6/5-6/11

We went to see Salvador and everything should go well, I hope.   He said he would have some information for us about his wedding on Friday.  We had a cita fall through after that so we contacted and then hno Gerardo called us. We visited Roberto---he was drinking and everything, so sad when a convert falls like that.    We had some meeting with our mission leader.  We talked over good things but the meeting was lame.
 
Salvador says that by Sunday he should know what to do about his wedding. We also talked over the organization of the church. We taught a lesson to an investigator and it went ok---hopefully she can progress.  We got with hno Gerardo and he takes us with him to the investigator Gerardo’s house and he challenges him to be baptized next week. And he said yes the sprit was so strong in the lesson.   We searched for a reference and nothing then the hno took us to eat---cool.
 
Contacted lots and found a less active. Then nothing else just one lesson at night---super lame the guy was way weird.
 
In the morning we taught a doctor and the lesson went well.  After that we met with Salvador. Also  a ok lesson, nothing special.  We visited some less actives and felt the spirit. Then contacting
 
I felt sick today, achy body, pretty lame. We visited lots of less actives, not much else, one good lesson with Gerardo and one of his daughters that hasn’t listened to the lessons. Then home early lots of pills.
 
Wow crazy Salvador started saying stuff at church and Gerardo bashed him, in front of all the people.  Some of the questions Salvador had were kind of contentious. Who knows if Salvador will progress! We had District Meeting and Elder Jensen ran the meeting and it was good. Not much else.
 
We went to Jerez, a town in my district and ate weird pizza. I bought stuff for the girls and mom but I don’t know what to get dad. hhmmmmm.

Love you all so much

-- Elder Keefin Bickmore

5/29-6/4

Weird day! We couldn’t really work.

In the morning we visited with Natalie. We had some cita’s lined up but they fell through. We found a cool guy, Edgar, he seems like he could progress. I'm so tired now all the time.

In the morning we did service helping someone move at like 9 a.m and then we met with Salvador. Good lesson, he just needs to get married. We had to travel with the zone to Fresnillo (town North of Zacatecas) for a special meeting with the Mission pres. He had to explain some stuff and talk about obedience. I got two packages, one from the ward and one from the girls---super sweet. We got back kind of late and I started divisions with Elder Gallegos. Hno Gerardo, our mission leader, helped us. He drove us to the interview I had to give. for Hna Nancy---she passed fast. We went to the house of mineros. I forgot---two elders more are here in Mineros----6 elders in one ward, living in the same house as Mineros.

Good study with Elder Gallegos, a lot on the spirit. We went to see hno Javier---he was sad for some things that had happened but we cheered him up then he accompanied us for like 5 hours from 12 to 5, even ate with us. Had to perform two interviews at night. Edwin, like 13, passed super easily. Edith, 22, she is studying philosophy and she likes to talk a lot, also long interview---she didn’t pass. It was sad but she will definitely be baptized in a future time, she is really cool. And Ii think she will be really prepared next time.

We contacted a bunch in the morning but like no one home then we went to an area more like a ranch, dirt roads and all. We met with a lady hna Martha and then we visited Nataly. Started a fast with her, her first. She really expressed her feelings super good. We attended the baptism of Nancy and Edwin. It all went well. Elder Wensel, a new gringo missionary baptized his first people. Ooooohh the memories haah.

Salvador and Gerardo at church and it went ok expect the bishop talked way to much in all the clasess. DM went well also. Lots of people. But I liked it. Also Ii ordered a name tag, an extra like a year ago and I just got it.

I'm dead tired again. 1st basketball full court, then volleyball and soccer.

Love

Elder Bickmore

5/22-5/28

Good day today! First we went with hno Salvador; he is so good ---really wants to get baptized but has his issues. He has kidney stones so we gave him a blessing. We had a comida with a hna and she asked us to bless her house. We contacted and made some some citas. We met up with hno Gerardo, along with a member of the ward, hno Eleazar, so Gerado could get to know another hno. My stomach is always hurting me lately.

Citas in the morning but they all fell through so we contacted a bit and then we had to go to the Internet Café to send off reports. We searched for some people but no one home so we contacted and found a guy named Fileberto----he could be cool. We talked with 3 señoras who had tons of questions but they felt the spirit at the end.

Met first with Salvador and had a good lesson on the priesthood. We found someone later contacting, Maria, and she accepted a fecha. We went out with Gerardo--- super good today. He had a list of a bunch of the things he'd learned and it was intense then we talked with our mission leader.

Weird day. One guy contacted us, a member from Monterey, and he needed our help. We sent him to meet with the bishop. A drunk invites us into his house and talks to us for a long time. Met up again with Salvador and he had tons of hard questions (marriage D&C 132, etc.). Lots of contacts and it almost rained on us but just sprinkled--- i miss the rain.

