How’s it going?
So okay, a little bit more about Ybera. Sorry, I guess I spelled it wrong the first time, but I see it spelled both ways, because in Spanish the v and the b sound the exact same, and the people always have problems coming up with which letter is really used. But in the church records I think it has a b, so yeah. Well, yup, I’m still a ZL, and I was sent here to boost this zone back up to stuff, because I’m not gonna lie, it’s doing REALLY bad right now. So I've got a lot of work ahead of me. But my area itself seems pretty cool, it’s just been in the hands of two kids that didn’t know what they were doing or how to lead a zone. So I’m coming in to fix that up a little bit. But yeah, my companion is Elder Contreras, and he’s not a bad guy, his personality just isn’t ideal. He’s not a bad guy though, we’re getting along alright so far. But I definitely don’t like the way he tries to work, so it’s a good thing I’m senior comp hahaha.
Anyways, I loved the photos, and wow is Cole getting big. But what is he doing with long hair like that?! Hahaha whatever happened to dad giving buzz cuts at the house? But I’m glad you all had fun in PA, and Robyn is just getting too old. I feel old. And out of the loop. I swear I’m just in this time warp, time just stopped back there when I left on my mission and everything is just going to be the way it was when I left. It’s crazy to think that a year and a half has gone by. I’m now able to say that I remember doing stuff over a year ago here in Paraguay when I tell stories and stuff, and it just kind of hit me that wow, I’m old in the mission now. Thank goodness I’m not the oldest in the zone anymore though, I have an Elder Guest who goes home in November, and then Elder Bullcreek is one of my District Leaders and another Elder, Elder Hermosilla, will be going home with us. So yeah, things are going alright, and I just keep plugging along.
Love ya'll lots,
Elder Dennis
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
July 20, 2009
Hey there mommio,
Paraguay is doing alright, and on Wednesday I’ll get to see a little bit more of it, because I’m going to a new area. I’ll be with a latin, Elder Contreras, from Chile. I’ll be heading to an area called Yvera (U-bear-a) in the zona Luque Sur. But I’m really excited to get out of Asuncion Norte, where I’ve been for the last four changes. I got a letter from Elder Fiala today though, and man, it’s making me trunky. I just want to get hooked up with all the music I’m missing out on right now with an amazing iPhone. I’m starting to get really annoyed by the music in Paragauy... it’s not very good and they just blare it all day long on crappy speakers and get drunk... so yeah, it’s fun. It’s been pretty tough lately, I’m getting a little geared up to get home already, which isn’t good, but this change I’ll probably get back into the grind again with the new area to energize me to get out there and get to blowing it up. I’ve been doing pretty good so far in my mission, and I got a nice letter from President Wade congratulating me on the success I’ve had so far, so that was nice to know that I’m appreciated.
I ate a lot of pizza today too... but definitely not the kind I would have liked. We went to Pizza Hut today, and man it’s just not the same! But I’m getting used to it so it doesn’t bother me all that much anymore. But as far as school goes, I don’t know what’ll really happen, but I don’t know if I want to head to BYU...and I’m pretty sure UVU is not a place I’d like to go. I guess I could go to Idaho, but not preferably. I’m leaning for Uof U right now... but I dunno. I’m not sure what’s gonna happen when I get home. I want to go easy on the budget though to make up for Otterbein, so that’ll definitely play a role in the decision making process. I dunno, I guess it’s just wherever you want to send me. But there has to be many beautiful available women there. That is the number one priority. Just laying that out there. Mountains and snow would probably be number two.
Love ya,
Elder Dennis
P.S. Tell Grma and Grpa ‘hey’ for me.
Paraguay is doing alright, and on Wednesday I’ll get to see a little bit more of it, because I’m going to a new area. I’ll be with a latin, Elder Contreras, from Chile. I’ll be heading to an area called Yvera (U-bear-a) in the zona Luque Sur. But I’m really excited to get out of Asuncion Norte, where I’ve been for the last four changes. I got a letter from Elder Fiala today though, and man, it’s making me trunky. I just want to get hooked up with all the music I’m missing out on right now with an amazing iPhone. I’m starting to get really annoyed by the music in Paragauy... it’s not very good and they just blare it all day long on crappy speakers and get drunk... so yeah, it’s fun. It’s been pretty tough lately, I’m getting a little geared up to get home already, which isn’t good, but this change I’ll probably get back into the grind again with the new area to energize me to get out there and get to blowing it up. I’ve been doing pretty good so far in my mission, and I got a nice letter from President Wade congratulating me on the success I’ve had so far, so that was nice to know that I’m appreciated.
I ate a lot of pizza today too... but definitely not the kind I would have liked. We went to Pizza Hut today, and man it’s just not the same! But I’m getting used to it so it doesn’t bother me all that much anymore. But as far as school goes, I don’t know what’ll really happen, but I don’t know if I want to head to BYU...and I’m pretty sure UVU is not a place I’d like to go. I guess I could go to Idaho, but not preferably. I’m leaning for Uof U right now... but I dunno. I’m not sure what’s gonna happen when I get home. I want to go easy on the budget though to make up for Otterbein, so that’ll definitely play a role in the decision making process. I dunno, I guess it’s just wherever you want to send me. But there has to be many beautiful available women there. That is the number one priority. Just laying that out there. Mountains and snow would probably be number two.
Love ya,
Elder Dennis
P.S. Tell Grma and Grpa ‘hey’ for me.
Monday, July 13, 2009
July 13, 2009
Hey there peeps,
So yeah, things are going good. I’m stoked you guys were able to find an empanadas place in the city, but I really hope they’re good, because there are a ton of different types of empanadas here, and only a select few are just amazing. But that’s great that Tara enjoyed going to church while she was visiting. And stop making me trunky by telling me about people who are getting married. It’s not too far away for me, but its still not gonna be any time soon. It’s so weird, Elder Wagner keeps hearing from his buddies too that they’re all getting married and stuff, I can’t believe we’re actually moving along in life. I mean, 21? That’s just old. I mean, when I get to August, that will put me at exactly how old dad was when you two got married. That’s just crazy!
Oh wow, I wish I had a mission mom I could text and ask for delicious foods! I mean, I wish I could just text people... the mission ran into too many problems with the ability to text on the phones ... so yeah, since I’ve been here there hasn’t been texting on the phones. We still run into problems like when we show up for a lunch appointment and the Sister is like hey, I sent you a text message telling you that I couldn’t feed you today and we’re all like but we still don’t get text messages, like we told you last week... so yeah, that’s fun. I’m not gonna lie though, I have some sweet sisters that are like my mission mom. I don’t get any crazy good sweets, but they’ll hook us up with cocido or fresh juice when we show up, and its all good. Anyways, I was just trying to say that Elder Fiala is lucky man. One, he has you guys, and two, he goes home in one week... Totally not fair. I only have 7 months left though, because today, I officially hit 17 months in the mission. Yup, one more and I’ll be 3/4 s of the way through this mission thing.
We made some sweet hoodies as a zone last week, and we passed those out today at district meeting. They didn’t turn out half bad, considering we only payed $12 for each one. Yes... I love being American in Paraguay. But is the flu thing that’s going around that bad back home? Because its like shutting down Paraguay... starting this Sunday, we’re only going to have the Sacrament meetings at church, and they’re not even having church in Argentina. And that’s just the church, it’s affecting everything here that involves people forming groups. It’s hitting hard at our investigators, and at us too. I have a pretty bad cough, and my comp is like dying, but we’re making the best of it. It helps that I got a free brownie with ice cream today at TGI Fridays... cause I just happen to be the waitress’s ‘boy of my dreams.’ So yeah, that was cool. It was very awkward, but I got free desert, so I’m not complaining.
But yeah, don’t worry about the shoes, I’ll just pick some up here. There’s some decent quality ones that you can find, and like you said, they only have to last half the time my Eccos did.
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
PS Tell Haley I love her but I ran out of time to write her this week. :D
So yeah, things are going good. I’m stoked you guys were able to find an empanadas place in the city, but I really hope they’re good, because there are a ton of different types of empanadas here, and only a select few are just amazing. But that’s great that Tara enjoyed going to church while she was visiting. And stop making me trunky by telling me about people who are getting married. It’s not too far away for me, but its still not gonna be any time soon. It’s so weird, Elder Wagner keeps hearing from his buddies too that they’re all getting married and stuff, I can’t believe we’re actually moving along in life. I mean, 21? That’s just old. I mean, when I get to August, that will put me at exactly how old dad was when you two got married. That’s just crazy!
