June 25, 2012

 

Hey mom! Good to hear from you again. Sounds like you are doing work on the bike. That's good to hear. I don't think I would last that long on a bike right now haha. Maybe walking but definetly not riding a bike. So good job on that mom. This last week went ok, we found some more investigators but we are still having the same problem on getting them to church. So that is the difficult part, but I think this week will go a little bit better. For Xavier, he should be getting baptized this week, president just said that he needed to wait one more week and this week he will have the interview again but with elder hoopes. So that's good. For the reactivation we got one lady to church this last week with her baby. She hadn't come for a couple months. But it was good to see her there. Xavier comes every week. He is cool. The comp is good too, but he touches my mechanical shaver, wants to use that and then some food. The food I don't care too much about but the shaver I do! haha And that's crazy that everyone in the ward is going out of the states! But only the cool kids come to Mexico haha.

 I haven't thought of a sacrament hymn. You choose it mom, but I think it would be cool if dad Israel Spencer and Ben could sing a hymn in Spanish. See if they would be willing to do it. Who is Lizzy Heiner getting married to? Someone I know or no? And it sounds like everybody is getting married but my friends haha. But it's all good. I don't plan on getting married for a little bit. And mom I will try to do my best with the talk to tie it in with the mission. I don't think it will be that hard but we will see how it goes for me. I remember last week in the district meeting I had to say the pray in English, it was pretty tough I'm not gunna lie. And I didn't ever meet Elias, I don't think so. And dad says that Brent's boat is a new Mastercraft!! That's a freakin sick boat. That's gunna be fun to wakeboard on.

Then this last week it rained a bunch. Everyday to be exact. And yesterday it rained a lot harder for a while. It's nice for some things but not for all the things, cause nobody is in the street to talk to hardly. But it's nice cause its not hot haha. I'm gunna send you a picture of the river by the side of our church. It's pretty intense. Yesterday after eating lunch we ha to go home to drop some things off in the house. and my comp was looking behind us then says run!! And took off running I was like dude what are you doing then he stopped running and was like the curtain! And it was a curtain of rain, so then we both took off so we didn't get too wet, it was crazy how it came down so fast. Then today we played soccer again. It was fun, but man it beat me up. Some of them kicked me, but it will be all good. And then we should be going next week to the pryamids. So it should be a good time. And I'll try to take lots of pictures mom haha. Then I bought some things, a cool coat thing of wool then a thing for you mom, we will see if you like it. If not maybe dad will haha.

This week we had a couple of cool exeperiences, one we were leaving the church and then we were walking and a lady we had previously contacted was like hey come talk with me. We went taught her and she looked good to go to church but then she wasnt there for her next appoitment and she didn't come Sunday, so that was a bummer. Then also an old investigator texted us and was like hey I want to meet with you guys again, but he didnt come to church either for his work, he wants to get baptized but he also is gay. I don't know what's up with this area and finding people that are gay haha. But they also need the gospel in their lives. and if they are willing to change its all good. But when we had those experiences it was cool but Sunday it was a disapointment. but this week we just have to do better. They still haven't sent us the flight plans. I don't know what is up right now cause I heard they sent them when we had like 6 weeks left but who knows whats going on. And I think the day before we leave we get to go to the temple for the last time. So that will be cool too. Sorry that the email is getting in so late. I don't know what the problem is.

And do you know who is going to speak with me? If I can choose it would be cool to have President Nancollas or his wife speak with me. just a thought.

Forgot to finish the letter I hope you are all good and that you have a good week! Love you all thanks for everything!

June 19, 2012

Hey mom! Good to hear from you again. That's good to hear that Judi is there at home. You should take her to church and see if she learns a thing or two ha ha. It's a good thing that you didn't get bit by any of those wild animals. And hopefully today you didn't either.

Here I'm doing good. The area is still tough right now. We have few people in teaching and we are struggling a lot to find new people to teach. But we have a recent covert who's wife and family aren't members. The wife is starting to come to church more and is getting more interested and she wants us to talk to her daughter today so hopefully it goes well for us tonight teaching them. And Xavier he has to have an interview with president call this week to see if he can get baptized. I think he will pass. But we will see, so if he passes he should get baptized this week. So we will see how it goes with him. He is good and hasn't missed a week of church for like almost 2 months I think. So hopefully he can finally get baptized.  As for my comp, he was born in Vera Cruz but he moved when he was little and is living in Monterrey. It's in the north by the border. We get along ok. He is good.  And Elder Mezo went to Queretaro, close to where my last area was. He didn't want to go there but I told him it was cool there. So I think he is liking it. And for Johnny I haven't seem him. As missionaries we don't see people from other zones really. So who knows where he is at. If he is outside of the Estado de Mexico menos I know him ha ha.  Then today for p day we played soccer. It was fun we played white kids against Mexicans, and we were winning until the last then then came back and beat us! So it sucked but oh well it was fun. And we only see hermana call when we have zone meetings or interviews.

For the homecoming, the hymns.. lets see, Abide with Me, We are all Enlisted, and I'll think about one for the sacrament. I don't care who sings, it's fine whoever. You can choose. That's sweet that the Nancollas are gonna be there. That will be really cool. Pres Nancollas is sick. And my topic is the restoration. That should be too hard ha ha. We will see how I do though cause I'm use to only speaking on missionary work ha ha. But I'll start preparing it my last week a little bit. And Clark already got married!! I got his invitation in the mail the last week. That's crazy I told that homie to wait for me but I guess he was wanting to get married fast! ha ha And the airport, I don't care who comes, you decide mom. The family and the buddies, and whoever else wants to come. And Brent did promise me a new boat up in Island Park by the time I got back, does it have a tower?? It's good to see he fulfilled that promise ha ha.

And man my grades suck ha ha. I was a slacker before the mission. It won't happen again though. Or  I hope not. We will see how my brain does with all the classes. I think it will do well. It sounds like everybody likes the new TV too. It will be good to pass my pictures of the mission on. And as for Fathers Day, I can't remember that we have ever gone to the Taylor's part to celebrate that day. We always go to grandpa and grandmas house.   I'm glad to hear that Ashton liked Sons of Helaman more this time. I told him it would be cooler as a leader. And ya, for soccer I don't think I have improved much. The Mexicans here aren't that good, only a couple. And I'm fat now so I can't run as fast and I am out of shape ha ha Today I got way tired. How did Makelle and all them do in their race? Did they take first place or what?

The Book of Mormon in Spanish, it's about the same. There are somethings that you can't translate English into Spanish, but it was cool to read it in Spanish cause here is where the Book of Mormon took place! I will go see the pyramids in a couple weeks I think. Right now there are elections for the president of Mexico so president doesn't want us to go right now until they get over, and they aren't in our mission. There is basically nothing cool in our mission to go see ha ha Everything cool is just outside of the mission limits. But here it's starting to rain more. So it feels good. Yesterday it rained pretty hard so we couldn't do much cause nobody was in the streets and nobody wanted to let us in ha ha. But we had a couple visits with some less actives so we will see if they come to church this week. Well that's about it for the letter. Here I'm doing good. With some difficulties but we will over come them. I hope all of you are doing well, happy fathers day yesterday pops! I hope you had a good one. Thanks for everything that you do for us! Have a good week love you all!

June 11, 2012

Hey mom! Good to hear from you again. Sounds like you had a good time up in Island Park. That's good to hear. How does that four seater work?? I haven't heard of one of those bad boys haha. And what am I going to have to do for my classes? Will there be room when I get home to still get in or will it be too late?  I hear that Elder Clark already got married! That's crazy stuff. I think they sent me a invitation too that's what my district leader said. ha ha

But the big news this week is that my comp got changed to Queretaro. So I got a new comp, his name is Elder Cabrera. He is another Mexican. He is pretty cool what I know about him right now. I think we will do well. So I'm not too worried about that one. He has like 6 months in the mission so he is a little bit new. And our week went ok, we have a couple investigators now but they didn't come to church. As for Xavier, he has to do a couple more things before he can be baptized. So we will see what more we can do for him. But he always come to church. That's the good thing. I don't know if you could just take a picture of my call and send it to my email or something like that, or scan it and send it, I think that would be easier. And yeah he is in my ward, and he is going to a mission here in Mexico.

