Chispas!

So Uh... I'm not leaving.  Haha.  Yep, I'm chilling here in North Carolina!  As far as I can see, I'll be here another 5 weeks until Argentina's next transfer and if I have my Visa, then I'll go.  It has been very tough to see everyone else go but Patience is an attribute of Christ and he obviously wants me to learn it.  :)

Quite a few things have tried to hinder my companions and me from the work this week.  Firstly, we had car troubles.  It wouldn't start, so half the day was spent working through the Mission office and getting it towed and what not, but I think there was a purpose.  Later that day we went and taught a guy named Luis.  Never met him, but he let us in to teach.  He could speak some English and we started the lesson in English.  Things just didn't seem... right.  So after a bit, we just suddenly switched over to Spanish and the spirit just punched all of us in the house!  It was a manifestation, I believe, that I was called to speak SPANISH, and if I didn't, I wouldn't have the spirit like I could.  Anyways, later down the week  E l d e r  S h u p e ' s  tire on his bike popped 2 hours away from our apartment, so and none of the members could pick us up, so....  That was pretty cool.

HOWEVER!  This last week has been one of our most successful!  We got a few more baptismal dates to add and we are super stoked for that.  Some of these people REALLY need our help.  Sometimes I could just rip out my heart and stick it in their chest so they could know what happiness is.  It's painful to watch, but the way I see it, you can feel bad for them or Get up and actually help them.

I've learned a few things I kinda wanna share.  First of all, a question I'll frequently ask myself when faced with a difficult problem is, "Have I inquired of the Lord?".  That is what Nephi asked his doubting brothers, and honestly, we all need to ask ourselves this question.  And when we do ask, we need to be prepared.  Don't just ask;  read, ponder, take notes!  I know that when you do, you will be comforted.

ALSO!  Okay, this is  E l d e r  H a n k i n s'  brain going on here, but there is a scripture in Alma 32 that talks about our faith being likened to a seed, and how if it's a good seed, it will grow.  Now obviously, we need to water and nurture this seed.  This got me to thinking.  What kind of tree would I have?  A Japanese Maple?  Cedar?  Haha. I know a few that are Red Woods for sure.  :)  Anyways, I know there are those who maybe only have a seed.  Only a desire.  Others have a little branch shooting out of the ground that has to be supported with a stick.  I want to help them!  So take a step back and look at yourself and your faith.  If you have a desire to know and believe, you got a seed.  IF you have nurtured that seed through prayer, scripture study, etc, you got a tree.  The strength and type of that tree is entirely up to y'all!

So I ate some interesting types of meat this week.  We had Tacos de Lengua (cow tongue) and just yesterday, we had Cow cheek....  Not gonna lie, that stuff was Disgusting!  Ha!  I swear I was eating Walrus Blubber!  Bahahaha!

And now, some  E l d e r  W o o d s  quotes:
1.  I wish I could box Satan.  I'd broadcast that sucker!
2.  Rain, rain, go away, or I'll knock you out!

Which reminds me!  Hahahaha.  Sometimes  E l d e r  W o o d s  and I like to act like we are Mackin' on each other, and say stuff like, "Whatsup, girl" "How you doin', Sweet Thaaang".  Just to immerse ourselves in the culture, of course!  And so one day, we were riding bikes and I pulled up to him and was like, "Hey pretty lips" and he said loudly in reply, "Hey Baby", and sure enough, a lady across the street was like, "MMMHMM!".  Hahaha!  Woops.

Anyways, I gotta rock.  Love you guys and keep the letters coming!  I'm gonna be here a while!  "A storms comin' harry.  We best be ready when she does." -Hagrid

"I am, I am!"

So this week I have a bit more to say. :)

Okay so first of all, my visa. One of the Elders that I came out with to North Carolina, who is going to the same mission as I, is flying to Argentina right now. He got his visa like 2 days ago. So hopefully, I will get mine soon. However, it's pretty sweet out here. And if the Lord wants me to stick around for a week or two, then I'm not going to question it. :)

We have this investigator named Felix that is legit beyond all reason. As we taught him this last month, he was timid on accepting a baptismal date because he didn't feel worthy enough for it. However, after some firm prodding he accepted the 8th of June. That night after we left he told us that he went and prayed to know if Baptism was for him. He didn't really receive an answer, just a feeling of peace. The next night he had a dream that he was flying to Mexico for something... And whatever it was, it was really important to him. When he got off the plane, he saw my companions and me smiling and greeting him. He took that as a sign that baptism was what he needed to do. How cool, right?

So we were driving by a cemetery and my companion,  E l d e r   S h u p e  was like, "Wow, I didn't know the Catholics were doing baptisms for the dead now..." I was surprised and asked what he meant and he was like "Look at all those sprinklers they installed in the Catholic Cemetery. Haha, what a goof...

