P-day after Veteran's Day....

Hola! Sorry that I'm a day late, but all of the libraries were closed yesterday because it was Veterans Day. This week has been pretty great. Last Tuesday we started the week off amazing and even though most of our plans fell through, we ending up getting 3 new investigators and some really great lessons. Elder Maughan and I are getting a lot better at teaching together and our lessons have really improved. The Lord has really prepared a lot of people in this area for us, we just need to have the faith that things are going to work out with all of them. I got a letter from the Kimball family and that was a sweet pick-me-up so thank you for that :) Wednesday we had a sweet district meeting on the Spirit and Prayer. It was exactly what I needed. The rest of the day...wasn't as good. Nobody really wanted to listen to us that day and we weren't feeling too good from some of the Mexican food we ate Tuesday night and so it was a rough day but at night we got to teach the Paniagua family. We had a sweet lesson planned on faith and baptism and were hoping to set a baptismal date with them for Dec. 15th but when we invited them they kind of exploded with tons of doubts and confusion they have about the church. It was a really difficult lesson because they had so many weird questions and it was really hard. We really feel like they are ready, they have been going to church for over 4 months or so and they believe in Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. They quit drinking coffee and are trying to live all of the commandments, but they are letting their doubts take over what they believe. It reminds me of this last conference where someone, maybe Uchtdorf, said "doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." So we are trying to help them to act on their faith, but so far we haven't had any luck. Thursday we had a sweet lesson with Zaira, we are teaching her about scripture study, missionary work and enduring to the end. It is amazing to see the changes she has made and the influence the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost has been in her life already. She told us about this experience where she was at school and her friend was struggling with some bullies and the first thing she thought of was how Nephi was being bullied by his brothers in the wilderness and so she shared and read a whole chapter in 1Nephi about what he did when it happened and it just made me so happy to see her using the scriptures in her life. She really tries to liken the scriptures to herself and those around her and it's awesome. Not a ton happened on Friday because we had weekly planning and our appointments fell through but we had a sweet lesson with a family in the ward and they ended up giving us two referrals so it worked out well. Tons of people showed up for volleyball that night and we were able to talk a lot with Zaira's brother, who we are hoping to start teaching soon. Saturday the Vasquez family made us a huge breakfast and then we helped them out with some service it was a really good day. Sunday was pretty normal. We invited the Paniagua family to come to church with a question in mind, preferably why do I need to be baptized or something but we told them they could choose whatever they wanted and see if it would be answered during church. They said they would and so I hope it was answered and we will see when we meet with them tomorrow. I think it's a great idea to go to church with a question. So if you think church hasn't been as spiritual of an experience and you would like it to be I invite you all to try going to church with a question. It is an awesome experience and can made church more exciting, especially when you are trying to help other people go to church even when they might not enjoy it as much. Yesterday was probably the best P-day I have ever had! We were able to go to Red Robin for lunch, which was wayyy yummy :) After that we had our push-up contest follow up and I got second so now my companion and get a frosty soon! I just realized how much I talk about food. I love food. Now I know why I gained 10 pounds in my first week in the field haha Then once I got to our zone activity, which was 3 hours of basketball :), I got a huge package from my family, I love you guys! :) Amazing letters from Marta and Jessica! And even a wedding invitation ahah I can't believe Holly is getting married this month! Crazyness! Then to the best part of my day, teaching! That night we went to visit this lady who wanted us to teach her sons but said she wasn't very interested. We got to the house and started talking to one of hers sons but he said he was busy. We decided to share a little bit and once he heard more he invited us in and said what we had to say was more important that the homework he had to do. His name is Gonzalo and he is so prepared to hear the gospel. He had so many questions about God, different religions, and life. The Spirit was electrifying and it was by far one of the best lessons I have been a part of out here. It was a really emotional lesson. He was really confused with how leaders in other churches got money for what they did and was confused with why people were trying to change the bible so much. It was amazing because when we were teaching him he just kept saying, wow that makes so much sense. He felt more comfortable with us speaking English, which was interesting because it was only the second or third time I have done the first lesson in English.When I shared the first vision we were both almost in tears and it was amazing how strong the Spirit was. God really does answer our prayers and I am out of time so I need to go but I love you all and pray for you every day. Love, Elder Hyde