Pictures

Baptisms

Hi there my beloved family!!

Well, I am beyond furious in this moment. The "good" internet cafe won't allow me to attach files (photos) to my email. I am going to ask the other elders where they go. They keep trying to avoid telling us, but I will force them. You guys deserve pictures and I've spent almost half my internet time trying to attach some pics for you all.

   On a happier note, this past week was one of the best that I've had here! We've been able to get in more study time (The Lord has truly provided that for us), and We had another baptism! Do you all remember C? Well, 2 days ago, I baptized her sister, H! It was a very powerful experience for her  and her family. We sat with the family to teach them a few of the commandments on the day of her baptism. At the end of the lesson, we had a small testimony meeting, in which they were promised that if they chose, they could all be baptized on the date that we gave them. At least 2 more of her sisters will be baptised on the 16 of June as well. Their family will all be baptized in the near future, and I hope to hear about their eventual temple visit!!!

   Also, we were able to teach some very powerful lessons this past week. I was able to see the Spirit working within them, and many of them are making and keeping commitments that they wouldn't have before. The progression is starting to happen, and very fast at that!!!

   Things at our house are still very fun. A few of us have been very VERY sick lately (no not me), and I felt really bad for them. However, we continue to have a TON of fun at nights and on Pdays. Elder Walker (not my companion) and I climbed up on top of our chapel roof yesterday, (ALL of our appointments dropped... both areas. crazy) and we found that our neighbors had long ago left a ton of garbage (roofing, beer bottles, etc) on the top. We spent all evening cleaning it up, and we have plans to go up on top and sit up their at night or on Pdays just playing chess and drinking juice. (It is safe up there mamma. :) )

   I hope that you are all enjoying life at home. I'm going to try very hard to get you some pictures. Até mais!!

Elder Alex Hobbs

May 28, 2012

Ola!

   Wow, you guys must have had a School´s out for Summer Johnson party! It looked like you are all having a lot of fun and are enjoying the warm weather! I myself am enjoying the cool weather. The dry season is the coolest during the year, and it has been over cast for like 3 days. Awesome!
   New car? Probably a good idea. I noticed that the mileage wasn't all that great. But the new one looks like it will be a good car to have around and to get around cheap! Yes dad, I pulled out 50 dollars for a few things. No worries there.
   Now, for the good stuff: The safari was great! I could have had a ton of fun WITHOUT the animals. The African landscape was just surreal and unbelievable! I got great shots of giraffe, zebra, elephant, African deer things, and the landscape... but you can't see them until next week. :( Our usual cyber cafe was down for repairs, and the one that I'm in has anti-hardware, so I can't upload anything. SAD! (I may or may not have fed a monkey one time... no lice though)
   The next item of business: WE HAD A BAPTISM!!!! M finally got baptized. I got in that font with him, and he was baptized and confirmed a member of the church this past Saturday and Sunday. It was just awesome. He really worked hard and deserves to enjoy the blessings of the church. He was ready!
   The branch had a "night of song and dace". We got to see our branch president and his wife sing, all the members that were there got up and danced, and the whole night was just a lot of fun (we only got to go because our appointments dropped)! I absolutely loved it! The turnout was very small, and it wasn't anything big, but it reminded me of ward activities at home. I miss them a lot.
   I'm excited to hear from you all. Tell Chris, Summer, Jakers, and the new girl thanks for the email, and that the ACDC cup is still safely here. Also, we put up a picture of Micheal Jackson that we bought on the street for 50kw above our sink because we were having a hard time doing our dishes. It has improved dish cleaning. A lot.
   I miss you I miss you I miss you! I promise BUÉ dos photos next week. (Slang for a crap ton) :)

-Elder Alex Hobbs

May 21, 12

Todo bém?

   Então, eu pensei que esta semana, escreveria vocês em Português.... just kidding!

I hope that you are all excited to be out of school soon! Time seems to be going by very fast. School is already out for you guys, and I'm almost at 6 months already! I've got to get to work!!! 

   Well, W. was not baptized. We found that she was not quite ready for baptism, and, also, her mom wouldn't allow it to happen. We're going to continue to work with her to build up her faith. However, M's baptism is set up for this week!!! I'm very excited for him, and I think he really is ready to follow Christ like he always says he wants to.

   So here's the news: President and Sister agreed to buy a house that the other Cassequel companionship found. It has HOT WATER! We're excited. I don't know if I told you already, but the appartment is brand new, and will get new kitchen items with it! Huzzah!

   Also, I will be going on a Safari with a bunch of the other newer missionaries on Wednesday! (No mom, I won't touch the monkeys) I'll take lots of pictures and be safe.

