ONE YEAR HAS GONE BY....
YEA!!
TODAY I PUT THE 365th STICKER ON JORDAN'S MISSION POSTER!!!! We are so proud of you Elder Hoon. Keep up the good work.....Love, MOMMA
June 3, 2008
Well first off, let me just say that it won't do much good for me to give my new address because I live so far in the country. I'm three hours away from Brasilia. So if a letter or a package to go from Sao Paulo, and then Brasilia, and then Cabeceiras, it will end up taking the whole transfer. Just send to the mission address and I'll pick things up at zone conference and at transfer day. This is a 5 week transfer, and we now only have four weeks left. So I can wait a little while. I did get two boxes from Mom and Dad and one from Gpa and Gma Hoon. Tell them thank you so much. I like how my two diabetic grandparents send me boxes full of candy and chocolate. I eat half of it and use the other half to get members to burn me CDs and come teach with us and that kind of thing.
Though I appreciated all I got in the packages, I must say what I cherish the most is the story of our family history that Dad wrote and sent. Thank you so so much for that, Dad. I loved reading that. I read it often. I had never known about Grandpa living in a rich guys mansion, and how much his mother cared about him and wanted him to have success. Both Goldie and Jennison's lives are so interesting. My favorite part of the whole story is the last 25 years or so of Jennison's life and how simple and peaceful it was. I feel connected to that. I love feeling a connection to my ancestors.
REMEMBER WHAT WE NEED TO DO WITH ALL THIS! Guys, the new familysearch.org is apparently very easy to use and we need to put to use the incredible blessing of the THREE new temples we will have near us soon (not to mention the one beautiful temple we already have in our very own city), and do the work for each and every one of these people. I cannot think of anything more important we can do for our loved ones.
I want so badly to go back to the Temple. Especially after having the chance to watch the dedication of the Curitiba Temple by satellite. It was a really wonderful experience. President Monson's dedicatory prayer was beautiful. Elder Nelson was there as well and he gave a good talk. I noticed just before the little cornerstone ceremony outside, President Monson asked the Temple Presidency to go up to the Celestial room. And they stayed there until after the dedicatory prayer. I thought of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery's experience in Kirtland when the Temple was accepted. I imagine a similar acceptance must happen with each Temple Presidency at a dedication, and that is why they go to the Celestial room. Ask Grandma D about that for me.
So Cabeceiras is a nice town. It's really small. Farming town. But I can hang. The air is fresh and the people are friendly. There are about three thousand people, and maybe two thousand have already heard the messages from the missionaries. That makes things a little difficult because those who declined (which is most) did so because they are Catholic and don't want any changes. They just want to work on the farm during the week to get enough money to buy meat and beer for the weekend and that's that. Nothing more. It's difficult. The Church is very weak here. There is a frequency of maybe 25 people that go to sacrament meeting each week. The best of the Church here is a 500 or so acre farm it has outside the city. What grows there helps a lot of people around the world I imagine.
So we spend a lot of time at member's houses. Partly to get people more excited about church, and partly because there isn't much else to do. I like it here though. We have a nice big house for some reason. My companion is a nice guy. He's the only Brazilian I know who loves Weezer. He's always singing. I was sick when I first got here. I'm doing better but now Elder Saldanha is sick. I feel bad.
It was wonderful to see President Monson last night! We watched the dedication on Sunday morning and then last night was the "Big Family Night with the Prophet" as it was called. It wasn't anything Pres. Aidukaitis put together (and no he hasn't been released yet... July 1 he leaves). Brasilia is pretty close to Curitiba and a President of the Church has never visited Brasilia so I guess it just seemed like a good idea. I'm hoping that President Aidukaitis and President Monson went around looking at land to build a Temple. Any day now I'm expecting an announcement.
I can't think of anything else but I feel like I had a lot more things to say. Oh well I'll remember things throughout the week. I'm glad all is well at home. I love you guys. Have a great week.
Love, Jordan
Though I appreciated all I got in the packages, I must say what I cherish the most is the story of our family history that Dad wrote and sent. Thank you so so much for that, Dad. I loved reading that. I read it often. I had never known about Grandpa living in a rich guys mansion, and how much his mother cared about him and wanted him to have success. Both Goldie and Jennison's lives are so interesting. My favorite part of the whole story is the last 25 years or so of Jennison's life and how simple and peaceful it was. I feel connected to that. I love feeling a connection to my ancestors.
