Awesome Week

GUYS.  THIS WEEK WAS LIKE SOOOO GOOD.

But honestly.  This has probably been the happiest I've been while on the mission.  I'm learning a Ton and what's weird is that there is some STUFF going DOWN, but I don't even care!!!!  I'm so happy.  We ar working so hard and it doesn't even feel like it!  I don't even notice the heat lately!  And you know why???  Cuz I have the COOLEST SON EVER.  But you guys already knew that.  Seriously, I am having a blast.  But, to the email.....  SHOUTOUTS!

Nanny, Natalie, Crys, Kaysi, Ana, Moses, Nicolle, Joy, Jessi, Lizzie, Emma-Lee, Blythe, Chase, Samael, fam... I LOVE YOU GUYS.  Thanks for everything.  And, I've been thinking recently... If any of you have a question or something that you'd like me to answer, I totally would LOVE to.  Just send me the question, and I'll write about it one week or something!  I don't know what kind of things....  But....  I would love to.  So.. Option open!

ALRIGHT, so quick throw down of cool things of this and last week.

1.  Let's Hope for Two.

This came from a fantastic first week of hoping for a few new investigators.  We have to do daily planning, right?  So....  for like four days in a row, we put '2'.  Let's hope for two!  that's a good number, right??  and... Without fail....  We found like 10 new ones every one of those days. 

.....

Like, what?  that's like 30 new people in four days.  It was Awesome, and clearly we had some divine help.  So... That's cool.  also kind of sums up work days with Elder Putnam,

2.  The Off War.

So... We have a lot of bugs in the apartment.  Like.... a LOT of bugs.  mostly cockroaches and spiders and ants.  And....  We were petty sure they lived in the walls...  So....  We decided to try to get rid of some of them....

We started by spraying a little bit in the cracks in the wood where we suspected some cockroaches might live.  To say the least....  We found them.  It started out as a lot of sickening crawling, then developed into an all out WAR as HUNDREDS of cockroaches came SWIMMING out of the wall.  We killed every one.  We did this with several walls.  

Haven't seen a cockroach in the apartment since.  SUCCESS.

3.  The Sermon on the Dirty Honduran Street with a Bunch of Youth.

This is exactly what happened.  We taught a group of like 20 youth cuz they were all joking when we walked by.  We made friends with them by joking around, then it became a big session of question and answer about our church as we sat on the side of a gutter and they surrounded us, and ended with a prayer in DEAD SILENCE.  A huge group of 15-20 year olds, dead silent during a PRAYER?  Doesn't happen.  But totally did.  Probably one of the funnest moments in the mission.  Plus, made a lot of friends.  Great times, guys.  Magic times.

4.  That One Time I Sang For A General Authority and Also Conducted a Choir of Angels

Yeah, self explanatory.  Elder Ochoa of the 70 came to give a conference....  I lead the music, and that was magical and SO FUN and I think I may have gotten a little bit into it leading 'Spirit of God' for a group of 100 missionaries singing in POWER and AUTHORITY.

And, I had a wonderful opportunity to sing Grande Eres Tu (How Great Thou Art) with two other missionaries - Elder Osmond and Hermana Steele, accompanied by Elder Westberg - in a beautiful spur of the moment arrangement.  It went great and it was SUPER pretty....  And, later in the meeting, Elder Ochoa pointed directly at me and goes 'YOU.  Come up here.  Elder Osmond too.'  So... We did.  He then told us we need to use our talents to find people.  He then told us to sing something.  So, we pulled out a verse of 'Mas Cerca Dios De Ti' (Nearer My God to Thee) in also epic harmony.  It was great.  Loved being able to sing again.  Also, Elder Ochoa is kind of awesome.  Like, SUPER awesome.  Amazing spiritual experience.

5.  We have Awesome Investigators and Frustrating Members, Even Though Most of Them Are Chill

... That's just a statement.

6.  Additional to Pitbull, I Have Now Seen Romeo Santos Perform Live too.  

Once again, not intentionally.  It's right down the street. He's SUPER famous here.

And... Yeah!  that's the coolest stuff!  Life is just great here, guys.  I don't have much to report else.  Just have a great week, and if you need anything.. I'm just an email away.

Song of the Week:  Where the Streets Have No Name by U2

Love you guys.

Elder Kristian Huff

MORE TO COME

Well Hey!!!

This week was a pretty crazy week.... Kind of an awesome week, actually!  But really, this week I'm a bit short on time.  SO... I'm going to hit the biggest things I NEED to tell, and afterwards.... Well... I'll write more next week.  ALSO, I'll respond to more personal emails next week.  Know that you are all in my prayers.  Every one of you.  ESPECIALLY those who need it right now.  Don't lose hope, and know that I am always here.  

