He's just dandy!!

Monday mornings seem to be the only time that I have to post on the blog, so this is last weeks letter (he'll write me again today).  He is doing well!!  He actually asked me not to post a specific part of the letter so if it doesn't make complete sense that is why ;)  Feel free to write him also :)  He loves hearing from everyone!!

Familia!!

It's good to hear from everyone! I love hearing the stories that happen back home, it makes me miss everything back home. Right now everything out here in Hughson California is doing good. It's a tiny tiny little town, but the Lord has people waiting to hear us. It's been a week full of miracles! Whether we seem them or not, there is always a miracle happening everyday. When people say they've never talked to missionaries before is a miracle sometimes because it's so small out here haha. But I love it! It's a good area to start in. There was a pretty cool thing that happened on Friday. Elder Hall, Elder Lumberg, Elder Brower and I were on our way home from the apartment, and we saw a car broke down and a person walking on the side of the road at about 8:30 at night. It was pretty dark and we had to be back to the apartment at 9 but the spirit told Elder Brower that we needed to stop and help her and see what's going on. So we pulled over and Elder Brower and I got out to walk her back to her car. Elder Hall and Elder Lumberg went back to her car that was broke down. The person's name was Stephanie and she was so grateful that we pulled over to help, and she started cry. She was scared because walking around in California at night can get sketchy. She was from Ceres which is about 5 miles from Hughson. She ran out of gas and so Elder Brower called one of his members to bring a galon of gas. Long story short she was so grateful and wanted to know more about us, so the missionaries out in Ceres are teaching her and she has since then loved us! So the Lord prepares people to teach!

Right now we have 3 progressing investigators and it's Yanime, and two brothers named Axel and Abel and they're 9 years old. We used to have 4 progressing, but I'll explain why we only have 3 later. We have a church tour with Yanime today and she's super excited! Axel and Abel are easier to teach but they're hard to catch. They're never around at home except on the weekends. But Yanime, Axel, and Abel all have dates for the 31st, I'm way excited that we'll hopefully have 3 baptisms in one day! We ate taco truck this Sunday again, except this time we ate like 4 or 5 peppers, and the fire bum is unreal out here! You have to be careful what kind of mexican food you eat but for the most part it's pretty dang good!

So I Love hearing about stories back home! I love the pictures and silly little things that JT and charleigh do. It's hilarious. I don't have a camera chord other wise I'd be sending a few pics too but I don't have a chord. So maybe you could send me one of those? Along with some food or treats? Haha but that's really all I need. The Camera chord is like a Android charger too... I heard about Jaycee and she will always be in my prayers! Grandma told me before I left, but tell her that I hope all goes well!

But yeah! That's another update in 5 days haha.

But time is running short and I love you all! Let me how the games go even if you can't go to them. But remember to pray for our investigators. :)

Love Elder Horrocks

Week 1 Down!!

Alex's mission president said that P-Days were on Monday's so on Monday I checked my email every 20 min (literally) and didn't get anything :(  Same thing on Tuesday :(  Finally, Wednesday afternoon I got a letter from him :)  YAY!!!! (Mind you, I checked the email every 20 min. for 3 day's straight!)  Enjoy!!  I love him and miss him tons!

Hey Mom

Sorry about the late email. I came in right in as we were doing our temple day in our area. The temple in Fresno is small but it was a lot of fun, it's beautiful there too!! So our temple day was today and also our prep day so that's why I'm emailing so late. I'm adjusting to the missionary life little by little, but it gets easier and easier. I didn't want to believe how hard it was going to be when I left a second time, but I have to admit it was pretty dang hard. My new companion is Elder Hall. He's white and speaks some pretty good Spanish. He's from Orem Utah so I'm pretty familiar with where he lives. Right now he's a district leader and a trainer, and it's his first time with it too. He's getting the hang of it though! It's a lot of work. I help him along with it and stuff, things like paper work and phone calls or whatever he needs help with. Right now my area is a place called Hughson California, which is north of Cali. We cover 3 little towns like Waterford, Hughson, and Hickman. I've seen a few familiar faces since I've been back. In fact when I first showed up I went out with an elder named Elder Jensen and he was in my district in Portervile. He was pretty stoked to see me. I haven't seen Elder Nye yet though.... The Spanish is coming a long. I have a huge head start and can speak pretty well so far. I'm still learning though. 

