Phone call from the President - Take 2 (Dylan's Story)

Hello everybody. Checkin in for the first time in a couple of weeks. Things have been pretty nectar out here in nicaragua. Hope you guys are all staying sleezy. 

This last couple of weeks have been pretty dope.  I have been traveling around all the mission with President. In the last couple of weeks have have made a complete circle around the mission 3 times.  I have been having a freakin awesome time and have been exhausted. I am hardly in my area here in managua but i get to show a little love to all of my old companions and people i have met all over nicaragua which has been pretty dope.  The beaches are awesome here and the swells have been big. Still havent made it into the water yet. The rash is very much present though. It is starting to get very humid here again and chafey college has started classes again on my cheeks boulevard. My cheeks have been a little more protected recently due to the help of ashley... the mission toyota hilux truck. She comes with me all over managua and nicaragua everyday especially during changes the last week. We had about 160 missionaries with changes and apparently this was the biggest the mission has ever seen. No one died so i think i did a good job. 

Speaking of driving, i was in the car with president driving to esteli and matagalpa on friday. I was sitting up in the front seat taking a nice car nap. One of the sister training leaders was complaining that her mom doesnt write her so president asked her what her moms phone number was. He called her right there and he talked with her mom for about 10 minutes or so. We were told we werent allowed to say anything. He finished talking and he looked over to me in the front seat, gave me his iphone and told me to call my mom. I remember typing the number into the phone so easily and thinking how weird it was that i hadnt forgotten the number and that i was calling my mother from inside this car as we drove through this nicaraguan jungle. I got the chills so hard when i called and temecula california popped up on the screen. Moms sweet little voice answered the phone and sound worried. President told mom some stuff about me and i will never forget what suzette said. Relieved and crying "President, thank you so much for telling me that." I had no intention of going grandma jake mode before the call but when mom said those words, sounding like she needed hear them, i let two little ones go as i imagined my beautiful mother so happy and crying on the other side of the line. President asked her if there was anything that see would want to tell me. I know that my mother knew i was there because she went on 5 minute rant telling me all the things she didnt get to say in the airport security line 10 months ago. Mom thank you for that. I love you so much. Its not easy having you gone either. 

 

Some guy told me this week that salvation and happiness are personal experiences. I thought a lot about that during the week and thought about how sad that idea is. You guys are everything to me. Happiness in this life and in the next will come through not what we do for ourselves but what we do for others. Happiness is not a personal experience. Family is everything. Friends are unforgettable. And God is the most important part of it. 

12 And as I partook of the fruit there of it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.

Love all you guys. Take it sleezy. 

Phone call from the President - Take 1

Friends and Family, I just got a great phone call.  I recognized the Nicaraguan area code right away because I had just ordered some children's baptismal pants from the distribution center there for Dylan’s investigators (this was the one of the two things he recently requested.  The other being metal basketball hoop chains.  He has two great priorities!)   The gentleman calling even called me Sister Jacobsen.  Well when he introduced himself as President Collado (Coy-yado) I was smiling but that quickly turned upside down and a sense of panic overcame me as I tried to calmly ask, “What happened to Dylan?” He assured me that Dylan was wonderful.  He said he was, “one of the best Nicaragua has,” that he was doing an excellent job and that they loved him.   “Everything I ask of him, he does,” the President said.  I’m sure he said some other nice things but I don't remember. I was back riding the tower of terror in the twilight zone.  I do remember thinking, I know I should tape this conversations but I will probably hang up on him if I try to get to my record screen.  I also heard Brent yell from the pool, yes they pool, when he heard me ask if Dylan was ok.  However,  he was in full wet suit and booties riding his surfboard around the pool, with his big lake powell hat on, painting the rocks and his yelling made the mutt start barking so I had to flee. (OK…I’ll send a picture of his get up because it warrants its own documentation for posterity)

The President asked if there was anything I would like to tell Dylan.  I of course asked President Collado to give him a big hug and tell him how much we loved him.  I let him know that he was a great example to his siblings and cousins, that we were all proud of his great attitude and obedience.  I said that he was sunshine in our family (I know that's weird but it just came out) and although we missed him I knew that President Collado would be one of the most influential people in Dylan’s life and I appreciated the chance he had to serve and learn from him.  

