La Única Iglesia Verdadera Y Viviente Sobre La Faz De Toda La Tierra

Mi Familia,

Thanks for the emails this week. I wasn't sure if you were all going to write, so thanks! This week was good, not too much to report. I got sick on Tuesday so we couldn't work and Elder Bernal was sick on Wednesday. Besides that we worked hard and had a successful week. We invited an investigator to get baptized and she will be baptized in February. We visited a lot of people.

Yesterday at church Itzelt and Carmen came from Tuxtla so say goodbye. It was good to see them. I also called President Cárdenas to see if I could visit people in Tuxtla tomorrow with an Elder in my zone that is also from my generation. He said yes! I am excited to visit them for a while. That will be tomorrow afternoon.

These last few days I have felt really happy and I am excited and a little nervous to go home. But I have not felt too sad. I feel like I have done the work that I needed to do. Thanks for your support these last couple years. I love each one of you so much.

I know this work is true and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the kingdom of God on the earth. I know that Christ lives and that only through Him we can be saved. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to represent Him and His church.

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Alarga Tus Cuerdas Y Fortalece Tus Estacas

Mi Familia,

Thanks for the emails. Sorry I am writing late we had a baptism. It was likely my last but who knows what happens this week (haha). It was great to see you all on tuesday. It really made my week!

Emma got baptized this week. Her dad baptized her. For one reason or another she couldn't get baptized when she was 8 so that is why we were involved. We got to teach her and she is a very intelligent little girl. She has a bright future in the church.

On friday we had the ZL council in Tuxtla. The Utt's daughter gave a presentation about the early missionary efforts in England. She is a Church Historian. I got the chance to talk with her the next day at a baptism and she knows an insane amount of information. She asked me where I was from and talked to me about the Borden Building. She told me who the guy in charge was that made the chapel and what year. She said it is one of the best 12 chapels from its time period that the church owns from a structural standpoint. When I told her that I go to the building in Escondido she laughed and just said that it isn't a very special building. She has never been to the buildings she just knows a lot about them. Weird or cool? I don't know.

We taught the Hernandez family this week and we took the ward missionaries that speak Tzeltal and they explained more about the restoration. It was a great lesson and we hope that they keep progressing in the gospel.

We are working hard, I am trying to endure to the end of the mission. Things are great here. I love you. I hope you all have a great week.

Love,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Lo Que Dios Ha Unido, No Lo Separe El Hombre

Mi Familia,

This week was great. Carmen got married on tuesday and Saturday she was baptized. It was a great service. She is so happy and she is going to be so faithful to the principles of the Gospel. Everyone that has met her thinks that she will be a leader in the church in the future. Her family is very catholic but they are supporting her.

Baptism of Carmen, and her member friend that introduced her to the church, Alberto who is from Chiapa de Corzo

We also had some sad moments this week. We visited some recent converts on wednesday and they were fighting when we got there. They said they wanted to get divorced. We read some scriptures but had to leave because it was getting late. We also found one member drunk on Saturday. We hadn't planned to see him but we had the impression to visit him and found him outside of his house drunk. We prayed with him but we will likely not visit him until he stops drinking.

We found a family of 11 last week. On friday we invited them to be baptized. They are thinking about it. We are going to visit them on wednesday with two of the ward missionaries that speak Tzeltal because they don't understand everything we teach.

Friday (21) it was raining all day here. The Zapatistas marched into the city but it was supposedly a peaceful march. We got to keep working but just couldn't go near the center of the city where the park is. That was about the biggest news here from the mayan center of the world.

I hope you all have a great night tonight! I can't wait to see you all tomorrow. I love you!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

¿Qué Señal Habrá Cuando Todas Estas Cosas Hayan De Cumplirse?

Mi Familia,

Thanks for all of the emails, I am glad to hear that you are all doing well.

Monday night before the zone conference. The Box says Feliz Compleaño(s) Pue(s). That is just how Chiapanecos talk.

This week was great. We had the Christmas zone conference on Tuesday and it went very well. Elder Bernal and I talked about security and we learned about how we can receive more referrals from the members. Afterwards we ate fruit and stuff with a chocolate fountain and sang Christmas hymns. It was fun and the cold made it feel more "Christmassy."

