A New Song To Sing
Well, what can be said. Whatever it is, I can do it in 2 languages now haha. Here I am at a ciber (internet cafe) in Soriana (Mexican Wal Mart) with a slew of mixed feelings. I had to say goodbye to the lady who was like my mom in this area, and it was so hard! Never would I have imagined being able to connect with, or fully communicate with, someone who speaks Spanish. But here I am, the Lord brings to pass His great purposes.
Today I went and visited 2 converts in Monterrey, Daniel and Saul, that I baptized in March. They are two of my favorite people in the world. When I left, the were just beginning to learn the Mormon jargon but today they were fluently describing everything about the church. Daniel, the oldest at 18, is super excited about turning in his papers in March, when he completes a year in the church. I remember the first time I knocked his door. It was the first week theyd upped the contact goal from 150 to 250. I was terrified because I could barely get the 150, but to not worry or stress out my comp, I just played it off cool. With butterflies in mu stomach, and a heaviness in the form of a drastic change in work goals I didnt konw how to overcome, we prayerfully, and I appearing calmly and not worried a bit, began contacting. The 4th door in, Daniel came out. "here we go"I thought. "Were misisonaries from the Church of Jesus Christ and we help people change their lives. Is there anything in your life youd like to change?" "actually, yes." "MAy we come in and teach you how to do it?" And like that the seed was planted, and has grown into what is now a thriving testimony, and an anxious desire to serve the Lord. Only anyone whos been a missionary can know that feeling. I am so thankful that the Lord blessed us that day, and since then, and has helped me learn lessons like that about faith.
When anyone says to a missionary "planting and gathering" they think of spiritual preparation and baptism. But today I realized another meaning. In its basic sense, it is spiritual preparation and baptism. But then from that "gathering" we plant more seeds, which is then gathered as a young man grows his testimony and decides to serve the Lord. From that gathering again are planted seeds, which grow and are gathered as a family gets sealed in the temple. With each gathering of the crop, the seeds become more and more special, more prized, the roots grab deeper, and the resulting gathering is of the utmost beauty and importance. Almost an exponential growth from one to the other. In the end you have something eternal that began with one tiny seed, the curiosity and Spiritual impression to see who the two white guys are outside the door. We were simply instruments in the Lords hands, He used us as the planters while He took care of everything else concerning His vineyard. I am so grateful to the Lord for having been on this, His mission, in the exact and specific location He wanted me to be in. I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ, and even though my chapter is closed, the book reads on.
Okay okay who is this dude and whats he done with James? haha to get back to the good stuff...
Fotuism of the week:
"I aint never been hurt in football, knock on wood." looks at a tree, turns to his comp and says, "is that wood?"
Look for me on Facebook or write me at this address from now at mandoman333@gmail.com
Haha well in like 48 hours Ill be James again. Im on the brink of changing the world!!!!
Oh, heres a dream, a song to sing, a masterpiece in the making,
So, spread your wings, and though it seems something eternal,
You'll have to wake up from your dream
Because today, theres a new song to sing.
Much Love
JAmes
Monday, January 3, 2011
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
La Cañada, Saltillo Week 5
Christmas week was crazy. We went to Monclova, about 3 hours away, and had our Christmas conference. It was so great! I loved it! We did a sketch that was a parody of "Finding Faith in Christ" but we applied it to misisonaries. We were told it was the funniest of all haha!
This weeks been a little difficult. Everyone's leaving town or drunk haha. But we found some cool people that are progressing well, and are excited about the church.
Talking with the family was probably more a curse than a blessing. It got me super trunky haha (trunky means homesick, or a change of focus from missionary work to whats going on at home) but thankfully the next day I was out of that, and ready to work.
Sorry I dont have a lot of time but this next week is my last in the mission. Im really excited and am gonna throw it down!
Much Love
JAmes
This weeks been a little difficult. Everyone's leaving town or drunk haha. But we found some cool people that are progressing well, and are excited about the church.
Talking with the family was probably more a curse than a blessing. It got me super trunky haha (trunky means homesick, or a change of focus from missionary work to whats going on at home) but thankfully the next day I was out of that, and ready to work.
Sorry I dont have a lot of time but this next week is my last in the mission. Im really excited and am gonna throw it down!
Much Love
JAmes
Monday, December 20, 2010
La Cañada, Saltillo Week 4
This week was great. On Tuesday I got a bit of a cold and felt bad all day. At night I got a sore throat and a temperature. I was super happy about this because the next morning we had the Zone Conference. Wed finished the presentation but hadn’t practiced it to check the time length yet. So, with a sore throat, burning, but feeling cold, my comp and I went through it on Tuesday night, and the timing of it was perfect. Then, I asked Elder Dearden for a blessing so I would be better for the presentation the next day. Well, the next day I woke up, and my throat didn’t hurt a bit. I had a hardcore headache haha but that can easily be cured with Ibuprofen. My fever had almost completely broken too. It is amazing the things that happen with the Priesthood and faith. So I still wasn’t on my A game you could say, but we did the presentation, and we did really well, so said the assistants haha. I was just happy to be done with it haha. Not that I don’t like doing them but I was a little sick and just wanted to sit down and rest a minute, but it all went great.
Our mission President announced something crazy at the conference. When I first got here, we had a weekly goal of 150 contacts, the in February they changed it to 250, a big jump. Since then the mission hasn’t done very well in baptizing, due to the fact that everyone was more concerned about getting the 250 then getting good people. So, he announced that there will now be NO overall goal for contacts and that we would focus everything towards getting 12 new investigators a week. It scared me, because I knew this was going to make or break each and every missionary. There are a few in my zone that I know its going to break, and seeing the data on Sunday, I wasn’t mistaken. I knew many were going to take it as a break, not doing any contacts now that there’s no mission goal. But, at the same time, I like it a LOT more because now we can take time t find people, not just shoot in the dark and hope we knock on the door of someone who wants to listen. Now it will be more inspired, we can spend more time on people and not just on getting a number. I personally love it, and know we will have success with it in our area. It’s just a matter of getting everyone else to do it too.
Well, this next week is the Christmas conference, and half the mission is getting together in Monclova, and the other half in Monterrey. I’m excited to go and see all my buddies!
That’s all folks. Have a great day and a FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!! Love you all!!!!
Much Love
James
Our mission President announced something crazy at the conference. When I first got here, we had a weekly goal of 150 contacts, the in February they changed it to 250, a big jump. Since then the mission hasn’t done very well in baptizing, due to the fact that everyone was more concerned about getting the 250 then getting good people. So, he announced that there will now be NO overall goal for contacts and that we would focus everything towards getting 12 new investigators a week. It scared me, because I knew this was going to make or break each and every missionary. There are a few in my zone that I know its going to break, and seeing the data on Sunday, I wasn’t mistaken. I knew many were going to take it as a break, not doing any contacts now that there’s no mission goal. But, at the same time, I like it a LOT more because now we can take time t find people, not just shoot in the dark and hope we knock on the door of someone who wants to listen. Now it will be more inspired, we can spend more time on people and not just on getting a number. I personally love it, and know we will have success with it in our area. It’s just a matter of getting everyone else to do it too.
Well, this next week is the Christmas conference, and half the mission is getting together in Monclova, and the other half in Monterrey. I’m excited to go and see all my buddies!
That’s all folks. Have a great day and a FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!! Love you all!!!!
Much Love
James
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
week 3 La Cañada, Saltillo
This week was a blast. My comp and I worked really hard this week and found a great lady who read the pamphlets and understood them well. she was committed to go to church, but didnt go. We went back to see why she didnt go, and her husband said she'd left with her mom and sister for the day. It is important to note that yesterday was the day of the Virgen de Guadalupe. In other words, another holiday to get smashed. Everyone was having parties celebrating the day of the "Queen of Mexico" Maria Guadalupe. We should have known that would have been a big problem for her to go to church haha.
This holiday is HUGE in Mexico. They have dances called matachines, which are people who dress up kind of like Indians and do ritual dances to the Virgin. Its an interesting part of the Mexican culture. Aside from that, the houses here have no yard, so the houses are literally next to each other. Well, the people in the house behind us were out back having a party with BLARING Mexican music. Mexican music is the music I'm least fond of in the whole world haha. so at about 11, all of a sudden some cool folk-english song comes on, then right after they played a CCR song, and to top it off, the best- "Imagine" by John Lennon. I thought of Mason the whole time, and how in 23 days ill be listening to it with him!!!! YAY!!!!!
We have a Sunday night tradition now that we call Sunday Snight Smores. We have 4 candles at the house, and Saturday we buy chocolate and graham crackers and mallows, and after reporting dates we turn out all the lights and make smores haha. Its pretty much the best thing ever haha!!!!
I was happy and sad about this week. Sad, because its the first time in a long time I've reported the "first four zeros" in my area, meaning 0 baptisms, 0 confirmations, 0 in church, and 0 baptismal dates. but, on the other hand I was really happy, because Elder Dearden and Fotu had 2 baps, 2 confirmations, 1 in church, and 1 with baptism date. I was so happy for him. Hes tearing it up in his area. Its so great!!!
