Mission Zone

Mission Zone

Thursday, February 25, 2016

Returned With Honor Video

Welcome Home Elder Hodson

HE'S HOME!!!

Thursday, February 18, 2016....

Riley was scheduled to arrive at 10:55 pm.  His flight was an hour delayed!  It was a long time to wait!!!  What a joyous end to his two year service to the Lord!  So proud of our Riley Ray!!


















RELEASED!

 





Last Day in the Mission Home

President & Sister Klein hosted all the exiting missionaries in their home!  Played "Qwirkle" & fed him well!  What wonderful servants of the Lord these two are!



A few gems found on Facebook!

Posted by Riley's mission presidents wife, Sister Klein!


Saturday, February 13, 2016

Week 102 - Last Week of the Mission!

Big Gulps huh?

Dearest family and friends,

Its come to an end. I cant believe it. But its here. 

Well. This last week was great. Another highly succesful weeks. I feel great about my work here. I have planted more seeds than any other area ive been in. The next assistent is going to love me! haha I really do feel satisfied. I wouldve liked to have baptized more, clearly, but for an area to really flourish, it needs elders willing to plant seeds every time as to not "reinvent the wheel" every time theres changes. 

I had my last interview with president klein this week. That was FANTASTIC!!! I felt so great about my future. I am so grateful to have been here with that giant of a man. God didnt assign me to be the assistant because I was the best, he assigned me here because only President Klein was going to be able to humble me this much. He has chopped me at the roots these last three changes and has helped me so much. 

Well. During my mission I have learned a few things. Let me share them with you.

1. God is our loving heavenly father and he is ALWAYS working for our benefit. He hears our prayers and he is ALWAYS willing to answer if we are willing to act. Revelation is real. Without it, we cannot have a testimony.

2. We are children of god. As such, we have the potential to do ALL things because He can do all things. There is no task to large for us. And when it is, He sends angels. I KNOW that is true.

3. Jesus is the Christ. Only through him can we return to live with God. He also loves us. He invites us to come unto him. He is my friend and my savior. 

4. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is the greatest tool the Lord has given us in these latter days. I LOVE testifying of its truthfulness. I have LOVED carrying one in my hand every day these past 2 years. 

The gospel is simple. We must follow it. 

I have loved the mission, I will miss working for the Lord everyday, but I do not feel regret for my work. My time is up, and Im not upset about it. Im excited really. I miss you all and I cant wait to see all your shining faces and feel of your testimonies. 

Always,
Elder Riley Hodson
Honduras San Pedro Sula East Mission
2014-2016

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Week 101

Wrapping it up

Dearest Family and Friends,

Well! Lifes just going great! Chugging along. This week has been pretty interesting. Ive had divisons all week long with the ZLs so its been fun to work with them and see how everyone else is working! 

So this week we found a less active man who also is married to a member of the church but the both of them are inactive members from years back and they now attend another church. But they still invited us in. They have 2 teenage children that also listen to us. Its awesome to visit someone like them because when we first show up, they have their apostasy from their new church and its kinda funny. But as we teach, the spirit comes in and touches their hearts like the first time they had received the missionaries. At the end of the lesson, they act and think like members again! Its awesome what the spirit can do. 

The school teach i talked about last week, Flor and her son Bryan, are doing awesome! They told us last night how great theyve felt since we showed up at their house. Theyre already seeing blessings and already known that we have been sent from God. I just have loved seeing these past 2 years how God is always preparing his children to listen to us. 

I love you all! See you in 11 days!

Elder Hodson

Friday, February 5, 2016

Week 100

Welp

Dearest Family and Friends,

How is everyone this week? I hope life is good for everyone!

Thank heavens for divisions. We had divisions with ZLs twice this week, and that was great for me. it keeps me on my toes! I cant be baggy when we're always with ZLs watching our example! So theyre keeping me working my hardest. but Im trying my hardest to not get baggy!!!! haha But we worked hard this week and we've already had a ton of lessons and we should kill it tomorrow at church.

