Yo Que onda?
   Hey what’s happen family? Well I better start off by thanking you all for your prayers for Angel because they were answered! That's right this week Angel entered into the waters of baptism and it was awesome. I’ll tell you his story here in a bit. Today has been a busy day. We actually woke up early today and headed over to Angels house to help him out a little more building some fences around his corn fields to keep the deer out. Afterwards he gave us some breakfast. We ate Mino-tacos (I think that's how you spell Minos). It was pretty sweet I wish I would have taken you all some pics. But it was basically fried little Minos that he caught in the river. To be honest they weren't too bad. 

   Alright I better tell you all about Angel. I think I have told you all about him before but I’ll tell a little more. So about a couple months ago Angel was walking out to his house late one night (he lives about 30 mins away from the city on foot) when he was jumped, and then beaten. He was stabbed slash cut with a nail. I know it sounds weird but I guess these people put basically welded a nail to a little piece of pipe and stabbed him with it. It’s a pretty popular weapon here. And to make things worse they usually dip the tip in poison. Angel was cut from the front part of his waist all the way across his body to his back (I have seen it and its crazy long and ugly). Somehow he survived all that and a couple days later some members brought my comp over to his house to give him a blessing. Afterwards they started to teach him. When I got her he had listened to a couple of the lessons and had gone to church my first week here. Long story short we keep teaching him and teaching him until one day he said something pretty interesting. He told us he knew the blessing had made him heal faster than normal and even the doctors were surprised on how fast he was healing. He then told us "I know if I get baptized I will heal even faster". We then taught him about baptism and he accepted a date. Well as you all know he was baptized and yesterday was confirmed. He’s a really cool guy and has been through a lot with what happened. They could give him stitches because he’s diabetic or something like that so his cut has healed all by its self. When I saw his cut I was really surprised on how it had healed so fast. It has also been a testimony to me about the priesthood blessings. 

   We have had quite a bit of success here in Ixtepec. I know that we have relieved a lot of help in doing so. There is no way we could have done it without the spirit. I also have leaned that god really does prepare his children to receive the gospel and that the people here in Ixtepec are ready. I have really enjoyed working her in this area. It’s a little hard living with two other elders at times, the house is pretty messy and its super hard to keep clean from everyone walking in and out. We also have a cat that is always trying to sneak in and eat our food. I’m told that the other elders used to feed it. They also let it give birth to its kittens in our house...... I have pretty mixed feelings about that ha-ha. So Becky if you want another cat you can totally have this one because I don’t want it. 

 Well once again I have to go but I want you all to know how much I love you all and how grateful I am to have you as my family and Friends.

Love E. Hope

Hola!

 

   Alright I have some really sweet news for you guys. The other day we had a multi-zone conference here in Juchitan for all the areas and zones. It was really sweet not going to lie, I loved it. I learned a ton! President did a really good job and he basically let us ask a bunch of questions about rules and a whole lot of other things. It really got me excited again about the work. The other cool part about it was that I was able to see a lot of my friends I have made here in the mish and also some of my old comps, actually like 5 of them haha it was really fun to get to talk with them a bit and see how they have been doing. Actually one of my comps E. Juarez is going to be going home here in a couple more weeks so thats super weird to me but he seems happy and excited. 

   But here comes the best part about it, there was an elder there at the conference that was in my first area Cosijueza. He came up to my and we started to talk a bit. I asked him how things went back there for him and asked if he had seen Eddi (my first convert). He then told me thats hes doing great and IS GOING ON A MISSION! It pretty sweet and i was really really excited for him. Hes heading to Chilli and leaves in November. Hes going to make for a sweet missionary and once again Im super excited for him. I just thought it was super cool when I heard that and its cool to think how many people he will teach and the lives he will change as he teaches the people in Chilli. Im grateful that I was able to be a part of that process.

