New mission president arriving

June 30, 2014 

Hola familia,

It was a great week. A lot of good things are happening. We had a pretty good turn out at church. Rosa and Bernardo are some investigators we have. They already look like members. They love church. This is the second Sunday in a row that they have fed us after church. They feed us more than the members do. haha

President Turner fly's in today. I won't meet him until Thursday. I am way excited for that. I won't see President Holm until after my mission. It was sad to say by to him for the last time, but he told me to count it as a blessing to have two mission presidents on my mission. 

I have been doing way good. I did something to my back, its the first time it has happened. It is fine though, it not that bad. I still do everything i am suppose to. so don't worry. But besides that i am doing great. We got some new missionaries in the Zone and they are cool. We have been having a good time with them. We have been getting up early in the mornings to play some sports for our workouts. That has been sweet. We have been playing soccer in honor of the World Cup. Everyone know i am Colombian so they keep me updated. I was way pumped to hear that they won. 

Elder Dembinski Jokes up about this week. He always says this week is over, even though its Monday. Its because this week we have a ton we have to do. We have two exchanges, we are meeting the President on Thursday and on Friday we have another meeting with him all day. So this week is going to fly by. 

The work has been going good. Thanks for all you do. I do appologize for such a short email this week, but i just don't have much time. I love all of you. You all enjoy your week. Love you tons.

Elder Franco

Last time with President and Silster Holm

June 16, 2014

Hola Familia,

Another week flew by. Its so crazy how fast the time is going by. We did have zone conference this week it was fun. IT was kinda a sad one. it was for some people the last time they are gonna see president Holm and sister Holm. I think i will get to see him at least one more time. I don't know why i wasn't in any of the pictures. I remember Sister Holm taking some pics. Oh and actually we did run out of time. we were suppose to take pictures with president and sister Holm. But we didn't have to do it. 

But President told me that he would see me after my mission. He also asked for the address and phone number. He said he wanted to go visit you guys. So hopefully he will. That would be way cool. 

Well yesterday we had a way good Sunday. We had 2 separate families come to church and they loved it. Gaby and Eddul came and Bernardo and Rosa came as well. Gaby and Eddul really want to be married and baptized. So we have been trying to figure it out for them. But it has been really hard. In our County they can't get married because they ask for a lot of stuff that they don't have. So we thing we have to go to greenville. We have been a little stressed. Because they really want to get baptized but they can't unless they get married. They are willing to do whatever but the city has been really hard to work with. so just keep them in your prayers. I am sure, we could figure some things out. 

Both those families are way cool. they just love everything we are teaching them and they really want it. It is cool to see how much they want to be happy. and they love the spirit they feel as they come to church and they want that with them all the time. I forgot to tell you about Bernardo. he worked at a restaurant that required him to go to work every Sunday. So we didn't really know what to do. But then we call Rosa just to see how they are doing and then she tells us the Bernardo last day at work is Saturday. We asked why and she said that he wants to start going to church every Sunday. It was way cool. I was humbled by that young couples faith. He was able to find another job that does not require him to work on Sundays. It strengthened my testimony and helped me realize more that we still have a God of Miracles. I love those people, they are acting on their faith and God is blessing them.

There has been a lot of good things going on. The Lord has been seriously blessing us. We have been very grateful for that. We have been very busy, but we have been working really hard. And we have been seeing some of the fruit of our labors. 

Family i am doing way good. I love being a missionary. I hope that all of you are doing way good. i love you all so much. and i am way grateful for all that you all do for me. I honestly feel your prayers, and am strengthened by them. In less than 3 months i will be the Oldest Spanish missionary here on this mission. Oldest mission wise. I honestly cant believe it. I remember the first Spanish training meeting i went to. and i was the Youngest Missionary in that room. And very soon i will be the Oldest. Time goes by way to fast. I love you all. thanks for everything.

Elder Franco

Time is flying

June 9, 2014

Hola Familia,

This week has been way fun. This week has gone by way to fast. i can't even believe it. A lot of good things have been happeing. I  am glad to hear that you all have been doing really good. And been enjoying your time. I hope that everyone is enjoying there summer break.