So, onto the news.  As some of you have probabaly already heard.... I have been given a wonderful opportunity.

I have given birth.

I'M A DAD!  My wonderful new son, called Elder Putnam, just entered the mission field this week, and I have been given the blessing of being his trainer.  Also, my baby is white like me.  :D

I love him dearly.  Because he is my baby.  I am his mother. And Father.  In Tegucigalpa.  He's awesome.  We've already had amazing experiences, some of which I'm going to give the name, but not the explanation... That's for next week.

1.  'Let's hope for two.'

2.  'The Off War.'

3.  'The Sermon on the Dirty Honduran Street with a Bunch of Youth.'         .... Maybe I should rethink that name.

Those are the best.  BUT.... To be saved until next week.  Mama, hit up the pictures.  We also visited Valle de Angeles....  Or, you know, the most gorgeous part of Honduras.  And a waterfall.  I totally didn't take a shower.  Neither did my son.  Obviously.

I think that's about it....  I love you all.  Have a good one, and I'll talk to you soon!!!

Elder Kristian Huff

Song of the Week - You've Got a Friend in Me

Meet Elder Putnam

Swinging from a vine!  AHAHAHAHA!!!!  Tarzan!!!!

Climbing the vine - go Elder Putnam!!!

Folding Cards and Golden Saints

Well hey!  I'm super happy to be here and to share a little of my experiences of life with you guys.  First, as always, SHOUTOUTS.

Neysa, Kailey, Nicolle, Ana, Lara, Blythe, Joy, Kevin, Lizzie, Jose, Alfredo, Jessi....  Love you all dearly.  Thank you, as always, for your words and thoughts.  I appreciate them all more than words can describe....  I miss you all, too, for that matter.

Well,  I really do not have that much to report. Well, I guess I kind of do, but I have to do something first, and I think it will tie in the big things as we go.  So.... Here we go.

The song Demons is one that has developed a lot of meaning to me over the past couple of years, from both before and after the mission.  I hold it close to my heart for a number of reasons...  Some of which I want to share in connection to my feelings of the past few weeks. 

When I hear the verses of this song, I hear a melancholy reflection of what it means to be at the end of the road in a given journey - lamenting the deteriorating standard of society as well as the broken state of he who is reflecting.  I may be looking a little too deep.... But I don't think I am.  That's one of the beauties of music, isn't it?

In regards to my time on the mission, I am particularly drawn to a few phrases and lines of the song: 

When the days are cold, and the cards all fold, and the saints we see are all made of gold;

When your dreams all fail, and the ones we hail are the worst of all, and the blood's run stale...

These first lines are a beautiful description of the sentiments of one who has long since felt the heartache of the fallen state of man, pained at the seeming absence of hope or reason - I, if even in a small part, have indeed felt this in the mission (except the days are actually pretty hot).  It sometimes feels as if the hand we've been dealt is stacked against our favor, and, as I see all too often here, many of the people on the opposing team are following 'saints of gold' - interesting, as the game we play only has one team.  Or, at least, should have one team.  From a non-religious point of view, 'the ones we hail' are often times some of the worst of all - glamorizing immoral and corrupt behavior, and making light to seem as darkness, or, that is to say, making those who DO believe in good and evil to seem 'blinded by belief', outdated, and sheltered from the 'real' world.  Indeed, if any of you at some point has stood for morals, you have felt or heard words to this effect when in opposition.  Of course, these first lines are an analyzation of society as of today - and I appreciate how he includes himself in the 'we', therefore admitting that he himself has at one point participated in the crowd.

It then continues in a later verse:

At the curtain's call it's the last of all, when the lights fade out, all the sinners crawl;

So they dug your grave and the masquerade will come calling out at the mess you've made.

In these lines, the man reflecting then moves on to the end reward:  at the end of the day, no one can hide what they truly were.  Once the buzz of popularity dies down, the reality sets in as to what actually happened; and if while in a group evil appears less catastrophic because one is not entertaining it alone, the effects will always remain personal.  Finally, in these moments of realization, we will put up a face to hide from the truth - and sometimes we are able to.  But who are 'they' who will dig our grave?  This will be our own memories of the truth WE cannot avoid - and the masquerade will come to an end.  Which brings me to the follwing lines:

I wanna hide the truth, I wanna shelter you - but with the beast inside, there's nowhere we can hide.

No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed - This is my kingdom come.

Don't wanna let you down, but I am Hell-Bound; though this is all for you, don't wanna hide the truth.