   Also Yodo and Harvy were confirmed this week which was really good. Like I said their family/parents are members but less active so it has been really fun to see them come back to the straight and narrow. Its also cool that they are now members and one day can go to the temple as a family. It has been fun to see their progression together as a family. This sunday I also gave another talk in church. My comp Elder Pack talked about the Book of Mormon and I talked about a talk that elder Anderson gave called What thinks Christ of me? I feel that it went well. This week has been pretty crazy here because the 15th was Independence day here in Mexico so there has been a lot of parties and a lot of drunks. Also there having their "fair" here for the next week so Im sure this week will be a little harder in the way that everyone will be out and about which will make it hard to find our invest. but i guess well get some contacts out of it. Its still pretty hot out here and we ended up buying a couple hats a while ago but we dont use they to much because it doesn't really help and they look ridiculous so we usually just leave them at the house. Were teaching a really cool guy named Angel right now who has a baptism date set for for this Saturday so pray for him! Hes had a pretty hard life.

   Well thats all i got for this week, once again I just wanted to let you all know how much I love you. Im also grateful now for the weather in Idaho haha and Right now i miss the snow but oh well. I know I have said this before ad Ill probably say it again but we are so lucky to live where we live and have what we have, especially the gospel. I know its true and i know it changes people lifes for the better. I love you all and until next week,

 Elder Hope!

Well what a good week! First I’ll start of by telling you all about the baptism that we had this week. Their names are Rolando and his son Jose, their mom was supposed to be baptized with them but she told us a couple days before that she didn’t feel ready to be baptized this week so were going to be working a little more with her. I really wanted them to all be baptized together but I know she will be sometime soon so I’m not too worried. The baptism went really good! We had to go to a church that isn’t too far away to do the service; we had a pretty good turnout member wise. The room was full and I know Rolando and Jose were able to feel the spirit and the support from the members. Sandra really likes the baptism and like I said I’m sure she will soon be baptized also. Jose is 9 years old and he’s a pretty funny kid ha-ha he told us a couple weeks ago that he wants to be a missionary like me and my comp one day. The first day I got here to Ixtepec we went and visited Rolando and his family. I think I have kind of told you the story about them but we taught them about baptism and after I felt like we should put a baptism date so we did! Rolando was pretty hesitant at first and wanted to wait a couple months but we kindly "planted" him in which we shared a Scripture with him about not postponing repentance. We also had a new convert with us who shared a pretty powerful testimony about the book of Mormon which helped a ton. After talking to him for a couple mins more he accepted. Rolando and his family are really good people and they will be good leaders and members of the church. 

   The other day we woke up at 6 and walked down a dirt road for 30mins in the dark to get to one of our investigators who lives out in the middle of nowhere to help him out a little bit in his corn field. His name is Angel. A couple months ago he was walking at night when he was jumped by some people who robbed him and then cut him pretty good. He needed help building a fence in his field to help keep cows and all that stuff from smashing his corn and since he’s still healing from his accident we went over to help. It actually turned out really well; we dug about 13 whole posts and then cut down trees with a machete for the post. The only bad this was that there was a ton of ants and thorns on these trees and I ended up getting bit a couple times. Not going to lie it HURT. I’m not sure what kind of ants they were but they sting like wasp so that wasn't to fun ha-ha but I survived. We also found some type of fish that lives in mud; I sent you a pic of it so you should see what I mean. Angel told me they taste really good but I’ll just take his word for it. He also invited me to go hunting Iguana and armadillo with him but I’ll have to see if president will let me first. It does sound fun though. 

   Well like I said last week today we had changes but I and elder pack are both going to be staying here again in Ixtepec. I’m pretty excited he’s a good kid and we work well together. I really like it because when I get food that I can’t eat he helps me out so it’s a pretty good blessing. Well I had better go but I’m doing alright. I just wanted to let you all know that I’m loving the mission. It is defiantly the best thing any young man can do in his life. I have learned so much and have grown to love the Gospel with all my heart. I know it’s true I know it changes peoples life’s and I know that through our savior Jesus Christ we call all return to live with our heavenly father again. That knowledge really does feel my heart with peace and hope. I love you all and I know that I have the best family ever! I hope you all have a good time at the fair and that everything goes well for you throughout the week. I’ll talk to you soon. 