Bad day---lots of contacts and nothing. A weird lady that saw a vision of stuff, apparently like of the Virgin Mary talked with us. We had a cool part the stake conference. Elder Valenzuela talked and he was really good. Gerardo and Nataly went.

Well Salvador couldn’t make it to the stake conference---his stones got to him. We sang two songs as a zone for the conference and it was bad. District meeting went well this time.

I'm wasted. We played a bunch of basketball and I am so tired.
--
Elder Keefin Bickmore

5/15-5/21

District meeting in the morning due to the fact we had an activity on Sunday. Elder Young gave this one on Lehi's dream. Then we taught Gerardo---he won’t be getting baptized this Saturday but he said he will one day. A hna asked if we could bless her house so we went over and gave her house a blessing. The rest of the day was visiting some less actives---pretty cool.

1st we went to visit the inactive son of the hna Maltos but he didn’t let us in. We went and talked with Salvador and he seemed super animated. He said that he wants to get married. We got money from the hna Maye and ate pollo feliz and then went to contact and found a joven----he seems pretty cool. We also visited a family we are reactivating.

In the morning we went to Jerez to interview a hna---she passed. We got back late because its Jerez is really far outside of the city. We ate and then contacted. Visited the hna Martha and pulled weeds for her.

Our first cita fell through so we went to visit Gerardo. He was sad---one of his friends (Transit officer) was killed by the bad guys---shot up his car. So we talked about the Plan of Salvation again. We got a ride to the bishops to eat (thank goodness super far). Both of us had to go to the bathroom so after that we returned to contacting.
Contacting! We found two people that could be really cool. Canuto y Mayela (weird names I know). We had a comida set up but they were not at home. Met with Salvador---hopefully his girlfriend decides to marry him.
Gerardo and Asael, his friend, all at church---cool. District Meeting and I gave this one. We combined the districts and we ate cake. We are having changes in the district but not my comp or me.

Finally we got our money! YES! I was down to $.00. Not much done today.

--

Elder Keefin Bickmore

5/8-5/14

Interviews with the Mission Pres today. Supposedly ours would be at noon but I knew that wouldn’t happen so we went and taught Salvador. Went and helped out a hna with a service project and got to the stake center around 3 and still had to wait for about 1 ½ hours. We couldn’t even go eat. After the interviews we had divisions. I went with Elder Alverez and we watched the Joseph Smith movie with Nataly and Gerardo. Due to time we missed the last bus but luckily a guy gave us a ride home.

Super tired to morning! We tried to visit Robert but he was not home---contacting and more contacting. A few slammed doors---one guy even ran away-- haha. We went to visit a less active family and then to pick up our clothes from hna Olga. Switched back with our comps and more contacting.

We visited with Hno Salvador and talked about chastity---how he needs to marry his "wife". We helped hno Gerador, the mission leader, move some tables for a church activity. My comp made his Mother’s day call and I just talked with the members and ate the food. They gave me ice cream, KFC, cake---good stuff.

Lots of contacting today but no one let us in, except a Jehovah’s Witness girl. She really didn’t know all that much but was still very hard-hearted. We went to visit the family of Esau and to help him get his instruments out of his house for a Mother’s day activity at the church. Then we helped serve food and dessert for mother’s day. Had a visit with Gerardo and Nataly. Gerardo talked way to much so it was a hard lesson. We told him to pray to know if he should get baptized next week. We visited a reference but no good.

Left early to go to Wal-Mart---to paint trees, the bottom part of the trunk---keeps the bugs off. Long and hard work! We got home for a super late and had to shower. Then left to contact then visit two less active families and give a blessing.

Salvador went to church today. Nice talking to you on the phone for Mother’s day. After the call we had an activity in the center to attract people.

Carne asada and games today….that’s all
--

Elder Keefin Bickmore

4/23-4/30

Divisions today and then we had a FHE, very annoying nothing worked!

Divisions continued today and the first lesson sucked. The investigator (he) wouldn’t let us talk and really annoyed me so I finally told him what was up. The second lesson went really well though and she accepted a fecha. We met up with the ZL’s for food and to hang out and have fun with the missionaries. We taught another lesson and then we returned to our comps. We visited Nataly and talked about baptism---everything is set for this Saturday YES!

Lesson with Salvador today and we were going to teach the whole plan of salvation but he wouldn’t accept the premortal life or the fall. Long lesson but at the end he kind of accepted everything. It’s because the Jehovah’s witnesses teach weird stuff. We went to eat and then more contacted, and found a lady and her two daughters’---one paid attention. We had a meeting with Nataly and her dad Gerardo. We taught lots chastity, Sabbath day, and tithing.

