5/27/2013

This week was really great. We had a mothers day activity here saturday and wow... it was really funny/weird/spiritual/mundane/everything haha

Elder Gray from Utah, hawaaiian, and I started it off singing somewhere over the rainbow with the uke. That was really amazing. Hes a choir boy and as strange as it may seem, i feel the spirit with that song. So I enjoyed that experience. We almost did the haka too with our familys ´english version´that i have translated to spanish, but they already had sufficient acts or performances. The thing that was really surprising is a few of the youths went up on the stage and called up some moms. They told them to dance as they dance, like ´young and hip´ with all the shoulder bops, booty bumps and all the whole ´modern dance´style. The funny part, a lot of the moms could do it. It was hysterical! An elder has a video of it and I definitely ahve to get a copy just for memories and keepsakes haha

In addition, the whole mission is going to have an activit the next monday together because the president is leaving. So just a heads up, we will be writing tuesday. Each zone has to prepare some type of activity to share or performance. Our zone was supposed to meet up this morning to get it put together, but the other district didnt come... and the zone leaders asked me to put something together... so i taught some improv games and thats what a few of us are going to do to represent our zone. We are going to play my favorite improv game called ´chain murder´ hahaha Hooray for previous improv experiences.

(in the practice today of the game, i tackled another elder... it was intense haha)

As such, we have transfers this week. Well we might. They will advise us tomorrow at some point and the transfers take place wednesday. I have some hope that I will be transfered, its definitely possible even though I only have 2 transfers in the area (normal is 3 or 4), but all shall be known to all of you in the next week.

We are also teaching a sister that is super amazing. She comes to church on her own she reads the book of mormon, reads the pamphlets, asks a ton of questions and progressing really well. The challenge for her is her companion... her boyfriend we shall say. They are practically married, living together, but she doesnt want to marry him unless he chooses to accept the church as well. We are working with him now and trying to show him what a blessing the church is, but its a bit difficult for him to accept because he has been in the world for so long that he has some difficult vices to let go of. 

I also heard a bit of news from home that some people are getting married. Congrats to Dabs and Karen! Way to go! Katie Farnsworth, weird to hear because we are the same age, congrats as well haha 

So yes. Its now rain season here. Streets flooded. Doesnt look it is going to stop today. 

Write me a letter, send me a postcard, candies are always great, and I hope to hear from you soon!

Elder Mann

Nicaragua Managua Sur

La Mejor Misión del Mundo

 the scorpion and the bat. the bat is dead and fried. the scorpion lives... well no longer, but it was alive in the picture.

I went to masaya again and saw andreyita. her mom told me that she took the scissors and cut her hair a while back... Thre reason? She said ´i want my hair to be like the hair of elder manns momma´ hahaha shes super cute

5/20/2013

This week was really inspiring. We had our final interviews with President Monestel. Mine was really powerful. In the sense that he spoke to me directly, telling me what he knows I am capable of and what I am lacking still. Definitely, that interview changed my outlook of my mission. We only have this short time here, and we all have our specific talents, but what are we doing with those talents. After that interview, this Tuesday, I made the commitment to baptize at least one person before transfers (because it is possible I am going to leave this area). Transfers are next wednesday, and three of our possibilities need to go to church one more time to be baptized. Entonces, we have a baptism planned for Tuesday night. For one family and a guy that is about to have his 80th birthday party. Yeah. The lessons recently with these investigators has been really amazing. For the family, Hermano Juan, smokes 3 or 4 packs of cigarretes a day, but committed to himself and to God in our lesson that he will stop smoking. Also, they have been together for about 12 years and havent gotten married, so they committed to get married this week too. Equally, the older gentleman isnt married to his... we´ll just say wife... and theyve been together for 47 years, so we are going to get them married this week too so he can get baptized.

Its been a great experience here in this area and I really hope that I can complete the mission with which God has sent me here. 

In other news, we have had more animal experiences in the house... One, we found a scorpion, caught it, cut off the tail thing and hung him up with clothes pins on the clothes line for a few days. After about 3 he died. But before that, my companion went to our bathroom, and brought the fan. When he took out the plug for the fan to bring it to the other room, the little wall cover thing fell off and he saw something furry in there. It was a fried bat. Yup. I guess it huddled up for warmth, but got fried at some point... so we took that out and hung it up next to the scorpion, they were buddies for a while. I would send pictures, but this computer doesnt have that function... so yeah. It was a great time there. 

