would have gone home July 2nd, but now I don't know.

I honestly miss cleaning the church. I'm glad though that I wasn't there for World War 3 between Grandpa and Lucy. Who won? haha. Ya so I am working on getting letters out. I am super behind. I feel super bad but I have no time. On P-day we are never at the house. We play sports and hang out with other Elders and I just want to be talking. I'm working on it though. I'm gonna try to get 3 letters out today. I'm excited for the DVD. We will see when I get home.

Ya so this week was pretty interesting. We finally contacted this referal and he turned into a new investigator. Hopefully we keep on finding people. I am working on contacting people. I am starting to realize that I need to get better at contacting. The guys that we live with served missions like 100 years ago...jk...and they gave us some tips so I am going to try working on that. This year I really want to find a family and get them to the temple. That is my goal for the rest of my time. Even though I didn't teach them, there is a family in the valley that I am going to the temple with November 9th. Anyways this week Elder Frost and I met a guy named Jeff. Crazy story. Cool guy but crazy story. One that I will tell you after the mission because I don't want you to get scared. Remind me when I get home. Yesterday was awesome. An 8 year old got baptized and  it was awesome. I have been to quite a few baptisms like that and I  love them. What was crazy though is that at the last second the Ward Mission Leader tells me I have to give the missionary minute. No problem. Then they ask us to be a part of the confirmation. Out of no where they are like hey we want this to be in English so that the little girl can understand, can you do it. I completely forgot how to say it in English haha. It was awesome though. Out of that Baptism 3 referals came from it. They were all for people in the Old Mission haha. Oh yeah, Elder Frost and I had to give talks in Sacrament Meeting. That was fun. I talked about Every Member a Missionary and really stressed the importance of Studies and the Restoration. It was pretty good, even though I had to cut a lot of things out. My comp took like 25 minutes haha. One of the recent converts came up to him and said "Hey, next time don't talk so long." haha. Ya this place is fun. I honestly love it even though it is SUPER HOT and SUPER WINDY.

I can't believe it has been a year. It has honestly gone by super fast and I can't wait to get this next year started. I am trying hard everyday because I want my mission to be some of the best times and I want the mission to change me for the better. I Love You Mom. Thank you for helping me come out here. I am learning so much and I am gaining the testimony I wanted.

Love You,

Elder Ruelas

June 24, 2013

Whats up Mom!
This new transfer is awesome. Hey so get this, I am training! There was a mix up in calls and President forgot to call me, but luckily the AP had called to let me know that I was invited to the trainers meeting. I am finishing the training of somebody who has only been out for 6 weeks. He is awesome! Elder Frost. I am now up in the Desert and am now part of the new Bakersfield Mission! Crazy! I am able to say that I worthily served in 2 missions haha. My new Mission President gets here this Friday and his name is President Wilson. Hey, I had to spend some money for bike repairs. This week I fell off my bike and busted the rim, but dont worry I am fine. Plus, I did this sick barrel roll. Anyways today I had to buy a new rim, tires, and lights. Somebody stole my lights off of my bike in my last area.

Again I have to apologize to everybody who has written me because I have not written anybody back. I will probably only get 2 letters out today, but we are always busy. Ya so this new area is awesome! Minus the wind everything is great. The nickname we have here is "Sons of the Wind." I am in a branch and the branch is awesome! I'm not gonna lie this place is WAY better than the Valley. I love the Reseda ward, but if everybody could be up here, it would be even better.

That is crazy that Michele and Emmanuel are going to move. I bet they are gonna like it out there. Plus I bet the car rides there are going to be fun for us. ROAD TRIP! haha. So have Dad and Bryan gotten to Virginia yet? Or have they killed each other already haha. That trip will definitely be an adventure.

Hey so did you watch the broadcast yesterday from the Prophet? It was really good and I bet that will help you in your calling. They talked about the help that we need from the ward. They explained why Thales, PJ, Natalie, Kimi, Sharon, and myself are so excited out here. The work is awesome. Ya it stinks when we have doors slammed in our faces, but it is worth it when we find people who are really prepared and the ward is there helping and being friends with the people that get baptized.

