Talk About A Change

WELL HI.

Wow where to begin.

Thank you all for the emails, as always!  Steph, Joy, Jessi, Lizzie, Blythe, Kaya, Megan, Allison,  and Lara and the Fam (I AM SO PROUD OF ALL YOU ARE DOING!!!). I love you all, and I hope you are all doing great!  Stay strong, keep working hard, and FREAKING ENJOY CHRISTMAS TIME.

Quick shout out to a few of my beloved friends...  We have seen the worst of each other, both mentally, emotionally and physically, as well as the best.... of the same three.  This group of friends has blessed my life in so many ways, and I share things I learned there and from you all frequently during my time here in Honduras.  Dance Co.... Girls? And Gabe and Austin and Kimie?  I LOVE YOU ALL SO FREAKING MUCH.  I hope everything is going fantastic.  I can't wait to show you some of the dance stuff they do here.... It's hardcore latin and FREAKING intense.  But anyway.... I love you guys.  Dance your hearts out, every day - and don't lose a moment on the floor.  I know that for many of you, dance is a way of life..... SO KEEP DOING TO THE FULLEST.  Okay?? I love you all - keep it up.  And yes.... I have done our snail/catepillar move a couple times while here. Cuz why not?

And now.... Onto some crazy stuff.

Saying goodbye to Elder Roldan

Well.... Elder Roldan is currently in his home in Guatemala.  And I am still here in Laconse with a new comp.... But not just any new comp.  I am not senior companion... but we both have less than 6 months in the mission.  And we both have fairly new spanish....

Yep.  Guys, for my first change after training, I got another gringo for a comp.  Elder Tuft, my new white companion, comes from a familiar city.... of Springville Utah.  He knows a number of my friends, and I know a number of his.  He started his mission a change before me.... So.... We are both VERY new, and both VERY North American.  

Pretty great right?  

AND.... He looks like Kirby Heyborne.  LIKE.... BRO.  EXACTLY.

Say Hello to Elder Tuft!

But really, it is awesome. I am serious... IT IS FREAKING GREAT. We work WAY hard and we are doing some good things for the area I think.... He is an incredible guy and we get along really well.  We have had some incredible experiences already.... One of which I want to share with you.  

We had a day CHALK full of citas (appointments).  We were finishing up before heading to dinner, and we decided to start walking toward the area.  Then we passed this door.... I remembered it vaguely, sure that we had been there before.  I actually was pretty sure it was a member, but I hadn't seen her for a while and I didn't remember the house well (out area is freaking huge).  In fact, the member I was thinking of was one of the first blessings I ever gave in Spanish.  So... We kept walking, for only a few steps.  But those steps felt like a lifetime.... I knew we needed to visit that house.  So I told my comp that I was sorry, but we need to go back to that door.  He was willing, albeit confused by the abruptness of my change in direction.  He asked who it was, and as I knocked on the door, I started to say that I thought it was a member.  Within a second, the door opened, and there was the elderly member, in a really nice dress, staring at us as if she was quite sad seconds before our entering.  She invited us in, and then told us a story about that morning.

This woman, for background, has had some problems with her kids.... Several were members that then left the church after missions, or who just went off the deep end before she could help them.  She is a very lonely woman, as far as I remembered.  We were planning on visiting.... But we just never found the time.

Back to the story now.  She invited us in, and began to talk with us, but really just small talk.  We knew that something was a bit off.... So we asked, and she then revealed to us that the ward temple trip was that same morning.  We were aware, and asked if she went.    

She told us that someone from the ward had passed the previous day to ask if she wanted to come.  She had had a hard week, so it meant a lot that they would ask her to take part in something with the ward, as if they hadn't forgotten her.  He said he would be by in the morning then to bring her.  Well... The bus leaves at 4:30 for ward temple trips, because of the distance to Teguc.  So.... She got up at 3:00, got into her favorite dress, and began to wait, SO excited for the opportunity to go to the temple again with her ward family.  So... She waited.  Then passed 4:30, 5:30, 6:30... At about 8:00 of waiting by the door, she realized that they weren't coming. 

Now, as a note.... I do not write this to criticize the member by ANY means.  Life happens.  I only tell this because she was heartbroken the whole rest of the day. And... We stopped by.  And we gave a lesson that ended in tears.  And we are about to start teaching her (fallen away) daughter and son in law the gospel this week.  We talked about the atonement and love of Christ, the power of healing, the blessings and problems of agency, and we expressed the importance of forgiveness through the example of our Saviour.  In a nutshell.... She was at church and things were reconciled, she will be given a calling soon, and she has had two other visits with members as far as I understand since our first visit.  

Well.... I think I love being a missionary.  And I love Elder Tuft.  (Elder Tuft and Huff.... Or, Oof and Toof.  Fun stuff, huh?)  And honestly.... I love you guys.   I will keep you posted on big happenings.... as always.  But for now, I only wish to share my testimony of the whisperings of the spirit.

