Email received 02/11/13

HEY FAM!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well first off.... I LOVE the new name for the sweet little niña!!!  I think that is such a beautiful name.  Great work!!  I am really sad to hear all of those families are going to that new stake.  I love so many of those people.  I hope you stay in touch with them.  Those people I hold very close to my heart.  I hope they feel loved and welcome in their new place.  At times I know exactly how it feels.  That's how I felt when I left Cantera and Tejupilco.  Well life is full of surprises that we are given by our Loving Heavenly Father. 

Well this week was hard again.  Its ok.  Really this week we had four people that we were teaching reject the Gospel.  Two of them had a hard time accepting the Book of Mormon.  They felt that they didn't need another book aside from the Bible.  They thought the Bible is perfect and doesn't need any other testament of Jesus Christ.  The other couple we were teaching also did not accept.  Such a humble little couple that really had a lot of problems, casi no money things like that.  They told us that night that their cousin had died all of a sudden.  We started to talk about the Plan of Salvation and how they will see him again.  than they brought up authority and how the Church of Jesus Christ couldn't possibly have been restored.  They said that Joseph Smith was just another man Like Martin Luther.  It was super sad to hear.  Really it was heart breaking.  We thought they knew it.  We thought they were going to be baptized.  It was so sad for me to see this happen.  The thing that they need.  The thing that will make them more happy than they can even know right now all they needed to do was take it.  I like to compare it to a Snickers.  How rich mouth wateringly delicious they are.  You work so hard for that money to buy that snickers.  You had that joy and richness in your mouth of what a snickers is.  But when at the store you decide you don't want snickers.  You decide to get lima beans.  EEEwwwww.  Ok not the same...but still.   It was hard.  It was really hard for me to see this because after you work so hard to get it.  After you show the Lord what you REALLY want.  After you sacrifice everything to have it,  it doesn't happen.  I just need to be patient.  Work harder.  Show Heavenly Father how bad I want to baptize.  At times doing this is really hard.  Always be Raising the bar.  We had Zone Conference last week and President Villarreal talked a lot about that.  Comparing it to baptism.  In this mission we baptize every week.  That's what we do.  But what do we have to do if we are not.  Work.  Raise the Bar.  And show our desire to the Lord.  At times He is giving us this trial to see what we do.  Do we give up saying "oh I gave my whole heart."  or do we work even harder saying "is this what I really  want?  This week I am going to work even harder, strive harder to become more like Christ and receive His countenance in me. "  He said so many things that hit me.  This was one of the biggest things that really stuck out to me.

Let me tell you,  This week I am going to work harder, strive harder to Become more like my Savior and receive His countenance in me. 

This past week we went with a family that a member in the ward referred us to.  It is a mom and two kids.  The mom  got a divorce with the the husband like two years ago.  They got a divorce because of something he did to their daughter.  This "thing" happened like four years ago.  After this "thing" he did to her she started doing drugs.  She started at 14 but because she wanted to forget.  After two years of not telling anyone.  Psychiatrists therapists and everything she finally told her mom.  This thing weighed so heavy on this family.  Ever since she said it has been really hard trying to find happiness and unity.  The daughter is a lot better now but still has struggles.  We were really saddened to hear this but really happy to know what we have the thing that will bring them so much happiness and joy.  I am so excited for this family.  Remember how blessed we are to have this gospel in our lives.  We need to take this joy that we have and help the children of God that need our help.  I love you all so much.  Thank you so much for the prayers and support.

Always and forever,

Elder Hancock

Helaman 5:12

Email received 02/04/13

HEY FAMILIA!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow hey dad how was your trip to Adams wedding?

Wow I cant believe that Ivory Homes is forming part of a new stake!  That is great!  that means only one thing........THE CHURCH IS GROWING!!!!!!  What a blessing.  Seeing that really makes my testimony grow.  Well its raining right now.  I love the rain.  It was super hot earlier while we were playing soccer.  Its really nice for a cool down.  

