June 16, 2014~ "

1.  So Elder Williams was in your District at the MTC and you roomed with his twin...Where did his twin go on his mission?

His twin is in honduras

2.  What was the hardest thing that you had to deal with this week?

A lot...

3.  What kinds of things have you been making yourself for meals?

 Tacos, I bought pizza rolls because they were on sale, um really anything I can think of

So I crashed an unexpected wedding from Prez Hintze's first convert here in El Salvador who lives in my branch.  No one knew and we found out along with President hours before.. it was nuts.. haha.  He didn't say anything and wanted to keep it on the down low I guess... but it was funny because he met the lady, who is a member, over some church site.  She lives in Puerto Rico and this would be the first time they would see each other too haha.  When Prez heard about it we were in his car and he slams on the brakes turns around and says Elders you can not and will not find your wives that way and we all started laughing hahaha.  So now I am a wedding crasher...I will send the pics too! but onto more...

There comes a time in everyones life where they will experience a type of fire. This fire isn't what burns inside you nor is literal.  I would like to focus this letter on the Refiners Fire.  My letter this week will be really different than before but bare with me.

This past week and past couple  of weeks have been hard on me... Physically as well as mentally and spiritually. Like a refiner does when he whats to get the purest gold or silver he refines it, but this process is a little different as it isn't easy. He will pass it through a hot fire.. a time of trial to say to get all the slag out.  Like the scriptures Isaiah 48:10 and Job 23:10  and Zechariah 13:9 relate to. We are still having troubles with the work here. The frustrating part is that this time I know for sure it isn't what we are or aren't doing but more of a time of trial.  I have been pondering a lot this week on the whys and how comes and have come to the conclusion after reading scriptures and other things that I am going through a time of trial not for bad but more for what will come out of it....gold. Now don't get me wrong...I am still happy as ever and still me! But this time has really matured me as well and made me realize and rely more on my Father in Heaven... how ironic too as Fathers Day is at this time haha. ..But as happened in helaman 13:2-3 Samuel didn't give up and go home but ended up returning and this is the key. In times of trial we can give up and take the easy way out but we won't get rid of all the slag in us to say. It also made me realize of the talk by Elder Cook -Hope You Know I Had A Hard Time. I recommend all of you to watch this as it gives so much counsel to us especially in times of need. I have a testimony that God loves us and that he will cut us down sometimes to make us better... maybe not in the moment but with time...bear with thine afflictions and patience and in the end I will give thee success. I love you guys and just wanted to let you guys know I'm ready for a new week! Hopefully it will be better too! I  am happy and excited as ever even though I have taken kind of a serious tone this letter.

Love you guys and hope you know I had a hard time!

Elder Clev

"Wedding Crasher"

Yes, Weddings make me cry..haha

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June 9, 2014~"If Today You are A Little Better than You were Yesterday, Then That's Enough"~ Elder David A. Bednar

1. Who is Elder Williams from the MTC? Were you guys good buds in the MTC? I don't remember you mentioning him before.
He was in my district and his twin was my roommate there too.

2. Sick eh? Did you eat something or drink something bad? 
Who knows but I feel great now!

3. Where did Stin get transferred to? 
He is in a place called Itzalco as a DL.

Dang sounds like Ryan did work at 7 on 7..Did he play JV or Varsity?
Ill be sure to keep Gpa in my prayers and we all know trials pass by in our lives for a reason and God has his reasons.  I am sure everything will be all good though. 

This past week is hard to describe. Not too much went on but at the same time a lot did. As for teaching and prospects, all of this week our investigators have been doing worse and worse. Antonio doesn't want to get married even though he knows its what he needs to do.  He doesn't want to give up his freedom that he has...I know its sad. The others two sisters that we had been teaching are part of some weird religion made up from some South Korean who believes in the biggest nonsense you could think of. And as for news, we had very little...a frustrating week. We did put a goal for visiting 25 less actives, as that is the goal for the mission every week and we did accomplish that as a District.  It was so cool yesterday... everyone had to work so hard in each area to do it and at night when I asked for each number we all got exactly what we needed.  I was so happy! Now its just maintaining that and working in other areas. Patience has always been something I have lacked but I am being patient and waiting for the success to come as we keep achieving our goals that Papa Hintze gives us.  It was so nice to report that number to him too.

