“I translated the whole baptismal service into sign language!"

Hey, yo!

Thank you for answering all of my questions! You guys gotta send me a picture of Dylan and his friend, Cassandra . . . LOL . . . I wanna see how they look . . . LOL . . . See if Dylan is livin’ up to the standard!

For General Conferene, we will go to the Stake Center which happens to be our building. There, all of the missionaries from the Zone (it’s a small zone with only 13 missionaries) will watch the Conference. Everyone watches Conference in the big room because it is translated into Spanish, but there four North American missionaries who get to go into another room and watch Conference live with real voices! I’m pretty pumped ‘bout that ! Especially because I was SO sick during Conference last time! This time I don’t think I’ll be throwin’ up all over the place and havin’ diarrhea and not be able to move! Man, last time was bad! General Conference got her sooooo fast this time, though!

That’s really funny that Grandma is having plastic surgery . . . LOL . . .

Anyway, here I am, yo! My updates . . .

Well . . . First, Happy Birthday to Toni! Happy Birthday to Allie! And Happy Birthday to Uncle Matt today! Weird . . . Is Toni 21? Yikes . . .

Hey, you guys still haven’t told me . . . Please tell me you watched Orlando play vs. Ohio State! How’d he do?????? I heard he was player of the game! True or no? Pleeeeeeeeease let me know!

We played wiffle ball out in the street as a Zone last week ‘cause there were no open parks. It made me feel at home with all the cars drivin’ by and us having to call out, “CAR!” . . . It was really fun, but we lost 10 to 7 . . . But, to our credit, we didn’t get our last ups ‘cause we lost the ball on a homer with one out. We coulda won . . . I think we might play again today, though . . .

Hey . . . I know what it means when it says, “the first shall be last and the last shall be first”. It kinda took a while to figure out! Good luck! Go figure it out! Along with that scripture study, I finished the Book of Mormon again. It was my fifth time, yo! But I have a lot more to learn . . .

We had our every 6 weeks interview with President last week. My interview was really, really long though because President and I had a lot to talk about. He gave me lots of very nice compliments and told me that he doesn’t think anyone else in the Mission could be doing what I’m doing right now. Wow! What a cool compliment, right?????? And he also told me that he counts on me a lot and that the Lord also counts on me a lot. Pretty cool stuff, huh???? Good interview . . .

This week, I got to give Jazmin her baptismal interview in sign language! How cool, huh????? She passed as did her Mom . . . And, yesterday, they were both baptized! It was pretty dog on amazing! We left Church after Sacrament Meeting to go to Llano Largo. There, Elder Barrientos baptized Jazmin and Elder Dunkley baptized Esperanza. I translated the whole baptismal service into sign language! Wow! It was hard! When people talk fast, it is really hard but still cool that I can kind of do it. I also gave a talk in sign language and Spanish. That was nerrrrrrrve racking! I did a bad job. It’s so much easier to just talk in signs without Spanish ‘cause in Spanish you have to slow down a bunch to be able to talk at the same pace as signs. I was really, really nervous but it was still great. After the baptism, Esperanza and Jazmin were both confirmed. It was a very unique baptism. Really cool for Elder Mortensen, though, that his first baptism was a deaf person. And cool for me and Barrientos that we got to teach and baptize a deaf person, too! How cool that I got to be part of that! I’ll never forget that!

Soooo . . . Yea . . . Very good and unforgettable week! I sure love you all and I’ll be thinkin’ ‘bout you during General Conference! Not like I don’t every day, but you feel me! Love you!

The Lord sure blesses this area!

I’m so, so sorry ‘bout last week. I just couldn’t do anything about it. It was great talkin’ on the phone to Evalin, though, and havin’ her instant message you. I felt like I was really close to you guys, too . . . LOL . . .Good and tough at the same time.

I can’t explain how pumped I was for Orlando (Derek’s good friend, Orlando Johnson, who plays basketball for UC Santa Barbara who played in the NCAA Tournament)! Please, pretty please, tell me that you guys all watched him play! Twenty points vs. Ohio State!?! How amazing! Of course, I miss March madness, but I only wanted to watch him more than anything and I couldn’t . . . Sad . . .

