A WEEK WITH THE ZL's

Dearest Mommy!!

Dad, your eyes are getting heavy eh? (YES still Canadian!!!) I haven't slept for 2 nights, at all... as you know i spent the week with the ZL's and what an amazing experience!!! but Sister Lavoie, also from Canada, got sick, we had to go and pick them up and take them home, and then at, about 9:30 we got a call to come and give her a blessing, so we go and we stayed there till about 12:30 to make sure she was ok, and we went home, we all knew we were going to get another call to get her to the hospital, so we stayed up to wait for it, it came at 4:30, so once again we go to their apartment, rushed them to the hospital.  So she had to stay the night, so we left to get sister Mata'u some food, and get some other stuff, so we go back at about 6, and we stayed the night in the hospital, neither of us slept, especially me.. but yesterday I came back down to homestead, and i was head-bobbin' it the entire rest of the day. last night i knocked out at about 10 and woke up sick... just from lack of sleep, or maybe the hospital food, idk but it was gross!!! so i went back to bed at 7:30 and was woken up at about 11 to go and email, and shop and junk. and finally here i am, feeling a lot better... 

Elder Maki's condo complex

so with the health and junk, my back is feeling soooooo much better, Kathleen told me to start walking around the appt without the cane, so i have been, and i feel so much better, i go twice this week, and twice next week. so i will be spending over 500$ in the next week to let you know. i bought a exercise ball with the card today. but i also have been getting all invoices and receipts and i have an envelope here i am putting them in... but yes send the package with the usual Canadian candies and stuff. Ya so i got a little taste of what it is like to be a Zone Leader and it is actually pretty fun, i wouldn't mind it. and the leg is good too. but also the exchange with the ZL's helped so much, because Elder Ho Ching (from samoa) just lost his mother a couple weeks ago :( so he helped me out so much!!! I hope you have been talking to Maria, she is awesome.  i just got a email from David also, (Francisco Flores) i call him David, which was really nice. . So please continue to talk to Maria for me, she means alot to me, her and her mom, Maria is like my sister, especially after what we went through with her family. I miss them. So we had Zone Conference this past week and i realized, "Holy Junk i only have 7 transfers left!" crazy eh? i am at transfer number 9 right now, for a Spanish missionary there are 16 transfers in a mission and 18 for an English missionary... Tropical Storm "Beryl" swept through Jacksonville FL a couple days ago and they are watching out for southern Florida because of the heat Float right now... We have been having "Flash Storms" lately, which are cool, because they look like a giant tornado shaped cloud, and it just dumps the rain and then its done, with lightning and thunder of course! but they just "Flash" up and it is cool! Well i am finishing the hardest most difficult chapter in my life and i am starting a new one soon.  as in i am getting better lol.. 


Teiler!!! whatsup bro? dude time flies! you are graduating! that is nutso how fast time goes by. when i started my mission you were in grade 11, now you are graduating! crazazy! how did you like Home Teaching with dad?  its fun eh? i know what you are thinking right now Is Kodi Nuts? right? lol Missionary work is so much fun! especially here cuz you gots tons of cool people to talk to, especially in Spanish! how is the Finnish coming? that would be awesome if you served your mission in Finland eh? well write me a long letter next week lol. Love you Buddy! 


So i got 3 mins left on the computer so i have to close.  I love you all so much and thank you for everything!


Yours Always
Elder Maki

KEY LARGO

Hey Mami!!

Oki doki! so about the transfer, ya i got transferred to homestead west and guess what...Key Largo is in my area!! my area is freakin HUGE! but hey oh well lol... the steroids are doing really well for me.  i am out harvesting and working like before, not bikes yet tho. but ya the roids are helping me a lot! 

 It has been raining almost everyday here and here in homestead the mosquitos are everywhere!!! but funny thing is, American mosquitos dont like my canadian blood! lol, i havent had one bite... 

my new companions are Elder Hardman, who is from West Valley Utah, who is at 20 months in his mission, me, at 13 months, and elder Benitez, from Paraguay/Utah who we are green breaking, (3 months) they are super coooooooool!!!!!!!!!!! Elder Hardman scared me the first time i saw him lol, but he is just a giant teddy bear.. he is awesome... and Elder Benitez is super cool! With the physio therapist thing, each visit costs $140 and i see them about 2 times a week... so just make sure that there is enough in there if you please... I love you guys a lot! 

