Elder Derek Jensen

Happy Tears :-)

2011-06-10T22:42:00.000-07:00

My last letter from Guatemala . . .

2011-06-07T19:16:00.001-07:00

Os pregunto si ya quedó todo hecho? Os digo que si . . . Ya quedó todo hecho . . . Quuuuuuueeeeeee raro . . .

This was a good, good last week but, I’m sorry, I can’t understand that I’ll be with you all again someday. I feel like the Mission is a dream and when it ends, so does everything. I can’t comprehend that I’ll be home. I’ve been so caught up in this for so long . . . But I’m happy . . . Happy to know that I do get to hug you all again. I guess that’s the faith, huh? Believing in something that I can’t really understand? Weird . . . Thank you for all of your support. I have officially not seen you all for over two years now. That is just strange . . . I officially know now what Mom talked about at home so frequently about those nervous feelings in her stomach. LOL . . . I’ve felt like that for a week now . . . This goin’ home stuff is tough . . .

As far as the jobs there, whatever is cool with me. I’m down to learn. But, remember . . . I haaaaaaate math unless it’s additional and subtraction. Thanks for helpin’ me out with that!

And, how cool that Dylan won the Male Singing Award! I got robbed of it . . . LOL . . . JK . . . But, yea, Dylan is amazing. Don’t worry, bud, I got your Pick Jesus shirt all packed away for ya . . .

As far as Ilse, Lesly’s sister-in-law, she was not baptized on Saturday. It was very strange because she seemed so sure, but when my Companion and I went to the Capital for Zone Leader Council, we called her to see how she was and at what time she wanted to have the baptism, and she said she wasn’t ready. We went and had some great visits with her when we got back into Peten, but she was just convinced that she wasn’t ready even though she is. But, that’s okay! I guess in that situation, I just have to accept God’s will even though I don’t fully understand it. I’m not sad, though . . . I know she will take that step someday soon . . .

Well, as far as Concilio this week, it was good. President talked a li’l more than normal ‘cause it was his last Concilio as well. He and Hermana Torres go home on June 29th. They gave us lunch in their house, as always, but it was really strange ‘cause the house was soooooo empty. While I was there, I had my last interview with President. He just asked about what I’m gonna be up to after the Mission, where I’m gonna go to school, what my spiritual experiences were on the Mission, and then he just gave lots and lots of nice compliments. The comment that made me feel best was, “I always knew I could count on Elder Jensen, and I always did. Any Zone or Companion he was watching over, well, I knew it would be just fine”. That made me feel good. I’ve always felt like if President is pleased with my work, God is probably pleased too since President Torres is called to act in God’s place in this part of his vineyard . . .

Hey! Happy Birthday, Dallas! How weird! 30, man! Wow . . . You’re a li’l older than Torry Holt . . .

Hey, can you do me a favor? Can you have a toothbrush, deodorant, a shaver, and shaving cream ready for me when I’m home? I’m not planning on bringing mine home. They’re old and used up . . . Thanks!

Well, as you all guessed, this last Sunday in Church was very, very hard. The whole meeting was really normal, but when I gave my testimony, I almost cried at the end. And just singing the last hymn in Sacrament Meeting, knowing that it would be my last time singing in Spanish in my own Ward, it was just tough and pushed a few li’l tears outta me. I’ll sure miss Guatemala. There are some great, great people here.

Other favors, can you guys get me a black, or black and silver, or black and grey, or grey . . . Or something like that . . . Tie? I’ve given away so many of my ties that I don’t have any that match my suit any more. Sorry! Thanks!

Also, can you guys make sure you tape the USA vs Canada Soccer game tomorrow? I would like to watch it when I get home . . .

As far as how I’m leaving my Zone and Area, I feel like I’m leaving it in great shape. The Zone has 40 fechas . . . My Area has 3 fechas and my Companion and his new Companion will baptize this month. I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father that he gave me the chance to serve my last change here and pick everything up. I’m goin’ home a happy man . . . I know I’ve done what I could . . . All that I could . . . I really, really have . . .

Well, I love you all so much! I don’t really believe that I’m gonna see you all soon . . . But it’s exciting! LOL . . . I love you all so much! Never writing you guys an e-mail from Guatemala again! See you sooooooo, way too soon!

"I have a lot to get done!"

2011-05-31T17:46:00.000-07:00

Heyyyyy!

Wow . . . What an overwhelming e-mail . . . LOL . . . I can’t believe how close everything is! My stomach hurts . . . LOL . . . In a good way, but it hurts . . .

Thanks for the “Happy Birthday” wish! It’s been a cool birthday so far. Lots of people have called me to with me a Happy Birthday. To celebrate, we are gonna go eat at a restaurant called “Friends”. After that, we’re going to eat cake with four families . . . LOL . . . So that will be filling! But it was cool that so many wanted to celebrate with me. Plus, yesterday, I already shared a birthday party with a li’l four-year old girl who is the daughter of one of my converts, so that was fun, too! Today, we gotta get in all the celebrating, though, ‘cause tomorrow morning we head to the Capital again! You know that nice, long, fun trip for Zone Leader council! LOL . . . Last one! Number 11! LOL . . . Everyone laughs at me for that . . .

But, yea . . . I only write you guys one more time and, “boom”, I’m home . . . Weeeeiirrrrrrrrrrrrd . . .

I’m excited that Kendall’s baptism is going to take place after I’m home! That’s so cool that Jason is gonna be able to do the baptism. That’ll be huge for him and he will never forget it just as I never forget when I baptized Allie.

I’m excited to speak in Sacrament Meeting and to report to the High Council. But, could you find out what I’m gonna be speaking about asap? LOL . . . I just know I won’t have much time to prepare the talk once I’m home . . .

And . . . Question? Dylan’s graduation is the Friday after I get home, right?

Well, this week was very special. We really responded well to our Zone Conference and Interviews as a Zone. We baptized four people this week (one in my Area) and we also went up by over 15 fechas in just five days! We also have five more baptisms planned for this next week (one in my Area). I really feel like we have this Zone in shape now and I’m very relived. Now we just gotta hold on to our goals and put some more fechas in our Area and, “boom”, I will feel 100% good about going home.
The baptism this week was really cool ‘cause Lesly was baptized by my Companion and it really seems like the family is gettin’ reactivated. Even a brother that hadn’t come to Church in forever came to the Confirmation. Now Lesly’s sister-in-law is the one we are hoping to baptize this week. Very, very cool stuff . . .

Well, I love you all soooo, sooooo much! This week is gonna fly by because of all the things I need to get done! Love you!!!!!!!

"I'm gonna finish strong"

2011-05-25T18:31:00.000-07:00

Hey, family!

Wow! I’ll only have two more times to write you all after today! How weird, huh?

Thanks for all of your fun updates yet again . . . You haven’t let me down in two years. You’re the best!

Very cool that you guys got to have so much contact with General Authorities this week. They always have a special spirit about them. Too bad Elder Ballard couldn’t stay at our house . . . LOL . . .

Hey . . . Did you guys already start inviting all my friends to that big party? I’m just a li’l nervous to see everyone so fast again. Huggin’ girls and stuff . . . Weird . . .

And . . . Thanks for your advice. I won’t bring anything home that I won’t use. Thank you! I think I’ll for sure meet the 50-pound weight limit!

And . . . Good, good job with your reading of the Book of Mormon, Mom! I really love that book, too. My testimony of Jesus Christ has been strengthened sooooo, sooooo much by it . . .

Welllllll . . . As for me . . . This week was interesting . . . It was interesting ‘cause we weren’t allowed to work on Tuesday ‘cause of this whole drug movin’ problem. Now we have to be in our house every day at 7pm instead of 9pm. It makes work much tougher ‘cause now we got out to visit at 9am and no one is in their homes at that time and we lose the visits at 7pm and 8pm at night which are the best hours of the day to find people in their homes. Soooooo . . . It’s a li’l struggle but we will get over it. It will last a month, though, the being home at 7pm thing . . .

This week I got to do two Divisions. One was with Elder Smith in my Area and the other was with Elder Francks in Dolores. They were very interesting Divisions. The one with Elder Smith was amazing because he is from my group and I had never been able to serve even near him until now. He is known for being very spiritual and I sure loved the guy! He works hard and loves what he does. He was a Zone Leader for seven changes and was made a Trainer for his last change. I respect the guy a lot because his perspectives on everything are Celestial. He understands and gets the vision of how everything affects you eternally.

The Division with Elder Francks was fun, too . . . His is in a very tough area but we were able to have a successful day.

Hey! I finished the New Testament this week! That was my second time on the Mission. Maaaaaan . . . I understood it soooooo much better this time!

Also, yesterday we had Zone Conference and on Monday we had Zone Interviews. That’s why I hadn’t written you guys yet. Wow . . . What a great two days. I feel renewed. It was exactly what I needed for my last two weeks. I’m pumped to achieve some new goals before I leave my Zone behind. I had to give my last Zone Conference testimony . . . Weird. I almost cried, but didn’t . . . Don’t worry . . . I’m soooo excited, too . . . I’m gonna finish strong.

President and Hermana Torres gave great talks . . . It was their last trip to Peten as President and Wife of the Mission. My Companion and Elder Williams (a kid I trained for a day before they put me with Elder Mortensen to train and is now the AP . . . Kinda cool) gave great talks as well. Great two days. Great, great, great . . .

Well . . . I sure love you all! I’m very safe . . . Hit me up! See you soon!

The coolest lesson of my whole Mission . . .

2011-05-17T18:19:00.000-07:00

Hey, hey, hey!

Good to hear from you!

I’m glad you loved all the videos! I mean . . . c’mon . . . you gotta love all of ‘em . . .

Well, as for me . . . I have some very cool pictures that I’ll be showin’ you all when I get home! Last Monday, just my Companion and I went to Tikal. Elmer let us in free, took us into some secret tunnel, bought our bus ride home and bought us lunch! It was really, really nice of him. To get to the tunnel, though, we had to take a path that they almost never take . . . LOL . . . The path was actually invisible because it was covered in trees and brush and fallen trees because they really never go there and it is off limits to everyone. Sooooo . . . We took a chain saw and a machete and our hands and went to work to clean the trail and get to the tunnel. Once there, we had to un-nail the cover to the cover to the tunnel and climb way down in where there was no light! LOL! You should have seen the size of those spiders and cockroaches! Ahhhhhhhh! Gross! The only light was the flash of our cameras! There were really cool Mayan paintings down there, though . . . They were very good artists. The wall they drew on was so far down because, supposedly, that wall belonged to a king. When they killed him, they buried that whole level of land and then the next king had his own new level of land, and when he died they buried everything and so forth . . . It was pretty cool . . .

This week, I had one of the coolest lessons of my whole Mission. We went to Las Cruces on Divisons and we found a kid that just got back to Guatemala from St. George, Utah . . . LOL . . . Random, right? He lived in St. George the past 12 years and isn’t a member. I taught him the first lesson in English (the Restoration) and it was soooo, soooo special. I honestly got the chills teaching in English . . . LOL . . . I can’t wait to be home and share the Gospel in my own language.

My pants were crusty this week . . . Lots of sweat . . .

Oh . . . Talkin’ about clothes . . . What clothes do you want me to bring home? My pants? Shirts? Socks? Bed sheets? I feel like everything is pretty beat up, but lemme know what you think . . . I dunno if you think Dylan will want to use some. Lemme know . . . Hee, hee!

Well . . . I gotta bounce! We have early lessons today . . . I love you all! Take care! See you soon!

"Heavens of Happiness"

2011-05-09T18:40:00.000-07:00

Hello!

One month!

It was great to talk to all of you! I really did miss talking to Ashley and Tom, but that’s all good. I’ll see ‘em soon!

Well, you guys know everything that’s goin’ on in my life . . . I just thought that since my Mission is now comin’ to an end, I’d share a li’l bit about how I feel about these two years and about the Gospel of Jesus Christ in general.

Ummmm . . . Where to start . . .

Before my Mission here in Guatemala, I really wasn’t a very good example to many people . . . LOL . . . I wasn’t a bad kid either, don’t get me wrong . . . But I for sure could have been better. I personally apologize to all of my friends and family members to who I’ve been a bad example. I also apologize to those that I have done stupid things with or around. Sure, everyone knew I was a Mormon ‘cause I didn’t drink or smoke . . . LOL . . . But I did some things that I shouldn’t have and it makes me feel bad that I wasn’t the 100% great example that I should have been of this Church.

I really didn’t understand the reality and truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ until I got out here. Once I started really reading the scriptures every day and started praying with a sincere heart many, many times a day, I really started to feel a change. It wasn’t that I just didn’t wanna drink or smoke, it was that I don’t ever want to be around alcohol or any kind of drug . . . LOL . . . It changed me from not wanting to cuss to not ever wanting to hear another cuss word in my life. I understand that these things will be around me forever because they are part of the world, but just ‘cause I’m in the world doesn’t mean I have to be part of it.

I honestly know that God loves every single one of us and wants the best for every single one of us. He knows me and all of us individually. Once I really learned that, not just be hearing it, but by feeling it, I could just feel a nice, peaceful change in me. I don’t plan on going home and never leaving the house ‘cause everyone is bad . . . LOL . . . But I do plan on just trying to live a little higher. I don’t plan on goin’ home and being a weirdo and only talk about Jesus either. But I do plan on having my actions reflect Him a lot, lot better.

I honestly know for a fact that Jesus came to Earth to pay for every single one of our sins and He calls us to repent, be baptized, and come unto Him. I know that His Gospel, authority, Church, and teachings were restored (because they were 100% lost after his crucifixion and because of the death of all of those who held the authority to lead the Church) by a Prophet named Joseph Smith. I don’t worship Joseph Smith, but I do thank him for all he did (even giving his own life) to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the Earth.

If Joseph Smith was a Prophet, it means this Church is the only true Church to baptize and help us make other sacred promises with God. But, if Joseph Smith was not a Prophet, the Mormon Church is one of the biggest lies of all time. I know this isn’t a lie. I have gotten down on my knees and asked my Heavenly Father in prayer if this is the true Church and He has told me, “yes”, through His still, small voice and by promptings in my heart. Yes . . . This is His Church.

Through the power and authority that those called hold, families can be sealed together and live together forever and not just for this short life. The heavens would not be heavens of happiness without my family.

These two years have changed my life. I no longer feel the urge to find worldly happiness . . . LOL . . . I no longer want to have seventy pair of shoes and spend all of my money on hats and jackets . . . LOL . . . I know the only way to be happy is to be humble and live the commandments.

I CANNOT wait to see all of you again (family and friends)! I hope to still have all of my friends when I get home. It’s been so long, but I love them sooo, sooo much. I just wanted to share my feelings real quick . . .

Just ‘cause I’m a good Christian, though, doesn’t mean I’m gonna take it easy on the basketball court . . . LOL . . . I love you all soooooo much! See you in a month!

The Lord blesses the obedient!

2011-05-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!

I am very happy that I get to fly to Los Angeles with everyone else! I was a li’l worried since I was the only one going to California . . . I was worried they would send me to another place than all the rest buttttttt, no! So, I’m happy!

Hey . . .Thanks for the video of Dylan singing and talking! LOL . . . I loved how he was wearing his hat just like I always did. I left some gangster in him. And, wow! What a great voice Dylaln has! He almost made me cry! Nooooooo lie . . . I am so proud of that kid . . .Words can’t really explain it. I’m waitin’ on his DearElders sooooo anxiously, though . . .

And, yes . . . I got the package from Grandma and I should get the other package on Wednesday ‘cause we will be in the Capital for Zone Leader Council. DearElders and all that usually get to me a week to two weeks after they are sent. Sometimes they’re faster and sometimes they’re slower, but it’s usually right around there . . .

And I can’t believe about James! All I could do is make a sad, angry face. I’m very happy that he is well, though. I’ve been thinking so much about that kid lately . . .

Happy Birthday, Uncle Ed!

Okay . . . This was the hottest week of my Mission bbbbyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy faaaaaaaaarrrrrrrr! LOL . . . There were times that I just wanted to throw in the towel . . . LOL . . . It was a tough week, but we worked hard and were blessed with success, putting three more baptismal dates. Oh is going to be baptized for sure on the 21st of this month. We actually put the fecha with him yesterday as an answer to our Fast. Cool, cool stuff. I also read Dad’s DearElder to me about his Mission and it always seems to inspire me. I know the Lord blesses the obedient and hard workers . . .

Oh! I talked to Elder Legua this week . . . He says “hi”! LOL . . . Just so you know . . .

I know Dad wants me to write something special and I will, I promise. I’m gonna write it next week, though, so it can be well thought out . . .

As far as those who came to the Zone . . . We got Elder Smith! He went to Zone Leader the same time I did and is from my group. He has been a successful leader his entire Mission and I look forward to working with him sooooo much. I really respect the guy ‘cause his vision on everything is so Celestial and never worldly . . . It’s amazing. It should be a very fun Change. Also, they split up one District and made two, soooo . . . That’ll help as well! And, we have three brand new missionaries in our Zone being trained by Elders smith, Snell and Sakievich, so it’s lookin’ like a good, solid, fun, successful Change . . .

Well . . . I sure love you all! Hit me up!!!!!!!!!!!

Families are Forever

2011-04-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

Heyyyyyyy!

Well . . . I’ll just break the news already . . . I did not have a change. Which means I will be dying here in San Benito, Peten . . . LOL . . . I will finish my mission with just five areas which ties the Mission record . . . LOL! I will also finish my mission with eight changes (just about one year ) as Zone Leader . . . LOL . . . That will be the Mission record as well . . . LOL. The other Elder who went to Zone Leader with me and was from my group is no longer a Zone Leader this change, so I’m gonna beat him out . . . LOL.

Anyway, I’m really excited because we have had some challenges that we have to overcome in our Zone this Change because the Zone has fallen apart a li’l in just one week. But, President and the Lord are givin’ me the chance to make it happen again and I know I can. Plus, I get to finish my Mission with Elder Molina and it doesn’t get much better than that. Whenever you have a Companion that you get along with for two changes, it really just feels like one change, so I know these six weeks are really just gonna fly by. My last change, though . . . My last agenda . . . Agenda Numero 18 . . . Weird . . . I really never thought I’d get to this point in my Mission. I can’t comprehend that I’ll go home soon . . .

Well, as an answer to all of your questions . . . And to ask some of mine . . .

I never found Elder Smith’s raincoat . . . Sorry .. .

For Easter, all of the Processiones went on, but I didn’t get to see ‘em this time . . . You gotta look ‘em up on the internet . . . They’re loco . . .

We received the info as to who has changes last night, but we will know where everyone is headed on Wednesday morning . . .

Question . . . Who are all these girls that Dylan is gonna go to dances with? I don’t know any of them . . . That’s not cool . . . Explanations, please . . . LOL . . .

And, Dylan . . . Where ya gonna go to school? Be honest . . .

Also, I mailed out the memory card today with my March Madness Bracket (LOL) and some earrings and a necklace, I think. Anyway, the jewelry was made by an investigator of mine and she just wanted to give it to you.

Aaaaaand, this week we have another baptism! Her name is Aleyda and she is 15 years old. She had a loooooooot of challenges to overcome to get to the point of being baptized, but she got there with lots of repentance and changing. But . . . She did it! President Torres did the interview, not because of some great sin she committed, but because she is younger than 18 years old and her parents are not members of the Church. Anyway, though . . . Her baptism was really, really cool. Aleyda’s baptism was especially cool because of how badly she wanted to be baptized and because she reached her goal. When she came up outta the water, she just started bawling and the members started bearing their testimonies, one by one, after the baptism. I dunno . . . You could just feel something really special. She was confirmed a member of the Church on Sunday . . .

Oh! I forgot to tell you guys that when we did Zone Interviews last week, we also got to watch a talk given by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in the MTC. Wow . . . It was amazing, haha . . . You guys can just imagine. Anyway, after we watched it and, yes, we watched it in English, all of us got up one by one and bore our testimonies. It was the first time that I had really born my testimony in English for over a year and a half and there was something awkward but very special about it. As soon as I started testifying about how it is that I know that families can live together forever, and said that I couldn’t imagine not living with my Mom, or li’l brother, or niece, or anyone from my family, I just started crying. I feel so strongly about it now and there is nothing more important than living with all of you forever.

And . . . I’ll be home to hold you all soon . . . LOL . . . I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Air is as Black as Satan’s Drawers

2011-04-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying that I’m sorry if my spelling is terrible today, but I can’t see the computer screen that well and I refuse to wear my glasses ‘cause I’m sweatin’ up a storm and they keep fallin’ off my nose! They are burning all the Peten mountains and valleys (as they do every year). All I know is that Peten could use some Santa Cruz tree huggers. These tree burnin’ guys are makin’ the air as black as Satan’s drawers . . .

Any who . . . Yes, we were able to baptize and confirm Adelfa’s son a member of the true church of Jesus Christ. He was a very happy boy even though my Companion had to dunk him three times ‘cause the li’l kid is just a floater. Then, yesterday, we gave him his triple combination with a message and a picture of him dressed in his baptismal clothing and he was even happier! So, thanks for all of your prayers! They worked!

And . . . I will be waiting on Dylan’s DearElder with much anticipation. Oh, and in response to your other short e-mail as to what else you can send me other than Muddy Buddies . . . Nothin’. I’m good. I’ll be home soon . . . Thanks, though! If it isn’t free, though, don’t even send Muddy Buddies. I’ll be home soon, I repeat . . .

Well, this past week, I went on two divisions. One with Elder Toolson here in San Benito and another one all the way out in San Luis with Elder Tolley. San Luis is the furthest area we have and when we were there, we went out even further to Cain. So, we were like three hours away from San Benito . . . LOL . . . The three days of divisions really helped me, though, ‘cause I knew I had to be the best missionary I’ve ever been as I have to always be when I’m on divisions. That just makes me focus on the work ‘cause no one I visit out of my area knows how much time I have and they don’t bug me about goin’ home soon. All those comments sometimes cause you to feel baggy. So, they were great divisionsn with lots of success. Plus, we did another short division on Friday so that we could have our baptismal interview done for Manuel. So, I didn’t work a lot with my Companion this week, but I feel like it was good for me for a good refocus . . .

Also, this Sunday, President did an interview for one of our investigators who will be baptized this Saturday. President Torres had to do the interview because the girl is younger than 18 and neither of her parents are members. She passed the interview and all is well . . . She is ready to go for this Saturday . . . So, that’s pretty dog on cool!

Aaaaaand . . . This week for interviews . . . Wow . . . They went a long, long time . . . LOL! They lasted from 9am until 6pm. President interviewed every one of the thirty missionaries from our Zone . . . One by one . . . Those who weren’t being interviewed at the moment received instructions from the APs and told Hermana Torres their memorized scripture and received chocolate if they had a good one memorized. I had 2 Nephi 2:9-10 memorized and I got my US candy, of course! Then, for my interview with President . . . Well, it was the longest one I’ve ever had for sure, so that was cool. He asked me the differences between my current Companion and my last Companion (Elder Molina and Elder Alonso) and so I explained to him their different qualities and leadership techniques. Then he asked about Elder Crespin, the best missionary in our Zone who, unfortunately, goes home in a week and a half. He asked me how it is that he has had success in his Area. I explained to him that I think it is his hard work and obedience. We then talked about what’s gonna happen with me in my last change. I asked him if I will have the opportunity to serve the people of Polochic even though I don’t know the language. But, I told him that if that isn’t God’s plan, I’m fine. But, as President Torres always says, the best revelation comes from information like when missionaries share their desires with him. He said that changes weren’t fully finished yet, so it’s possible that I could go there, but I doubt it ‘cause he also said that if it’s God’s will to have me stay in San Benito, I just gotta get my Companion to understand how to light the Zone on fire and keep it on fire as it is. Sooooo, from that comment, I think I’m stayin . . .

Then, yesterday was the Zone Conference and I gave a talk. It was a short 5-7 minute talk as they asked for, but I felt that I was well prepared and I delivered it well. I talked about Paul and his missionary struggles with teaching and how it is that Silas had success with Jews in Chapter 18 of Acts, but that Paul wasn’t able to find the same success. Then I talked about the importance of teachin’ with love and the Spirit. It was cool, though, ‘cause as I was waslkin’ down off the stand after my talk, I heard Hermana Torres whispering to me, “Elder Jensen, Elder Jensen”, so I went to see what I could help her with. All she said to me once I crouched down to her was, with teared up eyes (always good make the women cry), “That was one of the best talks I’ve ever heard. Thank you, thank you”. So, I told her thanks and walked away. It was very nice of her, though. Some of the missionaries also came up to me personally to tell me how much they liked it, so I’m happy if I could touch the hearts of just a couple. The rest of the Zone Conference was great, though, and we learned lots from President, his wife, and Elder Davis. Oh, plus it was Hermana Torres’ birthday yesterday, so Elder Davis and I went out and bought her a birthday sash and a Burger King crown wrapped in Happy Birthday paper and then gave her a handwritten card with Hershey kisses. She loved it, so . . . Good, good day.

Soooo . . . Yea . . . It was a great week! Well . . . Next time I write you, I’ll already have my change for my last change of the Mission! Weird, huh? Well . . . Love you! Talk to you soon!

Oh! And . . . Happy Birthday, Ryan!

We are really seeing some miracles in our Area!

2011-04-12T17:45:00.001-07:00

Hey, family!

Welp . . . I’m writing this e-mail very, very dirty. I’m not gonna say dirty things, I just mean that my clothes are dirty. Details to come . . . Ooooooo . . .

Well . . . Thanks for your e-mail!

To answer all of your questions . . .

Our Zone has been pretty cool . . . We have had baptisms for five straight weeks now and that, well, I haven’t ever seen that before, so we are doin’ good. Plus, this weekend, my Companion and I are going to baptize the son of Adelfa and there should be two other baptisms in another Area, so that should be baptisms for six straight weeks! Holler! Now we just gotta get up the number of baptisms we are having each week. The Lord will provide the way . . .

Aaaaaand, as for P-Day, we came all the way out to Poptun today to go in some more caves. These caves were a lot different from the ones in Santa Elena. There wasn’t as much mud in these caves, but they were still cool. In these caves, you had to get down on your stomach and back even more than the last one. Don’t worry . . . I took pictures (winky face) and a video of me goin’ through one of the tight holes. Love you, Mom! Plus, we didn’t have a real guide again . . . Just some members that live close and had gone in before . . . LOL . . . But don’t worry. You can’t really get lost in the Poptun caves . . . Just in the first Santa Elena caves that we went through a while back. The hike to get to the opening of these caves was really, really cool, though. Up through the trees and mountains. Cool, once in a lifetime thing . . .

Well, in our Area, we are doing very, very well. We have some families that are really starting to progress, too! We are really seeing some miracles in our Area starting to happen again.

Well, I love you all sooooo, sooooo much! I’m going to write to Dad and Dallas. Love you!

Oh! And Dylan needs to write to me asap . . .

Hey, Dad!

Thanks again for all of your help and consideration. I actually really like what you were talkin’ about . . . Everyone get one. LOL . . . That’s actually the plan that we put with our District Leaders last Sunday. We realized the same thing! If everyone gets one, we are really on our way! My Companion and I offered lunch to any District in which every Area baptizes. We really, really focused on the District Leaders and Trainers and us, as the Zone Leaders, more than anyone else, though. We, the Zone Leaders, have to lead by example. If everyone can baptize one, plus the four District Leaders baptizing two, the trainer baptizing two and the Zone Leaders baptizing two, we could actually have a month of 21 baptisms! We really are on our way. As a Zone, we are baptizing consistently . . . We just have to baptize even more in every week. It’s kinda like we are scoring two points a quarter and end up with only eight points . . . LOL . . . It’s a consistent game, but coming out with only eight points isn’t enough. We gotta score a few more points a quarter. Maybe just double it. We feel like we are putting’ good new high goals that we can reach.

Dad, I’m really so grateful for your help. I am so thankful for all of the ideas you have given me and for pushing me to be better throughout my Mission. I really feel like I get it, Dad. I can go into any Area or Zone and I can completely change it . . . I know I can. I’m very confident because all I’ve learned from your counsel and putting it into practice. Ever since High School when you started pushing me to be a leader . . . At that time, I didn’t understand why you wanted me to be a leader so bad, but now I really do. Being a leader in basketball really translates to being a leader in the Church and leading anything. Thank you, Dad. Love you!

General Conference in an air conditioned room . . . Money!

2011-04-05T17:55:00.000-07:00

Hello, family!

Sorry I couldn’t write much last week! We were in the Capital and all ten “out of the Capital” Zone Leaders were together and trying to get me to hurry up so they could get on with the day, soooo . . . I had to cut my writing a li’l short. But today, I don’t!

Soooo, to answer your questions as always . . .

General Conference was for sure watched in English, buuuuuuut we didn’t get to see all of it because the satellite wasn’t working on Saturday until the 6 o’clock Priesthood Session. We got to see li’l parts of the first two Sessions by internet, but we didn’t see much. When it came on in English for the Priesthood Session, though, all the gringos got soooooo excited! There is just nothing like listening to General Conference in English in a country where everyone speaks Spanish!
Sooooo . . . Eight of us watched the General Conference in a li’l air conditioned room (money!) while everyone else watched it in the main room in Spanish. There were some very, very good talks given. Of course, my favorite is always Elder Eyring. His talk in the Priesthood session was my favorite. I also loved the talks by Elders Christofferson, Scott, Uchtdorf and Holland, of course. Hey, question . . . Does one Apostle not speak in every General Conference? He has to be away from the Conference Center in case something happens so that all the apostolic keys aren’t lost? Is that right? Or what’s up with that?

And very cool that I was the only one with UConn . . . LOL . . . Lucky guess! I can’t believe my Butler boys made it back-to-back years while I’m not home . . . LOL!

Zone Leader Council went very, very well. We really didn’t seem to receive as much teaching from President as we have in the past, but Elder Davis taught us a lot. He was called as Assistant this change. I really love the kid. He was in my Zone when I was first Zone Leader. He always worked very, very hard and, even though he wasn’t a Zone Leader, I told President he was a very special case and could be a Zone Leader without being District Leader first even though no one ever does that in this Mission. He’s just a way special kid with very special leadership abilities. I got to talk to him alone for like an hour after Zone Leader council and it was really funny because he asked for a lot of advice because I’m the “older” missionary and he looks up to me in that way. I totally understand because every younger missionary looks up to the older ones. I was my Trainer’s Zone Leader when he ended his mission, but he was always my example. I explained to him what a special leader he is. He really is changing the Office for the better already. Great, great kid . . .

For P-Day today, we went to Tikal for our Zone activity. It wasn’t quite as cool as the first time I went because it is all just so jaw-dropping the first time you see it, but it was still very, very cool. Many missionaries got to see all the temples and ruins for the first time. Plus, I got some cool pictures that I didn’t get the first time . . . LOL . . .

As far as washing clothes, we have a lady in this area who does our laundry. LOL . . . Yes! That’s a huge blessing. As far as cooking, we eat the food that we cook ourselves. We do have a cheap li’l restaurant close, so we eat there maybe a time or two a week. I’m doin’ good though, I promise. LOL . . . I’m comin’ home chubby . . . Not ‘cause I eat amazing, though, just ‘cause I can’t do all the exercise that I did before the Mission. I’ll lose it when I’m home, though. Gotta lose my huuuuuuuuge tan line too . . . LOL! Remember how I thought I was gonna come home just huge and in shape? Hahahahahahahahahahaha!

Well . . . Happy Birthday, Uncle Matt!

And Happy Birthday, Dad! I really was thinkin’ so much about you on your birthday. I try not to think much about home, but that day I couldn’t help it. I was just talkin’ ‘bout you to a lot of people . . . LOL . . . Many people wanted to call you on the spot to tell you happy birthday for me but I told them I couldn’t. LOL . . . I don’t know what their plan was with the language barrier anyway . . . LOL . . .

Hey, Mom . . . The Office Elders said they asked you what airport I should fly in to . . . ? LOL . . . They said you were very excited to get the e-mail . . . LOL . . . Which airport did you tell them?

Well, this Friday we had an emergency change in the Zone. That was a bummer ‘cause it was a District Leader that had to leave. He is a good Elder and I know he will be just fine and that he will get better. That change took up a lot of our time on Friday, though . . . LOL. We really hardly worked this week. Monday, we did Zone errands until 3pm. Tuesday and Wednesday we were in the Capital. Thursday we did weekly planning and bought food. Friday, the emergency change. Then, Saturday and Sunday was General Conference! LOL . . . It was a busssssy, bussssssy week! I’ve probably never worked so little in a week! Not a good thing . . . LOL . . . But I’m happy that I’m busy!

We also had a District Leader Meeting this week . . . Yesterday to be exact. I think that always helps the Zone a lot. This week we went back up in fechas again, soooo . . . That’s good stuff! I feel like the Zone is doin’ very well. In March, we led the Mission in baptisms and fechas and people in Church. Very, very cool . . .

Well . . . I love you all soooo, soooo much! Talk to you soon! Like Mother’s Day soon! LOL!

General Conference this Week! Holler!

2011-03-29T18:34:00.001-07:00

‘Sup family!

Thanks for your e-mail! In response to your e-mail . . . I thought you should all know about the Bracket I filled out. Well, I had Ohio State, UConn, Vandy, and BYU in the Final Four. Then, I had UConn vs. Vandy in the Finals. And I have UConn winning it all. LOL . . . That’ll be cool if I guessed the Champion right! Did anyone at home have UConn taking it all?

It has been very fun to hang out with Elder Legua. We just got into the Capital this morning at 6:30ish and when we got in, we just headed straight to the Temple and got to attend a session! And . . . Now we are using Internet! I think that after this, we are gonna go visit some families. It’s been way fun, though, ‘cause I’ve been able to hang out with my two best buddies all day . . . Elders Peterson and Legua. You guys should already have known that, though. Zone Leader council is tomorrow . . .

Oh, and yea . . . It’s waaaaaay fun with Elder Molina. Oooooo . . . You shoulda seen the tie trade that went down with him yesterday. Just nasty ties involved. We might have the two best collections in the Mission. You know I never come in Second Place when it comes to style, though!

And, sweeeeet that I got an extension on my Driver’s License! Gooooooood . . .
And, that’s soooo cool that Dylan has his trip this week! It’ll be something he will remember forever for sure! Make sure he writes me right after his trip, please!
Sooooooo . . . I loved Stacie’s letter . . . LOL . . . It just left me with nothing to say, though. It just made me wanna hug ‘er. Anyway, that’s why I haven’t written back and I don’t know if I’m going to . . . LOL . . . I think I’ll be home by the time Stacie would write back to me . . . LOL . . .

Hey, Happy Birthday, Toni and Allie!

We don’t have many Zone fechas this week, but we have a million progressing investigators! And, after this Council, we should be rollin’ out there in Peten again! We did end with nine baptisms in March. Not bad, not bad. April should be better, though.

