Friday, October 29, 2010

10-29-10


Hello family,
     So this week has been pretty cool.  On Sunday, there were a bunch of missionaries in my zone that were leaving.  So sacrament meeting was really cool.  There was a really good musical number, and our branch president Shumway spoke.  He is a really awesome man.  He always gives the coolest lessons and talks and things.  Anyways, it was probably the most spiritual sacrament meeting I've ever had.  So I don't think I've told anyone about this... but every sunday, we have to prepare a talk for sacrament meeting.  It wouldn't be that bad, except that it has to be in Spanish!  It pretty much stresses everyone out.  But I guess it is a good experience or something...
     On sunday, we also got to go to a fireside that was really good, and we watched the Joseph Smith movie later that night.  It was a really fun/cool day. 
     On tuesday, Elder Scott came for the devotional!!!  We are way lucky that we got 2 apostles in a row.  It was so cool.  He promised a bunch of blessings to us and I could really feel the spirit.  I was in the choir, so that was really cool, so we got reserved seats and everything.  November is supposed to be a big month for Apostles to come here. 
     On Wednesday night, or Thursday morning... 4 elders from our district left for the Dominican Republic MTC.  It is weird now because there are only 6 elders in my district now.  But its weird because I didn't think I would care when they left, but I became really good friends with 2 of them.  So that's a big change that we're dealing with.
     Yesterday, my companion and I were asked to teach a workshop to the whole zone.  I don't know why we were asked, because we are still kind of the newest missionaries here.  So as it turns out... I had to teach pretty much all of it because my companion is "sick."  So that was a little bit frustrating. Also we taught Lesson 2 two times.  Thats a lot... So yesterday was really busy for us.  I went in to the TE where Brian Messer works, and we did a 30 minute class with him.  It was really helpful and fun to see him.  I learned a lot. 
     Spanish is going pretty good.  Our teachers have stopped speaking english so it is hard, but it helps a lot.  We have to teach the Lesson 2 again tonight. Thats always stressful.  But it usually goes well. 
     Our branch president challenged us to read the book of Mormon cover to cover before we leave the MTC.  Its going really well. I can't seem to put it down when I start to read it.  I love that book so much.  I just got to Alma today so I'm making pretty good headway. 
     Well i'm pretty much out of things to say... except that I'm over 1/3 of my way through the MTC!
         Con amor,
              Elder Hoddenbach
 
P.S.  Send more letters and stuff... ever since the other elders left, we don't get any mail...

Friday, October 22, 2010

10-22-10


Dear Family,
     This week was so awesome!  On fridays, after p-day, we go to a place called the TRC.  This is where we go and teach "investigators."  I wasn't very excited to do this, but it went really well. Now I'm kind of excited to do again tonight.  I realized that teaching is pretty fun.  Plus we study the material so hard throughout the week so it's cool to put it into action.
     On tuesdays, we get a general authority to come speak to us at our devotional.  They were pretty shady on who was coming which let us to believe it was gonna be someone big...  They were really secretive about all of it.  Then while we were singing and waiting before the devotional, everyone just stands up.  And they usually tell us that we only stand for The Prophet and the Apostles.  So, turns out Elder Nelson was there!  It was so cool.  He talked about missionary work... surprise, I know. It was really good though. It was so short though.  He only spoke for like 35 minutes instead of the regular 50 or so.  It was way cool though and we got so much information from him.
     Other than that, my week is pretty much the same as last week.  It was good.  But everyday is like the one before it.  It's way repetitive but that makes one week seem like one big day.  So really I'm only here for like 6 1/2 more long days.
     Today we went to the temple.  It's really cool to go with a bunch of missionaries. It gives it an even cooler atmosphere.  And we ate at the temple cafeteria again.  Its sooo good.
     It's so amazing how much we learn in 1 week.  It's way cool how much more I understand about the Book of Mormon and stuff like that.  I can't seem to put it down.  Also, spanish is coming really well.  I can almost have a conversation. (probably like talking to a 3 year old...) But it's really pretty fun.
     So I can't remember if I told everyone this, but 4 of the elders in my district are leaving on thursday for the Dominican Republic MTC.  I didn't think it would affect me at all, but I made really good friends with 2 of them. So it'll be a little hard. They are my favorites in my district.  But when we all get home,  they are both going to go to BYU, so that'll be good.
     I really don't have much more to say this week except that I love and miss you all! 
                       Love,
                            Elder Hoddenbach
 
P.S. I'm going to write letters to some of you this week and some next week.  I just don't have enough time to write to everyone... sorry.

Friday, October 15, 2010

10-15-10


Dear mom and dad,
     I just wanted to let you know that i'm doing really well and I love you lots.   It's been a really good week.  I can't believe how fast it went though.  I seriously though Monday was like yesterday. 
    I'm doing really good and having tons of fun.  I had some really cool experiences this week and have felt the spirit a lot.
    the food here is really pretty good. we got really big meals 3 times a day.  today we went to the temple.  It was a really cool session and it was really cool to have the room full of missionaries from my zone.  My zone is really, really awesome.  Everyone is really nice and friendly.  (There is about 50 people in it)  We ate in the cafeteria after the session and it was so good.
    I don't have a lot of time left.  Sorry I suck at writing emails. I'll write you a big long letter in a minute.  You can give an update for the blog that katie is gonna make from my letter.
     I'm doing really well and I love you so much!!!  The best way to get letters is dear Elder. at least right now it is.  I'll give you a full update in my letter. 
            Love,
                  Elder Hoddenbach
 
P.S.  I have a flashing red timer counting down... it makes this really intense.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

10-9-10


hey mom and dad,

     How are you?  i'm doing really good i think.  It's been a really hard couple of days.  but things are starting to get better.  my days have been really, really slow, and i feel like i've been here for weeks.  We are learning spanish crazy fast and we get a ton of information stuffed down our throats.  But i'm learning so much.  My companion is elder Richens, the one we met at applebees.  He is sort of weird and I get frustrated but we are getting along just fine.  there are 3 other elders in my district going to cali.  elders mckay and shelley.  elder mckay is from arizona and elder shelley is from fairview.  My comp. and 2 other elders are going to bogota.  the rest of the elders in my district are going to the Dominican republic and they leave in 3 weeks for the mtc down there.
     I talked to elder hancey last night for a bit.  i don't know if he has changed or if I have changed but I really really enjoyed talking to him.  I'm writing a big letter with a lot of details today since i don't have a lot of time. 
     everyone says to make it to sunday and the time starts flying by.  I hope this is true because it is super super slow right now. 
     i just wanted to let you know that i'm doing ok.  you're letter the first day really helped me to forget myself and get to work.  but i miss you and you'll get a letter soon with a lot more details but i'm almost out of time.
     I love so much!!!
         Love, 
              elder corey hoddenbach