Well this week was a harder week for us.  We had a special conferencia con Elder Nelson.  That was such an awesome experience.  Ever mission inside Mexico City was there in the MTC.  It was really cool.  The temple is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!  WOW!!!!!  It was such a cool thing when he walked in.  If there was anyone in that room that wasn't a member had to have felt something when he entered.  Just the spirit and peace they bring with them wherever they go is so touching.  Just the moment he walked in for me there was no denying that he was an Apostle of God.  He talked a lot about who we are as missionaries.  What our responsibility is.  He talked a lot about how we were all chosen before this life to come down and to find our brothers and sisters who do not have the gospel, and to bring them back to our Heavenly Father.  He talked about how we were chosen to come down in a world that is so evil and wicked and be a light.  A light for people who are pleading for help.  We were chosen before this life to prepare to the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It was truly a touching experience.  I am so grateful to have gone.  Plus I saw Elder Johnson whom I haven't seen since I left Cantera.  It was great! 

The next day we had a Junta with the whole zone.  The best most powerful one I have had in my mission so far.  One Elder talked about the Attributes of Christ.  How as representatives of Him we need to receive His countenance in us.  How this is how we are going to shine forth like a Light house to Lost seaman who cant find there way.  And then my zone leader talked.  He said a story about us finishing our missions and seeing our family, and then praying to our Heavenly Father to ask him if he is satisfied with our work we had done.  And then the awful feeling hitting us that we didn't do all that we could have.  That this feeling we will have to live with forever.  This story thing hit me so hard.  It really changed my mission.  I do not want to go with regrets.  I am not saying I am a bad missionary or that I haven't done all I could but still the thought of My Father in Heaven not being happy or satisfied with my work is something I do not want to feel.  Or to look in the eyes of my Mother for the first time in two years is something so special.  Giving all.  Every fiber we have and dedicate it to the Lord.  And not to come back to the altar.  As missionaries, as representatives of Jesus Christ we can not leave someone who is searching for the truth.  Not just as missionaries but all of us.  We have to do all that we can.  Give it all.  If someone needs our priesthood duty we need to be there.  If someone needs our comfort and care we need to be there.  Mas buscad primeramente el reino de Dios.  ( I don't know it in English).  This hit me so hard.  The spirit was there.  For me it was what are the little things I need to change or do different?  

This week was a hard week.  We didn't have a whole lot of success.  But that's alright.  The Zone leaders are all having us fast three times a week.  We are super excited because seeing the blessings of fasting is such a testimony builder.  Elder Tattersall lost his mission and his home card this past week.  So that was super hard for him.  But he alright we get new cards on Wednesday.  

I am so grateful for you all.  You are all such an inspiration.  But I ask you.  All of you to remember your Savior and Redeemer who died for each and Every one of you.  Remember Him every single day.   When life is hard enter your own Gethsemane like President Villarreal says, and ask your Father in Heaven to help you.  Your Lord will make your burdens light.  I love you all so much.  I carry around a picture of you all in my scriptures.  I show all my investigators.  "Look,  I will live with them forever.  Is this something you want?  To live together forever with your family?  But only through Christ is it possible.

Always and Forever,

Elder Hancock

Helaman 5:12

ps.  I get every letter From Sister Quartey.  I am so grateful for them.  

Email received 01/28/13

Hey family! 

That is so great to hear about Adam.  I cant believe he is getting married this week.  This week was a good week.  Yesterday was kind of a disappointing day.  A lot of people had said they were going to church but not one person showed up.  So that was kind of disappointing.  Its ok we just have to keep moving on and climbing those mountains in front of us.  We confirmed three people yesterday.  Really it is a gift that is so special.  Really it is such a special experience when we see the light fill someone's eyes.  Tomorrow we have a special Meeting with Elder Nelson Tomorrow.  We are all so excited.  All of the Missionaries in Mexico City are going.  We just found out Today.  We are all going to the MTC to see him.  I am super excited to see the temple.  The temple is outside our mission so we cant ever go.  But it will be great.

We have been teaching so many good people.  People who really a looking for this gospel in their lives.  One of the people we are teaching is Marisela.  Her husband left her years ago with 3 little kids.  We went by to see her and just seeing the hurt and pain and struggles in her eyes was really a humbling experience.  Just knowing how much this gospel will touch her heart and the burden and aches and pains will be made lighter through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Last week in our Meeting with our Zone,  the Zone Leaders told us about trials in our missions and compared them to Mountains.  They said that we all have these.  But every time we get to the top of these mountains we get closer to our Heavenly Father.  But if we never Had these mountains we would stay on flat ground and stay complacent.  He said that these trials these mountains in our lives make us stronger.  That we should ask our Heavenly Father to give us these trials.  This really opened up my eyes really touched me.  Because really the trials in my mission has made me different.  Better.  Changed me even.  And this is what we shared with Marisela.  When we have these trials in our lives without the gospel it is so hard to get over the mountain.  Maybe there is no point in climbing these mountains.  But with the gospel.  With the Atonement of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we will be lifted it will be made easy.  When we said this the spirit was so strong.  

