This week has been awesome,but I left my camera at the bus station
and lost my CTR ring. We are going to back and find it but I think it
will be gone. I have this bad feeling in my stomach.
On the other hand. We visited all the active members of the branch. We
found 9 new investigators and well, walked alot. I can't send you
pictures because I don't have my camera. It is like the Holy Week and
so the Catholics parade down the street at night with candles and they
sing weird two worded songs.
So we were three days into the area and the my companion had to go on
splits in Zihaut to do an interview. So Elder Crowther and I were
together on Friday until Saturday morning. It was quite the adventure.
He has six weeks in the field so I was the senior companion.
Here is the story...so we stopped by the house to get a teaching record
because it has a map on the back to where the investigators are. I was a
little hungry so I went out back and started to eat a fresh Mango from
our tree. :) The neighbors were out side trying to get this cow onto
this little piece of cement. They got it through but it was kicking
quite a bit. So I called for Elder C to come out and check this out.
He is from Washington State and knows everything about cows. He looked
kind of bored. I thought it was fun. So they got this cow settled down
and all the sudden we see this silver thing flying through the air and
all we see is what looked like red paint gushing out of this cow. My
mouth was hanging open. I could not believe what we were seeing. We
had been there for like five minutes in the middle of the day and we
see these people slaughter this cow. It was a little to rated R for
me. Elder C said that he thought he knew every thing about cows up
until that moment. ha ha.
So yeah, we past by later and they were collecting the meat from it.
Elder C and I taught a couple lessons and found two new investigators.
It was fun finding people and teaching lessons. We have a little map
and on it all the buildings are small so it looks like a military camp but
it is not really.
On Thursday we went to meet with the Branch President about the work
in the area. He asked me to give a talk on Sunday and of course I said
yes. That night we were sitting at home after a long day and Elder
Wake answered the phone. It was President. He asked what time our
church started on Sunday. He and his family would be coming.
Interviews are on Tuesday and so they would be over here. Church
starts at ten. So it turns out that only Hermana Spanaus came and her
daughters and sister in law. She said I gave a great talk and my
pronunciation was getting alot better.
The food here is good, but too much soup. We had soup six out of seven
days so I am getting used to it.
Today after studies we went to Hermana Chuchita's house and washed clothes and then headed to Zihaut to play some football on the beach. It was fun until I could not find my camera in my backpack. I think it is going to be alright though. I
can find another only for a couple hundred pesos. I still have 500
left for this month and if I need to use personal money I can.
We have not exactly figured out about Mothers day. I think we are
going to use the church's phone to call you. That would probably be
best or I will ask Pres if I can use a web cam. I guess some elders do
that. That would be cool to see you all.
The whole zone is down here and everyone is sleeping over at peoples houses.
Yes, I am still sleeping on the roof. It is great. We will do that
until it starts raining. It is like an oven at night in our house.
Hammocks are not used alot here and so I might buy one.
I am still enjoying the oatmeal mom sent me. My area is so much nicer then Acapulco. We don't have to worry about dangerous people as much.
May is going to be a good month. I am excited.
Love Elder Chadwick
Monday, April 25, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
BONUS WEEK! AND EXTRA E-MAIL
So my new companion, Elder Wake is from Springville.
Just so happens to be a band nerd like me. He plays the trumpet and drums. His whole life is music like mine. It is really exciting. We probably like marching band the same amount. I just found this out an hour ago.
So my area is actually called San Jeronimito. It is south of Zihuat. When I was about to get on the bus yesterday I ran into Elder Wake and a couple other elders. So we rode to our area together. It was funny because they put Wild Hogs on in Spanish. I fell asleep....It was a long bus ride. Left at 2 in the afternoon and arrived at 7 30.
We got to our house at 8 30 because we had to get our keys and phone from Zihuat. The past elders left a mess for us. We cleaned up a bit. We might have a couple baptisms this week it looks like but we are not sure. The elders left us notes on a some things.
They suggested to sleep on the roof because it gets so hot inside. So we did and it was great. This area is awesome. Really hot but it is flat. There is a mango tree in our yard.
The church has three pianos so that it is great. My companion is awesome and has a great attitude. This is his second area. We are opening it up, that is what they call it when two elders leave and two take over. We already found where we are eating today which is good because I didn't eat. We have to buy some things. We will see what happens this week.
We are in a branch this time not a ward. 80 active members which is good. The font looks great and we are excited to use it. We are visiting all the members before we knock on doors. It is a new method that the missionaries have had success with. I am going to teach more now which is great. President Diaz is a great man it looks like and his family is nice too.
