ANOTHER RAINY DAY IN HAINES CITY APRIL 22,2013

Hey everyone, lots going on lately. so I'm in Loma Verde now, or Haines city. I'm with Elder E. now and he's really awesome. We have a lot in common. We both love all the same things pretty much, except music, but that's no problem haha. So far I've had companions that i love and really get along with, so I've been blessed a lot already.  This place has been dead from what I've heard, and what little I've experienced. Here's the rundown: no baptisms in like a year, the whole area has been knocked by missionaries at least twice, our branch is super small and the members don't give referrals, we only have 2 people that can come with us for member-present lessons and they are almost always busy. we had to change our schedule from 6:30am-10:30pm to 7:30am-11:30pm because all the Hispanics don't get home until late. So the work here is pretty slow.. oh, and its called Loma Verde for a reason: this whole area is hills pretty much, and we cant use the car, so biking is terrible haha. also, our apartment is pretty much empty and has very little in it haha its pretty funny. But we have beds and study desks. the small things that we take for granted.. its been super fun though. I haven't gotten any good pictures of this area or anything, so next week I can probably send some.

We have had some success though, within these past few days of being here. We found 4 new investigators, 1 of which is actually pretty solid. hahah we were super happy afterwards! even the smallest things make our days worth it.

---Story of the week--- Last night we were biking around late at night. it was another rainy night, and it got raining pretty hard so we looked for some place to go. we found a church called "the church of god" and went inside and sat in the back. the pastor (or whatever you want to call him) was up in the front and preaching while a lady played the piano. then he would start singing and they would all join him. there was about 20 or so people there. then the pastor ended and was like "i want all you guys to pray for me" and stuff. then.. some lady said "um can we pray for my friend right now because they need help" so then the pastor asked people to come up to where he was and start praying with him. the prayer was nice and all, but then he started "speaking in tongues" and saying weird things like "ohhh bab ohba tonbabaaohh" and kinda convulsing. i really cant explain what he was saying but it sounded like a child making noises but a bit more intelligently. I couldn't help but laugh a little, as was a lady in the congregation who was a member of their church. then they would just walk away when they were done.. and sing and stuff. after they ended a lot of them came up to us as they were leaving and welcomed us and invited us back. they were really nice. even the pastor caught us while we were leaving and invited us to stay and chat a little bit and wait for the rain to stop. so we did. and we discussed a few things, namely our religions. He found the way we do missionary work to be very intriguing and odd. he said a few things incorrect about our church and we corrected the statements; though in a loving way. it was a nice discussion, to openly talk about beliefs and why they believe in that way. anyways, we exchanged phone numbers and information and went on our way. Very interesting though.

Picture 1) Elder N., me, and J with her mom and dad. She got baptized last Saturday but we couldn't go because we got transferred.. We were all pretty bummed about it, but she will be an awesome member!

Picture 2) the sister live 3 doors down. So Elder E. and I took all the junk from our house and organized it as such in their front yard.

Best time of my life! Apr 15, 2013

hey everyone! :)

this week was solid, we have been really blessed again. we had 2 baptized, and next week we have another baptism! however, we just got transfer calls and both elder n. and i are leaving :( im going to Loma Verde and he's going somewhere to be a zone leader! I will be with Elder E.!  we are bummed that we wont get to see our investigator get baptized. Elder N. served in Loma for about 7 months. from what i hear, its pretty difficult.. not a very successful area as far as baptisms go. So off i go, into the furnace, right? im excited and nervous but itll be okay. We were really sad because the Lord has done all this great work and we were able to be apart of it, but now we have to go.. We are being whitewashed by sister missionaries. I think they will do good, they just need to find a house to stay in haha since they cant live in our apartment because its not very safe. I guess everyone says our apartment is the worst. pretty legit. It was pretty rough saying goodbye to all the friends we've made. A (progressing investigator) started crying when we told him we were leaving. He's young and his mom wont let him get baptized but he wants to. We tried hard to get him baptized but the time wasnt right i guess. one day!! We made our goal of 8 baptized for the month of April, and we got 3.. 8 is a super high goal here, but we felt that we could do it. but now the s
isters gotta take over, and hopefully they can finish our goal! it was just a stressful week trying to do the transfers and baptism. We also found 5 new investigators! Which just makes it hard to say we have to leave them now haha.

I've been pretty well though. Lots of ups and downs... i've learned so much gospel stuff though. its nice to study the gospel each day and learn more. the language is really whats killing me right now. the MTC was super quick to catch on because of the spirit, but on the field its just different. I want to get it down soon, but the best thing is to speak the language. I've never liked failing at things, and with spanish its like everytime i open my mouth it doesnt come out the way i wanted it to. its frustrating and discouraging. time, practice, and prayers is all i've got; but it'll be good. Strange how a mission is the place where i will fail the most, but will be the best time of my life.

