Less than a year left...afterburner time!

Bueno, ya saben que tengo un ano aquí en Houston. Estoy trabajando, predicando, y tratando para llegar a ser un muy bueno misionero del Senor. Se que aquí es donde yo necesito estar en estos momentos. Another wonderful week as passed by down here in sweet ol' Alvin. Elder Sibaja and I have really stepped it up the past few weeks. We had interviews with President Hall this week and it was super nice to be able to talk to him again. We are still working with one of our investigators , just trying to get her married so she can be baptized. Another one is still on track to be baptized on the 28th of October, and we have a bunch of other investigators that are still in the early steps. The work is doing very well and the ward is also starting to change. There is definitely a feeling of love around the whole ward right now! We finally moved into our own apartment this week, after living with the Zone Leaders for more than a month. We are still helping with Harvey clean up here in Alvin but not as much as in Houston. Other than that nothing much has happened. I know that the Christ is at the head of this church! 

les amo,

Elder Clements 

During the flood

After the flood

An Apostle, a change, and a new self

part-zone work crew

September 18th      
     Wow. What a week it has been! Let me first start off by saying, God is good. I have gone through a change the past few weeks, through the refiner's fire, and have come out with a new self. The Refiner has seen it fit for my companion and I to be tested, taken us to our limits, and has blessed us immensely in return for our diligence. We have been blessed with an abundance of the Spirit, and with the Spirit come the gifts of. I have been able to speak my best Spanish yet, our companionship is the most unified it has ever been, and I have been able to love with the gift of charity. Also, Elder Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, came to our stake center on Sunday. I was able to shake his hand and say "Hi" to him, and boy was that cool! The spirit he brought with him was astounding. He spoke on behalf of President Monson and informed us the world is praying for us. The Prince of Peace is our captain in this earthly battle! Keep the faith and the prayers rolling, they help a ton! 

Love, 

Elder Clements 

From Mission President Hall's Pen 9-11-17 (Tale of Two Cities)

     "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period..." These are the opening words to Charles Dicken's famous work, "A Tale of Two Cities".  As I have driven, walked, and worked the streets of Houston the last two weeks, these words have echoed in my mind. 

As soon at the roads were passable into Houston, Sister Hall and I drove into the city to get a feel for the impact of hurricane Harvey.  What we saw surprised us... On one side of the street was utter destruction, and yet, a street away there was no evidence that the storm had even come ashore.  The contrast was and still is remarkable to behold.  There are individuals and families who are rebuilding their lives, and there are individuals and families that go on with their day to day like they always have.  There are piles of debris, treasured memories, and valued belongings covering once manicured lawns, while the other side of the street is still manicured and the picture of peace. 

The impact of Harvey fell upon both the righteous and the unrighteous, the educated and the uneducated, the rich and the poor.  There was no discrimination of ethnicity, age, gender, health, religion or social status.  The floods came and went and either mildly inconvenienced some for a few days or have caused varying degrees of disruption to life and home for months to come.  There are those with flood insurance and there are those without flood insurance.  There are those who take no thought for the loss of material possessions, and there are those that are still lamenting the loss of a what they once had. 

This is the nature of mortality...  We don't need a Harvey to show up to Houston to find these two tales in all areas of the world or in our own lives.  For some, life is the best of times, and for others it feels like the worst of times, and for some it can change almost daily.  We see contrast at its best and opposition in all things at its finest.  It's a fragile balance and it can change on us overnight as life storms and then calms. The degree to which we feel the contrast will be relative to our individual circumstances and our perspective on the purpose of our lives.  What might be a huge and overwhelming issue for one, may be nothing more than a small annoyance to another.  Regardless, we can be assured they will come to all of us in some form or another either due to the consequence of choice, and in many cases, through nothing of our own doing. 

As I pondered on these great contrasts, these two tales, my mind was taken to the words of President Gordon B. Hinckley who taught, "There never was a greater time in the history of the world to live upon the earth than this. How grateful every one of us ought to feel for being alive in this wonderful time with all the marvelous blessings we have. ... And on top of all that is the Restoration of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with all of the keys and authority, with all the gifts and blessings, with all the organization and doctrine of all previous dispensations all brought into one. And you and I are partakers of that marvelous restoration."  As I remember this teaching, I feel incredibly blessed to live in the best of times...   It doesn't matter how many hurricanes rage, earthquakes shake, political and economic issues prevail; I know the battle is won and I need not fear as I am blessed!

