Week 27 (2/24/2014)

Short but Sweet!!!
hahah the glasses are mine, and yes I do use them at times because they are really cool. I acctually got them from another area haha. They are another Elders haha. The beach is so cool I honestly love it! It is starting to get alot warmer this week was about 101 degrees something like that. I am scared for when it starts to get hot.

It was a good week this week. We had interviews with President Morales this week. He pretty much came and told us that we are the worst zone in the mission, that wasnt very cool. But all is well it just makes us want to work harder. In fact we have been starting to work alot harder. We had a family home evening this week with 3 famillies in which we taught them about the plan of salvation and then taught them how to teach it, then we asked them to give us a list of five people that we could visit with them. We got 18 references!! Now we just have to contact them all. I got a sweet letter from the peterson family this week which I really enjoyed, in that letter was the first letter that andrew wrote from the field haha I read that he has about 350 or so members in his ward and about 60 are active it made me laugh because we have the same thing here. We need to work hard because we have about 550 member and about 40 active ahah There is so much work to do here today.

Today we went to the beach to fish. haha ya we didnt catch anything but thats alright because it was really fun. Actually that was a lie we caught a bunch of little sand crabs. haha it was really fun. They dont have any fishing poles in this town so we had to make one out of a coke bottle haha.
I hope all is well thanks for letting me know what is up. I hope you all have a great week! Love yall!!

Elder Parduhn

Getting ready for Dinner!!!

Fishing in the Ocean!!

His fishing pole!!

Having fun fishing on his P-Day!!

Week 26 (2/17/2014) Still in Agua Dulce!!!

I LOVE THIS BOY SOOOO MUCH!!!!!! He is so cute!!
Where are the sheets on the bed!! Oh man....

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***February 14th***

Familia,

First off HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!! Yes they do have it in Mexico but it is ALOT bigger here. They party hard. It is so funny because there are so many stuffed animals, balloons, and clothes for valentines day but they are all in english haha. It ended up being really good. We ended up doing a contacting activity that day because here in Mexico, on valentines day they marry people for free. So we went to the park where they were doing this and talked to the people about eternal marriage. <3 haha. I thought it was so funny that they do that. Other than that, this week was zone conference so we had to travel to Coatzacoalcos. It was funny because we walked in last and when I walked in some of the Elders said, ´´Theres the famous Elder Parduhn´´ hahah because I have been here so long. Ahh I love my zone I have tons of close friends. We did an activity where we left the chapel and just started contacting people. I went with one of my best friends E. Davila, we ended up contacting the most people haha. Then we finished up. The best part is that we get our mail after. I got the christmas card from the Martin family and can I just say that we were dying of laughing me and my companion in the bus hahahahah It was so funny. Then we traveled back home. The next day we woke up and went to church. No we are still having alot of problems from the time change. We had a total of about 10 people to start then after the sacrament showed up 30 more. haha That is something way different from back home haha. Then after we had to travel back to Coatza for a stake priesthood meeting. Which just ended up being the stake president talking to the bishops. We left to head for Coatza a little early so that we could pass by some of the cool places of coatza. (We went with Emmanuel) We passed by some stores that we have back home and at one point I felt like I was back home.

Then we drove on the road that on the coast! I love the ocean hahah It is so cool the cities on the coast.

So we stopped by some cool things they had, one being that huge dove statue.

And its funny because it is called El Espiritu Santo or Holy Ghost in Spanish. We saw alot of stuff but my camera died so I wasnt able to take more photos. Then we went to the conference. After Emmanuel bought us Dominos Pizza. It was soooo good. Just like back home. It was weird eating food from back home.


Yes we do have a Iguana that lives close to us but it is scared to death of us hahah that is why we were teasing it with a stick. I hope all continues to go well back home!

I love you all!!!
Elder Parduhn

NOT SURE!!!

Week 25 (3/10/14)

Fam.

Wow time is honestly going by way fast which I really don't like haha. That is so crazy that the house flooded haha I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you. That is so bad. The Mexican people are really smart because all the floors are tile or concrete haha easy to clean. Its crazy that Brittany is already entering the MTC. Ahhh that is so awesome!! How do they feel that Brennan is about to be coming home?? Crazy fast the time here haha. 

I'm going to explain more about the transfer because I was in a hurry last week. I was called as a Senior Companion in this transfer.  I am with an Elder called Elder Moran. He is from El Salvador. He was actually in my district when I started my mission so we were friends before. We are great friends which is awesome, but I am also having a hard time with him. All is well though. I am still in the same area. At this point I feel like I am teaching my home ward haha I'm still waiting for Bishop Carrera to give me a calling. haha. Everyone here has now become family.

This has been a good week. We have been working a lot more with the members and bishop. We have received a ton of references this week it was a blessing. We are still working with those investigators who committed, now we are just trying to set a date with them. We caught another pet this week. We have a big ole Iguana that lives in our sewer. haha So we were teasing him with a stick for a while. They are so weird these things.