Anyway, Heavenly Father has blessed me again. It is after my faith and trails things seems to work out. I am glad you are sending another package. I loved the two I received. I hope you included more talks or magazines. I love to read them. Elder Wake is obsessed too. He read Revelations three times last week to try to understand it more. I like that. He went to BYU before the mission. He is going to teach me how to drum on P days. This is good because I need to learn and we will be more unified as a companionship. ha ha. He was also is Jazz band and Orchestra. Basically did the same things as me, he is just taller. Kind of looks like Shaun Ivans from car pool in Jr. High. lol. No relation. He has ten months in the mission and speaks really good Spanish.
In the mission everyone has a family. My Papa is Elder Olvera. My Uncle is Elder Herendez. My brother is Elder Egan. Kind of cool. Elder Herendez says this area is awesome. It is were he was born. The members here seem really nice. We have visited two families already today. Since the people here eat from two to four we are going to return to our house and study Spanish for an hour at 2 and then eat at 3. We leave earlier then usual in the morning. This is a really good idea because people are always busy during the tarde. So when we are done here we are returning.
The new area and companion are refreshing. It is hard to control the feelings of other people. The negative rubs off on other people. It is really weird. So when I started talking to Elder Wake I felt more happy because he is a happy Elder.
Sleeping on the roof was great. It got a little cold but Elder Wake got up and went inside and threw a blanket on me with out me knowing it. That was at like two in the morning. The stars are out and I can see them here. In Acapulco I could not see them because of the city. I haven't slept this good in a long time. I am excited to do it again tonight.
I don't know if you remember the cool handshake hug thing from the McfFarlands but we do it here all the time. Every time we see other elders or conclude a meeting, companionship study or evening prayer we give each other a handshake and the you go to the right for the hug and then another hand shake to end it. Lots of hugs. It is great.
There are not that many people out and about here as in Acapulco. Not many little store either. Kind of interesting. The streets are really straight and some have pavement some don't.
Well, I am going to send this and we will see if I think of anything else to write.
Love,
Elder Chadwick
Just so happens to be a band nerd like me. He plays the trumpet and drums. His whole life is music like mine. It is really exciting. We probably like marching band the same amount. I just found this out an hour ago.
So my area is actually called San Jeronimito. It is south of Zihuat. When I was about to get on the bus yesterday I ran into Elder Wake and a couple other elders. So we rode to our area together. It was funny because they put Wild Hogs on in Spanish. I fell asleep....It was a long bus ride. Left at 2 in the afternoon and arrived at 7 30.
We got to our house at 8 30 because we had to get our keys and phone from Zihuat. The past elders left a mess for us. We cleaned up a bit. We might have a couple baptisms this week it looks like but we are not sure. The elders left us notes on a some things.
They suggested to sleep on the roof because it gets so hot inside. So we did and it was great. This area is awesome. Really hot but it is flat. There is a mango tree in our yard.
The church has three pianos so that it is great. My companion is awesome and has a great attitude. This is his second area. We are opening it up, that is what they call it when two elders leave and two take over. We already found where we are eating today which is good because I didn't eat. We have to buy some things. We will see what happens this week.
We are in a branch this time not a ward. 80 active members which is good. The font looks great and we are excited to use it. We are visiting all the members before we knock on doors. It is a new method that the missionaries have had success with. I am going to teach more now which is great. President Diaz is a great man it looks like and his family is nice too.
Anyway, Heavenly Father has blessed me again. It is after my faith and trails things seems to work out. I am glad you are sending another package. I loved the two I received. I hope you included more talks or magazines. I love to read them. Elder Wake is obsessed too. He read Revelations three times last week to try to understand it more. I like that. He went to BYU before the mission. He is going to teach me how to drum on P days. This is good because I need to learn and we will be more unified as a companionship. ha ha. He was also is Jazz band and Orchestra. Basically did the same things as me, he is just taller. Kind of looks like Shaun Ivans from car pool in Jr. High. lol. No relation. He has ten months in the mission and speaks really good Spanish.
In the mission everyone has a family. My Papa is Elder Olvera. My Uncle is Elder Herendez. My brother is Elder Egan. Kind of cool. Elder Herendez says this area is awesome. It is were he was born. The members here seem really nice. We have visited two families already today. Since the people here eat from two to four we are going to return to our house and study Spanish for an hour at 2 and then eat at 3. We leave earlier then usual in the morning. This is a really good idea because people are always busy during the tarde. So when we are done here we are returning.
