What a Wonderful Time to be in Texas!

Wow!!! Snow and an earthquake! What a wonderful time to be in Texas!  That's a shame that you didn't get to see off E. Tshuma. That's great about Birthday caroling to Ms. Terri. E. S is going to be a ZL somewhere for his last transfer and I will be staying in Adams Hill. I'll probably be getting a DL companion again. It's going by so fast! I feel like I just got here! 
I cannot believe that Matt is going to be home tomorrow.  He had so many companions and areas (I'm one to talk, right?)! 
That is definitely way awesome for Ben's baseball team! He landed on a team with great coaches. 
The Spanish ward is great! We're starting to see a lot of progress with missionary work in the ward. 
Wow Sis Mortensen is going home already! Craziness! 
That's great that Zach got the approval to go ahead. 
I don't really have any time because of President's day but I love you all and I'll tell you about my new companion next week. 

Love,

Elder Montgomery

To Dad:

Oh yeah that's so awesome about Matt! I can't believe he'll be home,tomorrow! Hahaha the Missionaries in your ward are emailing from our house? Sounds about right with all the computers we have in the house. Libraries closed because of Holiday and We see no such luck in the Spanish ward. Growing is always hard and we don't always want to do it but it's really the best. It's great to look back and see your progress. Have a great week, I'm out of time.

Love,

Elder Montgomery

All Sins Start from Within, All in the Name of Pride and Selfishness.

Well...

So my first impression was Bro Doyle's missionary board. That is quite possibly the coolest thing I have ever seen! I'll get some pictures to you soon so that it can be updated. That is so impressive! He's doing a great job! 

I'm excited that Zach got his stuff approved. 2 months is enough time, I think? That will all get figured out I'm sure. I did get the package from Sis K. I have about 5 more letters to write and then I'll send them all off this week. That's good that the girls played so well this year. I hope they do well in the tournament. I'm sure the girls will benefit from this break. Just let them keep working and they'll get where they want. Hopefully Ben goes to a good baseball team!

We can only do so much with our own agency. We should support in this time. Love, true Christlike love or charity in it's simplest form is all we can do. I'm not suggesting enabling but rather finding out what is best.  We should do our best to help her with any righteous actions. Agency does not mean that we can decide to sin just because we can. Moral agency is only exercised when you choose to do the right. A 10 year old shouldn't be left at home on Sunday simply because he doesn't want to go. Sure he has the ability to choose his actions, but we should "help" him choose the right. Nevertheless, people can act in any way and are not limited simply because God does not want it to occur. The consequences, however, are set in stone. What we can do is to help people recognize the true consequences and results of sin. If we search the Book of Mormon, especially 2 Nephi Chapter 2, we find ample examples of the true purpose of life here on earth. Verse 25 tells us that "los hombres exiesten para que tengan gozo" or that men exist so that they can have joy. Some people may jump on that as an excuse to do what they want in the name of "joy." Of course, there is a difference between joy and pleasure and that is what must be recognized. Seeking pleasure is just what is suggested in verse 27, in that men can choose according to the flesh. They don't actually choose to follow the devil, but rather they choose to listen to their own selfish desires. All sins start from within all in the name of pride and selfishness. So the question I ask all of you is what is the difference between pleasure and true joy? How does that affect how you act, what you do, and who you are? 

Happy Birthday and Valentine's day Mom!

Love,

Elder Montgomery

Menudo, It's Like Trying to Eat Jelly Fish...

What! Matt Ben and Joseph are already home?!? They just left! How is their Spanish? That's great that she did so well in surgery! I did hear about the snow but nobody told me the extent of the damage. But I am in a Spanish ward so there is a little bit of a language barrier. But wow that is crazy! Hahaha I'm sure that was a ton of fun at El Jinete. You didn't offer to do the dishes? Yes we realize that men are at work during that time but if that stopped the work then we wouldn't be able to do anything until 5 everyday. It's even worse in the Mexican culture. Every single male is working from dark to dark no matter the age. There is no such thing as retirement. Haha yes I know that Elder G is from Pleasant Grove. He told me last week that you and his mom were e-mailing. He knows the Thatchers and he says to say hi. I'm pretty sure I'll stay in the ward but I think Elder S will probably finish off his mission as a Zone Leader. President has been doing that a lot lately with Elders in their last transfer. We haven't been too warm here either (obviously not snow but cold for Texas) and this week is supposed to stay cold. I am not too excited. Sometimes I think I should've been sent to Costa Rica or Puerto Rico. No lengua lately but I can 100% guarantee that I'll have it again before my mission ends. I did try menudo on Monday, though. I would take the lengua 7 days out of 6. It's like trying to eat jelly fish. On Monday we ate with a member and they have a nephew living with them. We taught the Restoration and he said he would like to learn more but he seemed kind of disinterested. Plus he works a lot. We'll see, though. Tuesday was exchanges and I was with Elder M. Let me just restate that I hate the cold. I froze to death on the bike but we did go eat to Olive Garden with the B family. First time ever! It's pretty tasty I must say!  Nothing else really happened this week. It was pretty slow. Yesterday we ate at one of the English member's homes. His name is Bro. P and he is one of my new role models! He is a Aircraft Crew Chief in the Air Force and he's been overseas a couple of times. He's half Puerto Rican and half... Virgin Islandese?. He speaks awesome Spanish and Portuguese and he's a fantastic chef! He's awesome. Tonight I'm going over to the Zone Leaders' area for exchanges so that should be lots of fun! Hopefully, it warms up in Georgia.

