December 3rd 2014: Thanksgiving on the Beach

Jose has been TERRIBLE at writing letters but he continues to tell us that he is doing really well and he's happy! We'll get to skype with him Christmas day and we're SO excited to spend a little virtual time with him :)

He said to his sister Saychelle, "Thanksgiving seemed uneventful this year for you and bryan and the ATL fam. Ahh the hardships a family goes through when the favorite son is serving a mission for the Lord!

My turkey was pretty shweet this year. Instead of the usual rice beans, platanoes pollo guisado and fruit. I had rice beans, yuca, pollo guisado and fruit. God bless the Dominican Republic."

October 7th 2014: Playa Rincon!

Elder Rincon has recently been transfered to Nagua where the internet connection is iffy at best. For the past few weeks we either haven't heard from him or have only gotten a few pictures. We know that Heavenly Father and his earthly father are watching out for him and that he is safe. 

Hopefully we will get an actual missionary update soon!

A waterfall in Limon

July 16th 2014: Marriage, Baptism and a lot work!

This week was great!!!!
We were able to help a family get married and get their daughter enter into the waters of baptism. The plan was that Efulgencio, a less active member who we reactivated, and his wife Nena would get married this past Friday and then on Saturday, his wife Nena (who is crazy spiritually ready and strong) and her daughter Chrisleth would get baptized. It seemed the Lord had another plan. 

Three hours before her wedding we were filling out their baptismal form. She began to explain to us that her ID information and her real life dates are different. When we asked why, she began to tell us a little part of her past life that she had never told us before. To make a long story short, Nena, this super powerfully strong spirit, so ready for baptism, is not actually Nena. She has had to change her identity completely in order to erase her past life (of a different name, birth date and everything) after she was imprisoned for four years (and in every other thing possible that a young Dominican mom of 17 can go through in this country. Basically, she has been through crazy trials in her life and has had to truly depend on the atonement of Jesus Christ to be able to overcome these weakness and actions. Because of these past life experiences, she needs authorization from the first presidency and prophet of the church to be baptized. Because we found out these things just before the wedding she was not able to be baptized with her daughter on Saturday (the authorization from the prophet can take a couple of days or weeks). We are now waiting for their response. She has overcome life's most craziest whirl winds, which have shaped her and her family into a powerful instrument in the Lords hands. She continues to prepare for her own baptism, after witnessing her daughters, as she increases in faith, testimony and virtue. They are determined to be an eternal family and show God through their actions that they will achieve and can do all things in Christ who strengthens them. I pray that we too have this determination to complete all of gods commandments and overcome all of life's struggles though the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know and testify that we can! In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Siempre Con Amor

I'm still really happy in Puerto Plata! And as we come up on transfers in two weeks and I've begun to count down the year, I can't believe ill be back Home so soon. Crazy. Love you All, Siguen Fuerte!!!  

Family Package!

5 Minutes from his Front Door

Coral!

Puerto Plata Beaches

May 21st 2014: More Members, More Fun

hey everybody! 

Today I completed my second week in puerto plata. Puerto plata is basically the opposite of fantino. (my last area). fantino was a a tiny country town that only had little farmers market and a lot of cows and dirt roads.I was also in a little church branch of 60 members. Puerto plata is a huge tourist city right next to the beach. There are tons of americans here on vacation and I can literally find any american food in walking distance that my heart desires. Im also in a ward where there are tons of return missionaries and the 180 members love to help the missionaries. Although I loved and will always love fantino and the nine months I served there, it appears that there is luckily still room in heart because Im starting to love Puerto plata as well. Elder glasgow (my new companion from the virgin islands) and I have been working hard every day to be able to grow this ward and invite all of the souls to come unto christ. Here in puerto plata I am the district leader of six other missionaries and I am also step-dadding my companion ( although I am not exactly training him, im training him, because his trainer did not teach him very much and they fought a lot so he's is pretty scared to talk in lessons or in the street) so I have a new and different responsibility along with my calling to serve. It has been an amazing two weeks, I have been able to get to know my zone, district, ward members, less active members and investigators. I was even able to host a meeting for the ward leaders this past sunday where I was able to teach them a model of excellence for missionary work that consists of a ( vision, goals, a plan to complete the goals, working hard and checking  weekly and monthly progress with accountable progress formats). The ward members and the missionaries are beginning to work as one in this amazing work of salvation. We have had a member accompany us for every appointment we had this past week. Our unity as a ward has allowed us to be unified with the lord. We are now preparing two families to get married and baptized this next month in June!!!!!!!! There names are familia nena and abigail and familia de joanna and wilson!!!!! They are preparing beautifully to make an eternal covenant with God! I am happy! There is truly nothing more important for our eternal progression and happiness as spirit children of god than making and keeping covenants, DYC 82.10. and mosiah 2. verse 41. Interestingly I understand that more every time I renew my own covenant and help others to make and keep their own. I Love you all and pray and hope that you are striving to put God first in your Lives. Dot forget to Write me back doh!!!

