June 1, 2015

That is crazy, he's so young! He'll be a great bishop though, I think he'll do wonders for missionary work and the youth in the ward. 

And the Ehinger boys are smart. Tell them hi for me. And Todd's a great guy, always liked him. Solid bishopric. 

 

But yeah, our house is sweet. All the houses here are like that with the tin roofs. I've never seen a roof that's not tin. Sure nice when the rain rolls around though. Privacy issues are better but I'm about to kill our dogs. They're getting rowdy and pooping all over the property. I had a heart to heart with the big male dog the other day, he growled at me and was being ornery so I snatched his collar and brought him face to face and cussed him out real good in spanish (just remember this is a huge rotweiler) and reminded him who the jefe is. I'm developing a temper I'm afraid. Then I felt bad and went and petted him for awhile afterwards but he's been behaving better. Still waiting for the owners to take them out, when a honduran says he'll do something you usually gotta triple whatever timetable he gives you. 

And about the temple trip, yes, they'll all be able to go, the branch did an activity and they're chartering a bus together and in US dollars the price went down to like 12$ a head. Still a good chunk of change in Honduras but doable.

Also, Just so you know, if you still have the LDS living issue with Gladys Knight on the cover, there's an article about Honduras and it has president Klein and in the front cover there's a little picture of the primary class in Morazan in the little shed behind the house where we meet. 

And no, you still havent seen a picture of Rosalita. I'm gonna take a picture with the two of them one of these days, I've got lots of time here! There's so many people I wish you all could meet, you'd love them all. 

That said, I'm gonna come back so racist. It's hard to explain. Like, I love them, but every stereotype is spot on. 

The only thing to report this week is that we had a visit from President Klein and his wife, and it was great. I love them both. Made me super baggy. They brought us real bread, a salad, and we ate spaghetti with real sauce and homemade cookies and it was to die for. American food, sunday lunch. Had a great old time. Also filled the church and another of our converts recieved the priesthood.  Our assistence went up to 61 this sunday, our record is 70 something but average is low 50's so we're doing pretty good. We're working hard with retention. The dang hondurans are super receptive but they're not much for sticking with it. 

I really have very little to report this week-just working, visitng converts and helping people do their geneology and preparing for the temple. Pretty much every lesson we're talking about the temple. 

And about the package, yes! If possible. I want a good backpack. Honduras destroys stuff pretty quick, I could really use a good quality backpack that will last me. And I want it in Cammo because hondurans dig that kind of stuff. As a missionary having conversation starters is essential. I don't want a hydration pouch or anything but If you could find something quality that would be sweet. I know theres a solid brand called badlands but I don't know how expensive they are or if you could find one before the package goes. (speaking of which this week I met a guy that spoke really good english and worked in a tire shop on OBT and lived in orlando for a few years, that was kind of fun).And, as always, in the package I want pictures! 

 

Hey Sarah! How's the summer going? Gettinbg more excited for BYU yet?  How's everything going?And if the BYU volunteer thing pans out, is program director a paid thing? Are you gonna work when you're up there? I think it would be really hard to work the first semester. Theres just alot going on and a lot to adjust to. Sidenote though, a really cool thing about utah is they have "special needs mutual" where all the special needs kids from a few stakes (i.e, a town) get together and have games and activiies and it's a blast. The student wards in BYU always have opportunities to volunteer, i did it once and it was a blast, really touching. But sounds like you're killing it in the productivity/money making department. Way to go. How's the horse going? Hook me up with a couple pictures of you working the horse one of these days. Also, you don't know how many elders want to write you-always asking for your email address. Theres only three so far that I'd give it to.And a funny story about you-someone saw your picture and a little boy was asking me (well, after he and his brother had a fight about who was prettier, you or kate-they kept going back and forth-"the blonde!" "no, the brunette, you idiot!") anyways, he's like "so, your sister...how does she speak english? She has brown hair...only blonde people can speak English. How come she doesn't speak spanish? She has brown hair." Freaking hondurans. People ask me every day if children in the united states speak Enlgish too. In their minds everyone on earth is born speaking spanish and then has to learn another language. Anyways. Í'm proud of ya, keep me posted on what you're up to, with pictures please! 