And I keep writing from the same place almost every week. Last week I wrote in the same place as always. So who knows what happened with the email. Sometimes I think it just wigs out. And no I didn't get the one that got lost in the mail. I sent a letter last week. We will see who gets home first, my letter that I sent or me ha ha. And so did you already buy that TV?? Is it sweet action or what?  But Ash says that he is liking his job, so that is good to hear. Then that's cool that they are gonna run in that race thing. I wouldn't do it. I don't like running like that ha ha. It's boring, but everyone likes something different. And mom if you don't like your i pad you can give it to me when I get back home :) I'll take good care of it ha ha.

Happy Fathers Day dad! Here they don't really remember fathers day that much. Most of the people don't even remember when it is, but its the same day that we have it. I guess here they like celebrating more Mother's Day than Fathers Day. But I hope you have a good day dad and I hope that you get what you wanted.

This last week I also finish the Libro De Mormon, it was really cool to finish it. I felt really good. So I'm glad that I could do that and complete that goal on reading it. Then yesterday in the church I had to give the class cause the teacher couldn't come. I taught the gift of the holy ghost. It was a good class I thought. I think the people liked it and it was a good experience sharing the class too.

Today we had to go drop my comp off at the bus station then we had to go back there to get my other comp. So that's what we did today and we went to a mall to eat. So it was a boring pday. But before I go I have to go see the pyramids here. But we will see when that happens. Well that's about it for this email. I don't really have more to say. I hope you are doing good. Take care, love you and see you next week!

June 4, 2012

Hey mom!

I'm doing good here. I bet you feel a lot better not having to work! ha ha A lot more relaxed? I hope so. But here we are doing OK, with Xavier, he said that he's gay. So we have to help him with that so we don't have an exact date yet for him cause we need to make sure he doesn't do anything like that. The comp, he is about the same. I think this week he will be a little worse cause its the last week of the change and he is pretty sure he is leaving, so I will have to do everything I think. And as for his sickness it's something to do with his liver. Not sure but he can't fast so  I had to fast by myself. But it's all good. Why were you wondering about the towels mom? That's really random ha ha but I never sent home towels. I left those ones home when I came on the mission. We bought some other less thick ones before. And sheets I still use the same ones. I use one of the pillowcases you sent me, the flame one. It makes me feel tough ha ha jk.

I would like to go to school full time if I could, but if there are just 2 or 3 classes I'm fine with that too. And I prefer the classes in the morning yes, cause I don't want to go at night or in the afternoon. And it would be cool to take a class with Ben, I would like that. And Hoopes dad is a dentist. He has the same time as my comp 15 months. He has a Harley so I think we might have to go riding together a couple times. And Elder Nowack, I heard he never wanted to learn Spanish. But I remember I saw him like in October and his Spanish was a lot better. He is hanging in there though. How do the flowers look now? You should do all the work in the yard so when I get home I won't have to do anything :)ha ha But it's a good thing that Ashton helps you two out, I'm sure that's a big help. And that soup doesn't sound that good to be honest. I want a steak, with mashed potatoes and gravy. That would be nice to have or some goulash. There are so many things I want to eat when I get home ha ha. Now I eat more so I will be able to eat a little bit more. I doubt I can eat as much food as Ethan though. He still has me beat I think ha ha. And I haven't eaten anything that weird, most of the members know what I like and don't like so they don't give me anything that I don't like. That's the good thing. I just don't like the papaya, that's nasty and I don't like tamarindo. It's like a brown thing, hard to explain. It's not that good either. And lately they have given us a lot of water of tamarindo.

Must be nice getting an i pad mom! And for free. Did you get the new one? Here the rich members have one of them. They are pretty cool. They always want to see where I live on google maps with the ipads ha ha. It's funny cause they see that and I show them our church and they are like wow its big! I was like well ya we have a lot of members that go there. ha ha Here there are usually like 100 people that come, how many people are in our ward? I imagine a lot more. But half the ward gets here late that's the crappy part. But oh well. I thought Misti would have died a long time ago. Maybe she will last until I get home! That would be cool, I kinda miss her. All the dogs here are freakin ugly. A bunch of them in the streets. I feel bad for them too, but oh well I can't do anything for em. And that's gonna be cool a nice new flat screen upstairs. I bet dad is going to enjoy that. The old TV lasted for a while. And dad will finally buy a Sony there now ha ha. And it's good to hear that Ash is gonna help out in the Sons of Helaman. What is he gonna be there? It will be a good experience for him, but he did not email me today. But whatever. Until next week. It's good to hear that he is working good. He needs all the money he can get. ha ha so he can take me to Philly Cheesesteak ha ha. And the long thing I ate is a corn dog basically but they put more things on it, like pineapple, bacon things like that. They are pretty good and they make some water oh its way good agua de horchata. It's good and some coconut water. He only gives it to us though, cause we are missionaries ha ha. He is a member inactive, he doesn't want to go back to church but he gives us free food still. He is the owner of it. And yes my comp made the cake and no that is not our apartment is a lot more ghetto. And that hermana isn't gonna come now cause they tickets are way expensive right now I guess and how the dollar is like 1 to 14 pesos, its more expensive.

Then today we played soccer again. We have played district against district and our district had always lost but today we finally beat em! It was fun ha ha then I found a Chivas jersey for way cheap. 200 pesos, and its real ha ha but that's it for p day.

This last week we had a couple of cool experiences, one was with a recent convert that hadn't gone to church for a while. We read 2 Nephi chapter 2 with her and she liked it and said she was gonna come to church and I felt good during that lesson. Then with Xavier he is doing well too. He reads and comes to church every Sunday. We teach him in the church too so I like it there. It's like more tranquilo. Then another less active came to church too, he said he wasn't gonna come until he felt like he needed to and yesterday he came and it was really cool. We are gonna visit him this week too. Oh I need a favor- if you could send me like a fax of my calling, here in my ward a there is a hermano that is going to be a mission president and he wants to see one in English. So if you could do that for me that would be good too. But that's about it for here. I guess my emails didn't get to you on time. But it's all good. Here we are doing well. Just gotta keep on swimmin swimmin, name that movie! Or just gotta keep on working working ha ha Have a good week and talk to you next week! Love you all.

Here is a picture of when we were in the interviews with president. there's me, at my side Elder Babbitt, Elder Mezo and then Elder Martinez. See you later.

May 28, 2012

Hey mom! My week went ok. We did ok. We have one investigator right now that looks good. His name is Xavier. He wants to change and be a better person and he comes to church by himself so that is good too. Some interesting news is that we might change our area cause the ward boundaries are gonna change. So we will have to probably change houses too. That will be my first time doing that ha ha But we will see what happens with that. How do you feel that you are out of school now mom? A little bit more relaxed? ha ha As for the job, right now I don't want that job, but I'm gonna pray and fast about it and I will let you know next week a for sure answer cause all the important decisions need to be what the Lord wants not what I want. That's crazy that Alli might get married! That's good to hear. Did you guys go to Karson's reception? In the thing that he sent me he looks pretty thick in the arms, but when I get home with some time I will show him what's up ha ha.

And I'm also excited to hit up Lake Powell. So we should be going for sure then or what? Because Lake Powell is sweet. ha ha Have you and dad been down there before? ha ha But I don't know if I'm gonna sell my truck. And ya he is a guy in my ward. And ya they told me that I could go to the wedding their. I don't think that that bad boy would make it all the way down here. It's way far away. But we will see. It's not my truck anyways it's dads. So he will have to decide. And the dumb cheerleaders, that's crazy it made national news. I think this is time for a saying, ¨Only in Ogden¨ ha ha.

Now for the lady that is coming, I am gonna send my  itouch with her. I can't do anything with it here so it should be better up there. And I'm giving her a letter. I don't have really anything to send ha ha. I'm going to give her your number when we see her later today.

That's bummer that we can't see the Cubs or the Rays. The Mets are playing at home? The last I remember is that the Seattle Mariners suck ha ha. But whatever if that's the only game possible I'm in for it. I have never been to a major league game.

I didn't know that an ancestor of yours was a body guard to Joesph Smith.  That's cool to know. And Ashton is a good dude.  I think going to New York and seeing all the church stuff will be sweet and help him a lot too. And ya he told me when we talked that he got that job. That's good to hear. I think he is liking that better than the other playground job ha ha.

The interviews went well. We talked about my comp, that was the main focus of the interview. He has had trouble since the first of his mission. The little time he was really obedient he didn't baptize anybody so he thinks that obedience doesn't work. So I just have to keep helping him, he is getting little bit better every week. We fast like 2 times a month. It just depends. They tell us that we shouldn't fast too often cause it would be bad for our bodies with all the walking and stuff we do. And yes I still fast. I will be fasting this week. And yes it does work. I'm gonna fast to find a family too. And sobrino, dad should know what that means. It means nephew. Mom you can check on google too. It has translator.

