The Sand Crab Eats Bad Sting Ray

Went back to corinto this week. there was a solid swell in the morning. not too big but these perfect set waves would roll in and barrel up so beautifully. it was a crime that no one was out. i could sit there all day and just watch. i asked elder martinez if we could go out a litttle early before studies so that i could study the swells a little bid. and since i cant go in the water i rolled around in the sand a bit. I had that great sticky,salty feeling that i share a love for with dad for the rest of the day. so sick. i will include some pictures. some guy in corinto gave us some fried sting ray for lunch. that was a mistake haha. got pretty sick but i am all good now! 

Chocolate Milk Nicaraguan Style

elder hirschi is sweet. love that kid. we are having a great time. this morning i got attacked by a pitbull on the way to church. no bites tho. we brought some sweet people to church today. its cool to see the way the gospel can help people with their addictions. very humbling experience to see people so poor give everything and let god change them. its also cool to look back and see how god has changed me. 

love you guys. stay sleezy out there.

Get on the Love Train

Hello TTown. The best town. and to all the other towns. Elder Jake is checkin with this weeks dawn patrol.  Nicaragua is firing. Cant say enough how much i love it  here. 

Hirschi Squirts and I went up north this week. We hit Esteli on wednesday and Matagalpa on Friday and worked with the ZLs there. The drive up was dope. We were running late and had to take chicken/hay/vegetable/naked breast feeding ladies bus on the way up to Matagalpa. 3 and a half hours of that shananigans. Despite all of that, i still remain to be a jacobsen and took a little 2 hour nap in the back of the bus with my face against the steamy window. 

Esteli is sweet. I miss it there. The weather reminds me of California. Hot during the day, cools off at night. I hate that now though. Sleeping is like getting ready for those beautiful friday night basketball lights in highschool- i can't play well unless i have broken a serious sweat before the game starts. If its not 90 degrees when i go to bed its gonna be a long night.

I was able to talk to my boy Eddie (elder sherle and i started teaching him in august of last year and he finally got baptized a couple of weeks ago). He was stoked to tell me that he was in charge of the sacrament on sundays and that the 10 foot deep poop hole (latrine) that elder Sherle and I dug for him was fully functioning. He is gonna become an elder at stake conference in a couple of months. I gave him a hard time about waiting so long to get in the water. He said as soon as the good looking latino sister missionaries showed up a month ago everything changed! ...Idiot haha. He is a fester just like the other eddie i know. 

This weekend was stake conference here in the Bello Horizonte stake. We had a solid turnout. Even tho elder Hirschi and I only worked in our area here in managua for a couple days we managed to get 11 investigators on the love train. The love train aka the small little yellow school bus that we rented to take everyone across town. We managed to squeez just under 100 people on that pup and the wheels on the bus went round and round baby. I really became really close with some of my fat lady friends in the ward in that little yellow short bus. As i was taught my whole life, me and the ward and all of our investigators set up camp in the back of the building right on and around the stage. Elder Jake has matured a lot over the last year but meetings have not. We started to loose everybody about halfway through the meeting and before i knew it we were all making fortune tellers, playing tic tac toe, and we had a contest to see who could draw the best shark. I was missing grandma jakes little bag of those little special folders and activities crap. It was a good time. President Collado ended the conference and hit a 400 yd dinger and woke everybody up. 

Elder Hirschi and I are teaching some awesome people. A lot of big families. We are praying for a pool party this next month.   We have a hard time keeping up when we come back to  managua. Two of our recent converts were ordained elders on sunday. We have 3 more that are getting ready for next year. Almost all of them are getting ready to go on a little trip to the honduras temple in december. 

Elder Nelson was stellar. Also has great hands. I bet he uses dove for men because he had some amazingly smooth hands. I only know because i had the privaledge of handing him his microphone when the meeting started. 

