March 28, 2011

Hey Mom! Here is all going well. That's crazy that there are only 41 more days of school left, probably 40 after today! As for our week, it went pretty bad for the teaching and finding the more people part, but we did pretty well on Saturday and Sunday. So that's what counts. We had 2 baptisms this last week on Saturday. So that was really cool, too. We plan to have five for this conference Sunday! We are pretty excited for that. Their names are Jose, Yazmin, then Oscar, Sachiko, and Karina. We are excited for that. Then for church yesterday, we brought two people for the first time, which we were lucky because we hadn't had any success all week, and they liked it. We just have to put a fecha for baptism with them now. Don't worry mom, I'm sure when I get home I'm going to be his (dad's) speaker almost every time he has to speak, especially if it's with the Spanish branch. haha But I'm glad you did it. That is really cool you help dad out when he needs it. As for the sweaters, we can only wear it with our suit jacket. So I don't really wear it at all because it's too hot and I didn't want to wear it with my jacket. haha Ethan is really lucky. He gets a whole suitcase full of stuff. haha But I got the stuff from Hermana Nancollas. Thanks for it. I'm guessing that you, mom, got a new ipod? haha But me and my comp love to listen to the conference talks. We really enjoy it. She did say that she talked to dad and that he is a really good guy and she enjoyed talking with him. And for the Oakley sticker, I would like a small one for my name tag on the back. And as for the backpack, I'm going to need to buy a new one soon because mine is starting to rip and all that stuff. So ya, then for baking stuff we don't have an oven in the house that we are in. We are lucky and we have a toaster and a microwave! So those are pretty sweet. We don't have pans really, only one little guy. But it's fine. We don't cook that much anyways. Then I know about 2 months from now Ashton will be out of high school, pretty crazy how the time goes. This last week went by really quick! It flew by. We had our interviews with Pres. Nancollas. He is awesome. He said he is leaving on the 27th or 28th of June. So it's coming up quick with only 3 months left before he leaves and Pres. Call comes in. This month our district and zone did really well. Here in Prados there are a lot of people that are ready for the gospel. So I really like it here because we are finding a lot of people that are ready for the Gospel. Then one of our investigatores, Jose, he works all week so we only see him on Saturday and Sunday and this last Saturday we didn't see him. So we saw him at church and he told us that he went to a party and some of his friends offered him a beer, but we had taught him the Word of Wisdom and he was like no I don't do that stuff anymore and they were like come on man. But he said no again so they were like ok. Then some of his other buddies came and said hey Jose, have a drink and one of his buddies that he had told the first time was like no he doesn't drink now. The cool thing about this is that I told him a story like that. That your friends at first will be like come on but then after they will respect you. That's what happened to me. It happened exactly like I told him so it was really cool. I was excited that he made that choice. Now back to answering the questions. Elder Clark is praying in that picture, but he was really sleeping. So it was funny. That other was on St. Patrick's Day with the green ties. I would like the tie that goes with my brown suit because I only have like 2. Now Oscar and Sachiko, well, to get baptized people need to have 3 times in the church, so Sachiko and Karina came (her daughter) but Oscar was working! So we called him and he is like I have to work. Then we told him he has to come, so he came for the last hour, thankfully! So now we are more relaxed. Sundays before, during and after the services are really crazy stuff. We are always stressed out getting everyone where they need to be. The other missionaries have to report to Elder Clark so that makes it more interesting. haha Then for conference, we don't get to watch the Saturday sessions and for priesthood, we can only watch it if we take investigators. Then for Sunday we can watch both of them. Hopefully we can get a tv and get it in English. Otherwise, I heard it's hard to understand because you can hear a little bit of English and then Spanish is louder. I did not know that Pres. Myers is moving into our ward! That's cool. Our ward has a bunch of cool people in it. The Ogden Temple is closing. That's good, hopefully it will be close to done when I get home. Well that's about it for this week. I hope that you are all good. I'm doing really well here. Spanish is still a little tough, but it's coming along. Thanks for everything and all you do for me. Just remember I'm good and I hope you are all doing what you are supposed to. Conference will be a really cool and enjoyable time. Keep Ashton awake so he can hear. Love you and take care! Elder Malan

March 21, 2011

Elder Malan and Elder Clark on St. Patrick's Day!!

Elder Clark praying (Mason says he is sleeping!)

Hey Mom!