Thats about it mom. I wish I could have more to say, but this week was full of meetings. Love you mom and take care of everybody!

Elder Ruelas

P.S. 1 year till I am home! CRAZY!!!!!!

Happy 50th week!!! Two more weeks till your 1 yr Anniversary:) Inbox x

Hey Mom,

 

To answer your questions. Yes I got Chiquis' letter. The thing is I have already written it, but haven't been able to send it because there isn't an outgoing mailbox anywhere we go. I was going to send it today but I don't know my new address. I'M GETTING TRANSFERED!!!!!!! Yes I got my Aunt Debi's card. I got the Achievement Day envelope. I got the box. I have been listening to the Conference talks ever since. We had dinner with this member that fed us on my Birthday but I didn't tell anybody. It felt weird to try to celebrate my birthday. Only 1 family knew about my birthday and they sang to me on Monday, but it wasn't the same. So I just didn't tell anybody on Tuesday.

 

Hey so tell Dad that I will be sending him a Father's day card, I just haven't been able to buy one because P-Days have been busy. I haven't been able to do what I was planning, which was write you and Dad every week because it has been so busy here. Plus I am still behind on writing people.

 

Ya so this week was terrible. Our super solid investigator has dropped off the face of the earth. We barely got him to text us back and he told us that he wouldn't be at church. Then our other investigator who was waiting for her divorce papers, is doubting again. Of course she is, she isn't following the Word of Wisdom, Tithing, and Law of Chastity. I am really seeing the Hold Satan can put on ANYBODY when they don't keep the commandments once they have heard them. That is only pushing the spirit away. This week was also the 3rd week in a row where we hadn't found a new investigator. So basically I am leaving the area with 0 investigators for my companion and his 2 greenies to work with. Oh ya, my Companion is going to be training 2 people at once. CRAZY!!!!!! This transfer 42 new missionaries are coming into the mission at once, right before the transfer split. I am so happy I am going to the transfer meeting. It is going to be very interesting. I am just nervous about who my next companion is going to be. We have some missionaries who are very hard to work with. We will see tomorrow.

 

Look at Lucy trying to get attention haha. So did she only get to tell the story once? I can't believe it is still raining in Iowa. Talk about a bad summer. Oh well good thing I am not there haha. It is nice and hot here. It is only going to get hotter here and I am staying on a bike. I'm happy and nervous about that. Happy because I will get to lose some weight. I have gained some weight this transfer because my companion likes to bake. I am nervous because it is only gonna get hotter. Who knows, by the time summer is done I might be a toothpick.

 

Well mom that is pretty much it. Pretty boring here, well until tomorrow. I am good. I have been wanting to go to Target or somewhere and buy some ties for my Birthday, but I just haven't been able to. The only thing I want for my year mark is a set of the new scriptures coming out in August. (Genuine leather)

 

Hope everything is going well. Take care of Everybody, ESPECIALLY Isabel.

 

Love you mom and I can't wait to get home and see you, but until then I am still going to be working hard.

 

Elder Ruelas

Happy 49th week!!! Happy Birthday Week Too:) Inbox x

Hey Mom!

 

I have gotten about 9 cards from people. (I even got one from the Hudson Family) It was crazy when I opened my mailbox today! I just saw a STACK! WOW! 

We actually have some solid things set up for tomorrow. Even dinner surprisingly. Not sure if I will be able to celebrate but that is fine. 

 

That is funny about Lucy. Did she come home crying or laughing after she fell down? It is always better when she laughs and tells us the story. Bummer about Isabel's blow out. Haha Angelica has now been Pee'd on and pooped on haha. Sucks for her.

