February 23, 2015~"May Your Choices Reflect Your Hope, Not Your Fears"

1. So Eden sent some pictures of you guys cutting an older guys hair...so do you guys do that often or just that time?  She also said you washed his hair.  Is he a member?
Mom apart from being a missionary...I'm a part time barber of course! hahah no just that time.  He is not a member and  we were hoping it would help him change his life but it didn't... he smoked a cigarette right after.

2. You talked about Hubert and where you have a baptism date for him....Is he hesitant about getting baptized or you just worried about things going through?
No he is all for it.  He is solid I tell you but we just found out we will delaying it again because his girl wants her aunt to be here from the states and she can't make it till April....women! I have to stay another change to be there...I'm begging President Hintze

3. Do they do anything with Valentines Day there? Decorations? 
Nah they celebrate but nothing special

Happy to hear about the other successes as well and hearing feedback me and Elder Paulson aren't being too crazy with the tourists haha. Yeah crazy how fast the time is passing...me and Elder P always talk about it... how we pretty much started together and now look at us running out of time!

Well this week was a little frustrating but a good learning experience! We had our new ZL Elder Walton come on interchanges for a couple days but I didn't go with him. He is a chill guy too so we kept the party going. Me and Elder Paulson went on interchanges again because the ZL went with my comp and it was fun.  We taught some crazy people, this one guy who tried telling us doctors are the real drug dealers not him hahaha. We teach really well together just like me and my comp!

Lets see what else happened this week...church was rough... no tourists and actually not a lot of people...we had a lot of potentials but in the morning everyone texted me and told me a whole bunch of excuses why they couldn't go. Then we have been having some branch problems and last Hubert's wedding being postponed till April. But the thing I learned is that through this whole journey is to always be happy. How? Each night I can pour everything out to God and leave it on him and he happily accepts it... that is why his son suffered for us, so that we could actually put our burdens on him. He won't always take away our burdens but he will definitely help us out with them and make us stronger.  All he says is to be of good cheer and have faith in him. I guess you could say thats my secret for being so happy all the time. I have never had a harder time in my life but I also have never been so happy... weird to think about! Remember no work for the Lord is in vain.  W will keep moving forward, party hard, and love life haha.  I hope I didn't leave anything out but gotta go... love you mom and peeps! 

Elda Clev

Giving Haircuts

Made a Birthday Cake for Eden

Elder Cleverly and Elder Paulson...buddies for life!

Elder Cleverly is LOVED by the members

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February 16, 2015~ "By Helping Others Come Unto Him, You will Find That You Have Come Unto Him Yourself"

1. Is Eden one of Alba's relatives?  She really enjoys having you there and doesn't want you to leave.  
Yeah she is Alba's sister.  She is super cool.  I tell her she is my sista! She always cooks good food and I told her she should be my personal chef! 

2. How long has Elder Tojin been out?
Elder Tojin has been out the same amount of time as Stin so like 14 months or something?

3. Any people you are teaching that are receptive?
Yeah we have a lot actually... some good potential just hard keeping up with them all

Yeah every day is a party with us here on the island haha. We are eating really good, some rice in coconut milk sauce...oh divine! Glad you guys are enjoying your trip, me and Paulson wanna take a Lake Powell trip when I get home so we'll see what happens.

This week was of course another fun one. We had more time to work and got a lot done. Also you know we had to sooner or later but me and Elder Paulson went on interchanges and had the time of our lives teaching people, harrassing people and just being the goons we are ahha.  As a report of the area, we are still working with a guy named Hubert to get married and baptized the 10 of March so keep him in your prayers ...the guy is freakin solid I'm telling you. This Sunday we had a huge group of tourists come and guess where they were from? L-town!!! I didn't know anyone but it was still cool to see people reppin from my hood! They actually gave the talks in church too so it was nice. They were really good people and some even left their clothes for us to give to others... gotta love that Christlike love! They also tried setting me up in the future with one of their nieces who goes to Northridge right now.. (awkward) hahah she a senior and plays soccer. We also spent our whole Sunday helping President Lammey (our branch president) move out of his house because he got kicked out. He had a notice since November but yeah didn't really plan very well. Sad it had to be that way and now he has nowhere to go.  Right now he is in a hotel for a couple days and his stuff is chillin at the church but no idea what the next step is...gotta love out of country missions! Well that was pretty much the week hope everything is good... love you Mom and guys as always and keep reppin it!

Elda Clev

Learning to make powder buns

Iguanas!  They are hard to catch!

Family Home Evening with Eden and the Fam

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February 9, 2015~"Life is a Series of Thousands of Tiny Miracles...Notice Them"

1.  Why are the Aldens leaving again so soon?
Not sure ...but they'll be back tomorrow

2. So who is your new companion? 
Elder Tojin


3.  When you went over the do interchanges with the ZL's in Belize City...Did you get to see Stin? 
Yeah I did.  I see him every week

4.  Thanks for the pics of your place...wow..its a pretty nice place...almost doesn't look like a place in Central America! 
Our place is really nice im livin good!!

