Week 56: I Need to Buy Crocs!

A river of chocolate milk decided to show up

I've never been more tired before in my mission but dang has it been a good week. Just really trying to give it everything I have here and it's been so fulfilling.

This week we had MLC and it was incredible and I learned a lot about things I can do to help my area have more success as well as things I can do to be more aware of the missionaries in my zone. I also got a package from my parents that contained nerd clusters and Special K with Strawberries so you already know why it's been a dope week.

Ran up exchanges with a brand new elder named Elder Jackson. He's had a bit of a tough time adjusting to this foreign land of Honduras and it was really cool to help him with some of the necessary and tricks to life here, as well as spanish and other aspects of the work. I made a really good friend and it made me really want to train a gringo soon. We also had a cool experience contacting and started talking to a teenager in the street because he stopped to tie his shoe. Yesterday, we visited him in his house and was SUPER interested in what we taught him and could really progress. He lives just barely outside of our area so we will be passing him off to the sister missionaries but I am so excited to see how he continues to progress all because he stopped to tie his shoe.

After 8 hours in bus in 2 days Elder Reanda and I were exhausted but there's no time to waste on the Lord's errand so we hit the streets and put a baptismal date for Guillermo!! This man is just incredible. Yesterday, we read the doctrine of Adam and Eve which is contained in 2 Nephi 2 and Guillermo just lit up with excitement and gratitude. He told us that he had been pondering this story of the Bible and it's purpose for us and he told us that he knew the Book of Mormon was true and that this church is the true church of Jesus Christ. He has been receiving tons of opposition from his friends of other religions but he always takes his questions to us and after every lesson he tells us that he believes what we teach and that all of the opposition he is facing is proof of the truthfulness of our message because “Satan would only try this hard if this were the truth.” Please pray that he can continue with this inspirational faith so he can enter the waters of baptism the 17th of August!

Other stuff:

● My companion told me I was dropping baptismal invitations in my sleep so that was pretty lit #grinddontstop

● We sacrificed more time this week to focus on the success and wellbeing of the companionships in our zone and I love being able to be a part of these special experiences.

● It rained a lot. Walking in water above our ankles. Rivers in the streets, thunder shaking all the windows, absolutely sprinting to try to find shelter. Lit times.

● Shined my shoes for the first time in my life today. Better late than never right?

● Take note fellow missionaries. Word got out in the street that I have “What would Jesus do?” bracelets and all of the sudden all of the youth in the ward are acting like we've been homies since we were all in diapers and now want to go teaching with us 🤷‍♂️.

Alma 34 is getting added to the official list of the actual best chapters in the Book of Mormon. In the past, verses 32 and 33 always caught my attention but this time around it was 31 and 38. 

“31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.”

“38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.”

Now is the time to give it everything we can to seek our own salvation, our family's exaltation, and the happiness of others. The Spirit will guide us to do exactly this and we must not deny it or be lazy. We must accept it and trust that the Lord will help us do what he needs from us. If we ask righteously, the mysteries and powers of heaven will be poured upon us to fulfill the will of God. Joseph Smith was the perfect example of this. Through his efforts to ask righteously, some of the most key questions of this life about God and His Gospel have been answered and we know the truth! Ask for the help you desire, and then pray a little harder, and things get better.

With much love,

Élder Snyder

Da House

Field Trip

Almost as good as SB, CA (Not even close)

Who Can Relate? IYKYK

WET!

Bobesponja

This was a street

MLC

Week 55: Cofradiayshun

Daniel

Lit week

After some last goodbyes in Jardines, we went to the offices and it was fun to reunite with many old friends and then I got shipped out to Cofradía! It's about 40 minutes out of San Pedro and super hot hahaha. I'm still a Zone Leader and my comp is named Elder Reanda and he is from Guatemala! Racking up these chapín comps fr. He's super chill and just wants to work so we are getting along super well.

This area is very different in all aspects from Jardines but I honestly love it. It is pushing me a lot more because the zone is much larger and we have many more responsibilities in the ward but I know I will grow. 

