Transfer 2. Week 3.

Well, we are already going on week 3 of the transfer. There certainly is no time to get comefortable in the mission field--thats for sure. This week was definitely a learning week and a building week. Just as in sports: some years are bulding years. In the mission, some weeks we have to be building weeks. There's nothing you can do about it. I just gotta take what I get and roll with it! 


I have applied the concept of talking to everyone and so far it has worked. According to the PMG definition, we have 4 new investigators, but I don't feel confident enough to call them that yet. Spanish people are definitely easier to contact. The problem is getting them to follow up with stuff, but it's where the success is in this area so far.  


My comps are good. They like to work hard. We just gotta work on fusing our ideas and what not. It's almost like the difference between Republicans and those daggum Democrats with our different philosophies and what not. But we will work on it! 


SO, the trees are starting to change colors here! Meaning, it's getting COLD! Man its cold! But it's so beautiful. I'm really falling in love with the place. Down town Park City is a really neat place. (Thats where the family tree center is) ;) ha ha. This week I have learned some good stuff about myself and what im turning into. 


I'm still really working on getting letters to everyone in the fam, so just be patient. They will come, I promise! It certainly is interesting to have nothing but greenies in a companionship, but it's happening for a reason, and I know we can do this and that there are people here that we can bring to repentance. 


Sorry we don't have time to write a fatty letter today. Yesterday the library was closed; that's why we are doing emails today.  Dad, good luck at the horse competition. Jake, good work on your eagle project. By the way, you stuill owe me a letter after that fatty one I sent you for your birthday! Everybody, I love you. Mom, thanks for the packages. They are so great and helpful! I love the mangoes! Take care, and I love you all so much and thank you for everything! TTFN!

Transfer 1. Week 6.

Wow, I can't believe this is the last week of the transfer and that Elder Torres is going home next week! Man, that is just crazy. It feels like I have only been in Kamas for just a week!

Shout Out

First off, I would like to address Elder Clouse's email: Holy Cow, that was hilarious, hahah. That makes me feel better about some of my experience at Babbitt Motor Werks.

Baptisms

Hmm, so what to say about this week... Well, to tell the truth, this week was just one of those weeks in the field where nothing really happened out of the regular. We have just been working and teaching and doing the best we can.  This week is going to be pretty intense if everything goes according to plan, so we will see. [So and So] ended up not getting baptized because he wanted to wait another week so he could have everybody that he wanted at the service, so that means this week we should go up 9 baptisms for the transfer--if everything follows through. I'm really hoping and praying that God will fend Satan of  so that the people will follow through with these ever so important things! So next week I'll let you know how how that goes.

Visas

I haven't heard anything about my Visa yet, but today we are taking Elder Clark to meet the consolate so he can get his. So after he leaves, about half my MTC district will be in Mexico. Man, it's crazy! So apparently the way the Visas work is they are passed through all of the states and every state has to stamp the Visa fo us to be allowed in to Mexico. I'm thinking we should upgrade the plan. But, I'm just really doing the best that I can to learn what I need to learn. There are so many little things that I need to learn, and it just gets frustrating. But it must be done. 

Transfers

We have transfers next week, and it's going to be interesting to see what happens since it's going to change for us with Elder Torres leaving.  I really hope I don't get put back into the Salt Lake Valley. I just wanna stay in Kamas or Park City.  Ohh, and for the record, the address you have for me is the Mission Office Address, so anything you send goes to the mission office, then it goes into a bin for the Kamas Area. We get it at district meetings or when we are allowed to go to the office ( just in case anyone was wondering).

Language Training 

We had a language training meeting last Wednesday. It was really neat to see people from my original district. Everyone seems to be doing well, but it seems like I get to speak the most Spanish out of everybody.  

But things are good here. I'm just so tired, but doing what I can to learn what I need to! I love you all a thanks so much for everything! Take Care!

Transfer 1. Week 5

Wow! I cant believe I'm closing in on my first transfer. I cant believe I have been out as long as I have.  Either Mtc time goes by really, really slow, or field time goes by really, really fast--or it's both. I can't make up my mind! 

