I have really learned to love learning . . .

Well, hello again!

Thanks for the nice e-mail with some fun stories! I shall answer your questions first . . . I did use the new debit card and it worked perfectly. Can you tell me how much money I have in my account? I don’t have any kind of count . . . Well . . . I think that was your only real question!

But, in response to your comments . . . I loved the Aaliyah stories. It is really cool that she can still remember me. It’s only gotta be a memory for a li’l over ten more months. I sure miss that girl . . . She’ll be soooo different, though, from what I remember when I left.

But, I’m doin’ good . . . I’m happy to hear that you are al doing well. It’s also funny to know that I missed another Garlic Festival this year. Next year will be funny when I see soooo many of my friends for the first time in over two years there! LOL! And when I get my tritip sandwich again! Ooooooo! It’ll be glorious . . .

Well . . . This week was a very different week . . . Haha . . . The Zone Leaders from the capital (10 missionaries) and a couple other good missionaries were able to attend a 4-day training in the mission office. We received grrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat food for three days . . . LOL . . . We got Quiznos, Wendy’s, Little Caesars and Subway. Ooooo . . . Great four days. The four days were really tiring because of all of the busses we had to take in those four days, but it sure was worth it. We got to listen to President for like four or five hours every day and learn from his teachings. I just love listening to people who know so much. I really have learned to love learning. It was also cool ‘cause it was also a lot of open conversation with him and the missionaries so we got to share and listen to many experiences. Goin’ to all these trainings really took away from a lot of working time in our areas, but it was way worth it. We were able to apply what we learned right away and in one of those four days, we were able to put two more baptismal dates! We have five now! Man . . . I’m just a machine when it comes to putting baptismal dates . . . LOL . . . Really, though . . . God has really made me a great tool in His hands. It was an excellent four days, too, ‘cause I got to see some good missionary friends . . . Empey, Winn, Peterson and I got to meet Elder Castro and he was a really cool guy. Like me and AJ . . . LOL . . . We have become pretty close . . . LOL . . . I knew you’d like that, Dad. LOL . . . No . . . But, really, it was cool to get to know some more cool, good missionaries and learn from their experiences.

On the way home from the training on one of those four days, I had a really cool experience. I was on the bus where two people fit to every seat. Well, every seat was filled except for the seat next to me, so when the next man got on the bus, he had to sit by me. He was a big, husky fella and really didn’t leave me much space on the seat. But, I started to contact him right away and realized he had to be a member of the Church. When I asked, he said, “Yes”. The more we talked, I got the feeling that he had been a missionary. When I asked, he said “No”. LOL . . . No, I’m just playin’ . . . He said, “Yes” . . . He was a missionary. I guess he served over ten years ago and baptized over 300 people as many missionaries did as early missionaries in Central America. He served his mission for twenty-eight months to help as a mission doctor but, when he got home, he went inactive after six months. He said that his Patriarchial Blessing hinted a li’l over these things and that it was a nine page blessing! But, of course, it hinted that he would reactivate. I got him committed to come to Church this past Sunday and I felt soooo cool and blessed to have been put on that seat on the bus to help a great servant of the Lord re-enter the Church. I know that by activating him, I wasn’t just blessing him, but I was blessing all those that he will bless from this point on in the church. It was pretty cool . . .

Funny story . . . In our training, President told us to try to be more bold in our lessons. So, I tried to apply it . . . LOL . . . We were reading in Matthew about prayer and when we got to the Lord’s Prayer, we didn’t read it. But, later in the lesson, I had a feeling that had a question about it partly because they are Catholics . . .Well, I said, “I perceive that you have a question about the Lord’s Prayer”. I tried so hard to be bold . . . LOL . . . They told me, “Ummmm, no, not really”. LOL . . . Shut down my boldness! Oh, well, though! I explained it and even though they denied the fact that they had a question about it, I know they did ‘cause the Spirit told me so . . .

Well, that’s all my stories for this week for now! I sure love you guys! Thanks for everything!

