July 27, 2015

 

Also have very little time...getting real frustrated with the internet here. Been sitting around twiddling my thumbs and pulling my hair out trying to get the internet to work. 

 My comp's name is Yzquierdo. Elder Left in english. And my other comps have been Vasquez, my trainer, villegas, the weirdest comp ever, Mendieta, and now Izquierdo. Sandoval never was a companion, just a friend. (but suprise, his sister got baptized this weekend! He's the 25 year old that joined the church because he was building the Tijuana temple)

And funny that you mention the spanish music thing, me too. I miss arizona every time mexican music comes on, I'm excited to go back to the valley and go to all the taco shops and all that. I love driving the 60 in the valley in the early evening listening to mexican music with a pepsi. 

I hate the food here though. I don't know what it is. I used to love it. But I just can't do it anymore. Maybe because it's because I've got sick so many times, I don't know. So much grease, food that's not fresh, food cooked with unpurified water, I don't know. And the only thing fresh about the food here is the fruit, everything else is mass produced and frozen and its honestly pretty bad.

And the breakfast ideas...haha no english muffins, but I do enjoy making a little sandwhich with whitebread. I would kill for good milk and real bread-homemade bread, toasted with butter, with really cold chocolate milk...I hate to be so negative about the food but it consumes my thoughts sometimes! 

And I don't know about the spanish teacher, I really doubt you'd be able to learn anything. I never truly learned anything in high school spanish. 

But yeah, the Ortiz family is good to go, and excited. August is gonna be a big month for us! 

How come I haven't been seeing any gopro pics? with all this surfing going on I'd think to see more. But thats cool, I'm glad they're so into it. Good activity. I wanna surf too! Any shark stories yet? 

And my next package-shoes! It's time. With extra inserts/soles. Don't really care what kind, but my brown pair held up alot better. The black ones actually crapped out about 6 months ago. Always want tshirts. Light shirts, light cotton, nothing weird, just good old fishing shirts. Guy harvey shirts no though, the material is too heavy. 

Sorry I'm not more talkative, I'm kinda ornery because of the internet and the woman that runs it (who is actually the mistress of the owner even though the wife of the owner lives a block away, and the owner hasn't talked with his mother in years, even though she owns the pharmacy next door-fun fact. It's a small town and people just feel the need to dish out all their darkest secrets on the missionaries-we know everything) 

Good week though, productive, we had a fun time in church this sunday. I was pisseddddd sunday morning-sick of honduras, the culture-it was a rough morning. Tito was drunk, the inactive family we were gonna bring to church was asleep, we had to wake up our investigators-I was so sick of the culture and how every one says yes and never follows through and how there is no sense of committment or follow up. But, it turned out pretty good because we were able to bring a mix of 6 investigators and less actives, all of them young men, that stayed for all three hours and liked it and fell in love with the young women, so it ended up pretty good. 

I need to relax though. I don't know what's going on lately. Not anxiety or depression or anything like that, I'm just...uptight! I get irritated easily. I'm normally really laid back and patient, right? I'm getting snappy all of a sudden. Having to remind myself to smile. Always walking around with a weight on my chest, constricting feeling. Not having anxious thoughts, I don't know. Also don't have energy. I'm always tired. I'm just not excited about the work.Lately I get up out of bed every day because It's my job, its what I do, and its whats expected of me. I need to work on my motivations-I'd love to say I'm here because I love the saviour and the honduran people but I'd be lying if I didn't say that I'm also here out of a sense of duty, making my family proud, doing the right thing, setting the example, etc. I have my moments, no doubt, but at the rate I'm going I'm gonna burn up if I can't change my motivations! I want to do what I'm doing because I love the Lord, not because it's my duty or I want to make you all or my mission president or myself proud. Any tips? I want to change that with all my heart-do what I'm doing because I love the lord, give my will to Him and all that, but I'm trying and it's not happening. 

That sounds worse than it is, I'm having a good enough time, it's just that...its a struggle! I have to force myself to have fun and enjoy the work and to see the positive and all that. I want it to come naturally! Any sage advice for me? 

Anyways. Sorry for venting and asking for so much and telling you all so little! Really this week was pure work. Had some really interesting lessons, seeing just how corrupt and fallen the catholic church is. Also had one really good experience, teaching the law of chastity. Our investigator up and shacked up, and they were really open about it, so we we're like "ok buddy, time to go big, we're called to preach repentance, let's go" and we had a solid lesson-really straight up, no holds barred-in his face. But we managed to do it with so much love; it felt really good. Powerful testimonies, lots of love, and teaching the commandments without apology. And then afterwards he sincerely thanked us and in english he told me privately (he didn't want to admit in front of his relatives) how he was feeling guilty and wanted to change. The bad part is I don't think he will change, but we did our part-we fulfilled our calling that night. 

Is curtis liking utah? flying all by himself, thats fun! I love flying. Excited to hear about his scout camp experience and all that. What's he getting into? Sterling is surfing, what does curtis do? 

 Have fun in aquatica, I still have never been. 

 All I want in life is to be a young mens leader. That's my dream calling right there. Put my talents to use. Backpacking, high adventures, fishing, diving, hunting, shooting, sea base type stuff, my young men would have the coolest activities ever. But yeah, about what you told me about dad and his calling as bishop-thats interesting-I do really well with that, finding everyone interesting, just need to work on loving them. Also still waiting on dad to see what he has to say about the bishop thing. And the spouse thing, its true haha your companion is like your spouse basically and its true. Whenever we have to do something for the district that is an extra duty he's like "ok, lets go!" super supportive. Good kid. 