The new area and companion are refreshing. It is hard to control the feelings of other people. The negative rubs off on other people. It is really weird. So when I started talking to Elder Wake I felt more happy because he is a happy Elder.
Sleeping on the roof was great. It got a little cold but Elder Wake got up and went inside and threw a blanket on me with out me knowing it. That was at like two in the morning. The stars are out and I can see them here. In Acapulco I could not see them because of the city. I haven't slept this good in a long time. I am excited to do it again tonight.
I don't know if you remember the cool handshake hug thing from the McfFarlands but we do it here all the time. Every time we see other elders or conclude a meeting, companionship study or evening prayer we give each other a handshake and the you go to the right for the hug and then another hand shake to end it. Lots of hugs. It is great.
There are not that many people out and about here as in Acapulco. Not many little store either. Kind of interesting. The streets are really straight and some have pavement some don't.
Well, I am going to send this and we will see if I think of anything else to write.
Love,
Elder Chadwick
Monday, April 18, 2011
3 MONTHS 3 AREAS 3 COMPANIONS
Jardin Zone before Elder Chadwick left. Elder Chadwick very right in back.
This week was kind of tough.
We knew changes were coming up and Elder Lemon has been in this area for the past six months.
Elder Pond (my district leader) called on Saturday night and I am getting transferred to Zihuatanejo.
On April fools Elder Pond tricked me into thinking I was getting a special transfer so this time I didn't really listen. I thought he was joking Saturday night. I guess he was not.
I packed and now I am at the zone leaders house waiting to go to the bus station. It is a six hour bus ride and is in another state of Mexico.
My new companions name is Elder Wake. I have not met him yet but from what I hear he is pretty cool and they baptize alot in my new area. I have heard alot about my zone leader Elder Woodward. He served in my area a while back and have heard great stuff about him.
I am really excited for the change. I hope I stay in this area for more the two changes. (12 weeks) Yesterday was my six month mark. I have been in the field for 3 months now. 3 months 3 companions 3 areas. Kind of crazy but you know what they say....the Lord works in Mysterious ways.
So since I am getting transferred Jardin (last area) is getting split into two areas. Jardin A and Jardin B. Two Elders and Two Hermanas. It has really stressed out the zone leaders, especially Elder Facer because they have to find a new home for the Elders. We tried on Saturday but had no success. Now the pressure is really on. I am leaving at two so I can't really help.
Here is some great news. Elder Olvera, my first companion, ended up having five baptisms in three weeks. I left and then they started to baptize. His companion left today so he has a new one. I am happy for him. Tere, a lady I worked with got baptized so I am really happy about that. Even though I was not there I told Elder Olvera Congrats. I had to say goodbye to him today. After I left him he changed.... or is still changing. That is what I have heard from people and the zone leaders. That is really good. Things turned out great. I am glad they did. I was a little worried.... I will see him at Mission Conference in a couple weeks. Mexico City gets Elder Oaks and Elder Cook and we get a member of the seventy. I am still excited.
Tell the kids I didn't have time to email them today. I am sad to hear about Coach Stout. That is really sad. Hopefully it bonds the team better and they take state this year. That is what happened to AF in Marching Band.....(a teacher died in the bus crash)
So I learned a little Hebrew this weekend. We hiked up this mountain to get to this sisters house and her husband is fluent in Hebrew. She ended up giving me copies of the alphabet.
I am really learning alot right now. I read about David O. McKay this last week and he is a really intelligent man. I have learned about change and desire. I re read Elder Oaks talk from conference. That was really cool. I have dived into the scriptures and I am almost done with second Nefi in Spanish. I read it out loud everyday.
Spanish is coming along but it seems slow. I read all of preach my gospel in the last week. I have some new goals and plans for what kind of Missionary I want to be. It is really weird that it really hit me that we can become like God in this life if we really try hard enough. All the Prophets and talks I read are about obtaining these attributes. I love it. I have also read my Patriarchal blessing. I am really working on what I already have and what I don't have also. It is interesting to know where my life if going to go before I get there. If that makes sense...I am praying more and really trying hard to forget myself and focus on others.
I am so happy Dad got called to be in the Elders quorum presidency. That is awesome. Go DAD! In Jardin we had this rock solid hard core Elders quorum president. He is a returned missionary and teaches really well. I enjoy listening to people talk about the gospel and hear their personal stories and testimonies.
