Week 50: Ayala Family Looking for a Church

Hola que tal familia!

Como les ha ido?

This week was crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First off a Miracle story I forgot to tell last week! Last week right as church was starting Pres. Morales, our branch president, and I were walking to Sunday school and we saw a member of the english ward who had served a spanish mission talking with a man who neither of us had ever seen. We went over there and the guy that was there was named Domingo Ayala. He was just driving by the church and stopped and came in. We talked with him for a second and  he was saying how him and his family want to start coming to church here, and how they wanted to some help with their son and wanted someone to come and visit him and help him to learn more about God!.....We were both shocked, so we go his information and set up an appointment. He works crazy hours so we had to setup a time with just his wife and son but they were all super nice! 

We went by that Tuesday and talked with the wife and son. The son was really cool and told us he has been asking to go to church and finally his parents said ok. He is 17 and just said that he wants to find the right path and avoid all the negativity from high school. The house that they live in was freaking nice! super decorated! I felt like I was in Rome or something! They had tons of statues and paintings and rugs. It was really different than what I'm used to. We had a pretty good lesson with them and set a baptismal date for the 13th of January ;) haha. He asked us too if there were any activities that he could go to during the week instead of just things on Sunday!

Sadly he wasn't able to make it to mutual the next day. And they called us an hour before church and said that they had a family emergency and wouldn't be able to make it to church but all of the family was planning on it and that they wanted to set up another cita. Which was a real shame because we would have had a crazy day at church if they were there. It already was a out of control day. 

We woke up at 6:28 from a text from our branch president that said something along the lines of "Elders two things, can you be at the church at 8:45 for branch council, second Can you teach Gospel principles starting today?".....We didn't even have a gospel principles class before this at all! haha. We also already had planned that day to met with Armando to have him follow us to church! So we ran to the church then ran back to Armando's house and then back to the church!...then we taught gospel principles...it was a plan the lesson one step ahead of what we are talking about type thing! I was super stressed out! 

We had 14 people at church yesterday! Only 12 really were investigators but 14 were non-members of baptismal age ;) So trying to get them situated and in the right place was crazy! and to make it better our stake presidency was talking...who don't speak spanish....so we had a member translating with the whole head phone system so we were trying to make sure everyone had headphones and what-not! It was great!....the best part was Armando! He is so awesome! and to see his whole family there was the best part of the day! He is having a little trouble with is parents supporting his decision. I don't know if it was literal or figuratively...still need to clear it up next visit but what his dad told him when he told him we wanted to be baptized "Mormon" his dad said he would kill himself if he did...kinda extreme but we are really praying that the Lord will soften his fathers heart!  

Sadly the high school kids had to cancel on us! so we didn't get to see them this week....we have another time set up this week so hopefully we can get back and visit them before they forget those feelings that they felt.

Yes we will be able to skype for Christmas! I'm sure we will be able to find a member to let us do that so I will get back to you on that when I know a little better what our plans will be!

Thanks I Love you all!

Con amor y respeto!

Elder Erickson!

Week 49: "One Direction"

ya esta Deciembre!

This is crazy to me that it is already December! I feel like it was just barely December and I was just barley leaving! Time is flying for me!

So first to start off the week I got to start with a funny story!...So I don't know if y'all know about the band One Direction...I don't know who they are but all teenage girls have their shirts and stuff...looks like 5 JB's (Justin Bieber's) who sing together, but anyways last Hour of Power we knocked on a door and this girl about 17 or so answer and she had a One Direction shirt on. I don't know why I did this,... probably not the best missionary thing to do, but hey, it worked. I told her we were from one direction and what not. Two guys with white shirts and ties, name tags and we both had jackets on. She started freaking out....and before I could say I was just kidding she called all her friends over, they were having a party/hanging out. There was 6 of them. 2 guys and 4 girls...she starting yelling for them to come and she told them what I said and they all ran to the door...I should have let them know who we really were...but come on, this was way too good and way too funny. So I told them there had cameras and everything. They asked us if we were from England, I guess that's where they are from. So I said yes! haha It was so freaking funny, after a few minutes I finally told them who we really were. They let us in and all of them listen to our message.
They had some really good questions. We shared the Joseph Smiths story with them and explained the spirit really good, what it was, how they would feel, and what it would mean if they felt it.  So when we shared the Joseph Smith story, them all being catholic said, "I'm confused". We asked why and they said, "because this goes against everything I was raised on"...so we are going back this Friday night for their "party with the Mormons" haha.

