Mar 25, 2008

Hello once again,

That's sweet that Elder Parkin and LeBlanc both lived in the same building... that probably means that I've seen LeBlanc, though the building is big and I see people I've never seen before in there everyday. And wow, it is a small world. What's the name of that guy, Elder Bullcreek wants to know. Chances are he'll know who he is, but I don't remember much about them.

I'm sorry to hear Grandpap is doing so bad, but at least someone is taking care and looking at his feet. I hope all goes well, and I'll be sure to remember him in my prayers. And I'm sorry to hear about the death in the family, I've been praying for everyone. Also let Grandma and Grandpa Dennis know that I am getting their letters, as well as Grandma Karen´s, and muchas gracias! I love you all, thanks for the support.

I'm glad Haley liked it out at BYU-I, I'm sure she's going to love it. Just remember Haley, no getting married until I get home! haha And as for Cole, I hope he starts feeling better! Oh my goodness, that star name is Awesome! I was laughing so hard when I read that. I wanna know where he came up with that craziness haha! And Robyn, I'm so glad to learn that some old habits just never die...

Thanks for the shaving tips, they've helped out alot. I used the electric before I got you letter and could already see improvement, so I used the electric razor for 2 days and my skin was back to normal, and I started shaving normal again, but after 3 days it was starting to creep back again, so today I used to electric and hopefully it'll go away again... I just have really sensitive skin I guess. Now as for the packages...

You got gyped big time on the 2 day package last week, I got it on Wednesday. I dunno whats up with that. But the Easter package got to me on Saturday. Oh, and thanks for the letter... which I got 2 days after getting the package. Um, don't bother doing that again, I would just get the package slip at the same time as the letter anyways. Its our districts mailbox, not just mine, which the district leader has to get, and its not like he can stop in at all hours of the day.

But something scary happened this week, we officially became the oldest district in our zone. The last district took off for Argentina Monday morning, and we're the big dogs now. Thats just a scary thought right there, to know that the next "Hasta Ver" will be ours. Thats basically the going away thing the zone holds when a district leaves, its title is taken from the spanish lyrics to the hymn "Til We Meet"... I think thats what it is in spanish. By the way, its so much better in spanish. By next Friday we'll have our flight plans! Craziness!

I saw the Jessees last tuesday evening, and was able to get a picture with them Sunday night before they left. I gave Sis. Jessee your email address, and she said she was gonna send you the pictures. So hopefully you'll hear from her soon, once they're all settled in in Romania.

Also another tidbit of information: I can roll my R's!! That was super exciting yesterday, when after 6 weeks of pure try I was actually able to do it. That is definitely the hardest part of all this spanish business, without a doubt. They rest is coming just fine, I know that the Lord is blessing me. Its super hard right now though, because my companion absolutely stinks at spanish. It stems from the fact that his mind is more scrambled than yours, and can't remember anything. For example, when he got here, he couldn't remember the address he's been living at his whole life to write a letter home. So thats a very trying experience, to try and teach with someone in spanish who can barely introduce himself after 6 weeks. But I'm stronger at spanish because of it, and trying as hard as I can to get him to get it.

I hope all is going well at home, I love you all!

Elder Dennis

Mar 18, 2008

Hello once again,

I'm glad you all enjoyed the photos I sent you, and you're able to see all the people that I'm around 24/7. They're all great guys. I haven't yet received the package, but I'm hoping that I get it this dinner period, cause it seems like it should be here by now. Also, I haven't yet seen the Jessees, but I'm super excited and have definitely had my eyes peeled for them. I'm hoping I get to see them tonight at the big devotional, because everyone is at those things.

I'm glad to hear things went well with the husband of Cole's piano teacher, thats awesome. I'm sure Cole is doing incredible on that thing, probably passed me up by now. And tell Robyn she better be flippin sweet and do a musical number in Sacrament Meeting when I get home haha. OH, and my suitcoat is so not snug you little booger. And don't worry mom, I haven't gone an ounce past 144... if anything, I need to keep putting on weight so my clothes FIT, they're quite loose on me I've noticed. Though I've come to love my clothes here, every P-Day it feels ultra weird and heavy to wear jeans and a tshirt. Also, pray for my neck... I have a sevre rash on my neck from having to shave everyday. I thought it would get better as my skin gets used to it, but it just gets worse and worse each day.

