Hey Hey!‏ December 3, 2014

Hello peoples! So I am writing on Wednesday because we went to the Temple today! So I am pretty happy about that. :) Ok, so first of all, Campachanas are a Monterrey thing because they are only made in Monterrey. Well at least this type. They are basically a lot of meat of Trompo, which is meat that I had never eaten before the mission, and I think it is pork? And then lime juice, onion slices, and Salsa Verde Haha, but I literally have never tasted anything so good in my life! Haha. Anyways, those were really good on Thanksgiving. But I need a break from them. Alright, so this Dallen guy of Jamie's sounds pretty studly. But now I really want to see a picture because I have probably seen him before. If he teaches Spanish in the MTC haha. Oh I finally got the pictures of the family yesterday! And I got a letter from Grandpa! It was so great! Can you guys tell him thanks for me! I loved the letter and It really did help me a lot! But I still haven´t gotten anything else in the mail. So we shall see! I have some pretty cool experiences, but I don´t know what kind you want to hear! Like when I got sung to and serenaded by drunk people? Or like Miracles of being guided by the spirit? Haha, But honestly the cool spiritual experiences came from my first three months out here. Right now, the Lord is teaching me something that I am still trying to figure out. And I don´t feel like a lot of special things have happened in this area. We had interviews with President yesterday and so I feel ok about it. And he just said to be happy, and love the work, and to keep working. And that is what I plan to do! I really have been happy because of the Gospel and everything. But ya, wooh man, these circumstances! Haha. Anyways I know that this is one of the biggest purposes of the mission is for us to learn and grow! And the only way that happens is if we are out of our comfort zones right? I love the mission. haha But, I have been learning so much about the gospel! We have a couple good investigators. And when we teach them, and talk to them it is so spiritual. The coolest thing is to feel the Spirit testifying to them, from you. That really is just the best feeling ever. Anyways! Not a whole lot new other than that! I really love you guys a whole lot! Have a great week! :D oh ya! And if you guys haven´t already, you need to watch the video, He is the Gift. And of course share it on all social media that you have! :) Ok great :) I love ya guys! Love, Elder Sladers!

November 10 and November 17, 2014

Hello Hello mi familia y amigos! :D What is up! Things here are going good! Loving the work and working hard! First announcement... I just finished El Libro de Mormon in Spanish and I just feel good with the language. :) It isn’t perfect but I can do my job :) Elder Brown and I are doing so great! He is so stinkin’ funny, and really fun to be with. I am just doing great! Oh and I don't think that I have a parasite. It was for a week, when my skin was doing something really weird, and they thought I had one, but since then I have been normal. So I think I am still good :) Thank goodness. But I still have a lot to survive so please keep praying for me. :) So my whole mission until now I have heard of one food called Menudo. And it is cow stomach. And I finally had it this week. :) I won’t say that it is my favorite food (if you can call it food) but I ate it. And it wasn't bad. :) It is just like chewing gum... but a lot of it and from a cow :) Haha ok ok I am sorry that was gross. But man you just gotta love the mission ya know? Also this week was like the coldest that I have been! Haha ok maybe not the coldest ever, but it was pretty close. And I happen to be in a new area, and a new house that still doesn´t have a heater so the nights are just intense beans! Haha and it is a super weird cold. It is like a humid, wet cold, so it doesn’t really matter how many clothes I put on, it just goes right through! haha But no I am doing great! We will have a heater this week so I am happy! So in my free time I have been reading books with deep doctrine. Well, not super deep but like about The Atonement and mysteries of heaven. And I am just sooooo stinking interested about deep doctrine. And it is so true that we can know the mysteries of heaven. I have read and prayed about a lot of things. And my testimony has just grown in an incredible way. And not only deep doctrine, but church history. For example, Joseph Smith came to a perfect knowledge before he died. And he read the Bible in 5 different languages and German is the most correct out of all of them. This kind of stuff is just blowing my mind. And it is just like a huge puzzle that just fits together and makes sense! This mission is just blessing my life in so many ways! It is just so fun to learn and live! So right now we have one super solid investigator named Martina! And she came to church and it was just so sweet! She loved it and I believe she is going all the way! We feel really good about it. Oh, and then we contacted this kid that was 16. And we were talking and then he was just like, “Actually I am from California so we can speak English...” And I was like, “What the heck man! I am sitting here trying to talk to you and you can speak English!!!” Haha it was funny but ya we are going to teach him, and maybe play basketball in the mornings. :) I am stoked to try to teach in English. We will see how it goes! :) Welp, that is what is up here! I love ya guys! -Elder Aussy

