A better week!

Monday, October 23, 2017

Hey Mom, this week was pretty good.  Still a little hard, it felt like everyone canceled on us. But it's ok.  I have been studying a lot. I have learned a lot of things.  I feel powerful, hahaha but that's not the secret to being a missionary.  Being a missionary is about getting people to get their own testimony about the Book of Mormon.  Like Jesus says to Pedro, "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

We have to believe in Christ even though we don't see Him.  We have to get that confirmation from God to know that it is right.  We have to show faith to find Him, and as we read, "faith without works is dead."  So we have to ask Him, and read, and live His gospel. 

We have been contacting a lot this week.  It has been great to see my improvement in that.  In the beginning it was really hard for me, but now I would say that it is a strength.  Just like we read in Ether 12, we have to show our faith and work hard, and through Christ our weaknesses will become strengths. 

I love you, mom. I really do. 

"Get that corn out of my face"
Nacho Libre

Weird waterfalls and lifted spirits

Monday, October 2, 2017

Hey Mom,  I liked conference a lot.  I really learned a lot.   

That is just what happens here in Guanajuato when it rains.  Those are the Callejones of Guanajauto. We climb a mountain then we go down it.  When it rains there are water falls. 

F is doing good.  We really haven't been able to see him for a little bit but we have an appointment with him.  A is doing good.  He is the 13 year old boy we just baptized.  We have had lessons with him again.  We taught R with Elder Beus, gosh he's a toughy.  He has studied the Bible for a long time.  He believes in the Book of Mormon but he doesn't think it is the word of God.  

Ok, Mom.  I am leaving now.  I love you so much.


Monday, October 9, 2017

He didn't have anything to report today.  His spirits were kind of low.  They just had transfers and he is staying in the same area for a third time.  He has loved it there and has said how pretty it is.  It is really touristy so baptisms are few and far between.  However, he has had 2 baptisms.  He has worked so hard and ran out of creativity and is tired.  But he is always so positive and said he will push forward and work hard.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Hi Mom!

This week was much better.  We got some good stuff done and we found two new investigators.  They are awesome and are going to progress very well.  It really lifted my spirits.  We also had a good lesson the F.  It was weird, we were teaching him and couldn't quite explain what we were teaching very well.  We were trying to teach them families are eternal so that they can think about getting married and sealed to their family.  We weren't doing a very good job but then we calmed down and explained it well.  It was interesting me and Monti looked at each other and said a silent prayer in our hearts and then Monti gave an awesome example that helped us explain everything. 

One of our investigators is named C and she was a reference from the Sister missionaries.  She is super interested and we are going to work hard with her.  The other one is named E.  She showed up to church by herself and we had an awesome lesson with her in the gardens of the church.  The spirit was so strong.  Her almost husband is a member and so we talked about them being together forever.

 "You are good.  But it is not enough just to be good.  You must be good for something.  You must contribute good to the world.  The world must be a better place for your presence.  And the good that is in you must spread to others."

~Gordon B. Hinckley 

The last few weeks

Monday, July 10, 2017

Hi Mom!

It's pretty here in Guanajuato but insane.   I got to know all of the people here, it's just a little branch. It's awesome.  We visited lots of people.  We have a family with a baptism date and they are doing good.  They are interesting but they are cool.  M is the name of the dad.  He is funny and likes Pink Floyd haha.  They all talk super fast so when we are teaching it gets kind of out of hand.  It's funny haha.  Elder Beus is President's new 2nd Counselo.   He got here two weeks ago.  He lives in Leon but he and his wife come to Guanajauto a lot and every Sunday.  They work with us a lot and I love them, they are awesome.  We are doing good mom.

I have to go Mom.  This week has been awesome.  We have been working really hard.  Guanajuato is cool.  We need to come here after the mission.  I'll give you the run down about it later. 

I love you mom 

Monday July 17, 2017

Hey mom, I miss you guys.  I like my area its pretty touristy.  It's weird to see white people.  It's a hard area to work in, but me and Elder Hernandez have been making a difference.  We have found some new people and that's almost never done in this area.  We should baptize and this branch hasn't seen a baptism in a long time and we are going to get it.  It will be awesome.  This is my first branch in the mission.  It's kind of weird but awesome and the members are really cool.  It feels really special.  We play basketball every Tuesday.  I have dunked on them multiple times.  It's hilarious, they freak out. They play pretty good for Mexicans. 