Feeling the spirit so strong testifying of the truth is such a special experience.  It is the best feeling in the world being a tool in the Lords hands.  There is nothing in my  way in finding every single person the Lord wants me to find.  Yes it is hard.  Yeah I have had my share of difficulties but the good experiences outweigh the bad.  I am so grateful for the Atonement.  And what it really means in my life and in the lives of my investigators.  I feel so blessed.  So lucky to be In this great Mission.  Remember how much the Lord loves you.  Remember that He lives that He is on his knees pleading that we choose the right.  That we do all we can to make it back to him.  I love you.  Thank you for the prayers and support.  I love you all with all the fiber of my being.  

Always and Forever,

Elder Hancock

Helaman 5:12

This is our special Friend Rocky.  He's the dog of the owner of our house.  We tried giving him a bath today but it didn't work out to well.  Yeah he wasn't very happy with us.  So he doesn't look happy in this picture

Email received 01/21/13

Misión México Ciudad de México Oeste

Avenida Fuente de las Pirámides No. 1, Piso 1

Lomas de Tecamachalco, C.P. 53950

Naucalpan, Edo. de México

HOLA FAMILIA!!!!!!!

Como estan?  Oh pues perfecto!  Pues la dirrecion de los offecinas han cambiado.  Y aqui es la nuevo dirreciones.

Estoy muy Feliz que mama esta mejorando.  Just kidding I am not going to write the whole letter in Spanish.  Thank you for the lyrics for Come thou Fount.  My favorite.  Well this past week was really great.  We had two baptisms yesterday.  Gavina y Daniela.  Grandma and Grand daughter.  It was so amazing.  The rest of their family were baptized a few weeks ago.  This week we saw so many blessings from the Lord. 

We were walking down the street last Tuesday and a Husband and his wife stopped us.  Fransisco and Rosa Maria.  They asked us if we could go by their house and see them.  They told us that they were having a lot of money problems because Fransisco is only working a few times a week and his last job wont give him a months worth of pay.  It was really sad to hear that because that is exactly what happened with Roberto and Anayeli.  A months worth of pay is so little sometimes here but these people need to have it to literally live.  We went by a few days later but we couldn't find them.  It was so sad because we knew that they were in a really bad situation.  We looked for so long but just couldn't find them.  This week we had, had a hard time with finding people to teach.  And we had invited so many people to church but they all declined the invitation.  We kind of got sad this week because we had been working so hard but not a whole lot was happening.  So Saturday we fasted that we could have someone to come to church that really needed our help.  About five minuets before 11:00 we were standing by the gate and sure enough hear comes walking up Fransisco and Rosa Maria.  We were so happy and delighted to see them.  I knew in that moment that because we had put our faith and trust in the Lord Fransisco and Rosa Maria came to church.  Sacrament  was all about faith yesterday.  Ironic.  I think not.  It was such a testimony builder to me.  The Lord knows us.  All of us.  He knows what we need.  In sacrament and like all day yesterday Ether 12:6 was running through my head all day.  It was amazing to see that.  But the biggest thing I learned yesterday was to never doubt.  Doubt kills faith.  Where there is doubt faith does not exist.

It really comforts me to know that our Heavenly Father is always there.  There will never ever be a time when he abandons us.  He is always listening.  He always hears our prayers. But at times the Lord tries our faith.  Because when were are in the thick of our problems  When it feels as if the world is falling Where do we turn to?  Who do we turn to?  He is there always.  He will never leave.  But it is not just when we are in these problems do we need to have the faith and rely on the Lord it is when life is great.  When we are receiving countless blessings.   We shouldn't wait for those problems.  For me that is where the true of heart is.  I love you all.  I feel the love and support from each of you every day.  I love you with all my heart.

Always and forever,

Elder Hancock
Helaman 5:12

email received 01/14/13

Hi family!!!!

I opened up my Christmas package a few days ago.  AWESOME.  The Letters of coarse made my day.  But so did the Chocolate and the Peanut Butter and Jam.  I am going to try to make it last a while.  Well longer than a week.  Haha just kidding.  At least two months.  I loved the Batman jet thing and the legos.  And the Toy Story and Star Wars thing.  (good move Buddy Eli)  Yeah sweet. 