EEEK!!

Other that that nothing else really happened this week. It ended up just being one of those normal weeks. We are fighting to get a better number of people at church Sundays. We have an average of 30 people that show up. We had a time change. We meet at 8 in the morning. Count your blessings back home. haha Im surprised that we are not a branch here haha. 

It is really good to hear from you all! Hope all goes well back home and that you all have a great week!!

Week 24 (3/2/14)

Familia,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SHELBY!!! First off I just want to give a shout out to my sis Shelbs for her Birthday today!!!! I decided to send it in this letter so that she could get it haha I hope Zack has fun in St George! I am sad that I missed the Superbowl haha. 

Sorry this letter is going to be a little short. This was a great but very sad week. First for the good Elder Restrepo and I had 2 of our investigators who committed to baptism so hopefully we can get it done in this transfer. Also this week we had another wonderful activity and alot of people showed up! Including Investigators!!!! We had a Study the scriptures activity. So we printed off a big picture of Joseph Smith reading the bible and cut it into a lot of pieces. 4 for every team (8 teams). And then we hid them around the church. And we had a scavenger hunt haha. Every piece had a scripture on the back that related to some place in the church. And to make it more fun we tied all there legs together haha. It was such a fun activity and we learned so much. 

*The Activity*

But this is where the sad part comes in. Elder Restrepo left this week. And yes we cried haha Oh my word we were like best friends!!!

 *Friends*

We had testimony meeting and we both shared our testimony and the whole congregation was crying to hahah.  We went with to meet President, outside our city. It was really good to see President Morales. After that we had our long goodbye hug which just made us cry even more haha. Then he got in presidents car and left for Villahermosa. So now I am with the my friends in the other area. Elder Grossman and Elder Angeles. We went to a Circus today hahah And saw alot of animals.

*The Circus*

About transfers. Because my companion left I will stay here another transfer. But now as senior companion. And my companion who comes tommorrow is one of my friends Elder Moran haha I am so excited haha. Also it is funny because my last companion Elder coming back to this district haha he is going to be in another small town outside of ours.haha These transfers were really funny.

Thats all that is happening here haha. I hope that you are all doing well. LOVE YALL!

Elder Parduhn

Week 23 (1/27/14)

Its a cold 75 so the beanie's come out!!

Familia,

hahah thats funny to hear about grandma, I hope that she is alright. I hope your alright too hahaha I saw the picture and it scared me a little haha I hope dad got my email. And I hope that his birthday was awesome!

Well this week was just another one of those good ole weeks. Well more or less. First off We did it we burned the piñata with all the clothes it was awesome. That means that my companion has now completed 2 years! haha 

Second off Elder Restrepo got really sick on Tuesday, so we tried tracting but ended up going home a little bit early so that he could rest. I was like, well thats just a bummer I hate being sick haha. But then came the next day. Wow whatever he had hit me so hard! I was feeling so terrible Wednesday, and to make things better our district leader Elder Grossman payed a little visit and told us that we were going to be having surprise splits. ahhh It was probably the worst day ever to have splits!! But all is well haha. So we were like OK Vamos! and so I ended up going with my bud Elder Angeles to his area and Elder G stayed here. It was actually a wonderful day! We had some very powerful lessons with people in their area! 

So then we came back and went with Emmanuel to the bishop ( he is a doctor) We ended up getting an infection from some uncooked pork a sister gave us Monday. So he prescribed some pills and now we are all better :) well I am, Elder Restrepo still feels sick. So that was fun. Then the next day we went to teach English class and as we were walking home we were stopped by a man in a terrorist gang. He was asking me all these weird questions like ´Why are Americas killing Mexican children´ and stuff like that. My companion signaled at me not to talk and I'm glad he did because the man ended up being armed haha so for the next 5 min he told me how he was going to sneak into the U.S and kill our president. So that was weird and a first. All is well though don't worry mom!! haha Then we had to go to a conference in Minatitlan Mexico. It was a meeting for all the stakes in the state of Veracruz that were also in our mission. So there ended up being about 96 missionaries there hahahah. It was really good, They focused of how we as a ward counsel can do more to help the missionaries in the work of salvation. Elder Walker from the 70 was the speaker. He is from Argentina so he had a weird accent haha. Then We went to eat at Pizza Hut and Dairy Queen. hahah So weird eating at places like that. Then we went to Office Depot to buy a new notebook haha. There is a little bit of American influence here. 

That was pretty much our week. We are still doing good with all our investigators. We are having a hard time getting them to church because of our time. 8 in the morning. But we will get there. As far as my companion. He leaves next Monday. I hope to be finally getting my first transfer but who knows. The ward is really sad because I'm leaving haha they say I have been here so long they feel like it is impossible to move me now I have to finish my mission here haha. but we will see.

Love you all!! Talk to ya next week!!

Elder Parduhn

Wow! He looks so tall!!