November 17, 2014 Hello peoples! I am glad to hear that things are good back there! Things here are good! This week was a little bit rougher than last week, but ya know. What ya gonna do, haha. So this week we worked so hard. We had a lot more lessons, people, and success with numbers. But not the success that counts ya know? But it is all good. our President of the mission told us a story that is really cool that helped me feel good. Because we are in an area that is famous for being hard, and we will just say that the ward needs lots of work. And the work is just struggling right now. But he told us this super cool story. So there was this huge boulder in the middle of the room. And The Lord says to this man, ¨I want you to push the rock as hard as you can to move it to the side of the room.¨ And so the man starts pushing. And he pushed as hard as he could for months. And finally he just gets upset and exclaims ¨I have been pushing this rock for months! And it hasn't moved!¨ and the Lord says ¨I never said you would move it, but now your are stronger because of it.¨ And so that is how it is right now. Just talking, contacting, talking, contacting, trying to find more ways to find people, and just the same thing! But we are getting better, and stronger because of it. :) So it is all good. haha But I think we actually might be getting the rock to move, because there is one person that was a super old investigator that we found that might have potential. So we shall see! :) Haha Anyways, as usual, I am loving the mission. Great experiences all the time. I just found out that my comp was with some disobedient missionaries and he just couldn't deal with it any more. Like he just had a bunch that way. And so President put him with me. And I still think that it is still hard for him but on the other side of the spectrum, because I am so... Uptight I guess you should call it. I think I really am a hard companion to have sometimes because I really push exact obedience, and hit times with appointments and things like that. I think it is because of the stinkin Army. But ya, sometimes my comps don't like that, and I don't know whether I should ease up or not! haha But anyways. It is just a fun experience, I love it! Anyways! I love you guys! Thanks mom for updating me on Kendal! I am still praying for her! I love you guys so much! Elder Sladers

Changes Baby! November 3, 2014

So I have a new comp!!! And he wants to work super hard!!! :) AND I AM ABSOLUTELY ECSTATIC! His name is Elder Brown, and he is from Arizona. And he is super super kind and is really helping me learn better Spanish. I feel like I pretty much understand everything, and can talk about anything in the gospel. It is just now random talk that I still need to work on haha. But he is helping me. And we just get along so well! I am so stoked. We have a great plan for our area and it is starting out slow. But we just put everything in the hands of the Lord. And we are super happy! That is all I want and to be able to give everything!!! Like I learned in running, when we give it all, we can look back with no regrets. When we don't give it all, well, we might have regrets. So, I am glad that we can just work work work. I am actually doing a lot better. I feel good and wasn't sick this week. I don't know if I still have something or not, but I am just going to enjoy feeling good haha. I read a talk this week about what is a consecrated missionary. There are good ones, there are great ones and then there are consecrated ones. I want to be a consecrated one. There aren't very many and it is hard to become one. But, I have thought a lot about how to become one and it takes everything! Your mind, your desires, everything! And then I thought, well this doesn't just apply to missionary work. This applies to everything we do. We can be good, great, or consecrated. In the church, our work, the family, and in everything. And I just have realized that there is not point to do anything, unless it is all in or nothing. Like Coachie´s talk on my farewell, jumping in with both feet. Not one foot at home, and one foot in the mission, but both feet! That is what we can focus on right now. Going all out in everything! Welp, I love ya guys! Thanks for the support back home and just for everything! Lo mas Chido misionero en todo Mexico, Elder SLADE!!! :)

