Dear Mom,

 I love the bike except for the fact that it doesn't have a kickstand. Yeah, I will get the suitcase I guess on September 2, what is in it by the way? My apartment is actually way nicer than the rest of the zone areas I have visited so that is a blessing. President Heap is cool, he is the one that is getting me my suitcase for me. My companion is cool, we get along except for one thing... he takes 50 minute showers so getting ready for the day is a trial haha. I keep bringing it up with him but he always forgets.

I have been learning how to budget so hopefully that works out. I learned that fast food restaurants like Dairy Queen replace ranch and BBQ sauce with country gravy with your order so that is a bonus! We got 6 baptism commitments so far so hopefully that works out.One thing I learned about Texans is that they will try to find a loophole with anything!

For example, we were teaching a couple the law of chastity and the man said that Pornography helped him a lot because it taught him how to do stuff, I ended up being blunt with him by saying instead of finding a loophole, we should follow God's commandments the way he intended. They ended up accepting to live the law.

They also have one thing in common, no matter what race, young or old, male or female... no one stops talking... like ever, the members we take out to lessons always take over the lesson and it frustrates Elder Barona a ton! So many miracles happened as well, such as people wanting to be baptized just by reading one verse in the Book of Mormon or saying that they have been waiting for an answer to their prayers. Elder Barona also told me this funny story about an Elder who got an infection on his butt from how dirty the apartment toilet seat was. So the doctor gave him cream which the best part is... his companion had to put it on for him. So his bottom line was, WIPE, CHECK, and NEVER GET IN THAT SITUATION!!! haha

I also was last minute asked to teach the Elders Quorum 2 minutes before class started. Luckily I knew the subject rather well and they said I did a very successful lesson. I also had to teach the Sunday school class with my companion as well about eternal marriage. It is a really small branch.

So anyways, how is the ward doing, how is school? How is the second location? Anything else?

He is not super informative... but he did say that the families he is teaching are doing well. I  have no idea who has committed to baptism?! He is enjoying cooking and learning new foods. I think what he is learning about 'Texans' is mostly something new he is learning about most people!! Funny kid!

First letter from Texas!

Hey mom!

So they changed the rules so that they won't forward mail so you need to send it directly to my address which is 417 S. Roland St., Apartment #2, Spearman,Texas. I am in Spearman, Texas right now and it is a little town of 3000 north of Amarillo. I am 20 minutes away from the Oklahoma border so it is extremely flat! I really like my Mission President and I am getting along with Elder Barona who is my companion. He is from New York City. My big suitcase didn't make it to the mission office before I left for my district so I won't get it for an entire month. What a bummer...

I ran into Elder Shaw a week ago and it was really cool, apparently he has been sharing a lot of good things about me to everyone in case I end up being their companion. It was awesome getting to talk to him after so long. He is in Odessa which is on the opposite end of the mission so he told me that he would write me a letter so just waiting on that! The families I am teaching are awesome. There is this one family named the Munaz Family, They own the butcher shop and they are really nice and receptive, the dad is awesome but is confident he can just be fine being catholic. The mom and the kids love the Book of Mormon and are reading. Elder Barona taught me how to make El Salvadorian and Ecuadorian Food like Papusas, Traditional Tacos or Burritoes, and Cow tongue. Very Interesting!

I met the Branch President and his family and they are very nice. Their oldest son is a year younger than me and loves to play Tennis. Sadly, there is this mission rule that you are not allowed to play sports with Members or Investigators. The reason this sucks is Elder Barona told me that he has never played Tennis in his life! Their next son loves hunting and talks about it a lot, then they have this daughter and two other sons. One thing I have noticed while here is that there are a ton of Catholics and Baptists. It makes me really sad that very few realize that their churches aren't true. They also, if they choose to listen, have serious commitment issues. So yes, it is a challenge.

