Hey there,
I always have such a hard time trying to figure out what salutation to use… I think its the hardest part of my letter hahaha. This week the primary had the special program in Sacrament meeting as well, and oh man, I wish you guys could just see this stuff. It’s so horrible its hilarious. Just try to imagine what it could possibly be like down here... they don’t even have someone who can play the piano to attempt to keep the kids on key... yeah, it’s pretty bad. I’m glad Cole did good this year though, that little guy is a stud, he’s going to be the best of us Dennis kids.
I wish I could go visit the temple whenever I wanted. The once every six months is definitely not often enough for me. I love seeing pictures of the Boston temple now. I’ve only ever seen it once in person, but I love that temple just because it was the first time I got to visit a temple other than to do baptisms. The temple truly is just the whole vision and meaning of why we’re here doing what we do, just to give these people that eternal family. Its something that hardly anyone truly understands down here, the importance and significance that the temple truly can have on their lives. Just knowing that I’ll be with the little man for forever is awe inspiring to me. Oh yeah, being with the rest of you will be cool too... hahaha just kidding, I love all of yins.
Speaking of counting down days though, tomorrow starts the hundred day countdown til yours truly will get to step foot on American soil again hahaha. Don’t worry though, I’m not counting, I was just informed today by one of the guys in my group. But today was pretty awesome, we had a Council Meeting with President Wade and then we went as the ZLs to visit the Museum of South American Soccer Association. I sent you a photo of the outside. Things are still going pretty tough here in Yvera, but I love my companion, and we’re doing our best to try and get things going, but the blessings for our efforts are taking a little while to get here haha. But todays meeting helped me out a little bit with some ideas as to what we can do to pick things up a bit. It’s weird though, I realized today that I’m the oldest ZL in the mission. In fact, at the end of this change I’ll have the same amount of time as a ZL as I did as a non ZL. Wow. The mission is flying by!
But as far as a Christmas package... how about an iPhone? When I get home? hahaha. Honestly I don’t have any requests, I don’t even really need a package... if its anything other than food it’ll just be more weight in my suitcases or will just be left here in Paraguay a month later. And before you get excited, don’t buy me garments or anything to have for me when I get home. Mine are all in pretty good shape still, and I think I’m going to want to get a different kind when I get home. Haha I can just see you getting antsy and we’d end up with a bunch of extra stuff on our hands.
But hey, I love you all, thanks for all of the support!
Love,
Elder Dennis
Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Nov 2, 2009
Hey there,
So Halloween was spent working really hard and putting it all out on the line to get people ready to go to church. Halloween as we know it in the states doesn’t exist down here, but most people have an idea of what we do, because of movies and stuff. Here they just go out and party in masks or something like that, and its fun, but we don’t see that side of life down here, so it didn’t really effect us. I don’t know, as a missionary holidays just don’t exist. Birthdays, Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving... they’re all just normal days down here. The only thing that can kind of be thought of as a holiday is Christmas, because you don’t really do anything, just visit cool members or something. But there’s no family or american food or any of standard things that denote ‘Christmas’ for us. But hardly anyone went to church by the way... things are going tough right now.
One thing I’ve really come to appreciate on my mission is family, because like they say, you don’t really know how important something is to you until its gone. Luckily I’ll be getting you guys back haha, but it’s really hit me these past couple weeks just the weight of this message we are trying to just give away to these people, and they just turn it down. We’re trying to give them an eternal family, the blessings of being sealed together for the eternities. I watched the church movie ‘Between Heaven and Earth’ by the church, and it talks about temples, and what other religious leaders and scholars have to say about it last night, and it was pretty powerful. But if you could see how these people just pass day after day and don’t even have direction in life. We pass old old old people in the streets and its just like, why don’t you just die already? What do you really have to live for? They just wake up, work, drink beer, and sleep again. That is the Paraguayan life. It’s so awesome when you can see meaning come into their lives though. Thats what makes it all worth it, that’s why we got out everyday in 100 degree weather and get rejected, ridiculed, mocked and yelled at. Cause in the end, it’s all worth it.
Sounds like the family is having fun with Grandpa Bob out there though, so that's cool. I love that guy. You people and your history sights though, I never would’ve guessed hahaha. And you’re planning your funerals already... no comment. But I enjoyed the photos of the costumes! Robyn busting out the Princess Peach, and the little Indiana Jones looked awesome, I wish I could have been there. Can you believe it was over TWO years ago that I dressed up as the scare crow in the Trunk or Treat thing at the church and scared all the little kids while they reached in to the trunk for the candy? That was the last Halloween memory I have. I don’t even have a clue as to what happened last year, I don’t remember it at all. It sucks that I won’t be home til all the holidays pass. But whatevs, I only have 15 weeks left here in Paraguay. When you put it that way it feels like nothing, fetch, I gotta get working!
But I’m proud of you guys having Paige move in.. to my room.... nah just kidding, that really is awesome. Not gonna lie mom, I don’t want to make you feel bad, but that never felt like my room. I know you tried your best, but it was never the same to me. Tell Paige I think she’s a stud for everything she’s doing to follow the truth, I respect that more than anything anyone can do in this life. She’s kind of like that ‘mystery girl’ to me too, and I’m kind of disappointed I won’t even meet her when I get home, I feel like she’s part of the family already. I haven’t even seen a picture of her or anything, I’ve just heard you talk about her, but it sounds like she fits right in to our crazy family. I love you all more than you know. And I miss my electric guitar...
Love ya,
Elder Dennis
So Halloween was spent working really hard and putting it all out on the line to get people ready to go to church. Halloween as we know it in the states doesn’t exist down here, but most people have an idea of what we do, because of movies and stuff. Here they just go out and party in masks or something like that, and its fun, but we don’t see that side of life down here, so it didn’t really effect us. I don’t know, as a missionary holidays just don’t exist. Birthdays, Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving... they’re all just normal days down here. The only thing that can kind of be thought of as a holiday is Christmas, because you don’t really do anything, just visit cool members or something. But there’s no family or american food or any of standard things that denote ‘Christmas’ for us. But hardly anyone went to church by the way... things are going tough right now.
One thing I’ve really come to appreciate on my mission is family, because like they say, you don’t really know how important something is to you until its gone. Luckily I’ll be getting you guys back haha, but it’s really hit me these past couple weeks just the weight of this message we are trying to just give away to these people, and they just turn it down. We’re trying to give them an eternal family, the blessings of being sealed together for the eternities. I watched the church movie ‘Between Heaven and Earth’ by the church, and it talks about temples, and what other religious leaders and scholars have to say about it last night, and it was pretty powerful. But if you could see how these people just pass day after day and don’t even have direction in life. We pass old old old people in the streets and its just like, why don’t you just die already? What do you really have to live for? They just wake up, work, drink beer, and sleep again. That is the Paraguayan life. It’s so awesome when you can see meaning come into their lives though. Thats what makes it all worth it, that’s why we got out everyday in 100 degree weather and get rejected, ridiculed, mocked and yelled at. Cause in the end, it’s all worth it.
