Hey family what’s up
  Well ill start off with the bad news first... our baptism fell through this week. I’m not sure if I mentioned this last week but our invest Andres has had some problems in the past and ended up spending a little time in jail. The other day he had an interview with our D.L. and afterwards our D.L. told us he would need a special interview with the President. So I have been talking with the Pres to schedule an appointment and it turns out that we have one today at 7pm so ya hopefully that all made sense. But dad it’s funny that you shared that quote because I just read it this morning and when I read it I thought about Andres, It’s never too late to repent and the gospel really can make bad men good and good men better.
   It sounds like you all have been pretty busy with yard work and all that ha. Don’t worry Josh will be there to help out pretty soon! It’s crazy that all his friends are all getting home, sounds like you have a busy Sunday coming up. Tell them I all say hi. I’m glad to hear Dillon is doing well and that you guys were able to talk with him a bit. Also Tell Matt that I say hi and wish him luck for me, he’ll do great.
   This week has been a pretty busy one; we had 6 of our investigators come to church Sunday which was pretty awesome. We have been receiving a lot of help from the member this week and they have been coming with us to our lessons which are super awesome because an extra testimony always helps. A couple of our invest also speak different languages, Mezteco and Mixe so I made a deal with them that I would teach them English if they teach me theirs. So I’m trying to learn Mezteco and Mixe. Also the church here has been advertising an on-line English class from BYU-I and there are a couple members here who were accepted. One of the members needed help figuring out how to work the web page and how to add the class and everything so we went over to her house and we signed her up for the class and everything. It seems kind of crazy that BYU-I has reached all the way here in Oaxaca, just goes to show its growing.
   Oh and it sounds like I’m going to be rich with me Tax return..... Ha-ha oh well. This week on Wednesday I get to go to the temple again so I’m pretty excited for that. Also this is the last week of the change so we will have changes this Sunday but I’m pretty sure I’ll be staying here in Etla which is ok. But I guess we will find out. I better go but take care and be safe. I love you all so much.
Until next week,
E. Hopè!

Family,
Hey everyone what’s cracking? It sounds like you have all had a pretty busy week with the yard work and ISAT test. Those were never really fun ha. You heard right there have been a couple more earthquakes here, one happened at about in the morning but luckily I was so tired I just slept through it ha-ha the other we were in a taxi or something so I didn’t feel it. There sure seems to be a lot down here and everyone said it’s because the world is about to end....
Thanks for taking care of the pics, I was starting to wonder if you had ever got them because I didn’t hear anything but I hope you liked the pics.
This week was a pretty good week, we had a couple people come to church with us so that was really awesome. We also have a baptism lined up for this Sunday, his name is Andres’ and he’s about years old. He was a reference from a member and he’s a good guy. He’s made mistakes in his past but he knows that baptism is important and he is ready. So this Sunday we should have a baptism!
We also finally confirmed people that were baptized a week before I got to the area. Their names are Gullamina and Javier (mother and son). After their baptism they didn’t go to church and so we have been spending a lot of time teaching them the importance of church and the gift of the Holy Ghost. We finally got them to go to conference but we couldn’t confirm them until the next Sunday she was out of town, but this week we got her to come and they were finally confirmed so that makes me happy.
We also had a couple less active members come back to church, a dad and his son. They have been less active for... well a long time so it was really cool to see them back in the church. The dad doesn’t have arms... were not too sure what happened all we know (from what he told us) is that some people chopped them off with a machete. So ya... nevertheless he came back and said he’s going to come next week also so that’s cool.
Oh before I forget tell Grampy Jim I say Happy B-day.... it’s a little early but I know it’s coming up. That’s about all we did this week or at least what I can remember right now. We don’t have too much time so I better jet, but thanks everyone for the love and support and the prayers! I know that they help. I love you all so much and I hope you all have a good week. I pray for your safety nightly so I hope all is well back at home.
Take care and until next week, Con Amor,
ELDER HOPE!

