The First Real Email!

April 8, 2014

Dear Family,

It has been so crazy this past week. Thank you for the package. I loved the food and the notes (and so did Elder Flois. He ate a lot of the cookies). I have so much to tell that I don't know where to start. I guess I will answer your questions. First off, Tuesday is my p-day. Second, yes, Kinsie can email me. I want to talk to Anna real fast. Anna, thank you for the emails. You have no idea how much I miss you too. I want you to know that I miss your crazy self!!! Lane, I also saw the ASL interpreter during conference. It was playing on a screen next to the one I was watching. If you could learn how to do that I would be extremely impressed. I'm assuming Kandace said yes. That is so awesome! You're getting a tux? That is super classy. Mom and Dad, gosh, I can't believe how much you did for me. I thought I was ready to go, but I realized I am not. I miss you both a ton and I love you guys. 

Now, I know you are excited to hear about my week, and let me tell you it has been a crazy week. The first day was like just an overload of information that I needed to know. The next day was better. I started classes and my Spanish is way ahead of my district. I even had to have an interview and see if they should move my departure date (May 12) to sometime sooner or move me to a better class. In the end, I was given the choice to either stay in the beginner class or to move to the intermediate class. I think my district is cool, so I decided to stay with them. Then later that night Elder Costello and I were called to be Zone Leaders. However, in our district there are no hermanas until this Wednesday. So it's not too much to worry about. 

The next day was kinda the same as the first except something awesome happened. Elder Costello and I got our first investigator. Since we are not on the main campus of the MTC, we have the opportunity to intermingle with non members, members, and whoever else is in the same campus as us. We had just taken a break from class and I saw this man sitting at table in the park, and I thought Hey, I wonder if he is a member. So I grabbed Elder Costello and a Libro de Mormon. We talked for a good thirty minutes about who he was and what his life was like. He wasn't pleasant at first, but after awhile he loosened up. His Name is Senor Crex, he is Catholic, he has two children, a wife, and he is a salesman for a local car dealership. He asked after a while "Why are you talking to me?" We told him we have a book for you and a message. He then replied, "I have read 100 pages of that book. Can you tell me how is it going to affect my reality?" I paused. I had no clue what to say... he then said "because gospel to me is like fiction. It doesn't affect my reality. It doesn't get food on the table tell me how can it affect my life?" I didn't respond, however, Elder Costello told this amazing story that answered his question perfectly and then he said it was through prayer and scripture study he had a great blessing happen. Senor Crex stopped throwing questions and then he had this soft look on his face and he asked, "Can you stop by my house tomorrow?"  We  of course said yes and when we left he asked "So, if you pray for something to happen can it?" I apparently said, "Yes, if you ask with faith it will." I don't ever remember saying this but I did, I guess.

The next day we couldn't find his apartment number and we were late, and after thirty minutes of searching we gave up and went to our classes. Well, when we were in class we took a break and guess who was outside? Senor Crex.  It was so embarrassing. We apologized, but before we could explain he looked at us and said "Do you have five minutes?" We said yeah and he led us to his apartment and told us what had happened that day. It was a miracle. He said, "I don't know why you approached me but I am glad you did. I did what you told me to do and pray with faith and to trust God. I almost closed a huge deal that can provide enough for my family for quite sometime."  He thanked us a lot and said we were welcome in his home any time and that he wanted us to come more and more. Well we have gone to his house three times and we have taught him some of the lessons. He is still a little skeptical but I hope he will come to realize we need God in our lives and that is how it affects our reality.

This is extremely hard being here working. I feel like I am always studying, whether it be Spanish or Preach my Gospel. This is not easy, but like Elder Holland said, if wasn't easy for Christ, why do you expect it to be easy for you? I have the Spirit often during my day, and I Love it. I hope to read more of your emails.

Con Amor,

Su Hijo

There are Three companionships in my district 

Elder Latu-California with Elder Nash-California

Elder Flois and-Salt Lake City with Elder Reams-West Virginia

Elder Costello-Arizona with Elder Thompson

We all get along really well, so don't worry about us that way :)