Well, my feet are a little sore because we just got done Slacklining. Its like tight rope walking, but like a foot off the ground. Its soooo fun! Haha thats what we do now on Pdays haha
Anyways I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
This holiday is HUGE in Mexico. They have dances called matachines, which are people who dress up kind of like Indians and do ritual dances to the Virgin. Its an interesting part of the Mexican culture. Aside from that, the houses here have no yard, so the houses are literally next to each other. Well, the people in the house behind us were out back having a party with BLARING Mexican music. Mexican music is the music I'm least fond of in the whole world haha. so at about 11, all of a sudden some cool folk-english song comes on, then right after they played a CCR song, and to top it off, the best- "Imagine" by John Lennon. I thought of Mason the whole time, and how in 23 days ill be listening to it with him!!!! YAY!!!!!
We have a Sunday night tradition now that we call Sunday Snight Smores. We have 4 candles at the house, and Saturday we buy chocolate and graham crackers and mallows, and after reporting dates we turn out all the lights and make smores haha. Its pretty much the best thing ever haha!!!!
I was happy and sad about this week. Sad, because its the first time in a long time I've reported the "first four zeros" in my area, meaning 0 baptisms, 0 confirmations, 0 in church, and 0 baptismal dates. but, on the other hand I was really happy, because Elder Dearden and Fotu had 2 baps, 2 confirmations, 1 in church, and 1 with baptism date. I was so happy for him. Hes tearing it up in his area. Its so great!!!
Well, my feet are a little sore because we just got done Slacklining. Its like tight rope walking, but like a foot off the ground. Its soooo fun! Haha thats what we do now on Pdays haha
Anyways I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
La Cañada, Saltillo
Week 2
This week was fun! On Wednesday we had the Zone Leader Council in Monterrey, about 2 hours away. It was pretty fun. They told me to go like 5 hours early to get all my visa stuff worked out, but when we got there it turned out that I still needed some paperwork, so we couldn't do anything. We went back to the mission offices and hung out with the Assistants and the office elders. We made a football field in the grass, on the office property, so we could play at night with all the Zone leaders and stuff. We used rope clippings and just measured out the sides and corners. It wasn't too chueco (bent?), and it turned out all right. After that, my comp and I decided to go eat at about 2, before the thing started at 5, so we went to Subway. If that wasn't good enough, the funniest thing happened. They had some silly soap opera thing on TV, and we just ignored it, like usual. Then this show ended, and the commercial said, "coming up next- Dumb and Dumber". I almost cried. Thankfully by this time we were about finished eating, so we were about to go. The show loses all funniness when its translated haha.
Well, there's not really a whole lot else. I'm coming home in less than a month, but who cares about that. Ha. It doesn't even seem real. Next week we have our zone conference, then the next week is Christmas, then New Years, then I'm home. No way! But I just gotta keep on keepin on. Its not even that hard really. It just seems normal ha.
Anyways I love you all, and hope all is great. Until next week!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
Week 2
This week was fun! On Wednesday we had the Zone Leader Council in Monterrey, about 2 hours away. It was pretty fun. They told me to go like 5 hours early to get all my visa stuff worked out, but when we got there it turned out that I still needed some paperwork, so we couldn't do anything. We went back to the mission offices and hung out with the Assistants and the office elders. We made a football field in the grass, on the office property, so we could play at night with all the Zone leaders and stuff. We used rope clippings and just measured out the sides and corners. It wasn't too chueco (bent?), and it turned out all right. After that, my comp and I decided to go eat at about 2, before the thing started at 5, so we went to Subway. If that wasn't good enough, the funniest thing happened. They had some silly soap opera thing on TV, and we just ignored it, like usual. Then this show ended, and the commercial said, "coming up next- Dumb and Dumber". I almost cried. Thankfully by this time we were about finished eating, so we were about to go. The show loses all funniness when its translated haha.
Well, there's not really a whole lot else. I'm coming home in less than a month, but who cares about that. Ha. It doesn't even seem real. Next week we have our zone conference, then the next week is Christmas, then New Years, then I'm home. No way! But I just gotta keep on keepin on. Its not even that hard really. It just seems normal ha.
Anyways I love you all, and hope all is great. Until next week!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
Friday, December 3, 2010
La Cañada week 1
This week has been awesome. My new comp is awesome. Hes really chill and hes from Utah. Hes a rock climbing fanatic, and has got me super stoked to try it out. There are a couple gyms here in Saltillo were going to find and go try out.
The house is pretty much the funnest house in the whole mission. Me, Super chill and awesome Wilson, crazy fun Deardles, and super black Tongan Fotu. I randomly run into the other room and tackle Dearden before he goes to bed and we wrestle till were tired. We sleep a lot better haha. Deardles brought his guitar, Wilson has a tiny guitar, and we stringed a guitar the previous owners left here. We have 4 working guitars. And, Elder wilson has "Doubting Thomas" by Nickel Creek on a CD, and the other 3 hadnt heard of them, and fell in love with the song and listen to it over and over. Its kind of interesting how this all culminates my last transfer. 4 guitars, and Nickel Creek? I dont think its just a coincidence. I believe its a test for me. Im on my last transfer, perhaps Hes wanting to see what Ive become, what I see as most important. Are you a musician, or a missionary? One thing Ive learned in the mission is that music doesn't define me, I do. I want to be seen as who I really am, a special Child of God, a worthy priesthood holder, and an instrument through which the Holy Ghost can and does work. Not the guy who can listen to any thing and just play it. Who cares about that guy? Who would want to be friends with or date such a hollow person? Im not a musician. Im me! And what a grand realization its been for me! Music will always be a part, even a large part, of my life. I will always recognize and utilize this great gift God has given me. But there are some things that are so much more important than that. Thats why I love so much the great friends Ive made here in the mission, because they see me for me. They love the person thats inside, and I can honestly say there are few people who have seen me for me, because I was always hiding behind a guitar or a mandolin, and I never allowed them to see, nor did many make the effort to see, who I really was. Its so refreshing to have people, other than just family and a select few others, see me for what God intended me to be, and help me realize that I am a good person. Back to the point... Im gonna have to be careful with the music th last 5 weeks haha.
We had a missionary fall off his bile this week. Well, more like fly off a giant mound of dirt, and realize, in mid air, there was no landing ramp. He landed right on his hip. He was freaking out, thinkin his hip was broken. The mission presidents wife told him to drink a lot of water, to which a member responded no, because if he drank too much he could go into shock and get diabetes. What? Anyway, hes alright, but got pretty banged up, and dindt get diabetes. Well, as far as we know.
I love you all and want MAson and Chris and Amy and Becca to write me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
The house is pretty much the funnest house in the whole mission. Me, Super chill and awesome Wilson, crazy fun Deardles, and super black Tongan Fotu. I randomly run into the other room and tackle Dearden before he goes to bed and we wrestle till were tired. We sleep a lot better haha. Deardles brought his guitar, Wilson has a tiny guitar, and we stringed a guitar the previous owners left here. We have 4 working guitars. And, Elder wilson has "Doubting Thomas" by Nickel Creek on a CD, and the other 3 hadnt heard of them, and fell in love with the song and listen to it over and over. Its kind of interesting how this all culminates my last transfer. 4 guitars, and Nickel Creek? I dont think its just a coincidence. I believe its a test for me. Im on my last transfer, perhaps Hes wanting to see what Ive become, what I see as most important. Are you a musician, or a missionary? One thing Ive learned in the mission is that music doesn't define me, I do. I want to be seen as who I really am, a special Child of God, a worthy priesthood holder, and an instrument through which the Holy Ghost can and does work. Not the guy who can listen to any thing and just play it. Who cares about that guy? Who would want to be friends with or date such a hollow person? Im not a musician. Im me! And what a grand realization its been for me! Music will always be a part, even a large part, of my life. I will always recognize and utilize this great gift God has given me. But there are some things that are so much more important than that. Thats why I love so much the great friends Ive made here in the mission, because they see me for me. They love the person thats inside, and I can honestly say there are few people who have seen me for me, because I was always hiding behind a guitar or a mandolin, and I never allowed them to see, nor did many make the effort to see, who I really was. Its so refreshing to have people, other than just family and a select few others, see me for what God intended me to be, and help me realize that I am a good person. Back to the point... Im gonna have to be careful with the music th last 5 weeks haha.
We had a missionary fall off his bile this week. Well, more like fly off a giant mound of dirt, and realize, in mid air, there was no landing ramp. He landed right on his hip. He was freaking out, thinkin his hip was broken. The mission presidents wife told him to drink a lot of water, to which a member responded no, because if he drank too much he could go into shock and get diabetes. What? Anyway, hes alright, but got pretty banged up, and dindt get diabetes. Well, as far as we know.
I love you all and want MAson and Chris and Amy and Becca to write me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
Friday, November 26, 2010
La cañada week 6
This week was crazy. Well, the beginning of the week was pretty normal, just throwin' it down with my comp in his last week in the mission. It was kind of hard, because it got me thinking too, "Man, Ill be there in 6 short weeks!" It was hard to focus, I'm not gonna lie, but with transfers it will be a lot easier.
