Well, its good to hear how everyone is doin back at home, and things are still just chuggin along out here in Salado. But I did get a new comp, a latin, Elder Betancourt, from Ecuador. He’s pretty cool, I like how I have to speak to him all in Spanish. Well actually, he knows quite a bit of English too, but we only use it when we’re in lessons and we just need to say something really fast to get us on the same page before we take an action or something. E’ Cameron went only 20 minutes up the road though to Bella Vista, where our chapel is, so all the members still see him every week at church, and his companion is E’ Bullcreek. So we have an interesting little family right now. Also, E’ Moreira went to a new place, kind of far away, called Benjamin Aceval, and E’ Bischoff has a sweet new comp named E’ Ventura, who’s from El Salvador.
I don’t know much of what else to talk about. Thanks for the other forward of funds… this will definitely last a lot longer than the last time, because I don’t have to drop ¾ of it on a guitar. Um.. I’m starting to look more and more like dad, cause my hair line just keeps going farther and farther up my head… its quite depressing. Or it could just be that they made me senior comp this change… Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that part didn’t I? …Tartar Sauce!
Yeah, so after only 4 months in Paraguay, or just 3 changes, they made me a senior comp. As the AP when I got here, who’s now a zone leader, E’ Stokes, said during the changes when he found out: “Wow. That’s… awesome. I’ve never heard of that happening.” So yeah, that’s definitely just blowing my mind right now. I’m with a comp who has over twice as much time in the mission as me, and I’m telling him what we’re going out to do. And I gotta say, it’s a LOT different from the perspective of senior comp than from just tagging along with the guy who knows what’s going on. But I’m working as hard as I know how, and we’re starting to tear up our area. I was able to bring over my goal to church yesterday, and I got 3 baptisms lined up for this week, with a family of 10 lined up for the next week, and yeah, I love just going out and working how I want to work and just showing my love for the people. But I need to to remember Luciano and Escolastico in your prayers, that they can both make it to their baptisms this Thursday.
Haley wrote me, and it sounds like she’s doing pretty good. I hope the young uns are getting syked for school… hahaha. Suckers! I love you all, but need some more random pictures… so keep em coming.
Your’s truly,
E’ Dennis
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
August 18, 2008
Tracie adding some commentary here- Josh sounds a little frustrated today. Here in the NY Utica Mission, the Elders find out on Saturday night whether or not they be will transferring to a new area on the upcoming Wednesday. It gives them time to say goodbye to the members at church on Sunday, and go around visiting investigators to say goodbye. For some reason, in Joshua's mission, they find out the day before they move - guess he doesn't like that too much -
¿Mba’e pico? What do ya mean you don’t have any questions? Don’t ya know I don’t have anything to write about if you don’t ask questions? Blah, I suppose I’ll try to put something together so that you have something to read… :p
So, first things first… I still don’t know my cambios yet, so you got another week. I know, I know, I hate it too. I also have some news for Dad, cause I weighed myself last week, and I officially weigh 68 kgs… or roughly 150 lbs, so my guesstimate was right: I’m getting fat. Also, I’m working on sending you some photos today. I’ll also be making a dvd of everything on my card here in the next week or two, but I’ll be doing that through the guys at the office, because I need to archive my stuff. I’m debating if I’ll send it or not, because I really don’t want it getting lost in the mail, because I’m very close to filling up my card. I have a lot of others though, so I guess I could send it and use the other until I hear you get it safe and then just delete the card so I can use it again… Anyways, I’m just thinking out loud (on paper) mostly so that I have something to say…
Anyways, we had some fun today. We went to the “Zoo” that they have here in Asunción today, and I took some fun pictures. But yeah, it’s a complete dump. Then we went to a place close by to eat, and after that there’s a building that stands empty now, because 3 years ago, a grocery store (kind of like a Walmart) caught on fire, and the owner, trying to stop people from stealing stuff, locked the doors and let 400 people, who were trapped inside, burn. That was on the way, and we stopped and paid tribute to them and took photos of it, so I’m sending some photos of that too. Its so sad what happened, and the owner just paid the judge off and got off free. There’s been a ton of corrupt things like that going on here in Paraguay that’s really making the people push for change. On Friday, the new president of Paraguay took office, and he is the first party change in the presidential seat in over 50 years here in Paraguay, and people have a lot of hope for him cleaning things up. I really hope he can help out too, because Paraguay really needs change.
But speaking of corruptness, its killing me to not watch the Olympics. I hear a few things here and there, but I’m just out of the loop as a missionary. The things I am hearing though are that there’s a bunch of stuff going on with the Chinese mafia and them taking out the top athletes of other nations. What exactly is going on over there?
But yeah, mostly I’m just like, we need to know our changes! Our parents would like to know too. And while I don’t really mind waiting until tomorrow, they have to let us know in the morning, because we need time to know if we have to say goodbyes or pack our suitcases. But we probably won’t know until 9:30 when we get home, the night before, because we don’t have a cell phone, so they’ll call E’ Moreira in the early afternoon, because he’s the District Leader and gets the phone for the house, so he’ll know and be fine because they can come home early or visit some people they want to say bye to, but for us, nope; because that’s how the mission works. It’s really pissing me off. Plus I just really, really want to know if I’m getting out of here or not.
Anyways, I’ve rambled enough, and I gotta go. Hope you like the pictures.
E’ Dennis
¿Mba’e pico? What do ya mean you don’t have any questions? Don’t ya know I don’t have anything to write about if you don’t ask questions? Blah, I suppose I’ll try to put something together so that you have something to read… :p
So, first things first… I still don’t know my cambios yet, so you got another week. I know, I know, I hate it too. I also have some news for Dad, cause I weighed myself last week, and I officially weigh 68 kgs… or roughly 150 lbs, so my guesstimate was right: I’m getting fat. Also, I’m working on sending you some photos today. I’ll also be making a dvd of everything on my card here in the next week or two, but I’ll be doing that through the guys at the office, because I need to archive my stuff. I’m debating if I’ll send it or not, because I really don’t want it getting lost in the mail, because I’m very close to filling up my card. I have a lot of others though, so I guess I could send it and use the other until I hear you get it safe and then just delete the card so I can use it again… Anyways, I’m just thinking out loud (on paper) mostly so that I have something to say…
Anyways, we had some fun today. We went to the “Zoo” that they have here in Asunción today, and I took some fun pictures. But yeah, it’s a complete dump. Then we went to a place close by to eat, and after that there’s a building that stands empty now, because 3 years ago, a grocery store (kind of like a Walmart) caught on fire, and the owner, trying to stop people from stealing stuff, locked the doors and let 400 people, who were trapped inside, burn. That was on the way, and we stopped and paid tribute to them and took photos of it, so I’m sending some photos of that too. Its so sad what happened, and the owner just paid the judge off and got off free. There’s been a ton of corrupt things like that going on here in Paraguay that’s really making the people push for change. On Friday, the new president of Paraguay took office, and he is the first party change in the presidential seat in over 50 years here in Paraguay, and people have a lot of hope for him cleaning things up. I really hope he can help out too, because Paraguay really needs change.