Oooooo . . . And General Conference this week! Holler! Guess what? This is the last one I’ll watch without all of you! Cool stuff! Man . . . I’m just excited for the talks and all, though. It’ll be goooood, gooooood stuff . . . Like always . . .
Soooo, this week, Elders Mejia and Cruz finally moved outta our house. It was a bummer to watch ‘em go ‘cause we really did get along with ‘em so well. I gave ‘em each two ties and then Elder Mejia gave me a “moral” and Elder Cruz gave me a sweeeeeet corte tie. They were living with us for a li’l while, though, ‘cause they opened an area this change and didn’t have a phone or beds or anything. But, once we got a hold of all those things, they got the boot. Good kids, though . . .
And, this week, I got to do a division with Elder Snell! He is a kid that entered the Mission with me. It’s cool ‘cause we all find a way to end up being the greatest of friends! We had a good time talkin’ ‘bout memories and all that plus I got to learn form his way of teaching! Then, at night time, he bought me pizza! Well, he bought us pizza! LOL . . . Buena Honda, though . . .

Oh, by the way . . . I drew on an all white tie for me and it came out sick! Then, one missionary saw it and said he’d pay me to make one for him so I did it and struck up some dough! LOL . . . Plus two other missionaries said they want me to do the same for them! LOL . . . Cool, huh?

Anyway . . . Everything is goin’ gooooooood! I love you all sooo, sooo much! Hit me up! Everything is going soooo, soooo well! Peace!

My new Companion is Elder Molina from Honduras!

2011-03-23T18:09:00.001-07:00

Hello, family!

Good to hear from you all during this time of March Madness! Ahhhh . . . I’ll never miss another one of these . . . What a blessing . . . LOL . . .

Thanks for your stories anywho. LOL . . . I can’t believe everyone is getting’ home from their missions now! Ahhhh! It’s not making me feel good. First Jeff, then Alyssa, then McKay and now Tyler . . . LOL . . . I remember how mad I was when they were leaving because we all grew up in the same grade and everything but they got to leave before me because of stupid birth dates! LOL . . . I couldn’t have been called at a better time, though. Of that I’m sure . . . Anyway, lemme know how Tyler is when he gets home.

How cool that Dylan did so well in his workshop. That kid really is amazing. Hey . . . Has he decided where he is gonna go to school? He told me he wasn’t sure and I told him to talk it over with you all, but I hope he wasn’t just pullin’ my leg! I need him at Gav with me!!!!!!!! Dylan! I need you there with me! For reals! Don’t lemme down, man! I understand if you have to, though . . . LOL.

And, the 49 fechas weren’t for this last week Mom . . . Sorry . . . We had one baptism. And it was in my Area. Elder Crespin did her baptismal interview and said he had never done an interview for someone so prepared. She knew everything he said! LOL . . . She really is so special. We were just guided to find her at the right time. She had received missionaries for so long before but wasn’t ever prepared; but we got there, and she was ready. Three straight Sundays in Church and . . . Boom! To the water! She’s amazing and can now be an example to her five children who are already members and to her member parents. LOL . . . My new companion got lucky to get here and have a baptism his first week! The baptismal ceremony was great! She is afraid of the water, so the first time I tried to put her under, she rolled up in a ball and some of her hair came out of the water sooooo . . . We had to try it again . . . LOL . . . We stood in the font for a good five minutes while I was trying to help and comfort her and while she tried to hold back tears and get her air back. Aaaaaand . . . The second time we got it down pat! LOL . . . The testimony she bore was amazing and her friends and family members gave great testimonies for her as well. It was one of those special baptisms . . .

Anyway, yea . . . We had changes this past week. Ten changes in total . . . Three went to Coban (we lost my boy, Elder Thacker), two had internal Peten changes, and five went to the Capital. My Companion was one of the five who went to the Capital. Anyway, we have two missionaries here now who were Zone Leaders but are not anymore because so many from our group are Zone Leaders! There have never, ever been so many from just one group. We have thirteen or fourteen of the twenty-two leaders in the Mission . . . LOL . . . So it might be my turn to not serve as a Zone Leaders. I’d be okay with that just ‘cause I think I might be settin’ a new record for time as a Zone Leader!

Also, for changes, Elder Legua was made a Zone Leader! That was very exciting ‘cause now I’ll see my best friend in the Mission at Zone Leader Council next week!

Oh! And my new Companion is Elder Molina from Honduras. I’ve told you all before that I seem to get along very well with Hondurians. And . . . Nothing’s changed! Elder Molina was an Office Elder for a long time and I got to know him there and we were already good buddies from that point, so it was one of those changes of much excitement to receive your Companion. I feel very happy and a member even told me I seem happy yesterday! I learned a lot from Elder Alonso, and I know I will learn a lot from Elder Molina. I know this change is gonna fly by!

Just so you all know, when I talk about going home, it’s because it’s close to that time, but it doesn’t mean I’m working any less . . . I promise. I’m very focused on my Zone and my Area. I know that leaving the Mission behind will bring many tears and twister feelings, but I wan’t wait to see all of you again. I love you all so much. El fin se acerca . . .

I'm staying in the Peten Zone!

2011-03-14T18:15:00.000-07:00

Heyyyyy, family!

Wow . . . I really can’t believe that I only have two changes left! LOL . . . I really never thought I would get to this point in my Mission . . .

To answer your e-mail first, of course . . .

For P-Day today, we have done absolutely nothing except eat and print off pictures and walk through the market a li’l . . . Nothin’ special . . . Just chillin’ . . .

LOL . . . And it really is soooo, soooo weird how worried I was to come and speak Spanish and now I can say just about anything and I can understand 99% of everything! I do remember praying my first days in the MTC in Spanish . . .What a tough time . . . LOL . . . It’s cool how much I’ve been blessed, though . . .

McKay wrote me today to tell me that he’s gonna be home this Wednesday. Ahhhhh! That’s soooo crazy . . . Cool, cool for him, though!

As for my Zone and all, we are doin’ very, very well. Our Zone reported 49 baptismal dates this Sunday. The next closest is like 25, so yes, Dad, we are doubling! The zone has really improved sooo, sooo much since the time I got here. I don’t give myself the credit, but something has clicked. It’s really been a really cool experience. We had 5 baptisms as a Zone last month, 2 of them from my Area. Now, through the first 2 weeks of this month, we have 5 Zone baptisms! This week, we are waiting on 5 baptisms . . . One of them from our Area! Soooo . . . That will hopefully give us 10 for this month and then we still have the last week of the month which is usually the biggest baptizing week of every month! Soooo . . . We are excited to see what goes down!

As for changes, we had ten changes in the Zone. Eight people are leaving Peten and two have internal changes in Peten. My Companion is one of the 8 leaving Peten. He’s pretty sad because we have really gotten the Zone moving together. Sure, we bumped heads sometimes, but we were successful together and really made some good things happen. Sounds like I’m gonna train a new Zone Leader, but we shall see what goes down . . . LOL . . . I might make a record for time as a Zone Leader. If I die as a Zone Leader, I will have completed 8 changes in the assignment. LOL . . . That’s almost a year as a ZL! Hahahahaha! Tiring! Oh, well! It’s good, good stuff and God has blessed me in the work. I’ve learned sooo, sooo much about leading in every one of those changes. I’ve become a much more effective leader throughout my whole mission and I’ve learned to think bigger rand to really expect to be the best and realize that we can do much, much better by small and simple things . . .

Hey . . . Happy Birthday, Luke!

Soooo . . . Nothin’ happened in Gilroy with this big storm? People were calling me worried about all of you ‘cause they heard the storm was gonna hit California. I knew you’d all be fine, but anything crazy happen there? Lemme know . . . It won’t scare me . . . I know you’re all fine.

This week, I did a Divison with Sayaxche Two with Elder Hale. He is a District Leader who had been strugglin’ a l’il. Soooo, on that Division, we had an amazing day together! We put a baptismal date with two people and taught some amazing lessons . . . LOL . . . He was amazed with how good the lessons went, so I knew the Divison would really help him a lot. Plus, my Companion did a great job with Elder Hale’s companion and they were both very strengthened in that day. Plus, one of the two baptismal dates we put went to church this week and he was never, ever goin’ before! I called the guy . . . His name is Marvin . . . And he is very, very excited for his baptism and wants me to be there for it. We will see what we can do! It was a great day with Elder Hale, though! Great, great guy!

Oh! And we had another powerful District Leader meeting this week which was very, very powerful again . . . Which is part of what I think really helped animate our Zone . . .

Soooo, yea! I’m doin’ amazing, though! I love you all sooooooo much and I appreciate you all so much! Hey, Dylan! Goin’ to Gav? Hope so (big smiley face). Love you all! Hit me up!

A new Area in the Peten Zone!

2011-03-08T18:05:00.000-08:00

Hey, family!

Good to hear from ya! LOL and good to know that Dylan is with Mr. Rose . . . I really loved the guy . . . Anyway . . .

Zone Leader Council went very, very well. Of course, the long bus rides were the most fun . . . NOT! LOL . . . But we learned lots and, after the lunch, I got to anoint Hermana Torres ‘cause she was sick and then President sealed a blessing on her. It was a pretty cool experience. I just always think that I might not be able to work with someone so in tune with the Spirit as a Mission President, so I gotta take advantage of President Torres. Speaking of being in tune with the spirit, this is President’s big week! LOL! He’s gotta get all the changes ready. LOL . . . Can you believe it’s already week six? I’m only going to have two changes left! LOL! I really never thought this moment would get here. After the blessing, President also gave me an interview to renew my Temple Recommend. He gave me the interview in Spanish which was interesting, but it was just another cool experience. Now I can enter the Temple ‘til like September with this recommend. Oooooh! And, speaking of Temples, we went to the Temple before Concolio and I did everything in Spanish! It only took like twenty-one months! LOL!

Thanks for sending me the Indiana game . . . LOL . . . And I heard the Clippers traded B-Diddy. Is that true? Can you send me some updates and all stories on that? Thanks!

For P-Day today, my Companion and I went and had lunch at an investigator’s home with Elders Orozco and Crespin. LOL . . . We didn’t just eat, though, of course we had to kill the food we were gonna eat. Sooooo, Elder Crespin and I killed a chicken each . . . LOL . . . Obviously, I had never killed a chicken before, but they way they taught me today was to take it by the neck and spin it until its neck cracked. They told me it would be easy to feel it crack, but I never felt it . . . LOL . . . I think it cracked after two spins, but I gave it twelve spins and the body of the chicken went flying and I was holding the head . . . LOL . . . Ewwwwww . . . It was gross. I really didn’t want to kill it in the first place, but for that same reason, everyone wanted me to do it! Buuuuut, I don’t think I’m ever gonna do that again . . .

Oh! Happy Birthday, Uncle Trent!!!!

Oh! I wanted to tell you! When we went to Yaxha, a man took a video of me and three other missionaries running up one of the ruins. Me, Toolson, Thacker and Richins. Anyway, he said he has a website. I can’t go look at the video he took, but you can ‘cause he gave me his card! The website is www.garygs1.com. So, you can check that out! I started bad, but I hope the comeback is in there . . .

Oh! More cool info . . . President is gonna open another area here in Peten! Yay! We are gonna have thirty missionaries here in the Peten Zone in just a li’l over a week! It makes my Companion and me happy because our Zone has been progressing and we feel like President really recognizes it . . .

Aaaaaaand . . . One other cool story . . . Our recent convert, Adelfa, just paid her tithing in her first month as a member yesterday. It is a really huge act of faith and was really, really cool. Not much of a story, sorry . . . But it was really, really cool . . .

Hey! Did McKay already return from his Mission? If he did, can you get in touch with him and ask him to write to me? Thanks!

Well . . . That’s ‘bout all I got! I love you all soooo, soooo much! Talk to you soon!

We went tracting with President Torres!

2011-03-01T17:52:00.000-08:00

Heyyyyy!

Gonna hitcha back real quick! Oh! And, FYI, this keyboard stinks . . . I’m gonan be a li’l fast today so that I can write back to Dad. Here I go, though!

Well, to respond to your e-mail, my memory card says it is a ScanDisk, SDHC Card 2, 4gb.

And, yes, I know exactly what Dylan was feeling after his last basketball game. I remember my last game at Alisal and goin’ up to Dad after the game and just bawlin’. It is a very strange feeling . . .

How cool that it snowed in Gilroy! LOL! I remember the last time it snowed in Gilroy . . . We were comin’ home from the Temple and we were able to throw snow balls!

Aaaaand . . . Bummer that Dylan didn’t get accepted to BYU Provo . . . Maybe it’s a sign that he shouldn’t go to a BYU School right now and that he should go to Gavilan and play with me for a year. I think that is correct . . .

Oh! And I loved Dylan’s pictures . . . LOL . . . He’s grown up a lot. He’s such a handsome li’l crap.

Well . . . I’m gonna tell you real quick what went on with me this week . . .

Today, for P-Day, we went to Yaxha. It’s another National Park kind of like Tital, but smaller (not as cool). Anyway, we got to visit today and it was very pretty. The coolest part about Yaxha is thath some of the ruins look out over a lake so it’s very, very pretty. They say that Yaxha was on the rise as Tikal was falling and everyone was abandoning it. Kinda interesting . . .

Oh, great update! I FINISHED READING THE BIBLE! Yes! I read all 1590 pages . . . LOL. It took a long, long time, but it was worth it! I learned a lot and my testimony has grown. I now know that people can’t fool me with false doctrine because I’ve read of it all! Cool, huh? Yes, cool . . .

This week, we had President Torres in town with us. We had Zone Training. Soooo . . . We met from 9am to 4pm on Thursday and we learned from his instruction and the words of Hermana Torres. Also, President went out to work with me and my Companion for a few hours on Wednesday night, but it was a disaster! LOL! No one was home and, in two and a half hours, we only got in one house! LOL! It was a bummer ‘cause we wanted to have a great night to show President that we are working well (pride, really), but, instead, we had maybe the least successful night we have had since we have been together. LOL . . . Heavenly Father knows why, but it remains a mystery to us why all appointments fell! LOL! Oh well! We did learn a lot from President on that stressful night.

Oh, hey Mom! You never sent me the Clippers vs. Indiana update and I need to read about that one ‘cause Dallas said my boy had a huge game . . . LOL . . . Please!

Oh, and this week, my Companion and I . . . Yay! We get to go to the Capital again for another Zone Leader Council. LOL . . . I believe this will be number eight for me! LOL . . . It’ll be good, though, and we should learn lots.

Well, I sure love you all! Tell Dad to let you read the e-mail that I’m gonna send him. I love you all sooooo, sooooo much! Take care!

What a change of heart in just one day, huh?

2011-02-21T17:27:00.001-08:00

Hey, family!

Thank you for all of the videos! LOL! I loved ‘em! LOL . . .The last dunk with the Choir singing was pretty fun. Not an amazing dunk as Chuck said, LOL, but just a fun dunk. I can’t wait to be home and see that boy play alongside my other homie, Gordon!

Anyway, as always, I’m gonna answer your questions first . . .

In our Zone, we were yet again not able to come through on the goal that we had. We only baptized five people as a Zone. Seven of the baptismal dates moved to next week and the rest . . . Well . . . I just hope they’re not lost. As for me and my Companion, we baptized two. We baptized Adelfa and Eimy. Manuel wasn’t able to be baptized (even though he is Adelfa’s and a member’s son) because his grandma really raised him and was very against it. Saturday was a very full day, though, ‘cause in the morning, my Companion and I had to get all of Adelfa and Pablo’s papers figured out so that they could be married. Pablo comes from a family of all members of the Church and Adelfa comes from all members of the Catholic Church. Adelfa is so humble, though. She wanted to learn about the Church so much and she wanted so badly to believe. Of course, Heavenly Father answered her prayers and she decided to be baptized even though her family was completely against it. And they were! When the wedding (just a li’l civil wedding with no fancy ceremony) happened, all of Adelfa’s family weren’t too happy to see my Companion and I there. But, as we forced them to talk to us (LOL), they started liking us (I think). Oh, the wedding was at 4pm and the baptism was at 5pm! Anyway . . . Adelfa’s family wasn’t gonna go to the baptism but they decided to go after the nice fun wedding. Sooooo . . . Three quarters of the baptismal room was full of non-members! It was really, really cool! It was, of course, a little hectic to get started on time and all, but it all went well and I couldn’t ask for any more. Eimy was baptized as well. It wasn’t hard to help get Eimy baptized because she’s a 10-year old girl who has always gone to Church. With Adelfa, it was very, very hard but very worth it. I think because Adelfa’s family liked the baptism and all so much that Manuel may be able to get permission to be baptized now. We shall see . . . Oh! And, after the wedding and baptism, Adelfa’s mom invited me and my Companion over to eat to celebrate! What a change of heart in just one day, huh?

Ummmm . . . Yes . . . I am like 100% positive I want to go to Gavilan. I just think it’s my best option. I’ll be with the family for a year or two. It will be cheap schooling and commuting. I’ll be able to keep playin’ ball. I’ll be able to have a solid Church calling. I’ll be able to find a solid job as well. I just think it’s the best idea. Does Gavilan offer any Chinese language classes? What do I have to do for that?

That’s very cool about CCS . . . I hope Gilroy can play well. I know my Junior year we sure let everyone down. It still makes my stomach roll. Isn’t that weird? You’d think I’d get over that a li’l faster! LOL!

Oh! And I don’t think I answered your questions from last week . . . Yes, I usually get mail every week. The weeks we don’t get it are normally change weeks. But we will be getting’ mail again probably on Wednesday.

Oh, hey! I think you should send me a memory card if you want me to send home the one I have. I have like 400 pictures on it and I’m happy to send it home if you all want it, but it would leave me with no memory card and I can’t do that! Sooooo . . . Just a heads up . . .

This week I got to do two Divisions. One with Elder Orozco to do two baptismal interviews in his Area (Flores) while his companion did the two interviews in my Area. The other Division was with San Andres Two and I also went there. I was there all day with Elder Calero. He goes home a change before I do. I really like the kid. The Division went really, really well.

Well . . . I gotta get outta here! I’m sorry, Dad! I really don’t have time to respond to your e-mails! I promise I’ll do it next week! I love you all soooo, soooo much! Thank you for all of your prayers and support! Be smart and safe! Talk to ya soon!

The Lord is really blessing the Peten Zone!

2011-02-17T19:13:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine’s Day!

LOL . . . I am getting absolutely zero lovin’ again today, but hopefully next year I’ll be gettin’ some . . . Two year sacrifice . . . Hee, hee . . .

Anyway . . . Thanks for the updates, Mom! Good to know all is goin’ well!
I’ll answer all of your questions first . . . The Zone is doing very, very well. We still have 45 baptismal dates set! It isn’t as many as we have had, but it’s still by far the best in the Mission! Fifteen of those Zone baptisms are planned for this weekend! LOL! We didn’t plan the same activity to baptize a lot on one day, but that’s what it’s lookin’ like we’re gonna do! The Peten Zone hasn’t baptized that many people in one month in about a year, so it would be amazing to achieve it. The Zone has really, really kept improving since I got here. It really isn’t bragging . . . I just think it’s really, really cool how my companion and I could turn the Zone around once we got together. I feel like with every change I learn how to better lead my missionaries. It’s really, really cool how I can feel my personal leadership improvement. The Lord has really blessed this Zone. We haven’t had to do too much!

Anyway, of the 15 baptisms we have planned as a Zone for next week, three of them should come from our area. Adelfa should be getting married to Pablo (a member) this weekend and will be baptized the same Saturday along with her son, Manual. Also, Adelfa’s niece, Eimy (daughter of two members) should be getting baptized the same day. All three of the baptisms have relations to the Obando family which is like the equivalent to the Eves families in the Del Rey Park Ward. Soooo . . . This Saturday should be a very exciting day for our area and for the whole zone! Keep ‘em all in your prayers, though, if ya would!!

As far as the Sister missionaries in our Zone, we have one super pilas one. Hermana Urizar is still here in Peten (where she has been for the past eight months). She is in a new area and she is workin’ her bum off like always! She and her companion should be baptizing two this weekend.

Concilio was very, very, very cool this time. Out of the seven I’ve been able to attend, it was by far the best one . . . LOL . . . Anyway, we had to stay in the Capital for a li’l while though. We got there Wednesday morning at 5:30. That day, my companion and I got to go work in the capital wherever we wanted. It was sooooo cool . . . First my companion went to visit some people in one of his old area. Then, I got to visit almost all of my favorite people from the mission! First, we went to the Maya to visit my first converts . . .Woooooooow! How they’ve grown! LOL . . . My first baptism, Carlos, is huuuuuuuge! We also got to visit with Hermana Esperanza! Ahhhhhh . . . It was so cool to have all the memories of my first change with Elder Ireland come back walking through those streets and to be able to eat some of Hermana Esperanza’s cooking again was just icing on the cake. She really is just the sweetest person ever.

So, the day would have been amazing just for visiting the Maya, but after we went there, we went to my second area, Atlantida. There, I got to visit Hermana Ligia and all of her family. Ahhhh . . . Talk about flashbacks again, LOL . . . I was at her house with that family almost every day for three changes. They are such good people and are so fun to be around. I really had missed them a lot a lot.
After that, we went to my third area, Ermita! We visited Hermana Zusi and the whole family. Honestly . .. I was just kinda floatin’ on clouds at that point. It was so cool. I love hanging’ out with Zusi and Fielding. We always have millions of good laughs there. Those three families are just soo, soo special to me and I will never, never, ever forget about ‘em. The only family that compares to them that I didn’t get to visit is the Schoenfeld family, but I couldn’t visit them ‘cause they work in the Temple on Wednesdays . . . Bummer. Great, great day though.

Then, Thrusday, we had a rare late starting Zone Leader Council. We started at 10am and ended with Hermana Torres cooking at about 3pm. The Council was amaaaaaazing, though. Everyone was very, very involved and we made some new standards for the Mission. Elder Martino was suuuuper powerful again and really inspired us all to be better. I really feel like this Zone Leader Council is going to help out this Mission a lot! My companion and I have planned a meeting with all of our District Leaders tomorrow to go over all we learned and to put new goals with each District to improve. I know we will be more successful as a Zone after that meeting . . .

Thank you for the Aaliyah update. I can’t wait to be hugging that girl again . . .

And, Dylan . . . I’m sooo proud of that kid! Really . . . Could there be anyone better than him? He’s amazing and such a good example. I sure stressed leaving him behind when I left on my mission ‘cause I wouldn’t be there to pull him through the stupid temptations of High School, but he’s done such a great job, huh?
Hey . . . Make sure you guys tape the NBA All Star Events . . . I’ll wanna see ‘em in four months . . . Hee, hee!

Hey . . . A couple questions . . . When does school start at Gavilan in the Fall? Also, what can do for work? Also, think Bishop could make me a Seminary teacher? I’d love that early schedule. Maybe you can hint to him that I’d love that calling . . . Please! It’s early and it gives me the whole day to get other things done. I get to teach, I have to study a lot, and I would learn a lot. Just put in the word, Mom . . . Make it happen . . .

Hey, Happy Birthday, Aunt Chris!

Oh! And I just sent a li’l package home today. It has a letter for the family and it has a bunch of pictures that I would like for you guys to pass out if ya could. The instructions are in the envelope . . . Ha, ha!

Well . . . That’s about all I’ve got! I sure love you all! Be safe and smart!

Elder Martino is here!

2011-02-08T17:57:00.000-08:00

Hello, family!

So good to hear from you again! I thought that this week was maybe gonna go by a li’l slow, but, noooooo . . . It flew by again! We were very, very busy!

Part of the reason why we were so busy was all of the Zone changes. Ten of the thirteen Zone companionships had changes which was waaaaaay nuts, but it was cool. Ummmm . . . Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, we had missionaries staying the night in our house to send ‘em out to Coban and the Capital for their respective changes. They put two more sister missionaries in our Zone, too. Soooo, now we have four sister missionaries in our Zone. They also opened up a new area in our Zone! That was cool ‘cause it shows that we had a good last change and President Torres probably feels like if the Zone was successful with 26 missionaries, it could be even more successful with 28 missionaries! LOL! My companion and I are hoping to be able to get the Zone to 30 missionaries! Wow . . . That’s huge! LOL!

Let’s see here . . . Well, this week we got a li’l surprise! Elder Martino is in Guatemala doing a North Mission tour. Soooooo, on Saturday, my companion and I had a meeting with the District Presidency and all the Presidents and their Counselors of all the organizations in the District. Elder Martino wasn’t there, but President Torres was and he gave a great lesson on working as a team and not as individual organizations. Like the Elders Quorum not just worrying about the Elders and the Relief Society worryin’ about old chicks, but everyone worrying about everyone no matter what calling you have. It was really, really cool.

Anyway, on Sunday, President Torres told us that Elder Martino was gonna visit the Santa Elena and Trebol branches. Well, what a nice surprise when we saw Elder Martino in our Ward when we got to church on Sunday! LOL! My companion and I walked in without investigators (because we ask our members to bring our investigators) and the first thing we heard was, “Elders! Where are your investigators?????????” LOL! It shocked my companion and I a li’l but the investigators came and we got to introduce some of them to Elder Martino. Man . . . He sure was powerful in the way he read our investigators perfectly. It really seemed like I had told him the story of every investigator and that he had gone and talked to them, getting to know a li’l about each of them. It was really, really cool and his words really touched those people.

Then, later that night, Elder Martino did a fireside that we were able to attend with our investigators as well and . . . WOW! He was powerful again! And the same thing when he talked to our investigators afterward! He just looked ‘em bang, bang in the eyes, promised blessings and smiled and just said things that they really needed to hear. It was so, so cool!

Then, yesterday, I didn’t get to write you because it wasn’t our P-Day. Yesterday we had a Zone Conference with Elder Martino, his wife, President Torres and his wife. Wow! Their wives sure gave some amazing talks! While on my mission, I’ve really learned to respect the female leaders of the Church so, so much more. They are smart, smart and powerful people. I know everyone wants to listen to the Apostles in General Conference but, man, I loved Hermana Torres and Hermana Martino’s talks.

Did you know Elder Martino and his wife are converts? Elder Martino was baptized when he was 17 years old and his wife was 21 years old. Pretty cool stuff . . .
Anyway, at Zone Conference, Elder Martino knocked us outta our shoes again! LOL! Soooooooooo powerful! He just keeps us quiet! He starts to get loud and aggressive in his speaking and then he hushes to a whisper . . . We were all on the edge of our seats! It was a really, really amazing Conference!

Now, tonight, my Companion and I head out to the Capital for Zone Conference again and Elder Martino is gonna be there again! Sooooo . . . It will be a few very tiring days, but they will be amazing again!

Well . . . I love you all soooooo, soooooo much! I miss you all! Be smart and safe!!!!!

El Castillo de San Felipe!

2011-02-01T17:43:00.000-08:00

Hey, family!

Well . . . I gotta be a li’l short ‘cause we got on internet late today, buuuuuut . . . I’m gonna for sure hit cha up with all the updates!

First off . . . Good thing you finally go all of the pictures! It took forever to send ‘em all and I woulda been so sad if they hadn’t reached you! Hey, question . . . Do I look much different than when I left? When people see my change card, they say I look way different from when I started the mission. True or false? I just know I’ve lost all my muscle and gained fat but, oh well . . . Four months and I’m hoopin’ every day again! Holler!

Soooo . . . The reason why we are writing late today is ‘cause we just got back from Rio Dulce, visiting El Castillo de San Felipe as a Zone for our Zone Change Activity. Soooo, yea, that is around four hours away from our area . . . LOL . . . We left our house at 4am this morning to do the trip. It was a very, very fun trip and it was really, really pretty. I took lots of pictures but I won’t be sending ‘em home just yet. I’ll send home my memory card soon, though!

Ummmm . . . We got the “Changes” call. I don’t have a change and neither does my Companion. Soooo . . . That’s cool! I really feel like we have been getting along well and have been understanding each other better.

As far as the Zone Baptizing Activity, we ended up baptizing only six as a Zone on Saturday. Six is still very good, but President, my Companion and I sure looked forward to a lot more. My Companion and I baptized two and the service was very cool because five were baptized together and the other was baptized far away in a river. But, yea, we have high expectations for our Zone in February. We have sixty fechas! My companion and I are a li’l nervous because many of our strong and pilas missionaries will be moving this Change, but I’m sure the new missionaries will be great and we will figure out how to make it work! The Lord calls who He needs to into what area he needs ‘em, so we will just rely on Him!

Hey . . . Good news! Cristina was baptized! Cristina from my last area . . . Man, I would have done anything to be able to be at the baptism, but it was over eight hours away . . . LOL . . . Anyway, Elder Peterson said it was a very special service and that Cristina bore her testimony and almost fainted. Poor girl . . . LOL . . . She is very excited to enter the Temple and do some work for some of her loved ones who have passed away. Very, very cool. She wanted me to baptize her . . . At least that’s what she said a few weeks ago. LOL . . . Plus Elder Peterson said Cristina’s daughters were buggin’ him ‘cause they kept asking him if I could do it. I would have loved to, but I’m just too far away. I’m very appreciative for Elder Peterson, though, and for coming through big with Cristina. She was such a special investigator for me and is probably my most special baptism ever.

Oh . . . Tell Grandma and Grandpa I don’t know who Paul Hatch is . . . Sorry! But I’ll try to find out.

Well . . . I gotta go! But I sure love you all sooooooo, sooooooo much! Thanks for your long e-mail! I loved it! Talk to ya soon!

Well . . . We have lots of baptismal dates!

2011-01-24T21:26:00.000-08:00

Hey, family!

Well . . . I thought I’d hit ya up with some pictures today, so we shall see if I can get ‘em all sent. Hope they load kinda quickly . . .

Yes . . . I went in those caves with Elder Toolson. LOL . . . It was a li’l crazy for sure, but it was soooooo fun to get a li’l lost . . . LOL . . . You know I never stress. Everything will work itself out . . . LOL . . . If we all come back to Guatemala together, we can go in there if you like!

Soooo, yea, my companion was in the capital for like three days . . . He thought maybe his ear problem wasn’t that bad, buuuuut the doctors had different things to say ‘bout that. They said it’s a miracle that he can still hear. Soooo . . . They ran a test and said that he will have to have an operation at some point, but we dunno when or anything yet. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a change to the capital in a li’l over a week, though, because of his need to maybe be closer to the doctors there. He’s doin’ just fine, though. This ear problem does explain why he talks with a li’l bit of a lisp, though . . .

As far as our Zone goals . . . Well, we have a lot of baptismal dates! We reported 63 yesterday, so we are meeting that goal, but our plans for baptisms next week have just kinda slowly fallen apart. We went from 31 dates planned, to 26, to 18, to 10 . . . It’s really a bummer but it’ll be cool here in this central part of Peten because nine of those baptisms will be comin’ from four of the areas! We are praying that all of the areas in the big, city part of Peten will have baptisms. We have three planned, so we are leading the way as the ZLs should. It feels good because this area hasn’t baptized in a while . . . Soooo, yea . . . The Zone is doing well! I feel like the Zone has really gotten soooooo much better. I guess I couldn’t hope for such a big change of 25 baptisms in the first month, but February is sure looking like it’ll be money now! So, we are very excited to see our Zone’s progress . . .

Well, I’m gonna write another e-mail so I can send you these three pictures . . .

One is of Mauricia, Elder Peterson and me at my last baptism in Sion . . .

Another is the jaguar that they have in Petencito . . . Don’t worry, I had to zoom in to get that picture. There is no way to even get close to the animal.

Annnnnd . . . The other picture is of me out behind the temple from an overpass . . . Kind of a cool picture . . .

Love you, family!

Tell Elder Ballard I said, "Hi!"

2011-01-18T19:01:00.000-08:00

Soooo . . . Happy Martin Luther King Day! No one here reminded me that it was that special time of the year again . . . I miss California . . .

As for my traveling, yeeeeeaaaaa . . . We had to do a looooooot more again this week. But, oh well! We are gettin’ through it all! My companion has to go down to the Capital tonight ‘cause he has a bad ear. I’m not goin’ with him ‘cause there is another missionary in the Zone that is also sick. Soooo . . . I will be on divisions for the next few days with Elder Alvarado. He’s a cool kid from Honduras who speaks almost perfect English. I always seem to get along really well with Honduranians . . . I dunno why though!

Aaaannnd . . . To answer your question . . . Yes! Our Zone completed the goal of sixty baptismal dates this week! When I reported ‘em to President, he asked me for the total like three times . . . LOL . . . I don’t think any zone has ever had so many baptismal dates at once! It’s really, really cool. Our goal this week is just to hold those dates more than anything. We also want to find fourteen new investigators in each area. Then, not this Friday but the next, we want to report seventy baptismal dates and have twenty-five baptisms on January 29th. We only have twenty-six fechas for that date now, though, so it’s just all ‘bout holdin’ onto our dates. Even if we don’t complete the goal of twenty-five baptisms for that day, I gotta say it’s gonna be a special day either way. Our Zone has sure worked hard and has improved so much!

Oh . . . And to answer you and Dad . . . I’m sad . . . I spent eighteen months in the Capital and now that I finally left, an Apostle is going to come! LOL! Since I’m eight hours away, I won’t get to be there for the Conference. I will watch it on a live broadcast, though! Oh, and guess what? President Colon (Guatemala’s President) is going to the Conference! President Torres told us that. So, that’s really, really cool! But, yea . . . I can’t go. I asked President Torres to tell Elder Ballard that I say, “Hi!”, though and that he was my Dad’s mission president. He said he would frankly do so . . . Oh, good grammar . . .

Aaaaaand for P-Day, we went to some caves with the District in Trebol. We didn’t have a guide (except two 18-year old members that had entered the caves a time or two before) and we went through backward! LOL! Of course we got a li’l lost a few times because the caves are huuuuuuge, but it was really, really fun! We all got suuuuuuper dirty crawling through the caves and we got nice and scraped up from falling so much. LOL . . . I took one really long, sliding fall, but all I did was scrape up my elbow. LOL . . . I was always leading and when everyone saw how hard I went down, they all just decided it would be better to just leave that part of the cave alone . . . LOL. It was very, very fun and tiring, though!

Happy Birthday, Grandma! That’s all . . .

Sooooo . . . Did Dylan get accepted to BYU-Provo yet?

Can Rookies be All-Stars in the NBA? LOL . . . Isn’t it a li’l ridiculous if Griffin can’t be an All-Star?

Oh . . . This week, I got to do two more divisions . . . LOL . . . It’s tiring. But, anyway, I stayed in my area both times this week because we felt it would be best if I stayed here with our investigators. But, I got to work with Elder Orozco (who actually entered the mission with me, but leaves six weeks after because of my six weeks more in the CCM and MTC) from Costa Rica and with Elder Bravo from Nicaragua. My companion actually trained Elder Bravo . . . Just a fun fact . . . The divisions have been really effective for us in the Zone. During the six days that we have been on divisions with different areas, we have put almost fifteen baptismal dates! Maybe even more than fifteen actually . . . But, anyway . . . They have worked great! We get a chance to learn from the other missionaries and they have a chance to learn how someone with a li’l more experience works and has success . . .