We went to Monterrey on Monday to see some of my comps converts, and stuff. We left Saltillo at 5:30 am and didnt get back till 9 pm. A super long day! We just went from place to place, and I was happy because I got to ride the Metro again. I love the metro! Its just so fun! Also, we went to a place called the Macro Plaza, which is just like a GIANT GIANT HUGE GYNORMOUS BIG strip mall. We went to the electronic part, and I bought a 16gig thumb drive, for 30 bucks, brand new haha! It works perfectly!
So, we got transfers. Im getting Elder Wilson, whos 6 weeks younger than me. They say hes really cool, so Im excited. Also, we are living with the Elders from Lomas, another area, and the senior comp there left. He became a junior comp for being disobedient and lying about dats. He lived with the Zone Leaders, and still didnt wake up till like 7. I woke him up for like the first week and a half, then left him to himself to dig himself a deeper hole for not putting forth any effort. It was having a bad effect on Elder Fotu, the junior comp in that companionship. But the heavens poured out a blessing upon that area, and upon me. Guess whos coming in the place of that missionary? none other than ELDER DEARDEN!! I was SO happy when they told me!! Were going to live in the same house!! AAGGHH!!! This tranfer is going to ROCK!!!!
Well, Im officially on my omega transfer (alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, omega representing the end). I put a huge omega symbol on the front of my agenda, haha.
Anyway I love you all, and Id like to start a new thing, each week Im going to put a funny saying by elder Fotu. Hes from oakland CA and talks like a black man. This weeks is as follows:
"Man, Christmas be today next week."
That was him trying to say, "a week from today is Thanksgiving." Haha, all laughs from Fotu
I lvoe you all and take cares!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
We went to Monterrey on Monday to see some of my comps converts, and stuff. We left Saltillo at 5:30 am and didnt get back till 9 pm. A super long day! We just went from place to place, and I was happy because I got to ride the Metro again. I love the metro! Its just so fun! Also, we went to a place called the Macro Plaza, which is just like a GIANT GIANT HUGE GYNORMOUS BIG strip mall. We went to the electronic part, and I bought a 16gig thumb drive, for 30 bucks, brand new haha! It works perfectly!
So, we got transfers. Im getting Elder Wilson, whos 6 weeks younger than me. They say hes really cool, so Im excited. Also, we are living with the Elders from Lomas, another area, and the senior comp there left. He became a junior comp for being disobedient and lying about dats. He lived with the Zone Leaders, and still didnt wake up till like 7. I woke him up for like the first week and a half, then left him to himself to dig himself a deeper hole for not putting forth any effort. It was having a bad effect on Elder Fotu, the junior comp in that companionship. But the heavens poured out a blessing upon that area, and upon me. Guess whos coming in the place of that missionary? none other than ELDER DEARDEN!! I was SO happy when they told me!! Were going to live in the same house!! AAGGHH!!! This tranfer is going to ROCK!!!!
Well, Im officially on my omega transfer (alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, omega representing the end). I put a huge omega symbol on the front of my agenda, haha.
Anyway I love you all, and Id like to start a new thing, each week Im going to put a funny saying by elder Fotu. Hes from oakland CA and talks like a black man. This weeks is as follows:
"Man, Christmas be today next week."
That was him trying to say, "a week from today is Thanksgiving." Haha, all laughs from Fotu
I lvoe you all and take cares!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
Monday, November 15, 2010
La Cañada, Saltillo week 5
This week was quite eventful. On thursday Elder Tenorio from the 70 came and talked to the missionaries in Saltillo. He was doing a mission tour and the two zones in Saltillo met together. It was so amazing. I thought it would be kind of serious or that he was going to get after us for something, but it wasnt like that at all. He was making jokes and going off subject and telling us hilarious irrelevant stories. His main point however was about praying with real faith and doing our part so they can happen. He also spoke about setting goals and accomplishing them by focusing on the end rather than the effort necessary to accomplish it. It was amazing and reminded me of the story by Pres. Uchtdorf about him not being able to learn english until his motivation was appropriate. It was so wonderful.
We had a miracle baptism this week. The boyfriend of a member got baptized on thursday. We never taught, visited, or hardly talked to him. The Bishop is his girlfriends dad, so he basically taught him everything. We just set up the interview and he was good to go. IT was great! A really spiritual baptismal service. I really enjoyed it.
We just got done with our inter-zonal activity (Elder Van Vliet still makes fun of me for that word. Its a real word). We played soccer in the morning then went bowling, then ate at Dominos to finish off the activity. The only bad thing was that not all the people from the both zones wanted to do it, so only about half went. But it was okay, all the ones I wanted to see went haha. It was a blast!
Well this is my comps last week in the field. IT will be a fun week. Hes doing really good and I think... no, I know he'll finish strong. Then its on to my last transfer... (!)
Congrats to Matt and Jana! I hear Whitney is just a doll, and that she and Jana are doing well. I'm so glad to hear that and to be able to meet her soon!! I love you guys and am glad all is well!!!
Much Love
JAmes
We had a miracle baptism this week. The boyfriend of a member got baptized on thursday. We never taught, visited, or hardly talked to him. The Bishop is his girlfriends dad, so he basically taught him everything. We just set up the interview and he was good to go. IT was great! A really spiritual baptismal service. I really enjoyed it.
We just got done with our inter-zonal activity (Elder Van Vliet still makes fun of me for that word. Its a real word). We played soccer in the morning then went bowling, then ate at Dominos to finish off the activity. The only bad thing was that not all the people from the both zones wanted to do it, so only about half went. But it was okay, all the ones I wanted to see went haha. It was a blast!
Well this is my comps last week in the field. IT will be a fun week. Hes doing really good and I think... no, I know he'll finish strong. Then its on to my last transfer... (!)
Congrats to Matt and Jana! I hear Whitney is just a doll, and that she and Jana are doing well. I'm so glad to hear that and to be able to meet her soon!! I love you guys and am glad all is well!!!
Much Love
JAmes
Monday, November 8, 2010
LA cañada, Saltillo Week 4
This week was crazy. We had zone leader council in Monclova, about 2 hours away. The assistants picked us up from Monterrey and drove us there, so I got to hang out with Elder Van Vliet for a while. IT was awesome talking and sharing inside jokes nobody else thought were funny haha. He and I were the spunkiest ones in that car haha it was so funny, our Mexican brethren were so lost haha. But we all had fun.
So, we had an activity at the end of the first of two days at the council where we have the opportunity to "put what we learned into practice" in the area of the Zone LEaders there. We had a points system for contacts, lessons, new investigators, people with a baptismal goal of 2 weeks with the baptismal form filled out and signed, and having the head of the household offer the prayer, everyone kneeling. I got put with Elder Durrett, one of the Elders I lived with in Monterrey when I was there last time. We Just did contact after contact with nothing. We had a super rich area. But, almost at the end, we contacted a normal looking house, and they let us in. It was a husband and is wife, both in their late 20's. We began teaching and talking about baptism, and all in all, they both accepted a baptismal date in 2 weeks, with their form filled out and signed, and the husband offered the prayer at the end. IT was a fantastic lesson. It really helped us strengthen our testimonies that God really does prepare people for the message. I dont know if they went to church,but Im going to check that tonight. IT would be really cool to have converts in an area, in a city Ive never been in haha. We won the "competition" and each won a tie. They are pretty ugly ties haha. We were the only ones in the whole mission to have bapismal forms filled out in the first lesson due to this activity. It was really great to get to know these people, and I really do believe the Lord guided us to them.
On Sunday, we didnt have anyone to go to church, because we were out of town. When we got there the Bishop told us there was a guy there who apparently knew us. We looked at him, and couldn't recognize him. Finally, we observed he only had half of one of his feet. Oh yeah! We contacted this fellow 3 weeks ago, and he said hed go (like so many others we talk to..) so we didnt think much of it. Well, he really liked it, and we explained authority to him so he could understand that he needs to get baptized with that authority. He stayed all three hours, and even for the baptism we had. At the end he said, " So what do I need to bring next week?" then signaling to the water. Uh, clothes and sandals and a towel. Okay he says. Haha the Lord blesses us for our sacrifices. IT was a great experience.
We went this morning to wash our clothes with the Bishop. His daughter is dating a nonmember whos been going to church for like a year straight and hasnt gotten baptized. The missionaries before us pressured him so he backed way off, but here we just talk to him and see how hes going. So just to keep tabs on him we asked her when is he going to get baptized, half joking. "Oh, Thursday. I forgot to tell you. Isnt he going to need an interview or something before?" Uh, kind of. We were just super surprised haha and are really excited because this guy is really cool. Member missionary work-YES YOU CAN!!!!
Anyways, this is the last working week of my comp that he could possibly receive fruits from. In other words, next week, the people we find hes not going to be able to baptize because he'll be home. So we're going to work super hard so we can have the same work ethic for next week. We gotta keep him goin!
