Week 44: 10 Months

Wow. I can't believe it's 10 months...somehow I've managed to change my entire lifestyle and the way I think in these 10 months, And I understand how returned missionaries are just bags of stories. There are things that happen every day that would make for a great story! So much has happened and changed In 10 months! even our furniture! ha ha But it looks good! I like it! I'm excited to get home and fall asleep on those couches at night! ha ha. I'll have you know that I haven't fallen asleep anywhere but in my bed at night - yet!

So today was the first I've heard anything about this storm that's coming in! sounds like a dozy! We went and did our laundry today and saw the news and it was just 100% about this storm coming in. I hope all the good souls over on the coast are alright! The signs are coming! ha ha Its actually been pretty cold here. Ive been rocking the sweater because its so cold. Kinda different! nice though!

Church on Sunday we had 8 investigators again! We had a couple new faces though! Zenia Palanco and her daughter came!! They are super sweet! She is the Lady whose son was killed by the cops last year. Did I tell you about her? Her whole family are members in Salvador! She has a pretty crazy background story and I think there could be a lot of potential with her! She came though with her daughter her mom that lives with them, who is a less-active member. They seemed to really like it and the daughter made some good friends! one of which is the Rivera girl! She is from the family that the dad is the soccer player! Liz Rivera (Raul's mom) who is a member came from Monterrey to visit and she is pretty blunt with Raul and they argue a bit over it. But she brought Sesali to church and her and the Palonco girl got along really well and were hugging by the end of church so hopefully those two can help each other out in the process!

Yesterday we had a pretty bad/good experience. Bad because I think I drank straight Grease!  Good because we met some sweet people. We were contacting and we saw this Hispanic family outside having a party so we went and talked to them and they asked us to say a prayer for the family so we did and then got out of there. We ended up teaching the next door neighbor on the porch and as we were leaving that the family called us back over and this 24 or so year old guy, who and been a punk to us the first time we went by, was all "I wanted to give you something to eat so I'm glad we caught you again"   they had a huge grill covered in meat that they call pastor. and they they just through a ton of oil on the grill and cook the meat in it and the tortillas! They gave us two to start with and just picking them up, grease was squishing out! Biting them was just horrible! They tasted really good but I couldn't enjoy it because I knew I was eating a bypass for the future! ha ha After we got those two down they gave us a plate of three more...then more...then more... I stopped and just let them pile up for a bit. Then everyone kept telling me to eat. When people would turn around I would hide them under others napkins of those who were done eating, then offer to take their plate for them! ha ha, I escaped some but I still felt pretty gross! ha ha Then to top if off our next investigator had some Mexican sausage for us! yum!

Oh I also had to buy a new helmet today!...mine got destroyed....ha ha. So that's what the charge is on the card! thanks :)

real quick...remember how my comp is the pitcher for Oregon ducks? well we went and played catch one day...remember how long I played baseball?  Me either that memory isn't there cuz I didn't! ha ha...I've never been more nervous on my mission!....and I took one right in the shin! ha ha I have a huge bump there still! Just thought that would make y'all have a good laugh!

Tengan una buena semana! esten bien

Keep smiling!

Con amor y respeto!

Elder Erickson

Elder Erickson and Elder Clayton showing their carving skills.

Elder Erickson had his helmet hanging on the handlebars of his bike.  He loaded it onto the bike carrier on the back of their car and forgot to take the helmet off.  He noticed it fell off while they were driving.  They came back for the helmet and got to in just in time to watch someone else run over it.  Time for a new helmet!

Week 43: Cowboys in Texas

Sounds like another eventful week back home! We had a pretty bummer filled week as far as our investigators progression, but it was still a great week cuz every week in the service of the Lord is a good one!

The highlight of the week for me was we had Stake Conference yesterday and because I am in the Summerwood stake I got to see the Ortega's!!! I was happy to see them!!! I imagine it was a preview of what I'm going to fill like when I get home and get to see all of you again! We had a meeting an hour before the Stake Conference for all recent converts of the last year with the Stake President. We were walking through the halls trying to find the ones from our branch and we turned the corner and their whole family was standing down the hall. Abi and Reyna both ran and gave me a huge hug ha ha! I didn't know what to do! I really wanted to hug them but with the whole rule thing I kinda just stood there....It was really awkward but oh well. It was so awesome to chat with them and see how they are doing! They are still doing great and counting down the months until they can go to the temple!

