Mon, Mar 28, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Hey there family and friends. This has been another really cool week and it sounds like yours was too. I didn´t respond to last weeks questions because I hadn´t received them yet when I wrote. But wow there is a lot going on up there in the states. There seems to be a lot of talk about this acid rain and Japan, but I haven´t heard anything about that. I hope you don´t look like that one statue, haha. It sounds like the rate of missionaries going out is keeping up with the missionaries coming back so that is good to hear.
Here it has been really hot and really humid. It is insane. It is the same in the morning as at night. I feel like Mario in the water level where he is just swimming along with that funny music. Also a cement ant bit me this morning and it really hurt. It left a big ol welt.
I attached another picture of a nice Nicaraguan sunset here in Bello Amanacer.
So the baptism of Daniel went great. He and his mom and family came and we did it Saturday in the morning. I will send some pictures. Well one of the days that we went and visited him the Grandpa came out to answer the door. He is pretty slow at walking and uses hearing aids but is pretty cool. His wife is a member but he isn´t. So when we were talking to him we asked if he wanted to get baptized and he said that he thought that that was a good idea. So we are going to complete a family now in about two weeks. The only problem is that he has been smoking since he was 15, but since we talked to him he hasn´t smoked yet. This Sunday he came to church with his wife and listened a little bit and also slept a little bit, but he said he liked it. He doesn´t like all of the Evangelical churches because they are really loud and crazy so he enjoyed the peace and quiet.
Really good news about Mario Pilarte. He didn´t drink all last week and has been reading the Gospel Principles book and the Book of Mormon during his lunch breaks. He is doing really great and we are so happy for him and his family. Every time we visit him, I just feel great after the lesson. I am not sure if I mentioned it before but he also has a baptismal date, to complete a family also.
Recently we have gotten a lot of families we are teaching. In the past week we got 56 family references. We have been going and visiting them little by little but now we are really busy. Hermana Ochs I suggest getting the semi from your ward, the list of all of the members, and then visiting members that have been in your ward for a long time. Ask them to mark every person on the list that doesn´t have all the members of the family that are members of the church. Specifically a wife or husband whose spouse isn´t a member yet, because then every lesson is with a member and they have a friendship in the church. It works really well. Also contacting every person you meet.
Well I love you a bunches and Big Hearts.
Elder Ochs
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Mon, Mar 21, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Hey there family and all. So this week was a pretty good week. We got a lot of new people to teach. So that is cool. Luis is doing good and also a new guy we have named Mario Pilarte. All of his family are also members and he is the only one not yet one. The problem is because he has a problem with drinking a lot. We have been going by every night to help him stop. The family has pretty much given up hope on him because missionaries have been trying for years but we will see what we can do. If you could pray for him and for us so we can have the spirit to know what to say and how to help him.
This week we also had a Multi-Zone activity with the mission. We learned a lot of stuff and also had some fun. The President talked and some bishops and it was pretty cool. I got to see Elder Flores, my companion from Managua. He is doing fine.
This weekend we finally have a baptism. His name is Daniel and he has been going to church a lot without us even talking to him so we asked him if he wants to be baptize and he said yes. So this Saturday we are planning on having it.
Last P-day I had the idea to buy some tennis supplies. So I looked around and found some really old tennis rackets and some cheap tennis balls. The tennis balls already broke and the rackets are really heavy because they are made of just wood. I figured that if I got good at playing with bad equipment that when I get back and I have good stuff I will be better, so we will see. I am going to try and buy some actual tennis balls at an american store here. I will send a picture next week.
So these pictures that I am sending are of the cement eating ants at our house. This is an actual cement ant hole. When these little guys bite you it leaves a welt behind. The other picture is of a cool sunset. The last one is the picture of a CD my comp listens to every single morning, the same songs over and over again. The guy's bowl cut and red suit is strange, haha.
But I am doing fine here in Nicaragua and Elder Talla and I are working hard together. I´ll talk to ya next week.
Love You Lots and Big Hearts.
Elder Ochs
Hey there family and all. So this week was a pretty good week. We got a lot of new people to teach. So that is cool. Luis is doing good and also a new guy we have named Mario Pilarte. All of his family are also members and he is the only one not yet one. The problem is because he has a problem with drinking a lot. We have been going by every night to help him stop. The family has pretty much given up hope on him because missionaries have been trying for years but we will see what we can do. If you could pray for him and for us so we can have the spirit to know what to say and how to help him.