But speaking of corruptness, its killing me to not watch the Olympics. I hear a few things here and there, but I’m just out of the loop as a missionary. The things I am hearing though are that there’s a bunch of stuff going on with the Chinese mafia and them taking out the top athletes of other nations. What exactly is going on over there?
But yeah, mostly I’m just like, we need to know our changes! Our parents would like to know too. And while I don’t really mind waiting until tomorrow, they have to let us know in the morning, because we need time to know if we have to say goodbyes or pack our suitcases. But we probably won’t know until 9:30 when we get home, the night before, because we don’t have a cell phone, so they’ll call E’ Moreira in the early afternoon, because he’s the District Leader and gets the phone for the house, so he’ll know and be fine because they can come home early or visit some people they want to say bye to, but for us, nope; because that’s how the mission works. It’s really pissing me off. Plus I just really, really want to know if I’m getting out of here or not.
Anyways, I’ve rambled enough, and I gotta go. Hope you like the pictures.
E’ Dennis
Monday, August 11, 2008
August 11, 2008
Okay, so I’m just going to Start out by saying, I now know why they call it Pique… because the Spanish word for itch is “pica”... and it itches like CrAzY!! Tracie here - pique is a parasite - a sand flea actually, that burrows under the skin - usually on the bottom of the foot. It is very common in South America, and all the missionaries in Paraguay eventually end up being "hosts". Josh and I read about it before he left, so he was prepared. I've added some pictures from a medical website so you can see what he's talking about - yuck!
I got some great videos, which aren’t actually of the pique itself, just its eggs, but E’ Bischoff got some great pictures close up on his camera when I actually extracted it, but I don’t have access to those right now. But yeah, it was pretty big ‘cause I didn’t know it was pique and it was in a spot on my foot that didn’t hurt to walk, so I just left it for about a week. It didn’t really hurt to take out though… it was actually kind of fun; like popping a zit but better.
But I finally got my “birthday” package, so my candy is still in fresh supply, which I love you guys for, but we haven’t baked up the cake yet, I don’t know when we’re going to do that, cause I have to buy a pan first, and I don’t feel like it cause I’m lazy. It could have been better that if it as the “rich dark chocolate” cake mix with the “rich dark chocolate” icing… but everyone else is excited for it. Don’t worry, I’ll take a picture.
Anyways, its awesome that Robyn got to be baptized for Grandma! I’m getting really anxious to get back and start getting names into the temple when I get home, because we have to teach people about it but I can’t do anything right now. It’s kind of frustrating, but I guess I should focus on the living first. And I just have to make mention of the fact that you would be so proud of me if you saw some of the things I was eating down here. Some times I have to fight so hard to keep the gag down, but I just keep shovelling it in. Yesterday I had two just awful meals. Well one was a snack at night, but still. It was milanesa (don’t know if that’s spelled right), which is just like breaded and fried, egg plant, as well as cow fat… yeah, you just keep sending that candy now, ya hear?
Also, one very exciting bit of news: I road for the first time today as the person that’s holding onto the bars with one foot on solid ground flying at 60 kmph through the air as the colectivo roars down the street… it was awesome!! I love the Paraguayan buses, they’re so much fun, especially when they’re just overflowing with people. Oh and also, I’m going to actually admit, there’s been a few time this past week when I’ve been scared of getting run over by a cow… ‘nough said.
Anyways, now to answer your quite demanding list of questions…
1. The video, I don’t really remember when I took it, it was the first day of the change, and I was just chillin. It doesn’t happen very often, just the two times in the time I’ve been with him. He is quite prone to illness though.
2. Jamming with E. Adams was sweet, he’s a drummer. We found this little place that had some drums and an electric guitar that was willing to let us use them, and it was just crappy stuff, but we rocked it with some good blues jams. It was just me and him playing, but E. Bischoff went with us.
3. The guitar I got is actually really nice, I like it a lot. But I´m planning on just selling it before I leave the mission, maybe pick up just like the cheapest Paraguayan guitar I can find just to have afterwards, but selling it would also give me quite a bit of spending money to pick up little things (cant think of the word) at the end of the mission.
4. I’m doing alright on money… okay so I have like $5 worth left of it, but I don’t really have anything that I need or want to buy, so yeah.
5. I’d really like to get to see a new part of Paraguay. I love the people in Salado, and it’ll always be special because it was my first area, but yeah, you know me, I like change. And I’ve been here for 4 and a half months… plus with a new area, I’d get a new companion :D
But yeah, that brings me to my last point, and then I´m off. In two days I’ll be a fourth of the way through my mission, completing 6 months since I entered to MTC and put on this little black plaque that turns you into someone just a little bit different. And from today, its been 6 months since I’ve seen everyone but Mom. Love you all, and hope you’re doing great,
Elder Dennis
I got some great videos, which aren’t actually of the pique itself, just its eggs, but E’ Bischoff got some great pictures close up on his camera when I actually extracted it, but I don’t have access to those right now. But yeah, it was pretty big ‘cause I didn’t know it was pique and it was in a spot on my foot that didn’t hurt to walk, so I just left it for about a week. It didn’t really hurt to take out though… it was actually kind of fun; like popping a zit but better.
But I finally got my “birthday” package, so my candy is still in fresh supply, which I love you guys for, but we haven’t baked up the cake yet, I don’t know when we’re going to do that, cause I have to buy a pan first, and I don’t feel like it cause I’m lazy. It could have been better that if it as the “rich dark chocolate” cake mix with the “rich dark chocolate” icing… but everyone else is excited for it. Don’t worry, I’ll take a picture.
Anyways, its awesome that Robyn got to be baptized for Grandma! I’m getting really anxious to get back and start getting names into the temple when I get home, because we have to teach people about it but I can’t do anything right now. It’s kind of frustrating, but I guess I should focus on the living first. And I just have to make mention of the fact that you would be so proud of me if you saw some of the things I was eating down here. Some times I have to fight so hard to keep the gag down, but I just keep shovelling it in. Yesterday I had two just awful meals. Well one was a snack at night, but still. It was milanesa (don’t know if that’s spelled right), which is just like breaded and fried, egg plant, as well as cow fat… yeah, you just keep sending that candy now, ya hear?
Also, one very exciting bit of news: I road for the first time today as the person that’s holding onto the bars with one foot on solid ground flying at 60 kmph through the air as the colectivo roars down the street… it was awesome!! I love the Paraguayan buses, they’re so much fun, especially when they’re just overflowing with people. Oh and also, I’m going to actually admit, there’s been a few time this past week when I’ve been scared of getting run over by a cow… ‘nough said.
Anyways, now to answer your quite demanding list of questions…
1. The video, I don’t really remember when I took it, it was the first day of the change, and I was just chillin. It doesn’t happen very often, just the two times in the time I’ve been with him. He is quite prone to illness though.
