Well well well.
That’s awesome that Cole is enjoying soccer, I love it down here. I’m so excited because I’ll be home in time to watch the World Cup in June! Paraguay already made it into the tournament, and so did the United States, so it’ll be cool to have two teams to root for. But why you gotta always go and ruin my little surprises that I have all planned up? Haha, I was already planning to pick him up some sweet little jerseys and was even going to ask his size in this email. So at least I don’t have to do that now I guess. We’ve begun playing soccer as a zone every week, er, for the past three weeks. Without having District Meeting on Monday, that morning time is all open now to play. So we go to this sweet turf field, and we each pitch in $1.50 to play for an hour and a half. Today it was cold and had the constant mist drizzle, but it was still a ton of fun, but man, I’m turning into Dad when it comes to sport injuries. A couple months ago, like right after my birthday, I twisted my ankle pretty bad… it’s still pretty weak, but today I totally busted up my toe. I hit a post while trying to kick the ball and I think the nail lifted up from the skin. All I know was that when we got home it was all bloody, but I took a shower and was looking at it, and besides being sore, it really isn’t that bad.
The temple was amazing, I got to do confirmations and a session and then some sealings and ended with initiatories. But the best was just getting to sit in the Celestial Room. I was praying a lot to know about where I need to go and what I need to do after the mission, just asking specific questions and listening to my feelings. I was like- BYU?... U of U?... … Utah?.... Arizona? … .. ….. … alright, I’ll say it, Idaho? ….. Nope, nothing. But I just got the impression that I just had to pick up the Book of Mormon that was on the table, and just open it up because it’d have the answer. Now I was kind of skeptical, because I’d never had the luck with that, but after a few moments I was like, alright. So I picked it up and flipped it open and I swear, my eyes just popped to the first verse that I saw and I read it, and it was the PERFECT scripture for me right now. It was incredible. But it was also in Spanish, and later I looked it up in English, and the feeling the scripture gives is way different, and totally wouldn’t have worked for me if I were to have read it in English. Anyways, that was very powerful for me. It had nothing to do with after the mission though.. so I’m still at a loss as to what to do when February rolls around. I’m glad you were able to get Paige to visit the temple so soon, that’s something that President Wade and the Temple President are pushing right now, that recent converts visit the temple right after baptism to just strengthen their testimony that much more. I’m so glad my family was able to feel the joy as well of helping a friend find the truth and joy of the restored gospel.
Alright, well, I guess I’ll answer some of your questions now. First off, the Eccos survived the operation, if barely, and are now usable again, but they look a little funny now, not gonna lie. But whatever, I just need them to trek around in the dirt and the cobble stone streets that they have here, I’m not trying to impress anyone. The baptisms also went very well this past Thursday, Enrique and Paloma were both baptized in freezing cold water hahaha. I feel so bad for the converts here, the water is never warm. But as a missionary, I just have to hop right on in and act like its warm and look up at them with a smile and offer a hand so that they come on down haha. But yesterday they both were confirmed and Enrique was ordained as a Priest. But the kids here have a very relaxed school system that is just a disaster, they don’t learn anything. All schools have morning, afternoon, and night classes, but none are the normal 9-3 that we’re used to in the states. Seminary is only held on Saturdays, for like an hour and a half to two hours, but I guess in places where the church is more established, like in Chile where my companion is from, they have it in the morning like at home.
Anyways, Love you a lot, and I love empanadas a lot too,
Elder Dennis
PS. Have you found a lomito arabe place?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sept 21, 2009
Well, another week down. Which means only 21 left. Which means before the end of this change I’ll be in the teens. That’s a cool little tid bit for those who might be trunky. We played soccer today. It was fun. My team won 16-11... We as goalies suck... But yeah, District meetings here are actually zone meetings, because the areas (and wards) are so tiny because they have to be walkable for the missionaries (and the members). So the whole zone meets up at the same chapel, and then the meetings start off with each district getting together and have their own meetings for like 30-45 minutes, and then we all get together and talk about the zone for 15 minutes, and then it ends and we go rule the town. Literally. We own this place. I’m pretty sure we’re the only people with money here.
But that’s exciting that Paige was able to get a Bible. I remember having to do those calls when I was in the MTC. She totally talked to a sister missionary who’s in the MTC right now. But that totally sucks that her quad got tossed. I would have been so mad, my scriptures (and my fotos!) are my most valuable possession. I don’t know if I told you guys but I lost a month's worth of photos, and it was quite upsetting. It was awhile ago now, so whatevs, but my fotos from like the middle of February to mid March all got deleted before making backups. But tell Paige to keep going strong despite what others may say, trust me, I can totally sympathize with her right now. A great example is a young man that will be baptized this Thursday named Enrique. He was cool, but I never really saw that he had a testimony or anything until Friday last week, when we shared the Restoration video with his mom (it went okay, but I don’t know if she’ll get baptized anytime soon). Anyways, after she left to go attend some other people, we were talking about how Joseph couldn’t be swayed from what he knew was true, and Enrique was just like ‘Yeah, I know it’s true, and I don’t care what anyone else says.’ It totally caught me off guard, but it was super exciting. Anyways, he and another girl, Paloma, are getting baptized on Thursday, so we’re excited for that.
Tomorrow, we get to go to the temple! I’m so excited, it’ll be my last time going to the temple as a zone in Paraguay. I’ll go once more as I’m leaving to go home, but this is it. Then comes my last general conference, and before you know it, we’ll be talking on the telephone machine. Another exciting note: The LDS Bible came out in Spanish this last week!!! It’s so amazing, I can’t believe it, all of the members are super excited haha. Reading Paige’s story again totally reminded me of that. Anyways, no new pictures, but wish Elder Shumway a happy birthday, because today is his cumpleaños. We woke him up with that cake in a bowl thing that you sent. Those things are AMAZING by the way. You should totally send more next time. The cookie was my favorite.