 

Nothing has really happened here. These past 2 weeks Elder McPhee and I haven't found a single person who is really interested. Very Very frustrating. Some things have been coming up, but it is all turning out to be in the next transfer. I love it here but I want to see a new place. 6 months in one location is a long time to be in. We walk down a street and I end up telling stories to my companion about when we have tried to contact. Lately we have been doing a lot of house finding. Not so great, but we did find this less active family that isn't on our ward list. We went over yesterday and the husband was drunk, but wants us to go over today. Not sure if we will be able to, but I really want to go and help out the family. That family shares a house with 4 different people and they aren't members. One of them looked really interested when they introduced us to her.

 

That is awesome that you are going to the temple more often. We are going this Wednesday and I am really excited. I wish we could go more often, but when there are rules, there are rules....whatever that means haha. I can't wait to go when I get back home though. We are going more than once just saying.

 

That is funny about my friends on Facebook. BTW Kenisi is a guy haha. Thanks for keeping me updated. 

 

Well that is about it for this week. Not much happened and I can't wait to see what happens next week. Transfer calls:) Plus a lot of things are going down in the mission. Mission split, new zone getting created, and in September 40 new missionaries are coming in to the mission. 40 new missionaries all at once! CRAZY!!!!!

 

 

LOVE YOU MOM and thanks for the Birthday card. Tell everybody I say WADUP and that I love them. This Church is TRUE

 

Elder Ruelas

June 3, 2013

MAMA!!!!

Haha Ya I can't belive I am almost at a year and that I am almost 20 years old. It is crazy! My companion keeps on reminding me. I don't want to grow up. I want to be a kid the rest of my life haha. No I don't feel any older but I do feel a lot more responsible. I was feeling that when I started my mission haha. Don't worry I don't stress.... that is cause I have fun haha.

Hey so since you are talking about trees falling get this; yesterday as we were locking up our bikes we just hear this loud crunch and as I look up I see the tree fall just down the street. It was crazy. We walked over really quick to see the damage and to ask if it was an accident or not. Turns out it was just an accident, but right as we walk over there, a guy with a machete comes out and just starts hacking away on the limbs because it was on top of a ladies car. We got a service opportunity out of it haha. People just stared but my companion and I just start hauling away the branches and that is when the people start to help. No new investigators came of it, but it was fun. Service on a Sunday, plus a baptism in our ward.

The Van Nuys ward that I am in hasn't had a baptism this year. Well until last week. This 17 year old got baptized. Then his Younger sister and brother got baptized this Sunday, then his other sister is getting baptized next week, and we will see about the week after that. We have a super solid investigator as well. His name is Julio and this guy has been prepared. We found him last Friday and have taught him 8 times! The only worry we have is that we don't want him to get converted to us, rather to the Gospel. From what a member told us, he is still super excited for the 16th.  That is his baptismal date and my last Sunday in Van Nuys....(Hopefully) haha.

Well that is about it for me. Tell everybody I say what's up.

LOVE YOU!!!!!!

Elder Ruelas

Exhcanges with the Zone Leader at their ward activity.

Crazy chicken in an apartment complex.

Homemade salsa.

They decided to wear blue.

May 28, 2013

I just want to start off by saying that it is nice and warm here haha!!!!

 

Whats up Mom!!!

 

Hahaha well this week was a long week. My companions parents are getting a divorce. Ya crazy. My companion doesn't really want to talk about it, but he kept on working and working hard. I can tell he is hurting. You can tell from some of the things he says. When I get married, I don't plan on getting a divorce. I am getting married in the temple.

 

So like I said it was a long week. Little success but we did get a referal for somebody who is really prepared. Elder McPhee and I are super excited. Then we also had some investigators drop us and all that jazz. Oh well, we still have 3 people who want to get baptized and that is a lot better than it has been in the last 3 transfers I have been here. We have been trying whatever we can to find people and lately we have been finding people in houses to teach.

 

That is crazy about your calling. All things happen for a reason though. Magnify your calling and then that is when the fun will happen. I am learning what the real meaning is behind "work hard, play hard." When we work hard, God will help us to Play Hard (have real happiness in our lives). I hope everything is going well and will go well in this new calling that you have.