Frankly, this has been one of the big quesitons of my mission. You all hear the crazy stories of the times they listened to a prompting and how it changed their whole lives and such, right?  And I have always asked.... How will I know??  How do I recognize it when it comes?...

Well.... The scriptures explain it this way, in Moroni 7 if I remember right.  All things that are good come from God, and when following the 'good' feelings, you will inevitably being doing the right thing.  Emerson called it the Oversoul, and CS Lewis called it the Law of Human Nature.  And finally I have started to understand.  Literally.... God works through those 'gut' feelings, and the more you follow them... the more you will get.  And the more you get, the more you recognize the 'good', the 'better' and the 'best'.  And that is what I am currently trying to cultivate and connect to my heart and mind.... But it is REAL.  I can testify of that.  

JUST DO IT.  Whatever 'it' is, YOU KNOW.  JUST DO IT.  

I love you all.  May you all be safe and happy... And in this time.... Remember what the greatest gift of all really was - whose birth we celebrate this time of year.  

Til We Meet.

Elder Huff

Song of the week Nice Dream by Radiohead

To Everybody

Hello, my beloved friends and family.  It is a beautiful cloudy day in Danli Honduras and the days are just flying by.

So.... Shoutouts, obviously.  Nanny, Steph, Jessi, Lizzie, Katelyn, Kaylie, Will, Allison, Victoria, Kaya, Kailey, Assael....  I love each of you deeply.  I will try to respond personally today for the more personal responses, but as a whole, I was humbled by all of your writing me.  I appreciated your sentiments and I want you all to know that I am deeply grateful for all of you.  You remind me why I'm here whenever I feel like faltering.... And I honestly, deeply love you.  

A couple quick catch-ups:  

1.  These are my final days with my first comp in the field.  This Wednesday is changes.  Most likely, I will be staying in the same area, but with a new comp.  

2.  FOUR MONTHS LAST SATURDAY BABY.  

3.  Was the Christmas Devotional awesome or what?  

4.  I am now adequate with a machete for more than just the pillaging of spiders.  And my hands are kind of messed up for that reason.... But hey.  Blisters build character.  Or something like that.

So.... Although I always have a millions stories.... This week I feel I need to spend focusing on my family.  So... With that said, I love you all.  Stay strong.  Remember who you are and remember that you are loved more than you can imagine.  This week will be a week of personal letters, but primarily to family, and next week, I'll be writing awesome experiences again.  

And so... Until then,  I am sending all my love to you.  

......

Song of the Week, actually:  Last Night On Earth, Green Day.  Because obviously. Talk to you all soon.

Elder Kristian Huff

His apartment

His apartment - clothes hanging to dry

His apartment - where he washes clothes and dishes

Inside his apartment - His shower

Inside his apartment - 
His fridge on top of the counter

His felt Christmas Tree

Christmas Stockings

Danli

Danli

Danli at night

Danli at night

"My Danli" at night

Elder Huff

Elder Huff

Back of his plaque

Family in Danli

Doing Great

Just a Little Bit

Hey everybody!  

As always, I want to send all my love to you all, and remind you all how much it means to me to get your emails here and there.  Mikaella, Nanny, Joy, Emma-Lee, Lizzie, Steph, Jessi, Blythe, Natalie, Alisse, Crys, Kailey, Camille.... I love you all, and thank you very much for all the different things you sent me this week.  It means the world.... Honestly.

Sigh.... Where to begin?

I guess I need to preface everything with a question. Or a couple, actually.  As you read these questions, I ask that you try to calm the thoughts in your head beforehand, and that you also read this with the best impersonation of my 'deep question/even if you aren't super involved, I am SUPER deep in this idea' voice in your head.  I am sure that you all know this said voice. I have used it many times with many of you.... And so, this is a moment where I am relaying this idea to each of you personally.

Do you realize what you are?

Do you realize WHO you are?

Do you realize WHY you are?

Yes, I acknowledge that these are rather vague questions.  But, as a missionary, I have learned a couple of things, both in regards to the questions themselves as well as the purpose of asking these questions.  I have learned more and more that yes and no questions do little for spiritual growth.... Unless, of course, they are the right questions.  And these are just a few that I believe are right questions.

So.... Here goes.

Do you realize what you are?  I don't think so.  Because if you did, you would be doing some things a little differently.  I am sure that automatically sounds like a call for repentance.... This is not entirely the case.  Because yes, if you realized what you were, you would probably change some bad habits and fix some things that need fixing, but the same goes in your benefit and defense.  If you realized what you are, you would understand how important it is to give yourself the benefit of the doubt, to trust yourself, and to LOVE yourself.  

As I was talking to a fellow missionary, we stumbled onto a little piece of philosophy, in my opinion. TOTALLY relatable to Screwtape Letters and an abundance of other literary works.  A statement that I think will answer this question for you.  The quote goes as follows: 

'How do you kill a god? The answer:  Before he becomes one.'  