Elder Stinkypants

Hello, family!

Soooo anyway . . . I forgot my glasses today and I basically already have a headache from reading without them, but I’m gonna keep fighting through it!

Sooo thanks for the updates today! I wrote letters back to Dylan, Matt and Nate today sooo I’ll be sending those off! Please stay on James and Randy . . . I really wanna hear from them!

Sounds like Dylan had a ball at EFY! I’m very excited for him that he played well in his tourney this past weekend! I sure hope he has a greeeeat year. Make sure you record a few of his games ‘cause I won’t be able to see him play even one Varsity game in person!

Sounds like Dad and Dylan had a ball on their long trip too. I miss long rides with Dad just chattin’ it up. Talkin’ ‘bout high school bball . . . Church things always seem to jump into the conversation, too . . . LOL . . . It’s like, “Wow, he has a great jumper!” Then Dad, “It just makes you think about Moroni 11:26 when they gave thanks for all the athletic talent they had” . . . LOL . . .

And I’m excited for you guys at home to be able to have the full house. That’ll be fun!

Soooo . . . I did get the package on Wednesday! And I loved it of course! LOL . . . I was laughing that so many people wrote on my Facebook on my birthday! (We printed out all of the Happy Birthday wishes people wrote on Derek’s Facebook page and sent them to him). I haven’t been on Faebook since I left for my mission! And the M&Ms . . . Well . . . They are all gone. Delicious while they lasted, though! I forgot to bring Dylan’s DVDs to watch while I’m on the internet today. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to watch them next week. How long are they? Thanks for your letter, Kim! And the card and the memory cards . . . Holler! Thanks! Great package! I do appreciate it, Mom! Thank you!

Welllll . . . I’m gonna try to exactly answer your questions . . . Probably the best thing I ate this week were the M&Ms, graham crackers with chocolate frosting or maybe a crunch wrap from Taco Bell that was a couple days old . . . LOL . . . I think it gave me b.u., but the smell reminded me sooooo much of home that it was delicious even though it wasn’t . . . LOL . . . Understand?

The worst thing I ate this week was probably . . . Ummm . . . Nothin’ was my not favorite . . . LOL . . . Maybe the crunch wrap at the same time ‘cause I think it made my stomach a li’l sick . . . LOL . . .

It hasn’t been way too hot here and . . . yea . . . we are in rainy season but it hasn’t been too bad lately . . . How hot is Gilroy right now? I bet it’s burning up! It’s Garlic Festival time again . . . Weirrrrrd . . .

Well . . . Best info first. We had two baptisms yesterday! Ricardo and Audiel! So, that was awesome! It was stressful but we got it done and that’s all that matters! One came to church really late on Sunday for the confirmation but he came in time so he got confirmed without a real problem . . .

Ummm . . . I had two divisions this week. My first one was with elder Monzon in Durazno. I thought I was gunna hate Durazno cause it’s in the limits of the Capital and I thought it was just gunna be warm and dusty but . . . Wooooooow! It was amazing! I loooooved the area! It was a bunch of mountains and I took some good pictures. On divisions there, I did a baptismal interview and the girl passed so it was a great division. Elder Monzon was a cool guy and we got along great. Then, my other division was with elder Wixom. He’s one of the Assistants. The Assistants were just doin’ divisions with all the zone leaders this week. It was cool to be with Elder Wixom, though, ‘cause I’ve known him since day one in the mission field. We had a fun time and I had people calling him Elder Stinkypants . . . LOL . . . It was funny. It had him almost crying from laughing. It was a fun division and I taught a couple new ways to teach some things.

Soooo . . . yea! That’s what went down this week! It was a very fun week and passed ohhhhh so fast. I loved it! Well, hit me up, everyone! I sure love and miss you all!

Well . . . I'm doing great, family!

Hello again!

I dunno know what week number it is and I don't want you to tell me . . . LOL . . . But I know it's a week number a lot. I lack soooo much time to come home but it's soooo short at the same time. Buuuuut . . . Thanks for all the updates!

