March 23, 2011

HELLO HOME!

It's a wonderful rainy day up here in Scarsdale, New York!

HOORAY Elder Fotu and I got our Chevy Malibu back from the shop!! Turns out NOT ONLY was the heating broken (which now is not as important given that the temp is FINALLY starting to HEAT UP) but the ceramic brake pads were GONE. Worn down to NOTHIN. Explains the rather constant singing from the left side of the car. :) It's nice to have back our bigger, faster, newer car... BUT I AM going to miss the 6-disc changer in the Corolla!

We had a really cool experience the other day. Elder Fotu and I were walking down Cortland St in Sleepy Hollow, and I was writing something in my planner- when Elder Fotu walked up to this little Ecuadorian man and started to talk to him. He introduced himself as "Angel" and told us he comes from the coast of Ecuador. I asked him if there would be a time we could come by and visit with him and share with him a message- and he said "Well... right here, right NOW!" We smiled and talked with him about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon for about 20 minutes right there on the side of the road. He gave us his number and told us to come back the coming Monday (2 days ago). On Monday we went over and had SUCH a great discussion with him. We told him about Joseph Smith and watched the DVD "The Restoration" and ended with Angel and us kneeling in his humble apartment in a powerful and sincere prayer to Heavenly Father. It was such a sweet experience. He committed to read, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon - and we have an appointment with him NEXT Monday - and hope to see him at church the Sunday before!!

Funny things that happened this week...

ELDER FOTU AND I SAW 3 TEENAGE KIDS STEAL A FIRE ENGINE. BAHAHAH! They awkwardly and uncoordinated-ly pulled up to the stoplight next to us and frantically laughing flipped a bunch of switches and buttons and finally after about 20 seconds activated the sirens and flashing lights. They all cheered and stuck their heads out the windows like maniacs and screamed as they sped up and roared down the street. About 15 seconds later, two police cars zoomed by us, lights and sirens on, after the hijacked firetruck.

One of the things that I think Spanish people DON'T understand is the whole "Doorbell-ditching-while-leaving-things-on-the-porch" scenario. For the past few couple weeks, a family of investigators we are teaching has promised us that they would read in the Book of Mormon. Fail. As a friendly joke, last time we visited I said "Well what on earth do you WANT? A COOKIE!?" We all laughed and they once again promised us they would read. Last night, we made some warm chocolate chip cookies and put them on a plate and put a Pass-Along-Card on the top and left it on their porch and doorbell ditched. I ran back to the car and we sped away laughing! We drove around the block, came back a few minutes later... and the plate of cookies was still on the porch. SO, I scooted it closer to the door, and knocked- waited until I heard the father coming- then jumped the railing and ran like a madman. I saw from a distance him walk OUTSIDE and around his house. Then go back inside. I thought "he had to have either stepped OVER or ON the cookies, so either way he KNOWS they are there. I went back a few minutes later- STILL the cookies were sitting on the porch. I finally called and said "Hermano! Open the door and LOOK BELOW." He went outside and cracked up upon FINALLY finding the cookies. Hahaha! By that point I'm pretty sure the "fresh and warm" cookies were already VERY cold in the misty 40 degree weather!!! haha!!

Sister Almanzar and I are going to sing a song in Sacrament Meeting while my dear Elder Zwahlen accompanies us on the piano this coming Sunday!! HOORAY! Yeah Elder Zwahlen and I take turns every week as ward music director/ organ/piano player!
We have interviews with the Mission President on Friday and shock calls this coming Monday and then NEXT Wednesday are transfers!
Did you get Carlie's last E-mail? She's A CRACKUP! haha! I love her.
Have you been able to talk to Jill about housing and stuff for me and Jonny in BYU? I still have to write Dad an official "I'm- sorry- I'm- a- turn-coat- high-treason- son- but- I'm- going- to- BYU" letter! :S Not so sure how that is going to blow over! Haha I suspect he knows and accepts it... STILL I should let him know first hand!


I LOVE YOU ALL- please be safe and happy and well! The Church is True! - even in CHINA - just ask Carlie and Emily!

All my Love,

Elder Hellberg
March 23, 2010