This last week I went on divisions with Elder Hoopes. He is a cool guy. He has a Harley too so we are gonna go riding when he gets home he told me ha ha. Hopefully I remember how to ride a bike when I get home and drive a car too. I remember that Mitch Story crashed like two weeks home. So hopefully I won't do the same ha ha. This week we had a good lesson with Xavier. He has read both 1 and 2 Nephi right now by himself so he is doing good. We just gotta keep on helping him out though. And for the pictures I'm gunna have to change to my comps computer to send the pictures cause this one doesn't want to read my card. But I hope all is well and you are all doing well. Here we are doing good. We have two weeks left in this change then I will be on my last change and I think I will be getting another comp but we will see what happens. Well see you later have a good week! Oh I almost forgot to tell you about the freaking mosquitoes again, last night I had another little guy bugging the crap out of me. I couldn't sleep so I went to eat at 4 in the morning cereal ha ha. I got back and slept well after that. But man, I hate those mosquitoes. well see ya later.

here are some pictures!

The first is the baptism of Katherine, second is eating in banderilandia, it's like corn dogs but mad crazy style with pinapple and other things. The third is my comp making cake. See you later!

May 21, 2012

Hey mom! Happy birthday also mom on the 23rd! I hope you have a good one and that they buy you something really speacial cause you are special mom. But its good to hear from you again. Here we are doing ok. Sounds like you are staying really busy and thats good to hear. It's crazy that school is already getting out up there. Here they get out in July because they have a bunch of holidays here and don't go to school a lot haha. But its good that you will get a little of a rest from school.

Chickens huh, that's cool. We will have to kill one to eat it. So you can try the chicken feet mom :) haha I don't know why Makelle wont try the eggs they are the same thing that you buy in the store haha. They all come from chickens. How many did they buy? I bet it was funny to see Ashton run around trying to catch a chicken. He should stick to being fast in the swimming pool.

Ben and Israel are having to speak a lot it sounds like.  But its good to hear that Ben is doing well and gives good talks. I don't think mine will be very good cause I think I am gunna mix up some words but we will see how it goes. And that's cool that we got a new patriarch. He will do a good job. I haven't heard of the other guy either. What ward is he in? That's good to hear that Connor is going on a mission. Have you heard anything about Ian?

I was gunna ask you about that about the cheerlearders. A guy here in the ward is gunna go to Utah in August and he asked me where he could look to find a truck to bring here to Mexico so I said ksl.com and I showed him it and on the side it has like the top stories or something and I read that and said, Ogden is always under the spotlight with those things haha. Dumb girls. I bet Zack was there with them. haha His mom would kill him. and yes, my nose did bleed. I'm glad we weren't that dumb to do somehting like that when we were seniors.

Here we are doing ok, we had a baptism this last week and it went well. We filled up the font with really hot water it was tight, I wanted to dunk myself under and stay there for a second haha but I didn't. We found a couple people last week, but they didn't come to church. so we will see if this week they go. And my comp they said he has Gilberts Syndrome or something like that. I have no idea what it is but the doctor said he can't fast now. But right now my buddies in the mission are my district leader he is cool. He is from North Ogden. He knows Spencer. His name is Elder Hoopes. He is chill too. And my favorite comp, man I think is my hijo, he is really cool. We are good friends. And no I didn't hear about the eclipse. Here people don't really care about those sort of things I think. Either that or it didn't happen here. I'm not sure. The lady that is gunna come to Utah is gunna come in like a couple weeks I think. I'll ask her today and tell you next week. She is the lady that let me talk on her computer. She is cool. Her son is our ward mission leader. He is cool too. He has like 4 months home from the mission. And I did get your letter today mom. We had to go to the offices with Elder Hoopes to take his comp to sign his visa. So I got your letter. You didn't tell me we were gunna do so many cool things though! haha But if we go to a Yankees game we have to see the Cubs play! Or Ashtons team, the Rays. It will be cool to go to the temples there too. That will be fun and a cool experience. And thanks for the iron rod. I thought you were going to buy me one in Spanish but English is good too.

Then today for pday we played soccer again my team lost, but it was gay cause there was nobody really good on my team. But it was still fun. I played better today. The thing that sucks here is that there really isn't anything to do. No cool places to go and see. Everything is in the Mexico City. But we can't go there to see stuff, but oh well.

And it's good to hear that you are gunna start working on your genelogy. You will find a lot of people that you didn't know before. How many generations does dad have in his family since they were members? A couple people have asked me that lately and I don't know how many. I just know a lot haha. And I tell people that you are the first member in your family mom cause you basically are. Ya it would be cool to have a family reunion with both the families dads and yours. Elder Hoopes asked me if I knew some other Malans that live in Weber territory but I don't know them, I just told him I'm sure we are cousins somewhere down the line haha. And no mom you didn't tell me that your mom would have 80 years. How many years does your dad have? About the same, no? But that's about it for this week.  I don't have my camera to send you the picture of the baptism. So this next week I'll send it to you. Oh and tomorrow we have interviews with President. So we will see how it goes. Well love you all happy b day mom I hope you have a good one. See you later!

May 14, 2012

Hey mom! Good to hear from you guys yesterday. It was a good call. I was happy to see all of you there. Thanks for letting Jeff, Ben and Dirt take some of your time mom. I appreciate it and I'm sure they do a little bit. But the best was talking to you about the chicken foot ha ha that made me laugh. When I got done talking the mom of the family where I talked at was like wow Elder Malan you are really happy ha ha. Every time I have called you guys I have enjoyed a lot the call. And no I'm not that trunky. ha ha And the call didn't make me more trunky. Don't worry about that.

My comp is doing ok, I don't think he is sick. He looks fine to me. But who knows, tomorrow we have to go do some more tests. So we will see how it goes. He says he feels sick sometimes but who knows. And no he doesn't speak English. He understands a little bit of it but not much. I have never had a Mexican comp that has understood English well. But there are some here that speak and understand it well. I'm glad that your week went by quick mom! ha ha You told me that you only have 9 more days or something like that right? that's cool. We will see who is gonna be in your classes then int he next couple of weeks. I remember when me Colton Meacham and Jacob won the math Krypto in the district, ya I was a nerd when I was little ha ha. That was cool hopefully someone from your class will be able to go and win. And about the playground job, not sure about that I will have to think about it.  I think I want to do something else. But I will pray about it and see what's up. That's weird that you won't have two recesses. Why is that? ha ha

I'm glad I don't have a girl waiting for me either cause that would just suck in every way. And question? Have you heard anything about Brandon Clark getting married?? My comp? Not sure but I heard rumors that he is gonna get married. Lemme know.

But the baptism this week should be a little girl from that less active family. They are getting better and are going to church. The mom wants her kids to start going to the activities and all that too. So that should be this week if everything goes well. Elizabeth she has to get married so I think we are gonna have to stop visiting her soon cause her husband doesn't want to get married yet. so we will have to see. And right now we have one dude that has came to church named Xavier. He is a goofy dude, he's 23 but he wants to change how he is. So we will see how it goes with him. And yes, I'm trying to find a family. It's really hard to find one that everyone wants to listen to us. But we just need to keep looking to find it so we can bring them the blessings of the gospel. And Makelle tells me Ashton is a new dude and I'm gonna be surprised when I get home how he is. That's good to hear. He has always been a cool little dude. So we will see how he is later. And get him a journal if he doesn't find his cause journals are important. I was reading mine and I laughed at some things I put. It's funny and good to remember those experiences that I have had in the mission. I'm glad I have kept a good journal through out the mission. And for the sobrino. We will see. It will come when they are ready. I'm not too worried about it.

Then today we played soccer it was fun. I'm still decent at soccer so its good to see that. All the churches here have a soccer field thing. A concrete court with some metal goals. No nets but that's fine ha ha. And lets go to Lake Powell with the Annis fam! If you guys aren't gonna go I'm gonna go ha ha. And what package? You sent me a package or what? I'll let you know though. Well that's it for this email. I hope you are all doing good. Love you all and thanks for talking to me yesterday. See you later!

May 7, 2012

Hey mom! It's good to see your email this week ha ha. Last week was a little weird. I looked and I didn't see your email. I was like that can't be possible, mom hasn't missed a week the whole mission! So I told dad that I would write him for a change. ha ha So it was good. He needed a letter I think.