siempre con amor, Elder Rincon

P.S Im not sure if there was an email prob.(or maybe you guys just didn't write me) this week but the only email I received this week was from saychelle. Love yah! Pero, escribenme por favor !

May 7th 2014: New Area After 9 Months!

Hey Familia! 

So right now I'm writing you guys from an internet center in Puerto Plata! I just got transferred after 9 months in my first area Fantino to one of the biggest tourist places with the nicest beaches in the world. My area is called San Felipe B, in the Puerto Plata zone! Look it up on google! I live 15 minutes from the beach, so ill probably have to do a lot of service picking up trash on the beach in the mornings. Hey someones gotta do it. 

Anyways my new companion is Elder Glasgow. He is from the virgin islands and doesn't speak any spanish, but seems to be pretty cool. I will be the district leader here and responsible for six other missionaries, I will also be step-dading my companion which means that I will be he second companion on his mission. I'm really excited to start fresh in a new area and although there will be a baptism in Fantino every day for the next two weeks, I am more than satisfied with all of the work my Savior allowed me to do there. Still really Happy!!!! 

So on other news! We will all get to skype this upcoming sunday on mothers day!!!!!!!!!! Or at least my immediate family! I'm in a new area and do not know anybody yet so I don't have skype plans, But I need to everybodys schedule.

Whats the Plan Fam? 

Siempre Con Amor, 

Elder Rincon

April 2nd 2014

So busy and so happy! 

Preparing 4 souls and and another family to be baptized in these next two months! The lord has continued to bless me and Fantino with miracles everyday as i have continued to put all of my confidence and faith in him and worked hard! i love all of you guys soo much and hope to be able to write a real letter next week! I am truly happy! I need to hear at least one spirtual experience that you will each have this weekend from conference! Write it to me and I promise to write each of you back! keep doing work!

siempre con amor,

Elder Rincon

March 26th 2014: Santiago Prep Day Y Familia

MOM....... I love you sooooo much! There is a scripture in the book of mormon that helps me understand the relationship that I am able to have with you even though we are millions of miles apart. It is Alma 57:21 that states, "Yea and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and I did remember the words which they did say unto me that their mothers had taught them". In this passage, Helaman is recounting the battle between the 2,060 stripling warriors and the Lamanites. He later recounts that 200 of the 2,060 stripling warriors had fainted because of loss of blood nevertheless, because of the goodness of God, not a single one of them perished. As a representative of Jesus Christ, I have promised my God and my Savior that I will obey every command and rule with exactness. With sufficient faith, I am promised in return great miracles and eternal blessings. I have been promised eternal happiness, protection and great blessings for my family (D&C 31:2-6). 

Although I am far away from you and in battle here in D.R I am able to be happy because with every decision I make and with every step that I take, I think of the memories and the teachings that you have given me! I guess that makes me somewhat of a Mommas boy! I testify that I am receiving those blessings as a missionary everyday because I am breaking myself physically and spiritually to magnify my calling, fulfill my covenants and remember the words which my mother has taught me! I pray specifically every night that my God will bless my family and my mother. There is a missionary phrase that says, "be the missionary that your mom believes you are". I am the missionary and man of God I am today because of the most amazing mom ever, which I have been blessed with! Dads very lasts words to me while he was alive on this earth were "We are receiving the fruits and blessings of your labors"! I so pray that you are still able to recognize those sweet and tender blessings every day. I love you sooo much and am eternally happy and thankful to be your son! 

