Week 103: The Best Two Years

     Hello everyone!  It's crazy to think that almost 2 years ago I entered the MTC.  The past two years have been amazing, what happened this week was the perfect way to end my mission.  I'm so grateful for all the experiences that I have had and all the people I've been able to meet in the last 24 months.

     This Saturday the entire Escobar family was baptized.  Alfredo, Gabriella, and Fabiana entered into the waters of baptism as a family.  Also something that we were not anticipating happened this week.  Tuesday during zone conference, Rachel texted us and asked if she could be baptized this Saturday also.  She had been fasting and praying that she would be able to find a new job so that she could be baptized as soon as possible.  She was able to find a new job and we had already finished teaching her the lessons.  We were able to work it out so that she could have her interview.  She passed and entered the waters of baptism on Saturday with the Escobar family.  I stand all amazed at the experiences I've had on my mission.

     In the past two years, I have fallen short many, many times; I've been less diligent at times, I could have had much more patience with my companions, and I was far from perfect.  That being said, I've come to know more than ever, in these past two years about the power that Jesus Christ has to change us into who God wants us to be.

     I know with everything in me that God lives.  He has a love that is so strong for us all.  His son, Jesus Christ truly walked the Earth perfectly.  He taught us the truths of eternity.  Though sinless, he was hated and killed to satisfy a mob.  Three days later He rose again!  Because of His victory over death and sin, we too can overcome our sins, pains, and weaknesses.  I know this is true.  There is no lasting happiness in this life without Jesus Christ and repentance.

     All anyone has to do to know these things for themselves is to read the Book of Mormon and ask God if He is there.  I promise what will come next is a confirmation that He lives and He will then direct you to the steps you need to take to feel joy.

     From the deepest part of my heart, thank you.  Thank you to all who have supported and helped me these past 2 years as I have been blessed to be a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Love,
Elder Gutierrez

Baptism of the Escobar Family and Rachel Bitarabeho on Saturday, June 16, 2018 with Elder Schrader, Elder Gutierrez, and Elder Bingham

Baptism of the Escobar Family:  Alfredo, Gabriella, and Fabiana

Baptism of Rachel Bitarabeho with Elder Schrader, Elder Gutierrez, and Elder Bingham

#Blessed

Attacked by Kids

Our investigator, Hector

Grandpa and Grandma Sen

Visiting the Clapp Family

Last Zone Conference - The North Shore Zone- June 12, 2018

President and Sister Miller, I LOVE THEM!

2 years later . . .  Fufu!  Elder Gutierrez with Elder Evans, MTC Companions

Saying Goodbye to Elder Seth Warner until August.

Week 102: Wait it's June . . .?

     Hello everybody.  We had a busy week in Revere.  Investigators are progressing, new people are being found, and we are two happy missionaries.

     The most exciting news to report is that the Escobar family baptisms are only 5 days away!  Yesterday we were able to plan out their baptismal program with them.  I will be baptizing Alfredo.  I have really grown to love this family and feel as though they are my family.  They have such an amazing, loving culture in their family that I admire greatly.  Can't wait to see how the gospel will strengthen that even more.

     More exciting news, we were able to set a baptismal date with Kori and Kevin Woodside for July 14th.  (Mom note:  We will be touring the mission and should be able to attend!)  We had a very special lesson with them about the Plan of Salvation.  They both felt that it made so much sense.  Both of them said that they are willing to give their lives to Jesus Christ and do whatever it takes to return to live with God.  It was powerful.  Only great things to come from them.

     Sunday, we noticed that we hadn't picked up as many investigators as we would have liked so we went to work.  I felt like we should stop by a former investigator that I had taught here months ago.  We stopped by and he welcomed us in and invited three others at his home to hear what we were going to share.  We picked them all up as new investigators.  One of them, Nina, is actually from Arizona and moved out here for work.  She had a close friend in high school that went on a mission and she attended his farewell.  She seems really excited to learn more about our faith.

     On Wednesday, I went to my last Mission Leadership Conference.  Throughout the last year, I have had several powerful experiences or impressions in these meetings.  This happened to be President and Sister Miller's last MLC too.  They both bore their simple, powerful testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the importance of the work we are engaged in.  It was a highlight to an already great week.

     There's so much to do and I am so grateful to be a part of this work.  Talk to you all next week!  Love ya.

Love,
Elder Gutierrez

P-day with the AP's Elder Harris and Elder Fisher

Elders in thermal infrared - Museum of Science in Boston

Elder Harris and Elder Gutierrez - Museum of Science in Boston

Elder Harris, Elder Gutierrez, Elder Schrader, and Elder Fisher eating at the Top of the Hub on the 52nd floor

Kanes Donuts with Elder Schrader

Exchanges with Elder Shull

Week 101: The Book of Mormon

     Hello everyone!  Hello everyone!  This week was incredible.  Elder Schrader and I are loving Revere.  We have so many awesome people to teach and our investigators are progressing very well.  We are super excited about the two families that we are teaching and are preparing to be baptized.

     We were able to visit the Escobar family three times this week.  In our first lesson, we were able to continue teaching Fabiana, their eight year old daughter.  She was initially sad that her family was looking into a different church because she was going to miss her first communion.  But, she is excited now because she will get a white dress for her baptism.  Gabriella and Alfredo are both excited to be baptized.  Alfredo has had concerns but as time goes on they are being resolved and he's feeling more comfortable about the Gospel.  They are an amazing family and we are very blessed to be teaching them.  This week they came to Stake Conference and really enjoyed the meeting.  They are an incredible family!  We taught them the Word of Wisdom on Saturday when they had us over for dinner.  Both Gabriella and Alfredo keep the Word of Wisdom.  They are the most prepared family.

     We also had an incredible lesson on Friday with Rachel.  We taught her the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity.  She told us a little bit more about her story that we did not know.  Before one of our first lessons, her member fellowship invited her to fast to know if what we were teaching was true.  She agreed to fast and during our lesson, we said something that answered her prayer.  Since then, she has had such a great desire to be baptized.  The only thing holding her back is her job because she has to work on Sundays.  This Sunday, we fasted with her so that she could find a new job.  We are excited to see the outcome of our prayers and faith.

     Kevin and Corey, the other family we started teaching is doing great as well.  They and their one year old son came to church again this week.  They both have great desires to be closer to God in order to strengthen their family.  We are blessed to be teaching them.  Hopefully this week we will be able to set a baptismal date with them.

     This week I was able to finish the Book of Mormon for the fourth time this year.  I'm very grateful for the eternal truths found within its pages.  I know that it is true and that anyone who reads it will be closer to God than every before.  I love how it teaches so much about Jesus Christ; His life, His death, and mostly about His power to redeem us from sin.  I am so grateful to share it with the people I've come to love here in Massachusetts.

Love,
Elder Gutierrez

The Escobar Family

District P-day

We Love Sister Miller

Michelle's First Trip to the Temple

Elder Gutierrez at the Boston Temple