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!

April 1, 2013

Whats up Mom

 

Thanks for sending the talks. I am good. At least I dont think I need anything haha. And no candy please.

 

Tell Chiquis and Demitrius Congrats!!!! That is awesome! I cant wait for mothers day either. I can't believe it is already coming up on 9 months! I only have 3 months till I hit a year! CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't worry I am still working hard. Especially right now since we don't really have any investigators. It has been fun though. We have been knocking a lot of doors and trying to talk to people on the street. We have met some characters though. The other day we met this guy who said that he is super religious and never talks bad about anybody but then we asked if he knew anybody we could share the gospel with and he looked around and said, All these  ********** need to hear about the gospel. I was trying so hard not to laugh. The guy was a little crazy though haha. Ya there isn't really much to tell you guys about but just know that I am working hard. In the mean time since there isn't really anybody to teach, I am making sure I am my best convert. I have to make sure of that. WORK WORK WORK WORK haha. Don't worry I have fun too. Last night it started to rain a bit and my companion and I had some fun riding in the rain. I even got a sick picture that I'll send to you.

 

Hey so what is the movie? Is it The new Fast and the Furious movie? GI Joe looks good. There are billboards everywhere and I want to see it. I can't believe Bruce Willis is in it. I try to quote movies and my companion never knows what they are. He isn't like us. He doesn't watch movies haha. Last night I was telling him about a whole bunch of different movies and he had no clue about any of them.

 

Oh ya I forgot to tell you about something wierd/ cool that happened yesterday. So we were heading to an appointment and this car pulled up next to us and yelled "Hi Elders! We are members, Pull over!" So we did and it turns out that they were members from LA. They had told us that they didn't go to church since they were in the Valley visiting the lady's brother and one of the girls wanted to at least talk with the missionaries since they didn't go. We shared a scripture, Mosiah 3:7,9-10 since it talks about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and then they left. Even though I thought it was wierd at first, I learned something from it. That is something that I am working on. I learned the Importance of going to church every Sunday. The girl that wanted to talk with us didn't feel good for not going to church and that is what will happen. We are commanded to go to church so that we can learn and grow. Most importantly be happy and not feel wierd since we renew our baptismal covenants during sacrament meeting.

Ya I might have to buy that new rim. I have to get a new tube and tire for my back tire anyways. Bike is fun but it sucks. I want to buy a new pair of sneakers haha. but for real I really do want to buy a new pair of sneakers......

 

Anyways Love you MAMA!!!! Tell Dad I love him, and Lucy too. Tell her to say Blubber Nuggets too haha. Miss you guys!

 

Elder Ruelas

March 25, 2013

MOM!

 

Ya so I wanted you to send me that talk through the postal service, not email haha. It cost 3 bucks to print it out here at the library. The charge to the credit card was for a bike repair. My rim busted last week and I HAD to get a new one otherwise we would have walked everywhere. My front tire is still busted but it is still ridable. Last week was a dry week for mail. Not a single letter.

 

So get this, my comp and I are staying together for another transfer. He is ready to get out of Van Nuys though. he has been here since October so I don't really blame him, but thankfully he still works hard no matter what. Honestly I am ready to go to a new place now haha, but It is whatever. I have noticed that I am getting less and less patient with people. In other words, a lot less love. This morning before an appointment my comp said "Good Morning" to this guy walking his dog. The guy says "God Bless" and keeps walking. We didn't say anything, but the guy turns back around and says "I Said God Bless". He makes a big deal about it and tries to tell us off. Why didn't you say it back and Blah Blah Blah. My Comp just says "I have never said it to anybody. That wasn't how I was raised". More words are exchanged and the guy walks away. It just feels like California is filled with people like that and it is starting to get really annoying. Oh well that was my complaint for the day. We actually did meet this Part member family who has some real potential. We are super excited to see what comes from these visits. Out of nowhere the wife and the daughter come and sit down, before they didn't, and they stayed the entire time we were there. The wife ends up telling us "ya before I never wanted to listen to you guys, but now I want to learn more." Elder Olson and I were super excited. We still work hard to find those people who are being prepared to accept the gospel. Ya nothing much really happened this past week. Just the same old same old. Right now there are a ton of less active families here and the ward gets smaller and smaller as time goes on.