Zone Conference

We went to the Registro Civil to see when they are going to be closed because we have an investigator that is going to get married. The last day they work is tomorrow. But the Oficial that works there already knows me because we have taken two couples to get married.

So she said that if we take all of the documents we can to it all that same day. We are running around because we are missing a birth certificate but some members are taking her to Tuxtla today to see if they can get it. We are hoping all works out well.

My table singing

Anyways I am going to be in the zone where there are a ton of Mayan descendants for the 21st. I am pretty excited to see what happens and what everyone is saying. This week seemed normal and no one has been talking about it.

The only Elders left from my Tuxlta District. Elder Granados, from my generation that is in my zone in Yajalón, and Elder Pérez, assistant to the President

Not too much more to tell. Things are going great - we will talk next Tuesday. Have a great week! Love you all.

The carnival in the Church of Guadalupe. We live right behind the church.

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Nosotros También Creemos, Por Lo Cual También Hablamos

Mi Familia,

This week was great. We had a lot of success, we found some new investigators and had a lot of lessons.

Víctor and Ángeles, the ones that are going to get married had a problem. The ex-wife of Víctor sent an apelación (don't know what that is in english) so it might take a little longer for them to get baptized. We are bummed but we are going to see them tonight so we will see why she sent it. She should have evidence that he is still living in her house or not sending pension (which he is). So we will see why tonight, because we are going to go see them.

Yesterday I had a good day. Not many people knew about my birthday (I prefer that) and we had a busy day. We taught 6 lessons. We ate dinner with an investigator that has a baptismal date for January 6. Her name is Carmen, and I think I have talked about her. Although I think the biggest birthday surprise is that Elder Bernal and I spoke in church on Sunday. They told us right before the sacrament. I spoke about the Godhead.

Tomorrow we have the Christmas multi-zone conference. It should be fun. The assistants told us it is going to be about 7 hours long. I have no idea what we are going to be doing for so much time. Should be fun!

The time is flying by here. I love this work and know it is true. I know that Christ lives and loves us.

Hope you all have a great week! Love you!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Esto Enseñarás: El Arrepentimiento Y El Bautismo

Mi Familia

This week was great, I am having a great time with Elder Bernal here. Everyone was surprised that I stayed haha.

Sergio's baptism

This week Sergio was baptized. He is so happy. I think it is the biggest conversion I have ever seen. He was a gang member, used drugs, alcohol, tobacco, etc. He was the last one in the family to get baptized.

Elder Bernal told me about the investigators we had that got baptized. I will attach pictures.

Baptism of Yami in Ciudad Hidalgo (After I got Transferred)

On friday we went to Tuxtla for a leaders training. There was quite a lot of talk about me finishing the mission as a zone leader. President said the members here in San Cris just can't let me go haha. I don't know how true that is. When the training ended Itzelt and Carmen (converts from La Salle) came to greet me. They gave me a birthday/Christmas present, a beautiful Mexican flag. I was really happy and surprised to see them. And happy because I was worried about getting a nice flag before leaving!

Baptism of Diana (left) and Carolina (right)

I also heard that another investigator in Tuxtla that I had got baptized (Alondra), and another one is going to get baptized (Alejandra, the daughter of a convert, Blanca Estela). That made me very happy.

I am doing very good here! Well I hope you all have a great week. I love you very much!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Los Que Han Venido Hasta Acá, Quédense En Estas Regiones

Mi Familia,

The transfers got here this morning and I am not getting transferred. Big surprise. Now I think I had already explained that President always changes us for our last transfer to senior comp but I asked the assistant that gave me the transfers and said the President tried to change me but he didn´t feel good about it. So... I am staying here my last transfer! I am so happy and I think we are going to have a lot of success this last cambia.

As for my companion, he is going to Tuxtla. My new companion will be Elder Bernal, the missionary I trained. I am so happy to be able to be with him my last transfer. That means I am going to end the mission with 3 areas. Unheard of. But I have loved that because I get to see the progress in the area and get to know the members very well. And to answer Mom's question, I did say bye to all of the members and investigators haha. Everyone thinks I am leaving.

