Sept 28, 2009

Well well well.

That’s awesome that Cole is enjoying soccer, I love it down here. I’m so excited because I’ll be home in time to watch the World Cup in June! Paraguay already made it into the tournament, and so did the United States, so it’ll be cool to have two teams to root for. But why you gotta always go and ruin my little surprises that I have all planned up? Haha, I was already planning to pick him up some sweet little jerseys and was even going to ask his size in this email. So at least I don’t have to do that now I guess. We’ve begun playing soccer as a zone every week, er, for the past three weeks. Without having District Meeting on Monday, that morning time is all open now to play. So we go to this sweet turf field, and we each pitch in $1.50 to play for an hour and a half. Today it was cold and had the constant mist drizzle, but it was still a ton of fun, but man, I’m turning into Dad when it comes to sport injuries. A couple months ago, like right after my birthday, I twisted my ankle pretty bad… it’s still pretty weak, but today I totally busted up my toe. I hit a post while trying to kick the ball and I think the nail lifted up from the skin. All I know was that when we got home it was all bloody, but I took a shower and was looking at it, and besides being sore, it really isn’t that bad.

The temple was amazing, I got to do confirmations and a session and then some sealings and ended with initiatories. But the best was just getting to sit in the Celestial Room. I was praying a lot to know about where I need to go and what I need to do after the mission, just asking specific questions and listening to my feelings. I was like- BYU?... U of U?... … Utah?.... Arizona? … .. ….. … alright, I’ll say it, Idaho? ….. Nope, nothing. But I just got the impression that I just had to pick up the Book of Mormon that was on the table, and just open it up because it’d have the answer. Now I was kind of skeptical, because I’d never had the luck with that, but after a few moments I was like, alright. So I picked it up and flipped it open and I swear, my eyes just popped to the first verse that I saw and I read it, and it was the PERFECT scripture for me right now. It was incredible. But it was also in Spanish, and later I looked it up in English, and the feeling the scripture gives is way different, and totally wouldn’t have worked for me if I were to have read it in English. Anyways, that was very powerful for me. It had nothing to do with after the mission though.. so I’m still at a loss as to what to do when February rolls around. I’m glad you were able to get Paige to visit the temple so soon, that’s something that President Wade and the Temple President are pushing right now, that recent converts visit the temple right after baptism to just strengthen their testimony that much more. I’m so glad my family was able to feel the joy as well of helping a friend find the truth and joy of the restored gospel.

Alright, well, I guess I’ll answer some of your questions now. First off, the Eccos survived the operation, if barely, and are now usable again, but they look a little funny now, not gonna lie. But whatever, I just need them to trek around in the dirt and the cobble stone streets that they have here, I’m not trying to impress anyone. The baptisms also went very well this past Thursday, Enrique and Paloma were both baptized in freezing cold water hahaha. I feel so bad for the converts here, the water is never warm. But as a missionary, I just have to hop right on in and act like its warm and look up at them with a smile and offer a hand so that they come on down haha. But yesterday they both were confirmed and Enrique was ordained as a Priest. But the kids here have a very relaxed school system that is just a disaster, they don’t learn anything. All schools have morning, afternoon, and night classes, but none are the normal 9-3 that we’re used to in the states. Seminary is only held on Saturdays, for like an hour and a half to two hours, but I guess in places where the church is more established, like in Chile where my companion is from, they have it in the morning like at home.

Anyways, Love you a lot, and I love empanadas a lot too,

Elder Dennis

PS. Have you found a lomito arabe place?

Sept 21, 2009

Well, another week down. Which means only 21 left. Which means before the end of this change I’ll be in the teens. That’s a cool little tid bit for those who might be trunky. We played soccer today. It was fun. My team won 16-11... We as goalies suck... But yeah, District meetings here are actually zone meetings, because the areas (and wards) are so tiny because they have to be walkable for the missionaries (and the members). So the whole zone meets up at the same chapel, and then the meetings start off with each district getting together and have their own meetings for like 30-45 minutes, and then we all get together and talk about the zone for 15 minutes, and then it ends and we go rule the town. Literally. We own this place. I’m pretty sure we’re the only people with money here.

But that’s exciting that Paige was able to get a Bible. I remember having to do those calls when I was in the MTC. She totally talked to a sister missionary who’s in the MTC right now. But that totally sucks that her quad got tossed. I would have been so mad, my scriptures (and my fotos!) are my most valuable possession. I don’t know if I told you guys but I lost a month's worth of photos, and it was quite upsetting. It was awhile ago now, so whatevs, but my fotos from like the middle of February to mid March all got deleted before making backups. But tell Paige to keep going strong despite what others may say, trust me, I can totally sympathize with her right now. A great example is a young man that will be baptized this Thursday named Enrique. He was cool, but I never really saw that he had a testimony or anything until Friday last week, when we shared the Restoration video with his mom (it went okay, but I don’t know if she’ll get baptized anytime soon). Anyways, after she left to go attend some other people, we were talking about how Joseph couldn’t be swayed from what he knew was true, and Enrique was just like ‘Yeah, I know it’s true, and I don’t care what anyone else says.’ It totally caught me off guard, but it was super exciting. Anyways, he and another girl, Paloma, are getting baptized on Thursday, so we’re excited for that.

