Lesson #1 and #2

yo!
What’s up family? First off dad mom and JC the mission board looks really good! I like it lot. I also got the picture of josh and the kid he baptized, that’s super cool! He looks and sounds like he is doing well so that’s good. I’m also doing pretty well. Today has been a good day and I have got a lot done but I did do something dumb..... Today I decided to wash a couple pair of my pants (I’ve been super super carful and have been trying to keep them clean for as long as I could because I’m not sure how to wash pants). Sooo I decided to do it any way well after washing then and drying them in the dryer I threw them in my laundry bag that I bought here (mistake # 1). when I got back to my room to fold my clothes I noticed that they were pretty wrinkly so I was a little upset and was like now I have to iron them (mistake #2). turns out the iron was on to hot and I kind of burned one of my black pair. It’s not horrible, but it melted them in a way. (not sure how to explain it, there just a little shinny) I think they will be ok. However, there is one thing that I have learned so that’s good right. I’m learning a lot here mostly by trial and error which isn’t always the best ha-ha but oh well.

Before I forget there is some stuff that I could use. I’m almost out of hair gel but I should have enough to get to Mexico. It would be nice if you sent some though that way I would have some when I get to Mexico, unless if you think I don’t need it then I’ll just try to find some down there. But if you do buy some have jc or mom buy the stuff I got last time and maybe buy two and put one bottle in the other because there really isn’t that much in one little tube. (Jc should know the kind I want, it’s the one I got before I left with her)

As for the visa and travel plans I know nothing. They haven’t said anything to us so I’m not much help there, but we MIGHT get our plans this Thursday well see and I heard when we get our visas we have to go to SLC and talk to someone not sure what about or why but that’s what I have been told. I sent a letter home the other day which had some letters for Dillon did you get it?

Sounds like the hike was fun. I didn’t hear of anyone getting hurt so that’s good! and what’s this with jc growing up and taking the fours out!?! This is crazy. I don’t like how she’s growing up ha-ha. Jc who did you go with?
When you go up to Stoddard Creek are you staying the night or just doing a day trip? Tell Cory, Ray, and everyone else that I say hi for me. Jeff never told me that he sold his truck but that’s good! but that reminds me, did you ever sell the bike in the shop? just wondering, and if you did how much?

I've also been wondering what to do about Dear Elder. I’m not positive but I heard that it’s free wherever there is pouch mail. I’m not sure if Mexico has pouch mail or not but if they do you might have to put my dear elder address up on face book that way the people writing me can get a hold of me. I’m not sure how expensive it is to send letters. Hopefully not to bad so if it isn’t ill just keep sending and writing letters to those who write me.

I do have another question. I brought two jackets but I’m tempted to send one home because I don’t think it will ever get to cold down there but what are your thoughts? let me know and if you think I should send it home I will that way I’ll have more space for all the books they have given us.

I’m about out of time and I hope everyone is doing well. Before I leave I get to call home for a couple minutes but right now I have no idea when that will be so I’ll have to get back to you on that one. I hope I answered all your questions. If you have any more ask and I’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible. I haven’t gotten the package yet but I’ll keep looking we check for mail like twice a day. I hope everything is going good at home and dad I hope your back gets better. The word on the street is that Pres. Monson is coming to the devotional tonight but who knows. I’ll let you know for sure if he does. I better go I love you all and hope you have a good week.

take care. Con Mucho Amor, el hope

Mormon Mustang

Hey family what’s up? Sounds like everyone is doing pretty well. It sounds like it’s been pretty hot and dad I bet the upstairs is cooking!  It’s been pretty hot here also, most of the time we inside but the AC doesn’t seem like it likes to work so it’s still pretty warm at times. Sundays and Tuesdays are the worst because on Sundays you always have to be in full jacket and suit, and Tuesdays we end up going to the devotional about an hour early to try to get good seats but they won’t let us in until 6:30 so we end up waiting by the doors in suits with 2000 other kids trying to get in and let me tell you it gets hot, sweaty, and stinky haha. Tuesdays are the days General Authorities are supposed to come but were yet to see one. There usually just 70's which is good because they always give good talks.

On Sundays they let us get on computers and watch movies and this last Sunday I was watching a message about "spiritual vertigo" and guess what.... it’s about the Mormon mustang at the Rexburg air port!!! It made me home sick seeing the air port and the places they were flying because Bagley was the one flying so when it shows him flying you can tell it’s him over the dry farms. You’ll have to YouTube it.

This Sunday we also sat behind the ASL section and I found myself always looking at them and watching the people do signs. It made me feel a little sad for them. We sing some really good songs here and I have to admit it sounds really cool when 2000 kids sing. (I’ve never really liked singing church songs until now) we sang a song the other day and I litterly had chills. Anyway back to what I was saying about the ASL. It made me think how lucky and blessed we are to be able to hear. I feel bad for the people who can’t we are so blessed.

JC, it sounds like you’re having fun. How was your party and boating? How’s school going so far? What’s new with life? It sounds like the football team isn’t doing to good ha. That to bad even though a lot of people didn’t like Buck I did because he was nice to me.

