Elder Jonathan Engle 03/25/2014 Merry Christmas!

Elder Jonathan Engle 03/25/2014

Merry Christmas!

Dear People of Earth,

I apologize for not replying to more of your emails lately. It's been a wild, wild time here in Albuquerque lately!

In terms of news and announcements: This previous week, I received news that my visa has arrived. I was originally scheduled to leave today, but I received a call yesterday explaining that the Travel Office had put off my flight for one more week. I leave for the Brazil MTC on April 1, 2014, and will stay there for two weeks of language training.

It's a mixed-bag knowing that I'm returning to the MTC for two-weeks. It's weird to say the least. I definitely need the help in Portuguese, so I do look forward to a transition into the foreign life I guess, which speaking of...

Yesterday I became very sick, which was most likely due to stress. Without going into too much detail, it was definitely not a very pleasant day to say the least. My email replying is lazy today because I'm still feeling somewhat sick, but I'm actually thankful for this experience in the long-run. I received a priesthood blessing from our Father in Heaven yesterday. In it was absolutely everything that I needed to hear. Although it's unfortunate that I had to get so sick to receive it, I'm thankful for that opportunity.

This next week I'll be in a triple-companionship with Elder Jenson and Elder Black, the Albuquerque Zone Leaders. We'll be covering the entire Academy Heights ward, so we're looking to have the busiest week of our missions! We're super pumped, and I'm glad to be able to help with the transition as new missionaries serve in our area (the new missionaries for our area will come on April 1).

This past week we had many tender farewells. This area's changed so much in the past two months that we've been here. Although, many people will be surprised to see me again this coming week! When I'm feeling better, I'll have to post the many photos we took this week.

This past Sunday Elder Humpherys and I spoke in Sacrament meeting. We had a lot of excitement and build up leading up to that meeting and had seven investigators and nine less-active members come! Two of the less-active members that came haven't come in at least twenty years. It was really exciting. I wanted to jump up and down and dance when I was at the pulpit, to say the least.

The header for this week's email is titled "Merry Christmas" because I got a lot of Christmas mail yesterday! The mission office had mail for me, some of which was from Christmas and from February as well. Our ward back home sends Christmas letters to all the missionaries, and I finally got them. Thanks everyone!

I love you all so very much. It's a sacred time to serve the Lord. I love it! 'Till we meet again!

Love,

Elder Engle

Elder Jonathan Engle 03/22/2014 Greetings and Salutations!

Elder Jonathan Engle 03/22/2014

Greetings and Salutations!

We received an email last night informing us that Elder Jonathan Engle will be leaving Albuquerque next Tuesday, March 25th. He will fly to Atlanta, Georgia and then on to Sao Paulo. At the MTC there he will receive two weeks of mostly Portuguese language training and then move up north to his mission in Teresina, Brazil.

Please continue to pray for his well-being and success in this great work.

Hugs,

Jan & Ross

Elder Jonathan Engle 03/18/2014 Ain't Nobody Got Time For That! I've Got Bronchitis!

Elder Jonathan Engle 03/18/2014

Ain't Nobody Got Time For That! I've Got Bronchitis!

Dear People of Earth,

The header for my email is a reference to a youtube video that is now incredibly ironic to me. I've actually had bronchitis for almost a month now, without ever really knowing what was wrong until this week. It's made biking much harder, but given my health, I'm absolutely amazed that I've been able to keep on keeping on. Angels really do attend those engaged in His work.

This week I've fallen off my bike twice. I know, I'm making a great case for the quality of my health. The first one, I skid out on some loose rocks that I tapped the brakes on, re-spraining my recently healed wrist. Woe is me... The second, I came off of a curb and lost control of my front tire, so my front end wrapped up and I went over the handle bars, hooking my right arm onto a parked truck. I'm pretty sure one of the reasons that the Lord has placed me in a bike area is for his own entertainment, knowing my legendary bicycling skills.

