Week 79: Covenant With God

Que Onda!!?

Family! How is everyone doing!? heard its heating up back there, sorry to hear that. Hope you can stay somewhere cool. If it gets too hot, hop on a bike. The breeze will cool you right down ;)

This week we had a great week of miracles! 

First off is Wendy's baptism! This was a very stressful road to get where we got but we made it so all is well! To give a little more background on her, She is a "Rancho" meaning she grew up in the sticks away from all the city in El Salvador. So her Education/ Language/ Manners aren't really where most the other youth's are, the Young Women's president, who has been so great in taking her in and caring for her, described the first couple of weeks she was there - "The best way I can tell it to you short is some what like Tarzan." haha. Not lady like and foul language. She wasn't like a savage but church and all this was new to her. 

She told us a super awesome story the other day. We were teaching her the importance of the covenant she will be tacking at baptism and she told us how on the way over here her cousin got really sick and they both said a prayer, neither having ever attended church before, and promised God in the prayer that if he allowed them to make it to the states they would both find a church and get baptized and be faithful to that church. The amazing part was that when she got here we were already teaching her grandmother! It was so cool to hear that story and how she already had it in her mind that she was making this covenant with God to fulfill with her promise before. She said her cousin is getting baptized as well, in NEW YORK, how she ended up there no one knows but she did! Wendy doesn't know what church but she knows she is getting baptized! It would be crazy, but seems natural, that the missionaries found here there too!

Wendy is living with her Grandma but there is also her "ex-Aunt" who has been having her watch her baby and stay there, she is not a good influence on Wendy and doesn't like the church. I don't have time to tell all of it but that's where all the problems came from. It was pretty nasty! but Hna Guajardo, the YW leader helped so much! 

Another miracle is after Elder Golden came we set our goals pretty high. And we worked really hard to get them. really hard! We hit all our goals and exceeded total number of lessons the only one we didn't have was we were short 1 Less-Active lesson.  We had a good week and taught more lessons that we planned so we were pretty content at 8:45 to start wrapping up the night. But then we both decided we came too close to quit. Elder Leiva called a less-active who lived kinda far, and who we had already tried once earlier. He answered and said we could come over! 

When we got there He told us that his mom passed away on Friday and he hadn't seen her in 10 years! It was good that we were able to talk with him and share our testimonies of The Plan of Salvation! It was a testimony builder to me of setting Goals and then including and depending on the Lord to fulfill them! and also the Love God has for all of his Children. Even though this man hasn't been going to church and doing exactly what he should, He still looks after him!

We also had a mini-missionary come with us for a few days! He was cool, not quite ready yet but he'll get there! He is the only member so far in his immediate family so props to him. But he was always catching some shut eye when he could ;) we worked hard! haha. 

Con amor Y respeto

Elder Erickson

Elder Erickson, Wendy, Wendy's Grandma, Elder Leiva

Mini-Missionary, Elder Erickson, Elder Leiva

Mini-Missionary catching some shut eye.

Week 78: Wendy Got Her Answer!!!!

Que Tal?!

Well this week went by super fast! We had a much better week than last week! I was getting pretty frustrated last week with the way things were going but this week was much better! The zone had some highs in a couple groups of numbers!

First off with Elder Golden;   We had to give zone reports to him at the start of the meeting. Elder Clayton and I were sitting on the stand representing the 2 zones at the conference. Elder Clayton went first and gave a pretty good report. Different than the way ours was laid out but it  was good....then Elder Golden got up and picked it apart about everything he did wrong...haha. I started sweating bullets! I was sitting right next to President Crawford and he just kept slapping my knee and whispering, "can you make that adjustment".....I was having to do math and divide all our numbers and make things different. I already had it typed and had given a copy to Elder Golden so I couldn't change it much. 

But after about 20 minutes of correcting, which really was good and helpful and done in a loving way, it was my turn. As I stood up President Crawford said "make him laugh or something to start to change the mood a little".  So I got up and said something stupid about my report being done because he gave it just how mine was or something...it made him laugh. Then I went on with the report and he didn't say anything after really. Not because it was so much better but because I think he didn't want to take the time.  But I was grateful for that, it saved me a little bit of humiliation. haha.

Second we went to the Training conference yesterday as well. It was so good! There was a lot of things that I think will be good. I realized I need to repent with my "less active" work.  Ive never really been a fan because that has been the reason for a lot of time wasted in the past but we'll figure it out! It would have been better if our ward mission leader came. 

