The Powers Back On

Hola Amigos,

So I have really been loving my district lately. The people I work with are just awesome. I have 10 missionaries in my district, six elders and four sisters. What is funny is that my district has all the leaders of the zone, the Zone leaders and the leader of the sisters, and I so almost half of the missionaries are leaders. As for the size of my area I have included images. Everything in the image is my area. I don’t cover Cerete where I was before since it is a different district. Transfers are next week on the 2nd of December. I don’t know if I’m going to stay here or not. Not that I hate the coast but I just wanted to end in Medellin. If I end in the coast I’m going to die when I get home. A change from 100 degrees to 30 I think would send a huge shock to my system. I do want to be here for at least one more transfer if I can to see the Zuñiga family be baptized. They are just such a cool family and I just hope I get to see them become official.

So we had major celebrating here on Tuesday. We were finally able to fix the problem in our house that made half of it have no electricity. The family that comes to inspect the house helped us out with that. We now have full power and don’t have to sleep on the floor. WOOOOOOO! They also unclogged our sink so we can use that now as well, its awesome. We now have no more problems in the house.

So Thanksgiving is this week and I’m pretty excited. My parents sent some funds to me and I plan to celebrate Thanksgiving by just eating a huge amount or at least trying to. I’m thinking I will buy Elder Conti and big, huge pizzas and then slip into food comas. I thought that would a good idea. Maybe some soda and desserts too. It should be super fun. I will be sure to take lots of photos.

I’m sorry my car has been causing so many problems lately for you guys and Lydia. Subaru’s normally work nicely, but I guess that its just got so many miles that everything is failing at the same time. Be nice to her, I miss my car.

So lately I have really been enjoying listening to Michael Wilcox. He has a way to explain things like no other. I have used his talks to teach investigators. I have also used his talks as basis for my district meetings. I can only teach a small portion of what he shares but I love his stuff. I am able to take what he teaches and change it slightly for the needs of the district. I am super happy that I have those talks.

Well, I’m sorry once again that I have no photos again this week. I left my bag with my sport clothes and my camera in the church this week. The zone leaders were nice and picked it up for me but I had to wait until Saturday to pick it up so no photos :,( I really am trying to do better.

Thats all for this week my brave little toasters. Until next week.

Toodles,

Alec

My Area

Super Gringo Power

Hello My Amigos,

This week has been pretty productive. We are still teaching the Zuñiga family but we were able to find some new people this too. Tuesday, the AP’s came to the coast and they and one of my ZL’s spent the day with me. (Elder Conti was with the other ZL).It was pretty awesome. My comp went off to teach with the other ZL and I got to be with Elder Atwood from my original group. We were able to contact a bunch of people since we were three white kids together so we had super Gringo Power. We found a family that was excited to hear us. We went into an area  that we don’t normally work that was pretty far away. It turned out to be great since no one from any other church goes out there. It was awesome and they enjoyed the visit and learned from what we taught.

Thursday was not as good. We lost power in half of our house so we had to pull the mattress out from our bedroom into the main room so we could use our fans for the heat. We have slept on the floor for the past 4 nights now. We are hoping that the power comes back in the other half of the house soon. We are having to use candles in the bathroom at night so we can have some light. It still is not back on and is pretty much a problem we don’t know how to get fixed.

I still have not done organized any big trade off for my district but I did accompany some sisters on Friday with my Comp. I can’t do trade offs with the sisters but I can accompany them with my comp for 4 hours. They also made the best of our company and had us talk to a recent convert about going on a mission. I talked about all the blessings that he could bring to lives of others and shared the story of one of my ancestors, Thomas Roberts Higham, and how because of him our family five generations back came to know the gospel. I think he might go.

We are also having a big activity today for p-day since it is a holiday and nothing is open. We are coming to some sort of water sports that the sister are putting together. I will be sure to take photos to send to you guys next week. It should be fun. We have not done anything like that in awhile with all the reports I usually have to do so I’m pretty excited.

Well, I love you guys so much, here is wishing you all a great week.

Toodles,

Alec

P.S. With Thanksgiving coming up I just realized that I will not be able to get Dad the surprise I was hoping for since I got transferred. I was going to take my comp to the Hard Rock Cafe in Medellin to celebrate and get Dad a pin but that is now a no go. Sad day (  ._.)

Birthday Party after our District Meeting for Sister Canas

Action Shot of the Super Mega Dog I Had

We Have Had Tons Of Rain

I got my trunk letter (aka mission release questions) so I put 

on some civilian clothes and took a picture. I changed right after, it felt weird.