2. Jamming with E. Adams was sweet, he’s a drummer. We found this little place that had some drums and an electric guitar that was willing to let us use them, and it was just crappy stuff, but we rocked it with some good blues jams. It was just me and him playing, but E. Bischoff went with us.
3. The guitar I got is actually really nice, I like it a lot. But I´m planning on just selling it before I leave the mission, maybe pick up just like the cheapest Paraguayan guitar I can find just to have afterwards, but selling it would also give me quite a bit of spending money to pick up little things (cant think of the word) at the end of the mission.
4. I’m doing alright on money… okay so I have like $5 worth left of it, but I don’t really have anything that I need or want to buy, so yeah.
5. I’d really like to get to see a new part of Paraguay. I love the people in Salado, and it’ll always be special because it was my first area, but yeah, you know me, I like change. And I’ve been here for 4 and a half months… plus with a new area, I’d get a new companion :D
But yeah, that brings me to my last point, and then I´m off. In two days I’ll be a fourth of the way through my mission, completing 6 months since I entered to MTC and put on this little black plaque that turns you into someone just a little bit different. And from today, its been 6 months since I’ve seen everyone but Mom. Love you all, and hope you’re doing great,
Elder Dennis
Monday, August 4, 2008
August 4, 2008
Ho Upei?
Yeah, Haley going off to college... its still weird to think about, even though I guess she's already there. And wow, no one is going out with her, thats just crazy!!! I just sent her a letter, hopefully I helped her out a little bit with the computer problem she was having. And what'd I tell ya, Macs the only way to go. I'm surprised Dad's computer only lasted as long as it did though, I thought it was a pretty nice one. You can tell him that he's allowed to use my mac disk and play Medal of Honor on his new computer, it should still be in his office with all of my cds. Oh yeah, that reminds me, I got the two BOXES of Nerds Rope and the cds, and muchas gracias por eso. Wow, I don't ever think I've seen so much candy in all my life. And the cds are just amazing. I'm loving Pirates right now. da DU dada da de du, da DU... I'll stop singing, I think I've been bothering E: Cameron too much with that today.
Anyways, last week was pretty good, we had a division with the Assistants on Tuesday, and they're totally awesome. I impressed E. Olive, who I went with, and he hooked me up today with a Guaraní course book from BYU thats freaking huge. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, and I made a promise that I'd still only study Spanish for one more change, but I'm excited to really get into it. There's not many here who can really speak Guaraní, and I really really want to, cause it just helps them out to understand what we're teaching the people so much better. Its like Spanish and English to me, if someone says something cool, like reads a scripture, to me in spanish, I understand it, but if they read it in english, it means a lot more to me. Its the same with the people here and Guaraní. So yeah, and then we had interviews with the President on Wednesday, and that was a really good things too. I learned a lot from those two days. So this week was definitely a growing week for me.
As for a scale, I don't have one here, but there's places you can weigh yourself, and I really want to, but I haven't yet. I'd guess I weigh about 150 right now. So about 10 pounds more than when I left NY. I'm also doing my excercizes almost everyday, and keeping myself in pretty good shape... at least I hope. The food really gets to you though. But looking back at photos from the MTC to now, there's definitely a huge difference. I looked so young back then... I hope you're liking the few pics that are getting through today, I plan on making a cd today to send you guys too, so hopefully that happens. Anyways, love you all lots,
E. Dennis
Yeah, Haley going off to college... its still weird to think about, even though I guess she's already there. And wow, no one is going out with her, thats just crazy!!! I just sent her a letter, hopefully I helped her out a little bit with the computer problem she was having. And what'd I tell ya, Macs the only way to go. I'm surprised Dad's computer only lasted as long as it did though, I thought it was a pretty nice one. You can tell him that he's allowed to use my mac disk and play Medal of Honor on his new computer, it should still be in his office with all of my cds. Oh yeah, that reminds me, I got the two BOXES of Nerds Rope and the cds, and muchas gracias por eso. Wow, I don't ever think I've seen so much candy in all my life. And the cds are just amazing. I'm loving Pirates right now. da DU dada da de du, da DU... I'll stop singing, I think I've been bothering E: Cameron too much with that today.
Anyways, last week was pretty good, we had a division with the Assistants on Tuesday, and they're totally awesome. I impressed E. Olive, who I went with, and he hooked me up today with a Guaraní course book from BYU thats freaking huge. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, and I made a promise that I'd still only study Spanish for one more change, but I'm excited to really get into it. There's not many here who can really speak Guaraní, and I really really want to, cause it just helps them out to understand what we're teaching the people so much better. Its like Spanish and English to me, if someone says something cool, like reads a scripture, to me in spanish, I understand it, but if they read it in english, it means a lot more to me. Its the same with the people here and Guaraní. So yeah, and then we had interviews with the President on Wednesday, and that was a really good things too. I learned a lot from those two days. So this week was definitely a growing week for me.
As for a scale, I don't have one here, but there's places you can weigh yourself, and I really want to, but I haven't yet. I'd guess I weigh about 150 right now. So about 10 pounds more than when I left NY. I'm also doing my excercizes almost everyday, and keeping myself in pretty good shape... at least I hope. The food really gets to you though. But looking back at photos from the MTC to now, there's definitely a huge difference. I looked so young back then... I hope you're liking the few pics that are getting through today, I plan on making a cd today to send you guys too, so hopefully that happens. Anyways, love you all lots,
E. Dennis
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
July 29, 2008
Hey There Peeps!
Well it sounds like you enjoyed the empanadas, and I gotta say, so do I, so do I. But my favorite is definitely these things called tortillas, but they're nothing like the tortillas from mexican food. I don't know how to describe them, but they're amazing. I've already picked up some recipes, so in 18 months, you'll be having a treat. But down here things are going alright, we're trying to keep things moving, and while things between us comps got really bad last week, they're starting to work out for the better.
I'm glad to hear things are going good, and that you're starting to settle down a little bit, I know thats all I want to do right now... we played a great game of futbol yesterday, and my body just aches haha. But I got the game winning goal, so it was worth it. But because of circumstances out of my control, we didn't have any time to do internet yesterday, so we got permission to do it this morning. Things are going to be pretty fun tonight though, cause we have a division with the Assistants! So yeah, that should be fun. One of the Assistants was here in Salado for the equivalent of a year, and he's finishing his mission this change, so I think he wants to visit some of the people and stuff.
But yeah, I'm doing my best to hold on, but things have been going crazy with our schedule this past week, so I feel all out of place right now. As for people to pray for, we don't really have any specific people right now, our pool of investigators is pretty low, and the people we find just drop after a visit or two, so we're doing our best to fix that right now. It was pretty fun this last week though, we did a division with our district leader, and he went with Elder Cameron in our area, and I took his little greenie, with only 2 weeks in the mission out into his area, and I had a lot of fun being the one guiding the lessons, and putting the commitments. It was a little harder, cause I didn't know they're area, but I put a fecha with one of their investigators, and it was just a good time. I learned a lot and it just felt good to stretch my wings.
