May 14, 2012

Well this was a nice week. Something I forgot to mention from last week; we went bowling at lovely Tustin Lanes as a district and I really wowwed the crowd with a big 177. My perfect form and great ball spin really won the whole district over. But anyways that was last week. This week started on a tragic note. My back had been hurting me a lot over the last few weeks so I decided to make my virgin trip to the chiropractor. The chiropractor is a stake President in Irvine or something, so he's used to seeing whiney missionaries in his office. Well they took X-rays on Monday and brought me back on Tuesday with the diagnosis. And I have something called Stage 1 Spinal Decay. I have no idea what that means really. Basically, my neck doesn't curve enough and my lower back curves way too much, so I think I'll have to go to chiropractors a lot in my new adult life to get it straightened out. I have a theory that once they fix me up, I'll be 4 inches taller. Can't wait! But right now, it is a little painful. I'll going back today to get another ajustment.
As far as the work goes, its pretty slow right now. I went to a Leadership Meeting on Tuesday, where President Bowen basically told to drop all our weak investigators to focus on getting some real good baptisms. Which leaves us with a very small teaching pool. So right now it's pretty much knocking all day everyday. Pretty boring. But we'll find "los de oro" in no time. Maybe.
3 good things about the week?
1. Got to talk to you punks.
2. Got a nice spinal ajustment on Monday. I'm going back today at 6.
3. Met some pretty funny people this week. A lot of whack-o's.
Something funny that happened?
Well we were going to visit some old investigators. And we stopped and parked our bikes in front of this one house and all of the sudden this big crazy Chicano-Cholo guy runs out of the house, grabs Elder Prieto's bike and takes off running. I was shocked. And then after running off a few feet, he turns arounds, laughs, and says "HAHA I'm just xx with you! Come on in white boy, lets talk about God." It was super weird haha. He had a real potty mouth. I learned about 7 new Spanish swear words in that lesson.
Investigators? (name and +)
That dude's name was Mario. He didn't invite us back.
And that's it.
You mentioned Cinco de Mayo in last week's letter and the friend newsletter.  What did you do to celebrate?
Nothing really. There was just a big party over there on 4th street and main. It was pretty crazy.
Do you have another appointment for your back?
Yes, today at 6.
Any idea what kind of item you want for your bed to help with your back?
I have no idea. I'll ask Dr./Pres. Francis today.
Do you need me to send you a couple of new memory cards?
Um sure. That'd be sweet.
Grandpa asked me if you try to reactivate people in the ward?
Every once and a while. Pres. Bowen actually discussed this in our Leadership meeting on Tuesday. He wants us to focus on baptisms first and let the home teachers do the reactivating.

May 29, 2012

Oh I found a really good book at Barnes and Nobles if anyone was thinking of something to get me for my birthday. Its called 2001 Spanish-English idioms by Barrons. It has a yellow cover. It looks a lot like the verb book you got me. I think it would help me out a lot. Or maybe I should just get it myself? I don't know. Anyways, I love you! Have a good one!

Well yesterday was transfer day. Sweet! For some crazy reason, I didn't move or receive a leadership call (imagine that right?), so I am staying right where I am with Elder Prieto. Which is alright. I don't really care either way. Elder Prieto is an alright guy, so I'm cool with it. But almost our entire district got switched up. Elder Smith, Elder Tidwell, and Elder Estrada are all moving on, and Elder Martinez, Elder Huesca, and Elder Smith and moving in. It was kinda sad to see such a big change. This last district has been the best one yet in the mission. But thats just how it goes in the mish, I guess.

Well anyways, those guys spent their whole morning and early afternoon at the good old transfer day pep talk at the mission office and then moving their stuff here and there, so me and Elder Prieto decided to take a trip down to the WestPlace Mall on the other side of town. It was pretty fun. We took the bus, which was surprisingly really excited. I hadn't been on a bus in the longest time, so even our little 15 ride seemed like such an adventure. Pretty sad, huh? haha. But it was fun at the mall, just walked around like a couple of bums. A lot of people gave us some weird looks. A few members came up to us to say hi. They got really excited, kinda like how a little kid gets fired up with he sees his school teacher at the grocery store. The same kind of thing haha. But it was pretty fun to just walk around and see the sights.

There were a lot of changes this transfer. A lot of people went home today. Including good old Elder Zamora. Its weird to think I'll probably never see that kid again when I saw him just about everyday on my mission. He told me that I would have always have a place to stay in Ciudad Juarez, if my mom would let me go, which I doubt haha. But its crazy that he's gone. I'll miss that little chango-boy.