So this last week was a little adventure. On Thursday we had to go to the DF, Distrito Federal cause my comp has been a little sick so we had to go to the temple to see the doctor. He checked him out and then told him he had to go get some tests done. A member took us in his taxi. It was cool. Then on Friday he went to get the tests done and we had to email them to the doctor. The doctor told us that he has to go see a specialist now cause he doesn't know whats wrong with him. So we will have to go to DF again this week I think. So it should be another adventure. But on Saturday in the morning we had an activity with the ward. We went to a Tianguis, a market in the street, and put a little stand with a bunch of pamphlets and Book of Mormons and stuff like that and we started to contact people. We had like 12 people from the ward that came and helped us contact people it was pretty cool. In the picture I sent you I was explaining the Book of Mormon to a lady. It was cool. We got quite a few references and it was a good experience for the people that came with us. It was cool. I would have never gone to something like that before the mission haha. Some teenagers came, it was cool.
Then as for Elizabeth, she is really cool and wants to get baptized but she has to get married. So that is the part that is holding her back right now. So it sucks, but we will see what we can do for her so that if her husband wants to we can marry her. But we will see. Then we brought one new guy to church. He is gay though. So we have to help him out a lot ha ha. So we will see how it goes with him too. We didn't have much time to work with all the things that we had to do in DF. This week might be the same. and I have not gotten your letter yet mom.

And about the job, how much would I make and what are the hours? I would like to go to school full time cause I want to get done with school ha ha. But we could check it out. We can talk more about it on Sunday. I will call around 6 in the afternoon up there. It will be 7 here. So tell everybody about that time and I will call on time this time ha ha. And yes we are going to use Skype. And here Mother's Day is always on the 10th of May. So he is gonna call home on Thursday.

But here we are doing OK. We are still trying to find more people to teach, that is always the hardest part to do ha ha, find the people that are ready and that want to hear about the gospel. And ya I sleep good at night. I have gotten use to the beds. I sleep on my back now. I can't sleep any other way cause the beds suck. And ya I'm used to the food now. It's good stuff. I like almost all of it. And can I see my room on Skype? Do you have a moving camera or what??ha ha And the chicken foot it tasted OK. It wasn't soo bad. I have tasted other things a lot worse. And then last night a family gave me cake for my birthday it was cool. And a nice cold coke. Man, it was good stuff ha ha. Then today we went and bowled. It was good. I saw my hijo Elder Hernandez. He told me that the kids of Noemi are gonna get baptized, the lady in my last area. So that is cool too. And today we went to Walmart and I found some good stuff, some Fruit by the Foot, a box of 6 for 5 pesos!! It was a steal ha ha I guess nobody here likes them. And I found some Goldfish. So it's good stuff. Well that's it for this week. I hope you all are there on Sunday so we can have a good talk. Ben is excited for New York, so am I. What day are we going? Well that's it. Have a good week see you on Sunday!

Second picture is our ward mission leader acting like he is giving out pamphlets ha ha. He actually got quite a few references.

April 23, 2012

Hey mom!

Thanks for the birthday wishes. But Elizabeth didnt come to church yesterday so we will have to postpone her baptism. We didn't see her that much last week cause she was never home when we passed by her house. But we finally saw her on Saturday and she said she would be ready to go but when we went to get her she wasn't there. So it was a bummer. And last week didn't go that well for us. we worked pretty hard but we didn't find anyone and everyone told us no. So thats how it is going in the area right now. Pretty difficult but we just gotta hang in there and do what we need to so that we can find those people that are ready to hear the gospel. And on the 29th, it's the last day of changes so we will see what happens with my comp, if he stays or if he goes. I think that he might get changed and that I might train again. But who knows. We will see what happens. And a lot of members have told me that they want to give me food so we will see how much I can eat. haha

And my favorite hymn right now, I really like Abide with Me, I think its called. Acompañame it is in Spanish. I really like that one and Onward Christian Soldiers. What about yours? And for talkin mom, no you wont lose your time. It will be the same as always. And its from that time you will see me in 2 months, but your the boss mom. You decide. I still dont know where I'm going to be to Skype you. I'm sure it will be in the house of a member. And about when im going to be on, not sure. I'll let you know in a litle bit. I'll try not to do it like I did last time but I'm not making any promises. And mom you make me more trunky than anybody!! haha jk, but today the hermana call told us that we needed to send where we are going to fly into and your email address to let you know about the flight plans. So I gave them moms email. And I will be fine mom. Don't worry about me. I'm more worried about you. And ya I told israel he could use my helmet. It is just collecting dust so it will be good for it to get some fresh air. 

And Israel is dope. He always writes me. He is a good dude. And I would like to go to school this next sememster in the winter. So if you could look in to that for me mom and see what I need to do or what you need to do to get me into classes. And man, a Ducati sounds sweet, not gunna lie. But I'm not worried about it. I will have a sweet bike in a year or so I  think.  Does dad still have the Harley? I hope so. Explain more about what we are going to do in New York when we talk on mothers day. And hopefully the same thing doesnt happen to Makelle what happened to me with the wisdom teeth! To have her breath smell like crap for weeks! haha Ashton wants me to go with him rock climbing but I won't be able to for a while. I'm a fat little kid now. I think I deserve the title¨fatty¨ now. It's good to hear that he is doing better in the church. He is a good kid. He will go on a mission.

 Then today we played soccer. It was fun. I like playing a lot. It's cool here playing with the Mexicans too cause most of them are decent or good playing. Almost all the white kids suck. haha But we came back home and I was sore for a little bit! haha. But now I'm good so it's all good. But this week in the Book of Mormon I have been reading in Helaman. I like a part in chapter 13, when it starts talking about Samuel the Lamanite. At first in Spanish it says Samuel un tal Lamanita. or Samuel some Lamanite, then he preaches and in the 14 first verse it says Samuel el Lamanita. It means that he was somebody speacial, not just some dude or some white boy, he was Samuel the Lamanite. Or you could put some elder, or elder and their last name. It's a cool thing,  I liked it a lot. But gotta go. Here are some pictures. I hope you like them. Thanks for the birthday wishes. Have a good week!

First, in by the river of crap in my area,

Second me and some cool grafiti thats in my area.

April 16, 2012

Hey mom! It looks like we are going to have to practice on your Spanish when I get back cause you are struggling ahah. But its all good. And you talked to the assistant. He told me that you called the offices and all that. And mom, its the 25th. I'm getting home on a Wednesday. Still not sure at what time, but we will see.

Our week went pretty well. The less active family is doing well. They have quite a few problems so we are helping them out there and they are getting better. We do do a lot of reactivation. It is a good way to find people who aren't members and that know the church already. So I like looking for less actives and to reactivate them and find people to teach, especially when we didn't have really anyone to teach when I got here. And this last week we also found a lady her name is Elizabeth. She is cool. She has two kids and her husband. Her kids are like 4 and 2 years old. We found her cause we went to look for a person we had contacted in the street and he wasn't home. So we started to know the building to see if we could find anybody there. Then we got down to the first floor and we saw her about to go into her house. So I told my comp to contact her and he contacted her and she said ok that's fine. So we passed by and taught here quick cause she didn't have that much time and she said that she would go to church. We put another appointment to visit her and we went back taught her then on Sunday we went to take her to church. It went well. We have a baptismal date with her for the 29th. so I hope she can keep that date to have a baptism on my birthday. That would be the best birthday present ever! ha ha but in the church at the end when we had finished singing the last hymn, her little boy stood up on the seat and shouted bravo bravo and clapped a couple times. I laughed pretty hard. It was funny. On Sunday I also had to speak. It was my second time in the mission speaking. It went good. It was kinda hard to prepare the talk cause the bishop told us on Saturday so we got home a little early Saturday night to prepare our talks cause our services start at 9, so we got home and there was a huge tent out. And when somebody has a huge tent that that it means that there is gonna be a party. And sure enough there was. They started at like 9 at night and finished at 6 in the morning. So needless to say I didn't sleep much and I couldn't prepare that well for my talk ha ha. But the Lord helped me and I think it went good.

This week it has also started to rain at night. It's crazy cause when it rains it a thunderstorm and it rains quite a bit. The good part is that we were already in the house when it started to rain. Then on Friday we had a zone conference from 9-5. It was pretty dang long and they didn't give us that much to eat there. But all in all it was a good conference. President got there late but it went good. The president talked about how we need to get the members more included in the work and why we need to keep doing our street contacts everyday. We did some practices and listened to our zone leaders. and to get to the offices from my house it's like 15 minutes in combi. We are really close. We go there to see president. 