So we had to ride bikes A LOT this week. One day we went 25 miles. That may not seem like that much but when you throw in bikes and humidity, the strength you have gets drained SUPER FAST. Haha, I found myself singing that one song from Nacho Libre when he is fighting. Every time we'd go up a hill, I would sing, "I am, I am! I am, I am! I'm religious man! I'm strong, I am!" Hahaha. If you haven't heard that song, youtube it. It's funny... Anyways Yeah, it has been wild with the bikes.

Link to "I am, I am" after last picture

We had exchanges with the District Leader this week.
His name is  E l d e r   S c h e r e r.  He is pretty cool and works hard.

So I have some things really quick that I want to share...

I know I'm on my mission, but something that has stuck out to me is the importance of a Man and a Wife. It seemed like wherever I went, I was learning about families and the crucial role of a mother and a father. Sister Craven told us this week that there really is no such thing as a soul mate. It would be boring if there were! Never having things to work around and making it fun! She also talked about Train Tracks and that if one side of the track moves just a little bit, the train derails and ends in disaster. She likened that to Man and Wife, we are separate in who we are and our personalities, but one in our purpose. WE are one in getting that train to its destination.

This got me to thinking about the creation of man a little bit and how Eve was made out of the Rib of Adam. It really gives new meaning to the phrase "Side by Side" doesn't it? We are equal and powerful when we work together in our righteous pursuits. :)  It makes me think of who I want in an ETERNAL companion when I get home. Haha.  But that doesn't really matter right now. Just takin' my notes. ;)

Sometimes we turn on cruise mode in our car and don't really pay attention. That's why we need someone in the passenger's seat to give us a little nudge and keep us attentive and vigilant in getting to the end goal.
CELESTIAL KINGDOM MY GOOD FRIENDS!  AH SI!

Now, I heard something about President Monson's wife passing away... How sad. I know how much he loves her and it is difficult even for me. But I know if anyone knows about the Plan of Salvation, it's Him. :)

Anyways, Gotta go Storm the Castle. :)

My companion making the crazy face is
E l d e r   S h u p e
He is a strange child

E l d e r   S c h e r e r ,   m y   D i s t r i c t   L e a d e r    :)

Riding all day.  I was trying to stay optimistic.  Haha
I found myself singing that one song from Nacho Libre when he is fighting.
Every time we'd go up a hill, I would sing,
"I am, I am! I am, I am! I'm religious man! I'm strong, I am!"
Hahaha.

Listen to Religious Man

I am I am

I am I am

I think I am

I thank I am

I'm glad I am

I'm proud I am

A real religious man

As I realized

The mightiest friend

Can separate

A chance from fate

Cause you have all

I need to take

That's why I think I am I am I am

(Whoa)

Cause I have prayed

 I just behave

Cause saints and sinners

Are quite the same

Cause it's my temple

The whole wide world

That's why I think I am I am

I am I am

I am I am

I think I am

I thank I am

I'm proud I am

A real religious man

I am I am

I am I am

I pray I am

I feel I am

Oh Lord I am

God knows I am

A real religious man

I am I am

I am I am

I pray I am

I feel I am

Oh lord I am

God knows I am

A real religious man

A real religious man

   A real religious man...

It's Rainin' Pollen! Hallelujah!

Hmmm....

How is life everybody! I'm still livin' the dream, as always! So yesterday was probably the best Sunday I've had in the field! I got to talk to my mama and papa! How Rad! It was good to see your faces but seriously, I had everything planned out to what I was gonna say and then... blanked as soon as I saw you guys. I just didn't know what to say! I told   E l d e r  W o o d s  about that and he has the same problem. But yeah, it was great to see my mom on Mother's Day. I cherished the moment, I mean... yeah. You guys know what I mean.

So this week has been very slow. We were all over the place going to zone conference and driving to places and everything. We actually had a baptism this last Saturday for a little girl of the ward. Baptisms always renew a missionary's spirit! Later that day I had 2 interesting experiences...
1. Okay, so I eat hispanic food almost every day and they loooove their hot sauce! Like, they put it on everything and you don't know hot until you eat their homemade jalapeno sauce. Ridiculous! So anyways, that day we were eating a member's party, I put some Pica in my soup, and I was sweatin' bullets! So my companions told me to go inside and ask for some bottled water which I did. I came back and I had to finish my bowl. It's pretty much a rule. So my companions were cheering me on and I was sweatin' worse than before! It seriously felt like I swallowed Lava and my face was dipped in the fires of Mordor. No joke. Anyways, I finished it. It hurt to breathe, I kid you not. And then my companions told me they had added 3 spoonfuls of pica while I was gone into my soup! WHAAAAT!? So dumb....
2. So we met this guy named Michelangelo. Intense Right? He's from Argentina. We talked. We are gonna visit him again. Sweet.

I don't have much time to write anything today, but my spiritual thought is this: Stay Clean. Don't let Satan use your body against you. Respect yourselves and those around you and keep your thoughts virtuous. He will bless you for your efforts. Sorry this letter is weak in comparison to others, but I gotta Rock.