REMEMBER WHAT WE NEED TO DO WITH ALL THIS! Guys, the new familysearch.org is apparently very easy to use and we need to put to use the incredible blessing of the THREE new temples we will have near us soon (not to mention the one beautiful temple we already have in our very own city), and do the work for each and every one of these people. I cannot think of anything more important we can do for our loved ones.
I want so badly to go back to the Temple. Especially after having the chance to watch the dedication of the Curitiba Temple by satellite. It was a really wonderful experience. President Monson's dedicatory prayer was beautiful. Elder Nelson was there as well and he gave a good talk. I noticed just before the little cornerstone ceremony outside, President Monson asked the Temple Presidency to go up to the Celestial room. And they stayed there until after the dedicatory prayer. I thought of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery's experience in Kirtland when the Temple was accepted. I imagine a similar acceptance must happen with each Temple Presidency at a dedication, and that is why they go to the Celestial room. Ask Grandma D about that for me.
So Cabeceiras is a nice town. It's really small. Farming town. But I can hang. The air is fresh and the people are friendly. There are about three thousand people, and maybe two thousand have already heard the messages from the missionaries. That makes things a little difficult because those who declined (which is most) did so because they are Catholic and don't want any changes. They just want to work on the farm during the week to get enough money to buy meat and beer for the weekend and that's that. Nothing more. It's difficult. The Church is very weak here. There is a frequency of maybe 25 people that go to sacrament meeting each week. The best of the Church here is a 500 or so acre farm it has outside the city. What grows there helps a lot of people around the world I imagine.
So we spend a lot of time at member's houses. Partly to get people more excited about church, and partly because there isn't much else to do. I like it here though. We have a nice big house for some reason. My companion is a nice guy. He's the only Brazilian I know who loves Weezer. He's always singing. I was sick when I first got here. I'm doing better but now Elder Saldanha is sick. I feel bad.
It was wonderful to see President Monson last night! We watched the dedication on Sunday morning and then last night was the "Big Family Night with the Prophet" as it was called. It wasn't anything Pres. Aidukaitis put together (and no he hasn't been released yet... July 1 he leaves). Brasilia is pretty close to Curitiba and a President of the Church has never visited Brasilia so I guess it just seemed like a good idea. I'm hoping that President Aidukaitis and President Monson went around looking at land to build a Temple. Any day now I'm expecting an announcement.
I can't think of anything else but I feel like I had a lot more things to say. Oh well I'll remember things throughout the week. I'm glad all is well at home. I love you guys. Have a great week.
Love, Jordan
May 27, 2008
FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!
Hawaii was a good time, huh? I'm glad my absence allows for such vacations. I'm happy for Dad. Skydiving is for men. So is swimming with dolphins. I have to say though I wouldn't be so much afraid of them eating me as I would be of them poking me with their noses. That seems terrifying. There is a river somewhere in our mission that has little pink dolphins apparently.
I will not be going there this transfer, but I will indeed be transferred. I'm going to a city called Cabeceiras, which means head trees. I guess it's a really small town and everyone has problems with the law of chastity and drinking. Even the members of the Church. Valentine has been there while I've been in Planaltina. My new companion will be Elder Saldanha, a Brazilian.
I'll still be somewhat close to the DF, which is good because President Monson is coming to Brasilia on June 2 and the missionaries nearby can all go. The poor missionaries up in the jungle who are 13 hours away cannot. It will be next Monday that we'll go see him speak. A President of the Church has never come to Brasilia. It's so exciting. And it's on p day. What could be better?
I'll let you guys know how all this transfer business works out next week. I'm glad everyone had a fun vacation. I miss you and I love you more than ever.
Jordan
Hawaii was a good time, huh? I'm glad my absence allows for such vacations. I'm happy for Dad. Skydiving is for men. So is swimming with dolphins. I have to say though I wouldn't be so much afraid of them eating me as I would be of them poking me with their noses. That seems terrifying. There is a river somewhere in our mission that has little pink dolphins apparently.
I will not be going there this transfer, but I will indeed be transferred. I'm going to a city called Cabeceiras, which means head trees. I guess it's a really small town and everyone has problems with the law of chastity and drinking. Even the members of the Church. Valentine has been there while I've been in Planaltina. My new companion will be Elder Saldanha, a Brazilian.