Anyways, things are good out hear in good 'ole Kamas Stake.  I can't believe half my family has been in the same city as me all week without even offering to buy dinner!*For the record, Oakley is part of our area, and we spent a lot of time there this week. We drive by the horse arena all the time, haha! Man that's crazy!

Baptisms

So, this week we are preparing for the baptism of [so and so], his son was baptized before I got here, and ever since, his dad has wanted to. So cross your fingers for everything to work out. We haven't been able to meet with him for a while, so I'm a little nervous. But I think things will work out.  We are still teaching [so and so]. I don't know if I have told you about [her]. She is a lady that we started teaching before I got here.  She was involved in a car accident 2 months ago and pretty much lost all ability to move because of injury. But now she is walking around the house with a walker and almost walking down the street to the church--power of the priesthood! She is planned to be baptized the 21st, and now we have begun teaching her kids and they are scheduled to join her in the font! It's going to be a big few weeks if things work out! But those are our investigators that are moving along the most. We have a good size teaching pool. We always have room for more, but we are teaching a good number of people who are progressing at the level that they need.

Story Time 
OK, story time now! So we were out in Oakley Friday or Thursday this week hitting up some part-member families and less-active families (by the way, I think Oakley by the mountains is the best part of the valley) and we were told by a member that down some dirt road there are some houses we could hit.  So, we parked the car at the head of the road and started walking (I think it was a mile at the minimum). It was overcast (it's rainy time here). We were just walking along the road and we eventually got to a point where we could either turn right or left (being a greeny, I chose left [mostly because I was really interested in seeing where the road leads to]). So as we are going, the trees ended up getting pretty dense, and you never would have guessed we were in the Salt Lake City South Mission based on what it looked like. We even saw a few deer.  So we were walking along--it's probably been like 30minutes--and we finally get to some house after wondering where the heck we were going (we almost felt pretty lost). So we get to the house and it's probably one of the most redneck houses I have ever seen (you can tell someone was hiding from the world). It even had solar ,so no connection to the world at all. We thought about knocking on the door, but we were too afraid because they could have done something to us out there, and nobody ever would have known, ha! But it's a nice walk anyway. But then it started to pour the sky out! Once we turned around it just rained like it was nobody's business! I felt like I was getting a demo of Mexico! But it was all good. I got some cool pics out of it!

Logistics

Which brings up a new subject: I need you to send my memory card back before I can send my 1st Transfer home. I don't have a ton of pics, but there are some that I'm sure you'll wanna see.  But all in all, this was a regular week. I'm just learning as much as I can. There is soooooo much I have to learn and it's gong to take time, but it will be worth it I'm sure! And yes Dad, I have had the Oakley Double cheese burger (it's definitely the best, and the chocolate malts are great. I still don't think it's quite as good as chee burger chee burger). Speaking of chee burger chee burger does anyone know how Tyler Koko is doing? It seems like I haven't heard form him in months. And how is Fonzi doing?

Spanish 
SO everyone asks about my Spanish, so here is my answer to all the inquiries: most of our lessons are Spanish. I'd say like 80-90%, so my Spanish is getting worked. I'm trying to learn at least 10 words a day with flashcards. I practice lots of conjugating and I'm just starting to study grammar again. I don't get to have language study every day throughout the week just because of variable things.  But things are good here. 

Thanks for all the encouragement and love! Take care and stay strong!

Love Elder Tanner Nelson

*Disclaimer: Dad and Sophie competed in a cutting competition in Oakley, UT where Tanner is currently serving. 

I dont know what the heck I'm doing!

We are on week 4 of the transfer. That means I have been here for almost a month! How crazy is that?! Elder Torres goes home in 23 days, which is sad. Man, time is flying by soo fast! But I still can't even fathom being in Elder Torres's shoes! That's just nonsense. But this has been a good week.