21 Years old today!

We met up with Salvador in the morning and then met with hna Olga. She is really cool and she bought me cake---yes! We had to travel to Jerez as I had to do an interview. Long ride to the village and then we had to walk more to the interview but the person passed. On the return to our area we barely made as we almost missed the last bus and would have been stuck in Jerez. We got off early to take another bus and it was also the last one of the day, and took forever. We had to meet up with the ZL’s for divisions.

Not that great of a day. The best part was the interview of Nataly---she passed, although after tons of time passed I thought she hadn’t---ahh. She wants Elder Gomez to baptize her---cool. We went to pick up some of my cake. It was really fun with Elder Young--we had a good time. Then back with our comps.

I kind of felt sick this morning and we had to plan and get a bunch of stuff for the baptism. In the end we never found the baptismal clothes so we just used my baptismal pants and my comps shirt. We had to fill up the font---little problems there but we got all fixed. Nataly got there and was super happy. Her dad, brother, and a few others, also lots of hnas came. Gerardo, our mission leader, also came. It was a great baptism and really spiritual. I gave her one of those Book of Mormons that you sent me Mom---Thanks. After the baptism we ate tacos with Elder Gaellgos and Alverez.

Nataly got confirmed today. Nobody else came to church though. Lots of less-actives, that was sweet. One family came, I have been working with them forever, and they finally came---Yes! We both had to talk in church and then we had to teach the next class. District meeting after church but I mostly had everyone else talk. I planned it that way. I'm sick of doing them now I’m tired.

We went to the Enchanted (the park) and we rode the little train as a zone---haha. We went to the zoo, small but kind of cool. We also played some basketball.

That’s about all folk’s good stuff. Love you all

Elder Keefin Bickmore

4/17-4/23

We had to leave the apartment early y then the cita fell through….but the second one was good. It was a hard lesson, lots of distractions and interruptions---hard to feel the spirit. We went and visited contacts. Talked with the hna Monica and she said she'd go to church on Sunday. She gave me a long sleeve shirt----sweet. We met with Natalia---super great lesson, she was crying through parts, really strong spirit. She accepted a fecha YES!

In the morning we went to teach Gererdo, the dad of Natilia. Natalia and Jose, her bro, were also there. A wee bit harder with everyone there---lots of questions and jumping ahead but a good lesson still. We had to drop off our clothes for washing and then we had a long walk ahead of us for our lunch appointment (Bishops house) but the Hno Chelieno drove us halfway there. It was a super far walk back--- all the way to Corea area. We walked an unexplored route, more fun but through hills and cactus---very fun. The cita was not there so we visited other hna in the area and she doesn’t really want to progress. We visited a less active family, Lizet and Alfonso, they are really cool.

Contacting all morning and no success until the last door and a guy who I never thought would let us in---let us in, and really loved it all and accepted fecha. His name is David. The bad thing us he is moving in a little bit. Later we talked with Pedro, a contact from a long time ago, and had a decent lesson. He really didn’t have a lot of time. We also taught a catholic who understood the need for a prophet and everything but still wouldn’t accept.

We contacted in the morning and found a guy named Salvador. He could be pretty cool. Gerardo gave us money so we went and got chicken for lunch. The Zone leaders called and asked if I could do an emergency interview for Bertha, one of their investigators. She had just gotten married and could be baptized the next day. We went and she passed, that’s good. She was originally ours but moved. Another lesson with Monica, the less active, she is doing well and should go this Sunday. Then a FHE with the Hna martha. Lots of older women, Natalia whose 19, and us. It was ok. We had a few issues but everything was fine---no problem. We had to leave because it was getting late but my comp didn’t want to cause he didn’t want to leave Natalia with them. I said lets go and he got kind of mad at me for that but I don’t care we had to go.

We had a meeting with Gerardo and Natalia. She was fine---no problems from the FHE like my comp though so he got over being mad. It was a pretty good lesson. We went to eat at a park called Enchanted with the rest of the district. Turns out there was no more food left for us---luckily hno Gerardo bought us pizza---great man. We helped the hnos take care of everything at the park and clean up. All of our other citas fell through so we went and watched the baptism of Bertha---really good.

