Here are pictures of my new companion (the short hispanic one) and some other guys in the district downtown Chicago.
Illinois, Chicago Mission Spanish Speaking July 2015-2017
Dec 14, 2015
So I biked in downtown Chicago again. I love that. We were riding and like halfway through the day my back brakes went out so I was on the fronts all day. On our last stretch to the church (literally across the street) I was riding hard and didn't see the turn and I laid on my brakes to make it and my back end went whoop!! Haha and I was on the ground with cars going vroom!!! All around me so... It was pretty cool I guess. I didn't get hurt so lucky me.
Here are pictures of my new companion (the short hispanic one) and some other guys in the district downtown Chicago.
Here are pictures of my new companion (the short hispanic one) and some other guys in the district downtown Chicago.
Dec 7, 2015
Hey! So this week was fun:) lots of stories which is good! Also the work is finally rolling with me and Elder Peralta working hard. So next Monday we plan to go downtown Chicago and bike it again! There are tons of lights strung up downtown Chicago and it's supposed to be awesome right now! And they deck out one of the train lines into Santa's sleigh and don't even use it during the holidays. On to the week. We went to English class in the morning on Tuesday with the other elders. They were having a little fiesta for all the people and their "progress" and everything so there was food and sharing time in English! ;) so we didn't actually teach anything but we weren't complaining;) after that we went out and contacted a whole bunch of inactive members and old investigators.
Wednesday we went and did some "service" with the Lomas family and OH MY GOODNESS IT WAS SO FUN!!! they are from.... South America:) and speak Spanish but just like the Lovatos they go to the English ward. We met them at the Lovatos one time and Hermana loved us and so now we visit them too and they're great:) We went there to put up their Christmas tree with them! They cooked us burgers and we rearranged her whole garage while jamming out and having a dance off to Disney songs:) so much fun!! There was this guy there who was like 20 and a good family friend he offered to cook the burgers and was like super wannabe chef and was asking everybody how they wanted them done? literally we had to eat two burgers that were more pink than brown... So
the next day Peralta looks up salmonella and E. coli and stuff on the Internet and we have been joking about it all week.
We had an appointment with a family that lives really close to us for dinner and while we were there they asked if we would help them move their two old couches and kitchen table outside and move their new stuff in because they just got new furniture right? So it was drizzling a little bit and when we finish we are sitting inside on their new stuff and I asked them what they were doing with the old stuff and Hermana goes, "basura elder" and I was like we can have the couches? :) and she was like of course!! So Hermano jumps up and is like let's hurry! And so we all start rushing around outside getting the van ready and then loading one in the van and we made two trips, and it starting dumping way hard in the middle of this, to our house and theirs and back and got the new couches and a million pillows into our apartment and I gave a lesson at their house and it was way cool:) So we get home and spend the next like 3 hours rearranging and cleaning our place! We went to bed late because we were so in the mood to clean that we just didn't stop! I have some pics of before and after that I will send but we cleansed the place:) and we threw one of our old couches out on our back patio and the smaller one in the dumpster and now our apartment is just bomb:) While we were cleaning we looked at this bag in the corner that I have never touched before (cuz why would I?) that I thought was just empty and we found a Christmas tree!! It's like a foot and a half tall and I love it:) Elder Limon's trainer left it here months ago apparently and now it's mine for the holidays:) and Peralta got a package this week and in it was a Christmas tree of his own and a bunch of stuff to decorate with so he gave me some and my tree is so cute now:) I will send pics! But I have a tree!!!!! :) I am so excited! I didn't think I'd have a real one for Christmas:) granted its not real... But still:)
-Elder Jones
Wednesday we went and did some "service" with the Lomas family and OH MY GOODNESS IT WAS SO FUN!!! they are from.... South America:) and speak Spanish but just like the Lovatos they go to the English ward. We met them at the Lovatos one time and Hermana loved us and so now we visit them too and they're great:) We went there to put up their Christmas tree with them! They cooked us burgers and we rearranged her whole garage while jamming out and having a dance off to Disney songs:) so much fun!! There was this guy there who was like 20 and a good family friend he offered to cook the burgers and was like super wannabe chef and was asking everybody how they wanted them done? literally we had to eat two burgers that were more pink than brown... So
the next day Peralta looks up salmonella and E. coli and stuff on the Internet and we have been joking about it all week.