In the Name of Jesus Christ Amen!

Your son, 

Siempre con amor,

Elder Rincon

This QT is one of our cousins here in Cotui. When I saw her, she immediately reminded me of Imani and Saychelle when they were little babes. #alwaysthinkingofyouguys #Eternallove #alldominicanslookalike 

March 5th 2014: Intestines & Birth Places

Hey familia! 

Hows it going? 

I have been in the hospital for the past two days. But don't worry cause it wasn't for me, my companion had stomach pains for the past three days, so I took him to the clinic and it turns out that his intestines are inflamed and his kidneys were infected. Who would've thunk? We just left the hospital, and he is a lot better now, but it reminded me of the time that I had a parasite while I was here in Fantino about two months go and I forgot to tell you guys about my funny/sketchy hospital experiences. Anyways, other than the past two days in the hospital with my comp., everything had been really great. These first few weeks with my new companion Elder Christensen ( aka mi hijo) has been really special. I have been able to help learn spanish, how to live in D.R. and how to be a true representative of Jesus Christ. It truly has been a great responsibility, training a brand new missionary from Utah, but the Lord has blessed us with every step of faith that have taken. As of today, we have three weeks together. and I have about 6 and half months in Fantino. Training a new missionary takes about 3 months, so ill probably be here in Fantino, my first area, for about 9 months. 9 months is a really long time in one area for a missionary, but I loved being super close to my Cotui family, helping this branch strengthen and grow in numbers, and it has been really special to be there for all of the families that I have helped enter into the waters of baptism. I am really happy and here are a quick three stories to help you understand  little bit more about my life here:

Funny (Chistoso): So we checked into the hospital at 8 o clock yesterday morning. After hours of analysis, ultrasounds and waiting, the doctor tells us that my companion well have to stay overnight so that, they can continue to give him antibiotics so that his inflammation goes down and and his infection gets killed. at about 5 p.m we got settled in our new room for the night we realize that we haven't eaten anything all day and were starving. We also didn't have phone connection because the phone towers were being prepared. We decided to get one of the hospital workers to go on a food run for us. We ordered a medium pizza and a bunch of bread and juice. While we were waiting for the food, we asked a bunch of nurses if the knew if my companion was allowed to eat food with his stomach condition and the all said yes. Two hours later the food arrived and he brought us a huge Dominican pizza and tons of other goods. We sit down, get ready to eat, and right before we start the doctor walks in. She tells us that my companion is not aloud to eat anything and that I should not allow him eat any of the food we bought it would make his stomach a lot worse. Saddened, yet laughing because of the timing of the doctor and the food, my companion was forced to watch me all night as I ate all of the food and the medium pizza throughout the night, for if he ate anything he would have  messed his stomach up worse. I was forced to eat all of the food alone, as I sacrificed my stomach so that the stomach of my companion would be able heel. It was really funny!

Spiritual: Every day this week has been really spiritual, but two Mondays ago, was really special, for I got to go to Cotui for a district meeting and eat lunch with all of my Almanzar family. After we had eaten lunch and they given us whatever out stomachs desired, I realized that we had a little bit of time before we headed back to Fantino to visit the house were my Dad was Born. We walked a few blocks down my Tia Nenas house and and stopped at the house on the left where my dad was born. We greeted my other uncles and aunts and talked for a little while. It wasn't until I started testifying of the reason I was in D.R serving the Lord and how much my father had wanted me to be there serving, that I realized exactly what I was doing and where I was. We were talking right outside of the House were my Dad, Sonny Dejesus Rincon was born and I was serving a mission as a Representative of Jesus Christ, Preaching the Gospel to my family in the D.R. As I began to ponder these exact thoughts in my head, as I have in instances before, my emotions caught hold of me. As I walked into the Birth Home of my Father, my heart was filled with such joy and love that I could not contain it within my soul. Crying, I looked at what appeared to be such a beautiful house. Never in my mission have I felt so close to my Heavenly and earthly father than I did at that moment.