Anyways I love you all. On the 5th I completed having 22 months in the mission. No me vengas. That means like holy cow. Ah it cant be ending! I still have 2 whole months to work!!!
Take care and write me!!!
Much Love
JAmes
So, we had an activity at the end of the first of two days at the council where we have the opportunity to "put what we learned into practice" in the area of the Zone LEaders there. We had a points system for contacts, lessons, new investigators, people with a baptismal goal of 2 weeks with the baptismal form filled out and signed, and having the head of the household offer the prayer, everyone kneeling. I got put with Elder Durrett, one of the Elders I lived with in Monterrey when I was there last time. We Just did contact after contact with nothing. We had a super rich area. But, almost at the end, we contacted a normal looking house, and they let us in. It was a husband and is wife, both in their late 20's. We began teaching and talking about baptism, and all in all, they both accepted a baptismal date in 2 weeks, with their form filled out and signed, and the husband offered the prayer at the end. IT was a fantastic lesson. It really helped us strengthen our testimonies that God really does prepare people for the message. I dont know if they went to church,but Im going to check that tonight. IT would be really cool to have converts in an area, in a city Ive never been in haha. We won the "competition" and each won a tie. They are pretty ugly ties haha. We were the only ones in the whole mission to have bapismal forms filled out in the first lesson due to this activity. It was really great to get to know these people, and I really do believe the Lord guided us to them.
On Sunday, we didnt have anyone to go to church, because we were out of town. When we got there the Bishop told us there was a guy there who apparently knew us. We looked at him, and couldn't recognize him. Finally, we observed he only had half of one of his feet. Oh yeah! We contacted this fellow 3 weeks ago, and he said hed go (like so many others we talk to..) so we didnt think much of it. Well, he really liked it, and we explained authority to him so he could understand that he needs to get baptized with that authority. He stayed all three hours, and even for the baptism we had. At the end he said, " So what do I need to bring next week?" then signaling to the water. Uh, clothes and sandals and a towel. Okay he says. Haha the Lord blesses us for our sacrifices. IT was a great experience.
We went this morning to wash our clothes with the Bishop. His daughter is dating a nonmember whos been going to church for like a year straight and hasnt gotten baptized. The missionaries before us pressured him so he backed way off, but here we just talk to him and see how hes going. So just to keep tabs on him we asked her when is he going to get baptized, half joking. "Oh, Thursday. I forgot to tell you. Isnt he going to need an interview or something before?" Uh, kind of. We were just super surprised haha and are really excited because this guy is really cool. Member missionary work-YES YOU CAN!!!!
Anyways, this is the last working week of my comp that he could possibly receive fruits from. In other words, next week, the people we find hes not going to be able to baptize because he'll be home. So we're going to work super hard so we can have the same work ethic for next week. We gotta keep him goin!
Anyways I love you all. On the 5th I completed having 22 months in the mission. No me vengas. That means like holy cow. Ah it cant be ending! I still have 2 whole months to work!!!
Take care and write me!!!
Much Love
JAmes
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
LA Cañada, Saltillo week 3
This week was great. Tuesday we had interviews with the President. IT was amazing as usual. I ask him some personal questions and he explains to me what I need to hear in the way I need to hear it. Such a great experience. And... Remember the guitar the member gave me 6 months ago when I was in Monterrey? Well it finally got done being repaired and the missionaries there finally remembered to go pick it up and now I have it! His names Tito. Its a really great sounding guitar, even with the cruddy strings on it. When I get home im throwing some silk & steels on him to lessen the tension on the broken part of the neck and so hell sound awesome. Mason is probably the only one who understands that haha:)
So the two girls who went to church last week got baptized on Sunday. IT was a great service. their parents are also interested in the message. they are about to separate, and the mom is even looking for a house to move into, but for some crazy reason hasn't found even one. Sign from God? Hmm... so were helping them try to save their marriage and fill in the missing parts of their lives. They are great people. Were really hoping that they will progress.
We have an awesome member here named Hermana Garcia. She has a son whose inactive and whose wife isnt a member but has gone to church and liked it and everything. so we go to their house Saturday, explain baptism, and ask her if shed be baptized next week. She accepted. Haha Its amazing how the Lord works and how exceedingly effective member missionary work is. From this member we've baptized 2 already and this will be number 3. see members? you really CAN help the missionaries! Is it hard. NOT AT ALL. Just tell us and well go and explain everything to them!!! Help us!!!
Well its November. Its crazy to think that next month Ill hit the 2 year mark the 31 of Dec. Yes Im thinking a little ahead I know haha but its just such a crazy thought. there are Christmas decorations out in the stores and everything. Halloween went by like nothing, man where is the time going! I just gotta sprint to the end!!!
Not a whole lot else going on. Just working our tails off. Thats all :)
I love you all!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
So the two girls who went to church last week got baptized on Sunday. IT was a great service. their parents are also interested in the message. they are about to separate, and the mom is even looking for a house to move into, but for some crazy reason hasn't found even one. Sign from God? Hmm... so were helping them try to save their marriage and fill in the missing parts of their lives. They are great people. Were really hoping that they will progress.
We have an awesome member here named Hermana Garcia. She has a son whose inactive and whose wife isnt a member but has gone to church and liked it and everything. so we go to their house Saturday, explain baptism, and ask her if shed be baptized next week. She accepted. Haha Its amazing how the Lord works and how exceedingly effective member missionary work is. From this member we've baptized 2 already and this will be number 3. see members? you really CAN help the missionaries! Is it hard. NOT AT ALL. Just tell us and well go and explain everything to them!!! Help us!!!
Well its November. Its crazy to think that next month Ill hit the 2 year mark the 31 of Dec. Yes Im thinking a little ahead I know haha but its just such a crazy thought. there are Christmas decorations out in the stores and everything. Halloween went by like nothing, man where is the time going! I just gotta sprint to the end!!!
Not a whole lot else going on. Just working our tails off. Thats all :)
I love you all!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
Monday, October 25, 2010
week 2 La Cañada, Saltillo
Great week. Tuesday we had a crazy day, and almost no time to work in our area. We had the District meetings in the morning, and after that we went an hour in a bus to the mail place to mail re-reimbursements, baptismal forms, etc. There we saw the other Zone Leaders form the other area, and one is my brother of generation, Elder Hanson. They are doing great and we want to do an interzonal activity (Elder Van Vliet, my ex comp, made fun of me because he says "interzonal"isnt a word). So were wanting to plan that out. So, after we ate, then we had to go to a little ranch about 45 minutes away where there's a prayer house for the like 8 members out there. The 1st counselor told us to prepare a big lesson with scriptures from the Bible to prove that the Word of Wisdom was instituted back then as well as today. Apparently there's a pastor out there that's telling the members and investigators that it says nowhere in the Bible that we cant drink alcohol. The 1st counselor said it would last from 6 to probably 10, because probably half the town would show up, including the Pastor. He basically wanted us to prepare a Bible bash session, which is one of the things I hate most. I thought, "Okay, its a tiny village that doesn't even have a church, and there are 4 active members, and only 2 with Priesthood, and this fellow thinks the whole town is going to come listen to "The Word of God" when they don't even go Sundays, and that its going to last 3 hours because of all the questions they will have...." The guy was freaking out about it, thinking it was going to be like the Day of Defense book. So humoring him, I got a few scriptures prepared but more than anything knew that we need to keep ourselves clean so the Holy Ghost can be with us at all times. We get there early, only 20 minutes late, at about 5:50. At about 7 we go walking around with the guy who runs the prayer house, whos like 75, to invite people. They hadnt even invited anyone. So all in all, we begin the epic session at 8, three hours late, with a whopping 2 people, 1 being a member, and about 6 kids. WE give the lesson and talk to the non-memer, and he doesnt want anything. So we had a quick dinner and came home. So we had almost 0 time to look for people that day, which made the week a bit hard haha. Take it all with a grain of salt. The Pastor didnt even go haha.
So, my comps been sick with a bit of the flu all week. That made it even harder to work. I did pretty much all the contacts and lessons and stuff. It was kind of like training again. But hes feeling better so this week will be good.
Sunday we didnt have anyone in church. But after the services we went with a sister to the house of one of her daughters friends whose gone to church like 5 times. We taked with her and her parents and she wants to get baptized, and her parents are interested in the message. The Lord really blesses us when we are diligent. The Dad seems pretty interested. The whole time he was looking at us with a look of like "What is it about these kids? Why are they walking around in the heat and cold? Theres gotta be something here." It was great. We have hopes for them.
AAAAAAAAnyways, Sorry to Chris and Mason for forgetting your birthdays. And yes I forgive you too for not writing me in the past... 22 months. Haha Real repentance is AMENDING what youve done wrong. In other words, WRITE ME!!!!
I lvoe you all and take care!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
So, my comps been sick with a bit of the flu all week. That made it even harder to work. I did pretty much all the contacts and lessons and stuff. It was kind of like training again. But hes feeling better so this week will be good.