We had an appointment with a family that lives really close to us for dinner and while we were there they asked if we would help them move their two old couches and kitchen table outside and move their new stuff in because they just got new furniture right? So it was drizzling a little bit and when we finish we are sitting inside on their new stuff and I asked them what they were doing with the old stuff and Hermana goes, "basura elder" and I was like we can have the couches? :) and she was like of course!! So Hermano jumps up and is like let's hurry! And so we all start rushing around outside getting the van ready and then loading one in the van and we made two trips, and it starting dumping way hard in the middle of this, to our house and theirs and back and got the new couches and a million pillows into our apartment and I gave a lesson at their house and it was way cool:) So we get home and spend the next like 3 hours rearranging and cleaning our place! We went to bed late because we were so in the mood to clean that we just didn't stop! I have some pics of before and after that I will send but we cleansed the place:) and we threw one of our old couches out on our back patio and the smaller one in the dumpster and now our apartment is just bomb:) While we were cleaning we looked at this bag in the corner that I have never touched before (cuz why would I?) that I thought was just empty and we found a Christmas tree!! It's like a foot and a half tall and I love it:) Elder Limon's trainer left it here months ago apparently and now it's mine for the holidays:) and Peralta got a package this week and in it was a Christmas tree of his own and a bunch of stuff to decorate with so he gave me some and my tree is so cute now:) I will send pics! But I have a tree!!!!! :) I am so excited! I didn't think I'd have a real one for Christmas:) granted its not real... But still:)
-Elder Jones
Nov 30, 2015
I forgot to tell you about the snow. We got like 8 inches of snow overnight and it's all gone now!! Those were the pictures that I sent. So Tuesday last week we woke up nice and early and went to the church building in Wilmette for transfer meeting! Elder Limon was all packed up and ready and I was more than happy to help with the bags:) We got to the church and I found Elder Peralta and sat with him the whole time and it was so great my new Companion!! We went to the mission office and I got your package and I'm so excited to wear the huge socks!!! It's not quite cold enough now but it will be. Tuesday we had a super productive day as a companionship! Visited a bunch of less actives and members. Today is Thanksgiving and we have an appointment with a family for dinner with the other elders too! The Castellanos are feeding us tomorrow too as a "thanksgiving" dinner because they couldn't today. We are just gonna do so great though and I'm pumped. He is hilarious and we have FUN together! This is a first!!
Moving on to Saturday night. Funny story- my comp is driving and he gets pulled over and he started freaking out a little bit and turns to me after giving his license and says, "ah dude what if he finds something on my license" and I was like "like what?" and he says, "I dunno like a warrant for my arrest" and I just started laughing way hard because he was so serious and it was so funny!!! Like they would let him drive or be on mission if he had warrants. Saturday we went to the mall as a district and stood with signs in both Spanish and English that said "What are you thankful for" we got lots of people to talk to some people loved us and some didn't. Good times, I have high hopes for this new companionship. Everyone go watch this it just came out. https://www.mormon.org/christmas
Moving on to Saturday night. Funny story- my comp is driving and he gets pulled over and he started freaking out a little bit and turns to me after giving his license and says, "ah dude what if he finds something on my license" and I was like "like what?" and he says, "I dunno like a warrant for my arrest" and I just started laughing way hard because he was so serious and it was so funny!!! Like they would let him drive or be on mission if he had warrants. Saturday we went to the mall as a district and stood with signs in both Spanish and English that said "What are you thankful for" we got lots of people to talk to some people loved us and some didn't. Good times, I have high hopes for this new companionship. Everyone go watch this it just came out. https://www.mormon.org/christmas
Elder Jones
Nov 23 2015
So for this week I had a fun experience with a less active woman. She invited us to help her cook some tacos for lunch to eat with her on Friday and so we went there at like 11:30. I got to chop up some peppers and cilantro and we made the salsa. So she sent us out to the to table and we sat down and I had forgotten about this appointment so I had eaten right before we came so... Whoops. She comes out and sets a plate in front of me with a full helping of beans and 7 tacos. SEVEN TACOS!! So I was like "alright, gearing up for the long haul" and pounded em:) Earlier this week on Tuesday, I went on exchanges with Elder Troll (whose real last name is Troll) and it was great! He is my current zone leader and he is a nice guy. From Chile! Anyways, we went on exchanges and the day was great and we had two appointments for dinner. Which happens only because I'm pretty sure our members conspire and make it so they all wanna feed us on the same day. So me and Elder Troll go to the first one which we were supposed to teach the two little girls. They are from Guatemala and Mexico. And so the family took us out to Chilis I was pretty much stuffed after that. Then we went to the family Lovatos house who absolutely love to feed us. And it was hermanos birthday so he had cake that he insisted he didn't want leftovers from it so... Ya I was bulging. No wonder I keep gaining weight! Have I told you how much I weigh recently? You don't wanna know;)
On... Friday night! We had a ward activity called el arbol de la vida and it was so much fun!! We got to blind fold a bunch of adults and lead them in the dark holding on to a rope all over church with tons of obstacles and it was actually way hard. I took the job of standing by the water fountain most of the time and I threw water at people and they freaked out! And then I'd run down the hall right before the end and stand in one of the classrooms and it was super long so where I was they thought they were done and I'd turn on the light right as they were going past me and say, "good job" You finished! Let go of the rope and walk to my voice". And I got a bunch of people to walk into the room and then I'd turn the light off and leave, oh my gosh it was so much fun! And then a Sister Hermana would go help them out because she felt bad. We had a couple investigators there and it was great!