I know that I am in the D.R because the Lord has called me through his modern day Prophet. I know that I have been called to represent the Lord Jesus Christ and preach his gospel to all here in D.R. I know that his gospel is a huge plan of happiness which doesn't end with physical death. This gospel has blessed my own life personally and that of my family eternally. I have been given a special witness of the Divinity and truthfulness of this gospel by The Holy Spirit of God. For this reason I dedicate these two years to giving all others the chance to receive this same witness and blessings that I have received throughout my life. I love my saviour and I know that he Lives. I also testify that my earthly father lives and there is life after our earthly experience. I am truly happy because god always blesses his servants and their families. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

Siempre Con Amor,

Elder Rincon

February 26th 2014: Pictures Instead of a Real Update But We'll Take What We Can Get

 This is the church in Cotui! My families homes surround the Church building.
I go there every Monday for district meeting!

Lunch at tia nenas house(aka wife of tio negro who is the brother of abuelito). Had lunch this past Monday with about 13 other of my Dominican cousins and aunts in cotui who looked just like my family in the states. They gave me what ever my companions stomach and mine desired

This the the house where Sonny Dejesus Rincon and Jose Antonio Rincon (aka papito) was Born. On the left is Papitos 94 year old brother and his wife. I visited them after the district meeting on Monday. He is blind and very fragile. He stood up with all of the strength in his body to take this pic and give me a big hug! We both cried as we said are ( till we meet agains).

Wednesday February 12th 2014: Greenie Training

Hey everybody! 

I'm online for only a second because we had transfers today and we didn't any time to email today! 
But......for these next three months I will be training an Elder from Salem, Utah! His name is Elder Christiansen, he is really white, about 6'2, likes to play b'ball, act in theaters and sing. He's really cool and I'm pumped to be his trainer. I now have the responsibility to teach him spanish, how to teach the gospel and, really, how to be a true representative of Jesus Christ. It's crazy because I still feel really new but I am humbled at the confidence that my mission president and the Lord has in me to train one of their new missionaries. I have continued to love my mission here in Fantino and I know that we will have tons of sucess. I hope to be able to write a good letter next week and tell about all of the miracles we will have. I love you so much and I know that I will be able to do all things that the Lords asks me too. Now theres going to be two americans walking hot in the streets (aka fields) of Fantino! 

Siempre con Amor,

Elder Rincon

Wednesday February 5th 2014: Baila!

Hey everybody!
Guess what.... had another amazing week full of sunshine, humidity, sweat and the spirit. Update with my mission is that I am about to complete my fourth transfer in the mission field which means that I have six months in D.R. and 7 months and two weeks in total as a missionary! Crazy! I'm about to be one third done with my mission. This transfer ends next Wednesday and I will most likely be training a new Latino missionary, but we'll see what happens. My companion right now will also end his 2 years this Wednesday so that's exciting. I have been really happy with him and we have been working really hard every day. Here's a little update of the week!

Funny:
So there are these little Dominican kids (about 6yrs oldish) that live right by our house and we pass them by everyday as we leave to preach the gospel. One day I was passing by while they were all listening to music and said hello. As I passed by he called me out to dance. As we both debated for a little I ended up convincing him to dance. Immediately he started dancing the funniest merengue to the music that was blasting from the house. Every day for the past month as I pass bye, I yell out to them. "Ayy pero Baila!" and all 5 of them start dancing merengue and all the neighbors and us start chanting them. It has literally become a little tradition. I love the little dominican kids.

Spiritual:
Yesterday my companion and I had a really special experience. Do you remember when i told you guys about a lady that we contacted as we walked past her house, said Hi, and she called us back so that we could preach the gospel to her. Well, we were finally able to meet with her after a week of trying to contact her. Right when when we started sharing with her, she began to share with us how she had read all of the pamphlet and looked up all of the corresponding verses in the bible and how she knew it was true. She testified to us of the Restoration of the Gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith and how she knew that The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints is true. She explained to us how when we passed by her house, she felt impressed to call us over and she also explained how she has been searching for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ because she knew through her studies in the Bible that it had been changed and lost. She was amazingly special and the spirit was strong the entire time as we all felt the powerful love that God has blessed us with through this knowledge. 