Yes! Great Sunday. Natalia and Gerardo came to church, and some drunken guy who I really didn’t think would go---haha. The classes, not so cool, some hna asked a lot of questions, not good for investigators to hear stuff about the temple but they both seemed happy still. We had district meeting and I thought it went really well. I planned hard for it. We had a FHE planned but fell through so back to the house to plan

More soccer today and nothing bad happened this time, just a bit on my toe but I’m good for once haha. That’s all folks love you all so much
--

Elder Keefin Bickmore

4/10-4/16

We went to go see a lady who looked cool but apparently she was busy. We went out to apply something the Mission Pres taught about getting references. He had us visit old investigators and less actives from other wards. I told them to return to church and it would be great. Went to see others but they also fell through. We contacted and actually taught a guy but he really didn’t want anything. We walked super far to find Valetin, the Christian---not there. We contacted and found someone else. We met with Olga to get references and we talked about the atonement then we sang some songs and asked them if they had anyone we can visit. If they do we plan a FHE with that person. Well her visiting teachers were there so we got three references (it works).

Started knocking in Lomas del Lago, a new part of town. We had a good lesson with a hna Lety and then more contacting that ended up in another lesson, although not so good. Later we went back to Las Huertas (another part of town) for a few citas but nothing. We received a reference from the other elders and found a guy and his family. His name is Gerardo---he is way cool, lots of questions. His wife died almost 5 years ago.

Crappy day---only one lesson after much work and walking and it’s an older lady. She could be cool.

We taught Leticia, she is cool---she read and even marked certain things. The thing is she probably won’t go to church for some family outing. Contacting after that and a long wait for the food at the church. We were able to meet up with hno Gerardo and this time whole family was there, daughter (19), son (21), and son’s wife (20). We had a really cool, long lesson and they fed us. They all said they go to church this week, except the hno Gerardo. He can’t go because he works every other week.

Mission leader took us to eat and then we contacted and found nothing. Super long walk to help out the stake in an activity. The whole zone was there except the hnas. We really didn’t do much but we ate. Got my package---sweet! Had a few visits---nothing much
Natalie, the daughter of Gerardo, went to church, only one that came. She seemed to really like it. Stake president took over the reins to fix some of the problems in the ward. We had a meeting with the ward leaders and then with the stake pres. He taught us how a ward council should go. It was good. I learned a lot. We ate and had a meeting with the ZL's and then we had DM.

Today we went to a museum---it was cool I suppose---saw lots of stuff. Finally got my money YES! My comp went off with two other missionaries and disappeared for 3 hours, which hurt our time and worried us. I’m not really getting along all that well with him. I’ll see what I can do.

Love you guys-- Elder Keefin Bickmore

4/3-4/9

Our citas in the morning fell through so we contacted and then we had to walk super far to eat. Another lesson but the lady is going on vacations for like a month which I see as a problem. We had a lesson with Gustavo and a member of the stake presidency was there----good lesson but he doesn’t want anything.

We walked in the morning to go contact seeing as it saves money and we had to walk really far to the bishop’s house to eat. Then we took two buses going back to work because it was super late and we had to walk pretty far to Corea to talk with the Christian---he may progress. Then returning a less active gave us a ride. Our next cita fell through because we got there late.

Today was especially bad. We contacted the whole day---lots of walking. We contacted a lot and nothing, until we knocked one door. A whole meeting of Christian’s! We first sang I am a child of God and then a prayer. The spirit was definitely there---strong! Their pastor gets there and stops us from teaching and sends us off----dang it---was going to be super cool.

This is a very special day for the Catholics so we knew it would be hard. Actually they had actors in the streets acting out what happened to Christ, just randomly. We taught a kid but he had to leave, then some lady but she just played dumb and said she’s Catholic and doesn’t believe our message. Then Hno Gereado bought us chicken and ice cream and we made some visits with him.

In the morning we cleaned the church and after that hno Gerardo bought us gorditas. We visited hno Olga, good timing also. Xochitl had accidently cut off part of her finger at her work, she isn’t a member, but still wanted a blessing and there could not have been a better moment. We gave a few more lessons but nothing really special hopefully the people go to church, like the Christian Valeitn, he knows its true because he feels it and we answer all of his questions and everything using the scriptures. At the end of the day our last contact was a lady who actually could turn out pretty cool.

No one at church, just a less active young man we made friends with him, so hopefully we can help him. District meeting also went well---fiesta after. My comp has changes noo!. oh well!

All packed ready to go and now Elder Polo is gone and Elder Gomez is here.

Love you guys

3//26-4/2

Not going to write last week’s sorry just the few things you heard.

I don’t have time. MY foot is killing me literally---it’s horrible! Its shaking and I can’t walk. Luckily, the lady that cuts my hair gave us a ride and medicine. At least I made two goals in soccer---right!

We had zone conference it was good and gave me a good reason to be seated and not walk, although my foot is feeling a bit better. I had to speak for 15 minutes in the conference on diligence. It went well. We talked about lots of things but it went really well then we ate pizza yes! We had a cita with a lady and taught one lesson. Hopefully she progresses.

