Quick One Today

Hola Familia!

Wow, I was not looking at the time at all while I was reading and responding to emails and don't have much time, but this was another good week in the Gran Misión México Cuernavaca!

I was feeling a little down these past couple weeks thinking things like: Why don´t I have just a perfect answer to every question possible about the Gospel? Why didn't I prepare more before the mission? Why don't I have more baptisms/success in the mission?

But then I realized something. All of those thoughts and questions are about me. The mission has nothing to do about me or my needs, but the children of God in this part of the world that I am called to serve.

What I and every missionary should focus on more is being as diligent and obedient as possible. Success in all aspects comes with time. Thoughts of discouragement, doubt, and impatience come directly from the adversary.

I'm committing myself to be more diligent and patient.

Thanks for all the love and support always. That´s all I have time to write this week, but it´s all great out here. I learn an incredible amount everyday and I never thought that my testimony could grow so much. There´s no doubt in my mind that this church is true.

Love,

Elder Tucker

The Zoo!

Hola Familia!

I don't have a ton of time, but this week was good, only a little bit of a bummer because Elder Silva and I almost didn't have time in our area this week.

Last Pday, we visited the zoo in Chilpancingo. Super sweet. I can`t remember the last time I went to the zoo.

On Tuesday, we did exchanges with the zone leaders. I´ve really loved all the zone leaders I´ve had so far in the mission. They´re always super chill and super effective in missionary work. I learn a lot from them.

Thursday, we had a  multi-zone conference in Iguala. And I realized how grateful I am to be in of the zones with the best weather in the mission because Iguala is HOT.

Saturday, we had a rescue activity in the sister`s area, Heroico. Still getting used to being in a district and zone with sister missionaries. Hahaha so weird.

Today, we played soccer as a zone at synthetic grass soccer field. Super fun!

I`m still positive and happy to be out here. This week should be nice because we´re going to work really hard in our area. Thanks for all the love and support.

Love,

Elder Tucker

¡Felíz Día de Las Madres!

Hola Familia!

Happy late Mother's Day to all the moms out there, especially mine! I love you so much, Mom. It was so good to skype the whole Fam for a little bit yesterday. Mothers in all parts of the world are amazing. They do so much and love unconditionally. I know that missionary work isn't easy, but I'm convinced that being a Mother is the hardest calling out there. Heavenly Father loves and blesses all mothers.

Ocotito has been so sweet these couple weeks. We're a lot more productive throughout each day going from lesson to lesson to lesson and we're about to start seeing the fruits of our labors.

In other news, Maria, Rosa, and Lorena Hernández were baptized and confirmed this weekend in Jamiltepec by my trainee, Elder Tilley, and his new companion just as planned! I'll forward the pic.

Saturday, I finished the Book of Mormon for the first time in spanish. What caught my attention this time around is the importance of prophets. God always has and always will call a man to be his mouthpiece on the earth. And we can always know that we are taking the right path when we listen to and follow the prophet. Anytime the people in the Book of Mormon prospered in the land, it was because they listened to the prophets. Anytime they fell, it was because they rejected the words of the prophets. This is applicable for us today. We have a living prophet in Thomas S. Monson. We must heed to his counsel to be guided through a world full of iniquity. Joseph Smith also was a prophet of God. Through him, Jesus Christ restored His Church. There's no doubt in my mind that this is that Church. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be a missionary in the México Cuernavaca Mission and to share this truth.


Love,
Elder Tucker

El inicio de algo nuevo, OCOTITO!

Hola Familia,

It was another great week in La Gran Misión México Cuernavaca with my new companion Elder Silva in our area Ocotito!

Ocotito is a small town one hour outside of Chilpancingo. But our area covers a ton of other towns in it up to 2 hours away by taxi and it´s one of the biggest areas in the mission. Luckily, Elder Silva is in his 6th transfer here and knows the area pretty well. The Ocotito Branch is the oldest in the stake, and the stake is mainly wards. But, we have a church building which is nice! Went to my first ward counsel meeting on Sunday since in Jamiltepec, they never did them. Our house is ok haha, it´s two stories but the owners live on the second floor. We have a treadmill and a basketball hoop. I'll send some pics next week. There were about 35 people at church this Sunday. I really enjoyed testimony meeting and shared mine. The second counselor of the branch presidency, Ricardo, and his family met the missionaries in the United States when the lived there for a time and is really great. His wife is the Relief Society president. The people here are generally more well-off financially than the people in Jamiltepec. I finally got the opporunity to teach lessons INSIDE people's houses this week instead of in front and outside. Our area is surrounded by mountains and super cool, but it´s kinda dry right now, I'm sure it gets a lot more green and pretty when the rainy season comes (June-August).

This week, I felt like I didn´t get to talk very much because Elder Silva already has so much time here and knows people really well. I also probably just gotta get used to the change haha, sometimes my mind was still in Jamiltepec or other places. But Elder Silva is so chill. I'm sure he was a great guy before but he seems like that classic missionary that's about to finish who has just totally changed for the better on his mission. We should be successful together. We have some investigators that our progressing towards baptism.

Other news of the week is that yesterday, our Zone had a quick meeting with President Ávila and he announced that now, investigators are required to attend church only 3 times (sometimes 2) instead of 5 times before they can be baptized. Sounds good to me! hahaha

It was overall a good week, but I bet this week will be a lot better! If we don't have a positive attitude, it's a lack of faith! Always do what you know you should and build your faith and testimony. Can't wait to Skype with the fam and especially Mom for Mother´s Day!!!

Love,

Elder Tucker

1, birthday cake that Elder Silva bought for me and the district

2, branch building

3,4, if you ever wondered how a pineapple grew (like i did)

5, Sister Lolita and I. This cute 70 year old member of the branch that lives on her own and goes on visits with us! Even though she can´t hear us half the time, she is amazing!

¡Mi primer cambio: Ocotito, Guerrero!

​¡Hola Familia!

Thank you for all the happy birthday wishes!!! I couldn´t believe how many people remembered and sent me loving messages! 19!!!!! Hahaha crazy. I feel old.

Well, Saturday night the zone leaders called me and told me that I had changes and just now, I arrived to Chilpancingo which is the capital of Guerrero, 8 hours from Jamiltepec! We don´t go to my new area, Ocotito, until tomorrow, but so far, the Chilpancingo Zone feels like a completely different mission. The weathers cool like Cuernavaca which is great because we just entered into the hottest month of the year and it's a real city haha. My new companion is Elder Silva from Monterrey and he has 21 months in the mission and is the district leader. I´m actually chill with not training or being district leader right now because I´ll have more time to focus on our area and what I can do to learn and improve.

It was a little sad to leave all the members and investigators that had been my family for 6 months in Jamiltepec, but they´re in good hands with Elder Tilley and his new companion!

I don´t think I could be more excited to work with Elder Silva in my new area, Ocotito! My first impression of Elder Silva: amable (kind) . And the spanish is only gonna get even better which is nice.

That´s all for this week! I'll tell all about the new changes next week! Thanks for all the love and support! This is a good birthday, not lying!

Love,

Elder Tucker

pics-

Kitten sleeping in my arms at the Hernández Family´s house

Final Activity this Saturday in the Casa de Oración for El Día de Niño

Rogelio, the second counselor in the branch presidency in Jami. Le voy a extrañar mucho!​

2-6 The house in Jamiltepec

Elder Silva, my new companion

Ocotito Guerrero, Mexico