Estamos Heavy

What up y'all!? This week was a pretty good one for me but not a great one for the work. I'll explain why. 

First off my Spanish is in no way even close to good, but, I felt a dramatic change in it this week. I felt like I finally started to understand some grammar concepts and understand just a little bit more. I started to teach way more in the lessons and it feels so good to do something other than say a prayer and bear my testimony. One particular experience this week was we were teaching a investigator named Charlenda and it was her first lesson so we taught the Restoration. We got to the part of the Great Apostasy and The first vision and Elder Fuhriman looked at me and just said you got it. I tried my best but it was rough. I looked at him and said bro you gotta take over and he just said nah you got it. This was a great experience for me. I struggled to find the words to explain the whole thing but in the end I was super grateful to have a trainer that wants to help me grow even if everything I say doesn't make much sense to the investigator. 

Funny experience this week. This place is absolute bonkers and this week when we were finding one night we went down this pretty scary street but there were people to talk to so we went haha. The people we started to talk to were smoking and drinking but actually listened to our message and responded which was awesome. One of the guys straight up rolled a blunt in front of me which was definitely a first for me haha. Then next thing ya know a drug deal was going on right behind us. We left pretty soon after that. This place is so insane. But I love it. 

Now for Angelica! We were supposed to have her baptism this coming Saturday but she went to a different church with her friends yesterday so that was unfortunate. We had a really good lesson with her yesterday though about families and temples and why the Church of Jesus Christ isn't called something else. (3rd Nephi 27) She then went on to ask me why my family is important to me. I explained that they help me grow my testimony in the savior and when we are all together we are so happy and because of the gospel I can spend forever with them. She then said she loved what I said and it made her feel happy. She is progressing a lot and we are praying for her to attend church this next Sunday so we can get her baptized before the end of the transfer. 

This week we had our area 70 come speak to us for 3 days. His name is Elder Villanueva and he is a goat. All of the meetings were strictly in Spanish so I understood very little of them but there was one moment for 10 minutes where he shared his testimony in English, and wow it was powerful. He told us of a story when He was a Mission President in Arcadia California and he had to learn English. He felt very intimidated by this task to preside over a mission and not even speak the language. What he said next hit me "When the Lord calls you, He QUALIFY'S you" The spirit then confirmed to me that I can learn Spanish and that the lord called me to the DR because he knows I can serve here with the best of my ability. 

I wanna share a couple things I learned this week. First off don't cover a pan on the stove with a metal bowl to keep the heat in. Elder Fuhriman burned his finger pretty bad doing that lol. But, on a real note I learned that working on the mission is the key to happiness on the mission. I know it has been said before but this week I truly noticed that when we are in the street teaching and struggling it is when I am most happy here. I love this gospel and I know without a doubt it is the true restored church on the earth today. 

"On those occasions when you don't feel like praying, you should get on your knees and pray until you do feel like praying" Brigham Young. I love this quote. Prayer is a powerful powerful thing and we all have the wonderful opportunity to pray daily. I invite you to pray tonight with real intent about whatsoever thing you need help with. Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. Love you all! Have a good week and Pray and Study the Book of Mormon. It will bless you! 

-Elder Wilde

BAPTISM!!

Hello everyone! My siblings said it perfectly when they told me "days are long, weeks are short" I can't believe another week has come and gone. Some days this week felt like an eternity but looking back the week flew by.  

I'll start with the boring stuff, we had an exchange on Tuesday with the zone leaders and it went a lot better then I thought it would. One of the ZL's came to my area and I was the one showing him where to go in the streets of the DR and it felt good to know that I have at least learned where to go here.. cause the Spanish is still very difficult. 

On a random night this week we didn't have any appointments because all of them fell through, so we were stuck and had nothing to do for an hour. We called a member and asked if we could go over she luckily said yes and so we went to share a message with her family. Everything I was trying to say was so bad and I was just at a loss of words in Spanish. I felt so discouraged and then the members were like "Wow, you are learning so fast good job!" It made me so happy because I was previously feeling like I would never do anything right. They proceeded to tell me that learning Spanish in the DR is the hardest place to learn it so I need to be patient. This made me feel a lot better about the language. 

While teaching Angelica this week there was a big fight at the end of her street. Like I said before, this place is crazy. We were just sitting on the street teaching her the commandments and then like 200 feet away there is this massive group of people gathered around these women yelling and fighting. The little kids all run over to watch and I'm just like bruh lol. Place is wack. Angelica is progressing a little, but yesterday told us she is scared for baptism. Pray for her please! 

