Sept 9, 2013 - MY NEW COMP IS SICK (literally!!)

OK Momma, so here's the deal with me and my new companion...we are pretty tight,  he is from Draper and went to Alta High.  His name is Elder C....we get along great.  He is super nice and always wants to work so its not hard training him.  He is tall and has blond hair,  I will send you a pic of him.   Also Elder A. is trainng someone and his name is Elder C. and he is also super cool.   So right now our house is bumbin... Hahaha!!
Last night was one of the worst nights of my life ... me and my companion both got sooooo sick and stayed in bed all day.   I honestly haven't felt that sick in a long time ... I wanted to die.   I puked 2 times yesterday and had the worst diarrhea ever. I actually missed the toilet when I was puking cuz the power was out so I had not idea where the toilet was...Hahaha!!  It was super funny.   When we are sick we have to call Hermana Valdez and while I was on the phone with her I started puking... Hahaha!!  She thought it was super funny.   I am on some serious medication...I am feeling pretty good right now.  I have to eat Gerber baby food because that is what Hermana Valdez told me to do.
But this week has been crazy cuz I have had to talk the whole time in our lessons but I have been doing a good job I think.   We have had some good lessons for sure.   I am super pumped about our lessons... like not because our Spanish is good but because we are obedient.  Just goes to show that it doesn't matter how good your lesson or language is, what matters is if you have the spirit in your lessons.  I am not gonna lie, I feel way better about my Spanish.  We are working super hard in this area and we are going to have a babtism this Friday with the mom of Oscar.  Other than that we are just trying to work really hard right now.  You would  be proud.
I think I have gained close to 20 pounds out here from all the tacos, but I am sure I lost it all last night and I am back to normal...Hahaha!!
I love you tons Momma, I am doing good here...just make sure you keep me in your prayers.
Les amo mucho...aka I love you all!!


Burger King!

My roommates

What?  You don't like??






 

September 2, 2013 - ESTRELLA

I got called ..............................to.......................TRAIN!!  Hahaha!  I am training a kid from the states named Elder Clark.  He is brand new and I have to go pick him up tomorrow. Hahaha!  I will pick him up with all the other new guys at transfers.  I get to see Elder W.  and Elder Y.,  and by the way Elder W.  is going to Rosal (aka the ward next to San Pedro).   Elder W. and Elder Y. are in the same district and Elder Y. got called to be district leader there. 
It took a while for me to get on the internet today because we had to hand wash our clothes so we could have them ready for Elder C. tomorrow when he leaves.   So Elder C is peacin out and me and Elder A. (actually he is really cool,  I love him tons) are going to train here in Estrella, 2 new missionaries.   It will be awesome . 
Oh ya,  also Elder G. went home 2 days early because of visa problems, so for the last 2 days and until tomorrow we are a threesome.
I know I am gonna work super hard with this new Elder Clark.   I just hope he is a good elder... if not I will make him one!!  I am just kinda nervous cuz  I only got 4 weeks in this area and don't know it very well.   So I am kinda nervous... keep me in your prayers big time this week.
The other day I had a cool experience. I was sitting in church feeling way bad for myself,  just kinda complaining about my Spanish and stuff and like I just had a cool feeling like the Lord telling me that I am way to hard on myself.   That I know Spanish and I just have to talk or I am never gonna learn... ever since that I have felt way better out here.  It was way cool.
We were suppose to have 2 baptisms this week and we only had 1.   I baptized Oscar, it was sooooo sick,  his mom didn't pass her interview but she will this week, so we should baptize her on Friday or Saturday.  We also baptized  a little boy named Carlos who just turned 8.  I don't know if that counts as a baptism but ya that's what happened.   But Oscar's baptism was a super big testimony builder for me.   It was the first time I have been in the water. It was just super cool I cant really explain it.
We are teaching some other people right now.  One of them is David, and he is 17 and a freakin gangsta and loves me...Hahaha!!  I gave him a gangsta tie the other day and he wore it to church.  His mom is a member but his dad isn't, but he goes to church every week with his cousins cuz they are active.  He can't get baptized cuz he doesn't have permission from his dad yet, but we are going to talk to him about that this week hopefully.
I weighed myself the other day for the first time ... I have gained 20 pounds..... no joke,  I am fat,  I weigh like 156,  no joke..... unless the scale is broke....just face it man.. you have a fat son!!
Don't worry,  I can still take Kyle don't worry... and I am  gonna try to be the best trainer I can don't worry!!