I'll still be somewhat close to the DF, which is good because President Monson is coming to Brasilia on June 2 and the missionaries nearby can all go. The poor missionaries up in the jungle who are 13 hours away cannot. It will be next Monday that we'll go see him speak. A President of the Church has never come to Brasilia. It's so exciting. And it's on p day. What could be better?
I'll let you guys know how all this transfer business works out next week. I'm glad everyone had a fun vacation. I miss you and I love you more than ever.
Jordan
May 19, 2008
I've learned that there is something really special about President Cardon. (Sorry, I can't call him Brother Cardon). His missionaries were a special group, and he's done a lot of good for the Church. Apparently it was him who designed the plan that became the Perpetual Education Fund which the Church bought from him. President Aidukaitis tells us that in his mission, while Cardon was the Mission President, there were missionaries who had the "ministry of angels". They baptized a LOT of people. I've heard stories of entire congregations of other churches being baptized in their mission. Something like seven of the Mission Presidents in Brazil right now were missionaries of President Cardon's. As well as other Bishops, Stake Presidents, Patriarchs, Area Seventies. Plus this Jet Blue guy. President Pizzirani (soon to be my new Mission President) was a bishop in Sao Paulo during President Cardon's era. I don't know if this is true but apparently they, that mission, were responsible for compiling much of what is now Preach My Gospel. He's friends with a lot of the Apostles. And I just remember him walking down the halls of our ward building when I was younger, thinking he had kind of a funny face. Nothing more. Having no idea what he'd done for the Kingdom of God, and having no idea that one of his Brazilian missionaries would someday be a man who would help me so much!
I spent this week in a different city on a trade with Elder Macdonald again. Did I mention him before? He's from Washington. He's been to Bowen Island. We spent some time in a place called Vale do Amanhecer where there is a community of people who have their own religion. It's amazing. All the men wear capes and the women wear long dresses and there is a big lake with a floating pyramid in the middle of it. They have a temple and everything. There is a gigantic "GOD SAVES" written on a mountainside in the city. In their temple they have a gigantic painting of their prophetess and her eyes are rolled into the back of her head and they give you a little Buddha statue if you go through the whole temple. I'd like to take you guys back there. What do you think?
Alright, I'm out of time and the barbecue place across the steet is looking really good. I love you guys. I'm praying for Gpa D. And I'll be sure to take every opportunty I have when the big 100 watt light bulb goes off over my head, Dad. You do too! Keep everyone up on that.
Love,
Jordan
I spent this week in a different city on a trade with Elder Macdonald again. Did I mention him before? He's from Washington. He's been to Bowen Island. We spent some time in a place called Vale do Amanhecer where there is a community of people who have their own religion. It's amazing. All the men wear capes and the women wear long dresses and there is a big lake with a floating pyramid in the middle of it. They have a temple and everything. There is a gigantic "GOD SAVES" written on a mountainside in the city. In their temple they have a gigantic painting of their prophetess and her eyes are rolled into the back of her head and they give you a little Buddha statue if you go through the whole temple. I'd like to take you guys back there. What do you think?
Alright, I'm out of time and the barbecue place across the steet is looking really good. I love you guys. I'm praying for Gpa D. And I'll be sure to take every opportunty I have when the big 100 watt light bulb goes off over my head, Dad. You do too! Keep everyone up on that.
Love,
Jordan
May 12, 2008
Well, once again, I wrote you guys a nice little e-mail and then my time promptly ran out on the computer and it shut down and I lost it all. But I didn't have much to say anyways, considering I said most of what's been in my head yesterday. More than anything I just wanted to say that it was so great talking to you guys. It's like we've never been apart. That is a great blessing!!
I'm so glad Gpa Hoon liked my letter. I meant what I wrote. Also, tell Grandma D that I love her and that she is in my prayers.
AND!!!!! HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY EVER TO DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD. 51 and only a few gray hairs. Everyone should celebrate. Send me pictures soon from the California festivities.
I've included a picture from the baptism last night. It was so great. I love you guys and I still feel closer to you than ever. Have a wonderful week.
Jordan
ps: in your face Avery Johnson!!!
I'm so glad Gpa Hoon liked my letter. I meant what I wrote. Also, tell Grandma D that I love her and that she is in my prayers.