So I am super glad that Mom is doing better after her blood transfusion.  That picture of me in front of that wall really touched me in a deep way.  You all know that I loved to give blood before my mission.  But the reason why is really mainly because of Eli.  And now because of Mom.  That there really are people that need the blood and organs and stuff and so that is what it reminded me of.  But also of Christ.  It was a Catholic thing that I was standing in front of but it really does have an amazing message.  Where it says "a blood donor saved my life",  Christ knows exactly how we feel.  He bled from every pore because the pain he felt was so great.  That really he gave his blood for us.  Without Christ and the Atonement it is impossible. 

It is really nice to know that you all are doing well.  Well I am really sorry about my email last week.  It was super weak.  It has a great story behind it.  Last week after I got here from Tejupilco I played soccer with the whole Zone.  (It was really fun by the way)  After we came and Emailed.  During this time I started to feel really bad.  Light headed and sick to my stomach.  We went to WalMart after to buy some food.  I thought it was just because my body needed food because I had not eaten anything that day and I just had some cookies to eat the night before because we gave all our food away to Roberto and Anayeli.  But while we were at WalMart I felt like I had to puke.  And as we were running to the bathroom I puked in the middle of WalMart.  Yeah one of my worst fears came to life.  But after we went home and slept for a bit.  After we went out to see the Bishop to meet him and stuff.  I puked there too.  At least this time it was in a toilet.  We tried working after that but I did not feel too good.  We went home after that and I laid down and slept.  While I slept Elder Tattersal (My new companion) called Hermana Villarreal.  She told him all of the things I needed to do.   When I woke up it was like 10:00 at night.  He had told me that the Zone leaders were on there way over to give me a shot.  Because Elder McCallister was an EMT before his mission and knew how to give me a certain kind of shot.  Well they got there and he was like "well Elder I have to give you a shot in the Butt."  Yep fear number two came to life.  Getting poked in the butt....by a man.  Yeah this week was pretty awesome.  Thanks to the shot I feel great now.  The day after that I still had a fever but I was not throwing up.  We still don't know why I got sick.  I am pretty sure it wasn't food but Quien Sabe. 

My new Companion Elder Tattersal is kind of a pain but is really great.  He has six months in the Mission.  He is from Arizona.  But its kind of been hard this week with him.  I found out this week that he doesn't want to work.  And so animating him has been hard.  But he is really funny. 

On Saturday we found this man that told us a story that really touched me.  He told us a story about a man that was a drunk and did a lot of bad things.  He abused his wife and his kids and all of that kind of stuff.  It was super sad.  After that he told us that amidst all of his wrong doings he and his wife found out that his 12 year old son had cancer.  After months and months of hardship and pain and doctor after doctor.  Even the best doctors from the United States came.  But no one could do anything for him.  One night after a long dose of therapy the little boy knew he was going to die.  And the little boy said that it was ok for Heavenly Father to take him.  But he asked that He would take care of his family, that He would change the heart of his dad.  Later that night he passed away.  The grief and pain was there but it changed his father.  He stopped all the wrong things he was doing.  That sweet little prayer changed the life of his father.  He later told us that that little boy was his son. 

This story touched my heart deeply.  The fact that his Little sweet prayer changed the heart of his father.  I pondered and pondered deeply about this story.  This Little boy had a love and charity that is so hard to find these days.  It is true.  Love and Charity.  Without these things we are nothing.  This Little boy is an example to me of Christ Like love.  Even while writhing in pain he was focused on his family.  That last thought he had while in his mortal body was focused on his family.  Just like Christ and his last words.  "Forgive them Father.  For they know not what to do."  I love this story.  For me it tells me what the Pure love of Christ really is.  I ask you to let every action you make be focused on love.  I know without a doubt that if we strive to do this.  If we strive to let our actions be driven by love for the remainder of our lives we will find ourselves in the Celestial Kingdom with our family.  Let this story touch you.  Let it sink down to the very depths of your hearts.  Like it did with mine.  Remember Christ and his last words his last actions driven by love.  I love you all so much.  Thank you for the love and support.