So . . . That’s about all I got. Life is goin’ good. I sure love and miss you all! Soooo, soooooooooooo much!

Thirty-four investigators at District Conference!!!!

2011-01-12T21:33:00.000-08:00

Hey, family!

Thanks for all the updates! I know I allllwayyyys say it but, honestly . . . Thank you! I did get Dad’s answers to the three questions, too, so thanks! Well, I will try to answer your questions first!

As for my being sick when I called home on Christmas, it was just a li’l cold. I’m all good now!

We did have to travel a bunch again this week but, as you said, the Lord does always seem to bless us with the necessary health and strength! I’ll explain all the traveling we did again this week in just a li’l . . .

As far as Tikal, it took us about an hour and a half to get there from our city. The guy that took us wasn’t our guide or anything . . . He’s just the big boss of Tikal and lives near us and is a member of the Church so he took us for free and all . . . He took us in his li’l pick up. Then, in Tikal, yes! We were able to hear quite a few of those howler monkeys! We could especially hear them from up top of the ruins. It was really, really cool!

And . . . How cool that Dylan is now playin’ so well this year! I’m really sooo, sooo happy for him! Make sure you tape a game or two for me!

Thank you for always lettin’ me know about Aaliyah. I still always keep the vision that when I get off the plane and get down to the area where I can see you all that Aaliyah will just come running up and jump into my arms! Man . . . I miss that girl! That moment is only five months away, though . . . Weird!!!!!!

Well, as for this week . . . Lemme hit ch’all up . . .

This week we traveled alllooooooooooooooot again . . . LOL . . . Monday night, we headed to the Capital for Zone Leader Concilio (8 hour ride). Concilio was very cool and it was great to see everyone from the Mission and all. It was cool to come in from Peten ‘cause we come in from so far away that when we get there it’s almost like coming from another world and we feel cool . . . LOL! Then, on Wednesday night, we came back to Peten (another 8 hour ride). Then, on Friday, we started a division with San Andres 2. With them, I went to San Andres to be with Elder Housley. We found a family of seven that day and five of them came to Church on Sunday! On Saturday morning, we ended our division and I started another division with San Andres 1. My companion went there while I went back to San Benito (our area) and worked with Elder Marquez. We ended that division on Sunday morning at Church because it was District Conference so all the missionaries had to come (it’s like a Stake Conference). It was really cool at the District Conference ‘cause 605 people showed up and 34 of them were investigators! That’s the highest number of investigators we’ve had in Peten in forever!!!!! Then, yesterday, my companion and I had to take long trips to La Libertad and Sayaxche to make house contracts for those Elders. Ahhhhh . . . It’s been tiring . . . LOL. We had hardly any time to work together this week (Elder Alonso and I), but alli vamos . . .

Our Zone is really, really improving . . . Since we put together our plan, our investigators have gone waaaaaaaaaaaaaay up as a Zone! In just two weeks, we have gone from 26 fechas to 48 (we came up two short of our weekly goal!!!!!) and we have gone from 34 progressing investigators to 64!!!!!! I have no doubt that we will meet our goal of 60 fechas as a Zone this week. President Torres was also very happy with our dats and said that we are the best Zone in the mission right now!!!!!!! I really see that by small and simple plans (and with some old-fashioned elbow grease), miracles can start to happen. Soooo, it’s for sure stressful because President is now watchin’ the Zone so close, but if it ain’t stressful, it ain’t worth it! I dunno if that’s completely true, but it sounds cool . . .

President also gave Zone interviews yesterday. When I received mine, it was very short with almost no conversation again but he said, “I feel a special spirit about the missionaries here in Peten”. He also said, “You need to be sure you make plans to have sufficient baptismal clothing for your Zone on the 29th. That’s something I’ve never had to tell a Zone Leader to do before”. Now we just gotta do all we can to come through! I know the Lord will bless us in our hard work and obedience!

And, today, we went to Petencito. It was cool . . . We played with and fed a monkey that was just roaming around. We took pictures of a jaguar that was there . . . Lots of ponds and lakes . . . It was just a pretty place . . .

Well, I’m gonna get outta here but hit me if ya got questions or comments! I love you all sooooo much! Take it easy!!!!!!

I went to Tikal today! :-)

2011-01-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

Heyyyyy!

I gotta be super fast ‘cause our li’l trip made us late . . . But here I go! Thank you for answering all of my questions, too! I sure love you all!

How much do the Doctrines of Salvation books cost? How about The Teachings of the Prophet Smith? I would be super interested in reading those when I get home . . .

Hey . . . Is there a saying about something like Satan rules over the waters or something? Is that a real doctrine or a false one?

Does the Tree of Life mentioned in Genesis have anything at all to do with the Tree of Life mentioned by Lehi and Nephi?

We had a District Leader Meeting this week . . . Soooooo . . . My companion and I met with the four District Leaders and their companions. Ooooooo . . . It was a powerful meeting! In the meeting, we set Zone goals. The first goal was to go from 26 fechas (which we reported last Sunday) to 40 fechas report yesterday and . . . Guess what????!!!! We did it! The Lord really, really helped us! We held a Zone fast as well and we think that really, really helped! Now our next goal is to have 50 fechas reported this Sunday! I know we can do it! We just achieved maybe the toughest goal!

I got to know a li’l more of Peten this week. I went to Poptun, Dolores and La Libertad. Maaaaan . . . All that traveling is tiring! I don’t have much time to explain those places, but they were cool!

New Year was great! I slept all through it!

Hey . . . Another question . . . Tell me if I go this right or if I’m waaaaaay confused. Normally, to be a Bishop, you have to be a Melchizedek Priesthood holder. But, if you are a literal descendant of Aaron, can you be a Bishop while holding the Aaronic Priesthood? I think that might be right ‘cause the Bishop is the President of the Aaronic Priesthood anyway, right? I dunno . . . Lemme know, please!

Oh . . . I just completed 53 straight weeks reporting fechas on Sundays. I have not reported a “0” for over a year! Pretty cool, huh? I think it might be a mission record . . . LOL . . . The Lord has really helped me a lot!

I met the McBrides this week . . . They are the future grandparents-in-law of Elder Fast. By the way, he isn’t in my Zone, but he was “born” in my District. He’s one of my best buddies in the Mission. Anyway . . . The McBrides are a Senior Couple and they were funny! LOL! They talk to each other just like Grandpa and Grandma! LOL . . . It was funny to be around ‘em.

Aaaaaannnddd . . . I went to Tikal today! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! It was amazing, family! The ruins are huuuuuuuge! I took sooooo many pictures and we even got to go in some secret tunnels (almost like Nacho Libre ones) that no one gets to go in unless they are an archeologist or pay $1000 because we know the big boss of Tikal! He actually took us all the way there today in his truck! He got us in free and all! We probably saved $1050 today! LOL . . . Pretty cool! Aaaand . . . He says there is a hidden Mayan city that is under ground and completely sealed off from everyone, but he’s gonna try to get it open for us . . . Possibly next week!!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhhh! Needless to say, I’m super excited and I can only imagine how Dad feels right now! I’m sorry you aren’t here with me, Dad! But I’m getting’ all the pictures and necessary info!

Well . . . I gotta be fast, but it was a great week! We were able to put 2 more fechas as well! I love you all sooooooooooo much!

Not too long ago, we were just chattin' it up!

2010-12-28T06:41:00.000-08:00

Hey, family!

Welp . . . Not too long ago, we were just chattin’ it up! Good to hear from you all once again, though! Good to know you’ve all been okay for the past 36 hours! I’m serious, by the way . . .

Anyway, yea . . . What a very Merry Christmas! It was great not to have to rush and just let the conversations flow . . . Grrrrrrreat! It was so great to hear everyone’s voice again and to know that the next time we talk I will only lack a month . . . oooooooo . . . Baggy . . . LOL . . .

As for us here in Peten, I am also very excited to see all the ruins up here. Today, we were gonna go see some but President and Hermana Torres are up here in Peten and we couldn’t be far away in case they needed something from us. So, we just went and ate cookies and played Phase 10 and shot some hoops out at the Church of Santa Elena. Elder Toolson is my best buddy from the Zone for sure. He is like 6’3” and has a full ride waiting on him at UVU. We had some shooting contests and he beat me twice and I beat him twice. LOL . . . I think I got lucky, huh? Anyway, his brother was and is a great player, I guess. He is supposedly playing in France now and he was the 9th leading scorer in D1 in his Senior year at UVU like three years ago or something. He dropped 62 against Chicago State in a double overtime game. Needless to say, I really wanna play this Elder Toolson kid . . . LOL . . .

Oh . . . Question . . . What order do the books in the Old Testament and New Testament actually go in? As far as when they were written? Dad . . . Could you lemme know about that one? Please . . . I know ya got my back . . .

Well . . . I don’t think I ever told you . . . When I left Sion, I left seven fechas . . . One was Cristina and the Xol family. Looks like they’re all gonna be baptized on the original date we set which is the 22nd of January. Pretty dog on cool. I’m sure hoping I can see Cristina’s baptism in some way. It’d be maybe my most special baptism.

We got a quadruple double my last week in Sion, too . . . LOL . . . That’s finishing strong . . .

Anyway . . . Holler at me! I don’t have much to say . . . LOL . . . Love you all sooooo, sooooo much!

I'm Zone Leader in the Peten Zone!

2010-12-22T07:27:00.001-08:00

Hello, family!

Sorry for writing a day late yet again! But yesterday was Change Conference . . . aaaaannnnnddddd . . . the oldest pure Cap missionary (Elder Jensen) has left the Capital!!!!!!!! Finally . . . LOL . . . All my waiting and patience paid off. I’m now Zone Leader over the biggest zone in the mission! The Peten Zone!!!!!! Whoop whoop! I just got the chills sayin’ it again. LOL! I have Tikal and El Mirador and all that in my Zone.

I arrived in Peten last night at like 12pm on the bus. The bus ride was 8-1/2 hours long . . . LOL . . . It stunk, but I was happy to arrive safely. No one knows what’s gonna happen on a long Guat trip like that . . . LOL . . . So, my area is San Benito but I’m the Zone Leader so I’ll get to know all the cool places . . . Haha . . . My Companion is Elder Alonso from Nicaragua and we are actually in the same group, so we both go home in six months.

I was really sad to leave Sion because I was there for six months and I really, really did love the people there (well, I love the people there) and I really loved my companion. I couldn’t have had a better companion than Elder Peterson, but I guess it was too good to last for longer than six weeks. The Bishop announced that I was leaving in Sacrament Meeting and everyone made the “awwwwww” sound. LOL. It was pretty funny actually. It was really cool, though, to know how much the people loved me (even as much as I loved them). Bishop gave me time after he heard all the “awwwwwing” to pass in front and share my testimony. It was a really cool experience, but a sad one as well. I left seven fechas in Sion, so I hope Peterson and Williams will be able to come through on ‘em! I really think five of them are for sure baptisms if the Elders keep workin’ hard. It’s cool that Elder Williams took my place there ‘cause I was with him for his first day in the mission field!

Anyway, I’m excited but scared a li’l and all that. LOL. Peten is really warm. It’s only 10am and it’s hot. LOL. Nothing like the Capital where it’s pretty chilly. This will for sure be my hottest Christmas ever. Even hotter than our Christmas in Hawaii.

Well, I’m sorry that I didn’t bring my agenda with all my notes, but I guess I’ll just have to write a super long e-mail next week with double stories.

Oh, and I’m gonna call you guys sometime today to talk to you about how we’re gonna do the phone call. I should be calling within three or four hours.

Sooooo . . . How are you all? Tell me what you guys are doin’ for Christmas! Who is gonna be in the house???? Lemme know real quick. I still have a li’l over 20 minutes.

I love you all sooooo, sooooo much! Take care!

Mauricio entered the baptismal waters!

2010-12-15T18:29:00.000-08:00

Heyyyyyyy, yo!!!!!!

Well . . . I’m all good from a tough last week . . . LOL! No! I’m just playin’! I really think it was good for me not to receive e-mails for one week. I think it better helped me understand how Elders feel when they don’t ever receive e-mails. I think it was good for me ‘cause I have to know how to relate to my missionaries as a leader. Anyway, though . . . Thank you for all of your updates yet again!

Let’s see here . . . I can’t really give you Christmas calling information just yet ‘cause Chagnes come before Christmas and I don’t know what phone I will be using if I have a change. I’m sooooo excited to be able to talk to you all, though! And, wow! I’m sooooooo excited about Zo maybe going to Gav! That would be waaaaaay, wayyyy, wayyyyy too cool if I could play with him again! Do you think you would have his e-mail by chance? Or could you find a way for me to get in touch with him?

I’m very thankful for Sister Smith’s Mom who got the gifts to you all! I sure hope you like ‘em! Also, I just sent a li’l envelope with a tie for Dad, some pictures and a recording of me talking . . . LOL . . . I hope you get that soon!

And I’m very happy to know that things are going better for Dylan in ball! Keep it up, big guy! Stay strong! If you remember anything I told you on your bed the night before I left on the mission, apply it! I love you, bro!!!!
As for some of my updates now . . .

Well, Mauricio successfully entered the baptismal waters on Saturday and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday! He didn’t lack the second part this time! Man . . . He is a special kid. Just a perfect example of how missionaries only have to be obedient and the Lord will guide people to us and put us in their paths. We really didn’t have to do much with him. He already knew everything . . . All we had to do was invite him again to keep the Word of Wisdom and he did it easily! Yes . . . It was easy! He would never have been baptized if we hadn’t been there helping him. The Lord did all the work He could in spirit and we just had to come in body to get it done. It was pretty cool . . .

As for Karina, we are gonna go talk to her mom a li’l more today. We shall see what she says . . . We just keep prayin’ for her . . .

Oh! Sorry I’m writing on Tuesday, by the way . . . We have P-Day today ‘cause we went to the Temple this morning. I was very, very tired . . . LOL . . . But, like always, the peace of the Temple is untouchable. Good, good morning . . .

Oh, this week, I think it was Saturday, actually . . . I finished the Book of Mormon again. It was my seventh time in life already . . . LOL! Weird, huh? And the fifth time in the mission! Then I was like . . . Dang! I’ve read it seven times! I dunno how much I can still learn from reading it an eighth time! LOL! Well, God made me repent of that thought as I started the Book of Mormon again and learned something cool and new in just the first chapter! LOL!

Ummmm . . . What else from this week? Day of the Devil was this week . . . LOL . . . Only in Guatemala would the devil have his own day. Anyway, they burned a bunch of li’l devil piñatas in the streets. It is supposed to represent the victory of Mary over the devil when she gave birth to Jesus. Who really knows, though . . . Besides the person who invented the day . . . Oh, Guats and their unique traditions . . .

Oh! Guess what?!?! We had a quadruple double this week! LOL! Holler! Ten with a member, ten others, thirteen news, and fifteen less active or recent convert! Ballin’! LOL!

Aaaaaand . . . This week, we had a Christmas Conference with all the missionaries in the Capital (like 115 missionaries) and President and Hermana Torres. The Assistants gave talks as well as President and his wife. Of course, they were all very powerful and inspired. It was held in our Stake Center so I had the keys to everything and knew how to work all the equipment, soooo . . . I was running around the whole conference . . . Backstage, I guess you could say . . . LOL . . . That sounds cool. Oh! And President called me up in one part (and I was the only one that was called up during the whole Conference . . . Pretty cool!) and gave me like ten minutes to talk about the success I’ve had in baptizing and how I’ve done it. It was pretty cool of him and it felt good to know that he trust me ‘cause that means the Lord probably does, too!

Well . . . I don’t have much more to say! Hopefully I’m still here in Sion with Elder Peterson next time I write you! I love you all!

"The power of prayer will pay off"

2010-12-07T21:41:00.000-08:00

Hey! LOL! I’m here!

Aaaaaand . . . Welp . . . I completed eighteen months! LOL! Sorry I got on here a li’l early today. And, nope, I didn’t do anything to celebrate my 18-monther. I’m just not big on those celebrations, but I do recognize that I’m getting’ there!
Anyway . . . I’ll hit cha with some updates hoping that I still hear back from ya . . .

Oh! Thank you for the package! I got it and I’ve eaten almost all of the chocolate! LOL! I’m tryin’ to be patient in opening all the gifts, but I’ve opened two of them. I real all the letters! It was so fun to hear from so many people again! I was floating on a cloud for a li’l. LOL . . . Then I went out to work and realized that I was still in Guatemala . . . LOL . . . But I had a huge smile on my face that I couldn’t seem to wipe off. Even my companion made a comment about how happy I was. LOL . . . Not just ‘cause of how I was acting, just ‘cause he could see it through my eyes and smile. It made me very, very happy, though. So thank you sooo, sooo much. I also opened the Hershey kisses ‘cause the wrapping had broken a li’l, so there was no surprise on what it was. I’ve shared all my gifts with my companion ‘cause I’m a good sharer. Oh, and I already ate one bag of the muddy buddies . . . LOL . . . Good thing we were fasting or I think all the chocolate would be gone by now!

Oh . . . Questions, though . . . Any ideas as to what order I should open the rest of the gifts? Did you hear from Sister Smith yet about receiving the package she took for us in Guatemala? Lemme know . . .

This week was a li’l crazy . . . My companion and I lost like two days of work. We lost one day because we were supposed to help the APs. They called and told us to come in the office because we were gonna have to do divisions with some missionaries that weren’t being obedient and were gonna need emergency changes. Anyway, we went all the way out to Zone 14 and waited there for three hours while President was interviewing those rebellious missionaries. Then, after three hours, the APs told us that we could go . . . LOL . . . That we weren’t gonna have to do the divions any more ‘cause President had just decided to do the changes right away instead. Soooo . . . My companion and I lost lots of time goin’ t and from Europlaza. But, it’s all good. A donde me manada ire senor . . . Turns out that President made thirty-three changes! That’s like more changes than we have in a normal Change Conference every six weeks! LOL! Yea . . . We have a lot of disobedient people in this mission. It’s actually pretty sad, though.

Then, two days later, my companion and I had to go back to Europlaza to go to Zone Leader Council. Anyway . . . The Council was good like always. But, wow, it was weird to see that I’m getting’ old in the mission! LOL! Not many Zone Leaders have more time being Zone Leader than I do at this point . . . LOL . . . What happened to me being new?

As far as the work goes . . . It goes good . . . LOL . . . Mauricio will be gettin’ baptized for sure this next week. He has been a really special investigator and a huge example that God works miracles in the hearts of all men when they open their hearts and try to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

As for Karina, she still has her baptismal date set for December 18th, but it’s lookin’ pretty dog on tough with how closed her mom is. We continue workin’ with her, though, and hope to be able to talk to her more straight forward this week.
As far as Cristina, she is doing very well. She told us that she knows the Church is true! But says she still has doubts on the Book of Mormon . . . LOL . . . She can’t seem to connect the fact that if the Church is true, then the Book of Mormon has to be true, too! LOL . . . She’ll get it in no time. I think a big thing for her is jumpin’ that hurdle of fear and pride . . . Ya know? She’ll get there soon, though. The power of prayer will pay off.

Oh . . . And I loved the letter from Allie about how she wants to enter the Temple. I was thinkin’ over how cool it’ll be to be able to enter the Temple with everyone after the mission, I dunno what could give me more joy than seein’ everyone in all white. We gotta make sure we make our once or twice a month visits to the Temple as a family.

Well . . . That’s ‘bout all I got! I love you all soo, soo much! Hit me up!

Quadruple Double . . . Almost . . .

2010-11-29T21:20:00.000-08:00

Hey! Yo, family!

Good to hear from you yet again. Boy . . . You were right! This week absolutely flew by! I know this change with Elder Peterson is gonna go by soooo, soooo fast! It’s a sad thing, but it’s a very good thing ‘cause six months and your boy is in the Suburban on his way to Gilroy, California! Sounds like you all had a blast this week! When does Stacie head back out to Utah! How is she? And Tom and Ash? How are they? What are they up to? And Dylan . . . How’s he doin’ with basketball? Is he starting and playing a lot and playing well? I need those updates, yo! And James and Randy? LOL . . . Still haven’t heard from ‘em . . . And how about Jamie? How’s he? And what’s he up to? Maybe you could try again to get those three guys to write to me . . . Thanks!

Well . . . To answer the question that Dad gave me . . . Our Zone is doing okay . . . We struggled this month, though . . . Really, really bad . . . It was a tough month for me to see the Zone suffer, but we are getting’ there. In the past few weeks, we have been getting’ better . . . L’il by l’il . . . I figure the best I can do is lead by example. We should have baptisms comin’ up soon, so hopefully that will excite our Zone again. This week, we did a fast as a Zone and I did see some fruits from it. Some areas put more baptismal dates and now it’s lookin’ like a lot of dates should be put this week, too. Soooo . . . We will get there! I think we all just need to grow more in our faith. It gets me all stressed out, but it’s all good! I was called to this position, so I’m doin’ my best . . . I really am. I’ve really been able to realize some of the great talents that God has given me while I’ve been serving. I’m a smart kid . . . Too bad I chose not to use the brain all the time before the mission . . . LOL . . . But, really, God is blessing me daily and I know He will continue to do so. Not just for me, but for the whole Zone if we are faithful.

Boy, that fast that I mentioned was a tough one, too . . . LOL . . . We started Wednesday after lunch. During those 24 hours, we did service twice . . . LOL . . . One was at like 4pm in the afternoon on Wednesday waaaaaaaaaaay down the mountain . . . And the other one was on Thursday morning at 5am! LOL . . . At the same place waaaaay down the mountain. By the time I finished the three hour long service, I was shaking . . . LOL . . . For lack of raiment (Oooooo . . . You like that big word!). And even though the family that we helped offered water and a snack, I told ‘em I was good. I hiked back up the hill, showered, and finished my fast just a li’l short of 24 hours. I felt really bad, but I really couldn’t go on anymore. LOL . . . I couldn’t focus when I was trying to study or anything. But I know Heavenly Father wasn’t mad at me for ending early. He is all understanding and I know He has blessed and will continue blessing my area and Zone because of that sacrifice. During that fast, I was on divisions with Elder Kjar, too. He’s a good kid from Idaho and has like five months in the mission. We did have a great division, though. We found a lot of new investigators and taught a lot of lessons. I know he was lovin’ it, too, ‘cause he hadn’t been having so much success in his area. I feel like he was able to learn a lot in the lessons we had and I was also learned a lot from him. Working with him reminded me to be simple and direct in my testimony. That’s something that the new missionaries are always good at. That good old ¨yo se que” line . . . LOL . . . But solid division . . .

And, this week, my companion and I tried sooo, sooo hard to pull off a quadruple double . . . LOL . . . Ten lessons with a member; Ten other lessons; Ten less active or recent convert lessons; and Ten new investigators. Well, we got sooo close . . . Ahhhh . . . It was sad. We got Ten with a member; Ten less active or recent convert; Twelve news; and, ahhhhhh . . . NINE others! We tried soooo hard . . . LOL . . . But Satan got the better. I’ve never had such a bad Sunday as yesterday . . . LOL . . . Not that it was super bad, just that all of the appointments kept falling and that never really happens on Sundays. And, we contacted a lot and no one let us in which is also weird for Sundays. I know Heavenly Father wanted us to complete that quadruple double, too. My companion and I prayed for the help, but we failed in something . . . LOL . . . ‘Cause we came up just short. It was tough when 9:15pm came around last night and we realized that we weren’t gonna be able to complete our goal . . . But . . . It’s all good! It was still a very good week for us.

Well . . . That’s ‘bout all I got for now! Ayyyyeeeeeee! I complete 75% of the mission on Friday! Weird, huh? I’ll say it again . . . I still feel kinda new . . . LOL . . . I love you all soooooo, soooooo much! Thanks for everything! Write me! And Happy Thanksgiving! I’m sooooo thankful for every single one of you! Be safe, smart and happy!

"Every day is a party for us"

2010-11-23T17:22:00.000-08:00

Hey, family!

Thanks for all the updates as always! I dunno what I’d do if all of a sudden I didn’t receive a loving e-mail from you all. Well . . . At least I know I wouldn’t throw a fit anymore like I did that one time Dallas didn’t write me! LOL! Sounds like most of the excitement is soon to come, though, in this next week! Keep me posted!

As for me . . . I’ll hit y’all with the questions first . . .

How is Erik Rush doin’ so far this year? Still at Montana State? And Orlando? What are his stats like? And Lorenzo? What’s he doin’ for school?

LOL . . . My companion is from St. George soooooo . . . he says I should look at going to Dixie State. LOL . . . He says it’s easy to play there at least. LOL . . . What are they like? Could I study Physical Therapy there? Maybe a year or two at Gavilan and then get a scholarship to that li’l Division 2? Who knows? Oh! And you never told me why you were thinkin’ that maybe I shouldn’t red shirt . . . Hit me up!

Well . . . As for my companion and me, all is goin’ very, very well. Every day is a party for us and this is change is going to fly by just waaaaaaay too fast . . . We are working double areas right now because they took the sister missionaries out of our zone. It sounds like they took them out for protection reasons . . . The APs just called us and told us that we had to help the sisters move out of their home before 4pm on the same day and we said okay! LOL . . . So now we are teaching their investigators and trying to help ‘em keep progressing. We don’t go into that area much ‘cause we don’t really know it very well but we try to go there a couple times in the week at least. Another fun challenge . . .

Last week I forgot to tell you the names of all the missionaries in our Zone. . . So, here we go! Elder Jensen (17 months) and Elder Peterson (13 months) in Sion; Elder Hale (12 months) and Elder Chavarria (4 months) in Molino; It was Hermana Varela (15 months) and Hermana Indicott (8 months) in Cipresales; Elder Vindel (13 months) and Elder Kjar (5 months) in Durazno; Elder Carlsen (12 months) and Elder Vargas (20 months) in Jocotales; Elder Williams (17 months) and Elder Spilker (3 months) in Santa Luisa; Elder Morrow (10 months) and Elder Winkle (10 months) in Molino; and Elder Gallo (10 months) and Elder Hale (8 months) also in Molino. It’s weird ‘cause I’m always one of the oldest now . . . LOL . . . Our zone is doing alright . . . We just aren’t working as effectively as we could . . . We will find a way to get better!

My companion and I have two cool stories of investigators this week . . .

Karina is a 16-year old who has just “wowed” me. She has gone to church seven straight times!!!! Pilas! LOL . . . Anyway . . . She wants to be baptized but her mom really isn’t down with it so we are still just tryin’ . . . During our last appointment, she started crying when we were having her tell us what was going through her mind and what plans she wants to make. She just is sad ‘cause she can’t make the decision that she knows is right because she is younger than 18 and has to have her mom’s signature on her baptismal form. She has such a strong testimony of this gospel, though. It’s really cool. We set a baptismal date with her for the 18th of December. She obviously wants to complete it, but the goal is really that she can have her mom’s permission by that day. So, we will see how it goes! She’ll just need lots of prayers!

Mauricio is a 21-year old kid. He was an investigator here over eight months ago. He was baptized but never confirmed . . . LOL . . . So just imagine the kind of problems that were swirling around him. He was offended by the missionary after his baptism and then wouldn’t get confirmed. Sad. But, anyway . . . We found him this week and talked with him for a while. It was sooooo cool ‘cause as we were talking, he told us to hang on a second and went into his room to bring out his backpack. In his backpack, he had his Book of Mormon and a guide book for Seminary study. He said he had been wanting to return those items to the church for a long time but just didn’t have the support to do it. But he also said he had been studying alone all along while he hadn’t been going to church. That also “wowed” me. LOL . . . Anyways, he came to church this past Sunday and should be baptized again very soon! We shall see, though! Soooo cool getting to be an instrument in God’s hands, though. Gotta love it!

Anyway . . . This keyboard stinks. I’m doin’ sufferin’ so much with it. Lemme know if y’all need somethin’ from me! I love you all soooooooo much! Thanks for everything! Be safe and smart!

My new Companion is Elder Peterson!

2010-11-15T17:42:00.000-08:00

Hello, family!

Here I am . . . Peek-a-boo!

Ahhhh . . . Peek-a-boo!

Ahhhh . . . Peek-a-boo!

Okay . . . That was enough weirdness. Let’s just get on to the good stuff, huh? I will let cha know when I get the Christmas package! Thank you soooo much for this, Mom and everyone! Oh! And, did Sister Smith’s Mom get my package for you guys? Oh! And speaking of the fact that you and Dylan went to the Church Book Store, I thought of some gifts that you can get me for my birthday. You can just have them at home for me when I get home. I really, really want the book, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I would also really like Doctrines of Salvation (all of them). Just an early birthday idea . . . That’s all . . .

Hey, Dad . . . One question . . . Does Satan have some type of Priesthood? Yes . . . I know what the definition of Priesthood is, but he had authority in heaven when he presented his plan. It says in the back of the scriptures that he was an angel of authority before he fell. Was that the Priesthood? And does he still have it?

Oh! And I continue readin’ my scriptures. I’m just about ready to finish Alma again and I’m in Isaiah now. Gotta get it done!

Thank you for the e-mail as always! I will make sure I answer all these li’l questions . . . Well, actually . . . I just realized that you only asked one question really . . . LOL . . . About my change.

Welllllll . . . I have great news! My new companion is Elder Peterson! I had heard rumors about who the three new Zone Leaders were going to be . . . Three of them were gonna be gringos and two were gonna be latinos. Seeing as I almost always have latinos as my companions, I thought I was for sure gonna get Elder Meza or Elder Barrios. And the three gringos that were going to Zone Leader were three of my best friends in the mission (namely Elders Peterson and Davis) . . . And, you know, you just never expect to get the change that you were hoping for but, aye, I did! Elder Peterson was with Elder Barrientos in my District for my last change in Ermita and my last change as District Leader. We became good pals there, though . . .And now it’s even more fun! We were both Barrientos’ companion, so we both know sign language and when we don’t want people to know what we are talkin’ ‘bout, we just say it in signs! LOL! It’s kinda cool . . . It’s really cool that I got with Peterson, though, ‘cause there are only a few missionaries in the mission that have been trusted to be with Elder Barrientos and we were two of them! Soooo . . . We are hoping to have an amazing, at least, six weeks! I know that this change will probably be the quickest of my mission, though . . .Which is great, but sad at the same time.

Anyway, yes . . . I am still Zone Leader. I have almost six months in the assignment now. Weird, huh? And this is Elder Peterson’s first change as Zone Leader, soooo . . . It will be good! Elder Peterson is actually from St. George just like Elder Chesley! They actually met each other before the mission, which is kinda funny! Peterson loves basketball, though, so you know we are gettin’ along great! He has a great love for the game . . . And that’s what counts! We were actually showin’ off our post moves to each other in the street while working. It was a battle . . . Then those post moves led to a crazy idea . . . How ‘bout basketball for exercise in the mornings??? Well . . . We don’t have a ball and we can’t play basketball in this mission (mission rule), sooooo . . . We went crazy! LOL! We decided that we would play one-on-one without a ball at the park near our house . . . LOL . . . So, I strapped up my Nikes and threw on my Charles Barkley and he threw on his Reeboks and his Jordan jersey. Needless to say, people were lookin’ at us real funny and some li’l kids even came closer to try to see the ball that didn’t exist . . . LOL . . . FYI, I took three charges and won 11-9. Defense is the name of the game, my friends . . . Soooo . . . Yes . . . I’m lookin’ forward to this change. Plus we put a fecha this week! Holler!

And, we have such a cool investigator. Cristina is the mom of a return missionary. Cristina never wanted anything, anything, anything to do with the Church until her daughter got home from her mission. Then her daughter was able to convince Cristina to listen to us (the missionaries). Well, we have taught her once a week for almost four months and she is progressing li’l by li’l. She finally came to church for the first time this last week in Stake Conference and she loved it! She wants to be part of the church. She can’t be baptized yet because of her work schedule, but she will get to that vital point of baptism soon. I know it. She just shows people, though, that if you open your heart and listen to what we have to say and teach as missionaries and keep the commitments that we leave (namely to read and pray), that it’s impossible for God NOT to touch your heart and tell you that these things are true. Soooo . . . It’s pretty exciting! We are gonna try to put that fecha with her on Wednesday! Soooooo very exciting and cool!

That’s all I got, though! Lemme know if I can do something for y’all! Love you kazillions!

My last day with beloved Elder Chesley

2010-11-09T18:29:00.000-08:00

Sooooo . . . I’m sorry! Yesterday was very crazy! I’ll explain it all . . . LOL . . .

Comments first . . . Could you guys let me know which shoes of mine you are thinkin’ ‘bout selling? I just wanna make sure you sell all the ones I don’t want and none of the ones I do want!

Tell Dylaln to write to me about his Patriarchial Blessing (a few of his thoughts on it and all) and also about Senior Dinner/Dance and basketball and all that . . . Thanks!

Anyway, yes . . . Change week . . . Today is my last day with beloved Elder Chesley. I’ve been with him for over four months! I’ve never been with a companion that long and I kinda doubt I’ll ever be with a companion for that long ever again. I’m proud of us because we are soooo different and we didn’t really “click” at first, but we for sure figured it out. Good, good guy. So, tonight is his last night in the house. I’ll get my new companion tomorrow around 9:15ish and then I will bring him back here to my area. LOL . . . I’ve still never left the Capital. LOL . . . I’m still the oldest missionary in the Mission not to have left the Capital. LOL . . . Everyone tells me to tell President that I wanna leave, but I just refuse, knowing that he knows where I need to be and when I need to be there. The mission isn’t my time to have fun. I just gotta work and do what the Lord wants me to do. Soooo . . . I’ll be hittin’ six months in this area by the end of this next change that starts tomorrow, just like I did in my last area. Good stuff . . .

Let’s see here . . . Well . . . Stake Conference went very, very well. Of course it wasn’t exactly what we wanted, buuuuuutt . . . It was good. I go soooo mad on Sunday morning because we were supposed to go out on divisions with two members in the Ward to go get investigators at 7:30am. Well, one of them didn’t show up soooooo . . . What we had planned for getting investigators (over an hour) turned into just fifteen minutes! Ahhhhh!!!!!!! I was soooooo mad! I’ve never been that mad while I’ve been on my mission. It’s ‘cause we spent four weeks preparing for this and then to have someone let you down on something sooooo important . . . Ahhhh! It killed me inside! Anyway, we had two li’l busses prepared to take investigators to the Stake Center so they wouldn’t have to figure out rides, but not many could come . . . It was a bummer. We had planned for thirty and we only had eight!!!!!!!!!!!! The good and bad thing is that we had many more investigators than any other area. The cool thing is that one of those eight people is the mom of a return missionary. The mom never wanted anything to do with the Church but her daughter, the return missionary, helped get us in. We have taught this lady for two months and she has progressed slowly, but she sure has progressed! She came to the church for the first time ever and loved it! Future member!

