Transfer Week: Aaron Stays, But Will Receive A New Companion

MONDAY - Early shopping as usual, Tim warned us of a HUGE storm coming as well, we came back and started laundry and the stupid thing was broken so our clothes were sopping wet! We came to the church emailed and I wrote 7 letters, it was really nice to send some letters out. We played some basketball, some horse. When the time came we headed back and visited Ana Andres and she canceled, by now the clouds were rolling in and looking very scary! We had an appointment at the church at 7 so we headed over there and met the Terrazas family, their mom was not there because... well their dad doesn't want her listening. So it was just Elizabeth, Carlos, Diana, and Luis. We watched The Restoration like we have been doing a lot lately in lessons and of course had them circle the fruits of the spirit felt. Carlos circled nothing. But the rest of them circled several. We ended the lesson and put the TV away, locked up and headed out. As soon as our butts hit the seats of our bikes, and I kid you not the storm raged! POURING! we quickly got home dripping wet! After that as if the storm was somehow connected to our butts on our bike seats the rain immediately stopped... maybe we should have rode standing up the whole way! We got in and it poured through the night.

TUESDAY - RAIN RAIN RAIN! in the morning there was a sound of thunder that seriously lasted a minute long! It was nuts, so I canceled district meeting but then about a half-hour before district meeting was supposed to be, it completely stopped, so I told everyone we would be having it again, everyone didn't want to go out in the wet roads so we canceled again. Jose Guzman canceled as well so we did some tracking and met some awesome people a girl named Karina who really wants a church for her kids (as most do) then we found a guy fixing his weed whacker outside and taught him, Javier and another named Laura, both listened to our message and received it really well! Then we got into a house of a guy named Cornelio and his wife Antonia and we started teaching and they stopped and said my Spanish was so good! So elder Rodriguez asked them "how long do you think he has been speaking it?" and they thought 5 years!!!! So that was a nice confidence booster and comment :) The help of the Lord is great. We got back home and got picked up by Bro Kubosumi for dinner, had some good food, pretty normal dinner got back and the Castillos were waiting for us to take us out for lessons. We went to David Benites and had a good lesson but Hno Castillo talks way to much! We then went to a girl named Agilia and she was so stubborn, way nice girl but wouldn't change. She gave us some banana bread that was amazing though!  :)

 

WEDNESDAY - We woke up late today, my Head hurt and Elder Rodriguez's back wasn't feeling to well, for that we didn't get up till about 8 or a little earlier, We got studies done and got out and tracked, the first two people we talked to were so legit! One was a black lady named Barbra and she is so interested in the gospel and has been praying for more and we came so she looked at it as an answered prayer! We then found a Jose guy who was really good too, open and willing to listen. We didn't have much luck after, we had some 88 year old white guy come out and tell us his story about his son freezing up  his bank account and taking a bunch of money, this he explained to us about 20 times over again with all sorts of colorful words in there. We headed back to be picked up by Fernando cause we had dinner with them and it was really good, some way good green tomato sauce over enchiladas! We then had a lesson with the Terrazas and this time it was only Diana and Luis, Carlos was being a punk and their mom said she will read the Book of Mormon first, we met their dad and he did seem really mean and against us. We felt the contention. We taught the Plan of Salvation to them and they loved it and were really listening, we had them explain it to us over again and they did a wonderful job! We finished up there and got picked up by Fernando again to go out and teach some lessons, we visited Angel but he canceled, After the Valero family for a little bit and Cesar and Silvia, who of course canceled too. I totally forgot to get midweek numbers!!!!!!! till the next day!!!! :O

 

THURSDAY - We went in the morning to Jose Guzmans, did the egg lesson but he would not pray for some reason, we tried and we tried and he would not do it. We came back and did our planning session, our last one! We didn't finish though cause we had dinner with the 

Lymns, way good dinner too, really good ham and rice with BLUE BELL ICE CREAM :) I will move back to Texas just for blue bell I tell you. The weather was perfect, nice cool breeze and we were loving it, Bro Mata came and got us and we went out, what a great guy! He always wants to help us, we went to Noes and Marias and of course they canceled like they usually do! So we went and visited one of Bro Matas friends that works in a barber shop and gave her a Book of Mormon. We ended our night by going to sister Taylors, we watched the parable of the 10 virgins and the oil, we then helped her with some stuff around her apartment and ended our night.