Fruit I tried this week, Granadilla. Translation, alien eggs in an orange peel.

This week was a good one. First of all, I forgot to mention that I got my visa renewed last week. It expired in March haha. But it is good for a year so I can come to Mexico till November of 2013. While I was in Tuxtla I saw some members that I helped activate in La Salle. They are doing great.

Keveck's Baptism

On Tuesday we got a call from Elder Utt saying that we needed to go back home because there was a huge protest. We were at the chapel because we were going to have a meeting with the district leaders. We went home and took the district leader and his comp to our house because it is close to the chapel. The Elders from Ocosingo had to get out of their taxi and travel back home. The protesters were Zapatistas. It is a huge army that protects the indigenous people. There was a huge up rise in 1994 were hundreds were killed here and in neighboring cities  They weren't going to hurt anyone but they were carrying sticks and machetes. They crossed a few schools parades because it was Revolution Day here in Mexico. The parade stopped and everyone was closing their stores and hiding. Nothing happened, we just had to stay 2 hours at home. We are fine don't be worried about this!

Baptism of Jatziti (left) and Yaneri (right)

Victor and Angeles, the investigators that won the court case got the sentence from the judge and when Victor gets divorced they will be able to be married right after. They are so happy. If all goes well, they will get baptized this month.

Jatziti and Family

Also we ate in a Chinese buffet here with a member, and I found out this week that the owner is the cousin of Jackie Chan. Cool right?

This week I baptized two niños inscritos (I don't remember what they are called in english) The bishop had us teach them the lessons before their baptism so that they could have a spiritual experience. Their names are Jatziti and Keveck. Keveck's full name is Keveck Steve Anderson Santacruz Cachiguango. One of the most bizarre and stylish names I have ever heard of.

Yaneri and Family

Yaneri was also baptized. She is the cousin of Jatziti. She is a great girl and is going to be a great member.

Things are great here. I love you and miss you. I hope you have a great week!
Love,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Y Hubo Muchos Grandes Milagros Que Se Efectuaron

Mi Familia,

This week was one of miracles.

Víctor and Ángeles have been going to church for almost a year now. They haven't been able to be baptized because Víctor is married to another woman that wanted 50,000 pesos from him so she would sign the divorce papers. they have been in a hard court cases but this week they found out that they won the case. They will soon be divorced, married, and baptized.

Carmen, another investigator that I have taught has not been able to be baptized because her husband who is very catholic didn't want to get married. He got sick with an appendicitis and they talked this week and he said that when he is better they are going to get married and she will be baptized. That will probably take place in January. She has not missed a week of church for almost 3 months.

We invited Esperanza, that was a Jehovah's Witness, to pray this week to know if God exists and if he loves us and knows us. She did so and received a strong spiritual confirmation and knows that he exists. The JW's had told her that God would not listen to her because of the sins that she has committed. She wants to be baptized but also has to get divorced and then married. Her daughter, Yaneri, also received her answer. She was sick and asked God to heal her. She said she felt better after and didn't miss a day of school. We invited her to be baptized and she is going to be baptized this Sunday with her cousin, that is 8 years old (niño inscrito? I don't know how to say that.*) She wasn't going to church but we have been visiting the family and they are getting active.

Asunción, that we baptized about 2 months ago is Patricia's aunt (Patricia was baptized about a month ago) They didn't know each other, but Asunción spoke at Patricia's baptism and they found out later that they are family members.

Guadalupe, the daughter of Manuel told us about a dream her sister had. She said that her sister saw Manuel with his wife (that was an active member with a temple recommend) walking together in the Spirit World, in Paradise. I am happy that he could accept the gospel in this life and that he is happy now.

Well I don't have much time, this work is true and I love being a part of it. I hope you all have a great week, I love you and miss you. Happy birthday Dad!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

* Child of Record

Los Élderes De Esta Iglesia Enseñarán Los Principios De Mi Evangelio

Mi Familia,

This week was really good. We have been very busy. So we spent a lot of time traveling. We gave trainings here and in Ocosingo. I told Dad but Ocosingo is about 2 hours away from Palenque. There is transport that charges under 4 bucks to get there. So I think this is the closest I have been to Trevor!