How cool about Men’s Chorus (Derek’s brother, Dylan, sings in a few Choirs at Gilroy High School. They just got back from a competition in San Diego where their Men’s Chorus, which consists of only 16 men’s voices, got FIRST PLACE)! I wish I were still singing . . . I miss it . . .

LOL . . . And thank you for the Aaliyah stories. I always need ‘em. I miss that girl so much! Oh, well! I’m good, though!

So . . . How’s Uncle Matt? That picture was sooooooo nasty! (Derek’s Uncle Matt had knee replacement surgery last week . . . We sent him a picture of the 40 STAPLES in his knee!) I hope he’s doin’ well! I had no idea that his knee was that bad! How are James and Randy doing? I haven’t heard from them . . . Bug ‘em for me! Oh, and try to bug Lorenzo and Jacob for me again, too . . . I need to hear from them.

Well, I ate like a king this week! Well, maybe not like a king, but pretty dog on good! I have somethin’ bad to admit, though . . . I found frosting . . . And graham crackers . . . You know what I’m talkin’ about (this was one of Derek’s FAVORITE snacks in High School!). LOL . . . Elder Mortensen and I bought two cans of frosting and those two cans were gone in like, ummmmmm, two days! LOL! I guess I ate like a king, but it wasn’t all week. Know what else we make for breakfast, though? We make breakfast muffins, English muffins, cheese, eggs and bacon! Yummy, yumm, yumm . . . We are king’s men! It’s cool, bra! Elder Barrientos eats weird things, LOL . . . Bread with ketchup and guacamole . . . Ummmm . . . Saltine crackers with ketchup . . . Rice and ketchup . . . LOL . . . Just weird stuff that I don’t want any part of! We also had pupusas this week, though! Holler!

Hey, which missionary moms do you talk to?

Well, we have really focused in on Jazmin this week and she will be getting baptized this Sunday after Church in Llano Largo! I think I will get to do her interview, too, ‘cause only Elder Barrientos and I know the sign language. Well, there are two other people in the Mission who know signs, too, but one is a sister and the other is really, really new. It’s been really cool getting’ to teach her, though. I’m really lookin’ forward to this baptism. I’m almost positive it will be a once in a lifetime type of thing. Along with Jazmin, we have nine other baptismal dates set! The Lord sure has blessed this area! I just have to work hard and people are being prepared by Him. I just go to their hours and spit a couple lines and my Companiosn bring the powerhouse Spirit and the spirit is helpin’ em progress! Pretty cool, actually . . . It makes my job easy!

Weird that this change is half over already . . . This week flew by!

I did divisions this week and I went over to Las Victorias again. I went with Elder Fast and I felt like I learned a lot from him, actually. I liked the way he taught with boldness. I think I can do that more. And, he doesn’t even know all that much Spanish, but I liked how he spoke. They are workin’ really hard to have a bigger teaching pool and things are falling into place. Like Preach My Gospel says, nothing happens in this work until you have people to teach . . .

Well, kinda sad note . . . Three weeks ago, we found a new investigator and he was really sick. He was losing his hair, coughing all nasty and had a huge tumor or something on his leg. Anyway, when we went and tried to find him again, his family member said he was in the hospital. Then, a couple days ago, they said he had passed away. It’s sad, but so great, ‘cause now he doesn’t have to live with his bodily pains. And, I know that someone is teachin’ him in heaven and he WILL accept the gospel. I put a lot of money on it! I hope I left a good enough first impression of the Church, though. He will accept the gospel . . . He was even prepared here on Earth.

Well, I think that’s about all for me right now! I sure love you guys! Keep me posted on everything! Love you all millions!

I KNOW the new Elders bring the Spirit!

Hey, yo!

Yes, yes . . . Ya boy has nine months now . . . Kinda cool, huh?