So ZTM turned out to be way good. it was a lot of fun. Everyone said that they really liked it and got a lot out of it. 

I can't remember if i have told you about our investigators Gaby and Eddul. Well they are not married and have to little kids. They are way cool, we have been working with them for like two weeks now. They are seriously awesome. So we been talking with them a lot about getting married so that they could get baptized. And after praying about it they have decided to do it. So they are gonna get married and Baptized this month. We are pretty excited about that. It will be mine and Elder Dembinski's first time marrying someone. So since they only speak spanish. i think we are gonna call President Acosta and ask him if he would come marry them. If he is not busy i am sure he would me more than happy to do so. Gabby and Eddul are pretty excited to. It is gonna be cool. so that has been going way well.

Also we have another family that we have been working with Rosa and Bernardo. They are way cool as well. Rosa Couldn't come to church yesterday and Bernardo got lost and didn't have a phone to call us. So after Church They both came and told us what happened. so Rosa knows how to get there because she came before but it was Bernardos first time. so when he picked up rosa they came. So we gave them a tour of the church, and answered some questions they had. IT was way cool. He felt pretty bad that he didn't make it, but he will come next time. 

Me and Elder Dembinski have been just getting along way good and been working way hard. And the Lord has really been blessing us. The members have been noticing our hard work and that has been motivating them too. They are supporting us and want to help us. The branch should be started by the 15th of July. That is what we are hoping for, but we will see what will happen. It is close though. 

This week is gonna be crazy too. We have a Zone Conference coming up on Friday and we got some stuff to plan and prepare for that. it is going to be president Holms last Zone Conference so it has to be a good one. 

Family, i am loving my mission. Time is going by to fast, its not fair. I just love what i am doing, and the feeling that i feel while doing it. I really know this is where i am suppose to be. I love all of you. i hope that all of you enjoy your week. 

Elder Franco

In the new area as a zone leader

May 19, 2014

Hola Familia,

It has been a crazy week. But one that i will always remember. Leaving Orangeburg was not the easiest thing. There were a lot of people that i loved, but the Lord needed me somewhere else. i said my goodbyes to everyone in Orangeburg Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday Morning i had to be in Irmo. I really am going to miss a lot of people from Orangeburg. I promised a lot of people that i would come back and Visit. So we are gonna have to take a trip down to SC sometime. It will be way fun. haha

So on Wednesday, brother Ostien took me to Irmo so i can receive my new companion and my new area. My new Companion is Elder Dembinski. He was trained by Elder Herrera right after he trained me. We have been wanting to be companions for a long time. And we were finally put together as Zone Leaders. We are serving in Winsor Lake. It is in Columbia. There is quite a bit of Spanish, we are trying to start a branch. it is suppose to start no later than the end of next month. We are way excited about that. I am grateful that i can be part of opening a branch like i was in West Columbia. We live in a apartment with two other spanish elders. Elder Call and Elder Burk. they are awesome. I know them pretty good as well. we are having so much fun together. 

Being a Zone Leader is just a lot more busy. Its a good busy, we get a lot of phone calls and have to do a lot of planning. we have 3 pretty huge meetings coming up, and we have to plan all of those. We also have to do a lot of exchanges with other missionaries. Our Zone is not as big as i thought it was gonna be. there is only 34 missionaries. We have a big area that we have to cover though, its fun. We have a car all to our selves now. I haven't had to bike since i have been here, which has been kinda good because my bike is still in the shop getting fixed. They are suppose to call me next week so i can go pick it up. 

My second day in the area Elder Dembinski had to go to the temple with a family in his last area. so i had to stay with another missionary. I had no idea where anything was, but we were able to figure it out and still have an awesome day. There were a few times, where we were pretty lost, but it all turned out to be way good. I like it here in this area. There is a lot more hispanics than there were in Orangeburg and Sumter combined. I am speaking spanish all day, so that is way nice. 

I do wear the shoes my dad gave me, i am still breaking them in. My first day with them i did a lot of walking a got some blisters, but they are doing the job. 