Our investigator, Sergio got in a motorcycle accident on monday morning (5th) and he was pretty beat up. He couldn't move and we couldn't see him while he was at the hospital. Luckily he is home now and doing a lot better. It was pretty serious, he was in a city called Teopisca and they had to transfer him over here for more care. he couldn't move. He starts work today. On monday we visited his wife and kids, they were scared but things are good now. We got to help them figure out some of the paperwork because he was working when it happened, a member helped out. He is going to be baptized this saturday if everything turns out well.

We found some more investigators this week and they are great people. I love teaching the gospel!

It is getting cold here, and we are getting in the Christmas spirit. We also found a small Christmas tree in the old house so we are enjoying that. It has lights. So don't worry about not having the christmas tree when I get home.

I am finally going to renew my visa tomorrow in Tuxtla. It expired in just over 8 months ago. Luckily I look Mexican, right?

I love this work and know it is true. I know that I represent the true church of Christ.

I hope you all have a great week. I love you!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Aumentaréis En El Conocimiento De La Gloria De Aquel Que Os Creó

Mi Familia,

This week was very special. I have been so busy but good. On Friday Elder Daniel Johnson came to the stake center here. We had a great meeting with him. We sang the special musical number "How Great Thou Art." We sang the first verse in English, the second was sung in Tzotzil, and the third we all sang in Spanish. Our mission president was crying and Elder Johnson said it was marvelous. Then he asked a lot about our hour of language study and said that it was the first zone conference he has been to where everyone studies well for that hour. It was great. He talked to us about our Heavenly Father and how we should teach our investigators about Him. I learned a lot from the conference.

On Saturday we had the zone leader council and Elder Johnson was also there. He talked a lot about all of the missionaries that we will be receiving in these next few months. He said that in Mexico more young women sent their papers than young men, and that we might have more sisters serving missions than elders someday. Looks like the mission is going to triple in size before too long as well. Elder Johnson said that he asked the missionary department for 100 sisters and 270 Elders here In Tuxtla. In the Zone Leader Council he told us that we were sent on the mission in this time to prepare the other missionaries for this great change in the work. I am excited to see the changes and see the work grow.

We are working hard here. I can't believe how fast the time goes. I feel like there is so much to do here. We are going to have more time to teach this week, which is great.

Yesterday we brought a family of five to church. They are so great. They are humble but want to learn more about the gospel. The dad's name is Magín, and the mom is Peri. They have three daughters. 2 are small (Monserrat and Valeria), and Yaneri is 16. They liked it, and I think they made some friends there.

I love you and miss you all. I hope you have a great week.

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Llamad, Y Se Os Abrirá

Mi Familia,

This week was very different than other weeks. We were so busy.

Picture of the Tzotziles selling stuff to a woman. It reminds me of the kids in AYSO.

On Tuesday we had our meeting with the district leaders. Wednesday I went to Tuxtla to sign my visa but it was not ready yet (they told us it was but it wasn't!) Then we came back to San Cris and went with the owner of an apartment we were going to rent but she had rented it to another person for 500 pesos more. So, we looked for another house, and found a brand new one for the same price. Then we were in the church for 3 hours, where President interviewed Patricia for her baptism. Then we had a meeting with him and Elder and Sister Utt. It was great.

On thursday we went to Teopisca to move the stuff out of the Elders house, because there can't be missionaries in an area where there is no branch or ward, so they were removed recently. We moved the stuff into the new house here. On Friday Sergio and Patricia got married and after the wedding I went flying to Ocosingo and interviewed 4 people for baptism. Only one passed but that is all right! On Saturday we moved to our new house cleaned the baptismal font and got the white clothing. On Sunday we woke up at 4:30 to fill the baptismal font. And at 9:30 Patricia had her baptism. Sergio couldn't get baptized because he has a few issues with the word of wisdom. His baptism is scheduled for this week. Besides that we still had 16 lessons. Good stuff.