Here is going really well! The week went ok, but yesterday went really well for getting people to the church! We brought 7 new people to the church and 10 en total! So it was really stressful during sacrament meeting and the classes because there were a lot of people that we had to take care of and that's not counting the little kids that they don't have 8 years yet! So it was hectic, but well worth it. We should be having like 3 baptisms this week so we are excited for that one. It should be a good couple of weeks if we can keep it going and finding people! We are teaching 3 familias. So that is really cool, too, and pretty fun. Me and Elder Clark are doing really good. We don't really have that many problems at least. Then today in the morning we made some banana pancakes and had some fresh squeezed orange juice! So needless to say it was fantastic. Oranges here are really cheap. I didn't know how expensive they are in the states. Then we just relaxed for a little bit and now I'm writing you! So it's been a good day today. Then St. Patrick's Day went really well! We didn't pinch cause nobody has a clue what that is except for the white missionaries. How did St. George go? The weather was bad or what? I bet it was kinda weird staying with those other people in the house. I would have been uncomfortable. That's crazy that grandma and grandpa are getting ready to get in the MTC! I didn't know that they got there on Monday. Yes, sometimes we saw them at the devotionals that they have there, but that's about it and sometimes in the cafeteria. So how is everyone feeling that Ash is getting ready to graduate?? Pretty crazy stuff, huh? I can't believe that they are going to graduate in May, no? Way fast stuff. Ash probably wants it faster, but that's just how it is. haha As for senior missionaries in our mission, we don't have any. I think all the ones that get called to Mexico are put in the visitor's centers in the temples. Not sure but it's a guess. Then the socks are doing really well. I haven't had really any problems with the socks or the shoes yet. They are both holding up really well. I'm pretty excited to see what's up with the other boys. I haven't heard from them for awhile. That's weird that Jeff's girlfriend is getting married! haha 27 year old guy is an old man. Then for Hermana Nancollas, I should be seeing her on the 25th, this Friday at the interviews. So I should get whatever you sent me then. I'm pretty excited to see what it is. Yes, that was the heart you sent me! As for the visa, they keep it in the office of the mission. So with the secretaries that are there. So don't worry about that one. Then for the beds, we just put them into bunk beds so I'm on the top now. It is alright. I don't mind it. Cool story of the week-so we got a reference from a family that was menos activo. We reactivated them and we are teaching their sister and her family! They are awesome. The names of the parents are Oscar and Sachiko. They are really cool and are having a tough time with money. We said if you keep reading, praying and do a fast with us then you guys will start seeing the benefits! So the other day they told us that Oscar is having more work, and they are doing better! We fasted for them Saturday so we will have to see how they are doing tonight. It's really cool to see peoples lives change because of the Gospel and how it blesses all of our lives if we keep the commandments of God. Sachiko is pregnant and was thinking about getting an abortion because they didn't have the money! They told us and we told them if they keep doing what they are supposed to, that God will bless them! And it has been happening just like we said. It's awesome to see the changes in peoples lives because of the Gospel. Just don't take it for granted and keep living and doing the things that you have been taught and promised to do and you will receive the same blessings. I love you all and I know the Church if Jesus Christ is the true church. Everything points to it and I have my own answer from God.

Mom, dad, thanks for being good parents and I love you. Cuidense

Elder Malan

March 14, 2011

Elder Sosa, family, baptized family, and Elder Malan

Mas with his Valentine package!!! (I am sure that is for me!)

Their apartment!

The contraption that electrocuted Mason! This is how they heat their water! (hopefully not anymore!)

Hey Mom!

