Solideridad, Monterrey week 3

This week was great. But it went so fast! I really need to start making a list of things to write!!!
We just got back from the Temple, so that's why I didnt write Monday. They changed Pday from Monday to Wednesday this week, but it was worth it. When we were there, I decided to do baptisms, which is where I heard Elder Andersen, my MTC comp, was going to be. When he saw me he just lit up and gave me a huge hug haha it was awesome. Then he told me that on Monday they made him a Zone Leader! I was so happy for him!! I know hes going to do a great job in that position and help out many missionaries.
We finished the week with 3 baptisms. The first one was the couple that got married on Sunday and he got baptized Tuesday. It was an awkward service because he didnt want anyone else there, and right before he and his wife who is a member had fought, so she didnt come. But while we were taking the pictures, she showed up, but still angry. It was a different service, but whats important is that he made the Covenant With God, and I know she will help him to overcome the trials and be eternally happy.
The other baptism was a 16 year old kid who came with his buddy who's a member. So, I did the missionary thing: put his baptismal date the first time meeting him. And he accepted. It was awesome, but I wasn't too convinced. He knew nothing, but all that week we taught him and he got baptized Sunday morning. I was so happy to see him baptized, and to have a member family that are really good friends, he`ll stray stong in the Gospel.
The other was a little boy of an less active member. She came to church to see the baptism, so we are going to keep on strengthening her so shell be 100 percent active again.
I was on divisions again with Elder Dearden and we were walking, and a drunk man, for some reason (as they all do), came over and started talking to us. He said he'd read the bible like a thousand times. Turns out we had a 'prophet' talking to us here. So i decide to see just how much he knew, so I figured Id throw him the hundred dollar question before progressing. "Who wrote the gospel of Matthew?". a pause. His buddy, not drunk, said, "well, it would be Matthew, wouldnt it?", to which the drunk mans eyes got big, turned to his friend and scoldingly shouted, "No thats not it!".....To which we tried so hard not to laugh. He continued on to say that he was Crazy Horses son. I should have gotten his autograph....

Anyway a great week. This next one will be awesome too. We got our 250 contacts, which was a lot easier and funner (more fun?)than I thought. Its great!
I ate ice cream with chile in it today. All the Gringos thought I was crazy, but my Mexican friends accepted me as one of their own. Gringos dont know what theyre missing !


Much Love
JAmes

Slideridad, Monterrey week 2

This week was great. We had zone conference on Friday, and it was great. They had a sup rise for us. Before we had to do 150 contacts each week, but they upped it to 250. It was hard before! but I know President Romny receives revelation for us, and he said its something hes wanted to do since he got here. He said it surprised him how we we were doing. So now we will be even busier!! (more busy? 驴c贸mo se dice?)
I went on divisions again with Elder Dearden this week. It was so great! I missed talking deeper stuff with him. My usual comps arent the deepest people in the world, but he and I just have the same views on things, but different ways to accomplish them. Its wonderful. But dont think thats all we did. No, I dont think Ive laughed that hard since he was my comp in Piedras! O it was so fun. I have to go with him again this week so I can only imagine!!!
Yesterday we went to the house of Junior and Patty, a couple we baptized last week. She was feeling a bit sick , so we asked if we could give a blessing. Her husband Junior is a very laughy happy kind of person, but when we were going to give the blessing, he got very reverent and quiet. It was an interesting sight. the spirit was there while we were giving the blessing, and afterwords he said that each time we pray he gets a tingly warm feeling. He understands its the Spirit. Hes excited to get the Priesthood and go to the temple to do baptisms and next year to get sealed. Ive really seen a change in that family. It is wonderful.
We later went to the house of an inactive where her (now) husband lives. Before they were just living together but they got married yesterday so he can get baptized Tuesday. She looked like an angel in her wedding dress. I only say that because it was modest. It had sleeves and everything and I was very proud of her. she sat down next to us and said that her goal after the baptism of her husband was to go to the temple in a year. I told her I want to be there when they get sealed, and that Id fly out to see it. She asked really? and I said yes. I cant wait, it will be great!
Well this weeks gonna be even crazier than ever. 250 contacts- fun. Haha no I'm excited to find new ways to be even more effective in my contacts. So thats all. 隆adios!
Much Love
JAmes

p.s. GIO!!!!!!! You got baptized!!!! man im sooo proud of you!!!!! Kinda didnt see that one coming but all the better!!! write me a letter as soon as you can!!!

