The Only Constant is Change

Hey everybody!!!

So... I don't even know where to begin.  I've had some HUGE things happen this week....  And, I guess I'll start with this.  There are two big things that happened this week, so.... Just read along and it'll be pretty clear.

First, my p-day has changed, due to the fact that I have officially left San Marcos.  The change was coming, and.... I suppose it was my time to leave.  It was hard saying goodbye.  In a way, San Marcos felt a little like my baby - I got to see it grow so much, and I had the opportunity to meet and come to love so many incredible people.  It was hard - and there's a little piece of my heart that will forever remain there.  I will also miss my second baby, Elder Rogers, but I'm sure he'll do just fine - plus, the missionary going in is a really good, hardworking missionary.  So.. I'm not too worried.  I hope that in the near-future we get to see San Marcos reach its potential - so, all in the Lord's time.  Until then - I love you San Marcos and all my Sanmarquitos, I'll be missing you.

BUT - that then begs the question, where am I now?  Well... My dear friends and family, I've just been transferred to one of the craziest areas of the mission.  I'm still in the South, but now I'm in the HOT part of the South,  And it isn't just hot because we're south - I actually am close to a beach.  And... By close, I mean, I live on the beach.  More or less.  You see, the weird thing about this area, is that I don't just take a bus to get to my area - you actually have to take a boat as well.  So... I'm in an area called Amapala.  And this area is crazy - because it is an isolated island off the coast of Honduras in San Lorenzo - you can google search it.  It's in the pacific Ocean and it is BEAUTIFUL.  We're also a small little group of members here in Amapala, barely having more than 20 members or something along those lines regularly in church - so, a lot like San Marcos.  But, because of the situation, I will now be writing on Thursdays until further notice.  So, I'll be keeping you updated!  

So - that's the first part of the two.  The next one has something to do with a LOT of people - but not just Honduran people.  Yeah, there were a lot of Hondurans involved as well, namely from my beloved Villa Olimpica - as well as several americans and dear friends and family, as well as several MISSIONARIES and, yeah, you can believe it, my MISSION PRESIDENT and his WIFE. I really don't know how many read this blog, nor do I know how many of you are aware of something that my mom has been planning for the past... well, the past YEAR or so.... But, if you were/are in on it..... I got it Yesterday.

.........

OH MY GOSH MOTHER YOU ARE CRAZY.  AND SO ARE ALL OF YOU.  I'll have pictures of everything up next week - I haven't had a ton of time to prepare because of the changes, but HOW did you all manage to take part in it and how did I NOT know for SOOOOOO long????  OH my heavens, for those that don't know, the WHOLE past year, my mom has been carrying along with her a big sign that says 'Happy Birthday Elder Huff' - and SEVERAL of YOU have pictures with that poster from all kinds of different events - be it from special places of ours or be it big moments in your lives that I couldn't participate in - it seems like I was still a little involved!  OH MY GOSH it is insane! 

BUT, my dear friends and family, your secret participation was then driven to a WHOLE new level, when I opened up a page, and there was my MISSION PRESIDENT with a similar poster, followed by SEVERAL MISSIONARIES FROM MY MISSION WHO ARE CURRENTLY SERVING DOING THE SAME THING.  HOW IN THE WORLD DID THAT HAPPEN? Well, I am at least aware that it was in large part thanks to Odeth Cerrato (girl, you are crazy too.  THANK YOU so much.  You have no idea how much that meant to me - but I'll write more about what you did in a moment.), to President and Hermana Bowler, to the AP's, ZL's AND the Hermana Training Leaders, as well as many other missionaries and people involved in the mission honduras Tegucigalpa.  YOU ARE ALL WONDERFUL and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I was kind of freaking out, and my new comp, Elder Huaman, was laughing pretty hard when even HE showed up in the pictures.  I love you all so dearly - I feel honored to be serving at your side.  You are the best of the best, and I'll be sure to tell each of you individually in the coming weeks.