Hit the Ground Running

I have been out a month but you wouldn't think so, haha.  Elder Hernandez had to spend a lot of this week down in Salt Lake City for SOE training so that just left me, Elder Torres, and Elder Clark here in Kamas I don't know what the heck I'm doing!alley. I've spent a lot of the time being senior companions with Elder Clark and sometimes a member.  I thought there was supposed to be some kind of grace period when you go on your mission, but freak, I'm getting sent out basically by myself to teach and find people. I have only been in the field a month! I don't know what the heck I'm doing! BUT, it's OK. Actually, I liked it because it pushes me to learn faster; and when you have to speak Spanish you can speak Spanish--enough said! It may not be pretty, but you get your point across. Man, I'm so glad I took Elder Ferrin's advice and worked my [buns] off in the MTC. All those long hours are paying off!

Baptisms and Temptations

This week, a man named [so and so] and his wife [so and so] got married and baptized on the same day.  They are a family Elder Hernandez has been working with for a while now. The Spirit was really strong at the baptism. It was really neat to see this family take eternal steps together. I must admit, this week I was really being tempted with the Visa-waiter attitude: it just feels like nobody in the mission really cares about what I do because I could leave any week, and I'm just here. I have been waiting 8 months to go to Mexico. I guess I just really want to get started in Mexico.  But I'm here, so I need to learn what I can while I'm here, and appreciate that the people here can speak some Spanglish.

Teaching in Rainstorms

It has been raining a lot here. Yesterday, me and Elder Clark were around walking and it just started pouring, then haling! We were absolutely soaked before we walked 10 feet. I loved it. It almost felt like swimming! It's a good thing we were almost at the dinner appointment. My teaching is coming along. I'm really working on having good scriptures to use when I teach. I really wish I could teach and communicate in Spanish the way i do in English, but the lord gives us trials to humble us.  But, it's good here. I found another good burger joint in a pharmacy. Man, this place is soo good! I'm definitely coming back someday.

I haven't heard anything on the visa, so I'm just gonna keep pluggin' away here in Kamas. I love you all and thank you for everything! Take care!

The happiness that can come to us is limitless

Transfers

Hey! Guess what?! I got transferred to the complete other side of the mission!!! I am now in Kamas Utah.... haha I love it so much! It’s a lot like Preston, Idaho I think. It’s so green and pretty here. I’m about 20 mins East of Park city. In fact, Park City is in my zone! It’s so cool out here! It reminds me a lot of the Nelson cabin for some reason. But yeah, I’m in Kamas, Utah. Our area covers Woodland to Oakley or something like that. It looks a lot like the area that the Utah house is in. I really love it. We are in a car again, so I’m submitting a big music wish list for ya! Thanks!

Members

The people here are so great to us. We get so much food from the members. I miss feeling hungry sometimes, hahah. But it’s so good. The members here really have sooo much respect for the missionaries.

Companions

My New Companions are Elder Hernandez from Mexico, Elder Torrez from Mexico, and Elder Ferrin form my MTC district. Elder Torrez and Hernandez are such good teachers. I’m really learning so much from them. They are such good missionaries. I’m so glad to be in this area with them. They are improving my Spanish so much because they don’t talk in English, hahaha. And they are such funny guys! Man they are so funny. They are really hard workers and we have so many people to teach here, and there is always something that we can do because of their hard work! I’m really trying to learn as much as I can from them! Elder Ferrin has his Visa, so he leaves for Mexico sometime this week, so we won’t be double working the area anymore. This makes us even busier! It’s crazy stuff! But I love it so much!

They have me participate in teaching the lessons so much, and a lot of the time, I won’t even know that I’m teaching the main part of the lesson until we are at the door. They are really improving my ability to act fast. They’re also so dedicated to studying. Elder Torrez gets up at like 5 a.m. every day so he can get more time to study. He knows the bible so well. It’s so fun to hear is bible bashing stories. My companions are really teaching me so much. I’m so glad to be here.

The Area

We are within 45 mins of Salt Lake. Being on the other side of the mountains is like living in a whole other world. It’s just so pretty and amazing. The people environment is so great. There is so much love for the Elders. Everybody has so much respect for us, it’s incredible.