 

Ya I heard that the new Fast and the Furious movie was really good. Every time somebody asks me how I am I going to celebrate my year mark, my first thought is "Go see Fast 6..." haha. Don't worry I'm not going to do it, but the thought does pop into my head instantly.

 

Well mom I hope everything goes well. Especially with Isabel. Remember that when anybody needs a blessing, that is what the Home teachers are there for. If they don't come and it is for a bogus reason, you can chastize them for me. haha I'm sure that won't be a problem if Brother Haskell is still your home teacher.

 

LOVE YOU!!!!!!

 

 

Elder Ruelas

 

P.S. IT IS ALMOST MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!! AND ALMOST A YEAR!!!!!

May 20, 2013

What is up mom!!!

 

Hey so I realized what I want for my Birthday and year mark. I want the conference talks on CD and the new scriptures that come out in August. I don't know if you had heard of them but they have re-done some things and I was wanting to get them, but instead of the quad, I wanted them separate (the Bible and then the triple combination). And all in English.

 

Bummer about that lady. Hopefully she is fine. On a brighter note....Congrats to Michele and Emmanuel on getting married in the temple!!!!. That is awesome! Did Dad ask any questions? Anyways that is awesome.

 

I can't wait till I get to go home and see Isabel! 14 more fast and testimony meetings sounds great! haha. I was just thinking last night and it still shocks me how fast everything is going. It is starting to pay off. This lady and her daughter flat out told us that she knows the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God. My companion and I were speachless. We couldn't set a date because she wants her husband/boyfriend to baptize her. We think that has changed just because of things she was saying in church, but we will see what happens this week. The craziest thing was that we don't feel like we did anything at all. It just goes to show that this is God's work and he is preparing people in his own time. He is allowing us to be part of it and I am very greatful for that. I have felt so happy these past 2 weeks. Ya I am still homesick, but I am still happy and I know that it is because I am doing what my Heavenly Father wants of me. Mornings are THE worst, but I make it past them every single day.

 

These Grad parties sound really fun right about now...haha not really. I bet Lucy is having a lot of fun though. Hey if you see Miguel can you ask him if he got my last letter. Anyways nothing much has really happened here.

LOVE YOU!!!!

 

Elder Ruelas

 

P.S. Tell dad I am sending him his letter. We don't have an out mailbox and we never go by any mailboxes.

May 13, 2013

WE NOW HAVE CAPTIONS FOR PICTURES!!! Elder Ruelas got scolded when he called home for Mother's Day. 

 

 

Ya I remember last year's P & G run. It was on my Birthday! It was the same day I ordered my Air Jordan Military Blue 4's haha. Ya I don't have much else to say either. It was funny though cause last night my companion and I had some bonding time. I told him the story about Isabel and he couldn't believe it either. It was awesome for me as well because I was trippin out just like I did in the MTC. I was super happy last night before I went to bed. Then this morning I read Mormon 9 which talks all about miracles. God is a God of miracles and he performs miracles every day. I am so greatful for Isabel and I can't wait to get back home and finally meet her. 14 months left but until then I plan on openning my eyes so I can see miracles every day.

 

Love You Mom,

 

Elder Ruelas

 

P.S. Hope you and Angelica got my cards. Hopefully I can get more pictures to yall.

2 pairs of sneakers I got for free

Elder Shuar and I. One of my Best friends in the mission

My Old companion Elder Olson while we were cleaning up the Los Angeles River

 

April 21, 2013

Mama!!!!!

 

Hi haha. Well this past week was really good. We found a ton of people to teach. Sunday was the best though. This 8 year old girl got baptized and she asked me to do the confirmation! It was awesome. I was super nervous but it went really well. We got a 9 year old investigator to go to the baptism and now she wants to get baptized! All we have to do is teach her now since she has been to church more than 3 times. AWESOME!!!! This past week we also found another person who seems really prepared. He has a ton of trials in his life, but he is super optimistic. I will never forget what he said to us. His mom is really sick with cancer and has almost died about 3 times. He told us "Well I guess God needs another angel up above. Satan is working hard but God is working harder." WOW. Somebody with a lot of faith.