I hope Grandma is doing alright, I'll be keeping her in my prayers. Oh yeah, I need the address of Grandma and Grandpa Dennis, cause I went to send them a letter and I don't have it... And as for the package, I dunno... whatever you feel like giving a poor missionary in Paraguay.
I hope you liked the one picture I was able to get off.
Love you lots,
Elder Dennis
Well it sounds like you enjoyed the empanadas, and I gotta say, so do I, so do I. But my favorite is definitely these things called tortillas, but they're nothing like the tortillas from mexican food. I don't know how to describe them, but they're amazing. I've already picked up some recipes, so in 18 months, you'll be having a treat. But down here things are going alright, we're trying to keep things moving, and while things between us comps got really bad last week, they're starting to work out for the better.
I'm glad to hear things are going good, and that you're starting to settle down a little bit, I know thats all I want to do right now... we played a great game of futbol yesterday, and my body just aches haha. But I got the game winning goal, so it was worth it. But because of circumstances out of my control, we didn't have any time to do internet yesterday, so we got permission to do it this morning. Things are going to be pretty fun tonight though, cause we have a division with the Assistants! So yeah, that should be fun. One of the Assistants was here in Salado for the equivalent of a year, and he's finishing his mission this change, so I think he wants to visit some of the people and stuff.
But yeah, I'm doing my best to hold on, but things have been going crazy with our schedule this past week, so I feel all out of place right now. As for people to pray for, we don't really have any specific people right now, our pool of investigators is pretty low, and the people we find just drop after a visit or two, so we're doing our best to fix that right now. It was pretty fun this last week though, we did a division with our district leader, and he went with Elder Cameron in our area, and I took his little greenie, with only 2 weeks in the mission out into his area, and I had a lot of fun being the one guiding the lessons, and putting the commitments. It was a little harder, cause I didn't know they're area, but I put a fecha with one of their investigators, and it was just a good time. I learned a lot and it just felt good to stretch my wings.
I hope Grandma is doing alright, I'll be keeping her in my prayers. Oh yeah, I need the address of Grandma and Grandpa Dennis, cause I went to send them a letter and I don't have it... And as for the package, I dunno... whatever you feel like giving a poor missionary in Paraguay.
I hope you liked the one picture I was able to get off.
Love you lots,
Elder Dennis
Monday, July 21, 2008
July 21, 2008
Tranquilo, I figured something like that had happened, since I knew you had a crazy summer going, but wow, I didn't know just how crazy. And its absolutely loco that Haley is out of the house...
And no, I haven't gotten the birthday package yet, but I'm excited to get some more soundtracks. Last of the Mohicans is absolutely amazing. And I couldn't tell you what kind of things you sent me, it looked like they were just the cheapest ones you can find, but they were GOOD. I haven't used all of them yet, because I save them for special occassions, but right now I'm in Luque, about a half hour by colectivo from my house... entonces, no puedo decir.
Anyways, things with my companion are pretty much awful, he is a very special son of God, but I'm doing my best to help him out without going crazy, and right now I'm getting a ton of help from E. Moreira, but especially from his new companion, Elder Bischoff. He's so sweet, we just chill and talk, he's just real chill and a good kid, so I'm grateful the Lord knew what he was doing when he sent him to Salado. Right now we're also working on a song, and its legit.
On to some of the crazy stuff, so at like 4.30 am on thursday morning, I wake up to the sound of water running, and since the tap in the bathroom never stops, I figured we just forgot to turn off the water to the house like we normally do at night, and being ODD I cant sleep with it, so I go to put my feet down to find my sandals, and SPLASH...
There was a good half inch of water over the surface of the entire house! So I get up and I'm just like shoot, and that wakes up E. Cameron, and I run into the kitchen, were what happened was our water went out last night, and someone left the faucet on, so when it came on in the middle of the night and a plate was covering the drain, the water decided to fill up the sink and spill over onto the floor. But we spent like an hour cleaning it all up. That was fun. It still smells like a flood in our house.
Also, I gave a talk on Sunday... with 5 mins prep time! Yeah! It was awesome. Actually, I think it turned out to be a pretty good talk. It was about 10 or 12 minutes long, talking about baptism. I've realized that as missionaries, all we do all day long is give 20 minute talks to people, on all the different aspects of the gospel, so all you gotta do is get up and act like you're teaching a lesson. Its cool stuff, the orginization they have here in Paraguay. Oh, and this past week especially, I've come to realize on who all the responsibility of a standard Paraguayan ward relies. Number one, the Bishop, who is king. The people just don't get how the Presidents and 1st and 2nd counselor are supposed to do stuff too. Everything they need they go straight, and only, to the bishop. Number 2, the missionaries. We are the home teachers, visiting teachers, and any other kind of person that checks up on the members in their homes. But the Bishop, who is young and a returned missionary, is really trying to get things to work, but no one will support him. They're just stuck in their ways, and its really frustrating and sad when you have to explain slash argue with the members that the bishop is actually doing things right and that they shouldn't be mad at us cause its been 2 weeks since we've been able to visit them...
But anyways, I gotta go. Love you lots,
Elder Dennis
And no, I haven't gotten the birthday package yet, but I'm excited to get some more soundtracks. Last of the Mohicans is absolutely amazing. And I couldn't tell you what kind of things you sent me, it looked like they were just the cheapest ones you can find, but they were GOOD. I haven't used all of them yet, because I save them for special occassions, but right now I'm in Luque, about a half hour by colectivo from my house... entonces, no puedo decir.
Anyways, things with my companion are pretty much awful, he is a very special son of God, but I'm doing my best to help him out without going crazy, and right now I'm getting a ton of help from E. Moreira, but especially from his new companion, Elder Bischoff. He's so sweet, we just chill and talk, he's just real chill and a good kid, so I'm grateful the Lord knew what he was doing when he sent him to Salado. Right now we're also working on a song, and its legit.
On to some of the crazy stuff, so at like 4.30 am on thursday morning, I wake up to the sound of water running, and since the tap in the bathroom never stops, I figured we just forgot to turn off the water to the house like we normally do at night, and being ODD I cant sleep with it, so I go to put my feet down to find my sandals, and SPLASH...
There was a good half inch of water over the surface of the entire house! So I get up and I'm just like shoot, and that wakes up E. Cameron, and I run into the kitchen, were what happened was our water went out last night, and someone left the faucet on, so when it came on in the middle of the night and a plate was covering the drain, the water decided to fill up the sink and spill over onto the floor. But we spent like an hour cleaning it all up. That was fun. It still smells like a flood in our house.
