Week 65

Waterfalls in La Sarrosa

 

Dear Family and Friends,

Hows everyone doing this fine day? Here in honduras, I cant stop sweating. But thats old news really. Ive been telling all of you the same thing for the past 15 months haha 

Ive had a great week here in Santa Rita! Were still looking hard for great people! We had 3 people at church with us this weekend, Jairo, Cristian, and Kenner. Theyre 3 best friends and always are down to listen to us. Jairo really wants to be a missionary, and schooled my comp the other day for not being fully clean and combed "You are a representative of Jesus Christ! How can you walk around with your tie terribly tied and your collar buttons unbuttoned and your hair all messy!" it was hilarious. Jairo is a barber and is always making sure hes clean and well dressed. cracks me up. 

We had an awesome Pday today. Spontaneous and fun. We had no idea what we were gonna do. So we went to this cool waterfall close by! It was awesome. Honduras would be such a cool place if I wasnt a missionary! haha It was a blast. Ill send pics. 

Funny story. We went out contacting and sat down with these guys and started teaching them. They were asking all sorts of questions. And we were responding. But no one understands my comp for the form he answers questions. And he always gets frustrated. Well one of the two, Nelson, says "you know what? I am so happy you came and talked with us. I was feeling down, and now I feel happy. You two have the spirit with you. Much more than any pastor. " And my silly comp, cuts him off and says "so you felt the spirit, even though you couldnt understand anything we taught you?!" hahahah it was hilarious. Hes such a goober. 

We worked super hard this week, finding at least 10 new people every week and we taught 30 lessons. Its not the easiest walk in the park, opening an area. But its fun. Its a fun challenge and I enjoy it. I just cant believe we`re already in the 4th week of this change. 

I love and miss you all! I hope you enjoy all the pics!

Always,

Elder Hodson

 

 

Week 64

Its Finally Starting to Rain

Dearest family and friends,

Its finally starting to rain again here in honduras. which is great because the weather is much fresher. Less sweaty haha

How has everyone been this week? Ive had an incredibly fast week. 

Opening an area is always fun because you get to hear new lies everyday. "Sorry, I already go to a church." "oh yeah? What church do you go to?" "Uhhh..... HONEY!!!! Whats our church called?!" hahahahah it cracks me up. 

Were always finding great people everyday! I love that part. Your faith grows! And for greater faith you see even greater miracles! Contacting is like paying your tithing. God doesnt need your money, he just wants us to exercise our faith to see miracles. The same thing with contacting. Contacts hardly lead to baptisms, but its our way of showing our faith to receive miraculous references from the members. So thats what were waiting on! Showing our faith every day waiting to see those blessings.

Today we had a fun pday and played soccer with the other zone. Funny story, While two teams were playing, I snuck in without anyone knowing and started playing for both teams. It was hilarious. I scored a goal and ran off the field and everyone was so confused. Then we made carne asada with a member. It was a good pday. 

I learned a great lesson this week. We were out contacting, and saw a guy with long hair and all tattooed up. I thought to myself "drug addict" and didnt contact him. We walked by him moments later again and he called out to us in perfect english! His name is Fransisco. Hes extremely friendly, a family man, and from his house you can see the church. He pointed out the church and he said "Ive ALWAYS wanted to visit that church. Theres always been something that calls my attention." So I definitely learned my lesson about not judging ANYONE based on their looks. 

Well. Life is good! heres a photo of my zone. 

Always,

Elder Hodson

 

 

 

Week 63

Happy Mudders Day!

Dearest Family and Friends,

How is everyone doing this fine day! My life is great here in santa rita! Opening an area is full of action but theres not much to write about! A lot of contacting and a lot of funny stories!

Yesterday I got to speak with my family, so that was great as always. The baggiest day of the mission haha 

But I wanna tell you all about my favorite investigator. His name is Jairo (Jairus in english) Hes a 22 year old guy who owns a barber shop. He was a deacon in his evangelic church is La Ceiba but now lives here. He is awesome. We taught him the restauration and defied him to baptism. When we defied him he said he needs to pray and ask, but that if he gets an answer to his prayer, hes not only willing to be baptized, but to serve a mission! He has no children and loves serving god, so he loves the idea of serving for 2 years of full service. 

My comp and I are getting along great. I really like him. Hes hilarious. He loves to explain deep doctrine in lessons and then gets mad at me when I tell him not to, but it just cracks me up.