Sunday we didnt have anyone in church. But after the services we went with a sister to the house of one of her daughters friends whose gone to church like 5 times. We taked with her and her parents and she wants to get baptized, and her parents are interested in the message. The Lord really blesses us when we are diligent. The Dad seems pretty interested. The whole time he was looking at us with a look of like "What is it about these kids? Why are they walking around in the heat and cold? Theres gotta be something here." It was great. We have hopes for them.
AAAAAAAAnyways, Sorry to Chris and Mason for forgetting your birthdays. And yes I forgive you too for not writing me in the past... 22 months. Haha Real repentance is AMENDING what youve done wrong. In other words, WRITE ME!!!!
I lvoe you all and take care!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
Monday, October 18, 2010
Week 1 La cañada, Saltillo
This week was good, and a bit crazy. I was really nervous about who my next comp was going to be, because he was probably going to be my last comp for these last 2 transfers. But, I got one of the coolest misisonaries in the mission, Elder Simpson. Hes from my generation, hes the one we all bought scriptures for in the MTC because he was using his brothers. I was really happy to know he was coming here with me. Hes going home a transfer early for school and stuff, so Ill still be getting one more comp in 5 weeks. We had a ton of fun this week. Hes also a Thrice fanatic. So its been kinda hard to not start singing Deadbolt or Stare at the Sun, or play anything on the guitar haha. Weve had a blast this week.
Wednesday we had the district meetings, but because the Stake Pres decided to change the locks on the church and didnt give us any, we couldnt get in. so we decided to go a little farther away to another chapel, but the great missionaries there didnt realize till we got there that they didnt have keys either. Great. All the others were super far away and it wa already getting kind of late and we had to start. So we decide to go to a park, thats as well, kind of far away. So we get there and its not a park you can sit down on the grass in. Great!! So we walk a bit further and come to another park the map had on it... a skate park. Of course, the least useful of all meanings of the word park for our current situation haha. So we just sat down and had it there. Thankfully there were no kids there skating or anything.
Church was great. We had the baptism of a really cool lady whos kids were baptized but had never done it for some reason, but now accepted. Next week we are also baptizing her son and another lady of another part member family. We are really excited for these families.
Elder Whitney, my comp from like 9 months ago is in my zone. ITs so great to call and talk to him haha he hasn't changed a bit!!
NOt mcuh else going on. The work goes on and on. You just get into the rumbo and everyday is the same. Saturday isnt party with friends night, its just the day before Sunday, or GO TIME. haha its going to be weird going home and having options to do haha.
So I love you all and take care!
Much Love
JAmes
p.s. MASON AND CHRIS WRITE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday we had the district meetings, but because the Stake Pres decided to change the locks on the church and didnt give us any, we couldnt get in. so we decided to go a little farther away to another chapel, but the great missionaries there didnt realize till we got there that they didnt have keys either. Great. All the others were super far away and it wa already getting kind of late and we had to start. So we decide to go to a park, thats as well, kind of far away. So we get there and its not a park you can sit down on the grass in. Great!! So we walk a bit further and come to another park the map had on it... a skate park. Of course, the least useful of all meanings of the word park for our current situation haha. So we just sat down and had it there. Thankfully there were no kids there skating or anything.
Church was great. We had the baptism of a really cool lady whos kids were baptized but had never done it for some reason, but now accepted. Next week we are also baptizing her son and another lady of another part member family. We are really excited for these families.
Elder Whitney, my comp from like 9 months ago is in my zone. ITs so great to call and talk to him haha he hasn't changed a bit!!
NOt mcuh else going on. The work goes on and on. You just get into the rumbo and everyday is the same. Saturday isnt party with friends night, its just the day before Sunday, or GO TIME. haha its going to be weird going home and having options to do haha.
So I love you all and take care!
Much Love
JAmes
p.s. MASON AND CHRIS WRITE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Week 6 La cañada, Saltillo
This week had been insane. Monday to Thursday were good and normal, but thursday everything got turned upside down. My comp got called as the new Assistant to the President at 6pm, and he had to leave that same day before 9 pm. So we ran back, sent him off, and I just stayed that day with the other companionship we live with. I worked with them Friday, an that was a ton of fun going from appt to appt. IT was one crazy day. That whole day was just kind of awkward not being able to make the same jokes about the office or Nacho Libre that they could understand. I really missed Elder Van Vliet that day. Then, Saturday came. IT started out with Elder Hofmann, the Idaho redneck (its okay, he calls himself that too) trying to fix the font. They designed it so that the water drained from the font goes to an aqueduct thing under the church, from which they water the grass. Well, in winter they dont water grass for like 6 months. Wonderful design..... So, back to the awesome redneck. He takes an extension cord, strips the end, and somehow with a Leatherman hot-wires the pump that takes the water from the aqueduct to the sprinklers, and bypasses it to the gutter. And by golly, it worked. Well, until the motor overheated and we turned it off. Then, he and I and the district leader in the zone went to the district leaders area to do 10 baptismal interviews. Zero in 5 weeks, then 10 in the last week. Haha it was insane. All day we were doing interviews so people could get baptized on Sunday. Then when we got back to my area at 8, another area called and said for me to go over because they might have someone get baptized. I told them to make sure he was there and ready. Well at his house 2 young, not the most modest girls, walked out and said he wasnt there. Hes the only one who lives there. So he was hiding haha. Sunday I was running everywhere finishing interviews for that same area as well as getting my baptism ready, all without a companion. We did a TON of divisions but finally everything worked out in the end. I can now breathe a breath of air. Im getting a comp tomorrow, and everything will be back to normal. I hope!
Well I hope all is well at home. I only have 3 months left. Thats insane! I think a cruise would be a good homecoming gift... :)
Much Love
JAmes
p.s. Chris and Mason... WRITE ME!!!
Well I hope all is well at home. I only have 3 months left. Thats insane! I think a cruise would be a good homecoming gift... :)
Much Love
JAmes
p.s. Chris and Mason... WRITE ME!!!
Friday, October 8, 2010
La Cañada, Saltillo week 5
This week was insane! My companion and I were running around on tuesday getting everything ready for the zone conference on Wednesday. We had the presentation ready and everything, but Im the type of person that has to practice something at least a few times to feel good about it. My comp on the other hand is a glance at the notes and spew out awesomeness kind of guy. Well, we didnt really get to practice it, so that morning I was a bit nervous. I was just studying and studying doing the best I could with my parts and hoping transitions and his parts were all good. Then after the President and his wife spoke, we were up. It an interesting feeling, that I actually kind of like, of, "well, doesnt matter now. Its Go Time, ready or not." just throwing caution to the wind and having to do something at that moment is refreshing. Well it went really well. The Assistants have told us the last few nights that its the best one theyve seen this transfer in any of the zones. Kind of ironic haha! But we did a really good job and everything flowed really good.
General Conference- something I kick myself for never having listened to at home. We went Saturday in the morning right before the session started up to set up a TV in english for the gringos to watch if they brought anyone. We didnt have anyone so after setting it up we were going to have to leave. Motab cant be translated because its a choir so we had to wait for someone to speak. We saw Elder Iring walk up to the stand and from the moment he spoke the Spirit filled me testifying even more that he is a man called of God. We listened to just a moment, then out of sheer obedience, had to tear ourselves away from it because we didnt have any investigators there. And the best part is we left to do contacts. Prophets and apostles are speaking at this moment, giving the world divine instruction, and we are talking to people who dont give a darn whether were alive or not. A bitter trade, but we had to to be obedient.
Priesthood and the other sessions were amazing. I followed the instructions Elder Bednar gave us when he came to our mission, and instead of writing down the things they say, I wrote down personal revelation from the Spirit. He told us to just write down the words and listen to the spiritual guidance they are in a prime situation to receive. So I wrote down the things the Spirit indicated, and words or phrases they said, that I really liked. Theyll all be in the ensign anyway.
I really liked the part when all the misssionaries in the world were asked to stand up. There we were, 6 gringos on our feet, and at that same time I thought about DJ also standing up thousands of miles away. United in the same cause, miles away, but side by side. It was a wonderful feeling knowing my brother was standing with me!!!
Oh something I noticed... is Ryan in motab? I saw him last conference too haha I saw him and completely off guard, not knowing ANYONE from Utah, was like, "hey, that guy was my brothers roommate!" Haha it was great!!!
The zone did amazing. We brought 14 people to church with 9 getting baptized next week. Thats a huge improvement from 3 and 0. The zone conference and other humbling experiences have helped them greatly.
Happy birthday to my Dad. Hes the only one I remember because its in the same month as mine haha. I love you Dad and I dont care how old you get, youll always be my greatest example. I love you and cant wait to talk to you in 3 months time.
I love you all and have fun this week!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
p.s. Write me Chris!!!!!