That is really cool about the office moving down stairs. It is funny because all my siblings think I have power to convince mom and dad about stuff. Well, I don't. They have authority over me not the other way around. But what the kids can do is clean and go the extra mile....fast....pray...really hard. And maybe the hearts of the parents will be turned. ha ha.
Next week I will send you a picture of my packing skills. "No Oatmeal left Behind"
The oatmeal is soooo good. I had to buy a little stove and pot but I had to leave it behind for the sisters. (he was sent instant oatmeal in his last packages that just got to him from February and early March)
Well, I have to go. If I can email more this week I will. Thanks for the support. I loved the packages. They really helped my budget. The books helped alot. Just what I needed.
Love Elder Chadwick
Monday, April 11, 2011
HEAVENLY HELP
This week was amazing. Heavenly Father has blessed me alot and He knows I am trying to do my best. Elder Lemon and I are doing great and pressing forward. Hopefully he doesn't get transferred this next Sunday because I am still a little lost with a hour and a half long area.
As a companionship we are focusing on using and keeping the Spirit more throughout the day. It has really worked and I am enjoyed the way the lessons are improving. Elder Lemon would talk alot and I would talk a little. We slowly turned our lessons around so we are now even. We read a talk by Elder Holland about using the God Head in our teaching and in every action.
On Friday we took a bus ride south...I think it was south. I promise I am an eagle scout. ha ha. Anyway, about ten minutes south and the appointment fell through. So we decided to go tracking. (Three, my friends, is a magic number.) We went up a steep hill and onto a dusty road. The spirit whispered to go right. So we did and we came to a house. We could hear the people talking and having lunch inside. Buenas Tardes! We yelled. Three times. Elder Lemon started to back up and go to the next house. I don't know why but I couldn't really move. Something told me to stay there. Ten seconds later a girl came out. I used the door approach I learned and that was a little different then what we had been using that day. I asked her how she was and that we are missionaries from La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias and that we had a message about Jesus Christ and Eternal Families. She gave me the universal one moment sign and returned inside her home. Her sister came out and started putting up chairs. She invited us to sit down and gave us some water. We asked her name, Angelica. My brain said it sounded like Evangelio.(Which is gospel in Spanish) We started teaching. Asking questions about why she was talking with us. She wanted to know the truth and has been looking for more everyday. So we started in on the Restoration of the Gospel with a big part about families. When we were at the part about the Holy Ghost Elder Lemon was prompted to ask how and when she has felt the Holy Ghost in her life. She told us an amazing story about when her children miss behave she prays and the Holy Ghost guides her on what to do. It sounds like my mom! It was a very spiritual moment and we thanked her for sharing it with us. Toward the end of the lesson I challenged her if she would be baptized by someone holding the proper authority and she said yes...with alot of preparation of course. We then asked if we could leave with a prayer and if she would offer it. She then said, "If you teach me how and guide me along I will". So we did. I took the Libro de Mormon and turned to the back page and wrote the steps to the prayer while my companion explained it. She gave the best prayer I have heard on my mission. That Heavenly Father would take her into his hands and guide her to know the truth about these things and to help her read and think of our message and to feel the Holy Ghost more in her life. We set up an appointment to talk to her whole family the next day.
The next day we came over and the husband was prepared for us. He not only read the pamphlet but read all the introduction to the Book of Mormon. He had the same bible as us and then the Catholic bible. Which is different. It changes somethings and adds words. As we shared the message of the Restoration but shorter because he already knew it. And he had questions and scriptures for us...we did pretty good defending ourselves but it was not a bash. He wanted to come to an understanding.
This went on for about an hour and we had to go because it was getting late. They could not come to church because the husband (Oscar) had work but we set up another appointment. He also had watched a movie about the Book of Mormon against the Bible. We explained to him and read the introduction where it says that they go together. I am excited to see what happens Wednesday.
Angelica has prayed and knows that book of Mormon is true. She wants to know more of our teaching so we are preparing a special lesson for her family. They have a daughter who has 13 or 14 years and a baby boy.
When answering questions about priesthood authority and the conformation of the Holy Ghost it was easy because I had studied that morning and had found scriptures in the bible I didn't know about.
Personal study is very important because you never know when we are going to use it. Plus, look what came out of Joseph Smiths personal study of James 1:5.
When following the Spirit this week and praying for people to come to us with faith we had and will have success. Four people came up to us on the street and either told us they were looking for us or that they wanted to learn more about our religion.