My dear brothers and sisters (because that is truly what you are), You are a God in Embryo.  THAT is what you are.  You are currently in a testing period.  But quite literally, you have the attributes and qualities necessary to become like Him.

Do you realize who you are?  As I said before.... I don't think so.  Elder David A. Bednar said during a missionary conference once, 'if you have a string going from eternity in one direction to eternity in the other, and tie another single string in the middle... The area of the second tiny string on the infinity line measures the length of your existence on the earth compared to all that you have been and all that will be.'  

Take this literally.... There has been an eternity of PREPARING  for THIS life.  How can that be?  Because we fought a WAR where we lost a THIRD of our brothers and sisters.  We have fought valiently and learned and FINALLY reached this point to choose what really means the most.  And after this life, we have more eternities to live than we can comprehend.  That is the WORK and the GLORY of the Eternal, PERFECTED Father.  To bring to pass the (first) immortality and (second) eternal life of man.  Of US.  THAT IS HIS PURPOSE WITH US.  So Who are You?  

You are a Child of GOD.  Of someone who LIVES to BRING YOU BACK.  And yet somehow people still doubt that He cares or listens.... Guys, He WANTS you.  Not your time, or your talents.  HE WANTS YOU.  ALL of You.  Because He LOVES you and He KNOWS what you have set out to do, against ALL the Hell that rages on the earth as we speak.  Which brings me to the next, most important part.

Do you realize WHY You are?  I will tell you why.  Because as a missionary, I have already seen people change who they are because of the truth I am about to speak.  You Are That You Might Have Joy.  Because THAT is what God wants for you.  

But guess what?

We are all sinners.  And wickedness never was happiness.  So frankly... None of us have achieved the fullness of joy that we are capable of finding.  And how can we? Nothing unclean can live with God.  So.... We are all out of luck.  The love God has for us is not lessened by this truth.... But God works within laws - the Highest laws, granted - but laws nonetheless.  And this is part of it.  We can't go back as long as we are imperfect.  

Now imagine.... This great dilemma, that you realized long before this life.  When you were living with God, and he revealed this great plan.  You have aready suffered great loss of loved ones following that cunning plan of the adversary, but you have stayed strong.  YOU WERE THERE, with so many others, and God Himself reveals the great plan.  That we will be able to come here, live, learn and return someone better.  Imagine the JOY that you felt! You WERE there!  In that infinity before your string, you were there.  But then, the eternal dilemma.  

Life is a chance to learn.  And thus.... We will make mistakes.  And so, in that moment, you realized... You can't come back.  You are going to fight a battle you WILL NOT win.  It is totally hopeless.... There's a block with no resolve. We are damned to never return to the arms of Him that lives to love us.

And then a man steps forward.  No ordinary man.... This man is God.  Preordained as such, this man will live a perfect life.  The only one who can.  The only one who would.  The only one who could return to the Father.  

And He turns to the Father and reveals that He has something to offer. Something, that through mercy, the demands of the laws of God's justice could be satisfied.  

Jesus offered Himself.  Not His time, or His talents.  Jesus gave all of Himself.  So much so, that even in His perfected body, the prints of His love for us even now remain in his hands and feet.

And That is Why You Are.

I do not have a lot of time to re-read and edit my letters, So I am not entirely sure if I managed to convey the message I feel I need to.  This is a first draft. Nothing but the words of my soul as I felt them.  What I need you all to realize, is that You are so much more than you realize.  You don't know your divine purpose. But maybe you understand a little bit better now....  And what I want to share, more than anything, is my wordless gratitude for my Lord and Saviour.  Because ONLY through Him can we fulfill this divine purpose.  I Love my Saviour. I know He loves me.  I am here in Honduras because of that gift that he so willingly gave to someone as undeserving as me.  I know that He knows each of you.  The next time you doubt the love of God, Remember that the signs of the love He has is still with him.  Yes, He loves You.  Stop questioning it and start doing something about it.

I do not think I can adequately describe my testimony of Him through an email... But I needed to try.  I thank all of you for your support and love.  Remember who you are.  And more importantly, remember why you are.  I love you.

Elder Huff

Song of the week - Brace Me Up from Saturday's Warrior

Where to Begin.......

HOLY DEATH THIS WEEK WAS CRAZY PEOPLE.  

Lara and the fam, Steph, Lizzie, Blythe, Jessi, Ellie, Joy, Assael, Crys, Kailey, Rebecca, Love you All.  Thank you for the emails... As always.  Seriously.  THANK YOU.

Okay.  Where to begin. Okay..... Let's do a day by day.  Here we go.

TUESDAY

Started out as a normal day.  We planned, we started to work, and then.... The call that would change my life for the next 48 hours.

'Hey, Elder Huff?  This is Hermana Bleak (she is a missionary in our zone after changes).  Would you maybe want to help us sing a songtomorrow for the conference? And maybe play piano if you can?'

.... Conference?  Sing? Piano? TOMORROW?