Shoutout Elder Peterson for baptizing an absolute DAWG named Daniel a couple months back. Daniel is 19 and is my new best friend. Bro always has me laughing and is so humble, hungry to learn more about the gospel, and goes around teaching with us all day and marking his scriptures as we teach. Elder Simmons and Elder Rupp are about to be so jealous because one day Daniel bought us baleadas the size of my arm.

We are teaching a man named Guillermo who is just more and more evidence that the Lord prepares his people. He studied with the Jehovah's Witnesses for 8 years but something happened and he is now looking for a new (and true) church. He is so eager to learn and LOVES reading the Bible and Book of Mormon. He came to church yesterday and was fascinated and said he is going to come every week and wants to get baptized! One of my favorite things about him is that he understands basically everything we teach and then connects it to how he strongly believes the JW religion is of the devil. He always has me laughing.

We're teaching another family that has a lot of potential but they need some extra prayers to really give them that extra desire to search for God and the truth in their lives. Their names are Lizzy, Nicole, Stefanie, and Erika.

Other stuff:

● I met the FATTEST dog I have ever seen. Her name is Gordita (fat)

● We're currently house hunting because there is no internet in our house or working sinks

● The pensionista is super lit and makes fire food. She is also not afraid to call out anyone on anything so I'm also dying laughing every time with her.

This morning I read something I love in a chapter of the Book of Mormon I love. Alma 32. In this chapter, Alma is defining faith. It is never a perfect knowledge but eventually, we can have a perfect knowledge, not of God, but of our faith. We can have a faith so strong that it is undeniable but it is still incomplete. I love this concept. We can never have a perfect knowledge of God but even that isn't enough to endure to the end. A solid faith and belief is what drives us to act and endure to the end. Alma 32:17-19, 37. 

With so much love,

Élder Snyder

Bayron

Gordita

Views

Hector

Candid

Mega-Baleadas

Reference point

Pensionista

Week 54: Finished Tending the Garden

Heading into the Storm

This will be a quick one because I have just got no time.

I'm getting transferred!! I'm honestly heartbroken. I am not ready to leave Jardines but I know the Lord has so many better things in store for my personal development. I still don't know where I'm going but I'm excited to find out tomorrow! Not excited to start packing and run all the errands I gotta run 🫠 But feel free to pray that I get sent to Villanueva (I miss you Elder Evanson)

This week was honestly incredible. So many sweet moments of reflection and goodbyes but also just classic missionary work. I love knowing that I'm growing. That has been one of my goals in all of my mission and I think I have grown the most here in this super blessed area. There have also been incredible examples of consecration and service, namely Hector and Allan, that have changed my life forever.

Sonia and Samuel are still absolutely balling and were already living the Word of Wisdom when we taught it to them. Y'know normal stuff? They came to church and told us that they have to postpone their baptism for a couple of days… so that ALL OF THEIR FAMILY CAN COME!! I won't be here for it but I will be so happy on August 1st no matter where I am.

We have also found some other absolutely elect people thanks to members who keep their covenants and touch the hearts of their friends solely through their example and the light of Christ they have. One thing I have noticed recently is the tangibility of the light of Christ. When people are really trying to fill their hearts with love for the Lord and love for others, this light is physically visible. 

Other stuff:

● It RAINED. A lot. We got wet. A lot.

● Drank my first blue powerade in a year. Twas a glorious moment.

● Said bye to a lot of very very loved people. This area is literally my home.

● Said bye to Elder Alvarado who is finishing his mission. He's been in my district the entire time I've been in Jardines and he has helped me learn so much about teaching and also enjoying my mission. He will be missed😔✊️

This week, I heard something I loved in Elders Quorum that has a little bit to do with transfers. The missionaries are always changing. The people in our lives who are our mentors, teachers, and examples come and go. However, there are two constant missionaries, mentors, teachers, and examples here on this earth that NEVER change– the Book of Mormon and the temple and its associated covenants. They teach us unchanging truths in a rapidly changing world. They teach us to live for Christ.