I love you all and keep you in my prayers. Let me know if i can help in any way!

Elder Jacob James

 

1) This is A (on the right, 13 years old) and his moms boyfriend R

2)Trying not to laugh because we are just huge hahah

Apr 9th

Apr 2nd

Mar 26th

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Jan 1st 2013

hey!
im doing great i think! busy as usual but pushing forward. this last week was rough on me, and i felt really discouraged but its all good now :) im glad to hear josh's progress. you and the family need to really stick on him about reading; its very important. you guys should be reading it daily as well :) its an amazing book! and i know its true. the words written inside will change lives. is he doing okay though? mentally, physically, spiritually?     Yep, p-day is today! doing laundry right now :) everything is holding up. all is well. idk about the bike though.
Thats awesome that pam is doing good! cant wait to see :) and thats great to hear about the temple! its such a blessing that we have temples so close jaja! enjoy it!
Dont worry about what i had to go through. It was hard, but necessary. Those experiences are what have made me strong, and that have helped me know that Jesus is the Christ. My patriarchal blessing says why i had to go through those things; you can read it if you would like :) i wish i could share my testimony in person. i probably will when i call you when im at the airport at the end of this month. a testimony is a beautiful thing, and the power behind it is undeniable. Sadly, i think my testimony is not enough for some reason.. like its not strong enough. I dont know why i feel this way. But i am nervous for whatever is ahead of me on my mission; i believe it will truly bring me to my knees. I am perhaps a little scared, and a little excited. But i pray that the Savior will help me during that time, because i know my own strength and faith isnt enough. I need Him... So thats why im continually building my faith while im here. I wish i couldve started a long time ago instead of last year. Thats why i desperately want josh to be as prepared as possible.
I will write a handwritten letter tonight or tomorrow. the mail schedule is messed up because of christmas and new years jaja! Love you :)
Con amor,
Elder Santiago

Dec 25th

so much has happened recently! I  dont think i sent that letter i wrote.. i must've lost it! oh well. i will write another one today and send it! i really wanted to answer your question that you had about how to help josh prepare for a mission. i think i can help him somehow. so i will write that.

i hope you're christmas with la familia has been great. i miss you guys so much. its hard not to think about all the past christmas we've had spent together. yo estoy triste.. but the Lord wants me here. he will bless you while im gone :)

we have learned so much.. work work work! i could probably write you a letter in spanish but my grammer is aweful. its so much easier to speak a language than to write it jaja!

anyways, today has been great so far, and im really happy that i get to email my family. i never have much to say and im sorry for that. its just that nothing "interesting happens porque everyday is almost the same jaja! wake up, work, eat, wooorrkkk, etc.. sleep. repeat. i just dont think you guys would wanna hear about my classes jaja but teaching investigators are usually the highlight of my days. they either make my day really good, or really bad, depending on how it went. investigators are simpre in our prayers!! and yes, our families tambien! but teaching is so fun, even though its hard. we can understand almost everything in class that our teachers say, but we cant really reply perfectly because we still have a lot to learn. exciting :)

well, i hope today has been good to you, and the family. Dont let them forget what the true meaning of christmas is!

 

Love,

Elder Santiago

Dec 18th

This must be quick!!

I wrote a letter for you guys but havent had time to send it, btw. i should send it today. i received your package :) We love the oranges, and i love the razor jaja. We dont usually like receiving food because we have so much junk food already and stuff, but im always happy to receive something from my family! :) por favor, keep writing "dear elders." Most of my zone gets a letter every other day, and so sometimes i get really discouraged when i never get emails or letters written back to me... But its okay :)

im glad to hear all the good news! tell jill im proud of her and that shes awesome! its also great to hear about josh's progress! tell everyone i said hello :)

The spanish is coming great. We havent really learned how to communicate very well jaja (haha in spanish...) but we know how to say our testimonies, pray, give some lessons, etc. But its progress. We really are learning at such a fast rate, its crazy! if i write in spanish, please dont reply in spanish using google translator, because its rarely correct jaja :)

gracias por the prayers, it means so much to me. the mural is coming along great :)

sincerely, elder santiago

Dec 11th

Its okay, mine are short also. Not much time!
Our investigator, Karla, isnt our investigator anymore. (our investigators are our teachers but they pretend to be someone they actually taught from their mission so its a spiritual experience.) Pero we got 2 new ones! Its so awesome to see them progress and come unto Christ!
Im excited for the package! i dont know if we can print pictures here so i need copies of the pictures :( my companions and i really want pictures of our family, friends, and.. all the girls ive dated hahah. That would be an awesome gift!! also, need another pair or two of gym clothes :(
Its really hard not to type in spanish! some of my journal is in spanish because we simply cant help it.
I will pray for my family, especially those who are sick (pam). I hope all is well this Holiday. Remember what Christmas is all about :)

Love,
Elder Santiago

On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 6:29 AM, joan james <joanjames2@mac.com> wrote:

How are you doing?   This is going to be a little short!  How is your investigator doing?  I'm trying to send some pictures and not sure if it will work!  We will probably be in Utah Thursday and we will have a package for you.  Thursday or Friday :)  Sorry this is all running together!  I'm headed to the hospital Pam had surgery and she had a little set back and I'm going down to let her Doctor have it!!  I will let you know how she is doing :)   Your u=in our prayers always!!  We love you so much, Mom

Its okay, mine are short also. Not much time!