That same Friday during the day, I went on exchanges with Elder Jensen oh my gosh he is my favorite person!! He told me I could stay at his house if I ever went to Utah State:) he lives like two minutes away and that would be so fun! Also, that was the night we received transfer calls:) my comp Elder Limon is being transferred and I am getting Elder Peralta and he speaks Spanish and is one of the sickest kids! I am so stoked! But ya so we had a fun exchange. And I got our investigator Ariana to say she was coming to church on Sunday. More to come next week. Enjoy pictures of exchange day and I got new boots. They are super warm.
-Elder Jones
On... Friday night! We had a ward activity called el arbol de la vida and it was so much fun!! We got to blind fold a bunch of adults and lead them in the dark holding on to a rope all over church with tons of obstacles and it was actually way hard. I took the job of standing by the water fountain most of the time and I threw water at people and they freaked out! And then I'd run down the hall right before the end and stand in one of the classrooms and it was super long so where I was they thought they were done and I'd turn on the light right as they were going past me and say, "good job" You finished! Let go of the rope and walk to my voice". And I got a bunch of people to walk into the room and then I'd turn the light off and leave, oh my gosh it was so much fun! And then a Sister Hermana would go help them out because she felt bad. We had a couple investigators there and it was great!
That same Friday during the day, I went on exchanges with Elder Jensen oh my gosh he is my favorite person!! He told me I could stay at his house if I ever went to Utah State:) he lives like two minutes away and that would be so fun! Also, that was the night we received transfer calls:) my comp Elder Limon is being transferred and I am getting Elder Peralta and he speaks Spanish and is one of the sickest kids! I am so stoked! But ya so we had a fun exchange. And I got our investigator Ariana to say she was coming to church on Sunday. More to come next week. Enjoy pictures of exchange day and I got new boots. They are super warm.
-Elder Jones
Nov 16, 2015
So to answer some questions. Weirdest food so far- This pasta that is like Tiny star shaped noodles and it's just weird. Not too bad though. And mole. That's nasty do not like that at all.
I have ridden the train just the one time a few weeks back and didn't talk to anybody. Transfers are next week though and maybe things will change! I miss you guys hope everything is good. The most snow in 100 years in November.
I have ridden the train just the one time a few weeks back and didn't talk to anybody. Transfers are next week though and maybe things will change! I miss you guys hope everything is good. The most snow in 100 years in November.
Elder Jones
Nov 9 2015
It is getting chilly here too but it's different from there. I could wear shorts there through January. I would DIE here if I tried to do that. I got the package this morning and I am almost through all the Hi-chews already, thanks so much. Kalen looks great! I saw his pictures! Here is another picture from last week in the city. It was my first time on the trains.
Nov 2, 2015
Hey so it's Tuesday night and I am reflecting on the day and it is so much easier to think of experiences I've had in the same day! ;) so I have some stuff to tell you! Well this morning we had to go to Elders Jensen and Seegmillers apartment to do laundry because we couldn't get it done yesterday because there are tons of missionaries that use their stuff on Pdays. Anyways! While we were there they invited us to English class! :) every single Tuesday, they drive to the giant public library here in Gurnee and they take like an hour to teach English to people who come to a class to learn it. And it's so cool! :) I actually went last week too but I forgot to tell you about it. So we decided to go and it was so fun:) I literally got to sit down one on one with this lady from Michoacan Mexico who has been here for three months now and teach her English but the trick is I have to teach in Spanish haha which doesn't make sense but I guess it works. It was super cool! And they are all way funny and the class consists of basically 15 to 20, 30-50 year old ladies who come in and joke to each other across the room and talk like a relief society meeting and they are all just super... Amiable so that was my cool thing for today and hopefully I can have one everyday for you!
Fast forward a few days...
So we went to the Lovato's house for Halloween. They are freaking hilarious and love to feed us they are seriously the funniest people I have met here. Aside from Horacio I guess. Horacio Cordero is the coolest guy ever. He has the craziest stories and he used to be a hacker for the government and also a spy for some South American country during the Cuban war and stuff and he is like 55 now and he looks super young! coolest guy ever!! He said he'll come to my wedding:)
For Pday we got to go downtown again and ride the train. I love this city.
