Sick.

Hello, blood/nonblood relatives,

Well, I am sick.  My head is full of snot.  I will lick this keyboard.dgyfhsjfjk

Last week kinda went downhill, but a window of hope has opened after yesterday's miracle snowstorm.  We actually taught 4 lessons, contacted 2 people by shoveling their driveways, received 1 referral from headquarters, and got fed dinner yesterday on my exchange with my zone leader, Elder "Harry" Porter.  He is cool because he has CF.  Today, we had district meeting and interviews with President and Sister Jeppson, and I was excited about that.

Also, more things happened.

Love,
Elder deJesus

5th Transfer

Dear La Familia y Amiguitos,

Work is good.  Elder Walker ended up not going home, metaphorically.  My new companion is Elder Graham Thompson Walker!  Haha.  President Jeppson has a sense of humor.

Well, I forgot to mention that two Tuesdays ago, my companion was Elder Rodriguez from Pacquiao's home town, some city with a white name, like Jeff City or something.  Anyway, he had gotten transferred to Bayonne, which is Filipino central in this mission, with Elder Rosario, a Filipino elder who was previously with Elder Estipona, a Filipino elder who was trioed up with Elder Garcia, another Filipino who went home 3 months ago.  And I still can't believe that I am serving the Peruvians and Ecuadorians here in Kearny, New Jersey, for at least one and a half more months.  I am loving it!!!  Ya tu sabe, big, pimpin papichulo.

So really fast, Tuesday, I got my new companion, Elder Graham Thompson Walker.  He is really funny and a great missionary.  I will learn so much from him.  Also, that day, while waiting for them to go to and come from transfer conference, I stayed in Harrison.  We ended up only going outside for 5 minutes since the temperature was 16 degrees Fahrenheit.  It was insane!!!

Thursday, we met with John, who, sadly, isn't showing signs of progression.  He is having a hard time not allowing his doubts to overcome the things he knows.

All weekend long, we found potential investigators, received referrals, and gave priesthood blessings.  The lessons we taught were top notch, top hat, top hole, dope, swag, and the biz.

Anyway, I love you all.

Love,

Elder deJesus

Five Transfers

Salud, dinero, y amor,

Muerte.  Mi companero va morir manana.  Translation: Death.  My compadre goes to die banana.  Better translation: Elder Walker goes hometomorrow.  I will miss him.  I will be staying in Kearny for one more transfer, making me really old in Kearny English Walking!  I am both sad and happy, and I'm a Mormon.

Seriously, though, staying in Kearny is bittersweet.  Bitter because I don't get to see a new area, or even train a new missionary, but sweet since an investigator has been praying me here.  And it worked!

The first day we talked to him, we were at home, sick.  He called us and said, "Hello.  My name is John.  I'm an excommunicated member and want to change my life.  Here is my address and information.  Come over at 3."  It was a miracle.  Now, he is determined to be baptized and become clean from his past sins after years of selling and taking drugs.  Now, he has cut off all connections from his previous vendors and customers, comes to church, wants to bear his testimony in front of the congregation, and will be baptized hopefully on January 26.  He met with the missionaries before and doesn't like transfers and now I won't get transferred!

Before that, when we were sick, I was praying my guts out that we could do some type of work.  I just wanted to get out of the apartment.  I know now that God answers prayers.

On Monday, I was with Elder Barrio, mi paisano de la gran ciudad de Chihuahua, o estado.  Yo no sabo nada.  But I was with Elder Barrio since Elder Walker and all the other "dying" missionaries were visiting the Statue of Liberty.  We went to family home evening with Gramma Jackie and we played headbands, charades style.

Anyway, on Tuesday, we had a zone meeting.

Wednesday was crazy.  Elder Hendrickson from Eagle Mountain, Utah told us last-minute that he was going to inspect our gross apartment!  As we hurried to clean it/stuff everything in the closet, Carmine from Gramma Jackie's house called us and said that they needed blessings ASAP.  After the inspection, Elder Hendrickson went with us to give Gramma Jackie and her family priesthood blessings for comfort.

Here's what happened.  Early on New Years morning, a riffraff from Newark busted into their house with a gun and threatened to kill their baby if they don't pay up.  God protected them and the hoodrat left and was caught by the cops.  Everything went well, but old Gramma Jackie was traumatized.  As we gave them priesthood blessings, I remembered what God said, that He will spare the righteous.  An overwhelming feeling came over me and I knew that it was true, that things will work out, and that things do work out because things have worked out.

Thursday, Elder Walker and I were separated again as they went to the Manhattan Temple.  It snowed that night so they weren't able to make it back alive.  So they stayed at our apartment while I stayed at Elder Barrio's apartment.  There was a Nerf war before bed.

On Friday, we exchanged back and Saturday was fine.  We had said goodbye to everyone by Sunday and ate good chili at the Roas'.

On Monday, the 6th, we went to the North Arlington Library to email our families home.  I wrote:

Salud, dinero, y amor,

Muerte.  Mi companero va morir manana.  Translation: Death.  My compadre goes to die banana.  Better translation: Elder Walker goes hometomorrow.  I will miss him.  I will be staying in Kearny for one more transfer, making me really old in Kearny English Walking!  I am both sad and happy, and I'm a Mormon.