No release date yet though.

My Wedding Invite & Halloween Cards Finally Came

Not Much Happening

Hey Everyone,

My district is doing well this week and all is back to normal. No one had been sick or had problems. No one had to go to the doctor and yes, the president knows what has been going on. I chatted with him a little to let him know what was happening. He was really cool about it all. It was nice to not have any emergencies this week or have to take care of sickos not that I minded helping. Even my toes are doing good again. I missed my last doctor appointment because of my emergency transfer but I’m making sure that the nail is coming in nicely. They are not going to be a problem any more. I’m going to make sure that I don’t ever cut them wrong again.

Well, for p-days in my  area it has been over a month now and we still do not have a lot of time to do anything on our p-days. We basically wash our clothes and write. We don’t have that much time or money to be doing anything else. We have to take a bus every day to go to lunch since there are almost no members in our area so we never had any walking around money. I talked with the Zone leaders and the office and they are going to give us a little bit more money every 15 days so we don’t end up with nothing in the middle of the week. So that is going to be nice. Maybe we will finally get to do something fun after all our hard work.

Well, something funny that happened this week was Elder Conti and I were doing mad libs and it was great. We had done them before but this time they turned out super funny. I took a photo of the funniest one. It was the cherry on top of the night.

Sadly flickr is wack today so I can’t upload the pictures from the past few weeks. I even remembered my camera this time so I could and bupkis, nothing. I’m really sorry.

I’m sorry this weeks letter is short, not much happened.

Toddles,

Alec

Stones & Drugs

Hey Everyone,

So this week I had another medical intervention for a missionary. This time it was not my comp but another Elder in my district. It was Elder Gonzalez. He was dying of pain and when I talked to him I was pretty sure he was passing a kidney stone. Out here in the middle of no where they only take cash at hospitals like I’ve said before so I emailed my Dad for a short term loan and he was able to transfer me some funds within 10 minutes so I could take the Elder to the hospital. Sure enough, he was trying to pass a 4mm kidney stone. He was complaining the whole time and whining that he wanted to call his family and tell him that he wanted to go home. Not sure how going home would help, the stone would be gone long before then. I wanted to tell him to buck up and be a man, but that would have been rude. Instead I helped him understand that the pain would not last forever. I told him I saw my Dad do lots of them and as soon as it passes the pain would go away. He didn’t really listen to me but we did get some drugs in him and he felt better. We were at the hospital until about 5pm and then they sent us home. Problem was that around 10-11pm he started complaining about the pain again cause the drugs had worn off. I called the president and I chatted with him about what was happening. He told us to take him once again to the hospital. This time he got a big list of drugs to take for a while until it passed one of which was some syringes to give him a shot in the butt. Well, he asked for everything that could help him out so I guess he got what he asked for. He did pass the stone the next day we think but until then he thought he was dying. I’m glad I could help and glad it was not me.

The funny thing this week was after Elder Gonzalez got out of the hospital again we kept him at our house to make sure he passed it and was ok. He is very funny and kind of scared of everything. He acts like a super cool manly man but little things freak the crap out of him. He could never walk by the cemetery that was near our house, he always asked to walk another way. He also didn’t shower with the curtain closed, we found water all over the floor after he got out. We asked him why and he said that he doesn’t want the scene from Alfred Hitchcock´s psycho to happen to him. It was a super funny contradiction. 

We have been searching for new people to teach lately. I have gotten to meet our neighbors however they don’t seem very interested. Don’t get me wrong, they are great people, they just have seen the missionaries for a long time in the area and don’t really show interest. It is really sad but we have to find the chosen people.

D&C 121

34 Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?

 35 Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson

Oh and I got two packages this week, the September and October packages are in. Sadly I forgot my camera so I can’t up load photos : ( sorry about that.

I was glad to hear that Dad is making good use of Braden’s old room and has converted it into storage for clean scooters. Scooter storage is an awesome idea. I’m sure mom was just rolling her eyes the whole time thinking “Boys and their Toys”. I also found the pictures of Dad’s costume super creepy. The only way it could have been better is if you had used my morph suit, you know the full body black spandex body suit that I bought. It was a great costume though. Also I feel like the pumpkins this year you guys did are really laking, but then again I was the only one to do something super detailed. I looked in to buying a pumpkin to carve here but the price was crazy. I also thought watermelon, that too was pricey so I was left with nada.

Oh and I need some help please and don’t worry, it’s not money. I need the name and phone number of the stake president, and the phone number of Bishop Mike Ju. I’m filling out the page that they need to buy my airline ticket to come home so I need this info before they can buy it. Please and thank you.