Sounds like the family is having fun with Grandpa Bob out there though, so that's cool. I love that guy. You people and your history sights though, I never would’ve guessed hahaha. And you’re planning your funerals already... no comment. But I enjoyed the photos of the costumes! Robyn busting out the Princess Peach, and the little Indiana Jones looked awesome, I wish I could have been there. Can you believe it was over TWO years ago that I dressed up as the scare crow in the Trunk or Treat thing at the church and scared all the little kids while they reached in to the trunk for the candy? That was the last Halloween memory I have. I don’t even have a clue as to what happened last year, I don’t remember it at all. It sucks that I won’t be home til all the holidays pass. But whatevs, I only have 15 weeks left here in Paraguay. When you put it that way it feels like nothing, fetch, I gotta get working!
But I’m proud of you guys having Paige move in.. to my room.... nah just kidding, that really is awesome. Not gonna lie mom, I don’t want to make you feel bad, but that never felt like my room. I know you tried your best, but it was never the same to me. Tell Paige I think she’s a stud for everything she’s doing to follow the truth, I respect that more than anything anyone can do in this life. She’s kind of like that ‘mystery girl’ to me too, and I’m kind of disappointed I won’t even meet her when I get home, I feel like she’s part of the family already. I haven’t even seen a picture of her or anything, I’ve just heard you talk about her, but it sounds like she fits right in to our crazy family. I love you all more than you know. And I miss my electric guitar...
Love ya,
Elder Dennis
Monday, October 26, 2009
Oct 26, 2009
Hola mis queridos!
Bueno, this is Elder Comte’s first change as a ZL, so he’s pumped to get out there and get the zone pumped as well. Unfortunately, it’s pretty slow going still, even though we’re working our butts off. We’re living with Elder Gage, who showed up in the end of September, with Elder Shumway, and now he’s training Elder Hill. I have no clue how Elders in other parts of the world (cough the states..) work all day long! Because everyone is just out in the street and you can talk to anyone, it’s just so easy to ‘get the numbers’ here. We’re having trouble getting the amazing people we have to progress right now though.
We have a couple main investigators right now. Juliana went to church on Sunday, to Stake Conference, and she’s way awesome, but her boyfriend, the guy she lives with, is an inactive member who smokes and drinks and doesn’t want anything to do with the church, and she knows she needs to get married or break up, and she doesn’t want to get married. I can’t blame her, I wouldn’t get married to her loser boyfriend either. She is young, only 20, so we’ll see what happens. What’s awesome about that though is that we’re activating this inactive girl with her, because we got her all excited and put her with the responsibility of being the friend of Juliana and making her feel comfortable in church. Her name is Cinthia, and she’s 18. We have another lady named Liz who is cool, planning on getting married to her less active husband and get baptized, and also Marisa, who is a stud and loves the church. Her sister loves it too, but she needs to get married and is planning on it, but it’ll be a little bit farther down the road. We still need to just find newer better people to teach, because we’re running thin right now.
That’s awesome that Cole is a stud! When is his baptism going to be? Is he getting super excited? I’m touched that he keeps all of my old photos, that’s pretty cool. But yeah, I got my Halloween package, and its awesome! I’m glad you’ll be heading down to PA for Thanksgiving. How’s Grandpap Jones doing? And tell Aunt Audrey I’m excited to see her in church to hear my talk haha.
But about schools, what does LDSBC offer? I was looking at it a little bit in the brochures that Haley sent me, and it really just doesn’t seem like it has anything that I’d like to do. I’ll take a look at it again though. It’s so hard to tell you what it is that I want to do over email, because it can’t be explained well in written words. I don’t even know how to describe it to myself what I want to do, I can just feel like the tip of what it is, but the ideas are still developing. Anyways, love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
PS Does Haley write Elder Adamson? If she does, tell him that I'll be on the lookout. Haha.
Bueno, this is Elder Comte’s first change as a ZL, so he’s pumped to get out there and get the zone pumped as well. Unfortunately, it’s pretty slow going still, even though we’re working our butts off. We’re living with Elder Gage, who showed up in the end of September, with Elder Shumway, and now he’s training Elder Hill. I have no clue how Elders in other parts of the world (cough the states..) work all day long! Because everyone is just out in the street and you can talk to anyone, it’s just so easy to ‘get the numbers’ here. We’re having trouble getting the amazing people we have to progress right now though.
We have a couple main investigators right now. Juliana went to church on Sunday, to Stake Conference, and she’s way awesome, but her boyfriend, the guy she lives with, is an inactive member who smokes and drinks and doesn’t want anything to do with the church, and she knows she needs to get married or break up, and she doesn’t want to get married. I can’t blame her, I wouldn’t get married to her loser boyfriend either. She is young, only 20, so we’ll see what happens. What’s awesome about that though is that we’re activating this inactive girl with her, because we got her all excited and put her with the responsibility of being the friend of Juliana and making her feel comfortable in church. Her name is Cinthia, and she’s 18. We have another lady named Liz who is cool, planning on getting married to her less active husband and get baptized, and also Marisa, who is a stud and loves the church. Her sister loves it too, but she needs to get married and is planning on it, but it’ll be a little bit farther down the road. We still need to just find newer better people to teach, because we’re running thin right now.
That’s awesome that Cole is a stud! When is his baptism going to be? Is he getting super excited? I’m touched that he keeps all of my old photos, that’s pretty cool. But yeah, I got my Halloween package, and its awesome! I’m glad you’ll be heading down to PA for Thanksgiving. How’s Grandpap Jones doing? And tell Aunt Audrey I’m excited to see her in church to hear my talk haha.
But about schools, what does LDSBC offer? I was looking at it a little bit in the brochures that Haley sent me, and it really just doesn’t seem like it has anything that I’d like to do. I’ll take a look at it again though. It’s so hard to tell you what it is that I want to do over email, because it can’t be explained well in written words. I don’t even know how to describe it to myself what I want to do, I can just feel like the tip of what it is, but the ideas are still developing. Anyways, love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
PS Does Haley write Elder Adamson? If she does, tell him that I'll be on the lookout. Haha.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Oct 19, 2009
Hola, ¿qué tal?
So I’m still kickin it here in Yvera, but I got an amazing new companion, Elder Comte. He’s a stud, he’s a way funny guy and works hard, so I’m excited. He’s from Payson, Utah, so I got someone from the ‘Factory,’ as they call it. We worked hard this week, but we’re just having trouble finding more good investigators that will progress... we have a handful, but a couple of them aren’t all that secure just yet, but on Sunday I think the main problem some people didn’t get to church was the Daylight Savings Time. Down here we lost an hour because we’re in the spring time now, and like you were guessing, it’s starting to get hot. Its also cool because Elder Gage, who lives in the house with us, went up to senior companion and is training a greenie this change, Elder Hill. So our house just has a bunch of excitement and it’s interesting to see a brand new kid and his utter culture shock that we all have to go through when we show up hahaha.