Sometimes in life we do all we can and achieve our goals but still nothing happens how we want. As God says "my ways are not your ways, nor your thoughts mine", or something like that haha. We also finally received the Liahona with the conference talks. I love going back and seeing what I missed because I do every time. I can say that I delight in the words of the prophets and hope that you guys are doing the same. Remember that if we just choose this day to do what the Lord wants he will bless us then move onto the next day. Problems today will be better tomorrow if we do so. I realized I don't bear much testimony in my letters but I know that this gospel is true and I will say it to anyone who thinks otherwise as happened this past week.  Someone tried to tell me I am wasting my time. I know I am here because of the truth and that we all can help bring people to this same knowledge. I love you Mom, Fam, and friends... stay strong in the gospel!
Elder Clev

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June 2, 2014~"Respect is Earned, Honesty is Appreciated, Trust is Gained, Loyalty is Returned"

1.  Did you end up staying there or are you somewhere else? How did transfers effect you?
I stayed and got 2 new Elders in my District

2. Did Stin stay or did he get transferred?
 He got transferred and was so happy.. haha

3.  So no one in the whole mission can go to the beach now?
 Nope.. nadie

4.  Since you have to be in by 6, do you go out earlier to teach and find people?  Do you do more studying/planning at night than in the morning now?
 Yeah.. we go out earlier and study at night

5.  Anything move forward with the lady and her son that you found the previous week?
 No because now they are in the new elders area

I loved being the only white boy in the group.. that changed this past change as 2 gringos came. Elder Mapasua is American too just his skin doesn't show it haha.

As for Elder Paulson I'm so jealous that he is there haha.  I wanna go there! He is so spoiled in his mission.
Thats good that you guys enjoyed the week and partied hard... haha.   I haven't read Nate's letter yet but I do have one for him.

Well my week was short not too much to comment on sorry so I will get right to it...

Speaking of being cooped up in my house...I got sick again..  I woke up in the night and had the poops and yeah stayed in the bathroom for 4 hours... it was terrible.   The next day we didn't work at all because I had 0 energy.  That is kinda how the whole week went.  I had no energy because I was sick to my stomach and literally could not eat anything.  That was Tuesday and the next 2 days we had to teach the 2 new elders that came here their area so Friday I finally got to work in my area! The new elders ~ one is Elder Williams from the MTC! We live in the same house its cool and his comp is new from Honduras and we are helping him have fun on the Mish.  They are both good Elders and I know I won't have any problems with them. Other than that, that was my week working with 0 energy and nothing happened.  We did  take a day hike for 45 minutes to contact a reference which was the sister of a convert who is really positive but man did it suck getting there!   It was cool because we walked through the jungle... I pretty much felt like I was in a movie!! When we got there she kept giving us oranges and I ate 7 oranges.  Well sorry its short but that's the happenings of my week!  I'm great now and  I am so ready for this next week! Love you Mom and family and Friends!
Elder Clev

The Sick Life (Sick in Bed)... That is his Comps stuffed animal

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May 26, 2014~ "There is One Thing the Lord Expects of Us No Matter our Difficulties and Sorrows: He expects Us to Press On"

Not too many questions this week... wow surprising! Why am I not surprised that you ended up doing most of the work ..who knows? haha. That's so cool about Stock,  that guy really is a stud and will do great.  Funny that he was nervous this time... his head wasn't so big eh?

I am really surprised you actually talked and didn't get out of it this time.. even though it was your birthday. Well graduation... what the freak... that cant happen can it? Man  I'm getting old...

Well these are the happenings of my week....

So first.. last P-day was way fun and we chilled at the beach with a couple other zones. Yes we played football again and this time it turned into tackle.  It was so fun haha.  I will send pictures don't worry. The bad news is 2 of the zones didn't ask for permission to leave their respected zones.. one of course was my trainer ..yes he is a ZL now. So now we can't leave our zones or go to the beach anymore even though it is in my zone.   I guess I will live though. You saying that I probably won't change this transfer might be wrong. From what I'm hearing is I'm leaving moving up to be a ZL somewhere ...who knows but that's the word on the street.. we shall see this Wednesday!

Other things that have happened are we did have the baptism! We baptized Julio and Cristofer, my two biggest fans haha.  I love those guys and are hoping they set the example for their parents to get married and baptized.  We are still working with them and  they are way cool just the problem of marriage here is insane...because if something happens and they want a divorce its a ton of money and they can't afford it... that's another problem here for missionaries.