And Sarah, I changed my mind about my zl. There's better ones. No need to waste your time. When Measles or Gillens gets home I'll definitely set you up with them. Especially Gillens. I still think you should write him, I really don't know anyone else (besides orrin) I'd rather see as my brother in law. Sad to sell your horse? How much are you gonna be able to get out of the sale? Excited for provo? Got things all wrapped up with Michael or not quite? 

 

Kate looks like she's having a blast in Utah, I'd love to utah if there weren't quite so many mormons! I wanna see more pictures! FInd yourself a boyfriend? Isn't it nice to swim in a lake without worrying about alligators, or sharks, or jellyfish? Still, Florida's better. But Utah is fun. 

Anyway, if i think of anything else I'll hit yall up. Have a great week!

 Love you all! 

July 20, 2015

Had a real interesting week, this might be one of my more entertaining emails! Here's what I've done this week, in no particular order.

First, I up and became a pineapple farmer. Javier Ramos is breaking into to the pineapple industry and he contracted us to go up to his mountain. We hiked up the steepest, slippery slope I've ever climbed, and then did it a few times with huge sacks of pineapple shoots on our backs. Hate hills, after morazan I'm a big fan of flat ground. All things said and done we planted about 500 pineapples. It's done by pounding the ground with a big iron bar like you'd use to break up concrete-to break the hard ground, and then you scoop a hole out of the loose rocks and wedge the pineapple in and cover it with more dirt and rocks and move on. two plants side by side, in parrallel rows a foot apart, rows 3 feet apart. The plants are super hardy and just need a little water and they shoot their roots in. The plants get big too. And prickly. My hands are torn to shreds. It's hard, hot work. The sun beats down on the slope and we're working in the sun the whole time. The metal bar gets real heavy after a while but I did enjoy, it was a cool experience and now I know how to grow pineapple. And it reaffirmed my desire to get an education without a doubt, funny how breaking your back under the beating sun will do that to ya.

Also helped a couple investigators bring down their firewood for the week, which is another backbreaking experience. They all look at me and they're like "oh, you're big, you must be strong, you take the big one" jokes on them, and I'm too prideful to tell them otherwise. So thanks to my pride, they're all strolling down the mountain with dry pine logs and I'm suffering my way down with a solid, wet oak log. I'm still hurting from it. They're good investigators though, they've all got baptism dates and they're young men which is what we desperately need. Good guys, they have their heads on straight.

Also had an absolute blast the other night, we got invited to a birthday party of a part member family so we went and enjoyed the heck out of ourselves. All missionary appropriate, of course, but I'm a firm believer in working hard without taking myself too seriously. I want you all to picture the most stereotypical mexican party you can imagine-the dad, the head of the household, is strumming his guitar in cowboy boots with a silver plated pistol stuck in his pants. balloons, and just a whole bunch of happiness surrounded by walls of cinderblocks and razor wire. The dad knows I like mariachi music so he calls me up to sing with him and I just happen to know the song he wants to sing so we're up in front singing "El Rey" by Vincente Fernandez (and george strait sings it too) just belting it out like a couple of drunks in Tijuana. Then we ate and had cake and had a good old time. And they had real mexican food! I haven't had mexican food mexican food since I've been here. As in, refried/mexican style beans and tortillas and meat and chipotle style food. Honduran food is nothing like mexican food. Fun time.

And for my little district leader moment of the week-the other companionship of elders here has had some trouble with getting out of bed, leaving the house, and working, so we got the idea into our heads to go wake them up and study with them and get their rears in gear. And my comp was down and excited, he's such a great kid. He's gonna be my favorite companion I think, couldn't ask for a better comp. So we stop by a pulperia, buy them breakfast in a bag, and then get to their house, hop the security fence without getting shot, and then we start pounding on their door like crazy. Woke them up, they come to the door all bleary eyed, and we start shouting "Why didn't you answer the phone?? Pack your crap now, we gotta go! Kevin says we have to leave Morazan now!" And their freaking out, thinking we're getting emergency whitewashed (which supposedly happens every now and then, whenever the cartel or the local gangs get too antsy) and when they're all good and awake with adrenaline I came clean and gave them their breakfast and we sat down and had a good laugh. Then we studied, then did comp study, and they were able to get out of the house at 10, on time, and have some good appointments in the morning.

I think that's all the stories I got for ya. Had some really cool experiences this week. We ended the week with 7 people that have a baptism date-this has been our struggle recently, getting people set up with fecha-so we practiced, did some trainings, and put in practice what PMG and our leaders say and it works. Also learned alot about how to make things happen as a DL. Training, practice, and motivation. We ended the week with 12 with fecha in between the three companionships too, so we're seeing success all around. The exciting parts about this week are the two young men we found, The Ortiz family is gonna get married and Luis is the most solid convert anyone could ask for-he leaves with the missionaries and does a stellar job. Quoting scripture, testifying, explaining things-and he's a great example to his friends and always defends the church. There is actually a fair amount of persecution here but he handles it really well-he's proud of his beliefs and is respected for it.

Still trying to improve all the time in being a DL. And as a default leader in the branch. What made Dad a good bishop? Tell me, both of you, what did you do good? Weak points, strong points?

And the Branch is good. We actually have pretty good leadership, I don't want you to think that we do everythingggg. Kevin, our branch president, is pretty solid, and he recieved more training from the stake presidency. wE don't do any training or anything like that, that's a little above our paygrade. Just leading by example and putting our input when appropriate.

It is exciting though, seeing the growth. Sometimes it feels really slow but when you step back and look at the big picture, as well as the changes made in individual lives, it really is incredible. I still wake up some days thinking "woah...I'm in Honduras" it doesn't seem real sometimes.

And thanks for the tidbits about the grandparents! That's exactly what I'm looking for. But give me more! I want more, just for me as well. Funny stories, your memories of them, personality traits, careers, things like that. And if you can of my great grandparents too.