Sadly, that was a good decision by Dylan not to go to the game. Sounds like Serra was probably pretty good this year, huh? Did they have any guys go D1? Dylan is quite a talented li’l music man! Kinda cool, huh?

I am always cooking for myself . . . It’s going fine . . . I don’t eat like a king or anything, but we do good, basic cooking. This week we are goin’ for breakfast bagels so I’m pumped ‘bout that! We made bacon for the first time this week and it was tasty! We eat a lot of cereal and bread, too . . . LOL . . . Just like Junior High. Sometimes I clean my own clothes and sometimes we take them to a member and she washes them for us. So, yea . . . I’m doin’ good . . .

Well, I thought I would let you know that I’m related to Elder Mays ‘cause my Dad (Elder Ireland) is his Mom, which makes Elder Mays my sister. Kinda cool, huh? I’m his big bro! Oh, also, we went to McDonald’s this week and the girl that used to hit on Elder Mays a lot was askin’ about him. Then, when she gave Elder Drach his receipt, she put her name and number on it to pass along to Mays . . . LOL . . . it was pretty dog on funny . . . Mays was sooooo shy, too, and didn’t ever talk . . . I love it! LOL

Well, this was kind of a crazy week that didn’t involve a whole bunch of sleeping!

On Monday, I had to get up at 4:30am to go to an interview with President Torres. Then we had Change Conference.

On Tuesday, I got up at 4:00am to go pick up a one day Companion. His name was Elder Williams. President gave us one day Comps because he hadn’t had interviews with the new Elders yet, so he hadn’t received revelation on who should be with who. Elder Williams was a cool guy, though. I didn’t want him to be taken away from me, but after one amazing day with him (5 new investigators and a baptismal date!), I had to go drop him off on Wednesday at 6:00am at the CCM.

On Wednesday, after I dropped off Elder Williams at the CCM, I got to go through the Temple with all the trainers. I didn’t wanna leave the Celestial Room. I just love the peace and clearness of mind in there. It’s sooooo easy to think. After the Temple, we went to the Mission Home and had lunch with all of the new missionaries. After that lunch, we split up and had some classes with the assistants. After the classes, we all got back together and we got our “sons” given to us. The first joy of my posterity is . . . Drummmmmmmmmmm roll . . . Elder Mortensen! He is a cool guy from Idaho. He likes basketball and baseball, though, so you know he is all good with me! He says his brother was a McDonald’s All American! I guess he was a 6’5”, 3-guard . . . Then he went on a mission and decided not to play when he got home.

My first day with Elder Mortensen here was AMAZING! We set FOUR baptismal dates! I love having the new guys! They must just bring a cool spirit! Well . . . I KNOW they bring a cool spirit! It’s an amazing companionship because my two Comps just have to teach by the Spirit and then I’m just there to clear up any questions! I love it! Success! Success! LOL! When we set the four baptismal dates, it was a pretty cool lesson. We all read a chapter from the Book of Mormon together and then I had us all get down on our knees to offer one prayer out loud each to ask if the Book of Mormon is true. After we each offered our own prayer, one after the other, the Spirit was strong and they accepted baptismal dates. Cool, huh?

In my District, we have seven Elders . . . Me (9 months), Elder Barrientos (12 months), Elder Mortensen (2 months), Elder Maake (12 months), Elder Garcia (17 months), Elder Drach (11 months) and Elder Fast (2 months). Kind of a nice, spread out group! I like ‘em! Everyone had a pretty good week! I plan on doin’ divisions with Elder Drach this week. It was his 23rd birthday today, FYI!

In my Zone, we have as Zone Leaders . . . Elder Empey (17 months) and Elder Petersen (17 months). Then, in my rival District, we have Elder Fusi (11 months) as the District Leader, Elder Segura (2 months), Elder Cangalaya (11 months) and Elder M . . . Yikes . . . I don’t remember his name but he’s been out one month. We have a cool Zone, though, ‘cause Empey and Petersen are really, really cool and fun Zone leaders. Then, Fusi is a huge Tongan from Los Angeles and we have a big Tongan in my District, so this Zone has the only two Tongans in the mission! LOL! But it is a very funny Zone. A nice hard workin’ one, though . . .