Oh did i tell you that this thursday is my last interview with president holm before he leaves. He goes home July 1. I am sad about that, i love that man so much. He has taught me a lot, and has been a great example to me. He came up to me after transfers and told me that he is excited for me to be a Zone Leader. It meant a lot coming from him. On Thursday i am going to tell him to go over to the house to eat dinner. I don't think he lives that far from us. I want you all to go to his home coming, he is an amazing man. I am so grateful that i had him as my mission President. I still remember my first day when he told me we will be here most of your mission, i can't believe he is going home so soon. 

Family i am doing so good. I love my mission, it means so much to me. I loved all that i have learned from my short experience on a mission so far. this gospel just makes so much sense. I have learned a little bit of other religions and they make no sense. I know that this Gospel is true. i know that is the one and only church of Jesus Christ and i am so grateful to be a part of it. I love you all so much. thanks for all you do and your wonderful prayers. I promise i feel those prayers strengthen me everyday. take care. Love ya.

Elder Franco

Called to be a Zone Leader!

May 12, 2014

I don't got much to say. I already told you that i am getting transferred to a new area to be a Zone Leader. I don't know where, your gonna have to wait and find out next week.

I am sad about leaveing this area. I told the Bishop here it is a bitter sweet. And he told me its like that because i have been working hard and been doing what i am suppose to do. That meant a lot to me.  I love the orangeburg ward.

Yesterday when i got off the call i went and talked to the Holstads i accedently made sister holstad cry. I said "man i am gonna miss you guys". and then she broke down crying. her husband told her to stop. They are just way cool, i love them so much.

What really touched my heart yesterday was Jacoby. he is a 13 year old kid. He is a member, he lives in a tough situation. He loves to joke around and make fun. But when i told him i was leaving, he was really shaken up. I love that kid, i pray that he can always stay true to the faith. It was funny because he came up and told me that he cried only a little when i bore my departing testimony. He asked if i could go by and see them one more time before i leave. i am going to go say my goodbyes tuesday.

I am also going to say my goodbyes to the Marinos on tuesday, that is going to be a sad night. I love that family so much. I was so happy when all of them came to church. We had a way good group show up yesterday. that was nice.

Family i am doing way good. There is no where i would rather be, than in south carolina. I love my mission, it means so much to me. I never would of thought that a mission could bring you so much joy and blessings. I wish everyone could have the expiriences that i have had. Even the tough things is a great blessing! i love you all. I thank you for your prayers, i promise that they are felt. I hope that you feel mine! I read a quote not to long ago. it was by boyd k paker " there are few things more powerful than the prayers of a righteous mother." I promise that is true. thanks for all you do and all your support. Love ya.

Elder Franco

Easter!

4/21/14

Hola Familia,

I hope you all had an awesome Easter. And felt the Spirit very strong. It sounds like all of you have been doing really good.

 

This week has been really cool. We had a way good meeting in West Columbia on Thursday. It was way fun. President Holm was there and we just had a really good time. I learned a lot from that meeting. The thing that impacted me the most was at the end when president holm was kinda giving the last training befor the meeting was over. He showed a clip. I think it is from a movie called "face the giants" i think a christian church made it. Well anyways, the clip was about a football team, and there was this kid that was kinda being negative and the other kids listened to him. so the coach called up the kid and blind folded him and he told him to do a bear crawl with a kid on his back. he didn't say how far he had to go, but just to give him his best. The kid thoght he would probably get to the 30 yard line. so the whole clip was the coach motivating this kid to keep on pushing to not give up, and to give him his best. Well the kid made it all the way to the in zone. Then we talked about how that applies to us as missionaries. Sometimes we don't give our best, we think our best is something, but god know that its not. It just really impacted me, and made me think to leave it all on the field. Sometimes it is way hard, and you get a little discouraged but its only for a small time. I came out of that meeting with some ideas. I already work hard, but sometimes i work hard at not the most effective thing. so i am going to be smarter with my time, because time does go by way fast.

