March 29, 2015

 

Hey everybody! 

Am I even in Honduras?  (we think this looks like the White Mountains in AZ!)

Short on time here, still in contact with just about everybody, had 21 emails today, still waiting for things to slack off! Still talk to Orrin, Matt, Jenn, Mikayla, Lexi, Elder Cluff, and corey, jason, connor, and misceallenous old friends every now and then. 

 But yeah, the church is just completely new. Literally. People don't know about the church here. 



Elder Hansen and Elder

 

 

Companion is good. He's not turned out to be as hardworking as he seemed at first but I'm still real happy to be working with him. 

If there's time I'll tell you about our people here but for now it sufficeth me to say that I love them! My favorite is probably Javier-he got baptized last month. When they found him he was a cocaine and marijuana addict-my comp and his comp anterior found him, married him up, and now he is an outstanding family man and he and his 14 year old son, who's the best kid i've ever met, are gonna recieve the priesthood next week. I get a little emotional just thinking about them. And his wife is the best and has been through hell and is now reaping the blessings. We actually dug a well for them (or, helped) and it was about 17 feet deep...woo. 

Food is way better, and cheap. I have a ton of money left over, because we have dinner every single day and sometimes 2 or 3. Food's way cheaper too. I drink alot of water to balance out the soda but I drink alot of coke too, nothing quenches thirst like a nice partially frozen bag of pepsi. 

And bre and sam, thats cool! Peru will be a super interesting mission. Argentina-I don't know, everyone here hates argentina. It's like the uppity, liberal, presumptious place of latin america. I know the church is real strong there though. 

Here's my little update;

Two baptisms next weekend, in between conference sessions-marta and jenny, two sisters, and they're already leaving with the sister missionaries and attending all the stake youth activities and are usually the first ones at church. Then their parents once we get them married. 

Attached is a picture of manuel, the craziest son of a gun I know. We went up to the mountains to cut wood with him the other day and this 110 pound man carried about 150 pounds of wood on his back down the mountain. We found a beehive while we were up there and he's like "I'm gonna get the honey" so he sets in to hacking away this beehive with a machete and swatting bees and screaming all at the same time, then he holds up the honeycomb like a trophy above his head, and then by then the bees are pretty ornery and all of us are running down the mountain screaming like girls and swatting bees. Fun stuff. 

 

Another interesting thing, this place is in an active war against cartels and any kind of gang activity. Last week I didn't realize how serious it was but this week we heard about a bunch of bodies that were found-basically what happened is that fingers of established gangs in san pedro tried to establish themselves here, and the town men got together and formed their vigilante group and killed them all with machetes and their bodies were found up in the mountains. I'm real proud of them and I'm glad to be in a town where the gang stuff doesn't fly. 

Also the honduran government is the most corrupt thing I have ever experienced in my life and I am sure the powers that be in this country will have some serious answering to do for their sins in the next life. 

Also, I had a little mishap with my mp3, so...could you send me more talks?? I accidentally erased them. Also, could you throw in a copy of my patriarchal blessing in this package? 

Also, the family history booklet has spaces for memories/special things about relatives...anything else I may not know about any of my predecessors? 

 Is Dad really gonna get the ram? that would be sweet. And the avacado tree! all the cold you had didn't kill it? Have sarah send me more pictures of her and the horse. 

As far as BYU, really the only class that was garbage was poli sci. Loved the rest. American Heritage was probably my favorite, all the profs are great but I had karpowitz. Took Stats, finite mathematics, loved accounting, can't remember the rest but I took mission prep and new testament for religion classes and really liked New Testament. Ludlow was the professor. careful with the credit hours though, I was just about choc full with 13 hours. wouldn't do any more than that the first semester. Love you all, gonna send some

March 23, 2015
The magical little town where it never rains

Also known as Morazan. So yup, I got transfered! 

here's a goodbye picture I'll share with ya. They came to the house super late to say goodbye , thus my normal clothing. Hermano chiquito. I still don't know his name, but the great thing about spanish is its normal to call everybody "hermano". It would be weird to call someone only "brother"all the time but it works here and saves me from awkward situations of not knowing someones name. 



pic with villegas



my new house. I came to a dirty house, don't judge me. FYI, the bed in the background is just there, that's not where we sleep. 



pic in morazan. it's a beautiful place, look it up. 