Well, thats all for this week folks. Tune in text week for more up to date news stories about the average life of a Colombian missionary

Toddles, 

Alec

Being In Charge

Hey Everyone,

So just so you all know, I am loving being district leader. Its pretty sweet. I never really wanted to be it but I was mistaken. I have found that I like being district leader, not because am “powerful," its more because I like being able to help out the other missionaries in my district. I also love the baptismal interviews. I am super glad that I was called to do this. I feel like I have been able to help people out. It made me remember a quote “It is a curious thing, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it.”  Gotta love Albus Dumbledore. It is a lot of work and late nights but I don’t seem to mind.

I haven’t done any trade offs recently. I need to get my area up to snuff before I can start doing that. President Pitrach taught me that trade offs are to show the Elders how they should beI'm doing things, not to say that I'm doing it better  but just try to be the example. He told me to think about my own personal area should be a “Show Room” with lots of shiny cars and all the newest tech so that others will see its awesome and want to work like that. I’m thinking I'm going to start doing exchanges the end of this week or the first of next week. I need time to get everything ready.

Well, the best part of my week this time was when we got to teach the Zuñiga family. They are all just so great. The mom is a less active member and the daughters are non members. Four of the daughters have baptismal dates now and are super excited about it. One even told a friend when she asked what religion she was she said “right now I'm not in any church but I'm going to join the mormons and be baptized”. It was so great to hear that. I’m so happy that there are people looking for the truth in the world. It reminds me of this scripture:

D&C 123

12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—

13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—

14 These should then be attended to with great earnestness.

Wednesday was kind of fun this week.We got to baby sit an Elder until his new comp came from Armania. Well, “baby sitting” is a strong word, it was more like he was accompanying us until his comp came in at 2 so we just hung out and went to lunch then picked up his comp. So yes, that means that transfers happened this week and Elder Conti and I are still together. I’m pretty sure we are going to be together for at least one more transfer after this but I'm not sure. He is great to work with.

So still no news from the office as to when I leave. My visa expires March 5th so by my count the closest transfer is the last week of February but I know nothing at the moment so everyone can stop asking. As soon as I get my “trunky letter” I will tell you all.

Well, I have to apologize for only one photo this week. I hope I left my camera in the house because I cant find it in my bag. Next week I should have it. Sorry : (

Well, that shall be all my benevolent compatriots, until next week.

Toodles,

Alec

2 for 1 McDonald’s Combos - Today was a good day!

Food & Paperwork

Hey All,

Thanks to everyone that sent me details about Braden & Taylor’s Wedding. It was really weird not being there but I’m glad it went well and they are happy. The mini video of the day that Dad sent me was awesome. Its still weird to think that he is married. Everyone is leaving, it's a weird feeling to know that life moves on while I’m not there. Braden and Taylor are married and Lydia has a guy she is dating and will probably wait for her on her mission. I’m the only one single, well I guess for my mission I can be like a nun and be married to the Church. I’m busy enough to feel that way. My last few p-days have been spent on the internet almost all day since I have to fill out all the forms for the district online. It's an excel file that has 6-7 pages that I have to fill out every week with all the info of the other areas in my district. I confirmed it this week, my district is the largest in the mission other then the office but they don’t really work in the field so I have mountains of stuff to fill out. I also need to wash my clothes so it hasn't been that fun on p-days lately but I'm getting the hang of filling everything out so I will be able to do it faster now.

As for me it's walking, busses and paper work and teaching. The busses are nice here, a few years back they created a Metro System of busses so everything is nicely connected. It costs 1,700 pesos to use the bus which isn't that bad but we use them a lot since we live in the middle of the nada so it adds up quick. We have to use the buses to go to more then half our lunches since no members live in our area. As for walking, thats all we do really. After we get back to our area its all on foot. Our area is just one super long street that has little off shoots so that means walking is out the wazzo.

Best part of this week was that an investigator (Loira) told us that a lady that lived in front of her house was a less active member. We contacted her after the lesson. When we came back she wasn't there but her daughters were. We explained who we are and what we do. We have been able to teach all of them twice now and they all have a baptismal date for the 29th of November. It is awesome. Especially because the Zone Leaders wanted us to start focusing on families and the lord guided us to this family. 

Wednesday this week I scored at the grocery store. We don’t have very many options and it always the same old stuff no matter where we go but this week I found some cheese. It was gruyere cheese and it was so good. I eat it with crackers for snacks at night. I'm happy that Colombia is finally coming to their senses about good cheese.