Elder Falabella gave a great, great talk on not talking bad about others. I loved it, loved it. Soooo . . . The Stake Conference wasn’t all we had hoped for (as we had over forty-five people invited and at least twenty something confirmed to come), but we gotta take the positives out of it. It was a very positive Conference and a great place to start building.

Oooooh! Really cool thing, too . . . One of our converts, Audiel, is suuuuuch a good guy. He leaves and does divisions with us and gives us references and all that. Anyway, Elder Falabella saw him and just kept doing “double takes” and lookin’ at him. Then, Saturday after Conference, Elder Falabella talked to him and told him he had huge potential and told him how valiant he is for getting baptized without his family. Then Elder Falabella told Audiel that he was going to get to share his testimony in Stake Conference!!!!!!!!!! LOL! He did a great job sharing his testimony on Sunday. It was really, really cool to think that a General Authority would think so highly of one of our converts. Pretty special . . .

Sooooo . . . Yesterday was a fun day . . . LOL . . . We got up early and got over to Euro Plaza for Elder Chesley’s last interview at 8:30am. We were there until around 2pm or something crazy. Anyway, then we got to go to Central Market, soooo . . . We were there forever because it’s always off limits, but President gave special permission for us to go because my companion is going home. Soooo . . . I bought a lot of stuff! LOL . . . Mostly for all of you! I feel good, though, ‘cause it was cheap! LOL! The only bad thing is that I can’t send Dad’s gift home because it’s too big. I took a picture of it, though. I’m holding it on my lap. It’s the last picture on the 2mb memory card, soooo . . . Don’t trip, Dad! You have a present, just not for Christmas! LOL . . .
Anyway, by the time we got back to our area, we needed to get to work, soooo it left no internet time. Then, we would have written earlier, buuuuut we got to go to the Temple! LOL! Also because my companion is going home. LOL . . . President Torres really likes Elder Chesley so he is giving us many privileges . . . LOL . . . Elder Martino (Second Counselor in the Area Presidency) was in our session. I got to talk to him for a li’l while we were waiting to go in which was neato. So, we just got back into our area and here we are!

Well . . . I don’t have my agenda, so I dunno if I’m forgettin’ any stories, but it seems like I’ve just about covered it all! I love you all sooo, sooo much! Take it easy!

No Baptisms . . . NOT!

2010-11-02T18:37:00.001-07:00

Hey, family!

Sorry I’m a day late! Yesterday we had to get to work early, so we had to hold off writing until today. But . . . Here I am! Sorry for the delay, though!

Geez, Louise! I can’t believe Jeff is already finishing his Mission! When he gets home, have him hit me up with an e-mail! I would like to hear how his Mission went . . . I’m already hitting seventeen months tomorrow! LOL . . . Why am I like an old missionary? I’m so new!

I will get my package to Euro Plaza then, my friend. Thank you again, Smith family!

Okay . . . Now for me . . . Well, I’ll start with the bad news first . . . The Moreno family didn’t get baptized . . .

NOT!

LOL . . . They were all baptized! All four of them! Herlinda, the 35-year old Mom; Yuri, the 13-year old daughter; Juan, the 10-year old son; and Laybi, the 8-year old daughter! It was an amazing week and a week of many answered prayers. Let me tell you . . . It was not an easy week. We were stressin’ out big time ‘cause it looked like all four of the baptismal dates were gonna fall since the Mom wasn’t sure if she wanted to be baptized. Soooo . . . We sent members there on Monday and Tuesday to go visit and support her. Well, she wasn’t convinced in those first few days of the week. On Wednesday, though, we took the Second Counselor in the Bishopric and the Secretary to her home . . . Oooooo . . And we had suuuuuccchhhhh a powerful lesson! Herlinda was crying and then laughing and then crying and laughing again. The Spirit was super strong and she was focused in like she had never been in a lesson. Of course, at the end she said that she decided she was gonna go through with the baptismal day aaaannnddd . . . Well . . . She did! Saturday at 2pm, she and her three children were all baptized! Elias, the Second Counselor, baptized Herlinda. I baptized Yuri and my Companion baptized the li’l two. It was a very special day but the baptisms weren’t complete . . . Until Sunday! We went and picked up the Moreno family with the First Counselor in his taxi and we brought them to Church! They were confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ and received the Holy Ghost. It was a very special day and I had the feeling in my heart throughout the week that there was a power of prayer that were receiving from my home in California. I really could feel it . . . I swear . . . I knew you were pryaing big time for them. Thank you sooo, sooo much, Mom, and everyone else that was joining in prayer for them. All of your prayers, along with the millions of mine, were answered. Surely God answers prayers of the righteous. It is a huge, huge blessing in our lives. I’ve realized that the Lord is the one that brings people to humility and baptism. I can’t do anything by myself. He does it all. And, if we rely on Him with all the faith that we have, He will, without a doubt, do the work.

Random notes . . . The picture of you guys at Disney on Ice is kida funny. I had never seen a picture of Kim with her braces before . . . LOL! What a cutie! She looks sooooo young! Lookin’ good though, don’t trip, home girl! And Dallas looks super skinny! Has he lost a lot of weight? Aaliyah . . . Cute as always. And, Mom . . . You’re just beautiful as always. Age can’t get to you, can it?
Oh, hey! I got the envelope you sent! Annnnnnd . . . I loved it, of course! LOL!

Thank you so much for everything! I loved every single part of it! Did you guys ever get the letters I sent home?

Well . . . I really don’t have much to say. Everything we did this week was focused on the Moreno family . . . LOL . . . It was a great week because of it, though! I sure love you all! Hit me up! Miss you millions!

We built our character!

2010-10-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

Hey, family!

Well, I dunno why, but today was another one of those great “reading all the e-mails” day! It just feels good! I just started to think . . . It’s amazing that I have written to you all so many times and I can only type with two fingers . . . LOL . . . That’s talent!

Anyhow, thanks for answering my questions once again and for giving me all those updates on your lives!

How cool about Elder Smith’s Mom’s Mom! That’ll be sooooo nice for us! Tell her thank you a million times for me! Well, I guess I’ll just tell her thanks ‘cause she reads my e-mails, right? Well, thank you sooo, sooo much, Smith Family! The cool thing is that I almost have all the gifts ready! I just gotta get you something big and nice, Mom! Of course, you’re the most important! Question, though . . . Does she want the package in the Mission Home? She’s gonna eat with President or something? Or does she actually want it in the Mission Office in Euro Plaza? Another question . . . Does anyone wear or use the gifts I sent last year? Hopefully I can do better this time. As for me, I really don’t need anything, Mom. I really don’t . . . Maybe just hold onto the money and help me buy a laptop when I get home. The gifts I enjoyed most from last year were for sure the letters from everyone and the muddy buddies, of course! I’d be sooooooo, soooooo happy if my package only consisted of those two things! And maybe some of the good Old Spice deodorant, the blue gel type, that I always use. That’s really all I can think of though! Thank you!

We are getting there on our Stake Conference . . . Just one by one . . . We are a li’l stressed out right now, though, trying to do everything we can to get the Moreno family baptized. We fasted on Friday and Saturday and, of course, as an answer to our prayers, they came to Church! Now we have to do everything we can to get ‘em baptized this weekend! It’s lookin’ tough, but I know with faith and hard works, we can get it done! Boy . . . Last night I almost couldn’t sleep because this is sooooo heavy on my mind! We will get it! We will! I know it! If I know anything, it’s that God answers prayers (the oooooonnnnlllyyy thing I learned from the Book of Psalms, by the way . . . LOL) . . . It’ll happen . . .

I will be waiting on the drawing from Aaliyah with sooo much enthusiasm! Also, I have not received your envelope yet, but I’m hoping to receive it on Wednesday or Thursday.

I talked to a missionary in my Zone a li’l this week . . . His name is Elder Hale. He went to Arizona State before the mission. Know who he says he met three years ago? A tall, skinny, black guy from California that played on the ASU basketball team. He said his last name was . . . What? Hill?? Hahahaha . . . He met Jamal! Is that not suppppperrrrr weird? LOL! He helped him in a study group . . . LOL . . . Dallas or Dad . . . Have you guys talked to Jamal or heard anything about him in a while? LOL . . . Just a funny, random story . . .

Oh . . . Quick favor . . . There is a member here that wants sunflower seeds (David’s) and beef jerky (seeing as they don’t sell those items “good” here). So, in the Christmas package, could you include some of those items for him? He says he will buy my KFC (oh yea . . . Dad knows what I’m talkin’ about . . . LOL) if you do! LOL . . . Thanks!

This week I got to go on divisions with Elder Morrow, an 8-month elder from many states . . . LOL . . . But he lived in California, in Manteca, for three years before going to BYU and serving his mission. He was a very cool guy and made me some delicious food for lunch and dinner! Ooooo! I got big time spoiled! So, yea . . . Good, good buy and very good elder! He teaches well and speaks very good Spanish, especially for being so new! He is one of the District Leaders in the Zone. Anyway . . . He is also an Office Elder, so he lives with two other Office Elders and with the Assistants. It’s a huuuuugggggge house by the way . . . .LOL . . . And they live in what seems like an American colony. LOL . . . It’s weird there. Anyway, on divisions, we walked around aaaaalllloootttt ‘cause the Office Elders never get to work in their area because they’re so busy in the Office! I got very tired as did Elder Morrow, but I couldn’t show it because I’m his leader and a missionary that is in the field every day! Sooo . . . When he was like “There’s nothing left to do or go visit”, I was like . . . “Where else can we go??” C’mon! Give me another name! LOL . . . So he kept giving names and we kept knocking doors and, well, no one let us in! LOL . . . But it built our character! And it was a great day! The only time of the whole day that we entered a house was to do a baptismal interview for 35-year old Mario at 2pm. From 3pm to 9pm, we were walking around in the street . . . LOL . . .

The interview with Mario was interesting . . . LOL . . . He has been an investigator for over eight years!!!!! When I asked him what changed that made him want to be baptized, he changed the subject. He started to tell me that he had been observing me . . . Weird . . . I had barely spoken to him at all and he started to tell me what kind of person I am. He said, “I would imagine that you like to play and joke around a lot” (which is weird because everyone that I meet here says I’m waaaay too serious and uptight). “I would also imagine that, in your home, you are the one to mess around with everyone and that you love hugging on your Mom and Dad.” Then he said that I had a special something about me, like a good feeling and that I am going to bring lots of people to the Church throughout my life, if it be my desire. Then he said that I will become a big Church Leader . . . LOL . . . And he said I have a type of experience that not many missionaries have. He said I know when to be quiet, when to joke, when to lift my head and when to drop it, when to look people in the eyes and when not to. He said it means I am from somewhere that not many other missionaries are from . . . It was very interesting . . . I didn’t know him at all and he was able to hit things right on the dot. Sure, some things were just apostate revelations . . . LOL . . . But he really hit some things on the head. Some things that others have never been able to do with me. After telling me all that, he said that he just observes people a lot and that, for that reason, eh wanted to be baptized. He had thought it out well and knew it was something he needed to do. It was really cool. Of course, he passed the interview and was baptized. Pretty cool experience.

So, that division was on Wednesday and Thursday. Then, later on Thursday, I went on divisions with my boy, Elder Williams. I loooove that kid! He’s one of my favorite missionaries and one that I will still be friends with after the mission. Anyway, I did a baptismal interview there in his area, too. It was with a 70-year old lady and she was also baptized this weekend. With Elder Williams, we just mesh . . . Our teaching together is fire . . . LOL . . . Just like me teaching with Maradiaga. We had a great day, though, and it was great for him ‘cause it got him all animated again. He was “disanimated” a li’l ‘cause of some things going on in his life right now . . . So, it was cool to work with my boy and to be able to “reanimate” him and do an interview at the same time. Great three days of divisions! I slept bad in other beds, though . . . So getting back to my own bed was money in the bank, homie!

Well, I think that’s all I have to say for now! I sure love you all soooo, soooo much! Lemme know if I can do anything! Oh . . . And, Stacie . . . Thanks for your li’l letter! I appreciated it! I love you all soooo, soooo much!

Generations are changed by faithful followers of Christ

2010-10-18T17:47:00.000-07:00

Hello, family!

Thanks for all the great info once again! You never let me down!

Thanks for sending the Clippers scores! Looks like we have been bums lately . . . LOL . . . But I’m sure we aren’t playing Davis, Gordon or Kaman much right now. Well, we shall see when I get those game recaps from you. Thank you!

Sorry . . . I forgot that I only told Dallas the idea of selling lots of my shoes. I asked him to send me a DearElder with a list of all my shoes. But I don’t think he’s going to do that on his own, so could you help him? Send me the name of the shoes and a li’l description of them in case I dno’t remember which ones they are. I told Dallas that I want to sell them so I have money for a laptop when I get home. I would also like to be able to buy more things from Guatemala. If Dallas hasn’t told you this “shoes” idea, I imagine that he hasn’t told you guys that I’m probably going to go to Gavilan and live at home . . . LOL . . . Did he tell you? So, that’s where Dylan has to go with me.

Sounds like you guys had a pretty exciting week, huh? I’m glad . . . We had a pretty good one here, I’d say! So, I’ll share some of it with y’all!

To begin . . . Last week, I said happy birthday to Randy and James, but not Megan! Sorry! LOL! Happy Birthday to Megan! And Randy . . . Happy Birthday again for this week! Also, of course, Happy Birthday to my baby Aaliyah! Her birthday this year was not neeeeaaaaarly as terrible as last year . . . Sure, I thought about her all day again yesterday, but it was happy, not sad like last year. I can’t believe it’s been a year since that day, though . . . I remember it perfectly . . .

Hey . . . Question . . . What do you think would be the cheapest way to send a package home to you guys for Christmas? Do you have any ideas? Is there anyone comin’ out to Guatemala who could bring a package home to you? Or should I just start doin’ my research? Let me know ‘cause Christmas is gettin’ close!

Well, this week we had Zone Conference. I didn’t have to do anything this time which was nice and, of course, a lot less stressful! My Companion gave a very good talk . . . His message was about teaching investigators and not lessons. It was great. Elders Castro and White also gave talks that day and they did very well as well. President and Hermana Torres also gave some great talks and we got to do some good practicing. It was the best Zone Conference I’ve been to, for sure! I think it’s just a li’l more special now ‘cause they only happen once every two changes and not every change. I quite enjoyed it . . . Oh! And, at the end of the Conference, Elders Chesley and Solano gave their last testimonies. Ooooo . . . They go home soooo soon! Just a li’l more than three weeks left! Weird!

After Zone Conference, President let me go visit some of my converts (seeing as Conference was in the Ermita building where I served for six months). My companion and I visited Luis, Paola and Cindy who were inactive when I left Ermita. They had bad grades and their mom wouldn’t let them go to church, so I wasn’t quite sure if I was gonna lose them to inactivity forever. Buuuuut . . . When I got to their house and started talkin’ to ‘em about it, they said that they have been goin’ to Church every Sunday for the past three months! They now have church books, hymn books, more scriptures . . . They have really progressed! Ahhhh! It was such a cool feeling to know that my converts are doing soooo well! I start to think about all the generations that will be changed for three faithful people being baptized . . . It was a very cool visit . . . I couldn’t have been much happier . . . Unless all of you had been with me! LOL . . .

That same day, after Zone Conference and the visits to my friends in Ermita and some visits in my real assigned area, my companion and I had a meeting with President Torres and President Mendez (the Stake President) to get some plans prepared for Stake Conference. It will be held on November 6 and 7. I think I already told you that Elder Falabella will be here, so we are very excited and nervous! LOL! President Torres gave us a goal to have thirty investigators from each area at Stake Conference that Sunday. Ooooo . . . That’s a lot! But I’m workin’ on my faith to be able to do it! So, we are getting started early to get ‘em invited! I really know we can do it . . . We just gotta work on it every day! President Mendez said something later in the week that I really like . . . I said that miracles are brought to pass by everyone. He said that they are brought to pass one by one. It’s so true! Sooo simple but true. All we have to do is invite everyone, one by one, and pass their house one by one to remind them and help them get there! We can SO do it!

Well . . . That’s all I’ve really got for now! I sure love you all and appreciate all of your support! Take care and I look forward to hearin’ from ya soon! Lemme know if you’ve got questions or anything!

"By humbling myself, I've learned a lot"

2010-10-12T18:11:00.000-07:00

Hey, yo!

How are you all doin? As you know, I’m so thankful for the letter that I received from you yet gain. You know I love all the comments and updates!

Ummmm . . . I’m glad you guys found the pictures from Elder Jack Winn’s mom! I saw him at the Temple and it made me super happy. I thought he had already left Guatemala and that I wasn’t gonna see him for almost a year. But I saw him! LOL . . . And I met his parents. They were very nice people and his mom told me that you guys are friends! LOL . . . Gotta love Mission Mom things. Don’t be sad about the pictures, though! I’ll be home so soon . . . There’s no time to be sad! What is weird to me is that those pumpkin patch pictures you sent me for Christmas last year are already a year old! Weird, huh? Sounds like you guys are gonna have a ball this time of year! I’m excited because everything that is happening right now is the last time that I will ever miss them with my family. And that li’l Dylan makes me so proud. I can’t believe that he’s already getting ready for college . . . LOL . . . ACT and SAT tests stink though. He should just go to Gav with me . . . C’moooooonnnnnnnnnn . . .

Well, I do have a few updates that I would like to hit ch’all up with today!

First to answer your question . . . Today for P-day, we had interviews as a Zone with President Torres. They started at 10am and ended around 3pm. LOL . . . Yea . . . It was a long time of waiting. Especially since I am Junior Companion Zone Leader . . . LOL . . . Which makes me the last interview of the whole Zone! LOL . . . It was a great interview, though. The first time that it has actually been a real conversation in an interview after fourteen months of interviews with him. We talked about the challenges in our Zone . . . We talked about the progression of all the missionaries in our Zone . . . We talked about what I can do to help . . . We talked about Elder Chesley and what I’ve learned from him . . . And he told me we gotta baptize again before Elder Chesley goes home. He said he knows we will and pointed out that I’ve baptized a lot in all of my areas and that we will be able to do that here, too. Kinda cool . . . Talked about what we can do to prepare for our big Stake Conference that is coming up at the beginning of November. Elder Falabella will be here . . . He is a member of the First Quorum of the 70 . . . Soooo . . . It’s a big deal! LOL! It’s a lot of pressure, but it will all be good! We just gotta get down to it! It was just a very good interview all in all. After the interview, we played some ping-pong and then ordered pizza to the Church with six other missionaries who hadn’t left the building. Usually, on Mondays, we do all our shopping but this Monday (today),we won’t have time so we are gonna do that tomorrow morning.

Did you guys send me the list of all my shoes yet? The Clippers schedule? I got Dylan’s DearElder, but I think I will have to write him back next week because I don’t have time today! Sorry! Oh! And how is NBA pre-season goin’ for the Warriors, Clippers and Lakers?

How much time does Jeff Rose have in the mission now? He’s gotta almost be home by now if he isn’t already . . . And how ‘bout Brad? What mission is he in exactly?

Guess what?????? I think I get home just the day before Dylan’s graduation! Cool, huh?!?!

Happy Birthday to Megan, Randy and James! Two of the people I want to hear from the most! Randy and James! I sure hope you had and have great birthdays! Be safe and smart! I hope to hear from you soon!

This week I went on divisions with Elder Vindel. It was fun to be back with him because he was in my District for three months when I had been on my mission between four and seven months. At that time, his best friend from home was the District Leader (Elder Martinez, my second trainer, or Mom). Elder Vindel has grown so much in the past few months and is such a different missionary. He is animated to work, he is so good to everyone and we had some great spiritual lessons together. He’s really doing a great job. I’m loving doing these divisions because I’m learning so much even though I’ve been called to be their leader. Elder Vindel is a good friend and we can share missionary stories and what not. Good, good guy. My companion went with Elder Kjar and they put three baptismal dates in Durazno! So, they did great too! We will see if we have time to do divisions again this week.

Really cool . . . This last week, my companion and I got to fast for our Area and Zone to see what we could do to improve it. Well, when I was in the Temple in the Celestial Room, all I could think of was just to work even harder and to be humbler (if that’s not a real word, you know what I’m talkin’ ‘bout) . . . I was thinkin’ at the time, “Man, that’s a lame answer to my prayers ! I already know that!” But, it wasn’t lame . . . LOL . . . By humbling myself, I’ve learned a lot. Being humble was really weighing on my mind because I was talking to a return missionary and talking about baptisms . . . Anyway, he started telling me when he did and didn’t have baptisms and why. Then I told him how up and down my times of baptizing have been. He said it was ‘cause I was prideful about it. I had never really thought about that ‘cause I don’t brag. But I thought maybe I carry it around too much in my heart like I’m pilas (cool) or something. But I realized that I have to recognize the hand of the Lord in all things. It’s funny how I had heard the phrase since Primary, along with all the other famous phrases, we have to learn the reality of them by ourselves. Since that fast, though, I have felt a major shift in the Zone and I know that the Lord has answered my prayers and has blessed me for fasting. I was talking to Elder Williams ‘bout it today (He’s a District Leader in my Zone . . . And a really good friend of mine because he entered with me and we can talk about just about anything together) and he said that since Tuesday he has also felt a huge shift in the success in the work in his Area. He didn’t even know that we had fasted at that time. LOL . . . We laughed because the Church is sooooo true . . . We just have to do our part to be worthy and willing to receive the blessings that God has prepared for us . . .

One of the huge blessings that we (my companion and I) received from this fast was this . . . We had baptismal dates with a family (Family Moreno) over a month about buuuuut they ran into some problems . . . They got kicked out of their tortilla shop for listening to us and goin’ to Church with us . . . Then, in the new tortilla shop where they moved, the owner didn’t let them listen to us either. So, we thought we had lost ‘em. Plus, they always had to work on Sundays. Theeeeeeen on Tuesday, we found out that a member opened up her own tortilla shop! Aaaaaand she invited Sister Moreno to come work and live with her!!!!! So now, the Moreno family came to Church already again this Sunday! We’ve taught them again and they have accepted baptismal dates again! Ahhhh! I know for a fact that Heavenly Father answers our prayers. Honestly . . . I know it. I think that’s why when I’m obedient, he can’t deny the blessings that come along with prayer and fasting. It was such a cool experience! If you guys aren’t fasting and praying and putting everything in the hands of God (during prayer, when you’re not praying, you gotta work everything out like it all depends on you), well, you should do it!

Well . . . I think that’s ‘bout all I got for you! Hit me up! I love you all soo, soo much and I really appreciate all of your support! Be safe, smart and loving! Take care!

Angels for Guatemala

2010-10-06T18:26:00.000-07:00

Okie dokie! How are you all????

I dunno why but today was just kind of an emotional day reading your letter. It almost got me in tears when you said that Dylan’s graduation was moved back a week!!!!! Ahhhh . . . I wanna be home sooooo bad for that! I should be able to for sure, I’m thinking . . . I gotta be honest with you guys. I’ve been thinking a lot ‘bout extending my mission, but now that extending my mission means I would miss the graduation, hahahaha, no way I’m extending! LOL! Great news!

Thank you for being so kind as to send me those Clippers things. I, to, am so excited for this year ! With Griffin, Aminu, Bledsoe and Foye al coming in, I’m thinking we could make a play-off run this year, buuuuut . . . We shall have to wait and see! LOL!

I loved your Aaliyah and Zander stories. Those babies are sooo, sooo special. I was thinking a lot this week about when Aaliyah was born. (I guess probably because her birthday is just around the corner.) I was remembering how much I anticipated her being born . . . Staying up all night, going back to the house and then driving back up to San Jose just a couple hours later. And then, when I held her for the first time wearing my black beanie, my A’s jacket and sweats . . . And just starting to cry because of how happy I was. Ahhhhh . . . She is so special to me. I remember last year Aaliyah’s birthday was the worst day of the year ‘cause I couldn’t get her outta my head. I sure miss her. And I sure hope I’m stronger mentally this year than last so that my day isn’t so crappy on her birthday! LOL! We shall see soon, though!

As for General Conference, of course I watched in English! I would never watch it in Spanish ever again! Listening to the real voices is sooooo special and having to listen to the talks through a translator just one time makes you realize how really blessed we are to speak the language of the restoration and the language of the true church on earth. As for me, I enjoyed many talks as well. I really loved the talks by President Eyring (he, of course, being my favorite of everyone) and President Monson. My boy, Elder Costa, also spoke which was really cool. I really liked President Uchtdorf’s talk on patience. Elder Christofferson and Elder Anderson also gave great talks this Conference. I thought Elder Scott’s talk was just full of great one liners. He gave an amazing talk. I also really, really loved President Packer’s (my second favorite) talk and Elder Ballard’s, too. In the Priesthood session, I looooooved the talks by Elder Uceda and Elder Kearon. I think those two might have been the best . . . Well, two of the best . . . LOL . . . I can’t say which was the best. Soooo . . . Yea . . . Those were my General Conference thoughts. I watched it at the Stake Center in a li’l room with just missionaries and a couple random members who speak English. I learned soooo much, though, and took some great notes. I can’t wait for the Liahona to come out so I can read the talks again ‘cause I can learn a lot by reading through and marking them.

As for changes, I did not have one. I am staying with Elder Chesley to kill him. I am really excited ‘cause I feel like Elder Chesley and I are really getting things down together. We are soooo, soooo different, but we have learned a lot from each other and I know that I have a lot more to learn from him in these last six weeks. I’m very excited to kill my third Companion. As for my Zone, Elders Davis, Ixcoy, Garcia (finished his mission), Housley, Godfrey and Mays all had changes. In place of them, Elders Vindel (we were in the same Zone almost eight months ago) Calero, Gallo, Hale and Winkle all came in. It’s still a very fun Zone, just very, very different of course. As for other notable changes, Elder Legua went back to Polochic and I was and am not too thrilled ‘bout that ‘cause I probably won’t see him for a while again now. Elder Larsen went up to Zone Leader! So, I’ll be able to see him for the first time in over a year ‘cause he’s been up on Polochic as well. Ummmm . . . That’s most of the notables . . .

Yesterday, my Companion and I received a great comment from a long time investigator from a different Ward. We always do service for her. She told us that we are angels for Guatemala because no matter where you go, you will always find two guardian angels watching over that area. She told us how thankful she is for all the service we do, for all the love we show and for all the selflessness. She said she feels like we are the ones who hold up the Church. They were just really, really nice compliments that made me feel good. I hope it makes you proud, Mom (smiley face).

I was able to go on divisions with Elder Lainez from Honduras this week. He has two months in the mission. He’s a super smart kid. He’s read the Bible thirteen times and has explained some great stuff to me. Buuuuut . . . He has a lot to learn. LOL . . . He’s doing what my favorite companion, Elder Maradiaga, always did. That is, he tries to prove things with the Bible. It makes people progress because of the knowledge they gain but, in the end, they won’t be baptized because they haven’t been taught with the Spirit and haven’t been truly converted. I was able to teach him some good stuff, though, about missionary work. It was a very fun day.

Well . . . I think that’s ‘bout all I’ve got right now! I sure miss you all, but I sure appreciate all the good news and all the joy you bring me! I can’t wait ‘til next week! Love you all soooo, soooo much. More than you know! Be safe and smart!

32 Bug Bites.....So Fun

2010-09-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

Hey, hey, hey!

Thank you sooooo much for your e-mail! It was very refreshing today! Especially because we are having some drama in our Zone today . . . You know, the Monday writing just keeps my legs movin’ every week. And, yea, we find out tonight if we have changes or not.

Thank you for sending the money. I took it out last week and then realized it wasn’t all the money so I was a lllliiiillll worried but thank you! I bought the shoes already! They sure aren’t all broken in like my other ones that I wore every day for nine months . . . LOL . . . But I’m sure hoping that I can pull out nine more months on these Guatemalan shoes! We can hope and pray!

Very exciting about Tom and Ash and their new home! I’m sure they’re so, so happy. I can’t wait to go visit ‘em, especially ‘cause that’s where Elder Ireland is, too, so I can visit him after the mission!

Ohhhh, yes . . . I also am very, very excited for General Conference. You’ll have to let me know whatcha thought next time you write. And thank you so much for your kind words and the Aaliyah story. I love you sooo much, Mom!

Well . . . I don’t think I have a whole bunch to say . . . But I’ll try to share some stuff. It might be a taaaaad bit short, though. Sooo, we shall see . . .

Oh, first . . . Dad . . . What do you think about the Quran? Is there any way that it could be inspired and real scripture? I would like it if you could hit me up with some details on that please! Thank you!

Could you send me a Clippers schedule? Like the ones that we always kept on the refrigerator? Like the month-by-month calendars? Maybe you could send that as a real letter, though, not as a DearElder so that it comes out nice and pretty . . . Pllllleeeease! Thank you! And thanks for sending me the DearElder info . . . I look forward to receiving those.

Welllll . . . We gave service on Tuesday . . . LOL . . . It stunk . . . We went way down the side of a hill to go help a family clean up the land that was destroyed during the hurricane. We used machetes to clear the path to the house. We also shoveled all of the fallen dirt. Well, I got a couple new blisters aaaannnnddddd 32 bug bites . . . All below my waistline! Oooo . . . Soo fun! LOL . . . I figured out why I got all the bug bites, though . . . I broke open an ant home-farm-hill! Maaaaan . . . It was nooooott fun! I couldn’t sleep at all that night because of how bad it itched. I only slept for maybe three hours . . . LOL . . . It was terrible! I got it much more under control now, though. Thanks to the help of sleeping pills, anti-itch cream that my Companion let me use, and a couple extra showers here and there, I was able to get them much more under control. Sure . . . they still itch, but I can sleep just fine now. I slept like an angel last night for the first time in a long time. Berry nice, berry nice.

There is a member in our Ward who is a really, really good guy. I love him to death. He was a Counselor in the Stake Presidency. He’s a bigger guy, very smart and just holds himself really well. He’s just a great example and it seems like he’s a guy that would have a great job . . . Like he’d have everything amazingly under control with his family. And . . . It’s not like that for him. The guy has a horrible job, lives in one tiny li’l room with his wife, doesn’t have a good family life . . . The result is that in Church he has seemed very down. You can see it in his posture that things just aren’t well at home. Soooo . . . We went and visited him. He lives with all of his family but none of them get along with him ‘cause of his beliefs, so now he wants to leave the house. I dunno know why I really shared this story. I think it just kinda taught me, though, not to judge. But it’s not to judge in a different way . . . Not in a thinkin’ bad about someone way . . . Just actually judging someone thinking that they have everything under control. Everyone has some type of problem in some way or another and we have to be there to help. I dunno . . . I just thought it was a very interesting lesson that I learned.

Well . . . I’m gonna get outta here! I need to write to Tommy plus Trent wrote to me today! So . . . I’m gonna go read and write back! Thanks for everything, family! I love you all sooo, sooo much! Take care!

The Rodas Family was sealed this week!

2010-09-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

Heyyyyyy, fam!

I’m glad you guys liked my e-mail last week . . . LOL . . . It took forever! I ssssstink at typing! Sorry ‘bout being wrong on your age, Mom! You hit the fifty mark, though! Congrats! Don’t worry . . . You aren’t old . . .

I can’t wait to hear Dylan play the piano and guitar and sing . . . That kid is such a stud . . . Has he written me? If he hasn’t, yell at him and tell him to do so (along with James and Randy). And he’s a pilas leader already. That kid is waaaaaay better than I ever was. I sure miss that kid.

Sounds like you had a great time with Elder Golden, too! Don’t you just love listening to Church leaders? And Dad will be one of ‘em soon! I was thinking that you and Dad need to make lots of money so that Dad can be a Mission President! You guys would be a great Missionary President and wife!

Oh! And thank you soo, soo much for the money for the clothing items I need. Now the hard part is finding my size in everything. I’ll be able to for sure, though. Just gotta be supa diligent. Thank you much! The money is part of my Christmas present . . . Called it!

Soooo . . . I’ll hit cha with my questions first . . .

Thank you, Dad, for the DearElders and for explaining and answering my questions. Do you type all of those things? Or do you take them off a website? They’re really good. Thank you!

Oh! Think you could send me Pre-Season NBA rankings and all that good stuff soon? NBA starts in almost a month, so a bunch of articles must be comin’ out soon . . . No? Also, how ‘bout Carmello? Still any chance of him goin’ to the Clippers? Any news there? Also, could you send me DearElders on the Raider game recaps, too? Thank you!

Okay . . . Now my li’l stories . . .

We were able to put another baptismal date this week with a reference and then she came to Church! Holler!

These changes coming up in just ten days will be very sad because soooo many of my good friends are going home. Elders Barrientos, Empey, Petersen, Winn, Dunkley, Pierce and Karr (and Ireland was part of this group). It’s the first group that I know well and I’m so sad to see them go home . . .

My favorite members in this Ward were sealed this week! The Rodas family! I just love the Dad in that family! Soooo . . . That was very exciting!

Sooo . . . I gotta go in just a minute and I gotta write to Dallas! I love you all, though! Thanks for everything!

I love having the Spirit work through me . . .

2010-09-14T17:27:00.000-07:00

First of all . . . Happy Birthday, Mom! How lucky that I get to write to you on your birthday!!! Heavenly Father musta planned it before the foundation of this earth! How old are you now, though? Or, I guess, better question . . . How young are you now? 51? I really hope I didn’t guess too high . . . I always kill my chances with the ladies when I do that . . . (By the way, I was 50, not 51, yesterday!) Anyway . . . What are you doin’ for your birthday? Some clam chowder at the wharf? Romantic dinner with big daddy? Whatcha got planned? I miss you so, so, so much, Mom. And I really appreciate all you do for me and all that you’ve done for me. I know it’s not Mother’s Day, it’s just your birthday, buuuuut I can still try to tell you how much I love and miss you, right? There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about you, Mom. Or a day that goes by that I don’t stare at you and think about you in family pictures that I have. You’re soooo amazing and I love you so, so much. I hope today is the day of your dreams. (If your dreams have anything to do with romantic things with dad, though . . . Don’t tell me what’s in your dreams!) Happy Birthday!

Well now . . . Now that that’s off my chest . . . Thank you for the updates! And for the picture of Dylan’s parking space . . . It’s berry pretty! Does Dylan actually play the piano good now? And the guitar? Or was he fronting on his parking space? LOL . . .That kid is talented. I’m sure he’s good at both of ‘em now.

As for James’ DearElders, I haven’t got any . . . I’ll receive ‘em again on Thursday . . . Hopefully I get ‘em or he isn’t doin’ ‘em right . . . Can you help him maybe? And please keep bugging Randy for me, too!