 

So how is everybody? Of course dad tells me the same thing every letter so I know "todos estan bien" but I mean everybody not just the ones in the house haha. 

 

Anyways love you Mom Have fun at the craft show and no my shoes are off limits. You are not allowed to sell them for supplies.

Elder Ruelas

March 18, 2013

Wadup Mama!

Well to answer your questions. No I didn't wear the tie...I kind of forgot it was St. Patricks day- haha. All the latinos were celebrating it though. Yesterday there were so many parties and a ton of Drunk people. Me being the stubborn person that I am, go up and talk to them just to mock them. "Hey do you want a picture of Jesus Christ!." I should probably stop -haha. There isn't really anything new. Our area was super big for it being a bike area and they finally split it. YES!!!! I was so tired before just from all the biking. The thing that stinks though is that the area that we lost had all of our investigators in it. So all we have been doing is finding new ones which I like so it is all good. We actually got into 2 bashes this past week. I still don't know if bible bashing is okay but I really wanted to. All I did was bear my testimony but they denied it. That is what really made me mad. They both denied it twice. Oh well. 

I did read today that anybody who falsely accuses us Saints will be cursed along with their posterity. Even though they denied my testimony, I cannot. I know what I have felt and they are the ones who looked like fools and will realize it when they are judged. Anyways this new area is SICK!!!! We never really worked in it because we never had time or a reason to go up. I don't want to get transfered. I do but I don't- haha. I just really want to work in this new area. Plus I have learned a lot here and I want to keep on learning here. This big box may not come for a while. I'm not sure when I will get it sent out but I need to get the surprise for you and dad done. And please no more candy haha I need to go back home skinnier than I came out. Yes, I am writting people back but last week I was super busy so I couldn't write dad back and I'm not sure if I am going to have time today to write any letters either. Don't worry I will write Dad and Angelica back. Even though dad writes me the same thing every letter and won't say anything about my letter I sent him about the temple. 

Sorry about the allergies. Everybody has them here. Kinda sucks but at least I don't have them! haha. There is this number we call "Tell Me" to see what the weather is going to be and one morning we called it because it was 90 the day before, and they said it was 53 outside with a little smog. If I come home with breathing problems you know why haha. ya well there isn't much going on either. 

LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

Elder Ruelas

March 4, 2013

Whats up MOM!!!

Sucks about the rain- haha. Everything is good here I guess. I am just really tired. The time change got to me as well. We did have an investigator show up to church yesterday and he really liked it. His name is Manuel and he is sweet!. The down side is that he has cancer and he is really confused about baptism. We are working with him though as well as his wife. She cracks me up because he is the type of person that beats around the bush when he is asking us a question and she will just butt in and get mad at him and get him to ask us straight up. It seems like she understands it better than he does, but we can't tell how interested she is. 

Thanks for the package. I'm not gonna lie though, you got to quit sending me candy- haha. I did like the CD's it is just President is getting strict on what type of church music just so that we can keep the spirit with us. I'm gonna ask him about some of them but others I'm gonna have to send home for sure- haha. I have stuff I need to send home anyways, it is just that I have some things I need to do before I send them home. Its a secret/surprise for you and dad. I'm not sure how long it will take, but I will get it to you guys. 

Again nothing has really happened this week. I did have a cool experience on Friday though. Something that I am working on is finding by the Spirit because it is easy just to knock doors, but it takes work to knock on the door of a person or a family that has been prepared by our Heavenly Father. We work diligently but now we need to work effectively. Anyways we had some free time before dinner so we went to walk in this neighborhood, which was weird because we only work in apartment complexes, but I had this feeling that we should go back. So we did. We ended up running into this guy named Angel. He was in a car wreck and he was working on his car. We talked with him a bit and he says to come back the next day. So we do and we teach him the Plan of Salvation because he was asking a lot of questions about life and what happens when we die. Wasn't a very good lesson because he kept on interupting. He is very A.D.D., but it was good because we at least planted a seed. He told us about how he used to do drugs and how he wants to quit and he wanted help. When he saw us he said that he had said "Those guys look cool. If they come and talk to me I will listen." SICK!!!! Then he said that in the past if we were to knock on his door or if Jehovah's Witnesses would knock he wouldn't answer. It feels really good now thinking about it because I had acomplished a goal that I had, which was finding by the Spirit. We had a return appointment on Sunday and he wasn't there, but like I said at least we planted a seed and now he knows. 