Right now we are teaching 2 solid investigators but we have 4 or 5 with a baptism date. Right now we are teaching a girl named Yanime (Ya-neem) we taught her about the restoration and the plan of salvation and you should of seen the look on her face. She tried not to cry when told her about Jesus Christ and his atonement, and that because of him we can live with our families again. She was pretty tripped when we told her we lived with God before and that we will live with him again haha. She is super excited to hear more from us! We are going to be teaching her how we can return to God by using the Gospel of Jesus Christ... Our other investigator is Adrian and we found him knocking houses in Waterford. He said that he already talked to missionaries a couple years ago but that they quit coming back. So here we are now teaching him again. He's 16 years old and so Far we've taught him the Restoration and the importance of repentance and baptism. He trusts us a lot. The way we know that is because he's told us a lot of things he's done in the past. And he wants to change, and we told him that God sent us here to do that. The other investigators are Selena and Lupita (Lu-peeta) and they are going to be baptized eventually. Lupita signed the papers and everything but she flaked out this Sunday because her Dad is Catholic and told her to wait and not do it so fast, which is frustrating. But she knows what we taught her is True from the bottom of her heart. Selena is cousins with Lupita and she has the same mindset. They both go to church actively we just don't know why they're not committing to baptism yet.. So we need prayers that our investigators will understand the importance of the Gospel and that they'll continue to read the BOM and find out for themselves that it's true through prayer... Something crazy this week is we have Sunday dinners every week at a non members house and they run the "Taco truck" and it's like an ice cream truck except they sell tacos haha. Elder Lundberg (who's 285 pounds) ate 16 tacos, yeeee!!! Me, Elder Brower (Elder Lundbergs comp) and Elder Hall ate some dried peppers dipped in chile sauce. And it was like stupid Hot! I thought Elder Hall was going to throw up! So we drank like 6-8 cups of Horchata to take the spice away (it's a cinnamon milk that Mexicans make). So we had fire bum for like 2 days haha

Hahaha I love JT's stories they're hilarious. Thanks for the pics too by the way. I showed all my zone Charlie's picture and everyone else and they said charlie was really cute haha. I miss everyone already. It's crazy to say good bye for a second time! But everything is going good... Don't worry about the bike, just get it here when you can. Same with the pull up bar! Oh also if you can, remember that green Spanish book and CD that was by the computer that I used to study Spanish? If you could send that, that would be awesome! :) but time is short and I'll let you know more on Monday!

Love you all 

Big Al

ANNNNDDDD WE'RE BACK!!!

At the Stake Center after Alex was set apart.  Only missing Justin.  He was sad he couldn't get off work.

Haydn, Alex and Stephen

As if saying goodbye wasn't hard enough once, we got to do it twice!!  So just in case you weren't aware Alex went back to Fresno on Tuesday, August 5th.  It was exactly what he has wanted and he couldn't be happier.  I've watched Al grow and discover who he is personally and even more so spiritually during the time he was back.  He developed a very personal relationship with his savior and Heavenly Father and it showed in everything he did.  He did a semester at UVU, where I feel like he learned even more what he was capable of accomplishing on his own!!  Learning the bus schedules, riding his bike, working AND going to school.  Getting A's in the Geology and English (classes we thought he'd struggle in) and B's in PE and Music.  WHAT!?!?! (YES!! You read that right!! B's in music in P.E) ha ha ha.  He matured into a man right before my eyes!!! But most of all the spiritual journey he chose to take and set his goal as returning on his mission has been his number one priority.  Honestly the odds were not in his favor.  only 1% of missionaries who come home return.  Alex is in that 1% now.  I'm proud of him.  I'm even more proud that decision and process was ALL HIS.  He did this all on his own!!  We were just here to support and guide when he needed it, but he is responsible for where he ended up... I LOVE HIM!  I love the example he is as a son and brother!  We will miss him coming in from Mortal Combat Wars at 3 a.m.  We will miss him randomly deciding to come over after work and spending the night with us.  We will miss him Playing the Guitar.  We will miss him teasing the babies.  And we will miss his quirkiness everyday.  The people of Fresno are very blessed to have him there!!  He is prepared to spread joy and love.  Honestly I don't see how they can get away from being drawn to his countenance!

