Elder Delgado- October 18, 2010...

Hello Everyone!
how is everybody doing? I was stoked to hear about the birth of my new nephew roark! That is a cool name! I really enjoy it... I just am left here kind of guessing how to pronounce it though. haha. oh well. still looks sweet! I am also glad to hear that Bianca is doing well. I was worried for her. Pregnancies are so interesting. so much happens... you just never know! not to worry anyone! haha.
Anyways... I am having a blast here in Roswell! This has been a wonderful month! We will have another baptism this next upcoming week on the 24th for a man named Antonio. He is so wonderful! He is a part-member situation with his wife and kids being members of a year. In fact, his wife's baptism was last year on the 24th of October!
We are going to be having like a suprise baptismal service! His wife has no clue that he is being baptized this week. Only that he wants to be baptized before the end of the year! haha. It was his idea and we are going to put it all together. It is amazing to hear about the change that has occurred in his life. The lord truly prepares people.
He is a wonderful father with two children. Just last month his oldest, who is a son, recieved the Aaronic priesthood and passes the sacrament each week. His wife is a great example of faith and enduring. His daughter is a wonderful young girl who loves the church activities. They will now have the opportunity to prepare to go to the temple as a family in one year. It is so exciting to think that this family will be eternal. I look forward to the day that takes place! I'm definately coming back for it!
As for other news, we had an interesting week with some things that we put together and with interviews. So this is the story... Well, our mission has been trying to understand what we can do to improve. However, we couldn't look at numbers because no one was counting numbers the same way. Yeah, I know... wierd. But it is a long story. Well, we brought up our concern that the mission needs to standardize the way of doing things before we can move forward. President just told us if we wanted to see that happen to do something about it. So this week... We did!
We got together to discuss what we wanted to occur and how to standardize the numbers in the zone. We agreed that the best base was to just have it come from Preach My Gospel. No one would be able to disagree with us then. I mean it is written by the church! We drew some things out and moved forward with a district leader council the next day.
All of our district leaders were on board! they had some wonderful input to help us finalize what we now count as our key indicators toward conversion. We spent a good chunk of money making some cards that summarized how to count numbers and a nightly planning check list. We then distributed these during interviews.
Well, It was well accepted for the most part in the zone. Some people were confused as to why we were doing this. As we explained the elements to it they began to realize that the numbers arent for us. It is for our investigators and for helping them. That even if our numbers dropped because of this we would not negatively effect our baptism rate.
It has now been put into full action. of course... we let president king know what we were doing. He seemed ok with it. haha. we than had a meeting with the stake presidency to inform them that the ward mission leaders should not be alarmed when the numbers drop. It is amazing how people freak out when numbers drop. ugh!
Well, the numbers came in on sunday and we dropped over all more than 50% of our numbers in the zone. It is expected to happen and we feel this will bless our zone. We dont know the full effects yet. What I am getting at though is this... That no matter what we do... numbers dont matter unless they are meaningful.
I hope that as members of the church we are not fudging our numbers to look good to those around us. I have seen it happen all my missionary service. I have seen it happen in Home teaching and Visiting teaching reports, and many other places. I pray that we realize we are accountible to only one, Our father in heaven, and as we do what is required of us... the rest falls into place.
I've realized that it is about the people. During my interview, I realized what little time I have with the question posed "what do you want to accomplish before you leave" I have many goals... and none to do with me personally. I am not sure where my change took place or how it happened... but i've learned turning outward is becoming as christ.

Much Love,
Elder Erick Delgado