So, yea . . . I hope I answered a lot of Dad’s questions, too . . . I feel like I learned a lot from our goals on February 28th, though, and trying to get people in Church. I gotta get a lot of rides and “pick-ups” situated. I had everyone invited, but I didn’t do much to get them all there. So, when I decide on our next date, I know I can get better in that way. I don’t remember exactly what the numbers were, but it was the best that Las Vicks has had in over five months. For me, it was also the best that we had in a long time in Ermita. And Maake didn’t have many “first timers”, but he still had the most that he had the whole change. I was disappointed that we didn’t reach our goal, but our area did great! It was pretty cool . . . The missionary work is great!

I sure love you guys! Thanks for everything! Quiero que sepan que estoy cmuy contento y que me gusta este gente aqui in Guate. (I am happy and I love the people of Guatemala.) El Senor me bendice porque trabajo duro. (Heavenly Father blesses me for my hard work). Yo creo jajaja. (I believe what I am teaching.) No, pero es cierto, trabajo duro con mis compas. (I am certain I will be blessed for hard work with my companions.) Este es la iglesia verdadera. Lo se! (This is the true Church! It is!) Les quiero mucho! (I want them a lot!) Escribanme! (Write to me!) Dearleder! Adios! Cuidense! (Take care of yourselves!)

Man . . . I stink at writing in Spanish . . . LOL . . . Love you all! Be good and be safe!

You know I love a challenge!

Hey, yo!

First of all, I’m sorry that I couldn’t write much last week. It wasn’t just that much didn’t happen, I just couldn’t write very much because I felt so bad and didn’t wanna be sitting down thinkin’ and typin’ . . . Yes, I am all better now, though! We didn’t work for two days ‘cause of me this past week though . . . Dumb . . .

My District did good on the goal! Although we did not complete it, everyone had their best week of the change as far as investigators at Church go! So, I was for sure happy. We will have to get better on plannin’ it out, though. I think we can do a lot better. I know we can do a lot better.

Yes . . . I got the memory card. I also finished the muddy buddies today . . . Dumb . . . That’s the second dumb thing I’ve written about! LOL!

That’s really, really cool that Gilroy won their CCS game. I’m wishin’ ‘em the best vs. Serra!

LOL . . . Thanks for the guest speaker. That’ll be a great opportunity for Ash and Tom! My . . . I must say, too, that you and Ash are great typers grammatically. Keep workin’ on the baby, Ash! LOL! But just ‘cause you wrote me an e-mail doesn’t mean you don’t have to send me a DearElder! I expect one soon, ya heard!!!!

Thanks for the Aaliyah story. I dunno why sometimes those really touch me. They sure did today, though. It makes me so happy to hear those stories. And to know that she is so random!!!! That’s just proof that she’s my li’l baby girl! I would totally say the same things ‘bout those pictures and you know it’s true! LOL!

Okay, okay, okay . . . Hold it down. My stories now . . .

Well, President continues to throw more pressure on me! Which is a good thing! This change, I will still be with Elder Barrientos in my Ermita area butttttttttt . . . Drum roll . . . I will also be training a new missionary! LOL! President told me that it will be a North American which means I’m basically gonna be training two people at the same time. So, yea, we will be in a trio! And I’ll still be District Leader. It should be a crazy change! Should be fun, though! You know I love a challenge!

Did you know that Kam Handy is in the Army in Germany!!!!!!!???????? Spencer just wrote me and told me ‘bout it! What the heck! I don’t like that at all! I’m really worried! I don’t like that! And KJ is in Afghanistan! I’m so worried! I’m sure they’ll be fine, but I don’t like that at all at all!

