December 21, 2015- Feliz Navidad

Hola Familia y Amigos!
  This week week we started with an exchange with the Topsham Elders.
I went to Topsham and Elder Jenkins stayed here in Farmingdale. The
exchange went super well and while I was in Topsham we were able to
teach four lessons so that was pretty good for that area. We then
exchanged back on Wednesday and we have been walking around the entire
week because we are basically out of miles now which is fine with me
because I feel more like a missionary when we are walking instead of
in a car all day. We saw the Peters again this week and R who is
the Father of the family is still struggling understanding the
Restoration so if you could pray that he will receive an answer of the
truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the Restoration that would be
great. We also were Finally able to see Todd on Saturday and had a
great lesson with him about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He feels that
the things we are talking about are true but he still isn't sure if he
should be baptized so if you could also pray for him that would be
awesome. We also saw Anthony yesterday and shared the A Savior is Born

video with him and he understands how important Jesus Christ is and is
going to do better the rest of this Christmas season to remember Him.
We also had Zone Conference this week and we talked a lot about the
Enabling Power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This is the power of
the Atonement that gives us strength to help us overcome Temptation
and anything else that we go through in life that weighs us down. We
also talked about our new mission vision for next year and it is super
awesome! We are going to be focusing on having Members invite Families
or people that they know over to their homes and then inviting the
missionaries over to teach the lessons not only to the people that
they invite over but us as missionaries will also be teaching the
Members the Missionary Lessons. It will really help to build unity
with Members and Missionaries and the Investigators will have an
immediate support system that isn't only the missionaries but also the
members. It is going to be super awesome when we start it and I would
invite everyone to invite the Missionaries into your homes.

    I know that this is the work of the Lord and that as we as
missionaries and members come together on the same team. The Lords
work will progress faster than we have ever seen it before. I am so
grateful to be a missionary and to be able to serve the people here in
New England hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and take time to
serve someone everyday of this week and remember the true reason for
the season! Have an awesome week.
Love
-Elder Espinoza

December 14, 2015

Hola Familia y Amigos!
    This week was really good compared to last. We saw tons of
miracles this week. We were able to go to a former investigators home
named the Peters Family. They invited us right in and we were able to
teach the father and we were able to see them on Friday and  teach the
rest of the family then. We then went to visit with them yesterday and
they feed us dinner and we were just expecting to visit with them.
They are super awesome but if you all could pray for them to be more
open to accepting the message of the Restoration that would be great.
     We also just had a lot of success talking to and meeting new
people. I am super grateful that so many people were willing to talk
to us this week. It's the greatest feeling when we can at least talk
to someone for longer than two seconds before they slam the door in
our faces. It has been pretty fun here in Maine even though there
isn't as many people to talk to. All the members here are great and
are willing to do missionary work which is also really cool because I
haven't seen this kind of willingness for missionary work since I was
in Lawrence.
      I am grateful for this Christmas season and for the opportunity
I have to serve our Savior by serving others here. I am grateful for
the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and especially for the knowledge
of the Plan of Salvation. This knowledge helps me to know and I do
know that this plan can bring greater peace and happiness into life
and it is all possible through Him whom was sent here for us. I love
my Savior Jesus Christ and would invite all of us during this
Christmas season to make more of an effort to remember Him. Hope you
all have a great week!
Love
-Elder Espinoza

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Hola Familia y Amigos!
   This week was awesome but unfortunately it is my last day today in
the Bedford/Manchester Area. President Stoker called this morning and
I am being emergency transferred tomorrow  I don't know where to yet
but I will let you all know next week.
    Other than that piece of exciting news Monday was so awesome! I am
sure you all have heard about L and J. They have been
struggling to understand priesthood authority so on Monday we talked
about the Apostasy and the Restoration of the priesthood. They now
understand the importance of the priesthood and a great miracle
happened during the lesson. After we finished teaching L has been
struggling with some anxiety and so she asked for a priesthood
blessing. We offered her one last transfer when she got sick but she
didn't feel comfortable or understand what it was. So we gave her a
blessing and closed the lesson. Later on in the week we gave her a
call just to see how things were going and she said hat her anxiety is
way to almost none existent. I have a testimony that the priesthood is
a real power and that through faith in Jesus Christ is the way and
only way that the power of the priesthood can be used.
I know that the priesthood has been restored and that it is only in
Christ's church. It was give and restored upon Joseph Smith and has
been given to all worthy to hold it. It is the power that governs
heaven and the universe. It is the power given us from God in order to
perform all the ordinances necessary for salvation. I would in it all
who read this if they do not have a testimony of the Book of Mormon to
find out for yourself and as you come to know the Book of Mormon is
true you will come to know that Joseph Smith was called to be a
prophet and that  God's authority is here on the earth again. Also
check out christmas.mormon.org and Discover Why the Savior was born.
Have a great week.
Love
-Elder Espinoza

November 23, 2015 - Transfers!

Hola Familia y Amigos!
   This week was a good week. First news is that transfers came with
both of my new companions! Elder De Leon who is from Guatemala  and
who was my district leader in Lawrence is now one of my companions.
And my other companion is Elder Harper and he is from Nebraska and is
a French Speaker and has served most of his mission in Portland, Maine
which is the French version of Lawrence.
    Yesterday we had dinner with President and Sister Stoker it was
super cool to be able to have dinner with our mission president and
his wife and share a message with them. We were a little nervous at
first but when the Spirit tells you what to say it isn't bad at all.
    I also finished he Book of Mormon for the second time and applied
Moroni's promise. I know even with greater conviction now that the
Book of Mormon is true and  that if anyone truly wants to know if it
is all they have to do is ask God and it shall be given him! I love
being able to spend everyday for two years serving the Lord and even
though it is not easy at times but it is always worth it.
I know that my savior lives and I know that as we strive to serve
daily we will feel greater joy in our life and feel His love more than
we could if we didn't. So go out there and serve our Father  in Heaven
by serving His children.
Love
-Elder Espinoza

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November 16, 2015 - Transfers

Hola Familia y Amigos!

  

       This week was transfer calls and I will be staying here in Bedford, New Hampshire. My companion Elder Shupe is headed home and Elder Pemberton is being transferred as Assistant to the President and will be serving in the neighboring ward of Manchester. 

       Other than transfer calls this week was super awesome we taught a lot of good lessons and were able to see some miracles for the last week of the transfer. On Tuesday is when we had a lot of work we had 5 lessons that day and two of them we were able to have fellowship for our investigators there. Unfortunately all of our lessons except one on Wednesday fell through. But some miracles did happen. 

-Miracle 1: We went and saw S and A- they are fairly recent investigators that we picked up a few weeks ago and hey have come to Church the past two weeks in a row. A is reading the Book of Mormon and we left them with the Plan of Salvation pamphlet to read when we stopped by one night and S loves it and has read it through twice. They are so prepared for the Gospel and it is super cool to see them so enthusiastic and excited about everything. 

-Miracle 2: we saw L and J is week on Saturday night and had dinner with them and a good lesson on the Book of Mormon and faith after they had read Alma 32. They seem to be enjoying the parts in the Book of Mormon that resonate with them but they are still struggling to understand the entire Book. So please pray for them to be able to understand he Book of Mormon. 

