Hola Familia!

Saturday   5/11/2013

Okay, first things first. We will be calling here from the offices at about 3:00 tomorrow, so that will be like 2:00 your time. We may be a little late, I'm not sure, because we are going to have lunch I'm guessing. But it's already set up here, supposedly, that's at least what the secretaries said, and if not, they will be in big trouble. But be ready for me to call sometime between 3 and 3:30. I am so excited to be able to call you guys! It really feels like it was only 2 or 3 weeks ago that I was calling you guys from Funza. I really cant believe at all that its now time to call you again and that it will be the last time.

That's really weird that William is now married. I hope he is doing well. If you see him would you tell him hi for me? Also, please tell Sister Fueston hi for me. She sent me a letter the other week and has sent stuff throughout my mission. Tell her Happy Mothers day that I love her and appreciate her as do all the boys who she helped get eagles. 

As far as Caroline going to Washington DC I only have two things to say and they have nothing to do with my opinion and I want them to be read in the presence of Lauren. 1) There once was a time where you didn't let Lauren and I go with Nikelle and Bryson bowling in the middle of the day. Lauren was 18. 2) Way to go Margaret for being born last, you are going to get whatever you want!

My companion and I get along really well. I really took to heart the quote you sent from President Hinkley about just being happy. Even if I'm not, to slap a smile on my face. That was the answer the Lord gave me as far as this last transfer is concerned just to be happy. Do my duty, be obedient and be happy. Thank you for that mom! I really have gotten along well with Elder Guajardo. He is a really good guy and is very faithful and very easy going with very little stress. 

Elder Guajardo and Elder Raines in the mission office on p-day.

We are crammed into a really small apartment with a really small ward and are sharing with 2 other Elders. There are now 208 missionaries in our mission. We will have about 240 by the time I'm gone. The limit is 250, so we´re pretty close up there. President will have a lot of work to do. But president was talking to us yesterday that he wants to just keep us two in the ward. Our ward is called Dorado, estaca dorado. its good.

We have a list of members less actives, but I'm almost positive that it hasn't been updated since 1990 or so. So it does us no good because people move around here so much. In Modelo, the ward we were at before, there was a less active man that hadn't gone to church for a good 5 years and no one knew why. So one guy was called to be Elders Quorm president, and he went to look for him. It turned out he died 5 years ago. Sad huh? No one knew. Its a little frustrating, but none the less we must go on with our job. I cannot lift for everyone, but I can lift for myself and help those around me to do the same.

I want to wish you a Happy Mothers Day mom! Even though I will be able to tell you tomorrow, I love you! Thank you for all you do for us and have done for us. We owe you our lives. We all love you so much. I'm excited to talk with you all! Tell Sister Dixon Happy Mothers day for me as well.

Nos vemos mañana!

Elder Raines