BUT, STILL NOT OVER.  In addition to all of the missionaries that were in on this - and I still thank you all with all my heart - I then was shocked to see many deeply beloved and sorely missed faces from a place I was in not too long ago - the wonderful ward of the Villa Olimpica.  So - First off, Odeth, I thank you dearly for all that you did.  I do not deserve such an amount of love and support, and the fact that you played such an inctricate role in this whole thing just - blows my mind and humbles me so much - there are no words of gratitude.  So, Odeth, do me one more favor - make sure that all of my dearly beloved friends and family from the Villa read this next part, okay?

Mis queridos hermanos y hermanas de la Villa Olímpica - o, mejor dicho, mi amada familia, 

Ya recibí el regalo que mi mamá estaba preparando - el cual consiste en muchas fotos de USTEDES con un cartel para mis cumpleaños.  PUCHIKA, si solo hubieran podido visto mi cara cuando abrí ese álbum LLENO de fotos suyas!  Les AGRADEZCO con todo mi corazón - ustedes son maravillosos y no hay palabras para expresar mi gratitud.  Les amo MUCHO.  Voy a traer el libro la otra semana para que yo pueda escribir un poco de todas las fotos - pero, hasta entonces, ustedes tienen que saber que yo les extraño a ustedes demasiado.  Ustedes hicieron tanto para mi, y de repente, encuentro que todavía están haciéndome montón de cosas... Les hice una promesa, y la voy a guardar.  Voy a verles bien pronto, si solo es para recordarles de mi amor para con ustedes y para decirles que realmente son las mejores personas en este mundo.  Doy gracias a mi Padre Celestial por haberme dado la oportunidad de conocerles - y nuestra amistad perseverará  por muchos años que sigan. Gracias por todo - y otra vez, les amo.

And the same goes for all of my dear friends and family from all over the world - I love you all.  Thank you again.  I'll probably write a little more about all of it next week as well - so, until then, I love you all, every last one of you.  May God bless you and keep you.

Elder Kristian Huff

Song of the week - Dedicated to Odeth Cerrato - You've Got a Friend in Me (Latino style!!!)  Thank you Odeth, this gift would not have been the same if it were not for your help!!!  (Love, Mama)

And That's 15

Hey everybody!

It is a great day here in Honduras, and sadly I don't have much to report for the week cause I got hit with something bad in the stomach - so I was pretty much out cold the majority of this week.  And then my kid got it too.  So then he was in bed for a little while too.  

But it's getting better!  That's what is most important.  ;D  Sometimes, little things like that come and you just - kind of have to deal with it!  But I actually learned an interesting lesson this week because of it, even if it was just a little personal revelation, as small as it was.  

I don't claim to be the best missionary - I know I'm not.  But I am not one who doesn't want to be out working, either.  I don't like being inside when I know that there's people that need my help, and the ONLY time I will not be outside during the day is if... well.... I'm sleeping.  And the only time we sleep here during the day whilst on the mission is.... when you're sick. And you don't want to do anything else.  So... That's pretty much what happened this week.  Now, what I learned, though, is this:  

AGENCY IS REAL. 

I don't mean to say that 'if you truly have faith, it doesn't matter if you're sick, you work anyway!' Faith without works is dead - and if I have faith I'll get better, I should probably put that faith to work and get the rest necessary so that you can get out ASAP.  Better than drag the sickness out for like, 2 months (right, Mom?).  And here's what I learned about agency this week:  depending on how you use your agency, you'll see the consequences come, but you are not able to choose said consequences.  They just come.  So, you can choose when you want to push yourself, but you cannot choose what happens to you because you pushed yourself.  The principle of agency really is a simple one, but I want to reveal a little of an idea that I had.

The ONLY way that we can truly be instruments in God's hands, is by giving our agency back to Him.  I'm CERTAIN you've heard that before.  BUT, that doesn't mean just go through the checklist of things He's laid out (although in most cases, that list won't lead you astray), but rather that you must take part in an ACTIVE ask and receive process of communication with God.  THAT is what it means to give our agency to God.  There are times, for instance, when we're sick, when things NEED to get done.  God knows that.  Here in the mission, for example, I'm pretty sure that God knows that there's people that need to hear.  But, giving your agency to God DOES NOT mean getting up and going to work all day anyway, when you won't be able to teach effectively because you feel so crappy you can't focus.  That seems pretty OPPOSITE of what God would say.  But it doesn't mean just going to bed every time you feel under the weather either.  What giving your agency to God means, is ASKING Him what it is He needs for you in that moment.  It might mean get a blessing, get up and work.  Many missionaries can testify that such occurrences have passed.  It might also mean take a couple of days to get back together - maybe God has a plan for what's happened and can use that time to prepare people for when you can go out again.  