I know that she has been prepared by others and by angels to receive the fullness of the Gospel in these Latter days (alma 13:24) and I'm so excited to see how she will progress in the Gospel. I testify that the Lord continues to perform miracles in the lives of those that believe and exercise their faith in him. He is preparing all men to accept and live this amazing plan of happiness!

I love being a missionary and I love each of you guys!

Hope to hear from all of you soon. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Siempre con AMOR, 

Elder Rincon

Wednesday, January 22nd 2014: 2 References!

Hey!
I hope that everybody has been doing well! I have been really happy this week and still kickin it in Fantino! This week was really special and I was able see a lot of cool miracles as my companion and I continue to be exactly obedient in all that we do.

Spiritual Update:

Some of the mission goals that my companion and I have made for this new year involve focusing on families and striving to work more with the members. As a missionary of the Lord Jesus Christ, one of the ways that we are able to find more families and help the members serve in the work of the Lord is through references. References are friends, family or other people that we know who are interested the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a servant of the Lord my purpose is to invite all to come unto Christ and his restored Gospel including members, investigators and all others who are near me. One way that I fulfill my purpose is by talking to everyone! and I mean everyone; in the tiny little taxi cars when I'm squished between three huge Dominicans, while I'm playing basketball on Prep Day or in the gym and especially when I'm walking hot in the streets of Fantino! This week my companion and I focused a lot more on this part of the work and we had some amazing experiences. An amazing situation came about while I was in one of the tiny taxi cars that we have to take to go to Cotui for all of our meetings. (In these tiny cars we cram four grown people in the back and four grown people in the front. This is in, like, a 1950 Camry. As I squished into this tiny car, I began to talk to a man who was also headed to Cotui! As we began to get to know him, I discovered that he personally knows all of my Rincon family in Cotui and my Grandparents in NY and my father! As we kept talking, I was able to share with him a little bit about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Blessing that come from its fullness. He ensured us that he would be going to church on Sunday and would love to talk with us more. 

Also! This past Sunday we were walking and, as always, smiling and saying hi to everyone that was in the range of our voice. As we passed by one house, the lady screamed out to us, "Hey! I'm doing great but how come you guys never come to my house to share the Gospel? I love to read the bible and I would love to learn more...when can you guys come back?" As we paused, realized what she told us and began to share with her our testimonies and understandings of the gospel, her face lite up and we were able to put a date to return and continue teaching her. 

This past couple weeks we have been working with members a lot more as we have strengthened and invited all to come unto Christ and remember their baptismal covenants and personal responsibilities. After 5 months without a single reference we finally received two references this week who are prepared to hear and learn about this amazing restored Gospel. As I have continued to work hard, Fantino has continued to progress and I have continued to be super happy as I witness the fruits of my labors. I am really happy and feel beyond blessed with the love and confidence my Savior has for me to represent him on a daily basis. I am pumped to receive and train a new missionary this next transfer and continue working hard in the Lords vineyard. 

 

Love and miss all of you! 

Please write me something this week and I hope to hear from all of you soon. 

Keep going strong familia! 

Siempre Con Amor, 

Elder Rincon

January 15th 2014

Hey Family!

It seems like I will not be able to write you guys for real for the second week in a row. Which makes me sad because there is so much I want to tell you all but I never have any time! a little update from this week is that we have another baptism this next week on the 25th of two kids, who's names are Erica (age13) and Sammy (age 11). They are two amazing kids that have strong testimonies and a great desire to follow Jesus Christ! Unfortunately they have gone through a lot in their little lives for their mother (who is less active) left the family and their dad(less active has been fighting with alcoholism for the past couple years. the dad also really wants his kids to be baptized and stay strong in the path of God but is the worst example they have. we have been working really hard to prepare them for this sacred covenant. we just need to make sure that they will be strong enough to fight for the truth and testify to all of the light and knowledge the lord has blessed them with (aka endure to the end). also my zone had our personal meetings with President Douglas this past Thurs. and he feels that there is till a lot work to be done in Fantino. he told me after praying about it he feels that Fantino needs me right now and that after I end with my companion this February 13(when my comp. ends his mission) that he feels that I will probably train a brand new missionary for another three months. this means training a greenie how to be a proper representative of Jesus Christ. what a privilege and honor that I will be humbled to accept. also I'm really happy in the service of the lord and I pray for all of you guys on the daily. I hope this next week the lord will bless me with more time.

