Maria's Husband

Hey everyone!

This week has gone great! 

 This last Monday was pretty crazy because we had a lesson set with Maria Monday night at 8 and when we got there they weren't home. The door was locked and her husband was locked out of his house as well. We felt impressed to talk a Little more with him one on one about the choices his family is making and the blessings of an eternal family. He didn't seem too interested at first but when he responded he showed the he was a least listening. Later on in the week we met up with Maria and she told us a Little about what they have been going through lately. That they have been really stressed out and had been fighting and even were about to split up. But because we talked with him about the church and why his family is doing these things his perspective changed and they are doing good now. I have no doubt in my mind that the lord was there with us that night. I am so grateful for the guidance of his holy spirit. I know the lord is always there trying to help out his children!

Elder Ahlmer

Trainer

                                                                                                                                                        July, 26, 2014

Dear   Elder Alhmer´s Family:

It is my pleasure to inform you of an important leadership assignment that has been given to your son Elder Alhmer .  Because of his obedience, faith, and great abilities as a missionary, he has been asked to serve as the trainer of a new elder.  I want you to know that this assignment is inspired and, because of its importance, is only given after much prayer and pondering.

A trainer establishes the standards for a new missionary.  He must be exemplar in his study of the scriptures and the gospel, in his obedience, hard work, teaching abilities and in all other aspects of missionary work.  The habits of work, planning, and spirituality that he instills in the new elder will establish the course of the rest of his mission.  He will need to give his companion the best beginning possible and provide him with the training, attitude, and direction that will allow this new elder to have a successful mission.  This is a great responsibility, but I have faith in Elder Alhmer , and I trust that he will complete this assignment with the same diligence that he has shown in the past.

Sister Swapp and I appreciate Elder Alhmer  for his efforts to carry the work of the Lord forward in this assignment.   We express our appreciation to you for having raised such a fine young man.  One who loves the gospel, loves the Lord, and serves him with all of his heart, might, mind and strength.  It has been my pleasure to get to know him and to work with him as we build the kingdom of God in these latter days.

May the Lord bless you while your son is away serving in this marvelous work. 

Sincerely,

           

President Edward M. Swapp                                   Sister Jayne Swapp

        President, Monterrey West Mission                                           Sister Swapp, Monterrey West Mission 

   swappem@ldschurch.org                      Jayne.swapp@gmail.com

Maria del Sororro Baptism

hi Everyone!

This week was good! Of course the highlight was yesterday when Maria del Socorro and her 3 children Kevin, Bryan and Brittany were baptized! Baptisms are always super stressful! Especially in this area because we have to really make sure that people come and give their support. Everything turned out great! even Brittany who's really scared of water didn't have any problems! PresidentSwapp and his wife came which was awesome but added to the stress level! Its really cool to be in this are where the Temple is because we right then and there got to talk more about how baptism isn't the goal the goal is to be sealed as a family in the temple! After Maria was baptized she shared her testimony and I felt the spirit so strong it was an amazing experience! I love being a missionary! Its crazy hard at times but moments like yesterday easily make it all worth it! Her baptism really was a miracle. They way we got to know her was from a reference and I know that the lord put his hand in making sure we got really lost for a few minutes because she lives in one of the highest parts of our area and when we knocked her door she had just barely gotten home like two minutes before. I know that the lord has been with her as she was being taught. Even though she passed through moments really hard during the time we taught her she was able to stay strong. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have been given to know her family and be part of the change she has made in her life. The other day her two 10 year old boys told us that they both want to serve missions. 

Also this week in the mornings we have been helping a new member dig out the foundation for his new house and carry the cement up the hill to his house. You could say I have never been so tired! The hill where we have been digging is straight up unstable rocks and it takes so much effort just to make a little difference. This next week Ill be taking pictures of whats been going on! One things for sure with the heat the huge hill that we are walking on all day I have been losing some weight! 

I hope everyone has a great week and is enjoying their summer!

Elder Ahlmer

God Work

Hey everyone! 

So this week was amazing I have been so highly blessed I cant believe it! I honestly have been watching God work miracles everyday. I think It finally clicked this week that I need to be searching but they are there! I love the branch that Im in even though their a little lazy at times! I have gotten to know some of the biggest examples I have ever seen. 

Hermano Santana he is 84 and was a mission president. He has one of the most powerful testimonies that I have ever seen in my life. He loves the lord with all his heart and I look u to hi for everything! 

And Maria del Socorro! Shes getting baptized this week with her two sons! Im so excited for her she is amazing! She is such an example to all and I know that she will be able to help us get the branch excited to start working! She has been talking with friends and family and so many have started to progress! She is a true example to all about how the lord can bless your life by helping others! 

Have an amazing week!