This morning in conference call, President Crawford said that the change in missions with technology and the church tours will take place over time and in selected missions. As of right now we are still the same. 

Good news. Wendy got her answer!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is going to be baptized Saturday at 3:00! We are having to teach quick but we feel that she will be ready! 

We were also able to meet with Esequiel again, he is still pretty bummed out about his mother but we are going back on Wednesday. 

We also had a miracle with Ivan. He wasn't all that interested when we started to teach him but the more we talked the more he opened up. He said he is losing faith in God. Then as we talked more he said, "yeah I don't know about God, He doesn't really answer me, I'm so confused,  just the other day I was asking him what I needed to do, cuz just like you said "there are so many paths to take." Then he kept talking for a sec, we were both like wooooo buddy slow down! What did you ask him? Then we were able to talk to him and help him realize that God sent him us! It was a very spiritual lesson by the end! I'm super excited for him!

I know I am weak in my writings but pray for the spirit and you will be able to read this and feel the love I put into it and understand the meaning, despite the errors. And I, Elder Erickson write this with my own hand ;)

Con amor y respeto

Elder Erickson

Week 77: Enough Drive to Keep Going

Como andan!?

Thanks for the pictures of you trip! It looks like you had so much fun! I would love to go to Lake Tahoe! It look like such an amazing place. Nothing will ever beat Bear Lake but it did look like it was a fun place to go! I hope I can see more pictures soon!  Glad you got a suite instead of that other room. I don't think I could even see the carpet! haha but there is nothing wrong with being a little close right? haha y'all are family. 

This week was a hot one! Summer is here. When we got in the car after church it said 104. Good things bike come with a breeze once you start moving ;) It was a pretty frustrating week though, no one was home and we felt like not a lot of people want to talk to us. And the few that we did the devil would take them away. Example: we found one guy who was very interested but as soon as we really started to share what we do, the bus he was waiting for pulled up and he was gone.

We had so much going on this week that I never even had a full day in the area. We had a leadership training and 2 exchanges! On one of them we did some service and took out a concrete floor. It was fun but I haven't used a sledge hammer in a long long time! I'm still sore! and I have the hand of a 5 year old princess!! I have 3 big blood blisters and 4 other nice size blisters! haha. but I was able to get a good work out so that felt good! 

I did get my TRX sent off. It was a miracle how we got it. There isn't even a ups store in our zone so I took it when I went on exchanges with the AP's hoping they would have one but the closest one was is the wrong direction from where we were going so we just went on faith that we would see a UPS truck so I brought it with me...luckily we found one and I was able to give it to him!

Another miracle that kept me going this week happened yesterday. We were having a Zone fast to find families. We were breaking the fast at 5:00 and from morning until about 4:30 no one was in the street or answering the door. We went and tried Ezequiel but he didn't answer either, or come to church. But as we were trying to plan what to do next I sat down on the steps in the apartments where Ezequiel lives and we heard a little kid yell happy fathers day. We both kinda perked up and went and knocked... hoping to find a family. We knocked twice and nothing happened, but could still heard the kid.  So we went for three and struck out, we started walking down the stairs...but then a man opened the door! He let us in and we were able to talk to him! Turns out he went to church in Honduras a few times! So that was our miracle of the week that gave us enough drive to keep going!

Love y'all! this Wednesday we have a conference with Elder Golden from the 70! Its going to be good, we've heard he is pretty blunt! haha. 

Cuidense!

Con amor y respeto

Elder Erickson

Week 76: " ...brought by the hand of the Lord"

Hello family!

Those pictures of the Redwoods are amazing! It seems like a really great place, wish I could have gone with y'all....to a point! haha. At times the Ghetto is just a little better. 

This past week in Magnolia was a crazy one. I felt that it went by so fast! We had mission leadership meeting and exchanges and zone meeting and ward activities and missionaries to care for. I felt I was barley in the area! But we still had some really good things happen.

 A few weeks ago we found a man names Ezequiel. He is your average Mexican here in this area. No car, works long hours, raised catholic but doesn't go. He lives by himself and his daughter Reyna stays with him during the week. He is very nice and humble. We have taught him the restoration and he understood it fairly well. We invited him to be baptized the 29th of June and he accepted. We also invited him to a ward party where they were watching "The Other Side of Heaven".   The support from the ward and the fellow shipping was really disappointing but he did come and we finally got some members talking to him! It was perfect timing because the English ward also had a baptism that night So as soon as the movie was over we brought them out and they were able to see the baptism. Along with Wendy who I'll explain more ahorita.

