After counting down all Christmas day, finally is was 5:30 our time, and then 5:35, no call, so Ross, the very inspired person that he is tries the number Jordan had given us, well, his cell phone cannot make international calls, so we hurry and get on with AT&T, on Christmas night, and get the service for international calls, so we try the number again and a Spanish voice on the other end said no, no Elder Weaver is not here he is here, and then gave us a different number. In the meantime, Jordan's best friend Logan calls and I ask him if I can call him back because we are waiting for Jordan to call and he says that, that is why he is calling, Jordan just contacted him by email and he cannot get through and so we got the number from Logan and sure enough it went through, in the mean time again, Jeff, Jordan's other friend, shows up at the door and says Jordan can't reach you, you need to call him...Needless to say, a 1/2 hour later we got to start talking to him...:)Big smiles!
He is super, sounds just like our Jordan, only a whole lot faster!
Christmas morning they spent cleaning a blind woman's home, getting it ready to paint, He wore a blister on his finger because they were scraping walls with a butter knife.
They did not get to stay for lunch because they were preparing for a baptism the next day, a young girl and boy. The girl is afraid of water so Jordan and his comp filled up the font and let her go swimming in it on Monday and were doing it again today. The girl feels safer with Jordan because he is a foot taller than his comp and not so close to the water.
We cried as he talked about his struggles with the language, he is very hard on himself and wants it to be perfect for the work he is doing for his Heavenly Father. He is getting along fine with his comp.
He weighs 185 and was pretty excited about that, he likes how he feels and how he looks and how his clothes fit.
He said that he always has plenty of money for food each month, they use most of their money for transportation, and buying Book of Mormons.
I asked him how he is stomaching the food, he said it's okay, until he eats super spicy, he had a chili that his comp said was not that spicy, but it was very hot and was just as bad going down as it was coming out (gross) and a lot faster:)
He loves the flowers down there, he wishes he could bring some home to me and my Dad to plant in our yards, he said they are amazing.
He is still looking for construction work for Ross:), said that the quality of cement is amazingly poor.
It is not rainy season now, it is still warm, he still sweats while his comp freezes, at 70 degrees, he said that the nights are beautiful, perfect weather.
He likes to turn the boiler on 1rst thing to get a hot shower,
He does not have any desire to live there:)
Loves to get with the "North Americans" or "Gringos" to speak English, he said he never realized how much he loves our language.
His favorite part of the mission is baptizing, and then went on for a good 5-10 minutes about how important baptism is, and then he said well that's enough preaching:)
He could not believe how the boys voices had changed and could not tell who was who....
He talked about the small lizards that are there, they are poisonous and are all over, they have had lots of mosquitoes, they use raid plug ins and fans at night to keep them off of them.
Jax asked about spiders, he said that there happened to be one today and the sister missionaries were all screaming and he laughed and laughed.
He said that he has not seen one North American Sister Missionary, all have been Native Mexicans.
He loves Pres. and Hma. Hansen, they are a lot of fun, and interview often, and are very interested in each missionary, they have given him good council and have cried with him when he has had difficult days.
We talked more about his Spanish, tried to build him up and feel more confident with the language.
He is still practicing the piano, he is learning There is a Green Hill Far Away, I told him I would learn it too.
His new camera takes video, he has been testing it out, and likes it a lot.
The Internet cafe is 10 pesos to use.
His transportation is buses, taxis are too expensive the bus costs 6 pesos, he is in a large area, huge he said, he loves all of the walking, no blisters for a while, he has resoled his shoes once and ready to do it again. His pants are pretty beat up and will buy more soon.
Prints emails off from Beardalls, Us, Grandma Pat, Weavers
He get handwritten letters often from Prices, Ivies, and "Pickles" comics from Pedersons and "they really brighten his day"
He loves the Sunday comics that we send, loves meeting with the North Americans and telling jokes, he said Spanish jokes just don't seem to be as funny:)
He is very happy, I asked:) He sleeps well most of the time, has not been able to sight see in the city, but he reminded me "I still have another year mom"
He was going to make the birthday cake I sent him for his birthday, he is very excited for that day, it happens to be the "Day of the 3 Kings", very big Spanish holiday, they believe it is when the wisemen reached the Christ child they celebrate with lots of gifts and festivities.
He asked for the recipe for monkey bread, says he really misses it, misses "normal" spaghetti,
Boys asked about the Day of the Dead, 1rst night is like Halloween they give out money not candy, the 2nd day the adults go out, door to door and ask for alcohol.
Loves the Christmas palm leaves re-enactment with pine branches, the natives go door to door waving branches singing
He goes by pine trees and rubs the branches to smell "HOME"
He is in a very rich area, said that of course it's easier to knock on "poor" doors, much more humble people.