Pretty crappy today. Lots of contacting and no luck. Only one lesson in the whole day and he was atheist---very hard to work with. The mission pres performed house checks today and our house, we didn’t make our beds, got voted as the worst house.

We left early to go to Jerez, city outside of town, so I could do an interview for the hermanas, well two interviews. They both passed the children. Then the hnas bought us ice-cream---yum! The mom of the two niños gave us sandwiches with the good fillings and bread. The little girl called me French. Not sure if that’s an insult or not. ahha. Then we got back and ate. Few lessons today. One guy could be cool. The bus wasn’t passing, uho, it was 9:20 pm and it didn’t come so we waited a while until finally someone gave us a ride we got home like 9:55.

Well the day was going to be super intense and sweet tons of citas and basically all fell through but one. He accepted fecha that was good. The rest of the day was contacting and getting a call from the assistants. They wanted to know the closest airport for me to fly in to…...ahhh.

Conference---super good …then really bad news. When I went to get the money out of the bank with my ATM card to go eat with the other missionaries the ATM ate my card so I will now have to wait two weeks from Tuesday to get money. I only have 200 pesos that I took out of my own card nooooo! Luckily Elder Belnap is cool and he paid for the restaurant---it was pretty good. More conference. I remember being at home and not liking conference now it passes so slow and is so good. I hope you all watched it all. No investigators came to conference

Same business great conference but no investigator’s even though they promised. What was all of you all's favorites talk?

3/27

Heya!

Elder Bickmore hurt his foot today playing soccer. So he wanted me to tell you that he is alright and he will be able to write you next week!

Take care!-- -Elder Young

PS Elder Young was one of Keefin's comps in the MTC

3/14-3/19

Not a good start to the day but better with time. We had lots of our citas fall through so we went to visit people; one of them is a recent convert who needs help. Actually the whole ward needs help---tons of gossip and crap. Our mission leader had come over in the morning and we had a long talk about the state of the ward. After that we did lots of contacting we found a family; Victoria, Luara, y Jared. The dad didn’t listen. They accepted fecha YES! We then had another meeting with the mission leader.

Contacting in the morning. We found a guy named Jesus. He was kind of cool but has some problems. We talked with Celia, a contact from a few days ago, and she accepted a fecha. She is super cool and super animated. Then we had to walk super really far to talk with a recent convert and her family.

Well we went all the way to the city of Jerez, over an hour away by bus to do an interview for the hermanas. The hermano Rodolfo passed but was a little hard to understand----he’s old. Our cita with Victoria and fam fell through---not home noooo! We went out to do some contacting and then to the church for an activity that didn’t end up happening.

Today sucked. All of our citas fell through. The only good thing was helping out a lady at the beginning of the day. Our cita with Celia also fell through, although she promised to go to church tomorrow. We visited the owner of our house, an ex-bishop who lives below us and his wife, and we had a good lesson.

Nobody came to church today----very depressing but we must continue. We finished our comp switch after my comp gave the district meeting. We got two new elders in my district. Elder Gallegos (6 months) and Elder Alverez (from Utah---new). They are cool.

This morning we went first to play basket and bang and then we had an activity. A short devotional and then food. We then we watched two of my videos, only a stonecutter and john tanner a treasure in heaven. We try to apply them to the work we are doing. It went really well some were crying and we had recent converts there----about 59 people came----more than go to church on Sunday haha. -- Elder Keefin Bickmore

3/6-3/12

We ended up wasting our morning to drop off our clothes with a Hermana and she just kept talking and talking. We visited some less actives and we happened to find some non-members with them. The father of the family and the grandfather, unfortunately the grandfather didn’t stop talking, so they lesson wasn’t so cool.

We then met with Erlinda, unfortunately her daughter the non-member, was sick and couldn’t attend the lesson. We had an appointment with Gustavo and Xochitl but they don’t want to progress. We contacted a neighbor and she seems cool.

In the morning our mission leader came over and gave us 200 pesos for food and told us the good news that a Herminia decided to get baptized this Saturday---YES! We went to contact and were able to get a few citas placed. More less actives but annoying lessons luckily my patients is improved.

Today we went to Villa Nueva to interview the Herminia and all was good with the interview. Long trip so we didn’t have a long time to work but hey we are going to baptize ---YAY. We met with our mission leader and we planned the baptism and then he bought us hamburgers.

Lots of rude people in our contacts today but its fun. We talked with a hna who had almost been baptized but because of some loser members she wasn't and now doesn’t want anything. We actually found people contacting and taught a few lessons---some were good. One of them, a lady named Lucia, even accepted a fecha. We also found Blanca and Lucy but they can’t go to church this week---hopefully next week.