I have to go, love you mom.

Monday, July 24, 2017

Hey mom!  This is honestly the hardest area in the mission but it's super pretty haha.  The church is super pretty as well.  We are probably going to have a baptism.  Her name is Beyonce hahahha. I know haha.  She's 9 and we are reactivating her family, its awesome.

Gotta go, love you guys.

Monday, July 31, 2017

He didn't really have anything to report but I did get these pictures.  They had dinner at member's home and they had soup.  It is "normal" to put chicken feet in soup.  He said he ate them.  I asked him what they tasted like and he said "chicken."  haha

Monday, August 7, 2017

Hey mom, I'm doing good.  We are going to have a baptism this Saturday.  It's awesome!  I'm happy with what I have been doing and the kind of missionary I have been.  I really am focusing here hard in this area and improving in all aspects.  

The people that sent the picture to you, he was a missionary here 20 years ago.  They had a  mission reunion here.  They saw us and took a picture and stuff.  Actually he is in the same ward of my comp from the MTC, Elder Paul.  It was cool.

.

We had splits so I had to do everything because my comp for the day doesn't speak as much Spanish as I do and it was in my area.  We did service for some investigators and I got their confidence in me, it was awesome.  I realized that day that I have learned and am capable of a lot. 

(This week is his one year mark.  This was his response to me asking about it.) Yeah it's crazy.  Actually today was special.  I was told my release date is July 23!

Changes are next week and I'm staying here in Guanajuato. 

Love you mom

Monday, August 14, 2017

Hey mom, my week was good.   We baptized B so it was awesome.  We spent the week preparing for the baptism.  That's always a little stressful. That's weird the boys started school. 

B's family is awesome.  Her mom is funny, she makes tons of terrible jokes but has a really soft heart. All of her sisters are like 19 to 30 and they all are living with their boyfriends.  One of the boyfriends is super interested so we are teaching him and really just trying to help them out. 

I have to go.  Love you mom

Monday, August 22, 2017

Hey mom, it was super sad to say goodbye to Romero.  (Elder Romero was his second companion and they became very good friends.  Elder Romero is from Colombia.) This week was cool.  Monday we had a lesson with F and it was awesome.  He is the boyfriend of C.  She is the sister of B who we baptized. Monday I showed him a video.  Elder Beus came with us.  He is a good friend of President Williamson and is his Second Counselor.  He helps us a lot in Guanajauto.  F ended up crying in the video.

 On Friday we had another lesson with F and Elder Beus came with us again.  We taught an amazing lesson.  It was awesome! After the lesson F told us that he didn't have much interest in us and then we showed the video on Monday and he related to it a lot.  He told us that he felt what we were saying was true.  After the lesson Elder Beus told me something.  With tears in is eyes he said, "Elder Bush that was cool, did you see that?"  I said, "what?"  Elder Beus knew that on Monday I was looking for a video and I chose a specific one.  He said, "That video was just what F needed to keep listening to us.  Elder Bush the Lord is with you" and then we both cried for like five minutes.

We made a baptism date with A, he is 13.  He is the nephew of President Ochoa, the Branch President.  We are really good friends with him.  It's awesome, this area hasn't seen a baptism for a long time and we have had 1 baptism with a second one scheduled!

Changes were last week and I stayed in Guanajuato but I have a new companion.  Elder Montiel is from Mexicali.  He is a little bit on the shyer side so I do a lot, but it's cool we work hard together.

Monday, August 28, 2017

Hey Mom!

I can finally roll my "r"s really good.  I almost sound like a native Mexican.  I just need a little more practice and I got it, I'm excited! 

The week was awesome, but everyone cancelled on us so we have lots of lessons today.  We did a lot of contacting.  We taught lots of people on the spot in parks.  It was a weird week but cool.

Monday, September 4, 2017

Hey mom, this is your son.  There isn't much to report this week.  We didn't get to do much.  We had our conference with President in Irapuato.  I got my packages!!!  One from you and one from Rheanna. Tell her thank you so much!!!  She's awesome!  Thank you for the candy and the beef jerky.  Zoram loves beef jerky so I shared some with him haha.  I want to talk to you mom.  I miss you guys.