I'm glad someone was able to enjoy my guitar, I know I'm definitely missing that more than just about all of my other things. My fingers are actually starting to get soft, and I'm not liking it. The pictures you tried to send me where pointless because I can't open them on these computers cause they're so protected, but they did come through, so when I'm in Paraguay it should be fine.

This week we began teaching all in spanish, so thats a huge step for all of us. Yesterday we taught just the Restoration by ourselves to other people in the class, and I was surprised to discover that I was able to say just about everything I wanted to clearly and effectively. So that was a huge morale booster for me, I was feeling pretty discouraged this past week, but I'm one of the best speakers in the class, so I have no idea what the other guys are going through. Unfortunately for me, but probably a help for him, Elder Legler is probably the worst at it...

Also this past Sunday we got to hear Sheri L. Dew for our Sunday night Fireside... I'd never really heard of her but all the Hermanas were freaking out so I figure I should mention her because you probably know who she is. She gave a great discourse on our influence as young latter-day saints in the world, and how we are one of the chosen generations saved for the end of times. It was good, I took quite a bit of notes.

I love you all. Oh, and make sure you're sending these emails to Elder Fiala at jamesfiala@myldsmail.com. He requested that in his last letter. Thanks a ton!

Love,

Elder Dennis

Mar 11, 2008

Hello again,

Its CrAzY to think that I've actually been out here for a month's time. The days are just zooming by, each day is like wait, yesterday was Sunday, how can it be Sunday again? We're kept so busy and we're learing so much. We have been taught most of the spanish grammar rules, and can say jsut about anything we need to in spanish, now its just a matter of building up our vocabularies and mastering all the little things so that we don't sound like gringos when we first get there (a goal not capable of acheiving in my opinion, but we try our best).

As for Elder Parkin's new companion, I was going to mention that yeah, he probably get here about the same time I did, and I might have seen him around. I ran into a group going to Utica Mission, but that was nearly 3 weeks ago--way too long to remember specific people. And don't you worry about serving them breakfast, I'm sure they're loving it. I can testify of that on their side as a missionary.

Tell Haley to suck it up and get out for the weekend, I'm sure she'll love it, even if she doesn't like the school. And tell Dad that in my room, in the closet on the shelf, the box for my car stereo contains the instructions for installation, and the original stereo, if he wants to put in that one. I'm sure its alot simpler to use.

Thats awesome that you're finding ways to mention the gospel to people in everyday situations. Just remember, as we've heard alot lately, don't bring the full doctrinal superpower up right away, most people just need some casual truth and can grow from there. I forget which Apostle it was that talked about that last General Conference.

Also, I'm sure you've been sitting around waiting for my email for a little while today, and that is because I've discovered a new method to make better use of the time available to me. I'm able to print off your letter in about a minute, and then read it, and then get back on and have 29 minutes to type out a response. It involves me waiting to come up to a building with a printer though, instead of typing out a response waiting for my clothes to dry. And the Dear Elder letters are great, I get them day of most of the time I think, though it depends on when you send them. Last week I got the response to my email at dinner, so it was great to hear from you. Although, please avoid sending more than that one response, because as I'm unable to communicate with you as quickly, especially about things like packages, it creates a lot of frustration on my end when you're asking questions and then answering them yourself, but its the wrong answer. Like the Girl Scout cookies... which my roommates enjoyed. I wish I could have responded to let you know that I actually don't enjoy mint at all, and like the peanut butter ones. So one response is fine, but avoid multiple ones throughout the week.

Umm... a little bit about my week I guess:

Elder Jeffery R. Holland payed the MTC a visist for last weeks Tuesday Devotional, and it was incredible! He's a great speaker, and so passionate for the gospel and missionary work. The last couple speakers we've heard from have all been great, and I cannot wait to get out to Paraguay and actually be serving among the people there. Its crazy to think that I'm basically halfway to getting there!

My weight has settled inbetween 142-145 most of the time, I don't seem to be gaining much more now, but I feel like its a comfortable weight. But i was hoping to get fat before I get down there... I'm going to be a twig coming home.