I wish I could go home but it is just to see you guys. I am happy that I am here on my mission. That is awesome that Natalie is going on a mission! Is she speaking English? CRAZY!!! 

Anyways take care and I love you guys!!! Hey what happened to the pictures of Isabel you were going to send me? And I'm not allowed to get on to YOUTUBE! Trying to tempt me I see haha. LOVE YOU!!!

Elder Ruelas

Feb 26, 2013

HI!!!!!!!

Well that stinks about the snow....It is nice and toasty here - haha!

Bummer that nothing is going on at home. Nothing is really going on here. It was kind of a rough week just because our numbers really dropped. We had 3 days of everything canceling so we had to knock. Nobody let us it at all. We did find 2 new investigators though. They are really ready in my opinion. The husband has cancer and it isn't going away but at the same time isn't getting worse. He can't work and has a hard time sleeping so he read the Restoration pamphlet and understood it really well. It was sweet! We have had 3 lessons with him and the 1st two I took the lead in the lesson. I learned that I don't know how to do that. I also learned that you taught me well. I don't know how to interupt people. So the 1st 2 lessons was basically him just talking....I need to learn how to disobey you more -haha. I was really frustraded because I can honestly see this guy getting baptized in 3 weeks but I need to learn how to control the conversation. Tough week but we worked through it. We are trying to learn from last week so that we can be better this week.

Oh and it was crazy. They had to cancel church yesterday because the church smelled like gas. It was CRAZY!!!! haha 

LOVE YOU!!!!!

Feb 11, 2013

MAMA!

I am good with socks, no I am not getting transfered but we may be moving (probably not), no you don't need to call the bishop because I am getting fed well (VERY WELL), and no new restaurants just because we get fed (ALOT).

Hey so get this there is a winter advisory warning going on right now haha what a joke. They need to go to Iowa. But this place is nice weather wise. The sunsets are amazing too! We are really close to an airport so my companion and I are always looking up to see the planes so we see the sunset all the time. We both get amazed by the flying things. (haha)

So new T.V.? Your gonna let me take it to college right? haha Tell Lucy I miss her too and that I would have scared here with the toy snake. Speaking of snakes, I held one the other day. Sunday was a really good day and the best day out of the week. We got our investigator with a baptismal date to go to a baptism and he really liked it. Then the Familia Stones fed us dinner. (yes it is stones, white husband Mexican wife). The rest of the week was ehh. We are working on it though. I am super excited for next Sunday though because 2 of the people I taught back in Reseda are finally getting baptized!!! It is going to be great! Honestly that was my week. Not to much is happening.

LOVE YOU!!!!!

Elder Ruelas

February 4, 2013

MAMA!!!

 

So what was the question I didn't answer?

 

Dang I completely missed you telling me that Michele was pregnant!!! I want some pictures of her as well haha. I hope she gets better!

 

Well this week wasn't the greatest. My companion got SUPER sick with the flu. We couldn't go out at all. He was in bed all day Wednesday and Thursday. He still felt bad. So honestly that was my week. Wish I could tell you more haha. We did find out why one of our investigators isn't baptized yet. It is because she and her husband aren't married and they are waiting for the divorce papers. Her daughter wants to wait so that they can get baptized together. Waiting game....

 

So how is my Tio Gabriel doing? I bet Thales is nervous. I was too, but I tried not to show it haha. Did he ever say if he got the letter I sent him? Tell him my buddy in Peru is loving every bit of it and when we were in the MTC he was the shyest kid there. He just emailed me back, he just baptized a family of 6. Thales will be fine just tell him not to be stupid out there.