Hey family!
Yo yo whats up? This week has been a bitter-sweet one. Its vacation time down here for everyone so it was a little difficult to find or investigators because they were all on vacations. We also had two of our baptism dates fall which was kind of depressing because I was pretty excited for them. Their names are Shayla and Karina both are sisters, shayla is 14 and Karina is 11. Their mom is a member and so is their older sister. They are both really nice people and I’m hoping that we will be able to talk to them some more and prepare them for baptism.
The week ended off pretty well though, we spent a lot of time contacting throughout the week to find new investigators and also because all the ones we have are out of town. I think my comp was a little mad at me one of the days because he doesn’t really like contacting.. But to be honest its not one of my favorite things to do either but we weren’t receiving any references from the members and we had nothing to do, so it’s better than sitting at home doing nothing. It reminded me of a talk that Elder Uchtdorf gave. I can’t remember what it’s called but he talked about how if you look hard enough you can find fault with anything. He also talked about how if you look hard enough you can find the "good" or positive in any situation. It all depends on what you’re looking for. The week ended off good and my testimony about fasting and prayer grew. I have been praying to find those ready for the gospel and the other day we received a reference from a member. We went and checked it out and the guy is gold! He came to church with us and accepted a date for the 22 of this month. His name is André’s and he’s about 65 years old. He liked the church a lot and knows he needs to be baptized. I know God hears and answers our prayers.
Today was also a pretty sweet day.... WE GOT TO GO TO MONTE ALBAN AGAIN! It was pretty cool to get to go back again. This time it was a lot greener so I think it looked "pretty". I took some pics so I’ll try to send some. I hope I answered all you questions... if not well there’s always next week! I hope you all have a great day and that you’re all safe! Don’t worry about the yard work; Josh will be home pretty soon to take care of it!. I love you all so much, I miss you all a lot and think about you all the time. But I know this is where I need to be and I’m grateful for the opportunity I have in sharing the gospel. It’s true and sharing it with others is awesome, I don’t have a doubt that because of sacred ordinances of temples we can be sealed and united as families forever. That is amazing! and I’m honored to be able to share that message with others. The church is true. I better go but once again I love you all so much. Take care and until next time
Con Amor, E Hope!

Hey family what’s going on? This week has been really sweet and there have been a lot of things going on. First off before I forget tell Jim and Grandma thanks for the money they sent, and also for the new book to write in. It’s perfect.
On wed we got to attend the temple which was really sweet as always. Every month the elders get to go at least once, I’m not really in the city but most of the other districts are so our zone got to go (I don’t think I told you this but I’m actually back in my first zone Monte Alban and I’m like an hour away from my first area. Also I saw a couple people from my first area there at the priesthood session. It was pretty cool to get to talk to them for a little bit before we had to return back to our area.
Dad that’s super cool you will be with Elder Ballard this week! I really enjoyed this weekend with being able to hear all the good talks and what not I learned a lot. This was the first time I haven’t been able to listen to it in English which was a little different but it was all good.
Also thanks for all the pictures, looks like everyone is doing good! to be honest my mind is blank right now and I’m not sure on what to write so I’ll tell you of today’s grand adventure.
The other day we heard of a pretty cool waterfall that was in Etla, so my comp and I decided that we should go and check it out with the other elders of etla (one has been there before so he knew how to get there.... kind of) We woke up pretty early and borrowed a couple bikes from some members and started off for the waterfalls. Well we biked for a couple mins until we came to a pretty steep hill... steep enough we had to walk up it. Anyways long story short we ended up pushing our bikes up these switch backs for nearly two hours.... it was horrible!!!! I’m so out of shape, after about 2 hours we were out of water and it was pretty hot. Luckily after awhile a truck passed by and gave us a ride. If we wouldn’t have hitched hiked it probably would have taken another two hours! Luckily we got to the water fall and it was pretty sweet! There was a little hut where a guy sold fish so we all sat down, just the four of us and ate some pretty good fish on the top of a mountain. It started off horrible but ended up really well. Also going down was a lot better than going up (maybe because I was using a little girl’s bike...).
My comp is from Missouri and he’s a good Elder and he’s working hard so that’s good. Umm what else.... My toe, well that was a pretty fun experience after I forced my shoe on and went back to work. It felt pretty weird but it’s all good now and there hasn’t been a problem. I’m going to try to send some pic’s. I love you all so very much and pray for you nightly. I also got the letter about Ross and Jean and it was pretty hard to read but I’m going to keep praying for them every night and I hope they will be ok. You’re all amazing!
Love Jake