We went over to the ward mission leaders house today to use the phone. We didn't actually use the phone....while my companion started talking to the mission leader I talked to his brother. The mother in the family (Hermana Gloria) works really hard and owns four buses. She has three sons that are all living at home. She is constantly trying to be a missionary and like to help us out. Well, this morning she was gone. Her son was cleaning of the counter. I started to sweep while we talked. I saw that the dishes where piled up and the stove had not been deeply cleaned in a long time. So I started taking the top off and washing it. Soon the three brothers and Elder Lemon joined in. It was a Kitchen make over. We didn't take before and after photos but it was quite the change. I had some ideas for organizing and they worked great. Hermana came in the door alittle to soon but started to help. When we put the stove back together the flames were bigger...or Hermana Glorias eyes...no both. We were happy to see a smile on her face. She then made us ham and cheese sandwiches which had a surprise in the middle. It was kind of hot. Her son made Cantalope drink. It was really good. Service feeds the heart and stomach. We don't get to do alot of service because no one wants us to help. We ask everywhere but everyone says no. Except Hermano Victor...but that is another story. (that is in Jordan's email)
Hermano Victor's story
We ate at Hermano Victors house one day last week. He was not home when we started to eat but when we were almost done his wife got up. (a little background info. His house is part of a hair cut parlor thing.) So his wife got up and opened the gate and here comes Hermano Victor riding in on his motercycle. He parks his bike in the middle of the floor. lol. This is the good part. He gives us Salud (which is shaking hands) and then teases me alittle calling me short white guy. I tell him to be cool or Tranquelo. He lifts up his under armor and I don't see anything. He lifted it up a second time and there was a gun in his pants. I think the look on my face was priceless because he went into the kitchen laughing. Turns out he is Special Forces or was...he now just trains and sometimes steps in when things get to messy.
It is funny because we have an electric piano at church and it has all the hymns on its memory so he sits there with a smile on his face and pretends like he is playing when he only presses a couple buttons. It is funny because they announce him as the piano player. He is quite a funny guy.
There are these drug gangs here. They are pretty huge. Anyway, two days ago in another area but in the same city. Two groups of gang/drug dealers got into a huge fight. Like guns and everything. The whole enchilada. The police showed up and tried to stop it but it just got worse. And all the sudden the Comer. (That is were we buy food) The Comer starts on fire and things start exploding. Kind of cool but not really because it is not a video game it is real life.
Life is great. We are enjoying the blessings we receive when we follow the Holy Ghost and are obedient. This companionship is getting better everyday. Nothing can stop us because we have the Lord on our side. Have an amazing Spring Break!
Elder Chadwick
As a companionship we are focusing on using and keeping the Spirit more throughout the day. It has really worked and I am enjoyed the way the lessons are improving. Elder Lemon would talk alot and I would talk a little. We slowly turned our lessons around so we are now even. We read a talk by Elder Holland about using the God Head in our teaching and in every action.
On Friday we took a bus ride south...I think it was south. I promise I am an eagle scout. ha ha. Anyway, about ten minutes south and the appointment fell through. So we decided to go tracking. (Three, my friends, is a magic number.) We went up a steep hill and onto a dusty road. The spirit whispered to go right. So we did and we came to a house. We could hear the people talking and having lunch inside. Buenas Tardes! We yelled. Three times. Elder Lemon started to back up and go to the next house. I don't know why but I couldn't really move. Something told me to stay there. Ten seconds later a girl came out. I used the door approach I learned and that was a little different then what we had been using that day. I asked her how she was and that we are missionaries from La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias and that we had a message about Jesus Christ and Eternal Families. She gave me the universal one moment sign and returned inside her home. Her sister came out and started putting up chairs. She invited us to sit down and gave us some water. We asked her name, Angelica. My brain said it sounded like Evangelio.(Which is gospel in Spanish) We started teaching. Asking questions about why she was talking with us. She wanted to know the truth and has been looking for more everyday. So we started in on the Restoration of the Gospel with a big part about families. When we were at the part about the Holy Ghost Elder Lemon was prompted to ask how and when she has felt the Holy Ghost in her life. She told us an amazing story about when her children miss behave she prays and the Holy Ghost guides her on what to do. It sounds like my mom! It was a very spiritual moment and we thanked her for sharing it with us. Toward the end of the lesson I challenged her if she would be baptized by someone holding the proper authority and she said yes...with alot of preparation of course. We then asked if we could leave with a prayer and if she would offer it. She then said, "If you teach me how and guide me along I will". So we did. I took the Libro de Mormon and turned to the back page and wrote the steps to the prayer while my companion explained it. She gave the best prayer I have heard on my mission. That Heavenly Father would take her into his hands and guide her to know the truth about these things and to help her read and think of our message and to feel the Holy Ghost more in her life. We set up an appointment to talk to her whole family the next day.