Oh wow, I wish I had a mission mom I could text and ask for delicious foods! I mean, I wish I could just text people... the mission ran into too many problems with the ability to text on the phones ... so yeah, since I’ve been here there hasn’t been texting on the phones. We still run into problems like when we show up for a lunch appointment and the Sister is like hey, I sent you a text message telling you that I couldn’t feed you today and we’re all like but we still don’t get text messages, like we told you last week... so yeah, that’s fun. I’m not gonna lie though, I have some sweet sisters that are like my mission mom. I don’t get any crazy good sweets, but they’ll hook us up with cocido or fresh juice when we show up, and its all good. Anyways, I was just trying to say that Elder Fiala is lucky man. One, he has you guys, and two, he goes home in one week... Totally not fair. I only have 7 months left though, because today, I officially hit 17 months in the mission. Yup, one more and I’ll be 3/4 s of the way through this mission thing.
We made some sweet hoodies as a zone last week, and we passed those out today at district meeting. They didn’t turn out half bad, considering we only payed $12 for each one. Yes... I love being American in Paraguay. But is the flu thing that’s going around that bad back home? Because its like shutting down Paraguay... starting this Sunday, we’re only going to have the Sacrament meetings at church, and they’re not even having church in Argentina. And that’s just the church, it’s affecting everything here that involves people forming groups. It’s hitting hard at our investigators, and at us too. I have a pretty bad cough, and my comp is like dying, but we’re making the best of it. It helps that I got a free brownie with ice cream today at TGI Fridays... cause I just happen to be the waitress’s ‘boy of my dreams.’ So yeah, that was cool. It was very awkward, but I got free desert, so I’m not complaining.
But yeah, don’t worry about the shoes, I’ll just pick some up here. There’s some decent quality ones that you can find, and like you said, they only have to last half the time my Eccos did.
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
PS Tell Haley I love her but I ran out of time to write her this week. :D
Monday, July 6, 2009
July 6, 2009
Hey there yet again. Here I have to write all yins I guess...
Happy Birthday to You!
Que los Cumplas Feliz!
Happy birthday Dear Mommy,
Que los cumplas feliz!
SO yeah, this week was pretty good I guess. We had a bunch of meetings and didn’t get a whole lot of time to work in our area and I twisted my ankle playing basketball and it’s black and blue but I ain’t stopping, because there’s no stopping on the Lord’s time… So yeah. It’s not that bad, I just pop a couple Ibuprofen and its all good.
But I’m glad you guys are having fun with the grandparents, I hope Cole keeps having a good time with Tara. And I’m glad you survived Girls Camp… I hope your girls liked those little boat hats you got for them. So yeah, anyways, today was the Expo here in Paraguay, or at least, today was the day my zone got to go. So I dropped a couple hundred mil on some sweet Paraguayan stuff. Don’t worry, I picked up a decent amount for people other than myself. So yeah, it was pretty cool. But I’ve decided that I need to not be a missionary for very much longer because girls are starting to look pretty fine. So yeah, and I officially hit 5 months in this area on Saturday. Oh and I totally forgot it was the 4th of July, so yeah, I didn’t even do anything special. We found a bottle rocket in the house but we were too tired to launch it off… that or we forgot, I don’t even remember. So I’m pretty much exhausted, more and more everyday. I thought Elder Fiala was just exaggerating when he was telling me about that way back when, but it is totally true.
But on to some other news. I need black shoes. Cause mine are dying. I already lost the toe on the right shoe. So there are two options. 1. You all send me some Eccos in the next package. Downside: it takes a while to get here and there is a higher possibility of them being stolen in the mail. 2. I buy some decent shoes down here in Paraguay because I already have a bunch of money. Downside: They’re not Eccos. So you decide and let me know next week. I could also use some more saline solution for my contacts. Other than that I’m good to go.
The favorite part of my day is totally reading the scriptures. I like reading better in Spanish than in English. I also discovered this past week that it is SO much easier to read out loud in Spanish. I tried to read a verse out loud in English in zone conference cause Pte. Wade asked me to and wow, I barely got through it. Like seriously. So yeah, I guess I’m latin. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
Happy Birthday to You!
Que los Cumplas Feliz!
Happy birthday Dear Mommy,
Que los cumplas feliz!
SO yeah, this week was pretty good I guess. We had a bunch of meetings and didn’t get a whole lot of time to work in our area and I twisted my ankle playing basketball and it’s black and blue but I ain’t stopping, because there’s no stopping on the Lord’s time… So yeah. It’s not that bad, I just pop a couple Ibuprofen and its all good.
But I’m glad you guys are having fun with the grandparents, I hope Cole keeps having a good time with Tara. And I’m glad you survived Girls Camp… I hope your girls liked those little boat hats you got for them. So yeah, anyways, today was the Expo here in Paraguay, or at least, today was the day my zone got to go. So I dropped a couple hundred mil on some sweet Paraguayan stuff. Don’t worry, I picked up a decent amount for people other than myself. So yeah, it was pretty cool. But I’ve decided that I need to not be a missionary for very much longer because girls are starting to look pretty fine. So yeah, and I officially hit 5 months in this area on Saturday. Oh and I totally forgot it was the 4th of July, so yeah, I didn’t even do anything special. We found a bottle rocket in the house but we were too tired to launch it off… that or we forgot, I don’t even remember. So I’m pretty much exhausted, more and more everyday. I thought Elder Fiala was just exaggerating when he was telling me about that way back when, but it is totally true.
But on to some other news. I need black shoes. Cause mine are dying. I already lost the toe on the right shoe. So there are two options. 1. You all send me some Eccos in the next package. Downside: it takes a while to get here and there is a higher possibility of them being stolen in the mail. 2. I buy some decent shoes down here in Paraguay because I already have a bunch of money. Downside: They’re not Eccos. So you decide and let me know next week. I could also use some more saline solution for my contacts. Other than that I’m good to go.
The favorite part of my day is totally reading the scriptures. I like reading better in Spanish than in English. I also discovered this past week that it is SO much easier to read out loud in Spanish. I tried to read a verse out loud in English in zone conference cause Pte. Wade asked me to and wow, I barely got through it. Like seriously. So yeah, I guess I’m latin. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
Friday, July 3, 2009
June 30, 2009
Hey there a todos!
Alright, so this last week was a pretty good week. Everything went great, I even made it to my birthday to open everything but the throw and the cake (I had to check out if I’d need to buy anything to make it... and good thing I did, because I needed to buy butter)! So yeah, I know, I feel good about my self control right now. But yeah, my birthday was awesome. I awoke to 10 Elders (from the office... its nice to have friends in cars) flipping on the light and jumping on me and singing happy birthday and taking us to play some basketball at 6, and then we went out and worked hard... and it was all going good until about 5.30... we show up at a poorer converts house, who we’re working with to baptize two more of the daughters, and anyways, we’re playing soccer with the kids, and the next thing I know they bring out this plate, and from afar its not looking too bad, I thought it was some tortillas fried up recently and some mandioca... but no. We get up close and its milenesa (way yummy), but you can tell that it was probably cooked up 6 hours before for lunch... and mind you, this is Paraguay... there was no fridge involved in this process. Okay, so we bite in, I’m like it can’t be that bad, thinking it would be of beef, but no. No, this was made of mondongo. That would be the stomach of a cow... or pig... or dog... we’re never quite sure which. And its all chewy and cold and absolutely nasty. Like we KNEW that we were going to get sick as we were downing this, and finally they walk away for a moment, and we shoved like half of it in our pockets. And yeah, we told them it was good and then we Sprinted. And I’m not talking none of that half-a joggin crap. We ran. To the nearest despensa, little store thing, and we downed a liter and a half of Coke to try and kill all the bad stuff we had recently consumed...
Long story short, my comp got sick and I was fine. He still has chivivi a little bit. But yeah, we went home and we made cheese cake... way good... that my comp had (also a non bake product). Then on Sunday we had a decent attendance in church, followed by throwing some of that marinera sauce that you sent me on some pre made pizza crusts and some cheese and ham on that... turned out pretty good for lunch, and I also cooked up my, and I must say, I made it pretty darn perfect, Reese’s thing. WoW. Yeah, that was just a little taste of Heaven. So yeah, that was my birthday. I also love my new sandals, those are amazing, now I don’t have to use my pink ones... don’t ask. And the ties are also spectacular, and yeah, it was all gold.
Well, I hope your little camp trip went well, and you kept control of those crazy teenage girls. And remind me about Adamson when he gets a little close to getting here. Is November when he starts, or when he’ll actually be showing up in Paraguay? Well tell him he is coming to literally the best mission in the world, as far as the people, the culture, the areas, and the numbers, so he is a lucky guy! Is Haley enjoying being at home again? Why doesn’t she write me anymore? Yeah, all of my siblings are kind of slacking in that regard. You should do something about it. But yeah, you guys don’t really exist, I’m pretty sure I’ve been in the mission all of my life... but like next week I only have 7 months left in the mission...........