Here I don't think they know anything about St. Patrick's Day, but I'll wear a green tie for the heck of it! haha Dad did tell me a little about the visit with the Nancollas family! Pretty lucky he got to talk to them for a long time! We only get to talk to Pres. in the interviews for like 5 minutes, mas a menos. So it's brief but really cool. But life with an American is going pretty well. My Spanish isn't really suffering yet but I'm not learning as many words as I would like to and to be able to correct me when I'm doing something wrong. haha But he is really cool, he is from Pleasant Grove. He has 15 months out on the mission. So he is going on the down hill. I kinda like it just cause I can relate to Americans better than the Mexicans. haha But it's fun. We are doing pretty well, too. He is cool and we are getting along and doing well together. He is a funny kid. Today we played a little bit of football and some soccer. It was really fun to have Elder Olsen throwing some footballs. He can rocket that baby. Only if we had someone like that in Ogden. haha Soccer went really well, too. I did alright to my surprise, as I haven't played really anything since the MTC. Also today we went to Elder Olsen's house and he has a little bench system set up and I did a couple reps and I did pretty well, too. So things are going really well today. This last week we had to go to the offices to get Libros de Mormon. That was interesting because we didn't know exactly how to get there but we got there fine, but the returning to our house part was a little bit more difficult. After an hour and a half we got back to the house safely. I'm also glad that you finally got my letters! It has been like 6-7 weeks since I sent those babies. So it takes a while as you can see-haha! This last week went pretty well. We should have two more baptisms this month on the 26th. So I'm excited for that. The two people are the girlfriend and daughter of one of the members that goes go our ward. So basically, they already love the church because they have been for the last two months. So we got a gift right there. Then we have a couple other cool people that some members brought to church yesterday. One really likes the church and the other is pretty cool, too. Both want to learn more and feel like how they did in the church yesterday. So it is really cool, there names are Jose and Jazmin. Hopefully we can get them baptized the 27th of this month. We found this other lady named Sandra. She has a lot of problems, but she told us that we came at a good time! It's always nice hearing things like that from the investigators that we have. She also went to church yesterday. As for the area, it is easier to teach. I don't really know why, maybe we work better, or maybe the Lord has just prepared more people and we are finding these people. I know that we are trying our best to find and baptize. That is the gate that all the people need to start at! As for the lady that lives with us, there are two houses, one that a member and her husband live in then the one behind, we live in. So we rent from them. And yes mom, we go through the gold doors! haha That's the only way to get in and also we have like 3 windows in our house. I'll load some pics so you can see it. And for daylight savings, we haven't done it yet. They do do it. I think just a little bit later because we dropped back an hour in like November, I think. So we should jump forward one hour sometime soon, I think. As for those 50's, man those sound really nice. Here I'm not sure what the exact temp is, but I think it is about like 80-90 every day. It is hot-haha. But I'm excited to start another week out here in Prados. The work is going well here and I'm excited to keep it rolling. As for the earthquake, I did hear something about the nuclear something going on over there, too. Not sure what it is, but whatever. Here are some pictures of the house and of the family that we baptized. Hopefully it gives you a little better idea of what's up in the house. We are going to clean it today, hopefully, a little bit. But ya, that's about it for today. I hope all is going well. Know that I love you all and thanks for the support that you give me and the love and the time. Keep doing what's right and you will be blessed.

Les amo mucho,

Elder Malan

March 7, 2011

Hey Mom!
Sounds like Ogden is doing good still. I'm glad to hear that. Here in Prados we just had 4 baptisms of Griselda, Evelin, Fernando (the wife and kids of Encarnacion), and a lady named Teresa. She is a hermana de una de las hermanas de barrio. So it was a really good week! We didn't think we were going to baptize anyone then the Lord made it possible for us to baptize 4! So it was a really good and cool experience. I had to conduct the meetings, the baptisms, so that was interesting. I forgot what the number 50 was in Spanish for singing the hymn! I felt embarrassed but I won't ever forget it again haha. So that was really awesome, those baptisms. As for Elder Olsen I think he does (have a girlfriend), he says he doesn't but I say he does. I see him about 2 times a week mas a menos. He has been out almost 15 months. That's awesome Arturo got baptized!! That's sweet stuff right there. He is a good kid. I'm excited for him, too. And gallo is rooster, mama, pollo is chicken. Don't get yourself confused. If you have questions on the Spanish, ask dad, I hope that he knows them! haha As for Roberto, he came to church yesterday and we talked about how God had a body of flesh and bones. He didn't agree with that at all haha. So it was a little hectic so we are going to see what we can do with him. But we are still looking for new people everyday. We have found some cool people but a lot of them bail on going to church. They have to go 3 times to church to get baptized, so it sucks when they don't go to church!! haha Really frustrating. But I got a new comp today, Elder Clark from Pleasant Grove. He is pretty cool. He was my district leader in Queretaro. So we are chill. Then the hermana that lives with us cuts our hair for free. (I am sure she doesn't "live" with them-probably just in the same complex!) She is funny, she is fat and short. I cut my hair like every cambio mas a menos. The food is ok, only a couple times I eat and I don't like it. Then a bicitaxi is a dude driving a bike for a taxi. It's funny cause that job would be terrible!! haha So they just have a little hitch on their bike and have a little cart and they drive the bike. As for soccer skills, I don't play good haha. I need to work on it more when I get back home. But today for p-day I have to go get Elder Clark from the freeway which is pretty far away. So I spent the day doing that! haha What a fun p-day, no? And yes we played the missionaries in our district. It was really fun. As for the postcard, it is the arcs that they have there. They have like 54 or something like that. That's why they are lighted up! They are pretty cool. Then what more...oh! Something cool, so in the city Tultepec, they are like the world capital for fireworks, I guess. I bought some sweet ones the other day! They cost me like 30 pesos and I got a bag of like 70! Talk about the sweet stuff, man. And they blow up a lot better than what you can buy in America. I'm never going to buy fireworks in America ever again. You get ripped off so bad. All the people that live in Tultepec make fireworks, so it's sweet. Then what else...that's about it I think, the main highlight of the week was those 4 baptisms and that was so cool. I hope that we can continue with the success here in Prados that we have been having these last two weeks. I'm pretty sure that we can keep it up if we have the faith and the works to do it, we can! I know the church is true and that we need to share it with more people. I hope all of you are really good and excited! And Ashton is turning 18 next month! That's crazy, he is old now. haha I forgot to tell Michael happy birthday on the 24th so Happy Birthday, Michael! Love you all and thanks for all yo do for me
Cuidense
Elder Malan

February 28, 2011

Elder Malan, Ayda's esposo, Ayda, Elder Sosa

Elder Malan and Elder Olsen (he is from the SLC area)

Elder Malan and gallos!!!

