THAT WE MAY ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM July 23, 2017

Exodus 12:14

DyC 20:77, 79

1 Corinthians 11:24-28

''When you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is? It could be 'remember.' Because all of you have made covenants-- You know what to do and you know how to do it--our greatest need is to remember.'' -Spencer W. Kimball

How merciful and loving is our Heavenly Father to give us, as imperfect, forgetful, stiff necked (at times), people the chance to come to his House every Sabbath day, hungering to be filled with his holy elements. To sit in self-reflection and self-examination, one on one with him is one of the greatest blessing there is. Christ taught the Nephites that the soul of he who ate of this bread and wine would never hunger! (3 Nephi 20:8). 

The Sandidistas celebrated the 39th anniversary of the Nica Revolution on Wednesday and the entire town was telling me to go into hiding because I was going to get destroyed by a 'yankee-hating savage'! I was safe Mom, don't worry.

We are currently preparing for our next group of baptisms in the coming 2 weeks! They ALL came to church! Do you believe in miracles? (1980 US Hockey)

We'll be back next week with a killer email, I promise. Until then, live it up! 

Elder Campbell 

THE DIVINE COMPANIONSHIP MOVIN' FORWARD July 16, 2017

The Fam Bam! We had quite the time traveling with President out to Chinandega and up to Esteli to do our monthly Multi-Zone conferences with all the troops. He showed us the talk that Elder Holland gave in the New Missions Presidents Seminar in June that completely blew me away. He talks about the divinity of this work and how we literally walk with a God day in and day out to preach the Gospel. He told the story of Moses in Exodus 33 that I loved! The Lord commanded the Moses to take the Israelites out of Egypt, but the Lord´s presence would not go with them because of the ´stiffneckedness´ and 'uncircumsized of heart´ attitude that the people had. Moses begs the Lord to bless them with his guide and says he will not lead the people without his presence. I love the Lord´s response in verse 14! He goes on to explain how the Holy Ghost completes a divine companionship with missionaries and the Godhead. ''We should never do anything to hurt, offend, or send away our mortal companions, and we should never go anywhere or say anything that would hurt, offend, or alinate us from our divine companion.'' Elder Holland has got the salsita when it comes to teaching!

The Maximo Jerez has seen some giant miracles with the progression of our recent converts. Juvenia, the most recent, left with us to do some visits and to meet some of her friends. As we invited them to get baptized and learn more, she whipped out scriptures from the Book of Mormon and testified. It short, it was awesome. 

Yesterday as a ward, we did a huge service project at one of the ghetto schools in the Maximo. My amigo, Flabio, helped me fulfill a lifelong dream of teaching me how to weld. Thanks dude!

Elder Diaz had to take the walk of shame this week in the local laboratory and do a poop test to find out if he had parasites in his stomach. He was taking all precautions because an Elder up north in Ocotal (home) was pulling 15 cm worms and parasites out of his nose and out the other end. Shoutout to Nicaragua, the best country this world has ever known!

DyC 19:15-18: His grace truly is sufficient for us, if we are willing to walk the same rock strewn, thorny, beaten path that the Savior walked so long ago. He can comfort in the moment of need. He can calm our troubled souls just as he calmed troubled seas. He can literally transform us. 

https://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-holland-shares-account-of-missionary-speech-of-all-time-with-new-misson-presidents?lang=eng

Remember all those Pioneers and enjoy that Utah sun. Sure do love you guys! 

Elder Campbell

Learning to weld

Elder Diaz getting tested for parasites

BOLOS, MANGOES AND GOODBYES SUCK July 9, 2017

Brayden didn't send a group email but he did send some awesome photos.  On Tuesday, he said goodbye to his good friend, Elder Carter.  Troy and I had the opportunity to attend Elder Carter's homecoming today in Ogden.  It was so great to meet someone who just this last week was with our boy.  We were able to find out that he is doing well and he truly does love his mission!

Sending Elder Carter home

Mangoes - I'm very jealous!!!

YOU PIECE OF JUNK July 2, 2017

After 3 changes, we bid farewell to our beloved amigo, Elder Carter! It was quite the ride man, all the miracles, challenges, bucanales.. Especially the last week here in the Maximo with your Dad! Take care in Gringolandia, Elmer! These have been moments unforgettable for the Elders of the Maximo Jerez. The whole ward is coming together to bring the Lord's elect back home, letting us lead them! We were able to have 2 of the most spiritual convert baptisms last night, capping off yet another successful and anticipated week. Happy 4th of July to all you rednecks and hicks back home! Keep the waters of Lake Powell clean, por favor!

We brought a few companionships down from the zones Las Americas and Leon to divisions in the rain with us. It is quite the chance to work with missionaries from all around the mission and learn from the way they work and teach!

The father of Elder Carter, Mr. Nolan made his way down to Managua during the week and spent time working in our area and meeting all the amazing people. We had one of the most spiritual experiences listening to our dear friend, Octavio, share his testimony about how much the missionaries, through the love and grace of Christ, have changed his life. 

P Day (Yesterday) was the dopest one I have had yet! We started off by going to the Masaya Volcano with the whole gang, then to Lake Managua, and to the Maximo church to play soccer with all the chums. We had the best baptismal service I have been apart of in my 11 months here in Nicaragua, finishing off the day! Juvenia, the lady, was first contacted 6 months ago in our area and wanted nothing to do with the ´Mormons´. Last month, we contacted her again and the Lord prepared and touched her heart during that 5 month break. She progressed, learned, and received her own testimony through the BOM, while facing ALL the fire from the adversary, but endured it well. Miracle and a half! Bryan, the little hooligan, has been on our radar since time began. He was going to church forever, but was scared of baptism. With the help of his family and the Spirit through the BOM, he was able to calm his emotions and replace his fear with faith, he finally committed to baptism. He bore the funniest testimony after about running away from the missionaries because he didn't want to get baptized. He is the man! A picture below shows the entire fan section that showed up.. HE literally directs this work!

Moses 7:27-40 hit home this week. The Lord weeps when he sees us not living up to godly potential. He loves us that much. Give her a read!

I sure do love this work and my Savior. He blesses and heals each of us, one by one, if we are willing to strengthen that personal relationship with him. 

Campbell Out.

Look @ them and weep!

Lake Managua

Baptism of Bryan by Elder Carter's dad, Nolan Carter.

Brayden and Elder Carter

Look at all the people there for the baptism!