Also, I gave a talk on Sunday... with 5 mins prep time! Yeah! It was awesome. Actually, I think it turned out to be a pretty good talk. It was about 10 or 12 minutes long, talking about baptism. I've realized that as missionaries, all we do all day long is give 20 minute talks to people, on all the different aspects of the gospel, so all you gotta do is get up and act like you're teaching a lesson. Its cool stuff, the orginization they have here in Paraguay. Oh, and this past week especially, I've come to realize on who all the responsibility of a standard Paraguayan ward relies. Number one, the Bishop, who is king. The people just don't get how the Presidents and 1st and 2nd counselor are supposed to do stuff too. Everything they need they go straight, and only, to the bishop. Number 2, the missionaries. We are the home teachers, visiting teachers, and any other kind of person that checks up on the members in their homes. But the Bishop, who is young and a returned missionary, is really trying to get things to work, but no one will support him. They're just stuck in their ways, and its really frustrating and sad when you have to explain slash argue with the members that the bishop is actually doing things right and that they shouldn't be mad at us cause its been 2 weeks since we've been able to visit them...
But anyways, I gotta go. Love you lots,
Elder Dennis
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
July 14, 2008
Well things are still chugging along… very, very slowly. These days with E. Cameron just drag on and on and on, and I feel like it’ll never end… I did get your package though, and that was just amazing, with like a full candy store of skittles and starbursts, so yeah, that was awesome. Also I finally have some decent music to listen to with the Last of the Mohicans and I really like one of those cd’s you sent me of hymns, the white one. Its really good. So thank you for that.
Other than that, we had a good day today… we went to Pizza Hut! Which actually wasn’t like pizza hut at all, but at least it was better than most of the pizza one can find here in Paraguay. I’ve been taking some really cool pictures these last couple days, but this computer doesn’t read my USB thumb drive thing, so I can’t get any sent to you unfortunately. I was really hoping to get to organize my photos on the computer, because copying them over to my chip time after time gets things a little “busy” on the camera. And being ODD when it comes to organization, its really starting to bother me to have the photos like that.
But yeah, I’ve also decided that I don’t yet feel like I’m actually a missionary. I mean, I walk down the dirt paths, with a white shirt and tie and teach people who live in little cardboard and tin panel huts all day long, but the knowledge that I’m actually on that 2 year voyage that I’ve wanted to take for as long as I can remember hasn’t really set in. I’m just on a sweet vacation out in the jungle of Paraguay right now. At moments it comes to me, like when I’m playing with the little member children, and I have flashbacks to when the Elders used to play with me, and when I talk and look at this person who has changed their lives in a million ways because they met me, but the day to day moments just feel like this is just one big summer camp get away where I´m just having fun with my friends… most of whom can’t speak English. That part in itself is really weird. I think I might have mentioned it before, but I can’t remember. Just the fact that you guys back home couldn’t come here and join in on some of these amazing conversations with these amazing people, because you can’t understand them, while for me, I don’t even have to try to understand them anymore, I don’t even think as I switch from one language to the other. Its hard to remember the times when I didn’t understand what they were saying, but it was only 3 months ago. I don’t know how to really explain it, its just little thoughts like “oh mom and dad would get along so great with this family, but wait, they wouldn’t be able to talk to them, never mind.” Its crazy stuff let me tell ya.
But anyways, I hope all is going well at home, and I love you all,
Elder Dennis
Other than that, we had a good day today… we went to Pizza Hut! Which actually wasn’t like pizza hut at all, but at least it was better than most of the pizza one can find here in Paraguay. I’ve been taking some really cool pictures these last couple days, but this computer doesn’t read my USB thumb drive thing, so I can’t get any sent to you unfortunately. I was really hoping to get to organize my photos on the computer, because copying them over to my chip time after time gets things a little “busy” on the camera. And being ODD when it comes to organization, its really starting to bother me to have the photos like that.
But yeah, I’ve also decided that I don’t yet feel like I’m actually a missionary. I mean, I walk down the dirt paths, with a white shirt and tie and teach people who live in little cardboard and tin panel huts all day long, but the knowledge that I’m actually on that 2 year voyage that I’ve wanted to take for as long as I can remember hasn’t really set in. I’m just on a sweet vacation out in the jungle of Paraguay right now. At moments it comes to me, like when I’m playing with the little member children, and I have flashbacks to when the Elders used to play with me, and when I talk and look at this person who has changed their lives in a million ways because they met me, but the day to day moments just feel like this is just one big summer camp get away where I´m just having fun with my friends… most of whom can’t speak English. That part in itself is really weird. I think I might have mentioned it before, but I can’t remember. Just the fact that you guys back home couldn’t come here and join in on some of these amazing conversations with these amazing people, because you can’t understand them, while for me, I don’t even have to try to understand them anymore, I don’t even think as I switch from one language to the other. Its hard to remember the times when I didn’t understand what they were saying, but it was only 3 months ago. I don’t know how to really explain it, its just little thoughts like “oh mom and dad would get along so great with this family, but wait, they wouldn’t be able to talk to them, never mind.” Its crazy stuff let me tell ya.
But anyways, I hope all is going well at home, and I love you all,
Elder Dennis
Another letter from a Zone Leader
Hello Dennis family,
This is Elder Adams. I am his Zone leader. I just thought that I would write you to let you know how much we really appreciate your son. Me more than anyone else really. Except for the people he teaches. He has a wonderful spirit that just touches the people here. If you were here, you would really be surprised from his transformation from when he got here to where he is now.
In another note, I am supposed to tell you that your husband is supposed to get a crotch rocket, not a cruiser!! He told me that when we were playing video games last night at the arcade. Haha......yeah...not really.
Well ......I hope you enjoyed the little update about your son. I expect a letter back from you guys....(I hear he has sisters too, so maybe some letters from them... :D..... And I wont give anymore updates unless I do.
I hope you enjoyed this letter as much as your son enjoys his companion......I´ll write about that in the next letter.
Elder Adams
This is Elder Adams. I am his Zone leader. I just thought that I would write you to let you know how much we really appreciate your son. Me more than anyone else really. Except for the people he teaches. He has a wonderful spirit that just touches the people here. If you were here, you would really be surprised from his transformation from when he got here to where he is now.
In another note, I am supposed to tell you that your husband is supposed to get a crotch rocket, not a cruiser!! He told me that when we were playing video games last night at the arcade. Haha......yeah...not really.
Well ......I hope you enjoyed the little update about your son. I expect a letter back from you guys....(I hear he has sisters too, so maybe some letters from them... :D..... And I wont give anymore updates unless I do.
I hope you enjoyed this letter as much as your son enjoys his companion......I´ll write about that in the next letter.
Elder Adams
July 8, 2008
Hola,
Things are going pretty good here. Today we went to the Expo, which is like the big country fair thing, which is why we had our P-day on Tuesday again. It was pretty cool, I picked up a couple of the Indian bags that they had. I´ll wait until next year to pick up some of the cooler things though.
This past week we had another baptism, of a guy named Jose Luis, who is way awesome. He´s going to be a leader for sure in the church here. We´ve also been doing a lot of service this past week, and helping some members out in constructing a bathroom. haha. Its been a lot of fun. Also this week I had a lot of fun and I translated my patriarchal blessing into Spanish. But that’s about it for interesting stuff that really happened. Oh yeah, I got Haley´s graduation announcement today, so that was cool and weird at the same time…
Anyways, so cambios happened this week, but I´m just staying here again with E. Cameron. Its killing me, I wanna get out of here, but its all good. The Lord still needs me here for some reason, so hopefully I can take E. Cameron for another change. He´s definitely out there though, and he pushes me to my end everyday. But at the end of the day I know I will be able to talk with my best friend in the world, Elder Adams. Haha he just wrote that. He´s an awesome guy though, definitely my best buddy in the mission. He does keep me going though, and he says he´s going to write you guys, so be on the look out for an email from him.