Well, what’s gonna happen with this Summer thing at BYU? Are Haley and I just gonna be stuck in the dorms? Or would we be living together somewhere? Anyways, I get to see Pres Wade tomorrow so I’ll ask him about the application thing. And is Haley planning on going to the UVU come fall? Cause you mentioned she got in there or something. Welp, I guess I’m not too worried about it, and I just have to wait til next week to find out anyways, so whatevs.
Well, keep warm during those late night soccer games, and send that cool air down here if you can. I really don’t know what else to say, things keep going pretty normal, you know, the whole mission thing. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
So I’m still kickin it here in Yvera, but I got an amazing new companion, Elder Comte. He’s a stud, he’s a way funny guy and works hard, so I’m excited. He’s from Payson, Utah, so I got someone from the ‘Factory,’ as they call it. We worked hard this week, but we’re just having trouble finding more good investigators that will progress... we have a handful, but a couple of them aren’t all that secure just yet, but on Sunday I think the main problem some people didn’t get to church was the Daylight Savings Time. Down here we lost an hour because we’re in the spring time now, and like you were guessing, it’s starting to get hot. Its also cool because Elder Gage, who lives in the house with us, went up to senior companion and is training a greenie this change, Elder Hill. So our house just has a bunch of excitement and it’s interesting to see a brand new kid and his utter culture shock that we all have to go through when we show up hahaha.
Well, what’s gonna happen with this Summer thing at BYU? Are Haley and I just gonna be stuck in the dorms? Or would we be living together somewhere? Anyways, I get to see Pres Wade tomorrow so I’ll ask him about the application thing. And is Haley planning on going to the UVU come fall? Cause you mentioned she got in there or something. Welp, I guess I’m not too worried about it, and I just have to wait til next week to find out anyways, so whatevs.
Well, keep warm during those late night soccer games, and send that cool air down here if you can. I really don’t know what else to say, things keep going pretty normal, you know, the whole mission thing. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
Monday, October 12, 2009
Oct 12, 2009
Hey there family (and friends),
Tell Cole that I can’t wait to play fútbol with him when I get home, because I’m not gonna lie, I love playing soccer now. We play just about every week, and it’s a ton of fun. We gringos suck pretty bad, but I can keep up with the best of em... um... sometimes. But Hey, congrats for accomplishing the half marathon! Glad to hear that the two old folks are still keeping in shape. But yeah, I also got those pants, and they fit just fine, thanks so much for that, because I definitely needed it. I’m not gonna lie, I’m getting pretty fat... sooooo, yeah. But yeah, now I’m good for the rest of my mission. I think I might take one of my suit coats in to a fancy store and try and get some pants tailored up of the same kind of cloth, because man, those pants are wayyyy too tight. But you don’t have to worry too much about packages, you should just save up to spoil me when I get home :)
But wow. This starts my 14th transfer... I only have 3 more to go, and wow, I’m getting so old in the mission. I was thinking about that today, and I swear it still hasn’t hit me that I’m actually on my mission, but tomorrow is 20 months... WOW: I’m just bummin it in Paraguay and talking to people about Christ. And its amazing. I definitely wouldn’t call it the best two years of my life, but it is by far the best possible thing that a young man can do to prepare himself to be successful in life. I’ve changed so much, I can just walk up to a perfect stranger and talk to him about anything. And it’s in spanish. I was so shy before! By the way, I really hope you people can understand spanglish, because trying to speak straight english is literally impossible. The phone call home should be pretty interesting.
Alright, I guess I’ll answer your trunky questions though. First off, yeah, just go ahead and have me scheduled to talk that first week back to just get it out of the way, no point in procrastinating. Plus my accent might fade after a week in the states, and we can’t have that now can we? Haha As far as getting into the spring session, I’m sure Pres Wade will do whatever he needs to to help me get that all done, I’ll talk to him about it the next time I see him. I’m thinking if I need to, I can just go to UVU to get my grades up a little, because I know they were pretty low before. I bet that would be cheaper too than going to U of U, and once I get residency I can decide if I want to go there or if I want to try and transfer to BYU. I’m not gonna lie, I just want the cheapest solution to get things started off, and then once I get back to making some money and getting into the hang of things, we can see what happens.
Well, no changes information as of yet, so it looks like you’ll just have to wait til next week. Its almost certain I’ll be staying in the area and getting a new companion, but you never know. And tell Elder Wagner that being a ZL is way overrated. I just want to be a beetle. Now that’s deep doctrine right there. Who says I haven’t learn anything in two years? Hahaha. (The Savior’s Atonement, by W. Cleon Skousen). Oh, and if you can find that in English you should totally send it to me, I only have it in Spanish.
Love you all,
Elder Dennis
Tell Cole that I can’t wait to play fútbol with him when I get home, because I’m not gonna lie, I love playing soccer now. We play just about every week, and it’s a ton of fun. We gringos suck pretty bad, but I can keep up with the best of em... um... sometimes. But Hey, congrats for accomplishing the half marathon! Glad to hear that the two old folks are still keeping in shape. But yeah, I also got those pants, and they fit just fine, thanks so much for that, because I definitely needed it. I’m not gonna lie, I’m getting pretty fat... sooooo, yeah. But yeah, now I’m good for the rest of my mission. I think I might take one of my suit coats in to a fancy store and try and get some pants tailored up of the same kind of cloth, because man, those pants are wayyyy too tight. But you don’t have to worry too much about packages, you should just save up to spoil me when I get home :)
But wow. This starts my 14th transfer... I only have 3 more to go, and wow, I’m getting so old in the mission. I was thinking about that today, and I swear it still hasn’t hit me that I’m actually on my mission, but tomorrow is 20 months... WOW: I’m just bummin it in Paraguay and talking to people about Christ. And its amazing. I definitely wouldn’t call it the best two years of my life, but it is by far the best possible thing that a young man can do to prepare himself to be successful in life. I’ve changed so much, I can just walk up to a perfect stranger and talk to him about anything. And it’s in spanish. I was so shy before! By the way, I really hope you people can understand spanglish, because trying to speak straight english is literally impossible. The phone call home should be pretty interesting.
Alright, I guess I’ll answer your trunky questions though. First off, yeah, just go ahead and have me scheduled to talk that first week back to just get it out of the way, no point in procrastinating. Plus my accent might fade after a week in the states, and we can’t have that now can we? Haha As far as getting into the spring session, I’m sure Pres Wade will do whatever he needs to to help me get that all done, I’ll talk to him about it the next time I see him. I’m thinking if I need to, I can just go to UVU to get my grades up a little, because I know they were pretty low before. I bet that would be cheaper too than going to U of U, and once I get residency I can decide if I want to go there or if I want to try and transfer to BYU. I’m not gonna lie, I just want the cheapest solution to get things started off, and then once I get back to making some money and getting into the hang of things, we can see what happens.
