Hello Family and Friends!
This week we had a whole lot of companion transfers for the day. It was fun to be with all the different companionships. I learned so many new skills from each one of them. We went to Yopal as a secret this week. That means we didn't tell the missionaries there that we were coming. We showed up at the door and they were like oh shoot! haha! I got to work in my old area for the day there. It was great to be back in the old area.
Im studying a lot in Doctrine & Covenants Lately. It's such an exciting book. The Lord is literally talking through it! From reading and pondering a lot I've gained a greater and more powerful testimony that Joseph Smith truly was a prophet called of God to help restore God's true church on the earth today. Like our prophet today Russell M. Nelson it's so cool to think that he really talks with God face to face!!
We are teaching a lady names Liliana Mona. She is 52 years old. We found her contacting in the street. She's from Colombia but she was living in Venezuela. She had to come back because of all the bad things happening there. She's now working as a house maid just to make ends meet. She got really excited hearing about the Book of Mormon. She loves loves loves to read the Bible so it was something new for her that she wanted to discover. We decided to bring her with us to teach her in the house of Emperatriz Jimenez (Member). Emperatriz was so sweet through out the entire lesson. Whenever she would talk with Liliana about the church she would hype her up to get baptized haha. She kept saying, "Liliana after your BAPTISM you're going to be so happy" or "Liliana i know this BAPTISM is going to bless your families life". They were just simple little phrases, and that was all that was needed to invite the spirit in to that lesson. She has a very strong testimony. I love how almost every sentence she said was centered on Baptism. That is the door to open up all these wonderful many blessing that our Heavenly Father has in store. Liliana got very excited after talking with her and hearing her testimony. She told us that she wants to be baptized on the 5th of January! I'm so happy for her!
I love God, I love his teachings, I love his plan, and I'm so grateful to be apart of his work!
Love you all!
Elder Horton
Monday, December 17, 2018
Monday, December 10, 2018
Mission Week 50, Sogamoso Week 3, "Studying from the Scriptures"
Elder Oliveira and I started off the week by traveling to Yopal. It was fun to be able to go back to the old area. It's great to be able to help and learn from the companionships in the zone.
This week Colombia celebrated "El Dia de Velitas" Everyone buys candles and places them all over their houses and they light them all up. It's also a tradition here to drink wine and eat crackers for the rest of the night. Everyone basically gets drunk. What I've heard from a lot of the members here is that The 7th of December the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she was going to be the mother of Jesus. It was cool though because everyone was pretty friendly that night! We also light up some candles and put them outside our window!
We've started heading towards the farm areas in our proselyting area here in Sol. Our area is filled with farms farms farms and lots of dogs that love to attack you. Them puppers are scary looking things. We Don't proselyte where the farms are in the night time because the dogs will eat us.
Something that I've recognized from this week is the importance of knowing what you're studying. Before my mission I knew a lot of the stories in the BOM but,
Something that I enjoyed this week was studying form the scriptures, but studying by using the maps that the scriptures contain. It's gives me a better view and helps me to understand the stories from them. It makes it more real for me as well. I imagine myself that I'm there with these people of old. Sitting off to the side with popcorn in my hands just watching everything go on. Read the scriptures! BUT! Make sure you understand what you're reading and what's going on, who's talking, where are the people, what year is it, everything! I promise you it will make your scripture study a much more thrilling experience! You will also gain a greater testimony of the truthfulness of the doctrine, and have a greater desire to share it with others!
One experience from studying in this way, is when my comp and I were teaching some new investigators that we had found on the street. We knocked on the door and they invited us in the share our message with them. As we explained the Book of Mormon we helped them to understand where this book came from, how old it is, what it contains (The story of Jesus Christ coming the America) etc...we wanted them to understand the importance of the gift that we brought them that day. As they understood their desire to start to read, and pray grew instantly. It was amazing to see the excitement of their faces that there are more answers to the questions we have, more blessings to receive, more knowledge to gain! Helping them understand invited the spirit into the lesson to help testify to their hearts that the message we bring is true! Their names are Yorani, Jesus, and their daughter Stefany. It's a small, but beautiful little family. I'm happy to see them grow their knowledge in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Love you all! Have a great week! Go scrutinize and get more knowledge haha!