Also, right now we are in Masaya, my first area. We came here for the choir ( we are singing in a week or two when the president leaves and we have a mission activity). So we went back and visited the family that I lived with, Hermana Ruth and Hermanito Andres!!! Woohoo!!! We ate lunch with them and talked with them. It was so amazing to see them again. I felt like I was really close to home again. Mom and dad, they say hi to both of you. They still listen to dads songs haha and they want you to learn spanish mom so you can come and talk to them! hahaha

Yeah... there are a ton of things that happen in the mission that just cant be explained by email. I realize that I tell some of the small simple things that are just funny or just happen for living in Nicaragua, ie the bat and the scorpion... but to be entirely honest- The surety of the gospel is what I am learning. Even though missionaries are supposed to be the closest to perfect that a young person can be with all of the commandments, rules, and guidelines, and the Spirit, agency still roams wild. What I have learned is that a true testimony, or a surety of knowledge, doesnt depend on what is said by others, or what is thought. It depends on what God has told you. I am not the favorite missionary for some because of that attitude, because I tell them no, or I dont laugh or I dont participate in some shenanagan. But what I know is that I am doing my best to complete with my duty, with my mission. Its easier as a missionary because the purpose is something written, with measurements in how to do it, a manual, a guidebook and everything. In normal life, that doesnt exist, but the gospel still exists. Follow it. The purpose is eternal life. Its... simplified in words, but the meaning is extensive. If you want to understand it, find the missionaries. 

I hope all is well, and I shall inform ya´ll más next week. 

--

Elder Mann

Nicaragua Managua Sur

La Mejor Misión del Mundo

 

From paint balling, a picture from another elder.

5/13/2013

Happy Mothers Day Mom!!!

Happy Birthday Mac!!

Thank you everyone who was there for the skype party!!! It was amaazzzzzing!!!!! I was sooo happy to see everyone and to see that everyone is doing well and still making the mann family jokes haha It was good to hear those again. Also, thank you so much for... really just being there. Jeremiah is getting so big! Hahaha I showed his picture that I have in my missionary manual to a little kid today that randomly just came and hang out with us in our zone activity today. 

So just a quick summary of the week, for the rest to know. I caught an iguana the other day. we went to give service cleaning up a lot of land, clearing rubble, cutting trees and the like. We went back the next morning and I saw a tail sticking out of the ground. I grabbed onto to it so it couldnt dig deeper, the others dug out the dirt and bam, iguana. Pretty big too. One of the nica´s there grabbed it, broke the toes and hog tied it with its own toenails... it was pretty interesting to see that. Then we went back to the bishops house where we eat, and the bishop cut its head off and we ate it the next day. So all in all, it was a pretty good experience. The iguana meat is pretty good. its more muscly, or more beefy than chicken, but stilll like chicken haha. 

And mom, there are a few things that Id like if you could bring. I have a pictures of color stickers I use to mark my scriptures, but the computers arent working too well, i hope the pictures of the ksype thing go through, but we shall see. Anyway, the stickers are from Avery. The package says Avery Color Coding Labels. They are like little dots with green, yellow, blue, and red. Like the width of a pen. The PN number to search is 12710133. hope i can send the picture, but if not.. thats the info i got haha. Also, remember the nanas tortilla chips and maybe some good ol pace salsa. and if possible to bring another chipotle burrito it would be amazing. Much appreciated. Also, any goodies or candy. runts, sweet tarts, peanut mandms, sourpatch kids, paydays, etc haha Also, a note for the toys, only bring toys that are literally tough... the kids literally beat them into the ground here. Literally, with rocks and everything... so just keep that in mind. haha There was more but I didnt write it down, so just that for now...

Yeah, so this week was pretty good. We had a lot of different events going on. Tomorrow we have interviews with the president, he leaves after this transfer, only 3 weeks left in his mission. How weird is that. 

Hope all is well with everyone and I want to give a shoutout thanks to those who were there yesterday with me!

Mom, Dad, Mac, Kerason, Jeremiah, Grandma Mann, Bessie, Jay, Paki, Olsen, Jackie, TJ, Kristen, Lorrie, Art, Selina, Bamma, Kristen and the birthday cake. Hope you saved me a piece... 

--

Elder Mann

Nicaragua Managua Sur

La Mejor Misión del Mundo

playing soccer... it just looks like I'm doing well, i really am just terrible haha

 iguana!!! one, after we caught it. godzilla

  after the bishop cut its head off

and after giving service the day we caught the iguana... just a bit dirty haha

 woohoo!!!

woohoo!!!

