Saturday, March 25, 2017

Week 79

The Hard Truth


Well this week was a little bit more relaxed, we had a decent amount of let downs, but its all good.  Im fairly happy though.

We had interviews.. again... This week.  and we also had stake conference.  Theres just always things going on lately, its been stressful, hopefully president calms down with all the different stuff going on.
 
I was reading a story the other day and it made me laugh, but its exactly what we do in our lives.  It goes like this, 

The Storm of Truth
The earth is the center of the universe, and the sun and moon revolve around it. Such was the authoritative pronouncement of Ptolemy about A.D. 150. He was a renowned astronomer of ancient time. He was in
accord with the thinking of Aristotle.1 He had all the intellectual credentials. His declaration was universally
accepted. But there was one major problem: he was wrong—absolutely wrong. Nonetheless, this theory of
an earth-centered universe flourished for fourteen hundred years as "gospel truth" in both the scientific and
religious communities.2 To think otherwise was to think the unthinkable.
It was not until 1543 that Copernicus, followed some years later by Galileo and Kepler, challenged this
seemingly ironclad "truth." In direct opposition to Ptolemy, these independent thinkers taught, and ultimately
proved, that the earth was not a stationary body at the center of the universe, but rather, a moving planet that
revolved, like all other planets, around the sun.
Such a disclosure sent a shock wave through the civilized world. Long-accepted assumptions began to be
undermined. The underlying rationale of the cosmos and its orbital movements was being challenged and
compromised. The seemingly rock-solid foundation for an earth-centered universe was disintegrating with
each new discovery. The storm of truth had hit, and the facade of falsehood could not withstand its
onslaught.
Nonetheless, the reaction to the truth when it was finally proposed by courageous men was violently
opposed and rejected by many. That reaction was reflected in the attitude of a friend of Galileo who refused
to look through Galileo's telescope "because he really did not want to see that which he had so firmly
denied."3 These errant believers were being told that their precious gold was fools' gold; their diamonds,
quartz; their foundation of rock, a quagmire of quicksand. It was not easy to swallow. Falsehood never flees
easily. It does not give up ground without a fight. After fourteen hundred years, its roots were deep-seated.
It would take more than a small tug to uproot it. It would take men who were bold and honest and tenacious.
One such man was Galileo. With his newly discovered telescope, he charted the skies and learned for
himself that the earth was not a stationary body at the center of the universe, but rather a planet that revolves
around the sun. For his adherence to the truth he was brought before the Inquisition. Under threat of torture,
he recanted his belief in an orbiting earth, but as he exited the proceedings, he was heard to mutter, "And yet
it does move."4 The truth had surfaced, never again to be silenced.
 
Many times in our lives instead of finding fault in ourselves and accepting it, we try our hardest to prove things are true.  This the opposite of humility. If we are humble we will learn faster, and life will be made much easier for us.
 
Love you All!
Elder Hodson

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Week 78

Xalapa or Poza


Well this week i spent just about all of 2 days in our area working hahaha.  We went to consejo on wednesday, had consejo thursday then we had to stay an extra day because my comp had to get his visa extended, but it was fun to be in xalapa.

In the two days we were here we had a good few days.  
The lord blesses those who sacrifice their time, and we definitely saw that this week.  Its something that we always see, and it always happens.  This week in the two days that we had, we found a decent amount of new investigators, and i got more calls than ever from members telling us that they have references.  So thats exciting, and we have a good week setup for us!
 
My new companion is Elder Pineda, hes from costa rica, and he has about a year in the mission now.  Hes a good kid, its always fun to be with new companions.  He is a very hard worker, but he likes to have fun.  He gets along with people very easily as well, so that helps a ton.  Were gonna have tons of success together!
 
Lifes great!  Love you all
Elder Hodson
 





 
 

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Week 77

Changes


Well I have about 5 seconds to write a quick letter to everyone!

This week was the last week of the change, and as usual it was a bit slower.  But Changes have come! Im staying here in poza Rica, and my companion is going to xalapa to be the next assistent, weve been calling that one for a while, and its good for him.  My new companion is Elder Pineda, hes got about a year in the mission, ive met him a few times, and he seems like a good kid.  But we have tons of work ahead of us in the change, with about half of the zone leaving, but all will be well.

The other day we had a recent convert tell us "I dont want to go to church anymore, because i dont have time"  and a bunch of other things like such.  It was honestly saddening to see someone want to give up so fast on the gospel.  Lots of people think that this gospel should be easy, but being a member is not an oppurtunity, but a blessing and a sacrifice.  People sadly dont see it like that most of the time.  So we talked with her, and she had a slight change of heart, but she needs lots of work.  If jesus was perfect, and was treated as such, we must as well be tested to learn.  Dont ever give up!
 
Love you all !
Elder Hodson

Week 76

La mejor Zona en la Mision


Well we finally did it! We are officially the best zone in the mission!!! Im pretty excited about that.  Since I got here thats been our goal and we finally hit it!  We only had 21 baptisms, but thats the most we have had in this zone for a long time, and its better than the rest of the mission!!! So that was a good feeling!

Ive also gotten to the point where i only have 6 months left.  Time flies in the mission.  I was listening to a talk from President Monson from the 70s where he talks about enduring to the end and it was called "finishers wanted" and it kind of put my life in perspect.  I dont want to end up failing in my last 6 months, but i want to go home working and having a feeling of satisfaction with what i have done.  I dont feel like ive gotten to that point, so I´ve got 6 months to fix that.
Besides that lifes great!

Love you all!
Elder Hodson