Elder Horton
Impressions of Sogamoso:
1. The dogs here are big and scary, and always want to attack you
2. The sun here burns! It's probably the first time in my life that I've made the decision myself to put on sunblock haha.
3. People here eat every part of every kind of animal. I ate Pigs feet! It was actually pretty dang good!
This week Colombia celebrated "El Dia de Velitas" Everyone buys candles and places them all over their houses and they light them all up. It's also a tradition here to drink wine and eat crackers for the rest of the night. Everyone basically gets drunk. What I've heard from a lot of the members here is that The 7th of December the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she was going to be the mother of Jesus. It was cool though because everyone was pretty friendly that night! We also light up some candles and put them outside our window!
We've started heading towards the farm areas in our proselyting area here in Sol. Our area is filled with farms farms farms and lots of dogs that love to attack you. Them puppers are scary looking things. We Don't proselyte where the farms are in the night time because the dogs will eat us.
Something that I've recognized from this week is the importance of knowing what you're studying. Before my mission I knew a lot of the stories in the BOM but,
Something that I enjoyed this week was studying form the scriptures, but studying by using the maps that the scriptures contain. It's gives me a better view and helps me to understand the stories from them. It makes it more real for me as well. I imagine myself that I'm there with these people of old. Sitting off to the side with popcorn in my hands just watching everything go on. Read the scriptures! BUT! Make sure you understand what you're reading and what's going on, who's talking, where are the people, what year is it, everything! I promise you it will make your scripture study a much more thrilling experience! You will also gain a greater testimony of the truthfulness of the doctrine, and have a greater desire to share it with others!
One experience from studying in this way, is when my comp and I were teaching some new investigators that we had found on the street. We knocked on the door and they invited us in the share our message with them. As we explained the Book of Mormon we helped them to understand where this book came from, how old it is, what it contains (The story of Jesus Christ coming the America) etc...we wanted them to understand the importance of the gift that we brought them that day. As they understood their desire to start to read, and pray grew instantly. It was amazing to see the excitement of their faces that there are more answers to the questions we have, more blessings to receive, more knowledge to gain! Helping them understand invited the spirit into the lesson to help testify to their hearts that the message we bring is true! Their names are Yorani, Jesus, and their daughter Stefany. It's a small, but beautiful little family. I'm happy to see them grow their knowledge in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Love you all! Have a great week! Go scrutinize and get more knowledge haha!
Elder Horton
Impressions of Sogamoso:
1. The dogs here are big and scary, and always want to attack you
2. The sun here burns! It's probably the first time in my life that I've made the decision myself to put on sunblock haha.
3. People here eat every part of every kind of animal. I ate Pigs feet! It was actually pretty dang good!
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| Lighting up my Candles to Celebrate "El Dia de Velitas" |
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| Our Candles that we set outside the Window |
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| Our Candles that we set outside the Window |
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| P-day with the District in Sogamoso! |
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| Elder Oliveira and I outside the Temple of Bogotá |
Monday, December 3, 2018
Mission Week 49, Sogamoso Week 2, "Traveled to Bogota for Zone Leader Council Meeting"
The zone-leaders in the council meeting in Bogotá this week. It was really fun being able to go back to Bogotá and see a little of my old area. One of the perks of being a Zone-Leader is going to the temple. The day before the council meeting we all get together to go through a session in the temple with the mission president. I had the special opportunity to do a couple of baptisms for the dead. The Temple president came running outside looking to see if there was anyone there that could help with the baptizing. There were two young women who had brought their own names to the temple and wanted to do their temple work. I was able to perform those baptisms! My first time ever in my life doing that! It was so dang cool! Afterwards, I got all dried off and we ran up to the session. It was a little different for me because I went through the temple listening in Spanish. I was always accustomed to grabbing the translators and listening in English during my time in the MTC when we went to the temple. It was special experience to be able to go through and understand listening in Spanish.