Learning Lessons

I am really starting to understand Mosiah when he says that it is not expedient for man to run faster than he is able. My whole time in the field I have been trying to run like a missionary who has been out for more than a year, which is like trying to swim a 500 after one week of swimming—you’re gonna get freaking tired, and it’s gonna be one of the worst experiences of your life. All the stress from that was really making things difficult, and I wasn’t really happy with being on a mission. But then in personal study I was just reading about how God’s whole purpose for us is to be happy. Everything is meant to make us, his children, happy. And I have just been slowing down and trying to learn and not do. God has blessed me with teaching skills, but I just don’t know how to be the missionary I want to be. My mind is a lot more closed when I’m stressed out and that was really interfering with the spirit. But in being with my new companions, I have learned that the mission doesn’t have to be stressful and you don’t have to go a million miles an hour. Just be calm and happy. The spirit while guide you to where you need to go. I have trusted only myself way too much. I have been relying on myself so much, and that is a foolish thing to do when you have the all-knowing source on your side. I still have to work hard, and some things are going to be hard. But it’s important to remember that I’m in the learning stages of my mission.

It’s basically required of me to make mistakes, to embarrass myself by telling everybody “estoy bueno” and not “estoy bien,” (estoy bueno means something different, like something you wouldn’t expect to hear form a missionary. But I’ll let you figure out what it means to Spanish people…haha). And the other day in a lesson I told the people I have 7 kids instead of 7 brothers and sisters, hahah. It was funny. But God’s whole intent for us is to be happy, and Paul says God loves a happy giver. So I’m just still working hard while really changing my approach to the whole mission life because things have been a lot better since I have done that. It has really made such a difference, so I challenge everybody to just find the joy in every moment. Make every moment worth talking about and remembering. I promise that it will make a difference in your life. Pray for it. And if you’re not praying, start praying. That makes a big difference in itself.

Other Insights

Family, please, please, please (!) strive to have Family Home Evening, Family Scripture Study, and Family Prayers. How can I teach and require this of other people if my own family doesn’t follow? I promise that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can fix any problem with time and enduring. Always strive to have a cheerful attitude. Everyone believes that we have every reason in the world to be unhappy, but really, we have so many more reasons to be happy. We chose to come to this earth because we knew it was the best option that we had in the pre-earth life. We did have a choice, and we knew there were high risks to come here. Nut there was also the highest reward possible. So please, please, please do your best to unify the family and I promise you just as I promise many people every day, that this gospel can heal any wound—no matter how deep. But only if we permit, so open your door to the light and gospel of Jesus Christ. We levitate how much happiness we have in our lives, we choose our path, and we choose the intensity of the light in our path. So, flip the switch and stop wandering in the dark. Get over yourself and live to your full potential of happiness as sons and daughters of God. We are Queens and Kings of the most high God and the highest kingdom of them all.

Closing

Family, Glen, Katie, Jacob, Hanna, Paige, and Sophia: I love all of you so much. If I didn’t show that before my mission, or if you doubt just a little that I love you, then shame on me and I’m sorry. I promise that I’m working on repenting of that. So family, please open the windows to heaven and lighten your path as much as possible. I love you all so much; I really do. And much of the time I’m disappointed that it took me being separated from you to realize how much I love you, but I really do love all of you, and I hope that you can feel my love for you just as I feel your love for me.

Strive to make the gospel more relevant in your lives. I have met so many people out here who were members but then allowed themselves to lose their faith. And they lost their faith because of their choice to not do the simplest of things like pray and read the scriptures. I promise the happiness that can come is limitless. I have seen the difference in all kinds of homes according to how they live and apply the gospel. Don’t get caught up in the lies that you don’t need to do these things because remember that Satan teaches a man not to pray!

"Members are the most important source for finding investigators."

Well, another week in the field. Transfers are on Wednesday, so we will see what ends up happening for those.  I'm kinda hoping our companionship is changed from 3 greenies and one trainer to something a little more balanced.

So, this week me and Elder Stradling have been working on getting the members more involved.  I can't believe how much missionaries really depend on members for missionary work, so always remember that members are the most important source for finding investigators. Us missionaries are constantly changing around areas, so we don't know the area, and we dont know the people. I challenge everybody to get to know your neighbors so that when the missionaries come to your door and ask for referrals, you can give them something!

