January 13, 2014

Dear friends and family.

The mission is ready for blast off. Second transfer in Dows Lake YSA (Ottawa) has started out awesomeeeee. We got 2 new missionaries in the district which is exciting and we have a couple baptisms coming up in the district!

We have been teaching 15-20 lessons a week and things are getting back to normal after the holidays. Been working hard and trying to teach new people. Less actives are coming back and the work is HASTENING.

The members and the missionaries are finally on the same page, and The Lord's work is being accomplished!

The cold isn't too cold. Except for -40 celcius. THAT HURTS.

Like seriously.

Well something pretty cool that has been happening lately is that my companion Elder Rock and I have set a goal of setting 365 copies of The book of Mormon this year in 2014. We have already set about 25. We don't go back to the apartment at night until we place one in the nice hands of a soul and testify to them about the restoration. And I can tell you, we are being blessed for this new years resolution.

I encourage all of you to present your goals to God. He will help you. I promise.

Anyways... the sidewalks are pretty much PURE ICE BLOCKS. We basically ice skate to our appointments. We have seen people fall SOOOO HARD. Like, they get injured. The sidewalks are sooooooo slippery. Its kind of fun cause me and my companion race sometimes back to the apartment and we almost die. hahaha.

So for transfers none of my apartment got transferred. We're all together still! With the Zone Leaders eating yummy mexican food every day with Elder Rangel and I teaming up and cooking haha. I love being in a "4 man apartment". Nothing but laughter and beating up each other,

... and of course missionary work.

I never have enough time to write everything I want but I hope everyone has a great week! see ya later! :)

Elder Castrejon

November 25, 2013

 I'm going to try to write this email without crying...

(yes, I'm a wimp............................... no)

  Something I didn't realize before my mission but that I always heard throughout my life, has been The Members Prayers for The Missionaries.

There has been nothing more sweet than the true and sincere prayers from the latter day saints of Quebec. Every time we meet with them, they pray... not only do they pray, but they pray specifically for The Missionaries and their families. Before my mission I never really thought about what that truly means to a missionary but now as a missionary, I DO.

  I am truly humbled by the prayers I hear. The responsibility I have to bring people unto repentance is enormous. I mean, how would you feel, if at every meal you have with members, they pray and say: "Bless the missionaries that they may find the people who are ready for the gospel, bless them and their tongues that they might be able to speak and that they may do thy work"

... and then after you might forget and complain about how tired you are, how COLD it is, how things aren't going well... blah blah. I am guilty of that. Its not easy dealing with failure or rejection. AlthoughI have the name of a God on my chest, does not mean I am one. I am still human and this stuff is still hard.

but the comfort and strength that I receive from these people is INFINITE. I love them, and cherish them.

So that brings me to my next point.

LEAVING.

Yes, this transfer, The Lord has called me to serve as District Leader in the Dows Lake, Ottawa, Singles Ward. As you know, in the province of Ontario, 90% of the people speak English. So yes, I will be preaching in English. Not even Spanish or French (like I had the blessing of doing in Victoriaville).

I have been in Victoriaville for the past 6 months. I got trained here. I trained here. I had my first baptism here. First temple trip here. Organized a first activity here. Gave my first blessing here. My first nasty dinner on the mission here.

The members love is the reason it is so hard on me. I've never gotten so many gifts in my life. Cologne, comic books, letters, cakes, nesquik chocolate milk. I don't think they are very excited about me leaving them but I know that The Lord needs me in Ottawa now so that's where I will be on Tuesday. The progression never ends... and it was never meant to end. We will keep moving forward until all eternity.

Well, that's my little email this week. Love you all. And take care.

Have a happy thanksgiving (ps. my birthday + Hanuka) 

Elder Castrejon