Teiler, que paso chicomalo!? no recibi tu carta!!! jk jk jaja whats up Teiler,? hope everythin is well with you, i hope you know i pray alot about you every night.. 

 So Kathleen (my physiotherapist) is putting me on the bike this week so hopefully next week i will be back out on bike.. and President is taking good care of me, i think a little too much lol, he is sending me out with the Zone Leaders from tuesday till friday... idk if it is to see how i am doing with the work or he looking for something else in me or what but we will see jaja.. oki doki. where can i look for that electrical pads things for my back? are you guys still looking? that would help me outsoooo much.  Oh ya and our apartment is NICE!! it is a townhouse!! 4 man apt, 2 floors, 3 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, big kitchen it is nice .

 until next week, i love you all and thank you for all your prayers!!!

Yours Always

Elder Maki

SOLDIERING ON!!

Again let me begin by giving some back ground info of the past week and the goings on.  We conducted a special fast for Elder Maki on the 29th of April with family and a few friends.  Then our entire ward fasted for him on fast sunday.  The opening prayer in Sacrament meeting was amazing as pleas were given from the pulpit that Edler Maki would be granted strength to overcome his infirmities.  Very touching, and everyone we talked to said that they were and are praying for his recovery and adding their faith to ours that he will get better.

Dearest Mommy!

Well this past week was a "what the heck" week, first, we are a trio now, Elder Gutierrez was emergency transferred and Elder Dean, Elder Shepherd and I were put into a trio to tackle both areas.. its hard let me tell ya! especially because my pain is getting worse......they gave me tramodol, the closest thing to a narcotic without being one, and cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant... knocks me right out, therefore it is difficult to work cuz i am so weak, and i am loopy and groggy... i got a couple pictures to show you..haha it is really whacked out... un poco extra~o. 

btw dad, when you said Alex hasn't found Henrice yet i busted a gut laughing cuz it is spelled, Enrique... the way you spelled it would be pronounced herise. lol anyway, dad that is a way cool idea with the saunas, hey i could even design them for you, with my architecture skizizles.. this last week was easier for me to get out cuz now i am in a car and i can actually get out there, i can't harvest...so president is mad at me because of that, but i told him that i am unable to walk until i can get some treatments,,, so you said don't worry about money? it is going to cost upwards of about 4000-6000 dollars but ok lol.  I have done the complete opposite of give up hope, I have asked for those blessings, i got a blessing last night about the situation i am in and the words that came from the Lord through Elder Shepherds mouth said these words "you have worried about leaving early because of the pain, i say to you, Have i not spoken peace to your heart? have i not comforted you? stand still and know that you are being watched very carefully, and being taken care of.." i was wowed.  There was my wow moment dad lol...so ya don't worry i will serve my heart out.  I told president i am not giving up.  I passed out this past week which scared the crap out of president and everybody.  but i am back on my feet now...and i will carry on... Onward Christian Soldiers! 

This mission is being watched by the General Authorities and they love what we are doing and are taking "the harvest" around the world... President told them, , this is not a surprise to this mission, but it comes because we have the best missionaries the world that the church has ever seen... i want to be apart of what happens next! don't worry mom, i wont come home by my free will and choice. 




Its starting to get humid here again...ay ay ay... oh ya and i will be skyping at 7:00 sunday night my time, 5:00 your time. i look forward  to it...i want to speak Spanish so badly but you only speak English lol... How are Ryans Visa stuff going? Oh and i am teaching a CANADIAN!!!!!!!!!!! he is super cool and he is as good as baptized!!! I bought another CTR ring on deseretbooks.com because my other one i gave to Maria, haha she wanted a spinny CTR ring so yesterday i gave it to her. but the CTR ring i bought broke :( so i am going to buy another one. i will use the MSF card tho, (missionary support fund) But i love you and thank you for all the prayers and fasting! it may not have cured me, but it has given me the strength to carry on.. until sunday, nos vemos!