Sergio and Patricia getting married.

We are also getting things ready for this Friday, when Elder Johnson of the 70 is going to be here and I am in charge of everything. We have the food and technology all planned out. Also a special musical number. We are going to sing How Great Thou Art in Spanish, English and Tzotzil (some Elders in the Tzotzil zone).

Just married, With family and friends.

We made the mission goal that every area baptizes in October. We are very happy!

Also it is now prohibited in the mission to knock on doors. We are going to work more with the members. I think Dad said that that's how it was in his mission. I am happy to work more with them. We got another referral from Nicolas. He took us in taxi to visit a sick friend.

Patricia´s Baptism. Sergio will be baptized soon.

I am so happy. Things are going great here. I love this work and know it is true. I love you and miss you all!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Espera En Jehová; Esfuérzate, Y Él Alentará Tu Corazón

Mi Familia,

This week was very special. It was stressful but great! We are working hard here.

We got to teach the sister of an investigator that came from out of town. She liked the message and went to a Relief Society activity and to church. The investigator is Carmen and her sister is Monica. We are going to see how long she stays to help her get baptized.

I had a great experience this week. We were in the home of the grandpa of the stake president. I think I sent a picture of him and me. He is the one that was 8 or 10 when the first airplane took flight. We were leaving his house and he told us he was going to go with us. I thought he was just going for a stroll and to go in the sun because he gets cold in his room. But we found one of his friends in the street and he presented us to him. He told us that we could visit him another day. Nicolas, the grandpa, told him that we were going to baptize him - haha. He took us to another home and gave us another referral. I was touched by his testimony and his courage to share the gospel.

The missionaries in the Zone are doing great. Everyone is so excited to work. There is a missionary in every companionship that has less than 4 months (except for ours). It is helping us to have more faith and new ideas.

Jannia, the girl that I gave the backpack to, is behaving much better. Her parents are going to get married on Friday and baptized on Saturday. Sergio, the dad, got in an accident at work this week (motorcycle). He is doing better and we have seen that the Lord has protected him for his baptism. Patricia, the mom also had problems a few months ago she had a baby and had some serious health problems. They are both doing great now and are excited for their baptism.

Things are great here. I love this work and know it is true. I hope you have a great week!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

A Toda Nación, Y Tribu, Y Lengua Y Pueblo

Mi Familia,

Thanks for all of the emails. This week was great. We had transfers but Elder Rios and I are staying another transfer together. That means we will leave together next transfer, because we are going to end as senior companions the last transfer. I am excited because we have great people here!

Well this week we started teaching another referral, his name is Javier. He just got separated from his wife. He is awesome. He is searching for God. He went to church yesterday and really liked it.

We are also teaching another girl Emma, her parents are members but they don't live together and have a lot of problems but she wants to get baptized. Right now her dad cannot baptize her so we started teaching her.

We are also teaching another family that we got from some investigators. When we went on Saturday her (less active) member friend, Guadalupe, was there. We invited her to church. We are going to start teaching her daughter as well.

There are a lot of great people we are teaching. We received another 10 referrals this week. We also are going to start teaching the sister in law of one member. She recently had a nervous break down and says that she would like to talk to us. Her name is Esperanza.

I can't remember if I told you about Sergio and Patricia. They are investigators that want to get baptized but aren't married. They are having some strong economic problems. Their daughter Jania, that got baptized about 9 months ago, wanted a new bag for school because hers broke. When we left I left my bag on the clothes line and we left. I felt really happy! The good news is they have all of the papers to be able to get married, and they had about half of them a month ago.

I forgot to mention that last week I did a baptismal interview in Tzotzil! There was a translator there as well. It was good! This week we also got to serve a member family by painting their store. It was great.

I am so happy. I love this work and know it is true. I love you all!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

El Señor Vuestro Dios Os Levantará A Un Profeta

Mi Familia,

This week was great. First of all General Conference was great. I only saw the Priesthood Session and the Sunday morning session. I did listen to the opening statements of President Monson on lds.org right now, too. We took some investigators and they all loved it. Personally I liked President Uchtdorf's talk in the Priesthood session, and President Eyring's on Sunday morning. President Monson's stories were also so special. He is a servant of God.