'Hey yeah sure why not?' .... 'But probably not the piano. I can't play that well.'

AND THEN divisions spur of the moment that lasted all day with Elder Webb (cuz he was one to sing in the performance as well).  Now.... Here is how it went down.  To start, something to know about singing in Honduras.... No one really knows the songs or hymns. EVER.  So.... it usually goes down with someone giving a rough tune and then everybody just going for it.  The result is never pretty.  EVER.  And this song we were out to perform was no different... Elder Webb has never really sung before, and in addition to us 2, there were 2 other companionships of Hermanas.  No one could hold a tune but me, in all honesty... Next question from Hna Bleak. 'Can anyone play piano?  I have music here for Come Thou Fount, so.... We should sing that.'  I looked at the music.... It was barely a score.  So.... I sat down and did what I have done with a million songs the past few years.  

I made a five verse arrangement off the top of my head. I MISSED DOING THAT. Days of Glee flashbacks.....

Long story short, after several mini voice lessons, several hours of working to get everyone on the same key and tune, as well as CHANGING the key about a hundred times to fit these girls (and Elder Webb's) voices, we had something decent.  Typically though, if I wasn't belting it out behind the piano whilst playing, the group still couldn't stay on key.  

So... What is the most obvious action for God to pull on us?  

Yep... Thanks Mom.... 'Hey, have you gotten sick? You can be honest, okay???'

WEDNESDAY

.... Yeah, sickness. Nothing in the stomach.... All Central... in my throat.  Try Seven Brides all over again. Literally NO voice at all. I sounded like death.  And thus we performed.... 

ANNNNND THEY ROCKED IT.  TOTALLY ON KEY, ALL TOGETHER, ALL PERFECT.  I was SO astounded.  Speechless (literally and figuratively).  It was beautiful.  And the conference, as I found out, was a multi-zone meeting for all missionaries for notes from the president.  Nothing too big happened.  Although, I did get a few comments for looking like a rockstar pounding out the piano during the song (because obviously there were emotional parts and then super intense belty parts.  Obviously.  Come on. Is that even a question?).

THURSDAY

'....BAHHH I'M DYING ELDER ROLDAN HELLLLPPPPPP MMMMEEEEEEEEE......'

'.....Wanna proselyte?'

'..... Yeah okay.'

FRIDAY

'Hey Elder Huff, do you want to go to Tegucigalpa and to the temple tomorrow for old converts of mine from a year ago?'

'YES when do we go?'

'Hmmm.... 20 minutes?'

'....Wait what?'

...Later That Night.... In Teguc....

RING RING RING

'Hello?'

'Hola Elder Huff.  Quiere dar un discourso en Domingo sobre el Idioma del Espiritu? Lo Siento, es cierto es un poquito tarde.... Pero como un misionero, usted esta.... Siempre listo, verdad?'

(Translation: Hey, Elder Huff.  You wanna give a talk on Sunday?  Sorry it's short notice, but as a missionary, you are.... Always ready, right?  (Those are lyrics in spanish from Called to Serve. 'Liistooo, siempre liistooo.....'))

SATURDAY

TEMPLE OF HONDURAS.  INCREDIBLE.  All in Spanish, of course.... And the last time I did Temple in spanish was my first week in my mission.  So.... This time was a bit better. Like a LOT better.  Like I actually understood what was happening.  It was beautiful, of course, and I cannot WAIT to go back.  I could say a lot.... But I don't think I could find words.  It was amazing.  That's all I can say.

Also, I had a cheeseburger.  From McDonalds. Yes, of course I did. 'These make me... Very happy.'

Also, I bought a camera that works. Love you Mama. Pictures Every week from now on.

And Teguc is freaking awesome.  It's like a big city.  Probably cuz it is a big city.

.....Later That Night.... In Danli....

BAPTISM NUMBER 5!!!  Senia Maria Flores Peralta (17).  Elder Roldan baptized her, and I actually had to give a talk at her baptism spur of the moment also (this kind of became a pattern for this week).  Incredible as always.  

.... Oh wait I have a talk tomorrow.  In spanish.

SUNDAY

Well... I gave my first talk in Spanish.  The subject.... What language does the Spirit speak?  

In a nutshell, I think I spoke the best spanish I have spoken while on my mission, as well as had moments in English to teach ideas.  The idea, exactly? -  It doesn't matter what language you are speaking, if it's spoken with the spirit, you somehow understand.  And... During those moments in English.... Well......  I can only hope that the congregation felt it.

Later that Day?

9:00 -CRASH GOODNIGHT WORLD.

MONDAY

Well, here we are!  

Overall... This was a wonderful week.  Super unexpected, but... Incredible.  I am no longer sick (for the record) and I have never been so grateful for a P-Day.  I love you all.  I am grateful for you all.  Teguc is awesome, the work is awesome, I am FREAKING tired, but I feel GREAT.  If any of you ever need anything.... Send me an email.  I read all of them, even if my time is limited, and if it is urgent... I will find a way to respond.  ALSO.... ALWAYS SEND PICTURES!!! JUST OVER COMPUTER! I LOVE them.  But... Anyway.... I love you guys.  Have a good one. That's the news from a gringo in Honduras.