Like always we had citas fall through. We met our ward mission leader at church and he took us to Villa Nueva for the baptism. It went super! 3 nonmembers went to the baptism and one of them is progressing well. We also had a lesson right after about the authority for the nonmembers. We gave blessings that they wanted to all three. After we ate chicken ending our fast.

No one at church here but in Villa Nueva one nonmember went and the Herminia got confirmed. Then District meeting and it went really well.

We played a game called bang as a zone---it was fun and addictive. After we ate pizza.

Elder Bickmore

2/28-3/5

Went to go get my suitcases and everything good except someone stole my camera. I have absolutely no luck whatsoever with cameras. The temp is cooler here---nice. We got a quite a good visits in. I feel we will have a good amount of baptisms. We helped a hermana cook

We met with our missionary leader in the morning then we went to take out money---still no rent so I didn’t take out my money. We didn’t find anyone as we went out contacting but we met up with our mission leader and he bought us pizza. We talked with Erlinda, her daughter was asleep unfortunately, so another day. Then we talked with an old investigator Eduardo. He is cool hopefully he progresses. I am feeling kind of sick---uhg.

Well it was a decent day. My body ached the whole day but we worked. We 1st talked with Erika, she’s a Christian, she seems cool and she helped us to talk more about Christ. Then an interview---super cool guy, but he must talk with the pres to get baptized. We went to visit a less active lady and just ended up talking with her husband, a non-member. Contacting forever long and well not feeling good wasn’t cool. A less active family promised they’d go on Sunday---they are super cool.

Pretty cool day. I was feeling a bit better. We visited a less active, recent convert. I also saw a Xango distributer sign---kind of cool (Note from Dad: Keefin worked at Xango in Utah before his mission for about a year). Lots of contacting and then we ate with the bishops wife---she’s cool. We met with Nasdira y Erlinda and Nasdira is really cool. I think she will get baptized. We met with some other really cool people but they aren’t married noooo! I hate that so much even more because they accepted a fecha.

Well early morning we met in the church to leave with some members to do some service and teach some people in Villa Nueva. It’s a large community---50,000 people. But the church is super small there no organization cause they don’t have enough people, only about 24 and only one worthy, active Melchizedek priesthood holder. We helped set a few things up, made a visit with this old guy but he was lame. We headed back and taught the wife of Hector, a recent convert. She’s cool but just won’t accept baptism. We got back late so a cita fell through and we went to another but no real progress.

Cool Sunday---no one we really expected went but we had a few people none the less. Also an area seventy came---Elder Villa Lobo. He had a really good talk, talking about how without obedience there are no blessings. Good first district meeting here.

Well g2g love you all

2/21-2/27

I would love to send you all a grand, long update but my suitcases are not here so I don’t have my journal, so I will just tell you all the most important parts of my week.

Well it was a good week we found a few new people, along with a few accepting fechas. Thursday night we interviewed the kids for baptism this Sat and then had an activity. We had divisions, with the industrial area again and I went with elder Olea---he is a gringo. The next day went well---we worked hard and had a good time. We found some people to teach and had a crazy member take us home. Along the way we saw him buy a pistol in the street. Crazy!

Saturday baptisms. All three were baptized. The coolest part was that Oscar, the recent covert, was able to baptize them---his 1st ones. It was super cool.

The next day they were all confirmed. We had District meeting after church and it went well. We ate ice cream. Elder Castellanos, one of the ZL’s got raised to AP so Elder Ellgen stayed with us. I was informed I have changes. I will be moving to the town of Zacatecas, way far away. They saved me from the heat, the Torreon summer heat that will be coming soon.

My stinking suitcases got left behind because the hno didn’t get to the bus stop in time so I’ll get them tomorrow morning. Long bus ride---5 hours. It looks a cool zone. My new comp is Elder Polo from Peru---my 1st non Mexican.

-- Elder Keefin Bickmore

2/14-2/20

We had a meeting with the president today so we had to leave pretty early. It was a good meeting, although half I had already heard in my other meetings. The 1st part talked about how to start teaching, then into obedience. After the meeting as we were returned my tire exploded (kind of). Had a rip in the tire and the tube was coming out of the tire. We went to eat and then back to work---yes with the messed up tire. We found a new guy his name is Victor---he seems pretty cool. Then we met with Edgar and his family and how a good lesson

Mixed day today----good and bad. First we went to visit with Raul, Flor, and Lupre. They could progress; we'll see. Visited some less actives and then we went and fixed my tire. We visited with Laura and Simon and Laura accepted fecha--- Yes!