Yea . . . Sounds like Durant has been an absolute stud, huh? And good to hear that you, Dad and Dallas all complimented my boy, Gordon. Good to know he’s looking good! Oh, and Dad, thanks for answering all my questions on everyone.

Well . . . Here come my questions and stories now . . . Well, I already asked some questions, but I have more!

Questions first of course . . .

Just outta curiosity . . . It’s random, LOL . . . Did Gilroy ever get an Olive Garden or mall? I just remember the rumors of that from before I came on the mission . . . LOL . . . Raaaaaandom . . . Sorry!

Well, kinda story thangs now . . .

This week we had a li’l problem . . . A new missionary in our Zone was not doin’ so well. He just wasn’t happy for a few reasons and he was wanting to go home. The main problems are that his family doesn’t write to him very often, he can’t read or write, he doesn’t understand English, etc. So, he called the assistants on Monday night to tell them that he wanted an interview with President. Soooo . . . The assistants called us and told us to get it figured out. So, that Tuesday morning, we went and talked to him and set some goals with him and his companion. Can you believe that the next day, he and his companion were completely fine? LOL . . . The Elder called us an d said sorry for the problems and that he was all good and ready to keep working. I explained to him that the real problem is that all new missionaries are prideful. All new missionaries think that they know how to do it all . . . They think that everything is a competition . . . They wanna be individuals like before the mission . . . And I understand ‘cause I was new, too. But he accepted it and it’s all good now! I understand that sometimes I talk too much, but I do recognize that it is also maybe one of my biggest talents or blessings that I have the ability to communicate well. That’s kinda a lot thanks to Dad for helping me to learn to be a leader. I thought he was just teaching me for sports, but, nooooo . . . It helps for everrrrrrything.

This week, I gave a blessing to a very sick old man. He was so sick that he hadn’t slept for three straight days. When I put my hands on his head, though, and gave him a blessing, I told him he would sleep well that night and recover a lot. Know what happened to him? He slept very well that night and recovered a lot! LOL . . . I love having the Spirit work through me. Sooo, sooo cool.

There is a kid in our area whose name is Erwin. He is a really good seventeen year old in the Church. He has left with the missionaries to go work since forever. But, he has never gotten along with his sister which is really sad. And, as many missionaries as have worked with him, no one ever stopped to realize that he really need help. He doesn’t have a dad so no one to really sit him down and teach him how to do some things, ya know? Anyway, I sat him down a couple days ago and told him how to sit down with his sister, what to say, what to ask, all the good stuff. And I told him if he would do it lovingly (which is soooo, soooo key), everything would be fixed. Know what happened with him? He sat his sister down and talked to her and for the first time in their fifteen years together, he told her he loved her! Thanks to Dad I was able to explain to Erwin how to fix this problem as well. I will always remember Dad yelling at kids on the court and then talking directly and loving ‘em after the games. It works. LOL . . . It really, really works.

Well . . . We gave a nice loooooong service this week. LOL . . . Saturday, we worked from 6am to 12:30pm. We had to move huge cement tubes and fill ‘em with dirt and trees. LOL . . . It was tough. I got a li’l cut up and got some blisters and got a nice sunburn on my neck, but it was worth it! Get in some good ol’ service. Set the example of the Mormon Church for everyone around here. Ya know?

I’m in the book of Jacob right now in my Bible study . . . Wow . . . What a man, huh? Oh! And the book of Esther isi really, really good, too. I soooo badly wanna finish the Bible before the end of my mission. Great, great book . . . Usually . . .

Oh! I had a dream last night! I got home and saw Aaliyah, Dallas and Kim . . . I was in Church when I was seeing them for the first time. Aaliyah ran up to me and gave me a huge hug and while I was crying ‘cause I was sooooooo happy, I asked Dallas if it was just a dream or if it was real (‘cause it seemed sooooo way too real). Dallas told me it was just a dream, though, and that I still had some time left to serve. The dream was all in Spanish . . . LOL . . . But it just seemed waaaaaaay too real. Great dream, though. I didn’t wake up sad. I woke up sooo, sooo happy to have been hugging my Aaliyah. I love her sooo, sooo much if you guys didn’t know . . .

Well, I gotta run, but I love you all soo, soo much! Be safe and smart! I look forward to hearing from you all! Love you! And Happy Birthday again, Mom!

The Lord comes through on His promises!

2010-09-07T17:28:00.001-07:00

Oh, my gosh!

Sooooo good to hear from you guys again! This week flew by and there’s no better way tos tart a new week than by hearing from all of you!

First of all . . . I’m very, very sorry that I haven’t put more detail in my weekly e-mails. Thank you for reminding me to do so. I really will try to get better. I just get so caught up in missionary work all week and I let it get outta my mind for an hour when I talk to you so thath I feel back at home . . . Ya know? But I will be better . . . I promise.

I knew exactly what you would say ‘bout my schooling idea. LOL . . . Whatever I wanna do. Knew you’d say it. But what do you think, Mom? Also, Elder Legua wants to know what the cost would be so that he can try to plan it with his family. Could you try to get that number? At least an approximate number? Thank you, Mom!

And . . . I did get the DearElders . . . LOL . . . And they were maaaaannnnyyyyy . . . I loved ‘em of course, though! Thank you for always taking the time to send me those things. Sounds like my boy, Eric Gordon, is really playin’ well! Nice!

Yea . . . With all the rain, mud, mountains, bad construction and all in Guatemala, there have been lots and lots of mud slides. Many people have been killed. It is because people are so poor here that they live on mountainsides in li’l scrap metal houses that have no foundation. Then, when the weather gets bad and the time comes for them to move out, many are too stubborn to go. We helped some members move outtta their house like two weeks ago and two days after they moved, their house fell away! They probably would have died. Or at least they would have lost everything if we hadn’t helped ‘em move. Don’t worry ‘bout me and all missionaries, though. We live in very safe areas and safe houses. We don’t find any of that danger . . .

How did the USA Team do against Angola? Did my boy, Gordon, do anything this morning?

Happy Birthday, Stacie! LOL . . . Our family is getting old . . .

Oh! One of my best friends in the mission, Elder Davis, is from Heber City and he said his girlfriend lives in Midway. LOL . . . I don’t remember her name, but I bet Ash and Tom know her family! They are members of the church as well . . .

And . . . Whhaaaaaat? Courtney got married, too????? LOL . . . That’s crazy! Tell her cognrats for me! Man . . . Weird . . .

Soooo . . . Tuesday was Zone Leader Council again . . . It was held in the Mission office and we went over some things on how to have more baptismal dates in every area, how to teach more lessons, find more new people to teach, and have more progressing investigators. It’s really cool getting all these good missionaries together ‘cause I feel like I got it all down but, man . . . Some Elders make great, great suggestions and what not and I realize I still have a lot to learn! But I’m gonna get there!

Then, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, we went to the Three Day Training in the Mission Home (which is just right down the street from the Mission Office). We went over everything that we had gone over the first in the Four Day Training which was held three weeks ago, but this time it wasn’t just the Zone Leaders in the Capital that attended . . . It was also with all the District Leaders and Trainers in the Capital annnnnd all of their Companions, so it was paaaaacked! There we about 50 missionaries there! It was cool because I got to go over some things and remember them and put them into better practice. It was also cool ‘cause I was with my boys Empey, Legua and Davis the whole time, too! Oh, and I saw my boy, Barrientos, which is always fun! Anyway, with all that training, it made for a very fast week but a very tiring week with all the bus trips and what not. We only got like two hours of work in every day in those four das which kinda hurt us, but it’s all good! We also had Elder Davis with us in our area for three days ‘cause his area is so far away that he couldn’t get to the office in time and then get back to his area to work in the night, so he just stayed with us ‘cause we have a cot! His companion stayed with another companionship ‘cause they had an extra bed, too. It was just a very interesting week with only one full day of work.

Oh . . . Dream! I was in a drug store, right? Like a 7/11 . . . Anyway . . . Randy was in there and he was in his white shirt and tie . . . With a plaque on! He had his hair cut and all . . . He was quite a handsome young man! Wow! I asked him why he hadn’t told me that he was a missionary and asked him how long he had been out in the field. He told me he had been out for five months! It was a great dream! I woke up sooo, sooo happy! I really, really care for him and James so much! Please make ‘em write me! I really want them to be missionaries!

This week was kinda cool because we thought that we had lost some investigators. They had been persecuted for the cause of listening and going to church with us. Anyway, we couldn’t find ‘em for a couple weeks, but we just kept praying and praying for ‘em. Finally, on Sunday, they showed up to a house that we were visiting! And when I talked to them (Moreno family), we told them sorry and everything and asked them if they would still like us to teach ‘em or no. Well . . . They said yes! It was a great answer to our prayers! It’s soooo, soooo cool how prayers pay off. So many people have been in my prayers . . . And my prayers are being answered. The Lord comes through on His promises! It’s soooo, soooo cool!

Well . . . Nothing much happened this week ‘cause were gone so much, but the week flew by! And, like you said, I have very mixed feelings on that, butu I’m doin’ good! I sure love you all and appreciate you soo, soo much! Lemme know how everything is goin’ with you guys and the sports world! Hee, hee! Tell Aaliyah I love her! Love you all!

Tiene mis respectos

2010-08-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

Hello, fam!

Soooo good to hear from you again! It is always a much anticipated time for me, too!

In response to what you told me and what Dad told me . . . How cool that the Clippers could end up with Carmello! It would kill me big time to lose Griffin or Gordon, though . . . Any of the other players, I’m okay with losing. Let Clippers management know my feelings . . . LOL . . Thanks!

The article Dad sent me was too sad . . . The one about the Bishop being shot. Signs of the times? Sad . . .

Thanks for getting’ the picture to Bishop so long ago . . . You’re the woman!

I think I might know what I wanna do after the Mission, so I dunno if we have to apply to all colleges (smiley face). I’ll let you know where in just a sec . . . Oooooo . . . Is the suspense killin’ ya? Huh? Is it? Is it? Huh?

Oh! And that’s very cool that Dylan got that calling (Co-chairperson of the Stake Youth Committee) . . . He’s such a good kid. Such a great example . . . Honestly . . . Good, good kid. Tiene mis respectos.

I didn’t know the US was playing sooo, sooo well. That’s cool! I only saw a li’l article once in a newspaper and it said Gordon (my boy) has been really, really good. That’s amazing!

As for DearElders, I haven’t gotten any in a while because of changes in Office Elders, but I should get all of it tomorrow . . . So, thank you!

Okay . . . I’ll give my updates . . . LOL . . .

To answer Dad’s question from last week . . . Don’t worry . . . I still read the Book of Mormon every day. I’m currently in Mosiah. By the way, I read Chapter 5 of Jacob really slowly and, ummm, I think that’s probably the best chapter in the entire Book of Mormon. Honestly . . . It’s amazing . . . I also am in the book of Ezra right now in the Old Testament. I’ve already read the New Testament but I still have a ways to go this time. I think I’ve only read about 65% of the bible as of now. I’m gonna finish it all before the end of the mission, though! I gots to do it, my dawgs!

Two Bible questions now, though, Dad . . . Was the Levitical Priesthood changed to the Aaronic in these verses? 1 Chronicles 23:24-28? Or when and how was the name changed? Also, why does it talk about two half tribes of Menasseh and not a whole tribe? I think that one jumped my head . . . Thanks!

Questions . . . Maybe Dad or someone can answer them . . . Where are Spencer, Baker, Neal, Tyree, etc . . . All my friends . . . Where are they now? Are they still playin’ ball?

Happy Birthday in this past week, Tom!

Do you think there is any way you could send me my mission calling video? You know, when I got home from practice and opened my call? Maybe you could send it by e-mail? I dunno . . . Let me know . . .

Well . . . This past Wednesday, my trainer, Elder Ireland, left me and went home. It was actually really, really sad. I really love that kid. He and Elder Legua are two good, good buddies. It’s weird having P-Day without him. And not just being able to talk with him by phone or anything. He was a good, good guy. I’ll see him after the mission when I visit Tom and Ash, though, ‘cause he is from Denver.

This week, we were contacting . . . As we were finishing contacting, we contacted an inactive lady and she started telling us her long reason why she hasn’t come to Church in so long . . . At the end, though, she said that we were a huge answer to her prayers from the night before and she said it was really nice to know that God still hasn’t forgotten about her! She then said she would be in church someday soon. It’s really cool how we are guided from door to door. And we don’t normally go contacting too many doors in her area . . . It was really, really cool.

Well . . . That’s ‘bout all I got for now! I sure love you all and look forward to hearing from you! Love you soooo, soooo much! Be safe and smart . . . All of you!

Zone Trip to the Temple!

2010-08-24T16:45:00.000-07:00

Hi, Family!

Well . . . From last week first then . . .

First . . . Thanks for the package! The chocolate was ooooohhhhh so amazing! And all the letters, too! That was cool of that guy to bring a package! I was able to make kids happy by giving away the toys. I made people happy by giving away some kisses and I made myself happy with the muddy buddies, of course! Thank you soooo, soooo much!

Oh . . . Question . . . Is my picture on the plaque at home in the Ward building my Guatemala Temple picture or the Provo Temple picture? I’m hoping it’s the Guatemala one . . . It’s my new favorite . . . LOL . . .

Last week, my companion lost our house keys . . . LOL . . . So we couldn’t get into our house the whole night. LOL . . . We had to go to the next area over and we spent the night at Elder Ireland’s house. It was fun, though, ‘cause Ireland goes home tomorrow, so I got to share more time with him. I’m gonna miss that guy. He’s one of my best friends and I know I’ll hang out with him after my mission. Anyway . . . My companion lost the privilege of carrying the keys . . . LOL . . . Even though that night was very stressful, we laughed it off. LOL . . . Not cool, though. That’s all I’ll say about that.

Oh! Changes! We didn’t have any . . . I’m still with Elder Chesley. Our Zone didn’t really change very much. Elder Dixon was transferred . . . Hermana Ayala went home . . . Elder Monzon was transferred . . . We now have Hermana Indicot (from San Diego) in place of Hermana Ayala . . . Elder Hale (from Las Vegas) and Elder Lainez (a new missionary from Honduras) in place of Elder Dixon . . . Elder Kjar (from Idaho) in place of Elder Monzon. And, now, Elder Ireland leaves tomorrow. Sad stuff . . . My dad and mom are both dead after tomorrow . . . LOL . . .

Ohhhh! Happy Birthday, Aunt Skye! I hope it was amazing! I hope you’re doing sooo, sooo well! I love you!

Sad story . . . Hermana Dieguez’s dad just passed away two days ago. So, yesterday, the lady they live with called and told us and asked us to come over to give a blessing and eat lunch. The girl really plays it off well, but I know she was and is dying inside. I guess her dad has had terminal cancel for a while, though, so they were kind of expecting him to pass away. Still . . . Sooo, sooo sad. Anyway . . . She asked me to give the blessing and I was nervoussssssssssss. Sure . . . I give blessings to the sick all the time, but to someone whose dad just died the day before? Well . . . That was my first time. My heart was beating sooooo fast when she asked me to give the blessing, but I did it and it was a really cool experience. She started bawling after the blessing and my companion said it was an amazing blessing which made me feel good. LOL . . . He made the prediction that I’ll be a Patriarch. LOL . . . We’ll see, huh?

Today, we got to go to the Temple as a Zone and I brought my Patriarchial Blessing into the temple and read it in the Celestial Room. It was amazing as always.

Well . . . That’s really all I’ve got for today! I hope all is well at home . . . Thanks for all of the help and encouragement. I love you all sooo, sooo much!

Picture Day! It's like Christmas!

2010-08-16T16:48:00.000-07:00

Hey, family!

Don’t cry, Mom! (I told Derek I was crying because he sent me such beautiful pictures) That is my new suit in the one picture! Like it?

Another is of me with my “pops”, Elder Island. I’m in my “corte” and he’s in a red tie and we both have straight faces . . .

Another pictures is of me in Duranzo lookin’ out over everything . . .With my sombrero . . .

Ummmm . . . The other is of my boy, Elder Empey, right after Zone Leader Council.

Oh! And that’s the Carranza family! When we come back to Guatemala, we will visit them! They are an amazing family from my last area. The kids are soooooo, soooooo loving and fun, but sooo reverent when they need to be. They are really amazing!

Well . . . Sending the pictures gave me noooo time to write, but that’s okay ‘cause I forgot my notes anyway! I’ll make next week’s e-mail terrific!

I dunno if I have a change or not yet. They will call and tell us tonight!

Ummmm . . . I’m really sad about Dylan’s graduation moving up a week for school . . . But that’s okay . . . I’m a man . . . I’ll live ;-)

Ohhh! And . . .I got the package! I’ll talk specifically ‘bout it next week!

Thanks for all the updates! I’m sorry I don’t have any time to write! But I hope the pictures were worth it! I sure love, love, love and miss you all! Be safe and smart! Loooooove you all!

"I really am a convert"

2010-08-10T17:42:00.000-07:00

Hey, Dad!

Thanks for writing to me! Good to hear that everything went so well at Young Women Camp! You are such a great example. Something that always makes me laugh is that the Stake Presidencies here (and Bishops) are sooo, sooo young . . . LOL . . . You just blow them all out of the water! The Church in the States and here are ultimately the same, but it’s sooo, sooo different in so many ways.

As for me, I gave my talk of probably fifteen minutes on Conversion. I felt like it was a really, really good talk. I can send it to you guys next in my e-mail if you like. I gave my talk in front of about fifty missionaries and President Torres and his wife. It went smoothly, though. I really feel like I have become a true convert, though, Dad. Well, I don’t feel like . . . I know that I have become a true convert. I see why serving a Mission is so important. It’s not to baptize others . . . Sure, that’s important, too . . . But the Church needs us young men to become true converts to be future leaders and I really am a convert. I know it because I have been obedient (not perfect, but I try . . . I really do) and I try to improve everything. And it’s all thanks to you, Mom and the rest of the family. I love you all sooo much and look up to you all so much!

Thank you for everything, Dad! Keep me posted on how you’re doing! Love you more than you know and miss you that much, too . . .

Elder Jensen is willin' to die for a good burger!

2010-08-09T16:57:00.000-07:00

Thank you for all of your great updates! It sounds like it was a pretty fun week! It makes me happy to know that you guys are happy! It really, really does . . .

Well, I really hopt that Dallas is doing well with his bum . . . Is it bruised worse than when I bruised my bum out on the lake with Stacie and Dylan? That was a huuuuuuge bruise! It seemed like every time I went up to practice with SJCC, I fell on it, too! Oooo . . . Not fun! Get better soon, bra!

I really enjoyed the Aaliyah stories, too. Oh, and it makes me feel good that she still sleeps in a Pull-Up ‘cause that means she isn’t waaaaay too big yet even though she looks like she’s all grown up and is old enough to be wearing Stacie’s thongs or something. Well . . . Not that grown up . . . LOL . . . But she looks grown up!

So . . .

Do you think I could get into BYU or UVU right after my Mission? Also, does Gav or MPC have a soccer team? My boy, Elder Legua, and I just know that we gotta be livin’ together after the mission so we are tryin’ to figure out what our options will be. Obviously, he’s a soccer player . . .

Well, let’s see hurrrr . . . This week, we had the famous and talked up Zone Leader Council! It was held on Wednesday and I got to go for the first time! It was cool . . . We got to learn a lot from President which was very cool again. Then we just went over all the Zone stats and dats. Our Zone was leading in some things and the best part is that we have been leading in Baptisms this change! The best part ‘bout the Zone Leader Council, though, was the lunch for sure. We ate hamburgers and you know that good ol’ Elder Jensen is always willin’ to die for a good burger!

Then, on Friday, we had Zone Conference. We had the opportunity to hear more from President and his wife. We also heard good talks from Elder Wixom and Elder Petersen. Then, I got to give my talk to end the Conference. Ooooo . . . Talk about nervous! I got up and didn’t know how to start ‘cause I was all nervous! But, then I started talking and it all came pretty easy. Luckily, I had prepared well and had been praying all week to be able to give a good talk. Plus, I received all of your prayers and that helped a lot, too! My talk was a li’l long, but I got lots and lots of nice comments afterward from missionaries and also from Hermana Torres. LOL . . . She told me I should use that talk again when I am an Apostle ‘cause that’s how good it was . . . LOL . . . I don’t believe that, good Hermana . . . Slow down . . . LOL . . . But I do feel confident that I gave a good talk which is all I prayed for.

Crazy that this is Week 6 of this change already! This change has flown bye! All of a sudden, I’m gonna be finishing my mission and I’ll be home with all of you again! I sure miss you all and I love you all soo, soo much! Kim . . . You’re in my prayers! I promise! Everyone be safe and good! Take care! Thanks for all the love! Oh, and Mom . . . Keep the good Clipper updates comin’ on DearElder if ya can! Ya know I love ‘em! LOL . . . Love you!

Wouldn't it stink if families couldn't last longer than this life?

2010-08-04T17:05:00.000-07:00

Hello, family!

Good to hear that you’re missin’ me, Mom! That’s how it should always be! To the maximum! LOL . . . No . . .I’m just playing. Don’t miss me. No need to . . . I’ll be home in no time! I do miss you guys, though!

To answer your question about money, I bough something very cool . . . LOL . . . At some point, you will all know what it is. I’m sure you’ll see pictures of it soon. But no . . . No one robbed me of the money so don’t worry.

Sounds like you guys had a very fun week, though. Having all the family together is the best, isn’t it? And . . . How cool ‘bout Brook and her softball team! Gilroy really makes good softball players! Who knows how, but they sure do!

Well . . . I have a couple stories so I’ll hit cha up wid ‘em real quick . . .

Last Monday before I wrote to you . . . LOL . . . Dunno how I forgot to write about it . . . We had an activity as missionaries. All the missionaries from the Capital (about 100 missionaries) and President and Hermana Torres came to our ward building to celebrate Pioneer Day. I think it’s a normal Utah celebration, but it was new for me. First, a couple missionaries gave some talks and then Hermana Torres spoke. The talks were very good. Then we had a big barbecue and some activities. All the Zone Leaders had to come up with activities. Seeing as there are five zones, we had to have five activities, but two zones didn’t prepare anything . . . LOL . . . My companion and I planned out tug-of-war and then, if you lost, you had to fill your mouth with four marshmallows and say the Missionary Purpose . . . LOL . . . Everyone said we had the best activity. It was a very fun activity ‘cause I got to see so many old friends! My boys Elder Empey, Elder Legua and Elder Barrientos were there, so I got to talk with each of them for a while.

Oh . . . Funny story! I guess my Ward’s Relief Society Basketball Team is 3 and 0 and they just won on Saturday. I walked into the home of a member yesterday and guess what they were talkin’ ‘bout? The game from Saturday! LOL! And not just talkin’ ‘bout the game but calling the other Ward “crooks” and things like that! LOL! That they were taking away points and cheating . . . LOL . . . It was so funny because they are taking this thing sooooo, soooooo serious . . . It’s hilarious!

This week was very exciting! On Saturday, I got to attend my first Sealing ever! It was very, very cool and a li’l interesting, I thought, but I loved it! I got to go with my Companion to see the Sealing of a family from my last area. They were struggling to get themselves together to get to the Temple because the husband was having trouble giving up drinking and all that good stuff, but we were able to help them. I asked President if I could go to the Sealing a couple weeks ago and he easily gave me permission. The Sealing was so cool ‘cause the Dad and Mom were super happy and the Dad started to cry. I tried to imagine how cool it’ll be and tried to imagine how happy I’ll feel when I get sealed in the Temple to my own wife. Wow . . . Wouldn’t it stink if families couldn’t last longer than this life? Yea . . . It would stink . . .

Then, this week, we also had two baptisms! Santiago (30 years old) and Victor (21 years old)! Of course, the weeks of baptisms are very stressful and contain maybe more prayer than normal, but it’s all worth it when two people are able to make that important step. The story with Santiago was really cool ‘cause when I go to this area, my Companion said they were probably gonna drop him. But, on my second day here, we put a baptisimal date with him even though he was smoking. He had to drop a cigarette every five days in order to be done smoking a week prior to his baptism. And . . . He followed the schedule EXACTLY! He has also been reading the Book of Mormon a lot looking for the part about the man that had a smoking problem . . . hee, hee . . . He has been reading the Book of Mormon through the entire experience and I’m sure that is why he was able to follow through with his schedule. With that and courage and prayer, he was able to be baptized! It was very, very cool.

Well, ummmm . . . I dunno know what else to say! This week, I have to give a talk in front of like seventy missionaries and President and Hermana Torres. Sooooo . . . I’m a li’l nervous, but I’ll do good ‘cause I’ve been preparing well and the Lord helps those who help themselves, right? I’ll let you guys know how I do, though . . .

Well . . . I’m out! I love you all! I hope that this e-mail finds all of you happy and healthy! Be safe and smart! I love you all soooo, soooo much!

I have really learned to love learning . . .

2010-07-27T17:15:00.001-07:00

Well, hello again!

Thanks for the nice e-mail with some fun stories! I shall answer your questions first . . . I did use the new debit card and it worked perfectly. Can you tell me how much money I have in my account? I don’t have any kind of count . . . Well . . . I think that was your only real question!

But, in response to your comments . . . I loved the Aaliyah stories. It is really cool that she can still remember me. It’s only gotta be a memory for a li’l over ten more months. I sure miss that girl . . . She’ll be soooo different, though, from what I remember when I left.

But, I’m doin’ good . . . I’m happy to hear that you are al doing well. It’s also funny to know that I missed another Garlic Festival this year. Next year will be funny when I see soooo many of my friends for the first time in over two years there! LOL! And when I get my tritip sandwich again! Ooooooo! It’ll be glorious . . .

Well . . . This week was a very different week . . . Haha . . . The Zone Leaders from the capital (10 missionaries) and a couple other good missionaries were able to attend a 4-day training in the mission office. We received grrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat food for three days . . . LOL . . . We got Quiznos, Wendy’s, Little Caesars and Subway. Ooooo . . . Great four days. The four days were really tiring because of all of the busses we had to take in those four days, but it sure was worth it. We got to listen to President for like four or five hours every day and learn from his teachings. I just love listening to people who know so much. I really have learned to love learning. It was also cool ‘cause it was also a lot of open conversation with him and the missionaries so we got to share and listen to many experiences. Goin’ to all these trainings really took away from a lot of working time in our areas, but it was way worth it. We were able to apply what we learned right away and in one of those four days, we were able to put two more baptismal dates! We have five now! Man . . . I’m just a machine when it comes to putting baptismal dates . . . LOL . . . Really, though . . . God has really made me a great tool in His hands. It was an excellent four days, too, ‘cause I got to see some good missionary friends . . . Empey, Winn, Peterson and I got to meet Elder Castro and he was a really cool guy. Like me and AJ . . . LOL . . . We have become pretty close . . . LOL . . . I knew you’d like that, Dad. LOL . . . No . . . But, really, it was cool to get to know some more cool, good missionaries and learn from their experiences.

On the way home from the training on one of those four days, I had a really cool experience. I was on the bus where two people fit to every seat. Well, every seat was filled except for the seat next to me, so when the next man got on the bus, he had to sit by me. He was a big, husky fella and really didn’t leave me much space on the seat. But, I started to contact him right away and realized he had to be a member of the Church. When I asked, he said, “Yes”. The more we talked, I got the feeling that he had been a missionary. When I asked, he said “No”. LOL . . . No, I’m just playin’ . . . He said, “Yes” . . . He was a missionary. I guess he served over ten years ago and baptized over 300 people as many missionaries did as early missionaries in Central America. He served his mission for twenty-eight months to help as a mission doctor but, when he got home, he went inactive after six months. He said that his Patriarchial Blessing hinted a li’l over these things and that it was a nine page blessing! But, of course, it hinted that he would reactivate. I got him committed to come to Church this past Sunday and I felt soooo cool and blessed to have been put on that seat on the bus to help a great servant of the Lord re-enter the Church. I know that by activating him, I wasn’t just blessing him, but I was blessing all those that he will bless from this point on in the church. It was pretty cool . . .

Funny story . . . In our training, President told us to try to be more bold in our lessons. So, I tried to apply it . . . LOL . . . We were reading in Matthew about prayer and when we got to the Lord’s Prayer, we didn’t read it. But, later in the lesson, I had a feeling that had a question about it partly because they are Catholics . . .Well, I said, “I perceive that you have a question about the Lord’s Prayer”. I tried so hard to be bold . . . LOL . . . They told me, “Ummmm, no, not really”. LOL . . . Shut down my boldness! Oh, well, though! I explained it and even though they denied the fact that they had a question about it, I know they did ‘cause the Spirit told me so . . .

Well, that’s all my stories for this week for now! I sure love you guys! Thanks for everything!

Elder Stinkypants

2010-07-19T17:35:00.001-07:00

Hello, family!

Soooo anyway . . . I forgot my glasses today and I basically already have a headache from reading without them, but I’m gonna keep fighting through it!

Sooo thanks for the updates today! I wrote letters back to Dylan, Matt and Nate today sooo I’ll be sending those off! Please stay on James and Randy . . . I really wanna hear from them!

Sounds like Dylan had a ball at EFY! I’m very excited for him that he played well in his tourney this past weekend! I sure hope he has a greeeeat year. Make sure you record a few of his games ‘cause I won’t be able to see him play even one Varsity game in person!

Sounds like Dad and Dylan had a ball on their long trip too. I miss long rides with Dad just chattin’ it up. Talkin’ ‘bout high school bball . . . Church things always seem to jump into the conversation, too . . . LOL . . . It’s like, “Wow, he has a great jumper!” Then Dad, “It just makes you think about Moroni 11:26 when they gave thanks for all the athletic talent they had” . . . LOL . . .

And I’m excited for you guys at home to be able to have the full house. That’ll be fun!

Soooo . . . I did get the package on Wednesday! And I loved it of course! LOL . . . I was laughing that so many people wrote on my Facebook on my birthday! (We printed out all of the Happy Birthday wishes people wrote on Derek’s Facebook page and sent them to him). I haven’t been on Faebook since I left for my mission! And the M&Ms . . . Well . . . They are all gone. Delicious while they lasted, though! I forgot to bring Dylan’s DVDs to watch while I’m on the internet today. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to watch them next week. How long are they? Thanks for your letter, Kim! And the card and the memory cards . . . Holler! Thanks! Great package! I do appreciate it, Mom! Thank you!

Welllll . . . I’m gonna try to exactly answer your questions . . . Probably the best thing I ate this week were the M&Ms, graham crackers with chocolate frosting or maybe a crunch wrap from Taco Bell that was a couple days old . . . LOL . . . I think it gave me b.u., but the smell reminded me sooooo much of home that it was delicious even though it wasn’t . . . LOL . . . Understand?

The worst thing I ate this week was probably . . . Ummm . . . Nothin’ was my not favorite . . . LOL . . . Maybe the crunch wrap at the same time ‘cause I think it made my stomach a li’l sick . . . LOL . . .

It hasn’t been way too hot here and . . . yea . . . we are in rainy season but it hasn’t been too bad lately . . . How hot is Gilroy right now? I bet it’s burning up! It’s Garlic Festival time again . . . Weirrrrrd . . .

Well . . . Best info first. We had two baptisms yesterday! Ricardo and Audiel! So, that was awesome! It was stressful but we got it done and that’s all that matters! One came to church really late on Sunday for the confirmation but he came in time so he got confirmed without a real problem . . .

Ummm . . . I had two divisions this week. My first one was with elder Monzon in Durazno. I thought I was gunna hate Durazno cause it’s in the limits of the Capital and I thought it was just gunna be warm and dusty but . . . Wooooooow! It was amazing! I loooooved the area! It was a bunch of mountains and I took some good pictures. On divisions there, I did a baptismal interview and the girl passed so it was a great division. Elder Monzon was a cool guy and we got along great. Then, my other division was with elder Wixom. He’s one of the Assistants. The Assistants were just doin’ divisions with all the zone leaders this week. It was cool to be with Elder Wixom, though, ‘cause I’ve known him since day one in the mission field. We had a fun time and I had people calling him Elder Stinkypants . . . LOL . . . It was funny. It had him almost crying from laughing. It was a fun division and I taught a couple new ways to teach some things.

Soooo . . . yea! That’s what went down this week! It was a very fun week and passed ohhhhh so fast. I loved it! Well, hit me up, everyone! I sure love and miss you all!

Well . . . I'm doing great, family!

2010-07-12T19:15:00.000-07:00

Hello again!

I dunno know what week number it is and I don't want you to tell me . . . LOL . . . But I know it's a week number a lot. I lack soooo much time to come home but it's soooo short at the same time. Buuuuut . . . Thanks for all the updates!

I did get Matt and Nate's letters! I haven't had a chance to write back to them yet, but I sure enjoyed the letters and I'm very excited to write 'em back!

To answer your questions, I think, yes, I can give you all of the names of the Elders and Sisters in my Zone. We have Elder Williams as District Leader with Elder Ixcoy as his companion. In their District is Elder Davis with Elder Monzo and Elder Garcia with Elder Maldonado. In the other District, we have Elder Housley and Elder Godfrey as District Leaders, Elder Molina with Elder Mays, Elder Ireland with Elder Dixon and Hermana Ayala with Hermana Dieguez. This is Elder Williams and Elder Housley's first time serving as District Leaders, so we get to work with and train them quite a bit.It's just a normal size Zone. Four of the Elders are Office Elders. The dats in the area were sooooooo low when I came here last week, but we changed that quickly in just one week! The dats improved by over 15%, so we just gotta keep it up!

My companion is a really, really nice guy and I doubt that we will have any problems at all. Being Zone Leader is sooooooo much better than being a District Leader. A lot more chill . . .

In our area, we have two baptisms coming up this Saturday! They are basically on lock, too . . . They look pretty good to go.

I can't believe Marie got married! LOL . . . That's soooo weird to me! It's cool, though . . . Very cool.

And how cool that Jeff Gaines got home! How is Robert doing? Does he still go to Church? I love that kid so much. I really hope he's doing well. Would you please try to get his home or e-mail address for me??

And Randy and James . . . How are they? Please bug 'em to have 'em write me!

Aaight . . . Well, I'll try and give a few updates!

LOL . . . Funny story . . . This Stake has a Relief Society Basketball Tournament . . . LOL . . . We took three investigators to go watch it and it was awesome! They all stink and they think like soccer players. When the ball goes outta bounds under the hoop, they run to the corner to throw it in . . . LOL. When the ref calls a foul, they hurry to the sideline and throw it in asap for a fast break . . . LOL. The fans are crrrrrrazy! On both sidelines, the Wards are standing and cheering! They sing and change the whoooooollle game. When someone scores a lay-up or a freethrow, they all run onto the court and go crazy! LOL! And they are mean! The other team was shooting and their fans were singing, "You can do it!" Then the girl airballed and our fans started yelling, "You couldn't do it!" LOL! It's the best! I've never had fans this god! I could just see the Church coming out with a Relief Society basketball movie . . . LOL . . . It'd be the best! Anyway, my Ward won like 70 to 20 'cause we have one young in-shape girl that runs like crazy . . . LOL . . . Everyone else is slow and they are huuuuuuge gunners! LOL! Good stuff!

