Week 79 Corozal,Belize-January 30, 2017

I would walk 500 miles

Hey wad gwan? This past week was great! We did a LOT of walking around. This week was special because we had a worldwide missionary broadcast from the missionary department of the church. Really really awesome broadcast. I learned a lot that is gonna help me personally as a missionary and help the work move forward. There were also some pretty big changes made with how we do work so it has been cool so far to use those changes and see the results. This week we were blessed a lot even though the work was tough. I dont know if I mentioned but last week we ran into a couple who was on vacation from California here. They're the Johnsons. The husband is a member of the church though a little less active. Last week they had invited us to dinner and this week we ran into them again and they invited us again on Friday! They are an awesome and really loving family. I'll send some pictures! We had a lot of investigators in church this week which was a huge miracle. We had a great visit with Marsela this week but unfortunately she wasnt able to come to church last minute. She was sad about it too though and will definitely go this week. Shes doing great! Alright well lots of things are comin up so we are going to constantly be busy. Thanks for all your love and support always! Have a great week!

Elder Abilez

That's Chetumal, Mexico

We went to a place called Consejo Shores on PDay

Candid laughing picture with the Johnsons trying to make the timer

Week 78 Corozal, Belize-January 23, 2017

Birthdays and Changes

Hello friends and family! This last week was a busy one! So on Tuesday we had the changes meeting and the whole zone got changed except for Elder Rasmussen and I. Crazy! We ended up having to stay the whole rest of the day in Belize City because we had a meeting with the District Presidency in the evening. It was cool to be able to work in the city for a bit. We went on divisions with the missionaries there and I went out with Elder Rodriguez. He was born in the Dominican Republic but grew up in the Bronx. He's a fairly new missionary but he knows his stuff already and is a great guy. The meeting with the Presidency was great because we were able to go over the progress of the branches in our zone and make plans with the leaders as to how to help out the church there. President Ochoa (the District President) is an awesome guy and an amazing, dedicated leader. I really respect him a lot. The rest of the week was more or less normal. Saturday was Elder Rasmussen's 20th birthday! We had a small celebration with the district so it was fun. The sisters had a baptism Saturday afternoon as well. Sunday we hit our official 18 month mark! I finished a sister missionary mission haha! There were huge changes made in our branch presidency here in Corozal as well. The leadership is really strong here so we are excited to get down and work with these men and are really feeling positive that the branch is going to start growing a lot. Alright now a nice tender mercy experience. So Saturday we actually were excited not only for the baptism and for my companion's birthday, but also we had just about the entire day full with set appointments with investigators. We were so ready to have to run around town just to make it to all these appointments. What it came down to is that every single appointment was falling through throughout the day. Every single one. We got to around 6 pm without a single lesson or anything done. And we even left in the morning to work that day. But we kept going. Finally we went to the house of a new investigator we recently found and she was home! And it was an absolutely amazing lesson. Her name is Marsela and she has been prepared to receive this message! She even told us at the end of the lesson (and this is the first lesson) that she already feels that what we were teaching is true. That hardly ever happens! So huge tender mercy after literally walking for miles back and forth across town just to have all of our plans fall apart. Our joy was great with just that one soul that was brought closer to our Heavenly Father. I can testify of that. Missionary work is hard but the most satisfying thing I have ever done! I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Abilez

Saying goodbye to Elder Chavez

Selfie with birthday boy Razzmatazz

Week 77 Corozal, Belize-January 16, 2017

Picture Day! (Everyone's favorite day at school)

Hey! So I didnt write last week and so this week i had extra emails to read! Sorry! And now i have lots of pictures and hopefully a video to send! Youll love them! Changes are tomorrow and Elder Rasmussen and I will be staying together! We're both happy about it. Right now we are teaching some really great people and have some great activities comin up. Pray for our investigators please! Some are soooo close! Adriel, Oswaldo, Annie, Somong, just to name a few. Theyre seriously awesome I wish I had more time to tell you all about them. Okay love you all lots have a great week!


Elder Abilez

rolling passenger in my interchange with Elder Ostler

Simmons. Best BBQ in Belize

Welcome to Corozal!

Grabbin lunch with Elder Rigby and Elder Ostler

The New River to Lamanai

Elder Austin didn't get the selfie memo

MONKEY

Abandoned rehab center (next to the rum factory)

Can you spot the bats?

Even spotted a crocodile

It was a nice boat ride

Ceviche for lunch

Jaguar Temple

The Jaguar

Views from the top of the temple: Down Below

Views from the top of the temple: the New River

Ye Elders of Corozal

It's not just a boulder. It's a rock!

The High Temple

About to climb the High Temple

Views from the High Temple

Companionship High Temple Unity

Singing the Lion King song...

The Mask Temple

Twinning

Howler Monkeys came to visit

Stone slab carving (of Quetzal-coatl)

Found another large spider pokemon

One serious worldwide money collection

Week 76 Corozal, Belize-January 2, 2017

2017

Hey Happy New Year! Can you believe that 2016 is already over? I find it very hard to believe. I spent the entire year of 2016 as a missionary. I will always remember that. It was a great, miracle-filled year for me. However, I was thinking the other day and realized how unique this year is for me as well. I will spend half of the year as a missionary (without sounding trunky) and then will be able to start putting to work all these great things I have learned to practice in the second half of the year. It's a year like none other. I hope you all can make plans to really make 2017 special as well. One of the biggest things that I am looking to do this year is, of course, to read the Book of Mormon. How many times? I am not sure. But I know that if there is anything I accomplish this year reading the Book of Mormon again cannot be missed. Lately we have been sharing a cool message with members and investigators that invites them to read the Book of Mormon. It starts with the short, sharp invitation from President Monson not too long ago. He says in the video, "If you have not read the Book of Mormon, read it." Just like that! You have to see this video! It's both powerful and even a little funny. So I wanna extend that same invitation. Read the Book of Mormon at least once this next year. It will change your life. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I have read it. I have prayed about it. And I have received power, comfort, guidance, and counsel from its pages. And I know you can all receive the same. I love you all so much and hope you have a great week and a great start to this new year!


Elder Abilez

We made Christmas gift baggies as a district!

Closer look at our artistic skills

The massive plate of lunch I got the other day...

First kiss of the New Year!