We had a lesson with the Solis family this week and found out that Erika could have her divorce done really soon. As soon as one week. But Chris is going to take a little longer....they said they were talking and came up with a date that they think they can get the papers and wedding all done and be ready for baptism...Jan. 19. three months out. Not what we really wanted to hear. It was kinda frustrating because they are so ready! We taught word of wisdom and dumbed all the alcohol down the drain with them and threw away the coffee. So now it has become a waiting game with them just like Margarita and Jose....who are going down hill. Last lesson with him he told us he is going to go to a baptist church because they'll baptize anyone and they don't ask if you are married or not. So that was a frustrating lesson.

Our other dates are with Norma. and Eva and Michael. Norma's date is for the 11 of Nov. She came to Stake Conference and said she really enjoyed it but she doesn't think the 11th is going to work. She says she's really confused because her family is feeding a bunch of garbage about the church so we always have to reteach and re-correct things with her. But she said she's still willing to try for the 11th but right now she doesn't want to. So at least she is still trying.

Eva and Michael also were for the 11th. But they didn't come to conference. We met with her the night before and she said she was going to come. Well she said. "Si Dios Quiere" (God willing) which is my  least favorite saying out of any Hispanics mouth. But we texted her and she said she had to go to San Antonio. So we are going to visit her tonight and hopefully we can set a new date with her that she will be willing to work for.

So as you can see this week was one blow after another! but I did get to go on exchanges this week out to Dayton! It's a super country tiny town! It was fun and more of what I imagined when I opened my call!...I was with an English speaking elder so I didn't really use Spanish but it was still fun! 

One funny story was on the way back we were going on this overpass bridge thing and there was a horse loose running around and these town cowboy guys trying to catch it and trap it with there truck but they couldn't.  It ended up stopping traffic as this horse just ran back and forth on this pretty big bridge. But in just about every car was a cowboy and one after another would open the door and look what was going on. Some would get out and run to help and other would just sit back down. But probably 90% of the cars where cowboys, that's when I really felt like I was in Texas. ha ha

Hope you feel my love back home! I'm sending it as much as I can!

Con amor y respeto!

Elder Erickson

So I searched Dayton Texas on my iphone and found the bridge that Elder Erickson must be referring to ... "pretty big bridge"!!!    ha ha what a place to try and catch a horse!

Things I Have Learned

Posted by Elder Erickson's mom -

Elder Erickson has set a pattern of sending a hand written letter to a member of his family each week.  My turn was coming up for her letter and  I asked him this question:

"In your letter tell me some of the things you feel like the spirit has taught you in the 9 1/2 months you have been a missionary. "

Elder Erickson's response:

"So I haven't really even thought about a list of things that I have learned so this will be good for me as well. 

The first one that sticks out to me is how key obedience is.  I never really even thought about it before. I always saw commandments as a restriction.  Now I've learned their real purpose and can say why I'm willing to live them, other than that's how I was raised or out of fear from parents or God.

Another thing my testimony has really grown in is the scriptures.  The first time I went through the Book of Mormon it was like I got slapped in the face every time I read it.  It's so clear and simple.  I remember reading some at home and just getting so frustrated cuz I didn't know a thing that was going on.  Now it's a totally different story.  I know that without the Spirit I couldn't ever have learned the things I have.  As I am thinking about this I don't think their is really very much spiritual wise or doctrine or testimony wise that hasn't improved!  I was kind of a tool back home when it came to this stuff.  Not that I was bad before, but I never really applied myself to these things.  

The first time I read 2 Nephi 31 in the MTC I was like WOW! how did I not know that, luckily you and Dad know your doctrine and I was able to hold my own form just remembering thing y'all said. The kids in my district actually thought I knew a lot of doctrine but really all it was, was me regurgitating what you and dad have said.  So getting out here and not only knowing how to say with my mouth but actually understanding the doctrine with my head and feel it with my heart is a whole new thing for me.

I don't know if that's what you were really asking but that's what came to mind when read the question.  I can't really say all that the Spirit has taught me because I knew so little compared to what I know now, even though it's hardly anything.  I know the Spirit has taught me all of it."

I miss Ethan so much but letters like this make me so grateful that he is out serving a mission. He is learning things that can only be taught by Spirit. 

Week 42: Pray For A Miracle

Well its was another exciting week in the life of a missionary this week! We had a tri-mission conference with three members of the 70. Elder Hawk who spoke in conference, Elder Ellis, and Elder Calister! it was so awesome! we learned a lot. Elder Calister spent the whole time teaching us the plan of salvation from the Bible. i think it was to make sure we could hold our own in the bible belt i guess! ha ha I got to see Bryson Howell there! it was so great to be able to talk with him! He is doing really good! I'm jealous he has had comps from Mexico, Columbia, and Honduras! Lots of natives! It felt like I was just back at high school talking with him!