Well, no changes information as of yet, so it looks like you’ll just have to wait til next week. Its almost certain I’ll be staying in the area and getting a new companion, but you never know. And tell Elder Wagner that being a ZL is way overrated. I just want to be a beetle. Now that’s deep doctrine right there. Who says I haven’t learn anything in two years? Hahaha. (The Savior’s Atonement, by W. Cleon Skousen). Oh, and if you can find that in English you should totally send it to me, I only have it in Spanish.
Love you all,
Elder Dennis
Monday, October 5, 2009
Oct 5, 2009
Alright folks, how’s it going?
I’m excited right now, because we had a great week of work last week, and General Conference was awesome, getting to hear the powerful testimonies of some of the most amazing leaders of the Church. I got jipped during the Priesthood session though, because I showed up late and missed the first talk, and it wasn’t in English, so I had to listen to it in Spanish. Now there’s nothing wrong with that, because I understand just fine, but man, it just does not have the same feeling as getting to hear it come straight from the mouth of the person speaking, its just some translator who is trying to keep up and get the grammar right, and it just looses all spiritual power. I heard the first talk was amazing though, about a father and son, and I’m really sad I missed it. I don’t have my notes with me right now, but there was one talk that I just loved that talked about teaching… it was by an unknown-to-me Seventy, and I forget his name at the moment. Well, they were all gold, if you know what I mean.
Okay, pancakes with that syrup mix that you sent me is AMAZING! We ate pancakes on Saturday and Sunday, and then today at a ZL Council with President Wade, Sister Wade cooked us all up pancakes as well… but I gotta admit it, her sauce just wasn’t as good as mine. If you throw some bananas in there, mmmmm! So this week we’re planning on cooking up some more French toast or something… I like this actually cooking thing, I’ve been doing a lot more of it lately.
Well, that one kid’s name is actually Manuel… we were kind of confused about that until we did up the Baptismal Register and asked him about it… so that was kind of embarrassing. But yeah, he’s still doing well. Enrique is a total stud, we’re gonna get him to bless the Sacrament this coming week. And Eddy is getting ready, he already has his papers that he’s filling out for the mission, and come January, he’ll be able to take off on a brand new journey. Everyone I talk to out there just mentions how awesome he is, so I’m excited. I haven’t gotten to talk to him in awhile, but I might try to get a hold of him here pretty soon.
Well, yesterday marked eight months as a zone leader… and next week I hit twenty months in the mission. Some would say I’m getting old, but I swear my receding hair line begs to differ… er… oh man, I guess I AM getting old! Not Cool! But yeah, there’s almost guaranteed a ton of changes this coming transfer, because there’s like twenty new kids who are going to be showing up, and the mission is going to have to open up like ten new areas. So everything is just gonna get all flipped around. But hey, you guys mentioned some kid who’ll be getting down here to Paraguay in November… what’s his name? We already have the papers with the names of all the newbies who will be showing up. Oh, and guess what my grandkid’s name is... Sorensen… Yup, that’s right. I still haven’t met him yet though.
But I’m glad the family is still working hard in the mission work, is Mark the one who was in the Navy? If not, I don’t know who it is… I have been out of the house for a year and 7 and a half months now, that’s quite a long time. But the fact that the Jessee’s are home is soooo trunky. I was with them in the MTC! That’s so not cool. Tell them I say hi and that I’m still working hard… most of the time. Nah, just kidding, I’m so flippin tired but the last 5 minutes of the game are the most important. Plus I’m a captain, and I gotta get out there and go crazy right now to fire up the team.
But some trunky talk… maybe you should start the papers for BYU as well… because I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and its so cheap, has great programs and reputation, but I don’t think I’ll get in right away, but just to see. UVU is looking to be the little community school back up if I can’t get into BYU or the U. I was thinking a lot about Arizona, but I feel like I should go to Utah all-in-all. I don’t know, I’m still so confused, but the Lord is helping me decide line upon line, precept upon precept.
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
PS How are my teams doing?
I’m excited right now, because we had a great week of work last week, and General Conference was awesome, getting to hear the powerful testimonies of some of the most amazing leaders of the Church. I got jipped during the Priesthood session though, because I showed up late and missed the first talk, and it wasn’t in English, so I had to listen to it in Spanish. Now there’s nothing wrong with that, because I understand just fine, but man, it just does not have the same feeling as getting to hear it come straight from the mouth of the person speaking, its just some translator who is trying to keep up and get the grammar right, and it just looses all spiritual power. I heard the first talk was amazing though, about a father and son, and I’m really sad I missed it. I don’t have my notes with me right now, but there was one talk that I just loved that talked about teaching… it was by an unknown-to-me Seventy, and I forget his name at the moment. Well, they were all gold, if you know what I mean.
Okay, pancakes with that syrup mix that you sent me is AMAZING! We ate pancakes on Saturday and Sunday, and then today at a ZL Council with President Wade, Sister Wade cooked us all up pancakes as well… but I gotta admit it, her sauce just wasn’t as good as mine. If you throw some bananas in there, mmmmm! So this week we’re planning on cooking up some more French toast or something… I like this actually cooking thing, I’ve been doing a lot more of it lately.
Well, that one kid’s name is actually Manuel… we were kind of confused about that until we did up the Baptismal Register and asked him about it… so that was kind of embarrassing. But yeah, he’s still doing well. Enrique is a total stud, we’re gonna get him to bless the Sacrament this coming week. And Eddy is getting ready, he already has his papers that he’s filling out for the mission, and come January, he’ll be able to take off on a brand new journey. Everyone I talk to out there just mentions how awesome he is, so I’m excited. I haven’t gotten to talk to him in awhile, but I might try to get a hold of him here pretty soon.
Well, yesterday marked eight months as a zone leader… and next week I hit twenty months in the mission. Some would say I’m getting old, but I swear my receding hair line begs to differ… er… oh man, I guess I AM getting old! Not Cool! But yeah, there’s almost guaranteed a ton of changes this coming transfer, because there’s like twenty new kids who are going to be showing up, and the mission is going to have to open up like ten new areas. So everything is just gonna get all flipped around. But hey, you guys mentioned some kid who’ll be getting down here to Paraguay in November… what’s his name? We already have the papers with the names of all the newbies who will be showing up. Oh, and guess what my grandkid’s name is... Sorensen… Yup, that’s right. I still haven’t met him yet though.
But I’m glad the family is still working hard in the mission work, is Mark the one who was in the Navy? If not, I don’t know who it is… I have been out of the house for a year and 7 and a half months now, that’s quite a long time. But the fact that the Jessee’s are home is soooo trunky. I was with them in the MTC! That’s so not cool. Tell them I say hi and that I’m still working hard… most of the time. Nah, just kidding, I’m so flippin tired but the last 5 minutes of the game are the most important. Plus I’m a captain, and I gotta get out there and go crazy right now to fire up the team.
But some trunky talk… maybe you should start the papers for BYU as well… because I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and its so cheap, has great programs and reputation, but I don’t think I’ll get in right away, but just to see. UVU is looking to be the little community school back up if I can’t get into BYU or the U. I was thinking a lot about Arizona, but I feel like I should go to Utah all-in-all. I don’t know, I’m still so confused, but the Lord is helping me decide line upon line, precept upon precept.
