Our Best Christmas Gift!

We had been looking forward to this ever since Mother's Day!  Best Christmas present EVER!

Week 67

A White Christmas

Merry Christmas from Poza Rica!!!!  It was only 95 degrees outside yesterday for christmas hahaha!  I love it.

So for Christmas we ended up baptizing!  It was actually a miracle!  We found this hermana the first day i showed up.  Her 3 older kids are members already of the church, and she wasnt able to get baptized before because she was living with someone, and he didnt want to get married, nor leave the house.  But when we found her, her husband thing had just left for good from the house!  So since we started teaching her she has just been golden, and she already knew everything.  But on saturday she ended up telling us that she wanted to wait until the 8th of january to get baptized, but we explained to her that we didnt want satan to win, so she got excited again.  Later that night we got a call from a member in the ward who went to visit her and she told him that she didnt want to get baptized again, so we just decided okay, we wont pressure her.  So we showed up to sacrament meeting and there she was sitting with her backpack full of extra clothes and towels, and she was ready to be baptized, and she just said "were going to beat satan right?" so we had a little mini heart attack fill up the baptismal font, and run to the house for baptismal clothing, and at the end of the day she was able to be baptized by her 16 year old son.  Really fun baptism, and a huge blessing.

Oh and I talked to my family, that was cool.  

 

Besides that one of my best friends in the mission just got sent to my zone ! so thats gonna be fun haha.  

 

Love you all!

 

 

Week 66

FELIZ NAVIDAD

Its kind of hard to remember that sunday is going to be christmas when its always hot outside, but were trying to get into the christmas spirit by serving and working as hard as we can, and of course baptizing!

This week was once again slammed, on monday we had to send some missionaries to xalapa at 4 in the morning, and babysit some other missionaries for a few hours, tuesday we were in the bus station from 5 am until about 3,  wednesday I got a random trip to xalapa and back for my visa, thursday we had to take care of the assistants, friday we had our zone christmas conference, and saturday we finally had a day to work hahahah!  But after so much stuff saturday we were kind of worn out.  But even though we had about 2 days of working hours, we  still ending up having better results than almost the whole zone!  We are trying to learn to get rid of excuses in our zone, excuses are just a lack of faith.

 

This week we were also able to baptize!  Argelia was able to get baptized, as well as a little girl named Allyson, but she counted for the ward because she is only 8 and her mother is member.  But it was a great baptism, and we had tons of support from our ward.  This family was inactive for about 15 years, and the missionaries before me found them, and started to reactivate them, and Argelia´s husband was able to recieve the priesthood and was able to baptize his wife.  The family has changed 100% since they got back to the church, and its a great blessing to be able to be a part of that change.
In this christmas week I just want to invite you all to learn what true christmas spirit is... Serving your fellow being!  For those who have yet to see this years christmas video from the church, go see it on Mormon.org!  Follow the ideas that come from each day in these last days before christmas.  Do everything you can to be able to serve someone else, Make Christmas great again.. 

Love you all and merry christmas!

 

Elder Hodson

 

 

Week 65

Consejo y TRABAJO

Well this week was a weird one.  On Monday we went to xalapa from here (about 6 hours), then had whats called consejo with our president and the assistants and all the other zone leaders, and we got to talk about the goals, achievements, and plans for the mission.  We talked about a talk that Elder Bednar gave in Conferenced called "ye knew me not" and its a great talk.  Talks about if we really know christ, or if we are just coming to know more about Christ.

Then on Wednesday we gave our zone class, and so about half of our working week was taken up in those things.  My companion told me that consejo makes it really hard to work, and I definitely saw that, but either way we just kept on working, and we had one of the worst weeks numbers wise, but For the sacrifice of those few days heavenly father made up for it, and we had a great day in church on sunday.  We have a few familes progressing, and a baptism set for next sunday, and the sunday after, and theres a little miracle in there for the week after.  Exciting stuff.  

 

Ive also learned that being a zone leader sometimes is just being "chief Morale Officer" as my dad would call it.  But its honestly really fun, you learn a ton when you have other missionaries to take care of.  I feel like this is how parents have to feel when their kids wont do the right thing.  Or how God feels when we dont keep his commandments.

 

Besides that all is good.  We played jeopardy as a zone in the morning, and we went to a teleton hospital, where they take care of kids that have physical and mental problems, and we were able to serve there and help them out.  I love service.  For those who havent seen it yet, go to Mormon.org, and watch the video, and check out the ideas to become more like christ.  It´s nice to have a daily plan for these days before christmas!