In my Ward this week, we just got a new Bishop. The prior Bishop served for over five years and, wow, he is a greaaaaaaat guy! Very genuine, kind and caring. We stopped by his house to say "congrats" and all. The poor guy had been drying all day . . . Haha . .. Greatttttt guy though. I love him to death and I barely know him! Then they called a really young, new Bishop. He is just 26 years old. Great guy, though . . . I'm sure he will do an amazing job. Our Ward attendance is from 120 to 150 every week, so I'm lookin' forward to many references! We had seven investigators in Church this week, too! So that was good! We also have four baptismal dates and we should be bumping it up maybe tonight! We shall see!

Well . . . I'm doing great, family! I look forward to hearing from you! Love you all sooooooo much!

A new Zone Leader in Molina!

2010-07-06T18:12:00.001-07:00

Heyyyyy family!

Wellllll . . . Happy 4th of July! How cool is it to know (even though I missed this one) that I will never have to miss a 4th of July with you guys ever, ever, never again! That’s a good feeling! Well, thanks for your updates! Here come mine!

Wellllll . . . I thought I would start with things from last week that I forgot to write about.

Last week was Ward Conference, sooooooo, we got a special Choir together. We sang two songs as a group of about fifteen. Then, the last hymn of the Conference was sung by a trio which included me, Zusi and a guy named Willy. It turned out really good! I’m really, really sorry I didn’t record it or anything. It was really nice to sing with people that can sing again, though! Like I’ve said before, I kinda miss Choir! Ohhhh! And as far as investigators at Church, we didn’t reach our goal . . . But we did really good! We had thirteen visiting the Church, three of them for the first time. But then, yesterday, we followed it up good with nine at Church, with four of them there for the first time. Not too shabby!

Ohhhh! And from two weeks ago, we taught forty-two lessons! That was my personal record, so it was solllllliiddddd!

During this past week, I got to go on divisions with Elder Barrientos because his Area was having a baptism and I got to go to the interview. Well, it was amazingly fun to be with him again. I was with him for three months as my companion and I always pushed him so much to grow that I don’t think I enjoyed the two changes with him enough. But, I got to just relax that one day with him and we had a ball! My cheeks hurt the whole day from laughing so much! He’s a good kid. I really admire the kid. The child I interviewed for baptism passed and was baptized and confirmed!

Well . . . Just an FYI . . . The Change Day is being changed. It’s always been on Mondays, right? But after today, they are changing the Changing Conferences to Wednesday.

Wellllll . . . I had a change! I found out on Saturday night. So, yesterday, I said lots of good-byes. It was bittersweet. I had been in that area for six months! I had to leave some great friends behind. I received so many nice letters and gifts from everyone. I was invited to many dinners, too. LOL . . . I’m so popular . . . LOL . . . But really, though . . . It was really cool to see how much everyone cared. Saying good-bye to my three sets of “grandparents” was really hard. Hermano Schoenfeld was really sick yesterday and I gave him a blessing. It was the second time I have given him a blessing for health. I tried very hard to listen to the Spirit during his blessing.

Okay . . . Now what cha all been waiting for! In my change, they threw me to the Molino Zone with Elder Chesley. He is from St. George, Utah. I kind of knew him from before. He is a cool guy. He has twenty months in the mission on the dot today. I will be serving with him as Zone Leader now which will be a great experience because I will get to learn all of the Zone Leader stuff! I’m excited to serve as a Zone Leader. I should be able to help many more missionaries and, at the same time, I will get to interact with the President and his Assistants more and learn more from them, too (even though they kind make me nervous sometimes . . . LOL . . . But they are great guys . . . All three of them. So . . . I’m excited). Also, Elder Smith (who entered the mission at the same time as me) was called as a Zone Leader. It’s cool ‘cause we are the youngest (in mission time) serving as Zone Leaders. It should be a great learning experience. Ohhhh . . . And, my dad, Elder Ireland, is in my Zone! Hahahahahaha! It will be cool to be around him again. It’s just really funny that my dad will probably end his mission with his son as his Zone Leader . . . LOL . . .

But, yea . . . I’m doin’ great and I’m very excited for this change. We shall see what goes down! Thanks for everything! Lemme know if ya got any questions or anything for me! Love you all sooo, sooo much and miss you soooooo much!

As long as God thinks I'm cool....

2010-06-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

Hello, Mother! And Family! And friends who are tuned in!

Well, as you know, I will be waiting on your package! Well, not on it . . . I’d have to be in the States to be waiting “ooonnn” the package. I’ll be waiting for the package here in Guatemala. Man . . . That was such a Dad joke . . . I’m not even gonna delete it, though . . .

Yes . . . Can you just double check on the license thing, though, please, Missy? Shanks!

I will try really, really hard to tell you more ‘bout what’s goin’ on . . . But sometimes just nothin’ goes on and then when stuff does go on, I type really, really slow. I still got a two finger drill goin’ on . . . I’ll exhort myself, though!

That’s exciting about Adam getting married! I remember that they were dating for a li’l while. That’s pretty cool, though! I bet Brett was bummed to have to miss the wedding, huh? Poor li’l kiddo . . .

As far as rain goes, it has been rainin’ most of the day again today, but no storm has hit so far. We will hope another doesn’t hit . . . LOL . . . It isn’t fun for missionaries . . .

Aaaaaaah . . . It makes me happy to know that Aaliyah still ties me to Yosemite ‘cause that is really one of my last, huge memories of being with her!!!!! Ahhhh . . . That makes me happy. Thank you!

Aaaaight . . . Well, hurrrrr I go with some li’l updates!

Ummmm . . . I finished the Book of Mormon again! That completes number six for me! Number four in the mission! And I’m in D&C 132 right now, so ‘bout to finish it for the second time! Sooooo much interesting stuff in D&C. It takes a lot of thinking. Who would have ever thought that I could love reading so much, though??? In high school, I prided myself in passing classes without reading. . . I guess the gospel isn’t like that though, huh? LOL . . . I loooooove me scriptures soooooo much! It’s really weird . . . I feel so much like Dad because I honestly just loooonnggg to learn about the scriptures and the gospel. It’s so cool how I’ve become that way, huh? Just one year in the mish and I’m a newww man! I hope I’m still cool . . . Nah . . . I don’t really care . . . As long as God thinks I’m cool . . .

Well, I’ll tell you guys a li’l ‘bout my companion . . . He is a great guy who is working so hard and is changing for the better all the time. I was just complimenting him on his growth yesterday! He is accepting of the things I teach him, he studies a lot more, he is understanding a lot of what he studies, and he talks with the people easily now. LOL . . . He is actually grabbing a li’l humor to him! I’ll say it . . . I’ve never, never, ever seen someone grow so much in such a short period of time. It’s been really cool. I feel like since I learned from my first training experience (with Elder Mortensen), I’ve been able to train much better this time around. And, yea, these five weeks have really, really flown by. He’s really a good kid and he’s getting’ there.

As far as investigators, we have millions! But ones that are really progressing? We have seven . . . Estuardo (15 years old), Omar and Mirna (a couple, they are both around 25 years old), Carlos (the husband of a recent convert) who might be the best we have right now, Sonia, Andrea and Carmen (Carmen is the aunt of Andrea and Sonia). Andrea is 14 years old, Sonia is 17 years old and Carmen is probably 30 or 35. We have invited all of them to be baptized and they seem really close, but for various reasons (gone for three weeks to work, studying Sundays sometimes, sickness, needs more time, has to talk to her Dad), they just haven’t come to church enough times and some haven’t accepted fechas. But they are really doing well and are really receptive and complete with the commitments.

The frustrating note of the week is Manuel. He’s the guy who had a dream about this being the true church. He knows it’s all true but his wife won’t let him be baptized. (It’s like . . . C’mon, dude . . . Wear the pants!) So, he stopped coming to church. He preaches at his church and has “privileges” there (What the heck is that, man? LOL). The funny part is that he is teachin’ his church what we teach him and he’s in 2^nd Nephi right now and is teaching from the Book of Mormon!

Speaking of the Book of Mormon again . . . Is Dylan reading? Is everyone reading right now? And James and Randy? Whud up?

The District is doing well. We will see what happens in changes . . . See if I get to be around these guys more or if I’m out. The problem is that my District isn’t putting fechase and we get lots of people in church . . . So . . .Guess what I’ll be talkin’ ‘bout in District meeting???? Putting fechas, duhhhhh! Hopefully we can get this all figured out. We are all workin’ hard, though . . . And the Lord will bless us for that!

Well, that’s all I’ve got for now! I have three Family Home Evenings tonight, so it should be fun! I love you guys! Talk to you soon! Love you, though, sooo, soooo much!

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-23T07:05:00.001-07:00

Hey, yo!

I got all my updates! LOL! So here I am!

To start off the e-mail in a way you’ll like . . . I sent a mini, mini package just a li’l bit ago! It just had a couple pictures that I printed out from Elder Maradiagas’ memory card and I sent two memory cards because I don’t remember which pictures you guys have already seen. I did take a few pictures to end one of the memory cards, though. It has me with the Schoenfeld family and me eating brownies to celebrate my 20^th birthday! LOL! Who cares how late it was! I also sent a li’l Guatemala soccer key chain . . . Ummmmmm . . . And some other coins for the collection. For Christmas you’ll get much better gifts . . . LOL . . .

Thank you for all of your updates, though! Sounds like Stacie had an amazing time! The best was that she stayed safe, of course. And, thank you for telling me what Aaliyah is all “into”. What happened to Backyardagains??? LOL . . . It’s all good . . . Things and people change . . . Sad though, sometimes . . .

Oh, and congrats on your Lakers! I was goin’ for ‘em all the way! Keep the Championship in LA! Now it’s the Clippers turn next year . . .

Oh, and I’ll be waitin’ on the li’l package. I’m interested in the stupid college stuff. LOL . . . I don’t wanna grow up . . . Like Dallas . . . He’s almost 30! Our family is oooooolllllddddd . . . LOL! Isn’t it weird?

Okay . . . Now my updates!

Happy Father’s Day, Dad! I sure love you! I really wanted to just thank you real quick for all of your support and help. I love reading your li’l mission story, too. I dunno why, but it just gives me a li’l push to be a good missionary ‘cause you were, too. You know, I gotta be better ‘cause that’s just how us competitive men are! But, I really, really enjoy your example of missionary work and everything else! Thank you for all of your hard work and love for our family. I could not ever, ever ask for a better father. You are such a great example of everything I want to become. Thank you! Love you!

Sorry that shout out is coming late . . .

Well, last week we had Zone Conference. An Elder from Polocik gave a great talk. My Zone Leaders also gave a good workshop. President gave an interesting run down on how General Authorities are called . . . LOL . . . It was a li’l random, but it was cool. And, of course, we got free lunch and I hung out with Elder Legua a lot, so it was a fun day.

Yes, I’m in “bullet point” form, Tom . . . LOL . . .

During the Zone Conference, a doctor came and told us that we should never, never wear contacts here in Guatemala. The only parts of the world where you should wear contacts are the States and Canada. Interesting, huh? I wondered why my eyes hurt so bad when I wore contacts here! LOL! Now I understand . . .

I have a question . . . My driver’s license expires on my birthday next year. I can’t have it expire, can I? Would it cost money to expire and wouldn’t I have to take another driving test or something? Can you just look into what I should do ‘bout that ‘cause I get home like a week after it expires . . . Thanks, yo!

Oh! From last week . . . Happy Birthday to Zander, Aunt Michele and Jason!

I got your package, by the way! Thank you sooooo soooo soooo soooo ssoooos ssoososososs sososs sososos much! The camera is amazing! I was really missing a camera ‘cause I couldn’t take pictures of the cool stuff that was goin’ on. The pictures you sent were great but in some of them the kids look waaaaaaaaaaay too big. LOL . . . What I did was combine the two albums you sent into one to make one “All Star” album. LOL . . . I thought it was pretty smart . . . Thanks for the baseball magazine . . . LOL . . . Amazing . . . The Muddy Buddies . . . LOL . . . Money . . . I already finished a bag of muddy buddies . . . Oh! And the Schoenfelds came back from visiting family in Utah this week and they brought me a HUGE bag of M&Ms . . . LOL . . . I finished those already, too! LOL! Good, good week of chocolate. And thanks for the ties! Thank you for being so thoughtful of me in everything . . .

This morning we had interviews and they went very well. President didn’t have much to say, he just congratulated and thanked me for how much I’ve helped my Companion progress. Then we talked about the early formation of the Church. It was interesting . . . A good interview for sure, though!

Well, that’s all my updates! Hit me up! I sure love you all millions!

Because we're dying for pictures!

2010-06-20T10:04:00.001-07:00

So . . . Derek hasn't sent us any pictures since the first of the year! Aaaaah! I found these pics of him on the Mission President's blog, so I thought I would post them here for you! Don't worry . . . I wasn't scanning every picture on the blog in hopes of seeing my son's smiling face . . .

I'm sure you are all as hungry to see him as we are!

You have got to love those plaid pants . . . So INCREDIBLY Derek!

I can picture him sitting in Sunday School class EXACTLY like this!

I don't think he's changed much . . . Do you?

"Everything is goin' great with the work!"

2010-06-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

Hey, yoooooo, fam!

How ya’all doin? Me? Good . . .

Welllllll . . . I have bad news . . . I had a bunch of notes taken down to tell you guys, but I forgot my agenda at my house! Ahhhhh! We went home for just a sec and I took it out to write down some appointments and, oops! I forgot to put it back in my pocket! Dang it! I guess you’ll have better updates next week if I can’t remember it all from this week!

Well . . . Thanks for all of your updates once again! I sure hope to be receiving the package this Wednesday . . . We shall see . . .

Crazy Lakers Series, huh? I sure think the Lakers will pull it out, though . . . I can’t see them losing . . .

I hope Stacie had a fabulous trip! Tell her to write me something cool ‘bout it! And tell her to enjoy Japan for me! I love that place . . .

Speaking of people writing to me, though . . . DearElders . . . Dylan, James, Randy . . . C’mon . . . I’m waiting on them, too!

Well, let’s see if I can remember the things I was gonna say . . .

First . . . The Backyardagains really remind me of Aaliyah . . . Then I realized that the things she likes have probably really, really changed! So, tell me, please! What does she like to do? What television shows does she like to watch? Please let me know everything! I really got a li’l sad when I realized that I don’t know exactly what she likes . . .

Ummmm . . . I got nice and sick again this week! Yay! LOL . . . I got really, really wet and cold on Friday, plus I ate gross pizza. So, the pizza gave me boo on Saturday morning and I still have a lotta gas from it . . . LOL . . . But, on Saturday, my head really started hurting and I was really cold, so we went home so I could take a nap. When I woke up, I had a super high fever and my legs were sooooo weak and cramped. But . . . I couldn’t find a ride to our really important appointment . . . Sooooo . . . We went on a nice 20 minute walk to our appointment! LOL! You gotta respect me for working, LOL! I could barely walk . . . Anyway . . . At the house, they could tell I was sick and they really like me there . . . LOL . . . So like four of them got up rrrrrrriiiight away, put on sweaters, and headed out for medicine. LOL . . . It made me feel nice that they like me so much. They made me some weird hot lemon tea and gave me a pill to take. They said I would sweat a lot in the night but that I would be better by morning. Of course, I didn’t believe them . . . LOL . . . But they were so right! I woke up in the night a few times ‘cause I was sweating a llllooootttttt, butu when I woke up to my alarm at 6:30am, I was perfect! How cool, huh? Lorena knows her stuff! It was like a miracle! There was no way I could believe I could go from that sick to perfect in one night! I’m very perfect as every with health now . . .

Ummmm . . . Other stories . . . We did service this morning . . . We made food for the needy . . . That’s why I’m writing to you late today. Elder Empey and I packed a whole huuuuuuuge truck with food, clothes, water, etc . . . It was a lot of stuff . . . And, yea, it made us tireddddd . . . LOL . . .

As for investigators, we got a great, new possibility this week and we hope to put a “fecha” (as we say) with him this week! He is the husband of a member. It would be really, really, really cool if we could do it. We taught lots of lessons this week. And it was a very good week. Our baptisms are having a tough time coming to Church but they are going to be baptized! But, dddaaaang . . . We have to get them there on Sundays!

Oh, and Dad . . . We have the goal for the 27^th and the rest of the District on the 3^rd I believe. Us on the 27^th ‘cause it’s Ward Conference. I’m not telling my District we aren’t all on the same day, though, so don’t tell ‘em . . . LOL . . . I just want to give ‘em more prep time. But, yea, everything is goin’ great with the work!

I really can’t remember all the stories! Ahhhh! I’m so sorry! I know there will be some good ones! I’ll make sure I get ‘em all to ya next week, though! Dang it . . . I’m sorry . . .

Well, sure love, love, love you! Hit me up, you!

"It's pretty shanazy!"

2010-06-07T19:38:00.000-07:00

Heeyyyyy, family!

Thank you for all the beloved updates! Yea yea yea! One year! I do have to start thinkin’ out what I wanna do after my mission now . . . Well, that’s what a former Mission President told me. He now works as an office authority for Central America or something. But I have no idea what I’m gonna wanna do . . . LOL . . . It will all work out . . .

To celebrate my one year . . . I . . . Drum roll . . . Did nothing! LOL! I honestly did nothing! I didn’t even really think ‘bout it being my year mark! And burning ties is against the Mission rules . . . Bummer . . . I’d love to burn something.

LOL . . . I’m really glad that Dallas turned 29 and not 30! I really thought he was turning 30! And that’s way too old! Anyway . . . Happy Birthday, bra! And Happy Birthday to Aunt Kim and Kendall as well!

As for my birthday and the package, I haven’t received it yet, but I’ll be waiting on it with much anticipation, yo!

Thanks for all the Stacie updates! I don’t think I even knew that she was gonna go to the Philippines! Cool experience though, huh? Make sure you stay safe, sister! Love you!!!!

And . . . Sounds like Dylan had an exciting week! Last week of school, huh? When it’s this time of year next year, I’ll be home watching him graduate! And, yea . . . Please get me that recording of Dylan! I really wanna hear all of his solos from this year . . .

As for Marie Fisher . . . Wow! LOL! I can’t believe she’s getting’ married! LOL! My 7th grade love . . . Or 6th grade or something . . . I don’t remember . . . How weird, though! Well, Congrats, Marie! If you could tell her I said that, that would be great!

And, as for me with wet shoes, the sun dries ‘em up pretty fast so I’m all good! I have three pair and they will last me. I’m good on clothes, too. You guys don’t worry ‘bout me! Thank you, though!

Can you believe the World Cup starts this week??? I’m super excited! I’ve never been so into soccer, but this whole Central American emotion really has me goin! Go, USA!

Oh, and as for my knee . . . I had written to Dallas telling him that it was bad. Well, I talked to a better doctor and he said I shouldn’t worry ‘bout it at all right now. He said I can get it looked at after my Mission and it will all be good. But, yea . . . The goin’ to the doctor story isn’t fun . . . Here it is . . . President asked me to take a new Elder to the doctor on Tuesday. He entered the field with my Companion, Elder Martinez, but he was up in the mountains in Coban. He stepped on a rock and hurt his back. I guess he had major back problems before his Mission, too. Anyway, I had to go on Divisions for a day with Elder Monge to translate for him at the doctor ‘cause the doctor only speaks English. The doctor was pretty mad ‘cause Elder Monge hadn’t written about his back problems on his Missionary Application, but President Clark (the Area President) came in and said he didn’t care that Elder Monge hadn’t written anything on his application. He said that he loves missionaries who just wanna serve and that we could use more missionaries like him! So . . . That was pretty cool! LOL! It pretty much shut up the doctor! Anyway, it wasn’t fun to translate, though, ‘cause the doctor was mean and said that Monge was gonna have to go home. Translating that was not fun . . . He was pretty sad . . . He was such a cool Elder. He was going to be an Assistant for sure. He was already a great teacher and he had only been in the mission field for a few weeks! He grabbed attention sooooo easily! He was the Second Counselor in his Ward before he came on his mission, too. He was sooooo cool. It would have been fun to have him as a Companion . . . I could have learned a lot, a lot from him. Poor kid could hardly walk, though. So, I had just one day with him and then I was back to normal with Elder Martinez!

Elder Martinez is doing well and he’s really growing soo, soo much! I’ve never seen a missionary grow so fast! He came into the mission field not talking or teaching at all, at all, and now he can do it comfortably! It’s pretty shanazy!

My area currently has three baptismal dates. They are all doing well, but none of them came to Church this week . . . So that will move their dates back a li’l bit. Omar and Mirna look great, but Manuel has a problem. His problem is that his job is being a priest. And his wife attends his church and doesn’t want him to be baptized into this “Mormon” church. So, it’s a toughy ‘cause he doesn’t want problems in his marriage. So, we are just gonna try to talk to her a li’l more. Well, a lot more really . . .

This week was goin’ really, really well ‘til I got a li’l sick. We didn’t go to Church yesterday ‘cause I had a fever along with some other things. But, the young men in the Ward came by and brought the Sacrament to me and my Companion which was really, really cool. Other members also came by to check up on me. Zusi and Fielding also brought me medicine and all, so I had lots of support . . .

I will put together the next date to have investigators in Church again, too, Dad! I’ll report more on it next week! Thanks for all of your help!

Well, I’m gonna get outta here! Lemme know if you have questions! I sure love you soo, soo much!

A rough week for Guatemala

2010-06-03T17:29:00.000-07:00

In just the past seven days, residents of Guatemala have had to cope with a volcanic eruption and ash fall, a powerful tropical storm, the resulting floods and landslides, and a frightening sinkhole in Guatemala City that swallowed up a small building and an intersection.

Pacaya volcano started erupting lava and rocks on May 27th, blanketing Guatemala City with ash, closing the airport, and killing one television reporter who was near the eruption. Two days later, as Guatemalans worked to clear the ash, Tropical Storm Agatha made landfall bringing heavy rains that washed away bridges, filled some villages with mud, and somehow triggered the giant sinkhole - the exact cause is still being studied.

Check out the slide shows . . .

Volcanic Eruption AND Tropical Storm!

2010-05-31T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hey! Yo, family!

How did I know that you guys were going to have heard ‘bout the storm and volcano?!?! LOL! You guys sure love me (smiley face). And, thank you for the birthday shout out! Yea . . . It’s weird . . . I’m not a teenager. I’m still just a li’l kid . . . I don’t wanna be all grown up yet. I really don’t . .. LOL . . . But I’m okay with it. I didn’t get to do anything for my birthday . . . LOL . . . I’ll explain why and all that stufffff.

Thanks for all of your updates and especially the Aaliyah updates, of course. I did teach her well if she’s being that random! And, wow! The family is really doing well on missionary work! I congratulate and thank all of you!

Oh! And it sounds like the Celtics and Lakers series should be pretty dog on good.

And, as for me . . . One year in the Mission . . . Holler! It’s weird how time has kinda flown by like a hawk on the wayside. Ummm . . . I can remember everything that was happening exactly a year ago. It’s weird . . . LOL . . . But it means I’m getting’ closer to seeing you guys again!

Well, I’ll start with the boring answering of questions first . . . LOL . . . Ummmm. . . Yes, Church was canceled this week so Manuel did not come to Church. Neither did a bunch of other investigators that were committed to come! It was really a bummer that the story happened, but all of them re-committed to come this week, so I guess it’s all good. Right now, we have four baptismal dates and they are all looking strong! We’ll see if we can come through on these baptisms. I’m sure hoping we can! I really think we can, too.

Okay . . . My new Companion is Elder Martinez from El Salvador. He is 22 and is a convert of three years. He is a very, very quiet guy and is very fresh out of the CCM, so he is very uptight sometimes and tends to stress a lot . . . LOL . . . I have really seen improvement in him in the one week we have had together. He is contacting better, teaching better, talking to more people, speaking up and doing the right things on his own without me telling him to do so! Right now, he can’t sign on to his e-mail ‘cause he can’t remember his password and login. I think he’s starting to talk to the computer . .. LOL . . . But, yea, my Companion is obedient and that’s all I can really ask for. He will be a good companion and we will have success together.

I have realized a change in myself from my Mission. I have learned soooo much patience and have learned not to get mad. I’m just always chill and happy . . . LOL . . . It’s kinda cool. A car drove by a huge puddle the other day and purposely soaked us and I didn’t care! LOL! I just laughed! I definitely wouldn’t have had that reaction before the Mission! LOL!

Okay! Exciting info now! LOL! Volcano eruption! We were in a lesson and all of a sudden, we heard what we thought was rain, but we couldn’t see anything because it was pretty late. So, we walked outside after the lesson and realized it was raining black sand! The investigators gave us towels to hold over our heads while we walked home. Then, when we woke up, the streets were pureeeeeee black. It was honestly like a beach of black sand. You couldn’t see streets or sidewalks. I think we are like twenty miles from the volcano, but the ash got where we are and it got it goooooood! I guess the volcano caused like 40 deaths, but the deaths weren’t anywhere near where we live. They were all up by the volcano. The people who died weren’t being smart . . . They decided not to leave the area even though they had warnings. It was the Volcano de Pacaya. This volcano is always active throwin’ out like smoke and dust. Before this big eruption, there were earthquakes in the area that warned the people that the volcano was going to erupt, but some people chose not to leave. Pretty sad. It was a cool experience to be living here while that happened. We weren’t in danger at all . . . We just got showered by sand.

Now . . . The tropical storm . . . It was raining at 6:30am when we woke up and, when we went to bed at 10:30pm, it was still raining! It didn’t pause for even one itty bitty second! It rained aaaaaallll day and, yes, we got soaked! A huge bus splashed us and soaked us some more! LOL . . . It was, ummmmmm, fun? We got in two houses all day and they were members’ homes. People didn’t wanna let us in, I think, ‘cause of how soaked we were. I had bubbles shooting out of my shoes because they were full of water. We finally entered the house at 6:30pm (which is early) and, there, we received notice that a hurricane was on its way! We also found out that Church was canceled and that we could not leave the house at all. So, I was a li’l nervoussssss! We had to have our emergency bags ready (food, clothes, matches, etc . . . LOL). They said the hurricane was gonna hit at 5:00am, but when we got up at 6:30am, it hadn’t hit. I guess the course changed. All of your prayers and faith were answered. We were all very protected and, after the storm of Saturday, Sunday was chill and we received the okay to go to work at 3:00pm in the afternoon. It was soooooo boring to be in the house ‘til then. We went to Zusi’s house because one of her rooms was destroyed. So, we did service for her all day and did one visit more. I guess the flooding left close to 500 people dead. So sad . . . Luckily, no one from my area was killed. We are all safe and good, so don’t worry.

So, yea . . . It was a very exciting week . . . LOL . . . But not because of missionary work! LOL! It was exciting because of the weather! We were all good . . . A li’l wet, but the house is all dry so we are good! The Lord protects His missionaries! This next week will be much better with the missionary work. It was really beaten down by this weather.

Thank you for all of your prayers! Hit me up! Love you all! Sorry . . . I’m very unfocused because I’m trying to help out my Companion with his e-mail . . . LOL . . . If you have questions, let me know!

Love you all!

The coolest story of my mission so far!

2010-05-24T17:50:00.000-07:00

Heyyyyy . . . Yo, family!

I very much appreciated your e-mail yet again this week! Sounds like you had quite the week! LOL! I’m hoping that mine topped yours, though! I can’t top the Aaliyah story, though. I love that girl . . . A lot . . .

Oh! Question . . . In the video you sent me of “Christmas Past”, did it only have up until around five years ago? I don’t have all the years . . . Whuuuuud up with that? LOL . . . Just wondering . . .

Aaaight . . . I’ll save my best story for last . . .

So . . . I’ll start with what’s going on and what’s gone on so far today. Well, this morning, I had a couple of interviews before our Change Conference. And then, when they announced changes, I was made a District Leader again and I was also called to be a Trainer yet again. I will be the only Trainer in the capital . . . LOL . . . Kinda a bummer that everyone else (eight others) get to train in Coban and Peten. It’s all good, though. I’m excited to be able to have another child. I’m NOT excited about the fact that I gotta get up at 4am tomorrow morning to go to the CCM. Buuuuuuut . . . I do get to go to the Temple again which I look forward to very, very much. Well, it’s not the Temple I look forward to, it’s the learning and Celestial Room that I look forward to. And, since I don’t have a companion right now, I am with two others Elders that will be training as well. We are just waiting together until we receive our children tomorrow. So, right now, I’m with Elder Meza from Honduras and Elder Tombriz from here in Guatemala.

Other notes from the Change Conference . . . A young man named Elder Peterson came to my District and will be Elder Barrientos’ companion. It’s pretty cool ‘cause I really like the kid and he already knows a lot of signs from before the mission.

My District is a li’l crazy . . . LOL . . . But I look forward to the challenge, of course! I really look forward to training, though, ‘cause I really feel like I can be a much better trainer because of all that I’ve learned from the first time I trained. So, yea . . . We will see, yo!

Can you please tell Brother Heath that I love the letters he sends me about how the Ward back home is doing? Soooo . . . Please keep sending them to me! Thanks a billion!!!!!

I wanted to say “Happy Birthday” to Dylan! Can you guys believe he’s 17!!!!!!!!! That’s soooooo weird to me! Dude . . . He’s only two years away from his Mission! Isn’t that weird??? Well, anyway . . . I love you li’l guy . . . I hope you had a great birthday!

Well, recap on Elder Maradiaga . . . I learned a lot from Elder Maradiaga and I consider him to be a very good friend. Every single day with him was fun and we had the most amazing lessons together. I really can’t imagine that I will have lessons like what we had together ever again. The special thing was that we had a pretty good amount of knowledge (for missionaries . . . LOL) that were just goin’ full strength in the lessons. It was really cool . . . And then, in Change Conference, he gave his going home testimony and he did an amazing job! He gave it in Spanish, English and K’echi. His English was really good, though! I knew he could speak well, but he gave his testimony like perfectly! Soooo . . . yea . . . I hope I see him after the mission. He said he will be comin’ to the States, so we will see . . .

Okay . . . My cool, cool, cool story. Well, there is a guy in this area whose name is Manual. He is a doctor and a Priest. A really, really smart dude in the Bible and in medicine . .. LOL . . . I had contacted him a long time ago and he had only told us to come back, but I could feel he was sincere so we put an appointment with him for another day. Well, on the day of our appointment, we couldn’t go because we were too busy. So, we went by the next day and he still invited us in. Well, he was home alone. When we started, he asked us, “What is this book, Nephi, that you guys have?” So, we told him we would get to that answer and we started teaching the Restoration. We taught up to the point in Jesus Christ’s ministry on earth and then a bunch of people came home and started yelling and the Spirit kinda got lost in all the sounds. My Companion and I could feel that the Spirit wasn’t suuuuuper strong, but we kept teaching the lesson anyway. The cool thing, though, is how focused he was on what we were saying. We shared the apostasy and then we go to the beautiful message of Joseph Smith and the Restoration. Right after we shared the First Vision and how Joseph Smith found and translated the plates, how he received the authority and what the Book of Mormon is, he got up out of his chair and walked over to the tv. He grabbed a big roll of tape and a piece of paper. He then started to trace the roll of tape. Once he had the nice circle drawn out, he drew a li’l pizza slice in it. Then he showed us his drawing and said, “I had a dream . . . I had all of this part (the big part of the circle, minus the pizza slice) figured out, but I couldn’t connect it all until you guys gave me this part (the li’l pizza slice) to complete it and connect it all” . . . Wow!!!!!!!!! How cool, huh????? Then he asked without delay . . . “Where is your Church? What is the address?” My companion and I looked at him like complete dorks with our mouths wide open. I know I looked like a dork because I felt exactly like my companion looked . . . LOL . . . What Manuel told us honestly took my breath away! It was amazing! Then, on Sunday, he came to Church! We talked about the gospel for a while and he kept referring to himself as a Mormon and a Latter-Day Saint! I then asked him, “Do you know that this it he true Church?” He then said, “Of course this is the true Church and it gives me a tingly feeling from my toes to my head!” HHHOOOOOOOWWWWWWW COOL!!!!!!!!! We then put a baptismal date with him and it’s for the 12th of June. Cool, huh? That’s probably the coolest story of my mission so far!

This is the work of the Lord! I sure love you all! Be good and safe! Loveeeeee you!!!!!

It has been an amazing change!

2010-05-18T06:02:00.000-07:00

Oooooookay! Here I am again!

Well, as for plans for today . . . I’m kind just being a good sport and letting my companion take me where he wants to say good-bye to everyone ‘cause this is his last P-Day!!!!!!!!! Aghhhh! Weird! So, yea . . . This morning we went to this place in the middle of nowhere were Maradiaga started his mission and he said “bye” to everyone there. After we use the internet, we will probably go say good-bye to more people in some places where Maradiaga was before . . .

Elder Maradiaga’s last day of work is on Sunday . .. Then he will give his last testimony in Change Conference a week from today. Then he stays a day or two with the Assistants, I believe to do classes and activities. Then I think he is back in his house on Wednesday . . . Crazy, huh? I dunno for sure on anything, but I think that’s the way it works . . .

Good to hear that your talk went well yesterday. I was reading yesterday and I was thinking ‘bout you and your talk. I was lookin’ through my old notes on the topic of Charity. I realized that my favorite scripture on Charity is 1 Corinthians 13. Send me the talk you gave, Mom. If you took good notes . . .

You are a champ for many reasons, mother . . . And one of them is your sewing ability! LOL! And for doing all that sewing and, I’m sure, for free! I’m sure hoping the best for Dylan in his play. I’m sure he will do amazing. Wish him good luck for me, though! And tell him to hit me up on DearElder asap, yo!

I think your Lakers should handle the Suns pretty easily . . . But the Suns must be playing really, really well right now, so anything can happen! I still take you guys to be the Champs again this year, though. And yea . . The Celtics look real good, huh? That’ll be a fun series, I think.
I wrote Dad about how much better I’m eating . .. LOL . . . Ask him how I’m doing on that. Don’t stress on me, though . . . I’m doing better now!

We taught 33 lessons this past week which is pretty dog on good. I’m happy to say that people are really listening to us. It’s really been an amazing change, Mother. Every week has been good.

More questions? Comments? LOL . . . I’m sure a missionary . . .

Well, we only have four baptismal dates right now. Technically, we have six, but two can’t get married yet, so we don’t count them. We look forward to putting lots in this week and the week to come. Our area is still looking very strong. My companion really is leaving me a better than I was before he arrived. It has been an amazing change.