We had Stake Conference this week. It was amazing! Elder Martino of the Seventy and Elder Rivas of the Seventy spoke to us! President Torres also spoke at the conference. They all gave amazing talks and I felt like I learned a bunch and was, for sure, enlightened! I spoke personally to Elder Martino! He gave me advice on finding good new investigators. And, I took the advice! And, of course, it worked! The advice of those that really understand it all . . . It’s amazing . . . The words and advice of those who talk with a living Prophet . . . LOL . . . Yea . . . It works . . .

Elder Legua was transferred back into Guatemala City! He is one of the best missionaries in the mission! I’m so glad that I will get to start seeing him again! I was really hoping that he would be in my District, but just to see him today was awesome! I miss that dude!

Anyway . . . Those are my stories and questions for the week! I love and miss you all! Be safe and good! Write me a DearElder . . . I’ll be waiting! Love, love, love, love you!

We had a baptism this Saturday!

Hey, yo!

I sent Brett an e-mail, but I haven’t heard back from him . . .

Are you disappointed in me for killing and eating an iguana? LOL . . . C’mon, Mom . . . You should be proud!

GHS has really had a good year, huh? That’s pretty cool that they got such a high seed. Weren’t we seeded Number 3 my Junior year? And then we lost to Carlmont? LOL . . . That was dumb . . .

I do know Elder Schone. I talk to him randomly sometimes, but not waaaaay much . . .

Sick stuff that the United States is playin’ some good hockey!

Oh, and I’m very sorry, Stacie, that you couldn’t go to Haiti. But at least you can save your money for more shoes? Or something . . . LOL . . . I’m sorry, though!

Well, I really just don’t have many notes from this week . . .

Well, one really good thing! We had a baptism this Saturday! His name is Fernando. He was also confirmed on Sunday, so everything went all smooth! He’s a 22-year old who will still have the chance to serve a Mission!

I did get your package! Thanks for all the ties! My collection is now at 41 ties! I just need one more and I will have a tie for every day of a change! The hearts with the writing on them were pretty good, too! LOL . . . You put some thought into your poems, didn’t you, Mom? LOL . . . And Dallas, why did you not write your own card? That was not your handwriting, bra . . . Oh, and the SJCC games . . . When are they from? I don’t think I’ll have time to watch ‘em but were they from when I played or are they from this year? And, all the chocolates and muddy buddies . . . Holler! What more can I say???

My Companion and I have been sick . . . Fever, diarrhea, body pains . . . Well, he has just had diarrhea without the other symptoms.

LOL . . . I’m sorry this is so short! I’ll try to make it up to y’all next week. Just nothin’ much happened this week.

Love you all a bazillion, though! More than that actually! Keep it real, though! Oh, and Mom, would you erase my mail on this thing? My mailbox is full . . . Thanks!

Love, love, love you all!

I can teach in three languages! Cool, huh?!?!?!

Hey yoooooo!

I don’t think I averaged 16 points per game in High School . . . Maybe I did, though . . . LOL . . . What does MBay Preps say? LOL . . . I’m just curious! I’m trying to live in my past glory time! LOL . . .

Thank you for Brett’s e-mail address! I hit him up already!

Congrats, Dylan, for your solid game last week! Keep it goin’ dude! Good luck headin’ into playoffs!

And, no, I haven’t received your package yet . . . I’m anxiously waiting, though!

Good to hear ‘bout Aaliyah (Derek’s 3-year old niece and love of his life)! That will never get old! I actually had a dream ‘bout her this week. I had just come home from my Mission and this little, big girl came and I picked her up and gave her a huge hug. I never saw the girl’s face, but I started bawling in my dream and I just know it was her. I could feel it in the dream. It was a cool, but sad dream. Especially to wake up without here there for the big hug. It’s all good, though. Just a li’l longer. Good to hear the missionaries are visiting you guys, too, though! I understand missionary work! I dunno why we never got many visits before! LOL!

Okay . . . My updates, yo . . .

Oh! Can you send me the picture of me with all my shoes? That’s just an important picture to me, LOL . . .

How long does a VISA last? One of my investigators has that question . . .