This was Labor Day and we were gone in the morning with the intention of being back when he was on, but he got on sooner than usual and we missed him.

Monday, September 11, 2017

Hey mom, what's poppin? haha

I had no idea that here was an earthquake.  It was in Oaxaca and Chiapas way down south. But ya we are all cool.

I forgot my phone number mom. haha  Learning a new language really throws everything out of your head.  I forgot how to do math haha.  Of course the Utes won!!! hahaha (Referring to the Utah/BYU game.)

Monday, September 18, 2017

We baptized A this week!

New area and new companion

Monday, July 3, 2017

Hi Mom!

Changes were today.  I am in the city of Guanajuato with Elder Hernandez.  I'm super excited! It's super pretty here and there are tons of tourists.  It's so weird to see white people speaking English. It's cool, I'm excited for what's going to happen.

Elder Hernandez is from Mexico City.  He's been out for 9 months.  We have met before.  He is awesome and I am excited to work with him.  

There isn't anything to tell you about this week, I'm sorry.  I'm sad I had to leave the Velazques family.

Love you bunches Mom.  Gotta go.

A couple of days later this picture was texted to me by a parent who was there picking up there missionary.  It was such a sweet surprise!  The smile....always that smile!!!

The last few weeks!

The next two weeks our schedules didn't match up to allow us our normal email chat so we just got a short note.


Monday, May 22,2017

Hi Mom,

I love you guys so so so much!  I don't know what I did to deserve you and Dad as parents, you have done so much for me.  I'm so grateful for you guys.  I miss you guys but that's alright, it means I love you. haha  I'm so grateful that we can be together forever.  I love you, Mom.

Sister Williamson shared this pictured and captioned it "shortest to tallest."
 To give perspective Hayden is 6'5" haha

Monday, May 29, 2017

Hi Mom, sorry we got on early today.  I want to let you guys know that I love you guys so so much and that I am really trying super hard to be a good missionary.  It is hard sometimes but I'm really trying.  I don't know what to tell you about this week.  I got kinda of sick and then I had a meeting with all of the District Leaders at the house of Presidente.  Next week I'll write you more.  Today is kind of weird.  I love you guys so much.  I want to be the best I can.  This next week should be interesting!  I love you guys.

District Leader meeting at President Williams home.

June 5, 2017

Hey Mom, 

We have two baptism dates!!!!!!!!  It's awesome, they are named D and G and they are 13 and 15 respectively. Their parents are members, they never wanted to get baptized so I decided to start teaching them.

It is awesome being a District Leader.  It is good.  It's been fun, Elder Motyer from Celaya is here and we have had a blast.  Elder Moncada is doing good and is learning a lot.

Well I told you about the investigators.  We contact a lot, 15 a day.  The family V are doing very good.  P the other day told me he loved me and it was awesome.  L made fun of me.  I got a nose zit so she sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  We always make fun of S, we always say "no maaaaaaanches S."  It's funny.  O always gives me hugs.  The hermano has some good work and is doing good.  They are awesome!  I honestly love that family sooo much!!!

 I have to go Mom.  I love you so much!

Hayden has said so many times even before he left, "I just want to love the people and change lives" and that he is definitely doing!  

Monday, June 12, 2017

Hi Mom,

We have another baptism date!  It was actually really cool.  I have been pretty upset because we are working so hard but we haven't been able to have anything, it is frustrating.  Sunday, a week ago, a guy stopped me at church and he was like, "hey I'm C and I was baptized a year ago and now my wife wants to be baptized."  It was so awesome!  I was like, "of course!!!!!"  We went to their house. It was funny because their phone wasn't working so we couldn't confirm the address.  I was like no, we are going.  So we went and then we almost couldn't find it but we kept it up.  The guard at the gate was like no that dude doesn't live here, and I was like oh really.  Then his wife saw us through the window and yelled hola chicos!! and I was like yesss!!!   We went in and taught her, it was cool.  I taught her about how baptism is like starting over and why it's necessary to get baptized.  She was like wow that's super pretty and then she was like ok I'll get baptized!  It was awesome!! 

Today we played a lot of soccer.  I suck!  I play goalie.  haha

Gotta go.  Love you Mom.