AND!!!!! HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY EVER TO DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD. 51 and only a few gray hairs. Everyone should celebrate. Send me pictures soon from the California festivities.
I've included a picture from the baptism last night. It was so great. I love you guys and I still feel closer to you than ever. Have a wonderful week.
Jordan
ps: in your face Avery Johnson!!!
May 5, 2008
Wait a minute now, did I have any kind of accent when I talked to you guys on Christmas? I don't think I did. I don't think I will this time either. I think the whole accent thing is a lie. At least for missionaries in Brazil. Maybe if you go to Mexico it's not. But here, every American I know speaks like an American from what I can tell. Missionaries who claim to have accents are just trying to be cool. There were people at the CTM saying they were getting an accent. It's a joke.
Last night was pretty funny. I was sitting in a hammock talking to Turner and then the cell phone rings and it's Dad! I knew you guys would call, haha. I'm glad everything is all worked out. It will be 2p our time. I'm excited. Apparently you guys will be in California? I guess I"ll find all this out on the phone call this Sunday.
I hear it's all over for the Sun's. Goodness gracious. We get Shaq for the purpose of taking down Tim Duncan and then they go and destroy us in the first round. I guess I'm not that sad about it. After all, I didn't watch any of the games this season. I really don't know what's up. They need this time to work out the kinks because next season I'll be home for the Finals, and we're going all the way. Keep me updated on what keeps happening in the playoffs.
Alright that's all. I'll save the rest for the phone call! Here's pictures. Have a great week family, I love you. Jordan
Last night was pretty funny. I was sitting in a hammock talking to Turner and then the cell phone rings and it's Dad! I knew you guys would call, haha. I'm glad everything is all worked out. It will be 2p our time. I'm excited. Apparently you guys will be in California? I guess I"ll find all this out on the phone call this Sunday.
I hear it's all over for the Sun's. Goodness gracious. We get Shaq for the purpose of taking down Tim Duncan and then they go and destroy us in the first round. I guess I'm not that sad about it. After all, I didn't watch any of the games this season. I really don't know what's up. They need this time to work out the kinks because next season I'll be home for the Finals, and we're going all the way. Keep me updated on what keeps happening in the playoffs.
Alright that's all. I'll save the rest for the phone call! Here's pictures. Have a great week family, I love you. Jordan
April 28, 2008
Earlier in the mission I was told of a letter slump that would come at about the year mark. Apparently it's happened to everyone, but I never believed it. Now I know it is the truth. I'm in it!
However, it's no fault of yours, family. I got Dad's letter this week, it was great. I loved reading about your travels, Dad. And that 2009 Husky schedule made the finish line to this whole mission thing seem so much closer for some reason. I haven't picked a game yet. I'll have to see how next season turns out. But either was I'm excited. I loved the story about the history professor at the UW and his garden. You now, I've met a lot of missionaries whose Dads never write them. I realize I am blessed.
About this letter drought business... it's my friends! I haven't gotten a letter from a friend for quite some time now. Especially Arizona friends. I wrote Jonny maybe three months ago and I still haven't gotten so much as a postcard or an envelope with dirt in it in return. Next time he comes over and spends time in my bathroom, give him a pen and paper first. Chelsea is a slacker too. Tim is taking his time. JJ never wrote me back. Jenna said she wrote me a month ago but I haven't gotten anything. My Russian friend Yana wrote me about a month and a half ago and since then I've gotten only one letter, from Eli. It's all slowing down. Way way down. I have entered the letter drought!
Included in this is the package famine, I have yet to receive the package Dad sent me, or any other that might have been sent. I'm not sure why. I hope it's not lost. I assumed I would get something at transfer day, and then I didn't. So then I was certain I would get something at zone conference, and then I didn't! Nothing. It was then that I realized that I was now passing through what my trainer and so many others had.
As lonely as it is to not get letters from your friends who you love, the upside of all this is that for some reason in some way there is this strange comfort that comes in knowing that you are being forgotten, but at the same time I tell myself, well okay. It gives me vision of a beard in the future and moving to Europe and being alone. ALONE! The mission has made me truly appreciate having moments alone. It's like how Bjork says in Unison (which everyone should go listen to right now because I can't): I thrive best hermit style, with a beard and a pipe and a parrot on each side. I love to hear news from friends, but at the same time it's good to be shipwrecked and bearded in someplace where most would just as soon assume you to be dead. I don't know.