And you are gonna love what I wore on Halloween;)
-Elder Jones
Fast forward a few days...
So we went to the Lovato's house for Halloween. They are freaking hilarious and love to feed us they are seriously the funniest people I have met here. Aside from Horacio I guess. Horacio Cordero is the coolest guy ever. He has the craziest stories and he used to be a hacker for the government and also a spy for some South American country during the Cuban war and stuff and he is like 55 now and he looks super young! coolest guy ever!! He said he'll come to my wedding:)
For Pday we got to go downtown again and ride the train. I love this city.
And you are gonna love what I wore on Halloween;)
-Elder Jones
Oct 26, 2015
I got to go to the temple last Saturday! We went cuz a lady in our ward was getting her endowments and like half our ward was there to support her. But apparently we get to go once a transfer I believe. So I'm going to get to go more!
Every Monday night we go to Hermano Obregon's house for dinner. He is our second counselor. He has 2 kids that are in high school that I like to tease.
We are about to play games today with the other missionaries. Also here are some pics of my place (sorry didn't make my bed).
Every Monday night we go to Hermano Obregon's house for dinner. He is our second counselor. He has 2 kids that are in high school that I like to tease.
We are about to play games today with the other missionaries. Also here are some pics of my place (sorry didn't make my bed).
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| The apartment |
Oct 19, 2015
I want you to know that I am doing way better this week:) you know me and I am settling into my situation and really getting behind it all as far as I know what I'm doing. I am starting to put in work and trust in the Lord way more and it's helping so much. Keep praying for me but you don't need to worry anymore I promise:)
230 Moore Ct Grays Lake. IL 60030 is my address right now for letters but don't send packages here. We are in Gurnee 3 Ward Buffalo Grove stake.
Yes it's freezing already
I just realized there are way more questions you wanted answers to. Here are a few answers
So for transfers every missionary that is receiving a transfer comes to the same Iglesia for a big ole meeting which I think is typically about 40% of the mission.. Maybe. And we all have a gathering in the chapel and president will stand at the pulpit and give a little talk about the mission and share stories and stuff and then he announces the transfers one by one and it's like a ceremony haha. Once every six weeks. So that always happens on Tuesday so on Saturday is when every pair of missionaries get a text that says you wil be transferred or not and if you are they call you that night too and tell you what's gonna happen.
I eat cereal for breakfast if I eat anything. Or hot chocolate:) with this super yummy load of bread that a member gave us like last week. With butter it's so good in hot chocolate.
I am for real gonna need some good cold weather stuff or I will freeze to death and it's gonna be a bit expensive cuz I will not get cheap boots and some other stuff I'll need so... hope I have enough money still in my account.
230 Moore Ct Grays Lake. IL 60030 is my address right now for letters but don't send packages here. We are in Gurnee 3 Ward Buffalo Grove stake.
Yes it's freezing already
I just realized there are way more questions you wanted answers to. Here are a few answers
So for transfers every missionary that is receiving a transfer comes to the same Iglesia for a big ole meeting which I think is typically about 40% of the mission.. Maybe. And we all have a gathering in the chapel and president will stand at the pulpit and give a little talk about the mission and share stories and stuff and then he announces the transfers one by one and it's like a ceremony haha. Once every six weeks. So that always happens on Tuesday so on Saturday is when every pair of missionaries get a text that says you wil be transferred or not and if you are they call you that night too and tell you what's gonna happen.
I eat cereal for breakfast if I eat anything. Or hot chocolate:) with this super yummy load of bread that a member gave us like last week. With butter it's so good in hot chocolate.
I am for real gonna need some good cold weather stuff or I will freeze to death and it's gonna be a bit expensive cuz I will not get cheap boots and some other stuff I'll need so... hope I have enough money still in my account.
Oct 12, 2015
Thanks for sending the picture of you and Jen at her book signing. That is so cool!!! Tell Jen I am so proud of her and I can't wait to read her book!!! :) give her my best for sure!
So typically we just hang out with other missionaries on p days but we can't really find any today so... that's a bummer. I am at a church with my comp playing basketball alone. Maybe next week will be better. This week I have really struggled pray for me.
Oct 4 2015
First off shout out to Tracee my little sis it was her birthday 2 days ago. So happy birthday!
Conference was amazing!!! :) It was just chill around here watching but I didn't fall asleep.
So the flour pictures from last week. The hermanas in our district spent a couple hours putting together the little sacks of flour in nylon socks or something and they made like 60 of them and we just had a grand ole time:) we played capture the flag and dodgeball and then an all out war!! It was so gross once you started sweating but we had a blast:)
I read the talk by Pres.Uchtdorf in the women's broadcast and it really hit me right now that I just need to be happy and so that's what I'm doing. I have actually been able to talk to a couple of people about the church. It is so cool to actually talk about the church with people cuz they literally don't know anything about it!!