Love your son,

           JAKE

Shemodonulo!

What’s up family how’s it all going? So I just dropped a little Zapateco on you all how do you like that? I got the pic. of Thor’s girl friend ha-ha she’s a good looking dog. That’s cool dad that you’re going to be working at the fair again this year you'll have to do it next year so I can go to the motocross again. 

Well this was a pretty good week for us. The family that has a baptism date this week came to church and there all set and ready for their baptism. So if all goes well in the interview this Friday they should be entering into the water this Sunday after the meetings.  Their pretty good family, the dads name is Rolando, his wife Sandra and their sons name is Jose. They had been taught a couple lessons. When I got her so the first time I met with them and after we talked I felt that I needed to put a date for their baptism so I did and they accepted. I’m excited for them.  

So remember the one time we were buying all my mission stuff and there was a kid who told us they split part of the mission with another mission because it was so hot? Well I’m pretty sue I’m in that part of the mission. Tuesday I went outside to make a phone call (we don’t have service in our house) and it was pretty warm so I got the idea to put my comps alarm clock outside which has a thermometer to see how hot it really was. After a couple mins we checked it and guess what....... 120 degrees!!! They told us we can buy hats so I’ll probably buy a sombrero. 

Ha-ha so apparently there is a problem here with the members not knowing when were supposed to eat with them so I have been sending them text to remind them the night before or early in the morning (even though there is a calendar in the church which tells them what day is their turn). Well the other day we got to the sisters house and she wasn't too happy with us. She told us she didn’t know and a bunch of other stuff. She ended up giving us leftover liver with onions and fried pig skin. Usually I can force myself to eat the food but I HATE liver. I looked at my comp that is a pretty big boy and eats everything and told him he was going to have to help me out on this one, so I gave him half of my liver ha-ha. It was super funny because it took us a good little while to finally get it all down and afterwards we didn’t feel too well but what can you do. 

Elder pack is a pretty good guy and we get along well. It’s never boring while were walking because all I have to do is "hey explain lord of the rings to me" and for the rest of the day we have something to talk about. Its great ha-ha. However we do have changes this week and I’m pretty sure he’ll probably leave but I guess we will see what happens. Well once again I had better go but I love you guys a lot! Take care and have fun at the fair!

Love Elder Hope

What Up

   What’s up family how’s it all going? Well before I forget I would like to wish a couple people Happy BIRTHDAY! Happy late B-day Jared I hope it was a good one! You’re kind of getting old this day’s ha-ha. And Jc happy early B-day, all I have to say to you is "STOP CROWNING UP". Dad sounds like you have been pretty busy with work and all that, I enjoyed your story for the week but be carefully also ight.

   Well I’m still getting used to my new area here in Ixtepec; it’s a pretty good area it’s not quite as big as Etla but it’s kind of big. I think I have got a little more used to the heat this week. I still sweat pretty much all day but it’s ok I’ll survive. I’m going to take advantage while I'm here and try to learn some more Zapateco from the members. Speaking of which we have been teaching a couple classes of English to some of the member and some of our investigators here. It’s kind of fun... Yesterday I taught them how to pray in English. It made me realize that I’ll never become a language teacher and I also gained a greater respect for my teacher back in the MTC.

   The members here are pretty good for the most part, there are a lot who are willing to give a hand and go to a couple lessons with us which is nice because they always share their testimony's with our investigators. 3 testimony's is always better than 2 so that's nice. I just found out from my buddy Elder Jolley that a girl I was teaching back in Etla got baptized. Her name was Epefania and she was really cool. She was a perfect investigator. I was kind of bummed that I wasn’t going to see her baptism when I left but I’m happy knowing that I helped her enter into that convent with the lord.  
   Oh the other day we were walking home at about 9 when we passed by a Field and I saw a ton of fire flies, it was pretty cool and I’m pretty sure it’s the first time in my life I have seen them. Also the other day a member here was attacked by some African bees which put him in the hospital, luckily he’s still alive. It sounds like he got stung about 500 times. I guess we were pretty lucky also because we always walk on the street he got attacked. They said they took care of the bees but I guess they didn’t get them all because there were a couple more people who were attacked Saturday afternoon on a bridge. I know were blessed because earlier that day we crossed that same bridge and nothing happened so don’t worry I know that when were obedient that god watches over us.