Thanks and love you guys soooooooooooo much! Stay strong!

Siempre con Amor,

Elder Rincon

January 8th 2014: Success & Happiness

Saychelle, his older sister, was able to chat with him for a few minutes this week but his writing time was cut short because he wanted to have more time to meet with this newly baptized family! 

This second photo is Elder Rincon having lunch with his grandmothers family in Cotui. We love him!

January 2nd 2013: Feliz Ano Nuevo y Feliz Navidad

Saludo!

I hope that everyone had a merry Christmas and a Happy new year! My Christmas was really special because I was able to talk with my family and eat tons of Dominican food! My companion and i went to three different house for Christmas dinner. Also my new years was fun because I got to eat even more Dominican food and my apartment was completely surrounded by a huge Dominican party. All of our neighbors were blasting (bachata and merengue) from 6 huge speakers and 3 different cars until 7 am. So we didn't sleep very well and may or may not have been dancing through the night solo in our apartment (sacrifices of a missionary). But foreal its crazy how different the holidays are without your immediate family. Definitely missed being crazy with my brother, sisters, Mom, cousins, aunts and uncles. but I know with surety of the blessings that go to my family in the U.S and all of the families here in D.R from my full time service to the Lord (Matthew 19:29). Overall I have had an amazing 2 weeks as I have continued to work hard, love the people and try my best to do the will of the Lord here in D.R.

Update:

So I just completed my third transfer in the mission field and have exactly 5 months and 2 weeks in the service of the Lord as a full time missionary! Time has flown by. I am almost 1/4th done with my two years and I feel as If I just started the other day! Soo.. with this last transfer I have been assigned to stay in Fantino and will now have the pleasure of ending the mission of my companion Elder Carassco as he ends his two years this Feb. Most likely I will be in fantino for another 3 to 4 months as I end with Elder Carassco and train a new missionary the area. I was really excited with the news as I have baptismal dates  for this month and I have truly loved to see Fantino grow spiritually and in size of the branch as the Lord continues to bless us with success!

Spiritual:

This past Sunday was really special and emotional as I was able to see the capacity of our little branch double in size as it was filled with members, less active members and investigators that we have been working real hard to strengthen. I was filled with this pure joy and happiness the entire day I was blessed to see the fruits of my labors and above all witness the change in the lives of others when the apply the Gospel of Jesus Christ into their continually! In this past month, my family in Miami has been amazing example of this change. I was able to talk with my Miami family for Christmas and the brief moment I was able to feel this great change that takes place in the lives of all that accept and live this perfect plan of Happiness of Father in heaven has given us! This amazing plan is designed to turn all who were bad or good into great children of God! I testify that this Gospel is a great plan of happiness as I felt this happiness in my Life everyday as I have lived its teachings and helped others to do the same. I love having this great responsibility and privileged to share this Gospel with all those who are willing to open the hearts and grow closer God. Amazing Weeks in the work of the Lord. I love you all and hope to hear from you soon. Thanks for all of the letters and love!

Siempre con Amor,
Elder Rincon

December 19th 2013: Uplifting Scriptures *Jose is always teaching us*

First off a funny story! This week has been really fun; I was able to go paintballing, paint a house, go on exchanges with my american friend Elder Espinoza in cotui and have lunch with a bunch of our family in cotui!

Soo about one week ago we were passing by an old ladys house named Mommaton and were really good friends and always help with things in her house. Anyways, everytime we pass by her house we always chant her name really loud and she always yells something back at us and its really funny! Ex: Mommaton!, Mommaton! Mommaton! reply: Haaaayyy! Mi Hiiiiiijooos Como estan! Hace mucha tiempo! Venga aca!