We are teaching Ramiro Jr., the son of Ramiro that got baptized. He is 20 and accepted a baptismal date this last week. He went to Priesthood session and saw a baptism on Saturday before the session. He also went to the Sunday morning session. He really liked it. The second councilor in the Bishopric interviewed Ramiro so he that he can get the Priesthood. We are hoping that he can baptize his son.

We went to Tuxtla for the Zone Leader Council. It was great. We talked a lot about obtaining more referrals. We received 13 for the area this week and found some great people because of it. We also had some great lessons this week. We had a lesson with Merieli. We taught her about true intent because she does not want to change churches even though she has a testimony of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and the church. She told us that she was praying and she felt darkness and she felt like it was God telling her not to change churches. I felt like we should give her the Joseph Smith pamphlet. She read it and said that she felt exactly what happened to Joseph in the sacred grove. She felt like she understood better what was going on. I read her Doctrine and Covenants 9:9 and explained how God answers "no." It was a great lesson.

Another sister from another church went to conference and told us that she had dreamed about the stake center before. She is Juanita - the one we found in the store and contacted her about the atonement (I think I wrote about her before!) We also talked to the husband of Carmen who does not want to get married  (Carmen wants to get baptized.) We have a great relationship with him. He drove us home after the Family Night we had together. Oh yeah it was an FHE. Their member friend from Tuxtla came and organized it all.

We were looking for a contact last night and couldn't find the street. I felt inspired to knock on a door of a house that was hard to get to. It was 8:15. She talked to us. Her mother in law died a week ago and her husband is drinking a lot. I am happy we found them.

I have to go. I am so happy and things are going so good. I hope you all have a great week!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Les Enseñaréis A Amarse Mutuamente Y A Servirse El Uno Al Otro

Mi Familia,

Hey! This week was a good one. We went on Friday to help Ramiro and Asunción get married and everything turned out well! They were so happy. On Sunday they were baptized and confirmed. It was a great service and a very special spirit was there. I am so happy for them and Many members are getting to know them so I feel like they will be taken care of when I leave which is great. On Sunday after the baptism we ate mole at their house. We bought yogurt and cookies on Saturday for dessert. They invited a few of their new member friends.

Ramiro and his wife Asunción - they got married on
Friday, and were baptized and confirmed on Sunday

Besides the baptism we went to Ocosingo for a baptismal interview. Almost all of the areas in the zone baptized this month. Only one area didn't but they almost did. Their investigator didn't pass the interview and the District Leader couldn't get a hold of President. We almost broke the all time record in the zone, and we did get the highest number of baptisms of 2012. We are happy. Tomorrow we have the zone leader council in Tuxtla.

Last night when we were walking home this drunk guy wanted to talk to me. His name was Daniel and had no idea where he was. We called one of his friends and told her what was going on. Then we took him to the city park and left him with her. He is 19 and was crying almost the whole time we were walking with him. When we left he hugged us. We got his phone number and we are going to call him and send the missionaries to his house. It felt good to help him out.

Baptisms at Stake Conference

Well things are great here. I am really happy about everything that is going on here. I wish I had more time left in the mission but I am happy that I will be home soon. I don't think about it too much which is great. I know this work is the most important in all of the church and that what we teach is the fullness of the gospel. I am sure that this is the truth. I did have a testimony before the mission but study and prayer has strengthened it. I know that this is the true church.

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Llamad, Y Se Os Abrirá

Mi Familia,

Hey everyone. This week was really good.

On Tuesday during our studies we heard a knock on the door and our neighbor (that lives in behind the same gate as us) went out, and we just heard "no gracias" and then our phone rang and it was President Cárdenas. He came to the house and interviewed us (we have them every other transfer). Luckily the house was very clean and I had a good talk with him. He brought my package so I have the HLJ rings and the pamphlets. Thanks a lot for that! I have already given out a few.

I think I also forgot to mention that Elder Bernal is training this transfer, so I am a Grandpa in the mission. And the best part is, he is training an Elder Stevenson. I haven't met him yet but he should be good.