General Conference- something I kick myself for never having listened to at home. We went Saturday in the morning right before the session started up to set up a TV in english for the gringos to watch if they brought anyone. We didnt have anyone so after setting it up we were going to have to leave. Motab cant be translated because its a choir so we had to wait for someone to speak. We saw Elder Iring walk up to the stand and from the moment he spoke the Spirit filled me testifying even more that he is a man called of God. We listened to just a moment, then out of sheer obedience, had to tear ourselves away from it because we didnt have any investigators there. And the best part is we left to do contacts. Prophets and apostles are speaking at this moment, giving the world divine instruction, and we are talking to people who dont give a darn whether were alive or not. A bitter trade, but we had to to be obedient.
Priesthood and the other sessions were amazing. I followed the instructions Elder Bednar gave us when he came to our mission, and instead of writing down the things they say, I wrote down personal revelation from the Spirit. He told us to just write down the words and listen to the spiritual guidance they are in a prime situation to receive. So I wrote down the things the Spirit indicated, and words or phrases they said, that I really liked. Theyll all be in the ensign anyway.
I really liked the part when all the misssionaries in the world were asked to stand up. There we were, 6 gringos on our feet, and at that same time I thought about DJ also standing up thousands of miles away. United in the same cause, miles away, but side by side. It was a wonderful feeling knowing my brother was standing with me!!!
Oh something I noticed... is Ryan in motab? I saw him last conference too haha I saw him and completely off guard, not knowing ANYONE from Utah, was like, "hey, that guy was my brothers roommate!" Haha it was great!!!
The zone did amazing. We brought 14 people to church with 9 getting baptized next week. Thats a huge improvement from 3 and 0. The zone conference and other humbling experiences have helped them greatly.
Happy birthday to my Dad. Hes the only one I remember because its in the same month as mine haha. I love you Dad and I dont care how old you get, youll always be my greatest example. I love you and cant wait to talk to you in 3 months time.
I love you all and have fun this week!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
p.s. Write me Chris!!!!!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
la Cañada, Saltillo week 4
This week was a crazy one. Tuesday we had our district meetings, but given the condition the zone is in, we had a combined class. We basically brought them to the dirt in humility, then brought them back up again. We practiced some things we saw they werent doing very well, and we confided in them to have a better week. Well, Sunday came around and we had the same results as always, so we decided to have another zone meeting. In planning it, my comp and I read Alma 52 and applied ti to ourselves. we didnt need anything elaborate, just something small but effective, well placed you might say. We both felt that obedience was what we needed to speak on, so we prepared a bit. If we didnt bring them to sackcloth and ashes on Tuesday, we sure did on Sunday. It was so well placed, and made each of them feel so bad, but was done so lovingly with the Spirit, we felt that it really hit home and that things are going to change. We have a lot of hope for this week and are going to help them out.
I went to Monterrey with another missionary to get a couple from our area married so the wife could get baptized. It was a great civil marriage. It took like a half hour haha but it was great and they are both really happy. When we got back, she got baptized and it was a wonderful service. Her husband hadnt been too interested but went Sunday to the confirmation. If we have ANYBODY at church its our duty to invite them to get baptized that same moment at the church. So I took him to the font and focused on the necessity of baptism so his family could be eternal, and the consequences if it wasnt done. He said he understood the importance and wants to but his work schedule doesnt allow us to teach him (he is gone from 6 am to 9 pm). We are going to find some solution so he can get baptized this Sunday.
We were just in a pizza hut munchin down, when once again a familiar voice came on the TV ( I wasnt watching I promise). Good ol Billy Joe Armstrong and Green Day. It was some stupid song about American Girls or something, and I only bothered to see like 10 seconds before I decided it was a waste of time. Unoriginal, and pretty sure they sold out. Something tells me I havent missed too much in the music world haha.
This was a very long week and Im kinda glad its over haha. This week we have the Zone Conference so that will be great fun!
Thank you SO MUCH to Katie Hughes, Reg-nog (Ragan), and the Petersons for your letters. Its so great to hear from you!!!!! Im going to try as hard as I can to write you but mail sent from here takes at least a month to get there, if it even arrives. So I really am thankful and Ill try to write you!!!!!
Love you all!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
I went to Monterrey with another missionary to get a couple from our area married so the wife could get baptized. It was a great civil marriage. It took like a half hour haha but it was great and they are both really happy. When we got back, she got baptized and it was a wonderful service. Her husband hadnt been too interested but went Sunday to the confirmation. If we have ANYBODY at church its our duty to invite them to get baptized that same moment at the church. So I took him to the font and focused on the necessity of baptism so his family could be eternal, and the consequences if it wasnt done. He said he understood the importance and wants to but his work schedule doesnt allow us to teach him (he is gone from 6 am to 9 pm). We are going to find some solution so he can get baptized this Sunday.
We were just in a pizza hut munchin down, when once again a familiar voice came on the TV ( I wasnt watching I promise). Good ol Billy Joe Armstrong and Green Day. It was some stupid song about American Girls or something, and I only bothered to see like 10 seconds before I decided it was a waste of time. Unoriginal, and pretty sure they sold out. Something tells me I havent missed too much in the music world haha.
This was a very long week and Im kinda glad its over haha. This week we have the Zone Conference so that will be great fun!
Thank you SO MUCH to Katie Hughes, Reg-nog (Ragan), and the Petersons for your letters. Its so great to hear from you!!!!! Im going to try as hard as I can to write you but mail sent from here takes at least a month to get there, if it even arrives. So I really am thankful and Ill try to write you!!!!!
Love you all!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
Monday, September 20, 2010
La cañada, Saltillo Week 3
This week was great and terrible. We had 4 baptisms here and have 3 more for next week. The bad part is that the zone is dead. In the whole month of September only one other companionship had baptized one person. That is unheard of and terrible. We are the least baptizing zone in the mission right now. But this week we are going to do divisions and kick them into gear, a little hard love to keep them from being lazy and disobedient. It will be fun.
on the 15th we had the stake 15 of September party. Thats the Mexican Independence Day. We had a huge turnout, it was great. Walking there, there was a little stand of cheap Mexican stuff, and one of the items was a fake mustache. I had to.....So I bought one for my comp and I, but he didnt know because we were on divisions. so when we get there, I see him, and he brought a giant sombrero that he has haha and I put on the old sombrero he had. We were the most Mexican gringos there haha. We had a great time and so did all the other missionaries.
I went on divisions with one of the elders in my zone. As the day went on, I realized more and more of how much I've learned and how much I've changed. Before I was just kinda timid and didn't really want to tell people how it is. But now- well each contact knows that I know this is the only true church and greatest source of blessings they could have in their lives. At the end of the 2 days, that missionary told me that it made so much sense how I do things, filtering out the people that just say "yes" to everything and looking for the people who really have a desire to know more. Many missionaries teach and keep in teaching anyone and everyone they can, which sounds good, but really isn't. In teaching unprepared people and people who arent going to make and keep commitments is just wasting the time of the Lord, and thats what I told him. Im going to go with another missionary this week to teach him the same principle. Its an indispensable lesson to learn and is what makes or breaks an effective missionary.
Anyway all is great here. Just working away. Thank yo all for your support!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
on the 15th we had the stake 15 of September party. Thats the Mexican Independence Day. We had a huge turnout, it was great. Walking there, there was a little stand of cheap Mexican stuff, and one of the items was a fake mustache. I had to.....So I bought one for my comp and I, but he didnt know because we were on divisions. so when we get there, I see him, and he brought a giant sombrero that he has haha and I put on the old sombrero he had. We were the most Mexican gringos there haha. We had a great time and so did all the other missionaries.
I went on divisions with one of the elders in my zone. As the day went on, I realized more and more of how much I've learned and how much I've changed. Before I was just kinda timid and didn't really want to tell people how it is. But now- well each contact knows that I know this is the only true church and greatest source of blessings they could have in their lives. At the end of the 2 days, that missionary told me that it made so much sense how I do things, filtering out the people that just say "yes" to everything and looking for the people who really have a desire to know more. Many missionaries teach and keep in teaching anyone and everyone they can, which sounds good, but really isn't. In teaching unprepared people and people who arent going to make and keep commitments is just wasting the time of the Lord, and thats what I told him. Im going to go with another missionary this week to teach him the same principle. Its an indispensable lesson to learn and is what makes or breaks an effective missionary.
Anyway all is great here. Just working away. Thank yo all for your support!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
La Cañada, Saltillo Week 2
This week was great in our area. WE worked really hard, and laughed reallyhard as well. IT was probably one of the weeks Ive worked hardest in the mission. We got almost all the "ideal" goals missionaries set. It was a great feeling. And because of it, we have 3 people that are going to get baptized next week.
However,in the zone is another story. Only one other area of the 6 we have had people that are going to get baptized Sunday. The same thing happened last week, so we made basically an fool-proof list to put in their planners that had the requirements of a person committed to church, and who has a baptismal date. Well, they put it to good use haha. But this week were going to do crazy divisions so they we can help them be more effective.
To the Newitt family, thats very surprising and scary, what happened to Bro. Newitt. But as you can see, he was in the right place at the right time with the right people, so he was 100 percent taken care of immediately. What a blessing it is for me to know that because of obedience, the Lord protected him and all is going to be well. My prayers will be with you.