I did get Matt and Nate's letters! I haven't had a chance to write back to them yet, but I sure enjoyed the letters and I'm very excited to write 'em back!

To answer your questions, I think, yes, I can give you all of the names of the Elders and Sisters in my Zone. We have Elder Williams as District Leader with Elder Ixcoy as his companion. In their District is Elder Davis with Elder Monzo and Elder Garcia with Elder Maldonado. In the other District, we have Elder Housley and Elder Godfrey as District Leaders, Elder Molina with Elder Mays, Elder Ireland with Elder Dixon and Hermana Ayala with Hermana Dieguez. This is Elder Williams and Elder Housley's first time serving as District Leaders, so we get to work with and train them quite a bit.It's just a normal size Zone. Four of the Elders are Office Elders. The dats in the area were sooooooo low when I came here last week, but we changed that quickly in just one week! The dats improved by over 15%, so we just gotta keep it up!

My companion is a really, really nice guy and I doubt that we will have any problems at all. Being Zone Leader is sooooooo much better than being a District Leader. A lot more chill . . .

In our area, we have two baptisms coming up this Saturday! They are basically on lock, too . . . They look pretty good to go.

I can't believe Marie got married! LOL . . . That's soooo weird to me! It's cool, though . . . Very cool.

And how cool that Jeff Gaines got home! How is Robert doing? Does he still go to Church? I love that kid so much. I really hope he's doing well. Would you please try to get his home or e-mail address for me??

And Randy and James . . . How are they? Please bug 'em to have 'em write me!

Aaight . . . Well, I'll try and give a few updates!

LOL . . . Funny story . . . This Stake has a Relief Society Basketball Tournament . . . LOL . . . We took three investigators to go watch it and it was awesome! They all stink and they think like soccer players. When the ball goes outta bounds under the hoop, they run to the corner to throw it in . . . LOL. When the ref calls a foul, they hurry to the sideline and throw it in asap for a fast break . . . LOL. The fans are crrrrrrazy! On both sidelines, the Wards are standing and cheering! They sing and change the whoooooollle game. When someone scores a lay-up or a freethrow, they all run onto the court and go crazy! LOL! And they are mean! The other team was shooting and their fans were singing, "You can do it!" Then the girl airballed and our fans started yelling, "You couldn't do it!" LOL! It's the best! I've never had fans this god! I could just see the Church coming out with a Relief Society basketball movie . . . LOL . . . It'd be the best! Anyway, my Ward won like 70 to 20 'cause we have one young in-shape girl that runs like crazy . . . LOL . . . Everyone else is slow and they are huuuuuuge gunners! LOL! Good stuff!

In my Ward this week, we just got a new Bishop. The prior Bishop served for over five years and, wow, he is a greaaaaaaat guy! Very genuine, kind and caring. We stopped by his house to say "congrats" and all. The poor guy had been drying all day . . . Haha . .. Greatttttt guy though. I love him to death and I barely know him! Then they called a really young, new Bishop. He is just 26 years old. Great guy, though . . . I'm sure he will do an amazing job. Our Ward attendance is from 120 to 150 every week, so I'm lookin' forward to many references! We had seven investigators in Church this week, too! So that was good! We also have four baptismal dates and we should be bumping it up maybe tonight! We shall see!

Well . . . I'm doing great, family! I look forward to hearing from you! Love you all sooooooo much!

A new Zone Leader in Molina!

Heyyyyy family!

Wellllll . . . Happy 4th of July! How cool is it to know (even though I missed this one) that I will never have to miss a 4th of July with you guys ever, ever, never again! That’s a good feeling! Well, thanks for your updates! Here come mine!

Wellllll . . . I thought I would start with things from last week that I forgot to write about.