 

oh also i have the coolest grandma in the world.

 

Love you all!

Elder Hodson

 

The couch pic was a collection of things we found in our house, and an ugly sweater someone gave to me.

We also saw my first converts, and they are officially missionaries in the stake center, and they have nametags and everything.

 

 

Week 64

Poza York

Well this was my first week as zone leader here in poza rica, and dang the learning curve of being a missionary hits hard as a zone leader.  Its honestly been a huge testimony builder for me to see how much of a difference the little things, and obedience in the little things make a huge change and a huge difference in the work. Its just the question of how can we help the rest of our missionaries see that and comprehend that.

But Im loving it here in poza rica.  Its hot as all death again, but im across the street from my first area here, so i feel at home haha.  My companion is awesome as well, his name is Elder Dominguez, hes got a really cool story.  Hes fairly new in the mission as well, he only has 8 months, but he has been a great missionary.  His Family got baptized about a year ago, but he has the light of someone thats been a member his whole life.  Aparrently his mom a few years back met his now step dad on facebook.  His dad lived in utah, but was working in the airforce on a base here in mexico.  Somehow they ended up dating, and after a short while getting married, and his mom and his sister got baptized first.  He was rebellious, and didnt want to join in on the fun, so he didnt get baptized.  His family started to pray and fast for him, and prayed that he might be humbled, and he was humbled, and humbled very well according to him, and took the missionary lessons, and was baptized.  He had a full conversion, and after a year, and lots of preparation hes here in the mission!  Its fun being with him, and we have lots of work, but lots of desires for this zone, and we are going to have the best zone in the mission.

I got here and thanks to the work of other missionaries, we had two baptisms!  They had been in teaching for about 4 months, and are really good people.  But ill include the pictures in the end. 

Besides that all is well, i love the mission, and Im having tons of fun.

 

Love 

Elder Hodson

 

 

Facebook finds!!

I love to find random pics of my boy on the Mexico Xalapa Mission facebook page!  Cute missionary!

Week 63

Zone Leader !

So this week was a combination of crazy stuff!  We finally got this area working on its on, and we have a few families in teaching, and I already fell in love with this area, and i got a call last night from our assistants, and its something i knew was going to happen, but i got called to be zone leader in the zone where i started my mission!  Its the ward thats in the same building where i went to when i was just a little greenie haha.  But im nervous, but excited!  Im humbled to be a zone leader, but happy that the lord trusts me enough to serve in this assignment.  The exciting part is ill be able to see all my converts and my old couple!

Besides that i spent 2 days dying in home, then on thursday i felt 100 times better and we could work!  And we basically made up for all the work we lost in those days, and we worked our butts off! 

 

Im sad to be leaving my son, but he is more than ready to go out on his own haha, hes been amazing, and is a great missionary, so im stoked for him.  

 

Besides that the work goes on i guess haha, every area is awesome, and im excited to be able to keep working.

 

Love you all!

Elder Hodson

 

 

Week 62

Puercoespinos y Antorchistas

I think this has been one of the funniest weeks of my mission just because Donald Trump won.  But thats another story.

Well this week was another fun one, we worked a ton, and weve seen some good fruits.  On sunday there was a mexico wide conference, and one of our investigators dads was able to go with us, and he has had a huge change in heart.  Hes a biologist and has done some huge things here in mexico, and he said on sunday "i need to change my life and start seeing things with a spiritual eye instead of a science eye".  So were going to keep working with him.

We also have been having a little bit more success in a little pueblo, its really fun in pueblos, and even more when there are members to help, because everyone is happier in a pueblo.  

Still on my antihaircut as well,  im going for the thor look.  Or until i find a haircut i can actually use without my mission presidents wife getting upset with me haha.

 

On saturday we went to a random little place, and its a colony of antorchistas, or people that basically nag the government and hold rallies until the government gives in and gives them things.  Pretty interesting little place, it was in the middle of nowhere as well.

 

Also in another pueblo some investigators had a little porcupine, but i didnt grab him because he has lots of spines.

 

Ive been learning a ton lately.  I love learning about the gospel..  I love trying to figure out the things that dont make any sense and questions that are difficult to explain.  My teaching as well i feel like has progressed a lot, and my son is learning a ton.  Hes very humble, and easy to teach.  Theres another new missionary here in the other area, but he is still very very prideful, so we are "breaking his heart" in a scriptural sense.  I think one of the most important things ive learned in the mission is the importance of being humble when it comes to learning.  Becoming like a child.