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
PS How are my teams doing?
Monday, September 28, 2009
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?
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?
Monday, September 21, 2009
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
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
Monday, September 14, 2009
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
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
Monday, September 7, 2009
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
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
Monday, August 31, 2009
Aug 31, 2009
How’s it going… (I’m getting tired of trying to think of ways to greet ya’ll in a letter…)
Wow Mom, I’m impressed, I totally can’t see you running 8 miles, but I do remember the old days when we were in Reynoldsburg and you were going to do that speed walking marathon thing, so yeah, I’m glad you’re having fun getting in shape and all that jazz. I really need to start working out again… Remember that one video I sent you guys were I had been working out, and I was actually looking pretty good? Yeah, it’s been since about my third change that I’ve really worked out. Now I’m just so tired and I have absolutely no energy to get up and do exercises… more than anything I just got bored with doing the same exercises everyday.
But yeah, um… when did you send July’s package? Was that a long time ago or just a couple weeks back… because I honestly don’t remember when the last package I got was. The time is just flying by right now, this change passed like it was nothing! Each month just passes faster and faster. I’m pretty sure that Paraguayan family in the Ensign was from one of the fancy wards near the center of town… it’s almost like America there. Did it say which ward they were from in the article? Paraguay is kind of fancy in the center of town, but the vast majority just live in poverty. Right now I’m in probably the fanciest area that I’ve had so far, most people have decent houses and an air conditioning unit and stuff, so it’s weird, I’m not used to it at all. Unfortunately, our house doesn’t have one, only my second of 5 houses to not have air conditioning… I’ve been pretty lucky so far. But it wasn’t all that bad, until these past couple days, it’s been giving us a flavor of the heat of summer, and personally I would absolutely love it if I were just living in it, but having to go out and walk around all day in the sun just stinks. But man, it’s been so beautiful, just perfect weather as far as I’m concerned, dry, 80s, light breeze, no clouds, just gorgeous.
Anyways, a little about the zone: it’s the zone Luque Sur, which lies inbetween the cities of Luque and San Lorenzo. Most of the areas are pretty well off… there’s some poor parts, but the majority is like a nicer little suburb of the Paraguayan middle class. There is a total of seven areas, or 14 Elders, in the zone. My area is the farthest south, the most towards San Lorenzo, and we share a house with Elder Shumway and Elder Larsen, who are in Laurelty (laurel-TU), and we share the church building as well, which is right next to our house, which is actually a killer setup, I love it there. I knew most of the people from previous zones, which is part of the reason I think the Lord sent me here, because they’re all my friends, and the last leaders here (Elder Ramirez, my ex-comp, and Contreras) both just stink as leaders and just told everyone they sucked because they weren’t doing good, and so everyone hated them. So I’m here to make them feel better and just be their friend. I don’t know if I mentioned Elder Whiteford yet, he’s in the zone, and his brother was in my district in the MTC, but went to Mendoza Argentina for his mission. So that’s cool, anyways, were planning on starting up a business together when we get back, it’s gonna be awesome, we’re gonna be millionaires. Elder Bullcreek, from the MTC is here, so is Elder Hermosilla, who was out near Saltos with me, and others that I don’t think I ever mentioned. So yeah that’s the zone. Its good times, the zone is SLOWLY improving, but yeah, it’s slow going.
But yeah, we still don’t know changes, and probably won’t know them until tomorrow, because Pte Wade was out of town all weekend, and just started working on them today.
Love ya,
Elder Dennis
Wow Mom, I’m impressed, I totally can’t see you running 8 miles, but I do remember the old days when we were in Reynoldsburg and you were going to do that speed walking marathon thing, so yeah, I’m glad you’re having fun getting in shape and all that jazz. I really need to start working out again… Remember that one video I sent you guys were I had been working out, and I was actually looking pretty good? Yeah, it’s been since about my third change that I’ve really worked out. Now I’m just so tired and I have absolutely no energy to get up and do exercises… more than anything I just got bored with doing the same exercises everyday.
But yeah, um… when did you send July’s package? Was that a long time ago or just a couple weeks back… because I honestly don’t remember when the last package I got was. The time is just flying by right now, this change passed like it was nothing! Each month just passes faster and faster. I’m pretty sure that Paraguayan family in the Ensign was from one of the fancy wards near the center of town… it’s almost like America there. Did it say which ward they were from in the article? Paraguay is kind of fancy in the center of town, but the vast majority just live in poverty. Right now I’m in probably the fanciest area that I’ve had so far, most people have decent houses and an air conditioning unit and stuff, so it’s weird, I’m not used to it at all. Unfortunately, our house doesn’t have one, only my second of 5 houses to not have air conditioning… I’ve been pretty lucky so far. But it wasn’t all that bad, until these past couple days, it’s been giving us a flavor of the heat of summer, and personally I would absolutely love it if I were just living in it, but having to go out and walk around all day in the sun just stinks. But man, it’s been so beautiful, just perfect weather as far as I’m concerned, dry, 80s, light breeze, no clouds, just gorgeous.
Anyways, a little about the zone: it’s the zone Luque Sur, which lies inbetween the cities of Luque and San Lorenzo. Most of the areas are pretty well off… there’s some poor parts, but the majority is like a nicer little suburb of the Paraguayan middle class. There is a total of seven areas, or 14 Elders, in the zone. My area is the farthest south, the most towards San Lorenzo, and we share a house with Elder Shumway and Elder Larsen, who are in Laurelty (laurel-TU), and we share the church building as well, which is right next to our house, which is actually a killer setup, I love it there. I knew most of the people from previous zones, which is part of the reason I think the Lord sent me here, because they’re all my friends, and the last leaders here (Elder Ramirez, my ex-comp, and Contreras) both just stink as leaders and just told everyone they sucked because they weren’t doing good, and so everyone hated them. So I’m here to make them feel better and just be their friend. I don’t know if I mentioned Elder Whiteford yet, he’s in the zone, and his brother was in my district in the MTC, but went to Mendoza Argentina for his mission. So that’s cool, anyways, were planning on starting up a business together when we get back, it’s gonna be awesome, we’re gonna be millionaires. Elder Bullcreek, from the MTC is here, so is Elder Hermosilla, who was out near Saltos with me, and others that I don’t think I ever mentioned. So yeah that’s the zone. Its good times, the zone is SLOWLY improving, but yeah, it’s slow going.
But yeah, we still don’t know changes, and probably won’t know them until tomorrow, because Pte Wade was out of town all weekend, and just started working on them today.
Love ya,
Elder Dennis
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Aug 24, 2009
Hey there gang,
Well, the french toast turned out great, so thanks a ton for sending me the recipe. The syrup thing was also surprisingly good to not be actual maple syrup, but it was very watery, not at all thick like normal syrup. And the interviews that we had with Pres. Wade also went well, he talked to me a lot about how I’m here to turn the zone around, and how its practical experience in business because you never know, I might be like one of his friends and just be a guy companies hire to go in as CEO and turn failing but potential companies around. And I was all like what if I don’t want to do that and just want to take it easy.... haha not really, I just thought it. But yeah, I have a feeling I’ll be here for awhile, until this zone starts doing good, and it’s definitely progressing, its just kind of slow going.