Elder Dean and Elder Shephard

Yours Always,


Elder Maki (Gimpy)

THE ORTHOPOD DIARIES

Again I feel I need to precursor Elder Maki's letter with some explanation.  He met with an Orthopod (Orhtopedic Surgeon) and had an MRI and consult with him.  This particular Doctor is not a member of the church and is known to be very blunt and direct with his patients.  We can tell that Elder Maki is still discouraged at his physical limitations and discomfort.  However we have talked to his doctors as well as his Mission President and we know that he will be able to recover in the mission field.  Dr Staheli is confident that with steroids and other treatments as well as physio therapy he will get better.  So, on to the letter.....

Dearest Mommy,

Thank you for your letter, I saw the Dr. on friday and today, had an MRI and stuff and let me just say a few words...and sorry if these are hurtful in anyway.  I know President doesn't want to send me home, i don't want to go home, but get this, my pain is getting worse. I can hardly walk, i am getting ZERO sleep. i am running on empty. About your experience in the celestial room mom, at that moment, i felt i needed to do the reaching up, and grabbing the robe. I did, i reached up, but he didn't heal me, (now this was a dream btw) He helped me up, and told me, whatever happens, is for your benefit, and you are in my hands.. i then asked him, "if i leave, wilt thou accept my very best effort?" he replied with a gentle "I love you, how could i not?" Mom, Dad and Teiler, your prayers and fasts mean everything to me.  I know it is according to my faith, i have the faith to be healed, and please understand that i want to finish my mission. But this isn't a matter of wants, it is a matter of needs. i spoke with the Dr, today, and the first words he said as he walked into the room, "so you staying or going?" I told him "I think i am going" and he told me, "that is what you need, your MRI is fine, nevertheless, your pain is getting worse, you cant walk, twist, bend, allergy to anti-inflammatories, sleep...the best thing for you right now is swimming and rest.  i know you don't want to go, but i cannot treat you, if i do, it will cost you upwards of 4-6000 dollars."  I am trying to talk to president but he won't answer.  Please understand, i have prayed and fasted to know what is best, every scripture i read, every feeling i feel, which is a peaceful feeling, directs me home... your prayers mean everything and understand and know that they are not wasted, for your prayers have kept me going. there is only one want that gets fulfilled, that is what the Lord wants... If the Lord needs me home then he needs me home.. 

Yesterday was my spiritual boost for the week, we were at a noche de hogar (FHE) and it was really good, and then the girl, Michelle, afterward told us something that has been happening to her for a long time, (this came after giving sis. rodriguez a blessing for her back, and elizabeth a blessing of comfort,) and she asked us to give her a blessing of protection, an evil presence has been following her around and was looking for something... so we asked her where it happened most, she said in her room. i go in and imediately feel the presence.  I look at her, and i tell her it was there... we did the same thing we did with sister Nava and Maria, we dedicated the home and we cast out the Devils, i was literally talking to him, and he was talking back, but my faith surpassed my fear. and I commanded him to leave. after the blessing and dedication, we gave Michelle the blessing of protection and I passed out...dont worry, it was because of the spirit... like Ammon and his brethren.. It was amazing.. very powerful. 

Elder Maki's apartment in Sunset

Mom, Dad, Teiler. If i come home, know that i did my best, that the Lord is pleased with what i have done, because i asked him as i would ask dad. And i heard is voice saying "all is well my son. Return with Honor" Mom, Dad, and Teiler, i cannot express my love to you, but know that i am fighting with all my strength, mom you know all too well what it is like working on 0 sleep and with severe pain..Mosiah 3:7..... whatever happens, its in the Lord's hands, and i would ask you, as my family, to accept that... I know i will need to return home, i do not know when, but it is soon... Dr. Staheli is talking to president right now, and then i will talk to president myself, and we will figure something out... I KNOW that i need to return home, accept that fact, Dad, i have prayed for the strength, I am receiving it as i need it... But not only I, but the elders, and the Dr,s know that if i continue, i will end up in the hospital... we don't want that...on a scale on 1-10 my pain level is 9, no joke, if you could see me you would know...I am sorry if this letter was hurtful, but i needed you to understand my side...But not my will, but the will of my father in heaven, be done.  I love you all so much...Talk to you soon.