 

Alls well in the promised land

Love you all

Elder Hodson

 

 

Week 61

Mi Hijo Amado

Well this week was my first week with my beloved son, and let me tell you, training is the best in the mission.  Its so fun to be able to start over, and just learn everything from 0 all over.  It really helps us to be able to forget the things that dont work, and remember how to work like a newbie.

Its also really fun, and funny to have a new companion, just seeing what they say.  The other day an investigator asked my son "and whats your name?" and my companion responded, "joohn.... digo elder Morales." and got super red.  It was pretty funny.  But hes awesome, and and has great desires to work and baptize.  Its a giant responsibilty, and im tired as all tired can be, but working in the lords vineyard is the best job in the world. 

 

This sunday we only had two people in church, but the father of one of our investigators went to church!  He hasnt gone to a church in about 20 years, and i think he loved it a ton, but third hour one of those rough members went in the class and starting preaching about tithing, and abstract things, so its gonna be a little difficult to get him to not have a bad image about church.

 

It´s always awesome when members help out as well, this sunday we did divisions with members, and I think i found the new amulek.  He took us to the pueblo where he lives, and just started introducing us to everyone!  He really wants to build a branch where he lives, so were gonna help him out!

 

Oh also my hair is really long, because the mission presidents wife told me not to cut it.  Im going for the pantene look.

 

Alls well in the mission! Love you all

 

Elder Hodson

 

 

 

Week 60

Training!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the most exciting phone call ive gotten in my mission happened today!  We were just casually studying, and the assistants called me to tell me that I will be training this upcoming change!!!!  This week was really rough, but that call just made it all better!  So today is my official pday because on monday i will be going to recieve my little son.  Im honestly so excited, and humbled by the opportunity.

Besides that this week was kind of rough!  But its all good.   We didnt have too much success this week, and sadly one of our investigators wont be able to get baptized for a little longer, because of some past problems, and honestly that has been hard for me, but its all good, we are going to keep on working with him.  

 

Im really excited to be able to work with a new, because training always has tons of miracles, and this should be a super fun change! 

 

But thats about all, i wont be able to write until the next monday, so keep us in our prayers, i need to baptize weekly!

 

Love,

Elder Hodson

 

 

Week 59

Ciudad de Café

Well one more week here in the great pueblo of coatepec.  I love it here!  Ive been having a great time here.

This week was good!  We have been working a lot more by the church building, but i feel like that area is a little overworked, but were going to keep looking around.

 

Our golden investigator carlos keeps on being golden.  We managed to contact his entire family as well.  They are all equally as weird hahaha, but theyre awesome!  The dad apparently 40 years ago took lessons with missionaries, but still isnt convinced, but he has started his search.  They are all very accepting, and so far have fulfilled their commitments, so thats always exciting.

 

On a sad note, saturday we were going to baptize, but 0 members showed up to the baptism, so instead of having a really depressing baptism, we decided to move it.  Im honestly a little upset, and just embarrased for our investigator, but he didnt seem too upset.  Its been hard for him as well to make the sacrifice for the gospel, but he is willing to keep pushing on. 

 

My invintation to everyone at home is not to be a sunday only member, and to learn that the gospel is every single day. Especially in these last days, everytime i hear whats happening with our two candidates for president, it just is a showing that the second coming is near.  And like my president says im going to the celestial kingdom, but the question is are you coming with me? So make sure youre all ready for that day.

 

Love you all!

Elder Hodson

 

 

Week 58

Conferencia de Estaca

This week was awesome!  Im finally into the position where i actually know the area, and have it set in a better way.

This week started off great!  We found 5 news on tuesday, so we put ourselves in a much better position.  We found one guy thats 25 years old, and he is the definition of what a convert will be.  He let us in, and understood everything perfect.  When he heard that we have a prophet today, he couldnt be happier, and basically was signing up to be baptized.  Hes a little bit weird, but he is excited to be able to change his life.  He went to stake conference, and our mission president was super excited to see him as well.  Im really excited for him.  The day after we taught him he went to the catholic church, and told them they were wrong, and he is never going back there!  Its gonna be fun to teach him.  He really is a huge blessing.

We also had interviews and some special changes with our assistants, so this week was a little hectic, but were back to normal.

The work is moving along now, im planning the bauticambio, i should be able to do it here.

In stake conference, the stake president talked about the requirements to live in the celestial kingdom, and they really arent easy requirements, so all of you at home, think about what youre doing today to prepare to become like god, and to live in the presence of a celestial being!

Love you all!  