I'm sure this drought will probably end so I'll let you know when I'm out of it. Until then: I LIVE IN BRAZIL.
My feet are fine I think. The little sore bump doesn't hurt anymore really. The only thing that has remained constant since I've been in the field is the tendonitis in my right foot. Only the right foot. But it is not a big deal so there is no need to worry about it. For now I'm riding my bike and getting around town just fine.
Alright now let me just say that God new my mission would be a sacrifice. Had I gone at 19 I really don't think I would have missed much. Now, in the first year of my mission a new Radiohead album has ome out along with apparently tons of other great music, a P.T. Anderson movie has come out, a Wes Anderson movie has come out, the iPhone has come out, Shaq has been traded to the Suns, Zach got baptized and I didn't get to see it, and now (the cherry on top) a plane crashes in the backyard. And I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting. God is funny. But in some strange way it strengthens my testimony. President Aidukaitis told me in my first interview with him "the rain is going to fall, Elder Hoon". Yes, yes indeed.
Well ok I go now. I love you guys. I miss you and can't wait to talk to you on Mother's day. Turner says if you have any doubts about the phone number or anything you can call him. That would be funny.
LOTS OF LOVE!
Jordan
However, it's no fault of yours, family. I got Dad's letter this week, it was great. I loved reading about your travels, Dad. And that 2009 Husky schedule made the finish line to this whole mission thing seem so much closer for some reason. I haven't picked a game yet. I'll have to see how next season turns out. But either was I'm excited. I loved the story about the history professor at the UW and his garden. You now, I've met a lot of missionaries whose Dads never write them. I realize I am blessed.
About this letter drought business... it's my friends! I haven't gotten a letter from a friend for quite some time now. Especially Arizona friends. I wrote Jonny maybe three months ago and I still haven't gotten so much as a postcard or an envelope with dirt in it in return. Next time he comes over and spends time in my bathroom, give him a pen and paper first. Chelsea is a slacker too. Tim is taking his time. JJ never wrote me back. Jenna said she wrote me a month ago but I haven't gotten anything. My Russian friend Yana wrote me about a month and a half ago and since then I've gotten only one letter, from Eli. It's all slowing down. Way way down. I have entered the letter drought!
Included in this is the package famine, I have yet to receive the package Dad sent me, or any other that might have been sent. I'm not sure why. I hope it's not lost. I assumed I would get something at transfer day, and then I didn't. So then I was certain I would get something at zone conference, and then I didn't! Nothing. It was then that I realized that I was now passing through what my trainer and so many others had.
As lonely as it is to not get letters from your friends who you love, the upside of all this is that for some reason in some way there is this strange comfort that comes in knowing that you are being forgotten, but at the same time I tell myself, well okay. It gives me vision of a beard in the future and moving to Europe and being alone. ALONE! The mission has made me truly appreciate having moments alone. It's like how Bjork says in Unison (which everyone should go listen to right now because I can't): I thrive best hermit style, with a beard and a pipe and a parrot on each side. I love to hear news from friends, but at the same time it's good to be shipwrecked and bearded in someplace where most would just as soon assume you to be dead. I don't know.
I'm sure this drought will probably end so I'll let you know when I'm out of it. Until then: I LIVE IN BRAZIL.
My feet are fine I think. The little sore bump doesn't hurt anymore really. The only thing that has remained constant since I've been in the field is the tendonitis in my right foot. Only the right foot. But it is not a big deal so there is no need to worry about it. For now I'm riding my bike and getting around town just fine.
Alright now let me just say that God new my mission would be a sacrifice. Had I gone at 19 I really don't think I would have missed much. Now, in the first year of my mission a new Radiohead album has ome out along with apparently tons of other great music, a P.T. Anderson movie has come out, a Wes Anderson movie has come out, the iPhone has come out, Shaq has been traded to the Suns, Zach got baptized and I didn't get to see it, and now (the cherry on top) a plane crashes in the backyard. And I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting. God is funny. But in some strange way it strengthens my testimony. President Aidukaitis told me in my first interview with him "the rain is going to fall, Elder Hoon". Yes, yes indeed.
Well ok I go now. I love you guys. I miss you and can't wait to talk to you on Mother's day. Turner says if you have any doubts about the phone number or anything you can call him. That would be funny.
LOTS OF LOVE!
Jordan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)