Thanks for everything mom:) I could use thermals tho... I have been told that I have no idea how cold winter can be. The weather is getting stinking cold already:) haha 50 here is like bundle up weather! In Utah that's shorts and a tank top!!
Conference was amazing!!! :) It was just chill around here watching but I didn't fall asleep.
So the flour pictures from last week. The hermanas in our district spent a couple hours putting together the little sacks of flour in nylon socks or something and they made like 60 of them and we just had a grand ole time:) we played capture the flag and dodgeball and then an all out war!! It was so gross once you started sweating but we had a blast:)
I read the talk by Pres.Uchtdorf in the women's broadcast and it really hit me right now that I just need to be happy and so that's what I'm doing. I have actually been able to talk to a couple of people about the church. It is so cool to actually talk about the church with people cuz they literally don't know anything about it!!
Thanks for everything mom:) I could use thermals tho... I have been told that I have no idea how cold winter can be. The weather is getting stinking cold already:) haha 50 here is like bundle up weather! In Utah that's shorts and a tank top!!
This is me on splits and look what road we found.
Sept 28, 2015
Hey everybody!! So sorry that I haven't been able to get a group email
out in... Well a couple weeks! I know it's been awhile but I get so
stinking busy on my Pdays it's crazy!! First off, I LOVE CHICAGO!!!
Second I love the Latino people here with all my heart. The people in
my ward have really given me an amazing welcome and they all love me
lots so it's great!
I'm sure most of you know the daily schedule of a missionary so I
won't go into that much but I do wanna say that we have a car, (the
only red car in the mission I might add and I totally feel like
Stitch) and we do a whole lot of driving. My companion and I have one
of the biggest ares and at some points we have had to drive 45 min for
one appointment!!
I love teaching people and I feel like my Spanish has improved 63%!!!
Which I feel like is a lot so I am proud. I don't get to talk as much
as I would like to in a day though and it's something I really need to
work on!!
A funny experience that happened to us this last week was with this
one lady that we have been teaching for about two weeks really had a
change of heart and decided she hated us one day. So we showed up to
our appointment and the Book of Mormon that we gave her was sitting on
the porch in a plastic bag. So ouch. But it's ok because my spirits
are still high!! My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord and he
is my joy.
Thank you all so much for your emails and support of me. Hopefully I
will be able to think of more awesome experiences as I try to get this
email out every week. My favorite part so far was last pday though. We
had the opportunity to borrow a couple of bikes and go to the actually
city of Chicago and bike around and talk to people all day. It was
extremely downtown which is an experience I have never had before and
I loved it to death!! I can't wait to be in a bike area!!
I love you all and you are in my prayers for sure! Please try to
remember the Lord in all things for he has given you all things and I
promise you that. Never forget him and why you are here! I love you
all very much!
-Elder Jones
District lunch
Flour fight
Finally made it downtown and to the Bean. Love riding bikes. notice the pant legs tucked in "it's a bike thing"
out in... Well a couple weeks! I know it's been awhile but I get so
stinking busy on my Pdays it's crazy!! First off, I LOVE CHICAGO!!!
Second I love the Latino people here with all my heart. The people in
my ward have really given me an amazing welcome and they all love me
lots so it's great!
I'm sure most of you know the daily schedule of a missionary so I
won't go into that much but I do wanna say that we have a car, (the
only red car in the mission I might add and I totally feel like
Stitch) and we do a whole lot of driving. My companion and I have one
of the biggest ares and at some points we have had to drive 45 min for
one appointment!!
I love teaching people and I feel like my Spanish has improved 63%!!!
Which I feel like is a lot so I am proud. I don't get to talk as much
as I would like to in a day though and it's something I really need to
work on!!
A funny experience that happened to us this last week was with this
one lady that we have been teaching for about two weeks really had a
change of heart and decided she hated us one day. So we showed up to
our appointment and the Book of Mormon that we gave her was sitting on
the porch in a plastic bag. So ouch. But it's ok because my spirits
are still high!! My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord and he
is my joy.
Thank you all so much for your emails and support of me. Hopefully I
will be able to think of more awesome experiences as I try to get this
email out every week. My favorite part so far was last pday though. We
had the opportunity to borrow a couple of bikes and go to the actually
city of Chicago and bike around and talk to people all day. It was
extremely downtown which is an experience I have never had before and
I loved it to death!! I can't wait to be in a bike area!!