Saying goodbye at the airport.  No one ever gets a pic of Mom with him but I got my hug too!!

I waited all day Tuesday (after I got home to my internet not working and my data service in Roosevelt is HORRIBLE so connecting to my email through my phone was a bit of a joke) for an email to come that said he had arrived and it never came!  Wednesday morning the internet was fixed and on and I again started waiting.  Around 11:30 I received a phone call from Fresno.  It was President Clark (his new mission president).  He called to tell me 2 things:  1.  That Alex had arrived safely!!  They normally take time to send out a quick email letting parents know they arrived and he had just realized that they had not done so.  I admitted to him that I had been looking for the email but that I new if he hadn't arrived safe I would have received a phone call yesterday.  He laughed and said "I know you mother's like to get a return receipt!".  I laughed and told him that was EXACTLY what I needed (I'm also VERY relieved he "understands" us mothers) ;).  2.  He had spent all of Tuesday and most of Wednesday with Alex and he wanted to let me know what an amazing son I had.  He was a fine young man and that he already loved him and his spirit.  He said he was going to do great things!  I (of course) agreed with him!  I actually could have gone on and on and on about how much I loved Alex and that I knew he was going to do great and marvelous things but I didn't want him to thing I was bragging ;).  ha ha ha.  So instead I told him how special Al is to everyone here and that he had an enormous group of people cheering on his every move!  He apologized again for no email and said that P-days were Monday's and he'd send out emails then. ...He asked if I had any more questions for him and I said No and we hung up.  Then I realized I hadn't even asked where Alex was going to be.  So I guess I'll find that out on Monday. 

SOOOOOOOO... He's there!!!  Feel free to email, or write a letter and send it, or even send a package!!  He wants to hear from everyone and anyone!!  The email and mailing address are exactly the same.  If you can't find them let me know and I'll post them again :)

Hello Family

He's getting more and more mature with every letter!!  I love hearing his thoughts and advise.  It makes me wonder if the spirit will continue to grow at this rate!?!?  I thought I knew the definition of "spiritual giant" but it's kind of taken on a whole new meaning to me now ;)...  Also, I'm considering making this blog private.  I wanted it to be public so that anyone searching for the gospel could feel of his testimony if they happened upon it.  But a couple things have been brought to my attention on privacy and I may being making it private.  I'm obviously still thinking about it ;)  I'll let you know... Still no pictures :(  I did receive some in the mail from his mission president tho!!  I will scan them and post them ASAP!!! Enjoy:

This week was pretty awesome actually! We had 3 meetings this week in a row so it was a little bit different this week. We had trainer/trainee meeting, District meeting, and Zone conference all in one week, and they were all scheduled 3 days in a row. We were really fortunate to keep our numbers up this week cause of the meetings we had, because we worked really hard. We learned so much in our meetings such as: How to recognize the spirit, the Atonement, Professionalism, How to control our thoughts, just little simple things we can do to become a better missionary. One of my favorite things about President Gelwix is that he is so inspired and is his own person. He gives us blessings every time we have the opportunity to meet with him. This week he said to us, "Don't be a prisoner of your past." Which to me is huge. I hope we can apply this to ourselves, and investigators as well. 

My love out here continues to increase for the people. I love hearing about changes that come into peoples lives, including my own... This week we have 2 progressing investigators. We'd like to have more, but these two that we have are really solid. Martin is one of them. We had a lesson with him about Joseph Smith and the BOM. We asked him to pray about it to know if it was true with us. It was a simple little prayer, but afterwards he said he felt a feeling overcome him. We knew he felt the spirit, and we knew we needed to help him gain his own testimony of Joseph Smith and the BOM to progress. And NOW we can help him quit smoking :) we love Martin, he's awesome

Our other investigator is Joel and Rosie. And he said that he is going to try and pray to know if he wants to be baptized because he feels that baptism in the Catholic Church is the wrong authority. But he knows our purpose and he knows that we are true messengers from the Father. 