I did have another cool experience happen this week!   So we were trying to find new people to teach but having no luck at all. Suddenly my comp goes you have the revelation to this area its your turn. Haha I was a little irritated with that for a sec but then said fine I'm gonna do it. So we started walking when we passed a house and I heard the screech of a TV on... for some reason it stuck out to me but I thought no that never happens. I then got the impression to turn back but still said nah. Finally I just turned around and touched the door, a lady came and said she was busy but maybe another time.  I started asking her like when? When suddenly she just opened the door and let us in. We started teaching her when her son, who is 25, came and started listening too. They both were way interested and had good questions. It was such a cool experience to know I listened to the Spirit even though my own mind was saying no.

One more thing from this week is now we have to return at 6 due to problems in the country that are really serious. Its pretty much a war going on from what I have heard between the gangs, police, and another group that no one knows of. It starts at night so we all come in early now... it kinda sucks but this is a rule for the whole country and came from the General Authorities so pretty big. But dont worry we are being safe and have fun still! Well there is my week...Love you Mom and Fam!
Elder Clev

On P-Day after playing Football

ZLs house with My bud Elder Mapasua!

Julio and Cristofer's baptism

Julio and Cristopher's Baptism Day

Trying to stay cool

Elder Talla and Elder Clev making "Birthday Cake"...trying to feel part of birthday celebrations
here at home.

The final project-  Birthday Cake El Salvador style

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May 19, 2014~"Always Be Kinder than You Feel"

1. What was your favorite experience from this week? 
Um.. that we had a Baptism!!!!

2. What did you do last week for P-Day?
We just chilled at the beach.  Thats what we will do today too but with a ton of missionaries

Dang Zach Winter is lucky Guate (Guatemala) is a blessed country and they have some much success.  He will love it there.  If I wasn't serving in the best mission, I would go there for sure!  Jace and Landon comps?! Thats so sick! They will love that time.  Man I need to talk to them! But yeah me and Stin still have a cooler story..I mean we were best friends before the mish. Thats so nuts about Uncle Brandon too.. freak! I am thinking it was Elder Roberts... thats so cool.  He is an awesome guy and he lives in Centerville... definitely a friend after the mish.  I'm glad you finally got to go to Bdubs.. its about time gosh mom!
Tell Jimmy (Jaime) that I say hi when they come by... he is a fun guy and I love that man.. I love a lot of things don't I? Tell Ryan I'm so freakin proud of him.  He is gonna be a huge stud his senior year and I'm pumped to be able to see it! Tell him to work hard though... he still has a lot to work on!
Well onto my week....

So this week as a leader, I also have a meeting with my District... which is my Zone and we have been struggling lately.. not bad but not how I want things. So I got the impression to tell the story about the Layton game my Senior year. At the end you could see in the guys eyes fire and a want to do better... that its only halftime and we can still win. I have learned how much sports has helped me relate to other people and also the work. After I worked with my ZL on intercambios but Elder Talla too... in a 3some for the day. It was so freakin fun.  We talked about experiences we had before the mish and honestly I love latinos.  They are the craziest people haha. On Friday we found out that one of our investigators didn't need an interview with Prez cuz he has killed people in the war...because it was warfare... so we went and put a baptism date with him for Saturday... the next day! Man was it crazy planning a baptism and still trying to work. When Saturday came we had to get keys to the capilla (chapel)... mostly just for the pila (font) to fill it up so we went and got the key which everyone that has a key lives far and won't let us get a copy of the key for who knows what reason. So we went and the 1st counselor asks if we want the key to the door to the capilla as well...we said no because on Saturdays the kids always have mutual and its always open so we just got keys to the pila (font). Man was I naive to think that a baptism could go so smooth. Of course we get there and its locked! We ran home which isn't too far and called everyone with keys and nobody was coming because the young men went to the temple! I was so mad... we had 20 minutes to run back grab the key that we could have had 2 hours ago and prepare everything...It was nuts and kinda funny when a tall white guy in a white shirt and tie is running in the street and everyone is wondering what is going on...I'm sure it looked like the James Bond movies when he runs in his suit and  his tie is flying everywhere but he still looks good haha.. hope that even made sense. But in the end we had the baptism and everything was good!

So that was my week... pretty much nothing too cool.  Sorry but I will try extra hard to find or do something cool this week. Love you Mom and fam and friends do whats right and be examples!
Elder Clev

**FELIZ CUMPLIAÑOS tambien eat lots of cake and ice cream for me because when I get back ooooo I'm partying for your birthdays!