Happy Birthday, Aunt Chris! That was this week, correct? How old are you now?

We had Zone Conference this week. It was really long, but it was solid. I gave the prayer before lunch . . . LOL . . . Not much to update on Zone Conference. Just that it happened . . . LOL . . . We also had interviews with the President this week. They were cool . . . LOL . . . Dunno what more to say. With those things happening this week, though, my District and the whole Zone had horrible DATS. My Companion and I were still probably the best, but ours weren’t great either.

One of our investigators caught an iguana and was gonna sell it, but I told him that I had never tasted iguana before and I heard it was good . . . Soooo . . . He had me kill the iguana and then we cooked it and all and . . . Two hours after I killed it, we ate it! No joke! Iguana is really, really tasty. It’s like a richer chicken basically . . .

I had to do three interviews for baptism this week. One was with a 9-year old girl with members of the Church in her family, so that interview was really easy. One of the others was a 19-year old guy who is gonna be a solid member and that interview was really easy, too. The interview that was really, really hard, though, was for a 9-year old who doesn’t have members of the Church in her family. President normally does those interviews, but he authorized me to do it. Wow! I see why he normally does it! I gave some details of the interview in my tape record ‘bout that . . . LOL . . . It’s a realy long story. Good news is that they were all baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday this week!

Oh! Happy Valentine’s Day! Did Dylan or Stacie have Valentines?

I’m not gonna lie . . . I gave a very powerful District Meeting this morning. We had to hold our meeting today ‘cause we get to go to the Temple on Wednesday. Oh, and I think my best friend patriarch and his wife are goin’ to be able to be in charge of the Session! I’m soooo excited! In the District meeting, though, I committed my District to get 20 investigators in Church on February 28th. I really think we can do it! I’m super pumped to see how it goes! We’ve just gotta be committed! It was a really, really powerful District Meeting, though . . . I really feel like I’m becoming such a better tool in the Lord’s hands. It’s sickkkkkkkk . . . LOL . . .

I had a suuuuuuuuuuuuper cool lesson this week. We went to Llano Largo this week to teach the deaf girl, Jazmine, but she had a deaf friend there, too. So, it was three deaf people and me . . . And my Companion doesn’t understand the gospel quite 100%, so I got to teach three deaf people in signs!!!!!!! And then, after, Jazmine’s mom came. She only speaks Spanish and doesn’t speak sign language very much. So, we watched The Restoration in sign language for my Companion and the two others. But, when you watch in sign language, you can only listen in English, so I translated the whoooooolle movie for the Mom! It was maybe the coolest moment of my mission so far! In that moment, when I translated the First Vision, I felt (I knew) like I was being such a big tool in the Lord’s hands. He really has shaped me into his personal tool. I can teach in three languages! Cool, huh?!?!?!?!?!

Well, that’s all from ya boy this week! I sure love you all! Everyone be safe and stay healthy! Send me DearElders! And good work, Mom, on always keepin’ me posted with those DearElders! Love you all billions! Thanks for everything!

That just isn't a man's job . . . LOL!

This is the Stake Center where Derek attends Church

Barrio Hermita, Las Victorias Stake, Guatemala City

Derek lives on the other side of this bridge

Heyyyy yo!

Don’t be sorry or anything about how long your email was! I loved it! I really, really did . . .

Bummer that you guys dropped two games . . . One to Palma and one to Salinas . . . But it sounds like you’ll still make the playoffs, huh? Too bad Greg is averaging 15 points . . . LOL . . . Isn’t that beating me? LOL . . . What did I average my Senior year? I sure shot a lot! Is Dylan gettin’ any more looks on the court? I sure hope so!