We also taught this kid named Victor the Word of Wisdom and he accepted it, he wants to join the church but his parents refuse, so hopefully a miracle will happen! Then we talked to someone named Izekial who claimed our church wasn't true because we didn't dance during sacrament meeting or play instruments like the banjo and guitar. I was very close to strangling him because he would not stop talking. But I held my peace and let him go his way. There are a lot of people who do agree to listen, but it is the Mexican people because they in my opinion are more humble and less against learning more. We taught this lady named Manuella and her family and her husband doesn't like to talk about religion because of his family (they make fun of him attending church) So she and her daughter listened to the restoration and they shone when we said the First Vision. We also met a man who although he was of a different faith, claimed that Mormons have an interesting talent of staying together and he said that was a rare jewel in this world today. He immediately accepted a Book of Mormon when I asked if he wanted one.

I also saw our church (more like a seminary building) Only around 50 members in the entire branch, so a lot of work needs to be done. We had quite a few recent converts and less actives come and that was awesome. I was asked to bless the sacrament with the only priest in the branch, the Branch presidents oldest son. I feel like I am really converting myself right now because when I bore my testimony to people about the truth of the Book of Mormon, I almost couldn't stay still at one point. We recently taught this couple named Dalton and Jacklyn who want to join the church but have a problem with tobacco. So I shared with them my experience of addiction (replaced the source with over-eating for personal reasons) And they lightened up and I told them that I was with them every step of the way and they agreed to half it every week until the point where they do not need it anymore. Our most recent find, was the brother of the wife in the Munaz family. He offered us beer and we politely refused and started to walk away, then he begged us to stay and then ran back and grabbed water so we would talk to him. He told us that he respects us and referred to us as "God People" because of our ability to abstain from the bad things in the world and he told us that although he was drunk, he would attend the next lesson. His name is Juan.

So how is life back in Utah? Excited for school to start? Tell me everything that you can!

Some Elders from Weber I assume - I recognize Elder Montgomery

Elder Finlinson and Elder Farley... so glad these cousins were able to be together in the CCM!

First view of the mountains of Texas... not!

First picture with mission President and arriving group

Elder Shaw with Elder Farley

Elder Farley's Companion - Elder Barong

Latest and Last Communication from the CCM

So this is what is going on in Mexico.
* I got to be a host for the new missionaries... during a hurricane... needless to say we all got miserably soaked     on their first day at the CCM.
* I prayed for the longest time ever for something, about 30 minutes.
* I ran for a whole hour without stopping at a faster pace than the track kid in our district and he got mad when he   asked if I ever have ran before and I told him no and he got angry saying that there is no way that someone has   that much endurance without training haha.
* My spanish is good as I have memorized over 500 words and phrases.
* Another tropical storm (soft word for hurricane) hit us and we had to run through it to shut our windows back at     the house, only Elder Chatterton's stuff got wet. 

 *I got to give my first blessing as a missionary and I was asked by my teacher to give him  a blessing for his         illness, at first I had no clue what to say and then it got more fluent. I could really feel the spirit!

* I also saw a moth the size of my hand! They get huge here! I thought it was a bat until I got closer!

 Anyways that is what is happening here...

I am on, so who is Brysons girlfriend? How was the high adventure? Send me a picture of the Treehouse, did the letters get to them? Can Bryson send me the lyrics to waving flag by Knaan spanish version, and ask Caden to tell me what classical music song plays during the Aragorn vs. Sauron Video something like heroes on earth but I need the real name. How is today going?

(Ashleigh Klos is her name, they went to Youth Conference, they had fun. I will send pics of the tree house next week. The letters probably arrived yesterday or today. Bryson said the name is Protectors of the Earth. Are you going to write us an actual letter so we know what is going on with you? 

Something else I was thinking of today was to make sure you know that you can be honest with us about how you are doing and how you are feeling always! It makes us happy to hear you are happy, but we also know that it isn't easy and want you to feel like you can tell us anything.)

