What up family!
  First off happy father’s day dad I hope you had a good Sunday, and mommy happy birthday!!!! I sent you both a card not too long ago and I hope that you got it or will get it soon. Dad like you said it has been raining quite a bit here, I guess there was a little hurricane that passed by the other day. It killed two people in Oaxaca and 18 others are missing in the state next to us so it was pretty bad. The other day we were stuck in a house for a good two hours because our leader called us and told us we couldn’t go out until it calmed down a bit. When it’s not raining it’s pretty warm. I’m still great full I’m in the city because it has the best weather in Oaxaca so I know God loves me ha-ha.
   I’m glad to hear Josh made it home safely, he looked a little tired in his pics ha-ha but I’m sure it was a pretty exciting week with everyone home again. It sounds like Josh did a good job on his talk and I look forward to hearing it. I’m sure going home is like leaving for the mission, your happy, sad, nervous, and have no idea what’s going on the first couple days but I’m sure all he needs is to mow some laws and he’ll get back into the swing of things ha-ha.
   This was a pretty good week with a couple ups and downs. We’re teaching an investigator named Perla right now and she is so close to getting into the water, all she needs is a little push. A week ago she told us she received an answer and wanted to be baptized. However the other day when talking to her she shared her story. Her family is very un sportive in her decision to be baptized and they told her not to do it. We did the best we could to give her more confidence in her decision and encouraged her to act on her answer. She left happy and excited. Sunday she didn’t come to church so we called her up and was like what’s up why didn’t you come to church? She then told us that she no longer wanted to be baptized and didn’t want to cause more problems in her family. We were pretty shocked and didn’t understand how in one day her decision could change so fast (were starting to think she’s bipolar....). Anyways were still working with her and we hope that this week she will be baptized so remember her in your prayers. Were also hoping this week that we will be able to find a couple new investigators throughout the week.
   Well I know this is short but I had better go I hope that you are all doing well and that you guys have fun on your trip. Make sure to take some pics so I can see what Oregon looks like and also be safe. How long of a drive is it there 7 hrs? I just want to let you know how grateful I am to be born into a family with a firm faith in the gospel. There is defiantly a difference between families with the gospel and families without it. There’s so much more peace and love for one another, were so lucky.
I love you all so much and I hope all is going well at home. Until next time love ya boy,
Elder Hope

Crazy!

   First off I can’t believe Josh is going to be home this week!!!! That’s so crazy. It really doesn’t seem that long ago when we sent him to the air port and now he’s going to be home! Wow the time really does go fast. You guys will have to break him in and take him fishing or something so he can get back into the swing of things.

   Well we had changes yesterday and will be staying here in Etla 2 for another change with my same comp, Elder Torres. I’m pretty excited there is still a lot of work to do here in Etla, the area is so big that after 3 months of being here I still don’t know the whole area and all the little pueblos around us. So I’m excited to be able to work another change here and help those in need.

   We had our little activity this Saturday and it went pretty well. To be honest it was pretty stressful, we have been planning this activity for a month and assigned member parts to help us, however when we went to the church Friday afternoon to see how we could help the members decorate to our surprise there was no one there and nothing had been done.... long story short we worked all day Friday and Saturday with the help of the other elders and some members to prepare the activity. We worked right until people showed up. We had a pretty cool experience too, about five mins before we were supposed to start it started to rain.... HARD! The bishop was like well were going to have to cancel the activity because no one will come while it’s raining like this. All of us were pretty bummed because we worked super hard. We had the idea come to us that we needed to pray so the four of us went into a room, knelt down in prayer and prayed that the rain would stop so that our investigators and members would be able to enjoy the activity we had prepared. And guess what... as soon as we ended the prayer we walked outside and the rain had stopped. Our prayers were answered by our loving father in heaven and soon after people started to arrive. About 250 people showed up and everyone enjoyed the activity. All I can say is that I’m extremely grateful for a father in heaven who listens to our prayers.