This week we've begun to focus on teaching in spanish. We have one Saturday of teaching the "investigators" (of which there was a great article in the Church News this past week) in english, and next Saturday we fly solo in español. So thats very exciting. I'm already, and have been for awhile, more comfortable reciting the 1st Vision, DyC 4 and Our Purpose in spanish than in english. Also, my pictures should be getting there soon, I think I sent them out on Friday... though maybe it was Saturday, I can't remember. It has with it a list describing all the pictures starting with the first picture I took, so I hope they all stay in order for you. Oh, I think I forgot to mention this last time, but thanks for the new battery and memory card, though the pictures on it are very teeny tiny, and I can barely see them. I can't figure out why, but its all good. I enjoyed the movies of Cole, which were normal.

Okay, now to some things that I need. haha

Could you send me that pair of dress shoes I left behind (with the grey insert), I think I could end up needing them, and it'll be much easier to send me stuff here than when I get to Paraguay. Also I would love a copy of my call. Its in one of my dresser drawers I think. Not the original, but a copy. And A picture of the family, like the one where we're all wearing brown shirts. And some baby powder... I hear I'll want it once I start walking around all day...

Also I have an electric razor, send that in case I decide to use it... My neck still is bright red, I'm hoping that goes away soon. And my Rubik's cube with the instructions.. which I think are in the nightstand supporting my TV. As for that check, I signed it for a reason. Just deposit it to my checking account, I have plenty of money thanks to the way more than I needed that you gave me :-p And finally, some of the metal collar thingys... I don't know where mine went...

Thanks a bunch! I love you all, and hope everything is going well there, and that the mess has cleared up for Dad. I can't wait to hear from ya'll again.

Elder Dennis

Mar 4, 2008

Hello again,

Well I'm definitely not missing the cold, its not bad out here at all. The only times I use my coat are on Tuesdays and Sundays when we walk up to the temple, and sometimes not even then. Its a little brisk in the morning, but you only spend a minute or two outside when walking between buildings, and its not bad at all... although running to the gym in shorts and a tshirt definitely wakes you up.

Thanks for the package you sent, I was wondering what happened to that pair of bottoms, I was one short, on it felt like I was supposed to have another mesh top as well. Thanks for the candy... though only the Air Heads survived. I think when you bent the Nerds Rope in half to fit them in the package it popped a whole in the wrappings, cause that were definitely stale when I got them yesterday. And thanks for the memory card and battery, though for some reason the pictures are all like super tiny, its bigger to look at them in the thumbnail view menu than to look at them individually. But the videos of Cole doing his little dance are fine, and those are awesome. And yeah, I could've told you all that I would have hated a cruise, all people do is get drunk. I've known that for years.

Things are going well here, and the time is flying by. But the days are so incredibly long... each night I go to write in my journal and I have to get out my planner to remember what we did that day, and even then its hard to remember what happened in the morning. In class we're speaking in spanish all the time. If we absolutely have to speak in english, we're forced to go stand in the "Rincon de veguenza" or corner of shame. Its not really a shameful kind of thing, its just taking advantage of how lazy we are, so we try harder to get our point across in spanish before resorting to having to get out of our chairs.

I've taken a lot of pictures and a couple videos, but unfortunately I can't sent them to you all yet, hopefully I'll be able to do that once I'm in the field. And yeah, I'm assuming all of us Paraguayan missionaries will be heading down together, and possibly even part of the way with our district, the rest of which is going to Argentina. We don't get our flightplans and that stuff for another 4 weeks though, so I'm not sure the exact details of when we'll be leaving. Typically missionaries leave on Tuesdays super early in the morning... like have to get up at 4 am to get to the airport early... so it'll be a repeat of my trip out here. However, this flight they're saying will most likely be about 20 hours of flying time, so just a little bit longer to get there.

And for you who think I'll be getting fat down there... I'll probably come back a twig. Apparently another thing just about everyone gets besides PK is parasites. So I'll have a tapeworm keeping me skinny most likely. For that reason all of us going to Paraguay are trying to put on as much weight as possible while we're here in the MTC. I got up to 143, but after Fast Sunday I was back down to 140.

As for the choir, its really fun. Its way hardcore, but I'm enjoying it. And yes, that possibility is the entire reason my companion and I and some other elders from my district are doing it. If we get that oppurtunity it would be simply amazing. I'm not sure when we'd find out we're doing that though, so hopefully I'll have more info on that before conference. If you don't here anything, just record in just in case, because there's a good chance we will, because they usually have the Missionary Choir during the priesthood session as far as I can remember. You might wanna check out the BYU channel on the dish as well, because apparently they broadcast some of the devotionals from the MTC, and you might catch me singing on TV here. They devotionals are at 7pm Mountain time on Sundays and Tuesdays, but the choir only sings on Tuesday. I'm not sure if they're actually aired or not, but thats the word on the street.