-Miracle 3: Happened yesterday after Church. Well first off S, A, and J came to Church. And then after Church we all went up to the Joseph Smith Memorial Birthplace and they all loved it. S and A especially because at one point S said "This guy Joseph must have been one of the most important people to have been born over the past few hundreds of years". It is cool  to see someone understand or at least start to understand who Joseph Smith  truly was.

Elder Espinoza and friends at the Joseph Smith Memorial Birthplace.

I would just like to leave you all with my testimony that I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ in the spring  of 1820 and that he was guided and directed by God to Translate and ancient record now known to all humanity as The Book of Mormon- Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I know that as we read the Book of Mormon, Pray and ponder about it  that we can receive a witness of its truthfulness and divinity, that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet of God. I know that through Joseph Smith God has once again end restored his only true and living Church here on the Earth again and at we are guided and directed by a living prophet today who is guided by The Head of this church, the head of my life, our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.  This is His work and His glory that I am privileged to be apart of and I know it is all true. 

Have an awesome week.

Love

-Elder Espinoza

November 9, 2015 - Two Weeks of Missionary Work

Hola Familia y Amigos!
   This week (26 of October-November 1) was not full of very much
teaching but we did have an eventful week. We started the week off
with a less active named Sister C and we talked about the
prophet Joseph Smith and she seems to have a greater understanding of
the importance of the prophet and it seems that her testimony grew
from us reading the talk with her. On Tuesday we were able to teach
the Restoration in Spanish to a new investigator named L. She is
from Mexico and seems to be interested in the message; hopefully she
starts tomorrow to apply the message. On Wednesday we had our Ward
Trunk or Treat and we had a good turn out of some investigators and
less actives so it was a great hit even though it rained. Because it
rained all the kids went around to different classrooms of the church
and trick or treated that way. Then on Halloween we went to a member's
house for dinner and then went home at 5pm  because we were not allowed
to be out past then because of all the trick or treaters. So we stayed
in the apartment and deep cleaned it we found something super weird
while we were cleaning and I have no clue why missionaries keep or get
their hands on stuff like what we found which was a whip. Sometimes
you find or have super random things happen to you as a missionary but
that is one reason why the mission is so great because there is always
almost a new experience everyday.
     This week (November 1- November 8) was super awesome and it
started with exchanges with the assistants. We meet some super cool
people Monday night while street contacting and hopefully we can find
those people again because we were not able to see them during the
rest of the week. Tuesday we were able to find a woman named D
whose door has not been knocked by missionaries in 38 years but was
able to walk through the Washington DC Temple before it was dedicated
in the 70's. We offered to rake her leaves and she accepted. We then
had a lesson with L and Hermano Raymundo came with us to the
lesson. We taught briefly on the Book of Mormon because she was having
family over for dinner. She invited us to eat with them and it was
cool to get to know her and her sister and brother-in-law. After that
we had a dinner appointment with Brother Pastrana who is our ward
clerk and he has such an awesome conversion story and is super rock
solid in the gospel. We then on Wednesday had a great lesson with an
investigator named R and he is similar to Brother Pastrana. He has
had no religious background and has read the Bible, Koran, and the
Tora. So he has an understanding on  religion but he still lacks
fundamental basic belief in God and that Jesus Christ is our Savior.
But he has a desire to learn more about what we believe. On Friday we
finally had a lesson with L and J after helping them move
some furniture and it was a very spiritual lesson on the Holy Ghost
and baptism. Please pray for L especially as she is sick right now
and is trying to understand the restored gospel and the importance of
baptism. On Saturday we were up in Vermont for a Zone Conference and
we were given instruction by Elder Neilson of the Seventy who is the
Head of the Missionary Department for the church and he gave a great
training on the Atonement and how it can help us in all aspects of
life and that is what I would like to end with.
      I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be
strengthened and lifted up because of the enabling power of the
Atonement. Through the enabling power we are given the power to
overcome our pains and difficulties our burdens and trials and that is
because as we pray for strength to overcome our trials He can and will
strengthen us. I would invite all of us to pray and seek for strength
to overcome our adversities and trials and then watch as you feel the
effects of the enabling power of the Atonement or sacrifice of our
Savior come into your life. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and
Redeemer. Have an awesome week.
Love
-Elder Espinoza

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October 26, 2015

Hola Familia y Amigos!
   This week was really great and we were pretty busy probably the
busiest I have been in a while  and time flew by. We had an awesome
opportunity Elder Pemberton and I on Tuesday to teach a new
investigator in Spanish named L. It's nice to know that I haven't
lost it so that when I go back to Lawrence I will still be able to
understand the people. The lesson went really well and hopefully
tomorrow we are going to pick up his sister P as a new
investigator.  On Wednesday taught some less actives and we were able
to visit a lady named Sister M. Sister M lives in a nursing
home so we try to stop by every week and share a lesson with her. It's
nice to be able to do that for her because she always really enjoys
it. Thursday we taught a couple of new investigators named S and
A. They are super awesome and A after the lesson said that
it just all makes sense. We also had a lesson with them on Sunday
(yesterday) and they love it already. They read the testimonies and
the intro in the Book of Mormon and then we read 1 Nephi 1 with them
and they already think that it is true and makes sense so it is really
awesome to be able to see their excitement. Then on Friday we had an
awesome lesson with K who is a MMA fighter. We taught him last
week and he was having some concerns and questions about the Plan of
Salvation so we left him with he talk "What is the Blue Print of
Christ's Church by Tadd R. Callister" and when we visited with him on
Friday he was preaching to us and is inviting all of his friends to
learn. He is so awesome and it is really cool to see the fire when
someone understands the Gospel and how it can bless their life for
themselves. Saturday was a day full of Service and we chopped wood for
Z for 5 hours but it was tons of fun to be able to do that.

    I know that as we help others to read the Book of Mormon, and I
know that as I have read it myself I have seen a great change and I am
better able to understand my purpose here and through the Book of
Mormon I know that any question that we have can be answered if we are
willing to accept that answer from God and act upon it. I also know
that with the Savior's help we can be made clean and feel His love
greater in our lives and we strive to walk the strait and narrow path
of discipleship. If you feel that you can never become perfect
remember Moroni 10:32:
    " Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny
yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all
ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then
is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect
in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can
in nowise deny the power of God."
With the help of Christ and only through Christ is when we can be made
perfect and be strengthened I know that to be true.
Have a great week.
Love
-Elder Espinoza

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October 19, 2016 - Fall Colors in New England

Hey family and friends how's life?
    This week was a great week and we had some great success. First
off I would like to start off with Sunday and work my way back I
guess. On Sunday we had two investigators L and her son,  J.
come to church. It was a really spiritual sacrament meeting because it
was the Primary Program and the children taught awesome things through
song and their testimonies of the gospel very basically so it was
great.
       Earlier in the week we went on exchanges and we went to a less
active's house in our area whose name is Z people here call her
"Z"-ter because I guess they turn their a's into r's it's different. But
anyway she lives on this 1-2 acre piece of land and she basically owns
a bird zoo. This place is full of chickens, ducks, geese, and
peacocks. It is seriously the craziest place I have been to on my
mission so far because the birds own the place and they just roam free
it's kind of cool but at the same time it seems highly unsanitary. I
guess I am not a guy that would like to live in a place like that. But
she is a cool/crazy person so it was an interesting time helping her
out hedge some of her bushes. After we were finished there though we
were able to have a lesson with a lady named J who lives with
Z and we were able to extend her a baptismal date for November 14
so please pray that her health will improve so that she could enter
the waters of baptism.  
   The fall colors here amazing and I have some pictures but before
that I would just like to share my testimony that; I know this gospel
is true and that it is so simple that even little children can
understand it and I know with my whole heart and soul that the Book of
Mormon is he word of God along with the Bible and that our Savior
Jesus Christ lives and will help us through anything we are going
through if we take the time to put Him more into our lives and I know
these things are true.
Have a great week!
Love
-Elder Espinoza