Then we go over and talk to her about what we can do to help her! This time she needed help with a ghetto plastic tube that was funneling water into her house and had a couple leeks! I happily went over to the pipe, in my tie and church clothes and tryied to stabalize the pipe with a rupper rope thing. As I began to fix it, the pipes became unconnected and I start to spay water all over me! As I backed up to get out of the way of the water, so that I wouldnt be completely soaked, Mommaton, being the funny old dominican lady she is asked me if I was scared and then began to try to fix it herself! as we were both trying to fix it while getting soaked in water. We pleaded with her to turn off the water spout bc it would be alot easier to fix, but she just kept repeating. EX;  Mommaton apagala her: Que No! us: Mommaton! Apagala! Her: Que no!. We repeated this like five times as we were soaked in water and then we finally turned off and fixed it simply. It was really funny and we still laugh with her about every time we pass by!

Difficulty:

Fantino has continued to have success as we work hard to reactivate, Find  and strenghthen the Lords lost children here in Fantino. Some of the Dificulties in this area, is that the members in this branch dont like to work in the lords work at all. It is really hard to leave with members for lessons and we havent recieved a single reference in two months. It is really hard to know how much more success is possible for this town and not see the progress as the members refuse to work hard to progress the work of Salvation of souls here in Fantino. A big part of the work here is to  strenghthen the liders here spiritually, reactivate the hundreds of less active members who have forgotten their baptisimal covenants and above lead and do everything by example. Literally as missionaries here, we are obligated to lead in every aspect of the gospel and within the church. Despite these difficulties we have continued to progress and I have felt the Lords loving touch in all that I do!

It has also still really hard to cope with fact that my Dad has passed on. I know that all of us our coping with this unexpected loss in our own ways, and I want so bad to be there for each of you guys as we cry tears of joy, anxiety, happiness,sadness and laughter together, But the Lord has testified to me everyday of thes the past five months and countless times throughout my life that he needs me to be serving him fulltime as His representative! Although it is hard to look at photos at our father or read emails from him that he sent me or medidate about all of the speciel personal times we had together. I am able to feel my saviors love, the love of hevaenly and earthly father and be really happy all the time. I know that the same is possible for all of you guys If we truly use the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives.  Alma (7:11-12)

Spiritual:

It is literally impossible to pick one spiritual moment as a missioionary because my life as a Representative of jesus Christ is filled with hourly spiritual experiences but, this past week I was truly touched in a testimony meeting that we had between a hundred of the missionaries that are in our zone and the neighboring three zones! I was able to feel and be strenghthenend by other testimonies and bare my own testimony to help strenghthen others. One scripture from this meeting has stuck in my mind since in Matthew 19:29 (read this scripture). I know that we all will receive countless blessings for the our sacrifice for the Lord and As dad told me in his last email to me (I am proud to be your son and we are recieving the fruits of your labor) I know that the lord will continue to bless our family as we follow him and help All others to do the same (that includes all of our family).

Another really special miracle occured this past as we gave a priesthood blessing to a sister who had broken her foot and needed a cast for 4 weeks. As we gave her blessing of health and felt the stong spirit of the Lord guide our thoughts and words, we testified that the lord would heal her according to her faith and that he would provide away that she could take care of her two small children. As we returned back to her house two days later. She was walking around the house normal and told us how she had put her faith in the Lord, in his priesthood and has not felt pain in her ankle since. She also tour of the cast and continued to provide for her family.

Power of the priesthood!

I love being a missionary! I love my family SOOOOOOOOOO much and think about each of you daily! I pray for you daily and work in the lords vineyard with all my heart, might, mind and strenghth so that other families will have the oppurtunity to be brought unto the same light and knowledge that we have! I know why I am in the DR! I know where my Dad is! I know that we can will all live again with him if we stay firm in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and active in his one true church upon the face of the earth! I know he loves me and each of you! I feel his love and recognize his blessings everyday I am blessed with! In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Scripture that help me on the daily! Please read these!