Hey I told President Bowen that I didnt really get a chance to send a good email home, so he let me get on today to send a good one. Love you.

Hey sorry, they are being silly and are starting to kick us out. I love you! I'll try to write a report on my typewriter tonight, so you can have a nice letter instead of this lame short boy. Guy over my sholder. Got to go! Love you!

How's your back?

It actually kinda feels a little worse. Doc. XX is a complete quack.

3 good things about the week?

1. Went to a fun fair in Madison Park to contact.

2. There were a couple of baptisms in our ward yesterday.

3. Me and Elder P enjoyed a fun day at the MainPlace Mall today while everyone else was at transfers. We took the bus.

Something funny that happened?

I think it is transfer week.  What ended up happening?

Me and Elder P are staying. Just about everyone else moved.

New companionships:

G and B

Facer & P

M & H

I'm so not excited. Elder XX  is the most obnoxious elder in the mission. Ugh.

Any last minute birthday requests? 

Um, maybe some cash so I can go get a pair of running shoes. And some whey protein. Me and Elder P are going to become exercise manaics.

Why were you so pressured for time last week?

Cuz the people who run this history center always make up get off the computers.

What did Elder P think about the guy asking if you were a couple?  Have you ever had a time when someone you are talking to has made you feel really uncomfortable or unsafe?

I was actually with Elder S when that occurred. I'm not sure if I said that wrong. Not really. For the most part people are pretty respectful. We acutally had members pick up the tab on our lunch on two different occasions this last week.

Kevin's baptism still set for June 9th?

Yep, but his grandma is always sick, so he hasn't gone to church for a while. And she doesn't think that is ready to be baptized. So it might be a no.

May 21, 2012

Sorry mom I got really presured on time this week. Just know that I love you. Ok? Ok. Everything is good. I'm going to try to think of a good birthday gift today, and I will send a type-written letter to you. I love you dude! So long!

How's your back?  Did you ask about something to make your bed more comfortable?  I need to get your birthday stuff in the mail next Saturday so you will for sure have it in time for your 20th birthday.  How exactly did that happen?  You were just a little fella a couple of days ago.  I remember you being the troll in your kindergarten program just like it was yesterday. 

I have no idea. I think this Dr. guy could be a total quack. He is treating Elder S as well and he is getting worse. We have this theory that he is just giving us his "missionary treatment" which consists of a back cracking and a kick in the pants on the way out the door.

Any ideas, wants, or needs for your birthday?  Is there a Chili's or some restaurant that I could treat you to on your birthday?  I would offer Applebee's, but Sam says we can't go there until the day you come home. 

Haha I don't recall having seen an Applebee's nor a Chili's yet on my mission. I can't really think of any needs. I have no idea what I want for my birthday. I'm starting to have doubts about the bed pad as well. I can never decide. Maybe just nothing will be alright.

Is your birthday the week of the next transfer?

Nope, The following week.

3 good things about the week?

1. Exchanges with Elder S and Elder G  Super fun. It was nice to have some white guy humor back in my life for a couple of days.

2. Got the scoop on transfers. I'll keep it a secret until next week.

3. Found a laundromat that charges half price of the one we had been previously using. So I was pretty excited about that.

Something funny that happened this week?  Hopefully, you won't have another story about Elder P's bike.  Is his bike more desirable to thieves than yours? 

I suppose so. Well something funny, me and Elder S went on exchanges. We were knocking doors in his complex and he met this crazy dude who invited us in to talk. He was white, just so you know. But anyways we got to talking and he mentioned something about his female roommate. I asked him if he was his girlfriend and he responded "No, just because two people live together, doesn't mean that they're a thing. Are you two a couple?" I said no, and he said "Oh too bad, that would be really sexy if you were. You are both a couple of very good looking guys" And I just blurted out laughing. He wasn't gay, he was just giving us crap. It was really funny the way he said it.

What does find "los de oro" mean? 

The ones of gold.

Will you be emailing on Memorial Day or will I have to wait an extra day or two to hear from you?

I have no idea. I haven't heard anything about that yet.  

Do the members in your ward ever refer their friends?

No they don't really trust us. We're kinda having a feud with the ward. Our ward mission leader is kinda cutting our knees out a little bit with the rest of the ward. I don't really understand it, but its alright.

Investigators?  (Name and + comment, please)

Kevin-Baptism date for the 9 of June.

Daniel-Lazy. Going to be dropped.

There's a few others, but none are really major players quite yet.