This week we also had a Multi-Zone activity with the mission. We learned a lot of stuff and also had some fun. The President talked and some bishops and it was pretty cool. I got to see Elder Flores, my companion from Managua. He is doing fine.
This weekend we finally have a baptism. His name is Daniel and he has been going to church a lot without us even talking to him so we asked him if he wants to be baptize and he said yes. So this Saturday we are planning on having it.
Last P-day I had the idea to buy some tennis supplies. So I looked around and found some really old tennis rackets and some cheap tennis balls. The tennis balls already broke and the rackets are really heavy because they are made of just wood. I figured that if I got good at playing with bad equipment that when I get back and I have good stuff I will be better, so we will see. I am going to try and buy some actual tennis balls at an american store here. I will send a picture next week.
So these pictures that I am sending are of the cement eating ants at our house. This is an actual cement ant hole. When these little guys bite you it leaves a welt behind. The other picture is of a cool sunset. The last one is the picture of a CD my comp listens to every single morning, the same songs over and over again. The guy's bowl cut and red suit is strange, haha.
But I am doing fine here in Nicaragua and Elder Talla and I are working hard together. I´ll talk to ya next week.
Love You Lots and Big Hearts.
Elder Ochs
Monday, March 14, 2011
Mon, Mar 14, 2011 at 10:06 AM
So I am sending a few photos from our getting into our locked-down home story like I promised.
The house next door that we went through
Razors around on top of our walls
Space between razors and wall
Roofing we had to take apart to climb through
Our house
Side of house
Front door interior
Window that was open
Distance between window and table where the keys were
Tubing in the backyard that we used
Hose used to feed through tubing
Wire hook on the end of the hose
Messy table where keys were
Successfully entered and rest on couch
Hungry so cooking at stinky stove
I also have a few other random photos. This is a rock I like to sit on in the backyard at night. Here is a picture of some really scary old lady, it is a lady not a man. It is right above me where I study everyday. Another is of our sink and dishes. And the last being me milking a cow in Nagarote. We went there last P day to eat quesillos. Quesillos are tortillas, cheese, onions, and so kind of cream. I should have taken a picture of it. Sorry I still haven´t got one of the Rock restaurant or of the food. As for the photos of the ipods and camera, I gave them to my friend before taking a picture of them, but they are real. I have seen those fake ones around here and it isn´t too hard to tell the difference haha.Trust me Mom and Dad. I just have to wait till the end of the mission to get a hold of them.
It sounds like this weekend was really cool for you guys. I am glad that you guys were safe coming back from the Temple. That is very strange how you found yourselves at that Ghirardellis again. We are fine here too. The Japan thing didn´t effect us here from what I have heard. That is awesome to hear about Chad and Sean that they are out and working and that Chad will see Israel in the MTC.
This week wasn´t all that eventful but I still enjoyed it. We got some new families that we are teaching and Louis is doing fine. He couldn´t go to church this week because he had work but next week yes. There are a few people here and there that are pretty much ready for baptism but there are just a few small problems. I was thinking of some new ways to teach the people here and now i have a few ideas that I will try out. I will let you know the results.
I am having a lot of fun out here and loving the people. Thank you guys for supporting and helping me all of this time.
Lots of Love and Big Hearts.
Elder Ochs
So I am sending a few photos from our getting into our locked-down home story like I promised.
The house next door that we went through
Razors around on top of our walls
Space between razors and wall
Roofing we had to take apart to climb through
Our house
Side of house
Front door interior
Window that was open
Distance between window and table where the keys were
Tubing in the backyard that we used
Hose used to feed through tubing
Wire hook on the end of the hose
Messy table where keys were
Successfully entered and rest on couch
Hungry so cooking at stinky stove
I also have a few other random photos. This is a rock I like to sit on in the backyard at night. Here is a picture of some really scary old lady, it is a lady not a man. It is right above me where I study everyday. Another is of our sink and dishes. And the last being me milking a cow in Nagarote. We went there last P day to eat quesillos. Quesillos are tortillas, cheese, onions, and so kind of cream. I should have taken a picture of it. Sorry I still haven´t got one of the Rock restaurant or of the food. As for the photos of the ipods and camera, I gave them to my friend before taking a picture of them, but they are real. I have seen those fake ones around here and it isn´t too hard to tell the difference haha.Trust me Mom and Dad. I just have to wait till the end of the mission to get a hold of them.