So me and Elder Stradling went around to the auxiliary leaders in the Oquirr Point Stake and shared a scripture with them and bore our testimonies about missionary work and how it blesses us and our families.  Then we asked them how we can help them and for referrals and then we left with a prayer.  We gave them pass along cards with D&C 18:10, 13-17 and Matthew 14:5 or something like that with our number on it.  So just remember the members are key in areas.

We went on splits sometime through out the week. Me and Elder Stradling went and stayed with Elder Jones, one of our zone leaders.  Their landlords are so messy, ha, it was driving me crazy. The whole time I was in their house I was cleaning. Thanks for that trait mom. I'm sure my wife will appreciate it, hahah! Elder Jones is English speaking and so we went around to English people, and boy, am I glad to get to work with Spanish people because English people [aren't so friendly]. That was the first time a door had ever been slammed in my face. Everybody should learn to be more like Spanish people and Polynesian cultures. They are so nice about everything, and they are soo friendly. And their families are usually closer too. I'm already making mental notes of how I want things to be in my house that I will have some day.  I don't know if anyone else thinks about this while on the mission, but I think about my future family and home A LOT. I'm always taking mental notes. But we have found a lot of Spanish families in the Oquirr Stake and Oquirr Point Stake. Now we just need to turn them into investigators.

We had a lot of people plan to come to church but only one of them showed, so that puts about 5 people back on baptism appointments--so we will see how that goes. I have been praying really hard for the members to get more involved here. We really need that.

The Spanish is coming, really, I just have to work on my vocab. I have a small vocabulary, so that is what makes it hard. I think I'm fine with grammar. It's not perfect, but it's good enough for what I'm doing. It just comes with time.

So on the bike I now can bunny hop! On flat ground I can be going and get both wheels off the ground!! WOO Hoo. That took a lot of tries! And I got a decent wheely down, too. I only had to bail one time in the few weeks I have been in the field.  I'm so glad we get to ride bikes. A lot of the time the only reason I'm happy is because I get to ride a bike and mess around and just have fun. I guess it's sad to say, but being on a bike has made things better! haha, I love biking!


So, I have decided that I really want to read through the bible because so many people think us Mormons don't study the bible, so I decided I should have a testimony of the bible, too. Everybody should read Preach My Gospel. It's great stuff. I'm learning soo much from it.  [I get a little bugged] in my companionship when they don't do things according to PMG. [In the MTC that's what they told us to teach.] Man, I loved the MTC! But at least I get to cook now, woo hoo! Man, I love cooking! But ya, that's about all for this week. I think! I will work on getting a few hand written letters out!

Thanks for the love and the prayers. I pray that God blesses those that help his missionaries!  One more piece of advice: the best thing you can do for a missionary is give them food! Or money is good too, since none of us can stick to a budget! I'm exited to see what transfers bring, but no matter what, I'm just gonna keep on working anyways! Thanks for everything. I love you all! Have a great one! Hopefully I will have something exiting to share for next week! TTFN!

Have I told anyone that my goal is to eat a mango a day, or at least teach and eat a mango at the same time?

Jacob, Happy Birthday! I’m working on a hand-written letter for ya! (Meaning, I’m hoping to start it today!) I hope your 17th b-day is great. I know it’s gonna be a great year! Mom tells me you started a lawn mowing business. That’s great! Just make sure you work hard and have good quality work so that you can have customers that want more! I’ll work on getting that letter to ya!

Angel, I’m working on a response for ya, too! I’m glad graduation was great! And if you got any more than 36 minutes of sleep on graduation night, then you are doing it all wrong! Hahaha. Ohh good times!

 

Jake, your mission sounds crazy! I’m jealous that you get to meet mofia members! Daggum! I guess I’ll get over it when I’m eating a mango and teaching. Have I told anyone that my goal is to eat a mango a day hahah, or teach and eat a mango at the same time?Don’t worry, Ill send pictures of it, hahah!

So guess what? I leaned how to fold socks for the fist time today when I was in the temple helping out. Man, I feel so cool now that I finally know how to fold socks! Blessings of service at the temple haha!