This week we got to go to the Temple. We always go really early in the morning so sometimes it’s hard to really learn. But, this week, I was very attentive in there and I feel like I really learned a lot. Well, I realized a lot of things . . . LOL . . . I have a lot of questions that I gotta study up on. Even if I study really hard, though, I’m sure I won’t find all or even many of the answers. It’s all good, though . . . LOL . . . When we got into the Celestial Room, I read my whole Patriarchial Blessing and I feel like I really took a lot from that opportunity as well. I learn something new every time I read it. It’s really, really cool. After I read the whole blessing and pondered on it for a while, I started saying one of those great Celestial Room prayers (just complete peace and clearness of mind). When I finished my prayer, I realized that I was the only person left in the Celestial Room!!!!!! Wow! How peaceful and calm! It was amazing.

Thanks for all the support and love! Oh! And have you sent a package to me or not yet? Just wondering . . . No rush or worries . . . Just curious . . .Thanks! Love you sooooooooo much!

The family is impossible to take out of the heart

2010-05-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

Heyyyyyy, yo!

Thanks for still writing me a good letter even though we talked so much yesterday! It was really so, so, so special to be able to hear all of your voices again. I sure love and miss you all. The family is impossible to take out of the heart, huh? Tell Stacie again that I love her and I’m so sorry that we didn’t get to talk for a very long time.

Ummmmmm . . . With your talk on Charity, I can’t think of much to say. If I were talking ‘bout Charity, I would always talk about you and Aunt Skye . . . LOL . . . So you can take that idea if you like! Maybe something different you could do is to talk about how Charity is not just loving, but acting upon that love. You can also talk about how to grow in Charity. Yes . . . Charity is a God-given gift, but He desires that we all receive that gift. I’ll let you figure out how . . . Part of giving talks is learning from what you study to give the talk, so I can’t give you all the ideas! Haha! You’ll do a great job, though! Good luck and lemme know how you do!

Well, I really don’t have much to say because everything was basically said yesterday. I think I will take some time today to write to some people who I haven’t been able to respond to because of time. I sure love you guys, though! And I really appreciate all you do for me and for each other. Nothing makes me happier than knowing that you guys are happy. Be safe and good!

We could help make another eternal family!!!!!

2010-05-03T17:41:00.000-07:00

Hello, family!

Thanks for all of the updates! I was very excited to hear about everyone! Thank you!

Ummmm . . . To be honest, I hadn’t made up my mind on how I was gonna handle this “calling on Mother’s Day” situation. I just decided right now, though, that I will be calling you at like 2:00pm (my Guatemala time). I think that should suffice for that info . . . (When I let Derek know that we have Church from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and asked if he could call either before or after that, he wrote, “Okay, then! Have it your way! You’re sooooo selfish! LOL . . . No . . . I’m just playin’ mother. I love you, Mom . . . LOL . . . Ummmm . . . Yea, I’ll call at like 6:00pm. Is that okay? Well, 6:00pm my time, that is . . .”)

I’m sorry I haven’t sent you any pictures lately . . . I will try to get them off to you . . .

I think my letter to you guys today is gonna be a li’l shorter than usual but don’t worry! I’ll talk to you on Sunday! Hollerrrrrrrrrrrr!

My chest hair is growin’ like Dylan’s! Kind cool, huh? Kinda . . .

Congrats to Stacie for the graduation! This is pretty dog on amazing! I never thought she was gonna make it! LOL . . . Just playin’, sis . . . Kinda . . . Sometimes . . . But congrats to you, Mom and Dad, too! All three of your big kids have graduated from College! Pretty cool stuff! Good job, Mom and Dad!

Well, I’ll try to hit y’all with my updates real quick . . . It was a pretty dog on good week, too!

We had Zone Conference this week. Aaaaannnnddddd . . . It was especially cool ‘cause President Falabella was the person who spoke basically the whole time! I love General Authorities! They explain everything sooooooo easily so that everyone understands and they even include all the “harder to explain” doctrine, too! It’s pretty dog on cool. So, yea . . . I got to meet him and all and take notes on his amazing talks.

Think you can send me my genealogy? All of a sudden, I have an interest in seeing that!

So, yea . . . The baptism on Wednesday went great! The Second Counselor in our Ward baptized her. The thing about Lucy is that she has gone to Church like an amazing member for over a year, but she was just married so that she could be baptized! It was pretty cool ‘cause when she shared her testimony, you could feel how much she had been waiting for the day of her baptism to come. The other cool part was that her husband came to the baptism and I finally got to meet him. Before this, he would never talk to me. The best part ‘bout him being there is that he must have felt the special spirit that is only brought during a baptism, because after the baptism he set an appointment with us for this Wednesday!!!!!!!! I’m so excited for what could happen with him! We could help make another eternal family!!!!!!!

Gloria was baptized this Saturday! I got to perform her baptism and it was also very special because of all she went through to get to that point. To get it all together with her and have her baptized was pretty dog on coooooolyyy wooooollyyy. It was also cool because her husband died over a year ago and he had been investigating the Church at the time of his death. I have no doubt that he is accepting the gospel in heaven and that, one day, they will be sealed as an eternal family.

On Sunday, both Lucy and Gloria were confirmed!

With Sunday being Fast and Testimony Meeting, Luis and Paolo (the children we baptized last month ago) got up and shared their testimonies. Both of them shared their conversion stories and about what they could feel in their hearts when they asked Heavenly Father if this is the true church. They were both so nervous to share their testimonies for the first time! They did amazing, though!!!!! And, it made me soooooooooooo, soooooooooooo proud. It was a really, really cool feeling.

One other notable testimony was given by a li’l 9-year old. Her dad was supposed to baptize Gloria but he fell into a drinking problem three days before the baptism. It was really, really sad because he couldn’t baptize Gloria but also very sad because he and his family were going to be sealed in the Temple as a family on May 29th. Now they have to wait a while longer. Sad, huh? His daughter went up and said, “I was sad because my dad drank but he said he repented and he will always stay in Church.” LOL . . . Needless to say, the dad was very embarrassed. LOL . . . I love little kids. It was a great li’l shot at her dad that he probably needed . . . Maybe . . . LOL . . . I don’t think he will be drinking again anytime soon . . .

Happy Birthday to Grandpa and Uncle Ed!

Well, that’s all for me! I sure love you all and can’t wait to talk to you! Holler!

The Trio is no more :-(

2010-04-26T17:23:00.000-07:00

Heyyyyyyy, errrbody!

Thanks for answering my questions! I had like 90 pictures on my camera. I’m pretty sad ‘cause all the pictures I had with Elders Mortensen and Maradiaga are gone. Many others, too. Sad stuff. When you send my next package, would you send me more pictures of the fam and of friends and all the good stuff? Make sure my corn row pictures are included . . . LOL . . . And my picture with me and all my shoes in the hall . . . Thanks!

We have been working with Gloria (the runaway) more and it looks like she will be baptized this Saturday. I guess the problem is that she had some things she didn’t want to discuss in her interview. That’s okay as long as she has it all under control now. She will need another interview, though. We also have a baptism on Wednesday, so it should be a pretty good week!

I was ddddddiiiiiieeeeeeng about the Dylan texting story! LOL! That was so funny! Good li’l reminders of me . . . LOL . . . Is that a seminary, Stacie? No, Derek . . . It’s a cemetery. Oooppppssss! College intuition . . . Close enough . . . All that stuff . . . LOL . . .

I also enjoyed Dylan’s pictures! Thank you! He is quite a li’l charmer!

I’m missin’ the playoffs a lot. I’m excited for Dallas’ e-mail. Sorry ‘bout the Lakers though! I’m sure they’ll pull it off. The west is sooooo good, though!

Oh, Mom! I wanted to say that Zusi is missin’ you! She said you don’t write to her . . . LOL . . . I know both of you are busy. Just when ya want, though . . . She’s always wllin’ to write ya . . .

Well, I gotta be honest. Not a whole lot happened this week. The biggest story I have is that Elder Mortensen had an emergency change last Tuesday. It was pretty sad. We were havin’ so much fun in our trio. He got sent way up in the mountains in Coban. He got the change ‘cause one Elder got sent home because he was sick. So . . . Yea . . . That kind of messed up our nice li’l trio. Maradiaga and I still had a great week, though! We had like 35 lessons again and we set two more baptismal dates! We have nine again in our Area now!

I’m sooooo excited for Mother’s Day! I just sent a li’l package today, too. It contains my journal and some baby clothes from a paca for Dallas and Kim. The clothes were like 60 cents. They should like them even though they’re old. I also sent you a letter, Mom . . . it is in the front of the journal. You can only read it early on Mother’s Day, though! And, I had my “oldish” memory card with me to send to y’all, but I forgot to take it outta my pocket! I’m sorry! I’ll try to send it off next week . . .

Well . . . I sure miss you all. I can’t wait for this Wednesday ‘cause I didn’t get DearElders last week, which means double this week! LOL . . . Can’t wait to hear from you all! Keep it real! One love . . .

Elder Maradiaga and I have amaaaaaaaazing lessons together!

2010-04-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

Hellllooo!

Well, thank you for all the updates once again! And I got lots from ya this week, so thanks! It is very good to know that the earthquake didn’t touch you guys. Was there much damage done there? Anyone killed?

My shoulder is all fine now, but it was sore for almost a week! I’m a soldier, though . . .

I’ll try to get a package sent home to you next week maybe . . .

My trio has been amazing! Elder Mortensen is doin’ great and is continuing to learn while I am learning a lot from Elder Madriaga. He’s a really good missionary. He is a pretty smart guy and boy! We have had some amaaaaaaaazing lessons together. We were just going back and forth on people sharing scriptures. There was soooooooo much power and knowledge in our lessons. This companionship with him has been a dream as far as teaching and, really, as far as everything goes! We had FORTY lessons this week! That is definitely a record for me! We got to a point this week that we had 13 baptismal dates just in our area! Just in our area, though! Amazing, huh? Unfortunately, a lot feel out for different reasons and we are back down to 7, but that’s still more than 99% of companionships have! Elder Maradiaga had an interview with President this last week and President said a big part of us being in a trio is so that I can learn from him. All of my companions have worked hard . . . But I’m positive that President recognized that Elder Maradiaga has a lot to teach me and that he placed us together for that reason. Last night, Elder Maradiaga and I talked for almost 2-1/2 hours just ‘bout mysteries of God and a lot of doctrinal stuff and then we talked about ties for like half an hour in between! LOL! I’m such a missionary! If I talked for 3 hours for someone before my mission, it was about girls and sports! Weird how the mission changes us! But, yea . . . Everything in this companionship is doin’ amazingly and I’m not stressed at all anymore about not being a District Leader. I’m a happy young man . . .

I’m very excited to see a picture of Dylan and his girl . . . LOL . . . Get that to me asap, por favor!

Tell Ashley and Tom to be safe on their trip for me, will ya? Thanks!

Okay . . . More of my updates now . . .

Bad note . . . I lost my camera . . . So sad, dude. I was pretty mad for a li’l while. In the taxi ride home the other day, I was taking pictures ‘cause we pass by things that we never see in our mission. After I took the pictures, I put the camera on my backpack. Well, we were in a rush to get out and get to work when the taxi pulled up in front of the house, so I didn’t’ even think ‘bout the camera as I took out my backpack and I’m sure my camera just fell on the floor of the taxi and I didn’t even realize! It’s Guatemala we are talkin’ ‘bout so it’s gone . . . I lost like 90 pictures, too. Pretty sad. So, yea . . . Ummmm . . . When ya can, I guess . . . Could you send me another camera? Maybe as an early birthday present? Just as soon as possible, please . . . I’m really, really, really sorry, though. If you can’t get me a camera right now, though . . . Don’t stress . . .

Happy Birthday to li’l Ryan!

Ummmm . . . Another really sad thing from this week . . . We were supposed to have a baptism, but the lady started workin’ on Sundays. So, we could have baptized her and should probably would have gone inactive, but that would have been just drinking condemnation to her soul and mine and my companions’ too . . . So, I talked to her for like 45 minutes to convince her to drop her work ‘cause the commandments are more important and God won’t ever give us a commandment that we can’t complete. It was really hard ‘cause she’s 3 months in debt to her landlord. She asked me what I would do if the landlord came by and started throwin’ out all my stuff ‘cause I hadn’t paid . . . Wow! What a question . . . I told her that I couldn’t say with 100% surety what I would do, but I told her that I do know that the Lord will bless us greatly if we strive to keep allllll of his commandments. And that means making big sacrifices. Anyway, she said she would leave her work behind as we promised to use all of our power to help find another job that didn’t require her to work on Sundays. So, she had her interview and passed. Then, on Saturday, we never found her. It was really a bad feeling. To put in all of that work and have her basically run away. We had gone to the Church and filled up the baptismal font, prepared the chairs and the agenda . . . A bunch of members were there waiting for the baptism and we had to tell all of them that the baptism wasn’t gonna happen. Not cool . . . It happens, I guess, though . . . We will go back to her soon. We are just gonna give her a li’l space for a few days now, though. It will all work out. I hope I didn’t pressure her way too much. But she needs a true baptism to live with our Heavenly Father again and she knows it! Dang it! Oh, well, though . . .

Anyway, I really am doin’ great and continue to grow. Thanks for all of your love and support!

And, Dad . . . I read all the talks that you sent me in DearElders. They were amazing! I loved ‘em and took notes on them! Thank you! Whenever you do that, though, make sure you put the talk in two letters ‘cause a lot of the talks got cut off. I imagine that the DearElder just doesn’t hold that many characters. Just talk to Mom ‘bout it, LOL . . . She’ll know what I mean.

And, Mom, keep me posted on everything through DearElder too, please! Oh, and now that the lottery is comin’ up, Dad, could you go to NBAdraft.com and send me that list so I can see who my Clippers prospects are?

Thanks for everything! I sure miss you millions! Love, love, love you all! Tell Aaliyah I say hello and that I love her!

"Another great week with exciting changes!"

2010-04-12T17:39:00.001-07:00

Heyyyyy yo!

Thanks for all the updates! And for the picture of Dylan, too! I sure hope you guys get the pictures I sent you today! I can’t believe that Butler almost had Duke with a three at the buzzer! Dang it!!!! And it sounds like you guys had a very entertaining week! Lucky! I wanna go to an A’s game! LOL!

Well . . .Questions . . .

Did Cali really have a huge earthquake??? What happened? Everyone’s good, right?

Where did Jermain end up goin’ when he left MPC?

Well, I had a pretty dog on good week . . .

I got to go on Divisions with Elder Petersen this week. He’s one of my Zone Leaders. I had a great day with him! I got to do a baptismal interview for them. The little 9-year old girl passed her interview easily and was baptized on Sunday morning before Church. Elder Petersen and I had lots of success with good lessons and finding new investigators. I also got to meet a player from the Cremas who is an inactive member. Cremas is the huge soccer team here in Guatemala. The Cremas and the Rojos are a huge rivalry. If you live in Guatemala, you have to choose which team is going to be your favorite. I picked Creama when I first got here ‘cause I like their jerseys better . . . LOL . . . But, yea . . . The place where he lives is a really rich area and it feels too much like the United States, so I was happy to leave.

Luis, Paolo and Cindy were baptized and confirmed this weekend! Noly wasn’t quite ready, but I know that prayers were answered because we were able to baptize those three. It was a great week just for the three of them.

I popped out my shoulder yesterday but it popped right back in. Man, it hurt really, really bad for a li’l while, though. I guess that’s what I get for finally wrestling Barrientos . . . LOL . . . I just pushed him down and he tried to pull me down more and it just popped out and right back in . . . Whoooooooo . . . It hurt, though!

I was lookin’ back on the work I’ve done in my area and I feel like I have really left it better than I found it so far. With the Lord’s guidance, I have helped give the Ward six new members. Also, the average attendance at Sacrament Meeting has improved from 91 to an average of 100 over the past few weeks! Kinda cool, huh? I look forward to helping it improve the entire time I’m here . . .

So, yea . . . I don’t have a change . . . But Elder Barrientos was transferred. He bore a very nice testimony in Sacrament Meeting yesterday. He cried and all the good stuff . . . LOL . . . He really had very nice things to say about everyone and lots of people cried over him. Know what, though? He only moved one area away! LOL! So, we are still in the same District! Kinda cool and funny, huh? I’m happy for him ‘cause he likes feeling comfortable . . .

As for my companionship, I was excited to just be with Elder Mortensen, but we got put in a trio again! LOL! We now have Elder Maradiaga from Honduras. He is on his last change. I’m still Senior Companion, but I am no longer District Leader. It’s a little confusing for me, but I know I haven’t done anything to disappoint my Zone Leaders, APs or President Torres. They are all very happy with me. My Zone Leaders told me that I will probably be made a Zone Leader my next change because that’s what President seems to like to do . . . Maybe just to test me . . . Dunno though . . . I’m all good!

So, yea! Another great week with some exciting changes! I’m doing great, guys, and can’t wait to hear your voices again soon! Keep in real! Be good and safe . . . All of you! I love you millions!

"Why we are baptized"

2010-04-05T17:33:00.000-07:00

Hey! Yo, family!

Thank you for the Easter videos! Dylan (Derek’s 16-year old brother) looks soooo long in that video! Has he been growing? I hope not . . . LOL . . .

And Zander (Derek’s 22-month old nephew) is a man now! Wow! He just has to learn to pull the trigger with the bat! He’s always watching . . .

As for sending you pictures, I will probably send another package soon. I can’t just send the memory card in a letter ‘cause it’s too risky. But I’ll try to get it sent out within a few weeks.

I was so happy, too, that it clicked with me that I could have Zusi e-mail you guys for me! She speaks amazing English, too! I’m glad Dad was happy. I hope he didn’t cry, though . . . Hee, hee . . .

This week I don’t have much to say . . .

Butler in the finals????? Whaaaa whaaaa? You guys know those are my boys! Sooooo cool!

This week we had Zone Conference. Elder Empey, from my Zone, gave a talk. Two other Elders also spoke at the Conference. They all did really well, but I thought Empey really did the best. Of course, President Torres brought down the house with his talks. He’s a man of much knowledge . . . LOL . . . Zone Conference was also fun ‘cause I got to see my boy, Elder Legua! He needs to be my companion someday. Free lunch with a brownie also topped off the Conference! It was one of the best Zone Conferences I’ve ever attended.

We still have dates for nine baptisms in my Area. We have four scheduled for this Saturday, one for the next Saturday and four more for the Saturday after that. I’m getting’ a li’l stressed and anyone who knows me knows that I don’t like that. But, the four who are supposed to baptized this Saturday are soooo close and I think they have a few challenges. Just keep ‘em in your prayers . . . Luis, Paola, Cindy and Noly . . . I really think we can help them with amazing lessons and lots of faith and prayer.

I realize that a lot of people who read my blog probably don’t understand why I get so excited and stressed when baptisms are coming up. So . . . I’d like to explain my feelings to all of you real quick.

Jesus Christ was a perfect being and He was baptized. He taught that baptism is a saving ordinance. We know today that no one can return to the presence of our Father in Heaven without a baptism that is done with authority. As Jesus was baptized by John (a holder of the Holy Priesthood since he was a child, as we read in the book of Luke), He was setting an example. We can’t be baptized by whoever we want. We must be baptized by someone who holds the authority to baptize.

Jesus also showed us, in the book of Matthew, that we must make the decision to be baptized. Jesus was not baptized by David when he was an infant. Jesus made a clear cut decision to be baptized. We should do the same. To be baptized is to make a holy promise with God that that we will keep his commandments for the rest of our lives. A little child that can’t make his or her own decisions cannot make an acceptable promise with God because the little child has no idea what he or she is doing. Children are placed where their parents put them, they eat what their parents feed them, and they have no power of their own. We have the opportunity to make the decision to be baptized, just as Christ did!

We are also clean from sin when we are baptized. Little children have no sins because they don’t even know right from wrong yet. They have learned nothing and know nothing as children, so they cannot sin. If a baby dies as a little child, they go directly to live with our Heavenly Father. I testify that God love children and would never cast out one of them for not being baptized when they were a baby. He loves us all too much. Can you really imagine a God that punishes little children for not doing something that they have no power or control over doing? I sure can’t . . .

God loves us and wants us to enter His kingdom. We must be baptized to enter His kingdom. It can save us if we do it correctly and endure to the end after our baptism.

The General Conference was amazing! I thought the Priesthood session was the best I’ve ever seen! I almost always just got bored in the Priesthood session, but this one was amazing. I loved the talk by Elder Uchtdorf in the Priesthood session and I loved many others but I don’t have time to talk about all of them even though I brought my Conference notes so I could tell you! I just don’t have time now! It was amazing, though! And, Elder Rasband’s talk about how missionaries are called was REALLY cool! Also, Elder Martino’s talk was awesome! Just five weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet him and I talked to him personally for like 15 minutes! Cool, huh? It was an amaziiiiiinnnnngggg Conference!

Well, that’s all I’ve got to say for now! I sure love you guys! And, yea baby . . . Ten months! Double digits, yo! Be safe and good all of you! I love you more than you all know! Really, though!

“I translated the whole baptismal service into sign language!"

2010-03-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Hey, yo!

Thank you for answering all of my questions! You guys gotta send me a picture of Dylan and his friend, Cassandra . . . LOL . . . I wanna see how they look . . . LOL . . . See if Dylan is livin’ up to the standard!

For General Conferene, we will go to the Stake Center which happens to be our building. There, all of the missionaries from the Zone (it’s a small zone with only 13 missionaries) will watch the Conference. Everyone watches Conference in the big room because it is translated into Spanish, but there four North American missionaries who get to go into another room and watch Conference live with real voices! I’m pretty pumped ‘bout that ! Especially because I was SO sick during Conference last time! This time I don’t think I’ll be throwin’ up all over the place and havin’ diarrhea and not be able to move! Man, last time was bad! General Conference got her sooooo fast this time, though!

That’s really funny that Grandma is having plastic surgery . . . LOL . . .

Anyway, here I am, yo! My updates . . .

Well . . . First, Happy Birthday to Toni! Happy Birthday to Allie! And Happy Birthday to Uncle Matt today! Weird . . . Is Toni 21? Yikes . . .

Hey, you guys still haven’t told me . . . Please tell me you watched Orlando play vs. Ohio State! How’d he do?????? I heard he was player of the game! True or no? Pleeeeeeeeease let me know!

We played wiffle ball out in the street as a Zone last week ‘cause there were no open parks. It made me feel at home with all the cars drivin’ by and us having to call out, “CAR!” . . . It was really fun, but we lost 10 to 7 . . . But, to our credit, we didn’t get our last ups ‘cause we lost the ball on a homer with one out. We coulda won . . . I think we might play again today, though . . .

Hey . . . I know what it means when it says, “the first shall be last and the last shall be first”. It kinda took a while to figure out! Good luck! Go figure it out! Along with that scripture study, I finished the Book of Mormon again. It was my fifth time, yo! But I have a lot more to learn . . .

We had our every 6 weeks interview with President last week. My interview was really, really long though because President and I had a lot to talk about. He gave me lots of very nice compliments and told me that he doesn’t think anyone else in the Mission could be doing what I’m doing right now. Wow! What a cool compliment, right?????? And he also told me that he counts on me a lot and that the Lord also counts on me a lot. Pretty cool stuff, huh???? Good interview . . .

This week, I got to give Jazmin her baptismal interview in sign language! How cool, huh????? She passed as did her Mom . . . And, yesterday, they were both baptized! It was pretty dog on amazing! We left Church after Sacrament Meeting to go to Llano Largo. There, Elder Barrientos baptized Jazmin and Elder Dunkley baptized Esperanza. I translated the whole baptismal service into sign language! Wow! It was hard! When people talk fast, it is really hard but still cool that I can kind of do it. I also gave a talk in sign language and Spanish. That was nerrrrrrrve racking! I did a bad job. It’s so much easier to just talk in signs without Spanish ‘cause in Spanish you have to slow down a bunch to be able to talk at the same pace as signs. I was really, really nervous but it was still great. After the baptism, Esperanza and Jazmin were both confirmed. It was a very unique baptism. Really cool for Elder Mortensen, though, that his first baptism was a deaf person. And cool for me and Barrientos that we got to teach and baptize a deaf person, too! How cool that I got to be part of that! I’ll never forget that!

Soooo . . . Yea . . . Very good and unforgettable week! I sure love you all and I’ll be thinkin’ ‘bout you during General Conference! Not like I don’t every day, but you feel me! Love you!

The Lord sure blesses this area!

2010-03-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

I’m so, so sorry ‘bout last week. I just couldn’t do anything about it. It was great talkin’ on the phone to Evalin, though, and havin’ her instant message you. I felt like I was really close to you guys, too . . . LOL . . .Good and tough at the same time.

I can’t explain how pumped I was for Orlando (Derek’s good friend, Orlando Johnson, who plays basketball for UC Santa Barbara who played in the NCAA Tournament)! Please, pretty please, tell me that you guys all watched him play! Twenty points vs. Ohio State!?! How amazing! Of course, I miss March madness, but I only wanted to watch him more than anything and I couldn’t . . . Sad . . .

How cool about Men’s Chorus (Derek’s brother, Dylan, sings in a few Choirs at Gilroy High School. They just got back from a competition in San Diego where their Men’s Chorus, which consists of only 16 men’s voices, got FIRST PLACE)! I wish I were still singing . . . I miss it . . .

LOL . . . And thank you for the Aaliyah stories. I always need ‘em. I miss that girl so much! Oh, well! I’m good, though!

So . . . How’s Uncle Matt? That picture was sooooooo nasty! (Derek’s Uncle Matt had knee replacement surgery last week . . . We sent him a picture of the 40 STAPLES in his knee!) I hope he’s doin’ well! I had no idea that his knee was that bad! How are James and Randy doing? I haven’t heard from them . . . Bug ‘em for me! Oh, and try to bug Lorenzo and Jacob for me again, too . . . I need to hear from them.

Well, I ate like a king this week! Well, maybe not like a king, but pretty dog on good! I have somethin’ bad to admit, though . . . I found frosting . . . And graham crackers . . . You know what I’m talkin’ about (this was one of Derek’s FAVORITE snacks in High School!). LOL . . . Elder Mortensen and I bought two cans of frosting and those two cans were gone in like, ummmmmm, two days! LOL! I guess I ate like a king, but it wasn’t all week. Know what else we make for breakfast, though? We make breakfast muffins, English muffins, cheese, eggs and bacon! Yummy, yumm, yumm . . . We are king’s men! It’s cool, bra! Elder Barrientos eats weird things, LOL . . . Bread with ketchup and guacamole . . . Ummmm . . . Saltine crackers with ketchup . . . Rice and ketchup . . . LOL . . . Just weird stuff that I don’t want any part of! We also had pupusas this week, though! Holler!

Hey, which missionary moms do you talk to?

Well, we have really focused in on Jazmin this week and she will be getting baptized this Sunday after Church in Llano Largo! I think I will get to do her interview, too, ‘cause only Elder Barrientos and I know the sign language. Well, there are two other people in the Mission who know signs, too, but one is a sister and the other is really, really new. It’s been really cool getting’ to teach her, though. I’m really lookin’ forward to this baptism. I’m almost positive it will be a once in a lifetime type of thing. Along with Jazmin, we have nine other baptismal dates set! The Lord sure has blessed this area! I just have to work hard and people are being prepared by Him. I just go to their hours and spit a couple lines and my Companiosn bring the powerhouse Spirit and the spirit is helpin’ em progress! Pretty cool, actually . . . It makes my job easy!

Weird that this change is half over already . . . This week flew by!

I did divisions this week and I went over to Las Victorias again. I went with Elder Fast and I felt like I learned a lot from him, actually. I liked the way he taught with boldness. I think I can do that more. And, he doesn’t even know all that much Spanish, but I liked how he spoke. They are workin’ really hard to have a bigger teaching pool and things are falling into place. Like Preach My Gospel says, nothing happens in this work until you have people to teach . . .

Well, kinda sad note . . . Three weeks ago, we found a new investigator and he was really sick. He was losing his hair, coughing all nasty and had a huge tumor or something on his leg. Anyway, when we went and tried to find him again, his family member said he was in the hospital. Then, a couple days ago, they said he had passed away. It’s sad, but so great, ‘cause now he doesn’t have to live with his bodily pains. And, I know that someone is teachin’ him in heaven and he WILL accept the gospel. I put a lot of money on it! I hope I left a good enough first impression of the Church, though. He will accept the gospel . . . He was even prepared here on Earth.

Well, I think that’s about all for me right now! I sure love you guys! Keep me posted on everything! Love you all millions!

I KNOW the new Elders bring the Spirit!

2010-03-08T17:42:00.000-08:00

Hey, yo!

Yes, yes . . . Ya boy has nine months now . . . Kinda cool, huh?

Sadly, that was a good decision by Dylan not to go to the game. Sounds like Serra was probably pretty good this year, huh? Did they have any guys go D1? Dylan is quite a talented li’l music man! Kinda cool, huh?

I am always cooking for myself . . . It’s going fine . . . I don’t eat like a king or anything, but we do good, basic cooking. This week we are goin’ for breakfast bagels so I’m pumped ‘bout that! We made bacon for the first time this week and it was tasty! We eat a lot of cereal and bread, too . . . LOL . . . Just like Junior High. Sometimes I clean my own clothes and sometimes we take them to a member and she washes them for us. So, yea . . . I’m doin’ good . . .

Well, I thought I would let you know that I’m related to Elder Mays ‘cause my Dad (Elder Ireland) is his Mom, which makes Elder Mays my sister. Kinda cool, huh? I’m his big bro! Oh, also, we went to McDonald’s this week and the girl that used to hit on Elder Mays a lot was askin’ about him. Then, when she gave Elder Drach his receipt, she put her name and number on it to pass along to Mays . . . LOL . . . it was pretty dog on funny . . . Mays was sooooo shy, too, and didn’t ever talk . . . I love it! LOL

Well, this was kind of a crazy week that didn’t involve a whole bunch of sleeping!

On Monday, I had to get up at 4:30am to go to an interview with President Torres. Then we had Change Conference.

On Tuesday, I got up at 4:00am to go pick up a one day Companion. His name was Elder Williams. President gave us one day Comps because he hadn’t had interviews with the new Elders yet, so he hadn’t received revelation on who should be with who. Elder Williams was a cool guy, though. I didn’t want him to be taken away from me, but after one amazing day with him (5 new investigators and a baptismal date!), I had to go drop him off on Wednesday at 6:00am at the CCM.

On Wednesday, after I dropped off Elder Williams at the CCM, I got to go through the Temple with all the trainers. I didn’t wanna leave the Celestial Room. I just love the peace and clearness of mind in there. It’s sooooo easy to think. After the Temple, we went to the Mission Home and had lunch with all of the new missionaries. After that lunch, we split up and had some classes with the assistants. After the classes, we all got back together and we got our “sons” given to us. The first joy of my posterity is . . . Drummmmmmmmmmm roll . . . Elder Mortensen! He is a cool guy from Idaho. He likes basketball and baseball, though, so you know he is all good with me! He says his brother was a McDonald’s All American! I guess he was a 6’5”, 3-guard . . . Then he went on a mission and decided not to play when he got home.

My first day with Elder Mortensen here was AMAZING! We set FOUR baptismal dates! I love having the new guys! They must just bring a cool spirit! Well . . . I KNOW they bring a cool spirit! It’s an amazing companionship because my two Comps just have to teach by the Spirit and then I’m just there to clear up any questions! I love it! Success! Success! LOL! When we set the four baptismal dates, it was a pretty cool lesson. We all read a chapter from the Book of Mormon together and then I had us all get down on our knees to offer one prayer out loud each to ask if the Book of Mormon is true. After we each offered our own prayer, one after the other, the Spirit was strong and they accepted baptismal dates. Cool, huh?

In my District, we have seven Elders . . . Me (9 months), Elder Barrientos (12 months), Elder Mortensen (2 months), Elder Maake (12 months), Elder Garcia (17 months), Elder Drach (11 months) and Elder Fast (2 months). Kind of a nice, spread out group! I like ‘em! Everyone had a pretty good week! I plan on doin’ divisions with Elder Drach this week. It was his 23rd birthday today, FYI!

In my Zone, we have as Zone Leaders . . . Elder Empey (17 months) and Elder Petersen (17 months). Then, in my rival District, we have Elder Fusi (11 months) as the District Leader, Elder Segura (2 months), Elder Cangalaya (11 months) and Elder M . . . Yikes . . . I don’t remember his name but he’s been out one month. We have a cool Zone, though, ‘cause Empey and Petersen are really, really cool and fun Zone leaders. Then, Fusi is a huge Tongan from Los Angeles and we have a big Tongan in my District, so this Zone has the only two Tongans in the mission! LOL! But it is a very funny Zone. A nice hard workin’ one, though . . .

So, yea . . . I hope I answered a lot of Dad’s questions, too . . . I feel like I learned a lot from our goals on February 28th, though, and trying to get people in Church. I gotta get a lot of rides and “pick-ups” situated. I had everyone invited, but I didn’t do much to get them all there. So, when I decide on our next date, I know I can get better in that way. I don’t remember exactly what the numbers were, but it was the best that Las Vicks has had in over five months. For me, it was also the best that we had in a long time in Ermita. And Maake didn’t have many “first timers”, but he still had the most that he had the whole change. I was disappointed that we didn’t reach our goal, but our area did great! It was pretty cool . . . The missionary work is great!

I sure love you guys! Thanks for everything! Quiero que sepan que estoy cmuy contento y que me gusta este gente aqui in Guate. (I am happy and I love the people of Guatemala.) El Senor me bendice porque trabajo duro. (Heavenly Father blesses me for my hard work). Yo creo jajaja. (I believe what I am teaching.) No, pero es cierto, trabajo duro con mis compas. (I am certain I will be blessed for hard work with my companions.) Este es la iglesia verdadera. Lo se! (This is the true Church! It is!) Les quiero mucho! (I want them a lot!) Escribanme! (Write to me!) Dearleder! Adios! Cuidense! (Take care of yourselves!)

Man . . . I stink at writing in Spanish . . . LOL . . . Love you all! Be good and be safe!

You know I love a challenge!

2010-03-01T17:40:00.000-08:00

Hey, yo!

First of all, I’m sorry that I couldn’t write much last week. It wasn’t just that much didn’t happen, I just couldn’t write very much because I felt so bad and didn’t wanna be sitting down thinkin’ and typin’ . . . Yes, I am all better now, though! We didn’t work for two days ‘cause of me this past week though . . . Dumb . . .

My District did good on the goal! Although we did not complete it, everyone had their best week of the change as far as investigators at Church go! So, I was for sure happy. We will have to get better on plannin’ it out, though. I think we can do a lot better. I know we can do a lot better.

Yes . . . I got the memory card. I also finished the muddy buddies today . . . Dumb . . . That’s the second dumb thing I’ve written about! LOL!