   I love the work here in the mission, it’s hard and sometimes the days are supper long and at times all our appointments fall through, but it is the most rewarding thing ever when someone enters the water of baptism. The feeling is indescribable.  I love you all so much and I’m so great full for all that we have. I have the best family and I’m so glad that one day we will be able to live together for eternity. I know that this work is true and I’m glad I have the chance to share it with the people here in Mexico. I have to go but until next time,

Elder Hope

Family,
   What up family? Another week has come and gone, it’s pretty crazy how fast it goes bye that’s for sure. Sounds like everyone is doing pretty good back at home and it sounds like there is some pretty good weather other than the wind but that’s Rexburg ha-ha. The weather here is a little warm.... ha but it’s all good I shouldn't complain it’s a lot hotter on the coast than Juchitan. We have changes coming up this week so I’m hoping I’ll stay in the city for another change or two until it cools down then I wouldn’t mind going to the coast. Yesterday it rained on us pretty good and by the time we got to the house we were soaked. It was probably the hardest I have seen it rain here, I tried to take pic. of it but it doesn’t do justice.
   This Sunday Feliza was confirmed a member of the church. She was pretty happy and the good news is she found a better job in which she won’t have to work Sundays! The lord really does prepare a way for us when were obedient. (1 Nephi 3:7) The last couple weeks we have been preparing an activity with the ward here called (trip to Hawaii) in which were going to decorate the church out and make the inside look like a plane. However, on the way there we crash and everyone dies (I know sounds horrible). An angel will then enter and take us on a tour of the three kingdoms of glory. In each room or kingdom there will be member explaining what they did in their lives to be assigned to that kingdom. Long story short at the end the angel will tell them that they all have another chance to live so make it count and choose the right. Hopefully that all made sense, if all goes well were hoping to get a lot of new people to teach. SO with all that we have been busy making invitations and inviting people.
   For the most part that was my week there’s a lot more I would like to tell you guys but there just isn’t enough time :(  I have a letter here in my hand that I’m going to send right after I leave the center so in a couple weeks be looking for it. I just want to let you all know that I know the church is true, I have defiantly seen the lord help us and our investigators in our lives. I’m so thankful for the gospel we have and for the opportunity I have to share to it with the people here in Mexico. I know as long as we are faithful the lord will always be there to help us in times of need. I love you all so much and I KNOW I have the best family in the world.
Until next time, Con Amor Elder HOPE

Hey,

What’s up family? Sounds like everyone is doing pretty good and things have settled down a little bit with all that went down the other week. I’m glad that you have been praying for our investigators because this week all of our prayers were answered and Feliza was baptized!! I’ll give you a quick rundown on the week.

Tuesday we went to Oaxaca for the multi-zone meeting. It was pretty good and I learned a lot, everyone that works in the offices talked to us a little bit and answered any questions that we had about paying bills and all that fun stuff. Later the Pres talked with us a lot about the rules because there has been a lot of elders doing stuff that there not supposed to do... long story short we were there from 10a.m. to 6p.m. and didn’t get home until 7p.m.
Wednesday we were able to go to the temple with the zone which was pretty awesome. Afterwards we went right back to our area and got to work.
Thursday was a normal day for the most part and latter on during the day our bishop called and asked if we could go to the temple with the ward on Saturday if the president gave us permission, of course we said yes.
Friday was also a normal day and we had a couple pretty good lessons with some new investigators which was awesome.
Saturday with the permission of Pres we went to the temple with the barrio de Etla. We did two sessions which was way awesome. This is the first time I have been able to go to the temple 2 times in 1 week so it was super cool and it defiantly helped me and my comp out. Saturday night we had a very important meeting with Feliza. She comes from a little pueblo and has been having problems with her job not letting her take a day off to go to church. She works everyday from 6 in the morning to 7 at night for 100 pesos a day ( 7.69 dollars a day). We promised her that if she went to church for her baptism she would receive blessing from above and that everything would be ok. Long story short she and her sister dropped both of their jobs so she could be baptized, that is faith. I really want to tell the whole story but I have a bunch of stuff to do so I better go.
Jc good job on the grades! That’s awesome that you pulled a 4.0 I’m jealous. Dad and Mom it sounds like your both pretty busy with work but I hope all goes well. You’re all in my prayers and I love you all so much! Until next week,
Elder HOPE

What’s up family?

   Well first off it sounds like you all have been really busy. Jc I hope that you’re feeling a little better with the doctor’s visit and the spinal tap... doesn’t sound to fun but I know how strong you are. That’s good that they were able to get an idea on what might be wrong, keep me posted. I hope that medicine they gave you will help. Dad that’s good that your class in Boise went good. It sounds like you had a pretty crazy time when you got back! Maybe they should have checked who the gang’s rivals were before inviting everyone ha. I’m glad to hear that no one got hurt other than the two gang members.  