October 12, 2015 - Manchester/Bedford New Hampshire

Hola Familia y Amigos!
       How was everyone's week this week? Mine has been different
because I have not been in Lawrence but interesting and different. We
got to meet a lot of the ward and it is cool to finally be able to
answer yes to " Elder Espinoza... (A lot of people cannot pronounce my
name up here which is weird because everyone on my mission so far has
been able to) can you speak Spanish?" It is great to finally be able
to say and now I feel weird especially during church where all the
meetings are in English instead of Spanish but it has been good so
far.

Add caption

        So when I got transferred here I got transferred into a trio
again which is great but both of my companions are Zone Leaders which
is really weird also one of the Zone Leaders is Elder Pemberton my
companion that I was with in Lawrence about 7 or 8 weeks ago. It has
been really cool to be able to teach with him again along with my new
companion Elder Shupe who is from Brigham City, Utah. Elder Shupe is
great and will be leaving the mission at the end of this transfer.
         This week was a pretty great week and we have some awesome
investigators and the members here are really cool as well. The city
of Manchester is an interesting place win a lot more interesting
people than Lawrence but I guess I say that because I felt like I was
at home in Lawrence and this is a new place. Everyone told me that in
English areas most people don't stop and talk to you but I have found
so far people are pretty nice out here and are willing to give you a
couple seconds so that's good.
        We had a Burrito Night this weekend as a ward activity on
Saturday and it was great! Our investigator named L whom we had a
lesson with her and her son J on Thursday night was there and she
brought a friend to the activity. She is already an awesome missionary
and she isn't even a member yet so that was really cool, and the
miracle that I saw this week. Unfortunately not much else to report
right now but there will be more this upcoming week.
          I know hat this is the work of he Lord and that as I
continue in faith and being diligent He will help me to overcome my
weaknesses so that I can help others overcome there's. That is only
possible through the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ who lives
and I know that to be true. Have an awesome week everyone.
Love
-Elder Espinoza
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October 5, 2015 - Transfers...Going to English

Hola Familia y Amigos!
    This week or today actually will be my last day in Lawrence, Mass
for a little while now and so I am super bummed about that. I have
been here since the start of my mission which has been 7 and half
months and it has been a blast. I am looking forward to the
opportunity to be able to see a different side of missionary work in
my new are which I will tell you about next week. Even though we did
not have too many lessons it was a super spiritual and uplifting week
this week. With General Conference at the end of it and the things
that I have heard it makes me want to be an even better disciple of
our Savior. Something cool that I learned over conference was that a
disciple of Jesus Christ is someone who keeps on trying to follow the
path of the Savior even though the world and its teachings may seem
easier. I know that the path of our Savior is the easiest road to
peace and happiness not only in this life but more importantly in the
eternal life that can and will be ours as we follow the teachings of
our Modern day Prophet and Apostles, as well as the teachings found
within the Gospel. I know that we have a modern day prophet who guides
us in these days and that through reading the Book of Mormon and
daily prayer we can have greater peace and happiness int this life.
Have a great week!
Love
- Elder Espinoza
     Here are some pictures of the entire Zone during General
Conference and a picture with V( who by the way is doing
great!)

September 28, 2015- A Week Full of Miracles

Hola Familia y Amigos!
This week was probably one of the best working weeks of this
transfer. Last Monday we had a really good lesson with a new
investigator named M. He just recently moved from the Dominican
Republic to here about a month or so ago. He was taught by
missionaries there and already has a really strong testimony that the
Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. A cool
experience that we had with him was when we taught him on Saturday
night he flat out told us at the end of the lesson (of course in
Spanish) " I don't know if you guys believe me but I already know that
the Book of Mormon is true." It was a super cool experience to see his
testimony of the restored Gospel and it was only the second lesson
that we had with him. On Tuesday we were on exchanges with the
District Leader and it was a super good exchange to be able to
evaluate how we have been working in the area and other aspects of
missionary work. He helped me to understand that a lot of the times
when things are super slow is to just tract doors even though it is
not the most effective way to find new people it still is a finding
tool. That helped me to realize that that is something that I can work
on and that if I don't do all that I can the Lord can't bless us with
all the awesome miracles and blessings that He has for us. So I am
looking forward to this upcoming week to be able to work even more in
this area that I have been for about 7 months.
On Wednesday we had the opportunity to be able to go and help an
Hermana in the ward de paint her porch and it was a good opportunity
to be able to talk to her less-active son,  J so it was a good
service opportunity. We were able to have a lesson with V. this
week! That is the second week in a row! We were supposed to have a
lesson with her on Tuesday but she called us an hour before the lesson
and canceled because some freak thing happened and she fell and hurt
her self. Luckily she was feeling way better on Thursday and we were
able to teach. It was a good lesson just please pray for her health
because that is  something that is keeping her from coming to Church.
On Sunday we had the opportunity to go over to the Castillo's house
for dinner. Hermana Castillo is a recent convert that was baptized the
Saturday before I got here to Lawrence and she and her family were my
first member meal and lesson in the Mission field so we are super
close. It was great to be able to go over and just see the progress
that the whole family has made since I got here, and it has been a
blessing to see them progress.
I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ and that through
applying the principles from the Book of Mormon and the teachings of
the Latter-Day Prophets and Apostles we can have happiness and peace
in this world that is just pure crazy. I know that as we come with
open hearts and with questions to General Conference that the Lord
will bless us with the comfort and answers that we are looking for.  I
would invite anyone that reads this to take time to listen to or watch
General Conference and bring one question as you are watching and
paying close attention the Lord will bless you with an answer. I hope
you all have a great week!
Love
-Elder Espinoza
Here is a picture of the Trio and Hermana Castillo and her Daughter
Angie (who was also  baptized with her.) (Elder Peterson is behind
ELder Bills on the Right)