Michelle, thanks for the Health package. I’m working on a response for you to. I have like, 3 epistles to write today. Daggum! There isn’t enough time fore anything anymore. I thought daylight savings time was supposed to make it so there was more daylight and time in the day, but I swear, all I do on p-days is wakeup, shower, play basketball, eat, and say nightly prayers. It feels like I was just emailing and doing laundry yesterday. Where does the time go?!

I can’t believe I’m closing in on the end of my MTC time!

So, I’m not a district leader anymore because it switches at the halfway point. I liked being district leader, but daggum, it feels good to only have to work on studying. There is so much studying to do here.

So, me and Elder Ricks have officially started teaching in 100% Spanish. Let me tell ya'll, the gift of tougngeus is as real as the voice you are using to read this email out loud to yourself! But I agree with Jake: speaking and understanding another language is crazy. But it’s not as crazy as understanding and reading the Book of Mormon in another language. I love it. I decided that my homecoming talk is going to be in Spanish because I have worked way to hard on Spanish to just speak English when I get home! I love Spanish; it’s such a cool language! And don’t worry, I’ll help anyone with Spanish when I get home.

So I’m really looking forward to the day when I’m this blonde-haired, blue- eyed guy in mesa that has a Mexican accent! Man, that’s going to be a funny day. And I give anyone permission to make fun of me for that, hahah. Especially if I accidently start talking in Spanish, because once I get to Mexico, the only time I think, speak or use English will be in my email home! But I’m so Excited for the challenge of the language. My mission pres said we get Mexican comps, so we have to learn the language, and I’m stoked for that!

Umm, things here are great. It has been great work. I’ve been studying a lot, and my allergies have slightly been buggin’ me—but there is nothing I can do now that I’m taking my the allergy pills (thanks for those, by the way, mom) Despite the allergies, I just keep workin’.

Last night at the devotional we had some guy from the 70 talk to us, and he talked about space and about how man really is nothing and how God really does care for each of us, and how we all have purpose and just all sorts off good stuff. I decided that it’s the best talk I have ever heard! But ya, great week and I cant believe its already p-day, daggum! If I think of anything else to say ill let y’all know when I get back on around 1 for laundry time. I love you all so much and I’m so grateful for your love and support. I want you to know it is all felt and it makes a world of difference!

I’m a daggum workhorse, and I want to go to work in Mexico!

Hey! My companion has a hurt knee, so we aren’t going to the temple today. It’s kind of a bummer, but oh well! What can ya do about it?

It was nice because we got to go off campus yesterday to visit the doctor. It was some place at University Hospital, which was right across the street from Macey’s—you know that store we were at before you dropped me off. Ha, it was kind of weird to think that Katie is a 2-second walk away, but it felt soooo good to see something new. Don’t get me wrong, I love the MTC. But I’m not built for a classroom and studying all day. I’m a daggum workhorse, and I want to go to work in Mexico!

So one of the lunch register people is from Veracruz, Mexico! Me and my comp talk to her all the time. She is pretty cool, but I just love hearing about Veracruz: it makes me sooo excited. I really hope we get our visas on time. We have guys in our zone who are going on their 13th or 14th week in the MTC. I would be bummed if I end up spending an 8th of my mission in the MTC.

So I’m getting ready to start teaching the first lesson completely in Spanish. I have about 100 words I need to learn by next week, so I'll let you know how that goes! I can’t believe I have been here for a month. It feels like I have been here only a week, yet an eternity at the same time! We get so much done here: the days seem like weeks, hahah.

It’s definitely important to stay busy here. But it’s all fun and games. I’ve got the routine down, which helps a lot. My favorite days are Sundays, and then Wednesdays. I like Sundays because they are chill. I’m always in and out of meetings all day because I’m a district leader. The schedule is nice, and it gives my eyes a break from reading and studying all the time! But yea, I’m loving it here.

I decided that the new theme song to my life is “There is Sunshine in My Soul.” I just love that song. I make it a goal to sing it every morning when I wake up. I also like “Have I done Any Good in the World Today.” When I’m singing, I just imagine my self in Veracruz walking down the street teaching it up, haha.