Reyna loved the baptism and was disappointed when we told her she couldn't get baptized right then, she is 8. But the next day right as church was starting they both showed up again! They both said they liked church and that they will be coming back! We have planned to teach them this Wednesday!

Wendy I told you a little bit about, she just got her from El Salvador. She is a trooper. She is 16 and came all the way by herself and sadly not the proper way so it wasn't an easy trip. 2 Nefi 1:6 is all I can think about when she tells us stories. (2 Nephi 1: 6  Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that  there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.") She doesn't have friends or even know anyone except for the church. She goes to mutual and is getting ready to go to girls camp with the ward! 

At first I was thinking that she just likes the Church because its friends and social life not, spirituality. But then the more I think about it and that scripture, I know their is a reason that God brought her here!

Last night Elder Leiva and I had a nice drive through Houston pretty late! haha We had some sisters who weren't answering their phone so President asked us if we would go check on them. We drove about half an hour and then had a fun adventure trying to actually get in the complex. We had to find which apt. it was by looking for the Christ picture in the window because we didn't have an exact address. To get the gate open we had to yell at some guy who was on his balcony for the pass code. It was great fun! haha Felt like I was on another adventure with the bros....I guess it just felt rebellious because it was so late...oh the life of a missionary! haha

Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Love you all!

Con amor y respeto

Elder Erickson

Week 75: Broadway 3 / Magnolia

Questions from home:

I noticed from the "Focal Point" that  there is Broadway 1,2,and 3.  Which area do you serve in - or is it all of them?  I was also curious to know what the name of your zone is.  Is this the same area you were in when you were in a 3some?  

How many missionaries are in your zone?  I keep hearing how the MTC has so many Sisters flooding in.  How many Sisters do you have in your zone?

How is the new area and the new companion?   What is your new area called?  Do you have any investigators to work with in this new area?  Was the area white-washed, or was your comp there before?  -  So many questions...this is where it would be nice to just talk...

Que onda!? 

So before I forget I'm going to try and answer everyones questions. 

Right now I am serving in the Houston East Broadway Zone. There are two Zones in the Houston East Stake. It is split between Broadway and then Pasadena and Baytown. In our zone there are 3 wards. B.1 is an English ward. B.2 is Spanish and where I served last September. And B.3 is where were I am right now. The area I am in is called Magnolia. In our ward we have two sets of elders and one trio of Herman's. Which is also the same for B.2. and B.1 has two trios of sister missionaries. 

Its crazy how many sister missionaries there are. Drew was saying something about having sisters in their zone now or something...well we have 50% to 50% of Sisters and Elders in our mission. Its a joke. Not saying they are bad or anything...but they are all brand new! In the Summerwood zone there are 17 sisters, here we have 12. 

Elder Leiva was here in this area 1 transfer before I was. When I came in we had a couple of people to work with but not really. We don't have anyone really with a date right now....but were going to change that this week. This zone is struggling quite a bit right now so we have a lot of work to do. 

Our area is different than anywhere I've worked so far. Everyone is so new to the states...some I'm pretty sure are still drying off, its not racist I Love them so I can say things like that.  

One girl we are teaching who has a lot of potential just came from El Salvador about 2 weeks ago. Her grandma was already here and being taught and loves the gospel but can't be baptize because of....yes....marriage problems, again! But her Granddaughter really enjoyed church as well. We are teaching them tonight.    

The area is taking some getting used to. A lot of the people have to worry about where to live and what to eat so the appointment with the missionaries is the last thing on their minds. We have a lot of fallen appointments and a lot of "one timers" where we teach them a great lesson and then they are just gone. But every place can change! 

y'alls trip to Malan's peak sounds really fun! I love hearing about all the things you are doing at home! I hope you have a great trip to the Redwoods! Thanks for always sending me letters and keeping me  part of the family! even if you don't miss me I still feel that ya love me! haha 

Sorry it was just a bunch of info and no real stories this week! but at least you will now have a little more base for my stories!

les Amo y les Quiero

con amor y respeto

Elder Erickson

Week 74: I'm Spanish Again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello family!

Sorry things are all messed up! some HUGE changes have happened. I don't know where to begin. Sorry I didn't email yesterday, we had too much to do so it got cut first. I'm not sure if you're counting anymore but last week was transfers. I'm guessing you stopped keeping track. I did too. but I'm now Spanish again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT pretty crazy. I'm in probably the most Hispanic area in the mission. Its small enough to be a bike area.  It was a bike area before, but because we are zone leaders they give us a car....well actually a van. haha. YES I take pride in our 2013 Dodge Caravan. ha. We only use it when we have to go to meetings and church though. 