Our investigator, Karla, isnt our investigator anymore. (our investigators are our teachers but they pretend to be someone they actually taught from their mission so its a spiritual experience.) Pero we got 2 new ones! Its so awesome to see them progress and come unto Christ!
Im excited for the package! i dont know if we can print pictures here so i need copies of the pictures :( my companions and i really want pictures of our family, friends, and.. all the girls ive dated hahah. That would be an awesome gift!! also, need another pair or two of gym clothes :(
Its really hard not to type in spanish! some of my journal is in spanish because we simply cant help it.
I will pray for my family, especially those who are sick (pam). I hope all is well this Holiday. Remember what Christmas is all about :)

Love,
Elder Santiago

On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 6:29 AM, joan james <joanjames2@mac.com> wrote:

How are you doing?   This is going to be a little short!  How is your investigator doing?  I'm trying to send some pictures and not sure if it will work!  We will probably be in Utah Thursday and we will have a package for you.  Thursday or Friday :)  Sorry this is all running together!  I'm headed to the hospital Pam had surgery and she had a little set back and I'm going down to let her Doctor have it!!  I will let you know how she is doing :)   Your u=in our prayers always!!  We love you so much, Mom

Dec. 4th

Mother:

 

Hola!

 

I hope you received my brief letter that i wrote. i recieved your emails, thanks for the addresses.

 

So far the MTC is awesome. It was nothing like i expected. On day 1, all we heard in class was spanish, no english at all. We have learned so much spanish. It is difficult not to write in spanish because a lot of thoughts are in spanish now.  We have been teaching our investigator for a couple days now. Her name is Karla. Trying to communicate with her in a different language is very difficult but we know The Lord is helping us, we can feel it. It is wonderful to see her progress and see her faith in Christ increase; I love the feeling i get after I know i helped the Lord share his message.

My companion, district, and zone are great. My companion is Elder Young. We get along very well, dipite our differences. I will send pictures when i can, but our schedule is very strict that we have very little time for ourselves (ie write letters, journals, talk with friends, etc...)

I am happy to hear everything is going well. Dont let me being gone bring you down. The Lord will comfort you, all you need to do is ask.

 

Dad:

 

I know you miss me, and want to hear from me, so dont act like you dont :)

 

I have our picture up in my room, the one of our family when i opened my call. Things are great here, and Ive never felt the spirit so frequently and strongly. This is truly a blessing in my life. Thanks you for all the support you have given me in my life, and for being an example. I am proud of you, you are an amazing father to me. Keep our family together, and dont forget your sacred responibilities as a father and priesthood holder.

 

 

Josh:

 

I miss you. I hope you are progressing with your papers and such. Do not miss me; I am not far away. If you need comfort, I suggest reading one of my favorite scriptures: D&C 50: 44-48. (I cant remember the exact verses but its like the last 6 verses in the chapter). I am proud of you. I want to see you come here becuase i know you will be happy if you do. Say hi to daniel for me!

 

 

Brock:

 

Thanks again for the stuff. I have found it to be very useful already. I hope school is coming along well, and that you and my dad are getting along!

 

 

Jill:

 

If you get to read this (mom, forward this to her por favor), i want to say thanks for dropping me off at the MTC. I know it was hard.

Keep your head up. I will be writing you soon, I have a few things to say that i feel will help you.

 

Daniel:

 

I miss my best friend. Stay with Josh, help each other to be able to go on missions. This is so exciting and i love it, i know you will too. Say hi to your family for me.

 

 

 

I need a few items: decent camera, electric razor, hannah and reebs emails and address, toblers email and address. I cant think of anything else really right now. I am probably going to write more hand written letters. I find it easier and have more time to do it (email is only 30 minutes allowed...) Oh, and there is no gum allowed for missionaries, just fyi.

 

Showers are terrible. Classes are freakishly long. Some missionaries are weird. Spanish is very hard. Days are long. Family and friends are missed. And yet, I Love it.

 

 

I miss you guys very much. I am happy to be where i am, i know the Lord is happy too.

:)

 

Sincerely,

Elder Jacob James

THE LETTER