I'm not doing so hot on time right now so I'll just go to what went on in my week....

So as you know changes were a little crazy this time.  My comp is Elder Tojin.  He is from Guatemala but unlike any comp I have had, his 1st language is actually mayan... its so cool! He is a convert to the church and no one else in his family are members. Like the rest of the guys he is really cool and funny and I will yet again not seem to have any problems! Also for changes Elder Paulson is now here with me haha! I know you and his mom are probably so nervous to see any pictures that will be sent these next 6 weeks haha... so it definitely is gonna be a party here on the island!

I am super stoked for all the new things and being able to still work hard. We had District conference this week and streamed it live from here so we could have people actually see it. We had 46 come which isn't that bad at all, though the sounds and connection were not the best.  Also this week we got to finally see "Meet the Mormons" with president Hintze ...we did just our zone... what a cool movie!  My favorite part may be the start hahaha.

As for any other changes, Stin is still in Belize City and Elder Purser too.  He actually ends this change... crazy! Probably the last comp I will see die! I'm sure anything else I missed you can see if Elder Paulson was able to report haha. Oh and also the people have been awesome!  We only ate once in the house this whole week... all the rest we ate with people who invited us to eat or with tourist members! haha...Its weird to say the most awkward moments on the mission are when tourists take you out to eat and you see other tourists who invited you to eat at a future time there too hahaa! Tomorrow we get to eat again with tourists too!

I can't think of anything else that happened so I will close up. Love all you guys at home, Love you Mom and hope everything goes well this week!

...Oh and also we were in Belize City and there was a Harley Davidson Convention thing across the street from the church...I was looking out for Mike's parents but they weren't there haha and we went and the people loved us haha...I will send pics

Elda Clev

Night Boat Ride-Elder Paulson, Elder Tojin, Elder Cleverly

"Biker Gang" 

Reyes Family Girls

"Beach Bums"~ Elder Paulson and Elder Cleverly

"Bringing in the Benjamins"

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February 2, 2015~ "You are Never Too Old to set another Goal or to Dream a new Dream"

1.  How often do you get to see the Aldens?  Sounds like fun getting to eat at the Aldens house.

At least once a week but they live so far.  They are leaving the country though again

2.  So changes are this week....is anyone there leaving?

Yeah my comp Elder Tello and Elder Gonzalez

So yeah I heard about the Superbowl from all the many bars haha... the one across the street has a huge screen and I was able to see the very end right after evening church... so lame...I hate the Patriots!

That's awesome about Morgan and Brooklen and I wish them the best on their missions!

Crazy your already talking about going to Elder Paulson's farewell because he is only one change ahead of me but I love that guy.  He is so cool and I wish I could have served with him.

Anyways my week was nuts as usual. So I went on interchanges with the ZLs this week and when we do interchanges its for a couple of days... So I left to Belize City Tuesday and was supposed to work there till Thursday but things got screwed up and I had to stay an extra day. Haha I was really missing the island too and then got told I had to stay another day.  It made me really disappointed. Belize City is cool and crazy but there is something about San Pedro...I just love the people we visit...They appreciate us more and I feel more loved here. Also I hardly got to work with Elder Tello and we find out he is going back to El Salvador along with Elder Jack and Elder Hiatt so all my comps so far in Belize are leaving.

Ill be honest, I'm really nervous for this upcoming change because with this change I will be the Elder in charge of the island and have to oversee and make sure everything runs smooth. Elder Gonzalez was the one who did all that with 6 months on the island but me with only 1 and a half?   I feel like President trusts me though to do a good job and I will be in constant contact with Elder Alden so hopefully we do work. Also with so many problems in the Branch, its gonna be a challenge, but hey that's why I'm here and in the Branch Presidency... to help people out.

Sometimes I think all the problems are going away and then more come...I'm just grateful I have no personal problems and that I can just focus on my work here. Well that is all I got for this week... love you guys and Mom... hope everything goes great!

Elda Clev

The Missionaries of San Pedro~ Elder Tello, Elder Cleverly, Elder Valledares, Elder Gonzalez

Elder Cleverly's Kitchen

   

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January 26, 2015~"Always Remember to Fall Asleep with a Dream and Wake Up with a Purpose"

1. Do you eat at members homes there very often?
We have been finding some houses that feed us. One member always takes care of us if we need food or anything

2. What have you learned the most since you have been there on San Pedro?
How to run a Branch ahaha

The little boys would want to see every high school in the whole state haha!

Thats really sad about Alexis's bro.  If you have the chance tell her I'll be praying for her and her family... thats a hard thing to deal with... gosh I hate that kind of news!

Its really cool that there are people still preppin for missions.  I haven't heard from Brooklen in awhile.  I don't know whats up but glad to hear she will get her call. 

Thanks for going over to Bens.  I love hearing how they are doing and whats up with them. Like I told you right when I get home I'm gonna have to make a trip down there and see him and his new family.  It would be cool to go see Elder Hiatt's homecoming... he could be going back to El Salv next week!

