Chandler's Mission

Hello hello! Last Monday I had a gnarly cold and a bad headache - I honestly just forgot to write an email to everyone. These last couple weeks have been pretty good, I really love this area. Lilian (refer to Chapter 53 if you don't know who she is) is doing really well and still on date for the 3rd of August (two weeks)!!! Unfortunately, Gerson has just received a new assignment at work that takes him away from his family two weeks at a time, with just a day or two off before he has to leave again. But before he left, he was speaking with our homeboy Obispo Boquin and Gerson told our bishop that he wants us as missionaries and the Church to continue supporting his family while he's gone, and told him that someday he knows he's going to get baptized too... So it's a bittersweet feeling with Gerson. Lilian is still going off though, we're gonna make baleadas with her tonight (I'm thrilled - my companion isn't too fond of baleadas but like whatevs)...

  The Bishop and Ivan -Los hombres jovenes e Ivan del Barrio Manantial -Left to right: Me, Ivan's mom, Ivan, the Pastor, Elder Knowlton   -Bishop, Ivan, My comp and I Hey guys! It's been one amazing week! Here's some highlights: 4th of July: Had a great 4th of July, wore a really big hat for the video call home and knee-high American Flag socks. It was hype. Ate hot dogs the night before on an interchange with Elder Rechis, and played some patriotic music on the recorder and ukulele. Good times. Pastor at our baptism: Our boy Ivan got baptized! It was awesome!! After talking to his mom again, she said she's really seen a change for good in her son and was willing to support him! She also said she'd like to attend the baptism and asked if it'd be ok to invite her pastor! We said yes, of course. So what d'ya know, the pastor(a) shows up with Ivan's mom to the baptism! It was awesome. She was really respectful an...

Hey guys!! It's been a fun week! Mexican tacos: Hermano Trochez (the fattest man I've ever seen in my life who lives downstairs from us - also the owner of our apartment - also one of my favorite ward members here) made us mexican tacos to celebrate that I hit 1 year on the mission last Thursday!! My companion ate 3, I ate 10, and good ol' Trochez ate 24! It was a good night. Roberto and his first talk: Remember Roberto, who we baptized a few weeks ago? He went to the temple last Saturday with the youth and did baptisms! In fact he did the baptizing! I love this kid. Then he was assigned to give a short talk along with other youth who went and spoke about his experience! Man, this kid's the best ever. Ivan: So our homeboy Ivan is back on date to get baptized THIS SATURDAY. That is, if the mom decides to sign the baptism record this time... We have high hopes, this kid has come a long way to where he is now. One year got me feelin a certain kind...

  Helping a family do laundry (Matt Foley voice) DOWN BY THE RIVER   We climbed a big rock An old photo of me, my first zone leaders, my trainer, and the hermanas from my first district  A big fish That's right,  half the zone  - a total of 7 out of 14 missionaries sick all in the same zone. But I'm just fine (apart from the sprained wrist). But my companion was doing pretty bad, so we didn't do a whole lot of work this week, so I don't have a lot to say but here's some pics. Love you all have a good week everyone! Elder Jensen