All I can say about my comp is that I’m so glad that there’s only one more week left in this change, because I really hope I get a new one come next week. I like having patience and all, but I just really would rather pick my friends and not have super weirdos from completely different life styles being my shadow 24/7. But he’s a good kid, just not the kind of person I get along with all that well, mostly because, at this point in the mission, it isn’t just being with another person that bothers me, I can deal with that just fine now, but what gets to me now is if the person affects the work, and my companion just doesn’t know what he’s doing, so that's just what getting to me.
I’m glad you two were able to get away and only had to deal with 2 disasters in the house, and I’m super jealous you guys went bob sledding! I’d totally be down with that. I also want to jump out of a plane like bad! With a parachute would be nice, but that’s just optional. Free falling just has this appeal to me that I can’t explain... its the adrenaline addiction in my blood. But yeah, museums... come one, that’s like school fieldtrip stuff, and I got done with that a looooonnggg time ago. But I’m like so excited that the Avatar movie is coming along, I remember it being announced right as I was leaving, but no actors had been chosen or anything. But yeah, enough trunky stuff.
Haley is a stud for helping out in the mission work, I so wish I’d had that opportunity to help someone I knew get to know the gospel, I’m sure the missionaries are so excited there for the help that they’re getting from her, it really does make all the difference in the conversion of an investigator. I’ve seen that someone can get baptized without member support here, but their long term conversion is almost non existent if members don’t get in there and bridge the gap. I know that this work really is the most important that one can do in this life, and all the other stuff is just on the side, so don’t lose that view, and remember to always focus on the things that are important....
You have no idea how difficult that was to write in english, anything about the gospel just comes out in spanish now a days, and I totally was translating in my head and trying to remember how to talk english. You guys don’t see the bad side, only the finished copy of what I write, and wow, do I change a lot around after doing a quick read through before I send my letters. But I’m so glad you mentioned the request of items for a package, because I am in dire need of more razor blades... the 5 blade ones, and I only need like 3 or 4 cartridges to end the mission, one blade lasts me about 2 weeks on average... how long should those things last anyways? I’ve never really known. But other than that, I’m actually doing good, learning how to actually take care of myself long term style rather than just living on cereal lately. Like the other day I made tacos with steak, and today I bought some stuff to make some omelets for breakfast... so I’m branching out and enjoying these new cooking experiences that are actually surprisingly cheap to make. Actually if you want, you could include like, 1 or 2 more pairs of pants, definitely size 32 this time.... I’m getting fat... its the making food thing, not good for the scale. And I’m living with two amazing guys, Elder Shumway and Elder Larsen, but they’re both bigger guys and the eat a lot... and I’m usually included in the eating adventures. Anyways, I figure I’m way skinny, putting a little bit of meat on my bones isn’t exactly a bad thing, and I think I’m also a little bit taller than when I started the mission. So dad, watch out! Hahaha. But I bought two sweet jerseys today, the Paraguay one and a Guaraní one. Guarani is a team in the like, NHL of soccer teams down here, one of my favorites. My favorite team is Libertad, but their jerseys are hard to get a hold of. One of these days...
Anyways, yeah.
Elder Dennis
Well, the french toast turned out great, so thanks a ton for sending me the recipe. The syrup thing was also surprisingly good to not be actual maple syrup, but it was very watery, not at all thick like normal syrup. And the interviews that we had with Pres. Wade also went well, he talked to me a lot about how I’m here to turn the zone around, and how its practical experience in business because you never know, I might be like one of his friends and just be a guy companies hire to go in as CEO and turn failing but potential companies around. And I was all like what if I don’t want to do that and just want to take it easy.... haha not really, I just thought it. But yeah, I have a feeling I’ll be here for awhile, until this zone starts doing good, and it’s definitely progressing, its just kind of slow going.
All I can say about my comp is that I’m so glad that there’s only one more week left in this change, because I really hope I get a new one come next week. I like having patience and all, but I just really would rather pick my friends and not have super weirdos from completely different life styles being my shadow 24/7. But he’s a good kid, just not the kind of person I get along with all that well, mostly because, at this point in the mission, it isn’t just being with another person that bothers me, I can deal with that just fine now, but what gets to me now is if the person affects the work, and my companion just doesn’t know what he’s doing, so that's just what getting to me.
I’m glad you two were able to get away and only had to deal with 2 disasters in the house, and I’m super jealous you guys went bob sledding! I’d totally be down with that. I also want to jump out of a plane like bad! With a parachute would be nice, but that’s just optional. Free falling just has this appeal to me that I can’t explain... its the adrenaline addiction in my blood. But yeah, museums... come one, that’s like school fieldtrip stuff, and I got done with that a looooonnggg time ago. But I’m like so excited that the Avatar movie is coming along, I remember it being announced right as I was leaving, but no actors had been chosen or anything. But yeah, enough trunky stuff.
Haley is a stud for helping out in the mission work, I so wish I’d had that opportunity to help someone I knew get to know the gospel, I’m sure the missionaries are so excited there for the help that they’re getting from her, it really does make all the difference in the conversion of an investigator. I’ve seen that someone can get baptized without member support here, but their long term conversion is almost non existent if members don’t get in there and bridge the gap. I know that this work really is the most important that one can do in this life, and all the other stuff is just on the side, so don’t lose that view, and remember to always focus on the things that are important....
You have no idea how difficult that was to write in english, anything about the gospel just comes out in spanish now a days, and I totally was translating in my head and trying to remember how to talk english. You guys don’t see the bad side, only the finished copy of what I write, and wow, do I change a lot around after doing a quick read through before I send my letters. But I’m so glad you mentioned the request of items for a package, because I am in dire need of more razor blades... the 5 blade ones, and I only need like 3 or 4 cartridges to end the mission, one blade lasts me about 2 weeks on average... how long should those things last anyways? I’ve never really known. But other than that, I’m actually doing good, learning how to actually take care of myself long term style rather than just living on cereal lately. Like the other day I made tacos with steak, and today I bought some stuff to make some omelets for breakfast... so I’m branching out and enjoying these new cooking experiences that are actually surprisingly cheap to make. Actually if you want, you could include like, 1 or 2 more pairs of pants, definitely size 32 this time.... I’m getting fat... its the making food thing, not good for the scale. And I’m living with two amazing guys, Elder Shumway and Elder Larsen, but they’re both bigger guys and the eat a lot... and I’m usually included in the eating adventures. Anyways, I figure I’m way skinny, putting a little bit of meat on my bones isn’t exactly a bad thing, and I think I’m also a little bit taller than when I started the mission. So dad, watch out! Hahaha. But I bought two sweet jerseys today, the Paraguay one and a Guaraní one. Guarani is a team in the like, NHL of soccer teams down here, one of my favorites. My favorite team is Libertad, but their jerseys are hard to get a hold of. One of these days...