I dont have much to write because we dont teach too many lessons at the moment, but know that I am SUPER happy! Opening an area is super fun and its helping me to see that its okay that I dont know what my future holds for me! I know I am going to succeed with the Lords help, because Im having success now! 

The mission is great. I love everyday.

Always,

Elder Hodson

fotos:my new house.

my comp wanted to take selfies.

 

 

Week 62

Dearest Family and Friends,

Sorry I didnt write last week. Totally forgot to write haha let me catch you up on things. 

I GOT CHANGED!!!! FINALLY! Im now here in the state of Yoro. In a city called Santa Rita. It is GORGEOUS!!! I love it. Opening an area is a blast because you just go to work and work your butt off all day and get to see the fruits of your labors! When youre in an area with someone else, they already have some people to teach and tend to visit the same people day after day, but here no! Its a blast really. Im loving it. Im here with a ton of my best buddies in the mission so Im so excited for this change. Weve seen a ton of success this week contacting and working with the members.

My favorite part of this place is that I already know a ton of people! My cook is my last area, Sister Baca, is from santa rita and she would always tell me " elder Hodson youre going to santa rita once youre out of here!" and she was right! So I alreayd met all of her family in my last area and now Im here with them! Her niece is even gonna be my cook in this area! I cant get away from the Baca family! I love it. I activated them in San Juan, and theyre a little less active right now, so Im gonna do the same thing here! Im super happy about it. 

Ive been reading a ton in the book of mormon and ive been reading the war chapters of alma and this time around Ive learned a TON! Most importantly I learned from Alma 56:8 "But I would not suffer them that they should break thiscovenant which they had made, supposing that God wouldstrengthen us, insomuch that we should not suffer morebecause of the fulfilling the oath which they had taken." I learned that it is better that we suffer, than break the convenants we make with God. At times, we may be presented with a job on sundays, or any other situation that may see for our gain, but it is better that we suffer than break our covenants. God will make up the difference ALWAYS.

My comps name is Elder Villegas. Hes one of the most troublesome elders in the mission, and my new assignment is babysitter. In reality, hes a good kid with good intentions, he just has zero people skills, so thats my goal, to help him with his people skills. Hes a good kid. And Im excited to be with him.

I cant believe were already in May! Time is flying. WAY too fast.

Love you all!
Elder Hodson

Fotos,

my dog Confucious in san juan. He was so smart. Never ate our garbage. haha

me and my comp at the park in santa rita. super awesome tree. They kicked us off the swings. jerks. I hope you like my shorts. hahaha Andy gave them to me before I left.

 

 

Week 60

9 Day Week

Dearest Family and Friends,

Its been a long 9 day week and pday is finally here! But its been a great 9 days. as always. 

We had a reunion in La Ceiba with all the mission leaders. It was AWESOME!!! I feel super excited to work even harder. President talked about how he really isnt just focused on baptisms. He wants us to be able to do EVERYTHING well. Not just two or 3 things super well and everything else is crap. So it helped me a ton.

This week with my district we put a new goal. To find 60 new investigators this week. And so everyday at 430-530 we all go contacting. Its the best hour to find anyone. And to make it more interesting we have key words we have to say. Yesterday was "pidgeon" or in spanish "pájaro" today is the word "chuleta" tomorrow. Who knows what itll be! Its a blast really.

Andy is doing better! He told us that he wasnt going to church because he felt terrible for some sins he had commited after his baptism. We helped him to speak with the bishop this sunday and now he feels much better! Repentance it what helps us to love the lord, and then its much easier to be obedient! That is why it is so important that everyone repents of their sins and gets rid of their guilt, because then they will really grow their love for the lord and they will want to be obedient! 

WE HEALED A BABY THIS WEEK! Well I know it wasnt me who healed him it was God through his priesthood but still it felt so awesome to work a miracle and be an instrument in gods hands! Rafaels 3 year old took a hard fall and split his head open. He was running a terrible fever when we passed by his house and Marin had the prompting (of hunger) to ask for an empanada. We entered and blessed the baby. I could actually feel what the Lord wanted me to say and we finished the blessing and walked out back to help rafael build his house (yes ive done everything in my mission from wash dogs to build houses) and the doctor was already on her way to see the baby. When she got there, there was no need to give any medicine to the baby, because his fever had already gone down and he was sleeping peacefully. The priesthood is real. Never forget it.