And believe it or not I do miss the ocean. I love the weather that living on the coast brings too. I'm glad you're enjoying the ft pierce inlet, If I'm thinking of the right one I fished that one a couple of times. Pretty spot, pretty water. Too many people.

Also, the book sounds like a good one, I thoroughly enjoyed how to kill a mockingbird. I think my favorite books are still A Land Remembered and Half Broke Horses and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. But keep on making that post mish list for me, I miss reading just to read.

And no way, you guys are the coolest parents around. Cross country road trips, surfing, exploring springs, guns, fishing, boats, and just whitetrashin' it up in general. The boys couldn't have it any better. All though I'm still waiting on some wekiva river pictures.

And sounds like Kate's having a blast haha Utah sure is a different world. Loved the pictures, Utah is a cool place! Still don't want to live there for more than my schooling years but I sure like to visit! Its best to just have friends in Utah that you get to visit. Allthough I could really enjoy myself in southern utah. Tell kate to keep me posted on her trip, I'm glad she's having such a good time!

Also, just to let yall know, I've really learned to enjoy cooking. I've perfected french toast and pancakes. Float me some breakfast recipes. Ingredients aren't too tricky, just keep it simple, but remember there's only a frying pan-no oven, nothing like that.

And to answer curtis's question, cheeseburger, no doubt. I now hate balleadas after getting sick from a bad one in the street.

What are the boys up to? Besides slaving? Any fishing or surfing or anything? Did you all see the news of the shark attack at the world surf competition? Hondurans are fascinated with sharks (haven't a clue why) and it's been playing on the news all day.

And sarah, getting all ready to go! That's exciting. That was such a weird period in my life. Really on of the harder periods of my life. Good luck with everything! My Zone leader goes home this week and he wants to take you out when you're in Utah if you want haha he's a good guy.

And the family reunions, you better believe it! annually would be better. Florida or arizona, we'd have a blast. beach, mountains, or just at home in florida, or somewhere in between.

I've waxed long now, time to quit writing. Thanks for keeping me posted, love you all!

eating with the ramos family. We bought the food and they cooked it.

 

 

 

Here is a FB post that Scott's mission presidents wife posted.  We learned before we heard from Scott that his area became a branch.  Here description was beautiful...

 “Experienced one of those precious and significant moments of life today, sitting on my metal folding chair in the dirt, in the small mountainous town of Morazon, Honduras, in the shade of the mango and avocado trees and a small corrugated tin roof, surrounded by bugs, butterflies, momma hens with their "pollitos " . . . We

Experienced the great blessing of being present when a group of humble Latter-day Saints became their very own branch of the Church, after more than 10 years... of waiting, praying, seeking, teaching, bringing, sharing and serving. . .

I hope I don't ever take for granted the many blessings of the Church I encountered so easily in my life. I hope I don't ever forget the grateful and humble hearts I witnessed today as their hopes, and faith and endurance finally came to fruition.

So happy for the saints of the Rama Morazon.”

Look close and you can see Scott up at the from - tallest one

 

July 13, 2015

 

That's my big news for this week. After so much hard work, so much effort...we became a branch yesterday. We are now an official branch of zion. Stake Presidency came, president klein came...and we had 90 people in attendance. Huge day, historic day here. I really can't remember anything else to tell you all (other than that I saw a dead guy in the street the other day, Javier Ramos' cousin killed him in the street, supposedly) but yeah. I'm so proud and tired at the same time. After all our work here. Yudi brought two friends to church. Luis is gonna baptize his mom in august. Our 10 or so converts here are all active and bringing more people into the church. 

 Comp and I are getting along great, we have a lot of fun. He's still got some weird south americanisms but it's all good. The good thing about him is he doesn't make the same mistake twice. He's a quick learner. And he works. 

Also getting really tired of hondurans sometimes. Lack of ambition and committment. Everyone says they'll go to church and then we get to their house and they're sleeping, don't have clean clothes, have to run an errand...I'm so sick and tired of the excuses. One family in particular, part member family that we're activating. We get along great, all fun and games, eat with them, and then when its time to go to church every single one of them finds an excuse and it drives me up the wall. I'm sick of people that don't do what they say they're going to do. 

How's Nauvoo and all that though? Give me stories! Pictures look like fun but I need some stories! What have you done, who have you talked to, ate, seen, tell me everything!

 pics-here's a family we're working with, the little guy is a member and we're reactivating him. The adult one is named Tito and he likes to criticize my english. 

 

 The old lady is named Blanca and she has a pet dove. It follows her around like a puppy dog and she laughs and calls it the holy spirit "like the one that came down at the baptism of jesus" 

 

 

Here's some scenery. Pico Pijol in the background there. 

 

The old guy is our neighbor. He reads the bible just about every morning, outloud, as loud as could be, in his little rocking chair. I was listening to him the other day and I thought...freak, this sounds familiar...and I kept listening and sure enough, he's reading the first lesson pamphlet, who knows where he got it. We got a good laugh out of that one. Maybe his family will listen. 

 

July 6, 2015

Are you all on the road at the moment? Loving the pictures, looks like a blast. Where's the next stop? That waterfall/river looks sweet, glad yall got to get in and fool around.

Isn't it beautiful though? I love north georgia, nice mix of pastures, white fences, and good thick hardwoods and creeks. It's pretty. How's tennessee, or are ya not there yet? I appreciate the boiled peanut picture too.

Also sorry to hear about the sicknesses, its the worst! I'd rather have any other kind of sickness than stomach issues/nausea.

Also glad to hear I'm the favorite, absence makes the heart grow fonder right? I kinda doubt the consentious would be the same if I was wedged in the backseat with you all, but I miss you all too and I'm glad you're liking the trip!