I’m sure I uttered many other lovely and profound things that escape me now.

President Collado was so kind.  He spoke English beautifully and assured me that Dylan would know everything I told him.  I have a sneaking suspicion that Dylan could hear the whole conversation.  They were probably traveling somewhere.  (I have the President’s cell phone number….I’m adding it to my contacts 😊)

Here are the things I forgot to say - 

Use your fluoride toothpaste 

Eat fruits and safe vegetables

Don’t drink the water

Floss

As cute as they are, monkeys have rabies

Thin mints are on their way

Keep Smiling, working and praying

Tell your President to give you and hour off to write us!  (OK, he gets a pass this week but not next unless I get a phone call again!)

Love, Elder Jacobsen’s Madre

***Don't miss Take 2

Ghetto Podcast

(The following is a transcription of a video Dylan sent this week.  No letter unfortunately.)

My life has changed a little bit since becoming AP.  I am no longer in my area which is a little disappointing, but it is all good.  I’ve been really tired lately - been traveling around with the president all over Nicaragua.  The President’s house is actually in the south mission though.

Two weeks ago I was in Tipi Tapa the whole week.   Monday I met with president the whole day and didn’t get a p-day because I had to go to the bank and pay a deposit for the house.  Then afterwards we went to visit a family that is going to get baptized in a few weeks.  They are freaking sweet, they make donuts… so that’s why we are teaching them.  Ha ha.  No, they are awesome!

Then Tuesday I went to Tipi Tapa (Tues Weds Thurs Friday).  Then came back to Managua on Saturday.  In Tipitapa we did divisions with almost the whole zone and got to visit my converts in Tipi Tapa.  All the weird stuff I eat in Tipi Tapa.  I ate chicken heart and cow heart and chicken intestines it was pretty gross but cool.  Cool story,  on Saturday morning I was getting ready to leave and  decided to go visit a family that I know.   I went to their house and there was this teenage girl that lives there and I asked her why she hadn’t been baptized and she said she didn’t know so I asked her if she wanted to get baptized today and she was like sure.  So sweet we went to the church and had a little family baptism.  She had already been to church with me like 10 times but had a problem with something but she got baptized that morning so that was cool. 

Elder Jake and Elder Recinos in Leon.

So last week I came back on Sat and was in my area for 6 hours then Monday I had a mtg with the Pres all day and I didn’t get to write you (well he did write....three words...."I am alive") but then Pres let me use his Iphone 6 in the car to write you on the way to Chinandega because Pres knew I hadn't had time to write.  So that was cool.  This is the note he sent -

(I now write to you from presidents iPhone 6 as we drive to Chinandega at 12 at night. I hope you all had a great week and i want you to know that i still love you. I am so freakin busy now. I will send a video home later this week. Love all you guys so much. Take it sleezy.)
    

This last week I was in Leon all day.  Leon is pretty sweet.  I got to have pday there a little bit.  Weds - Chinandega and Thursday Chinandega again.  We have been doing interviews with Pres.  We teach the elders and sisters some stuff and then Pres interviews everybody.

So then again I only worked in Managua on Saturday but Elder Boice and Elder Gonzalez are working hard here so we are going to have some baptisms here soon - a lot of them - so be ready for that.

I got sick a couple of weeks ago but that was just a cold because there was a lot of dirt in the air

The Nicas do NOT know how to play basketball.  Let’s just say that but they do like their jerserys and their basketball stuff.

We have been traveling around everywhere. Weird but cool.  I get to meet a lot of people.  I am tired all of the time.  We hare heading to Esteli and Porta Cabezas.  I never go to bed on time because I have tons of stuff to do.