I cant really think of anything super special that happened this week. We just threw down and got to work. Were living with the biggest companionship in the mission, a gringo from Idaho that's like 6' 5, and a Tongan thats that same height but twice as wide and with grammar from Oakland. Hes only got 3 months in the mission so were still helping him correct his grammar haha. We just always laugh and laugh at home and in the street.
Last night we had a slumber party on our roof. Mexican houses are made with flat roofs to put up clotheslines and other stuff like that. So we were up there under the stars, and I just thought, I'm with a huge redneck from Idaho, a Tongan from Oakland, a kid form West Virginia.....we met in Mexico and have become like best friends. People Id have never hung out with before, except maybe my companion, and we're just having a ball and seeing the good in each other. An amazing experience. Then at like 4AM the cold dewy mountain air came in, and we all froze, and came inside haha.
I love you all and miss you. See ya in less than 4 months!!!
Much Love
JAmes
p.s. Amy and Becca... WRITE ME!!!!!! :)
However,in the zone is another story. Only one other area of the 6 we have had people that are going to get baptized Sunday. The same thing happened last week, so we made basically an fool-proof list to put in their planners that had the requirements of a person committed to church, and who has a baptismal date. Well, they put it to good use haha. But this week were going to do crazy divisions so they we can help them be more effective.
To the Newitt family, thats very surprising and scary, what happened to Bro. Newitt. But as you can see, he was in the right place at the right time with the right people, so he was 100 percent taken care of immediately. What a blessing it is for me to know that because of obedience, the Lord protected him and all is going to be well. My prayers will be with you.
I cant really think of anything super special that happened this week. We just threw down and got to work. Were living with the biggest companionship in the mission, a gringo from Idaho that's like 6' 5, and a Tongan thats that same height but twice as wide and with grammar from Oakland. Hes only got 3 months in the mission so were still helping him correct his grammar haha. We just always laugh and laugh at home and in the street.
Last night we had a slumber party on our roof. Mexican houses are made with flat roofs to put up clotheslines and other stuff like that. So we were up there under the stars, and I just thought, I'm with a huge redneck from Idaho, a Tongan from Oakland, a kid form West Virginia.....we met in Mexico and have become like best friends. People Id have never hung out with before, except maybe my companion, and we're just having a ball and seeing the good in each other. An amazing experience. Then at like 4AM the cold dewy mountain air came in, and we all froze, and came inside haha.
I love you all and miss you. See ya in less than 4 months!!!
Much Love
JAmes
p.s. Amy and Becca... WRITE ME!!!!!! :)
Monday, September 6, 2010
La Cañada, Saltillo, Coahuila week 1
Well as you can see, I got transferred. I went from the super hot weather of the desert wasteland of Rosita, to the mountainous (sp?) landscapes of Saltillo! I was here before but in the other zone. This place is beautiful. Mu comp is Elder Van Vliet, basically the coolest and funniest kid ever. lets just say this: for my birthday we each (including the other 2 missionaries we live with) bought 3 feet of PVC pipe, 2 bags of marshmallows, and played capture the flag in our giant house. We won. Twice. Because we are the coolest. haha Its a great change from a more serious person like Elder Andersen. Both awesome just different.
The Consejo of the Zone leaders was great this week and I had a self growth experience. When we get there on Tues in the afternoon, we have a 1 hour devotional from the Pres, then play soccer and basketball and eat till midnight. At this time, I didnt feel like playing soccer although its my favorite, and basketball... well anyone who knows me knows I pretty much don't like watching nor playing sports. So naturally, looking for something to make me feel good, I wanted to play the piano, but no on e would come with me, so I just sat down being bored. Then I thought "why do you hate basketball? you've never played!" So I jut hopped into a game. I was playing with some really good gringos, and a couple Mexicans as well (which made me feel worse haha) but they are all awesome guys and were coaching me throughout the game. I got the hang of it, and had a really good time. I even saved the game at the end by getting a sick rebound and of course, giving it to someone who knew how to dribble and shoot haha. But I had a great time and am now more open to playing sports. Music isn't the only thing I'm good at!
This week I've just been getting used to the area. My area is awesome, ward is supportive, the bishop is great and not crazy, and- get this- they actually do home and visiting teaching!!!! I'm in heaven!!! haha today we went and ate at a McDonald, something I hadn't done in like a year. IT was so nasty and greasy, but delicious at the same time!!!
Yesterday on my birthday it kinda sucked haha. Fist it was fast Sunday, so no delicious birthday breakfast. We didn't have anyone at church in our area, and in the zone with 18 people (which is unheard of btw ) SURE to go to church, only 1 went, and doesn't want to get baptized. WE ate with the family that cooks the "least appetizing" food in the area, and upon getting there, they'd forgotten, so it was even faster and "less appetizing" as usual haha. But we scarfed it, and my comp felt sick after. So he layed down for a minute, then I got a migraine. Thankfully the day ended after that,and my comp, in a NAcho Libre accented voice says, "your birthday has sucked. Tomorrow we you will have a re-birthday because today, it sucks to be you right now". I just laughed and laughed. Thats how great my comp is! So today I had a re-birthday and it was so much better hehe.
Well Im probably in my last area, which is so unreal to think. I feel like I still have like a year left. But soon enough Ill be back. The dreams of walking off the plane aren't so hard to handle now haha. Just instead of a girl there waiting for me, it will be Mason, and Im totally cool with that!!!!!!!! haha!
Anyways thanks to all for what you do for me. I love you all and still want to hear from Amy Rhule and Becca!!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
p.s. I don't feel too cool being 21. Here you can buy beer at 18, legally, or 11 if you say its for your dad. Kinda defeats the purpose. haha.
The Consejo of the Zone leaders was great this week and I had a self growth experience. When we get there on Tues in the afternoon, we have a 1 hour devotional from the Pres, then play soccer and basketball and eat till midnight. At this time, I didnt feel like playing soccer although its my favorite, and basketball... well anyone who knows me knows I pretty much don't like watching nor playing sports. So naturally, looking for something to make me feel good, I wanted to play the piano, but no on e would come with me, so I just sat down being bored. Then I thought "why do you hate basketball? you've never played!" So I jut hopped into a game. I was playing with some really good gringos, and a couple Mexicans as well (which made me feel worse haha) but they are all awesome guys and were coaching me throughout the game. I got the hang of it, and had a really good time. I even saved the game at the end by getting a sick rebound and of course, giving it to someone who knew how to dribble and shoot haha. But I had a great time and am now more open to playing sports. Music isn't the only thing I'm good at!
This week I've just been getting used to the area. My area is awesome, ward is supportive, the bishop is great and not crazy, and- get this- they actually do home and visiting teaching!!!! I'm in heaven!!! haha today we went and ate at a McDonald, something I hadn't done in like a year. IT was so nasty and greasy, but delicious at the same time!!!
Yesterday on my birthday it kinda sucked haha. Fist it was fast Sunday, so no delicious birthday breakfast. We didn't have anyone at church in our area, and in the zone with 18 people (which is unheard of btw ) SURE to go to church, only 1 went, and doesn't want to get baptized. WE ate with the family that cooks the "least appetizing" food in the area, and upon getting there, they'd forgotten, so it was even faster and "less appetizing" as usual haha. But we scarfed it, and my comp felt sick after. So he layed down for a minute, then I got a migraine. Thankfully the day ended after that,and my comp, in a NAcho Libre accented voice says, "your birthday has sucked. Tomorrow we you will have a re-birthday because today, it sucks to be you right now". I just laughed and laughed. Thats how great my comp is! So today I had a re-birthday and it was so much better hehe.
Well Im probably in my last area, which is so unreal to think. I feel like I still have like a year left. But soon enough Ill be back. The dreams of walking off the plane aren't so hard to handle now haha. Just instead of a girl there waiting for me, it will be Mason, and Im totally cool with that!!!!!!!! haha!
Anyways thanks to all for what you do for me. I love you all and still want to hear from Amy Rhule and Becca!!!!!
Much Love
JAmes
p.s. I don't feel too cool being 21. Here you can buy beer at 18, legally, or 11 if you say its for your dad. Kinda defeats the purpose. haha.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Rosita, Coahuila week 5
Well this week just flew by. It was a bit of a difficult one for me, but a great one as well. More and more Im realizing things about other people, who their true character is, and it helps me to know that certain decisions IVe made in the past are correct, and has I made them another way, I would have been in a world of problems.
Sunday was great. One of our recent converts who moved out of her house was there. Her family didnt know where shed gone to, nor did they really care, but she came and told us her whole story. Man it was so great to see her there, and she came all by herself. She is still staying faithful, even though there are certain things she still has to clear up, but she will make it all right.
We had one investigator at church that is really surprising us. She understands everything. The Mexican Culture as a whole doesnt put a whole lot of importance or stress on education. Therefore, they are not as intellectually in tune as some others would be. But this lady jsut captures everything perfectly and understands and makes the connections. We will be working with her all week to prepare her this Sunday for baptism.
My letters are kind of boring, but I cant really remember all the things htat happened haha.