Hasta Luego,
Love you all tons!!

Today was Labor Day and Josh's cousins Hayden and Ethan were at our house when Josh's email came through.  Here are some of the questions they asked him.

ETHAN:
"How many beans and street tacos do you eat in a day?"

JOSH:
"Ethan,  I eat abut 8000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 beans everyday ..... that's a lot hahaha!!!"

ETHAN:
"Do you get really gassy?"

JOSH:
"I did at first, but I am Mexican now, so it doesn't phase me...Hahaha!!"

HAYDEN:
"I have Coach Smith for health this year."

JOSH:
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Rick Smith is soooo sick Hayd!   Tell him that your me and Kyle's cousin and he will give you an automatic A!!  Hahaha!!"

ETHAN:
"P.S. this is Ethan still and I love you"

JOSH:
"Love you too, E!!"

This is Kyle, Ethan and Hayden emailing Josh on Labor Day...
drinking a coke in honor of him!!

We sent him this picture of the boys while they were emailing back and forth.  This was Josh's comment, 
"Holy Sick,  tell them ... provecho!!  (enjoy in Spanish)   Hahaha!!  I am so jealous,  I  wish I could have one (Coca-Cola) of those right now.  Hahaha!! tell them I  love them all so much!!

  

We went to the Temple again because Elder C. was sick and
there is a doctor there for the missionaries.

My roommates!!

August 12, 2013 - ON THE MOVE...AGAIN!!

I got a ton of crap to tell you... I had special changes and now I am in Estrella with a new companion, Elder C.   I am in a new area, it kind of sucks but I'm getting use to it.   I liked Elder G. but Elder C. is cool too.  He has served 13 months here.  This all happened on your birthday, so I got to celebrate it by packing and moving...it sucked...and by the way I didn't forget your birthday.  I  have no idea why they transferred me.  I think it's because an elder went home and I came here to take his place.   But whatever ... the area is super nice,  and we have a General Authority in our ward.
It's actually not very far from Tlahauc... but I am not in the same zone anymore so I wont get to see Elder W. ... but whatever.  The people here are really cool and I am just trying to get into the flow here.  The missionaries I live with right now are cool.  My companion is Elder C. is from Torreon Mexico and so far we get a long good.   Again, I live with three Latinos,  Hahaha!!  My companion who is from Mexico,  Elder A. (district leader) is from Colombia and Elder G. from Peru.
Elder C. is funny, he almost puked in our food appointment the other day because he hates eating cactus and we ate it... I laughed sooo hard... Hahaha!!  The ward is definitely bigger,  actually way bigger than San Pedro... so the biggest I have served so far.
Actually one cool thing is,  that we baptized a kid named Erick.  So now I have two baptisms.   Hahaha!  It doesn't really count but whatever.  I haven't met everyone but we have a mom and son we are teaching and they have a date for the 30th to be baptized, but other than that we don't really have a whole lot.
The food is the same pretty much in all the areas,  but I really think I am addicted to hot food now I load all of my food with salsa... Hahaha!!
Oh ya,  I forgot to tell you we have to move out and find a house soon cuz I don't think the President wants four of us living together.  I don't know why we all can't live together honestly, but we have to find a place to live ourselves.   Hahaha...that sucks!  The mission home worries about the furniture and all the stuff .  So don't worry, we have members looking and helping us too.
Love you tons Momma,  I will write you next week love you...ADIOS!!!!