Elder Kristian Huff

P.S. Apparently my dad kicks butt on the dance floor. Just so you all know.

Song of the week - dedicated to my Dad - Don't Stop Believing - Journey

PICTURES!!!

Another Awkward Moment

Well hi!

So.. I just wanna dive right into this one. Cuz this week was SUPER awesome and SUPER awkward.  So.. Shoutouts, Steph, Jessi, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Blythe (THANK YOU FOR PICTURES TELL EVERYONE I LOVE THEM SOOOO MUCH.), Emma-Lee, Alisse, Mexi, JOY, And..... I think that's all.... But yeah.  Thank you all, as always.... I cannot put into words my gratitude every time I see an email from each of you. You are all such blessings in my life and BAHHHH thank you.

Okay.  Story time.

Francely Denia Peralta and Elder Huff

First, BAPTISM!  Francely Denia Peralta (11) and I baptized her (I LOVE THAT FEELING GUYS.).  Pretty awesome. We have a few more lined up for this month... SO PRAY FOR SUCCESS. But anyway, she is freaking awesome and I love my job.

Next, a little bit of what Honduras is like. I feel like I haven't given a lot of specifics.... So... Here's a little of the day to day stuff.

1. Honduras is a different world. Completely. Like.... One Elder describes this place as Africa but a little cooler (unless you're in the south, in which case you are currently dying of heat stroke. DEFINTELY look forward to that area.)  This place is seriously third world, and I am not even living in the poorest parts.  The general forecast for Honduras goes as follows:

Holy freaking cold at night. Or maybe holy hot too.

Holy freaking hot during the day.

Randomly rains for like... 30 minutes to an hour. Spontaneously. No real warning.  And it's vicious. 

Then holy freaking hot 5 mintues later.

Then, you can look at my area and the colonies included. We live in a central Colonia Vista Hermosa.  The areas (mine is Laconse) are divided up by these said colonies.  My area ranges from Piedra Ancha (which is literally hiking a mountain to reach. We go at least twice a day, because why not.) to Los Robles (which is like traveling through a jungle and THEN hiking a mountain.  We maintain that colonia at least once a week because WHY DOES THAT COLONIA EXIST.) to Laconse (where our chapel is located. Yeah, we have a chapel. And it's actually pretty nice too!) to about 7 others. We proselyte all of them during the week, and we currently have at least 2 in every given area.  Not all progress, granted... But we teach still. And, this place is kind of a jungle. In some places. Well, a lot of places.  

That's the general layout of my area, but now on to the GOOD stuff.

2. Food.  We eat beans eggs and tortillas.  That IS our diet. And we eat these little pieces of heaven called Baleadas regularly too, and those are like... Burritos, but better.  Super burritos.  Also, burrito literaly translates to little donkey.  We buy at a supermarket once a week on P-Day, and the rest of the week, you can buy little snacks and bags of water (which aren't so interesting anymore) and other drinks and really just about everything you need at these places called Pulperias.  

Which, side note... All houses are squares or rectangles, rarely more than 1 level, and they have bars for all entrances.  Windows, bars.  Outer doors, SCARY looking bars.  Inner doors, huge thick rectangles of pure metal and muscle. (Yes, there are two sets of doors to get into the houses. There are some pretty sketchy people here.)  And, as a side note, there are no door handles. You CANNOT enter a house without a key.  Only locks.  Interesting, huh?  

Reason I bring that up, is cuz you buy everything through these little doors in said scary metal barred doors.  And, you learn how to pronounce all trademarks in Spanish accents... Or they LITERALLY do not understand you. 

'Hola, solamente quiero un Mountain Dew.'  

'.... Que?'

'.... Sigh... Quiero un mohn tehhhn jyew.'

'OHHHH Okay! Bueno!'

Like.... Really? Really?

Other than that.... Most stuff just tastes different. Like Mountain Dews, and Doritos (which are spicy and FREAKING AMAZING) and yeah.... Coke and gatorade taste the same... And... Yeah. Also, you only drink water out of bags.  Seriously was weird to get accustomed to.

3. People.  People here fall into three categories.... 

1 People you don't talk to.

2 People you try to talk to. 

3 Members.

1 People you don't talk to include the people who lack 2 or more limbs sitting on the side of the street begging for money, people who are clearly drunk, people coming out of another church, people who are smoking something that isn't a cigarette, people who see you and start toward you with clear purpose of asking for your money, or any combination of the above.  That's the general.  Also, groups of young kids are surprisingly frustrating.  There are areas where literally you will hear 'Ey Mormones, quieren cafe?' about 66 times in 15 minutes. I'm not kidding. That's like ALL people know about us. The coffee thing. Or they ask how many wives we have.  The usual.