 

Tell Dad I sent him his letter along with Angelica's. I didn't know what to say to dad because he sends me the same thing every time, so I just flat out asked him why he doesn't want to go to the temple? I was very blunt with him and I wrote it in pen so if he is quiet and or upset when he gets my letter, you know why.

 

Too bad about all the family. I hope that everybody is fine. The Plan of Salvation!!! Honestly I just call it the Plan of Happiness. Tell Isabel to smile for me and a video of her would be cool! If you can't find the Book of Mormon Cd's dont worry about it. The General Conference CD's would be better *cough* for my birthday *cough*........ Yes, I got the box of goodies. Thank you for the pants haha and especially for the peanut butter M&M's.

 

Well mom I believe that is all for this week. I love you!!!!! I miss you!!!!!....I don't miss you!!!!!!!! haha

 

Elder Ruelas

 

P.S.

 

The Church is True. I know it because I have prayed to know. It was truly restored by Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon was translated by him with the power of God and it is a much better book than Twilight or Harry Potter because it is real and it is from God.  Jesus Christ is at the head of this church. I know that He lives. He died for us so that we can be happy. Not for a second, not for a minute, hour, day, year, but for all Eternity. He is right there rooting for us and hoping that we follow in his steps and return and live with him and our Heavenly Father again. I say that in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

 

It has been a while since I have shared my testimony with you . LOVE YOU!!!!!!

January 28, 2013

MAMA!!! So you never answered if Michele is pregnant!!!!

 

Hopefully Isabel gets better soon. Ya Id say those 2 pants are good. That is all the pants I will need for now. I dont need a whole bunch of new ones yet, Ill wait till the year mark or so haha. Thanks for the package. I like the stamps but whats up with the envelopes? haha Now I have plenty of detergent and now I can wash all of my dirty underwear haha...what? Last week the weather was nice and warm. It even got up to  80 degrees, but now it is back to the cold and it has been raining. It sucks because the wind doesn't help either. Thursday Elder Olson and I biked to the church for our zone conference in the rain haha. It was so much fun, plus we got respect from one of the old guys in the office that is very hard to please! The water was up to my calf. I couldn't get a picture though, it was raining way too much and I didn't want to mess up my camera. Maybe next time. I'm excited for the CD! I really liked the Doctrine and Covenants CD. If you can, can you send me the Book of Mormon CD's? If not it is fine.

 

Dang 35 years! Lucy is old!! Don't tell her I said that. I bet she will have fun with the bike. Lets just hope she doesn't fall off and that it is short enough. Ya go ahead and sell all the Beenie Babies. Spend it on Isabel. I need to go and buy some bike parts. I'm gonna go ahead and put it on my debit card and just use my Christmas money. 

 

We can't go to the beach, plus it isn't in our area. Our Mission President is trying to change the mission and wants us to be strictly obedient. On P-day we don't really go out. There is a set of Elders that have a car, but they are super busy like us.  

 

HAHA its about time that Dad gets dentures.

 

Don't worry I'm still going to work hard even if I don't get a baptism. As long as I keep on working hard and try to better myself each day and succed I will be happy. I am just working on being more receptive to the spirit. Ya I am having trouble with that but I pray each day to have more opportunities to have the spirit guide me so that I can have more opportunities to follow the spirit and be better at recognizing the spirit. I'm learning that everything is a process and to keep working at it. "If at first you dont succed dust yourself off and try again" Wow I can't believe I just quoted Aaliyah. haha

 

Love you Mom!!!!

 

Elder Ruelas

January 22, 2013

What Michele is Pregnant?!?!?!?!

 

Sorry Hi MOM!!!

 

Bummer that everybody is sick. My comp was sick but he got over it pretty quick. Thankfully I havent gotten sick. I would buy pants here but there is no Walmart. California is wierd haha. Well at least Van Nuys is. I love the area but the people are a little out there haha. On the way here to the Library some guy drove by yelling "SATAN RULES." haha after that happened I was just laughing and thought to myself that the guy is a moron. The other night we had a guy stop us and try to tell us that what we were doing was wrong. He shook my hand as he said it and tried to squeeze my hand hard. Haha you know me, I just smiled right back and squeezed hard right back and didn't let go until he gave up. To have a little fun when he let go I squeezed harder, haha. Well that is Van Nuys for ya. Don't worry I am safe. I got Elder Olson as my body guard. I am excited for those CD's though.