I won't find out about moving to a new area until May. That is when transfers are. And I won't find out about a mission change until July. There is a lot of good things going on here and I am really excited for it. It still amazes me how fast time is going. About to hit 10 months, Isabel about to hit 9. CRAZY!!!!! It is super fun out here and I am learning a lot. I am starting to see some things come true in my Patriartical Blessing and I am just in amazement. Something I am doing for part of my personal study is that I am reading the Book of Mormon and reading all of the footnotes. It is taking a long time but I am learning a ton! It amazes me at how people try to say that Joseph Smith wrote this book, but there is absolutely no way especially someone with the lack of schooling like Joseph Smith had. I will always testify that this Book is from God, That this church is the ONLY true church here on Earth. This is the ONLY true church that has everything; Prophets, Apostles, the Priesthood, everything that the Church that Jesus established while he was here is in this church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is that ONLY church. It stinks that most people won't even try to see if it is true. What stinks the most is when people try to deny the things that I have felt, but "Salvation never was supposed to be easy" and that is why the mission isn't any easier. It is hard being away from you guys, it is hard to have people tell me that I don't know anything just because I am 19, it is hard to see people who really need this Gospel in their life but won't do anything about it, but it wasn't supposed to be easy. I know I am making my Heavenly Father happy. 

 

The CD was not good at all haha sorry. Ya so I am waiting to walk into somebody's house and see the Trailer for Fast 6. You better take those 2 weeks off so we can watch movies. haha I miss that. There are some Saturday nights where nothing is happening and I just think to myself "I could go for a movie." Music too. Some bike rides stink so I just sing to myself haha. Sunday we just work. In the new area that I am in, we have next to no members. 2 families feed us on Monday and Friday. Don't worry, there is an English member who gets free food and will give us a lot of it. I still eat, maybe too much haha.

 

LOVE YOU!!!!

 

Elder Ruelas

April 29, 2013

Whats up Mom,

Sounds like the Reunion was fun. It is perfect timing too. I dont know how the weather was in TX but here it is AMAZING! I wake up and I feel like I am about to start summer break haha. Wait so which shirt am I getting? The original reunion shirt or the Special one? haha ya I will probably get it on Friday at Zone Meeting.

I got a letter from Sky. It was a CD haha. I have been listening to it every day since. Tell My Tia Gloria to hurry up with the letter haha.

You know dad won't let the camero go for 5,000. I bet it gets sold for 6,500. At least dad is thinking about it now since before he would just fight us about it. You have to let me know more info about the tire because it was a while ago when I bought it. If it is from target then yes and if it is from this place called Pedlers West, then yes. I bought tires from target and a rim and a fixed spoke from Pedlers West.

This past week was pretty good. Monday we taught this guy who is trying to give up drinking and it went really really well. He understood everything but the best part came after the lesson. The guy (Victor) lives with a guy named Sam. Sam is Southern Baptist. He is a good example of a Christian, but anyways he pulls us aside and tells us that it was Victor's mom who had refered us to him even though she isn't a member. Sam said that once she told him that, they both prayed for us to come by. He personally thanked us for the work that we do, even though he won't listen to the lessons. It was awesome! Not that he won't listen but the overall experience. This is something I will always remember.

Tuesday we had another really cool lesson with this less active member. We taught him about temple sealings and basically found out the reason he has been less active since he got baptized. Get this. It is because he doesn't really understand Spanish... We taught him the lesson and could tell that it really got to him and then he tells us that. We were super happy to finally find out what was up. Hopefully now he finally gets back and going to the church. On Thursday we had an awesome missionary activity with the ward. It really surprised us because the members brought a ton of friends. None of them live in our area, but at least the other missionaries will have people to go by now haha.