Much love,
Elder Dennis
But that’s exciting that Paige was able to get a Bible. I remember having to do those calls when I was in the MTC. She totally talked to a sister missionary who’s in the MTC right now. But that totally sucks that her quad got tossed. I would have been so mad, my scriptures (and my fotos!) are my most valuable possession. I don’t know if I told you guys but I lost a month's worth of photos, and it was quite upsetting. It was awhile ago now, so whatevs, but my fotos from like the middle of February to mid March all got deleted before making backups. But tell Paige to keep going strong despite what others may say, trust me, I can totally sympathize with her right now. A great example is a young man that will be baptized this Thursday named Enrique. He was cool, but I never really saw that he had a testimony or anything until Friday last week, when we shared the Restoration video with his mom (it went okay, but I don’t know if she’ll get baptized anytime soon). Anyways, after she left to go attend some other people, we were talking about how Joseph couldn’t be swayed from what he knew was true, and Enrique was just like ‘Yeah, I know it’s true, and I don’t care what anyone else says.’ It totally caught me off guard, but it was super exciting. Anyways, he and another girl, Paloma, are getting baptized on Thursday, so we’re excited for that.
Tomorrow, we get to go to the temple! I’m so excited, it’ll be my last time going to the temple as a zone in Paraguay. I’ll go once more as I’m leaving to go home, but this is it. Then comes my last general conference, and before you know it, we’ll be talking on the telephone machine. Another exciting note: The LDS Bible came out in Spanish this last week!!! It’s so amazing, I can’t believe it, all of the members are super excited haha. Reading Paige’s story again totally reminded me of that. Anyways, no new pictures, but wish Elder Shumway a happy birthday, because today is his cumpleaños. We woke him up with that cake in a bowl thing that you sent. Those things are AMAZING by the way. You should totally send more next time. The cookie was my favorite.
Much love,
Elder Dennis
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sept 14, 2009
Well, not a lot happened this week… it’s the start of something new though: we no longer have District Meetings on Monday, instead we just have a full P-Day, and on Tuesdays we’re going to get together for District Meetings. So that’s interesting. But tomorrow we’re going to have Zone Conference, so hopefully that gives a boost to the zone, because right now we’re not doing so hot, and I’m running out of ideas and options of what I can do. Our own area is lacking a bit right now too, because even though we have some cool people, hardly anyone makes it to church. But I’m excited that the mission work is going well in Saratoga, I hope Paige does well in growing the seed of her testimony, and I know with you guys accompanying her, she’ll do great. That’s one thing that I’ve definitely learned here in Paraguay, without a friend who will stay with them after the missionaries are gone, it is soooo tough for young converts to keep going strong, so don’t underestimate the influence the family is having on that young woman!
Yeah, I’m excited though that I’m a grandpa in the mission, but I still don’t know my grandkid’s name haha. I plan on finding out this week though, because I’m pretty sure I have Zone Conference with the zone that Elder Spencer is in right now. But as far as soccer goes, I’m stoked that Cole is doing good. Fútbol is a ton of fun. Today we went to this sweet turf field that’s like the perfect size to play 7 on 7, and its all netted in so we can’t kick the ball out (a must with gringos playing) and it only costs 60 mil an hour, or 12 dollars. So we split that up and everyone paid 5 mil, or a dollar, and it was awesome. With our open P-Days now, we’re planning on going just about every week in the morning early to start off the day with some bonding time and exercise. There’s no way you could find a nice place like that for so cheap in the states.
My shoes are still in the process of getting fixed, supposedly it took him forever to get the soles off… the Paraguayans aren’t used to quality American shoes. But now he’s going to sew on a new sole, so I should have them by the end of the week, if not next P-Day. Anyways, tell the Jessee’s hello for me when they get home, and just so ya’ll know, yesterday was the 19th month mark for me… so I’m getting pretty old. Other than that, there’s no real news… things are going pretty slow, but I’m fighting to keep things going, but man, every day I’m just a more and more tired. Thanks for everything you did Mom and Dad… and siblings… for me before the mission, even if I did take it for granted in the moment. Love you all,
Elder Dennis
Yeah, I’m excited though that I’m a grandpa in the mission, but I still don’t know my grandkid’s name haha. I plan on finding out this week though, because I’m pretty sure I have Zone Conference with the zone that Elder Spencer is in right now. But as far as soccer goes, I’m stoked that Cole is doing good. Fútbol is a ton of fun. Today we went to this sweet turf field that’s like the perfect size to play 7 on 7, and its all netted in so we can’t kick the ball out (a must with gringos playing) and it only costs 60 mil an hour, or 12 dollars. So we split that up and everyone paid 5 mil, or a dollar, and it was awesome. With our open P-Days now, we’re planning on going just about every week in the morning early to start off the day with some bonding time and exercise. There’s no way you could find a nice place like that for so cheap in the states.