"Beach Babes"

Living Country Style still

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May 12, 2014~"A Goal without a Plan is just a Wish"

About being blessed...I am so blessed in so many ways... sometimes its hard to even think about! Ever since the almost robbing haha  I have been so grateful to my Father in Heaven for the protection and the strength he has given me. (This past week at about 8:30 p.m. at night Elder Clev and his companion were attacked by some men who tried to rob them.  They tried explaining to the men that they did not have any money on them just books but the men didn't leave them alone and since the men did not have any knives or guns with them and before it went any further, Elder Clev and his comp made a run for it...they were able to get away safely and without anything being taken or any harm)

I feel so dumb for not being a better example at home and really I find it hard to tell the siblings what to do when in their spots, I didn't do the same but now I have realized my mistakes and as I wouldn't change the way I did things, because I learned from my experiences, I still don't want others to do the same. In speaking Spanish I love it... maybe more than English now haha.   I am always trying to improve and  I am always thinking in Spanish now its crazy!  Put to practice the things you guys need to work on and don't worry, when I get back I wanna help.. also not in a pushy rude way because thats not me but it will help me as well keep things I wanna keep that I have learned from the mission.

Just know also Mom that I feel supported fully by my Mom and that I couldn't ask for better parents.  You guys really have helped me and still do... its nice to know how blessed I am.

I love serving and have felt the love from everyone, especially my Heavenly Father. Keep moving forward and bettering each day! Love you Mom and everyone else! Peace!
Elder Clev

"No Robbing"

Temple Trip

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May 5, 2014~ "Sacrifice is made Sweet to us when we Treasure the Joy it brings to Another Heart"~ Pres. Henry B. Eyring

1.  How did Carmen's b-day party go? How is the teaching going with the Cedillos?
It was awesome!!!

2.  Details/Plans for phone call for Mother's Day?...will you be Skyping? What day & time? 
Ok so on Sunday we will be Skyping... time we are not sure just be ready in the afternoon from 1 to 7 because we have no idea

Funny thing... last p-day the other Elder got switched out right after writing so now its just Me and Elder Talla alone in the house again and with a huge area but wants me to look for a house for......HERMANAS

Dang wedding announcments what is this? I knew Skyller would get married fast and thats cool for Haden because she is strong in the church and he really has changed his life for the better.  You want consistant weather? here it rains in a second... hard.. it sucks haha

Well my week was different as is every week! More last minute things and pulling things together. So on Pday Elder Goodman left and now its just me and my right hand man Elder Talla! We have been doing work especially this past week. We had the bday party which was awesome.  The whole family of 12 love us and we are now part of their family! We hope to be able to teach all of them and hopefully 12 baptisms!!! We went by again later in the week and put baptismal fechas with Antonio, Carmen, Cristofer and Julio and also with another guy named Dolores ...yes Dolores all of these fechas are for this week.   Dolores 11th and the family Cedillos 10th so we should be swimming in the water this week haha! We watched the Testaments with the family and you could really feel the Spirit there... it was awesome.  Me and Elder Talla really can compliment each other in lessons too and bring the Spirit...I love it!

Also bigger news!! We baptized Adela, the mom of Julie and Marcos!!!!!   On Thursday we passed by and had been trying to put the date for the 3rd of May for probably a month now and every cita we had brought it up, invited her and she would deny not once or twice but multiple times. She had a ton of confidence in Elder Gonzalez and when he left I honestly thought all hope was lost. She was soooo hard.  I couldn't even describe it... definitely a miracle. She knew everything, it was just the change and actually doing the things because she would always go to church. She told us in class at church she had to read a part in principios de evangelio (gospel principles) and when we heard what it was it had exactly to do with her situation and she said it choked her that she almost couldn't speak and that was her sign. So on Thursday night we put the fecha and I was just waiting everyday for her to change it but she didn't. We baptized her in the capilla of the temple because she wanted that and freak was that hard enough. So we went and I called Elder Reynolds the night before to bring baptismal clothing and keys for the church and of course it was all cool but they came late and Adela had an appointment and not too much time. After Elder Reynolds opened the door but he didn't unlock it, so if it shut it would lock again. Well we went outside to take a picture and the chair in the way someone moved and it locked us out! I was stressing out so bad when all of a sudden some random kid comes walking out of the church... don't know what he was doing there but truly a blessing!  After I drained the pila I gave a fist pump in the pila haha..I had too. Well that was pretty much my week hope everything made sense...I'm not really thinking just typing but hope you guys have a good week and I will see you guys Sunday woo! love you guys!
Elder Clev

My buddy Elder Reynolds (brother of Imagine Dragons)

TACO BELL

Adela's Baptism

Elder B Clev's bow and arrow

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