Monday, April 28, 2008
April 28, 2008
Well i typed up a nice letter but lost it because of wonderful ldsmail. So you´ll get another one next week recovering it. SOrry. THings are going good, but I have to go. Lvoe you all, E. Dennis
Monday, April 21, 2008
April 21, 2008
Hola from Paraguay!
So I´ve had one week in a foreign country, and I´m still alive...
Actually its awesome here, I wouldn´t want to be anywhere else. Okay, so about the mission. The first day we just met the President, Pres Wade, and his wife, who are both just awesome, and we got our credit cards for taking out money each month, and filled out other paperwork and stuff, and then we got the chance to visit the temple, which is just gorgeous. Its only a tiny one, but it has to be the second most beautiful temple after San Diego. Then we spent the night in the mission office, where the have a tiny room stuffed with 10 beds... that was interesting. But then the next day we had a big meeting and met all the trainers and then did a little presentation ceremony to our trainers. My companion is Elder Nilsen, from Idaho. He´s awesome, and I´m learning alot. We´re opening up an area, called Salado ("Salted"). Its pretty close to Asunión, and its an awesome area. Its really hard though, because its a new area, so we didn´t have any investigators or know any of the members when we got there on Wednesday. But we´ve been working very hard, in rain and sun and lots of humidity, and we got a couple to church on Sunday, Eusevio and Hemelinda, and Sunday night we got 3 fechas, or baptismal dates; the couple and a brother of a member, Valediano, who is absolutely golden. (Let me just say that the hardest part of all of this is understanding the names... I rely on my companion for that). I´ll give you some of the numbers to show how hard we´re working: 8 Lessons with a member present, 24 other lessons, 23 references received and contacted, 22 new investigators with 10 men and 7 families, 115 lessons taught to recent converts or menos activos (inactive members), and 135 contacts, which is introducing ourselves and inviting people to church (always) or to learn more... in just 4.5 days of working. ¡Que calidad!
There are extremes in our area. Some people live in really nice houses (for Paraguay), and others live in little twig and tarp shacks... its so sad to meet these people who have spent their entire lives of 60 or 70 years in such poverty, and even more heartbreaking is seeing the cutest little kids in the entire world who will be doing that. Even the nicer houses, the majority of them just have dirt floors. The people are awesome though, I love them so much. I can actually follow the conversations now... or at least the gyst of them. Communicating is getting easier, and I´ve made so much progress in just the 5 days I´ve been out among the people. I´m getting used to clapping houses... and everyone is so friendly, they all come out and shake your hand and talk to you. When you pass someone in the street, you say Adios, and the most common greeting is ¿Que tal? I´m also learning a very little of Guaraní right now... in the poor areas they hardly understand spanish, but fortunately my companion has learned enough to communicate effectively with them.
Everything is so cheap here. For about US $2, you can eat a full meal and be stuffed when you´re done. And oh would you be proud of me if you saw what I´m eating. I actually ate a hamburger with everything on it. It wasn´t bad I must say. But so far everything I´ve had to eat is really good... except for yesterday for lunch. We went back to the house and we didn´t have any food, because we just got there, and we live with 2 other Elders, Elder Vasquez, from Chile, and Elder Moreira from Uraguay. They´re both absolutely awesome, Vasquez is trying to learn english, so we help eachother out, I love those guys. But anyways, so we were looking for food, and we ended up with spaghetti, but we didn´t have sauce, so I used peanut butter and Nilsen used hot suace... I don´t know who got the worse end there... I now know why spaghetti and peanut butter hasn´t taken off. But yeah, if somethings put in front of me, I just put it down, and most of it has been really good. And oh my word, the fruit is SPECTACULAR! So ha!
Today was awesome, we went in to Limpio, our Zone headquarters, and had our District/Zone meeting, of which Elder Bullcreek also belongs, so it was awesome to see a familiar face. And then we all played soccer, or futból, and that was just awesome. There was a little less than half of us who were american, and the South Americans are just awesome at it. I did pretty good too, but I have to get used to it again, I haven´t played since I was like 11. But that was fun. And now we´re in Luque, on the other side of our area, to do our shopping and get money for me, and send you peeps an email.
