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!!