One Week Down, 111 to go.

Buenos Familia!

I don't have a spanish keyboard anymore so it's tough to type in correct spanish.

     These past few days have been awesome! I've taught so many new people and have already learned so much. I have a huge desire and rush to do everything I can and all at once. We taught two boys yesterday, Jose and Corey. We taught them about the importance of prayer and I could tell the spirit was upon us really strong. We invited him to pray and he did. His friend is a member and helping us out a lot too. 

     I started riding my bike everywhere and it isn't that bad--yet. Summer isn't even her yet....heaven bless me. It's already getting pretty hot. We studied a ton these past few days. I have a ton of study time these next few weeks as a new missionary. Elder Wojahn and I went to a planned house but they weren't there so we knocked a few doors. One of the doors was an LDS Family and they took us in. We prayed with them and blessed them that because they took in the servants of the Lord, they would have what they needed. It was and amazing experience that brought tears to her eyes.

     We also taught a man named Adan (Adam) and he agreed to come with us on sunday to church. The last house we stopped by was a members home to get a referal. We visited and imparted a blessing as well. I feel so much more work can be done here than is being done. I plan to do my all to make that happen. 

     The next day we had dinner with an Hermana at her home. We've been blessed to have dinner with members every single night and have them scheduled throughout the months. Yesterday is the first day out of 5 I had a true mexican meal. All the other nights have been pizza or take out from members. Anyway, with this Hermana, (Hermana Sanchez) I talked with her about her life and how it was for her before she had the gospel in her life. She cried as she talked about how rough it was for her before the gospel. Then she cried with tears of joy as she spoke about how her life changed and how much she has been blessed after becoming converted. She spoke really fast spanish but I understood most of it. I testified of how God blesses us and how Jesucristo knows exactly how we feel and what we are going through.

     We couldn't find anyone to teach the past two days though. Everyone we had planned cancelled or wasn't home. Success is slow and people don't want to talk to us much but the mercies of God are evident in our lives. We talk to a lot of people but many are content Catholics--or english speaking. We're not really supposed to teach english speakers or proselyte in English areas which is hard for me to not share the Gospel with everyone. 

     Yesterday was also my first ever full spanish church. It was wonderful to talk with all the members and to experience the church in another language. The talks in church were on loving your neighbor and not judging other people. In gospel doctrine class we talked about the Holy Ghost and by priesthood I was kinda falling asleep. :/ It has been a long week. 

     We met a few more people that hold much potential and seem like they have the willingness to listen. We met a family playing ping-pong outside and talked with them for a while. They invited us back in a few days. I'm really looking forward to teaching them and feel really good about this family.  

     My companion and I were riding our bikes and Elder Wojahn decided for some strange reason to go off into the rocks, then turn, then totally eat it. :) it was funny and he tried to smoothly shake it off :)

     I love you all and miss you all! I thank you for your prayers and your concern over me. The church is true. I know it. I testify that the Lord loves each and every one of you. Yo se que esta evanjelio is verdadero. Y yo se que el espiritu santo ayudar los sentir el amor de Dios. Esta trabajo is dificil, pero, con el poder de Dios, y porque Dios quiere todos sus hijos a regresar a El, Dios daria me y todos los misioneros a buscar y mirar personas al ser bautisado. Dios ama nos todo. Esta iglesia es el solomente camio a regresar a Dios. La iglesia es verdadero y El Libro is azul. (The church is true and the book is blue.) Hurrah para Isreal!

-Elder Hodges