Feeling the Spirit in Spanish April 27, 2009

We do not know how long we will have to talk on Mother’s Day. I will be getting calling cards this week. We have a member in the ward that sells them and it will be easy to get. I still haven’t got the package but I am sure that it will be great when I do.

We finished the week with three baptisms. It went really good and I was able to baptize two of the three. It seems that they always choose the senior companion, it is probably because we talk more and gain their confidence faster. It was a great week. We have a few baptisms planned for this week and then for the next week too.
Changes are this next week and I might get my package. Oh, I have one request to make. In the next package you sent could you send a thing of pepper? I need to add a little flavor to my food (rice). That is one thing that I am missing.

I felt the spirit strongly this week telling me promises that I can give the people. I was able to speak Spanish to them. I felt that the spirit was speaking to them thru me. I know that the Lord is with us doing His work. We are never alone and I know that he is with you all too. He will not leave us if we are obedient and worthy of His company.

I had a trunky dream this week that when I got home the little ones did not recognize me. It was kinda sad. But I know they cannot forget their favorite uncle.

I love you all a lot. I hope that your week goes really good and that all is well.
Love Elder Hyde

Birthday Week April 20, 2009

I have had a good week. We had a lot of support from the members and we set five or six baptism dates. It was a great week. We had a baptism planned but it was stake conference and so we didn’t do it. We are saving it for this next week.

I had a great birthday. We had good lessons and also got an egg to the head and cake to the face. Ya it really happened. I don’t know why, but they have some really weird traditions here.

Last week we went to a stadium and played soccer and then went and bought souvenirs. I will be sending a small package home this week and it will have something for everyone. Also some photos. Today is a free day and we can do anything we want.

My companion is from Pisco which is in Peru. He is a “Chombon”, no just kidding. He had six months and Yes now I am the leader. We are teaching a lot of good people.

Ailton who is a man who has friends in the church and wants to get baptized. This week is his date.
Janz and Carlos are two kids whose parents are members.
Erick who has been investigating the church for four years.
There are others that will soon be entering the water. We have been working with a couple that if we baptize them it will complete a family. We have been working hard with them. Yesterday the wife accepted. It was really cool. We just need to get him to accept now. This week we will be working really hard with him.

I have really felt the Lord’s help here. I have had the help of the Holy Ghost telling me what needs to be done and what to say. I know that the Lord loves us, everyone of us and he really wants us to know that. He is ready to give us his blessings but first we need to ask and work for them.
I know the Lord has blessed us so much in our lives and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity I have to help others have and feel the love of the Lord.

I love you all tons and I am grateful for your love and support.
Love, Elder Hyde

Easter in Iquitos April 13, 2009

Happy Easter, Easter is not the same here, they don't really celebrate on Sunday. They celebrate more on Good Friday. We didn't even sing Easter songs in sacrament meeting. It was weird to me.

I didn't get my package but I know that President is coming and might bring it.

Not in a million years did I think I would eat turtle and actually enjoy it. We have been eating a lot of fish and guess what?, I have been enjoying that too. The only thing is that you have to be careful with the spines. I have only tried one fish that I haven't liked. It was good that I was just trying it and it was not what they gave us to eat.

Here in the jungle it is winter. It is the time of rain and heat. In Lima it is summer. That seems weird.

We had a really good week. We had two baptisms and they chose me to baptize them. They are not the strongest converts that I have had, but they wanted to get baptized. We had some really strong spiritual lessons this week and found two jovenes that really want to get baptized. They have been going to church for years. Now they just need permission from their parents.

We also had one lesson that was not so great, it drained me spiritually and I felt like crap.

I became trunky for some reason for the rest of the day. The funny thing is that day was one of our best days number wise.

Monday we went and played volleyball in the rain. It was really fun. We also looked at the different animals that they have . It was a little better than the one in Pucallpa.

Sounds like all is well there and I hope that everything stays that way.
I love you all very much. Cuidense Te Extranohata Luego
Love Much,
Elder Hyde

I loved the pictures of the kids.

Mucho Amor De Iquitos April 6, 2009

Well we had an ok week and we ended it with a great conference. I loved it so much. The four sessions I watched in Spanish and the Priesthood I watched in English. I understood a lot more than last time and took some pretty good notes. I think it will be interesting to see how much I understood. I don’t know if I understood or if I wrote what I thought and what the spirit told me. I really loved what President Eyring said on Saturday morning, he talked about enduring our trials. He said the disciples that endure their trials with patience and look at it as an opportunity to learn and grow, are those that have more happiness in their lives. All of it was really good.

Some highlights of the week.

Monday for pday we just played soccer, the 2 zones got together to played. All my buddies were there. We rested all afternoon.

Tuesday we had interviews and mine lasted like 1 minute, maybe less because we had interviews in Pucallpa like two weeks ago.

Wednesday for lunch we ate TURTLE it was actually very delicious. It reminded me of the roast we had on Sundays. I have a photo of me eating the foot or fin, whatever you call it.

Saturday and Sunday, conference that was the bomb.

Today we are going to a park to look at animals and play volleyball.
This next week we have two baptism planned.

Well gotta go I love you all and hope that everything is well
les quiero muchisimo (i want you a lot, is what it means but it is not that strong) that is what I heard a lot when I left Pucallpa and I was a little scared.
LOVE Elder Hyde