That's funny about the publix mishap, hope you all took advantage of it and bought a publix sub. There is absolutely no concept of the sabbath here. Even the missionaries. We're constantly buying stuff on sundays and the members buy us stuff too. Even our stake president (who is a champ, President Banquedano is a dang warhorse, I'd let him in the united states just cause we need people like him) took him and his bishops out to pizza hut after meetings one sunday.

Tell Mark hi, did he ever get his teeth fixed? Tell him I said to quit smoking. He's a good guy.

Congrats on the boca hire! I still hate northerners but sounds like he'd be a good fit for boca, being loud and all. And Neil...poor guy. That is literally my worst nightmare. I think I'd just quit. Burn the truck to hide my mistake.

Also tell Peter hi. I think he's gonna be surprised how fluent I am when I get back. What's going on with Cuba these days? I keep hearing bits and pieces.

Speaking of cuba, and immigration, just so you all know, I'm more against illegal immigration than ever before. I love them, I'm becoming one of them even, but it's truly the scum of latin america that goes. Usually. There's some really awesome exceptions I know, like Javier or the Ortiz family, but the vast majority are back here in Honduras because they were driving drunk, were arrested for breaking and entering, or various drug charges. Every single one. and they all plan on going back again and again. The culture is different too, it's interesting. This week we ran into a group of 4 19-25 year olds just lounging around-and I'm like "dude, what do you guys do, why aren't you working?" and they just tell me there's no work, we wanna go to America. The same thing happens everyday. The Honduran will work all day swinging a machete and outwork a northamerican all day long, but only if someone hires him and pays him. The northamerican, if he doesn't have a job, he makes a job-and that's the difference. They sure work hard but the sad thing is that they work hard and don't progress because they don't work smart.

But about the mission! We are working like dogs. Harder than ever before. I'm sure I'll always have something I'd like to change about the mission, but I will never have any regrets about how hard I worked. This week my comp and I found 18 new investigators with 35 in the district. We've got two people with baptism dates. We're not having the same success we had in earlier days here but we're sure working. I'm step by step becoming the missionary and the person I want to be and it feels good. And I've had nothing of anxiety since I last wrote you about it, looks like that one's behind me.

And as a district leader...really, I do everything. The church is really new here and there's not consistent priesthood. I'm like the first counselor in the bishopric. Sometimes I conduct church. Branch counsel meetings. Talking about our needs, problems in the church, what needs to be done, what help we need, making plans. I help the other companionships, do divisions, trainings, stop them from flirting with eachother, troubleshooting, take numbers, help the zone leaders, give trainings on a zone level, all while keeping everybody happy or trying too. I get along well with everybody and I've managed to find a pretty good line between friend and leader. And if I err its on the side of a friend, I've managed to stop myself from getting stiff or pharasaical. There's a good talk by spencer w kimball that someone gave me that kind of inspired me, I think it's called "Jesus, the perfect leader"or something like that.  I love working though. Calling the shots. I love the stress. Not that it's getting to my head, I still don't know what I'm doing, but I get bored and complacent if I'm not pushed. So that's been really good for me. And my comp and I get along great, he's a good kid and came from good parents. And as far as Mater moments go, nothing's coming to mind, but I know they've happened. He learns quick though. I'll be sure to be on the look out for more mater moments though. 

There's so many responsibilities on our shoulders though. Find investigators. Baptize new converts. Strengthen recent converts. Keep the actives active. Find old members that fell away. Organize callings. See that the callings are carried out. Organize activities. Get along with the members. Fulfill the members expectations of the missionaries. Play with kids. Have family home evenings. Be able to come up with a talk, a lesson, or a game on the spot. (are games are sweet, we go big in family home evenings). Missionaries do everything here. The only way to get it all done is to go full steam ahead all day ever day.

I feel like whatever perception you could have of missionaries in the states is way off. It seems like a different world. I know my perception was way off. It's just different here, I can't explain it. Missionaries in the states seem so polished, spick and span, organized, military almost, and that's just not how things get done here. I prefer it my way.

Investigators-The two most important ones are Antonio and Rosibel, hermana Ortiz. They're progressing well and everythings good. Antonio told his boss he wasn't gonna work any more sundays and his boss was like "ok, cool, no worries" so we got that obstacle out of the way and there's nothing else to hold him back.

Also, one thing that really impressed me this week-the importance of the small things. Family prayer and scripture study. Kneeling prayers. There is power in family prayer and we've seen the difference once families start praying together. Same with reading the scriptures together. Even if it's 6 am and no one's paying attention, it leaves an impression.

And yeah man, the thunderstorms! we've been getting sweet storms. Lots of heat lightning. It's about time. Still hot and dusty but the rain helps a little bit, til it gets humid. The other night my comp and I put chairs outside and watched the lightning for a while, just like we were back on the front porch. It's amazing how blessed we are in the states-my comp had never seen thunderstorms before-and today he was talking about how he'd never seen an eagle and I'm thinking how I've seen like 6 in my life-We have so much natural beauty and all that kind of stuff. And animals. I've yet to see a single wild animal here besides iguanas. In Florida we're always seeing deer, turkeys, bears, gators, hawks, snakes, and then in arizona elk, deer, antelope, what have you-and here we're surrounded by jungle and mountains! We just got lucky I guess.

As far as crazy stuff I've seen this week-I saw a robbery but that was about it. Pretty tame all things considered.

Still getting mangos off our tree, makes for a good breakfast.

I think that's about all I got for ya but I'll be here for a while and I'm sure I'll think of more stuff. Have a blast! Love hearing the stories and seeing the pictures, keep them coming! I'm not homesick at all right now so no worries!

Love you all!