Solideridad, Monterrey Week 1

Well, I got transferred again as you can see. I'm now in Monterrey again (!¡) and im still a District Leader. My companion is Elder Whitney, another fellow from Utah. He is the third of three American companions that have been from Utah! I know soon ill get someone from Delaware or Alaska or somewhere completely random!
This week was crazy! When I got here they had like 8 people at church last Sunday but no Baptismal dates for the next week, because each had a slight problem or two. So this week we worked the whole week to get a couple married so they could get baptized. That was an adventure. Well Id never exactly had to marry anyone before so I had no Idea where to start, but luckily my ZL's knew what to do. SO they got married Friday, then invited us over for dinner at the members house who are their fellow-shippers (i don't know how to say hermanadores). Then Saturday they had their interview and Sunday their baptism. They kept thanking us and saying they were going to be faithful forever. After the baptism the husband said "Ahora hasta el templo" or, "now, to the Temple". It was so great to see them baptized.
There was also another family of 3 who didn't accept. We went and I explained want baptism is and why its important and things like that. then the mom said that that was her main concern, not knowing why it was important. The Spirit really guided me....because that was the first time I'd met them, and I cleared up their doubts. It was great seeing them also get baptized.
Another lady named Carmen had a baptismal date for this Sunday but we wern"t going to see her till Saturday because she was going to be out of town, so I wasn't really banking on it happening. But Saturday before her baptism, I interviewed her, and she was also ready to go! I was so happy that she was worthy, and we didn't have to postpone the service.
Anyway, I'm stoked to be back in Monterrey. I would have liked to be another transfer in Saltillo with my kid, but I guess the Lord needs me here.
My ex-companion Elder Dearden is in my district!!!!!! I was SOOO happy to hear that. He was one, of if not the best, comp ive had, and definitely the best Ive had in the field. We've already gone on divisions twice, but not to slack off, but to WORK I promise! I handn't laughed that hard basically since Id been with him! He trusts me so much and I know he will be one of the Elders I wont really have to get after, because I know how he does things and he knows how I do things. So it will be really fun.
Yesterday at church, during the passing of the water, while in deep meditation, a kid about 2 seats away from me started puking. really hardcore puking. Kinda the yelling/gurgling type. It was wonderful. Welcome back home to Monterrey Elder Hawken ha.
Well, started off the transfer with 6 baptisms. I gotta keep this rhythm going! Its going to be fun!

Much Love
JAmes

Zaragoza, Saltillo week 12

This week was amazing. I literally saw a miracle happen. Last week our
zone leaders told us to get all the possibles that could be baptized, this
week (or people who have gone to church once or more before), write down
their names, and pray for and visit them. Over the past few weeks, Ive
wanted to go visit Karen, and investigator that almost got baptized, but
had some "things she needed to clear up first" and would do it when "she felt
it was right", and we stopped teaching her because she started working
Sundays. She just happened to be one of these possible baptisms for this
week. My comp and another Elder went to her house one evening and talked to
her, but she said she still didnt want to get baptized. So I prayed to know
what to do and knew I had to prepare a superior spiritual lesson to teach, and
theres no theme more powerful than the Atonement of Jesus Christ. So my comp
and I prepared a lesson, and I felt we needed to invite one of our recent
converts to go, who Karen actually knew. So we went, found out she doesnt
work Sundays anymore. Barrier one passed. Found out she had nothing to do
Sunday. Barrier two. Then she accepted to go to church. Barrier three. The
Lord just put everything in place. So then I began the lesson, read a
scripture, then, our amazing recent convert Sister, Isabel, just started in. They
just started talking and kinda tossed us out of the picture, which was
absolutely perfect. I heard Isabel say things that were truly inspired, and
she quickly and efficiently answered all her questions. Then I came in and
said it would be my absolute pleasure to take her into the waters of baptism
this upcoming Sunday. This day was Thursday, mind you. She accepted! I
thought it was too good to be true. The next day we filled out her baptismal
form. Still, I thought it was just too good to be true. Sunday she showed up, and
with a full heart, I had the pleasure of baptizing her. This is someone we
hadnt even seen in a good month and a half, and in 3 days was prepared for
her baptism. I was super happy and grateful to my Heavenly Father for having
been so merciful and helping me to know what to do.
So tonight we have transfers but Im pretty sure Im staying here with my
comp. Elder Braithwaite is the coolest and a super chill guy and laughs at
all my silly jokes haha. Im glad Im going to stay with him.
Anyways, I love you all and hope to get some letters. Chris, stay strong,
Pal and get out here!!! MAson WRITE ME!! and and all my other friends too!!
Much Love
JAmes

p.s. thats me on what appears to be new couch in a random gully....I
probably now have 8 different kinds of diseases.