   These past few days were full of service. Not the happy go-lucky and paint a house kind of service. African service. It was very fun. First, we went to a member's house to find that the woman of the house was cleaning out their freezer. "It's women's work" she said. We said "nope, it's missionary work!" Little did we know what we were getting into. (Mom, close your ears. You too Luxana) The freezer was full of ice, water and blood. We bucketed out blood, and scooped out fish heads, crab legs, and.... drum roll... a lamb's head. It was pretty awesome. After we finished, we went upstairs to talk with the man of the house. As we were talking, we found that their dog had a tick problem. We then proceeded to de-tick their dog with matches and plyers. Mmmm... o yeah.

   Then came Sunday services! We got to help an unknown investigator feel better. He had a hangover and was feeling sick. But I think we made an impression on him and a few members that the doctor is not for the healed, but for the sick, and that our church is one of love and understanding, and that all can be forgiven.

   I hope that you all enjoyed the stories! They weren't as bad as they sound here, because I thought it was all AWESOME while it happened.

   Alright, I have an address. Remember : 5 lb limit, no liquids, no food, only every 6 months (or just not too often).

If you do decide to send a package, I think I'd like more pictures and another photo book. :)  Also, Elder Borden wants to see my Senior pictures. Other than that, I'm doing just fine here!

I love you guys.) I hope that you enjoy summer, and that things are always happy at home!

 -Elder Alex Hobbs

Por minha família,

   Things have been going great since I last wrote you guys! (no, still no house. You can read about our failure at    angolaluandamission.blogspot.com   also, there's a lot of pics of the people I'm spending my mission with!) But, other than that, I feel great! Fast Sunday was awesome. I paid the first fast offering of my life to the Cassequel branch. 1500 kws!!! That was really cool. Also, the whole day was just plain old spiritual.

   When it comes to investigators, it might take a few weeks, but I think that we'll be seeing the fruit of our labors soon. Our investigators have all started making some very big leaps and bounds. We had one who we had been teaching since before I got here who finally agreed to get married (the process is difficult here), D. agreed to fast today to quit smoking, and we had some investigators come to church for the first time.

   So do you guys remember C? She is quickly becoming the coolest person ever. She has 9 brothers and sisters. Currently, one of her sisters, H, will be baptized in June. Yesterday, C brought 5 of her sisters to church!!! Along with that, we've had lessons with her whole family, and the all have a Book of Mormon that she helps them all read. C is like a super genetically enhanced radioactive spider seed that we "planted". She is also helping another set of Elders fellowship one of their investigators!!! The Lord prepared her and her family, that is certain!

   Alright, mothers day: I'm not sure when your guys' church is, but I'll be on at 16h30 Angola time, so you'll get on at 9:30 Mountain time (I found out it's only a 7h difference because of dalight savings). I've copied down your username, so we'll see how it works. I've never used Skype, but the Walton's know how to use it, so we should be alright.

   I've been eating better. Mostly because I've started to actually spend my money. We get $600 per month, so I can buy grapes at $10 a kilogram! Plus, I buy juice pretty much everday. The juice here is soooooo much better than American juice. I'm not sure why. I've been eating good meat and cheese sandwiches, we found peanut butter for protein (hallelujah). And, our relief society is starting to feed us again!!! (let me know if I told you about that story. It's pretty funny) Also, we found Reeses' puffs and cinnimon toast crunch at a gas station. We will be returning to make a bulk buy today (it's authorized because it's actually cheaper than the other cereals that we usually buy.)

   Life in Angola is very neat guys. I need to take some pictures to show you what it's like here. Some things are super cheap, others insanely expensivo!! But the country truly is beautiful. It embodies Africa in it's own strange way. The people are just absolutely funny! (and racist, haha). Random fact: I'm going to try to find a book and learn Kimbundu.

   I love you guys. A. LOT. I miss you more than you know, and Mother's day will be SICK!!!

Muito de amor para vocês. Continua a ser último, e também, lembram-se sobre nosso Salvador para sempre, porque Ele é todo poderoso. ç.

 -Elder Alex Hobbs

Week 16

Família. Tudo bem?

   This week was very nice. We hooked up our fridge to a new outlet, so now we can have cold foods!!! Awesome. I'm attaching a few pictures for ya, but I guess that I can't attach videos because of some memory limit. LAME!!!

   I think about you all all of the time. Things here in Cassequel are great. We have had awesome progress with people.

   Let's start with D. We were going to drop him. He had received all of the lessons, and was not keeping ANY commitments, including chastity and Word of Wisdom commitments. When we went to let him go, the member that was working with us, A.P., started to tell him that it was time to change. She gave him a baptismal date for us. He said over and over: "imposível". We didn't even think it was possible, but I told Elder Perry that we shouldn't give up just yet.