My shoes are still in the process of getting fixed, supposedly it took him forever to get the soles off… the Paraguayans aren’t used to quality American shoes. But now he’s going to sew on a new sole, so I should have them by the end of the week, if not next P-Day. Anyways, tell the Jessee’s hello for me when they get home, and just so ya’ll know, yesterday was the 19th month mark for me… so I’m getting pretty old. Other than that, there’s no real news… things are going pretty slow, but I’m fighting to keep things going, but man, every day I’m just a more and more tired. Thanks for everything you did Mom and Dad… and siblings… for me before the mission, even if I did take it for granted in the moment. Love you all,
Elder Dennis
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sept 7, 2009
Hey there everybody,
All right, first things first: Google Earth! So you basically found where my area is. It’s not that main road that you’re talking about, but it’s along there. It’s split down the middle by a street known as Calle’i, but its real name is Gabriel Pellón. But that power plant that you saw is on the opposite side of the big Luque-San Lorenzo road, but the big power lines that go out from it cross over my area, to the east. So yeah, that main street is one border, and it swings down and hooks up with the east side border, which is a tiny little stream. To the north, its tough to describe the border, but the church, if you find it (a little northeast of the powerlines) is out of my area by like 3 blocks. So yeah, have fun with that. Oh and interesting fact, the other side of the main street Luque-San Lorenzo is the south mission.
The mission suffered very little change this time around. I’m still with Elder Contreras, who besides being annoying, really isn’t that bad of a kid. I am impressed, because like a good many of the latin missionaries, he’s the only member in his family. They totally support him, but still, its impressive that he made it here on his own testimony and desires. Elder Whiteford went out to Pedro Juan Caballero, but I’m still living with Elder Shumway and Elder Larsen, so I still got buddies nearby. Today we made a title of liberty in district meeting, with all of the reasons we’re on the mission written on it, to try and animate the zone a little bit. I don’t know why, but we’re having a tough time rising up. The first Sunday of the change IS usually the worst for whatever reason, but still, its no fun to be fighting the mediocrity. Then we went to a little Luque Expo, or like city fair thing, where I bought just a couple little trinkets... 4 dollars worth, to be exact. And you’d be surprised at what 4 dollars can get you in Paraguay haha.
Anyways, I got your package last Tuesday, so no worries there, it was a nice surprise. It was just full of goodies and a pizza kit and some deserts, which I haven’t made up yet, but this week hopefully I have some more energy to do that. You may laugh at the fact that I lack energy to stir some water into some packets of powder that even come with a bowl, but you never served a mission hahaha. Are the Jesses home?! Its been a year and a half since I left, but I don't know how long their mission is for.
I don’t know what I’m going to do when I get home, because I want to work and save up some money to go out west, but what could I do in February that pays good money? Do you think the track would use translators that early in the season? Its right after the holiday season, so no one in retail will be hiring. Too bad I can’t just go and work at the Chiller haha. As far a a family trip goes... anything that involves activity, like snowboarding or surfing or wakeboarding or motocrossing... I still don’t like doing nothing. Maybe going down to Mexico or Spain or wherever I can use Spanish just for fun... or Alaska would be cool too... probably still too cold up there in March though. Or we could come visit Paraguay... but there really is nothing to do here but talk to people I know, and only I talk in Spanish. I’m really down for whatever. Oh, and through the grape vine I’ve heard that Matisyahu came out with a new cd... if you’re still listening to reggae you should check it out and let me know how it is.
Well, keep me informed on my teams, OSU and UofU, and I'll keep fighting the good fight.
Love,
Elder Dennis
All right, first things first: Google Earth! So you basically found where my area is. It’s not that main road that you’re talking about, but it’s along there. It’s split down the middle by a street known as Calle’i, but its real name is Gabriel Pellón. But that power plant that you saw is on the opposite side of the big Luque-San Lorenzo road, but the big power lines that go out from it cross over my area, to the east. So yeah, that main street is one border, and it swings down and hooks up with the east side border, which is a tiny little stream. To the north, its tough to describe the border, but the church, if you find it (a little northeast of the powerlines) is out of my area by like 3 blocks. So yeah, have fun with that. Oh and interesting fact, the other side of the main street Luque-San Lorenzo is the south mission.
The mission suffered very little change this time around. I’m still with Elder Contreras, who besides being annoying, really isn’t that bad of a kid. I am impressed, because like a good many of the latin missionaries, he’s the only member in his family. They totally support him, but still, its impressive that he made it here on his own testimony and desires. Elder Whiteford went out to Pedro Juan Caballero, but I’m still living with Elder Shumway and Elder Larsen, so I still got buddies nearby. Today we made a title of liberty in district meeting, with all of the reasons we’re on the mission written on it, to try and animate the zone a little bit. I don’t know why, but we’re having a tough time rising up. The first Sunday of the change IS usually the worst for whatever reason, but still, its no fun to be fighting the mediocrity. Then we went to a little Luque Expo, or like city fair thing, where I bought just a couple little trinkets... 4 dollars worth, to be exact. And you’d be surprised at what 4 dollars can get you in Paraguay haha.
Anyways, I got your package last Tuesday, so no worries there, it was a nice surprise. It was just full of goodies and a pizza kit and some deserts, which I haven’t made up yet, but this week hopefully I have some more energy to do that. You may laugh at the fact that I lack energy to stir some water into some packets of powder that even come with a bowl, but you never served a mission hahaha. Are the Jesses home?! Its been a year and a half since I left, but I don't know how long their mission is for.
I don’t know what I’m going to do when I get home, because I want to work and save up some money to go out west, but what could I do in February that pays good money? Do you think the track would use translators that early in the season? Its right after the holiday season, so no one in retail will be hiring. Too bad I can’t just go and work at the Chiller haha. As far a a family trip goes... anything that involves activity, like snowboarding or surfing or wakeboarding or motocrossing... I still don’t like doing nothing. Maybe going down to Mexico or Spain or wherever I can use Spanish just for fun... or Alaska would be cool too... probably still too cold up there in March though. Or we could come visit Paraguay... but there really is nothing to do here but talk to people I know, and only I talk in Spanish. I’m really down for whatever. Oh, and through the grape vine I’ve heard that Matisyahu came out with a new cd... if you’re still listening to reggae you should check it out and let me know how it is.
