Photo's of Elder Hone

 The bus! It looks like Mystery Machine!

 Elder Hone at the Zoo!

Elder Hone and the Monkey out of the cage!

(I think this is the model for that "Monkey Butt" powder!)

New P-day! Jan. 5, 2013

  Hey everyone!

 How are all of you doing today on a Saturday  Its a little weird that I have P Day on Saturday now right? I thought so too! It has changed my schedule up a bit.  Hey, You said your computer went crazy, I still got the other email that you said erased half way. It was cut off in the middle of a word but I still got it! So about my new office assignment, it is definitely weird! I have a little adjusting to do but that is okay. I will be able to adjust quickly! So I have a trainer who is the other historian who I will take over for. His name is Elder I. He is from Brigham City Utah, but he is not my companion. My companion is Elder S.  from Santiago Chile and he speaks perfect English but we always speak in Spanish anyway. Elder S. is the pensionista which means he is over all the houses of the missionaries and the things we have in them, like appliances, paying the rent and stuff like that. That is cool you got a letter from President Avila! What did he say in the letter? It was probably translated by one of the AP´s or by Elder I.  last week. I have already been learning alot! I have been learning how to use a few programs of the church, especially how to send in baptismal records to the church offices on the computer, I learned how to do all the stuff with the baptismal records and how to tract where the records are. If someone has been baptized and if they were never put in the records and stuff like that. I learned how to do a few other things. For example, what I have to do when new missionaries come to the mission and how to make their copied passport and a few other things for them to get set up.

 This morning Elder S. and I had to go take the mission truck to get fixed so we did that then while it was getting fixed, all of us went to the zoo!! It was fun! Haha! Then after the zoo we went to McDonalds and it was tasty! 

Oh and the bus ride here was fine! I rode with one other Elder but he got off at a different city. I rode the rest of the way solo. I fell asleep for a little bit but most of the time I just talked. When I got here we went straight to the offices. (I have my own office which is awesome!) It is definitely going to be different here because I am in the office until 4 PM unless I have a dead  line and I need to finish something, or if I am waiting for Elder S. to finish something then we leave a little late. Yesterday, and Thursday I didn't even get a chance to go to our area because we were in the office until like 8:30 one day and 9 yesterday. But, it was a really crazy day called consejo when all the Zone Leaders come to a meeting here in the stake center which is right next door to the offices. Any way I like it here so far! I have AC in my office and in my room where I sleep in the house. I Get to drive next week I just have to take President Avila for a ride in the truck and if he trusts me I get to drive!! (Speaking of driving I need another International Driving Permit from AAA. In my package can you go get me one that starts in April and ends in April of 2014? That would be perfect!! )

 So I am really excited but really nervous to drive again!! It is going to be really weird! When i drive I will be driving a Ford Ranger, or the Volkswagen Suran, which I don't think they have back home.. But It will be really fun and really weird! 

Hey I want to go bowling like you guys! that sounds fun! I also want sushi! That sounds really good! I always wanted to go to Sushi Ya but I never did!! That is a bummer.. I bet Brindlee was in heaven! I Thought Mom hated Sushi? Did Kynsers like it? That is super funny that Dad woke up from a nap and thought he was late for work!! I hate when that happens! I hate the:  "CRAP I'm late" feeling!

 It is still weird to me to think that it is so stinking hot here and it is freezing cold there!! It really is hot here but I can't believe it was -2 degrees at home!! That is crazy! 

Its really crazy to hear that Ellie is now watching everything around her to see what is going on! I wish I could see her and see how she makes noises and faces and stuff!! That is a bummer that I can't see her. But that is okay! 

Tomorrow I will get to see how my ward is and see a little bit of the area here. Its just really hard for the Office elders to baptize because we are here much of the time! We don't have a lot of time to go to our area and get to know what it is like! It is really weird to think of all the changes that are happening back home! I had a dream the other night that I was walking down the street 600 south back home but It was all Argentine like with the little shops in peoples houses and stuff like that and I was just super confused! It was a weird dream. Well, I don't have a ton to say because this week I wrote you already, but the offices are good! I am really going to enjoy it here,  I am pretty sure! I am really looking forward to working so close to President Avila, he is awesome! He really knows so much about the gospel and he is just a really great guy!

Well family, I hope you have a great week this week!! I love you and I hope everything is going well!! I will be writing you again in a week!!! I will write a few things I need for the next package if that's okay!!! I love you all!!! 

         I put on pictures of the Buses we travel in and a few photos of the zoo we went to.. (It was the most ghetto zoo I have ever seen!!!!) There weren't even fences on a lot of exhibits!  I could have walked right in the the bear, elephant, or buffalo area if I wanted to! And there was a monkey who was outside of its cage!! 

        Love, Talon

   Things I really need.

1. 6 or 8 pairs of Under Armor socks,

2. My international drivers license, (I hope you still have the visa photos)

3. I don't know what else.. mountain dew...? just kidding I don't know?

Letter from President Avila

Dear Brother and Sister Hone,

We are grateful for Elder Hone's service in the work of the Lord, and for his dedication to each one of the things that have been required of him.  He has shown his obedience and his love for the Savior and for his brothers by sharing with them the beautiful truths of the restored gospel, and helping them to return to their heavenly home.

It is a pleasure for me to inform you that Elder Hone has been called to work in the office staff of the Argentina Mendoza Mission.  He will serve in the position of historian of the mission.  This is a responsibility that will require his best efforts, dedication, and organization.  Elder Hone will be in charge of many sacred records of the mission such as baptism.  He will prepare mission statistics, graphics, and projects that I assign him.  He will also prepare “Aguas de Cuyo”, a newsletter that will be given monthly to every missionary.

            I place a lot of confidence in the missionaries who are called to serve in the offices.  They work to support the other missionaries in the mission.  In addition they preach the gospel and work in their own areas.  They must be examples for the mission in obedience, hard work, appearance, diligence and in all other aspects of missionary work.

            I know that this experience will have a positive and lasting influence in Elder Hone's mission.  As he serves with all his heart, both in proselyting as well as in his office responsibilities, the Lord will bless and lead him to those people who are prepared to receive the gospel.

            We are grateful for the love and support that you provide for Elder Hone.  It is our prayer that the Spirit of the Lord rests upon you and your missionary and that our Savior Jesus Christ may fill your lives with the peace and joy that comes from serving Him.

Most sincerely,

Sergio E. Avila