Elder C. and I

My new roommates...Elder G., Elder A. and Elder C.

Erick at his baptism

They call hot girls "Pinas" here...at least the missionaries do,
so I got a picture with a "Hot Pina", Hahaha!!

August 5, 2013 - COME ON HERB, NO ONE IS QUITTIN HERE!

This week was sick, we had 4 investigators at church.  Which is the most I have ever had here in the mission, I think... Hahaha!!  And we only have had  2 weeks here in this area.  Honestly,  I can just feel the Lord helping us out a ton.  No joke, me and Elder G. work super hard.   This week was good and also I feel more in the loop with these guys.  I can joke around and talk more with them.  I love Elder G., he is sooo funny I laugh so hard at him...he's a gangster!!  But anyways,  I really am just getting into the groove of things.   I mean its still super hard and the days are tough but I really can understand about 80 percent of everything and its awesome.
Our  investigators  are 2 girls who are like 10 and 9 and they haven't got baptized yet cuz their family is less active, but they are technically investigators right now for us.  And also we have another lady who is less active and her husband.   We taught him and told us he didn't want to read or pray to find out if the church was true or not but ended up going to church the next day it was awesome. We are teaching all of those people a ton and we are still  trying to contact more people.
I get to see Elder W. today.  I  doubt if we will ever be comps again.   But for my last transfer in the mission when I'm tight with the President,  I am gonna ask if I can serve with him for my last transfer or something.   The mission president told us that a general authority is gonna come and talk to us on the 18th...I am stoked!

I needed some new shoes so I bought some new ganster penny loafers.  I think they were like 70 bucks.  Melanie wrote me and sent me some pic of trek...Hahaha!! they are sick

I got to go, I got hunnies to write...... Kyle, stop lying to yourself .. I am the best looking man in the family!!
COME ON HERB NO ONE IS QUITTIN HERE!!!  Alright, love ya, peace out and adios!!


That's my nice bum ..
 This is a members panaderia (bread shop) and we helped him
out for awhile

No joke a guy was walking his bull down the street on a leash ...
Hahaha!! (notice a saddle - only in Mexico) 

Elder G. and I

That's the Tree of Life

(in San Pedro)

LOS GUEROS  (aka the white guys)
The Beatles picture was my idea, I made the
elders take it with me before I peaced out from San Pedro
( I even don't have shoes on like Paul McCartney... Hahahaha!)
 

July 29, 2013 - TLAHAUC

K, so everything is pretty cool here in Tlahuac.  We don't have really anything here cuz we are both new to the area and opening it up Elder G who only has 6 weeks left.   I hope that we can work super hard for his last weeks.   I live with 3 Latinos and its super hard for me cuz I don't get any of the jokes and stuff, but hopefully I can learn spanish super fast with them.  I am serving with two Elder Garcias... Hahaha!!  One is from Merida and one from Guadalajara.  So far I get along with them but I feel out of the loop cuz I don't speak Spanish and don't understand everything.
Honestly, I think when Elder G. leaves I will train here.... but I am not sure maybe I'm  not ready to train.  My companion is cool though and really does want to work and be a good missionary, even with him going home soon.
Elder G. is from Colombia and super funny... Hahaha!  I laugh so hard at him cuz he really is niccin funny.  Hahaha!  My apartment sucks... the shower is balls cold every morning and the town is ghetto.  That's honestly the only way I can explain it... Hahaha!  I would send you pics but I can't cuz I lost my cord.. I will buy one next week though.  But maybe I can use my comps cord .. I will ask.
I am super blessed to live with three beandaddys.  I can already tell my Spanish is getting better plus my accent is getting better too, by the end of this transfer I think I will be good enough to be on my own.  Hopefully. 
The ward is good I got up and had to bear my testimony.   It was sick I talked for like three minutes and just made the people laugh saying that I love Mexico because of the people and the tacos in the street... Hahaha!!  They thought that was super funny.   Hahaha!!  The building is cool too I think its actually a stake center and three other wards meet there.
Elder W. is in my stake... Hahaha!!   I am sooo stoked.   I talked to him last night and he is doing super good .   I  saw him at changes and it was sooo sick Hahaha!!  and  I will see him in a week or two at zone conference
I got your package last week...Hahaha!  Thanks a ton, that tie is siiiickkkk!!!  I am at a café which is owned by a member so it's freeeeeee!!!
Honestly,  Mom I feel good here ... like I don't want to come home or anything.   I had a dream I came home the other day and I woke up sooo sad.  Hahaha!! like I just want to learn Spanish and baptize people... that's all!!
Got to go! K love you tons ...PEACE OUT!!!