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
Alright, so this last week was a pretty good week. Everything went great, I even made it to my birthday to open everything but the throw and the cake (I had to check out if I’d need to buy anything to make it... and good thing I did, because I needed to buy butter)! So yeah, I know, I feel good about my self control right now. But yeah, my birthday was awesome. I awoke to 10 Elders (from the office... its nice to have friends in cars) flipping on the light and jumping on me and singing happy birthday and taking us to play some basketball at 6, and then we went out and worked hard... and it was all going good until about 5.30... we show up at a poorer converts house, who we’re working with to baptize two more of the daughters, and anyways, we’re playing soccer with the kids, and the next thing I know they bring out this plate, and from afar its not looking too bad, I thought it was some tortillas fried up recently and some mandioca... but no. We get up close and its milenesa (way yummy), but you can tell that it was probably cooked up 6 hours before for lunch... and mind you, this is Paraguay... there was no fridge involved in this process. Okay, so we bite in, I’m like it can’t be that bad, thinking it would be of beef, but no. No, this was made of mondongo. That would be the stomach of a cow... or pig... or dog... we’re never quite sure which. And its all chewy and cold and absolutely nasty. Like we KNEW that we were going to get sick as we were downing this, and finally they walk away for a moment, and we shoved like half of it in our pockets. And yeah, we told them it was good and then we Sprinted. And I’m not talking none of that half-a joggin crap. We ran. To the nearest despensa, little store thing, and we downed a liter and a half of Coke to try and kill all the bad stuff we had recently consumed...
Long story short, my comp got sick and I was fine. He still has chivivi a little bit. But yeah, we went home and we made cheese cake... way good... that my comp had (also a non bake product). Then on Sunday we had a decent attendance in church, followed by throwing some of that marinera sauce that you sent me on some pre made pizza crusts and some cheese and ham on that... turned out pretty good for lunch, and I also cooked up my, and I must say, I made it pretty darn perfect, Reese’s thing. WoW. Yeah, that was just a little taste of Heaven. So yeah, that was my birthday. I also love my new sandals, those are amazing, now I don’t have to use my pink ones... don’t ask. And the ties are also spectacular, and yeah, it was all gold.
Well, I hope your little camp trip went well, and you kept control of those crazy teenage girls. And remind me about Adamson when he gets a little close to getting here. Is November when he starts, or when he’ll actually be showing up in Paraguay? Well tell him he is coming to literally the best mission in the world, as far as the people, the culture, the areas, and the numbers, so he is a lucky guy! Is Haley enjoying being at home again? Why doesn’t she write me anymore? Yeah, all of my siblings are kind of slacking in that regard. You should do something about it. But yeah, you guys don’t really exist, I’m pretty sure I’ve been in the mission all of my life... but like next week I only have 7 months left in the mission...........
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
Monday, June 22, 2009
June 22, 2009
Wow, so yeah, I’m still here. And I’m fetching exhausted because we are just working like crazy. But man, it’s taking its toll on me! Especially because after working hard all week long, Sunday really fell through for us. All of the members we had lined up to take their friends to church just didn’t even go to church, after all week of prepping them to go. So we only got who we went and looked for in the morning. But yeah, so now my energy is zapped, but we’ll get back out there and keep working hard. We’re seeing a lot of success, and like, the people we had at church last week and the people we had this week are completely different, so it just shows we have a ton of people that we’re teaching, we just can’t get them all there at once hahaha.
But E’ Wagner is a stud, we really are tearing it up together, so it’s good to just have a good solid companion that I can rely on. E’ Ramirez went out to Luque to end his mission. It’s weird to think that Elder Fiala will be on his way home though, the mission really does just fly by. But yeah, I got my packages last Tuesday, so those sweaters are coming in handy... so is the awesome OSU fleece blanket that I will be opening on Saturday and haven’t used yet... But I promise I haven’t opened anything else, even though I know what it all is hahaha. So yeah, I should be able to hold out til Saturday. I really don’t want to be getting older though, it just means I have to actually be responsible or something like that. But yeah, it’s all good, means I’m competely passed the halfway point of the mission... I have 2/2 of the birthdays, ¾ of the general conferences, ¾ of the phone calls, and I don’t know what else.
But thanks so much for hooking me up with the dinero... in like a week the Expo starts, which is like the state fair, so I’m planning on spending very wisely my money on sweet souveneirs for me... and you, of course. Anyways, I hope you’re honing those chicken picata skills for the day I get home. But I’m glad you’ve got the little rescue society going full operation, it’s always good to know that a turtle is getting its proper basking light. I love you guys so much, tell the little man to feel better and the old man to keep chugging along in the ward, the Lord needs good, faithful workers to keep the kingdom moving. Focus on the missionary work, its the most important of it all. Tell Robyn to get her little big butt in church and Haley... well, study hard this time haha. And Mum, you just keep taking care of all of us munchkins like you do. And good luck finding a cool gift for the Bubba Gump house. A sweet bucket of shrimp should do.
Love ya,
Elder Dennis
But E’ Wagner is a stud, we really are tearing it up together, so it’s good to just have a good solid companion that I can rely on. E’ Ramirez went out to Luque to end his mission. It’s weird to think that Elder Fiala will be on his way home though, the mission really does just fly by. But yeah, I got my packages last Tuesday, so those sweaters are coming in handy... so is the awesome OSU fleece blanket that I will be opening on Saturday and haven’t used yet... But I promise I haven’t opened anything else, even though I know what it all is hahaha. So yeah, I should be able to hold out til Saturday. I really don’t want to be getting older though, it just means I have to actually be responsible or something like that. But yeah, it’s all good, means I’m competely passed the halfway point of the mission... I have 2/2 of the birthdays, ¾ of the general conferences, ¾ of the phone calls, and I don’t know what else.
But thanks so much for hooking me up with the dinero... in like a week the Expo starts, which is like the state fair, so I’m planning on spending very wisely my money on sweet souveneirs for me... and you, of course. Anyways, I hope you’re honing those chicken picata skills for the day I get home. But I’m glad you’ve got the little rescue society going full operation, it’s always good to know that a turtle is getting its proper basking light. I love you guys so much, tell the little man to feel better and the old man to keep chugging along in the ward, the Lord needs good, faithful workers to keep the kingdom moving. Focus on the missionary work, its the most important of it all. Tell Robyn to get her little big butt in church and Haley... well, study hard this time haha. And Mum, you just keep taking care of all of us munchkins like you do. And good luck finding a cool gift for the Bubba Gump house. A sweet bucket of shrimp should do.
Love ya,
Elder Dennis
Monday, June 15, 2009
June 15, 2009
First of all....
‘Que los cumplas feliz,
Que los cumplas feliz,
En tu día dichoso,
¡Que los cumplas feliz!’
Happy Birthday Daddio! Fetch, that means I’m like 10 days to turning 21... that is wayyyyy too old. But I hope you have a good birthday, thanks for being such a great example to me, you’re my hero. Love ya lots. Oh, and I think next Sunday is Father’s Day... so if it is, Happy that too. Oh, and that really awesome gift you’re gonna open, you know, the one that’s gonna be your favorite, Mom might lie to you, but I swear it’s from me.
Alright, so I’m still in Zeballos Cue... but thank goodness I am no longer with Elder Ramirez... I love the guy but we just did not rub the right way. So, I let you guess the name of my new companion. Yup, you guessed it, Elder Wagner! So I’ll let Mom freak out about that haha. But he doesn’t know any Wagners from St George, he’s from Ogden. Anyways, he is a stud, I’m so stoked to be with him. After three changes with latins, it feels SO good to really just WORK again. Nothing against them, but the latins aren’t known for being the most diligent missionaries. But Elder Wagner, who has one change less than me, is excited and this is his first change as a zone leader, and I can just feel that we’re just gonna blow this area to pieces! If you could feel how good it feels to go out and work and just see how we’re just powering through this area in just the first couple days, oh man, I’m so excited right now. Unfortunately, only like 2 full days of work didn’t quite give us enough prep time to get people in church, we only got 7 people there this week. It rained a ton a couple of weeks back on Sunday, and since then the amount of people in church has dropped a ton, down to about 10. But we’re just getting used to preparing people for getting to church in the cold and stuff, but we’re gonna explode this place again.
It’s so awesome to hear that Jake is on his mission now, that is so sweet, I’m stoked for him, and Kris and Allie, totally never saw that one, but that is way awesome too. Taylor should be getting home from his mission soon though, shouldn’t he? Let me in on that one, would ya? That’s weird to hear that people’s lives are moving on, time just kind of stands still while you’re in the mission as to things of the world. Like all these new kids are showing up and they talk about a new movie and I’m like, hey did you see this one, it came out like 6 months ago, oh wait, that’d be like 2 years now... fetch I’ve been a missionary too long. So yeah, this change I’m the oldest Elder in the zone! Yeah... That is one of the weirdest feelings in the world, I still feel like I just got here.
Anyways, have fun getting ready for girls camp and the grandparents... it should be lots of fun! Love ya,
Elder Dennis
‘Que los cumplas feliz,
Que los cumplas feliz,
En tu día dichoso,
¡Que los cumplas feliz!’