And mom Spanish doesn't have other dialects. It's just different accents. ha ha I will be able to understand him. So don't worry about that. That's a cool story about his mission. It happens a lot like that. And I gave Ash the shout out for happy birthday but once again happy b day. Love you Ash. and its crazy to think that he is 19 now. Man mom and dad you two are getting old!! ha ha jk. And its good to hear that he is doing work in math. That's good to hear that. you need to get him going full time to school if he still doesn't want to go on a mission.

Here me and my comp are doing a lot better now. So that is the good thing cause I have learned one thing on the mission, if the companionship has problems like fighting and all that, they wont have success. But when they are cool with each other it is so much easier to have the spirit and be able to convert people to the gospel. That's why it is so important for any companionship to get along. Like husband and wife, mission comps, work buddies. If we have the friendship it will be a lot more smoother in the long run and we will learn more and have more fun along the way. Thanks for the email I hope you are all doing well. Here its good. We should have 2 baptisms in the next couple of weeks so we will see how it goes and how this week goes for us. Love you all and have a good week. We can use skype again for mothers day just to let you know. See if the buddies want to go and Spencer. I would like to see them. Well see ya later have a fantastic week!

Here is a picture of the birthday missionaries in April. I'll send you more next week!

April 9, 2012

Hey mom,

Good to hear from you! Here we are doing better. Since the talk that my comp had with president he has worked a lot better. So it's going good here with us now.

Right now we have a couple investigators now. We found a less active family and there is a child that isn't baptized and they want to come back to church and they came to church yesterday. So it was good to get them there. Then another guy came to church yesterday too. I don't think that he is that interested but we will see how it goes with him. But those are the investigators that we have right now. So we just need to keep working hard to find new ones. That is the hardest part of missionary work, I think, is to get into the house. After that it is pretty easy or at least here. ha ha

Then today for p day we had to go see president again. He wanted to talk to my comp again to see how he has been doing. So we didn't do really anything fun. We just had to go there. I got a couple cards for my birthday. They get here a lot faster than my letters to get home. I don't know why that is but whatev. I think I sent that letter to you in Queretaro. I'm not sure though. And the packages are good. The chocolate didn't melt. So we are all good. But I don't need any more packages so don't worry about sending me more. And here yeah it's about that temperature everyday. 80ish here so its not too hot.

Easter we didn't do anything. They don't really celebrate anything like that here. They like to celebrate the crucifixion more here. They all get crazy for that. But I liked the little blow up bunny and egg you sent me. That was pretty cool. And it sounds like your Easter was really good with the dogs crapping everywhere ha ha. Sorry to hear about that. Dad says he wants to kill her. So don't worry mom. And dad is getting better with his guns it sounds like ha ha.

So this last week me and my comp have been doing better. It's good to see that my comp is starting to work harder. So that has been cool. And we get along better now. He is a good kid. Sometimes he just wants to do what he wants to do though, but we are getting there. So that's the important thing. And president said that I'm with him for a reason so i just needed to find out why. This week we are gonna have zone conference so that should be good. We will see how it goes. It's gonna be way long though! From 9-5. It's gonna be tough to stay focused for so long I think.

In my study of the Libro de Mormon, I'm reading it in Spanish. I'm reading about Captain Moroni. He is a stud. I like him a lot and Teancum. Teancum is just a straight up gangsta. ha ha but I really like how Moroni was always having his people prepare for the war. I think that can be a lesson for us, how we always need to be preparing to be tempted and to win, be prepared for anything that the devil can throw at us. It is a good story and right now I will be reading about the 2000 stripling warriors. So that will be cool too. And in the bible I'm in john. Man, Jesus is always owning the Pharisees. They always ask him a bunch of way tough questions and bam he always owns them. It just goes to show how God is always going to win the intelligence of man.  I'm glad to hear that Makelle and Michael are safe and sound. And freaking Spencer. ha ha Did he have a girlfriend before the mission? I can't remember really well if he did or not.  If you want me to buy something specific here in Mexico tell me so I can buy it for you, cause if not I won't know and thus I won't be able to buy you anything. I will see if I can find something to buy but if I don't know what you want or an idea of what you want you will get nothing or something that you didn't really want ha ha.

But here we are doing better. I like this area. The bishop is cool here. We ate with him the other day and he told me a bunch of things of the Book of Mormon. He was telling me where he thinks the Nephites were and everything. So it was cool to hear from him. I think I will have some good talks with him about that stuff ha ha. But thanks for the letter I hope you are all doing good. Happy Easter and I love you all!  Have a good week.

I would send pics but the comp is being gay right now. You will have to wait until next week. See ya later!

April 2, 2012

Hey mom! It's good to hear what you did this last week!! I know what you did last week... buahaha. My release date is the 25th of July mom. So don't say you aren't trunky! ha ha But it's fine mom. Don't worry about it. But its good to hear that you cleaned out the spring. I can't believe you haven't done it for 2 years! It must had been pretty bad then.

As for here and us, we didn't do that hot. We had people lined up for conference, like 4 people and nobody came. So it was a bummer cause the conference was really good. I learned a lot from it. But the good news is that Noemi in my last area got baptized. So that was the good news.  And Juan Manuel didn't come to church. He went to work instead. So I was a little mad, but whatev. We can just invite them, not beg them or make them. It's their choice. We watched conference in our chapel. It was good. we watched them in English. So it was cool. I don't like watching it in Spanish, it sucks to be honest. And the priesthood session was also really good. They all talked about how we need to start using the priesthood in our lives cause that is what makes our church the right church, that we have the authority of God to do the ordanezes, that we need to get back to the presence of God.

But conference was really good, I really liked the talk of Elder Oaks about sacrifices. It was bomb. I always like his talks. And I liked the one by Elder Eyring. He is always a good speaker too. All his messages are sooo good. President Monson is always good too. They didn't announce any new temples though! I was shocked by that. I thought they were going to announce one or two more. But oh well.
Today we went to a mall and I bought some ties. They are pretty cool and were half off. My comp bought a new suit. So it was good. I got your two packages today! I opened them and they are really good. All the stuff I wanted. Don't send more packages cause I would rather just keep the money for when I get home so we can do some cool stuff. And for Spencer he doesn't know what good Mexican food is until he comes here. I would of thought he would of stayed with his fam, but oh well. I'm gonna kick it there at home all night. Whoever wants to come can. But just make sure you buy some Mountain Dew and Root Beer for me and a juicy steak with mashed potatoes and gravy. I like that idea.  I think almost everyone that comes back from the mission looks the same. That's what I have heard just about everyone ha ha.

It's good to hear that my buddies still swing by there to visit you guys. They are good kids. And here Saturday night we had to go forward an hour. So it was crappy on Sunday cause we had lost an hour of sleep, but now we are getting use to it. This last week we contacted a lady and she was like I feel something really different when I see you two walking in the street and it's really good. We told her that it was cause we have the truth and we would like to pass by and explain more to her about it, so I was all excited to hear OK here I live right here but she was like no I'm fine I don't want to listen to you guys! I was bummed. It's tough to see that and hear that then the person doesn't want to hear us. But that's what has happened this last week here. We are trying to keep pushing forward and I think this week will go better for us. But the hard part is that is it Semana Santa and the people are gonna go crazy. So we will see what happens. On Saturday night there were a bunch of crazy ladies screaming next door. So I didn't sleep that well that night ha ha. But I hope you are all good and I hope you enjoyed and listened to conference. It was really good.

March 26, 2012

Hey mom! Good to hear from you. Here the earthquake did a bunch of damage. We have been helping people clean up their things. ha ha just kidding Here we are good and fine and nothing fell down here close by us. We were on an apartment knocking a door and all of a sudden I felt really dizzy and my head hurt. and I didn't really realize what was going on. Then me and my comp heard a bunch of people screaming temblor temblor!! Or earthquake and they ran down the stairs. And then as they ran down the stairs we finally realized what had happened. ha ha Then we walked down the stairs and ya, it was weird cause I saw the building shaking it was cool.