The next day was "presentation day." My comp and I have made a plan to help our zone see more success during this transfer. We go up in front of all of the other missionaries and we present what our plan is. The other missionaries and the mission president then give suggestions to help us improve more. What was funny is when we went up to share our plan, we shared it, and none had questions or suggestions. I hope that's a good thing. I think our plan was great though haha. What I've learned is that it will never be enough what we give until the work is done. When we baptize, it should be a continually stream of success (or that is the goal). We are here to help/Invite others to come unto Christ by making everlasting covenants with our Heavenly Father. Our goal is to analyze where our strengths and weaknesses are, and help us to get better!
When we got back to Sogamoso we had stake Conference. When we have stake conference. Lots of citis of Boyacá travel out here in buses. Literally like 7 buses loaded with people arrived in the morning, and everyone piled out to find a seat in the chapel. We learned about how to help in the missionary effort. The best gift that one can give this Christmas is a Book of Mormon! The fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Go find someone in need! And invite them to discover eternal happiness. I know that the teachings from Book of Mormon changes lives. I've seen it out here daily!
Love you all!
Elder Horton
The next day was "presentation day." My comp and I have made a plan to help our zone see more success during this transfer. We go up in front of all of the other missionaries and we present what our plan is. The other missionaries and the mission president then give suggestions to help us improve more. What was funny is when we went up to share our plan, we shared it, and none had questions or suggestions. I hope that's a good thing. I think our plan was great though haha. What I've learned is that it will never be enough what we give until the work is done. When we baptize, it should be a continually stream of success (or that is the goal). We are here to help/Invite others to come unto Christ by making everlasting covenants with our Heavenly Father. Our goal is to analyze where our strengths and weaknesses are, and help us to get better!
When we got back to Sogamoso we had stake Conference. When we have stake conference. Lots of citis of Boyacá travel out here in buses. Literally like 7 buses loaded with people arrived in the morning, and everyone piled out to find a seat in the chapel. We learned about how to help in the missionary effort. The best gift that one can give this Christmas is a Book of Mormon! The fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ! Go find someone in need! And invite them to discover eternal happiness. I know that the teachings from Book of Mormon changes lives. I've seen it out here daily!
Love you all!
Elder Horton
Monday, November 26, 2018
Mission Week 48, Sogamoso Week 1, "Zone Leader"
It was great week! I got a perspective of how the mission is being a Zone Leader. The key to becoming a great leader is through serving others. We make plans to help the zone improve each and everyday. There are 6 companionships in my zone (Including the District of Yopal). It's weird but fun being in the same zone haha. The zone leaders have the responsibility to see how each companionship in the zone is doing. In order to do that we have companion-exchanges for the day. That means I'm going to be traveling out to my old area in Yopal! We also travel a lot. Which is different for me. We don't get a whole lot of time to work in our area especially this week, because we're going to be in Bogotá for half of the week in meetings with President Valladares. However I'm so grateful for this new opportunity to serve the other missionaries in Sogamoso, and learn how to become a successful leader!
Elder Oliveira and I were able to set two baptismal dates with one person named Mario. He is from Venezuela. He works on an onion farm. The man has almost read through the end of Second Nephi in a matter of 2 weeks. He has the strong desire to find an answer and to know if the Book of Mormon is true. We taught him about keeping the sabbath day holy and promised him that if he came to church this Sunday that he would know the truthfulness of what we speak. He came to church and really loved it and said he felt really good! I don't have pictures with me right now because I left my camera in Yopal! But when I get it I'll start taking pics of our investigators, members and the new area!
For P-Day today, our District headed out to an old town in Duitama. It's called Pueblito Boyacense, Duitama. (PICS BELOW)
Love you all!,
Elder Horton
Impressions of Sogamoso:
1. Buñuelos is one of my new favorite pastries (Look it up)
2. Where I live it's farm land, there are always cows, Horses, goats, chickens, etc... just chilling on the side of the street or in the grass fields.