Why does life hate me so much that Bryson gets a girlfriend before I do? haha

My roommates haven't really let me write in my journal because they completely mistranslated the quiet time at 10:15 to lights out and go to bed and I shower at night so I try to write with Elder Arrington in his room and then they get mad. Some days I am glad I am the only one going on my flight and to my mission. Is it possible to meet your future wife in the MTC because I hope not. I hate the rainstorms haha

(So it sounds like you are having some room mate issues? Of course it is possible... but nothing can come of it for a few years so nothing to worry about! That is one nice thing about a mission - you don't have to worry about school, dating, or jobs - just learning and teaching the gospel!)

Yep. My companion bugs the crap out of me and so do the sisters in my district as does this other elder. I do not let it show but they bring bossy, strict, and insane to a whole new level so there is my 2 cents. Any questions? Plus I got that awesome but kinda disappointing news bulletin from the ward :/

(I don't know what news bulletin you are talking about... I know it can be hard to deal with people especially those that you have to be with a lot. Just do your best to be obedient and to be kind. I am glad you have others in your district that you can talk to and have fun with. I also know that you can get bugged easily, so make sure that you are always being honest with yourself and Heavenly Father. Pray that you can be patient and understanding and have love for those that make you crazy. Do your best not to irritate them. Sometimes it helps, and sometimes you just have to wait it out! Even in Marriage that advice helps!! :) Example... Dad bought tickets to Paul McCartney for Thurs. awhile ago and I just found out about it. Bryn has a soccer game at the same time, that I would rather go to. I love your Dad, but hate Paul McCartney - but I am going anyway and will be as pleasant as possible!! :)

Haha very funny, I would have gone with him if I hadn't of been in another country that I honestly love to be in more than Utah haha. Ok sounds good, so any questions you want me to answer?

(Yes, What have you done this week? What lesson has been your favorite? What have you learned in the scriptures? Do  you listen to any of the music I sent? Anything you want me to send in your suitcase besides Mike and Ikes? I think I will let you buy your own coat down there!)

Ok, first the funniest thing just happened. It was quiet until Elder Tew saw a family picture that his family sent him and he immediately said about his brother "wait, he is wearing my shirt, That Jew!" Haha entonces, I told you what I did this week, pretty much endured 3 hurricanes. My favorite lesson is Subjunctive because I can understand it whereas no one else can and It is the last lesson in Spanish that we need to learn! I learned that the Old Testament is by far the most difficult book to read although extremely necessary. I try but President Pratt banned listening to music in the MTC :/ I would like my Tennis equipment if possible, Milch Bars, and a few more songs that are appropriate but not exactly secular, like classical, Josh Groban, or Into the West. 

(I don't know how to get you music unless you send me home your MP3 and I load it and send it back?(when you get to Texas) What are Milch Bars? The Old Testament is hard, I think because it is somewhat subjective depending on who is reading it and you have to look a little harder to understand what you need to learn. I a not sure I have ever read all the way through it other than in Seminary?! I will sent some Tennis stuff, not sure if you will be able to use it though? I'll attach a couple of pictures from Park City - did you take any pictures this week? Are you still happy to be there?)

Hola? Que pasa? La convercación es continuando... ¿piensa estoy aburrido?

Hello? Are you there? Is our conversation continuing? Am I boring you? (something like that?!)

I am still loving Mexico. Milch bars are a Mexican Candy that I love! I sent you a picture of one. You can only get them at Mexican stores in Utah so start looking :) I learned a lot from Jeremiah and Isaiah and Ezekial! Did you get my last email in Spanish?

Quiero hablar un poco español entonces puedo apprender la lengua más rapido

I want to talk in Spanish so I can understand it better or faster(I need to learn Spanish!)

He said a few more things in Spanish and then ended with...

Yo necesito salir porque mi tiempo es corto, yo amo todos los familia y esperanzo  ustedes tengan más divertido y seguridad. Llamo ustedes cuando yo llegar en la airporte de Dallas proximo semana. Hasta luego! Yo Amor!

I need to leave because my time is short, I love all the family and hope you have more fun and safety. I call you when I arrive in Dallas next week airport. Bye now! I Love You!