Well, keep me informed on my teams, OSU and UofU, and I'll keep fighting the good fight.
Love,
Elder Dennis
Monday, August 31, 2009
Aug 31, 2009
How’s it going… (I’m getting tired of trying to think of ways to greet ya’ll in a letter…)
Wow Mom, I’m impressed, I totally can’t see you running 8 miles, but I do remember the old days when we were in Reynoldsburg and you were going to do that speed walking marathon thing, so yeah, I’m glad you’re having fun getting in shape and all that jazz. I really need to start working out again… Remember that one video I sent you guys were I had been working out, and I was actually looking pretty good? Yeah, it’s been since about my third change that I’ve really worked out. Now I’m just so tired and I have absolutely no energy to get up and do exercises… more than anything I just got bored with doing the same exercises everyday.
But yeah, um… when did you send July’s package? Was that a long time ago or just a couple weeks back… because I honestly don’t remember when the last package I got was. The time is just flying by right now, this change passed like it was nothing! Each month just passes faster and faster. I’m pretty sure that Paraguayan family in the Ensign was from one of the fancy wards near the center of town… it’s almost like America there. Did it say which ward they were from in the article? Paraguay is kind of fancy in the center of town, but the vast majority just live in poverty. Right now I’m in probably the fanciest area that I’ve had so far, most people have decent houses and an air conditioning unit and stuff, so it’s weird, I’m not used to it at all. Unfortunately, our house doesn’t have one, only my second of 5 houses to not have air conditioning… I’ve been pretty lucky so far. But it wasn’t all that bad, until these past couple days, it’s been giving us a flavor of the heat of summer, and personally I would absolutely love it if I were just living in it, but having to go out and walk around all day in the sun just stinks. But man, it’s been so beautiful, just perfect weather as far as I’m concerned, dry, 80s, light breeze, no clouds, just gorgeous.
Anyways, a little about the zone: it’s the zone Luque Sur, which lies inbetween the cities of Luque and San Lorenzo. Most of the areas are pretty well off… there’s some poor parts, but the majority is like a nicer little suburb of the Paraguayan middle class. There is a total of seven areas, or 14 Elders, in the zone. My area is the farthest south, the most towards San Lorenzo, and we share a house with Elder Shumway and Elder Larsen, who are in Laurelty (laurel-TU), and we share the church building as well, which is right next to our house, which is actually a killer setup, I love it there. I knew most of the people from previous zones, which is part of the reason I think the Lord sent me here, because they’re all my friends, and the last leaders here (Elder Ramirez, my ex-comp, and Contreras) both just stink as leaders and just told everyone they sucked because they weren’t doing good, and so everyone hated them. So I’m here to make them feel better and just be their friend. I don’t know if I mentioned Elder Whiteford yet, he’s in the zone, and his brother was in my district in the MTC, but went to Mendoza Argentina for his mission. So that’s cool, anyways, were planning on starting up a business together when we get back, it’s gonna be awesome, we’re gonna be millionaires. Elder Bullcreek, from the MTC is here, so is Elder Hermosilla, who was out near Saltos with me, and others that I don’t think I ever mentioned. So yeah that’s the zone. Its good times, the zone is SLOWLY improving, but yeah, it’s slow going.
But yeah, we still don’t know changes, and probably won’t know them until tomorrow, because Pte Wade was out of town all weekend, and just started working on them today.
Love ya,
Elder Dennis
Wow Mom, I’m impressed, I totally can’t see you running 8 miles, but I do remember the old days when we were in Reynoldsburg and you were going to do that speed walking marathon thing, so yeah, I’m glad you’re having fun getting in shape and all that jazz. I really need to start working out again… Remember that one video I sent you guys were I had been working out, and I was actually looking pretty good? Yeah, it’s been since about my third change that I’ve really worked out. Now I’m just so tired and I have absolutely no energy to get up and do exercises… more than anything I just got bored with doing the same exercises everyday.
But yeah, um… when did you send July’s package? Was that a long time ago or just a couple weeks back… because I honestly don’t remember when the last package I got was. The time is just flying by right now, this change passed like it was nothing! Each month just passes faster and faster. I’m pretty sure that Paraguayan family in the Ensign was from one of the fancy wards near the center of town… it’s almost like America there. Did it say which ward they were from in the article? Paraguay is kind of fancy in the center of town, but the vast majority just live in poverty. Right now I’m in probably the fanciest area that I’ve had so far, most people have decent houses and an air conditioning unit and stuff, so it’s weird, I’m not used to it at all. Unfortunately, our house doesn’t have one, only my second of 5 houses to not have air conditioning… I’ve been pretty lucky so far. But it wasn’t all that bad, until these past couple days, it’s been giving us a flavor of the heat of summer, and personally I would absolutely love it if I were just living in it, but having to go out and walk around all day in the sun just stinks. But man, it’s been so beautiful, just perfect weather as far as I’m concerned, dry, 80s, light breeze, no clouds, just gorgeous.