No matter what we breed, we still are made of greed - This is my kingdom come.

These lines are among my favorites. In these lines, I see the deepest honesty of one to those who mean most.  We don't want to admit they we've fallen from grace, and by doing so, let down those who trust us.  We want to hide our imperfections, that we might appear more stable.  Often times, we try to give the best we can to make up for that which we've broken - but the truth is, in the midst of our own personal journey, we are lost.  Without Destination.  And until we recognize that we are lost, we will continue to walk to nothing.  

My favorite line among these is 'though this is all for you, don't wanna hide the truth.'  Yes, we hide because we don't want to let down.  But deep in our heart.... If we were able to admit everything openly, this surely would be truth:  although I've been hiding all this to shelter and protect you, I never wanted to have to hide it.

When you feel my heat, look into my eyes.

Don't get too close, it's dark inside.

It's where my demons hide.

Thus.... When truth comes out - we are left in a broken and hurt state, feeling hopeless and helpless.  Yes, it's true, we are desperate.  But we are NEVER hopeless and NEVER helpless.  We all have our demons - and as I read the final lyrics, I realize that even the man reflecting realizes that hope is not gone, even if it seems dim.

They say it's what you make, I say it's up to fate - it's woven in my soul, I need to let you go.

Your eyes they shine so bright, I wanna save that light; I can't escape this now, unless you show me how...

I would rather just allow you all to interpret this one.  For me, I see the man reflecting talking to himself and one other person:  Trying to throw out the natural evil that pulls him down, and the one person that can give him that hope that was lost.  But here's the thing that makes me think the most:  The man reflecting needed to reach first.

Love you guys.  This week, Elder Naupoto and I had the opportunity to baptize three fantastic people:  Cristina, Dominic and Didier.  I was priviledged to perform the ordinance.  And.... This will be my last week with Elder Naupoto.  I thank him for all he's taught me.  I'll be talking to you all next week.

Elder Kristian Huff

Song of the Week: Demons

Road trip with President, Sister Bowler and Naupoto

H.'s baptism

Saturday's Baptism

Congratulations!!!

Um...BIG WEEK

WOW there has happened a lot of stuff.  Like.... A LOT of stuff.  Let's do this.  

SHOUTOUTS:

Everybody, I love you.  Thank you for the emails, Ana, Steph, Nicolle, Cristina, Natalie, Blythe, Nanny, Megan, Alfredo, Scott and Neysa.  You are seriously the best.  I hope I answer a few of your questions or add to your thoughts during this email.  I am forever indebted to you all for your love.

OKAY, this week was a big freaking week.

So....

First, Life from Honduras.

SEMANA SANTA:

This week was a VERY special week for me, in that I had a lot of unique opportunities to see the worst and best of what is literally called 'the Holy Week.'  

Worst of the Holy Week:  NO ONE IS HOME.  We hardly had ANY lessons because NOBODY was around.  And, anyone that is around is pretty drunk, and cars are decorated with crosses and other religious symbols while symbols of immorality are paraded just to the side - they call it tradition... And we know very well what can come of 'false' traditions.

Although, we did have one lesson that I wanted to share with you guys.

This was a lesson that ended with a firm 'NO' from the investigators we were teaching.  We were trying to explain why it is important to trust in God and not tradition (as this family is a sincerely righteous and amazing family.... But the traditions they follow makes it next tio impossible to feel the spirit).  

We tried to explain that the most important thing we can do in this life is follow Christ, and that may mean searching outside of our comfort zone... finally, the lesson came to a stand still, as we tried to explain that although the Bible is vital to our understanding of the workings of God, we cannot assume that this single, albeit inspired, book contains the entirety of what God could ever want to tell us.  We cannot put a limit on His work and His word.  And....  The father of the family firmly rebuttled, 'This one book is the enirety of God's word.  This is where we disagree.  And this Holy Week is where we celebrate what is contained in THIS book and THIS book only. This book is perfect, without fault, and there is NOTHING more that needs to be said.'  We await the day when they may invite us in again.

I need to be perfectly clear.  I love the Bible.  Its teaching are irreplacable and I cherish and have a deep respect for all that is written there.  But NEVERTHELESS, I do not think it 'chance' that General Conference, every 6 months without fail, ALWAYS stresses the importance of ALL the testaments of Christ.  Study the Bible.  Understand the pearls that are hidden, waiting to be uncovered by the guide of the spirit.  But allow yourself to just as diligently feast upon the clarity of the words of the Book of Mormon - and together, in your hands, you will see exactly what it is we need to do in this life.  With that, I would like to express a little bit of what I feel is one of the universal messages these books proclaim in unison.