Here's a funny story before I talk about our BAPTISM this week! The drunk guy I talked about last week is still drunk from last week ;) when we were walking home the other night he was out just hammered and invited us to sit with him and his 3 other drunk friends so we did. Elder Fuhriman asked Julio (the drunk dude) "Do you like whisky?" and he responded with "yessssss" in the funniest voice ever so then we asked why and he goes "Bro I don't know" and it was just a good laugh. He honestly still might be drunk, dude doesn't stop. 

Now I can talk about our Baptism this week!! The twins Alexa and Alexandra were baptized and it was so so cool. They had to frighten us a little though. Saturday at 6 was the scheduled time and of course at 5:30 they call us telling us they don't have enough money to come. We were freaking out but luckily they found a way and I was able to baptize one of them. In the pic I sent it looks like they hated their life, but I promise they were excited to be baptized haha. Anyway, for baptism to be complete they need to come to church the next day and be confirmed. Well.. they came, but, 45 MINS LATE. Elder Fuhriman and I were so satisfied to see them walk in haha. 

Last night was interesting too. We ate at a members house and she gave us like 30 pounds of food each and I have never been closer to dying from eating so much food. Also some drunk guy took Fuhrimans tag and that was an adventure. 

I wanna end with a scripture in D&C 11:7 "Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of god shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich." This scripture is a great example of why it is important to remember that it is more important for us to study the scriptures and keep the commandments than to seek for the riches of the world. 

I love you all and miss you guys a lot. Golf is still on my mind always and so are my friends and family, but I know being here in this country preaching the true restored gospel is where I need to be. Have good and safe week!

-Elder Wilde 

Alex & Alexandra's Baptism!

Never thought I would be golfing in the DR!

Revelation Dropped

What up everyone?!?! Another week has come and gone. I hope you all had to opportunity to listen to conference because by the title of this email you can tell that revelation was dropped.  

 Before I talk about what I liked from conference I wanna update you all about what is happening here in Pueblo Nuevo. We are teaching a girl named Angelica and she is so dope. She is 14 and from Haiti so she speaks Spanish and Creole and it's insane. Anyway, she came to church last week and then this week she called us at 8:30 telling us she was ready for church and we were like oh boy cause it was conference and we told her but she forgot so that was sad but she still came to the church and watched conference and seemed like she enjoyed it. We are gonna try and put her on date this week for baptism so pray for her! Also we have a set of twins that are on date for this Saturday so pray for them as well. Their names are Alexa and Alexandra. 

Another guy we are starting to teach is named Francisco Espinal. He is pretty cool and we think there is some potential. He informed us at our last lesson that his nephew is Leudy Espinal... Which is our BISHOP! Crazy! So we are gonna reach out to the bishop this week to find out more. 

Last week was so hard, but this week was so much better! I finally started to adjust to this absolute insane culture. I still have a really really hard time with Spanish but I know that will come with patience. One thing that was hard last week was I didn't laugh at anything which made it a lot harder to be happy. Luckily some funny things happened this week. First things first people here love to drink. Basically on a Saturday night 50% of people are drunk and it is pretty comical. One guy we pass by often was speaking english to us, or at least trying to and said "Do you guy want a  drink?" We said no we like water and then out of nowhere he said "Nice to meet you" in the funniest voice ever and me and Elder Fuhriman just lost it. Every time we see him he is just out of it holding a beer bottle in his paper bag. Also the Dominicans think that the USA is New York. They don't get that there are 50 states and it's not all just New York. So they often times tell us about their love for our home country and New York. Guess I'm going to New York when I get home to see what our real country is like haha. 

Also the word selfie is magic here. If you say "Selfieee" every kid in near sight will run to be in the selfie. So I have a few I'll put on here. 

Now for Conference. If this email is already too long I'm sorry you don' have to read it, but this part would be well worth your time ;) General Conference hits different on a mission. This was the first time in my life that I listened to every single word that was said with real intent to learn and I am so grateful I did. Here are a few things I learned. 1) in Hugo Montoya’s talk he repeated a line President Nelson said, saying, "The Joy we feel has everything to do with the focus of our lives not the circumstances." I loved this because last week as I was focused on my circumstance of showering out of a bucket and being home sick. I didn't find much joy, But this week as I have focused on the Lord I have become much happier. 2) New for strength of youth?! Lit! I loved this talk. My favorite line that Elder Uchtdorf said was "Jesus Christ is the strength of youth." This is so true for the youth, but also for everyone. He went on to mention "With the Lords help there is no limit of what we can accomplish." LOVE this! 3) Last thing is from Paul V. Johnson, he said "When we follow Satan we give him power when we follow God he gives US power." This is so so cool. Choose God he will give you power! 