 

FRIDAY - We just had personal studies today because of district meeting, so we headed there early to get copies of something, I didn't train today I let Elder Rodriguez train, so I just stood up at the first and announced a few things then I turned the time over to him, he trained on contacting, it was really good. We then got pictures and everyone was going to Cheddars for Elder Scotts Birthday but we were the only ones that could not go because we had an appointment, so we went to our appointment and we were blessed. It was Barbra and she brought her daughter along and they loved the lesson! They loved it and she understands a lot and is so prepared, we were so happy, we are going to baptize her for sure because she is such an awesome lady. We came back and ate lunch and remembered we had dinner at 5:15 and it was already late so we decided we would get our hair cut and then just go to dinner, so we did so. Brother Rassmussen came and got us and we went to dinner, it was awesome, we had pork loins and green beans, I love the Rassmussens! We then helped afterwards move big packages of shingles, they were heavy! But I love service, its the best! After they were talking about who was going to take us home and bro Rassmussen said "Ill take them and you can come along if you want" and she said "only if you buy me ice cream" then I said "only if you drop us off AFTER you go get ice cream" :) so we all went out for ice cream, it was so so so so nice outside, just beautiful. We got back and wanted to get out and get something done and looked and... flat back tire for elder Jackson! So we called some people close and one of the people Elder Witbeck and Beatty taught, well we called him and found out he moved into our apartments so we went and taught him, then came back and slept.

 

SATURDAY - THE BIG DAY!! TRANSFER CALLS!! We had studies then went to Fernandos for service, he needed to fix his pipe line in the back yard or something like that so we went and just dug for like 4 hours, my back and arms were so sore but I loved it, I love that kind of stuff! We stayed for lunch and then headed to see if Cesar and Silivia were going to be there and of course they weren't, the people that waste our time, or better yet the time of the Lord. We tracked, first girl we talked to had a lesson, Jannet, just moved from L.A. and wants a church near by. Went back cause we had a lesson scheduled with Javier, he was not there so we went and visited a Recent Convert, Sister makala? something like that and we talked to her brother and he said she still doesn't want to talk to anyone from the church, they got a new dog who peed on my shoe!!! Brother Sabin called as we were talking to him and said he was on his way to pick us up for dinner, so we biked back and headed to get the other elders, as we were waiting at the light to turn we saw them walking and honked and told them to get in, haha so it saved us some time. Dinner was great, Lasagna! We came back and went to Javiers, read the introduction with him and invited a couple people to church, Barbra says she is coming so we are excited about that! Then we get home and at 8:40 we get the call, President Durrant. "Elder Jackson, I want you to train a new missionary. I think you will do great! Can I talk to Elder Rodriguez." Elder Rodriguez got called to be a Zone Leader with his trainer, Elder Beatty!!!!!!! So crazy! But I'm so happy for him, he so so deserves it, such an amazing elder and he is native so haha its pretty common for them to go leadership fast. But I think he went ZL more because of who he is, such a great missionary and I learned a lot from him. Elder Witbeck is the new district leader here so I am just a trainer, they are switching around a lot, I'm just happy to be here :) Super excited to train a new missionary too! 