Happy Birthday Daddio! Fetch, that means I’m like 10 days to turning 21... that is wayyyyy too old. But I hope you have a good birthday, thanks for being such a great example to me, you’re my hero. Love ya lots. Oh, and I think next Sunday is Father’s Day... so if it is, Happy that too. Oh, and that really awesome gift you’re gonna open, you know, the one that’s gonna be your favorite, Mom might lie to you, but I swear it’s from me.
Alright, so I’m still in Zeballos Cue... but thank goodness I am no longer with Elder Ramirez... I love the guy but we just did not rub the right way. So, I let you guess the name of my new companion. Yup, you guessed it, Elder Wagner! So I’ll let Mom freak out about that haha. But he doesn’t know any Wagners from St George, he’s from Ogden. Anyways, he is a stud, I’m so stoked to be with him. After three changes with latins, it feels SO good to really just WORK again. Nothing against them, but the latins aren’t known for being the most diligent missionaries. But Elder Wagner, who has one change less than me, is excited and this is his first change as a zone leader, and I can just feel that we’re just gonna blow this area to pieces! If you could feel how good it feels to go out and work and just see how we’re just powering through this area in just the first couple days, oh man, I’m so excited right now. Unfortunately, only like 2 full days of work didn’t quite give us enough prep time to get people in church, we only got 7 people there this week. It rained a ton a couple of weeks back on Sunday, and since then the amount of people in church has dropped a ton, down to about 10. But we’re just getting used to preparing people for getting to church in the cold and stuff, but we’re gonna explode this place again.
It’s so awesome to hear that Jake is on his mission now, that is so sweet, I’m stoked for him, and Kris and Allie, totally never saw that one, but that is way awesome too. Taylor should be getting home from his mission soon though, shouldn’t he? Let me in on that one, would ya? That’s weird to hear that people’s lives are moving on, time just kind of stands still while you’re in the mission as to things of the world. Like all these new kids are showing up and they talk about a new movie and I’m like, hey did you see this one, it came out like 6 months ago, oh wait, that’d be like 2 years now... fetch I’ve been a missionary too long. So yeah, this change I’m the oldest Elder in the zone! Yeah... That is one of the weirdest feelings in the world, I still feel like I just got here.
Anyways, have fun getting ready for girls camp and the grandparents... it should be lots of fun! Love ya,
Elder Dennis
Monday, June 8, 2009
June 8, 2009
¿Ha upei che familia kuéra?
So yeah, we don’t have the changes yet… so yeah, it’s super exciting, I know. But I’m really praying I get changed. My area is way too small to stick around here again. That and my comp is really kind of annoying, I could use a good American again. Not to be racist or anything, but the efforts of the latins vs the gringos is just so much different. And I’m still junior companion, so my comp has all these ideas of what he wants to do and doesn’t like to listen to my suggestions, but he doesn’t know how to maintain an area that has the kind of success that this area can have. So it’s been a little frustrating this change, you can just look at the numbers and see the difference since he showed up and I was still kind of in charge and now that he has sort of taken control. But yeah, so I just want out hahaha. But the Lord knows best, so maybe I need learn patience or something like that. So whatever comes along...
But sounds like fun that Grandma and Grandpa Dennis are coming out to visit, it’s crazy to think that you guys have been living in NY for three years now, I only spent like 6 months with you guys before I left on my mission up there. I hope you still like it up there and everything. But tell Haley the apartment is totally off limits, that is definitely my pad when I get married hahaha. Okay, probably not, but still, I get my bed back that’s ‘stored’ up there! Anyways, I was reading the new Liahona, with the conference addresses, and in the back it has little bios on the new general authorities, and I liked reading up about what they studied and did for a living before they got called to serve. It was impressive to see how many were lawyers (but that’s definitely not for me). But it helped me start thinking a little more and becoming more open and I’m just like whatever comes my way, I’m good. Mostly I’m just worried about what school to go to, cause now I’m starting to think like, where is She gonna be? Hahaha. 10 bucks says Haley beats me to tying the knot though.
As for Fast and Testimony meetings, sometimes I just wish investigators or new members weren’t there to witness some of the things that are said hahaha. First off, almost all of the people say exactly the same thing, really fast: Joseph Smith, the Church, and the Canon books of the church, and the Temple. Then they sit down, eating up none of the very generous amounts of time that they could have to make things go better. And then people that haven’t been to church since I’ve been here get up and they’re all like pity me, my horse and buggy were stolen and I have nothing, but God is going to help me coughbishopsstorehousepleasecough. SO yeah, that’s painful to swallow. I try to just not listen and think about other things that have to get done that day, like who we’re gonna eat with and things like that. You know, the important things.
Anyways, hopefully you’ll know what’s going on, and you’ll be finding out that I’m in a different area next Monday. 16 months in 3 areas... I could use a new one here pretty soon. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
So yeah, we don’t have the changes yet… so yeah, it’s super exciting, I know. But I’m really praying I get changed. My area is way too small to stick around here again. That and my comp is really kind of annoying, I could use a good American again. Not to be racist or anything, but the efforts of the latins vs the gringos is just so much different. And I’m still junior companion, so my comp has all these ideas of what he wants to do and doesn’t like to listen to my suggestions, but he doesn’t know how to maintain an area that has the kind of success that this area can have. So it’s been a little frustrating this change, you can just look at the numbers and see the difference since he showed up and I was still kind of in charge and now that he has sort of taken control. But yeah, so I just want out hahaha. But the Lord knows best, so maybe I need learn patience or something like that. So whatever comes along...
But sounds like fun that Grandma and Grandpa Dennis are coming out to visit, it’s crazy to think that you guys have been living in NY for three years now, I only spent like 6 months with you guys before I left on my mission up there. I hope you still like it up there and everything. But tell Haley the apartment is totally off limits, that is definitely my pad when I get married hahaha. Okay, probably not, but still, I get my bed back that’s ‘stored’ up there! Anyways, I was reading the new Liahona, with the conference addresses, and in the back it has little bios on the new general authorities, and I liked reading up about what they studied and did for a living before they got called to serve. It was impressive to see how many were lawyers (but that’s definitely not for me). But it helped me start thinking a little more and becoming more open and I’m just like whatever comes my way, I’m good. Mostly I’m just worried about what school to go to, cause now I’m starting to think like, where is She gonna be? Hahaha. 10 bucks says Haley beats me to tying the knot though.
As for Fast and Testimony meetings, sometimes I just wish investigators or new members weren’t there to witness some of the things that are said hahaha. First off, almost all of the people say exactly the same thing, really fast: Joseph Smith, the Church, and the Canon books of the church, and the Temple. Then they sit down, eating up none of the very generous amounts of time that they could have to make things go better. And then people that haven’t been to church since I’ve been here get up and they’re all like pity me, my horse and buggy were stolen and I have nothing, but God is going to help me coughbishopsstorehousepleasecough. SO yeah, that’s painful to swallow. I try to just not listen and think about other things that have to get done that day, like who we’re gonna eat with and things like that. You know, the important things.
Anyways, hopefully you’ll know what’s going on, and you’ll be finding out that I’m in a different area next Monday. 16 months in 3 areas... I could use a new one here pretty soon. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
Monday, June 1, 2009
June 1, 2009
Bueno, les amo mucho. Y espero que puedan entenderlo. Anyways, it feels kind of weird to have to speak in English, because it’s been 4 months that I’ve lived almost 24/7 with a latino companion, who doesn’t speak almost a lick of English... mostly just the bad words they picked up from who knows where hahaha. So you have to correct them sometimes, but it’s all good. But this week went alright, we had the visit from Elder Aidukaitas, who is a really young guy in his 40’s from Brazil, so luckily I was already accustomed to the accent, or I think it might have been kind of tough to understand him at times. But he was like, I love you, you’re doing great, the best in the area, but Bam, you guys need to do better. So yeah, he dropped some major cane. To ‘Drop the cane’ is to like, reprimand or correct, I don’t really know how to explain it, but I remember that I didn’t know what it meant when I first showed up in Paraguay.
Anyways, we had 3 baptisms this week of Angelica, and her two children, Carlos and Yeni... (like Jenny)... so that was pretty cool. It’s amazing to see the way that each person shows it a little differently, but they’re all touched and changed by the restored gospel. You can really see a persons relationship with the Lord when they pray. Some people it’s just like a little kid, like what I remember our prayers to be at night as a family when we were younger, kind of husselled to get it over with, but when you get to listen to the prayer of someone who didn’t really know how to pray less than a month ago really converse with the Lord, it’s enlightening in a way I can’t describe. Angelica was never a person where it’s be like Wow, she’s golden. But this past weekend I got to listen to her prayer as we were leaving, and I was just like wow, she is solid. It’s amazing how people come out of nowhere like that as you teach them.
Well, this is the last week of the change, it’s crazy how fast time is flying... like I already have 16 months in the mission basically, and this month I turn 21! That’s fetching OLD! There is no way that I ever imagined I’d spend my 21st birthday in the South American country of Paraguay when I was growing up. My birthday will also mark a year and a half since I first went through the temple... almost time to get a new recommend, and it feels like just yesterday we went to Boston.