September 21, 2015 - Dentist, Zone Conference, and International Festival

Hola Familia y Amigos!
   Well this week was a week packed full of things that did not
include tracting doors that much unfortunately but did include
sickness again as well as a dentist appointment. On Tuesday Elder
Bills, Elder Peterson, and I had to go to the dentist for Elders Bills'
because one of his teeth has been bothering him recently. The dental
appointment was about 30 minutes away from Lawrence into New
Hampshire. We finished there but did not get back to Lawrence until
about 5:30 and then we had to go to our Coordination meeting. After
coordination was over we basically did not have any time to work in
our area so that was kind of a bummer.
   Then on Wednesday we had a great Zone Conference up in Exeter, New
Hampshire and it was really awesome. The topic of Zone Conference was
on the Book of Mormon and I learned a lot on how I can better utilize
the Book of Mormon in teaching and personal progression in the Gospel.
Something that was said about the Book of Mormon that we can learn
from it, is that: "We should keep the perspective that afflictions
(temptations, difficulties in life, a passing of a family member, and
just trials in general) are blessings for us and that they will
ultimately make us stronger. Also that the Book of Mormon helps us to
better understand the "Why" of Christ's life while the Bible helps us
to understand and know what He did during His life.
   On Thursday Elder Bills got sick and so we came home and stayed in
all day after going to an appointment. Unfortunately our investigator
was not home for the appointment and we were not able to have any
lessons that day. Friday we had a good lesson with our investigator
V. We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Faith, Repentance,
Baptism, Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the
End) and talked a lot about baptism and confirmation and why it was so
important. The cool thing was when we asked her if she knew the Book
of Mormon is true and she bore powerful testimony and how she has the
conviction of its truthfulness. She is super awesome so please pray
for her because she is having some health problems right now and that
is the first lesson we had with her this transfer.
   On Saturday we had a great day it wasn't full of work but we had a
great activity that the Lawrence Ward does every year called the
International Festival. The festivals purpose is to display all the
different cultures that are in the Lawrence Ward which are many. It
was really cool because each different country  had there room that
they decorated and brought typical dishes that you would have if you
were in those countries.  The different countries that were displayed
was Republica Domincana, Guatemala, Columbia, El Salvador, Puerto
Rico, and Venezuela are the main ones that I can remember right now.
They also displayed music or dances from those countries. It was a
blast and a good activity for investigators and less actives to come
to. unfortunately none of our investigators were able to make it, but
it was still really good.
   Well that was my week this week and I hope you all had a great
week. I know that this Gospel is true and can bless the lives of all
those that applies its principles. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ
lives and that through His loving and infinite Atonement we can have
happiness and joy in this life. I also know that through acts of
service we can show the Saviors love to others and show that we are
followers of Him.
Love
-Elder Espinoza


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September 14, 2015 - Good bye Summer of Lawrence

How is everyone this week?
Well this week was eventful and just full of the normal stuff that
happens here in my part of Lawrence. To start off at the beginning of
the week (on Tuesday) we went out to work and it was a bit cloudy but
it didn't look like it would rain... We thought in correctly it
started to pour and we got soaked. We were wet from head to toe but it
was really awesome to see people's reactions as we were walking past
them either if they had umbrellas or were in their cars nice and dry
and we walked past with smiles on our faces (or at least I did because
I thought it was a blast.). Well as a ward we have started a Book of
Mormon challenge to read it before the next General Conference in
April. It is great to see the enthusiasm that a lot of the members
have to read it and it has been great to see the progress that some of
them have made in three weeks. I know that the Book of Mormon can help
us prepare for General Conference and help us to overcome our
challenges in this world and life. Life and challenges in this life
can be very difficult and the temptations of the world are great but
if we hold strong to the iron rod (word of God) we can overcome those
difficulties. Thursday we had another walking day we had four set
appointments but unfortunately they all fell through and we walked a
lot. We had some great contacts and hopefully we will be able to see
them and our other investigators this week. Please pray that we will
be able to have lessons with those people and our investigators. Just
a little info on my companions. Elder B is from Heber, Utah and he
is a skiing, mountain biking, and curry enthusiast. Elder P is
from Sandy, Utah and he loves to go duck hunting, play baseball, and
he loves trucks. We are getting along pretty well and are still trying
to get teaching units down but I think it will be really good this
week as we continue to put our trust in the Lord. Something really
cool that happened this past Saturday was the baptism of a man named
R that I taught who lives on the other side of south Lawrence.  It
is great to see how the gospel can change someone's life and help them
to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. Other than that we all got sick
on Saturday night so we went to church and a members house for dinner.
We were going to go out and work but Elder P wasn't looking
very good so we stayed home. That's all I got for you this week. I
know that this is the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and I know that
my Savior lives. Continue to serve the Lord and he will bless you in
many ways you can't imagine. Hope you have a great week.
Love-
Elder Espinoza

Sent from my iPad

September 7, 2015 - Walking..... seems to be the trend

Hola Familia y Amigos!
  Otra vez estamos aqui en una nueva semana... Sorry Spanish happens
sometimes. Another week is here and this week we did a little bit less
walking so that was nice. We had 5 lessons this week and they went
really well. The mission is a great way to start to love walking
though and it is a blast in a trio especially when we are all pretty
big guys. People when they drive by will look at us and get distracted
it is pretty funny. The trio is a blast and we are having a lot of fun
and working hard. We had a really cool miracle this week. I am not
sure if any of you remember J but we finally had contact with her
after a month of not being able to actually sit down. Last night we
stopped by and she was home. It was a relief to be able to talk to her
and figure out why we have not been able to see her. She has been
working a lot recently and things have not been going very well but
she has desires to continue to learn and progress towards baptism so
please pray for her so that she will continue to progress. Other than
that just a normal week with a lot of walking and service to members.
Hope you all have a great week. I know that this is the Gospel of
Jesus Christ and that the Book of Mormon is true and it has the power
to change the lives of people if they apply its principles. I know
that my Savior lives and that he loves each and everyone of us.
Love
-Elder Espinoza

Sent from my iPad

September 1, 2015 - El Viaje al Templo

Hola Familia y Amigos!

This past week there was not much action. We had two lessons and the
rest of the week was full of walking which was ok. Recently a lot of
appointments that we have set with investigators have all fallen
through so please pray that we will be able to have some lessons this
week especially with J. Unfortunately not much else to report
other than the miracle that I saw this week was that we had two
investigators at church this week and hey loved it. Also we went to he
Temple today and that is why I am writing today. I know that this is
the True Church of Jesus Christ and that I know that we can live with
our Families together forever. I know that the Book of Mormon is true
and that we can truly come closer to God through applying its
teachings. Have a great week.
Love
-Elder Espinoza

Elder Espinoza in front of the Boston Temple.

August 24, 2015

Hola Familia y Amigos!

This week was really great even though it was the last week of the
transfer. But to start off we had a really great experience this past
Tuesday with service at our Elders Quorum's house. So our Elders
Quorum President's  name is Hermano T and he is building a big
gazebo next to his house and we mixed concrete by hand with shovels.
It was probably one of the hardest service projects I have done so far
on my mission but it was definitely rewarding. Wednesday we had
Interviews with President and had a really great zone meeting about
charity and how we can better ourselves as followers and servants of
Jesus Christ. It was a great meeting and I learned a lot about the
missionary I want to become by the end of my mission. On Thursday we
had a great day. We had two really good lessons with investigators.
One named V. V. She went to Temple Square and gained a crazy
testimony about the Book of Mormon and the Church. She is super
prepared and loves the Gospel. We gave her the Plan of Salvation
pamphlet to read and she read it all and had some good questions.
There was a really spiritual experience that we had with her. We were
talking about family history and she told us a really cool story that
when she was like 14 her grandpa always said "V, you're going to
be the one who saves us" and when we told her about proxy baptisms she
said "this is God giving me that opportunity." That was a really great
experiences and a show that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ.

