?Como Andan?

Alex said this week was the funnest he's had thus far.  He got to butcher some chickens for a family and he said it was a blast!!  Honestly some of the pictures made me a little sick to my stomach (lol) but, I can see in the pictures that they had fun doing it!!  No worries... I didn't post the absolutely yucky ones! ;)  What can I say!??  He's doing amazing!

I talked with Brother Garcia again this week.  He reminded me of what a hard worker Alex is and that he never gives up when he's presented with a challenge!  The words he said touched my heart :)  I am so happy he is among good people and that they can see the things we've always known ;)  He also mentioned that their group is at 40 members and not 40 families.  They're working hard to build their branch.  Keep them in your prayers!!!

Love my boy <3

Barbarian's... Right??? ;)  He's such a nerd!

This is the first chicken they butchered.
The look on all of their faces makes me laugh.

?Como Andan?

Hello mi familia. So you'll never guess what I did this week!! It was pretty gnarly! But you'll read on during the letter about the events that went on this week. So how is everyone?? I don't have a lot of time to write again today because we have to go to the McDermit center at 2 again to play some more ball. I enjoy playing but I hope it isn't an every week thing. It cuts back on my time to be able to finish all my other stuff for preparation day. Anyhow, so this week was awesome! It was actually one of my favorite weeks on my mission. All of the California Fresno Mission is kicking into gear. We had a zone conference this past Thursday in Visalia and it was so powerful! The spirit was so strong there! I always am stoked when I hear that the Lord is hastening the work, but he is doing it in so many ways that I don't think I would have understood before my mission. I'm always stoked when I hear that we baptized over 1,000, and that we're 1 out 3 missions that's baptized over 1,000. The other 2 missions were Provo and Ogden I believe. But still! Pretty sweet right? We're not content though, we're still working really hard to get that same goal, our actual goal is 1,342 for this next year. So hope and pray that we'll continue forward with this goal, by doing the work the Lord's way!

Our investigators are doing pretty good! We actually got 1 or 2 this past week thanks to our members. One of them is named C. We taught her about the plan of salvation and families and she enjoyed it. She especially enjoyed it because we were able to do it in a members home. We have our two that are still progressing right now, Y. and K. We've been focusing on being a searcher when they read the scriptures and not just a reader. We know that if they "liken" the scriptures to themselves they'll be able to understand them more. So basically we're helping them to live the scriptures rather than read them. Other than our investigators we're still working on finishing the new member lessons. Some are wonderful, and then some are super hard due to the fact that some have hardened their hearts more than others. Those who have opened their hearts to us are those that have found new investigators for us. Like C., she was found in a recent converts house that we're finishing new member lessons with. So you see, the Lord is hastening his work HIS way! It's pretty cool. A quote that's shared all around our mission that's from Elder Bednar, says, "If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always gotten." and certainly things are changing and are more efficient in the Lord's work

So I can definitely say this week that my testimony of service increased! Along with that we had TONS of fun. The craziest and funnest service on my mission just happened this past week. The sisters in Tulare asked Elder Corona and I and the other Elders in Tulare to go and help out. This service was on Friday and Saturday for a less active/part member family who live out in the middle of nowhere on a chicken farm. We were able to be chicken butchers for a day!! We ran around and we caught the chickens threw them in the cage and took them over to the chicken slaughter and we decapitated their heads!!! We hung them upside down and cut them with the knives, we used the slaughter table, we did all sorts of things. At first I had a weak stomach but after a while I got used to it. We looked pretty barbaric doing it too hahaha. It was seriously one of the funnest times of my mission! I have pictures and I'll try and send some (but viewers discretion is advised haha). I would also be careful about who sees them as well :)

Well I told you my letter would be short. But I still have a little time so I might send some pictures. If you had any questions for me this week, I'm going to have to answer them next week, sorry about that! I love ya, and keep the faith! I'll print off your letters and remember to read them :)

Love Elder Horrocks