Monday, June 19,2017

We did lots of splits this week.  It was frustrating because all of our meetings with the investigators with a baptism date fell this week so we had to improvise haha.  Then no one came to church, it was rough.  I went with Elder Pantoja from Puebla and we worked pretty hard.  It was fun, he is my buddy.  Saturday we did mini splits with other Elders that are our friends.  My comp went with Elder Moncada from Honduras. haha  It's funny because they have the same last name and it's not a very common name.  I went with Elder Motyer from Canada and he's my good good friend.  We worked hard and found like 10 new people, it was sweet.  I am blessed with lots of friends and I'm super grateful.

Hilarious!

Monday, June 26,2017

Hey Mom,

This week was ok.  We got denied like crazy but we worked hard so it was cool. We get changes next week.

That's about all we got from him besides a little family small talk.  We are anxious to hear from him tomorrow and find out if he is going to a new area. 

This quote is out of the July 2017 Ensign.  The First Presidency taught Elder Parley P. Pratt when he was a newly called member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  I feel like it applies to our missionaries. 

"You have enlisted in a cause that requires your whole attention; ... become a polished shaft. ...You must endure much toil, much labor, and many privations to become perfectly polished. ... Your Heavenly Father requires it; the field is His; the work is His; and He will ... cheer you ... and buoy you up."

Hayden would love to hear from you.  His email address is in the header of the blog.  You can also leave a comment.  Thank you so much for all of your love and support.  We love every single one of you!!!

New Companion, Mother's Day

Monday, April 24, 2017

Hey Mom, I'm doing good.  I'm super excited, my new comp is awesome.  He is Elder Moncada from Saltillo.  He is a native.  We weren't able to do much because we were super busy with doing things with President and I got kind of sick. But it's been awesome. 

We had a Conference with President and interviews.   I got sick because, well I threw up.  I think it was because I wasn't drinking very much or maybe I ate something bad.  I'm fine now, it was just a day thing.

Elder Romero is in some pueblito ( a super small town) in Queretaro.  Yes, I would say he is my best friend.

Gotta go, Mom.  I love you so much.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Hi Mom!

Things are pretty good.  We have tons of work.  I just have to get it organized.  We went to a baptism of an investigator of the sisters in my district so I had to do the interview for them.  It's cool, I like doing it. 

  

I like Leon.  It's authentic Mexico.  It's not like paradise but it's something beautiful.

hahaha a parasite. I've been fine.  Everyone thinks like we are going to die here but we are fine. hahaha  It's pretty normal.  Well not too normal, but it's not too crazy.

Love you Mom.  Take care, I'll be thinking about you.

Monday, May 8, 2017

Hey Mom! 

I'm doing good.  The Zone Leaders have my package so I'll get it tomorrow.  Wow I'm so proud of Dillon, he made it to 13 years haha.  Yes, I can call you Wednesday because that's the Mother's Day here in Mexico, but Sunday is better right?  You tell me what time you want to call. 

Everyday is a story in the mission Mom.  I think that's why I'm so bad at sharing stories because it feels normal to me.  I guess I'll give you an update.  Everyone calls me William because the soccer team that is here in Leon has a goalie and he is tall and white.  It's awesome!  I get people to laugh with it.  It makes it easier to contact and things like that.  All the kids that play soccer think it's cool. Hopefully they never find out that I'm garbage at soccer. haha

We have an investigator named K.  She is progressing really well.  The family G gave us the reference and they accompany us to the lessons.  Their two sons are recent returned missionaries and they have been helping us out a lot.  We are going to do splits with them. 

Things are going well.  It's weird.  Everyday I realize that I'm in Mexico and it feels like it's normal. haha  I think about being home and it sounds weird.  haha 

I have got to go Mom.  I'll talk to you on Mother's Day.  I love you so much.

Sunday May 14, 2017 

Mother's Day

Hayden was able to Skype us on Mother's Day.  This isn't the greatest picture but he looks great and is doing SO well!  He absolutely loves being a missionary.  Being a missionary has just become "life".  He said he almost doesn't remember what it is like to be home.  Walking the streets of Mexico is what is normal right now.  As much as we miss him that is comforting to hear.  He is adjusted and focused on missionary work and serving.  He still loves the food and said how he is going to miss having fresh tortillas every day.  There is a torta shop on every corner.  His love for basketball has not wavered.  He gets the opportunity to play once in a while and was worried that he lost his skill.  He assured us and is relieved that he's "still got it."  haha  He enjoyed a tour around the house and yard.