 

My Easter was also way good, it was a good church service. While at church a family invited us over for dinner. we had a good time with them. They have a little girl her name is joni, she is like 9 and she hid some eggs for us in her living room. so we had an easter egg hunt. It was funny because when i opened my eggs there was nothing in them. She didn't want to give us her candy. IT was pretty funny!

 

Also yesterday President Holm left us a voice mail. so me and elder Montgomery heard it together. and it was president holm and he said elder franco can you please call me as soon as you can. Elder Montgomery was like shoot man, i hope no one in your family died. I told him not to say that. haha He sometimes thinks of the worst thing possible. But i called president holm and he told me that he is giving me another companion. so we are gonna be in a trio. This missionary had to go home for a little bit but is coming back today. President holm just asked if i could be a good companion to him and let him know how it goes. He is coming tonight. I am excited. We have a tiny apartment, i don't know how all of us are going to be able to live there. But i know that we will make it work.

 

Family I thank you so much for all you do. I really do feel all your prayers, they help me so much. sometimes i don't know how i get through somethings but i know its because of your faithful prayers. I hope that all of you have an awesome week. I love all of you so much, i hope and pray that as you do the small and simple things, you come closer to our savior and our father in heaven. you all take care. I love you.

 

sorry for such a short email. I just don't know what else to say.

 

Elder Franco

Busy Week

4/14/14

Hola Familia,

Como estan? Its been a way fast wek. I cant believe it. A lot of cool stuff happened this week. Right when i sit down to start writing an email, i feel like my mind goes blank and i can't think of anything that happened. haha

It was just a good week. I felt like i was pulling a lot of the weight in everything, but we had an exchange this week and it really helped my companion out. he just built confidence and got excited about the work. So it has just been a great week, i haven't had to get on him or anything like that this week. and we have just been really unified and we have put someone on date everyday this week. I think we will keep it up, it has been a lot easier since the exchange. Good things will continue to happen.

On Saturday we went and did a service project. It was way fun. The project was to tear down and replace the shingles of a roof for another church. We got there early and when i was right about to start working, i heard someone yell at me and when i looked up at the roof to see who it was, it was President Acosta. he had come down to help. I was so happy to see him. We were able to catch up a little and talk about the branch. After we finished cleaning up all the shingles that were all over the floor we got up on the roof and started putting shingles back on the roof. I got to build better relationships with the members, and have a good time with them. After we finished, the members of the other church made us lunch, and then President Acosta gave us a ride home. He is coming again in two weeks to finish the other side of the roof. I forgot my camera that day, but if i go next time, i will make sure to take it.

This sunday was Elder Montgomery's birthday, so on saturday when we went to the Marinos to teach an english class they fed us tamales and we kinda had a little party for him. But as we were leaving they gave him gifts, and they also gave me gifts. There were three families there the marinos, the andres, and the tolentinos. and they all gave him and me birthday presents. I don't know why they gave me stuff but i was way grateful. We both got two ties and 20 dollars. I told them thank you so many times but i don't think that showed how grateful i was for what they did. I love that family so much. Those three families are related. they are three sisters all married. they are awesome.

Yesterday after church we went on splits with two members that speak spanish. I went with Brother Chipman and Elder Montgomery went with brother Youngkeit. We got a lot done. It was funny because brother Chipman took me out to see some family that was like 25 minutes away and he took me there like at 8:30. So we got talking and we didn't leave till like a little after nine. but we forgot that the car was still at the church and i had the keys. And on sunday nights you have to come in early so you can report key indicators. and the district was calling me while i was with brother Chipman trying to give me there key indicators. It all worked out good though. I wasn't late in turning them in or anything. Brother Chipman was laughing he just told me to blame it all on him.

We didn't have the biggest turnout at church we only had three people show up, but next week will be better. i know we will get a good amount of people to come next week.

Family i am doing really good, i am having a blast here on my mission. Things are starting to pick up and we are seeing the hand of the Lord in our work. I hope that you all remember our Savior especially during this Easter season. I hope that you all have a fantastic week, that you all may be able to enjoy Easter, and feel of the special spirit that is around us this time of year. I love all of you. You all be safe.

Elder Franco