Now to answer the questions about the comp and everything. He is dead.  I got here to my area and we didn't have anybody in teaching. So it was a little rough last week cause my comp walks really slow and doesn't contact really anyone. So it is a little difficult to be here with him, cause I want to keep working and he doesn't really want to do anything. So that is how the situation is right now. But we took one guy to church yesterday so that was the good thing. His name is Juan Manuel. He is cool. He liked the church a lot. He said he felt really good. So we will see how it goes with him. And we just have to keep working here in the area and with the comp haha.But I like the new area. It's chill. Our apartment is ok. And I don't really have any pictures yet. Here is ugly. Nothing really cool. Then today for p day we went and played soccer. It was fun. And we played some racquet ball I think with some tiny paddles and a little ball. It was fun. And don't worry about the little iron rod. It's fine. I'm not to worried about it. I just wanted it cause it was gonna be like my old one that I had. And about the old area. The lady that doesn't live with her kids is going to get baptized this Sunday in conference. So I'm excited for her. and I bummed cause I cant be there. And the testigo doesn't want anything. We went one time with him but he just wanted to argue. That's how usually all of them are. And I don't like to argue, but sometimes I have to so I had to help him realize his errors. ha ha.

Jose was a homie that we baptized in Prados. He is cool. I baptized him with Elder Clark. And Juana is sick. She and Gabby are gonna go to the temple within a couple months so it is cool and a lady named Lucia is gonna get sealed with her husband Ivon. So it is cool stuff. I was happy to learn all of that.

And we are suppose to be in every conference. Here we are going to jump ahead an hour on Saturday night so we will see it at 10 on Saturday and Sunday at 11. ha ha kinda cool. Then the next week will be Easter. Jeffy wrote me and told me he spoke with pops. Ben says that dad is a ¨spiritual powerhouse¨ those are his words ha ha. So its good to hear that they both did well on their talks. Oh and happy late anniversary. I didn't know about that. And it's good to hear that more boys are getting born into the family cause we need em ha ha.  That sucks to be Ethan. He is gonna miss out.  I'll ask president when we are suppose to be home so you guys can know and be ready for it. And mom I know you are trunky ha ha! But don't worry about it. All of us are a little bit.

But here we are trying to get the area in better shape. It's tough to be with a comp that doesn't want to do much but we just have to make the best of it. But we will see how it goes and see if he wants to change. But that's it for this week. I hope you are all doing well. Have a good week and listen well in conference. It's going to be sweet stuff I'm positive about that. Love you all!

March 19, 2012

 

Hey mom!

Good to hear from you. But how did you already know that I got transferred?? Kinda freaked me out when I read the letter ha ha. But I got changed to the State of Mexico again. I think that this will be my last area here in the mission. I got sent to Tepalcapa. It's really close to where I was in Cuautitlan. So it's cool. I am with another Mexican named Elder Mezo. He is from Vera Cruz. And he has a year in the mission. So its my second comp from there. .

It was a little difficult to say good bye to the members investigators and the converts in my last area. There are some really cool people there that I learned to love and to serve. I miss that area already ha ha. I think that Elder Hernandez was a little sad that I got changed. I was too. But that's how it goes here there are always unexpected things that happen, but I had a good time with Elder Hernandez. He is a good kid. But now I'm here and we will see how it goes.

This last week was a little tough for us in Queretaro. We found some people but they are really smart and had some questions. So it was a little difficult to help them but I think if the missionaries can keep going they can help them out. And on Saturday we saw the soccer team Las Chivas here in Queretaro. They were leaving from their hotel to go to the stadium and we saw and went and got some pictures of them getting in to their bus. It was cool. I'll send some pictures. And we also are helping one kid go on a mission. He is really cool. His name is Toño. He is 23 and we are helping him go on the mission. Him and his brother are really funny and cool. Then yesterday I had to say bye to everyone. So we went with one family that is really cool and have always helped us. They are the familia Perez. They are sweet stuff. They are the family that gave me the hammock. But it was a good experience. Then we also brought Noemi to the church again. She wants to get baptized but she has a problem with the family. She lives with her sister in law and she doesn't live with her kids.  Her kids live with her sister. Her sister and mom said if she gets baptized she will have to take her kids which she can't support right now. So it is a difficult situation with her. And Victor couldn't go to church Sunday so that was a bummer too. But I think I left my area better than I found it so that is the important thing.
And about New York, it's fine for me- 10 days. The time you want to be there we can do that. So don't worry about that. It's all good with me. When would we go? And I'm excited for the packages. It will be easy to get them cause I am really close to the offices. Spencer wrote me today and said that today is his last p day! That's crazy that he is going to be home really soon and it's weird to think that I will be going home soon too. The time in Queretaro went by really quick actually. So I think these next four months will go by really quick too. Well I don't have much time today and here are some pictures. The first 2 are of the Chivas then the third one is with Toño and his brother Pancho. They are cool. They took me to the bus station today. Good guys. Well gotta go have a good week, I will have more stuff to tell you next week hopefully! Love you all.

March 5, 2012

Hey mom!

55 degrees! I would love that weather right now here ha ha. I think its about 85 or 90 here right now I'm not sure but its good and hot. I miss the snow, I am not gonna lie about that. Here its just hot or it rains. So it doesn't have much of a variety.

But here this last week went well for us. We brought 2 new people to church and 5 in all. So it has been picking up a little bit the work. The mom and the daughter came and they brought the dad, so we are working with them the mom is a tough lady for some reason. But I think with a little more time she will get baptized with the family. The homies name is Joel. He's not a very good investigator. I think we are gonna drop him. He likes to party too much and doesn't really want to stop. But we will see how it goes this week. Then we had a miracle on Saturday. We were walking by a members house to get home at 8:50ish and he was outside talking to a lady. He told us talk to her about the church. So we did and we invited her to church with us on Sunday. She said yes. So we were like OK we will come get you to go to church in the morning. Then when we went she was there and ready to go to church! It was really cool to see that. It helped me a lot. So that is how we are doing in the work. We are starting to find more people that want to go to church. oh and on the way to church there was a freaking marathon on the main road!! It sucked cause like everybody was late to church. We got there like 15 mins late. We had to take a taxi and do a loop around the city to get to the church ha ha. But the important thing is that we made it there good with the investigators. Now for studying we have to stay until like 11:30or 12. We study 1 hour personally 2 hours together and half hour to an hour of English study for my comp. All the Mexicans have to learn English now. its a new rule so its cool. My comp is progressing in that too. So its cool. And they give us a folder thing that has somethings that we need to do and they we practice the lessons and see what our investigators need during those two hours.  If the president calls him to train well he will have to but he still needs a little more time before that.

Ethan is a funny dude. And that story is a classic. It's probably one of the best stories that man has ever heard cause everybody laughs when they hear it. I'm glad you got the hammock. The only reason why it cost a lot to send is cause he charged me for overnight.  I didn't know. But the next package wont be over night so it wont be so expensive. But do you like the hammock?? I am going to be in that thing a lot during my free time ha ha. And I have some requests I need a new oil container. Mine fell out of my pocket in the bus. And i need a new iron rod cause those two things were together. Then that's it I think. That's crazy that Spencer is getting home this month! That's cool stuff. But man that sucks that he has to wait forever to give his homecoming talk. ha ha I can't believe Kayla and Austin are gonna get married. I would have never guessed that one. But that's cool. When is Karson getting married? My friends are lame and don't find girls to marry. But that's fine. They are just waiting for me and Ethan to get home to show em how its done to get the women ha ha jk.   And no I have seen a black person here like 2 times. Once this last week and the other time in the immigration place ha ha. And here in Queretaro there are more white people, but still not that many. And man that Jazz game sounds like it was a sick one. I like to watch the jazz, but I'm not gonna recognize any player when I get back ha ha.

Ash wrote me today and said he is gonna take me rock climbing. I told him he needs to wait for a little bit cause I'm not in shape. I need to get lifting when I get home cause man, I would last very long climbing. ha ha And he told me he is gonna buy me the new Call of Duty so I'm excited for that too. And I'm sorry to hear about Misti. Hopefully she gets better. On Saturday when we got home we also had a dog crap on our yard. I was mad. Well still mad ha ha. And I would love to translate when I get back for the Mexicans. That would be sweet stuff, but I'm not cheap you can tell Leanne that ha ha jk. But ya that would be cool. Here we are doing good today we went and played soccer it was really fun. I like playing soccer a lot. I have plans to get an indoor soccer team when I get back called Los Geuros. So its gonna be cool.   But that's about it for this week here. We are doing better and we are progressing and seeing the miracles here. Take care and thanks for everything! Have a good week and do work! Love you all.