It is hard to believe it has almost been a year.  Coming from the Mom, the time has gone SO fast.  We are so proud of his hard work and dedication, his growth, his great example of perseverance and ability to overcome.  We love him!

  

Monday, May 15, 2017

Hi Mom!

We played hoops today and ate with some of the youth from our ward. It was chill.

He didn't have a whole lot to say today since Skyping with him yesterday.  

The Last Month

Updates for the last few weeks.  He has been SOO tired, it has been hard to get a lot of detail out of him.  They are so busy and he keeps reminding us that "missionary work is HARD work!

Monday, March 20, 2017

Hi Mom!  

Thanks so much for the package!  It was awesome!!!  The Reeses were the best haha. They lasted me a whole week.  Debbie is awesome haha.

We hardly worked this week.  We were in the hospital the whole week.  Elder Martinez had surgery. There still is a cool experience with one family, they are super awesome.  We spoke in church this week too, it was pretty cool.  I got a little nervous at the beginning but it was pretty good. 

Well with this family, they were all inactive but we went to visit them this last week.  They have a son who is 10 years old.  He shouted at us across the street.  He isn't even baptized but he's awesome! We went up and talked with the hermana and she was amazing, she was super happy.  She told us that her husband is struggling with addictions and he wants our help.  We have been visiting them often.  their kids are awesome!  Their daughter brought two of her friends to church two weeks in a row!!!  We have been helping them.  The hermano is awesome, he is really trying.  I love this family!!  We are going to baptize the son and continue helping them.

It's time to go, Mom.  I love you guys so much!

Hayden and his companion Elder Martinez

Monday, March 27, 2017

Hi Mom!

I'm sleeping, don't worry.  It's just hard work.  Things have been pretty sweet.  Martinez is awesome. We have been working super hard, lots of contacting.  This week I have been overcoming fears haha.  Teaching is getting better, we have taught some cool lessons.  We visited a family that just recently got reactivated by us.  Her sister moved in with them from Chihuahua.  They talk funny haha.  We were just teaching a simple lesson then all of  a sudden everyone started crying.  The sister told us that they are here for a reason and we answered their prayers.  It was awesome.  They told us that they asked for a challenge.  They didn't give us too much info but they were praying for answers and we answered all of them.  Then they bore testimony that we are angels haha.

Love you, Mom.

Monday, April 3, 2017

So last Monday was sweet.  I told you about the family V whose son we are gong to baptize.  Monday we went over to their house for a noche de hogar (FHE).  It was awesome, we brought another family with us.  First we played telephone and then we taught about the atonement.  It was honestly the coolest thing in the world.  There was already a bunch of kids there then all of the neighborhood kids came over.  It was insane.  They were like, wow, you are a giant, and hey do you speak English?  I taught them all, it was so awesome.   Almost all of them were crying.  It was what the family needed, it was honestly the best thing ever.  I will have to get the picture to you later. 

Bye, Mom.  Love you.

Monday, April 10. 2017

Hi Mom!

I'm good!  We baptized Saturday.  I'm going to train... I'm freaking scared but I've got this. 

I'm with Elder Garcia, he arrived to the mission with me.  Martinez went home today. My new companion will be here next week.  

We baptized P, it was super awesome!!!  He was super happy.  His dad didn't go.  We visited them yesterday.  Hermano was super depressed.  He talked to us alone, he was just balling. He has addiction problems, things are kind of hard.  I'm going to try my best to help them .

This is our Zone activity.  We rode tandem bikes, we had a blast!!!!

 Hey Mom, I love you.  Tell the boys I love them so much.  I got to go.


These are pictures from Zone Conference.  Hayden finally found someone taller than he is.  In his words, "This kid is a giant!  He is like 6'8"!!!