On Friday we had a service project in Tuxtla in the building of La Salle (my first area). President Cárdenas invited us so we made bagged lunches for the people that are trying to get rid of dengue (I don't know how else to say that). I got to see a lot of members and 2 converts. I saw Ari who is going to serve a mission in the beginning of 2013, and Nefi that is going to leave the summer of 2013 (mission too). I was also informed that an investigator that I taught there is going to get baptized in October. Her name is Alondra. It was all like a dream - haha. But we made over 800 lunches and put them in trucks to be taken to other parts of Tuxtla, and some were eaten there as well.

On Sunday we had the stake conference. Our Bishop was called as the new stake president. He is a really good man and we will have to see who our new bishop is. Elder De Hoyos was there and gave a great talk about visiting less actives and helping the missionaries in the Lord's work. We had the baptism of Sonia after with 2 baptisms of the missionaries serving in Teopisca. Sonia was probably the investigator that was most prepared to hear the gospel that I have ever taught. She had some pretty hard problems the week before her baptism, but was really strong.

Today we went to the Registro Civil (that is why I am writing late.) Ramiro and Asunción are going to get married on Friday and baptized Sunday after church. They are really excited. They are awesome and so willing to live the gospel and make big sacrifices to follow Jesus.

This week we also started teaching another couple whose daughter got baptized a few months ago. They also need to get married but they are getting their paperwork done and saving money. Their names are Sergio and Patricia. They get so excited when we go to their house and want to get baptized so badly. Their baptismal date is for the 20th of October.

We are teaching other great people and many of them will get baptized. I am so happy, and I know this work is true and that the gospel was restored by Joseph Smith under the Lord's command.

I love you all and miss you. Have a great week!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Por Esto Dejará El Hombre A Su Padre Y A Su Madre

Mi Familia,

This week was a really good one. This weekend we had the Mexican Independence Day but things were quite normal. This week we taught a lot of new people. A lot of them aren't going to progress much but we found a few that may get baptized.

We are still teaching Ramiro and Asunción. We had a small miracle: Ramiro needed his birth certificate but he is studying High school and the school had a lot of his papers. On Friday, the day before he was going to renew his birth certificate, they gave them back all of their paperwork. And he said he was one of a few that got all of their papers. On Tuesday we are going to the Registro Civil to pay for the wedding and give them all of the paperwork.

Sonia is going to get baptized this Sunday at the stake conference. Almost all of the areas in the zone are going to baptize so it is going to be a special service.

Things are good here. I don't have too much more to report. I love you and miss you. I hope you have a great week!

Elder Riley Stevenson

No Os Afanéis Por Vuestra Vida, Qué Habéis De Comer O Qué Habéis De Beber

Mi Familia,

 This week was very good. My new companion Elder Rios is great. He is from Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. We get along really well and are having a lot of success and a lot of fun when we are working. He has been making breakfast so I iron and wash dishes. It is a great deal.

We invited Merieli to church this week and she went with her daughter, Eida. They are really great. We had some other people at church and we are going to start teaching them. One is the cousin of some less actives and the other works with a member and wants help because she mentioned to us that there is a man that is following her and looking for her. We don't know why he is, but we are going to teach her tomorrow.

Last night it was 8:45 and we were contacting a few blocks from the house and I had the impression that we should contact in a little store. We went in and talked with a mom and her daughter. I talked to her about the atonement and we explained to her that the law demands the life of the sinner and how Christ's sacrifice was infinite. She was very interested and she gave us soda and cookies from her store. We are going to go back this friday to teach her.

We are also teaching a boy name José. His brothers and sisters are members but his parents aren't. His mom wants to get baptized but can't because she isn't married to her husband. But she is really worried about him because he has been coming home high for a while now. She told us that she had been praying, and that in a dream an angel appeared to her and told her that if he goes to church that everything will be resolved. We started teaching him and right now he has a baptismal date for the 29th. Later today we are going to teach him.