June 29, 2015

Hey everybody! 

I'm feeling better finally, for now. I just kept forcing myself to eat and I finally came around. If it persists I will do something because I can't go my whole mission being sick like that! What's  saved me this week-cause I couldn't eat anything else-was sandwhiches with turkey, cheese, avacado, and tomato (I know, I like tomatoes now!) and cold milk I stuck in the freezer for a while. I started cooking again, making french toast and pancakes and simple things like that. I just didn't have the willpower to eat in the week and i really had to force it. Also, I was drifting off to sleep last night and I heard a big crash-at first I thought someone was breaking in, but I was so tired I was just like "eh, we've got bars on the windows" and then I realized that our mangos finally got ripe and are falling! So this morning we set in to them and ate a nice breakfast of mangos. 

And I know that home is always there. I do love the mission. It's just kinda hard to think that as soon as I get home I'll have to leave again and just go to being homesick again in utah (I actually love Utah though) but I'm excited for that too when the time comes. What do you like about AZ? I mean, I understand the feeling for sure, but what do you miss about it? But shoot, my homesickness is so bad sometimes I get homesick for AZ and I'm not even from there! but wait, does that mean you're not pining for AZ anymore? Finally got converted to Florida or did I read that wrong? 

How was the visit with Kevin? And Orrin? Got a nice long email from Orrin, I still think he's crazy but I think he's doing the right thing. He's really following the spirit here and going for it so more power to him. 

Those beach pictures you sent me are the best, looks like a blast. And frozen gold of course. The skies looking beautiful in the background. And the FOOD. You all have no idea how much I miss the food. Summertime food. Cookout style. Watermelon, sandwhiches, fruit, real milk, real bread, variety-we are truly blessed in the states. Enjoy it for me! And I'm glad the kayaks are getting used! Still waiting on pictures of the wekiva trip! 

I heard about the SCOTUS ruling, that's interesting. I've lost whatever interest I've had in politics for the moment-got bigger fish to fry I guess. I know I'll get back into things when I'm home but for now I'm content to let the world do what it's gonna do. 

 Is sterling still surfing? And going out on the boat? Is he gonna learn how to wakeboard? He's looking all grown up and tanned up. Does he like basketball? And what are you gonna do witht he tooth? Sterlings a wild man, I love it. Keeping it real, florida style. I'm glad he's tight with the Garretts, couldn't hardly choose a better family for him to spend time with. 

And curtis gets to go scalloping! I love scalloping, it was a blast when we went. We'll have to go as a family, its super laid back and a good time all around. Isn't it a little early for scallops though? I hope it turns out. Orrin told me how much Curtis reminds him of me, how he's getting big and acting like me. Hope that's a good thing. And curtis! I need a favor. Now that we have some new spearguns and cast nets and other fishing stuff (thanks for that one by the way, I appreciate it!) Curtis's new job is to take care of it and wash it and not let people borrow them! And, use them. What's he doing to earn money? His emails make me laugh, about as brief as could be, nice and direct and no beating around the bush!

And Kate is sure looking more and more grown up every week. That's exciting, Mia Maid president. Is she just the leader/superstar of the young women? Popular as could be? What else is she doing with her life? She's probably the funniest person I know, I remember how I'd sometimes want to strangle her and get mad at her but I couldn't cause it was just too funny. 

Is Sarah still working? I'm impressed with how much she's working, and with everything she's done with the horses. The other day I was explaining what she does with horses and special needs kids and all that and the man was so amazed-the idea of charity/being anxiously engaged in a good cause thing is pretty foreign here, it's hard to help others when you can't get by yourself. Nursery leader, that's gonna be an interesting one, who else is in there with her? How's she liking her job? BYU updates? How's she feeling? How's the horse? Sarah and I are gonna tear it up in Utah, I'm excited for that. Nothing like being away from home to make you realize how much you just want to hang out with your siblings. 

How's everybody feeling about the trip? Still murmuring? I'd be real excited just for the drive, it's a totally different part of the country than what they know. I expect lots of pictures of the drive, of georgia, and tennessee. And please be sure to stop for either barbeque or boiled peanuts and send me a picture. 

But yeah, we're working hard in Morazan. We had a big group of news-and we had 37 more this week-now the challenge is to get them progressing and going to church. My favorites this week are pure gold-Antonio, is a 37 year old single man (and is the latino twin of kevin mccormack) who is a recovering alcholic with 4 months sober and wants to turn his whole life around, start a family, invited himself to church, and we've got a baptism date for the 25 of july. Solid. He really gets it. His reason for wanting to talk to us (he contacted us when we were burning trash in the back of our little "grove") is that he knows he's made some big changes in his life-he's seen the blessings-and he says that to complete the process and have the power to stay strong he needs to look for God and complete the process-he's made the physical changes, and now he's looking for the spiritual changes. He'll probably be the first convert for my greenie and we're really excited about him. The other is a girl that works in the super market that also contacted us-we went to her house, and I thought she just wanted to flirt with us or find a gringo to take her to the states-but I was way off and she's solid. She's really motivated, got her head screwed on straight, and she's looking for answers. 

Side note, the other day we were sitting in the park waiting on a member to make visits with us and long story short an adventist pastor sits himself next to us and starts expounding the book of revelations and tells me how one of hte great beasts in revelations is the united states and that we're here to enforce dominical rule, or in other words, force people to keep sunday as the sabbath instead of saturday, at the penalty of death. I'm usually extrememely patient with people like that cause they usually mean well and they're usually old and they think they're doing the lord's work just like I am, but he got rude and insulted us and my country so I got a little feisty with him. 