I love my mission, it has been the most difficult, beneficial, stretching, and sacred experience of my life all thanks to these two eternal and perfect constants.

With much love,

Élder Snyder

Living Water

WET!

Alvarado

Homer

Darwin and Aaron

Little Trio

Allan

Week 53: Momentum at the half

1 Year!!

Buckle up.

Happy 4th of July! Easily the best holiday but I lowkey totally forgot about it😅

Somehow, I completed one year of service as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this week. I have no idea how 1 year has already passed. The fastest, best year of my life.

This week was also arguably the fastest, best week of my mission. There were miracles, tender mercies, and really difficult aspects of the week that taught me a lot and that is why it was the best.

This week, there was a major conflict in one of the companionships in my zone. In this type of situation, my first reaction to solving the problem has always been a very direct, not-so-loving way. However, in recent conversations with my mission president, he taught me the importance of establishing a base of love with the people we need to help and help them realize that true happiness and peace only come from obedience and trying to be like Christ. With this in mind as we navigated the situation, it was difficult, but everything is okay now. I learned a lot about leadership, love, forgiveness, and the importance of communication (mixed with empathy for others) in any sort of relationship.

Miracle time. The most elect/prepared people I have ever met on my mission put themselves into our teaching pool this week. Sonia and Samuel, a mother and son, filled out a form online to receive visits from the missionaries and now have a baptismal date for the 28th of July. They complete every invitation we offer and ask questions to understand. It has been a privilege to participate in some of the most spiritually-powerful lessons of my mission with them. Yesterday, we invited them to be baptized this month and Sonia expressed her thoughts that they have only been meeting with us for one week and how maybe they want more time to prepare, but then the bishop who was with us shared something that changed my life. He explained how the process of preparation for baptism, or to receive any sort of blessing or make any covenant, started a long time ago— maybe with a question, doubt, desire, or important decision. He explained how the Lord prepared the path and opened the door for this mother and son a long time ago so that they could step through the threshold with confidence, now. Sonia then expressed how 46 years ago she came in contact with the Church and grew to absolutely love it and its teachings and values. Due to conflicting views on religion from her parents, she stopped going to church but always remembered these fond feelings. Now, 46 years later, the Lord has prepared their path and they are experiencing the reality of the Spirit and the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I may not be here to see the baptism with transfers coming next week but that's not what's important. Please keep them in your prayers so they can continue to have faith that drowns out all influence of the adversary.

Dope things:

● Had the most spiritual Sacrament Meeting ever this Sunday and every single person testified of Jesus Christ and temples 🤍

● Visited the Stake Patriarch and he proceeded to unload his wisdom and experience upon our ignorant souls. I highly recommend 👌

● Made sushi with Yuk Shan and watched her become integrated with more and more members. She has such a strong desire to fully embrace life as a member of the Church 🥹

● Celebrated one year on the mission in exchanges and working. But I had a really awesome experience teaching my companion for the day (a newer convert to the church) more about repentance and the mercy of Christ.

● The hurricane did not hit Honduras and we only had constant rain. In turn, cooler temperatures outside 🙏

I am halfway done with my time as a full-time missionary. Here are some of the biggest things I have learned in this year of dedication to my Savior.

● Jesus Christ is a living being who has a complete capacity to love, heal, and strengthen us.

● Understanding doctrine is having faith.

● If we truly understand the doctrine, it is easy to be obedient.

● Actions speak louder than words and service heals hearts.

● “Sometimes the Lord withholds blessings from us to eventually deliver undeniably discernable miracles”. -Steven J. Lund

● Have your head where your feet are.

● Spanish.

● I love Honduras.

● Learning to rejoice in other's successes is hard but sooo rewarding.

● Having blind faith makes life simple and a lot more exciting.

● “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted” D&C 90:24. There is always an optimistic outlook.