October 27, 2014

October 27, 2014 Hey, how is it going! It’s going great here in the Fraustro! Lovin life! Kicken trash! Ok, so this week I am going to start off with a funny story. So, we were studying in the morning when somebody knocked on our door. We looked out the window and it was some Testigos, or Jehovahs Witnesses! My companion couldn't go to the door because he didn't have his shirt on, and was like “go go go!” So, I ran downstairs and prepared myself. I opened the door with a big smile on my face, with my plaque and all missionaried out. They were like “Well uh, hi, what’s your name?” and ya the conversation went. They started teaching me some profound doctrine in Revelations, and I just smiled and was like “Ya, I agree! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is amazing! Ya, that is really cool!” And then they left, haha. Man, their faces were just classic! Sometimes we knock on doors and a Catholic priest will come out and it is just like, oh dang. Haha, I love it! So! I bought my Christmas present! an MP3 player with a SUPER SICK speaker. But the speaker is an old diesel slugbug and it glows crazy colors! Haha, it is sweet! And, I stole a lot of other missionaries music. So ya! That is what is up! Spiritual story of this week! I don't know if you guys read this story in the Ensign or if it is in the Ensign. But, there is a story about some guy with depression and the story of The brother of Jared. I went through that story in the Book of Mormon and marked everything. Then, that afternoon we went to visit our recent in this new area. He was like, not wanting to talk, or anything. I eventually got it out of him that there was a lot of opposition at work, and things like that. I shared this story. I shared about how when we do what the Lord commands us to do, like build barges, or in our case, follow commandments, and be diligent, then we set sail in the sea because God has commanded us to do so. I likened this to baptism. We have trials. We have huge waves hammering us and winds shoving us in every direction. Sometimes the waves shove us down to the bottom of the sea but we still have light in our barges even though we are in the bottom of the sea. Eventually we will arrive at the Promised Land. But then think about this. What if there were no waves, or wind and the sea was just calm. Well, we wouldn't move anywhere. We would just be chillin’ at the beginning, not progressing. So, it is by these waves, trials, sadness, and challenges, that we arrive in the “land of promise” or our potential. Then I shared a story about my friend in the Army who was baptized. He asked me the next week, “Why am I sad? The week before my baptism I was filled with more joy than I ever have felt before. And now that I am baptized, I feel sad, and I have questions and challenges.” I explained to him, that it was because the Lord loves him, and wants him to progress. So, I shared all of this with Bro. Belen and he was like “Thanks, you guys give me the strength to move on.” The spirit was so strong and I was thinking, “That is what it is all about!” Anyways, I am doing good and not doing too bad physically this week. Tonight we have changes, so we will find out what happens to me and my companion. Just between you people in the states and me, I hope I get somebody that wants to work. PLEASE pray that I will get somebody with a desire! Haha, no Elder Tomala is cool, just not as a senior comp! :) Haha I love ya guys! Thanks for all of the strength and things that you guys do for me! I love you all so much! The Church is true! Love ya all! :)

Hello Hello!‏ October 22, 2014

How is it going everybody! I hope everything is going good! Sounds like it is for my parentals! Haha sounds like your cruise was super fun! As for me, I am still sick but with a different sickness this time! Man! It is relentless! I really hope that I can get this under control, because if not, I don't think I will be a super effective missionary! Haha no just kidding, I will still try my very very best! The wife of the mission president, said I probably am infected with a parasite. I would not doubt it. Haha But I am just trying to keep moving along! My companion also has a back problem and has a hard time walking. Haha We can still work though! So we keep plucking along! Loving life! Haha Actually we have another baptism this Sunday! It is Jesus. The teenager that I talked about last time! And he is awesome! I am so excited for him. And we are hoping that his family (who was not interested) will go to his baptism, and feel something. And then we can teach them and baptize them! haha well if I am still here. We have changes again this Tuesday! I have been thinking a lot lately about Alma 26:27. We have the Lords promise that if we are patient in our afflictions. He will give us success! And that is good enough for me! I am just going to do what I can and then hope that later on. I will recognize the blessings that come from these trials. There is always opposition! But I know how much we are blessed. Always! I know that my emails are always pretty short. But this one is going to be shorter! Next time will be better, hopefully Haha. Anyways, I love you guys so much! I am so thankful for the people that write me an give me encouragement! thank you so much! I am glad to hear that everything is still rollin, and going awesome! haha I love you guys a whole whole lot! -Elder Slade