Jace and Jordan talked about the Camel thru the eye of a needle and that whole parable...Jordan recited the whole story and Jace was very impressed with his older brother:)
We decided to read the Book of Mormon together, he is reading with his zone, but will read a chapter a day and stay with us also.
Again I asked if he was happy, and he says-yes Mom!
Ross gave him some fatherly advice, be happy, have patience with himself, don't beat yourself up, everything will come. He dreams in Spanish and his comp tells him that he has woken up to him singing in Spanish while he is sleeping.
In his Patriarchal Blessing he was given many promises about the language of the people of his mission and we reminded him to read and pray about that.
Ross asked him if our time was up, and Jordan, said no not yet (we had been on for 45 minutes)
I asked about eating, and he said he eats well, lots of food, said he often goes home with a belly ache because he ate to much. He said that there are lots of apples, pears, strawberries, and mangos.
While we were on the phone he was walking around in circles, I asked if he was nervous he said no, it just feels weird to stand still.
He said to have no worries, he is in the Lord's hands and he is protecting him.
He said that almost 20 years old feels the same.
He spoke in Sacrament meeting Christmas Sunday, they were asked to prepare a 5 minute talk and time ran out so they got to bear their testimonies.
He asked about Alex Weaver, one of Jace's friends that has been having FHE with our family, asked about the Elders that have been teaching her. He said that in Mexico they ask about being baptized on the 1rst or 2nd lesson. He said that a lot of the Spanish people fall in love with the Elders and when they leave not a lot of them remain active, they fall in love with the boys and not the gospel.
We are trying to have family prayer the same time he has his prayers at night,
Ross asked him to bear his testimony in Spanish, he did and we all cried...then it was time to go, He said he misses being able to hug us, he loves and misses us all, we didn't want to hang up...God bless you Jordan, you are such a great son!
Merry Christmas and we'll talk to you soon...
As I post this on January 25, I still cry, however I only have 104 more days to talk to him again, we are about 37 days from being half way done, but who is counting, I would not trade this experience for anything, or have him be any where else at this time in his life, he thinks I don't worry, Ha, I am his mom, I know he is serving the Lord and he will be fine, but I can still miss, love, and worry about him:), sorry it took me so long to post this, but here is most of our conversation in a nut shell, all 1 hour and 13 minutes:)
Monday, January 25, 2010
My tooth is fine
Hi family,
I am doing good this week, we have a baptism lined up for this week and we are hoping that it will go through.
Yes I did take money out for the dentist and also some more to send a package home, I am still looking into it, but no worries I will find a way.
My comp is 19 but only has 5 months left in the mission. He is a hard worker and he has good ideas on how we can find new people to teach. Last Friday was conference and I received a lot of letters from people in the ward, I am sorry I don't have the letters here at the moment to tell you who to thank but next week I will give you the whole list.
We don't teach classes anymore because the semester ended, the work is coming along, as we put forth our best effort to find, teach and baptize the Lord's elect. We are working so that others may have the joy in their lives that we have.
This computer doesn't want to help me with any pictures, so next week I hope to have a good computer with my cable so that I can send you guys pictures. I have a cool one of the sky and some hawks.
Jax, How are ya buddy, I am doing good as you know, sure do love ya.
Justin, Thank you for your letter and the poem and the picture, it's really cool that you and Jax are with Utah's QB.
Jace, any more dates that I should know about, any first kisses. I am your older brother and I have the right to know these things that will embarrass you:)
You three, I hope that you are all reading your scriptures and saying your prayers to be better prepared for your missions, and be examples now during your lives, there is no age limit to be a missionary of and for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Mom and Dad I love and miss you both, but will be back home to make you both worry about other things, while I am here on a mission it's easy because I am in the Lord's hands, back home your both stuck with me, ha ah ah
Love you all and hope all is well
Elder Jordan Ross Weaver
Sure wish the computer was working, we are dying to see this new tooth, hope it's not wooden, especially if it cost less then $40.00 :)
Thanks to all of you that have written him and are keep track of his mission, can you believe he is almost 1/2 way! :)
I am doing good this week, we have a baptism lined up for this week and we are hoping that it will go through.
Yes I did take money out for the dentist and also some more to send a package home, I am still looking into it, but no worries I will find a way.
My comp is 19 but only has 5 months left in the mission. He is a hard worker and he has good ideas on how we can find new people to teach. Last Friday was conference and I received a lot of letters from people in the ward, I am sorry I don't have the letters here at the moment to tell you who to thank but next week I will give you the whole list.