Well I'm running out of time, and I can't think of much else to say. I was going to ask for something I think, but I can't remember what that was.Thanks for Elder Fiala's address. I hope things go well,

Elder Josué Dennis

Feb 26, 2008

Hello again!

Well I haven't gotten your snail mail yet, so I can't comment on your crazy experience in Tampa, but it definitely doesn't sound like fun. I'm looking forward to the reportedly 20 hour flight down to Paraguay. That will be a fun experience I'm sure.

Has it really already been two weeks? The time is just flying by here. The days, like I said before, are the longest days of my life, but they go by pretty fast when you look back. But they're so long that each night when I sit down to write in my journal, I have to get out my planner and look over what we did that day.

We're learning so much its amazing! Its already hard for me to write in English, I have to sit and really think about each word, at least when it comes to words I know in spanigh, because if I'm not careful I start to write the spanish word. You won't notice it because of the backspace, but when I have to write with pen, my notes/letters are full of crossed out blotches.

Elder Legler and I (I tried to put up pictures, but I'm unable to connect a thumb drive to these computers) are doing great at teaching. On Saturdays we have our weekly "exam" on teaching, where people from the area come in and let us learning missionaries practice with them. We're only doing them in english these first couple weeks, but still, we're doing great. Our teacher/evaluator didn't have any negative feedback for us, so we got all pumped up after that experience. I absolutely love my teachers, Bro. Rasmussen, and especially Bro. Sanchez. I look up to him so much, and just pray that I can become the kind of person he is.

We also work in the Referral Center, the place where all the calls in North America for any TV ads or the pass along cards come in, and us missionaries are the employees for it. Yesterday was our first time really getting to use it, because the first time we went in it was all tutorial stuff. Anyways, you would never dream of how busy it gets... I had no idea just how many people responded to those things. They come in bursts, right after a commercial airs. And then the calls just back up so theres like 60-70 calls coming in at once. They have the option to hold or to leave their number and have us call back, so thats what most of them do. So we do a lot of out-calls, but those are fun too. We do most of our out-calls to make sure the people that called in 2-3 weeks ago got the free video or Bible or whatever it is they ordered got there and invite them to learn more. Its great experience because they're actual people and not just members pretending to be investigators.

The devotionals that are held every Sunday and Tuesday night are awesome. Each Sunday its someone from the higher up mission offices, and then on Tuesday its a General Authority of some sort, usually a member of the 70, but I hear Apostles come in fairly often as well. And Sunday nights are extra special, because they're "movie night." After the devotional we get to watch a choice of a number of church films, like "Mountain of the Lord," and what I watched this Sunday, which will make you quite jealous, "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration." Thats the one thats playing at the Hill Cumorah Visitors' Center. Its a great film, and I like getting to see the beginning this time.

The temple trip each Tuesday is great too, the Provo Temple is beautiful, as are all of the Houses of the Lord. Its definitely the period of the week that recharges you for the next week... We are all sooooo tired here, but its amazing.

Yo se que Jose Smith fue un profeta de Dios. Yo se que Dios vive, y es nuestro Padre Celestial. Yo se que Jesucristo es nuestro Salvador, y el profeta hoy es Thomas S. Monson. Yo se que el Libro de Mormon es verdadero, y es la palabra de Dios. Yo se que la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias es verdadera, y tiene el evengelio todo del Senor. En el nombre de Jesucristo, amen.

I love you all and hope that you're doing well!

Elder Dennis

Feb 19, 2008

Hello from the MTC!

I didn't think I'd get the chance to get on the email system this week (Tuesdays are our P-days), so earlier this morning I sent out my second letter, you should get it in a couple days. I just have to say that mission life is awesome! While the days are sooo long... (each day is like the longest day of my life), but I look back and its crazy to think that I've actually been in Utah for a week now.

The spirit is so strong, and the learning is amazing. We're praying and bearing our testimonies in Spanish already, its incredible. Today was our first trip to go to the temple to do a session, so that was a great experience. We get to go on Temple Walks each Sunday, so I managed to take a bunch of pictures of us at the temple. Since this was my first time on the computer and I didn't know until about 5 mins ago that we would be able to get on the computer today, I didn't bring my memory card to see if I could send pictures home to you all.

