Eyo!

 What’s up family? Wow I can’t believe that another week has already gone by! The time is flying. I got the two packages that you guys sent me so thanks so much for that! I love the new shirts and everything else that was in the packages!                         

  This week was pretty good, I went on divisions with the zone leaders and it was pretty fun. My comp for the day was Elder Monson. He’s from Sandy UT and is 6 feet 10 inches tall. I’m sure you know this but anyone who’s is 6ft 10in tall is a really tall person.  He sticks out pretty bad here. While we were walking in the street a girl stopped us and asked if she could take a pic of him it was pretty funny but I’m sure he gets a little sick of everyone telling him every day how tall his is ha-ha . Never the less it was a great day. 

   The other day we went to visit some less active members and shared a lesson with them. When we got there we sat down and started to talk a little bit. About 2 mins into the lesson I found a flea on my arm so I flicked it off.  Didn’t tell the member because I didn’t want them to feel bad. However a couple min. later I found another one! As we finished the lesson I felt like I was covered in fleas. They told us as we were walking out that their house had a lot of fleas. All I thought was “I noticed”.

   Sunday was a really cool day. We had stake conference but it was a little different than normal. We watched a broadcast from Salt Lake City that was only for southern Mexico. Elder Bednar and Elder Scott both spoke and it was really good! I would love to tell you all they said but there’s never enough time. We had an investigator go with us and he loved it. 

  I know this is a short message but I just want to let you all know how much I love you guys. Once again thanks for the packages! Take some pics of Gracie’s baptism for me!   

Love you all!

ELDER HOPE

Que Tal?

Whats up family how did every ones week go? Sounds like a lot has been going down back at home. First Im glad to hear that you all got back from your little trip and that you were able to have some fun. I’m also glad that you guys got the little package that I sent with Elder Lovell, I wanted to send more but I also didn’t make to make him take up all his space and weight for his suit cases so I just sent that stuff. The little statue is a gift that a member gave to me awhile back.
I never knew that Breanne Erickson was going to go on a mission but that’s sweet, tell her congrats. I’m sure you'll probably tell her all about Dallas huh. She will love the mission it’s awesome. I have really grown to love it, not to hurt your guys feelings or anything but I really don’t want to come home and I’m pretty sad that I only have five months more to do what I’m doing. I’m going to miss it.
I am getting to know the area a little better now. It’s a little confusing because there are so many little short cuts and what not but I’m getting it down. This week was super busy! I went on divisions with the elders in my district this week. The coolest was with Elder Stevenson from Utah because I GOT TO GO BACK TO XADANI!!! It was supper cool; I was able to see a lot of members there and also some of my converts! It was a great blessing to see them once again. I was also surprised to see that the elders there are still teaching some of the investigators that me Elder Juarez and I found over a year ago when I was in Xadani. It was good to see them and it was cool to see the investigators and members when they say that I was back. I’m not sure why they liked me so much when I was there ha-ha I could barely speak Spanish! But they were all happy to see me again. And I was happy to see them.
Fast Sunday was pretty cool; the mission put a goal to have 100 baptisms in the month of March which means 2 baptisms for ever area. So we fasted to help us find those ready to be baptized this month. Later that day we were able to but 4 baptism dates meaning we have 5 in total. I hope and pray 2 of them well keep progressing so we can make that goal. Sunday was cool because a lot of members also gave their testimony in Zapateco, just like in Xadani. I’m having a good time trying to learn zapateco again.
I had better get going so that I can try to send you some pictures this time. I hope that you all have a good week like always and that you also take the time to help those need. I love you all so very much and pray for you nightly!
Until next week,
LOVE ELDER HOPE

Family,

Hey everyone what’s crack in? This week went by pretty fast not going to lie. I’m pretty sure it was due to the new area and what not. So far I’m still pretty lost and I’m doing my best to get to know the area but it’s pretty big so It'll probably be another week or two before I know it really well. My comp is a pretty good guy; he’s got a little less time than I do in the mission. Today I spent a good while cleaning the house because it was really dirty. I didn’t have time to finish so tonight will probably clean some more. 

Turns out there is a church right below us outside our window where we study... It’s been interesting to see how other churches run things. I learned this week that they run their churches off of fear. The pastor was telling the members to avoid other churches and not to listen to other pastors because the day they do they will be lost. I found it interesting because it’s completely different then how the TRUE church runs. We do everything out of love not fear. 

The other day I ate some tacos de cadenza or head tacos. They actually tasted pretty good. They people here in Juchitan are all really nice people for the most part.... ha. The members always give us food when we go to their houses and won’t let us leave until we eat. I should gain back all the weight that I lost in the coast. 