 

SUNDAY - We did some cleaning in the morning and Elder Rodriguez did some packing, we had P.E.C. meeting in the morning and it was Elder Rodriguez's last one so he wanted to go in, so I was outside in the foyer listing to Elder Solis give his last words in his ward, inspiring, this is an elder that will be talked about in this mission for years! We then started our sacrament meeting, because of testimony meeting, so elder Rodriguez, being his last Sunday here, went and shared his testimony so I had to translate for him haha, it was good. Also Barbra called that she had arrived, she came and her daughter followed soon after with a friend so it was nice. We then had gospel principles class and I taught the class on the Atonement, Barbra was just crying! It was really great, we had a great priesthood class on the talk on "love your mother" then we took pictures with Elder Rodriguez and all the members after, then we headed to the Kleins after for dinner, it was really good, Chicken pot pies baby. She gave us cereal too! We came back after that and immediately went to Gaby and Fernandos for? more food... I was stuffed, we were there for a while and then we took pictures and headed back to the apartment cause the mesquite elders and Tim were there, me and Elder Witbeck walked and talked, it was really nice. He felt bad that I was no longer District Leader but I told him its what the Lord wants not me, I will serve where I'm told. So it was good, we then had a lesson with Tim and elder Rodriguez and I talked for a while before finally going to bed. What a week, I'm tired of people leaving and coming, it sucks. But good week! Hasta luego

Elder Aaron Jackson

Missionary Work: Doors Slamming In Our Face and Mending Fences

MONDAY - We headed to the church way early so we could email, no shopping today due to Gokarts! We went about 9:30 and when we got there hopped on the Go Karts, I won the first two and then Elder Rodriguez won 3 straight, it was so much fun! We also did mini golf and split up into groups. Elder Scott, Witbeck, Latham and Tim Morris were with me, the first 9 holes I was in third but then ended up winning, we were going to do paintball but ended up not cause of the price, we went to Panda Express for lunch and Elder Latham bought for me, still haven't had any soda since last year, doing way good with that. We came back to the church for a little and played some hoops and then headed to our appointment with La Familia Terrazas, awesome family of 5, the oldest girl, Elizabeth was baptized not too long ago in the singles ward and now we are teaching her family, so awesome! They came to the talent show and loved it! So we ate with them and had a short lesson and headed out to have a quick lesson with Fernando and Gaby, it was so hot in their house, I feel summer coming and am not too excited to get used to the heat, hopefully I'm in a car by then :) I then got Josh's package with the song he wrote and listened to it and balled like a baby thinking of the people back at home supporting me, I love you man and thank you so much for that, one of the best birthday gifts I have ever gotten. You da best Jay diggity dawg.

TUESDAY - We had district meeting in the morning, I planned to just interview everyone see how they were doing and what I could do as their District Leader to help them, Elder Rodriguez was first and I just love this guy more and more each day, such an awesome example to me and others. We were late getting to the church cause of his flat tire, but it was a really good meeting, we had to have it in the chapel because they were cleaning the church, I ended by talking about how much I loved the district and then sharing the cd that Josh gave me, they all really liked it, I told them of the people pulling for me and what they have done to support me and reminded them that there are many doing the same for them, and to work hard! It was really good, we had to leave right after to an appointment with Jose Guzman, but Elder Rodriguezes tire was flat, again! So we walked to Jose's and set a date with him, so the long walk was worth it! We then headed back to the apartment to find a ride to Wal Mart to get a new tire, Brother Lujan came and got us and we went and dropped us off at the church after to fix it and head out, by then it was five and so we headed back to the apartment to be picked up by Hno Cano for dinner, Had some really good Mexican food and I shared the scripture and we headed to Davids and he was not there so we headed home cause I had to prepare a bunch of stuff for tomorrows Specialized Spanish Training, I had to prepare an hour training! so we came back and did that, and I had to prepare a 6 minute training, memorize a scripture in Spanish about the word "Luz" (light) and yeah lot of stuff with little time. 

 