March 12, 2012

 

Hey mom!

Good to hear from you. Must be nice being in St George. Here its like 90 I think now so it's nice and hot here. At night it is starting to suck cause it's really hot. ha ha.

This last week went good for us. We brought one guy to church whose name is Victor. He is 20 years old but he is interested in the church and wants to know more about it. So we will see how it goes with him. The other lady she is good. She has a baptismal date for the 24th of this month. So we will see how it goes with her too. She is hard to visit cause she works until like 830 or 9 and her family doesn't want us in her house so we have to teach in a members house which is better but tough at those hours to do it. The family that we are teaching is at the point where they need to get baptized or we need to leave them so we will see what happens this week with them. And Ethan, man I don't know what we are going to do with that kid. I told him that he could come to new york with us. If that's fine with you. Actually it would be cool if all the friends could go. So if you don't care could you invite them? If not it's cool too. But this last week I called Juana. One of my converts in Prados.  She was way happy and she said she is going to enter the temple hitting the one year mark!! So I'm way stoked for her. She is awesome. Then I also talked to Jose. He was way happy I called, too. He was like I can't believe it's you! I didn't think I would talk to you ever again.  He is still active in the church. He said he has slacked a little bit but he is going to do better. Then yesterday a bunch of white members came to Queretaro to do a service project.  They came to church and there were like girls that were in high school and they were talking to me and made fun of me because they said I talk like a Mexican!! I really can't tell the difference but I'm sure they can cause they only came for 3 days here. But yes, know I speak like a Mexican even in English ha ha. And later after church we took them out to visit people that we are teaching and the less active families. We took a mom and her son to a less active family. It was really cool, they shared a scripture and their testimonies. I had to translate for them so it was a cool experience. And on Friday we were walking a long at like 6:30 in the afternoon here and we saw a dude packing his stuff to move. We told him we would help him and he said no then my comp said again and convinced him that we were going to help him move.

So we then started helping him and we found out that he is a Jehovah's Witness. We helped him and then he wanted to move his shelves that he has. When we got to the other house where he was moving it was on the third floor and the shelves were too big to carry them up. So we called some members and they came and helped us. We had to tie ropes to the shelves and lift them up to the third floor! It was pretty cool cause the shelves are wood so the were pretty heavy. But we finished and he accepted a visit from us this week. So it was cool to see that cause here the Jehovah's Witnesses are pretty crazy and they never want to hear from us. They just want to contend haha. But we will see how it goes with him. And now here in my mission we don't have subways. We just have the camiones and they wouldn't let us do it.

It's good to hear that Ash is going to help with the Sons of Helaman again. That will be a good experience for him. When are they going to do that? And too bad Parker is going to the East. That mission is right in DF and he is going to get robbed quite a bit. But oh well it will be a good experience for him ha ha. It will help him a lot. And I think you told me that Kyler was going to Chile.  I won't train Johnny. I think I will be here one more change, but we will see what happens. And yes there they have a marathon here like once month! They are so dumb cause they always do it on the busiest road of Queretaro. But whatev. And Jeffy. Man that homie is crazy ha ha in a good way. He is the only one doing work, is what it sounds like of the three that are home! Los gueros are the white people ha ha, that's what all the Mexicans call us here. that and gringo. then here today we played soccer again it was fun. i played a lot better today. Then I also bought my Tolex. (fake Rolex) for 150 pesos so it was good then I also bought a sweater. A cool one. But yes that is about it here. We are doing good and we are striving to find those people that are waiting for the gospel in their lives. My comp is doing well and we are also helping a guy here to go on a mission so it is cool. We are having fun and doing work so that is the most important thing. I love you all and I hope you have a good week!

Here is a pic of by where I live and the sun. It's cool I think. See you later!

February 27, 2012

Hey mom! Good to hear from you one again. This last week went well for us. We brought three new people to church! So I was happy with that. We brought a mom and her daughter and one other homie. So it was cool. We will see how they progress. I hope they can. The mom we have been teaching for a little bit but she never could come to church and this week she came! So it was cool we will see how she goes. Then the other homie, he is a wierd dude. We haven't really even taught him. We were teaching his brother Fransisco and he was there and we invited him to church and he came. So we will see how it goes with him. And we havent seen Hector. I don't think he really wants to commit himself with God. That's how it always happens here. Sounds like the conference was good. Here we had the meeting with Pres Johnson. He is the area president here in Mexico. And he is from the same place as pres call. He talked to us about the Spirit and how important it is in the work. And he told us about how we need to find the chosen people. He says we stay too long teaching people that dont progress or people that aren't going to be good members in the church. And they gave cell phones to every companionship so we will see how it goes. so it went really well. Pres Call and the hermana Call both speak english.  They don't have any kids on the mission. All are home. And give Pres Nancollas a shout out for me, and hermana Nancollas. They are sweet. And you better not forget to tell them when my homecoming is! haha.

What stories did you tell the Annis family that they didnt know? haha That's funny but the good thing is that Ethan is on an island very very far away from his family so they cant really do anything to him.  Me and my comp get along really well. He is a chill dude really humble so that is what I'm trying to learn from him. And ya me and my comp are doing the 12 week missionary training thing. I dont like it that much cause we have to study until like 11:30! But whatev. I only have to do it for like 2 or 3 more weeks. And it helps him a lot to learn what he needs to do. So it has its pros and cons. thanks for the towel. Did you get the hammock that I sent?? If not I'm gunna kill the UPS here. And yes it is fine if you combine them mom. There isnt problem with that. And we see Pres Call every month about. It just depends. Here in Queretaro he only comes for zone meetings interviews or stuff like that. So we don't see him tha tmuch. He has a lot to do anyways. And yes mom we go to the same ward every week cause we the area of our ward is huge! Our ward boundry is a lot bigger than our stake in ogden haha. It takes me like 40 minutes to get to the church in the camiones. In car like 20. and for some people its even farther. And yes you told me about Carson Campbell. That's crazy they are gettin married this next week. and Karson Halvy, I thought that homie was gunna get married before his brother. But his brother beat him by like almost a year haha. And I also think Jeff is gunna be the first to get married. Him then Israel. Ben going with the statistics of his brothers won't get married until he is about 28 so im thinkin he is gunna be the last haha. jk . But that's about it for this week. I commented to Ben in my letter to him that I am really liking the scripture study time that we have here. I am learning a bunch. Like yesterday the other elders are teaching a dude that knows a little bit about he bible and we were talking about exaltation. And he was like God is jealous and if he is jealous how can we be like him? So another elder took out a scripture then a thought came to my mind about how Jesus commanded us to be like he is, so I said that and said that God doesn't give us commandments that we can't fufill, so I got him good with that one! haha It was cool. I like seeing how I have progressed in the knowledge of the scriptures. Oh and one day when I was studying and thursday had been a good day for us and Friday a bad one then I prayed and opened the bible and I read a scripture in Hagoea or something like that almost at the end of the old testament and it told me to keep working and to keep putting forth effort. It was really cool then Saturday went well for us! So it's cool to see how God answers our prayers when we need it. That's what I got to say today I hope you have a good day and a good week. See you later!   Love you all!

February 20, 2012

Hey mom! good to hear from you again. And go to Philly that place is really good but really expensive. That's good to hear that Jeffy did a good job on his homecoming talk. I don't think I will do that good so don't plan on a big fantastic talk ahah.  I really like reading the scriptures and I think I will read more books when I get back because I have learned playing video games and watching TV aren't that productive ha ha. And I don't really tell stories before the mission just sometimes. But yes.  I don't know if they would laugh. I think I have told that one about Vegas a time or two, and they laughed I think. But we don't really talk about life before the mission. Who is Karson engaged to? When is that homie getting married?

The pillow case, I am going to use tonight. I got the package when we had interviews and I opened it there and the hermana Call liked the pillowcases. I was gonna give her one but she didn't accept it. I liked the pictures too. There were like 30 or something I think, I'm not really sure. And I couldn't open up the pictures of last week. So I could only see them small. But they they are cool stuff. Yes that towel is gonna be for a Mexican. And for my birthday I don't really want anything. Just reeses candy, peeps and jerky. Keep the other stuff for when I get home, then we can look for stuff. And ya I remember Bailey. That's crazy she is going a mission too. A bunch of those Bonneville girls are going a missions. Ben told me of another one that is gonna go on a mission too.  I don't know where those sweats are to tell the truth. I can't remember where anything is in the house of things like that aha ha. And the little kids in the school. That's gonna be cool to see them again. They are cool kids. But too bad I will get home in July so they wont be able to see me until like Agosto. Oh and Ashton told me that he was gonna be applying for that job. I hope it goes well for him and that he gets it! It's gonna be a lot better for him. He will enjoy it a lot more I think.