Yours Always, well...whats left of me anyway haha,


Elder Maki

DISCOURAGED, NEED PRAYERS

Well this is one of those letters that I had a difficult time trying to decide if I should post it or not.  But after much consideration and prayer I feel that I should share it with you all.  Sometimes health issues, sickness, and other things can cause a missionary to become discouraged.  Discouragement is one of the ways which Lucifer can thwart the work.  So with that in mind, feel free to read this letter.  


UPDATE: We have since spoken with President Anderson, and received a letter from Dr. Stahli, who has already met with and examined Elder Maki.  Things are not as gloomy as this letter may make them seem.  We are confident that Elder Maki will be able to stay out on his mission and finish the work that he has been called to do.  He will be having an MRI soon and meeting with the Orthopedic Surgeon to discuss the findings.  


Mission calls are so inspired.  We really feel that Elder Maki was called to his mission, not only to find those who are waiting for him specifically, but because there is someone there who will be able to help him medically, and either diagnose his condition or be able to prescribe a solution to his issues.  The pain is his leg and lower back are completely unrelated to his back issues he had before he left.  So this is something new, and could be as simple as a spider bite or some type of reaction to something; or it could be more complicated.  We are hopeful though and know that his care is in the hands of the Lord.  We hope and pray that you will add your faith, fasting and prayers to ours for him.  Thank You for your love and support to Elder Maki.


Now on to the letter...

Dear Mom

Once again, i need you all to sit down. What i am going to tell you all is very sad and upsetting.  first of all, all i want you to do right now, at exactly this moment, is turn to page 22 in this months ensign and read the title.................................................................did you read it? if so, you know the title of this letter..... i am very disheartened, depressed, scared lo que sea. Mom, Dad, Teiler, this might be my last transfer in my mission..... I as district leader, had an exchange with elder Hanson, an A.P, and the purpose of the exchange was to see if my back is ok to work, Elder Hanson, expressed concern, and I was not able to work very hard. He talked to Pres. and he came to our apartment on Saturday, and asked me to see an orthopaedic surgeon, so hopefully this week i will get it to see Dr. Stringham, a member who understands very well missionary work and how difficult it already is let alone having a very bad back... The other 3 elders in the apartment, along with our ward mission leader and 2 of our ward missionaries, gave me a blessing yesterday morning, and it was when Elder Dean was saying, "If it be God's will, Be thou Healed" that everybody in that room, knew i would get better, but it might not be here in the mission field.. Sister Rodriguez, was crying not because it was a powerful blessing, but because she knew i would have to leave my mission to recover. If i do return home, i would beg of all of you, to not think less of me because i didn't serve my full time, but that i served my best.. I did the Lord's will, i fought the good fight.  But i am not done yet. I feel very strongly that maybe the reason why i may need to return home is to take care of Teiler, He is losing his anchors. I may not be strong physically enough for him, but i can be that spiritual anchor he needs... I fear not of going home, but i fear of what people may think, the missionaries here, the ward back home, so on and so forth.. When i met with pres. on saturday, he told me, "i don't want to send you home, i cant lose you.  Mom, Dad, Teiler, i do not want to come home, but it might be necessary.  but my mission wont end when the name tag comes off.  i will be the best member missionary anyone has ever seen.. the last thing i want to do is to say when talking to mom by skype, is "see you in a few days". i am not ready yet. i need to hit my goal of 40 baptisms, i have 18 right now. ok enough crying Elder Maki, lol.. I promise i will do my best, if my mission is done, then that is the lord's will. As soon as the lord permits i will go to the temple, whether at the end of my mission or at home, and i will ask him "I did my best, wilt thou accept my very best effort?" i just hope that answer will be yes.  Mom i am sorry for this letter, i can just imagine  you right now, i  hate seeing women cry, especially women i love.. Everybody knows i will be coming back here. i know that! who knows maybe i will even live here! i fear your response letter jaja. President Anderson may be talking to you soon about the situation..But just know that i love you and i am doing my best. President saw me walking and was very concerned. he told me to stay off the bike and don't walk alot.. i have lost 20 pounds and i am very weak.. i am not sleeping and i am very tired jaja... i hate to say it, but its gonna happen sooner or later, or by skype jaja , see you soon... i hope its the skype option... I love you all, so much! 


Yours Always,
Elder Maki


Oh and Sister Snyder Got Baptized
Yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!