 

Hey don't bash on the people in front of you at the Hockey Game. Remeber your son is on bike and I sweat A LOT!!!! haha. But not gonna lie, the people to the left and right of me stink like no other. I thought it was me but I checked, I put on deoderant today haha. Dont worry clean underwear on as well.

 

Honestly nothing really happenend this week. To be honest I don't like bikes because we waste so much time riding around to each place. Our area really is a car area, but they took the car away because our area had a ton of Apostate missionaries. As I have said before, this mission used to be filled with bad missionaries. Our mission president isn't having it though. I think he has sent home 3 missionaries. It is for the good though, I don't want to be around disobedient missionaries when I am trying to work hard.

 

I wish I could tell you more, but there isn't anything going on. We have dropped like half of our investigators because they are a bunch of flojos. Please don't ever make an excuse not to go to church or let me do it either. That has to be the most annoying thing ever. That and when we were teaching a lesson and this girl in the background is mocking the mini law of chasity lesson that we taught because the investigators found something that related to it in the Book of Mormon. There have been a couple of times this past week where I have had to check myself because I was gonna call people out, but when I would go over what I was going to say in my head, it didn't sound to good haha. I guess I have been getting some tests on patience as well.

 

Well hopefully everything is going well mom. Love YOU!!!!! Take care and I hope everybody feels better.

 

Elder Ruelas

January 14, 2013

Hello,

 

Guess where I am! VAN NUYS! haha It is great, but I am not gonna lie I miss Reseda. My new companion is Elder Olsen. He is awesome and really helping me out. Our area is awesome. We have a lot of part member families that we can work with and our area is filled with Latinos. Especially on the street, which means I won't have to do so much knocking haha. I can just go to them on the street. We set a baptismal date with this girl but of course she didn't show up. The Van Nuys ward meets in the same building as my old ward so I see people I know every once in a while. It is wierd to be in a new place not seeing the usual people, but it is part of the mission. It has been kind of a "weird", more like sad week though. Within my first 2 or 3 days I met a lady who gets beat by a guy who lives with her and all of her pay check has to go to her daughter, Another single mom who works 2 jobs and is never home to see her kids and they both want a quincenera next year (they are twins). I don't know how they do it. What stinks is that we can't even teach them. One of them can't have visitors in her house and basically never leaves and the other has no time. But I know that one day they will be able to have the opportunity to accept the gospel in their lives.

 

Ya so I am on bike and it has been FREEZING this past week. Don't worry I am staying warm. We are definitely pushing to get into peoples houses and using the sympathy card.

 

Tell the missionaries that they need to be more Paisa. If they don't know what that means then that is why they don't get in haha. But something that we really focus on is telling people that the Book of Mormon testifies of their ancestors. Well that is what I make sure I do. And I am not afraid to give them the book right then and there at the door and don't take no for an answer. Plus they need to make them laugh right off the bat. I don't get in the first time, but it makes it easier to come back and get in right away. 

 

Tell dad that I want him to be there in the temple when I get married. I tried telling him in a letter but he wrote back and said that he couldn't read it because it was in pencil. I wrote thick because I couldn't find my pen that day haha.

 

Please send packages to the office. I don't want to have to bike to the post office and carry my packages back home on the bike. We don't have a porch like I did in Reseda.

 

Also if I can still ask for stuff, I would like some good CDs. I am starting to get bored in the house when I can't listen to music, plus I have been listening to the same CD for the last 4 months. PLEASE!!! Basically anything that is from the Church or any Christian music. Ask the missionaries, they will know. Unless they aren't allowed to, but idk haha. I also might be needing some more pants. Like I said we bike and our area is huge.

 

 

I LOVE YOU!!!! take care. Tell Lucy I miss her too. Tell her I will see her in 18 Months.

 

Elder Ruelas