And now for the Baptisms!

They went awesome! It was so sweet!....I baptized Zenia and Elder Thomas had his first baptism with Jailene! and We got Michael's grandpa ready and he baptized his grandson! It was so awesome! Everything went well! We had a little scare the night before but it all got worked out! and The spirit was so strong during their baptisms!

Zenia and Jailene  are the family that we found through the area book and they had the son who was killed by the cops? I'm pretty sure I told that story! but if I didn't let me know!

Con amor y respeto

Elder Erickson

Elder Ericskson, Grandpa, Michael, Zenia, Jailene, Elder Thomas and Clayton

Zenia's sister and mother, Zenia and Jailene Elder Thomas, Clayton and Erickson  

Michael's family with the Elders

Week 48: Armando "his book"

Thanksgiving here was pretty good! We spent a lot of time cooking actually!

Hispanics don't really use time. We showed up at our investigators house at 2:30. She told us it should be ready by 3:30 so we thought we would go help! When we got there the bird and just gone in the oven...and that was about it! She handed me and Elder Thomas a ham and told us to cook it! haha. We did a good job! Glazed the sucker and everything! But we didn't end up eating until like 6:15!! I was starving! But the food was really good! we were lacking a few things though! There wasn't any corn!!!!....and there was no mashed potatoes! It wasn't the same! haha but its all good! I still ate my heart out and loved it! Most Hispanics I have talked to so far all didn't even eat turkey! They all had menudo! gross!

So on the spiritual side I had one of the most spirit filled lesson for me in my mission! We were teaching Armando and he is still doing great! readying and knows the Book of Mormon is true! Sadly he hasn't come to church yet but he is awesome! He thought we were inviting him to come with us and do the mission! He said he was willing but he would have to talk to his family and get his parents approval!...luckily we were able to teach him how the family is the most important thing and how he needs to be with is family, not with us. He liked that! but I was on exchanges and so the other elder asked him where he was from and he said he was born on the reservation in Oklahoma!...what??? I was confused! I asked him then why he spoke Spanish and if he was even Hispanic! turns out he is mostly Cicapu Indian!!!! I was smacked with the spirit when he said that! and how this book is not just a book of God but it is "his book" It was so crazy for me! We read the part in the intro again about it being the ancestors of the Native Americans and it was just so crazy to see him when he realized it! I'm super excited to keep working with him!!!

We found Armando knocking at about 8:45 at night! haha...It was a rough night and everything fell through but me and Elder Clayton weren't going in early so we started knocking and found a family of 9 that we were stoked about, but they ended up dropping us. But they told us after we contacted them, that the people across the street were Hispanic too, but that we need to be careful because they got robbed in the street right in front of their house about a week ago by some gang so they told us to be careful walking the streets. So we decided that would make for a great door to knock so late! haha. But that is how we found him!

Baptisms are still on track for Zenia and Jailene. And also for Michael! so we should be having 3 this Sunday! We met with both of them last night and everything looks like it should be on track!

I'm glad you all had a good thanksgiving!  I missed you and so grateful for you! but I'm also so thankful for my mission, so y'all suckers can wait one more!

Con amor Y respeto

Elder Erickson

Alma 37:44 The Words of Christ point us to Eternal Bliss

Thanksgiving dinner with Chris and Ericka Solis 

(investigators that need to get married so they can get baptized)

Week 47: Felt My Personality Come Out

Hey family!!!

Sorry just a shorter one this week! We only have a half p-day today. Then on Thursday we have an all day p-day but no libraries will be open so I'm just going to try and send a short up date!