But yeah, my greenie's pretty cool. We get along great. His "mater" moment for the week was when he asked someone  "wait, who's older, you or your dad?" I gave him hell for that one, cracked me up. We have fun though. I'm really trying and making the effort to have fun with him and joke and not just work. Whenever I'm on divisions with a gringo its pure party mode and we're just dying of laughter in the street but I have to work to make that happen with latinos. He's a really hard worker though. He's kind of annoying sometimes with his pride and thinking that his way is right (just about every day he says something to a hondureno like "well, in peru, we do it this way") but we're working on it and he's learning really fast and he's already a really good missionary. You can tell he comes from a really solid family. He's flushing his TP too. I try to do lots of little things for him like make him breakfast every now and then and be a good dad-always try and build him up, have lots of patience and remember how I was when I got on the mission, give him lots of opportunities to try things even when it would be way easier to just do it myself-any tips?? Tips on leadership, training? I'm all ears. 

Anyways, that's all I got for ya, but I'll be on for awhile, "working". Gonna get organized here, making spreadsheets and stuff like that. 

 

love you all!

Elder Hansen

p.s. Here's the gringos in our zone. Left to right, Criddle, from Utah, Roberts, Utah, Hodson, Vegas, Yours truly, and Measles, Lehi, Utah.  I get to see them about once every two weeks. 

 

June 22, 2015

First off, I need to complain a little bit, I've been sick as hell. Forever. Every week. It's taking a toll on me. I get sick every week with a couple days of good health in between and then it starts over. I have no idea what's going on. No energy. I'm sick of being sick! Honduras is killing me. Last week I think I ate a couple bananas, an apple, couple bottles of juice, and that's about it. Can't eat, no appetite. Things are improving but if history is any indicator I'll get better and it'll hit me again. Any ideas? I also can't bring myself to eat the traditional food here anymore, I don't know what changed but it just grosses me out now. Don't get worried or anything, I'm just wanting to complain a little. Any advice??

 

But yeah, my stomach problem got so bad this week I called up a local witch doctor-the literal translation is "rubber" as in, öne that rubs" so he could come and "rub" me...an experience, to say the least. We started off by taking my shirt off and then he whips out this bottle of woman's scented cream and I'm already laughing. Dying of laughter it's so gay. Then he starts rubbing my stomach and I lose it, it tickled so dang bad-just picture me half naked laying on the bed of an investigator with a shirtless honduran man with a cowboy hat (no idea why he took his shirt off too, that shoulda been a red flag). Like a mix of Brokeback Mountain and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. And I'm laughing my head off. So he starts in to rubbing me, rubs my arms, stomach, legs, neck, and it must have worked because the next day I was able to eat. Gotta love Honduras. Paid him 50 lempiras and took down his phone number to call him the next time I need him. 

Aside from all that, I'm doing pretty good though. Love being DL and trainer, it's fun. More stress but I thrive on it. And it's really not that stressful. I actually really enjoy all the finer points of the calling, like the paperwork and the dats and the personal parts as well, like dealing with problems and talking with every missionary and getting to know them and all that. 

 

Also, I had a dream too! about all of you! I had a dream I came home and how great it was, and then I woke up and just about cried haha, I've been pretty homesick this week. I love the mission-but there's always ups and downs-and when I'm sick and tired and without energy and eating the same tortilla smothered in bean sauce and mayonese crap I get pretty homesick. I always remember that before the mission I'd hear RM's talk about how awesome the mission is and how they never wanted to come home. They're full of crap. I love the mission and wouldn't trade it for the world but I'll be the first one to tell all the young men how hard it is (and how worth it is!)  Give me some motivation!

But, the work is moving! We're all kinda starting from scratch. No one has any investigators or pending baptisms-at least, not at the start of this transfer. So we've all been in high speed mode contacting, tracting, and running down people on the streets with lots of motivation from yours truly. And we pulled in a whopping 47 new investigators last week thanks to our efforts-so now we get em set up with a baptism date this week and then see if we can't get them to the temple in a couple months. We found some really good people this week-families, people that are married, men with jobs and desires to improve their lives-definitely lots of potential. 

And what's up with E. Beeston? I talked to his friends and they said that he still hasn't submitted his papers. 

Way to go Sarah! Making hay while the sun shines. Is she going crazy yet? I love working long hours. Makes me feel productive. And good for you all for throwing the party for michael, I know there's no potential there (and there bettter not be!) but he's a good kid. Also, if any of the kids ever marry outside of the temple I'll castrate them. Or their potential spouse. 

And Sterling, that's awesome! the surfing pictures are sweet. Keep it up, what boards do they have? Time to get them real ones? That's cool they saw a shark though, new smyrna is choc full of sharks. 

That's sad that orrin's leaving. I'm not even in FL and I'm sad about it. Still doesn't have a job. End of an era right there, we sure had a blast together. Still haven't met anyone that's as crazy and willing to fish as I am. Not many people are down to fish 24 hours solid or work so hard for the fish.  There's so many times we should have been dead. Catching gators, spearfishing with sharks, spearfishing in the shipping channels in tampa bay, taking my little jonboat up to ponce inlet...sure gonna miss all that! Hope they have a great trip-it's hard taking people fishing, make sure you thank Orrin cause it's a big job! And yes haha please buy the guns, I'll use them here and in Utah too. Or leave them for the boys. 

Tell Kevin hi! I miss the bushes. 

That's great about Devin, temple marriage? Is he all up and active now? That's great. And no, havent heard from G and G, going to write them if I have time. 

And thanksgiving in AZ will be really cool. She'll be able to find a ride I'm sure. There's so many kids that go down to the valley. Perfect time of year to be in AZ. 

 And kate...haha your pictures always make me laugh. Classic kate. I'm sure it went up on instagram. 

And curtis, glad to hear scout camp went so well. Get along pretty good with Josh? Have bryson take yall to the weight room. 