The next day we came over and the husband was prepared for us. He not only read the pamphlet but read all the introduction to the Book of Mormon. He had the same bible as us and then the Catholic bible. Which is different. It changes somethings and adds words. As we shared the message of the Restoration but shorter because he already knew it. And he had questions and scriptures for us...we did pretty good defending ourselves but it was not a bash. He wanted to come to an understanding.
This went on for about an hour and we had to go because it was getting late. They could not come to church because the husband (Oscar) had work but we set up another appointment. He also had watched a movie about the Book of Mormon against the Bible. We explained to him and read the introduction where it says that they go together. I am excited to see what happens Wednesday.
Angelica has prayed and knows that book of Mormon is true. She wants to know more of our teaching so we are preparing a special lesson for her family. They have a daughter who has 13 or 14 years and a baby boy.
When answering questions about priesthood authority and the conformation of the Holy Ghost it was easy because I had studied that morning and had found scriptures in the bible I didn't know about.
Personal study is very important because you never know when we are going to use it. Plus, look what came out of Joseph Smiths personal study of James 1:5.
When following the Spirit this week and praying for people to come to us with faith we had and will have success. Four people came up to us on the street and either told us they were looking for us or that they wanted to learn more about our religion.
We went over to the ward mission leaders house today to use the phone. We didn't actually use the phone....while my companion started talking to the mission leader I talked to his brother. The mother in the family (Hermana Gloria) works really hard and owns four buses. She has three sons that are all living at home. She is constantly trying to be a missionary and like to help us out. Well, this morning she was gone. Her son was cleaning of the counter. I started to sweep while we talked. I saw that the dishes where piled up and the stove had not been deeply cleaned in a long time. So I started taking the top off and washing it. Soon the three brothers and Elder Lemon joined in. It was a Kitchen make over. We didn't take before and after photos but it was quite the change. I had some ideas for organizing and they worked great. Hermana came in the door alittle to soon but started to help. When we put the stove back together the flames were bigger...or Hermana Glorias eyes...no both. We were happy to see a smile on her face. She then made us ham and cheese sandwiches which had a surprise in the middle. It was kind of hot. Her son made Cantalope drink. It was really good. Service feeds the heart and stomach. We don't get to do alot of service because no one wants us to help. We ask everywhere but everyone says no. Except Hermano Victor...but that is another story. (that is in Jordan's email)
Hermano Victor's story
We ate at Hermano Victors house one day last week. He was not home when we started to eat but when we were almost done his wife got up. (a little background info. His house is part of a hair cut parlor thing.) So his wife got up and opened the gate and here comes Hermano Victor riding in on his motercycle. He parks his bike in the middle of the floor. lol. This is the good part. He gives us Salud (which is shaking hands) and then teases me alittle calling me short white guy. I tell him to be cool or Tranquelo. He lifts up his under armor and I don't see anything. He lifted it up a second time and there was a gun in his pants. I think the look on my face was priceless because he went into the kitchen laughing. Turns out he is Special Forces or was...he now just trains and sometimes steps in when things get to messy.
It is funny because we have an electric piano at church and it has all the hymns on its memory so he sits there with a smile on his face and pretends like he is playing when he only presses a couple buttons. It is funny because they announce him as the piano player. He is quite a funny guy.
There are these drug gangs here. They are pretty huge. Anyway, two days ago in another area but in the same city. Two groups of gang/drug dealers got into a huge fight. Like guns and everything. The whole enchilada. The police showed up and tried to stop it but it just got worse. And all the sudden the Comer. (That is were we buy food) The Comer starts on fire and things start exploding. Kind of cool but not really because it is not a video game it is real life.
Life is great. We are enjoying the blessings we receive when we follow the Holy Ghost and are obedient. This companionship is getting better everyday. Nothing can stop us because we have the Lord on our side. Have an amazing Spring Break!
Elder Chadwick
Monday, April 4, 2011
EARTHQUAKES, CONFERENCE AND SCORPIONS
This past week has been amazing. I was kind of lost for the first part
and had to walk a few steps behind my companion to follow him but now
I have the hang of things.
