June 16, 2010

Dear Family,

Well I forget to wish mom a happy birthday last week, but I will be honest that I thought about her a lot on the 11 of June. I am not sure if that counts so I apologize for forgetting to wish you in the last letter. It is hard to time things like that.

So I am glad that things went well in Washington. Sounds like a crazy town. It would be really weird living there. I think that it is funny that Mark wants Dad to travel so that he can stay at Timpview. That sure does sound familiar. I am not too worried about the current situation, just because the past has taught us that the Lord ALWAYS gives us what we need.

So there were transfers this last Monday, but Elder Moreno and I are still companions. Which is great because I love him. He is a great missionary and of course...he is Spaniard. You don´t get anything better than that. A native missionary companion. He is teaching me a bunch of dichos...sayings that they have here, which there are a lot, and of course he still needs to teach me how to make all of the traditional plates of Spain. So far I have learned only how to make Arroz con leche (rice with milk). It is wonderful and he has his secrets.

So it is going to be a great transfer. The only thing that is hard about this area is that there hasn´t been a baptism since March and that was when there were hermanas (sisters) here. The Élderes haven´t had a baptism in Barrio 5 since November. So Elder Moreno especially is just dying to have one. We have 3 key investigators and 1 that has an active baptismal date for the 29th of June. It falls on a Tuesday, which is weird, but it is a special day for him and his girlfriend. Don´t worry the girlfriend is our friend in the process.

She actually is a returned missionary and they are in the process of getting married. But there are no problems between them so that will not impede the process. His name is Andres Cuasquén, and we are excited, because on Sunday his girlfriend Elizabeth Vera told us that she had a serious discussion with him, making sure he was listening to us because he wanted to change and to know, and not just for her. He told her that he did want to change and get baptized. So we have a lot of faith that things will work out. She, obviously, is a huge support. She helps him do everything, remember to read, prayer, go to church, etc. So I have definitely gained my testimony about the use and importance of members. If only the members would give us more referrals.

Another exciting thing that happened to us on Monday is that the other compañionship that shares the apartment with us changed. So one Elder left and the one that came is from Argentina. His name is Elder Cerro. He was born in Argentina, moved to Uruguay, and the last few years has been living in the Canary Islands, which, come July 1st will be apart of our mission. So he is just so awesome. It is neat having two native companions in the piso (apartment) and the district, but it is sure hard for Elder Kay and I, to speak English.

Elder Moreno can comunicate, basic English, and understands almost everything, even when we speak normally, but Elder Cerro, as he has only been in the mission for about 6-7 months, still doesn´t speak very well. So we are trying to speak English, but there needs to be some sort of communication between that companionship so they are speaking a lot of Spanish too. Its okay. Elder Kay is our district leader. I found out that another missionary in my same group, meaning that he has the same time in the mission as I do, is training. So that is exciting for him.

As to Elder Carr, he doesn´t leave for home until September. His group is really big with about 10 or more Elders but almost all of them except for Elder Carr and one other are all leaving the mission early to get back in time for school. I admire Elder Carr a lot for staying the extra 3 weeks, even though it isn´t a lot, it still is another sign that he is a great, fantastic missionary.

I want to make sure that you know dad, that I am not putting any pressure on you to come and pick me up. It would be wonderful if you and mom came over, but if it is too hard or too expensive I am completely ok with coming home on the plane. I just don´t want you to feel any pressure from me, so you can make the decision freely.

Last night, Elder Moreno and I went to Segovia again to interview someone else there that is going to be baptized this Saturday. Elder Moreno interviewed the 25 year old Spanish man and things went well. The whole time we were in the bus, it takes about 45 min to an hour to get there, it reminded me a lot of Wyoming and Northern Utah. There are good size mountains over there and they are sooo green with big pine trees. It reminded me a lot of home because it was so beautiful. Whenever you think of Spain, you usually think of big city and lots of people. But up there by Segovia it is really quiet and just downright gorgeous. That will be a 1st stop for you and mom if you come over.

Well this has been a great week and I hope that all goes well with Mom up there at girlscamp. Good luck dad with the job search. I plan to write Cami today a little note and mail it to her. I will probably mail it to here this next week. I also really want to send you the pictures that I have taken recently. I hope to do that within the next week. I am sorry that it has taken so long.


Con mucho cariño y amor.