Well this week was a little different. A definite testimony builder of the plan of salvation. First, on wednesday, Ericks baby brother Cesar was riding on the motorcycle with their Dad, and they got hit by a truck! Poor little guy! Hes like 25% all road rashed up! But angels were there to lighten his fall because he didnt break any bones. Hes just as roudy as always, just bed ridden so he doesn get infections in his wounds. 

And then on thursday something even more tragic happened. Since ive been here we've been visiting a less active family and they recently got reactivated and have been coming to church. Well Rosemary, the mom, whos only 28 years old or so, got pneumonia and passed away leaving her husband and 6 year old boy behind. So tragic. But its suprising what a testimony of the plan of salvation can do for someone. The peace the gospel brings to know that no one really ever dies and that we can be sealed to our families for ever. It all sounds so cliché, but when death becomes a reality, that promise from God really does help ease ones burdens and give one hope to push on faithfully. My heart goes out to that family. 

Well. I dont want to be too depressing! Im still loving life and working my hardest! The WHOLE WORLD needs to know this! They all need to know that death has no victory! That we may always be with our loved one. May we share this knowledge with someone this week! 

Always,
Elder Hodson

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Email from Riley's Mission Pres

Dear Brother and Sister Hodson,
 
Thank you for your most thoughtful and generous book, that was so very kind and appreciative.  Indeed, the scriptures are the most treasured book that we have, and this special edition makes that even more special.  But even greater that this, you have shared with us your son.  Elder Hodson is one of our finest, you should be so proud (we certainly are!).  His dedication to the Lord is consistent and his energy to share it is motivated by charity, the true love of Christ.  It´s hard to think that his time is quickly coming to an end, we don´t know what we´ll do without him.
 
May God continue to guide and sustain you in your faith and in your selfless service to others.  The Lord needs more parents and families like yours!
 
With all our love,
 
President and Sister Klein
Honduras San Pedro Sula East Mission

Week 99

Dearest Family and Friends,

Well, this week, we had the vision in mind! Without a doubt the best week of my mission! We had a baptism of a future priesthood holder, 3 converts went to the temple, we had 32 lessons (as APs thats a miracle), and we had the greatest ward priesthood activity ever.
First, lets talk about the baptism. Brother Vidal Ramos! Hes so dope. Great old man. His baptism was so great. His friend in the ward, Brother Mazariegos, baptized him. He´s gone to church like 5 or 6 times, and we never one time had to bring him. It was precious, he bore his powerful testimony of repentance and even cried when he felt the love from the ward! On sunday he received an assignment already from the ward! Hes gonna be the man who welcomes everyone as they walk into church. Im pumped for him. He might not ever become a bishop or stake president, but like the Lord taught, we must use the talents we are giving, not important how talented we are, for us to receive or reward in heaven and be made ruler over many things. Im sure he will do everything in his power to serve the Lord.
 
Our converts who went to the temple had the greatest time! I love seeing them after they go to the temple and see the change in their eyes. Having a temple in the country is a miracle! But we always need more! How wonderful would it be to have 2 temples in las vegas?! We need to be more dedicated!!!! 
Our ward activity was PHENOMONAL!!!!! We went to the most secluded beach in the world, called Miami Beach, Tela. Its just like a little tiki hut village down a 30 minute dirt road! And in the village, theres a lagoon where a fresh water river and the ocean meet! Its GORGEOUS! Nearly untouched. The ward paid for everything, transport, food, snacks and the entertainment. We ate fantastic fried fish and they had this marine soup that was to die for. Ive never wanted to come back on vacation to honduras as much as I did on saturday! We played soccer, ultimate frisbee, football, and shot bb guns haha. All the hondurans were suprised that us gringos can outshoot them all #eaglescout
 