In the same breath, President Hinckley didn't shy away, from recognizing the difficulties of our day, "I have little doubt that many of us are troubled with fears concerning ourselves. We are in a period of stress across the world. There are occasionally hard days for each of us." The worst of times can and do feel real and at times overwhelming.   

His optimistic message, however, "I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight.  I am suggesting that as we go through life we "accentuate the positive."  Do not despair. Do not give up. Look for the sunlight through the clouds. Opportunities will eventually open to you."   I trust this optimism with my whole soul on days where it feels like there is no silver lining in the dark clouds.

Elders & Sisters, our lives will be a tale of two cities.  On some days, the Harvey's of our life will come as consequences of choice or unexpectedly and without warning.  At other times, we will see nothing but blessings all around us.  It is the nature of the fall of man to have two tales, even if we're living as righteously as we can and doing all that we should.  In these moments, you have a choice of whether you will see the sunlight or the storm.  You can be optimistic and look to the Savior with faith, and hope, and trust, and positivity, or you can be doubting, discouraged, and distraught.  It's not a question of "if" the winds or storms will come, but "when".  As Helaman promised and taught so well, "...remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation... because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."  You bring optimism and positivity to people you teach each day in a fallen world.  You know that opposition is needful for growth.  You know that as we humble ourselves, and come unto Christ, His grace is sufficient for all people.  Fear not the tale of two cities... Embrace what comes your way, live life to the fullest, doubt not, fear not, and trust the Savior to make all things work out in the end.  I know He will and I love the hope, peace, light, truth, and assurance that He gives.  I love ya!

President Hall

In the midst of destruction and sadness, there is light!

Sept. 4, 2017  
Wow...what a week! Let me first start off by saying I am so grateful for the light and love that the Gospel of Jesus Christ offers EVERYONE. The news covers mostly the Houston area and yes the devastation up there is massive, but let me tell ya, it's just as bad here in our zone! Friendswood is destroyed, as well as Dickinson, and Rosharon. Alvin was not to badly effected, so we were blessed. As I have seen the tears and worry in the eyes of those we have served, I have seen the light of Christ that radiates from His representatives, soothing and calming the pain of loss. I have received answers to prayers and questions I have had for a long time this week, during scripture study and service, that have brought to light a deeper love for the Gospel. I LOVE my mission, I LOVE the dear people I serve, and I LOVE our Savior! It is amazing how people are suddenly able to work together to help each other! I can not express the gratitude I have for my life and for the opportunity I have to serve.

Love, 

Elder Clements 

"O Lord, do not suffer that this people shall be destroyed by the sword; but O Lord, rather ^alet there be a ^bfamine in the land, to stir them up in remembrance of the Lord their God, and perhaps they will repent and turn unto 

thee." Helaman 11:4

I've seen fire and I've seen rain...

Well for those of you who don't know, Hurricane Harvey tried to wreck Texas...and did! We are safe here in Alvin, no flooding, no deaths, just fire and rain! Houston and surrounding areas are destroyed, including parts of our area that have suffered serious flooding. Everything is shut down here, but we are OK as far as food and water. So don't worry about the stories I am about to tell. The Lord is watching over us and President Hall is very aware of everything that is going on, we don't make a move unless he knows first. The week started off pretty good, we found a new investigator. Then on Thursday our apartment caught fire, there was a fight two doors over from us and someone tried to kill someone else with gas. Nobody died, but it caught the whole building on fire. Elder Sibaja and I are fine, and we were able to recover 95% of our items. Our neighbors lost everything, so we are doing just fine! During this time we were instructed to prepare to evacuate, as Harvey came closer. Nothing but blessings we have received and God is on our side! We may be getting moved to Houston to help with the flooding once everything settles down. God is good and ALL powerful. I testify of that! If only I could tell ya'll more stories, but mom would freak! lol. 

Love, 

Elder Clements

Bye Bye Apartment

apartment next to us 

our apartment