Also Aunt Lorrie, Uncle Art, Bamma and cousin Selina face timed from California and sister Kristen Skyped from France to say "HI"

4-29-2013

And the time flies. This week I shall be completing 9 months in the mission... Almost half of my mission has already past. Strange thought.

Thusly, in this semana I have learned a many things about the gospel. Many topics discussed with my companion in companionship study and the like... Really every lesson we teach and every time my companion bears a sincere testimony or I do, I feel a reconfirmation that this is really the truth. There isnt a possibility for another. Christ established one church and the same church exists today.

One experience that I finally was able to send pictures of, is that we caught a bat in our house. They are about 10 that live there, just poop in a dark room that we dont use and squeak all night, but they dont bother us normally. It was two weeks ago in a Pday. We came back to the house to drop off the pday stuff and get the scriptures to go to work. I was sitting at my desk as my companion was occupied in the bathroom when a thud came from my desk. I looked and a paper was floating down. I looked to the floor. Boom. Bat. Not moving. I had an empty bag... kinda like a small grocery bag on the desk, so I grabbed it and swooped it on top of the bat and scooped it up. It just sat in the bottom. I shan´t say that I did so in tranquility nor that I wasn´t screaming from the adrenaline rush. Thankfully my companion had locked the bathroom door because I tried to open it to show him the bat... In the end, we transfered bags with the bat, took a few pictures and threw it outside on the patio. Almost escaped a few times from the bag, dont get me wrong, but a handy preach my gospel sure is useful in such moments to be used as the other type of bat. ha. So yeah, we had a great time in that day. 

Also, so that you know, Hermana Clement. I am using the agenda forros that you sent me. They are really amazing and I love the pictures of the kids and the temple you chose haha 

As a district, we have improved immensely in these two weeks of the new transfer with the new missionaries here. We have a number that we report every night with how many families we are teaching that have a baptismal date. a family being a couple with or without kids. in the last transfer, we only had about 4 of said families for 4 companionships when the mission has the goal of having 7 per companionship. In these two weeks we havent hit the mark of 7 each one, but we have hit the mark of 12 for the now five companionships. I have learned quite a bit in how to give advice and show what to do instead of just tell what to do when doing divisiones or splits 

In another note, I have a few requests of goodies if the people of the states care to show an act of service... haha The fruit snacks, that come in a box of like 30. Flavors of cherry, strawberry and mixed berry. I think they are from costco. Ooooh I would love to have a box of those... along with more Goobers haha

Following the note, If you, dad, or someone can send me more songs with the chords ´hey soul sister´ ´im yours´- jason mraz.... and wow... I cannot remember many, many songs anymore... 

So yes, that was the message for this week. Thank you for reading.

--

Elder Mann

Nicaragua Managua Sur

La Mejor Misión del Mundo

 And playing checkers on the throne of the latrine. The board scratched in with rocks and the pieces as rocks. I won. Ha

We ate lunch as a district the other friday. Chicken soup.... not the same as the chicken soup there in the states... but still good. Made us sleep in the lessons after though haha

Yeah, we caught a bat... in our house.

4/22/2013

Well howdy do...

This week was quite eventful. We have transfers and now we practically have a new district haha now there are 10 elders in the district. 4 came with me and have 8 months 3 came together with 6 months 1 with 14 months and 1 fresh from the mtc. Now we are going to do some good here.

We dug another bathroom this week. It was pretty fun. 3.5 meters deep. I think, they use a measurement called varas here that are like a foot and a half but nobody actually knows how long it is. Its like eyeballing constantly. So that was fun. As 1 elder was in the hole digging the rest we just waited. We played checkers with rocks and a board scratched into some concrete. Haha 

Also we have a mission choir for when one of the 70s come to the mission in a few weeks. Its really awesome. I have felt some major blessings musically in the mission. Im not sure why, but Im able to hear the notes and the harmonies clearer. Not perfect, but I can pretty much look at the notes and follow really well the bass next to me and learn it after four or five times. Its such a neat feeling. That and playing the uke. Somebody please send me more music. Oldies songs, whichever, I have a high probability of knowingit because of my dad. the lyrics with the chords above the letters. or tabs for the ukelele whichever, but I would like more music to play haha

Also this week we have had some pretty amazingly simple moments while teaching. mainly just examples that we use to explain the gospel and how clear it feels and how well the investigador understands. For example, when i explained the atonement of jesus christ a few days ago. I had asked a glass of water. They brought me one and a pitcher to refill it. I explained that we are like the glass. Slowly we are filled with sins day by day, or the water, but in order to be relieved of said sins, we have to receive christ. Where he will literally drink from the cup to take upon himself our sins. As we continue to repent, he will repeatedly drink and cleanse us. In writing, it doesnt seem that significant, but in the lesson, it was extremely clear for the mom and son. 