I love you all and you are in my prayers for sure! Please try to
remember the Lord in all things for he has given you all things and I
promise you that. Never forget him and why you are here! I love you
all very much!
-Elder Jones
District lunch 
Flour fight 
Finally made it downtown and to the Bean. Love riding bikes. notice the pant legs tucked in "it's a bike thing"Sept 14 2015
Quick update!! Well Chicago rocks peeps, well at least the suburbs do. I haven't been downtown yet. It is super
pretty up here!!! I love being with the missionaries in my district and members tho!! They are amazing! Keep sending me pics/letters I really need that. I'll try to get a big email out next week. I always run out of time on Pdays. Also.... Did you guys get my package? I sent you Bueno bars. They were so good in Mexico I brought some with me to mail to you guys. Maybe you won't like them but they tasted good in Mexico cause I hadn't had treats in awhile.
pretty up here!!! I love being with the missionaries in my district and members tho!! They are amazing! Keep sending me pics/letters I really need that. I'll try to get a big email out next week. I always run out of time on Pdays. Also.... Did you guys get my package? I sent you Bueno bars. They were so good in Mexico I brought some with me to mail to you guys. Maybe you won't like them but they tasted good in Mexico cause I hadn't had treats in awhile.
Here we go...
New companion/trainer and the mission president and his wife. Glad to be in Chicago...
Sept 7, 2015 1st P-day in the mission
The Mexico airport was way fun. I loved talking to you guys (family) at the airport and the people were psycho there!! We got eggs and bean paste on the plane so it was fine;) just kidding it was nasty as poop but I ate it!! I pretty much eat everything now, seriously there isn't much that I won't put in my face after living in Mexico. Yesterday we ate tacos at Hermana Guardados house and I picked up a tortilla, brushed the ant off of it and then made my taco:) haha it is a blast here. We got delayed for so long getting out of Mexico that we weren't able to see the city like we were supposed to but it's all good.
My area is absolutely huge and boring. I am stationed in Gurnee it is literally the top sliver of the mission. We are as far away from the downtown city and anything like unto it. There are tons of corn fields around here. We have a car because it's so big and we never get to talk to anybody that isn't a member or inactive. We pretty much just work with members here so I don't get the opportunity to bring many new people to Christ that often. We have had one lesson with an investigator. But it's alright and I'm having fun!
I have an iPad that I study with everyday and it's super useful. I am reading two books by prophets and am almost done and I have plenty of study time. It is probably safe to send packages now:) If you want information give me specific questions it will just be easier to answer you that way.
I love you mom!
Not sure who this picture is could be district in CCM before he left or Elders that he traveled to Chicago with. Hopefully he will share the names next week.
Elder Jones
My area is absolutely huge and boring. I am stationed in Gurnee it is literally the top sliver of the mission. We are as far away from the downtown city and anything like unto it. There are tons of corn fields around here. We have a car because it's so big and we never get to talk to anybody that isn't a member or inactive. We pretty much just work with members here so I don't get the opportunity to bring many new people to Christ that often. We have had one lesson with an investigator. But it's alright and I'm having fun!
I have an iPad that I study with everyday and it's super useful. I am reading two books by prophets and am almost done and I have plenty of study time. It is probably safe to send packages now:) If you want information give me specific questions it will just be easier to answer you that way.
I love you mom!
Not sure who this picture is could be district in CCM before he left or Elders that he traveled to Chicago with. Hopefully he will share the names next week.
Elder Jones
Aug 31 2015
Received this today from mission home in Chicago
This email is to let you know that your missionary arrived in the Illinois Chicago Mission on Monday, August 31 and will be a blessing to this mission. When missionaries arrive, their luggage is transported to the Mission Home, and the missionaries are taken to the train to travel to and from downtown Chicago. They are given the opportunity to contact people and place a Book of Mormon in this process. It is an exciting introduction to missionary work.
When the missionaries arrive back at the mission home, there is a dinner of Chicago Pizza for them. After dinner they are trained by President Woodbury, Sister Woodbury, and the office staff. They sleep at the mission home that night.
On Tuesday morning, the new missionaries all travel to the nearby Willmette Stake Center where transfers take place. First there is more training. They receive their IPads and get them set up. Then, after brief messages from our President, the trainers are asked to sit on the stand, then come up one by one and describe their area of service. Then President Woodbury introduces the missionary they will be training. Some hugging and handshaking takes place as they return to the congregation to be seated together.
After this, the missionaries travel to their area of service and your missionary will begin actual missionary service.
The new missionaries are always excited and full of energy, and bring that delightful spirit with them to the mission where we all enjoy their enthusiasm.
Also, it is possible you might see a picture of your missionary on the Christensen’s personal mission blog –vonandcarolynchristensen.