It's a delicate line that only God Himself knows - But He's ready and willing to tell us everything.  All we have to do is ask.  He listens.  And most importantly, He Answers.

I love you all, and you're all in my prayers.  Stay Strong always, and know that God is with you.  May we all learn to depend more on the Lord every day.  I LOVE YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN.

Elder Kristian Huff

 

Song of the week: We're Just People by Madilyn Page

No Email this week!

Sorry everyone - 

This week, Elder Huff was unable to write an email - but he will explain everything next week!  

He does have a song of the week however....Rockstar by a Great Big World - dedicated to Life!

More to come next week!

Juventud de La Promesa

Hey guys.

Honestly... This week is kind of... bittersweet.  It's strange.... It's not that big of a deal, but in a way it is a very big new beginning.  It's one we only get about 7, 8 or 9 times in life.  The start of a new decade for me really, more than anything, is just a new chance.  And so.... I guess what I want to do with this email, is give advice to the rising generation, from one who is now leaving the teenage years and beginning a new page of life.  So.... Here goes. ;)

My friends, those from high school or from shows, or those who are older than me, and really everyone from this generation and anyone who is currently reading this, I want to talk to you as if you were a dear, close friend.  My life has been one full of experience.  I've seen many beautiful instances of pure love and I've seen the bitter gall of loss.  I've seen some of the best and worst of existence in these short 20 years (or, at least it has felt so in my short time in this world), and I've learned many things.  Things that I want to share with all of you - things that I hope will maybe let you know that you're not alone, and maybe you can get a little bit of a second opinion.

It's hard to put all of this together on the spot, but I hope and pray that it will all come together.... I feel as if the best way to put it all in one piece is by sharing the stuff I was glad I did, and what I wish I had done.  I have no regrets - but perhaps you can learn the same lessons I learned, but a little faster.  Learn from my mistakes, and learn from my strengths, I guess.

One thing I'm glad I did, is that I made a relationship with my Heavenly Father early in life.  I never prayed when I was alone like I did when I was in public... when alone, I prayed as if I was having a conversation with God.  Because of it, it taught me how to feel His presence and helped me learn how to recognize answers when I searched for them.  Just talk to Him.  It DOES make a difference. 

One thing I wish I had done earlier is treasure the scriptures.  I know, 'oh missionary....', but I'm serious.  I have found such solace and direction from those words that I wish I would have taken more advantage of earlier in my life.  Honestly.... If you are waiting for something to get you to start the habit of reading regularly, NOW IS THE TIME.

Now, less gospel related.  I wish I would have been less stressed out about 'girlfriends' during my teenage years.  Guys, don't look for 'the one' right now (if you're still in high school).  You don't need that right now.  The day will come, but now is not that day.  Don't try to make something serious when it can go literally nowhere. And I promise, you are not mature enough to handle it right now - I learned from experience.  (sorry, missionary....trust the counsel of the modern prophets too!!!)  I WISH I would have learned that faster!!!

One thing I'm glad I did, is I was never scared of looking stupid.  ENJOY your life!  Live every minute of it!!!  Don't keep yourself shut away because MAYBE somebody MIGHT say something.  Who cares???  Dr. Seuss baby, 'those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind!'  

I wish I would have listened to less stuff in my ear and hands.  Headphones shut the world out when it WANTS to be in!  Be with people!  Stop texting!  The phone isn't going anywhere!  Just be with people!!!!  Take out the earphones and talk to somebody new!

I'm grateful that I read like I did.  I still have so much I want to read, but what I DID read had a huge effect on me.  Words can become written on the soul - let the stories and thoughts of other people shape your own mind and let those words become a part of your experience.

I wish I would have been less focused on me.  This life, as I'm still realizing, was never about me. It's about everyone else.  Make someone feel needed.  Be less concerned about what others think or about what you want.  Think about other people.