Last week was Ward Conference, sooooooo, we got a special Choir together. We sang two songs as a group of about fifteen. Then, the last hymn of the Conference was sung by a trio which included me, Zusi and a guy named Willy. It turned out really good! I’m really, really sorry I didn’t record it or anything. It was really nice to sing with people that can sing again, though! Like I’ve said before, I kinda miss Choir! Ohhhh! And as far as investigators at Church, we didn’t reach our goal . . . But we did really good! We had thirteen visiting the Church, three of them for the first time. But then, yesterday, we followed it up good with nine at Church, with four of them there for the first time. Not too shabby!

Ohhhh! And from two weeks ago, we taught forty-two lessons! That was my personal record, so it was solllllliiddddd!

During this past week, I got to go on divisions with Elder Barrientos because his Area was having a baptism and I got to go to the interview. Well, it was amazingly fun to be with him again. I was with him for three months as my companion and I always pushed him so much to grow that I don’t think I enjoyed the two changes with him enough. But, I got to just relax that one day with him and we had a ball! My cheeks hurt the whole day from laughing so much! He’s a good kid. I really admire the kid. The child I interviewed for baptism passed and was baptized and confirmed!

Well . . . Just an FYI . . . The Change Day is being changed. It’s always been on Mondays, right? But after today, they are changing the Changing Conferences to Wednesday.

Wellllll . . . I had a change! I found out on Saturday night. So, yesterday, I said lots of good-byes. It was bittersweet. I had been in that area for six months! I had to leave some great friends behind. I received so many nice letters and gifts from everyone. I was invited to many dinners, too. LOL . . . I’m so popular . . . LOL . . . But really, though . . . It was really cool to see how much everyone cared. Saying good-bye to my three sets of “grandparents” was really hard. Hermano Schoenfeld was really sick yesterday and I gave him a blessing. It was the second time I have given him a blessing for health. I tried very hard to listen to the Spirit during his blessing.

Okay . . . Now what cha all been waiting for! In my change, they threw me to the Molino Zone with Elder Chesley. He is from St. George, Utah. I kind of knew him from before. He is a cool guy. He has twenty months in the mission on the dot today. I will be serving with him as Zone Leader now which will be a great experience because I will get to learn all of the Zone Leader stuff! I’m excited to serve as a Zone Leader. I should be able to help many more missionaries and, at the same time, I will get to interact with the President and his Assistants more and learn more from them, too (even though they kind make me nervous sometimes . . . LOL . . . But they are great guys . . . All three of them. So . . . I’m excited). Also, Elder Smith (who entered the mission at the same time as me) was called as a Zone Leader. It’s cool ‘cause we are the youngest (in mission time) serving as Zone Leaders. It should be a great learning experience. Ohhhh . . . And, my dad, Elder Ireland, is in my Zone! Hahahahahaha! It will be cool to be around him again. It’s just really funny that my dad will probably end his mission with his son as his Zone Leader . . . LOL . . .

But, yea . . . I’m doin’ great and I’m very excited for this change. We shall see what goes down! Thanks for everything! Lemme know if ya got any questions or anything for me! Love you all sooo, sooo much and miss you soooooo much!

As long as God thinks I'm cool....

Hello, Mother! And Family! And friends who are tuned in!

Well, as you know, I will be waiting on your package! Well, not on it . . . I’d have to be in the States to be waiting “ooonnn” the package. I’ll be waiting for the package here in Guatemala. Man . . . That was such a Dad joke . . . I’m not even gonna delete it, though . . .

Yes . . . Can you just double check on the license thing, though, please, Missy? Shanks!

I will try really, really hard to tell you more ‘bout what’s goin’ on . . . But sometimes just nothin’ goes on and then when stuff does go on, I type really, really slow. I still got a two finger drill goin’ on . . . I’ll exhort myself, though!

That’s exciting about Adam getting married! I remember that they were dating for a li’l while. That’s pretty cool, though! I bet Brett was bummed to have to miss the wedding, huh? Poor li’l kiddo . . .

As far as rain goes, it has been rainin’ most of the day again today, but no storm has hit so far. We will hope another doesn’t hit . . . LOL . . . It isn’t fun for missionaries . . .