Other than that we have had many miracles placed in our path. We have miracles everyday! It's truly amazing. One thing that stook out to me was that God prompts us through the Holy Ghost even when people decide to reject us or not answer their doors. The reason being that is so that we can meet someone else ready to hear the gospel at the right place at the right time. It's amazing how the Lord works. We actually met a new investigator because of this. Her name is Colypsa and she has had problems with family sickness and surgeries in the past. She said she's willing to hear our message 

Also this week we had the wonderful opportunity to teach a primary class :) which was a little different. There's only 5 or 6 kids in primary, which isn't to bad because it felt like my branch in white rocks :) our ward is actually super small.

We also had the opportunity to meet a traveling hippy. His name is Dano and he is kind of a psycho. He's traveled all over the country for... well just because I guess. He's originally from Utah and I guess he has been to Vernal. We tried teaching him about the gospel but wouldn't fully accept us but he'd be willing to talk to us. We tried giving him a card from us and said we'd give him an English card cause we have all Spanish cards, but then he started speaking Spanish to us!!! What the heck!!

I love hearing about stories back home, everyone seems to be doing awesome! Weston's Football games, Charleigh and J.T., Marleigh's volleyball games, you and Justin. Everyone seems to be doing great :) but I'll let you know if I need anything else. Love you all!

Elder Horrocks

P.S. Isaiah 41:10, read it :)

Ola!!

For some reason Alex didn't get my letter this week :(...  I don't know why it makes me so sad, but it does!!  I feel like I missed a phone call or he wasn't home when I stopped by or something!!  He knew I had written a letter because I sent some pictures in a different email and included a little part about something I forgot to put in the original email.  So he sent the same email to both his Dad & I and then sent me an email that said he didn't get my letter but he did get my pics.  Hopefully it's a fluke thing!!!  And no pictures this week still :(  He still doesn't have the USB cord to his camera.  Maybe next week ;)  ...He's such an AWESOME missionary!  LOVE HIM!


Hola Mi Familia!

So there has been a whole lot that has been going on this week. We first off had many miracles!! Especially Saturday and Sunday. Our investigator Martin finally came to church!! After we asked him about 3 times he finally decided to come. I love Martin, he has such a good heart. We are still trying to help him quit smoking. He really wants to quit but he is scared to change also. But he knows our purpose of being there a long side him. He says to us, "I know you guys are really kind, but you guys don't like to mess around." Hahaha so that just shows that he knows we love him and that we want to help him.

Elder Tesimale and I were contacting in some apartments this past Saturday. I don't think we'll be going back there again because they were not ready to hear the gospel at all (they were all white too). We got rejected plenty of times. So after that, we decided to go knock some houses instead, and we still had no luck... I told my companion that I feel inspired to pray right in the middle of the street, and we prayed and asked for help and to find someone that's ready to hear the gospel. Later on we found a Spanish house! They were a couple named Joel and Rosie. We were so relieved to find someone to teach. But when we were teaching they said they had a Book of Mormon that was given to them from some other elders in the past, but it made no sense to them. We explained the BOM to them, and the importance of it. After that they said to us that it made sooooo much more sense and they wanted to join our church!! We haven't even really fully taught these people, and they already wanted to join our church!! They're super solid, and they want us to teach them more. 

Well that's about all that happened this week. And it's been amazing. I'm sure there is more experiences I've had but I can't think of them at the moment... Tell Heather thanks for her package! I loved how she sent pink cookies and lots of candy, but mostly the pink cookies. I got Grandma Linda and Grandpa Jeff's letter too. I was sooooo excited because they are my first letter ever! I also got one from Jamie and Nate, haha Cohen draws the funniest pictures. AND last but not least I got one from my mom. I'm so happy to finally have my own shampoo now, and the nesquick and pull up bar is a plus!!

Holy cow Union beat Carbon 49 to 0!! That's awesome! Way to take it to the dinos! And Wes getting 4 touchdowns?? What a stud!

Sounds like all is well back home! Thank you for the pictures by the way. I'm glad Marleigh kicked butt in powder puff football too. And J.T. is getting huge! Looks like fun having to rake leaves. Nobody rakes leaves in Porterville haha the coldest it has ever been is probley 60. But I enjoy pictures every time you all send them. And I promise that one day when I get a USB chord you will see the parted hair :). 

Well I love ya family!! It's always so good to hear from everyone back home! And remember the Lord in all things. I'm truly so grateful to have the opportunity to help others come closer to Christ. I keep you all in my prayers everyday. Hast Luego!