Elder Ahlmer

Estanzuela - Maria del Socorro

Hey everyone

So this week has been awesome. I am really going to like these two changes in estanzuela. So now that we know our area we arent walking up and down the mountain all day everyday. Thats a nice break. We have meet some people really cool and a lot of them are progressing well! First Maria deSocorro, Shes a mom of 6 kids and her mom is also listening to us which is awesome. They came with us to church for the second time this Sunday and loved it a lot. after church we took a walk around the temple and they are so excited for their baptism the 20th of this month. Also we met someone named Paulo hes an older guy but he loved the church so much he even gave his testimony in the high priest class. as he left he told us ill see you two here next week. he says the funnies things sometimes it reminds me of grandma mac and her word slips. 

Today in the morning we got up and tried to climb cero de la silla but we kinda got a little lost anddidnt want to bush wack so we came back down and are planning on going up next week. oh i didnttell you but if you remember shad enos. Hes in the same branch as I am and we eat together everyday. We shared a seminary class together. Its pretty fun talking about people we know1 the branch we are in is way cool i like the members a lot1 

(By the way this week the shift key doesnt really work good) 

I hope everyone had an awesome 4th. i guess I'm officially mexican not seeing fireworks...

Elder Ahlmer

Elder Lopez from Sonora

So this week ha been Really hard and awesome at the same time! I was changed to the areaEstanzuela B. Which is where the temple is at! Thats a solid upside! (If Im lacking letters in my typing its because I have to basically break my fingers the keyboard is so stiff) So I am training a new companion named Elder Lopez from sonora as well. Hes way cool I forgot my memory card so Ill send pictures next week! 

So my new area. We are both crazy lost because we got there new and that means a lot of walking.Thats not too bad right well wrong now I live on another mountain so everything we do is either going up or down and its a solid leg workout. Im about 500% positive that I am going to lose a lot of weight in this area because we are just starting to get into the hottest part of the year! YIKES! We have been working crazy hard but starting up a new area takes some time.

During this week we met one of the coolest families ever! Maria de Socorro and her 6 kids! They live at the highest part of our area and I honestly have no idea how we found her house because we walking around lost for a while. I know that the lord had his hand in finding them and us getting lost because when we finally found her house she had just barely entered in! She loves what we are teaching and has put a baptism date for the 20th of July. I feel the spirit so strong while we teach her its amazing! She has so much faith. She loved church this Sunday as well! 

So our new branch is a little interesting. I hope that its because Mexico played in the world cup at 11 yesterday that only 30 people went to church and 10 more left at 10 to go watch the game including our branch president... Yeah that was interesting. Theres a lot to do here. Our branch is pretty cold and I honestly didn't feel too welcome there. Hopefully we can turn things around!

Well I hope all is well! 

Elder Ahlmer

Gardenia and Ezequiel - The Tellez Family

Hey everyone!

So it has been brought to my attention that I have been slacking on my emails lately. I guess Its time I give you the update about whats been happening these past few weeks. So I am still in hidalgo with elder quintero but we have changes tonight and we both think that i am going to leave which is a pretty weird thought for me. I have been in this ward for 7 and a half months now and honestly feel super comfortable with the members and area. I have some amazing friends here and really wouldnt mind staying for another change. As of right now we have been teaching four people that are getting ready to be baptized!

First Gardenia and her two boys Mauricio and Willy ( her other boy is Useal but hes too young to be baptized), Gardenia is so cool. One day while we were walking by her tostada stand she yelled at us to come over and we got to know her a bit and she is really col. She is a single mom of three boys and lived in Spokane Washington for 6 years. While she lived there she listened to the missionaries and went to church two times and her cousin got baptized. She has now been to church 4 times and this next Sunday if everything goes to plan will get baptized! Im so excited for her its crazy but I feel a little sad that I wont be able to be there for her baptism. We told her yesterday about the changes and she wasnt too excited about that. She asked for President Swapps number to call him about the matter. But the good thing is that she will now be in the church and be able to raise her three boys in the church. She has taught me so much about the importance of working hard. She works everyday except Wednesday from 11 to 7 in the night and goes home to cook and help her sons with her homework. This last Sunday her sister in law kicked her out of the house and she had to find a new place to live. She hasnt told us yet but its pretty possible that its because she wants to be baptized. I honestly cant believe how awesome she is! 

Then theres Ezequiel, Hes also super cool. Hes from Veracruz but came here to work and is planning on bringing his family here. We met him and he told us that with the change of city hes looking to change his life and start following God. He has now been to church three times and is planning on being baptized the 6th of July. He loves the church so much he goes to English classes every Thursday and just sits and talks to us about the gospel. He even quit his job to find a job here that lets him have Sundays off! He has so much faith he has really taught me so much about whats the most important. 

As for my companion. We get along well and have some great times but I guess we never really clicked like Elder Quiej and I did. We never had days where we just didnt stop talking and laughing. Or stay up all night doing stupid things. I hope with my new companion I will be able to click with him! 

Heres some pictures of Gardenia and Ezequiel! The Tellez family!