Always and forever,

Elder Hancock

Helaman 5:12

Ps.  Mom can you send me the Lyrics to Come thou Fount?  and put it in the email I love you

email received 01/07/13

Hi mom

This week was an awesome week.  On New Years eve we went to Toluca to celebrate.  We went and played soccer for a little bit.  And then we went inside and wached a few movies.  We watched the new Madegascar movie and a movie called the Ultiment Gift.  They were really good.  The Ultimo Gift was such an inspireing movie.  I have seen that movie before my mission and I loved it.  After we ate a ton.  It was a really good time.  I couldnt sleep that night because there was a lot of parties going on and loud music and fireworks and stuff.  

We have really been blessed this week.  We have been working so hard to baptize.  This last week we worked so hard.  And on saterday we baptized a mom and her daughter.  Brenda and Yoselyn.  They are such a special little family.  We asked brenda if she would be baptized on saterday but she said no at first.  Then she told us that she felt something in her stomach and her chest.  She said a wave of peace swept over her and she said she would be baptized.  Two days later she was.  It was such a special experience for us.  And in turn it was such a special day.  Yoselyn had her birthday that same day too.  So we went out and bought a cake.  It was such a miricle.  The Lord blessed us.  We are so 

thankful for that.

We had changes today.  It was a big surprise for us.  Elder Machen and I both left Tejupilco.  I am now back in DF in a place called Chapultapec.  It is such a change.  I really didnt want to leave Tejupilco.  Really because of the faimilies there.  We never got to baptize Roberto and Anayeli.  we were super sad about that.  It was such a hard task to leave that family.  Anayeli is not working right now and Roberto does not have a job.  And so right now they litterally dont have anything.  But we went out saterday night and bought them food.  And we gave them food left over from our house.  But they  are going to be just fine.  They have such a desire to be baptized.  The Lord will bless them for that.  Sorry this isnt very long.  I cant consentrate very well and am not feeling to good.  All is well here.  I am doing great.  I love you all so much.  Thank you for all that you do.  You all are my drive.  

Always and forever

Elder Hancock

Helaman 5:12

ps.  I need money  and i got those packages

pl

email received 12/31/12

Hi family,


Well We are writing super early today so sorry about that.  We are going to Toluca at 11:30 and there is a lot of stuff we have to do before then.  So yeah sorry about that.  It was so good to hear from you all last week.  It made me so happy to hear you all.  I am really happy to hear that you all are doing fine and well.  I really love and appreciate the love and support that I get from you all. 

This week was awesome .  Elder Machen and I worked so hard this past week.  This past week we have a few cool stories.  We received a reference from one of our investigators.  We went by and talked to him for a bit.  He told us that we was studying  with the Jehovah's Witnesses.  So we decided to teach the Restoration.  It was such a powerful lesson.  The Spirit was there so strong.  It was like you could like float on clouds.  It was like a thick heavy fog.  That you can't see.  But when we recited the First vision we knew without a doubt that he was feeling the Spirit.  He told us after that that he felt something wash over him.  From his head down to his toes.  He then told us that the picture that we were holding of Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appearing to him, at first he only saw white where Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ were  but then as we recited the first vision he saw them come into the picture slowly .  He described it as someone taking away the blind fold from his eyes.  He said that he had never felt anything like that in his entire life.  It was such an amazing experience. 

Yesterday we had one of our investigators go to church, Brenda.  It really was a miracle.  She said she was going to try to go.  But she went yesterday.  She really has such a desire to follow Christ.  She has a drinking problem, but through Christ nothing is impossible.  We are going to interview her on Wednesday so that she can be baptized on Sunday with her daughter. 

Last night we visited Roberto.  He was alone.  Anayeli and their kids, Jason and Madaline, were gone eating dinner with the family of Anayeli.  He was super sad.  He doesn't have a job and the last job that he had won't give him a month of pay that he earned.  Their money situation is getting worse and worse.  We told him that he needs to be baptized.  That through this covenant the Lord will bless him.  He has been doing everything he can.  And he is doing everything he needs to.  Praying with his family and  personally.  Reading the Book of Mormon everyday. Everything but baptism.  We told him that this will bless his life so much.  They can't get baptized because Anayeli needs to get divorced.  But she is afraid to talk to her mother in law.  So Roberto suggested that we go with her this morning to talk to her ex mother in law.  We felt really good about that so that is exactly what we are going to do. 

I love you all so much.  I am so grateful for you all. 

Thank you.

Always and forever

Elder Hancock
Helaman 5:12