Loving Leon

Monday, March 6, 2017

Wow!  Hey Mom, this week has been awesome and crazy.  The two Martinez are hilarious!  We have had a good time and we have had some really awesome lessons.  We have been working in both of our areas.  Our area is humongous, we take so many buses.  Leon is awesome!  Our house is pretty cool I guess.  It's simple, but it gets the job done.  Everything has been smooth here in Leon.  I have been learning a lot, it's been awesome!  The spirit has been strong recently.  I talked with a cholo (A cholo is a gangster) today it was an experience. haha  It was funny, he was drunk.  We were at a bus stop and he started talking to us.  I don't want to tell you what he was saying to us. haha

I just barely got the package, it is awesome!!!  Debbie Arbon you are  the best person in the world!! Second to my Mom, of course.  Thank you so much to you and all of  those that contributed!!!

We have had some really cool lessons.  We were teaching one of Elder Martinez investigators.  He is 18 and he's super cool.  We were teaching him the restoration and  everything was going great.  I was super proud of how I taught as well.  We got to the point about where Joseph Smith read James and decided to pray.  He said, well ya, I have thought the same.  Why are there so many churches?  We asked him if you want to find out if what we are telling you is true, that Joseph Smith really did restore the church?  He was like, well ya, and we were like well let's do what he did.  Will you pray and ask the Lord right now?  So we did.  We all knelt down and Ivan (the investigator) said the prayer.  It was super cool.  The spirit was overwhelming.  He was beaming.  He was like, wow I have never felt like this before.  We showed him in the scriptures that what he was feeling was the spirit.  It was super awesome.

Gotta go.  Love you Mom!

Monday, March 13, 2017

Hey Mom, how are you doing?  This week was sweet.  hmmmmm stories.  I don't know, everyday we just go out and work and work and come home tired haha  (He was really tired last week.  It was hard getting anything out of him.  Yes, missionary work, is HARD work!)  My area is huggeeeeee.  We take a bus to a bus station to take a bus everyday.  We still walk a lot too. Probably more than in Celaya.   

Sorry, mom.  I'm good, I'm tired. haha  It's been awesome.  We reactivated two familias this week. This was my first time going to the church because the last week was Stake Conference.  It was super awesome.  We had some powerful lessons.  We should be able to baptize.  Something cool, we went to contact a reference of a teenage girl.   Her mom answered the door and she asked us why we wanted to talk to her.  She was super cool.  She was like well ya I want your help because she has noticed that God helps out families, so we are going to return.  She was super nice and well it was cool.

Another story, we were teaching a lady whose husband is a member.  It was super cool, we were talking about baptism and we explained why she needed to be baptized and she was like, wow, it all makes sense.  The Catholics are wrong.  haha  This next lesson with her we are going to set a date.  We also have like 4 kids that we should baptize, it's awesome.

Elder Martinez is awesome!  We went to the centro to buy him some shoes and stuff.  We looked at the Nike store but it's super expensive.  It's better that we buy fake things haha.  Can you send me another pair of jeans?  I asked at the tiangius and they just laughed in my face. (Apparently they don't have size 34/36 in Mexico. haha) 

Gotta go Mom.  Love you guys so so much!

Baptisms, turning 19, and a new area

Monday, February 20, 2017

Hi Mom!

Wow!  Harold and Tristian are awesome!!!  How was Harold's talk?  Was he nervous?  I hope they are doing well, they have been an inspiration for me here in the mission. 

This week was crazy preparing for the baptisms and everything.  We are super super tired.  Friday night we went to the church to see about the font and everything.  The building was trashed so we cleaned it up as good as we could.  Saturday morning we were at the church at 7:00 to fill the font. There wasn't any gas in the boiler so we had to put in water heaters that did nothing.  So that was cool. A's baptism was at 10.   He showed up super late.  It was insane!  The font didn't fill up quite all the way.  Then at like 4:30 we went to the church to check up on everything, and the water level in the font had gone down!!!!!!!  The baptism was supposed to start at 5 so we flicked on the font and filled up a bucket with a tap in the church and kept on dumping it in the font, it was insane.  Luckily they didn't show up on time.  Their whole family came, there were a lot of people!!!  We had to wait for the bishop too.  He didn't show up until like an hour later but finally everyone was there and it went fine.  J's father baptized him.  J is so awesome, he was beaming!  His Grandma told me that he couldn't sleep the whole week because he was so excited.  The program was awesome, the spirit was so strong.  Elder Romero and I were witnesses for the baptism.  The water was freezing.  The first time they did it they messed up and had to do it again.  J  clung to his dad because he was so cold after being dunked.   Elder Romero told him tranquillo, it's ok.  It was cool, he just calmed down and they did  it again.  It was so awesome and cute because right after he came up out of the water he shouted Aguante! which translates roughly into like "wow I did it," or "I handled it."  Everyone laughed, it was super funny.  I felt real joy then.  It was super awesome to see the blessings of the gospel that are to come to this family. 

