September 19, 2016....." With hard work and a little fun"

Well Friends and fam first week in Conway has come to a close and it
was a long one! Whitewashing is so fun ;-) we still haven't met that
many people other than ward members. Our week was filled with us
stopping by everyone and I mean everyone in our area just to try to
meet them but we've only met like 5 less actives haha. This week we
have a little more planned and it's more organized so it should go
well and we are on bikes ;-) so we should be able to talk and teach a
lot more people than we would in the car. That's the idea at least. I
try not to think about going home but EVERY TIME we meet someone they
always ask " so how long you guys been out " lol so I'm constantly
reminded how much time I have left which is very little so I think the
lord is trying to keep me working hard and focused by reminding me
that I don't have much time left so I better work hard these last 11
weeks. This is definitely a new experience and also pretty stressful
but we are pumped and want to turn this area around. We know it isn't
gonna happen over night but with hard work and a little bit of fun ;)
we can have a good time here and ultimately help improve the ward and
the area.


last Beach P-Day in Cocoa :(

 Zone Conference with President Clark-He is a blessing to this mission.

September 12, 2016......"Only after a trial of your faith, do you receive a witness"

Well friends and fam the end of week six has come and along with that
is transfers. I will be getting transferred on Tuesday and
whitewashing an area with Elder Oswald. I am pretty sad about leaving
Cocoa but I know this is what the Lord wants. I have more faith in the
inspiration in this mission than I ever have before and I know that
the Lord guides and directs President Clark to make these changes. And
it was confirmed to me when in sacrament I prayed for comfort and
peace as this transfer happens and the closing him for the meeting was
I'll go where you want me to go. No hymn could have better answered my
prayer. I've been so blessed to have served in Cocoa. Coming here I
was very upset to leave Kissimmee but I have repented of my pride and
the Lord has humbled me to know that he has chosen where we will go. I
have met great people and was able to be apart of my friend Doug
Sniders baptism and more importantly his conversion. And to see my
friend Tom grow so much in these last few months. As I told tom I was
to be transferred he immediately started to cry as did I and we
embraced each other and he looked at me and said " you have taught me
so much and I will never forget that " and at that moment , as I have
many times already on my mission, I knew why I was here, not only in
the mission but why I came to cocoa. I have faith that there will be
many more "toms" in this new area and it will be even more bitter
sweet leaving because this will be my last area where I will finish my
mission in just 3 short months. God is so good and has blessed me with
so many things I am no where near worthy of but yet he continues to
show his love and mercy to me daily. I'm so excited to go to
Conway because that is where Courtney , the first person I baptized
almost a year and a half ago in Olympia, is now located so I will be
able to see him for the first time since then. I have learned that
attitude determines everything, and as a missionary, positivity is key
to staying happy. I know I will continue to struggle and I know there
will be hard times in my new area but my testimony is that faith
precedes the miracle. Ether 12:6 says only after the trial of your
faith do you receive a witness. And I know God can do no miracle among
the children of men unless there is faith. I love you all and thank
you all for your support.

Elder Armijo

Me and Pearson helping Doug clean out his work shop
Me Pearson and Doug
Tom brother Adams and I
Me and the rosendorfs

I'll miss all of them so much!!

September 5, 2016..."Happy Birthday to Me!"

Hey friends and family it's ya boy elder Armijo! Thanks to everyone
that wished me a happy birthday! This past week has been slow BUT we
had one thing happen that made it all worth it and that was we met
with Tom who if you remember was being taught by us and the senior
couple the Taylor's and has been coming to church for the last 4
months and was supposed to get baptized on August 6th but because of
family issues had to postpone it. And he stopped coming to church for
a few weeks but he came the last 2 weeks and we went over on Tuesday
for dinner and it was so sick! He is such a good man and I'm grateful
I've had the opportunity to see him progress and gain a testimony. His
wife also met with us and shared her concerns and why she was so
hesitant for him to be baptized. Tom tells us he is still working his
way towards baptism and wants to eventually get to the temple. Then
Thursday evening he texted us and said " are you all available for
dinner and a lesson for next Wednesday?" Hahaha so not only is he
texting us to schedule appointments but we also get to eat food LOL.
So although things are still slow and things still fall through on us
every day we have some positive things happening that we are excited
about. This past week we also went to the temple. I gain such a
stronger knowledge and testimony when I am in the temple and things I
am worried about seem to be comforted and Gods plan for me seems a lot
more clear after attending the temple. I'm grateful for my savior
Jesus Christ and the tender mercies he gives to us. I find myself
feeling grateful for such small blessings that I know I wouldn't be
able to have if it weren't for my savior. With weeks 13 weeks left,
having served 21 months, I can testify that God lives and loves us and
is there for us if we willingly and diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
says: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that
cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of
them that diligently seek him." Faith is so vital in our existence
here on earth. Moroni tells us this in ether 12:6 "And now, I, Moroni,
would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the
world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen;
wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness
until after the trial of your faith." So we see before we obtain a
witness or an answer to prayers we must first have the faith and then
and only then will we receive the things we are seeking for. I love
you all I'm so glad I am here serving the lord and I'm so grateful for
the people I've met. This is without a doubt the greatest decision I
have ever made. Have a good week I love you all!

Elder Armijo