WEDNESDAY - Tim came in the morning to pick us up for the training in the morning, we got there a little early, had a few minutes to say hi to everyone like Elder Lee and all the elders in my district, then we started. Had an awesome training, all in Spanish too, It was really nice cause I understood about 97 percent of it. We also got notice we can no longer do Gokarts haha, woops. We broke for lunch and I walked in the kitchen and saw the mail and got some letters and then saw an obnoxiously long big box, I shook my head because for some reason I knew it was mine, looked sure enough from BFOS!! Before opening it with all my buddies around I stopped and said "I guarantee it's something very random!" Sure enough... I pull out a flamingo!!!!!! Everyone loved it, best package ever, exactly what I needed Bfos, thanks a ton! ;) I loved the picture though, and the skittles of course! The Texas shirt too, but I have doubles now hahaha, but its all good. We then got back into the training and we broke into 4 groups, I had to train one of the groups for an hour with Elder Wood, it was really good. We then ended our training by singing a hymn, Elder Solis was tearing up, he is an incredible Elder, baptized a storm and now he is leaving... Great example, crazy stuff happened with him though that I cannot include here but I'll tell you the story when I get back if you ask ;) probably one of the craziest stories ever! We returned to our apartment and were headed out to the Terrazas family when the mailman tracked us down to give me another package! From Cailey! That is 6 packages this transfer :) thank you so much everyone, loved the rubber duck by the way! not every day you get a flamingo and a rubber duck on you mission :) Thanks Cailey! We went and had the lesson and set dates with all 4 of them, on a roll here and its only Wednesday, we rode as fast as we could back to the apartment to be picked up by the Prices to go to the Carmonas, picked up the other elders and went. Had a great visit and we all think they will be coming back, they need to! he is the Elders Quorum president for crying out loud, and they are just an awesome family. We ended late cause we were just laughing and enjoying each others company, so we didn't have correlation.

 

THURSDAY - We headed to Family Dollar in the morning to get some stuff for the apartment and for Jose Guzmans reading, then we headed over there to have a lesson, we watched The Restoration movie and had him circle the fruits of the spirit that he felt in Galatians, really good lesson, then he talked about how sad he is cause he can't get a job cause of his bad eyesight, so we gave him a blessing, I love holding the Priesthood. We came back and planned as quickly as we could but at the same time very well, then we went to work, we started knocking and ran into this CRAZY black girl that could not have a prophet and so we testified and it was just incredible, I love being a part of the true church because no matter what they say, no matter what they try and prove, we can counter, we can destroy it, we can answer it. Even only using just the Bible! I love it. We ran into a less active member and are going to have a Family Home Evening with her and her family on Monday, we came back to the apartment for dinner, Fernando dropped off some cake from Gaby's birthday which I forgot to add, we went there this morning too with a card. Hno Castro came and got us to take us out, we had a small lesson with Marecela on her porch and then headed to Dallas 5 Norths apartment for exchanges. 

 

FRIDAY - Had studies, just finished Jacob in English and almost Half way through Alma in Spanish, so making progress. We then got out and tracked, and found nothing but mean people! Lot of slammed doors in the face today. We then had a few hours before dinner to do something so I called Ms. Campbell up and we went all the way down to her ghetto neighborhood to do service, her lawn was so bad! bees everywhere which of course made me frightened like a little girl haha, but we fixed her fence and gate with nothing but one saw, one hammer, and some nails, I had a genius idea, I found the end of a handle of a shovel and a brick with holes in it and wedged it in the holes and made a hammer. HAHA, it worked fantastic though. I looked at the clock and realized we were late for dinner so I called and asked if we could come a bit later, so all 4 of us (other elders came too) went to dinner with Hermana Rodriguez and had fish, it was pretty good. Elder Virrueta gave the spiritual thought. We didn't have any success that night, so we traded back, Elder Virrueta wanted to stay, he wants to be my companion haha, I have that impact on most ;) Elder Rodriguez returned.

 

SATURDAY - We did all our studies and got a call from Jose canceling, so we went to Sister Savages for lunch, TORTAS my absolute favorite in the world, except I ate 2 HUGE ones, the pieces of chicken were gigantic, it was nice to leave on a full stomach though as apposed to eating Ramen noodles at the apartment haha, we then tracked and had nothing, lot of Hispanics. I take that back we found some "ok" people, afterwards we biked down to be picked up by the other elders apartment to be picked up for dinner by Bro Moss/Lloyd, I found out a little about the NCAA tourney, I cant believe Duke lost, I had them going far! Anyway we went to dinner and they are always like "EAT EAT EAT!!!" and I was dying after because of the tortas I ate like 3 hours previously! We got back and I was not feeling good at all! allergies randomly kicking in, I decided to work out my calves a few days ago and regret it cause now I'm so sore I cant even walk! let alone straighten my leg, to save my life! We visited a few of his friends then taught Noe and Maria and their 18 year old daughter, we did the same thing we have been doing lately, watched The Restoration video and had them circle the fruits of the spirit, it went well. We got back and I asked Elder Rodriguez to give me a blessing and then just died in my bed.