It's a little rough on my Spanish but it is coming back quicker than I thought, but I also thought it would take forever!!! And another thing that is going to help my Spanish is my companion. His name is Elder Leiva. He is from Santiago, Chile! He is really sweet! I've never really served around him but yesterday was a good day.  I'm excited for this transfer. My new area is almost right below Denver Harbor. Just across the Bayou. We switch every day at 2 what language we talk in so we both can have help. I'm really excited for the Spanish I'm going to learn. This is the area were you won't see a white person. period. so I'm pretty excited. No me callen bien. 

My new address is:

 Elder Ethan Erickson

6527 Miraglen #211

Houston, TX 77023

Its a complete switch. In everything. language. From a sweet set up living to a....sweet set up! haha ;)  from the largest zone to the smallest. We still have 26 but its smaller than the rest. 

As for my last week in Pine Trails we had some sweet things. On Sunday Shirley was there. We ended up pushing her date back one week so now we have set the 9th on June for her baptism. We had so much to teach we didn't want to rush things, everything is pretty important. Spencer and Ashley also showed up! We didn't even get to see them this last week but they still showed up! They left right as sacrament got over so we didn't get to talk to them but when I texted them to say bye they invited us over on Monday so we went out there for a few minutes to say bye. Its sad we had to give them to the sisters. Sisters are being put in Crosby so we wont get to teach them. As well as with Daniel and Francis. They live in Crosby as well and also came to church. IT was AMAZING. Daniel came in a white shirt  and tie and his hair was even slicked back!!!! haha I wish I had a picture of him so show you! not the kind of guy to do that. So it was a good way to go out!

We aren't taking a ton of time so ask questions of things I forgot and I'll try and answer them.

con amor y respeto! 

Elder Erickson

Shirley Johnson and Elder Erickson, this is where they taught her.

Elder Erickson and Elder Levia being "classy"

Week 73: John 3:16 "I Know"

Hey family!

I'm spending too much time looking at the pictures I was sent today! So many memories, as much as I hate pictures they sure are fun to look at! but I have a great story I would like to share today!

This last little bit has been a little slow as far as the "Miracles" go that just get you pumped up for missionary work. We have been drawing blanks for the past few "hour of power" sessions. I was thinking of the scriptures in Moroni about the only reason for they're not to be miracles is because of our faith. So I was blaming myself a bit. I felt that I had faith and in my past area I felt their were more miracles then I could write down every week!...so that night, Thursday, I was praying about it and thinking about it a lot.

 I Love how quick God answers our prayers. That next morning during companion study, which was short because we had district meetings to attend. We got a call from Shirley Johnson. She was an investigator we were teaching about a month ago. We went through lessons 1, 2 and 3 fairly fast. She studied the pamphlets really well and she knew things before we came so teaching was great with her, until one day she texted us and told us not to come by anymore and that she was just going to "read on her own" aka forget all of it and never read again - or so I thought. When we answered the phone she said "would y'all have time to come back and visit me? I want to study with you again"....I was amazed!!!

 We made some changes in our plans and went that afternoon. When we got there we asked her what made her want to call us back and she said how she "felt" that she needed to read the book and study with us again. and also how she "wanted to go through with the baptism" and then she joked how she "kinda missed the date we had set" She is a 50 year old lady who likes cowboys/girls and motorcycles and camping and fishing, real down to earth lady. She is awesome! I Love her!

She came to church and got along great with the members. They talked a lot about sealings and temples in the 3rd hour. We had 5 new faces at church so it was a lot of questions after church! haha sound familiar to the Ortega's?? haha

We also had a lesson with Tim...He is a tough cookie. We had a long lesson on the "Love of God" and "How to know He Loves us" it was very deep. I feel so bad for Tim not having that Knowledge. I Know my Heavenly Father Loves me. I Know it without a doubt and I know nothing will ever change that! For anyone who care say they KNOW he loves them then I give you the same commitment we gave Tim JOHN 3:16. A scripture that has been used to much it almost doesn't have the same meaning. But read it. Every night before you go to bed. Then in your prayers try and really understand it! Tim says you can also break everything down with the question WHY?...so ask yourself why God loves you!

Con amor y respeto

Elder Erickson