2 People you try to talk to include everybody else.  Usually they don't wanna talk to you.  This introduces awkward moments... Like this week.

We have had doors slammed in our faces. Many times.  We have had people straight up say 'I hate mormons. Go away.' and even cuss outs where people bring out bats (Nothing ever happens though... Thank heaven.).  And... Then there was Friday....

On Wednesday I decided to ask a woman at a pulperia to hear our message. She was SUNNY as could be. 'Oh defintely! I am free EVERY DAY ALL DAY! How about Friday at 10:30? Okay! Thanks Mormons!'  

.... DREAM COME TRUE.

.... Until Friday came.  Her house doesn't exist.... Typical, no surprise, honestly.  Happens a lot.  UNTIL, we saw her at the SAME PULPERIA AGAIN!  I didn't want to be all awkward... I just wanted to ask her if she would rather not meet with us.  No big deal if no, right?

.... Oh if ONLY she had said no.

I go up.... She is facing away from me, leaning on a counter.  I ask, Hermana Lisek?  .... No response.  

.... a bit louder, Hermana Lisek? ... No response. 

Hermana Banegas?  As clear as I can be, Hermana BANEGAS? People are now looking at me, choking back laughter, including my wonderfully helpful companion.  The HERMANA is choking back laughter without ever looking at me.  I TAP HER ON THE SHOULDER FOUR TIMES. HERMANA BANEGAS.  ..... AND NOTHING.  

SHE SERIOUSLY PRETENDED TO NOT HEAR ME.  

PEOPLE WERE LIKE, HEY, THIS GRINGO IS TALKING TO YOU.  AND SHE PRETENDED TO HEAR NO ONE.  

...like.... What?  Who DOES that?  Hondurans do that.  Roldan, after having walked away awkwardly with no real resolution, says to me... 'okay.  I have seem some investigators that don't wanna hear it.  But that's tops the bill of all awkward.'  

Now, I don't know if the story seemed awkward to you all reading... But guys... Imagine living this moment.  Just... Try.  Oh, Honduras.... Other moments include using words that mean things they don't in English (thus calling a random dude marvelous and beautiful and my gift from heaven whilst trying to make fun of a gooey lovey dovey couple, amongst others.), getting asked if we believe Joseph Smith is Jesus and why Mormon doesn't appear in the Bible and if he doesn't, he never existed cuz no one existed outside of Jerusalem in that time and that Jehovah is DEFINTELY God the Father and Jesus is the Son and the Holy Ghost is a bird that only existed with Noah to tell him about the flood ending.  ....Um......

3 Members. Well... That's about it. They are just there. They wave to you and smile at you and invite you to come over once in a while. And.... Yep.

4.  General living.  

We live a pretty normal life other than that, comparatively.  We wash our clothes in our pila or use a laundry machine of our bishop if the situation permits here and there.  We eat cereal with milk that comes in boxes and doesn't need to be refrigerated and tastes like... not milk, at first. Not bad, just different.  We have fans which we use speratically during the night depending on the Antartica to Mordor scale that regularly makes up our nights.  We walk a freaking lot.  We work out and I actually think I am in better shape now than when I left.... And I DEFINITELY have built muscle. Even though I don't think anyone notices cuz my companion is the Guatemalan Hulk.  

We teach a lot. I sing when occasion permits and dance in the little things.... I tell stories and show pictures of shows I've done and friends I have and we have fun. All in Spanish, of course.  Which is kind of cool.... I totally got my first super compliment this week.  Friend of another pair of missionaries was talking to us and he stops and goes, 'hey you, gringo.  Your spanish is pretty good, bro. How long you got in your mission?'  'Um, a little more than three months.'  'Wait WHAT.'  ..... YES.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.  That was an amazing moment, but seriously though, my spanish probably isn't that great.  It doesn't FEEL that way at least, but all in all... Learning a new language is a TRIP.  I dream in Spanish, I translate songs into Spanish, and I usually fall into a spanish accent whilst talking in English.  

Well... I just wanted to lay out the ground work of the mish!  I love it here. I love the work.  I am living in Heaven.... Just, Heaven in Spanish.  I probably sounded a bit sarcastic in this one.... That is ONLY for the sake of the funny stories.  I rarely get frustrated or angry.  I just laugh a lot at some of the stuff that happens here!

But anyway.... I love you guys.  Be safe.  I miss you, AND PRAY ALWAYS. 

Cheque!

Elder Huff

Song of the week: Where No One Goes by Jonsi from How to Train Your Dragon 2

So...Last Week Wasn't Even a Surprise compared to...THIS WEEK!

Okay.

I don't even know what to say.  There are so many things I want to say. But how to say it. GAHHHHHHHhhhhhh

The package came.

Guys... I bawled. I honestly have not legitimately cried yet on my mission, like REALLY cried, but I did when Elder Roldan walked in with this package.  For those of you that have no idea what's going on... I'll catch you up.