I don´t really know what else to say... oh yeah, Nicole getting married--Crazy! Oh yeah, if you ever need to send a package, put stickers of the Virgin Maria, they don´t pick through it, they´re very supersticious I hear, so yeah. It might be sacreligious, but it works. And sorry, I forgot to bring my camera with me, so I don´t have any pictures to send right now, but perhaps next week. I won´t have any pictures of my area, cause its kind of deangerous to carry around nice things here, they like to take them, but I have a few of the apartment and the temple and stuff. The buses here are awesome, they just cruise along, and you wave them down like a taxi, and then you hop on, and then when you get off, you just have to jump, cause they don´t usually come to a full stop haha. But I love it here, the gospel is true, and I love you all.
Yours,
Elder Dennis
So I´ve had one week in a foreign country, and I´m still alive...
Actually its awesome here, I wouldn´t want to be anywhere else. Okay, so about the mission. The first day we just met the President, Pres Wade, and his wife, who are both just awesome, and we got our credit cards for taking out money each month, and filled out other paperwork and stuff, and then we got the chance to visit the temple, which is just gorgeous. Its only a tiny one, but it has to be the second most beautiful temple after San Diego. Then we spent the night in the mission office, where the have a tiny room stuffed with 10 beds... that was interesting. But then the next day we had a big meeting and met all the trainers and then did a little presentation ceremony to our trainers. My companion is Elder Nilsen, from Idaho. He´s awesome, and I´m learning alot. We´re opening up an area, called Salado ("Salted"). Its pretty close to Asunión, and its an awesome area. Its really hard though, because its a new area, so we didn´t have any investigators or know any of the members when we got there on Wednesday. But we´ve been working very hard, in rain and sun and lots of humidity, and we got a couple to church on Sunday, Eusevio and Hemelinda, and Sunday night we got 3 fechas, or baptismal dates; the couple and a brother of a member, Valediano, who is absolutely golden. (Let me just say that the hardest part of all of this is understanding the names... I rely on my companion for that). I´ll give you some of the numbers to show how hard we´re working: 8 Lessons with a member present, 24 other lessons, 23 references received and contacted, 22 new investigators with 10 men and 7 families, 115 lessons taught to recent converts or menos activos (inactive members), and 135 contacts, which is introducing ourselves and inviting people to church (always) or to learn more... in just 4.5 days of working. ¡Que calidad!
There are extremes in our area. Some people live in really nice houses (for Paraguay), and others live in little twig and tarp shacks... its so sad to meet these people who have spent their entire lives of 60 or 70 years in such poverty, and even more heartbreaking is seeing the cutest little kids in the entire world who will be doing that. Even the nicer houses, the majority of them just have dirt floors. The people are awesome though, I love them so much. I can actually follow the conversations now... or at least the gyst of them. Communicating is getting easier, and I´ve made so much progress in just the 5 days I´ve been out among the people. I´m getting used to clapping houses... and everyone is so friendly, they all come out and shake your hand and talk to you. When you pass someone in the street, you say Adios, and the most common greeting is ¿Que tal? I´m also learning a very little of Guaraní right now... in the poor areas they hardly understand spanish, but fortunately my companion has learned enough to communicate effectively with them.
Everything is so cheap here. For about US $2, you can eat a full meal and be stuffed when you´re done. And oh would you be proud of me if you saw what I´m eating. I actually ate a hamburger with everything on it. It wasn´t bad I must say. But so far everything I´ve had to eat is really good... except for yesterday for lunch. We went back to the house and we didn´t have any food, because we just got there, and we live with 2 other Elders, Elder Vasquez, from Chile, and Elder Moreira from Uraguay. They´re both absolutely awesome, Vasquez is trying to learn english, so we help eachother out, I love those guys. But anyways, so we were looking for food, and we ended up with spaghetti, but we didn´t have sauce, so I used peanut butter and Nilsen used hot suace... I don´t know who got the worse end there... I now know why spaghetti and peanut butter hasn´t taken off. But yeah, if somethings put in front of me, I just put it down, and most of it has been really good. And oh my word, the fruit is SPECTACULAR! So ha!