I'm glad I used my talents.  I LOVE to sing and act and dance.  At times, I had people say 'but you'll never make a living that way!'  Well... My first year of college is totally payed for.  And I met some of the best people I've ever known by doing so.  So.... I'd say it was pretty dang successful.  I'll say it like this:  why would you spend your life doing things you don't want to do, to get money to keep doing things you don't want to do, and all the while think about what you'd rather be doing?  

I'm sad I didn't give more time to my family.  I'm sad I didn't tell them I loved them every time I got the chance.  I'm sad I let other people's words push me so far.  I'm sad I didn't spend more time in the mountains.  I'm sad I didn't enjoy scouts as much as I could've.  I'm sad that I didn't care about essays and opinion projects like I might've.  I'm sad I didn't break bad habits early and that I started good ones late.  I'm sad I didn't learn to listen more than talk.  I'm sad I got so accustomed to lying about little things.  I'm sad that I didn't take every opportunity to tell a dear friend that they're important and needed.  I'm sad I didn't realize who I was earlier.  

But I AM proud of every character who's life I got to live.  I'm grateful for every song I got to play on my guitar.  I'm grateful for every late night I had texting someone who said they didn't want to live.  I'm grateful for every hug I gave, whether the person was expecting it or not.  I'm grateful for every risk I took on myself and on someone else - I was never let down.  I'm grateful for every drive I had with my grandma to play practice.  I'm grateful for every cast I got to know and become a part of.  I'm grateful for every late night talk with my parents, when I'd end up going to school exhausted - TOTALLY worth it.  I'm grateful for every late night Taco Bell trip with Jakob, or late night doughnut drives with my Mama.  I'm grateful for every time I asked my Dad for a blessing.  I'm grateful for all the times I would play-fight or dress up with my little cousins.  I'm grateful for every sleepover with Assael.  I'm grateful for all the stories I wrote with Caroline and Gracie.  I'm proud that I always asked those who meant most for advise, even when I didn't want to take it.  I'm grateful for every picture I've ever taken.  

And, really above all.... I'm grateful for every time I ever said 'I Love You.' And I'm even more grateful to say that every time I did, I meant it.  

So... Where can I go from here?  Well... I guess I want to start out my 20's in a good way.  There's a lot of little habits I'm gonna break.  Things I'm never going to return to.  Promises I'm gonna keep.  People I'm gonna help.  And... a lot of 'I Love You's' I'm gonna be saying.  And, I'll do all I can to never lose a moment of my time doing something that's not making someone feel better about themselves and letting them know they're loved - and I'm never gonna miss a chance to feel the song of redeeming love that comes from a true understanding of our divine past, our divine purpose and our divine potential - and I'll never miss a chance to remind them who they are, and who's always waiting for us to come back.

I Love You ALL.  There's no other way I can say it.  I do.  Thank you for everything.  We are the youth of the promise.

Elder Kristian Huff

Song of the Week:  Say Hey, I Love You.  Michael Franti and Spearhead.  Dedicated to everybody.  ;D

Once Again, Big Things Coming!

Hey guys!

So.... i'm just gonna cut to the chase.  It's HARD to write something interesting every week!!  So.. I guess the only thing I can tell you guys is that there's some more great things in the works!  But I'll just tell you about it this time - it's not really a secret, because I don't have any final decision.

SO.... San Marcos is not a ward, or even a branch.  It's just a little growing group that the stake wants to see do something.  Just see what happens. WELL.... This week was a big week full of meeting and stuff, because right now, our group president and us are fighting and working to make little San Marcos a Branch!!!!  which would be HUGE!  And, we've already gotten most of the things done for the proposal.... now, all we can do is wait!  We might be rejected, or maybe accepted, we have no idea!!!!  But, we have high hopes!!!

Other than that.... San Marcos is still hard for new people... But, we are praying and working hard!!!!  I LOVE YOU ALL, and if anything interesting happens, you'll know about it!  Sorry for the lack of content....  But, the biggest things are still to come!

Elder Huff

Song of the Week: Intro Theme from Disney's Robin Hood (the whistling one ;D)

Modern Prophets and Modern Promises

Hey everybody!