 

SUNDAY - 10 MONTHS!!! WOW. That's all I will say, we woke up and took some awesome st pattys day pics, even thought it was yesterday haha, we headed to church and Jose and his girlfriend, Krystal, showed up! The Terrazas family did not though... It was really good though, good Sunday, went by super fast! We headed to the Chapmans after, one of my favorite members on my mission haha of course he had to mention I can dunk at least 80 times and trying to figure out how I do it, fantastic dinner, as we sat down the rolls were put next to me and Bro Chapman and he looked at them and back at me and said "You going to do some dunking with those rolls there too" later on asked if my family found Jackson Hole haha, which lead to him saying "I bet whoever did can't dunk" LOL Love this guy, as I was leaving I noticed they had a picture of the Mesa Arizona Temple up and their sealed date "March 11th 1967" Haha I told him how that was my birthday and how I felt much more special knowing it was the same day haha. Love the Chapmans, We came back and went to the couple appointments we had scheduled, got in with just one which was Vasylia and Hector, had a really solid, great first half of the first lesson, her sister was present and was Pentecostal? something like that, so she of course was putting in her 2 cents about everything, which we proceeded to doctrinally destroy it, by the end she was quiet and we testified and the room was filled with the spirit. We ended our day like that, what a fantastic week like always, thanks for all the letters and packages guys! Love all of you a ton and i hope you know that, that is true :)

Elder Aaron Jackson

Aaron turns 20!

MONDAY - We went shopping early again, as usual but we shopped for twice the food cause we are not going shopping next week, we ran into the ZL's there and also elder Scott and them, we came back and headed to the church to email and i also got to play some ball, we were trying to get a kick ally-oop down for the talent show but couldn't, we then went to Ross, me Elder Scott and Field and Witbeck to look at ties, nothing really good. We came back and hung out at the church till hno Castillo picked us up for dinner, it was really good, love them, great family. We then had hno Castro pick us up and we visited a few people but no luck, then we exchanged, I was in Mesquite with my old companion, Elder Witbeck! we talked all through the night of our progress in the mission and how bad our Spanish was in the MTC hahaha, it was great. 

TUESDAY - We had multi district meeting today, really good one too, but we had to go way early! So we were just talking and we went to see if Little Caesars was open to get pizza for the zone, but it wasn't so we came back and the meeting started, great meeting, we all had cards and everyone had to write something nice about every person, of course I had basketball terms all over mine... haha. We got back to Mesquite and went to an investigators house to do service, we dug up a tree trunk, it was a lot of fun, afterwards we went back to wait for dinner, we went to a families house which reminded me very much of home, family of 6, and they had a son leaving in 2 weeks to London for his mission, they talked about how every week they would try and play games, like TICKET TO RIDE!!! It reminded me a lot of home, we headed back to be picked up by a recent convert to go out and teach some families, the first one I didn't know that she was an investigator and so I started going into the Santa Cena, or the sacrament and Elder Witbeck tried to stop me and ended up messing it up even more hahaha it was my fault to begin with though but we laughed about it and talked about how we are still bad teachers to this day haha, but it wasn't too bad. We then went and visited their top investigating family and had a lesson cause the father of the family just had a death in his family, his dad died. We brought another member and she talked a lot... 50 minutes and then we finally got out and it was too late to exchange back so I stayed another night.