 

The port in ceiba, just cause it's kinda cool. Looks like Alaska. 



Me and elder sandoval, the finest mexican to ever walk the planet. 

 I could not be happier with this change. Morazan is a little town in the state of Yoro. It's about the size of St. Johns, with one long main street running east to west. It's a real small town in the middle of nowhere, like geographical oddity two weeks from everywhere kind of place, and all about cattle and coffee. It's the coolest little town, everybody drives old toyota flatbed trucks with water tanks on the back. People ride horses around town and opportunities for service are endless. In my few days here we've already fixed a roof, picked beans, cleared land, made fence posts, and all kinds of farmy stuff. Next week we'll be working cows and cutting wood. It's hot and dry and surrounded by beautiful mountains. And the mountains are covered with pine trees and waterfalls...I feel like I'm in Arizona with more Mexicans (well, Hondurans, but ya know). There's a popular 4x4 race here every sunday, this place is just a bunch of rednecks that speak spanish. One of the biggest problems here is actually coffee-lots of coffee farmers. We've got tentative plans to help an investigator on his coffee farm, called a finca, next week, I'm not sure if that counts as sinning or not but it'll sure be interesting. After getting seasick the last time I was just about getting tired of the ocean everyday so this is a great change of pace. It's super safe, everyone carries guns so there's no crime (they are serious about that too-they squash any signs of gang activity from the get go-because the new latino missionaries think they're thugs and like to play around on the street and throw gang signs, they told us "look, don't do that. They'll shoot you. Right away. No questions" So I thought that was pretty cool) Our house is stellar. It's huge, on the third floor, surrouned by huge windows that we leave open all the time. I don't need an alarm clock because the sun coming up through the valley hits me everyday at around 6:15, and that's a whole lot more pleasant than an alarm clock. 

My comp is pretty cool, He's from Paraguay. All the south americans are kinda weird but he's a good guy. He likes to work, finally, and we're on fire. We have great lessons and work well together already. And the members and investigators are awesome and I love em already. It's a different world from Roatan. I'll cry when I leave here for sure. It's weird being in a place where we actually have a district and have zone meetings and stuff like that but it's cool. Our district is from Paraguay, two from bolivia, and a gringa from california. I'm the only non-native spanish speaker of the elders so I'm excited for the spanish to improve a little more. And now I'm picking up all the south american jokes and dialogue, so that's cool too. They're so gay though, South Americans are super feminine. They're funny. 

And the best part? This area got opened about 6 months ago. Church is outdoors under a pavilion. asistence is about 60 and the church is completely new here. And we baptize in a river. Many of the converts here are families-whole families. Couldn't be happier with where I am. The converts are solid and willing and ready to serve. Anyways. There's my update of the area. Photos are coming. 

But yeah. Roatan was a hard area looking back. This is a different world. But, I gave it my all and I left knowing I made a difference with converts and reactivating people, and I hope that I made a difference in my comp's life-He changed a ton and I hope that at least he can have one companion he didn't fight with all the time. I even miss him a little but I'm glad to be with someone that works-I'm not top dog anymore, my new comp is a good missionary. 

I took so long telling ya everything else I hardly have time for the rest, but devils den looks sweet! I would love to do that. Looks coooooold. And the airshow too...I love airshows. Always walk away feeling even more patirotic. Devils Den and the Rodeo in one day? That's a pretty Florida day right there. How's them scuba certifications coming? Good to see the curtis fishing, as always, your worm rigging is nice and straight. 

 But yes, that's Elder Ochoa. 

I also love teaching. If I didn't like money so much I'd be a teacher. My classes are good. I make the curriculum myself. And thanks for the sexism, but yeah, the men of roatan are pretty chasta. That's another thing I like about here, the men aren't deadbeats. We actually baptize men here. 