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| Cool Statue in Town |
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| Lots of Colored Houses Here |
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| I match the colored houses of this Street! |
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| Pretty Nice Homes Here |
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| Exploring the New Area |
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| Houses of Sogamoso |
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| The District of Sogamoso by Cool Water Fountain |
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| Pretty Cool Doors here in Sogamoso! |
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| My New Companion and I |
Monday, November 19, 2018
Mission Week 47, Yopal Week 12, "Transferring to the City of Sogamoso as a new Zone Leader"
This was a really fast week. Had to be the fastest week of my mission! The days just started flying. Everyone in Yopal got excited to see some changes ready to take place with companionships. We received the transfer call today from our Zone-Leaders. I have been called as the new Zone-Leader (LZ2) in Sogamoso. I will be heading out there tomorrow. I'm so pumped!
This week Elder Ramos and I went to work focusing more on teaching with the spirit and slowing things down a bit. Each week we've worked super hard to find new investigators, but then we failed to follow up with quite a few. I can see the importance of "Following up" as a missionary. Following up with contacts, new investigators, compromises, etc... If you don't keep things organized it makes life really difficult haha.
One of the eternal investigators that we have been teaching (Nidia), has finally made the decision to be baptized. The reason she never was able to is because she was married to a man the she doesn't like anymore, and they have been split up for many years now. They just have never gotten divorced. She has never had the time to get around to it since she's got here own sewing business. This Christmas she's going to make a trip down to where here Ex-Husband lives and they will finalize all of the paperwork. She really wants to be married to Isnardo. He's the man that she's been living with up until now. They really love each other. I'm sad I won't be able to see them get baptized! But happy at the same time to see them take this step in their lives.
Yopal has been a great area to work in for the past three months. The people here are all so friendly and many people have the desire to learn and grow. I'm really going to miss it here!
Questions asked to Elder Horton...
1) How many members in your ward/branch? There are about 950 members in our Branch (about 250 are active)
2) What is the church building like? The church building is like a normal chapel. The only difference is that everything is gated down. There's a huge gate that goes along the perimeter of the church building. The windows and doors are also pretty heavy duty. It's locked down real well. Every chapel also has it's own soccer field.
3) How is the food? What is the best food you've eaten? The food is rice, chicken, and beans. The best food I've eaten is something called the Bandeja Paisa (Look it up in the Internet ITS AMAZING!)
4) What do you usually do on P-day? On P-day we usually play soccer on the field that's in the chapel.
5) Are you sleeping well? I'm sleeping well We go to sleep everyday at 10:30
Love you all hope your week is filled with blessings!
Elder Horton
Impressions of Yopal
1. Don't try to grab an iguanas tail, iguanas attack you with their tail. They try to whip you to death.
This week Elder Ramos and I went to work focusing more on teaching with the spirit and slowing things down a bit. Each week we've worked super hard to find new investigators, but then we failed to follow up with quite a few. I can see the importance of "Following up" as a missionary. Following up with contacts, new investigators, compromises, etc... If you don't keep things organized it makes life really difficult haha.
One of the eternal investigators that we have been teaching (Nidia), has finally made the decision to be baptized. The reason she never was able to is because she was married to a man the she doesn't like anymore, and they have been split up for many years now. They just have never gotten divorced. She has never had the time to get around to it since she's got here own sewing business. This Christmas she's going to make a trip down to where here Ex-Husband lives and they will finalize all of the paperwork. She really wants to be married to Isnardo. He's the man that she's been living with up until now. They really love each other. I'm sad I won't be able to see them get baptized! But happy at the same time to see them take this step in their lives.
Yopal has been a great area to work in for the past three months. The people here are all so friendly and many people have the desire to learn and grow. I'm really going to miss it here!
Questions asked to Elder Horton...
1) How many members in your ward/branch? There are about 950 members in our Branch (about 250 are active)
2) What is the church building like? The church building is like a normal chapel. The only difference is that everything is gated down. There's a huge gate that goes along the perimeter of the church building. The windows and doors are also pretty heavy duty. It's locked down real well. Every chapel also has it's own soccer field.