This week, all the district and zone leaders had to go to Teguc for a meeting (and, btw, my comp is our DL. So... We sometimes have to do a lot of extra stuff. Which is awesome. My comp is kind of a boss.).  During this meeting, I had to do a 2 day long divisions with the other DL in our zone's comp, Elder Maldonado, in a TOTALLY different area. It was SOOOOO weird. Great, but long and weird and just different from La Conse - my current home. But... I got a call during these divisions. In the midst of the meeting, Elder Roldan had a CRH with a certain package that I was certain I wouldn't recieve until December..... And, long story short, when I got home from the LONGEST divisions of my life (because I wanted to get to my package), I finally had the opportunity to open the box.

So... With that said... My shout outs for this week consist of two parts. Emails... And letters recieved with 19 Adventure Time stickers, a few of which are on the back of my plaques now as we speak.

Emails: Blythe, Emily, Lizzie, Steph, Jessi, Lara, Becca, My Rebecca, Emma-Lee, MIKAELLA (totally forgiven, I am just glad you're safe), Mrs. Shiles, Alyssa, and all the fam, of course.

Letters, with a HUGE thank you and whole lot of love and tears at every single one of your letters: (You will all get letters hopefully soon... I just got the package on Thursday, So give me a couple of days or so.)

Steph, Kailey, Robinne and Connie, Aubrei and Homer and Shane and Marlene and Paige and Dallin and really all of the Greenwoods, Joy, Crys (special thank you for all the help in preparing the surprise also!), Cierra, Isaac, Hinckley and Christian and Sabrina and Jessi, Lizzie, Kaylie, Kevin, Natalie, Mom #2 and all the Fellows, my incredible brothers, my incredible sisters (one of the steampunk gears is also on my plaque currently), and all of my wonderful family.

Guys, I do not deserve you all. You are such wonderful people. Your letters all made me cry and I just can't put into words the gratitude I have for each of you. Each word just filled me with pride that I was a part of your life, and I will try to continue to be through the short messages I can share each week. You all amaze me.  I think I freaked out my companion a bit, from the fact that I would be crying a bit pathetically, and then let out a 'FREAK YEAH, YOU GO GIRL. I AM SO FREAKING PROUD OF YOU. THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.' (looking at you, Joy).  And this among many other reactions, all of which are out of my deepest gratitude for all of you. In case any of you didn't know what happened exactly, my wonderful mother who I REALLY don't deserve sent me a surprise birthday party in a box, in which included all of your letters and lots of other stuff that I think I will reserve for the personal letter to my family. 

Overall, I just want to let you know how grateful I am for all of you. You light up my life, even here, a world away.  It just reminds me that we really aren't that far.... I just... I love you. Each of you. I Love You. Good luck in all of your endeavors, and keep an eye out for letters. I have no idea when they will come, but they will.

Also.... The package came on my 3 month mission anniversary.  Talk about a celebration...

I love you all. Just remember that.  Typically I write messages and stories, but this week... Those are reserved for my family. But be ready.... Baptisms are on the way soon!!!!

And, if you want something funny in my every day life... My comp, big gruff manly man Roldan, LOVES the song Let it Go.  He has and does dance around like a fairy in our house quite often to that song. (He laughs like it's a joke.... But I think he secretly enjoys it. Like... I KNOW he does.) 

Hope you all have a wonderful week. I love you all.

Elder Huff 

Songs of the Week: What A Wonderful World/Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Dedicated to all of my friends back at home - when you miss me or anything like that, listen to this song.  it makes me very happy.  

Also When can i see you Again by Owl City.  Dedicated to my brother Jakob, my Family, and everyone else!

A Week of Surprises!

Hola mis amigos!!!! 

Estoy MUY agradecido por la oportunidad a enviar mis pensamientos sobre esta semana y tambien los momentos que ha cambiado mi vida!  Porque en realidad.... Cada dia en el campo misional cambia mi vida.  PERO... Okay! Asi es!

Hi everybody.  Translation, HELLO MY FRIENDS! I am grateful for the opportunity to send my thoughts about this week and  also some of the moments that have changed my life. Because honestly... Every day in the field changes my life. BUT.... So it is!

Entonces.... (so....)

This week really was a week of gratitude.  I have some of the most incredible friends in the world, both in Utah and Honduras. I wish to thank everyone for the emails, both about my birthday and also just about your lives... I love them, and it humbles me that you would take time to send me a little bit of your life in words.  Thank you, Emma-Lee (I don't mind the 'rant', dear. Thank you for talking to me), Steph (If I could only desribe how much I miss you. And... THAT IS WAY TOO AWESOME. AND BY THAT I MEAN ALL OF IT.), Lizzie (I am so proud of you, girl...), Emily (YOUR HAIR THOUGH), Jessi (AHHHHHHHH FANGIRLING FOR YOU), Blythe (Break a leg!!!!! It'll be awesome, I'm SURE!!! And send my love to all the cast!), Natalie (just look for your personal email this time), Lara and the fam, Austin (Love the poem. Blew my mind, bro.), Jeri (I was laughing so hard about the smashing.), Kailey (AHHH I AM SO EXCITED. And thank you...), Sabrina (thank you.... I study that song, I swear.), And of course, my mexi (Bro, I found a weird spelling of your name in the Bible. 1st Samuel, I think. I keep forgetting to mention it. And I love you. And I miss your body. And soul and stuff.). 