We had a meeting this morning and then had to go to the store to purchase some medicine for my companion---for his eyes. We visited Francisco (wheel chair guy) and then Liliana and her children. If they go to church this week we can baptize them. More contacting after that.

I wasn't feeling it today at all----just feeling crappy. We found some new people but my heart just wasn’t there. Then we went and helped out the elders in my dist from industrial area. We had divisions and I went with Elder Ellgen.

Divisions were good---we did service and visited some people. My stomach had a few problems but it only affected us about 5 times---haha.

Church the kids went Yes! We will have three baptisms this Saturday. We contacted with no luck and then we had District meeting. It went well and the entire district participated.

Dodge ball today---unfortunately everyone was super lame today and almost no one went but it was still fun. I'm super tired today

Sorry not a long update not the best week and not a lot of time

-- Elder Keefin Bickmore

2/7-2/13

Not a good day as all of our citas fell through, along with my patience. A good talk with the mission leader---he had some good ideas

Meeting with the ZL's and then we tried to find a nonexistent house. Edgar a recent convert of like 8 months helped us out---a little funny though because the first thing he said was baptism---ahha. The hna seems cool though. We, along with a member, visited a less active and his nonmember wife. Turned out to be a cool lesson, although she believes in the Virgin Mary so it may be difficult. The hno Gerardo is super cool though. At the end of the day my comp and I kind of fought, then talked everything out and made some goals on how to be better and how to help each other do it so we have the sprit with us more.

Crazy day seeing as we have the new mission rule to not wear just sweaters unless we also have a suit jacket on so we don’t look like normal teenagers or young adults. I was in a short sleeve shirt and it was cold. We looked for a certain area and never found it so we just contacted a bit. Our comida was really far out and while we are eating it starts raining so we leave in the rain (on bikes) and then it starts kicking up mud onto our clothes ---fun stuff. We get to Juan’s and Selene’s place super dirty and had a short but good lesson. Then we go and change and met up with Nayeli for her Baptismal interview. She passed it. We had a lesson with a family, full of smoke the house, but a pretty good lesson---i feel that some of them can progress.

We lost our desire today---this just hasn’t been our week. We had a lesson with Liliana and her kids—good lesson. We had a few citas set up but they all few through so we contacted. We had to help out the elders in the Jardin area---feed my sheep activity where we go and help them find people. I went with Ellgen and we actually found a super cool family---dang it, I won’t get to teach them. I think they will be baptized and that is a good thing.

Today we saw this less active lady again and she was super stressed. She looked like she wanted to just give up on life---super stressed out. Her partner left her and she has babies and he won’t give her food for them and a lot of other stuff. So we helped her with 20 pesos---not a lot but more important was we had her do a prayer and she calmed down and we talked for a bit and invited her to church. Then we passed quickly by Nayelis house. She is ready baptism tomorrow YES! Also she let us borrow a pan to heat up water or milk then I made us some hot chocolate. Yummy!

We got up early and to the church to start filling up the font at like 7:30. The baptism went well. Although my comp couldn’t get her all the way in and he had to do it like 5 times. Only Julio and Cecelia went to church so we have to see what happened. District meeting after church and it went really well. It was on committing and having faith. I used a talk, parts called qualifications for a missionary. Then we, the zone leaders and I, sat down and talked with Elder Mejia and Ramirez as they have been having problems. It was a good hour talk and I think we got it a lot resolved. They have super bad issues. But the sprit was super strong. My comps birthday to so we had little cakes for that.

We ate at KFC for my comp and now we are going to get our hair cut. We had to wash our clothes by hand again---uhg.
We are doing well----I’m happy
--- Elder Keefin Bickmore

1/30-2/6

I forgot my journal update will not be so great this time

We had a few good lessons today, but nothing extremely special. A girl named Barbara seems pretty cool says she wants to change so hope it goes well with her. We had another good lesson with Angeles and then visited a few less actives and a recent convert Oscar.

Lochs--happy bdayWe had divisions today with Jardin. I went with Elder Mejia and we contacted for some time and taught a lesson but nothing special. Then we ate all together pizza third day in a row. Visited some less actives and then with the mission leader.

Good day the best part was that Juan y Selene are new and have fechas. They are super cool only they aren’t married---ahh!

Meeting with the president and all the leaders of the mission. My whole generation menos Elder Gollner were there. It was awesome. He helped us understand how to help our districts more and also bashed us for all little things of disobedience. We all promised to be completely obedient and follow the rule strictly. It will be hard but worth it if we want to see blessings and miracles. Then we had a lesson with Angeles, and Oscar came with us, super spiritual. Oscar then took us to the house of a less active. Oscar is so great.