Everything went pretty good this week! We ate dinner with the Polanco's last night and they are so sweet! So we should be good to go for the 2 of December! One thing this week that I really noticed that was different was I felt my personality come out so much more in my contacting....which means a lot more joking around! haha but It was a lot more fun for me! People who don't want this message still didn't want the message, it didn't change that fact very much, but it made it more fun for me to be able to joke around with them at least! haha Elder Thomas is doing great! We are getting along pretty good and there isn't anything that we have hit heads on yet.

We have one investigator named Armando who I want to try and tell you about, he is the most humble guy I know. He is super sweet and really smart. We've met with him a few times and taught the restoration and Book of Mormon. He is super open to everything and studies a lot. When we went back for a lesson the other day the first question he asked me was "What tribe is Nefi From?"...what the heck? I told you to read the introduction!....He know his bible like crazy and so he actually understands the old testament and the tabernacle, "when" he goes to the temple he will be one of the few people who actually understand. haha But he asked some questions I've never even thought about before and were kinda tough, things about he brass plates and the history behind all that happens in the first 6 chapters. It was intense. But he told us how when he studies he goes to the library so if he needs to look something up he can! He is super awesome and I just love how humble he is, cuz really he is super smart but doesn't act like it. I kinda feel like he is just waiting to catch me in my words and bash but he hasn't.

Oh also something I almost forgot! I taught a JEW! haha that was crazy and a first. Really tough! I don't really know who the relationship works. The wife is a Jew and the husband is a Judio Mesianico i think. Messiah Jew in English, I've never heard of it. But he believes in Christ but other weird stuff...he pulled out his Hebrew "bible" and also the pamphlet we left and started trying to pick it apart. I really wanted to show him what was what but we just left him a Book of Mormon and Ir'd-nos. haha

Thanksgiving should be pretty good! We are spending the Day with Chirs and Ericka Solis! the ones who need to get married. She is a really good cook and I'm sure I'm going to stuff myself! The only bummer is she said she probably wont be making mashed potatoes...lame. But I'm excited! Last time we ate there we had some awesome Lengua! (cow tongue)

Con amor Y respeto

Elder Erickson

Alma 37:44 "The words of Christ Point us to ETERNAL BLISS"

yummy...this is the same house we will be eating at for Thanksgiving!  haha

Week 46: Running, Running, Running

Buenas tardes!!

Wow, I never thought It would be so stressful! I kept having dreams that I forgot to studying for a test in school or I didn't write a paper and I'm super stressed out about it because I'm running trying to get everything done and do it by the books since I'm training and I'm running until I lay down at night! ha ha so that just carries over into my dreams!

Being DL I have to call everyone in the district at night and talk with them, follow up on commitments and stuff like that. We have a district of 10 so that means I have to call 4 companionship's every night! And since I'm training I try to make sure we have good planning sessions, but he doesn't know the area or anyone yet so I pretty much have to do all the planning! And Hispanics love to meet late so we are usually pushing it to get home by 9:30 so that means we're done planning by 10:00 and that leaves me 30 minutes to call everyone and get ready for bed. Man I'm stressed just typing it! ha ha But its fun! I Love it!

My companion is Elder Thomas. He is from Salt Lake. He went to Cottonwood high school and graduated in '11. He did a year fo school at the U of U before he came. He is the Youngest of 4 Kids. And his social is 6479-25-953. ha ha just kidding. He has really good Spanish though for just coming from the MTC. He is really Gun hoe about the work and so we have been working hard from the second he got here! We don't have the same personalities but they aren't that different either! So we Get along great. Not like Elder Clayton and I though. I miss working with him already! But it's all good! I Love training. Everything he sees that is new to him and he doesn't really know how to act.  