Ohh my goodness I’m sooooo exited for Mexico. I love the MTC, but I wanna be in MEXICO! I wanna work! Something cool about this week:me and Elder ricks decided to study on the 5th floor of our building (18m). We were fascinated to see the great view it had. Pretty much all we see here are white walls, tan brick walls, and mountains—so it’s nice to get a glimpse of something new.

It’s crazy how it snowed! What the heck is up with that?! I thought it was almost June, not daggum January! This Utah weather is crazy.

So something else I have realized is just how proud of Arizona I really am haha. I get so exited to tell anyone about Arizona. Whenever there are missionaries going to Mesa or Arizona, I go and talk to them for so long about it, haha. I guess I just never realized how much I love Arizona!

So me and my comp decided that we are going to make a book and call it "How to survive the MTC Spanish Speaking” haha. And we are gonna hide it somewhere in our room when we leave so that when someone finds it in 20 years they will know all the good stuff and advise that would take them a month to figure out.

I’m sure there is so much more to say but I just can’t remember what has happened in the last week or when—just because time is all smooshed together in my mind, haha. But I’m feeling healthy this week and studying hard to learn Spanish. I’m always doing some activity on Spanish.

Thanks for everything! I love you all, and it’s always nice to hear how things are going back in the good ‘ole Mesa, AZ!

We get a new district today...

Hey I just got back from the Temple. Um this week has been great, last Sunday I decided I'm going to read the Book Of Mormon again and I’m almost halfway through! It’s so great, I have gotten so much more out of it this time then I ever have! And I have read the Pearl of Great Price like 3 times now, I had never read it before, it certainly made my temple experience a lot better! Things here are good, 4 Elders in my district left for Peru today, I’m really going to miss those guys they were all so great and I love them so much and I wish them the best as the head off to Peru. It’s going to be weird to only have 8 people in out classroom. But it’s been a great week, not much has really happened; I’m just working on the Spanish. And mom and Katie thanks for the stuff; the protein shakes help a lot! And the blanket helps me sleep so much better! I like it here a lot. Once I got over the whole no independence thing its been nice haha but it feels pretty cool to be in charge of my own dry cleaning for once! I have been looking forward to that for a long time haha! But ill think of more things to say later today! Thanks for everything love ya!


So I’m going to see if I can sum up the week the best I can. We get a new district today, which will be pretty sweet; we won't be the youngest anymore. It does always feel really good to see all the new elders come in! With their orange stickers (some of you will learn what this means someday hahah) but I’m 95% sure I’m sick, but don’t worry grandpa shill I’m a genius, I went and bought a little box of baking soda and I spent 5 minutes of my lunch shaking salt into a Styrofoam cup and now I have a nice solution of your secret blend to help my sinus drain, I have been doing that for 2 days now, so hopefully I will feel better soon so I can go back to working my butt of. So for not writing anyone back whit week but I really feel like poop today so I don’t want to make it sound like I’m doing worse than I am. I love it here; this last week has been so great. I pretty much read the Book of Mormon (el Libro de Mormon) whenever I get a chance. I have learned tons of great stuff and it makes me so happy to read it, Me Amo el libro de Mormon. 


So how are the suns doin? Last I heard they are down 3-0 to the Lakers. But the Peruvians left today. Ohh and Jake congrats on the baptism appointment! That’s awesome! Umm Spanish is going great, thank goodness for the gift of tongues because now I’m actually learning it unlike when I was in my Spanish classes at Carson and Stapley haha! But I haven’t really been focused on learning Spanish the last week I’m more focused on my teaching skills and understanding the gospel better! Umm and Jake I almost have figured out how to break into the room, I found a couple of guys from your old zone and I asked them about it and they described it to me. So out zone leaders leave for Chile next week, I’m gonna be sad to se them go to, I really like them a lot and they are pretty much the only ones in the older districts that we can look up to, everyone is scary immature! So we will see who gets called to be zone leader, I’m really anxious for that! I decided that Sunday is my favorite day here. Last Sunday after sacrament meeting we went on a temple walk and I just went and sat down and soaked up the sun for a good 2.5 hours hahah it felt so good, I don’t like this Utah weather and I miss the sun, but that’s about all for this week, hope to hear from ya'll soon! Love ya!