And I'm glad everyone's down on getting scuba certified! Also, good job on getting out and exploring blue springs. One of my favorite places. Florida's full of places like that, we don't know how lucky we are. I want you all to think of a trip we could when I could get back. 

But yeah, you all are always on my mind, I don't know what I'd do without the examples and the support I have. I'm sure proud of you all, every one of ya. 

And tell Ster hi for me! He's the only one that didn't write me, I wanna know what he's up to as well! Good luck on the basketball camp. 

And as always, get me kirk's address already! Pleaseee. 

 

heres my buddy austin measles from Lehi. He's my ZL and we're on divisions in this picture. Great guy, I wouldn't be surprised if we end up working together down the road.

 

If you all want something spiritual from me listen to the talk "Apostasy and Restauration"by Dallin H. Oaks. It'a good one and I like it alot. Talks abou our purpose. We're not preaching the gospel so that people can go to heaven, everyone on earth is already going to achieve a sort of heaven. We're preaching the gospel so that people can acheive something that they otherwise could not have achieved. And for those that are prepared, we preach the gospel so that they can become gods and co-creators with God and continue on with their families in the eternities progressing in power and glory and light until exaltation. 

 

You guys are the best, loved the pictures, updates, and everything. Miss ya'll. Keep on keepin' on.

 

Hey Curtis! Going to Utah with Matt huh? I always used to hate on Utah but after being on the mission, the best missionaries and my best friends are from Utah. Way to go on the workout though, that's awesome. Get big, get crazy. That's an awesome way to spend your summer-workout, work, and fish. I'm working out here too, we joined a gym and it's sweet. What else are you gonna do for work? I'm telling you, mowing lawns is the way to go. Mow a couple lawns every morning and then chill or do whatever you want the rest of the day with a hundred bucks in your pocket. That's funny about the schoolwork though, Jason Lail and I in freshman year I think put our spanish books up in a tree and shot them with shotguns til there was nothing left. Pure foolishness but it was fun. Talk to ya next week my man!

Hey Kateeeee. Did you know that nobody believes that you're my sister? Everyone asks me how you turned out blonde. How's summer going?? Just you and ster went to disney? Think you're gonna like the hospital? Got any work plans for the summer or just volunteering and partying? Good way to spend the summer though. How's your spanish coming along? You ended up liking Mr. Martin huh? I'm glad, he was always one of my favorites. Not the favorite, but he was up there. Show some love to skip for me, and keep on being a superstar. Just don't get too full of yourself now, not everybody can be as cool as you are. Anyways. Have a great week, and thanks for letting me know what's going on. Miss ya!

 Love ya both!

 

May 25, 2015

(Scott washes his clothes by hand) our pila. big basin with water, with a washboard and a drain. And just know that this is the nicest house in the mission for sure, all the other houses I've seen are hovels. 

Front of his house

After Baptisms

Baptism group. About half of them are relatives from the Ramos family. We baptized Justin and Kevin, nephews of Javier Ramos that more or less live with them. We'll baptize the mom, the big lady in middle, when she can give up her coffee. Also, it seems thatJavier (he wouldn't tell us but he kept hinting at it) got called to be a counselor in the branch presidency! And I wanna tell ya a little bit about Mario, the old fat man in back. He and his wife, Rosalita, are one of the first converts in Morazan, and went through the temple and got sealed and everything. Everyone knows them, and the whole town passes by their place to chat. His wife learned to read, at 65 plus years, with the book of Mormon. And they're both missing a bunch of teeth but they each have what the other doesn't, so if you'd put their mouths together they'd have a complete set of teeth. Best people I know here. 