Anyways my week was really good. We had another improved attendance! And we were able to confirm Ruth Staine (her husband couldn't because he had to cover someone for work.  Other fun stuff is we had another incident with the church haha... the door was left open by the worker who came to cut the yard and he stayed the night there and a member told us at 10 pm that the door was open so we ran over and were scared someone would be robbing inside so I had a bat and Elder Tello his pepper spray haha .. we found the guy sleeping and just about beat him up until my comp recognized it was the worker who cuts the yard from another Branch.

We also had interviews with President and he flew out here to do them. They were the best ones I have had yet with them. I cannot tell you how cool I feel to be trusted so much by a man called by God. I realized that we are some of the most trusted missionaries out here to be here on the island because we have to do a lot! We also had a cool experience to set apart Sis. Alden as a missionary because it hadn't been done. I probably will never get that opportunity again! Speaking of the Aldens, we also went and ate at their home this week which is kinda far but super nice! It was a fun experience. Well that is all I really got... love you guys and momma! hasta la vista!


Elda Clev

FHE @ Albas Hotel!!!

Me and my Nieto (grandson) Elder Valledares singin some tunes!

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January 19, 2015~ "Knowing What's Right Doesn't Mean Much Unless You Do What's Right"

1.  Did the Aldens get back? Did you get all your stuff I sent?
Yes they did and Yeah I did

2.  Were you able to have the baptisms this weekend?
Yup!


Yeah it was really sad about Alba...she was an awesome person and  I am blessed to say I got to know her.  Her family seems to be doing better.  We visit them almost everyday and they told me to tell you guys hi and to pray for them. Glad to hear Stock is staying busy and working out... he needs to.

Thats so crazy Jacob comes home... man everyone is!
Tell Kae thats awesome that she did good and I'm proud of her and Ryan too for finally getting things done! haha

Well there isn't a word that could describe my week this week. For starts, yes we had the baptism and everything went good!!! The Staine family were so happy and it was so cool to get in the ocean too haha. There were a lot of tourists in church this week which boosted our attendance and all of them were saying how cool everything was from being on the island to baptizing in the ocean... Man I don't think my mission could get better! haha I love it here on the island and the people are awesome.  Some of them even say in their prayers for us to stay here a couple more months haha! Right after the baptism we had the funeral service which had the chapel packed all the way into the hallway. When they left they walked the body to the grave site...  we were locking up the church to go with them and we found one of the main doors was so rusted on the hinge that we couldn't shut it and it ripped out the whole door and the frame! So we had to stay and keep the church safe from anything and put bags around it for the whole rest of the day and even had to stay the night there too! haha... it was terrible having to sleep on the hard ground with a baseball bat (yes we had weapons like a slingshot, and bats) and I kept waking up the whole time because I heard noises. Note to self I can't be a security guard. But nothing happened thank goodness and it was a fun experience for sure haha. Well that was pretty much the week all is good here and now its time to move on with the work! Love you guys and love and thanks mom for the nice ties too!  

Elda Clev

Staines Baptisms

Baptism in the Ocean

Special Day for the Staines

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January 12, 2015~ "You will Never Influence the World by Trying to be Like it"

1.   So you got to make your favorite cake...I didn't think you even knew how to make it....did you have all the ingredients?
psh...I'm smart duh! We had all the ingredients and have made it like 3 times now haha

2.   Where you are in a tourist area...Have you talked to very many tourists?
No we don't talk really to the tourists


Wow Kalen is home?! What?...where is the time going?! This week definitely went by really fast which was weird... seems like I can never sit still so time just flies! Yeah get Stock to get into lifting and all he needs to. I'm mad you didn't get to meet with the Aldens but yeah they called me and it was so weird because I was like they are at my house right now haha.

So my week was awesome! We finally got our butts in gear and did a ton of work this week and were able to see more successes! We had 4 investigators in church and were able to get the attendance to 55! More good news is we should ...if all goes well... be having a baptism this Sunday.  We are baptizing the Staine Family who are a young couple so pray for them! Also some bad news is there is a member here named Alba Velasquez... she was one of the 1st members on the island, but she is physically disabled and has more faith than any other person I have met. Well she had been sick and ended up going to the mainland in the hospital for an infection in her lungs and has been put in a medically induced coma... if you guys could pray for her it would be awesome. Her family used to be super active but now they are struggling...although they did come to church this week.   They have already lost a brother/son a month ago so please pray for them! That pretty much was my week.  We found a lot of new people and did tons of work! I went on interchanges this week and when we do interchanges the ZLs stay here for a couple days so I was without my companion for 2 days. Anyways everything is going great and we are really hoping for this baptism and for the Aldens to come back haha. Thanks for the support and love, love you mom and family!

Elda Clev

Elder Tello, Elder Clev, Elder Gonzalez and Elder Ford

Elder Rinderknecht, Elder Tello, Pres. Lammy, Elder Clev in the chapel of the church in San Pedro.
It was dedicated less than 1 year ago.

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