Anyways, a little about the zone: it’s the zone Luque Sur, which lies inbetween the cities of Luque and San Lorenzo. Most of the areas are pretty well off… there’s some poor parts, but the majority is like a nicer little suburb of the Paraguayan middle class. There is a total of seven areas, or 14 Elders, in the zone. My area is the farthest south, the most towards San Lorenzo, and we share a house with Elder Shumway and Elder Larsen, who are in Laurelty (laurel-TU), and we share the church building as well, which is right next to our house, which is actually a killer setup, I love it there. I knew most of the people from previous zones, which is part of the reason I think the Lord sent me here, because they’re all my friends, and the last leaders here (Elder Ramirez, my ex-comp, and Contreras) both just stink as leaders and just told everyone they sucked because they weren’t doing good, and so everyone hated them. So I’m here to make them feel better and just be their friend. I don’t know if I mentioned Elder Whiteford yet, he’s in the zone, and his brother was in my district in the MTC, but went to Mendoza Argentina for his mission. So that’s cool, anyways, were planning on starting up a business together when we get back, it’s gonna be awesome, we’re gonna be millionaires. Elder Bullcreek, from the MTC is here, so is Elder Hermosilla, who was out near Saltos with me, and others that I don’t think I ever mentioned. So yeah that’s the zone. Its good times, the zone is SLOWLY improving, but yeah, it’s slow going.
But yeah, we still don’t know changes, and probably won’t know them until tomorrow, because Pte Wade was out of town all weekend, and just started working on them today.
Love ya,
Elder Dennis
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Aug 24, 2009
Hey there gang,
Well, the french toast turned out great, so thanks a ton for sending me the recipe. The syrup thing was also surprisingly good to not be actual maple syrup, but it was very watery, not at all thick like normal syrup. And the interviews that we had with Pres. Wade also went well, he talked to me a lot about how I’m here to turn the zone around, and how its practical experience in business because you never know, I might be like one of his friends and just be a guy companies hire to go in as CEO and turn failing but potential companies around. And I was all like what if I don’t want to do that and just want to take it easy.... haha not really, I just thought it. But yeah, I have a feeling I’ll be here for awhile, until this zone starts doing good, and it’s definitely progressing, its just kind of slow going.
All I can say about my comp is that I’m so glad that there’s only one more week left in this change, because I really hope I get a new one come next week. I like having patience and all, but I just really would rather pick my friends and not have super weirdos from completely different life styles being my shadow 24/7. But he’s a good kid, just not the kind of person I get along with all that well, mostly because, at this point in the mission, it isn’t just being with another person that bothers me, I can deal with that just fine now, but what gets to me now is if the person affects the work, and my companion just doesn’t know what he’s doing, so that's just what getting to me.
I’m glad you two were able to get away and only had to deal with 2 disasters in the house, and I’m super jealous you guys went bob sledding! I’d totally be down with that. I also want to jump out of a plane like bad! With a parachute would be nice, but that’s just optional. Free falling just has this appeal to me that I can’t explain... its the adrenaline addiction in my blood. But yeah, museums... come one, that’s like school fieldtrip stuff, and I got done with that a looooonnggg time ago. But I’m like so excited that the Avatar movie is coming along, I remember it being announced right as I was leaving, but no actors had been chosen or anything. But yeah, enough trunky stuff.
Haley is a stud for helping out in the mission work, I so wish I’d had that opportunity to help someone I knew get to know the gospel, I’m sure the missionaries are so excited there for the help that they’re getting from her, it really does make all the difference in the conversion of an investigator. I’ve seen that someone can get baptized without member support here, but their long term conversion is almost non existent if members don’t get in there and bridge the gap. I know that this work really is the most important that one can do in this life, and all the other stuff is just on the side, so don’t lose that view, and remember to always focus on the things that are important....
You have no idea how difficult that was to write in english, anything about the gospel just comes out in spanish now a days, and I totally was translating in my head and trying to remember how to talk english. You guys don’t see the bad side, only the finished copy of what I write, and wow, do I change a lot around after doing a quick read through before I send my letters. But I’m so glad you mentioned the request of items for a package, because I am in dire need of more razor blades... the 5 blade ones, and I only need like 3 or 4 cartridges to end the mission, one blade lasts me about 2 weeks on average... how long should those things last anyways? I’ve never really known. But other than that, I’m actually doing good, learning how to actually take care of myself long term style rather than just living on cereal lately. Like the other day I made tacos with steak, and today I bought some stuff to make some omelets for breakfast... so I’m branching out and enjoying these new cooking experiences that are actually surprisingly cheap to make. Actually if you want, you could include like, 1 or 2 more pairs of pants, definitely size 32 this time.... I’m getting fat... its the making food thing, not good for the scale. And I’m living with two amazing guys, Elder Shumway and Elder Larsen, but they’re both bigger guys and the eat a lot... and I’m usually included in the eating adventures. Anyways, I figure I’m way skinny, putting a little bit of meat on my bones isn’t exactly a bad thing, and I think I’m also a little bit taller than when I started the mission. So dad, watch out! Hahaha. But I bought two sweet jerseys today, the Paraguay one and a Guaraní one. Guarani is a team in the like, NHL of soccer teams down here, one of my favorites. My favorite team is Libertad, but their jerseys are hard to get a hold of. One of these days...
Anyways, yeah.
Elder Dennis
Well, the french toast turned out great, so thanks a ton for sending me the recipe. The syrup thing was also surprisingly good to not be actual maple syrup, but it was very watery, not at all thick like normal syrup. And the interviews that we had with Pres. Wade also went well, he talked to me a lot about how I’m here to turn the zone around, and how its practical experience in business because you never know, I might be like one of his friends and just be a guy companies hire to go in as CEO and turn failing but potential companies around. And I was all like what if I don’t want to do that and just want to take it easy.... haha not really, I just thought it. But yeah, I have a feeling I’ll be here for awhile, until this zone starts doing good, and it’s definitely progressing, its just kind of slow going.