The best part of the trip was that Erick came! Erick was very reluctant in deciding to get baptized or not, but he told us last night that being around all those members and seeing how happy they are and seeing them interract and talk with him, and for him to see and listen to the bishop, all those things helped him to understand our culture as mormons and help him to make his decision. Hes decided on getting baptized the 13th of February! My last weekend in the mission! Erick has already read 1 nephi, and can tell you anything about it. He downloaded the gospel library app and that has changed his life. His phone dies daily from reading so much from the app! haha! Thats good use of a cell phone! I love all of my converts, but Erick is the most prepared and will most help edify the church. I dont doubt that he will be a fantastic instrument in the Lords hands. 
And today president invited us to Pday with two zones to play frisbee and kickball. So that was a blast! I won frisbee golf being under 3 par :) Im just loving the end of my mission! Playing hard and working harder! I wont lie, im pumped to go home, but I dont feel regret because Ive worked hard. I dont feel the need to extend my mission because I dont feel the need to prove anything else or to make up for lost time! Im pumped! But more than anything im pumped for Ericks baptism.
 
Love you all!
Elder Hodson
 

Miami Beach Tela








 




Baptism pics and the cutest children in Honduras



 

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Week 98

The Vision 2016

Dearest Family and Friends.

This has been a great week. Super fast as always. I cant believe we're here again writing home. Its scaring me because I have to face the reality of going home but Im giving it all Ive got till the end!!!!

This week we had a few meetings with the missionaries. Tuesday with the ZLs. Theyre all discouraged because theyve seen that we've gone down in baptisms. From an average of 100 a month to only 60. Theyre struggling to get a hold of the vision! But then on wednesday we had a meeting with the DLs, who are almost all younger than the DLs, And they were pumped! Theyve got a hold of the vision! They know what to do and theyre not letting numbers discourage them! It was great. I would love to have a mission of pure missionaries with less than a year in the field. 

For the mission I whipped up a little visual aid to help show what the vision of our mission is. See if you can figure it out without reading my explication. Its so simple I bet my niece could figure it out. 



The vision is to work hard enough that we have baptisms EVERY week, and that EVERY single convert can go to the temple. Were trying our best to really help these people acheive their salvation. The church doesnt want baptisms, they want CONVERTS. They just want more converts.

One of the changes in the mission is that now, we do divisons in our area! We no longer have to travel! Its the best! So Elder Hansen and I are working our hardest to make our area yoked so that we can have enough work for divisions here. 

Eric is doing great. The smartest and most humble missionary ive ever had the pleasure of teaching. His only doubt right now is bad words. He just says that he wants to stop saying bad words then he'll get baptized. Super funny. He loves the gospel and he loves us. Last time we taught him he gave us a hug and told us to never change. Hes the sweetest haha. And he loves learning about the commandments. He understands fully the need for obedience. The Lord has done work with him for sure. Future bishop right here.

Vidal is getting baptized this week! Poor ol guy, he can hardly see, but he wants to serve the Lord and is in love with the idea of giving the welcome to everyone who walks in the door. 

The Mata family is awesome! They read so much! it goes to show that they spent 14 years in the states. Theyre so smart. We left Mosiah 27, they read that, and the first chapter of jacob, and Enos! So awesome. im So pumped for them. 

Im loving life here! We have plenty of investigators that I could write for hours about them, but we'll leave it at that. 

Im going out strong! I love you all!

Always,
Elder Hodson
 
 

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Week 97

Dos Gringos!

Dearest Family and Friends,

Hows life? Things are going great for us here in honduras. We had changes this week. Elder De Leon left for guatemala. I love that kid. Best companion ive ever had. He will always be my hero because in his last change he worked his hardest. We were always baggy together, but we still worked as if we had a year in the field! He was happy because his last sunday, 6 investigators showed up to church! and His last saturday, he had a baptism, just not in our ward! Its a cool story really. My 2nd cousin, Derek Larkin, served his mission here like 7 years ago. Well, in his first area he baptized the Garcia Family, but they had 2 kids under 8 years old. Well Elder De Leon when he was in one of his last areas, he had reactivated this family and had prepared the kids for baptism! I was a DL at that time and I had done the baptismal interview! It was sad because the day of their baptism, people talked bad about the church and the baptism fell through. Well a year of visits from the missionaries, the family is fully active, have gone to the temple, and the kids got baptized on saturday! So it was awesome. One of the 2 kids asked if Elder De Leon could do the ordinance and it was an awesome experience. 