It sounds like this weekend was really cool for you guys. I am glad that you guys were safe coming back from the Temple. That is very strange how you found yourselves at that Ghirardellis again. We are fine here too. The Japan thing didn´t effect us here from what I have heard. That is awesome to hear about Chad and Sean that they are out and working and that Chad will see Israel in the MTC.
This week wasn´t all that eventful but I still enjoyed it. We got some new families that we are teaching and Louis is doing fine. He couldn´t go to church this week because he had work but next week yes. There are a few people here and there that are pretty much ready for baptism but there are just a few small problems. I was thinking of some new ways to teach the people here and now i have a few ideas that I will try out. I will let you know the results.
I am having a lot of fun out here and loving the people. Thank you guys for supporting and helping me all of this time.
Lots of Love and Big Hearts.
Elder Ochs
Monday, March 7, 2011
Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Hey everyone from home. It sounds like you guys had another fun week. I have to apologize though because I still havent sent a bunch of pictures. I have been waiting for something special to come. I guess I might as well tell you what I got with that $120 dollars. I wanted to send a picture but I wont be getting it until later today. So I have a friend that knows a friend of his who has connections here in Nicaragua. I wont get into all of the details but pretty much it is legal. I was offered the newest 64G iTouch with the camera and everything which usually cost about $400 dollars each for $30 dollars each so I bought two of them and also the newest Nikon touch screen camera with interchangeable lenses that also costs between $500-$400 dollars for $60 dollars. In the end getting a discount of $1380 taken off, haha. So that is where my $120 dollars went. I guess me and those ipods just have a bond because they always seem to fall into my hands, haha. I wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't real but it is. Dad on a side note there are Apple laptops for $150 each, haha. I was waiting to tell you until I had the photos so you would believe me but you will just have to wait till next week to see. Dont worry though I am not going to just carry them around with me. I am going to have a well entrusted friend hold them till the end of the mission. Now I bring my Fujifilm camera around with me where ever I go.
That is crazy to hear about Aaron Ewert and that he is now getting married. That is really cool. Make sure to bring the camera Mom so that you can send home some cool pictures. And also of the road trip with Grandma and all of the pretty rocks you collect. How is Nathan doing out on the mission? I haven't heard anything about him.
We are now extra careful before leaving the house to make sure we have the keys and everything because we dont want that to happen again. I am just glad we didn't have to brake down anything to get in and have to pay for a bunch of stuff. Also we went and visited the sailor guy again and we talked some more about his travels. He may have lied about being to every country in the world but he still has cool stories. He told us about this time when they were lost out at sea for 10 days and what they had to do to find there way back. He is a pretty cool guy but smokes a lot. He is trying to stop and we are going to help him out. Their place is pretty cool because there is a wall around the whole place and there are a bunch of trees with parrots, chickens, and dogs. He just hangs out in a hammock all day listening to the radio.
I am really wanting to send Israel a letter because those are always cooler than emails and especially coming from a foreign country with cool stamps and stuff.
So this week, the lady that usually cooks us dinner decided to start up her own little restaurant thing. They built this stone food place on the side of the main road where they sell enchiladas, fried chicken, chicken asado, carne asada, nica tamales, gallo pinto, guajada (fried platano), and other stuff. They gave us the option to still eat at their house eating boiled chicken and bread or at the restaurant. Guess what we chose. The restaurant. Now we eat like kings, haha. They just ask us what we want and we eat it. Even better, they make Cacao drinks, which is actual coco beans crushed and put in milk. Sooo good. So I am really happy about that. I will take a picture of that also.
So this Sunday, like always, the people we went to pick up for church didn't come but the ones we weren't expecting came. I am thinking about not even getting up early on Sundays to go pick up people for church because it seems to have better results. I am just kidding but it has been like that the whole time I have been here. I am not complaining though because it is the people we were hoping to come that come. We had two families, three priesthood aged young men, and a girl come. One of the families was one that is really strong evangelical and just argue with us when we try to teach and don't even look at the Book of Mormon. The last class in Priesthood the dad sat next to me and the teacher taught a really good lesson about the Melchizedek priesthood. Louis, the dad, at first said he couldn't read because he didn't have his glasses but that was a lie because he was following every scripture we read in Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon. He didn't say a word the whole lesson and in the end his face was like ¨Oh man I have been in the wrong church the whole time and I didn't have a clue how important Priesthood power and authority is.¨ That is what I read from his face. Needless to say that they didn't go to the other church that was later on in the day. Pray that we can get them baptized. So miracles happen everyday.