The baptism went great! ... well it had a rough start. Emily was grumpy and wouldn't come out of the bathroom. I guess she didn't feel comfortable in the jump suit and she had been camping the weekend before with girls scouts and so she didn't sleep at all there. But we finally got her to come out and then it went good....except for when I started to say the prayer for Erin. I was so focused on getting Emily happy and to come that I started the prayer "Emily" then just stopped for a second Erin habiendo Sido..." it was bad...the whole rest of the prayer I could hear Elder Clayton standing at the top of the stairs laughing but trying not to make noise. It was pretty funny!

Crazy story. 

We stopped at Walgreens to get some meds for Elder Thomas. This black lady walked by speaking Spanish, So I figured she was from Honduras. She came and asked us a questions  in super broken English, because she thought we worked there. I spoke to her in Spanish and she said back to me "sois hablais espanol"....vosotros kinda threw me off guard. Turns out she is from Equatorial Guinea or something like that. It's in the middle of Africa and they speak Spanish there! but its from Spain so she had the lisp and total. ha ha it was so funny! Elder Thomas thought she was speaking french because she kept speaking to us in Vosotros. She told us she comes here when she is 8.5 months prego to have her kids then goes back so they will be American! ha ha talk about beating the system.  But we are going to teach her Wednesday!!!

Also Zenia and Jailene are doing awesome!! They are reading and understanding! Jailene knew who Laban was and what the brass plates were so I was really impressed!

hope I got everything!

Con amor Y Respeto

Elder Erickson

 At Transfers - 

  Elder Thomas, Elder Erickson, Elder Clayton

 Emily and Erin's baptism

Elder Clayton,  Emily and Erin Solis, Elder Erickson

Thumbs Up!

Elder Clayton, Emily, Erin, Elder Erickson

Week 45: Trainer and District Leader

Hey family!

To start Mom told me I haven't said anything about Zenia Polanco so I better get that story out first because its an awesome one!

When I first came to this area I came from Broadway where we used the Area book really well but when I came here I tried to carry that over. Elder Clayton and I went through it and felt like we should go visit this lady. It said she had a brother in El Salvador who is a bishop. So we went there and she was very nice and let us right in. She lives in Crosby so its far away and hard for us to get to her but turns out shes had quite the life. Her mom sister and brother were all baptized in El Salvador. Her mom and sister live with her. Her son was involved in an accident where the cops ended up shooting him when, from the way she tells it, wasn't needed, and it all happened in her own house. But anyways she has been super prepared. She was taught before and the thing that kept her from being baptized about 2 years ago was coffee, turns out she quit 2 months ago because her mom kept telling her to. She also has a daughter named Jailene who is 13. They are becoming one of my favorite families very quickly. Her sister is the happiest, always smiling person. I Love being able to go over there!  We actually went over there last night! They have come to church 2 times and are reading! We set a date with them for the 2 of Dec. A little father away than we were originally thinking but they seem much more excited about this one!....Moral of the story is that we were led there at the right time by the spirit! It's awesome too because her brother is coming to visit form El Salvador this next week!!

Sad part is that Elder Clayton wont be around to see it. He is leaving. He got called to be Zone leader! that's the 3rd comp. I've had that has gone zone leader. He is going English though.

For our other investigators we have a baptism this Sunday for Emily and Erin. The Solis daughters! That family is so solid! We taught them tithing last night and she was like "yeah...were already paying" and we were also talking about transfers and coming back to visit them...and she said "well you will all have to come back in a year." we didn't really get it so we just looked confused at her and then she said "we will be getting sealed so you better be there for that" We haven't taught a thing about that stuff yet either. They are so awesome!

We also have other investigators but those are our main ones! We had 9 in church again this Sunday! and 94 attendance! that's awesome since a year ago it was 25!

Other news is that I will be staying here in West Lake Houston for at least 2 more transfers! I got a call last night from President and I will be training! I'm pretty excited and nervous. And to pile it on more I'm the District leader here now too!

Love you all!

Con amor y respeto

Elder Erickson

 Elder Erickson and his District 

 Elder Erickson and his Zone

 Zenia and Jailene are the two middle people...and then the sister and mom are on the outside of them.

Elder Erickson and Clayton eating Elote en Palo that a guy bought them.

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!