Baptisms with Nazareth and Dayani
(from last week)

NOW.... The stories of this week.... Although I have to say that a lot of what I will write makes me a bit emotional and that much more grateful for the gospel in my life. So... Here goes.

Number 1.... Many of you have asked what happened to the man who was bit by a dog. As a quick recap... We went up to the poorest looking house ever to find him in a cold sweat in severe pain, almost dead, honestly, with several deep wounds in one hand and other smaller bites on his legs.  We then gave him a blessing and left. I have been worried sick about him ever since, but.... Never had time to visit again. Well.... The story continues this week. And.. actually comes to an end, for that matter.

This week, while at church, about 30 minutes in... Walks in this family. I recognized them vaguely, but couldn't remember.... Until he walked in. In a shirt and tie, a huge smile on his face, takes my hand, that is now completely, miraculously healed, and thanks me for inviting them to church that day when we gave the blessing.  He is stronger than ever, and has since returned to work.  He is doing wonderful.

Yeah.... Priesthood is real. I don't comprehend it.... But apparently many people in Honduras do, cuz we have given 4 blessings this week alone. For those men who may be reading this... I am sure many of you understand this divine power better than I do. But I wish to remind you, with my solemn witness of its power, that this power is sacred, and it works according to our faith. But... Faith without works is dead.  So, if you may be lagging a bit in an area that needs fixing... Do it now. Cuz as I have learned... You will NEVER know just how much can come to pass through that power and authority. Earn the right to hold it... As I am now trying to do. 

But yeah. Pretty incredible, right? 

Next... I want to take a moment to talk about my 19th birthday.

My birthday was a day of.. peace. Just calm. I woke up at the usual time.  I got up, studied, and prepared for the day. The day before was divisions, so I was actually with Elder Webb, a fellow gringo, and probably my closest friend here in Honduras currently, save my comp. The divisions the day before were WEIRD and way badly planned.... So I was a bit anxious for the day. So, I asked him what time he wanted to start proselyting that day, and what time I would switch back to my comp.  He was like.... 'Eh. I don't know.... Roldan will call

His Zone - Closest to him is Elder Webb

around lunch. Bro, I am tired. And we get our money today. So... LEt's head into central and get our cash, then we'll think about proselyting.'  

I'm like... BREGGH Okay fine. We do need the money. But he was being SO LAZY.  But honestly.... It didn't bother me much. As long as we weren't lazy once work started... It's all good. I felt like that day was a new start. And it really was, too! We headed into central, got our money, and came back to our house.  We come in, and I firmly state that we should head out and start working.  He had taken off his tie and lounged in a chair. He goes, 'nahhh.... Dude, just take off your tie, get something to eat.. just take it easy. It's your day, right?' followed by a way kind smile. I'm like... okay. Only for a bit though. AND I'M NOT TAKING OFF MY TIE. Only for food. I go to the fridge.... Open it... To find a crapload of food. We usually have like... Milk. And here was meat, and corn, and tortillas, and vegetables... And I'm like.... Wait, What?

I happen to hear some laughing outside. 

Awwww... I head out, and see ALL of my zone (the men) standing there with a cake. 

Mom, getting emotional? 

I'm like... Awww thanks guys, you're all aweso-...' Wait, why all the cameras?

........ 

DFHWNTV$NWTMIF(WE(NT(NTY()NV(YM)(EWR(TVW(NRT(NWVN((RTN

I feel this SMASH against my head. Followed by like 7 more.  Yes... One thing I failed to mention about birthdays.... They smash eggs on your head. And it got on my tie. 'just take off your tie.....'  Oh thanks Webb.

So... This peaceful, reflective day quickly turned into a freaking fiesta of food and laughing and singing and all kinds of stuff. IT WAS AWESOME. 

In a nutshell, we did go out working, and we had some awesome experiences that day too. And thankfully... No more eggs. But seriously??? ALL of my investigators remembered my birthday. I was blown away.  It was a wonderful day.

But, as I did say honestly... It was a day of new starts. Because really.... This is the only full year of my life that I can offer to the Lord. So... I wrote a bunch of little things I want to work on for this year, and.... Well... I feel that it is all in progress now.  

I want to express my love for all of you. You are all such blessings in my life, and I look forward to seeing you all when the time comes. Until then... Be safe and pray always.

Elder Kristian Huff

Song of the week: Rain by Breaking Benjamin - dedicated to his Mom