Best of the Holy Week:

This week was a week full of love, notwithstanding the hard moments.  This week was a week where religious boundaries were almost completely broken down, as every television show, radio talk and home discussion was based around a single person:

Jesus Christ.  

This week has been a changing week of my life.  I have realized more and more how important the Saviour is in my life, and I, little by little, am coming to a realization of the reality of His life and death.  I KNOW He lived, and I KNOW He died.  Not just for our sins and all the effects of the atonement, but quite literally, I KNOW HE ACTUALLY LIVED and I KNOW HE ACTUALLY DIED.  The reality of His actual life gives me a more concrete testimony to how MARVELOUS His purpose truly was!  He was truly born in a stable.  He truly lived and taught, using the words that are recorded in the beloved Bible.  He, in reality, was wrongly arrested as a REAL person, beaten, mocked and crucified by unbelievers.  And the Earth ACTUALLY reacted to the death of her Master.  And most importantly, HE ACTUALLY, AS A REAL PERSON, ROSE FROM THE DEAD and HE STILL LIVES TODAY.  As a REAL person!  How GREAT is the joy I have in my heart and mind as I have slowly come to realize the TRUTH in EVERYTHING Christ has done!  I do not know if I can adequately describe the love I have for Him in a few short words.... 

But, very simply,  I Love Him.  I am eternally and infintely grateful for Him.

I could try to explain the effects of all the truth I've mentioned.... but maybe you should just watch Elder Holland's talk.  ;)  Also, I would comment on it... but.... Just watch it.  Just... do it.

Anyway, those were some of the big moments here in Honduras this past week.  Wonderfully enough, The Holy Week ended with General Conference.... And, Well.... I just can't say much.  What I CAN say, is this:

-Watch Elder Holland's Talk.

-I think family is important.  Maybe.  Also, all the talk of marriage made me baggy.  Look, I WOULD if I COULD but I'm a LITTLE BUSY RIGHT NOW.

-Those who Dance may look peculiar - to those who cannot hear the Music.

-We should try to be sunflowers.  Like.... Figuratively.  Or... I guess literally if you really want to....

-The Fall - Atonement - THANK HEAVEN.

-Also, seriously, family is important.  Every religion agrees on it.  Love is yours personally, but marriage is from God. And there is a divinely decreed form for it.  

-Why didn't Richard G Scott talk?

-Why did Thomas S. Monson not talk very much??

-I SUSTAIN THE PROPHET AND THE APOSTLES.

NOW,  the big moments from HOME:

My two best friends in the world are having some big things happen to them.....  So, here, for everyone to see....

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY JAKOB!!!!! I LOVE YOU BUDDY!!!!!  

There were actually a few miracles that followed his birthday....  But that's just for the family.  ;)  You can ask Mom if you wanna know.

and.....

ASSAEL ARTURO RODRIGUEZ HAS RECEIVED HIS MISSION CALL.  

MY FREAKING MEXICAN BABE IS GOING TO FREAKING MEXICO.  CUERNAVACA.  I AM SO PROUD OF YOU BABE.  And yeah, there's all the secret little connections....  The same leaving date....  The spanish speaking....  Sketch places....  And, I can't believe I forgot this, but do you realize we have the same middle name?  Just in different languages?  Dang you're my brother, bro.  Love you.  I can't wait to be out together.  And I'll be seeing you at YOUR homecoming.  ;D

and... One more.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANNY!!!!!!  

I LOVE you so much and I am SO glad you were born and that you're my grandma and BAHHHHHHH I LOVE YOU!!!!!  Guys, this woman is one of the best women who has ever lived.  If you don't believe me.... Ask any one of my friends who knows her.  Nanny, you are amazing.  I love you.  Thank you for everything you've done for me.  I can't wait to go to the movies again and go to dinner and lunch and the bookstore and all the other stuff we're gonna do when I get back.  Happy Birthday.  

Finally....  There's the thing about the song Demons....

One more week.  Way too much happened this week.  So... soon.  :D

Well.... That's just about it.  I love you ALL and I'll miss you.  Talk to you soon.  Until then....  I sustain the prophet.  Listen to His words.  He will guide us to safety in these, the last days.

Elder Kristian Huff, 

Missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Sinners Who Keep on Trying

p.s.  Today marks 8 months in the mission.  16 more to go.  Dang..... time flies.  Usually.  But anyway..... 

Song of the Week:  Cough Syrup, Young the Giant.  It is just WAY too good.  And yeah....  Live your life.  But live it WELL.'