Anyways, yeah.
Elder Dennis
Monday, August 17, 2009
Aug 17, 2009
Hey there folks,
So another week down, and from today I have exactly 6 months left in the mission, because changes will be Wednesday, the 17th of February 2010. So yeah, that's exciting. Things are going... we had two baptisms this week, so that was awesome, but only one was a convert baptism, the other was an 8 year old child of a member, but they like the missionaries to do the baptisms down here, so we put it together for them. So yeah, Laura finally got baptized after a thousand and one problems and obstacles, she's only 9, her parents got baptized a little while back, but she's cool, and then we had Walter, a little itty bitty eight year old. But we continue to see poor church attendance here, though we got this awesome 15 year old to church, named Emanuel, and he's a stud. And the youth at church are just amazing, we were walking by his house a little later on in the day, just passing by, and two of the youth his age are there hanging out with him, and they'd just met him at church. But one of the kids was all like 'Elder, I love your tie, give it to me!' (the sweet blue paisley one from my birthday), and Emanuel was like, 'I have some ties,' and runs into his house and comes out with 5 and he's all like, 'I have these but I don't know how to tie them, you guys gotta teach me!' haha, so yeah, he loved church and is already making friends. So that's exciting, he's an awesome kid.
But tell Robyn to keep it up in inviting her friend, that's so awesome she's sharing with other people, she's doing better than I was at her age, I wouldn't say a word to anyone about the gospel. But it's good to know from James Fiala that life still exists after the mission, you don't actually die... just to the people still in the mission. And I can't believe I miss your 25th wedding anniversary, that's so weird. How long have you been a member? When did you get baptized? I know you two were still newly weds, but I don't know much more than that. But I wish I could go swimming, the past couple of days were beautifully hot, but today came a super downpour that was awesome, and now its kind of chilly outside. But I love tubing, and I'm glad Cole is becoming the normal Dennis athletic boy with all of his different sport camps... but I noticed one is missing! What happened to hockey! hahaha.
But yeah, thanks for the recipes, we have a family home evening planned for tonight, and they're looking forward to some good french toast, but yeah, I don't think they'll have maple extract here, so I hope that other stuff turns out alright. Other than that, things just keep plugging along... yeah, my comp and I aren't getting along all that well, but I'm just trying to work hard and effective and I just feel like he's holding me back and has no clue what's going on. I'm trying, but right now I just don't feel like I'm having any success. There's progression in the area, but no one makes it to church. But you're right, things don't snap back in a moment, it takes time and effort. We have interviews with Pte Wade this week though, so I'm getting excited for a boost from that, a boost I'm in desperate need of right now.
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
So another week down, and from today I have exactly 6 months left in the mission, because changes will be Wednesday, the 17th of February 2010. So yeah, that's exciting. Things are going... we had two baptisms this week, so that was awesome, but only one was a convert baptism, the other was an 8 year old child of a member, but they like the missionaries to do the baptisms down here, so we put it together for them. So yeah, Laura finally got baptized after a thousand and one problems and obstacles, she's only 9, her parents got baptized a little while back, but she's cool, and then we had Walter, a little itty bitty eight year old. But we continue to see poor church attendance here, though we got this awesome 15 year old to church, named Emanuel, and he's a stud. And the youth at church are just amazing, we were walking by his house a little later on in the day, just passing by, and two of the youth his age are there hanging out with him, and they'd just met him at church. But one of the kids was all like 'Elder, I love your tie, give it to me!' (the sweet blue paisley one from my birthday), and Emanuel was like, 'I have some ties,' and runs into his house and comes out with 5 and he's all like, 'I have these but I don't know how to tie them, you guys gotta teach me!' haha, so yeah, he loved church and is already making friends. So that's exciting, he's an awesome kid.
But tell Robyn to keep it up in inviting her friend, that's so awesome she's sharing with other people, she's doing better than I was at her age, I wouldn't say a word to anyone about the gospel. But it's good to know from James Fiala that life still exists after the mission, you don't actually die... just to the people still in the mission. And I can't believe I miss your 25th wedding anniversary, that's so weird. How long have you been a member? When did you get baptized? I know you two were still newly weds, but I don't know much more than that. But I wish I could go swimming, the past couple of days were beautifully hot, but today came a super downpour that was awesome, and now its kind of chilly outside. But I love tubing, and I'm glad Cole is becoming the normal Dennis athletic boy with all of his different sport camps... but I noticed one is missing! What happened to hockey! hahaha.
But yeah, thanks for the recipes, we have a family home evening planned for tonight, and they're looking forward to some good french toast, but yeah, I don't think they'll have maple extract here, so I hope that other stuff turns out alright. Other than that, things just keep plugging along... yeah, my comp and I aren't getting along all that well, but I'm just trying to work hard and effective and I just feel like he's holding me back and has no clue what's going on. I'm trying, but right now I just don't feel like I'm having any success. There's progression in the area, but no one makes it to church. But you're right, things don't snap back in a moment, it takes time and effort. We have interviews with Pte Wade this week though, so I'm getting excited for a boost from that, a boost I'm in desperate need of right now.
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Aug 10, 2009
Yup...
Well I’m glad the family is doing good at working on the financial burdens, and that Dad’s new practice is really doing well. Last week was a tough week for me. We were doing great, and I felt really good about our work, but first off the baptisms didn’t go down because one got sick and so it got pushed back, and the other person we can’t find and don’t know what happened. Then we had a decent, not great, amount of people getting ready for church with a baptismal date and everything, and some of them are super awesome, but Sunday morning came and it was drizzling off and on and we just couldn’t get these people to go to church. Three of them, we show up and they flat out say that they just don’t want to go. So yeah, that just sucked. And then the zone is just really in dire need of an overhaul or something, because we did super awful at our church attendance. I feel stressed and tired and trapped, and I have no idea what it is that I have to do differently to pick up the pieces and help these investigators and missionaries under my supervision to progress.
However, being on the mission, and all of the examples you showed me growing up has helped me become a pretty good budgeter. Well I don’t budget, I just don’t spend money I don’t have, and people here ask me how I'm never short money, well, almost never, and I can’t explain it to them. I just remember ever since I started to make money I saved half, and the other half I would save up for the things in life that I really needed, like guitars and computers and cars. But yeah, I really don’t want to ever end up in debt, no matter what it is that I need.
My area here is pretty nice, the people are pretty well off, it’s a suburb in between two of the bigger towns down here. The members are really awesome, some of the people I’ve been able to meet I just admire so much, like these youth that go out and knock doors and invite their friends to go to church, it’s totally the opposite of anything I did while I was at home.