All I can say about my comp is that I’m so glad that there’s only one more week left in this change, because I really hope I get a new one come next week. I like having patience and all, but I just really would rather pick my friends and not have super weirdos from completely different life styles being my shadow 24/7. But he’s a good kid, just not the kind of person I get along with all that well, mostly because, at this point in the mission, it isn’t just being with another person that bothers me, I can deal with that just fine now, but what gets to me now is if the person affects the work, and my companion just doesn’t know what he’s doing, so that's just what getting to me.
I’m glad you two were able to get away and only had to deal with 2 disasters in the house, and I’m super jealous you guys went bob sledding! I’d totally be down with that. I also want to jump out of a plane like bad! With a parachute would be nice, but that’s just optional. Free falling just has this appeal to me that I can’t explain... its the adrenaline addiction in my blood. But yeah, museums... come one, that’s like school fieldtrip stuff, and I got done with that a looooonnggg time ago. But I’m like so excited that the Avatar movie is coming along, I remember it being announced right as I was leaving, but no actors had been chosen or anything. But yeah, enough trunky stuff.
Haley is a stud for helping out in the mission work, I so wish I’d had that opportunity to help someone I knew get to know the gospel, I’m sure the missionaries are so excited there for the help that they’re getting from her, it really does make all the difference in the conversion of an investigator. I’ve seen that someone can get baptized without member support here, but their long term conversion is almost non existent if members don’t get in there and bridge the gap. I know that this work really is the most important that one can do in this life, and all the other stuff is just on the side, so don’t lose that view, and remember to always focus on the things that are important....
You have no idea how difficult that was to write in english, anything about the gospel just comes out in spanish now a days, and I totally was translating in my head and trying to remember how to talk english. You guys don’t see the bad side, only the finished copy of what I write, and wow, do I change a lot around after doing a quick read through before I send my letters. But I’m so glad you mentioned the request of items for a package, because I am in dire need of more razor blades... the 5 blade ones, and I only need like 3 or 4 cartridges to end the mission, one blade lasts me about 2 weeks on average... how long should those things last anyways? I’ve never really known. But other than that, I’m actually doing good, learning how to actually take care of myself long term style rather than just living on cereal lately. Like the other day I made tacos with steak, and today I bought some stuff to make some omelets for breakfast... so I’m branching out and enjoying these new cooking experiences that are actually surprisingly cheap to make. Actually if you want, you could include like, 1 or 2 more pairs of pants, definitely size 32 this time.... I’m getting fat... its the making food thing, not good for the scale. And I’m living with two amazing guys, Elder Shumway and Elder Larsen, but they’re both bigger guys and the eat a lot... and I’m usually included in the eating adventures. Anyways, I figure I’m way skinny, putting a little bit of meat on my bones isn’t exactly a bad thing, and I think I’m also a little bit taller than when I started the mission. So dad, watch out! Hahaha. But I bought two sweet jerseys today, the Paraguay one and a Guaraní one. Guarani is a team in the like, NHL of soccer teams down here, one of my favorites. My favorite team is Libertad, but their jerseys are hard to get a hold of. One of these days...
Anyways, yeah.
Elder Dennis
Monday, August 17, 2009
Aug 17, 2009
Hey there folks,
So another week down, and from today I have exactly 6 months left in the mission, because changes will be Wednesday, the 17th of February 2010. So yeah, that's exciting. Things are going... we had two baptisms this week, so that was awesome, but only one was a convert baptism, the other was an 8 year old child of a member, but they like the missionaries to do the baptisms down here, so we put it together for them. So yeah, Laura finally got baptized after a thousand and one problems and obstacles, she's only 9, her parents got baptized a little while back, but she's cool, and then we had Walter, a little itty bitty eight year old. But we continue to see poor church attendance here, though we got this awesome 15 year old to church, named Emanuel, and he's a stud. And the youth at church are just amazing, we were walking by his house a little later on in the day, just passing by, and two of the youth his age are there hanging out with him, and they'd just met him at church. But one of the kids was all like 'Elder, I love your tie, give it to me!' (the sweet blue paisley one from my birthday), and Emanuel was like, 'I have some ties,' and runs into his house and comes out with 5 and he's all like, 'I have these but I don't know how to tie them, you guys gotta teach me!' haha, so yeah, he loved church and is already making friends. So that's exciting, he's an awesome kid.
But tell Robyn to keep it up in inviting her friend, that's so awesome she's sharing with other people, she's doing better than I was at her age, I wouldn't say a word to anyone about the gospel. But it's good to know from James Fiala that life still exists after the mission, you don't actually die... just to the people still in the mission. And I can't believe I miss your 25th wedding anniversary, that's so weird. How long have you been a member? When did you get baptized? I know you two were still newly weds, but I don't know much more than that. But I wish I could go swimming, the past couple of days were beautifully hot, but today came a super downpour that was awesome, and now its kind of chilly outside. But I love tubing, and I'm glad Cole is becoming the normal Dennis athletic boy with all of his different sport camps... but I noticed one is missing! What happened to hockey! hahaha.
But yeah, thanks for the recipes, we have a family home evening planned for tonight, and they're looking forward to some good french toast, but yeah, I don't think they'll have maple extract here, so I hope that other stuff turns out alright. Other than that, things just keep plugging along... yeah, my comp and I aren't getting along all that well, but I'm just trying to work hard and effective and I just feel like he's holding me back and has no clue what's going on. I'm trying, but right now I just don't feel like I'm having any success. There's progression in the area, but no one makes it to church. But you're right, things don't snap back in a moment, it takes time and effort. We have interviews with Pte Wade this week though, so I'm getting excited for a boost from that, a boost I'm in desperate need of right now.