I read something that have helped me and really made me a better and more spiritual missionary. We contacted this whole morning and it went well. Unfortunately afterward was not so great Most everything fell through. Juan and Selene are still good though. It’s the trials of our faith and obedience.

We had 4 investigators at church today. Juan y Selene, Julio y Cecilia. All pretty cool. The others who had fechas didn’t come. Lot of walking to get the bikes. We had District Meeting and I planned/held the whole thing. It was on total obedience and then my comp finished seeing as he is District leader. Well that’s done now---just was for the week but so nice.

Studying then washing clothes by hand---that sucked! My bike broke down so we had to fix it. We me with the Elders from Jarding and the zl's for P-day---it was fun.
Love you
Elder Bickmore

1/24-1/30

No gas that means cold water shower YES my FAVORITE! Divisions today with the zone leaders and Elder Castellanos came with me. Elder Castellanos wasn’t used to the bike; also he’s a bit bigger, so he was slow. Contacted, taught a few lessons but no one that wants to progress. We went to teach Angelses and Patricia and the lesson went well. Then we went to teach Liliana y the kids and it also went well.

Again no gas to heat the water so another cold shower y the air is cold this morning (Very cold). Our study was really cool today we asked for revelation to know the needs of the more difficult elders in my district and opened the scriptures to the answer it was very spiritual. We went the church building to get our comps and meetings. Rest of the day was decent nothing special. We watched the story of John tanner with Oscar, you should all watch it---it’s great. Then preparation for the activity tomorrow and I have to sing part of a hymn—solo.

Planning the activity and my comp had some issues with his stomach causing us to leave for the meeting a bit late. We contacted and found a lady---she’s is inactive and her daughter isn’t a member. We had another cita with Angeles and Patricia and we brought a member also to help. Then the activity. It went well---some confusion, not as many people as we wanted but the spirit was super strong and yes I sang a little solo weird! Then went to get pizza.

Contacting the whole day! I felt really good and the sprint was with us, definitely powerful testimonies and everything, but no one accepted. Weird day cause I felt really good, although nothing really good happened.

Meeting with the President, followed by interviews. Finished late as I knew we would. The meeting was really good though the spirit was strong. We only had one cita, with Liliana and her kids, they are progressing well.

Angeles came to church today---yay! Also Liliana but not all the kids. Jose was sick so that pushes the baptism back. The last class horrible, they just bashed the members no spirit and investigators were there. District meeting after church and my district all gave the lessons. I just sat there. It started raining really hard and on bikes we got soaked. The 4 of us went with a hno and got hot chocolate and he started his fireplace---so nice and we watched the Joseph Smith movie.

-- Elder Keefin Bickmore

1/17-1/23

We contacted and found someone decently cool. We had a cita with Angeles and Patricia. They are cool---they just need to go to church and some time to accept it all. We found Esperanza again and we will hold a fast for her so that her husband can relax and let her go. We then me with Liliana and her kids--- they accepted fecha

Meeting with the ZL's we have some plans to make the zone more spiritual, hopefully it all goes through. We know it will bring more blessings. We are going to do stuff like fasting twice a month. We found a less active---she is cool and she even gave us a reference. Then with Yolanda Marcelo and her daughter, but they are kind of weird they could progress though. We met with our mission leader to plan some things and then met up with Oscar, our recent convert, such a pistol. He had the opportunity to share his testimony three times Sunday with three different less actives he met.

Contacted and found another cool lady. Lots of contacting today and everything fell through. Then we met with Oscar, his dad, and his family but they don’t seem like they will progress.

Super hot today and not good because we're fasting. Everything in the morning fell through so we went contacting. We met with a less active and then a cita with Angelses and Patricia. They are still cool and say they will go to church---hope so. Then with Edgar, a recent convert like 6 months ago, to help him prepare for the Melchizedek priesthood.

We helped a hermana that had twisted her ankle really bad. We washed her dishes and swept and stuff then she gave us some references. We tried to find her references and nothing. Then we met with Yolanda---we're going to drop her she doesn’t progress. We had stake conference, Elder Lestor Johnson. He is cool and bashed all the lame members.

Stake conference. Unfortunately only Angelses showed up but thankfully someone showed. It was really good especially President Flores's talk, our mission presidents talk, and Elder Johnson's. We had another meeting a right after for members and new members. Elder Johnson ripped everyone apart even a little bash to our president. Then to District meeting on revelation. Why? how? and how to recognize it. It was good.

Only thing cool today was we ate at Pampas (like Tucanos) again. It didn’t cost most thanks to the rich second counselor in the stake pres.

-- Elder Keefin Bickmore