Elder Hodson

 

The pic with the random stranger was a drunk guy that was telling me we were basically twins, and that i was black hahaha.  Oh we had a quick little basketball match, and the court was a little dirty.

 

 

Week 57

General Conference

This week was a hard one !  But the workis the work.  Tuesday we were getting everything set up for a pair of investigators to get married, and later that day the husbands father had a heart attack and passed away.  He has been having a rough time with that, and as a result he went back to his old ways of drinking to cover the pain. So we have to work really hard with him to get things back to normal,  I really hope we can help him to see the importance of baptism to his salvation, and the future salvation of his father.

I think the hardest part of teaching the gospel is getting people to give up traditions of man for teachings of God.

 

We also had a baptism that was set for sunday, but the joven´s parents got very upset with him, and basically locked him in the house, and lots of problems with his parents because of gossip and false doctrine about the church.  But we are going to be like alma and baptize is secret haha,he is 20 years old either way, but it was a let down this sun.

 

On a good note CONFERENCE WAS AMAZING. Lots and lots of bashing on the members haha.  Hopefully the members here took something out of it.  Something i learned was we judge people when we shouldnt. I have said "no lets not bring that member, bc ive heard he is crazy." and i am denying them the opportunity to preach the gospel.  So we are starting to visit all the members and getting their work hours to be able to bring them to lessons, and show them how unuseful itis to contact, instead of references.

 

Thats all for this week, i love it here!

Elderr Hodson

Week 56

La Gloria Celestial

 

Well one week here in Coatepec and i am absolutely in love with this area.  i swear its been everything Ive been waiting for my whole mission.  basically everything i have complained about my mission doesnt exist here haha.  It´s cold here, basically that sums up a lot.  But the work here is going real nice.  We have a baptism this sunday, and the sunday after, and hopefully we have a miracle for the 16th, we have a family for that day, but its not set completely yet, but ill talk about her in a sec.

Its been great this week though, we hit the ground running here, and im excited for that.  Its the first companion in a long time that hasnt been dead, so thats exciting.  He literally takes talk with everyone literally, and i absolutely love that!  Its something i havent been good at, but he just talks to everyone, no fear in that little man.  

 

My district is great as well,  I have the two assistents, and elder santos(my old companion), and his companion.  So its really fun.  I dont have to pressure them either which is nice, we are setting up what we called a bautidistritomes, where each of us baptizes every week of the month of octuber.  Its a huge goal of mine that i really want to work out,  so we are working super hard for that.

A really cool experience happened to me this week, i think it was thursday.  In the morning i had studied D&C 29, and it talks a lot about the plan of salvation, but verse 39 really stuck out to me in the morning and it says

 

39 And it must needs be that the devil should tempt thechildren of men, 

or they could not be agents untothemselves; for if they never should have bitter 

they could not know the sweet—

 

So I read that in the morning, really liked it, kept on studying, and yeah.  Later that day we had a lesson with someone that i had yet met, and she is great.  her husband is member, and they have two children who are yet members, but they have had some huge problems in their marriage, and she has been struggling a lot.  So we started to teach her, and I decided I would share that same scripture with her, and she really was touched by that scripture, so we invited her to know the sweet.  Still hasnt accepted baptism yet, but she came to church even though she had other plans set, and she was sitting with her husband.  I cant explain it well, but it was a huge testimony builder for me because i had yet met her, but the lord was preparing me to be a tool in his hands.

 

Besides that all is happy, im going to chilis tomorrow, so im super happy.

 

Love you all!

Elder Hodson

Week 55

Coatepec El pueblo magico

Changeeeeesssss woooh, i am going to an area called coatepec.  And as far as ive heard it is amazing there(also that it is the coffee capital of mexico)!  I will be serving as district leader with elder Perez, and I am honestly so excited to be able to go to xalapa!  I was only in this area for 5 weeks haha, but im honestly super excited to be able to serve in that area, and ive already got some references from a super awesome member who is from coatepec who has a ton of family there, so i promised her id baptize her family if she came to the baptisms haha.

Besides that not much news,  this week was a hard week for us, lots of dry contacts and people that dont have any desire to be blessed and be recieved in the glory of god.

 

Something i love to study and is a great thing to study is grace.  But i honestly cannot explain it as well as brad wilcox, so i invite you all to listen to his grace is sufficient by brad wilcox.  One of my favorite parts is when he says "Heaven wont be heaven for those who are not heavenly". This life and our purpose is to live with our heavenly father, and now my desire is to help others to recognize why that is so important.  

I love you all!
Elder Hodson