This week we set a baptismal date with all the Solis family. They are the family that has to get divorced still and married but they both said that they are pretty much done with the paper work. Closer than we thought. So last night we talked with them about really pushing for it and praying for a miracle that they come and will be able to be baptized by the 4th of November! it's super quick. But they are ready other than the marriage so if the paper comes, then we are good to go! So keep them in your prayers if you will! thanks.

Josefa came to church this week! I think I explained a little about her in my letter to dad. She came with a member and sat with a member and we really didn't have to do a thing, it was really awesome and she had a great experience. She does think she is a member however. We still haven't figured how we are going to break that news to her! ha ha She was taught by sister missionaries a long time ago and then she says baptized in a river with 40 other people. So were pretty sure its so evangelical church cuz its not uncommon for them to do that. But as for now we are just working on getting her to live all the commandments. And she changes things very well because she thinks she is already a member so she has to live them! ha ha If I didn't explain her in the letter let me know and I will give more of a back ground on her!

Other than that the work has been trying to get people married and finding new people!
There are a couple of families I am pretty excited about that we found and actually have an appointment with them tonight! When we knocked on the door they recognized us and told us how they had seen the video "The Testaments" and how they were crying when they saw it! its La familia Franco! We sat down and had a really good lesson with them on the porch for just a few minutes because her husband wasn't home.  They are a more established family and have a nice house. I think there could be a lot of potential with them!

Thanks for everything family! Enjoy the colors and cool air! It was still 93 the other day here! ha ha

Con amor y Respeto

Elder Erickson

Oh PS to everyone...I thought I'd just let you all know I shaved my head again...But this time I did it myself in 15 minutes after I worked out this morning....I'm pretty good....but man I miss Halli. Short hair isn't my thing. 

Week 41: Bring'em out!

Bring'em out! Bring'em out! It's hard to hear with more missionaries!

Bonus point if anyone can come up with the song the Subject of this email came from! ha ha

So first off the point that just changed the way every teenager is thinking! ha ha I'm so pumped that everyone can come out younger! I think it will be such a good thing to have the young men younger. My comp right now actually had to write a letter to the First Presidency so that he could leave early and come out. He graduated early. Went a semester at Oregon and played baseball and then left when he was 18 so he could return to be a part of the draft. ha ha He had been out for about 9 and a half months before he turned 19. We we both left when we were 18. Even thought mine was only a few weeks early I think it will be way sweet to send them out earlier! 

And as for the young women I think it's super super awesome! The experiences that you have on a mission are so awesome and I think this way young women will have more of an opportunity to have those experiences instead of it being kind of a last resort thing if the are single at 21. Not saying that that's how most do it. But the "typical" story I've heard from the sisters here was well I was 21 and didn't know what to do so I decided to go on a mission. But now they can make that the first priority and prepare from it form the start and leave at 19! I'm pumped for everyone to have these experiences!

Eli!....You could have your call here pretty soon,.....Giddy up soldier! ha ha yeah! 

Conference was so sweet! We got to watch all 5 sessions!!! Sat. we watched at the Stake Center. Priesthood we watched at our normal building and had a dinner with the branch and the English ward before. Then for Sunday morning we went with an investigator family (that is sooo awesome! just not married) to our President Morales's house and watched it there and then we went to the Stake Center for the last session! The weekend was pretty busy! In between sessions we went out and taught a couple lessons and reminded people of conference. We got 7 investigators to watch it this go around! 

I Loved Elder Nelsons talk as a missionary! He is so right and I hope everyone that saw that who isn't a member asks us those questions cuz we got the answers! I also loved Elder Hollands, as did all I'm sure, It was super powerful! Also Elder Clarks from Sunday afternoon, did his sound familiar to you? He is the guy who came to our mission and he gave us a similar spill! just 5 hours long and a little more direct! ha ha But I sent you those 5 things earlier I think! 

Real quick before I forget!...I told you about he lady and Elder Viitanen eating his shoe if she came to church right? well, I wonder what he would have said he would do if she got baptized?  I hope he would have followed through. She is getting baptized in a few weeks. I'm shocked. For me it was a lesson to get out of the heat and she was always there. 

To explain the pictures....ha ha yes we had permission! ha ha We got to go to a high school football game! The stadiums here are freaking amazing! So nice! and huge! It's a whole new world! but the Rivera family I told you about invited us because their son is the drum major and the half time shows here are huge too! So we asked President and he let us go! I was super pumped! This is the guy who played for Los Tigres...doesn't look like it now but he was 17 when he started with them so it has been awhile! ha ha

Sorry I ran out of time again, as always! Sorry if I forgot anything! I didn't mean to and don't take it personal! 

Con amor y respeto!