But yeah, all my friends in the mission are gonna end up somewhere in Northern Utah afterwards so it'll be one big party. But no, Measles is my ZL and Hodson is in another district. I'm the only gringo in Morazan. 

And the nauvoo trip, that's funny. Now I'd like to go to Nauvoo but still...before the mission, no way. I'm really hoping it'll be a good experience too. But yeah, go now while I'm not with you all, so I don't have to go later! The rest of the vacation sounds like a blast though, I'm sure they can hack nauvoo for a couple days. 

Hope you get your date with dad! I expect a picture. Are things slowing down for the summer yet? Everyone staying busy for the summer? Well, obviously sarah is, but everybody else? Tell the boys to put those kayaks to use and drop em off for the day at julies. 

Tell everybody at the shop hi for me, especially Jason. 

I love you all and miss you all! I don't think I could be doing what I'm doing without your support, love, and example. Can't wait to hear from ya'll next week!

 
Love, your missionary son who will be coming home in less than 14 months

June 15, 2015

Dude I have a picture of me eating breakfast on the same ledge as that first picture, I've been there! We did all our appalachian stuff right around there. It's a really cool town, like before you actually get to the mountains. Look up waterfalls around there too, there's a really cool one you can swim in right near there. All the pictures I have on my fb from that trip are from right around there. Ask Connor. 

That sounds like a solid itinerary though. I expect lots of pictures. It'll be fun to get to know that part of the country. And as far as georgia goes? As always, I highly recomend boiled peanuts and barbeque. When you're in north georgia look for sun drop soda and cheerwine soda. Actually everything I have for ya has something to do with food. Drive slow through GA, it's pretty! I actually know south georgia pretty well for all the trips we did up there with marty, putting wifi in church buildings up there. And doesn't the Nauvoo temple have live sessions? I would kill to go to the temple, just about the only thing I remember about the endowment session is that my underwear is a little different now

 

And Elder Beeston?? What? Yeah, I know him, he was in my CCM district and we were pretty close. I still talk to him every now and then but he hasn't told me anything, that's wild! Poor dude could barely speak spanish, now he has to start over with french? Or what? That's really strange but awesome. 

I'd love to see that movie. I'm excited to use my spanish after the mission. Peter and I are gonna hang out in the office and gossip about everybody else all day long and you all won't have a clue. 

 And happy fathers day! It is a thing here. Well, Mother's day at least. There aren't really fathers here. 

Bishop Noah told me a story about a black girls little announcement in testinomny meeting, was that chanel? I cracked up, I love it. I mean, pregnancy and all, but still, good for her to get it out in the open. Wish we had some more color in the church. 

And my son! I don't know where they found this freaking kid. Straight from the Andes. His name is Yzquierdo (which is kinda funny cause it almost means "left" in spanish so everyone started calling him "surdo" which is someone that's left handed, like southpaw, but it's kinda derogatory because latins are weird but its funny) But this kid. I'm gonna love him but I just gotta tell you the stories. First couple of days I would find his leftovers in the toilet. Like he never flushed. But the weird thing is, I would find his poop in the toilet without toilet paper. So I'm getting a little weirded out right? Then I got a little hunch, and looked behind the toilet, and lo and behold I found his toilet paper. I was like "dude...get in here. The toilet works." And he looked at me like I was an idiot and he's like "no, you can't put paper in a toilet!" And then I showed him how it works. Freak. And then the other day there was a parade put on by one of the churches here-they have a giant banner held up by 8 people that says "THE CHURCH OF GOD MORAZAN" and a hundred people in matching tshirts and he looks at me and asks "are they members?" I just looked at him for a minute and was like "yeah, of their church!" I was cracking up about that one all day long. Then today he tells me that his friends called him Mater, after the towtruck in Cars. Gee, I wonder why. I'm still laughing about that one. I'm not ragging on him though, I really like him. He's a hard worker. He came pretty prepared too. He'll be a good one. Lots of energy. 

And yeah, I'm DL too. Being a trainer is way more work though! I love being DL. Feel super comfortable. Good district. Lot of work though, definitely being kept busy. President Klein, in the new trainers meeting before I picked up the greenie, was just like "Elder Hansen, do you have any idea what you're getting yourself into?" And I was just like "not a clue, but I'm ready to go!" But yeah, I'm adapting well and doing good. 

And when all was said and done, Yudi, the Ortiz family, and the Ramos family went to the temple to do baptisms this weekend. Well, the branch went, but out of our converts those are the ones that went. And they all loved it. Had great expereiences and came back stronger, even those that didn't go in. Also got in an accident on the way down and had a really close call but everything turned out ok. I dragged my comp out of bed at 2am (abusing my newfound authority and giving myself permission to leave the house at such an hour)  to escort Yudi down to the church so she wouldn't have to walk alone, and saw them off. I wanted to go so bad! and our leader of the extension here is just like "hop in, let's go, we won't tell anybody!" 

And BYU! that's so exciting. Be sure to keep me posted. got plans? She still living in helaman? Got her schedule all figured out? 

And just a random baggy question, how's all my fishing gear doing? still intact? Also, could you all do me a big favor and buy Orrin's spearguns for me? Haha but yeah, I talk to orrin every week. He told me he still hasn't found a job yet but I guess he's still going for it. It's gotta be exciting for him. If I was still at home i'd move out with him, at least for a while, that'd be a blast. Then again, he can find a job out there, and I'd probably have to go on welfare and live with grammy. 

and bro munck is a trooper, tell him hi for me. And the snyders too. 

And way to go Curtis! That's pretty cool. How's he liking the new gun? Who are curtis's friends? 