Things are going so great in our area. We have the best investigators. God has been great with us. Eric is progressing wonderfully. He went to church last sunday and is excited to attend every sunday forever! We also should have a baptism next week with a man named vidal, hes a older man, 60 years old, whos been coming to church. He loves the idea of having the priesthood and serving god regardless of his physical disabilities. We also found an awesome family, the Mata family. They loved the restauration. Very smart people. I know that the Lord is always working, always preparing people for us to find and bring unto him. He does all the work. All we have to do is open our mouths.

My new companion is a white kid! For the first time in my whole mission I have a white comp! Its awesome! His name is Elder Hansen and weve been great friends ever since I was in Santa Rita. Im pumped to be with him and work hard for my last change.

Always,
Elder Hodson
 
Elder Hansen & Elder Hodson
 
 

Week 96

Dearest Family and Friends,

How is everyone doing? weve had a great week this week. Last week I got to speak with my family! That sure was awesome. And Baggy. but I loved it. 

We have great investigators right now. My highest hopes are for a young man named Eric. His younger brother is a recent convert. Eric is 23 and LOVES the Book of Mormon. And he actually understands everything that he reads. Hes awesome. 

Well. This change is coming to an end. Im gonna miss Elder De Leon. Hes been the greatest companion ive ever had. But Im pumped for next change because were gonna have a few changes in the mission! My area is gonna get bigger and better! president klein wants us to have the best area in the whole mission so that all other missionaries can come to our area and see what were doing and then do it in their areas! Im pumped really. That means no more traveling for me! No more sleeping on the ground and sweating in busses! haha! its gonna be fun. and the work is gonna be great because in stead of our area suffering from traveling so much, our area is gonna flourish. 

In this new year, ive been pondering on what I can do better than the year before. Its been a struggle for me, because in this last year, Ive only had a fraction of the baptisms I had in my first year, and I cant explain why! But thanks to a nice indirect call to repentance from president klein, I understand why. The past year I fell into a trap of pride! Ive thought that a missionary is the one who does the work. He is the one who finds the investigator and thanks to his teaching skills, they get baptized. ive focused in on my ability to teach and put in second place the book of mormon and revelation. But Hey! The good news about the atonement is that its never too late to change! It doesnt matter when we change, what matters is that when we finally realize our errors, that we change them as soon as possible! So thats what Ive been doing the past few weeks. Ive really focused in on teaching how I used to teach when I was young in the mission. Much more focused on the Book of Mormon and them praying. I have put my trust in that miraculous book and its power to convince the children of men. As missionaries, we do not have that power! 

For example. I went on divisions this week with a companionship in my district. We went to go teach a philosphy professor. He clearly wanted to fight over the book of mormon and discredit it, and normally in my mission I wouldve fought to the death defending the book but I wouldnt have let it speak for itself! But We decided to just read instead. He then expressed his desires to conquer his addiction to alcohol, so we left him Mosiah 27 to read and left. They then informed me that this man had read the chapter and that it changed his heart. He no longer looks to fight, but now he looks forward to learning more from the book and from them. I know that we do not have the power to do anything, but the Book of Mormon works miracles! 

 I love this Book. I could never deny the power it has had in my personal life. Share it with those around you! Dont be shy! 

Love you all!
Elder Hodson

Pic. All of the Las Vegas Elders! 2 are zls, 1 is a DL, and the youngest in the mission is already training! REPRESENT LAS VEGAS!!!