July 22, 2013 - MY FIRST MOVE

K,  so I'm super depressed right now and I'm not gonna lie, I really like Elder Y. and we have so much fun together.. I am getting moved to a place called Tlahuac, aka the hood.  I have heard but I am going to be with Elder G. or something and we are opening up an area together.  I am scared and don't know what I am gonna do... San Pedro Matir area is my home and I'm super scared to leave it because I love everyone here and know it really well.  I will be in Elder W.'s zone so at least I get to see him once or twice a month.  Hahaha!  Elder W. is going to train someone too, which is really cool.   I am kinda jealous and feel like its because I am super sucky at Spanish but I am stoked for him.  Also Elder Y.  is going to train also a new kid.
The changes start tomorrow which is cool cuz I get to see everyone and Elder W.    I don't know Elder G. at all except he is about to go home too.  He has 2 months left.   Hopefully he isn't trunky.  Tlahuac is far but I don't know how far.
Other than that, my week was good.  We are gonna have 3 baptisms in 2 weeks.   That's awesome that I won't be able to be here for them... not!   Me and Elder Y.  have worked super hard here.  That's why I'm super bummed that I am leaving.

k,  love you tons keep me in your prayers cuz I need them this week talk to you next week love you tons!!!!!   Bye!!!



Me riding on the outside of a bus cuz it was sooo full

We found a Burger King
ya, it's authentic ... it's fetchin good!!

  

 

 

 

 

July 9, 2013 - ANOTHER WEEK DOWN!

First of all, I love my companion, Elder Y., he is super sick and way smart he knows everything about computers and was telling me he can hack anyone’s Facebook account.  Hahaha!  We are doing a lot better in my area and we work super hard every day.

We have some investigators that are super interested but don’t want to get married so that’s hard (his name is Josue), he is in the police and always shows us his guns and stuff.   Hahaha!  he has got a gangster little shotgun, 20 gauge, that’s just like green T’s (shout out to KG) when we went and shot skeet for the yule log with Big Red (shout out to Condon, Juan,  Carsen and Hunteeeez and KG)  But anyways he wants to take me and Elder Y. out to shoot clay pigeons for one of our p days.  Hahaha!  We are gonna ask the Pres tomorrow about it, but you betta beleeeeedat I’m gonna show these cholos how to drop dem clay pigeons!  Hahaha! .

Also we have a girl who is 15 or so about to get baptized on the 4 of August.   She is so cool and super smart.  She knows pretty much everything and we really don’t even have to teach her cuz she gets everything, we are super lucky with her.  We are having some trouble finding more people to teach and every time we find someone they live like a block out of our area so that kinda sucks.   But overall our area is awesome and we are doing super good right now.

I can feel my Spanish getting better just because we are super obedient and I know for a fact that obedience brings blessings.

Anyways, the other day I bought some brass knuckles in the flea market cuz we always get chased and attacked by dogs all the time and some missionaries got jumped.   So I always got those in my backpack now!  Hahaha!

 



A panoramic view on the top of my apartment

 

Drinking an orange drink from a plastic bag...YUM!