Love,

Elder Montgomery

"Arctic Blast"

We had a pretty great week! It was a little slow but that's okay. I started feeling sick on Thursday with a sore throat and just all sorts of sinuses and when I woke up Friday morning for the "Arctic Blast" I was pretty sick. So I slept all day. We think it was just a bad cold but the other Elders took care of me and I'm well enough to work now. We had a great Zone Conference with President Slaughter! We did lots of awesome role plays! That's something that I'm starting to have a new outlook on. I used to hate them but they are definitely a great opportunity to learn and practice. Practice makes perfect! That's good that Madeline's recovery should be short and sweet. Hopefully, no more surgeries will come up after this one. Which reminds me that I did get the insurance card this past week. Thank you. Oh no worries I would not forget Ben's birthday. I've told lots of people about it here and how he's finally 11! It will all work out with everyone. That's something that I've really come to focus on during the mission. Stress usually doesn't do anything to help. It's good to have priorities and act on them but worrying is usually more destructive than useful. Trust in the Lord. This Spanish ward is probably a little bit bigger than Highland Hills. We are fed every single night so I'm having to learn portion control. This past Monday, we went to the mall and just browsed for a while. We finished off at Barnes and Noble just looking at Spanish books. It was great! I found UofU zip up hoodie, perfect size, for less than $20 at the mall! What are the chances? There was no other colleges outside of Texas. Miracle! We had a lesson with a man named E on Tuesday. I hadn't met him yet but Elder S said he was awesome! It was a good lesson but he kind of dropped us. He'll be ready soon, though. On Wednesday we went to mutual and one of the members stopped us and said she has a nonmember living with her so we're going over there tonight and we're getting dinner! Another miracle! Thursday was Zone Conference. Friday I was sick. Saturday we went to the baptism of a child of record and we were able to meet some nonmembers who are interested in learning more. English, of course but that's okay. Last night we went to Mission Prep with one of the Priests because he was going to a lesson with us afterwards. It made me miss Mission Prep! I hope President Howick lets me go when I come back! The lesson last night was with a partmember family. The only thing holding them back is being married. I never realized how big a problem that was until my mission. She was super excited about the Plan of Salvation, though and asked her "husband" what he was doing to prepare to take her to the temple to be sealed! Overall, it was an absolutely fantastic week! That's all I have time for today, but keep on keeping on. The Church is true and Thomas S. Monson es un profeta viviente!

Love,

Elder Montgomery

Shout out to T Ridge!

Since today is MLK day we only have limited time. Sounds like Katie is doing work!  The new ward is pretty awesome. I haven't really gotten to know them yet because we were working without a phone for over a week and we had Stake Conference last week. We had some pretty good lessons this past week but for some reason none of our investigators came to church. We're going to figure it out  this week. We had a zone meeting and we are going to have zone conference this next week. It's been really busy the past couple of transfers with meetings. Elder S is from Herriman (I think that's how it is spelled), Utah. He goes home next transfer. He is the district leader. The new area is awesome! It's pretty similar to Highland Hills as far as socio-economics. It's really too big to be a car share because our area is huge but we make due. I'm right underneath Timber Ridge (Shout out to T Ridge!) and I even saw a couple members at Walmart last week. We are indeed the only missionaries in our ward. We are fed every night, no worries. Sorry but we really don't have time to write. Have a good week!