3) How is the food? What is the best food you've eaten? The food is rice, chicken, and beans. The best food I've eaten is something called the Bandeja Paisa (Look it up in the Internet ITS AMAZING!)
4) What do you usually do on P-day? On P-day we usually play soccer on the field that's in the chapel.
5) Are you sleeping well? I'm sleeping well We go to sleep everyday at 10:30
Elder Horton
Impressions of Yopal
1. Don't try to grab an iguanas tail, iguanas attack you with their tail. They try to whip you to death.
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I learned how to make my own tie this week. I'm not too bad at sewing!
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Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Mission Week 46, Yopal Week 11, "The Lord is Always With Us"
Carlos Cardenas was baptized this Saturday! The next day he was confirmed a member and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost in sacrament meeting. He's been radiating with happiness ever since. You can see this atmosphere of energy and love around him. He's a pretty serious guy, but when he shared his testimony he shared a sweet and powerful love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Something that he said that I loved is, "El agua se quedò negro" or "The water went black" That's really how it is though. He went on to express his gratitude for the Lord for giving him this fresh new start. He's going to do great things for the people here in Yopal!
This Saturday we helped out a Presidente Rojas today whose building his own house wayyyyy outside of Yopal. We got to take a pretty neat hike up to his house. I think we must have crossed some kind of border too because there were a ton of military men walking around with these BIG guns. They stopped us and asked for our "Identification". It was funny because we basically just said oh well, we're missionaries going to do a service project for a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They all turned and looked at each other for a minute and said "Bueno Sigan" or "Fine Pass". I feel like I'm in the jungle out here since it's so dang green in every direction that you look.
The Lord is always with us. When you think he's not there, I would like to invite you to reflect on all of the wonderful many blessing he's given you. It's in those hard times that the smallest of blessings can help us to smile. We sang Count your many blessings during a family home evening this Sunday. I was able to reflect on all of the things that my Father in heaven has blessed me with. I felt of that love, peace, and comfort. I know you guys can have those same feelings too because it's a promise to every single one of his sons and daughters! I know things aren't the best right now in California, but I know that thanks to Jesus Christ, we can all feel of his love that he is constantly showing us. We just need to open our hearts to feel it!
I'm praying for you all daily, Love you!!
Elder Horton
Impressions of Colombia, Yopal
1. If you want fruit, just go and pick it off a tree that you pass by in the street. Mangos, Carambola, lemons, and oranges are always growing out here.
2. Theres a meat out here called "Carne a la llanera". It's supposedly the best meat in Colombia. (I haven't tried it yet!)
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| Baptism of Carlos Cardenas with his son Carlos Micheal |
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| Baptism of Carlos Cardenas |
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| Walking to service project with District by a sick looking river |
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| Yopal with Elder Alcantara |
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| River in Yopal |
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| View from Other side of the River |
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| With The Herrera family |
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| Family night with the Tellez Family |
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| Dead armadillo |
Monday, November 5, 2018
Mission Week 45, Yopal Week 10, "Little by Little we are going to help this Family be Eternal"
Great week after great week after great week. It's just really hard to have a bad week while you're out here in the mission because you're constantly progressing so when you make mistakes you learn! and you get better! I love constant progression.
My son (greenie) is doing great. He has one powerful testimony. He's a convert to the church. Everyday he wants to go out and find teach and baptize. And with that I know we're going to see a lot of success here in Yopal.
Last Wednesday was Halloween! I was pumped to go and get a little candy, but then our District Leader called us and told us to be inside before 6:30pm that night. I wasn't too sad missing Halloween since all the candy was just suckers, suckers and suckers. The people don't give out chocolate out here! What is that? If I'm a little boy running around for my sweets I'm looking for the Chocolate! Guess that's just how it is out here.