Today was awesome, we went in to Limpio, our Zone headquarters, and had our District/Zone meeting, of which Elder Bullcreek also belongs, so it was awesome to see a familiar face. And then we all played soccer, or futból, and that was just awesome. There was a little less than half of us who were american, and the South Americans are just awesome at it. I did pretty good too, but I have to get used to it again, I haven´t played since I was like 11. But that was fun. And now we´re in Luque, on the other side of our area, to do our shopping and get money for me, and send you peeps an email.
I don´t really know what else to say... oh yeah, Nicole getting married--Crazy! Oh yeah, if you ever need to send a package, put stickers of the Virgin Maria, they don´t pick through it, they´re very supersticious I hear, so yeah. It might be sacreligious, but it works. And sorry, I forgot to bring my camera with me, so I don´t have any pictures to send right now, but perhaps next week. I won´t have any pictures of my area, cause its kind of deangerous to carry around nice things here, they like to take them, but I have a few of the apartment and the temple and stuff. The buses here are awesome, they just cruise along, and you wave them down like a taxi, and then you hop on, and then when you get off, you just have to jump, cause they don´t usually come to a full stop haha. But I love it here, the gospel is true, and I love you all.
Yours,
Elder Dennis
A Message from the Mission President - 4/15/08
Dear Parents,
President Wade and I wanted to write and let you know that your missionary arrived safely. The flight was on time and everyone's luggage arrived. We went directly to the mission home and had a nice lunch. We had a wonderful testimony meeting by the temple. Attached is a picture that was taken outside the temple. It has been a great day.
We want to express our appreciation to you for the love and support of your missionary. Thank you for your great faith.
Love,
President and Sister Wade
President Wade and I wanted to write and let you know that your missionary arrived safely. The flight was on time and everyone's luggage arrived. We went directly to the mission home and had a nice lunch. We had a wonderful testimony meeting by the temple. Attached is a picture that was taken outside the temple. It has been a great day.
We want to express our appreciation to you for the love and support of your missionary. Thank you for your great faith.
Love,
President and Sister Wade
April 15, 2008
Hey, don't have much time but they're making us write you to let you know we got in safe and sound.
Love you all,
Josh
Love you all,
Josh
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
April 8, 2008
Hola mi familia (y amigos),
Well this is my last letter from the States, so I'm truly excited right now. I made a list mom, so hopefully I cover everything...
First of all, this week I purchased a Book of Mormon and Himnario in Guaraní, and it is definitely not spanish. I wish I could attach a picture of what it looks like, its definitely an indian language. They don't have a pronunciation guide or grammar book on it or anything here, so I'm not quite sure how to say things, but I've already started recognizing words and have a basic understanding of some of the ways they work. I just really wish I just knew how to pronounce things, then it would be easy, but I don't have the luxury of searching the internet for such a thing, so I'll just have to wait til I meet some natives to figure it out.
Thanks for all the stuff about your missionaries from all those years ago, its awesome that you're trying to connect with them, I'm sure they love hearing from someone they taught. And oh my goodness, you've confused the heck out of me woman! I got your email before you letter, and I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about with the sound system... I think I've figured out that you've figured it out and don't need my help though, which is good, cause I wouldn't know where to begin from so far away. Oh, and the reason that email didn't go through last week was because you sent it to the wrong address, not my missionary one. But I can't help you there, I don't remember what my information was, but Dad as the Bishop has administrative powers to make you the webmaster, log in as him and you'll be able to do that.
Conference this past week was awesome, but the last session was the best. Second best was the Priesthood session (sorry mom, you always miss out). President Monson is just hilarious, and I loved his talks. President Uchtdorf was also very good, he spoke several times and I enjoyed each of them as well. The only bad thing about Conference was during the Sunday morning session, the MoTab just completely slaughtered one of my favorite hymns, "If You Could Hie to Kolob," with some awful rendition of it. Thats one of the hymns you just can't change up. Overall, I wasn't all that impressed with the music selections this new director has made so far. But everything else was great.
