January 19, 2015

Chillin with my homies

Well.....here's a quick story....once upon a time Elder Hakes was directing a baptismal service of his district. He sang there and when he finished the baptism was going to happen. Casually standing in the back he stood watching happily. And then.......his phone began to ring! He looked quickly and saw that it said "President Cordova". He thought, "Rut rooo" (like Scobby Doo). So he quickly went outside and answered. Hola Presidente. He said Elder Hakes you are going to be a zone leader. Then Elder Hakes`s jaw dropped. He said, "Ok, sounds good. Then walked back to the baptism and got there just when the person that was baptizing said amen. THE END.

Ya... haha... President called and I'm going to be a zone leader. I'm going to the stake Cordova but my area is neighboring the area of my old area. Actually crossing the street and I arrive to my old area. SO I'm gonna enjoy that!!! I'm excited I'm going with Elder Cortes and Argentinan. Should be fun and we are gonna get to work and help the zone out over there so we can git errrrr done. I'm excited and a little nervous but more excited than anything else.

This week we had a guy come to church named Jorge (George). He's a young man that's 15 years old. He had a bad experience in a different church and so he didn't want to come but he finally gave in , came,  and he loved it!!!! I'm super excited for him! He has a baptism date for the 15th of February.... too bad I won't be there, but my companion is gonna enjoy it.

I'm excited!!!

It was actually quite interesting cause we had like 6 people that were committed to come to church. So we were really excited! But then we got phone calls that none of them were gonna go. We also didn't have Jorge planned on going. SO... when he got their it was such a blessing!!! I loved seeing the Lord help us out because we honestly felt horrible not having anyone.....but then Jorge got there and we felt SOOOO much better!!!! hahaa. I know the Lord loves and knows us. He will help us when we are obedient and will give us what we need.

Love always,

Elder Hakes

This is the Viejo....old man....

he's full of fireworks:) and they light him on fire!!!!

January 12, 2015

Dearest family, 

Que tal? Como estamos? Over here in Mexico we are going good. Learning lots and still learning lots always. My companion and I are working very hard to have more success. We still haven't had exactly the success that we want BUT with a little bit of faith, diligence and patience we are gonna get there. 

This Sunday wasn't much fun haha. We had 3 Investigators that were 100% sure of going to church.....But we called them on Sunday morning 3 hours before and they all had things come out of no where and then they couldn't go. One here family just arrived out of no where to visit her and the others their dad made them go help him work. So that was frustrating but its all part of learning how to do the work of my Father in Heaven. 

I'm also working a lot to help my companion out. Spanish is super hard for the man....but he's learning little by little. 

And then the internet went out and  I couldn't send this letter...... until this week.

January 5, 2015

This week was a fun one!!! It was still a bit weird because there were still lots of people on holidays and drunk all over the place. It was interesting and kinda weird....things I'm not used to seeing in the Mesa bubble. But also here in Mexico Christmas isn't very big. For them its more important a tradition called "Los Reyes Mago". I believe they are the wisemen that brought the gifts to Christmas. For them that is Christmas....the wisemen come and bring them gifts haha. And that is tomorrow I think ....not too sure honestly.... And the stores were all packed today for the same reason...buying their last minute gifts.  Also this week I've had a sour throat....I still got a little bit but not too much. I'm feeling better every day.

Today has been an interesting P day. We went in the morning and ate pico de gallo with tuna and crackers, surprisingly not to bad. And then picadas and empanadas. They are traditional food here in Veracruz! They are just the masa(dough) of tortillas and they flatten it out like a tortilla and they cook it then they put salsa, onions, and pork rinds on top.Not really a big fan of pork rinds, but oh well. That's the picada. Then the empanada they make it flat like tortilla and put cheese or chicken and they fold it in half and close it. Then they fry it in oil. You eat it with salsa and sour cream.  So that's what we had today! Also....I'm gonna buy some new glasses!!! Its gonna cost me only 380.....pesos:D or $30 dollars. So ill save those for when I get home:) 

Also this week we found a really cool family!!! Their name is the Cruz Family. They are a family of 6. The parents a kid named Jorge that is 15, a kid named Ivan 13, Juliana 6, and Alejandra 2. So its a good family with lots of potential to progress. They live in a pretty rough part of the neighborhood. We were teaching them the other day and there was a group of like 10 drunks and one of them had a pistol.....so its not real cool there haha. But no worries, the Lord will protect us when we do what he asks and when we are obedient. We put a baptismal date with them for the 8th of February. But we still gotta work at it cause only Ivan went to church this week with her sister. 

Recently I've been trying to get on track. We all have slumps in life and I feel like I've been in a little slump. I'm trying to make my studies better and get back to being a better missionary myself cause I've been worrying a lot about others. But I still have to help myself too. It's hard trying to find the balance in life, but I'm going with the flow. 

My faith has been strengthened. The importance of obedience is the most important principle we can learn. When we are obedient to every commandment of the Lord and when we do what he asks we are blessed. We must obey, if not we will not receive anything. 

I love ya'll!!!!! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!! 

2015 TIME TO WORK!!!!

LOVE,

Elder Hakes

December 29, 2014

Skyping with Elder Hakes, Christmas Day

Elder Hakes and Elder Chun

Well not much time.....I had pictures to send but we will see if I can get them sent. If not, it will be for next week.....it was a weird week haha. Lots of people busy and with their families! And us in the street hahaha. It was fun!!! Pretty much everyone offered us food so that was good. But the majority of the people were distracted with their parties and so.....it was a tough week from a working stand point but it was good on a food stand point. Got to talk to the family which is always fun!!! And good to see them:) 

Time's flying by....gotta take advantage of the time!!!! Sorry for the small letter but.....I haven't eaten well today so I'm pretty much falling asleep here at the computer and besides that it's late and I need to go work!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE Y'ALL :D 

Elder Hakes