Letter from 6-20-11

Dear Mom and Family,

 

  First off Happy Birthday to Stephen on Friday!!  I had it written down in multiple places so I wouldn't forget.  I hope you have a great Birthday!  I'm writing a little later this afternoon because this morning we went to the Temple.  It's only been my second time while being here in San Diego, and I'm sad that we can't go more often.  It's such a wonderful place and I love being there.  There was two couples in our session as well that were being sealed to each other tomorrow so it was great having them there and congratulating them afterward.  I'm pretty sure that I'm going to have to take Ashley's idea and get married here.  This Temple is just tooo beautiful.

  Well it's been just wonderful hearing from each of you.  Things have been going alright here in California, we've had our ups and downs, but we still carry on.  One thing that impresses me everyday is how involved President Donaldson with each of us.  Elder Insong and I were having a tough time the other day, so we called President for some help.  After talking with him for a bit I came to a realization: When we focus on ourselves, no matter what it is, whether it's getting along, or anything else, instead of focusing on helping others receive ordinances of salvation the work suffers and as a result we don't like it.  Keeping an "eye single to the glory of God" is the only way that this work can be done with any cheerfulness in heart and truth be told with ALL of our "might, mind, and Strength".  After realizing that and really trying to internalize it I understood why though I try to be cheerful everyday, it was tough trying to throw off the adversary and his attempts to halt this work.  And it's not just with Missionary Work.  It's for every day of our lives.  Just like when Peter took his eyes off the Savior and " But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me."  He saw the sea crashing around him, or in essence, the sound of the world yelling out at him, and taking his eyes off the Savior for a second, he started to sink.  The same Peter who was sent in the beginning, and the same Peter who knew that Jesus was the Christ by it being revealed by the Father took his eyes off the Savior and began to sink.  How much more of a need have I to keep my eyes on the Savior and stay "walking on water"?  I guess now that I know at least some things, as President Heber C. Kimball said, "You can't sin so cheap no more."  I am greatfull for each and everyone of you and I am thankful for a Savior who has deemed me worthy to represent Him here with the people of California.  I can't express enough gratitude everyday for the Plan that our Father gave so that all of us can return to live with him again.  I love each and everyone one of you and miss you. 

  Tell Madison good job on her recital, I love the pictures they are adorable.  I'll be the envy of Elder in the mission because I have the cutest girl back home!  Give everyone else big hugs and kisses for me!

 

 

Love,

 

Elder Wise

A few pictures

Here are some recent pictures from Sean:

scriptures that have been put to good use

new food experiences

a Hmong family he is teaching

Letter from June 14, 2011

Hi Mother,

 

  How are you? How did things go this last week? Have you been able to sell any homes recently?  I hope so, just hearing from members here work stinks, so I hope it's better for you there.

  Work has been good.  It's had it's ups and downs, but it's been pretty steady.  We've been really busy, mostly trying to find people to teach, I don't know why people don't want to listen.  It amazes me that people really can't seem to understand what is really important in this life, and that they haven't done those things to enjoy it.  I mean, is it really so hard to want to live with our Father in Heaven again and do those things so that we can?  It's EASY, but I don't know why people can't get it.  Though, that's why I'm out here I guess, and why I have to "open my mouth, and speak with a loud voice".  Just be bold.  Hey, at least a life skill that will come from this I won't be so embarrassed about asking a girl out now!  So, all those years of training finally paid off! 

  The Branch and the Ward though are just amazing!  I love the Hmong people, and I'm thankful so much for them.  They've taught me a lot and I'm truly greatful for being here.  And then the San Diego 10th members are just great!  Most of the members are older so I feel like I'm surrounded by a bunch of grandparents everytime I'm there.  It's nice sometimes to be spoiled, but I've got a purpose.  Well I hope everyone is safe and that all is well.  Give Nathan and the little ones kisses for me and tell everyone I love them.  I'll write some letters today to go along an e-mail.  I love everyone and love hearing what's going on in the family.  Love ya'll and hope all is well!

 

 

Love,

 

Elder Wise

Letter from June 7, 2011

Dear Mother,

  Last week went great!  We had an opportunity to have one last MTE with President Donaldson this past Thursday and Friday, and have I sad how much I love my mission President and his wife? They are great people, and I'll miss them dearly when they leave after this transfer.  President Donaldson has really changed my mission and I'm bound and determined the rest of my life as well.  It's been great serving here and I'm sad to say that it's hard for me to show or tell you how much I've been growing, but I've been working hard on those Christlike attributes.  Oh, and by the way I didn't forget that ya'lls anniversary is tomorrow, that Nathan turns 16 on Thursday or that it isGrandma Horne's birthday on Friday.  I wrote everything down in the Calendar that you gave me and I've been good about keeping on track with important dates.  I am thankful very much for the choice that you and Dad made to start a family, and for all that you've taught us, especially me, while growing up.  Though it may seem that we aren't listening at times, we are.