I would like to write more but I have ran out of time, so I just want to say love you guys a ton and Really Big Hearts to all.
Elder Ochs
Hey everyone from home. It sounds like you guys had another fun week. I have to apologize though because I still havent sent a bunch of pictures. I have been waiting for something special to come. I guess I might as well tell you what I got with that $120 dollars. I wanted to send a picture but I wont be getting it until later today. So I have a friend that knows a friend of his who has connections here in Nicaragua. I wont get into all of the details but pretty much it is legal. I was offered the newest 64G iTouch with the camera and everything which usually cost about $400 dollars each for $30 dollars each so I bought two of them and also the newest Nikon touch screen camera with interchangeable lenses that also costs between $500-$400 dollars for $60 dollars. In the end getting a discount of $1380 taken off, haha. So that is where my $120 dollars went. I guess me and those ipods just have a bond because they always seem to fall into my hands, haha. I wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't real but it is. Dad on a side note there are Apple laptops for $150 each, haha. I was waiting to tell you until I had the photos so you would believe me but you will just have to wait till next week to see. Dont worry though I am not going to just carry them around with me. I am going to have a well entrusted friend hold them till the end of the mission. Now I bring my Fujifilm camera around with me where ever I go.
That is crazy to hear about Aaron Ewert and that he is now getting married. That is really cool. Make sure to bring the camera Mom so that you can send home some cool pictures. And also of the road trip with Grandma and all of the pretty rocks you collect. How is Nathan doing out on the mission? I haven't heard anything about him.
We are now extra careful before leaving the house to make sure we have the keys and everything because we dont want that to happen again. I am just glad we didn't have to brake down anything to get in and have to pay for a bunch of stuff. Also we went and visited the sailor guy again and we talked some more about his travels. He may have lied about being to every country in the world but he still has cool stories. He told us about this time when they were lost out at sea for 10 days and what they had to do to find there way back. He is a pretty cool guy but smokes a lot. He is trying to stop and we are going to help him out. Their place is pretty cool because there is a wall around the whole place and there are a bunch of trees with parrots, chickens, and dogs. He just hangs out in a hammock all day listening to the radio.
I am really wanting to send Israel a letter because those are always cooler than emails and especially coming from a foreign country with cool stamps and stuff.
So this week, the lady that usually cooks us dinner decided to start up her own little restaurant thing. They built this stone food place on the side of the main road where they sell enchiladas, fried chicken, chicken asado, carne asada, nica tamales, gallo pinto, guajada (fried platano), and other stuff. They gave us the option to still eat at their house eating boiled chicken and bread or at the restaurant. Guess what we chose. The restaurant. Now we eat like kings, haha. They just ask us what we want and we eat it. Even better, they make Cacao drinks, which is actual coco beans crushed and put in milk. Sooo good. So I am really happy about that. I will take a picture of that also.
So this Sunday, like always, the people we went to pick up for church didn't come but the ones we weren't expecting came. I am thinking about not even getting up early on Sundays to go pick up people for church because it seems to have better results. I am just kidding but it has been like that the whole time I have been here. I am not complaining though because it is the people we were hoping to come that come. We had two families, three priesthood aged young men, and a girl come. One of the families was one that is really strong evangelical and just argue with us when we try to teach and don't even look at the Book of Mormon. The last class in Priesthood the dad sat next to me and the teacher taught a really good lesson about the Melchizedek priesthood. Louis, the dad, at first said he couldn't read because he didn't have his glasses but that was a lie because he was following every scripture we read in Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon. He didn't say a word the whole lesson and in the end his face was like ¨Oh man I have been in the wrong church the whole time and I didn't have a clue how important Priesthood power and authority is.¨ That is what I read from his face. Needless to say that they didn't go to the other church that was later on in the day. Pray that we can get them baptized. So miracles happen everyday.
I would like to write more but I have ran out of time, so I just want to say love you guys a ton and Really Big Hearts to all.
Elder Ochs
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