Saturday night we got a call to give talks in sacrament meeting so my first Sunday here in the branch I got to talk. It went well and I spoke about missionary work. I’m not sure if anyone liked it or not because no one here ever tells you if they liked your talk or not so it’s a little different than back at home when everyone tells you that you did well even though it wasn’t very good. We don’t have a chapel here only a house of prayer. It was pretty hot yesterday so it was kind of miserable. They also don’t have very many youth here so we bless the sacrament. I really don’t mind I actually like doing it. 

Before I forget here's Elder Lovell’s address, 21 north 4850 E Rigby Idaho 83442. Hopefully he’s called you guys by now..... 

It sounds like everyone is doing good back at home. I hope you all have fun on your trip to Boise and I hope you get there safely! I love you all so very much and I hope and wish the best for you all. Let me know if there is anything you need! 

Con Amor Elder Hope

Hey!

 Que Onda?  Thanks dad for the pic’s those were pretty fun to look at, and Josh I loved the video of Jeff falling off of the snow machine ha-ha that was funny. I just hope we will go when I get back. 

  This week was a pretty good week; once again we were able to meet most of our goals so I and Elder Adams are pretty happy. The assistants actually called us the other day to congratulate us on our key indicators so that was nice of them. Oh and before I forget this is the last week of the change so that means Sunday is CH-CH-CHANGES!! I really have had a good time working with elder Adams, he’s a good guy and this change flew by! Were excited to see what will happen on Sunday when we get the changes.

   Wednesday and Friday we worked in a threesome with one of our zone leaders named Elder Prince. I think I have told you this but I actually live with the zone leaders so there are four of us in the house. His comp Elder Aguirre had to go to Oaxaca for a meeting so we spent two days trying to work in both of our areas. It was actually kind of hard and we walked a lot. We've been walking on average 9.5 miles a day. I’m not sure if that’s a lot for a missionary but it feels like a lot when it’s 100 plus outside and hilly. But it’s alright Ill survive. I kind of like it because I’m losing weight so it’s a good thing I guess. 

   Mom congrats on your calling!!! I know that the lord will help you through your calling and as long as you look for his help he will give it to you. That’s something I really have learned her on the mission. He will help you. What a great opportunity to help the other sisters in the ward and learn at the same time. I know that this is a short letter but I have to go. Oh Ya there is an Elder her on the mission that will be going home in a week and a half he’s from Ririe. I’m going to send my iPod home with him so that it makes it safe. I’m going to give him the house phone number and I’ll also ask for his that way you can get in touch with him and next time you go up there to fish he will give it to you. I’ll keep you posted on what happens. Anyways I love you all. Until next week.

 ELDER HOPE

Heyo!

   What’s cracking family? Sounds like everyone are doing pretty good back at home these days so that’s good to hear. It also sounds like you all made it back from your trips to Utah and that’s good also! ha-ha mom and dad I can totally see you two sitting there at chucky cheese while little kids are running and flying through the air ha-ha I’m glad that you had fun though. So the Ravens won huh? To be honest yesterday while we were teaching one of our investigators her son was in their house watching it.  I couldn’t hear what was going on only a bunch of Mexican announcers screaming and what not ha but oh well next year. Jc I want to see some of your little clips so try to send me one alright.

   So to be honest it’s getting really hot here now. I just checked to see the weather and it says its 94 degrees but with the humidity it feels 100. So it’s warming up! To be honest I hope I get sent to the city here in a couple weeks because it’s a lot cooler over there than it is here in the coast. But I guess I’ll have to wait and see. This week we have been doing a lot of service for a couple investigators. Wednesday morning we went and helped a lady move between 1,700 to 2,000 little cinder blocks (as seen in pic). I was pretty sore the next day, my body really it’s used to that kind of work anymore. The funny thing is we didn’t finish the first day so we had to go back Saturday to move the rest. We found some interesting things under all those blocks. It was basically a zoo; we found three tarantulas, 1 scorpion, frogs, cockroaches... tons and tons of cockroaches and millions of ants. It was hard work but fun in the end. At one point in time I loaded up a wheel barrel with 35 of the blocks and was successful in picking it up and moving them. I'm still strong just saying ha-ha.   

   We had a little activity this week with the ward which went really well. We played something called Mormonoply. It was like the game however we rolled a dice, they answered a question about the book of Mormon or Bible and then got points for answering the question right. We also had punishments and challenges. One of which was to see who could eat a jalapeno pepper the fastest. It was fun to watch.
   We had another great week here and we have been receiving a lot of blessings. The other day we got a reference from a member so we went to check it out. Turns out the reference we got were two people who had talked with the missionary's before. Long story short there really cool and we were able to place two baptism dates with them. The work here is good, the food spicy and the weather HOT! But I love every minute of it. I hope that this email made sense and that you can read it even if it didn’t. I know that when the lord calls us to do something he does it because he knows we can. I also know that he’s always there to help us out when we need it and will answer our prayers. How blessed are we? 

   I had better get going but I want to let you all know how much I love you and hope you all have a great week!