About the tooth, I was lucky because they were able to send me to get it fixed that day. I’m glad I sent that paper to you, Dad because I almost threw it away.... but I’m glad you got it. Dad keep me posted of the football I like hearing how it’s going. If CJ is playing (which he probably is) tell him to work had because he will miss it after it’s over. 

I sent a letter to Josh so I hope he gets it. Also my thumb still kind of hurts so if I hurt it again ill probably get it checked out. (Its just not getting better) but oh well. Spanish is coming along slowly. I can understand a lot of what people are saying but I struggle with knowing how to say stuff back so I’ve been studying vocabulary words a lot and I think it'll help.

I’m doing well so don’t worry about me, sorry if this letter is boring I don’t have much to say because we don’t do anything but class. We’re going to the temple in a little bit so that'll be nice. But I want you all to know I love you and pay for you every night. Stay safe and remember the church is true.

Oh Jeff I got your dear elder, I think your right about the pizza! It is weird that you’re not too far away. I hope you’re liking your job and that all is well. Don’t like Utah to much though, you have to move back home in a couple years haha tell the kids I love them and give them a hug for me.

Mom, everyone, again I love you

3 weeks

Hey family! Well I’ve been here for about three weeks now which doesn’t sound like a whole lot but at the same time it does ha-ha. I don’t know where to start on this e-mail and it will probably be all over the place but here we go!

Dad I don’t know if I ever responded to one of the questions you asked a while back you can send as many dear johns as you want they don’t care. Elder Adams (my comp) is DL so we check mail two to three times a day so send as many as you want they don’t care. I got the pictures you sent me and the one of Crue made me laugh.

Mom I got your guys Dear Elder and read it last night, thanks Mom, Dad, and JC for writing them. Mom that’s funny and weird that Jackson came over because I have been thinking about him a lot this week and that I needed to write him so I did. I sent it to our house it’s addressed to Mom so you can envelope it if you want it’s up to your guys. Mom and JC, remember our promise you made with me...  

JC HAPPY BRITHDAY!!!!! I know it’s a couple days early but I would rather say it early than late. I can’t remember if school starts for you today when but I hope you have a good first day! you'll have to tell me what classes you are taking and who from. I love you so-so much sis you’re the best!

My week has been pretty crazy! We have been teaching a lot and all that Spanish is coming but slowly ha-ha pray for me though I could use the help. It’s cool to walk into class and understand what the teacher is saying and our investigators. I’m not sure if they always understand what I say back to them but oh well.  I’ve learned so much already in these three weeks it’s pretty crazy, half of my district is leaving tomorrow to go to MTC in Peru so now there will only be 6 of us!! Jeff I think one kid is going to the Mission you went to. I told him you loved it the rest of us are all going to Mexico, five of us are going to Oaxaca so I hope we get to all travel down there together.

I've became pretty good friends with an Elder named Elder Romney, he's from Utah and we get along super well. The sad thing is that he leaves in a week so that’s not cool. I told him we would hang when we get back.

My thumb is almost better. It still kind of hurts but other than that it’s ok. I was pretty bummed when I hurt it because it totally threw off my BB shot and I was owning people left and right! But yesterday I did pretty well.  I’m about out of time so I hope everyone is doing well. I love you all so very much. When you see my friends tell them hi for me and to write me ha-ha.

Until next week.... EL HOPE!

First e-mail

Jake,

Well it’s my first p'day and so far I like it. It was good to get a letter from Josh and it sounds like he is doing well with his work. I’m glad that Crue and Gracie like the rock and motor bike, I was hoping that they would. I don’t have a lot of time and I have a lot to say so the info may be pretty basic. But I can’t remember if I told you or not but I’m on the top bunk and top floor of my building, and I have been taking pic’s but I might not send the card until I leave the MTC I’m not sure yet. The floors here are pretty nasty and because of that I have only touched the floors bare foot twice while I have been here which I think is pretty good. I see Austin about every day sometimes 2 to 3 times which is cool. It’s nice to see someone I know, my departure date is on the 3rd of October. My room is small compared to the other rooms and I and my comp have to share desk however I write on my bed a lot so sorry if you can’t read my letters I’ll try to write nice but my hand writing isn’t as nice as Josh´s. Friday we got here we had to teach an investigator IN SPANISH which was pretty hard and only lasted about three minutes. We taught him again on Saturday and it actually went a lot better and we also taught him on Monday which was ok but not as good as the second time. The first day I got here we sat on the front row for the welcoming and then president Lloyd came, shook my hand, and said I have a wonderful smile so that was nice of him. All the people in my district say that I’m a beast and say I’m funny. We get along pretty good for the most part. 

Thanks again for all the letters you sent me. I hope you get this e-mail I’m still not sure if I’m doing it right haha. I have another letter I’ll probably send soon I’m glad you’re all are doing ok. Tell the kids I love and miss them and I hope you can get the water fixed. Thanks so much for the support. I love you all so very much. Spanish is hard but I’m trying to learn. It’s kind of crazy, the time goes by slow during the day but when I get in my bed it seems like it went by way fast. Sorry for all the typing errors, I’m a bad typer! Tell Josh and everyone else that I love and miss them you will have to forward the e-mail to them for me this time I’m running out of time. Once again I love you all and miss you!

Love Elder Hope