This is our kitchen. And with all the house pictures, I took them while we were cleaning, so don't judge me

Had no idea it was memorial day, thanks for the reminder. How come I didn't get a picture of the breakfast? Sounds like a good time. And I had no idea that the Old Garretts were on a mission in Ft Lauderdale? I don't think anyone ever told me. Remember the dream I had! 

But yeah, I'm back to full strength and full speed. Still have my comp but it's looking like he goes in the begining of June.

But yeah, this week was really good. Started off really good, spiritually speaking. I've always struggled with feeling the spirit, right? I got tired of not really feeling anything-I always felt like other people felt way more than I did and that I was kind of just along for the ride. So I get sick of it and did everything I could to try and change that.  I have been seeking the Lord dilligently-more than ever. Humbled myself, had some great experiences in the Book of Mormon (and testifying of the BoM), recieved lots of revelation-This week I have felt such joy, such peace, and I felt like it was such a privilege to be serving a mission-all I wanted to do was sink to my knees and express my gratitude for being here and having such earth-shaking experiences with the people and with the Lord. Still lots of problems, but with this reaffirmation of my testimony I can do anything. And its funny-I never felt this way when I saw miracles of healing, when I found scholarly evidence of the BoM, but rather I only felt this way through scripture study and a constant, humble search for the Lord-begging for the Lord, really. Long story short, I'm doing really well spiritually. I make mistakes and fall short every single day but I'm failing successfully and I know the source of my salvation. 

Still lots of other problems, the mission is hard and it's a constant mental battle. Somedays I honestly feel like I have mental issues and other days I'm on top of the world. Some really bright points this week are the ortiz family and the Ramos family. (Also, out of our 7 converts that my comp and I have had together, 5 out of the 7 are going to the temple in June. We'll see if they end up bringing names of their dead but they have their reccomends!) But anyways. These families. The changes we've seen in them are amazing. They are so much happier, their relationships with eachother are better, and they are just radiating joy that simply wasn't there before we started to introduce them to the gospel. And as always its a reminder that we teach the gospel and the culture of the gospel-joking with them, family home evenings, having fun with religious things, making it a part of life, making it who they are more than something they do on sundays. I feel right at home with them, like I could lift them up and put them in the middle of our family home evenings back home and not miss a beat. They're in and working on their salvation and its wonderful to see. 

Also, sterling, just so you know, I was showing the family photo and one family thought that Ster looks like Kevin from Home Alone. They think all white people look alike but I still thought it was funny. 

Are you happy to have everyone home or is it a headache keeping them busy? 

 And Morazan is such a small town, I love it. It's like the deep south in spanish. Or St. Johns, or any other small town. Our neighbors are all related and are from the original families of Morazan, and many nights we stop by and sit with them outside on their porches chatting with them. Their directions always make me laugh-pure St Johns. "Just go down the road til you come to the house with a big ol mango tree-turn left and you'll see a yellow house with a horse corralled out in front. Now, that's not it, but the house behind it-ya know, that old lady who had that son that got killed in the city year before last? Yeah, that's the house you're looking for" The other night we were out of food and without a dinner invitation so we went to a little place called Lola's Chicken near the house, and sat back in plastic chairs sipping on pepsi from a bottle, watching fireworks over the park, waiting on our fried chicken and the owner comes up to us and is like "are you all the new people that moved into Alejandro's house?" Yup, thats us. Small town. 

Couple matters of business, get that package shipped off yet?? If not...throw in a few ties for me. Mine are wearing out pretty quick. You know what I like, solid colors, stripes, nothing busy and nothing skinny and nothing fat. I appreciate it! Also, with what I'm looking for in that family histroy book we have to make-just things about their lifes. For example, for Ralph, I put how he was a teacher and a principal, likes hamburgers and Root beer, chevy truck, ball games, service, softball-things like that. Memories of his life that would be important to me. And I want it for all the grandparents and greats if possible. Its alot to ask for but we're spending  a ton of time teaching family history and how and why to do it. I can get the dates and places online so don't worry about that part. 