Week 22 (1/20/14)

Familia,

First off, sorry to hear about your uncle. Was he your dads brother?? That is so funny to hear about what you guys did hahah. Its funny because that is our life down here too hahah we are late for something so we just pay some dude in a bike taxi to take us places haha. I want to see a picture of her new hair! Is it alot different?? How did the hunt turn out?? I remember kadens first time haha. How is aunt chris?? You have glasses!!!!!! I want to see a photo of this too! 

As far as my week goes, it was really good. We are continuing to teach Norma and Sofia, our new investigators, they are doing very well. We hope to have them commit to baptism in one of the next few lessons. As far as our other golden Investigator Marcos, we are still waiting for him to get back from his christmas vacation. haha. In the teaching aspect this week was pretty much normal. This week passed my 6 month mark and so according to tradition I had to burn a tie haha It was great. 

*6 months* He burned a tie!!! 18 months to go!

My companion Elder Restrepo completed 2 years this week so tonight we will be burning a piñata with a shirt pants and tie haha. I officially decided that I dont like having companions that are leaving home. All they do is talk about what they are going to do when they get home, and it makes me really homesick. But oh well haha. Also this week we helped Emmanuel make a cake for some guys wedding. The cake turned out so cool!! Emmanuel is so good at making cakes. 

The cake he helped Emmanual make!

Also this week we had a baptism. It wasnt an official baptism for us because the boy we baptized (Luis del Angel) his parents have been members for more than a year so he counts as a (i dont know what its called in english but un niño inscrito) i think it is like a kid member?? who knows haha. It went really well, we ended up doing everything so I counted it as a baptism. We went all out on this kid!! If you remember he is the kid from the other letter a few months ago that is pretty much the reason his family is active, so spiritual!! We made a video with some pictures we have of him, it was so cool and we had all of his family in tears!! It was a special baptism. 

Then after the baptism we had a ward activity with the other missionaries in our district. It was called ´´Trip to Las Vegas´´ Im so excited to do this with our ward when I get home. What we did was take three small rooms and decorated them according to the plan of salvation. One room covered in white with cake and mormon messages playing (Celestial), The middle with the room light and cookies, (Terrestral), and the last with candle light and toast haha. then we loaded the gym with different games and gave everyone 20 tickets and let them play for about an hour. We had missionaries (the youth) who were walking around asking if they could teach people, and if they accepted they would earn another 5 tickets. After about an hour we simmulated a plan crash and depending on the number of tickets you had, you would earn a kingdom of glory haha It was soo coool it ended up working really good and we ended up teaching so much from it. It was so funny the telestial kingdom was loaded haha so us the elders and all the youth missionaries and like 2 members ate the cake in the celestial room. haha It was a great lesson! 

This is what pretty much happened this week! A week I probably wont forget! haha 

It was really good hearing from you! Hope that you all have a wonderful week!!

Love Elder Parduhn

The bread he loves in Mexico!

He loves little things!!  I am pretty sure he wanted to take this home!

Hunter loves little kids!

This is the year pinata for his companion that is going home!

This bread is the bread they make for Three Kings Day, January 6th 

Week 21 (1/13/2014)

Familia,

Wow alot did happen this week. Ahh I wish is was there to see her talk!! haha alot of good things happened this week. It crazy how many people are leaving on their missions!! Is there anyone left at home?? haha. 

We had another great week. Elder Restrepo is like my best friend, I hate that I only get 1 transfer with him. He invited me to visit him in Columbia. I might have to hit that up with Brennan or something. We had another wonderful week. We have been told that we need to teach 40-60 lessons each week. So E. Restrepo and I worked really hard this week! We ended up with about 36. We will beat it this week!  This week was a harder week because alot of the people here are still on vacation. We did find a few new investigators this week. We found these two, Norma and Sofia. Norma is the mom and Sofia is her daughter. They are special we have been teaching them this week. We watched The Testaments with them last night then bore testimony, it ended up being such a powerful lesson!! I hope they make the decision to be baptized.

 This week was Dia de los Reyes. Day of the Kings. Ohh it was great. They have this food and it is called Rosca de Reyes, it is like a big loaf of bread it the shape of a huge oval doughnut. Look it up in google. And in the middle, cooked into the bread, there are little plastic dolls of baby Jesus. haha. We had an activity this week in the church and so Wednesday night we went to Emmanuels house to make 2 of these. Ohh they were so delicious! We filled them with cream cheese and fruit.oooohhh soo good! I would like to let you know that I am saving recipes to make when I get home. Speaking of recipes, because Emmanuel likes to make stuff  I suggested that we make banana bread! So we did! It was the first time that they have ever tried it. Also this week we had zone class so again we traveled to Coatzacoalcos. It went really good. It was a pretty normal week. But it was special because my teaching has been getting alot better! I have been really trying to become better.  It actually turned out to be a great week.

Well I got to go. Love you all so much!! Talk to you next week!!

Love E. Parduhn