I hope you guys enjoyed the few pictures I got sent to you last week. I´m in the same place today, but sadly I forgot my USB for my memory card, and I was sending on sending some more, but you´ll have to wait til next week. Oh, and as for me and a bike, definitely a crotch rocket. The Honda 600 that’s all black and you can see the engine, I forget the model number and all that stuff. But yeah, definitely not a fan of the cruisers, those are old folk bikes haha.
But things are keeping up down here. Love you all,
Elder Dennis
Things are going pretty good here. Today we went to the Expo, which is like the big country fair thing, which is why we had our P-day on Tuesday again. It was pretty cool, I picked up a couple of the Indian bags that they had. I´ll wait until next year to pick up some of the cooler things though.
This past week we had another baptism, of a guy named Jose Luis, who is way awesome. He´s going to be a leader for sure in the church here. We´ve also been doing a lot of service this past week, and helping some members out in constructing a bathroom. haha. Its been a lot of fun. Also this week I had a lot of fun and I translated my patriarchal blessing into Spanish. But that’s about it for interesting stuff that really happened. Oh yeah, I got Haley´s graduation announcement today, so that was cool and weird at the same time…
Anyways, so cambios happened this week, but I´m just staying here again with E. Cameron. Its killing me, I wanna get out of here, but its all good. The Lord still needs me here for some reason, so hopefully I can take E. Cameron for another change. He´s definitely out there though, and he pushes me to my end everyday. But at the end of the day I know I will be able to talk with my best friend in the world, Elder Adams. Haha he just wrote that. He´s an awesome guy though, definitely my best buddy in the mission. He does keep me going though, and he says he´s going to write you guys, so be on the look out for an email from him.
I hope you guys enjoyed the few pictures I got sent to you last week. I´m in the same place today, but sadly I forgot my USB for my memory card, and I was sending on sending some more, but you´ll have to wait til next week. Oh, and as for me and a bike, definitely a crotch rocket. The Honda 600 that’s all black and you can see the engine, I forget the model number and all that stuff. But yeah, definitely not a fan of the cruisers, those are old folk bikes haha.
But things are keeping up down here. Love you all,
Elder Dennis
Translations - thanks to Sister Greco!
Here are the translations of the first and last paragraphs from his June 30th email -
Hello, my family and my friends,
Everything is great here in Paraguay, and this past week was nothing less. First, we had a baptism of Valeria Centurion, the daughter of the leader of missionary work here in Salado. We had a dress and everything for her. We were going to baptize her sister too, but she was sick, so we are going to baptize her this week. Also, we have a little girl who is 9 years old that we're going to baptize this Thursday. They both are named Norma.
Guarani is an incan dialect in Peru.
Other than that, everything is cool. I don't have many problems here except for my companion. He is just crazy, but I haven't killed him yet. I am very excited because this next week we are going to receive our futbol (soccer) shirts (uniforms) for the zone, and these will be quality. I bought a ball (soccer ball) last week and I am practicing. Futbol (Soccer) is very fun, I love it, but we need jerseys. They are cheap, one only needs to buy one, that's all. But I don't have anything else to share.....
I Love you a lot.
Hello, my family and my friends,
Everything is great here in Paraguay, and this past week was nothing less. First, we had a baptism of Valeria Centurion, the daughter of the leader of missionary work here in Salado. We had a dress and everything for her. We were going to baptize her sister too, but she was sick, so we are going to baptize her this week. Also, we have a little girl who is 9 years old that we're going to baptize this Thursday. They both are named Norma.
Guarani is an incan dialect in Peru.
Other than that, everything is cool. I don't have many problems here except for my companion. He is just crazy, but I haven't killed him yet. I am very excited because this next week we are going to receive our futbol (soccer) shirts (uniforms) for the zone, and these will be quality. I bought a ball (soccer ball) last week and I am practicing. Futbol (Soccer) is very fun, I love it, but we need jerseys. They are cheap, one only needs to buy one, that's all. But I don't have anything else to share.....
I Love you a lot.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Pictures from Paraguay!
Josh was able to send photos this week - check them out in my Picasa Web Album :
http://picasaweb.google.com/traciedennis
http://picasaweb.google.com/traciedennis
June 30, 2008
¿Mba’e chapa che ra’a?
Todo bien aquí. This past week was just awesome. We had two baptisms, both named Norma, so we were excited, and then it was my birthday and we were just working hard and find people and achieving our goals, so yeah, it was just a good week. My birthday was awesome, except for it rained all day, but we had a couple great lessons, and then some members gave us some good food and yeah, it was awesome. My zone leaders, E. Pavon and E. Adams, woke me up at 6.30 with a phone call, and then yeah, I don´t know, it was just a good day. I ate all of the airheads you sent me that day as well… I saved them just for that. The night before, I also got all of my letters for this week, cause the zone leaders pick them up on Thursdays, its just that they don’t normally pass them out until Monday. It was just because it was my birthday, so after our baptism we went and got some food and they gave me my letters. I got a card from grandma Karen, and from elder Fiala, so that was pretty sweet. I sent you a photo of me standing on one of the streets in the rain on that day as well. (I hope you enjoy these photos, I actually got it to work this time.)
We also got some amazing jerseys today that are awesome, that we had custom made as a zone. So we wore those today as we played against another zone, and totally creamed them. It was the power of the jersey, I’m telling ya. They’re white with a red and black stripe down the right side of the front, with a custom insignia and then our names and numbers (27) on the back. We also got shorts, which are black with a white and red stripe and the insignia and number as well… very very nice. I’m a fan.
Also, I got to say, that marinara sauce that you sent me is sooooo good. I made it for the first time on Saturday, and it was like heaven in my mouth, after only having had a salsa kind of sauce for forever, the actual bursting Italian flavour was incredible. But yeah, its definitely weird to think that I already have 5 months in my mission (if you count by 4 weeks as a month). Next week is changes again, and I’m excited to see what happens. With that I’ll hit 3 months in Paraguay. The time is just flying by.
Well I´m going to just work on getting some more pictures sent before time is up. I love you all, and hope all is well out there. And hey, you still haven’t told me about Dad’s motorcycle! Did he get it did he get it?! Love ya,
E. Dennis
Todo bien aquí. This past week was just awesome. We had two baptisms, both named Norma, so we were excited, and then it was my birthday and we were just working hard and find people and achieving our goals, so yeah, it was just a good week. My birthday was awesome, except for it rained all day, but we had a couple great lessons, and then some members gave us some good food and yeah, it was awesome. My zone leaders, E. Pavon and E. Adams, woke me up at 6.30 with a phone call, and then yeah, I don´t know, it was just a good day. I ate all of the airheads you sent me that day as well… I saved them just for that. The night before, I also got all of my letters for this week, cause the zone leaders pick them up on Thursdays, its just that they don’t normally pass them out until Monday. It was just because it was my birthday, so after our baptism we went and got some food and they gave me my letters. I got a card from grandma Karen, and from elder Fiala, so that was pretty sweet. I sent you a photo of me standing on one of the streets in the rain on that day as well. (I hope you enjoy these photos, I actually got it to work this time.)