Hey family,
Well what’s up? First off yes I’m ok and I’m doing well. I sent you a quick e-mail after the earth quake did you not get it? Me and some other elders in my district were in Bodega buying food when all of the sudden everything started moving ha-ha. It gave everything a pretty good shake and was defiantly a first. I have felt some little ones here but nothing like this one so it was interesting. But I’m doing good and getting used to my area. Etla 2 is a pretty big area, were always taking taxis to get to one side to the other but its all good. Etla 1 has bikes and I’m pretty jealous because I wished we had some also! But it’s all good. The ward here is the biggest I have been in so far with about 300 members so it’s pretty big and a lot different than the little house of prayer in Xadani which I think I’ll miss a lot.
I’m still getting to know the area and my comp like I said. To be honest we don’t have anything in common other than both our name tags say "Elder" so it could be an interesting change. He actually has more time in the mission than I thought and is only one change behind me so that helps because he knows what to do.. Well kind of... He told me that he is a "dead elder" which means him and his comp sat at home most of the time and did nothing. He has been her in the area for 3 weeks and doesn’t know it all too well so it’s been interesting... there is a lot of work here to do so that’s good. The first part of the week went by slow and we really didn’t have anyone to teach, but the lord is answering our prayers and we have found a couple people that are interested so that’s good.
I love the weather here in the city, its perfect! The one thing I won’t miss about Xadani is the heat. Also we have hot water here so I can take hot showers again!
It sounds like a lot of things are changing around the house, you’ll have to show me a pic when all is said and done. Does Jc go riding every week now or what? It sounds like she’s having fun just be safe. Dad that’s sweet that you will get to be with Elder Ballard, you’ll have to tell me how that goes. I listened to him in the mtc and he gave a very good talk. I hope when I get home will be able to "help" you watch over them. I know I’m forgetting a bunch of stuff but I need to send pics so I better go. I’ll be looking for the journal and all that. If you need anything let me know. Take care and be safe, I love you all and your all in my prayers! Until next week, love E. Hope