How's everydoby? Sarah's grad photos look great, I bet that was exciting. Finally! How was the ceremony? Plans for the summer for the kids? I actually think Florida is hotter it's just that...back home, if I was hot, AC or water was never far away. And if I was outside for a long period of time it's cause I was on the water, not quite the same! 

The boys been fishing? You guys need to beat the heat and go out on the wekiva or something. Go to the springs, float the canoes and kayaks up, something! 

And thanks for all the homie pictures, as usual. Especially the apron one, I got a kick out of that. I can imagine the hell that one raised. Just don't fry bacon naked, might be kinda painful. swimming in the pool and then cooking steaks, that's the way to go. Making me homesick. And breaking the sabbath too!

And way to go on the BoM reading, I just finished it for the second time in the mission. I really don't have time to read read the scriptures-lots of studying for people, which is more rewarding really, but as far as reading straight through not so much. 

And that made me laugh about cleaning up at the ward function. I'm the same way. Always more comfortable working than peopling. That's why honduras is good for me, every lesson we have we just chat for a solid 20 minutes before even talking about anything religious. I love people, its just that with people I've known forever...there's only so much you can say. 

And I'm worried about St Johns too, what can be done? Is anyone helping them? When are you gonna go out? grammies got a letter en route to her, I'm glad she's not doing too bad at least. 

And that's funnya bout the email from Dix, Riley's a good guy. Just so yall know I showed up in the mission blogs a few times recently, front and center. 

I sure miss you all like crazy. Not a day goes by that I don't think "man, I wish my family could see this/eat this/experience this" and it's a shame that you probably never will. Don't get be wrong, the USA beats the hell out of Honduras, but I do wish we could travel here one day. 

You all are the best, I sure got lucky in the family department. Keep the pictures and the updates coming! I'm about to send some photos your way. Love you all!

May 18, 2015

Hey ya'll! Very little time, we had a zone pday in progreso. Just got back. But yeah, definitely made me a little homesick, but it was worth it! And, of course, very nice to talk to you all. Just a few short months and we'll be chatting again.

But yeah, the baptisms went well! I'll send pictures next week, they turned out really good. Sounds like the boys had a good time, sure is a different world. That's why its good for them to go fishing so often so they get that kind of rural ness and toughness even though we don't live in a small town! Sarah catch that gator all on her own? 

But yeah, I'm talking to Orrin. Looks like it's finally gonna happen. I still don't know how I feel about it but he's happy with it. Sterlings project looks good! As does the swamping group, and the girls. They're something aren't they? Curtis getting tired of his braces yet? 

And have fun at graduation! I actually ended up liking it alot. And summertime...woo. At least you have one less thing to stress about. Now you can focus your stress on Sunburst. When does the foreigner from up north start? 

But yeah, I'm mostly better. Still tired and sore all over but definitely better. Tell everybody hi for me, Love you all, and I'm always praying for everybody. Always making me proud and I'm so glad that I don't have to worry about family problems like so many other missionaries do. keep on keeping on, and I'll talk to ya next week!

Elder Hansen

May 16th, 2015

We got to Skype with Scott today.  His mission president didn't give him a time limit and we talked for 2 hours!  It was so great.  We walked the computer around the house and showed him the house and outside.  I think we made him homesick.  (I think it is wise to keep your visits to the usual 45 minutes so to avoid the distractions of home).  He had been very very sick with a 104 fever.  I couldn't repeat what he had but it basically is the Honduran version of the west nile virus that you get through mosquitos.  He said he laid in bed for 3 days straight and didn't eat and was in pain.  He is slowly getting his energy back.  It was so good to see him!  Happy Mothers day to me!!