Well that was pretty much my week. Hopefully this week gets even better.

Love you!!!!

Elder Ruelas

P.S. IM ABOUT TO HIT 10 MONTHS!!!!!!

May 6, 2013

Whats up mom,

Haha I like those pictures. I really like the one with everybody. There are definitely a whole bunch who I don't know, but we will see how long that lasts haha. The ones of Isabel are awesome. I take it she liked the avacado. So does that mean Isabel is going to be my dance partner? Either way you know that she got the dance moves from us.

Hey so Greensboro is the place where my first companion is from. Wow that is a lot of people moving out of the ward. Angelica and Bryan gonna buy the Krause house?

Bummer about my cousin. Saturday I was actually at a funeral. In the English ward. It was so weird. I have gotten used to Spanish. This lady across the street died who is a member that we do service for. Her husband asked us to be ushers. He is an old military guy who likes me. He kind of reminds me of Bro. Laughead. He was hurting all week, but he wouldn't show it. It just makes me that much more greatful for the Plan of Salvation. Those 2 were perfect for each other. They would tell jokes against each other. She was a sweetheart and he is a really nice guy who always trys to give, but will give you crap as he gives haha. They are sealed and it was great to be there.

Well this week was alright. Not much happened...literally. Transfers are about to happen tomorrow and I am getting a new companion. I am staying and my companion says that I am going to train. I tell him that there is no way that is happening. It is like I am still trying to figure this out for myself, I don't want to train anybody yet. We will see what happens. Hopefully this next transfer we make stuff happen though. This lady who couldn't get baptized, finally got her divorce papers so we are going to work with her and her daughter more so that in a year, they can go to the temple. On Sunday she really felt the spirit at fast and testimony meeting.

As for my year mark, I have no clue what I want. Maybe a new tie or ...idk. I still can't believe I hit double digits!!! CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It didn't even hit me until last night when I looked at the calender and saw the 5. I don't even know how to celebrate. The only thing I can think of are the things I can't do. Listen to music and watch movies are against the rules haha. I never go to any shoe stores, plus I don't want to spend the money right now. Well actually I do, I just know that I shouldn't. I have been seeing some that I really like too. Plus I saw that my Baby Jordans that I have are coming out again. All for the work of the Lord. Either way that guy who we do service for gave me 2 pairs of shoes. I'll send the pictures.

LOVE YOU!!!!!

Elder Ruelas

April 8, 2013

Yes I want a family reunion shirt!

 

Hi Mom,

 

Conference was great. The Priesthood session was the best for me. I can't wait to get the Ensign and study them some more. I really liked Elder Holland's talk about believing. I didn't want him to stop haha. Plus I actually missed the begining part of President Uchtdorf's talk because I was setting up chairs for the Spanish meeting. That is awesome that dad watched conference. There was a ton of great talks. That is sweet though that Camila is getting blessed! I still remember when Emmalena was blessed. It is crazy how fast time is going by! Before you know it I will be home! haha na I still got a lot of work to do out here. I wish I could go to the sealing too. You should have told them to do it out here and maybe President Hall would have let me go haha ya right... haha.

 

Ya that bug was just on the sidewalk and it freaked me out. Oh guess what! A pigeon almost hit me this past week. We were knocking a door and there was this air conditioner unit sticking out and the bird landed on it. Then it flys down and then away from us. THAT freaked me out haha. Things are going great here. Working hard as usual and we have been doing a ton of finding. And we have met some interesting people. VERY interesting people haha.

Why do I need a new bike seat? and no I don't need new shoes. I do need some that don't stink so much but I just put powder in it before we go out so it doesn't stink haha. Thats cause we WORK HARD haha.

 

Well mom Love you and take care of everybody. Tell everybody I say whats up haha.

 

LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Elder Ruelas

 

P.S. Where did you get that CD from that you sent me? And thanks for the talks!