January 22, 2013

 

February 2, 2013 Update

So here's the story behind this picture Elder Higgins writes:

"The English Elders have these investigators, but we went and visited them last week because they have a grandpa that speaks Spanish.  They are a really cool family.  Anyway, the guys daughter likes him to put the cat in the bag and then they put it in a stroller and the daughter pushes it around and laughs.  This just happened to go down while we were there.  It was really funny and cute.  I feel like the cat doesn't really enjoy it though...........but I thought it was cool so I had them take a picture of me and the cat and sent it to you.

There are alot of dogs loose here.  We pretty much got attacked by one the other day!  It was wild, luckily it wasn't too mean.  I'm sorry you probably didn't want to hear that......"

Hot Peppers and Harvesting Blessings

January 22, 2013:  Elder Higgins writes....

.........."The other night as we were eating with the other spanish Elders at a members house someone asked, "Hermana, what's in the salsa?" Because it was pretty hot. Then the Hermana brought out these little peppers. They were super tiny. Like, 3 centimeters or so, and bright red. Well, another Elder suggested that we all eat one. So we did. Of course. They were super super hot. We were all crying. My companion's face was probably as red as the peppers. We were hiccuping. It reminded me of my Farewell day, except we didn't have Ice Cream to numb the fire. It was pretty funny. The Hermana got a kick out of it."  (***Note: there is a photo of the pepper challenge on this blog and a crazy video floating around on facebook, what is it with hot peppers??)

 

.......We are tracting a lot more and we are searching for new people. So, that's always a good thing! We do this thing called the Harvesting Blessing. It's where we basically introduce ourselves and representatives of Jesus Christ and we ask them if we can come into their house and give their home and family a blessing from Jesus Christ. We go in and we discuss what they might be looking for in life, and then we explain that we are going to pray by the authority and power of Jesus Christ, the Priesthood, and we explain it a littlebit, how it was lost, and restored. Then we pray for them. It is really neat! It's also a good way to get to know people and present our message. And who can turn down a blessing from Jesus?....

I am growing so much out here, and I'm super thankful for this opportunity! Thanks to you guys I can share this Gospel with the whole world! Much Love!!

Love, Elder Higgins

January 7, 2013

Well Hello!

It is Transfer day today. The day every six weeks where all the missionaries get switched around. I'm still getting Trained in good ol' Riverside with Elder Littlewood, so nothing too big is changing.

.........We got invited to, like, 4 dinners last night because Elder Solorzano, and Elder Ramos are leaving, and everyone wanted to say good bye, and then they pretty much forced us to come along with them. But I guess in some Spanish cultures on the 6th of January they eat this bread stuff & in the middle of it, hidden in some of the pieces, is baby Jesus. Whoever gets baby Jesus in their piece of bread has to make tamales, and throw a party or something. We were lucky enough to participate in this tradition at one of the houses. Elder Solorzano, and Ramos got baby Jesus. Too bad they're leaving and can't make tamales... I was super full by the end of the night! It was great!

We found some new people that we have taught, and we are going back to see this week. Exciting!? You better believe it! Our lesson with Erica went well this week. She is super nice, and has a real desire to do want is right. We went in there and taught the Plan of Salvation, but about half way through she wanted to know what the 10 commandments were. That brought up a whole new discussion. She wants to get baptized, but it's hard for her to live a few of the 10 commandments. I never realized how hard it would be for people to change some of these things, because they've done all this stuff their whole life and it's a part of who they are, or so they think. I always think of the words the Savior says in the New Testament a lot, that, "Whosoever shall save his life, shall lose it, but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it." or something like that. The Gospel is the only true source for happiness, and a life lived with real purpose. There is a quote on pg 72 of "Our Search For Happiness" which is really good. I can't remember what it says... but I know it's on pg 72, and it's about quality life. Look it up or something. It's Boss! Anyway, I should share that with her, because it's something everyone should know. I'm realizing more than ever, now, that the more you give to the Lord, the greater and more blessed life will be!