President Russell M. Nelson and President Collado and Family

He taught some amazing things. He was powerful. He is a master teacher. The spirit that he taught with brought about a feeling in me that i have only had a couple of times in my life. Its the desire to become great. The desire to throw away every bad thing in your life and replace with what you know will truly bless your life. Its the surety that Jesus Christ is our savior and that our living God in heaven has a purpose and plan for everyone of us.     Its the knowlegde that God will always be with us if we do what is right. Its the knowledge that obedience frees us and allows us to achieve true joy and happiness. Its allowing God to change us so that we become the people he wants us to be. 

Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

 And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come

And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

Love all you knuckleheads. Stay Sleezy.

Passion with a Purpose

Sleezy Dawn Patrol Report. Elder Jake will be here in managua at least till october. Pretty stoked though. Elder Hirschi 's freakin dope and we are running this place like Will Ferrel runs his youth dance teams- lot of energy. lot of hight fives. lot of smiles.

Things here in Iraq are good. The missionary convoy had no carside puke bombs from elder hirschi. 

We do however think that a family of cats has died in one of the walls of our house. Reminds me of the smell of the infected, steaming feet of those in the ER whose toes have molded together into one beautiful knob on the end of their leg. (suzette gag) That dead family mixed with the 2 day clogged nicaraguan bathroom toilet makes for a "hot box" like atmosphere every 90 degree night. Love this place haha. 

Maddy hammering away in Mexico

Speaking of the ER, we did a little service project last week for a single mom named Alma. We replaced the zinc sheets that cover her tiny
little concrete structure. One of our more intelligent, somewhat plump missionaries, forgot that he actually didn't get a bachelors degree in home remodeling and thought it would be a good idea to walk across the tiny little sheets of zinc on top the house. 30 minutes in and we almost had a little trip down to Nicaraguan Rancho Springs ER where there wouldn't have been that one cute PA waiting to bandage that little guy up. After 30 minutes all the elder quorum was exhausted and the bishop did a solid job and showed up with cheese and coke at 7 in the morning. Ahhhhhhhh! Lot of high fives, smiles, power tools, unnecessary welding torches, and no female supervision. I looked like maddy up there hammering all those nails in and didn't even break a nail. All said and done our girl alma got a sweet new roof so that her and her baby wouldn't get wet when it rains.

This week Jessenia and Carlos got baptized. Carlos is an awesome dude that has issues and cant walk very well so we had to throw a chair in the font for him and i had to stand on his legs so that they would float up during his baptism. Jessenia is an amazing lady that sacrificed everything to be able to baptized. More that just the common extreme poverty that exists here, Jessenia had an extremely difficult life and has given up everything for the gospel and for her two kids. She wakes up every morning at 4 oclock to go sell tortillas with her kids and mom. She is passionate for the most important things in this life. Jessina has nothing but gives everything. 

I admire those who have a passion for things. Who put there heads down and do what is necessary despite adversity, pain or poverty. Playing ball and watching the greats put in work and just do it despite adversity taught me this growing up. There is no better feeling than putting it all out there, exhausting yourself and overcoming. It a universal principle that should be applied throughout life. 

Passion, however, without purpose has little effect. Those who work hard and put in the time without an end in mine or an ultimate goal will come up short, loose focus, or find themselves faced with a problem or difficulty that seems impossible to overcome. Michael Jordan talks about this wall that we face many times in life. 

He says,

  

"Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."

How do we know how to get around it? What is the right decision? How do we overcome?

The gospel of Jesus
Christ gives us purpose and direction. It fuels our passion. Those who put their faith in God and strive to be good people will be directed around the impassable walls that we often find ourselves in front of. God will always help those who are humble and trust in Him. Passion with purpose allows us to overcome ANY obstacle that we may face in this life. 

20 But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage;and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.

I love all you guys. Stay sleezy. 

Hirschi Squirts

Dawn Patrol Jake and Hirsh

Elder hirschi and i ran around directing multizone conferences this week. A lot of teaching. Little sleep. A lot of driving. And a little puke from elder hirschi every once in while when he would look at me in the passenger seat with a white face and yell "duuuudeee pull over." We had some fun puking in the jungle together. i am the son of my mother because i almost puked my chocolate milk all over presidents car listening to hirschi squirts heave out all those rice and beans. 