Until next time,

Love Jake

Hey!

   What’s up family how have you all been doing this week? Sounds like you have been enjoying a little warmer weather this week so that’s good. That’s sweet that you guys are going to Utah this week and that Jc is going to be going to big sky and then to a jazz game. Jealous. I just hope that all goes well and that you all travel safely wherever you go. 

   Well this week I went Cuaji to do some divisions with the elder in my district. It went really good. I pretty much went to do a baptism interview with a teenager that they were teaching. We had a pretty good talk and I could tell she really wanted to be baptized. The cool part about it is that she and her family live in a pueblo called Zoto about 30 minutes away from cuaji. I think it’s safe to say that I was the first gringo to go there (at least missionaries). We really didn’t stay to long; one of the members that live in cuaji gave us a ride in his 1980 somthing bronco to Zoto. Long story short it was a pretty long, bumpy, dusty, and hot ride but never the less I’m grateful he was willing to help us out. Right after the interview we headed back to go to some other appointments that they had. All in all it went well. 

    This week went great work wise. We were able to meet just about all of our goals so were pretty happy about that. The zone leaders that are in my district had a baptism Saturday night and we ended up having 4 investigators (3 of which have baptism dates) go so it was a big blessing. You can always feel the spirit super strong at Baptisms. Afterwards we gave them a tour of the church and they all seemed to like it. So the work is going great here. There have been a lot of little earthquakes here in pinotepa. It’s made me super paranoid to be honest. Every little vibration that I feel I think it’s an earthquake. So I need to get out of here its making me go crazy! It’s funny that you said to watch out for the dogs in the letter you sent me because while I was talking on the phone the other day when one snuck up behind me and tried to bite the back of my leg however it has horrible aim and coordination and only ended up hitting the back of my leg with its snout so jokes on him! HA. It did scare me though.... I also pulled a flee off of me the other day so now I know how josh feels. I have no idea where it came from but I didn’t have anymore so that’s good.

   Well I had better get going but I love you all so very much! I hope everything goes good for you throughout the week. Until next time,

Elder Hope!

 p.s. I bet the 49s win..... Just saying.

Eyo!

   What’s up family how’s everyone doing? Before I forget yes dad I did get the watch you sent me, I’m actually wearing it right now so THANKS! It sounds like it’s pretty cold down there.... bummer ha I’ll try to send some heat your way. I hope you all have fun this weekend up at the cabin, tell frank and all them I say hi and if the ask about the church again... don’t be afraid to share what you know. The lord will help you all know what to say and you will also receive blessings for sharing the gospel. Just tell him to get baptized jk. But really this week has gone bye really fast. I’m having a really good time with Elder Adams (my comp from the mtc). He’s a really good kid and I feel like we had a lot of good experiences throughout the week. One of them was with a less active member named Maria Elena. We have been working with her for a while to get her to come back to church and this week she finally opened up and told us why she hadn't been coming to church. Long story short some member once said something to her that she didn’t like and for that she dropped the Church. We had a really good lesson with her about the atonement and I think she felt the spirit. All I hope is that she will come back to church. 

  Also it just turns out that E Adams was in my last area of Ixtepec Centro this last change so I have been asking him a lot about some of my converts over there. I have some good news! All of them are still going to church! In fact do you all remember Rolando? When I was there we baptized him and his son Jose but Rolando's wife never got baptized... Turns out not to long ago she was baptized and Rolando her husband was the one who baptized her. How cool is that? Also do you remember Yodo and Harvey? Their parents were inactive when we got there but we worked a lot with them and got them to come back to church and at the same time baptized Yodo and Harvey. Good news! There still going to church and going strong. E Adams told me that the dad of the family, Elias picks up member every Sunday to help them get to church. It was really good to get to hear about them all. Elder Adams says that they would always talk about me. It’s hard to describe how happy that makes me feel knowing that they all are still going strong and that I was able to help them out. I really love the mission. 

   I don’t have to much more time but I read THIS SWEET TALK THE OTHER DAY IN THE LIAHONA ABOUT HAPPINESS. I just wanted to share a part with you all that I liked. "Happiness is a decision" The point of the talk was that were always going to have problems and challenges in our life and the way we face those challenges all depends on us. We can choose to be happy or we can choose to be sad. It’s our decision. I know that if we choose to be happy thought out these times when we are facing trials that it will all turn out well in the end and we will even learn something that we can then use to help others when they face similar trials. I know it’s hard but I also know that we can do it. 

    Well that’s about all I got for you all this week, Jeff I got your letter that you sent, thanks so much for that and tell the kids thanks for the pics! I loved them. As for Crues question when I will be back ha-ha tell him soon. Also about the kid that just went home. He lives in Colorado so now we will have a place to sleep when we go to a Denver Bronco’s game ha-ha.

I love you all so much and I hope you have a great week! Until next time,

 Con Amor elder hope!