I love you so much, Mom.  Talk to you later.

Hayden's Birthday was on Wednesday February 22, a couple of days after we got this email.  That evening my phone blew up.  A sister in the ward, Beatrix, who has taken such good care of the missionaries threw a party for Hayden.  She sent me pictures and videos.  It was so fun to be a part of the festivities!

taco feast

cake and Coke Jello

presents

We love Beatrix!

celebration signs

translation - "missing Lorraine"  Yes, I cried!!!

Monday, February 27, 2017

Hey Mom, what's up?

So the news is I got transferred to Leon and I was made District Leader. It's super freaking cool here and it's super hot, I'm dying right now.  My comp is Elder Martinez, he was my Zone Leader in Celaya my first change.  He is super cool, this is his last change here.  He is from Vera Cruz, he is Mexican.  Also the other Martinez from when I was in the offices is with us for a week because he is going to train and his comp doesn't get here for another week. It was about an hour and a half to travel to Leon from Celaya.  Leon is the shoe central of the world so I'll find some sic shoes here (if he can find his size 12-13 haha). Leon is a pretty big city with lots to do. 

My Birthday was amazing, we had a ton of tacos.  Beatrix is so awesome!!! I have tons of pictures. Last week was cool, we had some cool lessons.  There was one where I kind of just took over and because of what I did he accepted a baptism date.  Elder Romero is going to baptize him thanks to me haha.  I traveled here to Leon with most of the zone.  We went to a place like Buffalo Wild Wings (Hayden's favorite!). It was super cool and super fun. They played lots of music that I like, even Hootie and the Blowfish haha.

 Awesome new bed! (We got Hayden a new bed haha) It probably fits me, the beds here are super small. haha  I'm super excited for this change, I think it's gonna be cool.  I like my comp.  He told me to not stress, he'll help me out.

Gotta go, Mom.  I love you!

He didn't have a whole lot of time since transfers were this same day, he had just arrived in Leon and it was evening. We are anxious to hear from him today and find out about his first week in Leon.  

Hayden's District in Celaya

Leaving Celaya

Saying Goodbye

The Last 3 Weeks

Monday, January 30, 2017

Hi Mom!

I'm doing pretty good.  This week was kind of weird.  We had the broadcast and other things like that so we didn't necessarily get a full week of teaching in.  We did get to teach J and A various times in the week. They are rolling. We think the date for A has fallen or is going to fall, but we kind of expected that.  We just barely got them to let us in and they are interested.  His wife knows the gospel is true but when her dad died members kind of offended her so she is pretty sensitive.  We do have scheduled appointments with them. The thing his their Aunt is an evangelista or evengelist, I think is what it is in English, and she is basically a missionary.  We went over there  for one of our lessons and she was there.  She never gave us a chance to talk.  It was kind of weird, she kept on touching me as she talked.  Elder Romero made me sit by her. haha   It's frustrating because they are in love with her so it's hard to teach them but they are receptive and they want our help.  They feel the spirit with us and they respect us a lot.  It's cool, Mom, we just help people see the light and it's really awesome. We have reactivated the whole ward basically and the bishop is happy with us for that.  It's been really cool.  (I remember when Hayden first got to this area he said there were only a handful of people that attended church.  Now the congregation is full.  They have done good things!)

(We had to laugh at these pictures because of where Hayden's head is and the top of the entry and window.) 

M is the grandson of M (the friend of B) and they were all out on the street and M was lassoing and we stopped to talk to them.  Romero tried it because he used to know how to before the mission because his dad is a ranchero and then it was my turn.  

The blog is awesome as usual.  Grandpa and Grandma are funny.  They said I look like George Strait haha. 