We also got some amazing jerseys today that are awesome, that we had custom made as a zone. So we wore those today as we played against another zone, and totally creamed them. It was the power of the jersey, I’m telling ya. They’re white with a red and black stripe down the right side of the front, with a custom insignia and then our names and numbers (27) on the back. We also got shorts, which are black with a white and red stripe and the insignia and number as well… very very nice. I’m a fan.
Also, I got to say, that marinara sauce that you sent me is sooooo good. I made it for the first time on Saturday, and it was like heaven in my mouth, after only having had a salsa kind of sauce for forever, the actual bursting Italian flavour was incredible. But yeah, its definitely weird to think that I already have 5 months in my mission (if you count by 4 weeks as a month). Next week is changes again, and I’m excited to see what happens. With that I’ll hit 3 months in Paraguay. The time is just flying by.
Well I´m going to just work on getting some more pictures sent before time is up. I love you all, and hope all is well out there. And hey, you still haven’t told me about Dad’s motorcycle! Did he get it did he get it?! Love ya,
E. Dennis
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
June 24, 2008
Hola mi familia y mis amigos,
Toda está bien aquí en Paraguay, y esta semana pasada fue bien no mas. Primero, nosotros tuvimos un bautismo, de Valeria Centurión, la hija del líder de la obra misional aquí en Salado. Tuvimos una torta y todo para ella. Fuimos a bautizar su hermana tambien, pero ella estaba enferma, entonces, vamos a bautizarle esta semana. Tambien, tenemos una niña de 9 años que vamos a bautizar también este jueves. Los dos se llaman Norma.
Ok, I´ll stop using Spanish, and let you try and figure out what I said there. But man, with the baptism last week, we showed up about an hour and a half early for the baptism, and the font was filled but was completely dirty. So we had to empty it out, and the make it go faster, we were also emptying it by hand with buckets, so we were getting all soaked and sweaty, and then we finally got it drained, and they were both there and ready to go, but the stupid water was taking soooooooo slooooowwww. So we ended up just having to put it off for the next morning, and then the one sister, Norma, got sick, so we only got to baptize Valeria, but this week we’re going to baptize her, along with a little girl who’s family is all members. So we’re excited to have those. This week we also held a Talent show night and stressed the use of our talents to share the gospel, but hardly anyone showed up and only we did stuff. I played the guitar while we sang “Praise to the Man,” a verse in Spanish, Guaraní and English. That was pretty fun. Afterwards we just played a game with everyone.
Its still pretty cold here, but its warming up a bit. I think we cold just be getting used to it as well, but yeah, you don’t need to worry about sending anything more, I’m staying warm just fine. But I also got all my cards and letters today, but no package, but no worries, the zone leaders (two of my best friends) are saying they’re going to throw some sort of party or something with cake and whatnot, so don’t worry. It should be a pretty good day, because we have to baptisms lined up for the night before. But coming from the cards, what’s the turtles name? Is it still up in the air? AND! Totally not fair, the itouch is the exact same thing as an iphone, minus the phone! Not that it matters to me for the next two years, but still, way jealous down here. Oh oh oh! And does dad have a motorcycle yet?! And if not, what’s the hold up?! Haha I’m a fan of the Honda bikes myself.
Other than that, todo tranquilo. No tengo muchas problemas aquí, menos el compañero. Él es loco no mas, pero no le maté todavía. Tengo animado porque esta semana proxima, vamos a recibir nuestras camisetas de fútbol de la zona, y estas van a ser calidad. Yo compré una pelota la semana pasada, y estoy practicando. Fútbol es muy divertido, me lo encanta, pero necesito camisetas (jerseys). Están borato, solamente necesito comprarlo no mas. Pero, no tengo mucho mas…
Les amo muchísimo,
Elder Dennis (Day - niece)
P.s. Sorry I didn’t write yesterday, our P-Day got switched up because of a leaders meeting that took place yesterday.
Toda está bien aquí en Paraguay, y esta semana pasada fue bien no mas. Primero, nosotros tuvimos un bautismo, de Valeria Centurión, la hija del líder de la obra misional aquí en Salado. Tuvimos una torta y todo para ella. Fuimos a bautizar su hermana tambien, pero ella estaba enferma, entonces, vamos a bautizarle esta semana. Tambien, tenemos una niña de 9 años que vamos a bautizar también este jueves. Los dos se llaman Norma.
Ok, I´ll stop using Spanish, and let you try and figure out what I said there. But man, with the baptism last week, we showed up about an hour and a half early for the baptism, and the font was filled but was completely dirty. So we had to empty it out, and the make it go faster, we were also emptying it by hand with buckets, so we were getting all soaked and sweaty, and then we finally got it drained, and they were both there and ready to go, but the stupid water was taking soooooooo slooooowwww. So we ended up just having to put it off for the next morning, and then the one sister, Norma, got sick, so we only got to baptize Valeria, but this week we’re going to baptize her, along with a little girl who’s family is all members. So we’re excited to have those. This week we also held a Talent show night and stressed the use of our talents to share the gospel, but hardly anyone showed up and only we did stuff. I played the guitar while we sang “Praise to the Man,” a verse in Spanish, Guaraní and English. That was pretty fun. Afterwards we just played a game with everyone.
Its still pretty cold here, but its warming up a bit. I think we cold just be getting used to it as well, but yeah, you don’t need to worry about sending anything more, I’m staying warm just fine. But I also got all my cards and letters today, but no package, but no worries, the zone leaders (two of my best friends) are saying they’re going to throw some sort of party or something with cake and whatnot, so don’t worry. It should be a pretty good day, because we have to baptisms lined up for the night before. But coming from the cards, what’s the turtles name? Is it still up in the air? AND! Totally not fair, the itouch is the exact same thing as an iphone, minus the phone! Not that it matters to me for the next two years, but still, way jealous down here. Oh oh oh! And does dad have a motorcycle yet?! And if not, what’s the hold up?! Haha I’m a fan of the Honda bikes myself.
Other than that, todo tranquilo. No tengo muchas problemas aquí, menos el compañero. Él es loco no mas, pero no le maté todavía. Tengo animado porque esta semana proxima, vamos a recibir nuestras camisetas de fútbol de la zona, y estas van a ser calidad. Yo compré una pelota la semana pasada, y estoy practicando. Fútbol es muy divertido, me lo encanta, pero necesito camisetas (jerseys). Están borato, solamente necesito comprarlo no mas. Pero, no tengo mucho mas…
Les amo muchísimo,
Elder Dennis (Day - niece)
P.s. Sorry I didn’t write yesterday, our P-Day got switched up because of a leaders meeting that took place yesterday.
