New Companion, New lessons

Haden got his new companion this week.  He seems to be happier with it than he expected.  Either way, he is doing the smart thing and looking at the positive and learning what he can from each new experience.

Also this week he finally sent some new pictures.  There aren't very many, but better than nothing.

Finally, I want to encourage all of you who read this blog to send Haden a handwritten note for Christmas.  He gets a lot of emails and comments every week, but I think it would be cool if he got a bunch of Christmas cards in the mail for Christmas.  It's his first away from home, so every little bit would help.  Doesn't have to be a novel, but just a short note to let him know you are thinking about him will do a lot to boost his spirits.  His address can be found on the Contact Info page.  Be sure to put enough postage and let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks again for all your support. 

Below is the letter......

Well, another week down.

This week  I got a new companion. He is pretty chill.  Sometimes I just look at him because he says some stupid things, but it's ok.  He is a really good teacher.  I have learned a lot from him and he makes things simple which sometimes is hard for me to do.  So even though I was bummed that to have to change companions this has been good for me.

I don't know why I am always tired.  I think about what I can do to better myself and I feel like I will never be able to do those things.  But everyday I learn something new so I know I just have to keep trying.  Last night I learned something that I will never forget.  It was something that will help me better myself.  I'm not going to share what my experience was, but all I want to say is to never lose your faith in anyone or in anything.  Without faith we have nothing, and without us using our faith we will never be able to gain anything. I liken it to being a professional golfer.  The first step is having faith in yourself and your ability to accomplish your goal.  But unless you show your faith and practice and practice and practice nothing will ever come from just having the faith.  That's what I learned.  First, have faith, hold on to my faith, don't lose faith and second, show it.

Everything was pretty chill this week, until someone said "Oh yea, this week is Thanksgiving at home."  All I was thinking "Yea, thanks for reminding me...jerk." Then all I could think about was football and turkey and mashed potatoes.  Oh yeah and family.  Haha.  But I am glad there isn't Thanksgiving in Mexico because I am pretty sure that I am not going to think about it on Thursday.  I think.  But the one good thing about Thursday is that my companion and I are celebrating Thanksgiving with a baptism. 

We are baptizing Jose Luis.  His wife and two daughters are all members already.  He has been with his wife for 29 years and they have been married for 16 of those years. And still, the first time he went to church in his life was last month.  He had never been to ANY church ever.  Not to mention he was married to a member for 16 years and he never went to church.  So just getting him to church was a miracle.  But get this, he has been talking to missionaries every year for ten years and only now is he ready to be baptised.  That is also a miracle.  He acts like a tough guy, like all Mexicans, and he really doesn't show emotion.  But he shared his testimony with us last night and it was strong and he was tearing up.  Another miracle. 

It's amazing how prepared he is to do this.  Sixteen years later and here comes this chubby kid from California and I am the one who gets the opportunity to see the change in him.  Who am I?  All I know is I am lucky I have had the opportunity, it has been a blessing.

Last night I washed my clothes.  While I was doing this, I realized I really miss dryers and washers.  My hands hurt after drying out all of the clothes.  And now I have like 30 pairs of socks hanging in my window waiting for them to dry.  I don't understand how people here have amazing stereo systems that costs more than their house and they don't have a washer or dryer.  Whatever.  I guess they like their music.

It's crazy that I have already been here for four months and on my mission for six. It has gone by fast.  I am glad there is no Lakers season because that is one less thing for me to miss. But I love you all and miss you all.  I don't remember everything from this week.  So much happens each week that when I sit down to write, I forget it all.  I need to write down a list because I have some good investigators that I want to tell you about.  I'll get better at it.

I love you all and I miss you and I hope you are all doing good.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Love,

Hoots