Elder Erickson

 Sr. Rivera, Elder Clayton, Elder Erickson

Elder Clayton and Elder Erickson

Moreno Family

When Elder Erickson sent his new address today he forgot to send his apartment number.  He realized this after he was done with his email so he called Candie Moreno and asked her to email it to us.  Candie is the mother of the family that Elder Erickson taught in Denver Harbor when he first got to Texas.  He has grown very close to this family!

Todd responded to Candie's email and thanked her for all that she has done for Elder Erickson.

This it the reply that we got back from her:

> 

> No need to thank me. I love Elder Erickson, I see him like a son. He's never gave up on our family, always pushed for us to be at church and baptist our kids. He actually baptist our middle son, my kids see him as an older brother. 

The Moreno Family with the Elders.  

Candie is to the right of Elder Erickson

The Moreno family moved out of Elder Erickson's area while he was in Denver Harbor, they gave him this Astro's hat before they moved.  Elder Erickson treasures this hat!

This email reply shows how the missionary work that Elder Erickson is doing blesses peoples lives and how his missions is blessing his life.  Elder Erickson loves the people in Texas.  They have become part of his family.  I look forward to the time when Elder Erickson's family in Utah can meet his families in Texas.  This Mom in Utah loves how happy her son is doing missionary work in Texas!

Week 40: West Lake Houston

Well my life just Changed completely again!!!

My new area is called the West Lake Houston area. Its a small branch that was set up about 9 months ago. So pretty much when I left for the MTC. I'm as old in the mission as this Branch is. When it started there was only about 10 people who came regularly! Now its up to about  70 or 80! The area we cover is pretty dang big!!!! We follow around The 8 from below the highway 10 all the way up to Humble! We cover a ton of rich areas! It's so different! I'm not really used to it yet! haha

I really like it though! my Companion is Elder Clayton! he is from Idaho and was in my district when i first got here and trained Elder Mallard. so we already have a pretty good relationship. They have been having a ton of success in this area right before i got here! we actually had 5 confirmations this Sunday in church from baptisms the Sunday before i got here! I didn't even really know one of the girls but i got to confirm her so that was pretty sweet! We also had 7 investigators in church besides the five that we confirmed! So the work in going great here! I hope I can keep it moving! There aren't too many members so it should be really good for getting close to them and getting to know them good! They are all pretty well established and most of our area are really nice homes! There are a quite few trailer parks that are all Spanish that we go to and also there are people who have nice homes that are all Spanish speaking families mixed in with everyone else! so knocking is way different! We don't just go door to door! We bike a little, thank goodness, and we bike until we see things that are hispanic and then we knock those doors. After everyone we talk to we ask them which house are hispanic and then we go from there and keep the chain going all the way through the  neighborhoods! haha its pretty fun! I'm actually surprised how much spanish contacting we have been doing! Usually they know some english and can get by but spanish is still better for them so we just speak spanish too them so we can practice and make it easier on them! Its a really sweet area though! still really new!...I'm only the 5th elder in the branch...the 3 before me have already gone home too so me and Elder Clayton are the only missionaries that have been in the branch that are still in the mission field. 

Another sweet plus is the apartment...haha our apartment is super nice. really nice. I feel pretty spoiled, no actually really spoiled. It's probably twice the size of the one i just came from with the three of us in it! haha. I have my own bathroom and Shower.....?! This is the first time in my life! haha. I'm not sure how to take it! I'm pretty excited about the area though! not so much about the car yet, The members feed us a lot so I'm going to get fat really fast....but other than that I'm really excited to be here! 

We have a couple families that we are teaching right now! Two of them have to get married at then they will be baptized! I'll give you more updates on them next week! but another family that we are teaching is the Rivera family. The dad played soccer in Mexico for Los Tigres! it's a pro team in Monterrey! He is a way sweet guy and has an awesome family! His whole family is pretty much ready for baptism- just waiting on the dad to break. He is a little stubborn. 

President Crawford actually met this family and taught them with Elder Clayton and the elder here before me. He really like them and invited them over for dinner in the mission home. So last night we got to have dinner with this family and President and Sister Crawford in the mission home! It was way sweet! I haven't been back there since the day I got here! Also they don't speak any spanish so we had to translate for them! It was really sweet! We invited him to be baptized and he said no....but he was a lot better about it than I guess he was in the past so he is making progress!

As for the other families we are meeting with them this week to have a lesson with them as for what needs to happen to get divorced and married. Other than that hold up they have all said they would get baptized. So after those lessons I'll give you an up date on them!

My new address is 

15100 Golden Eagle Dr. # 503

Humble, TX 77396

I Love you all so much!

Con amor Y respeto

Elder Erickson