Aug 30 2015
Received this today from the mission pres wife in Mexcio City CCM
Elders and Hermanas,
It has been a pleasure to serve with you. Thank you for your examples of dedication to the Lord and for the service you are about to give. We send our love and prayers with you as you begin this most important part of your life.
We love you,
Hermana Call
Aug 25 2015
This is my last email from the CCM. I will be in Chicago by next week. I am really glad because the food here is just the same and I can't eat another taco. I have made a ton of new friends down here and seen many of my buddys from high school. I even ran into my best friend from 1st-3rd grade Timp Academy Zach Burbidge. I am ready to get to work in Chicago. Thanks for the support and keep those letters coming.
Address in Chicago for letters or packages
Elder Kelly Jones
Illinois Chicago Mission
800 Waukegan Rd Ste 203
Glenview, IL 60025
MMHS boys
Jon Chappell
Zach and me
district selfie
Address in Chicago for letters or packages
Elder Kelly Jones
Illinois Chicago Mission
800 Waukegan Rd Ste 203
Glenview, IL 60025
MMHS boys
Jon Chappell
Zach and me 
district selfieAug 18 2015
Happy Pday everybody!!! Well at least I hope that you all have as good of a day as I do on my Pdays!
I just have two experiences that I want to share this week!
1) today we had the opportunity to go to the open house of the Mexico City Temple and it was a most incredible adventure! If you know anything about the roads in places that aren't America.... There are almost no rules. We sing hymns the whole way there and that is about the only reason I feel safe as our bus driver cuts people off and shoots gaps in LITERALLY A BUS. The temple was gorgeous and the Spirit of the Lord is already settling in those holy rooms.
2) I was called on to give a talk in sacrament on Sunday. So I don't know how it works in other MTCs, but here everybody writes a talk during the week on one of two given topics and after the opening hymn a member of our presidency will announce who is speaking that day. It is a real life Hunger Games. Now about last Tuesday my companion and I had volunteered to bless the sacrament and so I thought that there was no way they would call on me for a talk. So I didn't actually write one... Ya whoops. 2 minutes before I go up there to speak a buddy of mine in my district sees me frantically... whatever I was doing and slips me his talk. I literally was changing it into Spanish as I gave it in front of our whole zone. What an experience:)
So the CCM is super great and I love hearing from all of you!! Continue to be followers of Christ and you will be blessed in all that you do, I promise this as His designated representative.
Love you all and you are in my prayers,
Elder Kelly Jones
Aug 11, 2015
Bien hola everybody! Behind the gospel, Spanish is pretty much my favorite thing ever! To be able to preach the gospel in this amazing idioma is such a great blessing that I, and I´m sure my brother, can attest to.
Ciudad de Mexico has the best weather and the nicest people that I have ever seen! I guess I haven´t really met a lot of people but the ones that I have are stupendous! If you know a bit of Spanish and say something to the nice people in the Comedor, they give you a little extra and I make good use of that:)
My first Zone Leader left yesterday and it was incredible to me to see how quickly this gospel can bring people together because it was a hard thing to say goodbye to him! His spirit and experiences for the past three weeks have really been a testimony builder for me.
My best story for the week goes like this. My companion and I were teaching a lesson to our teacher/investigator and we were able to invite another missionary in our district to be a "member" for practice with that aspect of teaching. There was a point where he started bearing his testimony and so I grabbed my water bottle and started drinking when he asked me how to say something really weird in Spanish and I lost it and started laughing. I was still drinking so I kinda got some water in my nose and it came out real quick! I ended up spraying it on my companion instead of the investigator and the member and I thought it was so funny. So we laughed uncontrollably for like 3 minutes and the investigator had to try really hard not to laugh but my companion just ignored me and kept teaching which was even funnier.
Life is super awesome here and I promise that I don't drive the spirit away like that on purpose! The spirit is actually my constant companion here and I couldn't be more grateful for the Lord´s blessings for me as a missionary!
You are all in my prayers and I wish you the best of everything! Please don´t forget Gods love in your lives because it is everywhere.
I love letters and emails so please write to me kelly.jones@myldsmail.net I leave the MTC on Aug 31st.
Elder Kelly Jones
Illinois Chicago Mission
Mexico MTC
Carretera Tenayuca-Chalmita #828
Colonia Zona Escolar, Gustavo A Madero
07230 Mexico City, Distrito Federal
Mexico
Elder Kelly Jones
Illinois Chicago Mission
Mexico MTC
Carretera Tenayuca-Chalmita #828
Colonia Zona Escolar, Gustavo A Madero
07230 Mexico City, Distrito Federal
Mexico
Site for sending letters
So I found this website where you can send things/letters to Kelly at the MTC in Mexico and they will deliver next day. Since he has to check the mailbox everyday it would be cool to get a few letters on paper not on a P-day. He leave the MTC on Aug 31st so make sure to send before then.