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
So another week down, and from today I have exactly 6 months left in the mission, because changes will be Wednesday, the 17th of February 2010. So yeah, that's exciting. Things are going... we had two baptisms this week, so that was awesome, but only one was a convert baptism, the other was an 8 year old child of a member, but they like the missionaries to do the baptisms down here, so we put it together for them. So yeah, Laura finally got baptized after a thousand and one problems and obstacles, she's only 9, her parents got baptized a little while back, but she's cool, and then we had Walter, a little itty bitty eight year old. But we continue to see poor church attendance here, though we got this awesome 15 year old to church, named Emanuel, and he's a stud. And the youth at church are just amazing, we were walking by his house a little later on in the day, just passing by, and two of the youth his age are there hanging out with him, and they'd just met him at church. But one of the kids was all like 'Elder, I love your tie, give it to me!' (the sweet blue paisley one from my birthday), and Emanuel was like, 'I have some ties,' and runs into his house and comes out with 5 and he's all like, 'I have these but I don't know how to tie them, you guys gotta teach me!' haha, so yeah, he loved church and is already making friends. So that's exciting, he's an awesome kid.
But tell Robyn to keep it up in inviting her friend, that's so awesome she's sharing with other people, she's doing better than I was at her age, I wouldn't say a word to anyone about the gospel. But it's good to know from James Fiala that life still exists after the mission, you don't actually die... just to the people still in the mission. And I can't believe I miss your 25th wedding anniversary, that's so weird. How long have you been a member? When did you get baptized? I know you two were still newly weds, but I don't know much more than that. But I wish I could go swimming, the past couple of days were beautifully hot, but today came a super downpour that was awesome, and now its kind of chilly outside. But I love tubing, and I'm glad Cole is becoming the normal Dennis athletic boy with all of his different sport camps... but I noticed one is missing! What happened to hockey! hahaha.
But yeah, thanks for the recipes, we have a family home evening planned for tonight, and they're looking forward to some good french toast, but yeah, I don't think they'll have maple extract here, so I hope that other stuff turns out alright. Other than that, things just keep plugging along... yeah, my comp and I aren't getting along all that well, but I'm just trying to work hard and effective and I just feel like he's holding me back and has no clue what's going on. I'm trying, but right now I just don't feel like I'm having any success. There's progression in the area, but no one makes it to church. But you're right, things don't snap back in a moment, it takes time and effort. We have interviews with Pte Wade this week though, so I'm getting excited for a boost from that, a boost I'm in desperate need of right now.
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Aug 10, 2009
Yup...
Well I’m glad the family is doing good at working on the financial burdens, and that Dad’s new practice is really doing well. Last week was a tough week for me. We were doing great, and I felt really good about our work, but first off the baptisms didn’t go down because one got sick and so it got pushed back, and the other person we can’t find and don’t know what happened. Then we had a decent, not great, amount of people getting ready for church with a baptismal date and everything, and some of them are super awesome, but Sunday morning came and it was drizzling off and on and we just couldn’t get these people to go to church. Three of them, we show up and they flat out say that they just don’t want to go. So yeah, that just sucked. And then the zone is just really in dire need of an overhaul or something, because we did super awful at our church attendance. I feel stressed and tired and trapped, and I have no idea what it is that I have to do differently to pick up the pieces and help these investigators and missionaries under my supervision to progress.
However, being on the mission, and all of the examples you showed me growing up has helped me become a pretty good budgeter. Well I don’t budget, I just don’t spend money I don’t have, and people here ask me how I'm never short money, well, almost never, and I can’t explain it to them. I just remember ever since I started to make money I saved half, and the other half I would save up for the things in life that I really needed, like guitars and computers and cars. But yeah, I really don’t want to ever end up in debt, no matter what it is that I need.
My area here is pretty nice, the people are pretty well off, it’s a suburb in between two of the bigger towns down here. The members are really awesome, some of the people I’ve been able to meet I just admire so much, like these youth that go out and knock doors and invite their friends to go to church, it’s totally the opposite of anything I did while I was at home.
Eddy I hear is still just a stud, he even quit his old job a while back because they made him work a Sunday every once in a while, a job he’d worked for like 5 years. So yeah, I find out about him every once in awhile, and I’ve talked to him once or twice since I left Saltos. But hey now, that Honda is MY Honda!, and it is definitely not named Howie, his name is Fred! I really hope that thing is in the very same condition I left it in when I took off…
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
PS. I need the recipe of how to make French toast, I know its like you dip the bread in the mix of egg, milk, cinnamon, and stuff, and then fry it, but an exactish recipe would be nice, I promised to make them next Monday for a family home evening. And maybe if you can find out how to make maple syrup ish stuff from scratch, that would be awesome. I know it can be done, cause I’ve seen it done in the mission, but I don’t how exactly. :)
Well I’m glad the family is doing good at working on the financial burdens, and that Dad’s new practice is really doing well. Last week was a tough week for me. We were doing great, and I felt really good about our work, but first off the baptisms didn’t go down because one got sick and so it got pushed back, and the other person we can’t find and don’t know what happened. Then we had a decent, not great, amount of people getting ready for church with a baptismal date and everything, and some of them are super awesome, but Sunday morning came and it was drizzling off and on and we just couldn’t get these people to go to church. Three of them, we show up and they flat out say that they just don’t want to go. So yeah, that just sucked. And then the zone is just really in dire need of an overhaul or something, because we did super awful at our church attendance. I feel stressed and tired and trapped, and I have no idea what it is that I have to do differently to pick up the pieces and help these investigators and missionaries under my supervision to progress.