The Emergency Preparedness thing is a really good idea because there are alot of bad things happening to the world. It is defiantly a sign that the second coming is getting closer. Speaking of Emergencies....
4-1-11
April Fools. This was quite the day for us. At approx. 7:54 am I was
getting into the shower. when I heard a noise. It sounded like a car
right next to our house with the speakers up to much and then it hit.
A little tremble...the cereal box moved a little and we had a little
bit of a earthquake.
4-2-11 (Straight out of my journal)
The time is 4:00 am. At 3:54 or earlier I felt a little tremor. Just
my bed moving a little. I had gotten up to go to the bathroom and had
laid back down when I noticed the dogs barking alot. Kind of weird at this time of night. I heard the same sound as yesterday, the sound of the car. I knew it was coming. Then it hit. The table started moving a little and my bed started to shake.
It lasted maybe 3 seconds. What a long three seconds! Yes, I counted.
It was like a wave. The sound started outside and then the quake came
in. This was a little harder the the day before.
So, Elder Holland was right. The earthquakes and everything do come
before and after conference. Kind of cool but really scary at times.
We have little tremors everyday now. Most the time during the early
morning or night. No, I am not dreaming. All the members and people
are talking about it too.
On Thursday I was getting into the shower and was trying to hang up
the shower curtain on the wall when something caught my attention. It
was a SCORPION! AWWW! I have to admit I did scream. It is not every
day that you find a scorpion on your wall in the morning. haha. During
companionship study it went somewhere and we have not seen it sense. I
also have woken up to a dead rat looking at me on the floor. We have
lots of lizards here too. Some are big but some are small and just eat
the bugs.
Bus 35 pesos
Taxi 40 pesos
Lunch 38 pesos
Hearing the Words of a Prophet...Priceless
What a Conference!! I loved all ten hours of it. I watched half of the
first session in Spanish and then the zone leaders had to beg but
finally got a English room for the five American Elders. I loved all
the talks. I took a lot of notes. I did not fall asleep. Here is a
picture of the fiesta beside the church in between sessions. (no picture was attached) This is my new ward. There are more people and a lot of food. First feast on the word and then the food and then more of the word. Conference is very
special here. The hymns and subtitles for the hymns are in English so
when a hymn comes on when someone finds it in Spanish the hymn number
spreads like wild fire and everyone is singing by the second verse.
My favorite speaker was Dallin H. Oaks. His talk was on getting our
Desires and Actions right. That is what I am really working on right
now. All of conference was great. They talked alot about marriage and
even though I am not worried about that I could apply some of the
principles to the families I teach.
Speaking of Families...
On Friday night we were teaching a Family and we got to the end of the
lesson. The mom was the only one who really knew how to pray. So I
stepped up and we all gathered in close and I taught this little
family how to pray. It was great and the mother loved that her children
where being taught this principle. The spirit was really strong and I
loved it. We are hoping to baptize three or four of them this month if
everything runs smoothly.
After the Priesthood session Saturday night we rode the bus home. It
is the start of the month and so we needed to pay the rent. I went
with my companion down to the front door of the house. We knocked and
she let us in. We chatted alittle and then Elder Lemon smoothly made
our way into the first lesson. We taught about how the we can have the
spirit at all times and how the right way to be baptized is by the
proper authority. The spirit was there and she was really excited when
we told her about the Conference the next night and that a living
modern day Prophet was going to speak to us. (this was after we
explain the apotasia and Jose Smith) We did not get her to go to
conference but we committed her to go next week.
On Sunday we had no clue about the time change. We were suppose to
meet the bus at the church and it was suppose to take us and all the
members to downtown but no one was there. We found out from someone
that the time had changed. So we quickly got in a Taxi and we were 20
minutes late for the Sunday morning Session. We made it in time to see
most of President Uchtdorfs talk. "Text the whole world the gospel" ha
ha. "He has been speaking for ten minutes and he has not made a
analogy about aviation."
We had a man from Canada and a Family from Las Vegas in the English
room with us. The family from Vegas all fell asleep except for the
mom. It was really funny. ha ha. I don't know how you can fall asleep
to this kind of stuff anymore. It is just too powerful.
I know that if we come prepared with questions they will be answered
during conference. My companion and I did just that and got many
answers and things we could do better as missionaries.
Anyway, That is alot. I hope you enjoyed conference as much as I did.