We had a mtg with Pres Collado and Elder Allonzo who is in the area presidency and they put together this plan for some of the missionaries in the mission to baptize 22 people in one month so Pres Collado chose Elder Boice and Elder Gonzales and I to accept the challenge and a few other ex aps and their companions as well.   Hopefully we are going to baptize 22 this month

We are in the Ghetto….Love the ghetto…Love you guys – Take It Sleezy

The Man Who Taught Me To Be A Man

Love you guys. Been a little while since elder jake has checked in with a good email. I have been a little busy lately. I now write you from my new 14 story home here in the mission office in managua. I miss all the people my palm trees/ dirt houses/ wild dog jungles in esteli and tipitapa but have already developed a great love and appreciation for the people here in the concrete jungle of managua. 

My life has changed just a little bit over the last couple of weeks. I travel a lot with the big dog. PDays are now meetings all day in the office. And i now am officially certified and liscened to kill here in nicaragua...no i can drive now. During the next three weeks, i will only be here in my area in managua 6 days. Gonna be takin sleezy with President all over Nicaragua.  I am learning very quickly that my mission is no longer my mission. My mission now is to help others have great missions. including my companions.

This week my hands took a beating once again. First while using a welding torch for the first time and second when i chopped down several massive trees with a very rusty and dull axe blade. Sister Morales was stoked that the trees were gone and also felt bad for both of my hands which bled pretty badly for about an hour afterword and so she gave me a nice big bag of chocolate milk and massive plateful of beans.

Happy Birthday to my 46 year old father. I love you dad. This week as i was chopping and welding away I thought of you  and how much you would love to live here in this nicaraguan paradise where their power tools have no rules. 

I want to thank you for showing me, through example, how to be a man. A man who puts his head down and works hard. Who doesnt complain and serves others constantly. A man who loves his family, loves others, and loves God. I love you dad. 

I attribute the success that i have had on my mission to two people. First to God. And second to my father. 

Brent recently sent me this quote. 

“Pray as though everything depended on the Lord and work as though everything depended on you.” 
― Brigham Young

I shared this quote with the President Collado the other day and he freakin loves it. It is something that i am trying to live by as a missionary and is an idea that i will carry with me for the rest of my life. 

I have recieved a lot of letters over the course of the mission. I thank all of you guys for that and for the love that you have shown me through emails and packages and letters. However, i recieved a hand written letter from a lady that i hardly even know this week that truly is the best letter i have yet to recieve. She told me how thankful she is for my father. For all that he has done for her family over many years. She said, "if you can be one tenth the man your father is then you will bless the lives of so many people."

I love you dad. Workin hard to get to that one tenth because i hope to be something close to the man you are one day. Thank you for all that you have done for me, our family, and for countless others.

Love all of you. Stay sleezy. 

Bello Horizonte (the office) - Jan 19th

Elder Boice, Elder Gonzalez and Elder Jake

i am now official. elder cua is not my companion anymore he will die (mission lingo for "go home") in april. elder boice and elder gonzalez are now my companions. elder boice is a new zoneleader that i am training. they are both sweet haha

honestly dont know what i did to get here. 2 changes ago i was a nobody in esteli with elder sherle haha 

Some of my new responsibilities as an AP (assistant to the President)

-with president all of the time

- we are in charge of the changes. all of it. after president comes out with the companionships we figure out how everyone is going to get everywhere, where they are going to live, if they need things in their houses, everything. we have been doing these shananigans for the last 3 days. 

-i now get to drive president's cars and the mission truck

- we are in charge of all of the meetings in the mission. Zone conferences, new missionary meetings, leadership meetings, every meeting. we have to bring all of the president's equipment ie computer, projector, and other materials. we organize and direct all of them

- we do a mission wide summary of the numbers for every district which we send to president. we do that every monday in the morning. 

- if we dont have meetings, we travel around the mission doing splits with other missionaries/zone leaders 3 days out of the week. 