I was lookin’ at my Guatemala map this morning and the closest marked Colony that I could find is Canalitos. From Canalitos, I’m like twenty minutes away in a bus. Canalitos was in my last zone when I was in Atlantida. Here in Ermita, we have Mercado San Martin. I think that would be the only recognizable thing here in Ermita. Sorry! Hope you can find it! It’s in the Guatemala City Capital, remember . . . Hahahahahaaaah

Why is it soooooooooo weird to me that Dylan can drive? That just does not seem right to me . . . I remember how he didn’t pass his written test the first time, though. And, supposedly, I’m the dumb one in the family, but I passed on my first try! I’m glad he has his license, though. It is very fun to go do your own thing. I remember the first time I drove alone . . . I was bumpin’ Black Republican . . . LOL . . . What things did you steal from my keychain? I don’t even remember what I had on there! And, Dylan, you’re in trouble with me ‘cause I haven’t received a DearElder from you in a while!

Stacie! You are super lucky! I wish I could go with you to Haiti! You’ll have so much fun! Please write to me about how it is while you’re there. You can always feel the excitement better when you write in the moment and not way after. Congrats, though! Please be safe!

I really liked that “special info” section this week . . . You are gonna have to do that more often . . .

Okay . . . Now my questions and stories . . .

I need info on Randy and James . . . How are they? Can you guys ask them to write to me? Plllleeassssse!

How’s Brett? Can you get me his e-mail address?

Elder Mays is doin’ great. This week, we ate at McDonald’s as a District and all the workers (lady workers) were hittin’ on him while he ordered and all. So, when we were leaving, we had him lead the way out so we could all see their half-fainting reactions. I told him to wave good-bye ‘cause I was walkin’ right behind him. When he threw up his hand and waved good-bye, they all freaked out . . . LOL . . . It was awesome! I didn’t think he was that attractive before, but I guess I have bad taste . . . LOL . . . That dude is smokin’ hot . . . I know it now . . .

I found out that, a long time ago, my Companion had a $60,000 surgery to help him hear. He has a hearing aid that connects to his head but he doesn’t use it because it’s dangerous here, so he hides it away. He put it on once, though . . . He still can’t understand much, but it was pretty cool. I’m happy to know that he knows what music sounds like . . .

Can you send me my Junior year music? Like all the Japan music and stuff? Just whenever you send another package . . .

On Saturday, we did a bunch of service. We cleaned a house where over 40 dogs live . . . Dogs stink . . . I never want a dog. They stink . . . I don’t like ‘em . . . Then, we did more shovel and pick axe work and I got a blister. I like the services that make you feel like a man more than cleaning dirty dog poop floors. That just isn’t a man’s job . . . LOL!

I talked with the Patriarch and his wife for a while last night. They are, by far, my favorites here in my area. I feel like they are my family. It’s the best feeling to have someone like that . . . It’s kind of like having another Grandma and Grandpa for me. They work in the Temple, too, so when we go in a few weeks, I’m hopin’ they are in charge of the Session. They have told me lots of stories about missionaries and temple workers and stuff. It’s the best to talk with older people that are cool, know a bunch and have the Spirit super strong, in every sentence and word.

An investigator offered the prayer this week. It was really long and he made up a cool song for us that he started singing for us . . . LOL . . . He was a radio voice before and he just hasn’t let it go yet . . .

Best story for last . . . You guys would love my companion’s prayers. He doesn’t understand to pray things for the both of us when we pray together. He just kinda does his own personal prayer with me. But he always says really personal things and shares really personal feelings that he has. Well, the other day, we were saying our prayers before we left the house and he said, “Please bless me that I can not be worried ‘bout my family back home. I want to not be worked ‘bout my family. I want you to protect my girlfriend and when I get home I will ask her to marry me. We will get married and I will invite my companion, Elder Jensen. It’s like that. In the name . . . .” You guys know the rest . . . LOL . . . It was a pretty bomb prayer, though. Sometimes he just says nice things in his prayers about me so that I will smile at him and give him a pat on the back afterward. LOL . . . It’s pretty cool and fun.

Anyway, this half change has flown by pppphhhhh . . . Super fast! Those are my updates, though! In numbered form for Tom . . . LOL . . . I’m always gonna throw that out there at Tom. Well, I sure love you guys! I’m stoked for the package! I miss you millions! Be good and safe! Love you all!