Lori
Mexico MTC letter delivery push this for the link or copy and paste URL http://www.missionarypackagemx.com/#!mexico-mtc-letters/c18f1
Lori
Mexico MTC letter delivery push this for the link or copy and paste URL http://www.missionarypackagemx.com/#!mexico-mtc-letters/c18f1
Aug 4 2015 2nd week in CCM
I have made it to my second P-day! On the first day I got here there were some missionaries that told me that if I could make it from Tuesday to Thursday to Sunday, then my time here would fly by. And it has been so true! My good buddy Adrian told me that the days take forever but the weeks go by in a blink and I have come to realize that after just two!
Sundays are the best day of the week because we just get to praise God all day long and no matter where I go or who I am with, the spirit is so strong! We had an amazing testimony meeting on Sunday and it was even more special to me because I had the opportunity to say the blessing on water in Spanish! How cool that was.
If any of you dont know the story of John Tanner I HIGHLY suggest that you research it and at least go watch the church video about his life. From his story and sacrifice I have learned so much about the Law of Consecration and how important that is to me as a missionary.
The Lord has blessed me down here in more ways than I can count and done more for me than I could ever repay him for. My two years are going to be well spent in the service of my God and I literally cannot wait to get out to Chicago!
We went to the templo hoy para la primera tiempo pero it was closed so solo la centre de visitoras. Tell everyone to email me I want loads of letters! And my comp is the new district leader so we have to check the mail everyday. I play basketball everyday and soccer only once. Not many soccer players in my district. Elder Erekson played for Murray my soph year when they beat us.
I think Nate Keele comes tomorrow and I am so excited!!! Jon is doing alright now and I see him every couple of days. Tell Davin again to email me.
I don't think of home until Tuesdays so it's not that bad. I am super busy so it isn't that hard! I love español!!
Thank you all for the emails and best wishes. You are all in my prayers and I exhort you to rely on the Lord more than you now are because He wants to be apart of your life. I promise this is true.
I figured out my camera today so here are some pictures of friends from back home as well as my room, the campus and the temple.
My best wishes and blessing to everyone
Love,
Elder Jones
July 28, 2015
Hola from Mexico City everyone!! I made it here safe and sound and the flight was great. Jake was such a blessing to have at the beginning but now I rarely see him. I'll keep it short and sweet so people will actually read this! I really love this MTC. The food is pretty good most of the time. The people here are amazing and it is the biggest MTC in the world 93 acres of fun I will never see all of it. There are these giant palm trees that literally have dozens of parrots living in them!! It is the coolest thing.
The missionary life is a change but not anything that is too much for the Lord to ask. Waking up is actually kind of hard. My companion is great his name is Elder Hill from Lehi and my district even greater! We have a lot of fun. We are the only ones in our room when everyone else has 4 and it is freaking great:) I put my suitcases on the top bunk and live out of them for P-day clothes and sleeping stuff. I have run into Adrian a couple of times and Jon too and its such a blessing to see a face I know every once in a while. No complaints from the CCM (MTC here) and I would love to hear from all of you! You are all in my prayers and I know this work is true. Maybe more actual stories next week.
I love everything here. I am having a great time and killing spanish. Maybe next week yo puedo solo en espanol.
Tell Tracee she is the funniest person I know and that I still think about what she said to me last and die laughing. I love you guys and pray for you every night. I'm sure you have questions so just ask and I can answer on Tuesdays. Love you mom
Thanks for all the support!
July 22, 2015
Today I entered the CCM in Mexico City, Mexico. I went from my home in Spanish Fork Utah to the Salt Lake City airport this morning for my departure. Saying goodbye to my family was hard but I was able to travel with my friend Jake. Jake and I have played soccer together for a few years nowr. Who knew we would leave and travel together.
A few hours later
Well hey mom, I made it safe to the CCM which means something in Spanish. I have been with Jake the whole time and that is such a blessing. I already ran into Jon and Adrian in the comedor my first dinner here. They are super happy and I can't wait to be where they are. Well I will be able to email you again on my P day next week which is Tuesday. Peace out homies!
Jake and me at the gate.
A few hours later
Well hey mom, I made it safe to the CCM which means something in Spanish. I have been with Jake the whole time and that is such a blessing. I already ran into Jon and Adrian in the comedor my first dinner here. They are super happy and I can't wait to be where they are. Well I will be able to email you again on my P day next week which is Tuesday. Peace out homies!
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