Love,
Elder Chadwick
and had to walk a few steps behind my companion to follow him but now
I have the hang of things.
The Emergency Preparedness thing is a really good idea because there are alot of bad things happening to the world. It is defiantly a sign that the second coming is getting closer. Speaking of Emergencies....
4-1-11
April Fools. This was quite the day for us. At approx. 7:54 am I was
getting into the shower. when I heard a noise. It sounded like a car
right next to our house with the speakers up to much and then it hit.
A little tremble...the cereal box moved a little and we had a little
bit of a earthquake.
4-2-11 (Straight out of my journal)
The time is 4:00 am. At 3:54 or earlier I felt a little tremor. Just
my bed moving a little. I had gotten up to go to the bathroom and had
laid back down when I noticed the dogs barking alot. Kind of weird at this time of night. I heard the same sound as yesterday, the sound of the car. I knew it was coming. Then it hit. The table started moving a little and my bed started to shake.
It lasted maybe 3 seconds. What a long three seconds! Yes, I counted.
It was like a wave. The sound started outside and then the quake came
in. This was a little harder the the day before.
So, Elder Holland was right. The earthquakes and everything do come
before and after conference. Kind of cool but really scary at times.
We have little tremors everyday now. Most the time during the early
morning or night. No, I am not dreaming. All the members and people
are talking about it too.
On Thursday I was getting into the shower and was trying to hang up
the shower curtain on the wall when something caught my attention. It
was a SCORPION! AWWW! I have to admit I did scream. It is not every
day that you find a scorpion on your wall in the morning. haha. During
companionship study it went somewhere and we have not seen it sense. I
also have woken up to a dead rat looking at me on the floor. We have
lots of lizards here too. Some are big but some are small and just eat
the bugs.
Bus 35 pesos
Taxi 40 pesos
Lunch 38 pesos
Hearing the Words of a Prophet...Priceless
What a Conference!! I loved all ten hours of it. I watched half of the
first session in Spanish and then the zone leaders had to beg but
finally got a English room for the five American Elders. I loved all
the talks. I took a lot of notes. I did not fall asleep. Here is a
picture of the fiesta beside the church in between sessions. (no picture was attached) This is my new ward. There are more people and a lot of food. First feast on the word and then the food and then more of the word. Conference is very
special here. The hymns and subtitles for the hymns are in English so
when a hymn comes on when someone finds it in Spanish the hymn number
spreads like wild fire and everyone is singing by the second verse.
My favorite speaker was Dallin H. Oaks. His talk was on getting our
Desires and Actions right. That is what I am really working on right
now. All of conference was great. They talked alot about marriage and
even though I am not worried about that I could apply some of the
principles to the families I teach.
Speaking of Families...
On Friday night we were teaching a Family and we got to the end of the
lesson. The mom was the only one who really knew how to pray. So I
stepped up and we all gathered in close and I taught this little
family how to pray. It was great and the mother loved that her children
where being taught this principle. The spirit was really strong and I
loved it. We are hoping to baptize three or four of them this month if
everything runs smoothly.
After the Priesthood session Saturday night we rode the bus home. It
is the start of the month and so we needed to pay the rent. I went
with my companion down to the front door of the house. We knocked and
she let us in. We chatted alittle and then Elder Lemon smoothly made
our way into the first lesson. We taught about how the we can have the
spirit at all times and how the right way to be baptized is by the
proper authority. The spirit was there and she was really excited when
we told her about the Conference the next night and that a living
modern day Prophet was going to speak to us. (this was after we
explain the apotasia and Jose Smith) We did not get her to go to
conference but we committed her to go next week.
On Sunday we had no clue about the time change. We were suppose to
meet the bus at the church and it was suppose to take us and all the
members to downtown but no one was there. We found out from someone
that the time had changed. So we quickly got in a Taxi and we were 20
minutes late for the Sunday morning Session. We made it in time to see
most of President Uchtdorfs talk. "Text the whole world the gospel" ha
ha. "He has been speaking for ten minutes and he has not made a
analogy about aviation."
We had a man from Canada and a Family from Las Vegas in the English
room with us. The family from Vegas all fell asleep except for the
mom. It was really funny. ha ha. I don't know how you can fall asleep
to this kind of stuff anymore. It is just too powerful.
I know that if we come prepared with questions they will be answered
during conference. My companion and I did just that and got many
answers and things we could do better as missionaries.
Anyway, That is alot. I hope you enjoyed conference as much as I did.
Love,
Elder Chadwick
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