Monday, June 16, 2008
June 16, 2008
¿Mba’e chapa? ¿Todo bien? Tranquilo.
Life is moving along. Like you said, its crazy to think that I´ve been gone for so long already, I´m not even noticing the time moving. What’s even more crazy, is that next week, I have to start using a “2” at the front of my age… that’s just weird. And Happy Birthday to Papason! I hope he enjoyed the rest yesterday, and especially his chicken picata... not fare! But what is this about money coming out of my account?! I haven’t been able to get it out yet… haha chiste no mas (or in English, just kidding… I got you, didn’t I? :-p ) Yeah, I got my money out just fine once I dipped below the two hundred mark. So now I got my guitar (HOORAY!) and I also got my cases for my scriptures today! So I´m stoked about that, they’re absolutely awesome.
As for the life down here, its freakin cold! I´m not liking this. Its usually not that bad in the middle of the day, but in the morning and as soon as the sun goes down its horrible. The funny part is that its probably not really all that cold, I just got used to the heat of the end of fall here and now that we’re getting into winter, I´m already accustomed to the weather down here. Other than that things are going pretty good. E’ Cameron is still a little tough to really get along with, he’s quite out there, but I´m doing my best, and we’re trying to work hard and get some people to progress. But really cool today, Pte. Wade and his wife and son stopped in at our District Meeting this morning, and visited with us a bit, so that was really sweet, they’re so awesome.
At home, it sounds like Robyn is doing awesome in here new school and friends and all that, so that’s great to hear. Okay, so I have some way exciting news that I forgot to mention. First I’ll say that whenever I write anything anymore in English, I’m totally translating it from Spanish to English to write it down. Its so weird, some things are just so much easier to say in Spanish. And that leads me to my bit of news: this week I had my first dream (that I remember) in Spanish! So that was a really exciting morning, I was just kind of laying there, and I was like “Woah, that was in Spanish.” So yeah, the language is coming along well. I don´t have to really try to understand anymore, I still have to focus on what they’re saying, and I can’t have too many distractions, but for the most part I don’t have to strain anymore to understand these people.
As for E’ Fiala, it sounds like he’s doing good. And just a tidbit of random information, Joe Weeks from Olentangy hockey is at school in Elmira right now. Just thought I could share that. And as for the package, some more velveeta and shells sounds good, as well as some skittles or nerds or something like that… you know what I like. Also, you should definitely include some CDs, like all the ones you bought me, but more than anything, I could go for some nice soundtracks, like Last of the Mohicans and Lord of the Rings, things like that… :D
Haha, and yeah, E’ Pavon is awesome. He’s one of my Zone Leaders, and he’s one of the best latins here at English. He’s really cool, I love getting to hang out with him. My other Zone leader is E’ Adams, and he’s one of my best friends here on the mission so far. He’s really into music, and he’s a professional drummer, so we’re totally planning on jamming when we get back. But yeah, life is great. I love the work and the people.
I love you all,
E. Dennis
Life is moving along. Like you said, its crazy to think that I´ve been gone for so long already, I´m not even noticing the time moving. What’s even more crazy, is that next week, I have to start using a “2” at the front of my age… that’s just weird. And Happy Birthday to Papason! I hope he enjoyed the rest yesterday, and especially his chicken picata... not fare! But what is this about money coming out of my account?! I haven’t been able to get it out yet… haha chiste no mas (or in English, just kidding… I got you, didn’t I? :-p ) Yeah, I got my money out just fine once I dipped below the two hundred mark. So now I got my guitar (HOORAY!) and I also got my cases for my scriptures today! So I´m stoked about that, they’re absolutely awesome.
As for the life down here, its freakin cold! I´m not liking this. Its usually not that bad in the middle of the day, but in the morning and as soon as the sun goes down its horrible. The funny part is that its probably not really all that cold, I just got used to the heat of the end of fall here and now that we’re getting into winter, I´m already accustomed to the weather down here. Other than that things are going pretty good. E’ Cameron is still a little tough to really get along with, he’s quite out there, but I´m doing my best, and we’re trying to work hard and get some people to progress. But really cool today, Pte. Wade and his wife and son stopped in at our District Meeting this morning, and visited with us a bit, so that was really sweet, they’re so awesome.
At home, it sounds like Robyn is doing awesome in here new school and friends and all that, so that’s great to hear. Okay, so I have some way exciting news that I forgot to mention. First I’ll say that whenever I write anything anymore in English, I’m totally translating it from Spanish to English to write it down. Its so weird, some things are just so much easier to say in Spanish. And that leads me to my bit of news: this week I had my first dream (that I remember) in Spanish! So that was a really exciting morning, I was just kind of laying there, and I was like “Woah, that was in Spanish.” So yeah, the language is coming along well. I don´t have to really try to understand anymore, I still have to focus on what they’re saying, and I can’t have too many distractions, but for the most part I don’t have to strain anymore to understand these people.
As for E’ Fiala, it sounds like he’s doing good. And just a tidbit of random information, Joe Weeks from Olentangy hockey is at school in Elmira right now. Just thought I could share that. And as for the package, some more velveeta and shells sounds good, as well as some skittles or nerds or something like that… you know what I like. Also, you should definitely include some CDs, like all the ones you bought me, but more than anything, I could go for some nice soundtracks, like Last of the Mohicans and Lord of the Rings, things like that… :D
Haha, and yeah, E’ Pavon is awesome. He’s one of my Zone Leaders, and he’s one of the best latins here at English. He’s really cool, I love getting to hang out with him. My other Zone leader is E’ Adams, and he’s one of my best friends here on the mission so far. He’s really into music, and he’s a professional drummer, so we’re totally planning on jamming when we get back. But yeah, life is great. I love the work and the people.
I love you all,
E. Dennis
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Surprise Email
Along with Joshua's regular letter this week, we got this messsage from one of his zone leaders:
Hi Dennis Family! I'm Elder Pavon from Argentina. I'm serving in the same zone your son/brother E' Dennis is, here in Paraguay. He's such a great pal, we're having a great fun with him.
Just wanted to tell you that he's a good example to all the zone; he works hard and that he takes full responsability in his call. I'm glad to share this time with him. I'm sure you all are nice people as him. Keep encourage him! Thank you for everything you do for him and all of us.
Hope you're doing great there in New York. Take care! See you!
ELDER PAVON
Paraguay Asuncion North MIssion
Hi Dennis Family! I'm Elder Pavon from Argentina. I'm serving in the same zone your son/brother E' Dennis is, here in Paraguay. He's such a great pal, we're having a great fun with him.
Just wanted to tell you that he's a good example to all the zone; he works hard and that he takes full responsability in his call. I'm glad to share this time with him. I'm sure you all are nice people as him. Keep encourage him! Thank you for everything you do for him and all of us.
Hope you're doing great there in New York. Take care! See you!
ELDER PAVON
Paraguay Asuncion North MIssion
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