   Sorry I’m writing this so late, we were doing a little service project for a member here. She is a cook and has a little store and asked us if we could paint the list of food she sells out the outside of here wall so we did. It didn’t turn out as good as I thought it would never the less it looks ok... I’ll take a pic if I remember the next time we visit her. As for my talk that I gave this week it went pretty well. Like I said I have never been a fan of talking in front of a lot of people so I’m glad it’s over.
   Tomorrow were going to Oaxaca for a special meeting for all the Zones in the city, the word on the street is that some more elders have been pretty disobedient so the president wants to talk to us. (Don’t worry I’m being a good boy and following the rules). Wed were also going back to Oaxaca because it’s our turn to go to the temple again! Its defiantly one of the benefits of being close to the city. 

   This week has actually been a pretty hard one, were discovering that all of our invest. that have baptism dates are having some pretty serious problems. Two of them need to find a new house before they can get baptized, another needs a new job, and a couple are really struggling with some commandments. I and my comp have been pretty stressed but who said the mission was easy? all we can do is keep praying and looking for solutions. If you remember pray for the people of Oaxaca and everywhere else, they need the help. 

   Sorry this is short but it’s late and we need to go. I just want you all to know how much I love you. OH I got the package! Short story I’m loving the ties! so thanks for that. You guys really are the best and I love you all so much. Have a good week! 

Love your boy

Elder HOPE! 

Yo,
Well hey again this is going to be a short letter because well I already told you a little about my week. It was really good getting to talk to all you and hear your voices, I hope I was able to answer all your questions that you had. Dont worry about sending money like I said the sisters house that we called from has a plan where she can call anywhere in the United States and Mexico for a certain amount every month so its all good.
I got the pics that you sent of Jc and one of her dance pics,  JC it looks like you had fun and  Here is the name of the song you guys can youtube and check out. Its called Ti Feo by Camili Nanga. Part is is spanish and the other in Zapateco... Enjoy!
Like I said this is gonna be short, right now were with some other Elders that slept in our house last night and they are going to be staying at our house again because in their area there was nowhere for them to call  home so they used the phone in the church.
I love you all so much and I hope all is going well for you guys, I miss you all, I hope that your all being safe! Untill next week,
con Amor Elder Hope!

May 8, 2012

Hola,

What's up family, man this week has gone by pretty fast.  It sounds like you have all been busy with the yard work again but that's good.  Before I forget 5:30 should work out pretty good, I'll have to check with the family I'm going to be calling at but there pretty good so I don't think that they will mind.  If not I can always try calling you guys from another house so no worries.  I'm pretty excited to be able to talk to you guys again hopefully I can answer all of your questions.  Dad, Mom it sounds like you had fun at the concert so that's good.  Also crazy that people from Oaxaca are up there studying but that's also really cool.  Jc I hope all is going well with your fake little baby ha-ha I had a couple of friends take that class and from what I heard it was kind of a pain but you have had a lot of practice when it comes to that stuff so I'm sure you'll do fine!

Well I have a new comp, his name is Elder Torres and he's from Mexico City.  He's pretty new in the Mission and only has three months.  I'm his second comp in the mission which makes me a step-dad.  He's pretty cool and has a lot of desire to work hard which is really good and I'm pretty excited for this change.  The other day we got a call for the Zone Leaders at 11pm telling us that we had to go to the city of Oaxaca the next day so Elder Torres could have his final capacitation with the president.  During the meeting president wanted to do a demonstration of how to introduce a scripture to a invest.  Well long story short he ended up choosing me and my comp (I've never really liked talking in front of a bunch of other people so I was a little nervous).  Luckily there were only about 22 other elders, the pres., and his assistants there so it wasn't too bad...it actually went really well and he gave us a couple tips of how we could improve so we all learned a lot.

This week we had 9 invest come to church with us so I was pretty excited.  It was also a little crazy trying to help them all out in our classes and what not but since we go to church with two other elders they were able to give us a hand.  We have found quite a few good invest and a lot of them really like the gospel however half of them have a fear of entering in the waters of baptism so please pray for them that they will find the strength they need to enter the water.  I'm really enjoying my time here in Etla the members are relly cool and they help us out quite a bit.  It took a little work to get their confidence in us because the elders that were here before weren't the best...if you remind me when we talk I'll tell you a little bit of the story. Sorry this is short but I want to have some cool stories to tell you about when we talk this Sunday so I better jet.  I love you guys so much and I'm excited to get to talk to you all soon!

Take care and until then,

Love E HOPE!