May 11, 2015

Hope ya got treated well. Sorry we couldn't talk, just tell me when and I'll make it happen. (Scott couldn't talk on Mothers day so we scheduled it for May 16th - I can't wait!)

I sure got treated well for mother's day though. The average Honduran women really gets the shaft most of the time but they do Mother's day pretty well. And it was really cool because we ran out of money this week-I had to buy some contact solution, moving expenses, and everytime we have a baptism here the missionaries pay the bus fees (it's a rough life huh, so many baptisms we're running out of money) and long story short, I found myself with noooo money and half a loaf of bread, two cartons of milk, and oatmeal-and I've still got it. People have fed us every day this week, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Lord will provide. People just inviting us to eat. So full. Full meals, cake, eating high on the hog. The best meal I've eaten in my whole mission was just the other day, with an old couple we're teaching that have been married for almost 60 years, and they grow their own corn, own beans, own bananas-everything. It was just corn tortillas and beans and eggs but my gosh it was to die for. Fresh ground corn, freshmade beans-authentic as could be.

Just finished the New Testament this morning (in time for my interview tomorrow, didn't want to tell President I couldn't finish the NT in three months) And I loved it and learned alot. I love the Gospels, Hebrews, and the Epistles of Peter and John. Sometimes I have to suffer through the babblings of Paul but he's got some good one liners. Hebrews is probably my favorite book in the New Testament because it's so Christ centered and reminds us to focus on Christ and not the Law-or in other words, to keep in mind that our works alone can't save us, no matter how righteous we think we are. My perspective on that is really changing too, kind of like what you told me with Abchekus-how much we rely on grace and that the Lord is really at the helm, regardless of our imperfections and weaknesses. I'm a southern baptist at heart.

And the other thing this week-we've seen alot of miracles here. Physical miracles. Everyone talks about miracles about people going to church and stuff like that but nah, I'm talking about healing miracles. We have honestly healed probably 10 people in the past couple weeks, of all kinds of infirmities. The most recent was a woman, a kind of investigator, that had a growth on her stomach. We gave the blessing and the next day it was gone. Just like that. Like, whaaaa?? I can tell you first hand that miracles don't produce faith nor convert people (even with me, I still always have that little voice saying "nah, this isn't gonna work"but sure enough, it does every time. I never thought I'd see things like that. Power of the Priesthood, according to the faith of the people being blessed. I think thats what makes the difference, they fully expect to be healed and they are.

My perceptions of honduras change every day. Feeling more and more like home. I don't even use a fork to eat anymore, just the tortilla, like a real catracho. The people are a lot more white, I actually know a lot of green eyed and brown haired people. Lots of Spanish/European descent here.

Little story for the week. With our house, right? the owners left their guard dogs-huge rotweilers. tried to kill us the first time we went into the house. They kept them in the back fenced in, so I didn't really worry about them. But then, the other day, I left the bedroom in the morning, not paying attention, and I look down and on the floor sprawled out is this 150 lbs Rotweiler, just looking at me-he escaped and came into the open door, and we're just staring at eachother. I have no idea what to do, I'm just frozen thinking of my options-Then I get down on my knees and call the dog over to me-he gets up and paws his way over to me, looks me in the eye, we're face to face, and then...licks my hand. I start petting him and then 5 minutes later we're best friends, and he's sprawled out over my lap with his paws on my shoulders. I call for my comp to come out, slow, and he pokes his head out and shouts "Your mom!" and slams the door. So now we're friends and we basically have two pets. I play with them and everything, these killer dogs. They wait for us to get home every night and they always pounce on me, which just about knocks me over. Who woulda thought.

Anyway, do you all know Hobson's in Las Vegas? I was chatting with another Elder from Vegas and they're best friends with Dix and his house was in a sunburst commercial.

Speaking of Sunburst, I don't know why I complained so much, I actually really liked it. Driivng the truck, traveling, part of the family business-and then fishing on the weekends, that was the life.