Saturday we got transfer calls. When we get transfer calls and
President calls that means that one of us was either going to train or
becoming a leader. Well my Companion, Elder P is getting
transferred and training another missionary as well as becoming
District Leader. So President trusts him a lot. Also exciting news I
am staying in Lawrence 3 (the area that I have been in since I got to
the mission field) and I am going to be in a trio. I think it will be
fun because I have a pretty good idea who my other two companions are
going to be and we should get a lot of work done. Also yesterday we
got to go up to the Joseph Smith Memorial and it was a great trip a
lot of people were able to go and V. was able to go as well and
she loved the trip.

I know that this is the work of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that
as we strive to live as best as we can to follow the commandments of
God that we can have a conviction that not only Christ is our Savior
and Redeemer but that through Him we can live together with our
Families for eternity. I also know that if we want to be a true
follower of our Savior we need to find opportunities to show true love
or charity to others which if we want to have the pure love of Christ
we need to serve others as much as possible. I would invite all of you
to read Moroni 7 that chapter can be found in the Book of Mormon it
teaches us how we can develop the attribute of charity and what
charity means. Have a great week and go out and serve others as much
as possible.
Love
-Elder Espinoza

Sent from my iPad

August 17, 2015

Hola Familia y Amigos!

This week was kind of a blur but it was a good week. As far as
contacting investigators but unfortunately we did a lot of walking and
all the lessons that we had set got canceled. We had a really good
miracle though where we had two investigators at church and one of
those is a girl named D and she has desires to get baptized the
only problem is that her mom won't let her until, she turns 18. So if
you all could pray that D's mom's heart will be softened and let
her daughter get baptized that would be great. Other than that
unfortunately not much else happened. You are all in my prayers. Keep
serving the Lord and you will be blessed I know that is true. I know
that our Savior Jesus Christ lives and loves all of us and knows each
of us individually. Have a great week and love you all.

Elder Espinoza

August 10, 2015

Hola Familia y Amigos!

Another week has come and gone and it is crazy how fast time actually
goes on the mission. I feel like I wake up, study, work for two hours
sometimes and then It's already 10:30 and I am asleep again then
repeat the process. As for this week it went way better than last
week.

Miracle 1: So we have this awesome investigator named J, probably
one of the most prepared people I have meet to receive this Gospel. We
had a lesson this past Monday on obedience, scripture study, prayer
and church and she loved it. Also we felt prompted to extend her a
baptismal date and she accepted it for September 12. I know that as we
continue to read the Book of Mormon, be obedient, pray, and attend
church that we can become more converted to the Lord than we already
are.

Miracle 2: This week we were able to pick up a couple new
investigators so now our teaching pool has gone from 10 to 12 or 13
now and they are all pretty solid investigators and have desires to
learn and make changes in their lives.

Miracle 3: There was a baptism for a girl that I was teaching before
my area got split up and it was great. The Spirit is always strong
during a baptismal service and it was really cool for me to see her
make this amazing step in her life.

Lawrence is one of the most interesting places that I have ever lived
in but I know that I am here to help others come unto Christ and help
be their guides in the learning of this wonderful restored Gospel. I
know that my Savior lives and that through His infinite love for each
and everyone of us we can have peace in this life. Have a great week
and go out and serve others as much as possible.

Love
-Elder Espinoza

This photo was taken when our mission president, President Stoker, came to our Ward to do some training.  It was taken two Sundays ago.

 

August 3, 2015 - Not Much Going On

Elder Espinoza with all the other 7 missionaries in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Hola Familia y Amigos!
   Well honestly this week there is not much to explain because
unfortunately I was basically recovering from my infection. The
doctors told me to try and not walk outside for long hours in the
humidity so we did missionary work through the phone by trying to set
up appointments so that we could use the car to get to appointments
that were set. Although we were able to set up appointments and the
week would have been great if they happened but almost all of them
fell through, so we only had a total of 3 lessons this week. We also
got an app for our I-pads that we can put all investigator and other
information into. (For those that have been on missions or are serving
right now it is an app that is the Area Book and Planner combined,
super awesome and makes missionary work more efficient.) Other than
putting information into the app and trying to get up to speed on how
to use it ,that is pretty much all that has been going on here. I know
that this is the work of the Lord and that through this, His, restored
Gospel we can have a life full of happiness and joy. I know that my
Savior lives and that through him we can feel of this happiness. Hope
you all have a great week.
Love
-Elder Espinoza

7-27-2015 - Infection Strikes Back

Hola familia y amigos!
   Well this week was good and then it got a little bit worse near the
end. So the leg infection that has been gone for a little over a month
came back again on Saturday morning so after a baptismal service on
Saturday we went to the ER again to get it checked out. We were there
from about 2 in the afternoon until about 8 at night which was
ridiculous but I was also not feeling very good. They put me on
antibiotics again so hopefully this time it will go completely away
this time and I won't have to deal with it ever again because it is
really slowing my work down because once again they told me that I am
not supposed to walk around for long hours and be up a lot.

   Anyway on to more happier news. This week we had a really good
lesson with an part member Peruvian couple. Their names are L and
E and they were former investigators that we picked about two weeks
ago. This past week we taught them the Plan of Salvation and committed
them to coming to church they said they would come so we crossed our
fingers yesterday and waited. They showed up! And they loved it
especially L who is not the member, but E loved it as well
because he hasn't been to church since he was about 9 years old.
Unfortunately they weren't able to stay the whole time but they told
us that we could come over for lunch after Church was over so being
Elders we couldn't turn down a meal appointment and especially one
with them so we went. Peruvian food at least what I had was delicious
I didn't get the name of it but whatever it was called it was so good.
And then we had a lesson with them afterwards about the Book of
Mormon. L wanted to keep reading but we had to go and the cool thing
was that she said that she was going to start reading right after we
left. It is really awesome to see someone get so excited about the
Gospel especially one who is not a member. On Thursday we went and
helped de-paint a porch with the son of a returning member.
De-painting is not a very easy thing but we had a good time doing it.

      One of the things that I have learned this week about the Gospel
and something that I have always known but that gets confirmed to me
almost every week is that no matter who you are what you have done or
where you are going in life the Gospel is for everyone and I know that
to be true. I also know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that
through His Atonement and the Plan of Salvation that we can find hope
and happiness in this life as we do our best to follow God's
commandments and give service to everyone around us. Love you all and
hope you have a great week.
Love
-Elder Espinoza

Enviado desde mi ipad

7-20-2015 - Transfers

Hola Familia y Amigos!

This week has been a little bit of an adjustment not only because I
have a new companion but also because we were moved apartments. My new
companions name is Elder Pemberton. He is from South East Utah and has
been in Lawrence for 8 months so he knows not only Spanish but
Dominican now. The area right now is kind of difficult because we only
have 6 investigators but the ones that we do have are all very willing
to learn and the Lord has prepared them for baptism.  It has been a
really cool thing to see how different an investigator who asks
questions and thinks for themselves rather than just take our word for
it and not follow through with commitments. I am grateful for this
opportunity to be able to serve in this area and to be able to serve
the people here in Lawrence. I know that my savior lives and that
through him we can be guided and the way to be guided is through
praying Daily and reading the scriptures and through those things we
can know the will of God for us in our lives. Sorry it is so short
this week, but I hope that all of you have a great week and are able
to feel the Saviors love for you as you show love to others and serve
his children.