- we also are in charge of housing and putting to work all of the missionaries that are going home

- i also do not sleep because there is not time to sleep haha

hey i still love you guys so much. i really just don't have to time to do anything anymore. i am so freaking busy. i will try to have something decent put together for next week. love you. stay sleezy.  Elder Jake

DJ vs the Volcano - Jan 13th

(Elder Jake's Buzz Lightyear pose)

hey i am alive. we had a big multizone pday thing. also ya boy will have a new title on friday had a little talk with the big dog (President Collado) a couple of days ago haha. love you guys.  

(So I asked for the lowdown on the “little talk")

the jist of the big dog conversation was like this. I had an interview with President Collado on friday. We talked about my training period and about my two "kids" sherle and clark. He then asked me why i was able to have success with my kids and not with my trianer. I told him hard work and obedience.  He said are you ready to help other missionaries do this work. I said yes. Are you ready to be the next ap. I said yes haha. Then he talked about how i would be driving and would be traveling with him all over the mission and that i would still be expected to baptize. and then we prayed and that was it. 

I dont have a lot to say this week and im pretty freakin exhausted today haha. love and miss you tho. 

(Elder Jake and his comp Elder Cua)

yesterday we went to a volcano in masaya. (a half mile wide crater filled with a boiling lake) it was pretty cool. my companion and i planned the activity. To other zones, one from managua and one from tipitapa, went with our zone. president was also there. we visited some caves that had some bats in them. i asked the tour guide if the bats had large talons and he didnt think it was very funny but i did get a few laughs from a couple of the white guys. then we looked at a big hole in the ground aka the volcano haha. im not one for sight seeing unless its the ocean you guys know that but it was still a good time hangin out with all of my buddies in the mission. 

Thanks for your email on goals mom. I have a couple of goals this year. One of which is being patient. Trynna to work on that one. The mission in general has helped me wait for good things just because i am away for 2 years but i really want to try to be a little more patient with people. trying to learn how to keep my head cool and love even the dumb people. probably a good life skill. 

love you guys. take it real sleezy this week.

Burning the Bad

Happy 2015 everybody. Hittin you with the update from Managua this week. 80 with a nice breeze is lookin a lot better that that dumb white stuff that was fallin in T-town. 

We are currently teaching a house of 12 people and three different families. Card board walls. Barely a tin roof. Bunch of little baby boys runnin around without shoes. ALL of them went to church on Sunday. Some went in flip flops and some without shirts but the 14 of us sat together and it was pretty sick. They will hopefully be jumpin in the pool in a week or two. 

We had a leadership meeting with the prez on friday and there were some cool stats that he showed us about the mish. 

- Nicaragua Managua North Mission baptized 2014 people in the year 2014

- Nicaragua Managua North MIssion baptized more than any other mission in central america

Couple of weeks ago my home girl Martha took a little dip. She is way sleezy and we are great friends. Her son Emanuel and i enjoy shooting here with the buzz lightyear lazer gun that he got for Christmas. 

    

New years eve was pretty sleezy here. Everybody makes manikins out of their old clothes and burns them in the street. Bryce and collin would love the little kids that push around these huge carts filled with Ronald Reagan sports park caliber fire works. One of my highlights was waking up at 2 in the morning to see a crowd of about 30 people nearly beat a man to death that tried to rob a house down the street.

I asked one of my good buddies here why people burn these life size figurines made out of their old clothing. He told me that people do it as a representation of all the bad things they carry with them and had done the year before. He said it symbolizes a new start and is hope for better things in the coming year. They burn all the bad so that good can fill their lives. 

I personally had a little time to think about this past year. My life is completely different than it was 1 year ago. I live happier and with a purpose. God has given me those things. And i am so grateful for it. 

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and denyyourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may beperfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

Burn all the things that keep you from being a better person. Spend more time with the fam bam. Make God a bigger part of your life. 

Take it sleezy in 2015