October 13, 2014

What is up my peeps! :D How is everything back in the United States of America! I hope all is well! Everything is good here in Monterrey! The campachanas are still amazing! And everything is going good! Except every week something different happens to my body and so I am pretty much used to surprises now. One week I will have like sores on my face. And the next, my stomach will explode, or something like that haha. No just kidding! I am still good! So this week, this fish were not biting at all. haha I mean all the people that we tried to talk to rejected us! Well not all but a lot more than usual. But that is ok because there is this life changing talk by Elder Holland. And it is The Atonement and missionary work. And he talks about why missionary work is hard. And it is because SALVATION WAS NEVER EASY! How can we expect missionary work to be easy, when it was NEVER EVER easy for Jesus Christ. How can we expect us to have so much success, and so much happiness all the time. When it was not like that for him. And when people reject us, we are standing with the greatest life that ever lived! So that always gets me pumped. People reject us, and in my mind I am like, Heck ya! I am standing with Jesus Christ. And all the prophets that were rejected! Haha So all is well with me! Actually there is a funny story of two Elders that got a door slammed in their faces. And they high fived and said one person closer! Because every person that rejects us is one person closer to the chosen one! Haha. But then the guy that slammed the door opened it and said what do you mean? And the missionaries were like. Well we are looking for the people that God has prepared to receive The Gospel so if we are rejected, it is one person closer. And the guy invited them in and ended up getting baptized. HAHA! Super hilarious! We have an awesome investigator named Jesus! And he is on fire! But man Satan really doesn't want him to be baptized! There is so much opposition coming into his life. It is crazy to see the opposition right when somebody is going to get baptized! Satan fights it! But Jesus is awesome! And I feel like he is going to make it :) We had to GOLDEN investigators. The first time we entered the house they said, I want you to baptize me! And we are like... Well sick! Lets get going. But then after a couple days, we couldn't find them and then we found them. And something changed. They didn't want to be baptized. And we were like why? What happened! And they were just like, I don't know I just don't want to!... Yup. That was this week. Haha. But things are good! The work is going! And I am loving it so so so much! Haha Anyways! I love you guys! Have a good time on your cruise parents! :D The coolest Elder Slade you will ever meet -Elder Slade! :)

Conference!‏ October 6, 2014

Ok, can I just say that CONFERENCE WAS AMAZING! It was so great! I loved it! The even cooler thing is that we had three investigators come! :) We were so stoked! We also had to travel to the stake center with was really far away. But they still came! Man they are doing so well! And the thing is. All of our progressing investigators are teenagers and should be getting baptized this week and the next! They are so golden! haha, anyways conference was so good. I don't think I can choose a favorite. I loved them all! There was a lot about prophets. And really how lucky are we to have a prophet. I just feel soooo bad for everyone I talk to that think they have the true church. You can just see the emptiness in their eyes! And I just want to shove the truth into them. But I cant! Haha PEOPLES AGENCY DANG IT! haha no just kidding! It is so interesting though so see what other people believe... I don't understand how they could believe it! And a lot of times it is so sad! I am so thankful for the knowledge that God is our Loving Heavenly Father. Oh ya mom... HAPPY BIG 50! :) Haha I cant believe your 50 years old! :) hehehe I love ya mom! :) You are the best! So, I was thinking a lot about the talk of Elder Holland. I guess I do have a favorite talk. Haha I guess not my favorite but the one subject I have been thinking a lot about. I have been thinking a lot about caring for the poor. And the part that hit me in Elder Hollands talk was when he said. Oh they probably did it to themselves. Well so what if they did it to themselves. Arent we all beggars? Man that hit me. I am guilty of saying that. Not just about the poor, but the unhappy, or the miserable. I have said, they did it to themselves. But it isnt our job to judge if they did it to themselves or not. Our job is to help everyone no matter what happened. And I love how he said. I don't know how we are to answer the call to help the poor. He didn't give us a law, he gave us the option. What are you going to do to help the poor. Or the needy. Man that was some good food for thought. Conference has changed my life. I am so thankful for the prophets, and that we have this gospel in our lives. I am so thankful to be on this mission, and learn the things that I am learning. I know that this church was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. And I know that the Book of Mormon is true. My little seed of a testimony is growing. I know that what the apostles said is true. About things that are blurry will become clear. And that there are so many things that can be made known unto us. I know that this Gospel is the only true source for happiness. I love you guys! I love all of lifes experiences. The good and the bad! Have a good week! -Elder Aussy