I love the mission. I miss all of you but would be anywhere else in the world. 

Next week i wont be running around so much so there will be some better pics and a goooood letter. 

stay sleezy. love all you guys. 

Puro Pinolero

hey guys whats up?

how was the week?

just some little stuff.

My release date is april 28 2016. president has already talked to me about extending. but april is the plan so far. 

the only thing i want to do when i get home is eat panda and come back to nicaragua in june to shred and be here with all my buds.  

we are still preparing big time for the apostle. there is a butt load of crap to do when a big dog comes. it will be way dope tho. both the missions are going to get together. 

Elder Hirschi, Jose, Anna, Elder Jake

Nothing new this week. Elder hirschi and i moved and found a sick house right next to the church and by this great chocolate milk place. Finally put up my chain nets the other day. We have been waking up early to play half the mornings. 

On friday night at 830 pm Anna got baptized. She is the wife of Jose Ramoncito that went for a swim a couple of weeks ago. A month and a half ago she wouldnt even talk to me. on friday night we went for a swim together. it was awesome. they are both so freakin sick. 

I guess this is his weapon of choice in the fight for freedom

A couple of weeks ago nicaragua celebrated the 19 of july which is their holiday to commemorate the end of the war here in Nicaragua and their appreciation for Augosto Sandino, the leader of the rebellion efforts and socialism here for many years. There was a small gathering of over 500,000 people near lake managua not 5 minutes from our area on that day. 

Though i do not usually support communism, socialism, arson, alcohol abuse, and plenty of domestic violence, the 19 of july was a great day this year. I love nicaragua. Nothing will ever be the same. 

I saw a quote this week by Augosto Sandino this week and it was something that i shared in my hour or so talk that i gave in our meeting with all the leadership this last week.  

Si hubiesen hombres en nicaragua que la amen como yo. Nicaragua seria libre. 

If there were men in nicaragua that love it like i do. Nicaragua would be free. 

I love this place. My life will never be the same. I am so grateful for the friends and family that i have back at home and the freedoms that we enjoy. I am even more grateful for the blessing that god has given me to be able to help my brothers here obtain the freedom that comes through faith in jesus christ. 

love you all. stay sleezy. 

Dylan's title come from the phrase "soy puro pinolero, nicaragüense por gracia de Dios"  It is a phrase from a famous nicaraguan song, Nicaragua Mia, but is used to show true pride in being Nicaraguan.  The first part "puro pinolera" (I'm very pinolero) refers to a pinolillo a traditional Nicaraguan drink of cornmeal and cocoa and the Nicaraguans use a twist on the name and refer to themselves as Pinoleros.  The second part "nicaragüense por gracia de Dios," means I'm Nicaraguan thanks to God.  

Blood, Burritos and Happiness

What is up everybody. Dawn Patrol Nicaragua. Elder Jake is doing well and the hole in my head has closed up finally. I have not been traveling lately. I am here in my area in managua and its freakin sick. I love being with people. And there are so many people here that i love . We had a couple of baptisms these last couple of weeks.. Karla and Jose Ramon. Their families will be going in this weekend and the next.  I will send the pictures next week. 

Today Hirschi and I went to a volcano in Masaya which is in the south mission. I am finally getting off my butt on pday and starting to milk some of the perks that one gets for being with the big man for 8 months. The volcano was dope and after i took a nap. Solid pday. 

President and I have become very close since december. The other day he brought a burrito to my apartment when i was sick and we sat there and talked as i ate it.  (Dylan had Chikungunia a few weeks ago.  It is transmitted by mosquitoes but is also contagious.) We enjoy pancakes at his crib on monday mornings. A couple of days ago he ran into the sliding glass door and almost shattered it and i havent let him forget it since.  My life has changed so quickly in the time that i have been here in the mission. It has changed 10 times faster in the time i have spent with President. He told me something that was very humbling a few days ago. He told me that the reason he is comfortable letting his children stay with my mother and family is because of desicions and example that he has seen in me. I am only a product of those who gave me everthing. I owe everything to my father and mother. And I thank god everyday for them. I hope the collado kids wont have too many mental and physical scars after spending a few weeks with brycito and the all the insanity in JAKEWOOD. 