Love always Elder Horrocks

P.S. tell Britton I said Happy Birthday!!

Hey Y'all

I LOVED watching conference this week!!  I knew that Alex was doing the exact same thing at the exact same time and I felt like Fievel in An American Tale when he's looking at the moon singing "Somewhere Out There". ha ha ha!  I know I'm a weirdo but that's how I felt!!  ...It literally gave me comfort to know that we were doing the same thing.  I felt like he could have been sitting next to me on the couch and I loved it!!!  He had another great week :):)  GEEZ I LOVE HIM!!!

 

Hey Y'all

This week was full of blessings and miracles! It's been pretty crazy with the work down here in Porterville. When I wrote you last week I actually had the opportunity to go on my first companionship exchange, because Elder Tesimale had to go to a training meeting in Fresno. So it was me and an Elder named Elder Hill, he's pretty cool and works really hard. When I was with him I had to speak a lot more English to him rather than Spanish. We went back and forth in our assigned areas teaching lots of different people. It's very rare when an Elder shows up in a mission, and has to go on a transfer after being out in the field for a week. So it was definitely a different experience!

The main highlight of our week was conference. Wow!! It was amazing to hear their messages! They emphasized a lot on the Atonement and on rising up and coming unto to Christ. When I would take notes I heard in almost every talk that would quote Jesus Christ, "Come unto me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." One of the biggest things our  whole mission is doing is trying to apply the Atonement into our lives as missionaries. We have loved it so much because of the blessings it brings! Anything in life that is unfair can be made fair through the Atonement of Christ. Everything can become better through the Atonement of Christ. One of my favorite talks was given by Adrian Ochoa, and he said, "When your testimony is questioned, or you need spiritual strength... Look up." and so I have been doing that or trying to apply that to myself so I can be a better missionary. But of course everything we learn in conference we can apply to our lives!

Yeah we part our hair out here :) it actually doesn't look that bad, because everybody wears it haha. But yes we are super obedient out here and we honor our mission traditions. But I'm not sure how long ago the promise of parting the hair was given. I just know that Elder L. Tom Perry gave it. I can't send pictures of my parted hair yet because I don't have a USB chord. But I'll send some as soon as I can!

Martin is doing good! We are trying to help him quit smoking still but he needs to come to church before he can be baptized as well. We invited him to Conference but unfortunately he wasn't able to show. Ha we invited lots of our investigators to come to conference or church but we haven't had much luck yet. But we still got to keep our heads up and strive for the best, and most importantly have faith! That's what runs this mission is baptisms and faith... Oh but we did get another person to commit to baptism in the first lesson!! That was awesome!

I'm glad to hear you have met two mothers of two elders that I have already met out here :) Elder Barney actually said that you emailed his mom. And Elder Connor Wright is our district leader and he lives in the same apartment complex as us. We are pretty good buddies :) He's played baseball and played at Orem High School, so we get along really well. I've met lots of Elders who I've already become great friends with.

I was so happy to hear about the Mexico City MTC!! It felt like I was looking at my old home. Mexico City MTC was one of the best things that's happened to me. I've met President Carlos Pratt there, who's the president of the MTC. And I think I listened to Elder Velenzuela while I was down there too, but I'm not quite sure.

Sounds like all is well back home :) I love hearing about good news and about how everybody's doing. Sorry to hear about football, but I know they're working hard and trying to be a better team. And I know Weston is tearing it up, he always does. Tell him to keep it up, and to continue to be a leader and a example to the team. Haha J.T. still sounds like J.T. :) I love hearing his stories. It sounds like Marleigh's team beat Uintah! Tell Marleigh that I told her she would beat them! Charleigh... It's crazy to hear how fast she is growing! It'll be different seeing here later. And I'm really happy to hear that you and Justin are applying the teachings of the prophets and apostles to your lives :) There will be so many blessings, temporal and spiritual, that will be poured from heaven from obeying the law of tithing as Elder Bednar said.

Welp... Conference is great. And I love you guys. And I am truly grateful to be serving here in Fresno! I will write you more next week, I hope I got everything in this letter. There were probably more but we are just so super busy that I can't remember all that goes on. But I love you all, and I will talk to you soon :)

Love Elder Horrocks

P.S. I haven't got the packages yet but I'm sure they are at the mission home. I'll probably get them in a week or so... Also the prophets said that Members in missionary work is important, so if you ever have the opportunity be willing to help a missionary :) President Monson said, "May we all be found doing the work of the Lord."

