Tastes Like Chicken January 23, 2017

Hola Todos,

First off, the opossum tasted like chicken. I would eat it again. That is how you know I am a real Nicaraguan now. This week was crazy more or less. We are just working like crazy. I have never been so busy in my life. 

On Tuesday I got my residency here so now I am official! Thursday we had interviews with President Brown, and that was really awesome like normal. He is so cool, and just knows exactly what we need to hear, and to do better. This week we walked a ton and every hour we had a lesson, everyday. They were just hauling from one end of the area to the other. I am a little tired :) But life is so good. 

We still have investigators and they are doing and well and working towards baptism this next month. I don’t have much time this week so this will be a short one. I am loving it here, and just in the work! I love serving the people here and the Savior! Thank you for all that you all do!

Elder Erickson

Six Months Down - January 16, 2017

Hola todos,

Things are just moving along down here in Nicaragua. Elder Brooks and I are busier than ever, and things just keep on growing. we have 6 progressing investigators right now and more are on their way. This week we had to go to a multi zone conference in Managua, and that was pretty awesome. Then Wednesday I did divisions with the zone leaders and that was good too. 

Friday was my 6-month mark which just seems so crazy. We ordered pizza at night to celebrate so that was fun. Time has passed by so quickly and things are just rolling along. 

We worked hard Saturday to commit everyone to church and teach all the people, and then Sunday we had church and meetings. We also went to the Curzon’s for dinner (the gringo family here) and had American spaghetti and brownies. That was exciting too. 

Today we cleaned the house, went shopping and rested. And now I am here again. It feels like just two hours ago I was here writing last week. Time is just flying. I want it to slow down a little bit, but all is well. 

Fun things that happened this week: a bird pooped on Elder Brooks which ruined his day but it made me laugh :) We found lots of Europeans and Americans this week and by far my favorite was a man from Northern Ireland. His accent was so cool. 

Fun food experiences: we were eating lunch at our lunch appointment yesterday and this guy walks in the house with this bag that was moving, then the family calls us over to look in the bag and it turns out that it was an opossum that the guy had caught. So, guess what I am having for dinner tonight . . . Barbequed opossum. Should be fun. I will let you know how that goes. 

But life is good, and I am just loving it out here! I am so grateful to serve out here! I love everything about this work! Thanks for all that you all do! 

Elder Erickson 

Package from MaNae and Grandpa!

We Got No Power, No Water - But We Do Have Investigators, January 9, 2017

Hola todos,

First things first, today the entire country of Nicaragua lost power. I am not sure why. but oh well. This means that I am pressed for time today to write, because the power just came on, and we got to get back to work at 6:00 . . . entonces vamos pues! 

This week was filled with work. Elder Brooks and I went crazy with the walking this week. I am down another 7 lbs. But it payed off because we found lots of great investigators! It was so cool to see how the Lord has prepared them to receive His word. We got them to go to church and all is going well! 

I went to Managua this week for a training, and we are also going back for another training tomorrow. The buses here have no concept for personal space. they are meant for like 30 people, but they put like 60 on it. Oh well. 

Time seems just to be flying by, and this week I will complete 6 months as a missionary!!! I am so old. Life is just awesome here and I really do love it. Things are just rolling. It is getting hotter already, but the work is picking up! Things are great! That is about all the time I have this week! Hopefully next week the electricity stays on! But life is good! You can always find joy if you look for it! Thanks for everything!

Elder Erickson