  Well, things are going good.  We've been really working with our branch and ward leaders to help missionary work hasten.  And on top of that we've found a new investigator in the Hmong community.  It's actually the son of a member who was never Baptized, but that now wants to.  We've had two lessons with him and he now has a Baptismal date for July 2nd.  You know, there is something extraordinary in being bold and following the Savior's admonition to "lift up your voices with the sound of a trump".  And I know it's true, there is overwhelming evidence that it is, and besides the witness of the Spirit I've received, it's true.  And it's sooooo simple.  Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End, that's the Gospel, that's the Doctrine of Christ, that is what I'm out here teaching people.  Not extending a hand of friendship just for another church, or a "club", but I'm extending salvation unto exaltation.  That's what it is, nothing else.  That is what this work is about, truly how important this work is.  And I love it, there's nothing else like this in the world.  Maybe ya'll will get a glimpse of what has been going on here with me, but Mother, just to quote Elder Bednar here, "I just want to be a good boy".  I love you Mom, and of course Dad as well, but I love this work, I'm changed and I don't want to change back, I refuse to.  I'll write ya'll next week with probably some more pictures.  You can send this e-mail onto family, and if you want post this one, it's up to you.  Tell Nathan and Grandma happy birthday and give him kisses from me.  Also give Jaxon kisses for last week.  I'll be sending a letter too, so expect that in the mail.

Letter from May 24, 2011

 

Dear Mother,

  I know how your missionaries feel.  Elder Insong had Pnemonia two weeks ago, and I had a bad sinus infection last week, so we were pretty unhappy.  But, all is better now, and we're getting back to work.  Transfers are tomorrow so I'm excited to see what's going to happen.  We're having A LOT of good Elders going home, including my Trainer Elder Ipsen, but he's coming back this weekend and so we'll see each other.  I think I almost have him convinced to room with me at BYU when I get back.  That'd be fun.  I found out the other day that in order to be a tranier for big sports teams I've got to go to medical school, so we might have a doctor in the family yet! I'll wait till I hit my year mark then I'll start praying about it.

  Things are going pretty good.  The language is coming along nicely....sorta. I can read the language ok, but speaking and understanding it are coming a little slower, which is normal for something like this.  But, we've got some more work to occupy us in another Ward, the San Diego 10th, we're now responsible with some other Elders for that area.  I'll start getting some pictures of me and some members.  That's one thing I forgot to get in Lemon Grove, but I've got some time to get back there and get some. 

  The works going great though.  I love the people, and I'm eating a lot of interesting food.  I think one of the members wants to feed me chicken feet so I'm probably going to get some pics of that. Other than that, things are great! I'm loving the mission, and it's only getting better.  I'll let ya'll know what happens with transfers next week!  Give everyone hugs and kisses for me, especially the birthday boy!!!

 

Love,
Elder Chaj Li

 

 

Nyob Zoog!

  How is everyone?!  It's been a little while since I've sent a family letter, but some stuff has actually happened...so I guess it's warranted. 

  Things have been going ok here in San Diego.  Along with the Hmong Branch I'm now also serving in the San Diego 10th Ward so we've got plenty of work to do!  I'm tired everyday which is good, according to President it means I get the work, so I'm tired.  Other than that things are ok with the Hmong.  The language is still a little iffy.  I can read it ok, but other than that it's pretty hard to understand and speak it still.  I can say a few phrases, but it's still tough.  I love the Hmong, and it's funny to have the little mis-communication that comes when trying to communicate, but it's a little frustrating at the same time. 

  Things are great though, it's weird thinking that I've almost been out for 6 months, I'll hit 6 this next transfer.  It's going by soooo fast, and it feels like it's been no time at all.  Soon enough, I'll be stepping off the plane, but not until I do all the work that the Lord wants me to do.  I'm excited to be here, and it's sad to see all the missionaries leaving, including my trainer who leaves actually today, but I've got some work to do. 

  Can't wait to hear from ya'll and hope that the Birthday Boy has a great day!!

 

 

Love,

 

Elder Chaj Li 

 

Ps.  GO MAVERICKS!!!

Letter from May 17, 2011

Nyob Zoog Mother (<- Means Hello),

  This week has actually been a slow one for us.  Elder Insong got Pnemonia last week, so we stayed in almost the entire week, and then I've picked up a head cold I'm guessing from him, so this week so far has been slow as well.  But, never fear, I still have plenty of medicine, and wonder of wonders since I'm in the states I can get more!

  Other than that things have been going ok.  We have a few people in the Hmong community we're teaching and then we're focusing on trying to find people in the other Ward in which we're serving now as well, so we've got plenty of work to do.  Missionaries have only been back in the branch for about two transfers before I got here, so things have been untouched for a long time.  I don't have any pictures of members yet, but I'm planning on taking some this next week. I've got some more to send this week as well, so you'll catch up on stuff I've been doing. 

  Love ya'll and hope everyone's doing well.  Give everyone hugs and kisses for me!

 

Love,

 

Elder Wise4

Another note from a friend

Paul Norris, a friend of the Horne family, is currently serving in the stake presidency of the Chula Vista Stake in San Diego.

Debbie - I did hear about the transfer, we had stake conference a couple of weeks ago and at dinner President Donaldson related how when he and his wife were making transfers, they both felt the inspiration to make such a transfer and then when made both elders had also had the spirit whisper to them prior of the pending change. Your son is doing the Lord's work and he is close to the spirit and is doing marvelous things. The only down side is he probably won't make transfers to our stake when his language skills among the Hmong branch. But - there are always the Mission President's firesides and we are in the rotation of hosting every few months. The alignment of the mission boundaries is tremendous, we will be losing about half of our missionaries to cover the new wards and stakes, but that is ok - the north county also needs to be called to repentance... President and Sister Donaldson are winding down their mission, they leave June 30. They have quite busy and great work has been accomplished, the new Presidency will take us even higher. Paul