Also so amazing all the temples that were announced. I know that President Russell M. Nelson is the Prophet on the earth today. I love him so much and know that only HE can receive revelation for our entire church. I love you all so much and miss you guys dearly. I miss golf and I miss my friends and best friends, but I know that there are people out her in the DR who NEED to feel the love of Jesus Christ because we all do! He loves and knows you all perfectly. Search the Book of Mormon if you want to know of this love for yourself. I am excited for another week of growth and challenges in the DR. 

P.S. We are going golfing in Santiago today!!! Hopefully I don't suck. Let y'all know how it goes next week. 

Love,

Elder Wilde

The Hood

Quiero Que everyone!! I can't believe that I have been in the DR for one week. This place is straight bonkers. First things first my trainer is Elder Fuhriman and he is so dope. He has been here for 5 months and on the mission for 11 months. He was assigned to Missouri before coming here but he is dope. My area is called Pueblo Nuevo and it is in Santiago Sur (south) and yeah it is pretty sketchy.

To describe how sketchy it is my Companion told me he was shocked to see that President would put white kids here let alone put a new white kid here haha. My comp was robbed here like a week before I got here so we have to be really careful about where we are and what not. Honestly the first few days here were pretty scary and I was feeling a little like I can't do this. But then Elder Fuhriman showed me a video about faith and having no fear. It was exactly what I needed and now I walk through these streets like I own the place. Even though that would be impossible because I don't even speak the language haha.

Besides the fact that we are serving in the hood this place is awesome. I have become real humble after this first week here. We live in an apartment with 2 rooms and a super small kitchen. We don't have a shower that works so we get the amazing opportunity to shower out of a bucket with Ice cold water. Honestly isn't that bad. The water also turns off when it rains and it rains a lot. So when we have water we have to fill up these massive buckets with water and then pump it through a filter if we want to drink it. We don't have AC but we do have fans and they are amazing, unless the power goes out which happened yesterday and it was so hot lol.

As far as the work goes it is going! We have 3-4 people we are seriously teaching right now and making progress.Yesterday was a little disappointing because only 1 of them came to church. One of the girls we are teaching is 14 and she is named Sharlin. She is so cool! She has been to church 2 times so she has met all the requirements for baptism but has told us there is something inside her that is scary about being baptized. I had a really cool conversation with her the other night while my companion was doing baptismal interviews with others because he is the DL. She used google translate a lot because I don't understand a lick of Spanish haha. She asked me about leaving my family and said how hard that probably was. I explained that leaving my family was so hard and that I miss them so much but I am here because I know this gospel is true and that it will make other families happier. She was shocked to hear that all of my siblings have served and that we all do it for 2 years.

We are like celebrities here to the kids. They all want to touch us and be our friend because we are white haha. Last week was super hard because it is hard for me to connect with the kids because I don't understand them at all and so I can't really connect.

One cool thing last week was playing baseball with a stick and bottle caps with the kids. They were shocked that I could hit to bottle cap haha. Low key was hitting bombs and they just wanted to keep pitching to me but we had to go work.

The Email rule. It is a rule in our mission that the only way we can talk to friends is through email and it has to be in a group chat. So if you want to talk to me shoot me a email but make sure to include someone else in the email as well.

I wanna end this email with a spiritual thought. Last week was really really hard. I don't understand the language. I miss my Best friends and family like crazy, and this place is sketchy. But I know I can do this because the Lord is watching over me and all missionaries. My comp shared a really cool scripture last night with me as I was expressing my fears and doubts to him. It is in D&C 121:7 "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;" This hit me hard. Even though this is the hardest thing I have ever done I know it will get better. I love you guys so much and miss you all dearly. The Lord is on our side and will bless us if we follow him with our whole hearts. This church is so true and I know that as we read to Book of Mormon sincerely and pray about it it will be made known to us the truth. I can't wait for another week of growth in the DR.

Love,

Elder Wilde

Elder Wilde Has Arrived!

Dear Parents and Leaders of Elder Wilde,

Yesterday, September 19^th, we were happy to receive Elder Wilde here in Santiago! He was interviewed by President Bretón upon arrival to the mission house.

 

Today, he enjoyed a classic Dominican breakfast at the mission home with the other missionaries he arrived with before heading to the mission office to receive a brief training. After the training, he enjoyed an authentic Dominican lunch with the other missionaries in his group. He then met his new companion, Elder Fuhriman, and headed to his new area in Pueblo Nuevo!

 

Thank you for your love, efforts, and care as he comes here!