Alright, another food recommendation: You guys MUST look for a ‘Lomito Arbabe’ place the next time you’re in NYC. Look it up on the internet too, because if I can’t find a lomitos place in the states after the mission, I think I might just loose the meaning to life, it’s that good. The last time we were eating lomitos, it kind of hit me that I’m the 3rd oldest missionary in the zone (that’s just freaking, let me tell you) and I started thinking about my consumption of the delicious lomito arabe after the mission. So if you could get a head start looking for me and let me know of your results, it would be of great appreciation.
Love,
Elder Dennis
Anyways, we had 3 baptisms this week of Angelica, and her two children, Carlos and Yeni... (like Jenny)... so that was pretty cool. It’s amazing to see the way that each person shows it a little differently, but they’re all touched and changed by the restored gospel. You can really see a persons relationship with the Lord when they pray. Some people it’s just like a little kid, like what I remember our prayers to be at night as a family when we were younger, kind of husselled to get it over with, but when you get to listen to the prayer of someone who didn’t really know how to pray less than a month ago really converse with the Lord, it’s enlightening in a way I can’t describe. Angelica was never a person where it’s be like Wow, she’s golden. But this past weekend I got to listen to her prayer as we were leaving, and I was just like wow, she is solid. It’s amazing how people come out of nowhere like that as you teach them.
Well, this is the last week of the change, it’s crazy how fast time is flying... like I already have 16 months in the mission basically, and this month I turn 21! That’s fetching OLD! There is no way that I ever imagined I’d spend my 21st birthday in the South American country of Paraguay when I was growing up. My birthday will also mark a year and a half since I first went through the temple... almost time to get a new recommend, and it feels like just yesterday we went to Boston.
Alright, another food recommendation: You guys MUST look for a ‘Lomito Arbabe’ place the next time you’re in NYC. Look it up on the internet too, because if I can’t find a lomitos place in the states after the mission, I think I might just loose the meaning to life, it’s that good. The last time we were eating lomitos, it kind of hit me that I’m the 3rd oldest missionary in the zone (that’s just freaking, let me tell you) and I started thinking about my consumption of the delicious lomito arabe after the mission. So if you could get a head start looking for me and let me know of your results, it would be of great appreciation.
Love,
Elder Dennis
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
May 25, 2009
What’s up people?
So, another week down, and another week to go. First off, Happy Birthday to the birthday girl. I hope she enjoys the completion of yet another year of her life. It’s exciting stuff. But I already wish I was going back in time, I’m getting old people. I mean, I have to come of full legal age in a month’s time! That’s just scary!
But I had pique again last week, so that was exciting. My comp had to get it out, because it was in a place on my big toe that I couldn’t see very well to do the operation myself. But yeah, it’s basically just a big, living zit. It’s pretty fun to take out. But there’s not going to be very much pique anymore, because the rainy season is starting up… and speaking of the rainy season, did I mention I hate rain? It fetching poured this Saturday and Sunday, I was soaked from just above my knees down, cause my jacket doesn’t quite cover all of me. But the stupid torrents of rain kept all but one of our investigators getting to church, so this week was just horrible because of that. But last week we had 5 more baptisms, with 2 families that are amazing, and a little old grandma too. But yeah, we’re in charge of all the new convert lessons and everything… anything that has to do with church, we the missionaries are in charge around here…
But yeah, Elder Aidukaitus of the Seventy is coming this week to take a ‘tour’ of the mission to see how we’re all doing, so that’ll be exciting. The ZLs have a council meeting with him tomorrow, so that’ll be a cool like 1-on-1 session with him. But yeah, that’s all that’s really going on this week.
Love ya,
Elder Dennis
So, another week down, and another week to go. First off, Happy Birthday to the birthday girl. I hope she enjoys the completion of yet another year of her life. It’s exciting stuff. But I already wish I was going back in time, I’m getting old people. I mean, I have to come of full legal age in a month’s time! That’s just scary!
But I had pique again last week, so that was exciting. My comp had to get it out, because it was in a place on my big toe that I couldn’t see very well to do the operation myself. But yeah, it’s basically just a big, living zit. It’s pretty fun to take out. But there’s not going to be very much pique anymore, because the rainy season is starting up… and speaking of the rainy season, did I mention I hate rain? It fetching poured this Saturday and Sunday, I was soaked from just above my knees down, cause my jacket doesn’t quite cover all of me. But the stupid torrents of rain kept all but one of our investigators getting to church, so this week was just horrible because of that. But last week we had 5 more baptisms, with 2 families that are amazing, and a little old grandma too. But yeah, we’re in charge of all the new convert lessons and everything… anything that has to do with church, we the missionaries are in charge around here…
But yeah, Elder Aidukaitus of the Seventy is coming this week to take a ‘tour’ of the mission to see how we’re all doing, so that’ll be exciting. The ZLs have a council meeting with him tomorrow, so that’ll be a cool like 1-on-1 session with him. But yeah, that’s all that’s really going on this week.
Love ya,
Elder Dennis
Monday, May 18, 2009
May 18, 2009
Hey there,
Sorry about last week, we didn’t get a chance to use internet cause we had a really busy P-Day... First off, we had council meeting with Pte Wade as ZLs on Monday so our P-Day got bumped to Tuesday, and then on Tuesday we went to San Lorenzo to play soccer with all of the other ZLs, because we didn’t want to be alone and everyone else had a normal P-Day, and had to spend like a total of 2.5 hours on the buses to get there and back, and that just ate up all of our day. So we figured we’d just talked to you the day before, so we figured it wasn’t a big deal to not get to write y’all. Anyways, this week went pretty good, we had 8 baptisms, with the wedding of Elvio and Eulalia, so that was exciting. And then this week we have 2 more families that are just awesome who are tying the knot and taking a bath haha. So yeah, we’re still working hard.
But this past week was the first week of cold, and wow, I forgot how cold Paraguay can get! It got down to about 50 F and I thought I was going to freeze to death on Friday night. And I’m being serious! I’m literally just going to shrivel up and die in a little frozen ball when I show up in NY in the middle of the winter next year... So I had to bust out all of the sweaters I accumulated last year: the two v-necks that you sent me and one that I bought here before I got the package of the v-necks haha... things I haven’t seen in a loooooong time. It was such a good feeling! Mentioning that, if you want to include in my birthday package another sweater or two that you can find in my room, I know I have like 2 or 3 good ones... a brown, a grey, and an orange one, that are all kind of turtle neck, those would work great down here.
But you can tell Aunt Audrey thanks for thinking about me, but I’m sure that book of 500 colleges is just way to big and expensive to send all the way down here... because it’d be cool to look at one, but I wouldn’t want to have to haul that thing around between areas and stuff like that.
In answer to your question: It’s not too bad trying to shrug off the ‘trunky’ feelings that come from talking with the family, but it was a little tougher this time because my comp E. Ramirez goes home in July, so he’s getting all ready already. But I’m thinking that the next call is going to be a little tough... I’ll only have like 6 weeks til I get home... so yeah, that’ll be pretty trunky. Anyways, talking about getting home. I was thinking about it, and if you guys want to come down to pick me up, that’s fine. Like yeah, it’ll lose kind of the umph of getting home and seeing the family, but like you said, I think it’ll probably be a lot easier to just stay in Paraguay than to try and come back a little later on, financially and mentally. Plus you guys could just bring down like extra empty suitcases to help me make it home with all of the junk that I’m acquiring right now and not have to leave it all behind hahaha. So it’s up to you guys with what you want to do. I’ll just go along with whatever plans you come up with.
But yeah, those broadcast conferences from Salt Lake are pretty cool. I got to see one last year, and they had people who were associated with this area of the world as well. So it’s interesting to hear that they’re doing that for state-side stakes as well.
But as a missionary, my relationship with Christ... umm... I’d say it’s grown in the fact that I’m not working and worrying about myself. I’m working with his brothers and sisters, and helping them find the joy of taking advantage of his sacrifice that he made for us, and by doing so, I’ve been able to feel the true joy of Christ by feeling what he must feel when he sees each and every one of us come closer to him, and the sadness that comes when he sees us reject him. So I think mostly I’ve just come closer to really know and understand our Savior and what the purpose this life holds for us.
The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost (it feels so weird to say ghost and not spirit) is a must in this line of work. I’ve really come to know that the ‘constant companionship’ that is always talked about isn’t like a constant feel good vibe that I remember getting when I was at EFY or whatever, but more like an enhanced conscionce (I really don’t know how to spell that, I hope you get what I’m saying) of thoughts that I have or decisions I make of what streets to take or what I need to say or things like that. I think it might be different as a missionary, because we grow so used to the compansionship that we usually don’t even know that it’s there, but yeah.