Hey Mom!

Sorry about the crappy email last week. One, it wasn't a great week then the keyboard was terrible so I couldn't type well at all. But this one should be a lot better I hope for you!

The closest street to my apartment is Prados Norte, which is that little fork in the road. We are up from a farmicia guadalajara.

That's crazy about the Jazz. I hope they can be good when I get back! haha But here I'm doing well. We had a baptism yesterday of Ayda. So that was cool and a little bit hectic before the baptism because Elder Sosa was going to do it then the husband wanted to do but he was menos activo so he had to have an intervista before, then he had to change clothes with Elder Sosa. But she was baptized and that's the important part. Then we had one nuevo in the church. He is pretty cool, too. His name is Roberto. He lived in the states for like 6 years and now he is back here. He wants us to help his family cause they don't really believe in God. So we are going to see what's up with them too.

Cambios are next week and I think Elder Sosa will leave and I kinda want him to leave. Sometimes he is a little annoying. But we will see what happens. Today we played soccer at the church and it was fun. We played Mexicans vs. White kids and we won! It was pretty cool. The Mexicans were mad because I was the only one that had played soccer really before the mission and all the Mexicans had. So it was fun, but really hot. Here it rained for an hour kinda hard then stopped. But I think the rain comes in like July mas a menos. Not sure exactly when.

I decided you can put the Jesus stickers on the package, but not the virgin. I see that lady too much! Everyone says she is madre de dios. haha It's funny cause that is their only defense of the virgin. Then we can planch em. As for the package, I don't have to pay anything for it! The ipod is doing good but I've listened to those songs like 100 times each about and I would like another CD or two or three of like the stuff we would listen to on Sundays. We can listen to that music, too. We can listen to music whenever we want to in the house. We just can't have big speakers.

As for Cinco de Mayo, I'm pretty sure they don't do anything like that here. I'll know more when it gets closer to that time. But I'm pretty sure it's just an American holiday.

This last week went ok. It's getting really hot here and that sucks cause I'm sweating bad int he mesh garments. That's why I asked for only the other kind. We are still working but my comp thinks he is going to leave so he doesn't work so hard either. So it's hard to get him motivated to do some stuff. Sometimes he acts like a little kid which makes me a little mad, but he cant' do anything about it really. Then this next week, we have to find more people. We aren't finding that many people so hopefully this week we can find some good quality people that will progress and be baptized. That's what we are here for.

Did you see the pictures that I sent dad? I hope that he showed them to you and I'm going to send the picture of Ayda and su espos.

Then que mas...I heard a couple fo the girls I went to school with are getting married. That's weird, I'm getting to be an old man. I'm like almost 20. It's crazy how the time is going. This last cambio went by way fast. Oh and ya, there is this cool toy that I'm going to send you, too. It's called a trompo. It's like a yo you but way cooler. I'll send you one so you will see what it is. Then I'm still working on buying stuff to get a package together to send you guys. I have only found stuff for Ashton and Michael right now. So if you have something that you would like, let me know and I'll see if I can get if for you guys. So mom, dad and Makelle, tell me something you would like to get. Here I'm not sure what more there is to write. I think that's about all for this week and I hope that this email was a little bit better than the one from last week. Here are some pictures. First one is Ayda and su esposo, second is today, me and Elder Olsen in the bicitaxi. It's funny how they have bicitaxis. And the third is me and some gallos out in one part of my area. Get Ashton to get his blessing. That will help him our a lot , I think. And keep reading the scriptures with him. Yesterday we also had stake conference. It was really good. I can't remember his name but he spoke on how we don't want to lose our little kids in the city and it should be the same about the church, too. We can't let our family members lose themselves in all the things of Satan. So I hope that you can pick it up and get Ashton on a mission. That's what will change his life forever. Know that I love you all and pray for you daily. I know you also do that for me, too. Thanks for that, I really appreciate it. I hope that dad gets better and I'll pray for him, too. Mom you are the best. I love you and hope that this letter is better for you! Take care.

Elder Malan