D&C 138 AND D&C 121:6-7 AND D&C 122:7-9

IMPORTANT: This next wed, Christmas day we get to sykpe or google plus  for awhile so I need everyone to be ready to pick up the phone and set up computer stuff christmas day! I am so excited to see all of you again! Love you soo much! Thanks for all of the emails and packages!

siempre con amor,

Elder Rincon

December 11th 2013: really short weekly letter bc i had to so many things i had to do today and i ran out of time

hey sorry everyone!!! 

i love you all sooooooo much! and i want to send pictures and send each of you the personal letters that i hand wrote but the internet, power and computers is too slow and isn't allowing me! thank you DR! But i want each of you to know how happy i am in my life! i literally cant stop smiling all day because i feel a pure love and happiness in my heart that makes me feel this obligation to share it with everyone! time for testimony! i am so thankful for my savior Jesus Christ who has blessed me with his perfect gospel and church to bring my family a pure joy that lasts for all eternity! i am privileged to have the most amazing family in the world! i am privileged to be a representative of Jesus Christ for 2 years! i am privileged to to have a powerful testimony of my Heavenly Fathers plan for me in my life and for my family! i know where my father is! i know that i can live with him again forever! i testify that the gospel of Jesus Christ and his church are true! we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!

 

dont forget i get to skype on christmas day! please send me the info i need to make this christmas the best ever! i love you all so much! thanks for all the love!

 

siempre con amor

 

elder rincon

December 4th 2013: Priviledged and Humbled

Wow! This week has been so amazing!

Family Albrincole:

This family has been golden and so special these entire two months that we have been teaching them! Every lesson, they immediately apply the gospel into their lives and fully live the commandments of God! They always attend church, activities and service projects! We have been preparing them for baptism the entire month of November! I have never felt so strong that this family was prepared to make a covenant with Heavenly Father! This past weekend was there baptism and Confirmation! Throughout Both of these amazingly spiritual experiences I felt a marvelous peace, warmth and happiness as  My heavenly Father and Earthly Father smiled down on this Family! They are now members of the Lords church and all three of the men in their family hold his holy priesthood authority. All who witnessed this miraculous step in the lives of this family was able to feel a joy and happiness that only comes from the Lords Work and Glory! This family literally lives in a tiny wooden_ metal shack and they insisted on feeding lunch and Dinner almost everyday this week! This past Sunday which was fast and testimony meeting the father Polo bore his testimony after receiving the Holy Spirit as a constant companion and being ordained as a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints! It was so powerful and touching to witness a man change his entire Life for his family and God to testify of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his Church! The spirit overcame almost all who listened as we cried tears of Joy for this amazing family and the path they have chosen!!

I have never Felt so privileged in all of my life to have the opportunity to be used as tool in the Lords Hand in his work as he continues to transform the lives of The Families here in Fantino! The Lord has been working really hard with us as we have strived to do his will and has been blessing the Lives of every family and person that has accepted and lived his words. All things all possible in Christ who strengthens us!

I know many people have been worried about me here in DR! But I have truly never been so happy in my entire Life to be Here in DR as a representative of Jesus Christ! He has strengthened me everyday and I have his Love, my Heavenly Father love, my earthly fathers love and the Love of my family everyday! I know that the Lord needs me here in DR and that my Dad wants here more than anything else in the world! I feel his presence with me daily and although I miss him so much, I am more than satisfied with my knowledge of where he is and what he is doing! I work my hardest everyday to bring others unto this same knowledge of their heavenly Father and his plan of happiness for each one of his special children! I Know where my father is, I know what my Heavenly Father wants me to do and I am assured of his plan for me everyday I testify of him! I love you all so and I am so thankful for your support! They truly help me soo much every week!

Hope to hear from you soon (don't forget we get to skype on christmas)! Sorry no pics this week I forgot my camera! Ill make sure to send some next Wed.!

Siempre con amor 

Elder Rincon

 

PS if you are wondering what you can send me to help me out, please send me things for my companion like ties or anything with love! He doesn't have any support from his family and hasn't received a single thing from anybody in 1 year and 9 months! Anything would help him out and make his experience that much better. You could send church conference videos, church music, ties, shoes, candy or anything! Thanks again my People! LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!