Thank you to my mom, dad, and sister fro writing me. They say that near the end of the mission people just stop writing. And its 100% true except for these three people. I thank you for all the support you've given me and how much you r weekly letters, no matter the size, have helped me spiritually.
Much Love
JAmes
Sunday was great. One of our recent converts who moved out of her house was there. Her family didnt know where shed gone to, nor did they really care, but she came and told us her whole story. Man it was so great to see her there, and she came all by herself. She is still staying faithful, even though there are certain things she still has to clear up, but she will make it all right.
We had one investigator at church that is really surprising us. She understands everything. The Mexican Culture as a whole doesnt put a whole lot of importance or stress on education. Therefore, they are not as intellectually in tune as some others would be. But this lady jsut captures everything perfectly and understands and makes the connections. We will be working with her all week to prepare her this Sunday for baptism.
My letters are kind of boring, but I cant really remember all the things htat happened haha.
Thank you to my mom, dad, and sister fro writing me. They say that near the end of the mission people just stop writing. And its 100% true except for these three people. I thank you for all the support you've given me and how much you r weekly letters, no matter the size, have helped me spiritually.
Much Love
JAmes
Rosita, Coahuila week 4
This week went by really fast. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday in an area called Barroteràn on divisions. The whole zone had divisions, or one companion from each of the six areas went to a different area. IT was a really fun experience. Its a really tiny coal mining town, so everything is covered in black soot. I thought a lot of the guys were "weird" because they all had black eye liner on, but then I realized it was because they are down in the mines and the soot gets stuck to their eye lids haha. But I worked with a great missionary, and we worked really hard. It is said to be the "toughest" area in the whole mission, because thats where the old mission president sent all the bad missionaries for like a punishment, so all the people there think know how the Mormon missionaries work, but they've only known the less motivated ones. Now, the new mission president is trying to get things started back up there. Its a great area honestly, but the thing that would stop them from having success is support from the branch. There are 10 active members, and only 2 or 3 have the priesthood, so there's no real support there. But were are trying to help them out as much as we can.
Friday and Saturday were spent going around to 2 areas to do baptismal interviews. Each area is about an hour away from here, so when we got to these areas, the missionaries hadn't verified well with the people and they weren't there for their interviews, so we had to go back Saturday. Saturday we went and had to stay there for a few hours with the missionaries in one area because one of the companions was way sick, so we went around visiting people that were committed to go to church, then got back to our area at about 5 Saturday night. So there went that week haha.
Id like to comment on something. All the Mexicans here think that Arizona is a Mexican-hating-beating-killing area because of some law that was passed. Now, I dont know about that law, but theres no way its what they say it is haha. They think people from Arizona are like hunting Mexicans for the fun of it and throwing them out of the states. Im guessing they passed a law enforcing the immigration laws more strictly and taking out all the illegals because there were too many creating some kind of economical problem. Thats just my guess. I dont think our President would just say, "Alright, all them Mexicans outta Arizona!"
Here's my address (again) so all you people who just love me so much can show your dedication for me by writing me a letter:
Calle Chiapas 2202
Colonia Roma Sur
64700
Nuevo Leon, Mèxico
Besos!
Much Love
JAmes
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: James Ted Hawken
Date: Mon, Aug 16, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Subject: blog 8/16
To: 1thawken1@gmail.com, dthawken@gmail.com, jacobhawken@gmail.com, logangogarty@hotmail.com, matthewhawken@gmail.com, sallyshifflet@gmail.com
Elder Hawken
Rosita, Coahuila
week 4
This week went by really fast. I spent tuesday and wednesday in an area called Barroteràn on divisions. the whole zone had divisions, or one companion from each of the six areas went to a different area. IT was a really fun experience. Its a really tiny coal mining town, so everything is covered in black soot. I thought a lot of the guys were gay because they all had black eye liner on, but then I realized it was becasue they are down in the mines and the soot gets stuck to their eye lids haha. But I worked with a great missionary, and we worked really hard. It is said to be the "worst" area in the whole mission, because thats where the old mission president sent all the bad missionaries for like a punishment, so al the people there think know how the mormon missionaries work, but theyve only known the stupid ones. Now, the new mission president is trying to get things started back up there. ITs agreat area honestly, but the thing that would stop them from having success is support from the branch. There are 10 active members, and only 2 or 3 have the priesthood, so theres no real support there. But were are trying to help them out as much as we can.
Friday and Saturday were spent going around to 2 areas to do baptismal interviews. Each area is about an hour away from here, so when we got to these areas, the missonaries hadnt verified well with the people and they werent there for their interviews, so we had to go back Saturday. Saturday we went and has to stay there for a few hours with the missionaries in one area becsue one of the companions was way sick, so we went around visiting people that were committed to go to church, then got back to our area at about 5 saturday night. So there went that week haha.
Id like to comment on somthing. All the MExicans here think that Arizona is a Mexican-hating-beating-killing area because of some law that was passed. Now, I dont know about that law, but theres no way its what they say it is haha. They think people from Arizona are like hunting Mexicans for the fun of it and throwing them out of the states. Im guessing they passed a law enforcing the immigration laws more strictly and taking out all the illegals because there wer too many perhaps taking over other jobs or creating some kind of economical problem. Thats jsut my guess. I dont think Barac would jsut say, "alright, all them Mexicans outta Arizona!"
Heres my address again so all you people who just love me so much can show your dedication for me by writing me a letter:
Calle Chiapas 2202
Colonia Roma Sur
64700
Nuevo Leon, Mèxico
Besos!
Much Love
JAmes
Friday and Saturday were spent going around to 2 areas to do baptismal interviews. Each area is about an hour away from here, so when we got to these areas, the missionaries hadn't verified well with the people and they weren't there for their interviews, so we had to go back Saturday. Saturday we went and had to stay there for a few hours with the missionaries in one area because one of the companions was way sick, so we went around visiting people that were committed to go to church, then got back to our area at about 5 Saturday night. So there went that week haha.
Id like to comment on something. All the Mexicans here think that Arizona is a Mexican-hating-beating-killing area because of some law that was passed. Now, I dont know about that law, but theres no way its what they say it is haha. They think people from Arizona are like hunting Mexicans for the fun of it and throwing them out of the states. Im guessing they passed a law enforcing the immigration laws more strictly and taking out all the illegals because there were too many creating some kind of economical problem. Thats just my guess. I dont think our President would just say, "Alright, all them Mexicans outta Arizona!"
Here's my address (again) so all you people who just love me so much can show your dedication for me by writing me a letter:
Calle Chiapas 2202
Colonia Roma Sur
64700
Nuevo Leon, Mèxico
Besos!
Much Love
JAmes
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: James Ted Hawken
Date: Mon, Aug 16, 2010 at 10:54 AM
Subject: blog 8/16
To: 1thawken1@gmail.com, dthawken@gmail.com, jacobhawken@gmail.com, logangogarty@hotmail.com, matthewhawken@gmail.com, sallyshifflet@gmail.com
Elder Hawken
Rosita, Coahuila
week 4
This week went by really fast. I spent tuesday and wednesday in an area called Barroteràn on divisions. the whole zone had divisions, or one companion from each of the six areas went to a different area. IT was a really fun experience. Its a really tiny coal mining town, so everything is covered in black soot. I thought a lot of the guys were gay because they all had black eye liner on, but then I realized it was becasue they are down in the mines and the soot gets stuck to their eye lids haha. But I worked with a great missionary, and we worked really hard. It is said to be the "worst" area in the whole mission, because thats where the old mission president sent all the bad missionaries for like a punishment, so al the people there think know how the mormon missionaries work, but theyve only known the stupid ones. Now, the new mission president is trying to get things started back up there. ITs agreat area honestly, but the thing that would stop them from having success is support from the branch. There are 10 active members, and only 2 or 3 have the priesthood, so theres no real support there. But were are trying to help them out as much as we can.
Friday and Saturday were spent going around to 2 areas to do baptismal interviews. Each area is about an hour away from here, so when we got to these areas, the missonaries hadnt verified well with the people and they werent there for their interviews, so we had to go back Saturday. Saturday we went and has to stay there for a few hours with the missionaries in one area becsue one of the companions was way sick, so we went around visiting people that were committed to go to church, then got back to our area at about 5 saturday night. So there went that week haha.
Id like to comment on somthing. All the MExicans here think that Arizona is a Mexican-hating-beating-killing area because of some law that was passed. Now, I dont know about that law, but theres no way its what they say it is haha. They think people from Arizona are like hunting Mexicans for the fun of it and throwing them out of the states. Im guessing they passed a law enforcing the immigration laws more strictly and taking out all the illegals because there wer too many perhaps taking over other jobs or creating some kind of economical problem. Thats jsut my guess. I dont think Barac would jsut say, "alright, all them Mexicans outta Arizona!"
Heres my address again so all you people who just love me so much can show your dedication for me by writing me a letter:
Calle Chiapas 2202
Colonia Roma Sur
64700
Nuevo Leon, Mèxico
Besos!
Much Love
JAmes
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