"It's impossible to follow Jesus Christ and not be happy. It just doesn't work that way". -E l d e r   W o o d s

It's true! When we follow Him, keeping our commandments and being just, we have NO reason not to be happy!

Click on images to  E N L A R G E

Haha, Este hogar es Catolico = This home is Catholic........ Challenge Accepted

A pine tree completely taken over by vines. Vines are errywhere!

Little wonder why they called it Greensboro

Sign in picture above enlarged below

Uh, yeah...that's North Carolina street signs for ya

"Always Stay Happy"

My Skypen' Face

JeHeez!

Pues, this week has been pretty cool, i guess. ;)

A few crazy things have happened so here we go. So on Tuesday, we were just having a normal Missionary day. We studied and ate and all that stuff and then at noon we went to go do some service. It's actually a very effective finding tool. :) Anyways, we were handed the norm mexican garden tools: an axe and a machete... Haha, man... So we went and we hacking at this garden for her that was just overgrown with weeds and vines. Now, knowing me and my cursed inability to use my hands effectively, I sort of shied away from using the sharp machete. I just kept picture in my head slicing off my finger and seeing it lying on the garden floor like Frodo or something... Anyways, I decided to give  E l d e r   W o o d s  to machete cuz he is pretty good at everything. Haha, bad choice. So I watched him do it. He looked down, saw a very large spider (there isn't any other kind here in NC) on his leg, and without thinking, smacked it with the machete. He missed the spider but found his leg and shin bone. Haha "Elders, I need stitches!" was the first thing he said. And he did. 9 in fact. Lol! So we drove to the emergency room and got that taken care of. But it took out our entire day and didn't even finish the service. Sad day. Haha.

There are SO many ghetto cruisers out here it's ridiculous! They are just like you see in the movies. All low in the back and shiny wheels with the front pumped up. Love it! haha, Which is completely opposite from the blacks who like their stuff super high with big ol' wheels. :D And while we are talking about things with wheels, Bikes. Oh my goodness. If anything else, let me describe my experience in one word: Hills. This place is FULL of them. Rolling Hills. We started using them because our miles on the car have been cut down. My behind is just killin' me! My companions are used to it. They'll make it to the top of the hill and then here come  E l d e r   H a n k i n s , Pantin' and sweatin', with the pedals squeakin trying to make it. Haha, man...

But hey, I'll have killer legs by the time I leave her. Which, btw, I decided to work out harder this week and told  E l d e r   W o o d s  to push me. Oh man... We have a bench press thing in our apartment and man I've felt the burn this week. Everyone is at a different plane of progression in every aspect and, well, let's just say my companions are on a higher plane than I at lifting weights. Haha, but I will get better! As  H e r m a n o   K e l l e r  said, "Nothing worthwhile is easy to obtain" and "A goal that isn't written down is only a wish". What a stud...

So last night in the middle of the night our phone just went off with the warning siren sound. It freaked me out. It was a flash flood warning. Haha, what in the world?! Too cool.

So also, this last week we went to a training in Charlotte and it was pretty sweet. I learned a lot. Something our mission always says is "We are atonement centered and baptism focused". We always stress developing attributes that we want to keep with us today, tomorrow, and forever. This week I really exercised my patience. It was another slow week and I learned that there is a difference between being upset and "divinely discontent" as  P r e s i d e n t   C r a v e n  puts it. Happiness is an attitude, not a condition. People say, "Well  E l d e r   H a n k i n s  is just always smiling. It isn't hard for him." It's actually hard sometimes. But I made a decision to be happy. To put that smile on my face and eventually I would be genuinely happy. I can be that source of optimism. It's contagious!

I've also learned that "When you know who you are, you act differently". It's totally true! Everyday I'm learning more and more about who I am and acting differently because of it. I'm a representative of Jesus Christ, the Son of God! Isn't that just something to awe about in and of itself? And as such, I need to conduct myself in the highest way I can.

OH! And my favorite saying we have developed: Let's eat our wheaties. Haha, basically means to say, "Let's review and evaluate" or "let's learn something awesome" or whatever is awesome. Haha, It's my favorite. :)

And finally, something I discovered is this: We fought for agency. I shouldn't be discouraged when other people practice it.

Anywho, it's been pretty fantastic this week. And what's with this Schuyler getting married shindig? I still can't get over that. Big gulps huh?

Whoever you are and where ever you are at, give 'em Heaven,

Invincible

Click on images to  E N L A R G E

I was eating a crawdad when...

"Say what...Gold Plates?!"

In the EM waiting room...

Hey, Mom!

"Aslan" reminds me of "Ren"

They call Carl's Jr.'s here Hardees...

Inside Our Mission "Ghetto Cruiser"

Giant Dresser? K...

Rockin the Helmet

Rolling Hills