 

Attached are pictures of your son with President and Sister Bretón and the other missionaries he arrived with, as well as a picture of him with his new companion!

Elder Wilde & Elder Fuhriman

Elder Wilde with President and Sister Breton

The newest missionaries in the Dominican Republic, Santiago Mission!

Goodbye El Comedor

I can't believe another week has come and gone. The title of this email is a very happy goodbye. I only have to eat the amazing chilly food at El Comedor for 4 more days. Wahoo! In 4 days I leave the MTC and go to the real world. Kinda nervous but I know that the Lord will help me! 

I wanna start this email by giving a shout out to my brother Carter. Last week I expressed to him that Spanish sucks and is so hard. His one piece of advice was to LOVE the language. My first thought was dawg, that is the dumbest thing ever, but this last week as I prayed for help to love the language I found myself actually wanting to learn Spanish and appreciating the language. Along with praying for love of the language I have been praying for a greater desire to want to study. This is huge. Rather than praying to study better or study more I have asked for the help to want to study. It has changed my outlook and studying has become fun. 

So the way sacrament meeting works here is every missionary writes a talk and then the morning of sacrament meeting they randomly select people to speak. This last Sunday was my lucky day and I had the opportunity to speak in Spanish for 5 minutes about the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It was honestly a very good experience and I am grateful for the chance to stretch myself and speak. 

One last thing that I have tried to do is align my will with the will of God. As I have tried to do this I have found that I am a lot happier with the outcomes of my day. One thing that they have drilled into our heads here at the MTC is that this is not our time we are on, it is the Lords time. I have found that when I try my hardest to do what the Lord wants and not what I want I have been much happier. 

Sorry for the lack of pictures in the MTC. Everything is just the same so I don’t know what to take pictures of lol. I promise I will be better in the DR. 

Speaking of the DR, next time I email I will be there!!! I am so excited for this opportunity to grow. I love and miss you all so much. Especially golf. Also GO COUGS! Remember to pray always and read the Book of Mormon. It is the instruction manual to happiness! 

-Elder Wilde

Devotional City

Hello everyone! 

I can't believe it has been another week in the CCM. From the title of this email you may guess we have a lot of devotionals. I think this week we had 4 and tonight we are having 2 General Authorities come and speak to us. No they are not apostles but still very high up in the church so we are excited. 

So for those of you who know me know that I am super positive. Like never once has a negative thought crossed my mind. Everything I do I make it positive... ya if only this was true. For those of you who truly know me know that it is very very easy for me to see the bad. This is a huge setback in learning Spanish. So, in the middle of the week we were learning a new Spanish rule and it was so hard. The whole time I just kept thinking how amazing it would be to go play 18 holes and then go eat at Taco Amigo. I was very discouraged to say the least. But, a few moments later Hermano Rios asked me a question. Without hesitation I answered the question correctly. BOOM a small win. That is something I have tried my hardest to focus on while learning Spanish. The small wins. Even though I have a lot of big losses in the language, when I have even 1 small win my confidence grows. So I want to invite you all to focus on those ¨small wins¨ in whatever you may be doing and know when you do that you will have a more confident mindset. 

Now for one of my favorite devotionals of the week. It was by Elder David A. Bednar and wow it was amazing. He talked about conversion and becoming like the Lord. He mentioned that the natural man in us always turns in, and how when the natural man turns in the lord would turn OUT. This means when we are having a hard time we focus on ourselves and only ourselves. But even when the lord was suffering for our sins he was helping and healing others. I want to invite you all to try your hardest to turn out when the natural man in us would turn in. 

Now for the conversion part. He simply said ¨having a testimony of the gospel is not enough for you to stay a member of the church for the rest of your life. But, when you have a testimony and consistently live by what you know then you are converted and will stay a member your whole life and not fall away.¨ I loved this because it makes you take a step back and wonder, am I really converted to the Lord? Do I really live consistent with what I know? Guess what, I invite you all again to try and live consistent with what you know so you can be converted to the Lord. 

Another amazing thing from a devotional this week was from Elder Uchtdorf. He said ¨Be grateful, not hateful.¨ So try that. I promise it will bless your life. 

Finally, I got my flight plans!! Elder Wells and I will leave Mexico City on Monday the 19th at 1 A.M. and then we will fly to Miami Florida. Then from Miami, to the DR. We will arrive in the DR around 1 in the afternoon on the 19th. So what that means is only 12 more days of eating at el comedor wahooooo!! 

I love you all! I pray for you guys daily. Read the Book of Mormon. It is true. Pray often. The lord is listening and cares about each one of you. 

-Elder Wilde