So I'm definitely ready to get down to South America... and get a new companion. The time has come and gone for me to get a new one. Thats all I'll say about that.
So on to what I know you're just dying to find out: The Flight Information. By this time next week I'll be in Paraguay. We start out be heading to the airport and taking a 2pm flight out to Atlanta, where we have a very short 1 hour layover, followed by a 10 hour overnight flight down to Buenos Aires. There we'll meet up with the Argentine half of our district (we're heading down with a group of 13 headed to Asuncion North, and they're going down a different way with a group headed to Argentina), and we're all excited to get that chance to see each other one last time in South America. We get in to Buenos Aires about 8am, and have a 3 hour layover until we take a 1 hour flight up to Asuncion, where we'll be getting in about noon local time. All in all its about 15 hours in the air, and will take about 20 hours to get there. I'm so excited, we're all ready to just go pack our bags like right now!
Well there's all the information, and you can probably expect a call from me on Monday at about 3pm your time from the Salt Lake Airport, where you get to finally hear me speak fluent (ha ha ha) spanish. I know the girls will be getting home from school about that time, but can you pretty pretty please pick up Cole from school early so he can be there too?? :-) I don't know what to say about dad... its not like he can get picked up early from work. Maybe I'll try calling when we get to Buenos Aires as well, which might be early enough to catch him before he goes in to work on Tuesday.
Thats all I really have for this week, all is steady and slow, though there's so much excitement that we're about to leave. Next time you get a letter it will be from South America, and it probably won't be for 2 weeks since we kind of miss the P-Day as we're traveling. I hope a get a native companion that forces me to speak spanish, all is going well and I have no doubt that I'll be able to continue to pick it up quickly. And maybe I'll actually have some stories to make my letters somewhat interesting then, we'll see.
Love you all,
Elder Dennis
Well this is my last letter from the States, so I'm truly excited right now. I made a list mom, so hopefully I cover everything...
First of all, this week I purchased a Book of Mormon and Himnario in Guaraní, and it is definitely not spanish. I wish I could attach a picture of what it looks like, its definitely an indian language. They don't have a pronunciation guide or grammar book on it or anything here, so I'm not quite sure how to say things, but I've already started recognizing words and have a basic understanding of some of the ways they work. I just really wish I just knew how to pronounce things, then it would be easy, but I don't have the luxury of searching the internet for such a thing, so I'll just have to wait til I meet some natives to figure it out.
Thanks for all the stuff about your missionaries from all those years ago, its awesome that you're trying to connect with them, I'm sure they love hearing from someone they taught. And oh my goodness, you've confused the heck out of me woman! I got your email before you letter, and I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about with the sound system... I think I've figured out that you've figured it out and don't need my help though, which is good, cause I wouldn't know where to begin from so far away. Oh, and the reason that email didn't go through last week was because you sent it to the wrong address, not my missionary one. But I can't help you there, I don't remember what my information was, but Dad as the Bishop has administrative powers to make you the webmaster, log in as him and you'll be able to do that.
Conference this past week was awesome, but the last session was the best. Second best was the Priesthood session (sorry mom, you always miss out). President Monson is just hilarious, and I loved his talks. President Uchtdorf was also very good, he spoke several times and I enjoyed each of them as well. The only bad thing about Conference was during the Sunday morning session, the MoTab just completely slaughtered one of my favorite hymns, "If You Could Hie to Kolob," with some awful rendition of it. Thats one of the hymns you just can't change up. Overall, I wasn't all that impressed with the music selections this new director has made so far. But everything else was great.
So I'm definitely ready to get down to South America... and get a new companion. The time has come and gone for me to get a new one. Thats all I'll say about that.