However, being on the mission, and all of the examples you showed me growing up has helped me become a pretty good budgeter. Well I don’t budget, I just don’t spend money I don’t have, and people here ask me how I'm never short money, well, almost never, and I can’t explain it to them. I just remember ever since I started to make money I saved half, and the other half I would save up for the things in life that I really needed, like guitars and computers and cars. But yeah, I really don’t want to ever end up in debt, no matter what it is that I need.
My area here is pretty nice, the people are pretty well off, it’s a suburb in between two of the bigger towns down here. The members are really awesome, some of the people I’ve been able to meet I just admire so much, like these youth that go out and knock doors and invite their friends to go to church, it’s totally the opposite of anything I did while I was at home.
Eddy I hear is still just a stud, he even quit his old job a while back because they made him work a Sunday every once in a while, a job he’d worked for like 5 years. So yeah, I find out about him every once in awhile, and I’ve talked to him once or twice since I left Saltos. But hey now, that Honda is MY Honda!, and it is definitely not named Howie, his name is Fred! I really hope that thing is in the very same condition I left it in when I took off…
Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
PS. I need the recipe of how to make French toast, I know its like you dip the bread in the mix of egg, milk, cinnamon, and stuff, and then fry it, but an exactish recipe would be nice, I promised to make them next Monday for a family home evening. And maybe if you can find out how to make maple syrup ish stuff from scratch, that would be awesome. I know it can be done, cause I’ve seen it done in the mission, but I don’t how exactly. :)
Monday, August 3, 2009
Aug 3, 2009
Hey there munchkins!
I miss those rousing family board game nights that we would have. I still have no clue what Rummikub is though, I think that came out after I left but you mentioned it once before. Anyways, I’m really out of the loop down here. Seeing the new Harry Potter and Transformers 2 movie advertisements is really not making this whole mission thing easy on me, but what can ya do? Hahaha. Plus all the members just love to rub it in your face that we can’t watch them and how good they are, and then the new members don’t know the rules and ask if you want to watch it with them and man, it’s so tough to stay on the straight and narrow. I got a letter from Elder Nilsen today, my trainer, and he’s getting married in three weeks, so right around when you two got married 25 years ago… and wow it’s weird to hear about all these missionaries that I knew here that are getting married already. It makes me want to just follow the crowd hahaha.
But as for school, isn’t there usually like an alumni scholarship that I would get for going to the same school that my dad did? I know OSU had that, and that it was a decent amount off. But if I have to go to a community college out there or in Arizona that’s cheap to get the GPA up, I’m down. Idaho is definitely not on the preferred list though, it’s just to far out there in the middle of nowhere for me to feel comfortable. And all my buddies will be in either Utah or Arizona. Anyways, there’s just so much to think about, I’m so lost when I try to think about where to go and what to do after the mission.
But yeah, I got a nice pair of shoes of a brand called Guantes, and I’m wearing them right now actually. And I’m doing alright, but my area and zone just need to be drop kicked into shape, I’m telling you. Things are not going good right now, but I have the first 2 baptisms that this area has seen in over a change lined up for this Thursday, so all of the members are really excited for that. The members here are truly amazing, and love working as missionaries, but they were really frustrated with the Elders who were here that just killed the area, and they are not fans of my companion, so it’s funny, they all pat me on the back and wink at me when they talk about the upcoming baptisms and seeing investigators in church. But yeah, I like my area, I just have to deal with my comp who just doesn’t know how to really work and also deal with all the problems that he causes while we’re teaching.
But I hope you’re all excited to go out and eat with me in 6 months, because Olive Garden is sitting on the top of the list for when I get back. And tell … James… that he’s invited. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
I miss those rousing family board game nights that we would have. I still have no clue what Rummikub is though, I think that came out after I left but you mentioned it once before. Anyways, I’m really out of the loop down here. Seeing the new Harry Potter and Transformers 2 movie advertisements is really not making this whole mission thing easy on me, but what can ya do? Hahaha. Plus all the members just love to rub it in your face that we can’t watch them and how good they are, and then the new members don’t know the rules and ask if you want to watch it with them and man, it’s so tough to stay on the straight and narrow. I got a letter from Elder Nilsen today, my trainer, and he’s getting married in three weeks, so right around when you two got married 25 years ago… and wow it’s weird to hear about all these missionaries that I knew here that are getting married already. It makes me want to just follow the crowd hahaha.
But as for school, isn’t there usually like an alumni scholarship that I would get for going to the same school that my dad did? I know OSU had that, and that it was a decent amount off. But if I have to go to a community college out there or in Arizona that’s cheap to get the GPA up, I’m down. Idaho is definitely not on the preferred list though, it’s just to far out there in the middle of nowhere for me to feel comfortable. And all my buddies will be in either Utah or Arizona. Anyways, there’s just so much to think about, I’m so lost when I try to think about where to go and what to do after the mission.
But yeah, I got a nice pair of shoes of a brand called Guantes, and I’m wearing them right now actually. And I’m doing alright, but my area and zone just need to be drop kicked into shape, I’m telling you. Things are not going good right now, but I have the first 2 baptisms that this area has seen in over a change lined up for this Thursday, so all of the members are really excited for that. The members here are truly amazing, and love working as missionaries, but they were really frustrated with the Elders who were here that just killed the area, and they are not fans of my companion, so it’s funny, they all pat me on the back and wink at me when they talk about the upcoming baptisms and seeing investigators in church. But yeah, I like my area, I just have to deal with my comp who just doesn’t know how to really work and also deal with all the problems that he causes while we’re teaching.
But I hope you’re all excited to go out and eat with me in 6 months, because Olive Garden is sitting on the top of the list for when I get back. And tell … James… that he’s invited. Love ya lots,
Elder Dennis
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
July 28, 2009
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
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
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
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