And thanks for all the geneology and journals! I'll print it out and do it all/read it all later. That's all I got for now, I'm gonna send some pictures and I'll be here for a while. 

Love you all!

March 16, 2015

me teaching the english class. huuuuge

here's what we call a "catracho foto". Classic. No smiles and the dad is putting their hands on the chest of the kids. Everyone takes photos like this. This is the familia flores. We're activating them, went fishing with the boys, the boys recieved the priesthood, and their cousin is getting baptized next saturday. 

reunion with some of the ccm boys last month. Love seeing everybody but I'm sick of meetings and traveling! 

 

But, on a postive note, I've been saving my boat tickets and this trip I had enough to get a free trip...kaching. I'm gonna live high on the hog this money cycle.

 

 

Hey everybody! Awesome pictures. Got everybody included! Goodlooking horse, is it a gelding or a mare? couldn't see any evidences. Glad it was such a good purchase though, its about time! And that kayak picture in my truck bed is the best, way to go. Where'd the third kayak come from? And where is the acadamy store gonna be?  And were you all in the kayaks when this happened? That's sweet, I bet you were all wishing you were in a bigger boat. sounds awesome. And Kate, who's the other girl with you? Not the searle girl? Still hanging out with all the Mormons? 

And about time on the river is right. How is it? Good fishing? And orange blossoms...ahh. without a doubt the best smell in the world. Misty mornings and orange blossoms, that's good stuff. 

And yeah, I'm still writing orrin every week, he's been talking about that. What do you think of his plans?  

Still swimming every day huh? Are you getting good? That's why swimmers get fat after they quit swimming! 

And yeah...I'll find out tonight but i'm pretty sure I go. It's time. Past time really. Come along way with my companion but 3 months is long enough. 

I want lots of pictures from devils den and the airshow! 

And I did get my package! It was actually perfect timing cause we were stuck in ceiba on a sunday with no food so I just ate that granola you sent me...The Lord will provide right? Thank you so much for everything, and the mp3 player was exactly what I wanted. had to cut a couple songs out of there but overall I was pretty well pleased! And the old talks are great too. Especially the Spencer W. Kimball one, i can see why you liked that one. Made me think of all my grandparents. also, the madre hansen thing got a few laughs. 

Update, stuff from this week: 

One thing that's really notable about the people here is their lack of pride. The bad kind of pride. For example, when people in the states, often, fall into transgression or face church discipline they get offended, leave the church, and start writing anti mormon lit. But here...So humble. I know many people that are excommunicated but still have super strong testimonies and feed us and go to church and do all they can to support us. It's admirable. 

Other thing, in the next package (I know I just got one) can you throw in little cheesey lds bookstore type things? Like little orlando temple pictures, little cards with jesus, things like that? Nothing too cheesey, but little things like that to give to people or to use myself. appreciating the little things! 

Also, this week we've found more "modified" bibles. More scriptures that the catholics have taken out or completely changed. Always interesting. Everytime I meet leaders from other churches, no matter how good or well intentioned they are, something is always missing. I met a pentacostal missionary the other day and just got super weird vibes...Like I'm usually really impressed with many of the pastors I know but this man may have been straight satanic. 

Also met a family from gilbert the other day that knows elder greer that served in longwood, so I was subject to another round of 10 people all taking pictures with me. Still fun, but no money this time :( 

Also had a great experience going to the conference in san pedro. First of all, the trip is a blast, cause its just...making up on the fly, it really is. The president is kinda just like "get there" so we just rented a bus and spent a few nights sleeping on the floor with other missionaries in another city. Then riding on the bus was just pure joy-dark sky above us, riding in the mountains, bus full of missionaries-would not want to be in any other place. Complete satisfaction with what I'm doing, where I am, not wishing I was in anyother place or doing anything else. And the conference was good too, but to be honest the best part was seeing my friends again...its cool seeing the changes. And seeing Elder Vasquez again! Also, Sarah needs to marry my best buddy-his name is Kellen Gillens, from hawaii and fillmore, Utah. Dairy farmer. He's the only one I'd approve of that I've met so far. 