Things are good here. I miss you and love you all. I hope you have a great week!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

Obrando Mediante La Autoridad Que Os He Dado

Mi Familia,

Heyo. Today we have transfers and Elder Cruz is already going! He is going to Mactumatzá, the Zone where I started my mission It is a surprise and a bummer because we get along well. But Elder Rios from my generation is coming for his first cambio (change or transfer) as a Zone Leader. I know him a little and he is great. I am excited to be able to stay here another 6 weeks and keep working!

This week we had the Zone Leader Council. We talked a lot about the people that are already prepared for baptism. We also have the goal in the mission that everyone can baptize in the month of September. I know we can do it and we are working hard to be able to do it.

This week was really good. We are teaching Carmen and she is great. She isn't married but lives with a man and he is not interested in the church. She went again and just wants to read and learn more. We are trying to figure out how to help her out. She wants to get baptized. 4 years ago her son died of Cancer so we taught her where he is and how she can still live with him again. She accepts everything we say and asked us when she can make us lunch. That is a good sign.

We also are still teaching Ramiro and Asunción. They went to church and really liked it. Ramiro went to check the marriage requirements and they have all of the paper work but we are going to help them to do it and be able to get baptized. Ramiro says that he knows it is true and that nothing can hold him back. We are happy for them. They have their baptismal date for the 29th.

We are also teaching a woman named Merieli and her 2 daughters. They are very catholic but they always listen to us. She asked us about her marriage because she got married in the catholic church and then got divorced and is living with another man, and they are not married (common here in Chiapas). But anyways she was really worried because of the scripture in Matthew 19:6. We explained the authority of the priesthood and I showed her my Priesthood Lineage card that Grandma and Grandpa gave me. She looked at it and understands english so she got it all. But after she asked me to shake her hand so I did and she just held it a while and she started crying and said that what I was saying was true. I got kind of freaked out because I was thinking it was witchcraft or something but she explained that she could feel some energy and she knew I wasn't lying. We bore our testimony and we are trying to get her to church.

Things are good here and hope you all have a great week. I love you and miss you all!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson

No Os Engañe Nadie De Ninguna Manera

Mi Familia,

Hey! This week was great. On Thursday we had a multi-zone conference which was great. I directed the meeting and Elder Cruz and I were in charge of the food and everything. We made some quesadillas at home and brought them. Just kidding. One of the sisters in the ward is from Ecuador and she and her mother and a friend made a chicken dish from their town. It was good and we got to watch some of President Monson's Birthday on the projector as we ate. It was fun and we learned more about the attributes of Christ. I learned a lot!

This week we have been focused on Ramiro and Asunción. They aren't married but they are awesome, and they want to get married! Ramiro told us that he had been praying so that he could know what church to go to, and we knocked on his door 3 days later. It was awesome because where he lives is far away! And we went there in the first place because we contacted the woman that cut our hair and she wanted us to go there to her house. But we went and she wasn't home, and that is how we started working there. Ramiro is a police officer so he couldn't go to church yesterday but Asunción went with Carla, their three year old girl. They really liked it. This week we are going to go to the Registro Civil to see what the requirements are for marriage.

We also had a woman go to church because one of her friends in Tuxtla is a member. Her name is Carmen and she is very interested in the church. She had gone to church one time already. We are going to teach her on friday.

This week is going to be busy we are going to go to Tuxtla and Ocosingo and we might have the baptism of Humberto (we think his family is telling him not to go to church with us and not to get baptized) but we will see what happens.

We contacted a Catholic guy that was a missionary (in the Catholic church) this week. He said he couldn't let us in because it wasn't his house but we talked at the doorstep. We started teaching him about the Apostasy and restoration and he wanted to see where it talked about it in the Bible so I told him we would show him if he let us in. So I showed him a couple of scriptures (Matthew 24:9-12 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 - Scripture Mastery!) and he started with Matthew 16 (beware the doctrines of the Pharisees and Sadducees) so we explained what Christ meant. It was cool because he was interested and he said we could come by again. Don't worry we weren't bashing, just showing him the truth!

I know this work is true and that Christ leads this church. Things are great and I am so happy. I hope you have a great week, I love you!

Con Amor,

Elder Riley Stevenson