This has been an amazing week, and I find myself learning new things still, every day. It seems that there aren't adequate words to express the gratitude in my heart towards our Celestial Father.  And I feel that the only way I can truly show my thanks is by sharing what I know with others, with the hope that they too will benefit and learn more about our Heavenly home.  

So, with that said, what I want to say today is that God really does answer prayers - which is a simple lesson I've learned over and over again during these first 14 months of my mission.  There are many things that I could tell you all - but I once again, for the first time in some months, feel the prompting to share a blessing I recieved this past couple of weeks - and one that ought not to remain unsaid.

During my mission, my faith in God and His existence, and His infinite knowledge and progression, and His unwaivering love towards us has grown unmeasurably.  My trust in the Saviour and his divine mission and sacred calling and His unfailing eternal atonement has become one strong enough to change my whole mode of thought.  And with a testimony of these two eternal principles, the perfection of the doctrine and the fulfilled prophecies of the scriptures that have come to light through the restoration, the truth of the restored gospel leaves me speechless with gratitude.  I've said it once, and I'll say it again and again until the whole world knows, I know that Joseph Smith was called of God and that the Book of Mormon is undeniable evidence of the everlasting gospel having been restored.  

But, even with a response of such strength from the Holy Spirit, I still doubted in one simple, fundamental doctrine.

I wanted to really know if there are prophets in these days.  

I LOVE our General Authorities - of that, there is no doubt.  But to think that they have the same God-Given calling as prophets, seers and revelators, even the same as Moses and Daniel and Peter of old, was a thought that I didn't truly accept for a long time.  

Until this past General Conference.

My dear friends and family, I hope that what I say touches your hearts the way that mind was touched.  It is next to impossible to invite the spirit through a simple 'blog-entry', but I pray that you'll know as I now know.  

After having watched our beloved prophet stumble over his words and nearly fall, and having heard the testimony of the three new apostles, and having seen how these men speak with one voice in such a perfect way - I recieved my testimony.  And it was sealed by President Eyring's words, telling us so clearly that the spirit has revealed to us that these men are called of God Himself - and I was among those to whom he was speaking.  I had already written it down as a personal note - and then he said it exactly as I had written it, word for word.  

And now . I KNOW that they are exactly what they are called as.  They are the chosen and elect of God to guide us in these days, even as those prophets of old.  We can trust in them - trust in their counsel - they will not lead us astray.  They are preparing us for the biggest event of our human existence.  This I know, with all my heart.  I thank my Heavenly Father for having revealed it so clearly - and I invite you all to read their words, and ask Him, who knows all things, if what I've said is as true for you as it is for me.  I promise He'll answer.

I LOVE YOU ALL.  Thank you for everything - I appreciate all your prayers and support.  We will talk again soon.

Elder Kristian Huff

Song of the Week:  Into the West, Annie Lennox.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shdiTRxTJb4

Big Changes and Big Hopes

Hey everybody!!!

Honestly, there comes a point where you don't really know how to say everything you want to say.  You just kind of get on and do it and hope for the best... So.... I think that I'll just tell you the big things that are happening and some of the thoughts that came to me during the week.

First, I had changes, but I'm still here in San Marcos.  I am grateful and astonished to say that I HAVE GIVEN BIRTH AGAIN!  This past week I was given the amazing opportunity to welcome a new missionary into the field:

Elder Rogers!

..Yeah, another gringo!  That's TWO gringo babies in the mission!  ;D

Second, I think that the biggest thing that hit me during the week was General Conference.  For one thing, it was my third in the mission.... Only 1 left.  That's a weird feeling.  BUT, WHAT a conference it was.  I think I might actually organize a little GC letter next week, showing some of the amazing parallels I saw throughout the conference.  The biggest ones are these:

1.  Exaltation is the goal.

2.  Exercise your faith.

3.  Honor the Sabbath.

4.  Modern Day Prophets are exactly that.

5.  Be a light in a world of darkness.

I LOVE YOU ALL, I know the letter is short.... But, You all know that after big things happen... there's a little pause.... Then comes the boom.  ;D  I'll be keeping you all up to date!  LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

Elder Kristian Huff

Song of the Week:  Bittersweet Symphony by the Verve.