Anyways. The conference. We also heard from Elder Maynes and Elder Davies (of the presiding bishopric) and I like Elder Davies alot. Elder Ochoa was there too and out of all of them he's my favorite. He's got something about him. Some people just radiate power and righteousness and he's one of them. Elder Anderson was good too but he spoke spanish with a super heavy french accent and would throw in portuguese, kinda funny.  (also, fun fact, I can more or less get the gist of things written in italian, portuguese, and french now-super similar)

Also, send me something from dad's missionary journals! I wanna learn more about his mission and I've never read them. 

tell mark hi for me. And everyone in sunburst. I really do miss working there! I gotta wrap things up so I can work on the family history book. if you have any thing interesting from any relative (up to my great grandparents) tell me so I can fill it in! And I still need photos pleaseeee. And yes, I already got JJ's letter a long time ago, would you mind helping me out with the reply for that one? 

Hate to be brief but gotta do what you gotta do. Love you all, love hearing about the updates, have a great week! photos coming!

March 9, 2015

Hey everybody! Good week. Here's my little update. 

Feeling better, mostly. I am going to call the nurse though because I'm still coughing constantly and usually have really raspy breathing, and it's been going on for a long time. I've been taking over the counter stuff (actually everything is over the counter here) and it improved but I'm still not well. 

Interesting stuff this week. We started our English class up again, and one of the members just up and called the radio station on the island and announced a free english class at the iglesia mormona. Which was great, we should have thought of that, but then we had like 35 people show up for our enlgish class, and it was great. Hopefully we can convert it into finding new people to teach but I teach the class and it goes really well and everyone likes it. 

The other thing I've really noticed this week is that, all things said and done, I'm grateful for having such a useless companion.I've learned so much-I do everything and I've learned exactly how the mission works because I was forced to do everhyting for myself. I literally do everything-from get him out of bed in the morning to teaching the lessons. We've had lessons where he just says something short at the end and calls it good. Our investigators tell him to shape up. I could go on and on about that but long story short, I learned a ton from experience. 

The other thing, now that transfers are looming and I'm set to go, is looking at how much we've transformed the area here. When I got here, there hadn't been any baptisms in a long time, and my first 3 months we had little success. But now, thanks to working hard, and the good leadership of Elder Cluff, and a switch up in Branch leadership, this is now a baptizing area, we have activated lots of families, people are recieving the priesthood, and we leave with the youth all the time and they're gonna go to the MTC ready to go. 

Don't get me wrong though, there's lots of days where I can't stand this island, same people, same streets, people h iding from us, lying to us, rejecting us, and I'm tired of smelling human waste and marijuna and rum. But then we have experiences that make me want to stay, like yesterday. We got up into the hills, away from the population centers, and found receptive people in clean houses who aren't living in fornication and who don't think we are satan worshipers and who don't belong to the church of God and we just have good experiences with them. Teaching real, genuine lessons to people that really want to listen, under the shade of coconut trees with the mango trees and the almond trees in bloom all around us with a nice sea breeze. The island can be pretty nice sometimes. Also worked really hard this week-15 lessons in two days this weekend (we only had these two days to work, thanks to another meeting we had to go to this week in ceiba)

All the same, I'm excited to get transfered. I'm ready to actually serve in Honduras. I'm kind of tired of being so isolated from the rest of the mission, never knowing about anything, and overpaying for food. 

That's all the interesting stuff I got for yall for this week! Transfers are the 18th, and this friday we are going to go to san pedro sula for a multi-mission conference with Elder Anderson, and I'll get to see all the old buddies again. We have so many meetings though-just this week we had to go to ceiba, and the week before-we might baptize more if we didn't have so many meetings! 

Anyways, sounds busy! poor Kenny, that's kind of funny. 