So funny stuff. I was getting fat so last week we started going to the gym. For 5 dollars a month I have full gym access and a personal trainer hahah how cheap huh? Well Im getting in good shape again and with being in good shape comes immense hunger. I cannot stop eating. I am ALWAYS hungry. My parents sent me 4 bags of beef jerky and two bags of peanut butter m&ms. Gone in 4 days. hahahaha Ive gotta figure out a way to control myself haha 

Well. Im loving life still! pumped to leave this area next week but i will always love this place. Nuevo San Juan will always be my pride and glory,

I love you all!

Elder Hodson

fotos:friends and president klein at our meeting. I put my comps new shoes tied to my face, its my drug. And a sweet moon pic.

 

Week 59

Week 49

Dearest Family and Friends,

How is everyone on this fine monday? This weeks letter will be a little short, in reality I dont have much to say! Its been an incredibly fast week, I dont know where the time went! We worked hard this week, more families to teach, and always some funny experiences.

ive been really focusing on two things in this last transfer. Strengthening my converts before I leave, and finding plenty of new investigators for the next missionary. Were doing pretty well on both aspects. Its a little difficult, the mission. Its hard to figure out how to manage your time in finding new investigators, teaching those who are progressing, strengthening your converts, all the while trying to strengthen the love between the ward members! It throws my head for a spin sometimes. The question ive learned to ask is "what is the most important thing I can do right now?" But 2 elders is not enough for this area. thats for sure. 

Some of my converts are doing great, others, not so great! haha Dunia and her family have been hit hard since their baptism, yet their faith never fails! They keep going to church no matter what! Ana Paola is losing her ability to walk because of a bacteria in her bones, and the doctors are gonna be able to fix it but shes in plenty of pain. But yet they still all make it to church! Regardless of pain! I love it. Theyre reading their scriptures like crazy and Dunia is about finished with the Book of Mormon already. She reads like 10 pages every day. On the other hand, I feel like Andy got baptized just because it was something new in his life. He has a testimony, but he gets distracted very easily from whats important in this world. But we cant abandon him! And I wont! Just like Elder Nielsson said in general conference, we never give up. we never stop loving. one day theyll figure it out! 

Well, thats all for this week, ill try and write more next week! love you all! 

Elder Hodson

Week 58

Conference

Dear Family and Friends,

How is everyone? I hope spiritually uplifted from conference! I know I am! I learned so much from conference. I could share all of my personal revelation with you but Im sure thatd bore all of you. Its personal revelation so itll only be revelant to me. All I know is this we all needed to learn. Marriage is incredibly important and our spouses our even more important than our own children, and Im super pumped to get married hahaha! Baggy. And that our lives our too incredible and short too spend them glued to a four inch screen! If we cant sit through church without our phones, then we are literally breaking one of the 10 commandments by worshipping another god! I NEVER want to fall into that habit again.

We had a great pday. One of the funnest. We went to the beach in tela! We played beach volleyball all morning. It was great. 

I had an incredible week as always, The mission is awesome. I love it always. We found 14 new people to teach this week! Of those 14 we have a new complete family! And the father of this family, Rafael, is incredible! finally weve found a good man in san juan! haha Theyre awesome. Rafael is like alma the younger and paul of tarsus. He used to be a drug addict and a thief, now he has his family and works his butt off! Hes awesome. 

My highlight of this week was definitely our ward activity night in san juan. This week we did the dynamic of the atonement of christ where everyone gets a donut (instead of donuts we bought empanadas de leche from rafael) and I had to do 10 push ups for every empanada. Even if they rejected it, I still had to do the 10 push ups. In a short 5 or 10 minutes I did 240 push ups. I was dying. The members were trying to stop me telling me they understood the meaning and that it was enough, that I could stop suffering, but we werent about to stop. I suffered not even the smallest fraction of what christ suffered, but it definitely helped open my eyes to see the atonement from a better perspective. As I would get exhausted and want to quit, christ would come to my mind and remind me, "what wouldve happen if christ quit?" and I would keep going. It made me so sad when they would reject the empanada, because I was still going to suffer! I at least wanted them all to enjoy the sweetness! My comp told me that he noticed that I was sweating from every single pore on my body, and I could only imagine if those drops were blood. I can only imagine how discouraged Christ mustve felt as he saw us in his mind as he suffered, and he saw that the majority would reject that atonement for which he was suffering! How could he have kept going?! Only 3 or 4 said no to the empanadas, how could he have kept going when 99.99% said no to his atonement?! It made me so grateful to know that he suffered for all so that the few could be saved. I love him. And I know his atonement is real. I know he lives.

Always,

Elder Riley Hodson 

fotos. Elder Marin and my best bud in the mish elder criddle.