Seriously, though, staying in Kearny is bittersweet.  Bitter because I don't get to see a new area, or even train a new missionary, but sweet since an investigator has been praying me here.  And it worked!

The first day we talked to him, we were at home, sick.  He called us and said, "Hello.  My name is John.  I'm an excommunicated member and want to change my life.  Here is my address and information.  Come over at 3."  It was a miracle.  Now, he is determined to be baptized and become clean from his past sins after years of selling and taking drugs.  Now, he has cut off all connections from his previous vendors and customers, comes to church, wants to bear his testimony in front of the congregation, and will be baptized hopefully on January 26.  He met with the missionaries before and doesn't like transfers and now I won't get transferred!

Before that, when we were sick, I was praying my guts out that we could do some type of work.  I just wanted to get out of the apartment.  I know now that God answers prayers.

On Monday, I was with Elder Barrio, mi paisano de la gran ciudad de Chihuahua, o estado.  Yo no sabo nada.  But I was with Elder Barrio since Elder Walker and all the other "dying" missionaries were visiting the Statue of Liberty.  We went to family home evening with Gramma Jackie and we played headbands, charades style.

Anyway, on Tuesday, we had a zone meeting.

Wednesday was crazy.  Elder Hendrickson from Eagle Mountain, Utah told us last-minute that he was going to inspect our gross apartment!  As we hurried to clean it/stuff everything in the closet, Carmine from Gramma Jackie's house called us and said that they needed blessings ASAP.  After the inspection, Elder Hendrickson went with us to give Gramma Jackie and her family priesthood blessings for comfort.

Here's what happened.  Early on New Years morning, a riffraff from Newark busted into their house with a gun and threatened to kill their baby if they don't pay up.  God protected them and the hoodrat left and was caught by the cops.  Everything went well, but old Gramma Jackie was traumatized.  As we gave them priesthood blessings, I remembered what God said, that He will spare the righteous.  An overwhelming feeling came over me and I knew that it was true, that things will work out, and that things do work out because things have worked out.

Thursday, Elder Walker and I were separated again as they went to the Manhattan Temple.  It snowed that night so they weren't able to make it back alive.  So they stayed at our apartment while I stayed at Elder Barrio's apartment.  There was a Nerf war before bed.

On Friday, we exchanged back and Saturday was fine.  We had said goodbye to everyone by Sunday and ate good chili at the Roas'.

On Monday, the 6th, we went to the North Arlington Library to email our families home.  I hope everything is well at home!

Love,

Elder deJesus

Wonderful Christmas Time (part two)

Amigos y Familia,

La navidad fue muy increible!  Bien chevre indeed.

I will have to go fast because today, I have only 10 minutes left.

Monday: we went Christmas shopping with the Central Newark elders for preparation day in Penn Station.  Then we taught a lesson and a game at Gramma Jackie's for family home evening.

On Tuesday, we had a zone Christmas party, in which the Hendricksons fed us deliciously.  Then we all played the shortest game of Mafia I have ever played.  We killed all 4 of the Mafia in 3 turns, as well as one detective.  Also, we played "In the Manner of the Adverb" game.  Dave told us to come by again, so we did.  Poor guy.  He still has the colostomy bag for two more weeks.

On Christmas morning, we opened presents with the Harrison elders, Elders Comish and Anding, who had slept over the night before.  We went to the Roas and she fed us the best eggs, bacon, and French toast that has ever graced our taste buds.  Next, we walked over to the Angeleses in Harrison for some Skyping time with the family and friends.  It was so beautiful to see all of you!!!  I'm glad things are working out for everyone's lives.  The Angeleses also fed us a traditional Peruvian Christmas breakfast, including toasted cancha.  They are fantastic people.  Next, we split with the Harrison elders because we had 2 appointments at the same time.  I had the privilege of teaching Gramma Jackie's house with Elder Anding.  After that, we walked over to the Aguilars and took pictures.  We then went to the Pesantezes and took pictures, as well as some food and Danimals home.

After Christmas, we got sick and stayed home all day.

Friday was good.  We were able to visit the Artigas and teach the kids about serving their mom, our Primary president, who also recently got surgery for a tumor in her brain.

On Saturday, we taught Gramma Jackie's house and the Yambas.  We were able to see the exhausted Bro. Pepe.

Sunday was a spiritual blast.  It was the day of the Primary program.  They talked about the Plan of Salvation, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  They did a fantastic job singing and reading, and Sis. Sartore's daughter said one of the best prayers that the branch has ever heard.

Yesterday was when all the departing missionaries went to Liberty Island and Ellis Island, and I will talk about that more next week due to lack of time.

By the way, I love you.

Love,
Elder deJesus

Wonderful Christmas Time

Sssanta!  I know him!

Here is a picture of the Spring Garden Branch missionaries on Santa's lap.  