I'm Here!!!! & The First Week :)

I'm posting his letter from the day he got there and this weeks letter at the same time.  He's really enjoying it!!  I also subscribed to an email group of moms who have missionaries in Fresno and there are quite a few moms with missionaries in Porterville also :) It's exciting to have others to talk to who have sons right there too!!  One mother has family only 20 min away and said they are willing to help if anything is needed :)  YAY!!  They also have such fun and cool ideas for them.  Who knew??  One of the moms said that her son had funny dog stories to tell also.  I'll have to find out what the deal is with the dogs ;)...  One more thing I can't even IMAGINE what Al is going to look like with his hair parted!! lol. Cool story tho! ENJOY!!

Last Wednesday's letter:

I am here and I absolutely love it. I got here at the mission home and they had me go to straight to work. They had me working me Elder Garcia, and we went and contacted people on the streets for a couple hours, it was awesome! (we almost got chased by a dog it was awesome) He said I did pretty good for a first time, I love being able to do this work here now, and everybody is so welcoming.

Well I only have 5 minutes so love you all! Hasta Luego

Elder Horrocks

Monday's Letter:

The First Week

Well All I can say is that I am sooooo happy to finally be in Fresno! It has been pretty different from the MTC. The first night we got here I met Pres. Gelwix and he is awesome! He is an inspired man and makes me want to work hard out here. Everybody is so welcoming and loving here in this mission. Everywhere we go and talk to we tell them we love them. Its awkward at first but that's how we develop Christlike attributes. It's a super obedient mission out here as well. And a funny story is in our mission, we have to part our hair. So I am going to be parting my hair for the next 2 years. But there's a reason for it... Elder L. Tom Perry came to this mission and said, "If you will part your hair you will get twice as many baptisms." Well hey, if he says so then we do it. It also symbolizes that we "part ourselves from the world"

My Area is beautiful! It's called Porterville and it's about an 1 hour to 1 and a 1/2 from Fresno. But yeah I did get chased by a dog. It was scary because I've never been in that situation before. My new companion is Elder Tesimale. He is from Virginia and he is Samoan. He is a great trainer and is so in tune with the spirit and thankfully knows Spanish really well. I thought I knew a lot of Spanish, but no I still have a ways to go. I can still teach and stuff but it's different talking to real people and trying to hold a conversation. But really I can see myself improving already. My purpose right now is to always remember my purpose, because you can easily distracted in the field. But faith in the Lord always helps with that.

One Investigator we are teaching right now, name is Martin. He's awesome! He seems to really want to change and be a better person in life is what he says. So were trying to help him repent and quit smoking so he can be baptized by October 27th. Other than him we've talked with lots of people on the streets. That's a majority of what we do is go talk to people on the streets and bless their families with a prayer or share a scripture or anything. We call them Harvest Blessings.

It was great to hear all of you guys on Wednesday!! I loved it! I wish I would of had a little more time but there will be another time again. You guys all sounded so happy! I especially loved listening to J.T. say "cococo" haha but now your gonna have to teach him to say Fresno... I will keep praying for you guys. JT's sickness, Justin's trial, Weston, Marleigh, Mom, Charliegh, Grandma everybody back home. Tell Justin that he's okay. We all have trials, but we chose to come to earth to face challenges. The Lord said it wouldn't be easy but he said it would be worth it. And tell him I love him too.

Keep those stories coming because I love hearing from all you guys. Haha sounds like everything back home is crazy as always. But that's good I guess. But this is all I have to write because not a lot has happened yet except just preaching the Gospel and meeting new people :) Well I love you all. And God bless!

Elder Horrocks

P.S. if you could, send me that pull up bar that's in my room if Weston's not using it please, I fear that i will get fat haha so if you could send that. that'd be great

P.S.S WATCH GENERAL CONFERENCE!! There's much to learn from the Prophets this coming week!


Alex's addresses are permanently on the side of the blog but I'll put it here also.  The address is the same for written letters and packages.
 Elder Alex Horrocks
California Fresno Mission

1814 N Echo Ave

Fresno, CA

93704