Tomorrow, we get to go to the temple! I’m so excited, it’ll be my last time going to the temple as a zone in Paraguay. I’ll go once more as I’m leaving to go home, but this is it. Then comes my last general conference, and before you know it, we’ll be talking on the telephone machine. Another exciting note: The LDS Bible came out in Spanish this last week!!! It’s so amazing, I can’t believe it, all of the members are super excited haha. Reading Paige’s story again totally reminded me of that. Anyways, no new pictures, but wish Elder Shumway a happy birthday, because today is his cumpleaños. We woke him up with that cake in a bowl thing that you sent. Those things are AMAZING by the way. You should totally send more next time. The cookie was my favorite.

Much love,

Elder Dennis

Sept 14, 2009

Well, not a lot happened this week… it’s the start of something new though: we no longer have District Meetings on Monday, instead we just have a full P-Day, and on Tuesdays we’re going to get together for District Meetings. So that’s interesting. But tomorrow we’re going to have Zone Conference, so hopefully that gives a boost to the zone, because right now we’re not doing so hot, and I’m running out of ideas and options of what I can do. Our own area is lacking a bit right now too, because even though we have some cool people, hardly anyone makes it to church. But I’m excited that the mission work is going well in Saratoga, I hope Paige does well in growing the seed of her testimony, and I know with you guys accompanying her, she’ll do great. That’s one thing that I’ve definitely learned here in Paraguay, without a friend who will stay with them after the missionaries are gone, it is soooo tough for young converts to keep going strong, so don’t underestimate the influence the family is having on that young woman!

Yeah, I’m excited though that I’m a grandpa in the mission, but I still don’t know my grandkid’s name haha. I plan on finding out this week though, because I’m pretty sure I have Zone Conference with the zone that Elder Spencer is in right now. But as far as soccer goes, I’m stoked that Cole is doing good. Fútbol is a ton of fun. Today we went to this sweet turf field that’s like the perfect size to play 7 on 7, and its all netted in so we can’t kick the ball out (a must with gringos playing) and it only costs 60 mil an hour, or 12 dollars. So we split that up and everyone paid 5 mil, or a dollar, and it was awesome. With our open P-Days now, we’re planning on going just about every week in the morning early to start off the day with some bonding time and exercise. There’s no way you could find a nice place like that for so cheap in the states.

My shoes are still in the process of getting fixed, supposedly it took him forever to get the soles off… the Paraguayans aren’t used to quality American shoes. But now he’s going to sew on a new sole, so I should have them by the end of the week, if not next P-Day. Anyways, tell the Jessee’s hello for me when they get home, and just so ya’ll know, yesterday was the 19th month mark for me… so I’m getting pretty old. Other than that, there’s no real news… things are going pretty slow, but I’m fighting to keep things going, but man, every day I’m just a more and more tired. Thanks for everything you did Mom and Dad… and siblings… for me before the mission, even if I did take it for granted in the moment. Love you all,

Elder Dennis

Sept 7, 2009

Hey there everybody,

All right, first things first: Google Earth! So you basically found where my area is. It’s not that main road that you’re talking about, but it’s along there. It’s split down the middle by a street known as Calle’i, but its real name is Gabriel Pellón. But that power plant that you saw is on the opposite side of the big Luque-San Lorenzo road, but the big power lines that go out from it cross over my area, to the east. So yeah, that main street is one border, and it swings down and hooks up with the east side border, which is a tiny little stream. To the north, its tough to describe the border, but the church, if you find it (a little northeast of the powerlines) is out of my area by like 3 blocks. So yeah, have fun with that. Oh and interesting fact, the other side of the main street Luque-San Lorenzo is the south mission.

The mission suffered very little change this time around. I’m still with Elder Contreras, who besides being annoying, really isn’t that bad of a kid. I am impressed, because like a good many of the latin missionaries, he’s the only member in his family. They totally support him, but still, its impressive that he made it here on his own testimony and desires. Elder Whiteford went out to Pedro Juan Caballero, but I’m still living with Elder Shumway and Elder Larsen, so I still got buddies nearby. Today we made a title of liberty in district meeting, with all of the reasons we’re on the mission written on it, to try and animate the zone a little bit. I don’t know why, but we’re having a tough time rising up. The first Sunday of the change IS usually the worst for whatever reason, but still, its no fun to be fighting the mediocrity. Then we went to a little Luque Expo, or like city fair thing, where I bought just a couple little trinkets... 4 dollars worth, to be exact. And you’d be surprised at what 4 dollars can get you in Paraguay haha.

Anyways, I got your package last Tuesday, so no worries there, it was a nice surprise. It was just full of goodies and a pizza kit and some deserts, which I haven’t made up yet, but this week hopefully I have some more energy to do that. You may laugh at the fact that I lack energy to stir some water into some packets of powder that even come with a bowl, but you never served a mission hahaha. Are the Jesses home?! Its been a year and a half since I left, but I don't know how long their mission is for.

I don’t know what I’m going to do when I get home, because I want to work and save up some money to go out west, but what could I do in February that pays good money? Do you think the track would use translators that early in the season? Its right after the holiday season, so no one in retail will be hiring. Too bad I can’t just go and work at the Chiller haha. As far a a family trip goes... anything that involves activity, like snowboarding or surfing or wakeboarding or motocrossing... I still don’t like doing nothing. Maybe going down to Mexico or Spain or wherever I can use Spanish just for fun... or Alaska would be cool too... probably still too cold up there in March though. Or we could come visit Paraguay... but there really is nothing to do here but talk to people I know, and only I talk in Spanish. I’m really down for whatever. Oh, and through the grape vine I’ve heard that Matisyahu came out with a new cd... if you’re still listening to reggae you should check it out and let me know how it is.

Well, keep me informed on my teams, OSU and UofU, and I'll keep fighting the good fight.

Love,

Elder Dennis