Love
-Elder Espinoza

Enviado desde mi iPad

July 13, 2015- Transfers? Not Really.

Hola Todos!

    This week was transfer call week so everyone in the district was trying to predict where we all would be going and doing. Since Lawrence is the only Spanish area in the entire mission all of us are staying besides my companion Elder H who will be going home basically tomorrow. So I get a new companion tomorrow. It is a bittersweet thing but it should be fun to get to know someone new and a new outlook on missionary work. My area is also getting split. My area covered the entire south of Lawrence called Lawrence 3 and now that it is getting split into two half is Lawrence 3 and half is Lawrence 4. Because of the split the Lawrence ward will now have 8 missionaries. This last week with Elder H was great and we were able to see some good miracles this week. I am also staying in South Lawrence in Lawrence 3 so my area just got shrunk down. It will be fun to work with the part of the area that I did not really work in. 

Miracle 1: We picked up a new investigator last week named J  and she came to church. This past Monday we had dinner at there house and she said that she loved it and was asking us great questions. It is great to see such enthusiasm from an investigator who is truly seeking truth and guidance which is exactly what this Gospel provides.

Miracle 2: A miracle for me because I love Mexican food. We have a member in the ward and she makes the best Mexican Food and I was finally able to have some of her amazing tacos. They were nothing fancy but the way they tasted brought me back to my childhood and all the amazing food that I had when I was living in Arizona so that was a great treat. 

Miracle 3: We have been working with a less active family who hasn't been to church in like 2 years. They have come to church the past two weeks in a row and have been loving church. This week we had a lesson with them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how important it is to be able to be worthy to enter the Temple. The mom of the family told us that she wants to prepare to enter the Temple and that to do so she is going to continue coming to church. Please pray for the Familia Z. to continue having those righteous desires to come to Church and feel of the peace that comes from coming.

Miracle 4: Last Night was one of the most spiritual experiences of my mission so far. We were teaching a lesson to a recent convert and her little sister named D. As Elder H and I were teaching I had a prompting from the spirit to ask D if she has been reading the Book of Mormon and praying to know if it is true. She said that she has been kind of reading and that she has prayed about it but doesn't feel like she has received an answer because she has not made it a priority during her prayers. I the asked if she would pray tonight for that answer and then Elder H was prompted to ask if she would pray right then and there. She said one of the most powerful and fervent prayers I have ever heard and she received a confirming witness from the spirit that the Book of Mormon is true.

   I know that through true sincere prayer that anyone can receive a spiritual witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that anyone who reads it will be able to come closer to God. You will be able to feel greater peace and happiness as you read and apply the things that it says to your everyday life. I hope you all have an amazing week. A promise from Moroni the last prophet of the Book of Mormon about how to receive a witness of its truthfulness:

 "3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
 4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

I would challenge all of you to take this challenge and read the Book of Mormon even if you already have a conviction of it you can receive another one and grow in your faith and conviction of its truthfulness. 

Love

-Elder Espinoza

July 6, 2015 - 4th of July in Lawrence

Hola Familia y Amigos!

   

   This week we have seen some really great miracles and a hard nights sleep especially on the 4th of July. The city of Lawrence knows how to party, but when it is a big holiday like the 4th people seem to go all out. In my area which is in south Lawrence it seems that the people are little more quite but we live in the North and the people up there know how to party. Our neighbors were blowing up fireworks on a pretty consistent basis from about 9-12 at night so needless to say I only got about 6 and a half hours of sleep.

   Miracle 1: This week after p-day was over we had the opportunity to finally teach our investigator and his wife together their names are M. and J. We had a super great lesson with them especially because J. was asking tons of questions and they were all basically questions that are answered by the Gospel. She told us before we could invite her that she would be coming to church and the great thing is is that she actually did, and she loved it so that was awesome. 

   Miracle 2: On Tuesday we went with our ward mission leader to his inactive aunts house. She has been inactive for 25 years or so now and during that lesson she told us that she wants to return and knows that she will it is just a matter of time so that was great to see.

 We had a really great fast and testimony meeting yesterday and I could feel the spirit so strongly. I know that this is the Lords Church. I know that our Savior lives and I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Hope you all have a great week.

Love

-Elder Espinoza

June 29, 2015

Hola familia y amigos!

         This week was great and felt pretty successful compared to
other weeks of my mission. We were able to have some great lessons
with investigators and less actives.

Miracle 1: this week we taught the word of wisdom to a family who does
not really have a problem with it except for coffee. We taught them on
Thursday their names are J. and L.We invited them to stop
completely drinking coffee because they said that they were going to
slowly stop using it. When we came back on Saturday and we followed up
with them they completely stopped and they said that it has been a
good thing. I know that the Lord will help us to overcome any
addiction that we have and the first thing that we can do to show our
faith is just by stopping whatever it is and he will help us overcome
whatever it is that we need help with that is one reason why our
savior died for us.

Miracle 2: also this week we were able to attend the temple which was
a great blessing like I said last week. I love the Temple and I know
that through the ordinances (or promises that we make with God) inside
the Temple that we can live with our families together forever in joy
and happiness.

An event that happened this week was that at church this week the
power went out because of a really bad storm that we had. All of us
missionaries (6 of us in the Ward) were nervous though because there
was a baptism at 2 for an investigator of one of the other
companionships in the ward. Luckily the lights came back on and we
were able to have the baptism which was really great.

I know that the Gospel is true and I know that through Christ we can
overcome any challenge, sickness, anything when we put our faith in
Him. I know that Christ is my Savior and that the Book of Mormon is
the word of God. I would invite all of you to find someone that you
could serve in a specific way this week and share at least one
principle of the Gospel that has blessed your life. I know that as you
do so you will be able to understand better the sacrifice that the
Savior did for all of us.
Hope you all have a great week.
Love
-Elder Espinoza
Enviado desde mi iPad

June 23, 2015 -

Hola familia y amigos como están todo?
         This week was really good  even though a we weren't able to
see to many investigators we had really good lessons with those that
we did visit. Well the highlights from this week:
    We did a lot of service this week mostly for one person; a
Catholic Father so it was interesting to be able to talk with him and
be able to serve someone who was not an investigator. Also we had an
awesome Father's Day party that we got invited to that the ward put
together and one of our investigator families went and had a great
time. And today was probably one of my favorite days on the mission so
far because we were able to go to the Boston Temple which was really
amazing. It was great to be able to feel the Spirit that is there and
be able to not really have to worry about anything but being able to
receive guidance from the Lord. Sorry so short but I don't have
anymore time to write I will feel you all in on more details next
week.
      I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that through his loving
atonement and the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation we will all be
given an opportunity to be saved and live with our families and our
Father in Heaven in complete joy as we follow the example of our
Savior we will be able to feel much of that joy here in this life.
Hope you all have a good wee.
Love-
Elder Espinoza
Picture at the Father's Day party with the entire district.

June 15, 2015 - Zero at Church

Hola Familia y Amigos.

      This week was normal for the most part except for on Sunday when we had no investigators at church which was really weird but there is a reason for all things.