   Well I had better go time is about out but I just wanted to let you all know that you’re in my prayers. Thanks so much for all the support it really helps out. I love you all and I’ll talk to you next week,

CON AMOR ELDER HOPE!

CAMBIOS ESPECIALES!!

   Well right now I’m sitting 6 hours away from my second home in Etla. That’s right I got changed. Wed night I got the call and headed off Thursday morning. Now I’m back in a place called Ixtepec Centro and its hot! The first day here after walking for five minutes I was sweating as bad as a fat boy who just tried to run two miles! I was losing weight back in the city but here they cook everything in oil, soooooo much oil. The food here is so greasy it would make McD.S  jealous. So I hope I don’t get to fat. I was pretty sad to leave Etla, I didn’t really get a chance to say good bye to anyone and I let 4 people that are set to be baptized and I really wanted to be there but I guess that’s part of the mish. I was lucky I guess, we had baptism last Saturday and they seem like really good people. I’m looking forward to this new area. 

  Well Sunday was interesting, I went from the biggest ward in Oaxaca to another house of prayer but this one is a lot nicer than the one in XADANI. I was also asked to give a ten min talk which went pretty well. I talked about the BOM again. Afterwards they threw another surprise at me and told me I was going to teach a class. SO I did, I taught about the plan of salvation and it went well. Oh my new comp is E. Pack he’s from Utah n has about 9 months in the mission 3 of which he spent at Boise waiting for his visa. We don’t have much in common but I found out he likes computer games which was good because I was able to start a good conversation about that. Good thing I had Austin as a nerdy friend, He helped prepare me for elder Pack ha-ha (Austin if you’re reading this thank you). E. pack is a good guy and we get along well.

 Dad the other week you asked me about my toe well I just got back from the doc and he cut of my toe nail once again. The last time he did it he said I would have to comeback in five months, guess he was right because it’s been about 5. So right now I have a numb toe. This time I got to watch and it was interesting..... It was a lot more bloody than I thought it would be that’s sure but I hope in a couple days I’ll be better. AS I Walked out the doctor said I’ll see you again in 5.... I hope he’s not doing it on purpose. JK he’s a member so he doesn’t charge which is a blessing because it saves a lot. Well I’m going to go because this keyboard is crap and I’m sick of it so until next time,

Love LDER HOPE!!!     

What’s up family?

Wow well today has been a pretty crazy day, I guess I spoke to soon on being together with Elder Torres for another change...... this morning we received a phone call from the zone leaders saying that we had special changes and that E Torres was to be in Oaxaca in ten mins to go to his area. It was a blind side that’s for sure. So he packed his bags really fast and we headed to Oaxaca. Right now I’m with my new comp named Elder Guzman.. I would tell you something about him but I really don’t know anything, so that will have to wait until next week. All I know is that we have about the same time in the mission. He seems like a pretty good guy.

   This week went pretty well for us; we were able to find a couple new invest and two of them are really promising and even came to church with us so I hope all will go well and that they will read in the book of Mormon that we gave them. We also have a baptism lined up for this Sunday so I hope all will go well and that we will be able to help her enter into the waters. Her name is Tania; actually she is the sister of Feliza that girl we baptized a while back. She told us that she has been reading and wants to be baptized ha-ha so that was really cool. We have seen a change in her, at first she was pretty hard and didn’t want her sister to be baptized but it just goes to show that the book of Mormon really does change people. 

    Sorry but this is going to be a really short letter, I have to fill out a couple papers here on the computer and send them to our DL. I hope and pray that everything is going well for you all. I love you all so very much and I hope that you all have a good week. I’m sorry this is short but I had better go. Take care everyone and I’ll try to fill you in more next week.

Love your boy,

Elder Hope