So on to what I know you're just dying to find out: The Flight Information. By this time next week I'll be in Paraguay. We start out be heading to the airport and taking a 2pm flight out to Atlanta, where we have a very short 1 hour layover, followed by a 10 hour overnight flight down to Buenos Aires. There we'll meet up with the Argentine half of our district (we're heading down with a group of 13 headed to Asuncion North, and they're going down a different way with a group headed to Argentina), and we're all excited to get that chance to see each other one last time in South America. We get in to Buenos Aires about 8am, and have a 3 hour layover until we take a 1 hour flight up to Asuncion, where we'll be getting in about noon local time. All in all its about 15 hours in the air, and will take about 20 hours to get there. I'm so excited, we're all ready to just go pack our bags like right now!
Well there's all the information, and you can probably expect a call from me on Monday at about 3pm your time from the Salt Lake Airport, where you get to finally hear me speak fluent (ha ha ha) spanish. I know the girls will be getting home from school about that time, but can you pretty pretty please pick up Cole from school early so he can be there too?? :-) I don't know what to say about dad... its not like he can get picked up early from work. Maybe I'll try calling when we get to Buenos Aires as well, which might be early enough to catch him before he goes in to work on Tuesday.
Thats all I really have for this week, all is steady and slow, though there's so much excitement that we're about to leave. Next time you get a letter it will be from South America, and it probably won't be for 2 weeks since we kind of miss the P-Day as we're traveling. I hope a get a native companion that forces me to speak spanish, all is going well and I have no doubt that I'll be able to continue to pick it up quickly. And maybe I'll actually have some stories to make my letters somewhat interesting then, we'll see.
Love you all,
Elder Dennis
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
April 1, 2008
Well hello again,
So at this point I have less than 2 weeks remaining here at the MTC! This Friday we'll be getting our flight plans, and know specifically when we'll be heading out, and what time you should be expecting a little ring-a-ling at the house. Thanks for the calling card, I think I might just copy down the information, and then send it back to you, because then you can refill it and I won't have to worry about getting another one while in Paraguay... I don't know how easy to get they are down there. That's what a couple people have suggested so far.
I'm glad you got to hear from Fiala, he's one of my regular writers, and its great to get to hear from him. Thats exciting to think that when you get to see him again, I'll have been in Paraguay for several days, speaking only spanish most likely. Spanish is coming along great, I'm having no problems picking it up, and like I say probably every week, things are getting easier to say in spanish, and alot of the more common things I feel more natural saying in spanish. Teaching is going well, I feel like I'm able to not just get through it, but actually teach it in a fluid manner.
I'm glad to hear Cole loves my letters, I love writing them. Its fun to write all simply, and I hope that I'm able to set a good example for him with what I'm doing and telling him. And Dad told me about the progress of temple work, and thats awesome! I've never paid attention to that kind of stuff, but I've been wondering how that works while I've been here and getting the chance to go to the temple everyweek. And all I needed was the first name from mom's letter a couple days ago, and Elder Bullcreek knew who it was. Haha, it is a small world in Mormonville.
I am so ready to get to Paraguay. I love my district and my teachers so much, but nothing can compare to actually being out there and being among the people. I already love them so much, and it just continues to grow each time I think about it. But apparently I'm headed to the jungle/middle of nowhere. I haven't heard anything specific from anyone of importance or any teachers who have been to Paraguay, but several of the teachers served on the Argentina side of the border, and I've gotten to hear a couple Gurani (?) phrases... its going to be interesting... its very indian haha. But I'm getting excited, it'll be a good learning experience for me, serving people who live in dirt floor huts and eating food that will give me parasites... fun times, fun times. I can't wait til I actually have stories to share.
Okay, I'll try to answer all of your questions now mommy. haha I'm sorry, but I'm very rushed in typing, and I make a list to try and cover everything, but I guess I miss stuff sometimes. Don't you worry about the map picture, I got one a long time ago, and I also got one with the Jessees, I hope you can hear from Sis Jessee soon, I know she was excited to send it to you.
I haven't heard anything about singing in Conference this Saturday, so I have a feeling we won't be, but Dad will find out in the opening few seconds of Priesthood session if we are or not. And I'm sorry to hear about you and Grandpap on opposite ends of the fluids spectrum. haha It makes me laugh to think of you complaining about having to drink so much, I can picture it so clearly.