Aaaaaaah . . . It makes me happy to know that Aaliyah still ties me to Yosemite ‘cause that is really one of my last, huge memories of being with her!!!!! Ahhhh . . . That makes me happy. Thank you!

Aaaaight . . . Well, hurrrrr I go with some li’l updates!

Ummmm . . . I finished the Book of Mormon again! That completes number six for me! Number four in the mission! And I’m in D&C 132 right now, so ‘bout to finish it for the second time! Sooooo much interesting stuff in D&C. It takes a lot of thinking. Who would have ever thought that I could love reading so much, though??? In high school, I prided myself in passing classes without reading. . . I guess the gospel isn’t like that though, huh? LOL . . . I loooooove me scriptures soooooo much! It’s really weird . . . I feel so much like Dad because I honestly just loooonnggg to learn about the scriptures and the gospel. It’s so cool how I’ve become that way, huh? Just one year in the mish and I’m a newww man! I hope I’m still cool . . . Nah . . . I don’t really care . . . As long as God thinks I’m cool . . .

Well, I’ll tell you guys a li’l ‘bout my companion . . . He is a great guy who is working so hard and is changing for the better all the time. I was just complimenting him on his growth yesterday! He is accepting of the things I teach him, he studies a lot more, he is understanding a lot of what he studies, and he talks with the people easily now. LOL . . . He is actually grabbing a li’l humor to him! I’ll say it . . . I’ve never, never, ever seen someone grow so much in such a short period of time. It’s been really cool. I feel like since I learned from my first training experience (with Elder Mortensen), I’ve been able to train much better this time around. And, yea, these five weeks have really, really flown by. He’s really a good kid and he’s getting’ there.

As far as investigators, we have millions! But ones that are really progressing? We have seven . . . Estuardo (15 years old), Omar and Mirna (a couple, they are both around 25 years old), Carlos (the husband of a recent convert) who might be the best we have right now, Sonia, Andrea and Carmen (Carmen is the aunt of Andrea and Sonia). Andrea is 14 years old, Sonia is 17 years old and Carmen is probably 30 or 35. We have invited all of them to be baptized and they seem really close, but for various reasons (gone for three weeks to work, studying Sundays sometimes, sickness, needs more time, has to talk to her Dad), they just haven’t come to church enough times and some haven’t accepted fechas. But they are really doing well and are really receptive and complete with the commitments.

The frustrating note of the week is Manuel. He’s the guy who had a dream about this being the true church. He knows it’s all true but his wife won’t let him be baptized. (It’s like . . . C’mon, dude . . . Wear the pants!) So, he stopped coming to church. He preaches at his church and has “privileges” there (What the heck is that, man? LOL). The funny part is that he is teachin’ his church what we teach him and he’s in 2^nd Nephi right now and is teaching from the Book of Mormon!

Speaking of the Book of Mormon again . . . Is Dylan reading? Is everyone reading right now? And James and Randy? Whud up?

The District is doing well. We will see what happens in changes . . . See if I get to be around these guys more or if I’m out. The problem is that my District isn’t putting fechase and we get lots of people in church . . . So . . .Guess what I’ll be talkin’ ‘bout in District meeting???? Putting fechas, duhhhhh! Hopefully we can get this all figured out. We are all workin’ hard, though . . . And the Lord will bless us for that!

Well, that’s all I’ve got for now! I have three Family Home Evenings tonight, so it should be fun! I love you guys! Talk to you soon! Love you, though, sooo, soooo much!

Happy Father's Day!

Hey, yo!

I got all my updates! LOL! So here I am!

To start off the e-mail in a way you’ll like . . . I sent a mini, mini package just a li’l bit ago! It just had a couple pictures that I printed out from Elder Maradiagas’ memory card and I sent two memory cards because I don’t remember which pictures you guys have already seen. I did take a few pictures to end one of the memory cards, though. It has me with the Schoenfeld family and me eating brownies to celebrate my 20^th birthday! LOL! Who cares how late it was! I also sent a li’l Guatemala soccer key chain . . . Ummmmmm . . . And some other coins for the collection. For Christmas you’ll get much better gifts . . . LOL . . .