Making Memories

Hey!
I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m writing so early but as you know today we have changes and I’m leaving Xadani.... it’s pretty bitter sweet and I don’t really want to leave this place. The members here are wonderful and always willing to help, I was also starting to pick up a lot of zapateco and by the time I come home I should have a short memorized testimony in zapeteco! I am glad that this time I was able to go around saying bye to a couple people that I have become pretty good friends with. I stopped by Ofelia and said bye to her which actually went pretty well until she about started to cry... One member also told me and my comp that he should go not me ha-ha I thought it was pretty funny but E. Orth didn’t.
E. Orth turned out to be a really sweet elder and we got a long really well. We were having a really good time sharing the the gospel and making memoires. The other day we went to this investigators house and her grandpa was there who is pretty old. We found out later that he told her granddaughter that if we went back he would throw rocks at us because we’re 2 white boys and we just want to "steal his granddaughter".
I guess I better tell you where I’m going before I forget. I’m heading back to the city of Oaxaca to a place called Etla. I’m pretty nervous because this will also be my first change as senior comp to an Elder with 3 months in the mission (Elder Bird). But I also know that the lord will be there to help me in times of need and that as long as I am obedient all will be well. The scripture found in Ether 12:27 has brought on a new meaning as he can make "weak things become strong unto them". I know as long as I have faith all will be well. I also know that there is someone there that needs my help in Etla and I hope and pray I will find whoever it is. I also know that this change I will grow a lot and that and I am excited for that.
The other day E Orth and I walked into our house and found a pretty nice surprise.... We opened the gate that leads to our little yard and found an old lady standing with a box of wood and a knife in her hands. We were both pretty surprised and speechless and before we could say anything she said she was the aunt of the land owner. It didn’t really make me feel any better because we leave the doors wide opening to the back of the house to try to keep it a little cooler. She didn’t take anything other than the branches that were on the grounds so that’s good. To this day were not sure how she got into the yard, my guess is she used the big kitchen knife to pop it open. (I know that doesn’t make sense but if you saw the doors here it would).
It sounds like everyone is doing well and that’s cool that Jeff and Becky come down to visit . I enjoyed the pics so keep sending them. Sound’s like Jc is always going four wheeling! ha-ha I’m pretty jealous but just be safe ight. Thanks dad for telling her I get a bike first ha-ha. Hey quick question did you guys ever send me a package with the new journal in it? If you haven’t sent it yet throw in some keep cool looking ties because I come to find out that I don’t have very many..... just saying. Today is kind of crazy but I’ll try to send pics if I can use my comps camera cable (mines buried in my bags) I just found out that I won’t leave to the city until 4:15 so I’ll get there somewhere around 10-11 at night. I better go but I just want to let you all know I love you and am thankful for all you do.
I was reading about charity this morning and ran across this. “Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quite” Elder Marvin J. Ashton. Be kind to others; serve them when you see the opportunity, help those who are having a hard time. I promise that you will feel the savories love as you do so and that he will poor blessings upon us.
I love you all so very much and I know this is the lord’s work. Be safe and always remember your prayers. Until next week and with love,
Elder Hope

Wow, this has been a really good week but first thanks everyone for the birthday wishes you’re all awesome!
So fun fact of the day here in Xadani people get married here when they are 12-16 years old and usually the groom has to pay the bride’s mother money and give them fruit, a dead chicken, a live chicken and a bunch of other stuff (the other day a guy bought a girl for 35000 pesos which is quite a bit of money for the people here in Xadani). So now you know.
Like I said this week has been awesome, yesterday we had a baptism, Florentino and Tirse (the couple Elder Juarez and I helped get married). It was really cool and the ward decided to come this time. We don’t have a baptism font here so we rented a truck and all jumped into the back and drove to Juchitan about 15 mins away. It was pretty crowed but it was really cool to see the members there to welcome them in the church afterwards. The baptism once again was in Zapateco which is sweet because I’m learning a new language. Tobi chupa chona tapa gaayu shopa gaxde shono gaa chi. Ya I just counted to ten in Zapateco, what up now ha-ha. I really like it here in Xadani but we have changes this Sunday and I might leave... At least I hope not but who knows.
Florentino and Tirsa have met with missionaries for over 2 years now, a pretty long time. The first missionaries to teach them taught and baptized three of their kids but they couldn’t get baptized until they were married. Tirsa really wanted to get baptized so that’s why we helped them get married and all that. Florentino was pretty nervous but afterward she said he felt good and I could tell he was happy.
Today for my B-day we played some basketball which was awesome because I haven’t played for about 5 months now. It was pretty bad at first but it came back after awhile and was really fun. Afterwards our district went to B.K. and my comp bought me a Jr whopper (it tasted awesome) so that was really nice of him. To be honest I don’t feel 20, but it sure does sound old ha-ha.
Thanks for the B-day card and the memory cards for my camera, and everything else. You guys are awesome. I better go but I just wanted to let you know that I love you all! Take care and ill write next week.
Con Amor, E HOPE