    Other than Sunday being kind of weird the rest of the week was just a normal missionary week with teaching appointments, cancellations (which can not be avoided as a missionary), people not being home, and just really normal missionary life. So once again nothing really too exciting happened to us this week. I guess except for on Wednesday when we had five lessons in one day which has never happened to me before but it was really cool to be able to help and teach so many people in one day. I know that the Lord really blessed us with that opportunity to be able to see some good changes in peoples lives as they are trying to apply Gospel principles to their life.

       I know that as I continue to serve I will be able to see that change in people and as I serve with all my might mind and strength I will be able to see more of a difference in me which is only possible through our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. I know that He loves each and every one of us and that through His atoning sacrifice we can be happy not only in this life but in the life here after if we follow his commandments. I would challenge all of you this week to share your testimony on Facebook (if you have it) about our Savior and how he has helped you to change. 

Love-

Elder Espinoza  

June 8, 2015- Recovering

 Hola familia y amigos!

    

    Well this week was a little bit better than last week because I was actually able to do a lot more missionary work even though it was not as much as I would have liked to do. But on the bright side I am recovering quickly and will hopefully be back to normal capacity by the end of this week. We had some really good lessons this week with investigators and less actives and I feel that my ability in Spanish has grown so much in just under 6 months which is a really cool and crazy thing but I know that it is not me but the Lord that is helping me to learn so quickly so that He can use me as a more effective instrument. And know finally my first picture in the mission field sorry I am really bad at taking pictures I will try and be better at that. The Elder on the right is my companion and then we live with the other two Elders. 

     I am grateful to be out here serving the Lord. Thank you all for all your support love and prayers. I know that my Savior lives, I know that the Book of Mormon is true and is the word of God I know that the Gods kingdom was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know that the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored with the proper priesthood authority to perform necessary ordinances of Salvation. I know that with this power to act in Gods name that families can be together forever. I know that through prayer we can receive comfort and direction and that as we continue to follow Gods commandments and Repent we can live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ which is only possible through the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ which is for everyone no matter who you are or where you have been or where you are going through his Atonement we can be made perfect as we strive our best everyday to live his Commandments. Hope you all have a great week and invite someone to learn about the Restored Gospel because I know that as you do so you will be blessed and you will feel the Love of the Savior more in your life.

Love-

Elder Espinoza

June 1, 2015 - Sick and No Work Makes Elder Espinoza a Dull Boy

Hey everyone not much to report this week considering that I was sick for most of the week and was not able to do any missionary work. The reason I was sick was because I got an infection in my right leg right underneath the skin. What I had they call Cellulitis which can give people flu like symptoms, like muscle aches, headaches, shivers which I had all of. It looked pretty gross but don't worry I will not give you a visual but I am still healing from that and hopefully I will be able to get back to my normal self this week. Hope you all have a great week

         I know that this church is true and that God listens to all of our prayers I know that my Savior lives and that the Book of Mormon is true and I am so glad that I am out here serving the Savior.

Love-

Elder Espinoza

May 25, 2015 - #I Pads

 How was everyone's week? Mine has been fantastic probably one of the
busiest weeks of my mission. I learned a lot and had a lot of help
from the Lord which is a sign of a good week. We had a great miracle
this week not only did we have 5 investigators at church but also one
of our investigators was given an assignment! Her name is O. and she
is basically a member but the problem is is that she is not married so
she started to feel useless at church and stopped coming for a little
while. But yesterday we talked about giving her an assignment and that
was an answer to her prayer. Sorry there is not more that I can say
other than that but this week was great and I know that without the
help of the Lord it would not have been.
   I know that this gospel is true and that as we follow the
commandments and live as best as we can that we will be blessed. Have
a great week and love you all.
Love-
Elder Espinoza

Sent from my iPad

May 18, 2015 -Over 100 Days in the Mission!

Hey everyone how's it going? Life in Lawrence is still awesome and I love the people here. The greatest miracle that I saw this week was that L. husband J. and their kids came to church even though she was not able to come because of work. He is on Fire! He is showing great progress and I think he has felt the Spirit and the love that Heavenly Father has for him. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for them and I know that God does answer our prayers if we are diligent in following his commandments.

   I know that this Gospel can bless lives because I have seen it bless mine and the lives of those who follow the commandments. The scriptures gives us guidance and answer our prayers and I know that as we follow the teachings of Living and ancient prophets we can live a happier life than we could if we try to live by ourselves without the help of our Creator. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that as we apply the Atonement in our life we can have the happiness and peace in this life that the Lord wants to bless us all with. A scripture to think about that is found in the Book of Mormon that talks about how the scriptures can help us is in 2 Nephi 32:3 "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."  As we read the scriptures and study them we will know what we need to do and the spirit will be able to guide us more in this life. Hope you all have a great week and seek for the inspiration of the spirit in your life more fully. 

Love-

Elder Espinoza

May 11, 2015 - Zone Interviews & Joseph Memorial

Hey Family and Friends. Not much to report this week other that we had interviews with President which was great and we found out that we will probably be getting I-Pads really soon! Also on Saturday we went to The Joseph Smith memorial which is a really cool place where people can learn about his younger life in more detail and throughout his life as well as his ancestry and all sorts of cool things. I would recommend going there if you are ever in Vermont it is super pretty up there. Also it was really hot over here in Lawrence. It got into the 90s yesterday and it is supposed to be really hot and humid on top of that so that is going to be great! I love Lawrence and just being able to see how it can be 30 a  month ago and now its close to 100.

      I know that this opportunity that I have to serve the Lord is probably the greatest thing I have done in my life and has helped me come to the knowledge that; I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I know that Book of Mormon can change lives, I know that Thomas S. Monson is our prophet here and the earth today, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the kingdom of God here on the earth today. And if you don't know that for yourself you can find that these things are true by reading the Book of Mormon and asking if it is true and if you do act upon that feeling because it can change your life for the better. Hope you all have a great week.

Love-

Elder Espinoza 

May 4, 2015 - Franklin + 4 Invited to Learn

This week was great we were able to get a lot of things done. First off we were able to invite 104 people to learn about the Restored Gospel which was a great accomplishment for us (Hence the subject of my email). Also we were able to have some really good lessons with our investigators. We had a great lesson with W this week who said that he will prepare for baptism so he has a great desire to come unto Christ more in his life. Also we had an awesome Church Tour with L and her husband J who said that whenever he has work off on Sundays that he is going to try and come to Church,so please be praying for J.

        As well this week we had a great lesson with a recent convert named A. who is super great and loves the church. Elder Herring and I had a lesson with her about Temples and when she found out that she does not have to wait to go she got super excited. It  is awesome to see when someone is super excited about the Gospel because that helps me to want and spread that same excitement to everyone. 

         Other than that just a normal week here in Lawrence, Massachusetts. With the weather getting better everyday I am starting to understand what summer will be here in Lawrence which is lots of loud Hispanic music and tons of Parties and Barbecues. Hope you all have a great week bring others unto Christ in anyway that you can. And I know that the Lord answers our prayers as long as we ask with sincerity of heart and real intent He will manifest the truth of it unto us.