 

Love, Elder Higgins

 

**Note from Elder Higgins Mom:  The quote is on page 74 not 72 here it is "The quality of our lives." It's an interesting phrase.  I suspect most people think of this concept in terms of the comforts and conveniences they enjoy.  But I prefer to think that the quality of our lives has more to do with substance than style.  A quality life is one that positively influences others and makes the world around it a better place in which to live.  A quality life is one that is constantly growing, expanding its horizons and enlarging its borders.  A quality life is one that is filled with love and loyalty, patience and perseverance, kindness and compassion.  A quality life is one that is based on eternal potential and not confined to this life only. A quality life is a life well-lived. (Our Search for Happiness, M. Russell Ballard)

Christmas Eve 2012 - Can you find Elder Higgins?

Hint - he's in the back.......

Happy New Year - January 3, 2013

Email from January 3, 2013

 

Let's see, I was in bed when the new year came. We had to go to bed at the usual ten thirty. The 1st was another none proselyting day, of sorts. We had our all our studies, and then they had us clean out apartments, and then we had a zone activity that afternoon at 6. We played basketball, and volleyball, and some other fun games! It was fun!

It was definately different spending Christmas away from home. After talking with you guys, which was awesome, I loved seeing everyone's faces, I realized how much I missed all of you! I got really homesick! Just knowing you guys were all together back home with out me made me miss it a ton, but getting back into the work this week has got my mind off of it, so I'm good now :)

I did feel, more than any other Christmas, closer to Christ this year. Because I felt what it means to sacrifice. I wanted to be home, but I was in some house, far from home, where I barely even understood what was going on.. But I also felt closer to Him because I know that what ever I felt on Christmas of sacrifice is just a tad bit of what He went through as He took the worlds pains upon Himself. For that, I was so grateful.

This has just been a normal week so far. I went on another exchange, but this time with Elder Erickson, and we were in our area. That means I had to do most the talking in Spanish, because Elder Erickson didn't speak any Spanish. It was a good learning experience because I didn't have Elder Littlewood there to come to the rescue if I didn't know what was going on. We have been teaching some of the same people, although this week it was hard to visit people because everyone was so busy. We have taught Ericka, that girl I told you about on Christmas, 3 times so far. Our second lesson with her last week was pretty cool. It was the first time I could feel the spirit in a lesson. I could actually feel it working with us! It was really neat. I'm excited to keep on teaching her. She really needs the Gospel in her life. She has had a really rough life, and I know it will help her. I want her to know what it feels like to know she is a child of God, and to understand what that really means. We have a lesson with her tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

Love, Elder Higgins

Merry Christmas Elder Higgins

These are all the packages mailed to the Riverside, CA Mission Office waiting for the Elders to pick them up at the Christmas Eve Talent Show/Devotional, hope Elder Higgins boxes are in there somewhere!!



Elder Higgins got to call briefly on Christmas Eve to confirm the time for his Christmas Day phone call.  So good to hear his voice, we talked about the talent show that afternoon at the mission office.  We talked about the vintage guitar Elder Higgins got at the pawn shop on P-Day, the mission president will allow guitars so he found one, and said he had been able to play Silent Night and Come Thou Fount by ear.  He will have a short time each day to play and for those of you who know Elder Higgins you know how much he loves to play the guitar.

Christmas Day 2012: The best  present was being able to see Elder Higgins by Skype and talk to him for a nice long visit.  We all gathered in front of the computer so he could see us!  He and some other Elders were at a members home using their cell phones, computers and ipads to talk to family members back home!  He looked good.  He is enjoying California.  He talked about his new trainee study schedule, they do not leave their apartment till 1:00 pm each as they have personal scripture study time, companion study time and Spanish language study time.  This will be his schedule for the remainder of the twelve week training period.  He said they have lots of dinner appointments, but that he had not gained any weight yet.  He told us about the investigators they are teaching now and funny stories of day to day mission life.  He did get his Christmas presents and had opened them before he called.  He bore his testimony to us in Spanish.  He loves the work and the opportunity to bring souls to Christ.

Holiday Adventures of Missionary Bear

Happy Thanksgiving

Turkey Legs are Elder Higgins Favorite

Merry Christmas

Happy New Year!!