If you want to be happy for an hour, eat a burrito.
If you want to be happy for a day, play basketball.
If you want to be happy for a week, surf.
If you want to be happy for a month, buy a car.
If you want to be happy for a lifetime, put your faith in Jesus Christ. 

Love you all. stay sleezy. 

The Man

Dawn Patrol Managua. 

Life has been great. God is too good to me. I am grateful for so many things- the mish, the gospel, the fam, sleezy, cass, and for all of the people here in nicaragua that i love. 

Last couple weeks have been sick. Made it back to corinto and that was dope. It rained so hard out there and after wearing the same pants, shoes and socks for 4 days the rash, that requires at least 30 minutes of messing around time in the ocean, was fully developed. Dermatology is boring Uncle Greg but after this week my love for fine creams and lotions really fired up. 

Elder Hirschi, President Collado, Elder Jake

President Collado and I are pretty tight now. Last week he gave me a clutch update on the ripcurl pro that happened here in nicaragua a couple of weeks ago. He told me who the three finalists were and that a dude from costa rica took it. He is a great man. He has been an amazing example to me and I have learned so much from him in the last 7 months that i have been with him. We are currently working on his english together. He asked me what "shred" means from my video to dad on fathers day. I told him id show him if he invited me to bunk up with him in costa rica post mish. We are currently working on the pronunciation for "stoked."

My birthday was great. Wow. 21 years old. I am a freaking old man abd there are still so many dumb things that i need to do. My man strength is coming in nicely. Jake you would be proud. I still remember the day i popped out of mom. Time flies. It was truly the most humble birthday i have ever had- but by far the most memorable. It was just another day working and i had a cup of noodles for dinner but it will be one that i will never forget. I got to spend it with all of my people in tipitapa- the poorest place i have served in or been in during my mission, but is the place i love most and one day i will hopefully be able make a return there. I want to thank all of you for your emails, letters, and the packages that cass and mom and dad sent me. I really feel the love all the way over here in nicaragua. Of all the little things i recieved from you guys and my nicas here, the dopest present i got came from the family of one of my converts in tipitapa. Scarlet, the sister of my covert Jorgito, named her baby "Jacob" after me. 

Earlier this week my home girl Kayyyyleeeenne went for a little swim. Kaylene is best friends with martha who i baptized in deciember. Shes a great woman, despite having a family full of drugs and violence. I love them both so much. Elder Samol, my third child, baptized kaylene on wednesday. Martha is getting ready to go up to the honduras temple in december. 

Last week in Chinandega i worked with my old companion elder boice for a few hours. He is a great guy and i love him so much. In the night we went to visit a member in the hospital. While we were there someone asked us if we could go pray for a family with a sick little girl who were living in the hospital as they were waiting for blood transfusions. We went and found this little girl curled up on a filthy piece of cardboard with her passed out, intoxicated father and mother smoking several cigarretes lying next to her. What a humbling experience. We gave the 4 year old girl a blessing and it was truly one of the more memorable experiences that i have had in my entire life. I felt a true love for this little girl and it was one of the few moments i have really felt close to my Father in Heaven. 

I am so grateful for my father. He is the man i strive to become every day. The way he loves others, sacrifices everything and works reminds me and many of you of our savior. I am for ever in debt to this man for the things he has helped me learn and understand and for the love he has shown me. 

One of my favorite examples in the scriptures is King Benjamin. He reminds me of my father because of his leadership, humility, and appreciation for the atonement of Jesus Christ. 

And even I, myself, have labored with mine ownhands that I might serve you, 

 Behold, I say unto you that because I said unto you that I had spent my days in your service, I do not desire to boast, for I have only been in the service of God.

behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the serviceof your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold outfaithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body,hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore

For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen

And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be noother name given nor any other way nor means wherebysalvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

My father understands what his purpose is in life. He gives everything for others. He understands who his savior is. He is THE Man that has made me the man i am today. I love you so much dad. Thank you.

I love all of you 

-always sleezy-