WEDNESDAY - We changed back, I was super nice enough to give Tim 10 bucks for gas cause he helps us out so much! We then headed to a member that just moved in for lunch and she lived in a really dangerous area, I fell off my bike haha but we had lunch, Elder Rodriguez blessed the house and I blessed her and we left, Norma canceled and so we tracked some, we saw some people moving a dresser out of a truck so we went and helped them and ended up setting a return appointment! We found a couple more awesome people and then we had dinner with the Valero family and they were telling jokes the whole time and my Spanish is not good enough to capture all of it so I tried and got some of them but still, even the humor is different. But after Fernando picked us up and took us out to get brand new shoes, so thankful for him, such an amazing guy. We ended our night with correlation.

THURSDAY - Rained a lot today, we had exchanges, Elder Falk has been down with a foot injury so we went on exchanges, because as District Leader I've got to help everyone out the best I can, so we went on exchanges and I stayed there with him and we talked and studied until dinner, we went to Sister Blockers and made amazing home made pizzas and had ice cream and cake after, it was so good, we exchanged again at the end of the night, Elder Larson came back with me to sleep at our apartment and Elder Rod stayed with Falk, Bro Mata dropped us off and was talking about crazy stuff, about making clouds disappear and stuff... some people are weird haha, so not a whole lot today, just stayed with Elder Falk. We listened to "Remember Lots Wife" by elder Holland, man its amazing.

 

FRIDAY - Jose Guzman canceled in the morning so we stayed for the remainder of our studies and I cleaned a little, then we went tracking in Elder Larson's area, PURE Hispanic where we were at, it was great. But it was also really rainy and cold. Jorge canceled so we headed back to our apartment to get the map cause we got a referral, went and taught him, Jose, man he is so solid, the other Elders investigator though, but way cool and will be baptized soon. We came back to the other elders to wait to be picked up for dinner with the Prices :) Lasagna because they asked me what I wanted for my bday and that's what we had and I ate a lot! Sister Price made cupcakes and they sung happy birthday to me, after we did this HILARIOUS board trick, they got it on video and I hope they put it on my page, so funny, too hard to explain you just got to see it. We ended our night, all our stuff was at the other elders so we ended up heading back there to sleep, we played "Crap or Fact" and it was so fun, we talked all night as well, about crazy stuff haha. Great night!

 

SATURDAY - We got up and it was pouring! so we stayed there for a while, we played Monopoly and I won ;) haha then we went to visit Jose and he was heading out so it was pouring and we didn't know what to do. So we headed back to plan for the talent show tonight, so what does Elder Jackson do on his last night being 19 you might ask? you would have never guessed... me and Elder Rod sang at the talent show haha they loved it though! but getting to that, so we went back and headed to the church early to set up and practice, we also were having a chili and enchilada contest so we were the judges, lot of fun, then we got up and did 3 songs, first I did this weird noise with my mouth and they LOVED it, people were freaking out, people had their video cameras out saying they were going to put it on youtube, then Elder Rod did a song then we sang  "Lazy song" by Bruno Mars but we changed the lyrics, it was awesome!!!!!!! I had so much fun, we have it all on video hahaha, I cant believe I got up and sang in front of all these people, it was a ton of fun. I LOVED IT!!!! Also today I got a package from the Kerrs and I just want to thank you so much for that!!!!! LOVE YOU GUYS!!! thanks for the bday card too!!!!

 

SUNDAY - Wow my birthday already, the big 20! Tim texted me and the Mesquite Elder called to wish me a happy bday my awesome companion left a card on my desk this morning, best card ever! but the best gift of all was losing an hour of freaking sleep!!!!!!!!! :( As a missionary that is so rough! Hated getting up this morning, church was good, we had PEC and then as we waited for sacrament, sister Lloyd overheard Elder Falk talking about how it was my birthday and she was furious.. haha cause I didnt tell her, so she told everyone haha they made me say the prayer in class and Sister Price brought cupcakes again, we finished church and headed to bishops for dinner... they sang happy bday to me too and with a "?" candle hahaha cause they didn't know how old I was, it was really good, we then went back to be picked up by Fernando, we went out to a few lessons and ended the night, great bday, I loved it! Thanks for all the bday wishes! I love you all.

Elder Aaron Jackson

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