Also the sister that was supposed to feed us lunch on Saturday forgot so after the baptism we had the other elders ordered a pizza from Domino´s. We had to have them bring it to the church since they don’t do deliveries to where we live. The best part was they have the 30 min or less guarantee and they took 40 min to get to the church so it was FREE. It was a good day.

So that was my week. I’m glad we just shared this time together, until next week my compadres.

Toodles,

Alec

P.S.I’m not interested in moving into Braden’s old room even thought the closet is bigger. I like my room cause its next to the bathroom and thats a nice luxury.

P.S.S. The mouse we thought we killed didn’t die. It just became stronger. We also bought a trap and he has stolen the food without setting it off. I think he escaped from the same lab as the Rats of NIMH.

P.S.S.S. Can someone tell me about where Braden and Taylor went on their honeymoon. With all the stuff people wrote me I did not hear about that at all.

Food of Colombia - Dominos Pizza

The giant dog I made for dinner one night.

Lunch canceled so we made sandwiches on french bread.

It comes in 3L, I’m getting one.

Being District Leader

Hola Amigos,

So first off my brother is getting married this week and I’m kind of bummed not being able to be there. It just is weird I’m going to come home and he will have a wife. It’s strange that life continues happening with me not there. I’m also kind of bummed that there will not be a life size cardboard cut out of me at the wedding like they had talked about. With two brothers on missions and two cut outs needed, apparently it costs too much. Lame excuse but I understand. I guess my Dad’s mad photoshop skills will have to do for including me. I hope everything goes awesome. I also can’t believe that every one in our house has gone through the temple now, that is so cool. I’m so excited that Lydia was able to go through Saturday after all and be at the sealing. The temple is the place to be.

Well, back to mission stuff, being District Leader is cool. I get to help out all the missionaries with what is going on in their areas. I also love the baptismal interviews. I can really feel the spirit when the people are ready. One of the biggest things I do differently is that I have almost no free time any more at night. I have to receive calls from everyone in the district and it is one of the biggest districts in the mission. From 9:35 to 10:30 each night I am talking with the district. As for my district, they are all super awesome people and work hard. I’m happy that they all are so diligent in the work. It makes my job a little bit easier. One funny thing is that one of the sisters in the district (Sister Perez) was in Chinchina when I was there. It was awesome to meet up again.

So my “town” (if you can call it that, it is super small) is not bad. Its crazy that all of our area is pretty much one street. Its just super long and we walk forever but hey we can never get lost. As for a store, we have a little one near our house. Its just like all the other little stores here in Colombia. The closet real store is in the shopping mall Buena Vista which is a 10-15 min bus ride so that gives you a good perspective that we live in the middle of nowhere. The church building is the stake center so thats awesome, whats not awesome is it is about 20 mins by bus to get there. Having investigators come may be hard. I can take a picture today. Its in a super posh area of Montaria so its supper fancy with AC and everything.

So my best moment this week was when we were teaching. We were teaching a sister named Loira (Spanish version of Loire). After we taught her the restoration she was able to repeat it back to us step by step, she said that she knew that it was true and promised to read the Book of Mormon. It was super awesome. We have an appointment with her tomorrow and we will see how it goes.

So now that I’m in the middle of no where again I thought we might be using Moto Taxis again but I just learned from my zone leader here that the moto taxis in Cerete were never approved by the mission president. Our zone leader lied to us. So we were breaking or transgressing the mission rules each time we used them. I felt bad, but it's not my fault. We trusted that our old zone leader was telling the truth almost a year ago. They were crazy scary anyway so it's no loss.

My comp is feeling great now, were able to have a full week of work. He is a super awesome missionary. The best part? He speaks sarcasm. It is so great to have someone that speaks in fluent sarcasm here in the mission. He is also a gamer and loves Anime. He has dragon ball z statues on his desk. He is a great guy and I’m pretty sure that we are going to be together for a good amount of time since he is new in the area as well.

Well, that is all for this week, here is to wishing a jam-packed week of awesomeness.

Toodles

Alec

P.S. I really liked the flow chart that my Dad sent me. Its super funny but its super true. I used it in district meeting as an object lesson so now I’m sharing it with all of you. 

P.S.S. We had a mouse in the house so we put out chocolate with poison, he's gone now.

My new comp, Elder Conti.

The power went out but I still had to verify my district.

Patacones are the best! I even made these myself.

(green plantains with homemade sauce of spices and veggies)

Here is the chart my Dad sent me, awesome huh!