This is why his grandparents said he looks like George Strait. haha

I played the guitar for the first time on my mission and oh wow it felt so good.  I have missed it so much!  I have missed music so much!!! 

J is the boy and A is the husband of a hermana that says that the church here isn't as good as in the states because in the states we are diligent and here everyone is lazy.  That's why they don't get good stuff here.  It's kind of funny but has truth to it, unfortunately.

Their inner nacho libre?

Ranchero

He's still got it. haha

Monday, February 6, 2017

Hi Mom,

I've been alright. This week wasn't the best but we are starting a new one so it's cool.  Elder Romero and I are exited for it to start. haha  It was just a hard week. Sometimes there are just weeks like that. 

We went to Subway.  We were going to go to a store that sells really cool t-shirts but it was closed.

(I didn't get much out of him today.  It was obvious he was down and had a really rough week.)

Mission selfie.

February 13, 2017

Hey Mom!

The start of this week was scary. We thought our baptism with A was going to fall through. It's funny because his wife is super controlling and so when we talk to her we get her side of the story.  A was super busy so we couldn't finish teaching with him.  We stopped by to find him and we told his wife that we can't baptize him because we haven't finished the teaching.  She told us a bunch of stuff like he was going to get offended and 30 minutes later he called and told us that he was good to move the date. I then told Romero that we are only going to talk to him for information.  We then went and had a sit down with A.  We brought Allen with us, a Priest in the ward who is hilarious. We had an intense talk with A and told him that he had to come to church and everything. He was cool.  He told us that he knows the church is true and he wants to bring his parents.  It was cool, really cool. hard to explain but cool. So we set up his baptism for this week and he came to church by himself with out his family, it was awesome.  He's going to be baptized this week. 

Studying.

It's been cool.  I have been getting better at everything.  Elder Romero has been commenting on my Spanish.  He told me it's better than President's and both of the AP's.  The only thing I lack is confidence.  In the lesson with A I did lots of things that made it seem as if i had a year under my belt, or so says Romero.  I still lack confidence but I'm working hard. 

It was cool, we had interviews with president this week after Zone Conference.  I couldn't speak English to President, I kept on breaking out into Spanish.  I forgot how to pray in English. haha (His emails are getting harder and harder to understand.)

Also J is going to get baptized this week.  The Bishop interviewed his dad and he said his dad can baptize him.  We are super super excited.  The hermana conchita is the Primary President and she has been helping us out a ton there, it's awesome.  

I tried not to be alarmed by the barbed wire along the top of the fence.

The other day we were walking and we passed some drunks.  I was like Elder Romero lets go over here but he didn't hear me and kept on walking.  They stopped me and asked about Trump.  I got mad and was like look I don't know anything.  Then Elder Romero started to talk to them.  I got frustrated. haha  They were kind of picking a fight with me, but it's cool.  Right after that we went to see the C family at their store.  All of the kids where in the store, there was like 20 of them.  They are all super cool, they loved us and force fed us pizza.  Romero told them about the drunks who tried to fight me. A was funny, he told me swear words to tell them then gave me a fake gun.  It was funny and cool, there were a ton of people in the store. The next day in church one of the boys who is 11 years old came to church by himself!!  It was sweet.  We had 4 investigators in church Sunday.  Oh yeah, and 15 minutes before church the First Counselor of the Bishopric called me and asked if one of us could give a talk for 10 minutes.  I went and told Elder Romero thinking he would say he would do it, but then he was like naw you do it.  So I did it.  We headed over to church and during Sacrament I found a few scriptures to use.  I was the concluding speaker and actually ended up talking for 15 minutes.  I was happy.  I was like wow, did I just do that?  It was cool pretty cool stuff.

Tell Mr. Morales he is awesome. 

I miss you, Mom, a lot.  I hope everything is ok.  I'm doing pretty good. Talk to you later.

Where's Waldo? haha

This is a picture that Sister Williamson posted on the mission FB page from their Zone Conference last week.  We have yet to see a picture where Hayden is not a head taller than everyone else.  haha

Thank you so very much for the love and support everyone has given to Hayden.  His Birthday is this week on Wednesday (the 22nd).  If you would like to leave a comment below wishing him a Happy Birthday he would love it.  He will see them on Monday.  We love you all!!!