Where was the campout? And I'm glad they both have their kayaks, thats sweet. Send em to Julies.Keep them busy. Is curtis gonna wrestle down the road? What's sterling gonna do next?

Spring break huh? Devils den looks really cool, i'd love to go there. kinda far isn't it? There's always rainbow river too. Any other spring break plans? 

Sarah's horse looks really good, not like I know, but it doesn't look naggy or anything. Is the brand cool looking? And yeah, I'm super glad she's going to BYU. The good thing about the Y is that no one knows anybody-everyone is new and there's a ton of mixing and mingling and endless opportunities to get to know people. she'll do just fine. Plus, just remember that only 30 percent of the kids there are from Utah...the rest are from other states. Ton of AZ kids, lots of Texans, lots of east coast kids.

Kate...she makes me laugh. So vain. Glad she's making friends with all the lds kids! An orchestra? Sounds prestigious. That would be really cool if she went to BYU too, to have all three of us there. 

How are the Smith's? that's a great picture. I talk to hyrum now and then. 

Is Jim that bad that they are looking for another place already? Like immediately? 

And the truck?? what's it gonna be? are you ruling fords out? too bad you're probably not gonna get a cummins, that'd be the best. 

how many hours is dad working a week? Sounds crazy. Boca, Jax, NC, plus all the normal orlando stuff...crazy. Sounds like some river time is needed. 

Loved hearing from everybody! Hope you all keep on keeping on, thanks for the updates, and have a great week! I'll write you again soon if I remember anything else. 

Oh, ps, next week could you email me some good photos of our everyone in our family tree? Pres Kline wants us to fill one out with pictures and everything to teach members how to do it. 

bye everybody, love you all!

March 2, 2015

First off, wooooo Sarah got into BYU! Congrats! Is that where you're gonna go? You better believe I'm ready to go to college with you! And the funny thing is we'll be in some of the same classes too, when I get back we'll both be sophomores...oh I'm gonna make fun of you so much. Hope you find some hot friends. 

And Kate, aren't you just growing up. Sounds like you're having a blast, get scuba certified! And diamond dolls? you're doing that?

And sterling's birthday sounds like a blast, as does the game. glad you're all having fun and killing it! How's Curtis doing?

And I loved hearing from everybody but I have very little time, the mission is having us evaluate Preach my Gospel and how effective it is for the church, and that will take about an hour so I really can't write much. But thanks for all the pictures and updates!

And just to answer your questions real quick...yes we did go fishing, I got some tiny little snapper, I'll include a picture of the boys' fish. It was kinda stupid though, but I can say we did it. No one has fishing rods. If we come back here I'm gonna bring them some fishing rods. They just hold the line in their hand and pull when there's a fish. Their cousin is set to be baptized the 21st of this month. And the pepsi-what they do, in ceiba, not here-is they have these tiny glass bottles of pepsi-like maybe 3/4 of a can worth. They pour the liquid into a bag and then they recycle the bottle and you end up paying about 5 cents. It's the best. And Elder Sandoval will go back to Mexico and keep on working construction, he's a civil engineer, already graduated and had been working (his most recent project was the tijuna temple). I think that's all your questions

About my week...not such a great week. Last week was really good but this week not so much. I've been sick, haven't been able to sleep at night because I've been sick, so I've been dead tired. Didn't have much success this week, my comp sucks, (like I know he has mental issues and its not entirely his fault but its so hard) And basically i've just been walking around like a zombie not getting anything significant accomplished. Just time for a transfer really. I was loving my area last week but now it's time to go. 7 months is a long time. So yeah, nothing super positive to report. And I had a little devotional but I'm out of time! 

 

Also, I'm glad you all want to come back here, it would be so cool. 

Anyways, if I have more time after the evaluation I'll write more. here's some pictures! 

 

 

Holding the fish is Enrique Flores, we've been activating his family and he recieved the priesthood two weeks ago. 

here's a pirate themed cruise ship that pulled into the bay, kinda cool. 

Love you all!