The food is pretty good, you'll be amazed to learn that I've actually gained 5 pound so far! I'm being a lot less picky and just shoveling it in. I figure I gotta get used to doing that sometime. The gym periods are pretty good, I'm running for about 10 mins before going off and doing some excercises and ending in basketball or 4-Square (yes, they have 4-square, and yes, it is amazing.) or somethign like that, so Dad will be glad to know that I'm taking advantage of it.

Shaving everday is definitely the worst part about this entire experience, and the chairs aren't the most comfortable I've ever sat in, but its all good. Still, I wouldn't choose to be any other place than here right now.

I'm so glad I brought two suits. We have to wear a suit coat everywhere here, and wearing the same clothes each day gets kind of dull, not to mention the clothes definitely get dirty, and there's a three day turn around time for dry cleaning here. (I'm not going to use the dry cleaning packet things until I get to Paraguay unless I have to.) But the other Elders in my mission, Elder Legler, my companion, Elder Reid and Elder Bullcreek (my other roommates), only brought one suit as per instructions, and they can't even get it cleaned because they can't go three days without a suit coat. No bueno.

I hope everything is going well at home, I'm definitely doing well and having a great time so far... though 9 weeks is a long time to spend in one place like this. I can't wait to get down to South America!

I love you all,

Elder Dennis

I'm Headed to Paraguay!

Written Nov. 12, 2007

Well the letter came, I opened, and now I know! I’m going to be serving in the Paraguay Asuncion North Mission! I will be enter the MTC on Cole’s birthday, February 13th, 2008. It was the weirdest feeling when I opened the letter and read where the Lord would be sending me. It was just this feeling of “of course, Paraguay is perfect for me,” even though I’d never looked into Paraguay or knew hardly anything about it other than where it was on a map. But I have three whole months to kill before I get to go, so hopefully I will be plenty prepared when I finally get to leave. I will be learning, or refreshing my knowledge of the Spanish language. However, the Republic of Paraguay has two official languages.

The first is Spanish, which only about 75% of all Paraguayans can speak. The other language is the Guarani language, left by the indigenous tribe of Guarani Indians. About 95% of Paraguayans speak the Guarani language. About 80% of Paraguayans can speak both of the official languages, but naturally, a majority of the population speak a hybrid of the two, known as Jopara. So I’ll be learning Spanish in the MTC, but will probably be thrust into an environment where I’ll basically be learning a whole new language when I get there.

All the researching and reading about Paraguay I’ve been doing just cements the initial feelings I had when I found out where I would be going. I know with a certainty that Paraguay is the most perfect place for me to be going. Reading about the people and the culture and the foods that they eat, it all just goes with who I am and what I’m going to be doing there and I just have the feeling like it will make it the most comfortable for me to get thrust out of my comfort zone and grow as a person and as a son of God.

There are two missions in Paraguay: mine, and the Asuncion mission. The Asuncion mission deals with the large city of Asuncion, while the Asuncion North Mission basically takes up the rest of Paraguay, so I’ll be tracking the middle of nowhere while I’m there. I’m so excited, and just can’t wait to get out there and serve and teach and share the gospel with everyone I come in contact with! Thank you so much for supporting and reading up on me. Until next time,

Josh

HELLO!!

Today is probably the last day of my life before I know where I will be serving my mission and when I’ll be leaving to serve my Lord and Savior. I’m so excited right now, excited and nervous and scared and anxious and happy, and SO many other emotions, all whirling around me and putting me into major mood swings! The letter that holds my destiny inside of it will be arriving into my life tomorrow, most likely!

I’m so excited to serve! I know I’ve said excited about a thousand times to everyone around me, but I feel as though I’m going to burst with it! And its so amazing to have so many friends who are excited for me in this, and are waiting almost as anxiously as I to discover where I will be heading. I’ve been trying my best to study and prepare, and tomorrow I’ll be starting on the journey that I’ve been raised and prepared for my entire life.

The second I open the letter and read the name of the place that the Lord is sending me, I will instantly be on my computer trying to find out as much information about that location as possible! That, and of course phoning all of my many friends and letting everyone know where their friend will be going.

So until tomorrow, when so many questions will be answered...