Eddy I hear is still just a stud, he even quit his old job a while back because they made him work a Sunday every once in a while, a job he’d worked for like 5 years. So yeah, I find out about him every once in awhile, and I’ve talked to him once or twice since I left Saltos. But hey now, that Honda is MY Honda!, and it is definitely not named Howie, his name is Fred! I really hope that thing is in the very same condition I left it in when I took off…
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
PS. I need the recipe of how to make French toast, I know its like you dip the bread in the mix of egg, milk, cinnamon, and stuff, and then fry it, but an exactish recipe would be nice, I promised to make them next Monday for a family home evening. And maybe if you can find out how to make maple syrup ish stuff from scratch, that would be awesome. I know it can be done, cause I’ve seen it done in the mission, but I don’t how exactly. :)
Well I’m glad the family is doing good at working on the financial burdens, and that Dad’s new practice is really doing well. Last week was a tough week for me. We were doing great, and I felt really good about our work, but first off the baptisms didn’t go down because one got sick and so it got pushed back, and the other person we can’t find and don’t know what happened. Then we had a decent, not great, amount of people getting ready for church with a baptismal date and everything, and some of them are super awesome, but Sunday morning came and it was drizzling off and on and we just couldn’t get these people to go to church. Three of them, we show up and they flat out say that they just don’t want to go. So yeah, that just sucked. And then the zone is just really in dire need of an overhaul or something, because we did super awful at our church attendance. I feel stressed and tired and trapped, and I have no idea what it is that I have to do differently to pick up the pieces and help these investigators and missionaries under my supervision to progress.
However, being on the mission, and all of the examples you showed me growing up has helped me become a pretty good budgeter. Well I don’t budget, I just don’t spend money I don’t have, and people here ask me how I'm never short money, well, almost never, and I can’t explain it to them. I just remember ever since I started to make money I saved half, and the other half I would save up for the things in life that I really needed, like guitars and computers and cars. But yeah, I really don’t want to ever end up in debt, no matter what it is that I need.
My area here is pretty nice, the people are pretty well off, it’s a suburb in between two of the bigger towns down here. The members are really awesome, some of the people I’ve been able to meet I just admire so much, like these youth that go out and knock doors and invite their friends to go to church, it’s totally the opposite of anything I did while I was at home.
Eddy I hear is still just a stud, he even quit his old job a while back because they made him work a Sunday every once in a while, a job he’d worked for like 5 years. So yeah, I find out about him every once in awhile, and I’ve talked to him once or twice since I left Saltos. But hey now, that Honda is MY Honda!, and it is definitely not named Howie, his name is Fred! I really hope that thing is in the very same condition I left it in when I took off…
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
PS. I need the recipe of how to make French toast, I know its like you dip the bread in the mix of egg, milk, cinnamon, and stuff, and then fry it, but an exactish recipe would be nice, I promised to make them next Monday for a family home evening. And maybe if you can find out how to make maple syrup ish stuff from scratch, that would be awesome. I know it can be done, cause I’ve seen it done in the mission, but I don’t how exactly. :)
Monday, August 3, 2009
Aug 3, 2009
Hey there munchkins!
I miss those rousing family board game nights that we would have. I still have no clue what Rummikub is though, I think that came out after I left but you mentioned it once before. Anyways, I’m really out of the loop down here. Seeing the new Harry Potter and Transformers 2 movie advertisements is really not making this whole mission thing easy on me, but what can ya do? Hahaha. Plus all the members just love to rub it in your face that we can’t watch them and how good they are, and then the new members don’t know the rules and ask if you want to watch it with them and man, it’s so tough to stay on the straight and narrow. I got a letter from Elder Nilsen today, my trainer, and he’s getting married in three weeks, so right around when you two got married 25 years ago… and wow it’s weird to hear about all these missionaries that I knew here that are getting married already. It makes me want to just follow the crowd hahaha.
But as for school, isn’t there usually like an alumni scholarship that I would get for going to the same school that my dad did? I know OSU had that, and that it was a decent amount off. But if I have to go to a community college out there or in Arizona that’s cheap to get the GPA up, I’m down. Idaho is definitely not on the preferred list though, it’s just to far out there in the middle of nowhere for me to feel comfortable. And all my buddies will be in either Utah or Arizona. Anyways, there’s just so much to think about, I’m so lost when I try to think about where to go and what to do after the mission.
But yeah, I got a nice pair of shoes of a brand called Guantes, and I’m wearing them right now actually. And I’m doing alright, but my area and zone just need to be drop kicked into shape, I’m telling you. Things are not going good right now, but I have the first 2 baptisms that this area has seen in over a change lined up for this Thursday, so all of the members are really excited for that. The members here are truly amazing, and love working as missionaries, but they were really frustrated with the Elders who were here that just killed the area, and they are not fans of my companion, so it’s funny, they all pat me on the back and wink at me when they talk about the upcoming baptisms and seeing investigators in church. But yeah, I like my area, I just have to deal with my comp who just doesn’t know how to really work and also deal with all the problems that he causes while we’re teaching.
But I hope you’re all excited to go out and eat with me in 6 months, because Olive Garden is sitting on the top of the list for when I get back. And tell … James… that he’s invited. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
I miss those rousing family board game nights that we would have. I still have no clue what Rummikub is though, I think that came out after I left but you mentioned it once before. Anyways, I’m really out of the loop down here. Seeing the new Harry Potter and Transformers 2 movie advertisements is really not making this whole mission thing easy on me, but what can ya do? Hahaha. Plus all the members just love to rub it in your face that we can’t watch them and how good they are, and then the new members don’t know the rules and ask if you want to watch it with them and man, it’s so tough to stay on the straight and narrow. I got a letter from Elder Nilsen today, my trainer, and he’s getting married in three weeks, so right around when you two got married 25 years ago… and wow it’s weird to hear about all these missionaries that I knew here that are getting married already. It makes me want to just follow the crowd hahaha.
But as for school, isn’t there usually like an alumni scholarship that I would get for going to the same school that my dad did? I know OSU had that, and that it was a decent amount off. But if I have to go to a community college out there or in Arizona that’s cheap to get the GPA up, I’m down. Idaho is definitely not on the preferred list though, it’s just to far out there in the middle of nowhere for me to feel comfortable. And all my buddies will be in either Utah or Arizona. Anyways, there’s just so much to think about, I’m so lost when I try to think about where to go and what to do after the mission.
But yeah, I got a nice pair of shoes of a brand called Guantes, and I’m wearing them right now actually. And I’m doing alright, but my area and zone just need to be drop kicked into shape, I’m telling you. Things are not going good right now, but I have the first 2 baptisms that this area has seen in over a change lined up for this Thursday, so all of the members are really excited for that. The members here are truly amazing, and love working as missionaries, but they were really frustrated with the Elders who were here that just killed the area, and they are not fans of my companion, so it’s funny, they all pat me on the back and wink at me when they talk about the upcoming baptisms and seeing investigators in church. But yeah, I like my area, I just have to deal with my comp who just doesn’t know how to really work and also deal with all the problems that he causes while we’re teaching.
But I hope you’re all excited to go out and eat with me in 6 months, because Olive Garden is sitting on the top of the list for when I get back. And tell … James… that he’s invited. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
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