Love,

Elder Montgomery

SouthWest San Antonio in the Adams Hill Ward Speaking Spanish

I am in SouthWest San Antonio in the Adams Hill ward speaking Spanish. My only explanation for moving so much is that I am in high demand! Honestly, I like moving around a lot. I like seeing and working in different areas. Of course, I'd prefer to actually speak fluent Spanish before I did that but I'll go where I need to go. No I'm not still being trained. A missionary is only trained for 2 transfers...  Yes my handwriting changed a lot. I was tired of not being able to read other missionaries' handwriting on teaching forms so I decided that they wouldn't struggle with mine. . I haven't done a whole lot this past week. Elder F has been sick and we haven't had a phone in this area because it broke. Hopefully we get it today.
I don't really know anything about the ward because it was Stake Conference. The new apartment is probably the nicest I've lived in. We share it with the Heritage A Elders. I am pretty much back into the hood. It's pretty similar to over in Highland Hills. My new companion is Elder S from Utah. He only has 11 weeks left! He's also the district leader. We are in a car share right now so we switch off every day. We should be in full car but it's alright. The bike isn't too bad. 

No there aren't any pictures with Elder Bednar. That's not the event to be taking pictures with an apostle,
especially when there were another 250 missionaries. I was able to see him Friday, Saturday, and Sunday though for Stake Conference. In fact, I even was able to shake his hand and Sister Bednar's hand after Stake Conference on Sunday. He asked me where I was from and if we had any investigators there. I said, "Yes sir, we sure did." And he replied by saying he hoped he did a good job in tying in the Restoration. It was an amazing experience! We learned a lot from him the whole weekend but we email at the library now so I'm out of time. I testify that Elder Bednar is a servant of the Lord and that he is an apostle, just as Peter, James, and John were. The heavens are open and the Lord speaks today, just as he did in times of old. He is an unchanging God and he has communicated with his children since the beginning of time. He would not leave us on our own. God still speaks today.

Love,

Elder Montgomery

This will be Companion #5 in 5 Transfers which is Pretty Crazy

 I'm being transferred again. All I know is that I'm not going down to the Border. Hopefully Austin but I have no idea. This will be companion #5 in 5 transfers which is pretty crazy. We went over to a part-member's home for New Years Eve and ate dinner and played some games because we couldn't be out proselyting. We were originally teaching the part-member's niece and now she's getting baptized in the Singles Ward! She was Atheist when we first started teaching her! It's bitter-sweet because now I probably won't be able to go but it's so amazing! 
We went on exchanges, as I'm sure you saw the picture. E. Walker is probably about 5'5" and it was a good time. We walked everywhere and I realized that walking takes a whole lot longer than biking. Which reminds me that I did take the bike into the shop  and I'll be picking it up today. I have to spend a little more money on it than I had hoped but there were a myriad of problems. Plus, I'm getting a kickstand so that's nice! We've had to get a lot of rides this past week and walk and I definitely enjoy walking. It's a shame there aren't any walking areas in the mission.

I did hear that it was pretty cold over on the East Coast. Some massive storm spanning the entire country or something? That's a shame that Trevor couldn't come down but it was definitely safer for him to stay home. That's sad about the basketball team but they're pretty young so lots of ups and downs are expected. That's great about Utah! 

Creighton Thomas is an awesome name! We should call him Doug McDermott for short! I'll see what I can do for more in-depth letters. 

So this Friday we have a super awesome General Authority coming. I'll give you all the details next week. Having studied his words recently, I turn to 2 Nephi 33:1 "And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." What a wonderful promise! However, when we analyze the words of Nephi, we see that he writes "unto" and not "into." The promise is not that everyone will receive the Holy Ghost in the heart, but rather that it will touch their heart. It takes the person to exercise their agency to open up their heart and make the knowledge the receive from the Holy Ghost a part of them. This is learning by faith. Just as important as teaching by the Spirit, is learning by faith. We can teach as powerfully as Christ himself, but if the person doesn't open their heart, then the Spirit can only knocked on a closed door. That's the whole reason of commitments. When people learn for themselves, the knowledge becomes a part of them and not just random information. That's what makes the best teacher! A great teacher will never give an easy answer to a hard question. Often, they won't give an answer at all! When the student exercises his agency to learn on their own, it becomes that much more imbedded in them. We are fishers of men so we use many fishing analogies. This divine method all stems from  "If you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he will never go hungry." We are responsible for teaching people how to learn, not useless information. People can feel all the spirit they want when we are there with them, but true conversion doesn't start until they are learning on their own. This concept can be applied everywhere: families, home teaching, missionaries, etc. Anywhere where there is teaching and learning, the teacher should teach how to learn and not shove down facts. It takes exercising agency to reach the point that we can say that the information is ours, that we have planted the seed and the fruit is good. People can tell you the fruit is good, eat it in front of you, and witness to it. But until you act and eat of the fruit, the knowledge will be of someone else and not yours. I testify that if one will plant the seed and experiment upon the word, they will come to their own knowledge that the fruit is good and will not have to rely on anyone else's knowledge. The fruit is good and all one has to do is try it.

Love,

Elder Montgomery