We don't teach classes anymore because the semester ended, the work is coming along, as we put forth our best effort to find, teach and baptize the Lord's elect. We are working so that others may have the joy in their lives that we have.
This computer doesn't want to help me with any pictures, so next week I hope to have a good computer with my cable so that I can send you guys pictures. I have a cool one of the sky and some hawks.
Jax, How are ya buddy, I am doing good as you know, sure do love ya.
Justin, Thank you for your letter and the poem and the picture, it's really cool that you and Jax are with Utah's QB.
Jace, any more dates that I should know about, any first kisses. I am your older brother and I have the right to know these things that will embarrass you:)
You three, I hope that you are all reading your scriptures and saying your prayers to be better prepared for your missions, and be examples now during your lives, there is no age limit to be a missionary of and for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Mom and Dad I love and miss you both, but will be back home to make you both worry about other things, while I am here on a mission it's easy because I am in the Lord's hands, back home your both stuck with me, ha ah ah
Love you all and hope all is well
Elder Jordan Ross Weaver
Sure wish the computer was working, we are dying to see this new tooth, hope it's not wooden, especially if it cost less then $40.00 :)
Thanks to all of you that have written him and are keep track of his mission, can you believe he is almost 1/2 way! :)
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Chipped tooth...
I am doing good this week...today I am going to the dentist because Saturday I fell and chipped my tooth, that I chipped sophomore year. I forgot my cable so sorry that I don't have any picture for you guys this week.
I get along just fine with my comp, he is a short kid who will die in 5 months (goes home in 5 months)
When we are walking down the street I feel like I am living the life of those two cartoon missionaries that you guys always send me cards of.
I sure do hope that Jace doesn't get to hooked on girls like I did, and focus on his school work, Justin and Jax the same goes for you two also.
Mom I am going to ask that you hold off with the packages until I have a need for something that I can't get here in Mexico.
Jace Justin and Jax always be obedient of Mom and Dad, and be sure that you are always reading your scriptures and saying your prayers, I was lazy and didn't do these things and now I am paying the price of not being better prepared for my mission.
Dad, I love you and Mom more than you guys can know, I know I wasn't the best of expressing myself with you guys but I hope that when I get home I will be able to do so better.
My neck really hurts because I splept weird last nigh, but me and my comp have enjoying ourselves because he has the card game UNO, and I have been winning 7 to 3, I have won 7 games and him 3 games, so I am enjoying myself.
Will talk to you all next week with photos of my tooth before and after the dentist.
Elder Weaver
I get along just fine with my comp, he is a short kid who will die in 5 months (goes home in 5 months)
When we are walking down the street I feel like I am living the life of those two cartoon missionaries that you guys always send me cards of.
I sure do hope that Jace doesn't get to hooked on girls like I did, and focus on his school work, Justin and Jax the same goes for you two also.
Mom I am going to ask that you hold off with the packages until I have a need for something that I can't get here in Mexico.
Jace Justin and Jax always be obedient of Mom and Dad, and be sure that you are always reading your scriptures and saying your prayers, I was lazy and didn't do these things and now I am paying the price of not being better prepared for my mission.
Dad, I love you and Mom more than you guys can know, I know I wasn't the best of expressing myself with you guys but I hope that when I get home I will be able to do so better.
My neck really hurts because I splept weird last nigh, but me and my comp have enjoying ourselves because he has the card game UNO, and I have been winning 7 to 3, I have won 7 games and him 3 games, so I am enjoying myself.
Will talk to you all next week with photos of my tooth before and after the dentist.
Elder Weaver
Monday, January 11, 2010
Hi Family,
What I did on my birthday was...We went to a members house to have breakfast and I made the cake that you sent me in the last package, afterwards we went and worked and then we returned to the members house to eat the cake, afterwards they gave me some gifts, a top, a plat wooden race car, a coffee mug, and a yo-yo, also a key chain that's all in the picture. They sung happy birthday to me and then my comp smashes my face into the cake, I am going to see if I can send the video, more on the way.
Love Jordan
Sorry, I tried downloading the video but it's taking a lot of time.We did baptise this last week but only Efren, his sister doesn't feel ready. I am staying and my comp is leaving, my new comps name is Elder Valenzuela, he has 6 months left in his mission, and yes Mom I am keeping my journal up to date, also I have been reading my scriptures with you guys, I am at Chapter 12 of 1 Nephi.
I get emails from You, dad, Grandpa and Grandma Beardall, Grandma Pat and Jeff, also Shaun and Jill.