Also, Alex Boye and something else.  I'm running out of time so I won't even look at what I'm about to send.  But I know it will be good.

Monday, we made candy sleds at Gramma Jackie's house.  Her daughter, Aunt Dawn, commented, "I've never seen missionaries have fun before."  Then we left to practice for the upcoming Christmas fireside.  After that fireside, we moved some couches and boxed with an 11-year-old.  We won, ya tu sabes, casanova.

Tuesday, I gave a training to the missionaries about how to teach people how to pray.  Elder Walker said that he sees improvement in my teaching and training from the first weeks we were together.  I am grateful for his compliments.  Elder Corbridge, my new district leader went on an exchange in his old area with me leading.  I learned that things do not happen when we don't make them!  We talked to 3 people that day about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We exchanged back on Wednesday and emailed since that was the only time we could.  When we visited Gma. Jackie again, one of her sisters referred herself to us!  Miracle.  We also are seeing fantastic signs that Don is improving.

Thursday, Dave is home from the hospital after 4 weeks!  They took out 10 inches of his colon and has been in a nursing home with a painful colostomy bag.  It was painful to watch them remove it and replace a new one because it was gross.  There was poop everywhere.  Now he can change it by himself at home so we might be able to teach him again.

Friday was the all-mission conference, which was a great time.  I saw people who I knew and hadn't seen since my arrival here in New Jersey, and also people who I didn't know existed.  I got to meet new people with incredible stories.  Wow, 250 missionaries in one chapel here is sorta a lot.  But they managed to feed us enough funeral potatoes.  Also, Alex Boye was there, and he gave a splendid talk about setting high expectations and getting self-esteem.

Saturday was the branch Christmas party.  The turnout wasn't as good as the chocolate cake.  But I finally met Santa!

Yesterday, we voluntarily taught Gospel Principles class about the Final Judgment of Jesus Christ.  It turned out pretty well, despite the fact that we got no time to prepare the lesson.  It reminded me about preparing talks in my home ward, or writing essays in high school and college.  As one of my good friends used to say, due tomorrow, do tomorrow.

I am excited to talk to my family on Christmas day and have a sleepover with a bunch of elders!  

Merry Christmas!!!

Love,

Elder deJesus

Temple Trip (Manhattan)

Okay Dokay.

       It's almost Christmas.  You can feel the Spirit of Christmas so thickly when you walk down the streets of Kearny.  Elder Walker is feeling better.  This past week was a miracle.  Pretty much, without finding people through our own efforts, people found us.  Things are looking up!

We found someone by miracle last Wednesday, or rather, he found us.  He called in the morning and said, "My name is so-and-so, here is my address, can you come by at 3?"  He was an excommunicated member who wants to come back into the Church so he can feel clean again, after years of drug use.  We said that we would love to help him out.  He told us to visit him every day.  This is what I love about the Work; people willing to change helps me to want to change more!

Something I didn't understand: it snowed a lot on Saturday night, but the roads were clear on Sunday morning.  Yet they cancelled church in most of North Jersey that morning.  Why??  Our congregation, the English Spring Garden Branch, ended up cancelling just the classes and combined sacrament meeting with the Spanish Newark Ward.  It turned out to be a good meeting.  We had a testimony meeting instead, and I realized how strong the members really are, despite complaints by a lot of us missionaries.

Translation was necessary in the testimony meeting.  At one point, an African member of the English branch got up to the pulpit to bear his testimony of this Church in French.  Another member translated French into English, and another member translated English with a thick French accent into Spanish.  Although there was a language barrier, the Spirit was strong as he testified that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of Jesus Christ on the earth today and that Jesus Christ lives!

Also last week, we went to Morristown, or Morris City, or the Township of Morris, to have breakfast with the mission president and his wife as a zone.  We read out of the Bible how Mary was a chosen vessel of the Lord, and how much trust God gave her to raise the Son of God.  What an incredible woman!

Last Tuesday, we reunited as a zone to ride the PATH train to Manhattan.  We walked to the temple, taking pictures on the way, and eating street food.  It wasn't as good as they say.  And they say it's pretty bad.  But we were able to focus on the endowments inside because we weren't hungry.

That.  Temple.  Video.  I can't stop thinking about it!  Eve is my hero.  It's mind-boggling to know that Jesus Christ created all of this for us!  I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His true and living Church on the earth because we have prophets!

Anyway, I've been thinking.  I might be transferred in two weeks.  I will miss Kearny, NJ.  I love the people here too much!!!

Merry Christmas.

Love,

Elder deJesus

2 Weeks Sick

Ho-ho.

That is an example of an incomplete Santa laugh.

This email will have to be short....  We've stayed home for two weeks now for Elder Walker being sick.  Two weeks of staying in the apartment was ample time for me to study and ponder what Jesus Christ was saying in the Sermon on the Mount: "Consider the lilies...."  God has given us miracle appointment after miracle appointment and we have been overwhelmed by how true that scripture is!  I realized that this mission is not my work, but the Lord's.  I know now that He takes care of ALL His children, including the missionaries themselves!!!

Love,

Elder deJesus