I don't really have any stories to share, we kind of just do the same thing over and over again... and it just entails sitting in a classroom for 12 hours a day... But you'll get one more letter from me next week, and then I don't know when the next one will be, but you can be sure I'll have plenty to say :-)
I love you all, and I hope all is going well at home.
Elder Dennis
PS - You don't have to include this part in the blog post, but I was curious about the missionaries who taught you. We've been hearing a ton of the ripple effect stories while we've been here, and I love those two young... now older... men who knocked on your door over 20 years ago now whom I know nothing about. And also, could you include my Priesthood lineage next time you zip a little email to me? Muchas gracias.
So at this point I have less than 2 weeks remaining here at the MTC! This Friday we'll be getting our flight plans, and know specifically when we'll be heading out, and what time you should be expecting a little ring-a-ling at the house. Thanks for the calling card, I think I might just copy down the information, and then send it back to you, because then you can refill it and I won't have to worry about getting another one while in Paraguay... I don't know how easy to get they are down there. That's what a couple people have suggested so far.
I'm glad you got to hear from Fiala, he's one of my regular writers, and its great to get to hear from him. Thats exciting to think that when you get to see him again, I'll have been in Paraguay for several days, speaking only spanish most likely. Spanish is coming along great, I'm having no problems picking it up, and like I say probably every week, things are getting easier to say in spanish, and alot of the more common things I feel more natural saying in spanish. Teaching is going well, I feel like I'm able to not just get through it, but actually teach it in a fluid manner.
I'm glad to hear Cole loves my letters, I love writing them. Its fun to write all simply, and I hope that I'm able to set a good example for him with what I'm doing and telling him. And Dad told me about the progress of temple work, and thats awesome! I've never paid attention to that kind of stuff, but I've been wondering how that works while I've been here and getting the chance to go to the temple everyweek. And all I needed was the first name from mom's letter a couple days ago, and Elder Bullcreek knew who it was. Haha, it is a small world in Mormonville.
I am so ready to get to Paraguay. I love my district and my teachers so much, but nothing can compare to actually being out there and being among the people. I already love them so much, and it just continues to grow each time I think about it. But apparently I'm headed to the jungle/middle of nowhere. I haven't heard anything specific from anyone of importance or any teachers who have been to Paraguay, but several of the teachers served on the Argentina side of the border, and I've gotten to hear a couple Gurani (?) phrases... its going to be interesting... its very indian haha. But I'm getting excited, it'll be a good learning experience for me, serving people who live in dirt floor huts and eating food that will give me parasites... fun times, fun times. I can't wait til I actually have stories to share.
Okay, I'll try to answer all of your questions now mommy. haha I'm sorry, but I'm very rushed in typing, and I make a list to try and cover everything, but I guess I miss stuff sometimes. Don't you worry about the map picture, I got one a long time ago, and I also got one with the Jessees, I hope you can hear from Sis Jessee soon, I know she was excited to send it to you.
I haven't heard anything about singing in Conference this Saturday, so I have a feeling we won't be, but Dad will find out in the opening few seconds of Priesthood session if we are or not. And I'm sorry to hear about you and Grandpap on opposite ends of the fluids spectrum. haha It makes me laugh to think of you complaining about having to drink so much, I can picture it so clearly.
I don't really have any stories to share, we kind of just do the same thing over and over again... and it just entails sitting in a classroom for 12 hours a day... But you'll get one more letter from me next week, and then I don't know when the next one will be, but you can be sure I'll have plenty to say :-)
I love you all, and I hope all is going well at home.
Elder Dennis
PS - You don't have to include this part in the blog post, but I was curious about the missionaries who taught you. We've been hearing a ton of the ripple effect stories while we've been here, and I love those two young... now older... men who knocked on your door over 20 years ago now whom I know nothing about. And also, could you include my Priesthood lineage next time you zip a little email to me? Muchas gracias.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
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
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
Sunday, February 24, 2008
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 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
Friday, February 8, 2008
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
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
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...
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...
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