Thusly, the work shall progress. I hope all is well in the house, in the field, in the heat. Let it be known that the heat with humidity is officially declared to be a worse condition than dry heat. Still, there has been worse in the world and it is not something that hinders me. 

--

Elder Mann

Nicaragua Managua Sur

La Mejor Misión del Mundo

 

 taking me out of the bathroom hole

 with the old couple that we dug the hole for. With zone leader Elder Paiz from Guatemala

 the finished latrine. My companion is seated on the throne. 10 hours of service.

 the zone Sandino after a zone meeting.

 more service pics

 more service pics

4/15/2013

Wow, this was a good week. We have started a mission choir, so that was great. Singing bass is always good haha especially when the elder conducting knows lindy and we dance after the practice haha One of the 70 is supposedly coming in a few months, so we are going to prepare for that. I just hope I can keep going because Im the only... only person in my entire zone that wants to go sing haha Not even my companion wants to go with me. Its a long bus ride and not exactly fun to travel haha

Also the conference was spectacular. I just want the liahona with the talks to study them more and find more answers to my questions. I literally loved every session and the focus on the missionary work. Also, we loved the talks about families because we brought a family that we are teaching thats young, married, and they love the message we have. It was great to have them there in the church.

Now... I learned a good lesson of leadership. One elder in my district was having a few problems with being here motivationally and en su animo... He didnt like me, didnt like talking to me, having anything to do with me really. I went with him in his area again this weekend to work with him and meet his investigators and just get to know him better really. In the morning after, we did a thing called companionship inventory which is a thing used to resolve conflicts, speak positively and openly one to another to be able to have teh spirit with us. We did that, spoke directly and honestly. In the end, we put the goal that we would give each other a hug every time we saw each other hahaha Annnd its worked. We talk more, we trust each other more and we are both improving with being obedient and charitable at the same time. In short, thats what happened. In reality, it was a lot more... haha

Also met a guy from Florida that was born here and deported to here. He talked to me in english for a long time as my comp taught his wife in spanish. His life is pretty much what happens in grand theft auto and cops... so I sang quite a few hymns after that experience to feel the spirit again, but now its all good. I invited him to church and hope he comes. He was baptized when he was 8, but went to the street at age 15ish and now is in his 30s... interesting life he has...

All is well. Sing the hymns. Learn the scriptures. Search for the purpose of life and find it in our savior Jesus Christ.

--

Elder Mann

Nicaragua Managua Sur

La Mejor Misión del Mundo

 

 

 a brother that served in guatamala where my compañero is from that gave us hamburgers today for lunch! woohoo!

 the majority of the zone (some were still running from pushing the buttons of the camera)

4/08/2013

Weeeeelll

Conference was amazing. In short, the missionary work is going forth and we all have a part. My part is known by all as a full time missionary but those of  you who do not have the said privilege have the opportunity to serve by sharing your testimonies of the Book of Mormon and also being an example of righteousness. I learned the latter as the most important. My priorities here in the mission are simple- first my God,  second my mission president, and third the missionaries I serve. I know that as I do I will lay up treasures in the heavens in stead of here on the earth where moth and rust corrupt. I will have the opportunity to be with my family forever, united and with our loving heavenly father forever. That is a goal admirable for all, a goal for me. 

Families are forever, for those who do not know. Families are forever if sealed by God´s power. It´s simple. We do what is right and he blesses us with the best gift we can ever have. Search for it. If you don´t know how to do it, search lds.org and ask the missionaries. I have received such a strong testimony that this is the true church, without a doubt there cannot be another. The priesthood of God is necessary that of which was restored by the apostles of Christ to the prophet Joseph Smith. Ask about it. You will receive answers. Ask the missionaries or ask members and then ask God. 

I love my mission. I have learned much more than any other time in my life. Why do I say that? Because I am learning how I can be like Christ and what I have to do to live with him again. That is what is more important than how to have a nice house, a fast car, a talent in music or a skill in sports. Living with God is what is important for me and that is what I seek.

--

Elder Mann

Nicaragua Managua Sur

La Mejor Misión del Mundo