We had a really cool experience where many of our investigators, namely the Burgara family, Phillip and Meressa, and Patsy Martinez's family, were all gathered together last night to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day and the birthday of Patsy Martinez. It was such a cool gathering! I shared a story from my youth where the Spirit guided me at age 8, saving the life of me and my family. I then shared Mosiah 2:25, which says,

" 25 And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were ^acreated of the ^bdust of the earth; but behold, it ^cbelongeth to him who created you."

I bore testimony of all of our unity as friends, family, brothers, sisters, and followers of Jesus Christ. It was amazing to hear them bear their own testimonies. Some of them have struggled to even acknowledge The Book of Mormon, and now they bear their own bold witness. I greatly identify with Alma 29:10, which reads,

"10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember ^awhat the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me."

That scripture was the theme for my Farewell talk for my Mission. I bare my humble, solemn witness, that Jesus is the Christ and this is His work. I find no greater joy than to see my fellow brothers and sisters coming unto our Savior, Jesus Christ. He lives. I invite absolutely everyone to strengthen their testimonies of The Book of Mormon, for it truly is the word of God.

I love you all and thank you for all your loving care and support. May God be with you till we meet again!

Love,
Elder Engle

P.S. It's my great sorrow to say that my companion Elder Humpherys will be heading home from his mission very soon. I love him very much and wish him the best of luck as he continues to be a member missionary in Idaho!

Picture #1: My beautiful arm.

Picture #2: My beautiful bike that Elder Jenson is letting me borrow. It's tiny...

Picture #3: Chugging water in preparation for an eating challenge in Albuquerque at the KNI Diner. Also, I was soaking my injured wrist in deliciously hot water.

Picture #4: I splurged on this breakfast. Powerade, Sriracha sauce and eggs...

Picture #5: Charles and I showed Phil our sympathies for the Broncos. Phillip was a loyal Broncos fan to the end...

Elder Jonathan Engle 03/14/2014 Shorter and Sweeter...

Elder Jonathan Engle 03/14/2014

Shorter and Sweeter...

Dear People of Earth,

Sorry again for yet another short email. The internet was down for all of Albuquerque this past Tuesday, so we only have one hour to email today.

Here's a few highlights and thoughts from my letter to my parents:

The September 2013 Ensign Article "His Grace is Sufficient" is kind of a personal highlight or theme for me this week. I confess that I cut it up and made it into a cover-planner, but it's beautiful! Also, my companion and I are working on having divine dignity with our language, so we made a list of words we're no longer going to use. When he messes up, he does two push ups. When I mess up, he gets a nickel. He's going to get muscular and rich to say the least. Although, I think I got the easier end of it.

I'd invite you all to have some personal introspection daily. Whether your life is fast-paced or relaxed, it's a great opportunity to truly ponder where we stand with God. Let the healing powers of the Atonement work within us all as we go about His business.

In other news:

My companion's healthier now! We had to stay in this past Saturday night, Sunday, and Monday. It gave me some cherished time to really study hard though. We're a bit lower on lesson numbers for the week, but we're making some serious progress with those we're meeting.

Brazil may be on the horizon. To be continued...

Love,
Elder Engle

Elder Jonathan Engle 03/4/2014 Shorter and Sweeter!

Elder Jonathan Engle 03/4/2014

Shorter and Sweeter!

Dear People of Earth,

Life is so good here in Albuquerque! When we first arrived, we had zero investigators. Now we have over 20 investigators. We currently have 7 people with dates for baptism. We're guided by the Lord daily. I LOVE being here.

My dad sent an email to Church HQ about visas. They replied and said it was sent to the LA consulate for final review on February 28th, with an approximate processing time of 2-3 weeks. I'm scared to go. I want to stay here until May.

Specifically I want to make a shout out to Patzy Martinez in our ward. She's been on and off with activity. Having recently reactivated, almost her entire family is learning about the Gospel. Because of her faith and missionary efforts, MANY children are coming unto Christ. It's humbling to help her as she spreads and teaches the gospel to her family. She is an inspiration to me.

I love this time that I have here. My theme for here is: Faith!

Scripture of the week: Mormon 7:5. I love faith in Jesus Christ.

I love you all and wish you the best in all your wonderful endeavors!

Love,

Elder Engle