And sterling, getting into surfing! Right on. Wyatt's solid. Get him into it, that'd be sweet. Wild man. 

But yeah. Today, we got up early, went to the gym, washed clothes, bought our water for the week, burned our trash, got to know a new neighbor who has a ton of potential, cleaned the house, cut hair, went to lunch with the district, and then went to write-power went out, played basketball with a neighborhood kid, and now here I am again. P days aren't restful at all! Plus I'm always super baggy Pdays. 

 I think that's about all I got for ya, time's a ticking. I'll be on for awhile responding to misc emails. Also, tell Jason that I got his email and that I'll get to it asap! Time's short today because we lost power for a while. 

Anyways. I'll get some pictures to ya next week. 

Love you all!

Elder Hansen

June 8, 2015 - Guess who's getting a greenie?

I'm pretty excited, I'm gonna have a son! It's gonna get real interesting around here, blind leading the blind. And if I get a gringo we're gonna be two white boys wandering around honduras, one who doesn't speak spanish and one who speaks goober spanish. It's gonna be a party. Any advice? I'm all ears. Also, the rumor is that I'm gonna be the district leader too, but that one's just a rumor. Also real open to advice  for that as well. We'll see how it pans out. Kinda hoping that its true, kinda hoping its not. But, I'm happiest when I'm working hard and burning the midnight oil. Our zone is killing it right now though, got a solid group of gringos, inlcuding Measles and Hodson. 

 

But my biggest piece of news is our baptism this week-Luis Ortiz, the one I baptized under the waterfall, baptized his little sister this saturday. Our convert baptized our other convert, and his little sister no less! She was radiant.

.

left to right, my comp, Rosibel, Luis, Karen, Rigoberto, and yours truly

She's only 10 but very intelligent and her family is awesome. They are reading together, and pray together frequently, are preparing names to bring to the temple, and Luis is going to do baptisms for the dead (and his Mom is still going to the temple even though she can't go inside). The service was held in the rain, with the clouds hanging low over us in the valley but they couldn't be happier. Her Dad cried in the ordinance, and we're hoping this softens him up a little more. Even he's reading the book of mormon every now and then, and we've got a solid marriage goal for august. My two favorite families here are definitely them and the Ramos family. Javier's the funniest dude I've met here. Cracks me up. We were talking the other night about how all the girls I dated are all getting married and he's just cracking up making fun of me. 

 That's the big stuff to tell ya'll. I was thinking about the food we're eating the other day though, and it's really cool how we're eating the same thing they've been eating here for thousands of years. Corn tortillas, beans, eggs, bananas, and chicken. Hasn't changed a bit. And they still cook the same way too. Just about everyone I know has a big clay oven outside their house with a metal plate on top to cook the tortillas, and most people grow and grind their own corn too. 

Funny story about eggs though-there's a sister here that was telling us the other day that she only gives her son eggs that she grows at home, because all the hormones they give the chickens are whats making us gay. "I don't want my son to grow up to be one of those faggots, you know what I mean??" (That words really common here, it's not quite as offensive as it is back home)  Honduras is choc full of old wives tales and dumb superstitions but it makes me laugh. I need to start writing them down because I hear them every day. Who knows if some of them are true though. 

Oh, and a little drama around here unfortunately. Remember that love letter I told you about? The girl, and two of her friends, up and got all offended because I didn't give her the time of day. I was still always friendly and pleasant and chatted with her but purely business, ya know? So now they hate me and my comp, and they invite the other missionaries over and not us, and other foolishness like that. Really kind of unfortunate cause she's a good missionary and would be great to go with us to appointments but she's got her panties in a wad. Just hoping she doesn't go around badmouthing here, cause I've heard a few stories like that. Wish me luck! 

Also, I want you all to study moses 7. One of my favorite chapters. Started reading the Pearl of Great Price and I'm a big fan of Moses 7, read very carefuly. 

And I heard about your little act in stake conference! Tell me more, sounds like a blast. That's funny. But yeah, I've emailed her a couple times, she's awesome. Solid. 

Good luck on the job interview sarah! Making hay while the sun shines, way to go. And those pictures...making me miss home and all that! The pool, the truck, the horse stuff, way to go. Great pictures. 

And Kate, you're a volunteer! Doesn't it feel so profesional? Hope you get to work in the maternity ward. I'm sure at one point you'll have to bring stool samples to the lab. Also, enjoy the hot chocolate machines. Where was girls camp? Looks like a blast. Way to keep it fearless, shred it brah. What are ya gonna do when the copeland girl comes? Show her Florida, don't spend all your time indoors! 

And curtis, way to be working too. What's this shotgun? what's it called? You get what you pay for. But way to work. How's the summer jobs looking? Any ideas? And a hailstorm, how cool. Haven't seen one of those for a long time. Kayaking in the ditch, sweet. I used to do the same thing with a skimboard-we'd go down with Hyrum and Jesse and some of the other neighborhood kids down on Ibis road after thunderstorms and skimboard in puddles on the side of the road. Hardly ever get storms like that here. We get rain here, every day now, but no wind and hardly any thunder. Keep on working my man, way to go. 

What's sterling got planned for the summer? He's looking older and older every email, everybody is. Sterling pretty good buddies with Wyatt still? 

No worries on the short letter. Get my package off?? And big news on the new calling, what does everybody think? And no other suggestions on the backpack, just look for something quality and cammo if ya can! Bass pro always had decent backpacks. Something small and sturdy. 

When do you all leave for the summer trip? I want you all to go out to the wekiva and swim in the spring and then take the canoes to the rope swing on shell island for me sometime in the near future, and take lots of pictures. 

Anyway. I'm still waiting on pictures from my comp from the baptism but they're sweet and I'll float them to ya when I get them. 

Bye now! Love you all!