   We went to his house, and gave him a picture of Christ (one that I may or may not have used in my luggage to deter theives) and some passalong cards to tape up all over his complex for him. We gave him a scripture study notebook, and told him we would check up on him twice a week, and call him each night. We gave him a priesthood blessing to quit alcohol. When I gave the blessing, I had the distinct impression to not say anything certain. So, I said "with work" before every blessing I promised. Well, we called him each night, visited, and asked him about his commitments and scripture reading each time. He changed completely. He dropped alcohol that day when we gave him the pictures. With 1 week of struggling, he gave up smoking. He also took our advice and made it a rule of his house not to allow his girlfriend to be alone with him at home. 

   We asked A. P. to verify, and she said that he had been doing everything that he said. He was the only one o f our investigators that came to all 4 sessions of general conference... and payed attention. He isn't the best scripture reader, and he doesn't always understand everything that he does read, but if the baptismal interview goes well on Wednesday, he will be baptised on Saturday. I don't know how strong his tesitmony is of the Book of Mormon, and that does scare me, but I do think that he is trying very very VERY hard to live his life the way the Savior would have hime live it. I am very anxious for Wednesday!!!

   All of our other investigators with baptismal dates are ones that "don't feel ready", but we know that they will be at the times of their dates. They are golden people, and are just a little nervous. So, we tell them that when we give baptismal dates, we KNOW that they aren't ready that instant, but that we want to give them a goal to prepare for it. Then, at our next visits, they are much more excited about baptism.

   Ok... so I might need to find a new Book of Mormon in Português... I sort of gave mine to an investigator... haha. We were on a division with a zone leader, so we were a triple. We went to a woman's home named Natercia. She said she was big into studying religious things, and she was open to anything. She showed us a book on fasting and talked FOREVER about it. She also challenged (didn't discredit, but challenged) everything that my companions said. So, I bore a testimony. It was a strong one. I told her about you guys, and how I don't know Português yet, and that I missed you. Then, I told her that I wouldn't be here if I didn't know that the Book of Mormon was true. We didn't have any give away copies with us, so I told her to take my personal copy and read, ponder, and pray about it until we could meet with her again and get her a new one. She accepted, and we left the lesson on a high note!

   Sounds like summer time is coming for you all! It's turning into the dry season now, but we're seeing more rain than the country has in a VERY long time. I hope all of you are having fun doing what you love: baseball, visiting family, getting sick, etc. haha

   I love you guys. I miss you and can't wait to see you again, but in the mean time, I'll just keep trying to improve myself!

I love you all. Fique bem. Têm força.

  -Elder Alex Hobbs

Week 15

Hey guys!

   So, easter was very fun 2 weeks ago. They celebrate Pasquão here on Saturday, not Sunday. There was Angolan Independence day on the friday before easter, and there was PARTYING everywhere! The President of Angola drove on the street for about 5 minutes, so he had military security on the sides for about 3 hours. Owen: you see police with AK47s and uzis a lot here.
   We had general conference yesterday. D, the investigator that I was very worried about came to all four sessions! It was way cool. Also, I saw Mike Hoover sing in the MTC choir that was there. Crazy eh? Então, things here are just awesome. We now have 3 baptismal dates, and we are very excited.
   Once again, I'm so sorry that there aren't pics and video for you this week (did you get the stuff from last week?), we're trying a new internet cafe today, but their computer doesn't allow hardware! I swear, I need to tell the guys to just go to that first one that we used to, because it's the only one that is reliable.
   Anyway, the week was pretty uneventful other than what I've told you. We've been working hard, all of my house is still way awesome, and the transfer is about to end. I don't think the KFC is open yet, but we're excited.
   I'm really disappointed that I can't get you the stuff I have for ya, because I have some very funny videos. But, I have good news for Mom: you might be able to send me mail. Apparently, the members of our branch that work for the gas companies get a mail service here, and smuggle stuff in for the elders. I've seen 4 packages come in. My biggest problem is that I can't send you guys stuff out. Hmm. One day... haha
   I love you all. I spend time every now and then turning on my ipod, playing "come thou font" on the Reflections of Christ album, and watching the pictures on my ipod. I love seeing your guys' pictures and hearing your voices each week. :)
   By the way: if you ever see the card game "BANG" in the store, I reccomend it. We played it today and it is very entertaining!

I love you all. Lhes-amo muito. Eu penso sobre vocês quasi cada dia. Prometo que vou trabalhar com força, e também, vou obter coisas fisch para vocês.

Lembram-se: Vocês podem orar qualquer tempo de qualquer dia. Nosso Pai Celestial ouve orações, e Ele sabe sobre suas afflições. Lhes-amo,

Elder Alex Hobbs