● The Lord is unjustifiably merciful.

● Hard work builds character and consistency changes nature.

● Expect miracles, with patience.

● “For of him unto whom much is given, much is required” D&C 82:3.

● Consecration is a joy.

● If you're trying your best to do what is right, trust that you are living in the guidance of the Spirit.

● God gives us special opportunities not because we are qualified, but because he wants us to learn something.

● Sometimes, it's not worth “being right.”

● It's not about me.

● Be 100% responsible, even when you have valid excuses.

● The Book of Mormon guides us to Christ and trains us against the tactics of Satan.

● Temples are salvation.

Jesus is the Christ. This is his true church. Obedience and covenants are the only way to have true hope and to receive salvation. The Lord is actively preparing his children for His Second Coming. I testify that He lives and I will testify of this as much as I possibly can for the next year and for the rest of my life.

With so much love,

Élder Snyder

Celebratory Coca-Cola after meeting Sonia and Samuel

The area

Us this week

Work

Sushi with Yuk Shan

1 year tradition

Sonia and Samuel

Jardines

Week 52: What it's all about

What's cookin?

Well a hurricane is cooking over here and I excited to work with my feet underwater all week (we'll see if what the members are predicting is true). 

Apart from that, I had a great and difficult week. Yuk Shan got baptized!! It has been such a special experience getting to teach her from beginning to end and seeing her progress. Thanks to your prayers and her faith she has been able to completely quit drinking coffee so she could make her first covenant with God. Right before the baptism, literally on the steps into the font she told me she didn't know if she could do it. She said she felt like she was going to throw up from the nerves she felt. We said a prayer and as we finished tears were rolling from her eyes and she said “Okay I can do this.” She came out of the water with such a big smile.

I got pretty sick this week but my mama didn't raise a quitter and we powered through but man I was battling to stay awake in almost every lesson. We also spent hours knocking doors to try to find people and spoke with like 2 people but the Lord loves effort and continues to bless us. 🫶

We had a multizone conference and it was so good to learn so much about consecration as well as the importance of a focus on the Book of Mormon in our studies. I love that book. Saw some absolute dogs and said bye to some other absolute dogs. Transfers have officially gotten sad now that so many of my friends here are finishing their missions.

We had a lesson with Yuk Shan in the house of President McClellan the day before her baptism and I will only say that my testimony of the reality and power of the Spirit has grown a lot. I have now had a few lessons in the house of President so it was all chill for me but my comp was freaking out and literally shaking with nerves to teach with President so that was pretty funny.

Stuff:

---cheffed it up on many occasions this week but sorry mom I didn't learn anything about how to cook😅

---did divisions with an area that has been struggling a lot to find and teach friends and we found a super elect single father while knocking (screaming “BUENAS!!” in front of peoples houses).

---In all of Central America we had “Missionary Week” for the members and lowkey the members let us down but Elder Mercado and I had a lit activity/lesson for the ward activity on Saturday that made up for it. 😎

---After missing our chance to give a blessing last week, the Lord gave us the opportunity to give about 10 blessings this week. The Priesthood is so special.

This week I had a couple of realizations with respect to the Spirit. Throughout this life, we have the opportunity to have spiritual experiences that strengthen our testimony. We can have big moments that strength our testimony a lot and little moments where we feel the warmth and comfort of the Spirit. However, being human, we do not have the capacity to remember these experiences to the point that we can always be immovable. We forget, we doubt, we have new trials daily. However, I believe that God did that with a purpose– so that we search for the Spirit daily. So we rely on Him rather than our memory. The Book of Mormon and daily repentance have come to be the most constant tools to help me do so. I love reading the scriptures. 

In 2 days I will complete a year as a missionary… what the heck.

Love you all so much!

Élder Snyder

Chopping onions (my hands still smell like onions 6 days later)

Lit Pic

Baleadaaaaaaas!

Jersey swap

Cheffing it up with our Pensionista

Lit Mission

Lesson with Yuk Shan and our President