The work here is going ok. This last week we found another young couple. They are cool but they can't go to church until March but they want to learn more and they are excited for church. So we will see how it goes With them. I hope we can get them to go to church and keep them excited to do the things. I think they will be really good converts if they choose too. They are Edgar and Maria. So we will see how it goes with them. Then we are trying to get a homie named Hector to come to church. He needs the help. He came here to Queretaro to get away from the drugs. So we are working with him too. Then this week we will have a meeting with the area president. President Johnson is gonna come on Wednesday so I'm looking forward to that. I like listening to the general authorities. I learn a lot ever time I listen to them. And me and my comp we aren't working out. I don't like it here. I hate doing push ups and stuff like that. I prefer free weights so I am gonna wait til I get home. then I'm gonna have to do some work. ha ha cause I got my little keg going on now ha ha. And Fransisco didn't go, he had to go to DF for something with his family. We were teaching him last week and his wife got home and she was really mad with him cause he was listening to us. So we will see what happens with him. And of course Ben can come with us to New York! That would be fine. Are we gonna fly or drive there? Me and him can stay in a room.

Now the retention is always hard. Many people don't support the new converts and they have trails and they fall away. I have seen it with some people that I have baptized. It is really sad to see that happen cause they still don't have that strong testimony of the church yet. So it's a bummer. We all need to try and help out the investigators and the new converts so that they can stay active in the church. And I don't know where Aruba is but ya that is pretty crazy ha ha. Here we are doing well we are progressing a lot as companions me and Elder Hernandez. He is a cool kid. A cool story too. We just need to keep striving to get better and find the people that are ready to receive the gospel in their lives. Oh ya on Saturday we did service with a member in our ward to move his oven that he cooks pan dulce in and man that took like 2 hours to move it cause it is huge! And we had to lift it above a 6 foot wall! It was crazy, but we did it and nobody got hurt that is the good part. But it was pretty crazy stuff. Well that's about it for this letter. I hope you enjoy the hammock because when I get back its all mine :) Take care I love you all birthday shout out to Michael, the 24th. Have a good one buddy.

February 13, 2012

Hey Mom!

Good to hear from you once again. Here we are doing well we had one baptism last week. So it went well. My comps first baptism so it was cool. And we bought them cake cause it was his birthday a couple weeks ago and his sisters b day today!  Also last night a hermano gave me a sick hammock. It's the one with the sticks on both sides. So I'm trying to think how I'm gonna send that bad boy home in the mail ha ha cause it doesn't fit in my bags. But its gonna be a sick hammock. Then today we played soccer. I bought a Queretaro Gallo's jersey today. It's pretty cool, I like it and it's the only soccer team in our mission so I had to take advantage of that here. And we also went again to the hermanos queso carnes. Man those things are bomb!! I love most of the Mexican food.

This last week went ok, we didn't have much time to work cause we had interviews with president and I did divisions with another elder. This last week it has been raining almost everyday. So that makes it a little more difficult here cause nobody is use to the rain cause it hardly ever rains here. The interviews went well. With Pres Call the interviews are a lot longer. So I like them a little bit more. He said he was happy he put me and Elder Hernandez together cause he has progressed quite a bit. So it was cool to hear that. The divisions went ok. I went to another area so it was chill.

And yes, marriage is a big deal. A lot of people just separate over anything! And that's not how it is suppose to be. We need to work through the problems like he said. Right now we have found a couple of people but they aren't coming to church! So it's frustrating cause its tough to get people to church here. First cause its far away, second because it starts at 9 and third cause its cold in the morning and nobody wants to get out of bed ha ha. But we just gotta keep working so we can find the people that do want to come to church. We found one homie that looks like he should be coming to church this week. His name is Fransisco. So we will see how it goes with him. I hope he can progress.

That's crazy that Jeff is already home too! I can't believe that homie is already back. That's cool to hear. I hope he is doing well. Spencer gets home in like a month too!! It's crazy that everyone is getting home so quick. That's good to hear that some are more kids in the ward are going on their missions. Europe- I'm glad I didn't get called there. ha ha I like it here in Mexico. Everything is cool here. And I can't see the little cave man dude. Sorry. Oh and I did get your package. It's cool stuff. I like the little valentines you sent me! I took a picture of them. Then I gave those warhead candies to the hermano that gave me the hammock, he loves those things ha ha hermano Mauricio is really cool.

And as for the travel thing, I think that we should go to New York. But I will confirm that to you next week. I have been thinking a little bit about it and I think that would be better but I'll let you know next week. Well that's about it for here. I'm doing good my comp too. We liked the package and I like the little Jazz magnet. That's cool. But I should be sending a package home soon, once I figure out how to send that bad boy home. Take care and I love you all. Give the what up to Jeffy for me. Happy Valentines Day!

February 6, 2012

Hey Mom!

I wasn't even really worried about the Super Bowl really. Didn't really even remember it was yesterday. I guess its cause my team lost, but oh well. It's a good thing that it wasn't a distraction for me. When does my buddy Jeff get home? Tell him hi for me and give him a hug.

The videos are pretty funny huh, I had a good time with Clark when he was sleeping. I just loved it ha ha, he is a good guy. And yes we all sang the last day in the MTC for us. And the cigarro shake is way funny stuff. I want to be able to do it again sometime soon! Because it's way funny and it works.  We didn't lite it in side the house mom! It was out side, it was cool though. The pants were about the same sort of deal. It was a good time too. The mission has a ton of experiences good and bad, but the good ones we remember and the bad ones not so much. That's the good thing. And that's good to hear that Ash went to the singles ward. Where is the church at for the singles ward? I hope not too far. And I think it will be a lot different from the church here. I think I want to go the the Spanish ward for a couple weeks too. I think that would be really cool.  The Priesthood is the business. It's the major thing that separates us from the other churches is that we have the authority from God. 

This last week it rained about every night. One night I woke up at 3 in the morning listening to the thunder the loudest I have heard it in my life, I think. It was crazy stuff. I thought lightning was gonna come and hit our house ha ha, but it didn't and we are good. Then I also found a white lady this last week. It was really weird talking with her cause she is from the Peace Corp and she is down here for that and she has 10 months here and she sucks at Spanish. It's crazy how much the Lord blesses his missionaries to be able to learn the language of the people cause I was like man when I had 10 months I could speak way better than that! ha ha So I know that the gift of tongues is real. I hadn't been able to see it much before but now with that experience I realized how much the Lord blesses his missionaries to be able to speak the language where ever they are at. And yesterday we had stake conference. It went well. The 2nd counselor of the temple came and spoke of the importance of going to the temple even though we have to make sacrifices.he said that a ward from Cabo San Lucas came for one week a week or two ago and there were 70 including teenagers to do the work in the temple. They had to pay 4000 pesos each one to come from there about 400 dollars. And the members sometimes complain here about paying 200 pesos- 20 dollars- to go to the temple in bus. Then I think about us and I think well we don't really have to pay anything to go to the temple. Maybe 2 bucks? And sometimes we complain about not having time or some other thing. I realized in his talk the importance of making sacrifices to be able to go the the house of the Lord and do the work for our brothers. I hope that you can keep firm in going to the temple at least once a month so you can remember the promises you made and so you can receive the blessings from the temple.

Me and my comp we are still together. We knew we weren't going to be changed, for the system of the trainers. And Jesus didn't really say anything about you guys, just that dad said that he couldn't speak very good Spanish and that he talks really slow and Jesus decided to give the phone to his brother ha ha. i laughed. Dad you need to practice!! That's the only way you are going to get better ha ha. You got Ben and Israel there to help you.
Now here we are doing well. We should have 2 baptisms this week so we are happy for that. We found a couple that we are teaching right now. The wife should be coming to church this week so we will see how it goes. They are cool. They liked the lesson we taught them so we will see how they go. Other than that the work is a little slow. I feel like I have already talked to pretty much everyone where I live ha ha. So that's not good cause I still need to talk to everyone. But yes, we are doing well and we should keep doing better these next couple of weeks.

That's it for this letter take care and do work. Give J Speech the what up for me when he gets back to the O. Love you all!!