I think when I get home, I’ll just have to keep doing just the ‘basics’ of the gospel that you always hear in Primary, with slight variation: Study my scriptures daily, pray with real intent, and participate in church and church activities every week. Usually you hear: read, pray, and go to church. That’s good and all, but there is SUCH a big difference between going through the motions and actually doing. Not just reading, but STUDYING. Not just praying, but CONVERSING with the Lord. Not just going to church, but PARTICIPATING. It’s stuff so basic that we just ignore it, but it really is the foundation to everything.
Love you lots,
Elder Dennis
Sorry about last week, we didn’t get a chance to use internet cause we had a really busy P-Day... First off, we had council meeting with Pte Wade as ZLs on Monday so our P-Day got bumped to Tuesday, and then on Tuesday we went to San Lorenzo to play soccer with all of the other ZLs, because we didn’t want to be alone and everyone else had a normal P-Day, and had to spend like a total of 2.5 hours on the buses to get there and back, and that just ate up all of our day. So we figured we’d just talked to you the day before, so we figured it wasn’t a big deal to not get to write y’all. Anyways, this week went pretty good, we had 8 baptisms, with the wedding of Elvio and Eulalia, so that was exciting. And then this week we have 2 more families that are just awesome who are tying the knot and taking a bath haha. So yeah, we’re still working hard.
But this past week was the first week of cold, and wow, I forgot how cold Paraguay can get! It got down to about 50 F and I thought I was going to freeze to death on Friday night. And I’m being serious! I’m literally just going to shrivel up and die in a little frozen ball when I show up in NY in the middle of the winter next year... So I had to bust out all of the sweaters I accumulated last year: the two v-necks that you sent me and one that I bought here before I got the package of the v-necks haha... things I haven’t seen in a loooooong time. It was such a good feeling! Mentioning that, if you want to include in my birthday package another sweater or two that you can find in my room, I know I have like 2 or 3 good ones... a brown, a grey, and an orange one, that are all kind of turtle neck, those would work great down here.
But you can tell Aunt Audrey thanks for thinking about me, but I’m sure that book of 500 colleges is just way to big and expensive to send all the way down here... because it’d be cool to look at one, but I wouldn’t want to have to haul that thing around between areas and stuff like that.
In answer to your question: It’s not too bad trying to shrug off the ‘trunky’ feelings that come from talking with the family, but it was a little tougher this time because my comp E. Ramirez goes home in July, so he’s getting all ready already. But I’m thinking that the next call is going to be a little tough... I’ll only have like 6 weeks til I get home... so yeah, that’ll be pretty trunky. Anyways, talking about getting home. I was thinking about it, and if you guys want to come down to pick me up, that’s fine. Like yeah, it’ll lose kind of the umph of getting home and seeing the family, but like you said, I think it’ll probably be a lot easier to just stay in Paraguay than to try and come back a little later on, financially and mentally. Plus you guys could just bring down like extra empty suitcases to help me make it home with all of the junk that I’m acquiring right now and not have to leave it all behind hahaha. So it’s up to you guys with what you want to do. I’ll just go along with whatever plans you come up with.
But yeah, those broadcast conferences from Salt Lake are pretty cool. I got to see one last year, and they had people who were associated with this area of the world as well. So it’s interesting to hear that they’re doing that for state-side stakes as well.
But as a missionary, my relationship with Christ... umm... I’d say it’s grown in the fact that I’m not working and worrying about myself. I’m working with his brothers and sisters, and helping them find the joy of taking advantage of his sacrifice that he made for us, and by doing so, I’ve been able to feel the true joy of Christ by feeling what he must feel when he sees each and every one of us come closer to him, and the sadness that comes when he sees us reject him. So I think mostly I’ve just come closer to really know and understand our Savior and what the purpose this life holds for us.
The constant companionship of the Holy Ghost (it feels so weird to say ghost and not spirit) is a must in this line of work. I’ve really come to know that the ‘constant companionship’ that is always talked about isn’t like a constant feel good vibe that I remember getting when I was at EFY or whatever, but more like an enhanced conscionce (I really don’t know how to spell that, I hope you get what I’m saying) of thoughts that I have or decisions I make of what streets to take or what I need to say or things like that. I think it might be different as a missionary, because we grow so used to the compansionship that we usually don’t even know that it’s there, but yeah.
I think when I get home, I’ll just have to keep doing just the ‘basics’ of the gospel that you always hear in Primary, with slight variation: Study my scriptures daily, pray with real intent, and participate in church and church activities every week. Usually you hear: read, pray, and go to church. That’s good and all, but there is SUCH a big difference between going through the motions and actually doing. Not just reading, but STUDYING. Not just praying, but CONVERSING with the Lord. Not just going to church, but PARTICIPATING. It’s stuff so basic that we just ignore it, but it really is the foundation to everything.
Love you lots,
Elder Dennis
Monday, May 4, 2009
May 4, 2009
What up?
So yeah, Elder Perez is now in his house in Colombia, which is absolutely crazy, because when I showed up in Viñas Cue he still had 2 changes to go. And now he’s gone. So I guess even though it feels like the mission is my life and that it will never end, it indeed comes to an end. Which is a really weird feeling actually. But anyways, because I sent Perez home, I’m still here in Zeballos Cue, and my new comp is Elder Ramirez, from Nicaragua. There were 6 ZLs that went home, so a lot of new ZLs went up, but my comp was a zone leader before as well, and he’s prepping to go home this July. He only has this and the next changes left. But I’m praying that I’m out of here at the end of this change, because while my area is really tiny, it has a lot of success, but if I stay here next change, I’ll be killing Elder Ramirez as well, which means I’ll be here until September... and that’s a really long fetching time. But E’ Ramirez is a stud, we’re working hard and keeping up the success that E’ Perez and I were having.
I’m glad you got my mother’s day card, but goodness gracious, don’t you have enough respect for your son that you actually follow the directions he writes on it to not open it til Mother’s Day? I mean, it was only one week you had to wait. But yeah, so I guess I have to talk to you losers this Sunday, so I guess you can call xxxxxxxxx at 7 o’clock at night if you want to. I may or may not be there hahaha. I might be working too hard to put aside some time for you guys.
But it’s crazy to think that Elder Fiala is actually gearing up to go home. Taylor Cluff is probably on the downward 2 months as well. I’m just flying through the mission as well though, cause like, this is already my 10th change, out of 16. Which means that I only have 6 changes left after this. That’s like nothing, I’m should be getting ready to leave already or something haha. But everyone is doing good out here, we have 4 whole families with a baptismal date for not this week but the 2 weeks following, and they’re all pretty solid. There’s a lot of stuff to overcome, but I know that it’ll all get worked out just fine. But yeah, the help of the members is incredible here in this area, the new converts expecially, they all just keep inviting more and more friends, and then those people invite more friends, and it’s just this huge ripple effect like you said. But yeah, the wards and branches are just being re organized all the time, and I think that’s the main problem they have down here. It’s kind of hard to call home teachers when every week your have to revise it because more and more people are getting baptized, and just things like that. But at the moment, there’s no senior couples in the mission, but the senior couple that was here will be coming back: The Frutos family. He’s Paraguayan, and Pte Wade really needs his help with controlling all of the districts (like stakes but not big enough, all of which are controlled by the mission presidents of the area... there’s like 10 in Paraguay Norte) and translating Guaraní. So supposedly they’ll be back in like June, but they went back to the states to visit family and take a short break.
But yeah, things are going pretty good, you know, the same old places, just different faces. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
So yeah, Elder Perez is now in his house in Colombia, which is absolutely crazy, because when I showed up in Viñas Cue he still had 2 changes to go. And now he’s gone. So I guess even though it feels like the mission is my life and that it will never end, it indeed comes to an end. Which is a really weird feeling actually. But anyways, because I sent Perez home, I’m still here in Zeballos Cue, and my new comp is Elder Ramirez, from Nicaragua. There were 6 ZLs that went home, so a lot of new ZLs went up, but my comp was a zone leader before as well, and he’s prepping to go home this July. He only has this and the next changes left. But I’m praying that I’m out of here at the end of this change, because while my area is really tiny, it has a lot of success, but if I stay here next change, I’ll be killing Elder Ramirez as well, which means I’ll be here until September... and that’s a really long fetching time. But E’ Ramirez is a stud, we’re working hard and keeping up the success that E’ Perez and I were having.
I’m glad you got my mother’s day card, but goodness gracious, don’t you have enough respect for your son that you actually follow the directions he writes on it to not open it til Mother’s Day? I mean, it was only one week you had to wait. But yeah, so I guess I have to talk to you losers this Sunday, so I guess you can call xxxxxxxxx at 7 o’clock at night if you want to. I may or may not be there hahaha. I might be working too hard to put aside some time for you guys.