Here are two more pictures, one is of everyone who went to the baptism and the other is of the young man, me and my comp. The water was freezing cold, so we did it really fast,
love you all, talk to next week,
Elder Weaver
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Happy Birthday,
Sister Weaver,
Just wanted to send you a birthday hug today! I called and sang "Happy Birthday" to Elder Weaver this morning and he was chowing down on King's Bread for breakfast at a member's house. How fun to have a birthday on a holiday day, he will be well-fed, that is for sure. Not exactly birthday cake and ice cream, but a pretty good runner up...I know that you are missing and loving him a lot today, that is what Mom's do. I know it is hard to believe that it has already been twenty years since you first welcomed him into your arms and now he is a Stripling Warrior serving the Lord with all of his heart, mind and soul. Thank you for welcoming him into your family and for raising him to be a worthy missionary. We love him and are grateful to you for sending him to us!
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Con amor,
Hna Hansen
Just wanted to send you a birthday hug today! I called and sang "Happy Birthday" to Elder Weaver this morning and he was chowing down on King's Bread for breakfast at a member's house. How fun to have a birthday on a holiday day, he will be well-fed, that is for sure. Not exactly birthday cake and ice cream, but a pretty good runner up...I know that you are missing and loving him a lot today, that is what Mom's do. I know it is hard to believe that it has already been twenty years since you first welcomed him into your arms and now he is a Stripling Warrior serving the Lord with all of his heart, mind and soul. Thank you for welcoming him into your family and for raising him to be a worthy missionary. We love him and are grateful to you for sending him to us!
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Con amor,
Hna Hansen
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Happy Birthday Jordan!
I ran across this picture the other day and cannot believe how much things have changed and all of the life that has been lived, and how it seems to have gone by so quickly. Jordan was two at the time and loved to keep up with his dad... I used to go into Jordan's room at night to make sure he was covered up, and I remember thinking how small he was, just the day before, it was all for such a short period of time,
I watched as he slowly grew to big for his bed and wonder where time has gone...
Jordan was born the day after Ross' birthday and we have always had their birthday cakes together, sad to say this is the first time in 20 years that they have been apart for their birthdays.
When we talked to Jordan for Christmas he said that Mexico celebrates January 6th pretty big because they believe that it is the day the wisemen came to the Christ child, So tonight they are having cake in a members home for his birthday and I'm sure there will be more celebrating going on! So glad he will not be alone:)
Mom and Dad just called and sang Happy Birthday to Jordan, to me!
Thanks to all of you that have given us money to put into his account for Christmas and his Birthday. He bought himself a new camera, memory card and a portable CD player, he spent about $180.00. and sends his gratitude.
Thanks to all of you that help support him while he is one his mission, whether it be cards, letters, emails, concerns, prayers or money-it is all so overwhelming and we appreciate you so much, you know who you are!:)
So with tears in my eyes and gratitude in my heart, I thank my Heavenly Father for the wonderful blessing he sent to our home 20 years ago, don't know what we would do without our round headed little boy, the leader and example that he has turned out to be. The Lord surely knew which one of our boys to send first, he is so patient and has so much unconditional love for everyone, and has been such a good sport about us learning how to be parents on him!
I love you Jordan and send you the very best Birthday wishes,
May God bless and keep you safe and let you feel our love everyday, but especially today!
Con amor,
Mom
I am late
My New Year started out well. We went to dinner with a family and then had to be home at 8:30 because it's dangerous here with drunk people shooting there guns and flares in the air. We watched "Up" and also "Ice Age 3" I was sleeping when it was midnight so I still don't feel like I am in the New Year.
We are hoping for two baptisms before this Sunday because changes are this week, the names of the people are Efran and Danella. Can you pray for them?
This is going to be short because I don't have much time until we have to start working, I sure do love you guys and hope that all is well.
I am practicing the piano and I get a little better every day. I practice with my Spanish and it comes, not as quickly as I want but it comes.
I did get the monkey bread recipe but they don't have the bread here that I need so now worries.
I will be sure to take lots of pictures for you guys, one family has invited us over to have cake on Wednesday for my birthday. Really cool.
Well I sure do love you all and know that all is well. All is good with me and I love you all.
More will be found next week I promise
Elder Weaver
We are hoping for two baptisms before this Sunday because changes are this week, the names of the people are Efran and Danella. Can you pray for them?
This is going to be short because I don't have much time until we have to start working, I sure do love you guys and hope that all is well.
I am practicing the piano and I get a little better every day. I practice with my Spanish and it comes, not as quickly as I want but it comes.
I did get the monkey bread recipe but they don't have the bread here that I need so now worries.
I will be sure to take lots of pictures for you guys, one family has invited us over to have cake on Wednesday for my birthday. Really cool.
Well I sure do love you all and know that all is well. All is good with me and I love you all.
More will be found next week I promise
Elder Weaver
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