We met someone really neat during this week named Roselino Moreno. He is about 50 years old and just about the Kindest guys out here in Yopal. We found him just sitting outside his house enjoying the afternoon and as we talked with him he told us that about 2 years ago some missionaries had passed by his house and talked with him a little about the church. He told us that he wanted to learn more about us! We invited him to church and he was excited to come last Sunday. Yesterday we planned a time in the afternoon to go over and talk with him. When we showed up to his house we saw a book of Mormon laid open in his chair. He was reading a chapter that we left for him to read. (3 Nephi 11) During the lesson we focused on the importance of constantly reading and praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true so that he could receive his answer. He Look really excited to start reading! We hope to see him progress in these next coming weeks!
This Sunday was absolutely fantastic. We were able to confirm the Baptism of Carlos Cardenas and his baptismal interview. I'm so happy for him to be baptized into the Lord's true church!
There was another family that showed up to church yesterday. A less active family. They're named the Merchan Family. They have been less-Active for about 15 years. I don't know whole lot about them yet but I can't wait to get to know them this week. Their son Nicolas came up to us and said that we wants to get baptized. Darwin (the father) and Julie (the mother) invited us over to their home that night. When we arrived at there house we talked with them for only a short time because we got there so late and we got lost so many times trying to find their house. They live way way way out in the corner of our area. It's an area that I've never been to until yesterday. They want to be married and sealed in the temple for time and all eternity! First thing we have to do is help them set goals to get married first. Little by little we are going to help this family be eternal! The family consists of 5 people Darwin (dad) Julie (Mom) Nicolas (son 16 yrs old) Marthias (son 7 years old) and Bleidy (daughter 6 yrs. old).
I read a scripture that I really liked this week in Mormon 9:21. Don't forget to put your faith in the Lord first doubting nothing and you will be blessed!
Love you guys!
Elder Horton
My son (greenie) is doing great. He has one powerful testimony. He's a convert to the church. Everyday he wants to go out and find teach and baptize. And with that I know we're going to see a lot of success here in Yopal.
Last Wednesday was Halloween! I was pumped to go and get a little candy, but then our District Leader called us and told us to be inside before 6:30pm that night. I wasn't too sad missing Halloween since all the candy was just suckers, suckers and suckers. The people don't give out chocolate out here! What is that? If I'm a little boy running around for my sweets I'm looking for the Chocolate! Guess that's just how it is out here.
We met someone really neat during this week named Roselino Moreno. He is about 50 years old and just about the Kindest guys out here in Yopal. We found him just sitting outside his house enjoying the afternoon and as we talked with him he told us that about 2 years ago some missionaries had passed by his house and talked with him a little about the church. He told us that he wanted to learn more about us! We invited him to church and he was excited to come last Sunday. Yesterday we planned a time in the afternoon to go over and talk with him. When we showed up to his house we saw a book of Mormon laid open in his chair. He was reading a chapter that we left for him to read. (3 Nephi 11) During the lesson we focused on the importance of constantly reading and praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true so that he could receive his answer. He Look really excited to start reading! We hope to see him progress in these next coming weeks!
This Sunday was absolutely fantastic. We were able to confirm the Baptism of Carlos Cardenas and his baptismal interview. I'm so happy for him to be baptized into the Lord's true church!
There was another family that showed up to church yesterday. A less active family. They're named the Merchan Family. They have been less-Active for about 15 years. I don't know whole lot about them yet but I can't wait to get to know them this week. Their son Nicolas came up to us and said that we wants to get baptized. Darwin (the father) and Julie (the mother) invited us over to their home that night. When we arrived at there house we talked with them for only a short time because we got there so late and we got lost so many times trying to find their house. They live way way way out in the corner of our area. It's an area that I've never been to until yesterday. They want to be married and sealed in the temple for time and all eternity! First thing we have to do is help them set goals to get married first. Little by little we are going to help this family be eternal! The family consists of 5 people Darwin (dad) Julie (Mom) Nicolas (son 16 yrs old) Marthias (son 7 years old) and Bleidy (daughter 6 yrs. old).
I read a scripture that I really liked this week in Mormon 9:21. Don't forget to put your faith in the Lord first doubting nothing and you will be blessed!
Love you guys!
Elder Horton
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