But it’s crazy to think that Elder Fiala is actually gearing up to go home. Taylor Cluff is probably on the downward 2 months as well. I’m just flying through the mission as well though, cause like, this is already my 10th change, out of 16. Which means that I only have 6 changes left after this. That’s like nothing, I’m should be getting ready to leave already or something haha. But everyone is doing good out here, we have 4 whole families with a baptismal date for not this week but the 2 weeks following, and they’re all pretty solid. There’s a lot of stuff to overcome, but I know that it’ll all get worked out just fine. But yeah, the help of the members is incredible here in this area, the new converts expecially, they all just keep inviting more and more friends, and then those people invite more friends, and it’s just this huge ripple effect like you said. But yeah, the wards and branches are just being re organized all the time, and I think that’s the main problem they have down here. It’s kind of hard to call home teachers when every week your have to revise it because more and more people are getting baptized, and just things like that. But at the moment, there’s no senior couples in the mission, but the senior couple that was here will be coming back: The Frutos family. He’s Paraguayan, and Pte Wade really needs his help with controlling all of the districts (like stakes but not big enough, all of which are controlled by the mission presidents of the area... there’s like 10 in Paraguay Norte) and translating Guaraní. So supposedly they’ll be back in like June, but they went back to the states to visit family and take a short break.
But yeah, things are going pretty good, you know, the same old places, just different faces. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
Monday, April 27, 2009
April 27, 2009
Alright people, so I’m super excited for changes, but yeah, I still don’t have them. But anyways, this week was pretty good, we had 9 baptisms: Gustavo, Teresita, Laura, Teresita, and Catalina and her kids, Damian, Ezequiel, Lourdes, and Edgar. So that was fun, especially because on Wednesday we had the baptisms of everyone but Gustavo, with Elder Nolan and Elder Sanchez, who are in the other half of Zeballos Cue, who had 5 baptisms all of the same family. So it was awesome to see 13 people all dressed in white! Check out the picture to see how beautiful it was...
But you’ll never guess what I ate last night! I ate some jacaré... or alligator! or crocidile, I’m not really sure which it was haha. But it was like really good! I enjoyed it a ton. Then today I went with Elder Sanchez to check out this place that we heard served tacos, and Sanchez being Mexican was all for it. They were alright, but they defnitely lacked that distinctive mexican punch of flavor and spice. I am definitely not the same picky eater you sent away, I can asure you of that haha.
Anyways, it sounds like you guys are getting geared up for summer from what Dad says, so have fun with that. I’m loving the weather right now. It’s nice and warm at like 30 C, which is like mid 80s according to the converter on the cell phone, but its nice and cool at night, with just dry heat. So for me this is basically perfect. I’m just going to freeze when I show up at the house in February... But I’m glad you’re enjoying having Parkins there to be a new victim of your touristy needs to go to NYC hahaha. I hope Haley takes advantage of the time to relax and work and prepare to try to go to school again. I’m totally going on a road trip of the states when I get back though, Haley’s little cross country endeavor totally reminded me of that. Shane’s already committed to go.
But I’m guess I’m glad to hear that Paraguay isn’t the only place false doctrine is preached haha, but yeah, just keep chuggin along. I’ve found its easiest if the missionaries or someone who knows the doctrine... okay okay, just the missionaries, speak last, and we kind of twist words to thank the people for giving their talks and teaching us about this principle and then we ‘bear our testimonies’ while really teaching what that principle really consists of. It works pretty well, and the people still feel good about themselves. But I’m so glad Cole is reading and all that stuff, it’s so sad to see how few the people here are educated enough to read. We are truly blessed to live in the states where you really don’t run into that too much. So yeah, just keep up the good work there, and try and get all of the munchkins to appreciate learning, it’s such a blessing to have such great opportunities.
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
But you’ll never guess what I ate last night! I ate some jacaré... or alligator! or crocidile, I’m not really sure which it was haha. But it was like really good! I enjoyed it a ton. Then today I went with Elder Sanchez to check out this place that we heard served tacos, and Sanchez being Mexican was all for it. They were alright, but they defnitely lacked that distinctive mexican punch of flavor and spice. I am definitely not the same picky eater you sent away, I can asure you of that haha.
Anyways, it sounds like you guys are getting geared up for summer from what Dad says, so have fun with that. I’m loving the weather right now. It’s nice and warm at like 30 C, which is like mid 80s according to the converter on the cell phone, but its nice and cool at night, with just dry heat. So for me this is basically perfect. I’m just going to freeze when I show up at the house in February... But I’m glad you’re enjoying having Parkins there to be a new victim of your touristy needs to go to NYC hahaha. I hope Haley takes advantage of the time to relax and work and prepare to try to go to school again. I’m totally going on a road trip of the states when I get back though, Haley’s little cross country endeavor totally reminded me of that. Shane’s already committed to go.
But I’m guess I’m glad to hear that Paraguay isn’t the only place false doctrine is preached haha, but yeah, just keep chuggin along. I’ve found its easiest if the missionaries or someone who knows the doctrine... okay okay, just the missionaries, speak last, and we kind of twist words to thank the people for giving their talks and teaching us about this principle and then we ‘bear our testimonies’ while really teaching what that principle really consists of. It works pretty well, and the people still feel good about themselves. But I’m so glad Cole is reading and all that stuff, it’s so sad to see how few the people here are educated enough to read. We are truly blessed to live in the states where you really don’t run into that too much. So yeah, just keep up the good work there, and try and get all of the munchkins to appreciate learning, it’s such a blessing to have such great opportunities.
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
Monday, April 20, 2009
April 20, 2009
Okay, I’m pretty sure my OCD will never compare with yours. But I liked the Lego organization idea, I’m definitely going to have to do that with my kids. But I’ve been getting the same impressiones as you in lines of the genealogy research. I feel like we need to get a move on it, and I’m just so fascinated by anything historical that it’s fun for me. I’m actually reading the Bible Dictionary entry by entry because it’s all historical and explains a thousand things that only have to do with the Bible, and aren’t actually contained in it. And it’s about as close to archeologically exploring the middle east as I can get from a third world country in South America.
But anyways, our week went pretty excellent. We had two baptisms: Alicia and Ramona. Alicia is the cousin of Marina, and Ramona the sister of Mirna and Lucía, who have all been baptized in the past month or so. So that was exciting. Then yeah, we just worked like crazy, and we found like the most awesome family ever, another golden one like Juan and Angelica. Elvio and Eulalia are another young couple of 22 and 20 years of age, respectively. They have a little baby girl of 2 months, and we met Eulalia in the house of another investigator we have, Teresita, who’s planning to get baptized on Wednesday. Anyways, we taught her a little bit with Teresita, and she liked it a lot, but we couldn’t find their house down in the farthest edge of our area, where there’s a lot of the new shanties that the people build up here. But on Saturday we forced the semi, not-good-at-all Paraguayan directions out of Teresita, and we went searching. We found a sweet old rope bridge that was falling apart, so I crossed it for fun (sorry, didn’t have my camera, I’m gonna do it again though...) and they saw us from a distance and came over to show us where their house is. Anyways, they’re awesome, and went to church (we had 27 at church by the way... I really want to hit the 30). After church it was funny though, Elvio came up and was like, ‘Hey, before we take off I just want to make sure you’re going to pass by my house this week.’ And I was like ‘Of course we’re going to pass by’ and he was like ‘Ok, I just want to make sure.’ So yeah, even though the church here is just crazy dirty kids running around and crying and teachers that don’t teach the doctrine and just tell people what they can and can’t do (never right) and you just pray the speakers don’t talk too much false doctrine, it’s amazing how the spirit still touches the hearts of those who go.
But I also got to talk to Elder Spencer this week, and he says Eddy is doing amazing, and that he’s already excited to get to go to the temple in January... so I have no doubt that he’s a stud and going to get there. Spencer was just talking about how even though he’s around some bad influences a little bit at work, how he just has a good head on his shoulders and just knows what’s going on. So that was good to hear how my best friend convert is doing right now. Supposedly he’s half-way through writing a letter for me, so I’m looking forward to getting that in a little bit haha (I write my main converts a letter every couple months to check up on them and all that jazz).
But yeah, yesterday my comp gave his good-bye talk, and this is his last week of work in the mission field. Pray that he doesn’t make me too trunky... I’m resisting alright for now, but I dreamed of hockey last night (probably because the nights are starting to get chilly) and wow, it was not good hahaha. I really want to work at the ice rink again, not even kidding. I miss the smell of crisp ice and sharpening skates and playing competitive, sweat drippin, blood spittin games. Okay I’m gonna stop now. I thought about coaching a little house team or something when I get home, that’d be fun.