Also we joined a gym this week, waking up every morning at 5:45-I'm sore! Getting back in shape though.

How's everybody doing? What's everybody up to? Any updates on sunburst? Summer plans?

I'll be here for a while, so I'll probably remember somehting else and send it off to ya.

Love ya'll!

May 4th, 2015

Ok, here I am finally! Everyone is looking good! Hope yall were good to sarah for her birthday. That driveway picture just warms my heart. Trucks and boats and the house. Love it. Orrin sent me some sweet pics of the boys out on Butler chain, looks like they had a blast. And Kate's looking so grown up! And I'm proud of Sarah for all the work she's done with the special olympics. I bet she was sad to leave it.

I'm short on time, got another late start writing, but yep, everybody got confirmed, and out of all the recent converts in the branch recently we ordained 5 new aaronic priesthood holders, and 3 of them will recieve the melchezidek in a little while here. And the family of Luis is going to the temple in the summer, so hopefully we can marry them and Luis can baptize them before that! Our converts are solid. Like they've been members for years.

And that's crazy about sunburst. If you can wait ten years for jacksonville I'll take that one over! You all are gonna go crazy. Shoot, rent out Orrin to do it. I reallly like Jonathan but it kinda seemed he wasn't real ambitious, how do you feel about losing everybody besides the extra work part? also, sidenote, never met anyone from massachusetts that I liked, their like new yorkers but snobbier and he'll probably be a huge liberal.

and about the mothers day call, my comp is gonna talk the 15th, but if you all would rather do it sunday that won't bother me at all. Just let me know, we have another week to plan it!

But yeah, I'm talking to Sarah about BYU. It's hard, I felt the same way. But staying at home will be even worse.

And for my package, sounds great. The only other thing I want to beg for is something cheesey and florida related. something to put on my desk. a little florida flag or something. It's dumb but if you can get your hands on something it'd be great! Also, could you send me some photos, just in email? If you can find them. I want a picture of those times we stopped by oil rigs in texas, and any other old family picture you can find.

And I got a kick out of that picture, sure does look like me. Even the hands. Who ever woulda thought I'm model quality huh? Thanks for the Arizona update. Speaking of Arizona, Kirk never answered me, so I don't know if I had the email address or he just wasn't in a chatting mood, I really would like to talk to him.

And I'm sorry, I don't have any kind of updates or spiritual thoughts! Short on time and short on experiences from the week. This week was purely spent on moving and taking care of worldy business. And for that, the week dragged on. But, our new house is the best and I'll send pictures next week. But everyone is progressing, including me, and I've got no complaints. Really this week has been a lot of learning about the atonement, grace, weaknesses, what is expected of us and how easily we can obtain it, and how the commandment to be perfect doesn't mean what we think it means alot of times. And as always, very grateful for the blessings of the temple and eternal families! Definitely took it for granted before the mission.

District is good...my comp is so so. He'd be an awesome friend but not so good as a companion. We have awesome lessons and work hard and well together but he offends really easy and has moodswings-latin pride to the max. Went from managing someone with no confidence to someone with way too much. (sidenote, not to be prideful myself, but my comp thinks he's jacked, right? Like huge. And he does look big but its just fat in the right places. We went to a gym, a real gym, for the first time this morning and I smoked him. I didn't have to say a word. Lean and mean still wins. There's my little prideful moment for the day) and sister missionaries are still sister missionaries.

Pday plans for tdoay? we watched the Saratov Approach and Charly as a district. Cried. Dang mission making me all emotional.

And it is going fast. This week went slow but it's crazy to think that I have 8 months and I'm fluent in spanish and that I only have one more christmas in Honduras and the next one will be at home.

I'm really sorry though, I have no exciting news, no update, and no spiritual thought! Just needs and requests! I'll do my best next week.

Anyways. Love you all, and you all keep me going sometimes. Keep on keeping on. Miss you all but we'll get to chat soon. bye now!

Elder Hansen