Thank you for all of your updates, though! Sounds like Stacie had an amazing time! The best was that she stayed safe, of course. And, thank you for telling me what Aaliyah is all “into”. What happened to Backyardagains??? LOL . . . It’s all good . . . Things and people change . . . Sad though, sometimes . . .

Oh, and congrats on your Lakers! I was goin’ for ‘em all the way! Keep the Championship in LA! Now it’s the Clippers turn next year . . .

Oh, and I’ll be waitin’ on the li’l package. I’m interested in the stupid college stuff. LOL . . . I don’t wanna grow up . . . Like Dallas . . . He’s almost 30! Our family is oooooolllllddddd . . . LOL! Isn’t it weird?

Okay . . . Now my updates!

Happy Father’s Day, Dad! I sure love you! I really wanted to just thank you real quick for all of your support and help. I love reading your li’l mission story, too. I dunno why, but it just gives me a li’l push to be a good missionary ‘cause you were, too. You know, I gotta be better ‘cause that’s just how us competitive men are! But, I really, really enjoy your example of missionary work and everything else! Thank you for all of your hard work and love for our family. I could not ever, ever ask for a better father. You are such a great example of everything I want to become. Thank you! Love you!

Sorry that shout out is coming late . . .

Well, last week we had Zone Conference. An Elder from Polocik gave a great talk. My Zone Leaders also gave a good workshop. President gave an interesting run down on how General Authorities are called . . . LOL . . . It was a li’l random, but it was cool. And, of course, we got free lunch and I hung out with Elder Legua a lot, so it was a fun day.

Yes, I’m in “bullet point” form, Tom . . . LOL . . .

During the Zone Conference, a doctor came and told us that we should never, never wear contacts here in Guatemala. The only parts of the world where you should wear contacts are the States and Canada. Interesting, huh? I wondered why my eyes hurt so bad when I wore contacts here! LOL! Now I understand . . .

I have a question . . . My driver’s license expires on my birthday next year. I can’t have it expire, can I? Would it cost money to expire and wouldn’t I have to take another driving test or something? Can you just look into what I should do ‘bout that ‘cause I get home like a week after it expires . . . Thanks, yo!

Oh! From last week . . . Happy Birthday to Zander, Aunt Michele and Jason!

I got your package, by the way! Thank you sooooo soooo soooo soooo ssoooos ssoososososs sososs sososos much! The camera is amazing! I was really missing a camera ‘cause I couldn’t take pictures of the cool stuff that was goin’ on. The pictures you sent were great but in some of them the kids look waaaaaaaaaaay too big. LOL . . . What I did was combine the two albums you sent into one to make one “All Star” album. LOL . . . I thought it was pretty smart . . . Thanks for the baseball magazine . . . LOL . . . Amazing . . . The Muddy Buddies . . . LOL . . . Money . . . I already finished a bag of muddy buddies . . . Oh! And the Schoenfelds came back from visiting family in Utah this week and they brought me a HUGE bag of M&Ms . . . LOL . . . I finished those already, too! LOL! Good, good week of chocolate. And thanks for the ties! Thank you for being so thoughtful of me in everything . . .

This morning we had interviews and they went very well. President didn’t have much to say, he just congratulated and thanked me for how much I’ve helped my Companion progress. Then we talked about the early formation of the Church. It was interesting . . . A good interview for sure, though!

Well, that’s all my updates! Hit me up! I sure love you all millions!

Because we're dying for pictures!

So . . . Derek hasn't sent us any pictures since the first of the year! Aaaaah! I found these pics of him on the Mission President's blog, so I thought I would post them here for you! Don't worry . . . I wasn't scanning every picture on the blog in hopes of seeing my son's smiling face . . .

I'm sure you are all as hungry to see him as we are!

You have got to love those plaid pants . . . So INCREDIBLY Derek!

I can picture him sitting in Sunday School class EXACTLY like this!

I don't think he's changed much . . . Do you?