Love,
Elder Dennis
But anyways, our week went pretty excellent. We had two baptisms: Alicia and Ramona. Alicia is the cousin of Marina, and Ramona the sister of Mirna and Lucía, who have all been baptized in the past month or so. So that was exciting. Then yeah, we just worked like crazy, and we found like the most awesome family ever, another golden one like Juan and Angelica. Elvio and Eulalia are another young couple of 22 and 20 years of age, respectively. They have a little baby girl of 2 months, and we met Eulalia in the house of another investigator we have, Teresita, who’s planning to get baptized on Wednesday. Anyways, we taught her a little bit with Teresita, and she liked it a lot, but we couldn’t find their house down in the farthest edge of our area, where there’s a lot of the new shanties that the people build up here. But on Saturday we forced the semi, not-good-at-all Paraguayan directions out of Teresita, and we went searching. We found a sweet old rope bridge that was falling apart, so I crossed it for fun (sorry, didn’t have my camera, I’m gonna do it again though...) and they saw us from a distance and came over to show us where their house is. Anyways, they’re awesome, and went to church (we had 27 at church by the way... I really want to hit the 30). After church it was funny though, Elvio came up and was like, ‘Hey, before we take off I just want to make sure you’re going to pass by my house this week.’ And I was like ‘Of course we’re going to pass by’ and he was like ‘Ok, I just want to make sure.’ So yeah, even though the church here is just crazy dirty kids running around and crying and teachers that don’t teach the doctrine and just tell people what they can and can’t do (never right) and you just pray the speakers don’t talk too much false doctrine, it’s amazing how the spirit still touches the hearts of those who go.
But I also got to talk to Elder Spencer this week, and he says Eddy is doing amazing, and that he’s already excited to get to go to the temple in January... so I have no doubt that he’s a stud and going to get there. Spencer was just talking about how even though he’s around some bad influences a little bit at work, how he just has a good head on his shoulders and just knows what’s going on. So that was good to hear how my best friend convert is doing right now. Supposedly he’s half-way through writing a letter for me, so I’m looking forward to getting that in a little bit haha (I write my main converts a letter every couple months to check up on them and all that jazz).
But yeah, yesterday my comp gave his good-bye talk, and this is his last week of work in the mission field. Pray that he doesn’t make me too trunky... I’m resisting alright for now, but I dreamed of hockey last night (probably because the nights are starting to get chilly) and wow, it was not good hahaha. I really want to work at the ice rink again, not even kidding. I miss the smell of crisp ice and sharpening skates and playing competitive, sweat drippin, blood spittin games. Okay I’m gonna stop now. I thought about coaching a little house team or something when I get home, that’d be fun.
Love,
Elder Dennis
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
April 14, 2009
What up thug?
So, yeah, I’m still here. I got your package on Tuesday, and I am still in heaven, with straight up Skittles and Starbursts, and that’s all I need. Tell Aunt Audrey thank you very much, her package was an awesome surprise. I share with the little kiddies every once in awhile, when I’m not feeling too selfish haha. But whoever sent the chocolate, I forget in which package it was, it didn’t quite survive the trip hahaha. It was all just molded to the plastic wrapper, and I couldn’t even begin to guess in what form it was when it entered the package. But I’m glad you guys were able to make it down to the old folks in PA. But man, I gotta say, Cole is soooo white hahaha. I don’t know if its that I’ve been living among latin tanned skin for a year (tomorrow, the 15th, hehe) or what, but man, get that kid out in the sun haha.
But as for the Latin culture, they don’t have ‘Easter,’ they have the Holy Week, or the Semana Santa. They focus on the more religious side of things, in just about everything. So like, Palm Sunday is a big thing, and then on Wednesday they all stop working about mid day for the rest of the week. Thursday is the Last Supper, which is the real Passover, and then its Good Friday, or Holy Friday, when Christ died, and it’s basically impossible to find anyone. That day was deader than Christmas, not even kidding. Then Saturday is basically normal, and then Sunday is the Passover of the Resurrection, which is the only day we celebrate, as Easter. Look up Easter in the Bible Dictionary and you’ll learn why we call it Easter. So yeah, this week was dead for us, and it was a learning experience for me because before this year, I barely knew that Palm Sunday existed, and so I learned a lot more about what happened the final week of the Savior’s life.
But this week we got to go to the temple on Tuesday, and that was just awesome! It was like this personal guided tour by the mission president through some of the ordinances and answering questions, I found it most enjoyable. But the blue pants that you sent REALLY don’t fit… the waist is so small that I’d guess that they wouldn’t even fit Cole… But the grey ones fit just fine, so it’s all good. But I like Dad’s multiple corporations… it’s pretty cool. Doesn’t he have three now: One for the building, the Smiles, and now the Lake Ave? I’m impressed. I hope this new venture works out good so that you can stay ahead of this little economic problem. Down here, we’ve noticed that the dollar is starting to drop again, so… yeah, I’m trying to think of an occupation I can choose that will get me ahead of the curve as well. I might just work with Dad after all; I could make it through undergrad if I have to haha.
Oh, but no, the cleaning lady was like a 3 week stint… it didn’t quite work out and looking back, I’m not sure it would have been allowed even :D but I didn’t know better back then. So yeah, I’m still not mastering that skill, though my organization, while I’ve always had Mom’s (fetch I can’t think of the word, it’s like ADD but with like you have to do something like organize or like flip the light switch 4 times before bed, etc or you go crazy) anyways, it has improved a ton since the start of my mission. But I still have my clothes all over the place… its just organized now: lumps of dirty clothes and lumps of clean clothes and lumps of maybe needs washed but could probably be used another time or two before clothes. Organization at it’s finest, I swear.
As for the phone call though, I’m not sure why they got charged so much, but I’m pretty sure they couldn’t get their calling card to work or something. Things will probably be organized next week or the week after to get you guys planning for the call in May. Wow, to think that it’s coming up on a year since last mother’s day is just absolutely crazy! But yeah, things are going good back in Saltos, they’re both still active and Eddy is just crazy helping out the missionaries. He’s going on a mission for sure, he’s probably my strongest convert for sure, he’s such an amazing kid.
Anyways, I hope things keep going good for you back home. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
So, yeah, I’m still here. I got your package on Tuesday, and I am still in heaven, with straight up Skittles and Starbursts, and that’s all I need. Tell Aunt Audrey thank you very much, her package was an awesome surprise. I share with the little kiddies every once in awhile, when I’m not feeling too selfish haha. But whoever sent the chocolate, I forget in which package it was, it didn’t quite survive the trip hahaha. It was all just molded to the plastic wrapper, and I couldn’t even begin to guess in what form it was when it entered the package. But I’m glad you guys were able to make it down to the old folks in PA. But man, I gotta say, Cole is soooo white hahaha. I don’t know if its that I’ve been living among latin tanned skin for a year (tomorrow, the 15th, hehe) or what, but man, get that kid out in the sun haha.
But as for the Latin culture, they don’t have ‘Easter,’ they have the Holy Week, or the Semana Santa. They focus on the more religious side of things, in just about everything. So like, Palm Sunday is a big thing, and then on Wednesday they all stop working about mid day for the rest of the week. Thursday is the Last Supper, which is the real Passover, and then its Good Friday, or Holy Friday, when Christ died, and it’s basically impossible to find anyone. That day was deader than Christmas, not even kidding. Then Saturday is basically normal, and then Sunday is the Passover of the Resurrection, which is the only day we celebrate, as Easter. Look up Easter in the Bible Dictionary and you’ll learn why we call it Easter. So yeah, this week was dead for us, and it was a learning experience for me because before this year, I barely knew that Palm Sunday existed, and so I learned a lot more about what happened the final week of the Savior’s life.
But this week we got to go to the temple on Tuesday, and that was just awesome! It was like this personal guided tour by the mission president through some of the ordinances and answering questions, I found it most enjoyable. But the blue pants that you sent REALLY don’t fit… the waist is so small that I’d guess that they wouldn’t even fit Cole… But the grey ones fit just fine, so it’s all good. But I like Dad’s multiple corporations… it’s pretty cool. Doesn’t he have three now: One for the building, the Smiles, and now the Lake Ave? I’m impressed. I hope this new venture works out good so that you can stay ahead of this little economic problem. Down here, we’ve noticed that the dollar is starting to drop again, so… yeah, I’m trying to think of an occupation I can choose that will get me ahead of the curve as well. I might just work with Dad after all; I could make it through undergrad if I have to haha.
Oh, but no, the cleaning lady was like a 3 week stint… it didn’t quite work out and looking back, I’m not sure it would have been allowed even :D but I didn’t know better back then. So yeah, I’m still not mastering that skill, though my organization, while I’ve always had Mom’s (fetch I can’t think of the word, it’s like ADD but with like you have to do something like organize or like flip the light switch 4 times before bed, etc or you go crazy) anyways, it has improved a ton since the start of my mission. But I still have my clothes all over the place… its just organized now: lumps of dirty clothes and lumps of clean clothes and lumps of maybe needs washed but could probably be used another time or two before clothes. Organization at it’s finest, I swear.
As for the phone call though, I’m not sure why they got charged so much, but I’m pretty sure they couldn’t get their calling card to work or something. Things will probably be organized next week or the week after to get you guys planning for the call in May. Wow, to think that it’s coming up on a year since last mother’s day is just absolutely crazy! But yeah, things are going good back in Saltos, they’re both still active and Eddy is just crazy helping out the missionaries. He’s going on a mission for sure, he’s probably my strongest convert for sure, he’s such an amazing kid.
Anyways, I hope things keep going good for you back home. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
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