That’s really, really cool that Gilroy won their CCS game. I’m wishin’ ‘em the best vs. Serra!

LOL . . . Thanks for the guest speaker. That’ll be a great opportunity for Ash and Tom! My . . . I must say, too, that you and Ash are great typers grammatically. Keep workin’ on the baby, Ash! LOL! But just ‘cause you wrote me an e-mail doesn’t mean you don’t have to send me a DearElder! I expect one soon, ya heard!!!!

Thanks for the Aaliyah story. I dunno why sometimes those really touch me. They sure did today, though. It makes me so happy to hear those stories. And to know that she is so random!!!! That’s just proof that she’s my li’l baby girl! I would totally say the same things ‘bout those pictures and you know it’s true! LOL!

Okay, okay, okay . . . Hold it down. My stories now . . .

Well, President continues to throw more pressure on me! Which is a good thing! This change, I will still be with Elder Barrientos in my Ermita area butttttttttt . . . Drum roll . . . I will also be training a new missionary! LOL! President told me that it will be a North American which means I’m basically gonna be training two people at the same time. So, yea, we will be in a trio! And I’ll still be District Leader. It should be a crazy change! Should be fun, though! You know I love a challenge!

Did you know that Kam Handy is in the Army in Germany!!!!!!!???????? Spencer just wrote me and told me ‘bout it! What the heck! I don’t like that at all! I’m really worried! I don’t like that! And KJ is in Afghanistan! I’m so worried! I’m sure they’ll be fine, but I don’t like that at all at all!

We had Stake Conference this week. It was amazing! Elder Martino of the Seventy and Elder Rivas of the Seventy spoke to us! President Torres also spoke at the conference. They all gave amazing talks and I felt like I learned a bunch and was, for sure, enlightened! I spoke personally to Elder Martino! He gave me advice on finding good new investigators. And, I took the advice! And, of course, it worked! The advice of those that really understand it all . . . It’s amazing . . . The words and advice of those who talk with a living Prophet . . . LOL . . . Yea . . . It works . . .

Elder Legua was transferred back into Guatemala City! He is one of the best missionaries in the mission! I’m so glad that I will get to start seeing him again! I was really hoping that he would be in my District, but just to see him today was awesome! I miss that dude!

Anyway . . . Those are my stories and questions for the week! I love and miss you all! Be safe and good! Write me a DearElder . . . I’ll be waiting! Love, love, love, love you!

We had a baptism this Saturday!

2010-02-22T17:04:00.000-08:00

Hey, yo!

I sent Brett an e-mail, but I haven’t heard back from him . . .

Are you disappointed in me for killing and eating an iguana? LOL . . . C’mon, Mom . . . You should be proud!

GHS has really had a good year, huh? That’s pretty cool that they got such a high seed. Weren’t we seeded Number 3 my Junior year? And then we lost to Carlmont? LOL . . . That was dumb . . .

I do know Elder Schone. I talk to him randomly sometimes, but not waaaaay much . . .

Sick stuff that the United States is playin’ some good hockey!

Oh, and I’m very sorry, Stacie, that you couldn’t go to Haiti. But at least you can save your money for more shoes? Or something . . . LOL . . . I’m sorry, though!

Well, I really just don’t have many notes from this week . . .

Well, one really good thing! We had a baptism this Saturday! His name is Fernando. He was also confirmed on Sunday, so everything went all smooth! He’s a 22-year old who will still have the chance to serve a Mission!

I did get your package! Thanks for all the ties! My collection is now at 41 ties! I just need one more and I will have a tie for every day of a change! The hearts with the writing on them were pretty good, too! LOL . . . You put some thought into your poems, didn’t you, Mom? LOL . . . And Dallas, why did you not write your own card? That was not your handwriting, bra . . . Oh, and the SJCC games . . . When are they from? I don’t think I’ll have time to watch ‘em but were they from when I played or are they from this year? And, all the chocolates and muddy buddies . . . Holler! What more can I say???

My Companion and I have been sick . . . Fever, diarrhea, body pains . . . Well, he has just had diarrhea without the other symptoms.

LOL . . . I’m sorry this is so short! I’ll try to make it up to y’all next week. Just nothin’ much happened this week.

Love you all a bazillion, though! More than that actually! Keep it real, though! Oh, and Mom, would you erase my mail on this thing? My mailbox is full . . . Thanks!

Love, love, love you all!

I can teach in three languages! Cool, huh?!?!?!

2010-02-15T17:00:00.001-08:00

Hey yoooooo!

I don’t think I averaged 16 points per game in High School . . . Maybe I did, though . . . LOL . . . What does MBay Preps say? LOL . . . I’m just curious! I’m trying to live in my past glory time! LOL . . .

Thank you for Brett’s e-mail address! I hit him up already!

Congrats, Dylan, for your solid game last week! Keep it goin’ dude! Good luck headin’ into playoffs!

And, no, I haven’t received your package yet . . . I’m anxiously waiting, though!

Good to hear ‘bout Aaliyah (Derek’s 3-year old niece and love of his life)! That will never get old! I actually had a dream ‘bout her this week. I had just come home from my Mission and this little, big girl came and I picked her up and gave her a huge hug. I never saw the girl’s face, but I started bawling in my dream and I just know it was her. I could feel it in the dream. It was a cool, but sad dream. Especially to wake up without here there for the big hug. It’s all good, though. Just a li’l longer. Good to hear the missionaries are visiting you guys, too, though! I understand missionary work! I dunno why we never got many visits before! LOL!

Okay . . . My updates, yo . . .

Oh! Can you send me the picture of me with all my shoes? That’s just an important picture to me, LOL . . .

How long does a VISA last? One of my investigators has that question . . .

Happy Birthday, Aunt Chris! That was this week, correct? How old are you now?

We had Zone Conference this week. It was really long, but it was solid. I gave the prayer before lunch . . . LOL . . . Not much to update on Zone Conference. Just that it happened . . . LOL . . . We also had interviews with the President this week. They were cool . . . LOL . . . Dunno what more to say. With those things happening this week, though, my District and the whole Zone had horrible DATS. My Companion and I were still probably the best, but ours weren’t great either.

One of our investigators caught an iguana and was gonna sell it, but I told him that I had never tasted iguana before and I heard it was good . . . Soooo . . . He had me kill the iguana and then we cooked it and all and . . . Two hours after I killed it, we ate it! No joke! Iguana is really, really tasty. It’s like a richer chicken basically . . .

I had to do three interviews for baptism this week. One was with a 9-year old girl with members of the Church in her family, so that interview was really easy. One of the others was a 19-year old guy who is gonna be a solid member and that interview was really easy, too. The interview that was really, really hard, though, was for a 9-year old who doesn’t have members of the Church in her family. President normally does those interviews, but he authorized me to do it. Wow! I see why he normally does it! I gave some details of the interview in my tape record ‘bout that . . . LOL . . . It’s a realy long story. Good news is that they were all baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday this week!

Oh! Happy Valentine’s Day! Did Dylan or Stacie have Valentines?

I’m not gonna lie . . . I gave a very powerful District Meeting this morning. We had to hold our meeting today ‘cause we get to go to the Temple on Wednesday. Oh, and I think my best friend patriarch and his wife are goin’ to be able to be in charge of the Session! I’m soooo excited! In the District meeting, though, I committed my District to get 20 investigators in Church on February 28th. I really think we can do it! I’m super pumped to see how it goes! We’ve just gotta be committed! It was a really, really powerful District Meeting, though . . . I really feel like I’m becoming such a better tool in the Lord’s hands. It’s sickkkkkkkk . . . LOL . . .

I had a suuuuuuuuuuuuper cool lesson this week. We went to Llano Largo this week to teach the deaf girl, Jazmine, but she had a deaf friend there, too. So, it was three deaf people and me . . . And my Companion doesn’t understand the gospel quite 100%, so I got to teach three deaf people in signs!!!!!!! And then, after, Jazmine’s mom came. She only speaks Spanish and doesn’t speak sign language very much. So, we watched The Restoration in sign language for my Companion and the two others. But, when you watch in sign language, you can only listen in English, so I translated the whoooooolle movie for the Mom! It was maybe the coolest moment of my mission so far! In that moment, when I translated the First Vision, I felt (I knew) like I was being such a big tool in the Lord’s hands. He really has shaped me into his personal tool. I can teach in three languages! Cool, huh?!?!?!?!?!

Well, that’s all from ya boy this week! I sure love you all! Everyone be safe and stay healthy! Send me DearElders! And good work, Mom, on always keepin’ me posted with those DearElders! Love you all billions! Thanks for everything!

That just isn't a man's job . . . LOL!

2010-02-08T17:18:00.000-08:00

This is the Stake Center where Derek attends Church

Barrio Hermita, Las Victorias Stake, Guatemala City

Derek lives on the other side of this bridge

Heyyyy yo!

Don’t be sorry or anything about how long your email was! I loved it! I really, really did . . .

Bummer that you guys dropped two games . . . One to Palma and one to Salinas . . . But it sounds like you’ll still make the playoffs, huh? Too bad Greg is averaging 15 points . . . LOL . . . Isn’t that beating me? LOL . . . What did I average my Senior year? I sure shot a lot! Is Dylan gettin’ any more looks on the court? I sure hope so!

I was lookin’ at my Guatemala map this morning and the closest marked Colony that I could find is Canalitos. From Canalitos, I’m like twenty minutes away in a bus. Canalitos was in my last zone when I was in Atlantida. Here in Ermita, we have Mercado San Martin. I think that would be the only recognizable thing here in Ermita. Sorry! Hope you can find it! It’s in the Guatemala City Capital, remember . . . Hahahahahaaaah

Why is it soooooooooo weird to me that Dylan can drive? That just does not seem right to me . . . I remember how he didn’t pass his written test the first time, though. And, supposedly, I’m the dumb one in the family, but I passed on my first try! I’m glad he has his license, though. It is very fun to go do your own thing. I remember the first time I drove alone . . . I was bumpin’ Black Republican . . . LOL . . . What things did you steal from my keychain? I don’t even remember what I had on there! And, Dylan, you’re in trouble with me ‘cause I haven’t received a DearElder from you in a while!

Stacie! You are super lucky! I wish I could go with you to Haiti! You’ll have so much fun! Please write to me about how it is while you’re there. You can always feel the excitement better when you write in the moment and not way after. Congrats, though! Please be safe!

I really liked that “special info” section this week . . . You are gonna have to do that more often . . .

Okay . . . Now my questions and stories . . .

I need info on Randy and James . . . How are they? Can you guys ask them to write to me? Plllleeassssse!

How’s Brett? Can you get me his e-mail address?

Elder Mays is doin’ great. This week, we ate at McDonald’s as a District and all the workers (lady workers) were hittin’ on him while he ordered and all. So, when we were leaving, we had him lead the way out so we could all see their half-fainting reactions. I told him to wave good-bye ‘cause I was walkin’ right behind him. When he threw up his hand and waved good-bye, they all freaked out . . . LOL . . . It was awesome! I didn’t think he was that attractive before, but I guess I have bad taste . . . LOL . . . That dude is smokin’ hot . . . I know it now . . .

I found out that, a long time ago, my Companion had a $60,000 surgery to help him hear. He has a hearing aid that connects to his head but he doesn’t use it because it’s dangerous here, so he hides it away. He put it on once, though . . . He still can’t understand much, but it was pretty cool. I’m happy to know that he knows what music sounds like . . .

Can you send me my Junior year music? Like all the Japan music and stuff? Just whenever you send another package . . .

On Saturday, we did a bunch of service. We cleaned a house where over 40 dogs live . . . Dogs stink . . . I never want a dog. They stink . . . I don’t like ‘em . . . Then, we did more shovel and pick axe work and I got a blister. I like the services that make you feel like a man more than cleaning dirty dog poop floors. That just isn’t a man’s job . . . LOL!

I talked with the Patriarch and his wife for a while last night. They are, by far, my favorites here in my area. I feel like they are my family. It’s the best feeling to have someone like that . . . It’s kind of like having another Grandma and Grandpa for me. They work in the Temple, too, so when we go in a few weeks, I’m hopin’ they are in charge of the Session. They have told me lots of stories about missionaries and temple workers and stuff. It’s the best to talk with older people that are cool, know a bunch and have the Spirit super strong, in every sentence and word.

An investigator offered the prayer this week. It was really long and he made up a cool song for us that he started singing for us . . . LOL . . . He was a radio voice before and he just hasn’t let it go yet . . .

Best story for last . . . You guys would love my companion’s prayers. He doesn’t understand to pray things for the both of us when we pray together. He just kinda does his own personal prayer with me. But he always says really personal things and shares really personal feelings that he has. Well, the other day, we were saying our prayers before we left the house and he said, “Please bless me that I can not be worried ‘bout my family back home. I want to not be worked ‘bout my family. I want you to protect my girlfriend and when I get home I will ask her to marry me. We will get married and I will invite my companion, Elder Jensen. It’s like that. In the name . . . .” You guys know the rest . . . LOL . . . It was a pretty bomb prayer, though. Sometimes he just says nice things in his prayers about me so that I will smile at him and give him a pat on the back afterward. LOL . . . It’s pretty cool and fun.

Anyway, this half change has flown by pppphhhhh . . . Super fast! Those are my updates, though! In numbered form for Tom . . . LOL . . . I’m always gonna throw that out there at Tom. Well, I sure love you guys! I’m stoked for the package! I miss you millions! Be good and safe! Love you all!

My testimony is a platano!

2010-02-02T17:55:00.000-08:00

Hey, Pops!

The work is great right now! My Comp and I have been killin’ it! We have been leadin’ the District and all that good stuff since I got here two weeks ago! We have set SIX baptismal dates! We are on fire! And, this next week, we will almost 100% for sure set THREE more! Cool, huh? We have some really good, progressing investigators! The Lord has really prepared a lot of people here . . . Makes my work easier!

My Companion is doing great and he is really learning a lot! Poor kid doesn’t understand the Spanish language all so perfectly. So, for Companion study, I get to teach him a lot. He is really learning a lot, though, and is really growing into a good Missionary!

My testimony is doin’ great, Dad! If my testimony were a banana, it wouldn’t be a banana . . . It would be a platano. That’s a really, really big type of banana here in Central America. And it would be bright yellow, ready to eat . . . As tasty as it gets! My testimony really is doin’ great and I’m really, really growin’!

One Companionship in my District doesn’t work very effectively . . . At least that’s what I’m seeing . . . So, this week, I’m goin’ on Division with them as my Zone Leders are tellin’ me I shoulddo to help them out. All four of them are workin’ hard, though. It’s a good District.

I will get better in the ways that you tell me, though! And I will start planning out a Sunday for our District to have twenty investigators in Church! It would be awesome!

Thank you for your testimony, Dad. I really do grow by hearing the testimonies of people that I respect and love and, of course, ya fit in that category! Thank you for all of your help and thank you for pushin’ me to get better! I’ll do my best! I sure love you millions, Dad! Thanks for everything! Take care of my family! Like you always do . . . Love you!

We had 7 investigators in Church yesterday!

2010-02-01T17:29:00.000-08:00

Hey, it’s me!

Good work, Dylan and Gilroy High School! Are they undefeated in league? How many points is Greg averaging? Who else scores a lot? And how much are they averaging? What are Dylan’s stats like?

I found all black Nike shoes in a paca! They are like boots so they are really good to work in and they look kinda like dress shoes. They only cost me like $7 though! HOLLER! So, I’m good on shoes right now . . . Thank you for asking!

Ermita is in Guatemala City just like the Maya and Atlantida. It’s a colony in Guatemala City. Guatemala City is huuuuuuge with lots of colonies and apartments . . .

Mom, you sounded like an old lady talkin’ ‘bout carbon monoxide poisoning, LOL . . . Good lookin’ out . . . It really isn’t that cold anymore and all. I sleep in a sheet and I’m very comfortable. Don’t trip, home girl . . . Good lookin’ out, though . . .

That’s crazy ‘bout Elder Mays! LOL! As soon as I read that, I turned around and told him what you had written . . . Then he read me what his mom had written ‘bout it too! LOL! Kind of a small world, huh?

Well, fam . . . I really don’t have a lot to say . . . But here goes!

My left shoulder is inflamed again . . . LOL . . . Yes, it hurts! Ever since I started doin’ more push-ups and workouts again. Don’t trip, I’m all good! Just a li’l update . . . Nothin more . . .

I cut my own hair this morning! My Companion has clippers, so I gave myself the normal, all around three . . . I think I did a lot better job than the barbers do! No joke! I’m gonna buy my own clippers soon. It’s just hard, actually impossible, to line up the back side, but what do I care? I don’t! LOL!

We had some really cool lessons this week . . . The first was with a lady named Lizeth. She is around 35 and she has five children. The children are all members but she is not. Well, she was making some choices that made it impossible for her to be baptized but she has changed her ways! Soooooo . . . She is super excited to be able to get baptized! I had all of her kids yellin’ at her like, “We wanna live with you forever!” and “We wanna be an eternal family!” It was pretty cool and the mom was pretty stoked about it. We have a baptismal date with her this week!

The other cool lesson was with Jazmin, the deaf lady in Llano Largo. I had taught my Companion Lesson 2 that morning because he was having a hard time understanding it. Then, in the afternoon, I got to watch him teach it to her. I also helped a lot and drew out a lot of things on a li’l white board to help explain. It was pretty cool, though, ‘cause she ended up understanding it all and errrrthang . . .

Can you send me a picture of the Oakland Temple with the next package you send? I wanna show people and now I really miss my Temple. Oh, and I couldn’t see the muddy buddy video . . . Dang it! What happened in the video?

Our Ward finally got a Bishop called. I guess the Bishop moved away over a month ago, so the First Counselor was acting as Bishop for a while. Then, yesterday, they called a new Bishop and it is the son of the old First Counselor! Kinda cool, huh? Every Ward needs a Bishop! It was a li’l bit of a worry and our Ward should be blessed a lot more now. We had seven investigators in Church yesterday! Five were first timers! Holler!

Well, time is continuing to just fly by now . . . Ever since I got called as a leader, time is goin’ by way faster ‘cause I have to worry ‘bout workin’ super hard to be an example. I always have in the back of my head, “How is my District?” How is he?” “Why aren’t they havin’ success?” All these questions! When I’m not just focused on myself, the time just flies by! And, yea, this week, I will be finishing 1/3 of my Mission! Crazy, huh? I guess I actually have some time under my belt now . . . I guess . . . I still don’t feel like it though!

Anyway . . . I sure love you guys! Keep it real! I hope everyone is doin’g great ! Love you bizzilions!

I'm learning sign language!

2010-01-25T17:48:00.000-08:00

Hey, yo!

Happy P-day!

IT EVEN HAS THE POWER TO PULL THIS FULLY LOADED 250 THOUSAND POUND TRACTOR TRAILER!

Just had to start with our Billy Mays commercial . . . I got reminded of him this week . . . Big, ripped guy.

The weather right now is very normal. The really cold nights have stopped. It’s been a comfortable temperature, without rain. When you’re walkin’ around all day, though, it does seem to be a li’l hot!

Yes, my Companion is completely deaf. He can’t hear at all. I’m learning sign language! I can spell out everything and can sign some things. Spanish and English signs are different, though, so when I get home, this probably won’t help me at all! My Companion can also read lips really, really well. He is a really, really talented kid . . . Like super duper talented. He is hard to understand when he talks, but he is a super guy. He was here for three changes before I got here, though, so, yes . . . We have investigators and what not . . .

My house is nice. Two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen. I eat lots of bread, eggs, soup, beans and whatever else people invite me to eat! But, I’m eating really, really good . . .

Good work on ya talk, Dylan . . . I’m sure you rocked the party . . .

Okay . . . My turn . . .

How did Dylan do with basketball this week?

How much time do McKay and Tyler have on their missions now? I think it might be crazy, crazy, but does Tyler have a year already?????

Well, we had two baptisms this Saturday! Blanca, a 13-year old girl and Glenda, a 9-year old girl. Our goal is not just baptize li’l people and girls, but it worked out that way and they were prepared so it was cool. The Mission Leader did the baptism . . . I kinda just walked into those baptisms but I helped out on ‘em so I feel good ‘bout my work there . . .

This was a very, very, very fast week. Like wwaaaaaaaay too fast. We have some cool investigators, though! One is named Marvin. He is deaf and speaks through sign language, so my Companion is teachin’ him a bunch! We also have two investigators in Llano Largo, which is about thirty minutes by bus from our hours and is out of our Zone, but President gave us permission to go teach them because they are deaf as well! So my Companion is teaching them! Pretty cool, huh?

It’s cool . . . When we’re singing hymns, I have to point to the words and my Companion just sings his own tune. It’s way off, but he gets the words for the most part! In prayers, he puts his arm around my neck so that he can feel the vibrations and knows when to say “amen” because he can feel the vibrations stop . . . Cool, huh?

This week’s District Meeting was really, really good actually! I tried to prepare for it for the three days before we had it so I could be receiving revelation throughout those days and it really helped. I had prepared really, really well, but even when I taught, more revelations came that really, really helped me! My District is five North Americans and my Companion. We had the District meeting so that he can understand if he reads the lips. I felt like it was really, really good, though! And, don’t worry, Dad . . . This week we had the best DATS and the most baptisms, so I’m leadin’ by example! I gotta have the best DATS every week or I can’t say anything to my District to get better!

Remember that guy that spoke in our Stake . . . He was a hitman before or something? He killed people, right? So, killing isn’t an unforgivable sin . . . ?

Where is Nelson Reeves playing?

I got to do Divisions twice this week. I had to leave my area both times. On Thursday, after District meeting, I went to the area of the Zone leaders with Elder Winn and his Companion went to my area with my Companion. We did Divisions so that the Zone Leader could do the two baptismal interviews in my Area. I really learned a lot from Elder Winn, though. Stuff that I needed to learn really, really bad as far as the books go and stuff. Then, on Friday, I got to go on Divisions again with Elder Mays. He is a new missionary . . . Of course, from Utah. He was a really good guy, though. Elder Maake, a big Tongan from Alaska went to my area so that I could give my first baptismal interview to one of their investigators in that Area. She passed so it was all good and easy. Then, on Saturday, she was also baptized! So, my District has had three baptisms already! Holler! Making me look good! LOL!

This morning, I called Leila (one of the baptisms from Atlantida) and they passed around the phone to everyone in the family and it’s a really big fam. When everyone loves you like that and you can tell that you have changed their lives, it makes ya feel real good. Makes it all worth it, really . . . Even the family members that we didn’t baptize are goin’ to be in sometime soon, so it’s all happiness.

Well, those are my updates for now! I sure love you all! A billions!

New Area! New Companion! New District Leader!

2010-01-18T17:27:00.001-08:00

Heyyyyy yo!

Wow! It has been an awesome and crazy week! And, don’t worry . . . I’m safe and sound. I haven’t felt any of the earthquakes that have been going on.

Thank you for all the stories! I’m glad to hear that you like talkin’ about me . . . LOL . . . And, Dylan, I’m sorry you aren’t playin’ much. I know how it is. Ask me how it was at SJCC . . . LOL . . . Stick with it, though ! Practice hard! Get better . . . If not for your team, do it for yourself!

Well, I gotta start my stories . . .

First, Happy Birthday to Grandma (a couple days ago)! How old are you? That is not a rhetorical question . . .

Second, don’t drink expired milk. The container said it expired on the 15th. I tried to drink it on the 15th and I drank a lot . . . LOL . . . I got a li’l sick that morning. So, obey the expiration dates on milk . . .

Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for having Jacob write me! I miss that kid so much! I was so happy to hear from him. It had been over seven months!

How is Robert Gaines? Can you get info on him for me or get him to write to me, too?

This Saturday . . . Whooo hooo! Big day it was! It’s a long story and I’m going to tell it all! LOL! Leila and Marcos were baptized at 10am by my Companion and then Vilma was baptized by me at Noon. But, it wasn’t as simple as it sounds. My Companion and Vilma were mad at each other all week and Vilma almost didn’t get baptized at all! They weren’t all baptized at once because Leile and her li’l brother don’t get along with Vilma. Well, anyway, the baptisms of Leila and Marcos were easy and on time and everything. But Vilma’s was soooo hard. She told me the day before her baptism that if she didn’t get baptized on Saturday, she didn’t wanna see us ever again. She told us this after she passed her Baptismal interview . . . Well, she told me . . . My Companion wouldn’t talk to her!

So, after the two Baptisms at 10am, I went to get Vilma to bring her to the Ward building to be baptized like she wanted by she wasn’t there! I was sooooooooooooooooooooooo, sooo, sooo sad. You can’t even imagine how sad I was. I have worked with her for almost twenty weeks! I wanted her to be baptized SO bad and when I thought it wasn’t going to happen, I was super sad. She was soo, soo prepared. So, I went back to the Ward building and was sitting out front with my head down all sad, thinkin’ that maybe all my prayers hadn’t been enough. (Seeing as I could hardly sleep the night before because I was worried about the decision she was going to make and I was praying the whole night . . . If not on my knees, in my heart . . . Really, though!) Well, lo and behold! She came to the Ward building by herself! I had the biggest smile from ear to ear . . . I’m nearly 100 percent positive about that . . . No, I am 100 percent positive! I took her in the building and my Companion still wouldn’t talk to her, so I climbed on him a li’l again and they talked it out and didn’t have any more problems. Then we baptized her! Even though the baptism started late, it doesn’t matter! It was by faaaaaaaaar the most rewarding baptism that I have had. Then, on Sunday, even though Leila and Marcos were a li’l late, they were all confirmed! Very, very awesome weekend!

We have one other baptismal date for February 13th here in Atlantida, too! Holler! Wehad four baptisms in just sixteen days this month! We were in second place for the whole mission! The first place had five, but that was for the whole change! Elder Flores and I won the month (16 days)! Whoop whoop! Well, my Companion and I and the Lord, of course . . . Very special stuff, though. Last year in the Ward of Atlantida, they had only eight baptisms! I had three of them! Now, this year, Atlantida already has four! Very, very nice!

My Companion and I worked really well together and I know that the companionship was put together by revelation. Leila and that whole family loved how direct and everything he was, but Vilma didn’t. Vilma didn’t like it at all. She liked how I talked to her, though, and for that reason, we had all those baptisms! Different missionaries being able to touch specific people in specific ways that no one else can. I had to explain that to Elder Flores, though, because he was mad that Vilma didn’t like the way he talked to her . . .

Well, Mom . . . You were correct! Today was change day! I didn’t have an interview or anything so I was expecting to maybe just go up to Senior Companion, but nothing more than that. Well, today I had a huuuuuuge surprise when they called my name as District Leader! I was so shocked that I didn’t stand up for what felt like a really, really long time. If someone is gonna be District Leader or Zone Leader or Assistant or gonna train a new, they ALWAYS (well, I guess almost always) have interviews. I thought maybe President had lost a li’l trust in me when my District did some really dumb stuff that I had no part in. But, I guess he didn’t lose any trust in me to call me as a DL without an interview. Cool, huh?

Really cool part number two . . . My Companion that was named . . . He is . . . You won’t believe me (and I get the chills sayin’ it) . . . He is deaf! Yes! He cannot hear! Crazy, right????????? His name is Elder Barrientos and he is from here in Guatemala. You wanna know the craziest part, though? This last change (with Elder Flores), I talked to my Zone Leader. I told him that I would really like to be companions with Elder Barrientos because he has had a lot of idiot companions that won’t be patient with him. I asked my Zone leader if I should tell the President in my interview that I would like to try it ‘cause I can be patient. When, I told my ZL, though, he kinda laughed at me and told me not to say anything to President ‘cause it would be way harder than what I imagined. He told me that President does the changes by revelation. I agreed with him in that point, so I didn’t tell President anything and just kinda let the idea go. Well, NO ONE told President that I wanted to be Elder Barrientos’ companion. I even talked with President after the Change Conference to ask him if someone had tipped him off. Of course he told me not at all! And look who was still called to be my companion! Really, really, cool stuff. And such a testimony builder for me and all the other heard my story from the ZL! Surely President receives revelation for us. I know it . . .

Well, I’m outta here . . . I hope you can tell how excited I am! I love you all sooooo much! Thanks for all the love and support. Oh, and my area name is Ermita . . . Love you all!

"I'm a Disciple of Christ and I tell the truth!"

2010-01-11T19:42:00.000-08:00

LOL . . . Howdy Cowboy! That’s a good reminder from home right there! LOL . . .

I’m glad you like all the videos and pictures. I take them all and record and all just for you guys! So, you better love it! LOL . . . Yes, mother, we did make that tool to pick the tangerines! To answer your question, I don’t wear my glasses much ‘cause I don’t like sweatin’ on my nose and I don’t wear my contact much ‘cause it’s so dirty here. I just put my glasses on when we get into the house or I can’t read . . . LOL . . . You know!

That girl, Aaliyah, is getting’ sooo big and smart already! If it’s crazy for you, you already know it’s crazier for me . . . hahaha! But it’s all good I guess! Talkin’ to her on Christmas helped me so much with missin’ her too much . . . I dunno know why. I still miss her like crazy but not to where I wanna cry all the time for her now. It’s a good thing!

It’s good to hear that Gilroy is playing so well! That’s awesome! Alisal and Salinas are supposed to be two of the best teams in the league, aren’t they? How’s Dylan playin? Is he playin? He better be!

Okay . . . My turn!

Bullet points . . . Yes, Tom . . . Bullet points . . .

Last Monday, we had a Zone Activity playin’ dodge ball. And, yes, of course I was the best again. I don’t wanna brag, but I’m a disciple of Christ and I tell the truth! I was puttin’ everything into every throw! Pshhhhh! I blew out my arm for like three or four days . . . LOL . . . I was really, really sore all over!

I started shavin’ without my electric shaver this week. I start using shaving cream and all. I really like regular razors a lot, lot more. They don’t give me razor burn and I can shave much faster. The first time I shaved that way, though, I cut myself open pretty bad on the back of both sides of my jaw . . . LOL . . . I blame it on the horrible razor I used, though. With the ones that you have sent to me and with me, I don’t think I’ll have that problem again! I already shaved two times since that disaster without a problem . . . Thank you very much . . .

Oh, thank you Ward! For all of the letters that you guys sent in my Christmas package! They were awesome! I can’t begin to write to everyone who wrote to me, but thank you sooo, sooo much! Good to hear that the Ward is doin’ great!

Is my picture by the Guatemala Temple up on my plaque? It better be!

Has anyone had any luck reaching Jacob?

Oh, there is a member here that only works on cars . . . Yes . . . It’s his job . . . LOL . . . But he has an old-school BMW with a huge, beautiful airplane motor. I told him that I want it after my Mission and he said he will sell it to me. The engine here is like $1200 but he says I would pay nearly $500 in the States. I guess in the States, cars are cheaper, but to buy all the parts is way cheaper here. So, I was discussing it with him. He can send it home to me for about $500 by boat. I think that’s what I wanna do . . . Whatcha think? I know I gotta wait a while, but just keep the idea in the back of your head, please . . . LOL . . .

This week, I had lesson with an active person. He is Patriarch! It’s so weird ‘cause once you have that calling, you have it forever. But tell me, Dad, what happens at this point with him? He is soooo smart, though, so he feels like he has learned too much and now he feels like he has learned that these things can’t be true. Well, he’s wrong . . . LOL . . . All the books he reads were written but the Book of Mormon was written for revelation, so he loses! I was a li’l nervous to bear my testimony because he is such a smart and all that kind of guy, but I did! It was pretty awesome!

Well, that’s ‘bout all I got for ya right now! I love you guys sooo, sooo much! Hit me up with a DearElder! Love you all TOO much!

"The Lord blesses those that make sacrifices for Him"

2010-01-11T19:39:00.000-08:00

Hey, pops!

Thanks for the e-mail you recently sent me!

I’m not too worried about where I’m gonna serve, even though it’d be cool to go to Peten or Coban, because I know it’s all about the President’s revelation.

Anyway, though . . . I’m gonna try to answer your questions! I’m doin’ great ! I feel like I’m really growin’. I’m not just a youngin’ anymore! I know what I’m doin’ so I’m able to be a better leader. It’s your fault that I love leading . . . haha . . . You made me do it!

I was a li’l sick this week and we didn’t work on Wednesday after the District Meeting ‘cause I was hurtin’ so bad. It was a huuuuuuuuge headache and throat hurtin’ and nose runnin’ and body dwellin’ . . . LOL . . . All that fun stuff! But, the next I was waaaaaay better and we went out to work like normal. My Companion is doin’ pretty well as well. He has also been sick . . . Besides that, we are getting along better and better and I can really see improvements in him since the time we started together. So, I’m leavin’ people better than I found ‘em, I think! He reads his scriptures a lot more and the work we are doing is great!

We had one baptism this Saturday and next Saturday (the 16th), we have three more baptisms! So we are feelin’ good right now! It’s been a while working with some of them. The Ward is getting’ better and better. We had one member return from his Mission about a month ago and he’s really working hard to try to fix things. He’s doin’ a great job helpin’ us out. Other than him, the member support is aaight . . . They support us but they don’t help us, ya know? It’s all good, I guess, but we really could use some more help.

Our Mission Leader hasn’t done anything since he was called about a month ago. We went to visit him a few days ago and he was drunk . . . yea, it was a new situation. He called me a gringo . . . Then he called me a clown . . . And then he called my Companion a clown and we left . . . LOL . . . It had to be a first! Then, on Sunday, he was in the Church acting normal and sayin’ he wants to help . . . So, we’ll see if he comes through this week!

Right now, we are teaching about 25 lessons a week. We have taught as few as 22 and as many as 32ish in one week. We have the most or next to the most lessons in our Zone each week, so we are doin’ the thang! Right now, we have three baptismal dates set and then we have a lot, a lot of other investigators. We probably have 2 to 5 real possibilities for baptism in the near future. In Church yesterday, we had six investigators and one was a first-timer!

In Church, our baptism was confirmed and that was the most important! To be honest, I have not set another date for the “50 Investigator Challenge”. I will be doin’ it again in my next change, though! I really do believe I can do it! I, only I, can help myself with my unbelief . . .

The Priesthood power is probably the biggest part of my testimony. I really do know the things that you’re sayin’. I’ve seen so many miracles through my fingers. It’s really soo, soo cool!

I am so sorry, though, again, that you were so sick! It really has just been passed around so much! Not only in California, but here a bunch, too! Almost everyone has had it!

I really am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy that you guys are being blessed! I, too, know that part of the blessings you receive are because of my service. I know that the Lord blesses those that make sacrifices for Him.

How did your Oakwood team do? And how is SJCC doin’ now? Is Spencer playin’ well? And how about Fox?

Thanks for everything, Dad! You know how much you mean to me. Well, I hope you know . . . I love you sooooo much, Dad. Thank you for all of your help in every aspect of my life. Love you!