Love-

Elder Espinoza 

April 27, 2015- Transfer Week

 This week we had Transfers and I received my follow up trainer Elder Herring he is really great and I have learned a lot from him already and its been less than a week. They sort of white washed the area because my trainer knew where everything was in the area and I didn't really pay as much attention as I should have but that's okay because we basically get to start off new. Investigators are slowly progressing they just need to come to church so if everyone could pray for Lidia and Wilson that would be awesome!

       On Saturday there was a great community service project that all of the Elders in Lawrence were able to be apart of. Basically we picked up the streets of trash (which there is a lot of) and it was great because quite a bit of the members went and one of our investigators came out as well. It was a great way to get the Church's name out there into the community of Lawrence more because surprisingly not a lot of people in Lawrence know about the Church. Then on Sunday we had a really great regional stake conference where Elder Neil L. Anderson and Elder Robert D. Hales spoke to all of North Eastern America. It was a really great broadcast and I gained some great things from watching it.

         I hope you all have a great week and try and share the Gospel with people. I know that this Gospel can change lives. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and that through him and his Atonement we are able to receive great joy and happiness in this life. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it is the Word of God. And I can promise anyone who reads it will find the greatest comfort and joy in this life and know three things; firstly that Christ is the Savior of the whole world, Secondly that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and that we have a modern day Prophet today President Thomas S. Monson, and Lastly that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true Church here on the Earth today that holds the proper authority and keys of Salvation. Also that this Church contains the Fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

 Love-

Elder Espinoza   

         

April 20, 2015- Week 6 and First Transfer

  Hola Familia y amigos! Como tuta (As the Dominicans would say)?  I had a great week this week in the service of the Lord. We extended a baptismal date to one of our investigators for June 13 she said that she will prepare for that date so that is super exciting to see here starting to move and adjust her life to Christ. Please be praying for her throughout the coming weeks. 

        Well my trainer Elder Flores is getting transferred (or sent to a different area in the mission). this has probably been the fastest six weeks of my life and from here on I know that they will only continue to fly by. I had a great time serving with him and he has taught me a lot about missionary work. I will be receiving a follow up trainer and will have to area train him which will be interesting because I hardly know the area myself but I know that the Lord will help me. 

          Nothing much else to report on other than that hopefully everyone is doing well and continues to try and serve others everyday because that is one of the only ways that we can come to understand the Atonement of our loving Savior more abundantly in our lives. Have a great week and I will talk to all of you next week.

Love-

Elder Espinoza 

April 13, 2015- Week 5

  This week was pretty good we had four lessons on Friday. Which is a lot more than we have had since I got here. The missionary work here is having its ups and downs but I am still loving it, and things are starting to look up for us. We have a couple progressing investigators and some pretty good others we just need to get them to start keeping commitments. 

       One of our investigators named W was going to come to Stake Conference but he forgot which is okay because he is showing that he truly wants to come to church. Nothing crazy happens here in the mini Dominican Republic, but my comp who has been here since the start of his mission and is now going on his 14th month says that summers here can get pretty wild so I am looking forward to that. Don't worry I will keep you all updated if anything crazy does happen. Other than that another week in Lawrence Massachusetts has come and gone.

         Hope you all are having a great spring and I will talk to all of you next week.

Love-

Elder Espinoza 

April 6, 2015- Week 4 is gone

    Hey how is everyone? I am doing great this week flew by we had some pretty good lessons this week and a great miracle happen. One of our investigators came to General Conference. For the readers who are not members of the Church I will explain a little bit of what General Conference is. General Conference is where we have the great opportunity to listen to a living Prophet of God that is here on this earth to guide and direct us. Him as well as the twelve Apostles teach us about different topics of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

     I loved General Conference this year it was very enlightening for me and I received a lot of personal revelation for myself and I hope that all of you that watch it did as well. I would encourage all of you whether you are member or not to go back and listen to them again because I know that those messages are inspired for everyone here on the earth today and it is direction that God has for us in these modern days. 

     I know that Jesus Christ is our savior and that through him anything is possible. I know that we have a living prophet here on the earth to day and that he is given divine revelation from God for us today. I know that the Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ and that it does not replace the Bible but completes its teachings and that if anyone reads the book with real intent and a sincere heart that they can know for themselves but only if you pray about it can you receive that witness. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's restored church here on the earth today and that it is the only church which contains the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

      I hope you all have a great week and that you enjoyed this Easter season. Talk to you all next week.

Love,

-Elder Espinoza 

March 30, 2015- Week 3

 It was a weird week. It felt so long and yet so short at the same time. We didn't have too many lessons this week again but we did have a couple with some people in another part of our town that was not our area so we had to give those to the Missionaries who work in that part of town but that's okay. I realize that with appointments falling through that the Lord is trying to teach me something and that something is long-suffering because without that the mission is going to be hard.   

       On the bright side we planted seeds of faith that some other missionaries can help to start and bring it to bloom until eventually their roots of faith are planted fully in the Gospel of Repentance. I know that the Lord works in ways that we can't understand so all I have to do is strive like all of you to hand over my will to the Lord and try to live in a way where I can be an instrument in his hands. I know that with constant exact obedience that the Lord will bless the efforts of all his missionaries around the world and everyone who follows the commandments of him. A great video is out by the Church right know it is called Because He Lives. The video is about 2.5 minutes long and depicts important events in the Saviors last week and describes how he can help you. I would encourage all of you to share it with family, friends, and your neighbors because it is amazing! the website ishttp://www.mormon.org/easter

     Hope you all have a great week. Nos Veamos!

-Elder Espinoza

March 23, 2015- Week 2 in the Field

This week was kind of hard a lot of our appointments fell through but we found some good potentials so we will see how that goes this week. This week was exchanges as well as Zone Conference which was really good and I found a lot of ways that I can improve as a missionary. But during exchanges I was with one of the Zone leaders and his name is Elder Kingston a really good missionary and someone who likes to work. We found a family that seemed pretty interested hopefully he gets to go back and teach them. Nothing to exciting but still loving the work and love walking to, through, and from my area in the south of Lawrence everyday. Hopefully all of you are striving to share this wonderful Gospel with everyone and your love of the Savior. Have a great week and talk to all of you next week.

Love-

Elder Espinoza

March 16, 2015- Finally In Lawrence, Massachusetts

Hola Familia y Amigos!

  I made it here safely on this past Monday we finally got here in New Hampshire at 11:20 pm and did not get to the Mission Home until 12:30. The next morning we had transfer meeting and I got called to the Dominican Republic here in America. My trainers name is Elder Flores a native speaker from Cali and I will have pictures next time I email. The city of Lawrence is full of Dominicans and they are an  amazing people. I love the city and the people already and I have only been here for 7 days now. When you walk down the streets here in Lawrence you here more spanish than English. The food is pretty good as well and everyone whether or not they are member will offer food but luckily my area is the only area that is walking. Every other area in the mission are car areas. The members are supper awesome and I already feel supper integrated into the ward. We have 6 missionaries in Lawrence and so the city is split into three different areas and we work in the south of Lawrence.  We had 3 new investigators this week but one of them named S dropped us because she talked to her mom and grandma and according to her we "restored her faith into her religion." I know that her mom and grandma gave her some anti stuff but we were able to text her a really powerful testimony because she wasn't there when we tried to stop by. Hopefully she is trying to make her own decisions and figure things out for her self. Hope all of you are doing well keep me posted on everything that is going on!

-Elder Espinoza