23 February 2010

Hola Orem!


So sorry about this long time that I haven't been able to talk to you! But it’s been a crazy week! I'll update you a little.

So we arrived in Minnesota, and walked right on the other plane because our flight was going late. It was crazy. But then we arrived here in Omaha! We saw Pres. Kunz and Sis Kunz. They are really nice people. I like them a lot! They took us to a hotel room - and we got to nap for like 3 hours, which was nice, because I hadn't slept in days. Then we just had meetings and training the rest of the day. We ate dinner there. It was yummy. It was......I don't remember.

The next day, we went to the Winter Quarters Visitors Center, temple, and Kanesville Tabernacle. It was a cool experience to go to those places. It was freezing cold though!! The wind and the weather is just crazy cold. After that, we went on exchanges with some other missionaries. I went with Elder Curisinche, and Elder DeWitt with Elder Morrill. It was interesting. We just talk to everyone. They all speak so fast - it’s crazy! We taught one lady, Linda, for an hour and a half. After that, we had dinner at the mission home, then had a testimony meeting and found out our areas and comps.

My companion is Elder Curisinche (koo-ree-sin-chey). He is originally from Peru, but moved to Sandy when he was 13. So he speaks really fast. I don't know half the things he says....like all day! It’s so hard to speak to the people here. They speak so fast and it’s all slurred together. But I'm trying my darndest.

We are in South Omaha and the other Elders, (Elders Ward and Morrill) are in the North. There is only one ward here, so we all go to that.

Thursday morning, we got up at 5am, went to the transfer point, said a prayer, and then left. I drive a 2010 Chevy Malibu. :) Elder Curisinche can't drive because of his foreign status. So I get to drive all the time. It’s fun. So Thursday, we unpacked and went to talk to a lot of members so they know me.

Friday, we planned to see a lot of investigators, but they canceled. I had to take a driving test because of my former driving experiences. If I get one ticket, I can't drive anymore. So I've been driving better. But my car is really fast, so it’s tempting. We then had a planning meeting, and then we went and taught our investigator, Luz, who is getting baptized this Saturday. And I, yes I, am baptizing her. Elder Curisinche wants me to do it. So, yep, my first baptism within 2 weeks - all I did was show up and testify a few times. After we visited her, we visited a less active member, Gustavo. He's cool, but needs some guidance, so we talk to him a lot. Then we had a meal at the Rivera's house - Taco Soup.

Saturday, we talked to Moises; he owns a restaurant and has been investigating our church for 6 months. So we just talk with him and try to get him to come to church. The thing is he works 9-9pm every day, except Sunday, so Sunday is like his family day that he wants to share with the kids. But this week we are going to try and fix that. After that, we taught Linda again. She has about 6 kids there. She babysits them all, I guess. So we try to keep her focused, but it doesn't work out well. She's progressing, but very slowly. We're crossing our fingers with her. After that we had lunch with a member. We had beef and vegetables, and then beans and tortillas. It was good! After that, I think we just went tracting and then taught Luz again. (sorry, I forget what we do, and when we do it. It’s all a blur. We eat with the members a lot too.

Sunday, we drove to the north Elder’s apartment and we all went to church. It’s all in Spanish too....ha. Crazy! It’s so hard sometimes, but oh well. Luz and Gustavo were there. We were very happy about that. They really enjoyed the service. After church we had a meeting with the ward mission leader, Brother Gauff. He's cool! He's from Provo. He served in Argentina! We talked about our investigators and such. It was really good! After that, we had dinner with the Ortega's. We ate this bean soup with fried mashed potatoes in a tortilla. I think its called papas fritas? idk. But it was really good. The food here is really good. I like it. It’s spicy, but oh well. That’s why they make acid relief pills. It hasn't really affected me that much. So I’m good. After we ate there, we met at Hermana Casur's house, and she, Luz, and we went to the visitor’s center to have a tour and to influence the spirit in Luz. And it worked! We watched the Joseph Smith movie, and she loved it so much! She cried. The Spirit was so strong. Then I bore my testimony, and it doubled the Spirit. So great!

Monday. We woke up, drove to this stake center for our mission conference because Elder L. Tom Perry was there to talk to us. Our president spoke, an area authority, member of presidency of 70, then Elder Perry. It was really good. We had a chance to shake his hand and exchange a few words. It was way good! After the conference we had taco salad with all 150 Elders and sisters in the mission. I met some Elders from Provo. Elder Quitana, Elder Blazer?, and a Timpview alumni I know, Elder Hudspeth. It was good to see them all! We then took a mission picture and drove 20 minutes back to the apartment. Then we went and taught Linda about baptism. We challenged her to be baptized. And she said she'll think about it! So cross your fingers, eh? After we taught her, we went and did service for the Lopez family. We took the bathroom apart. They are re-doing it. It’s cool! We then went and talked to the Sandoval family (members) then Moises. He knows so much about our gospel it’s not even funny. He has read everything, seen everything, the only thing holding him back is going to church and being baptized. He is such an awesome guy, he's hilarious too! He said he loves us so much, we're his friends and stuff. But he needs to see his family more.

Today, we cleaned our apartment ultra. Mom, you would be proud. I am so neat and clean now it’s not even funny. Thank you for teaching me! I organized the whole kitchen, food, everything! It’s so clean. Our apartment is clean. Our apartment is comparable to our old house without the addition. It has a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and two rooms, one is bedroom, and then one is an office. It’s not way nice, far from it, but, hey, it’s good enough for me. I like it. Except, the shower has no pressure at all!!! None. But it’s warm. So I’m good.

I'm loving it here. It’s so awesome to finally be here. I miss you all so much! You are all so awesome. Thanks for your love and support. May the Lord bless you all.

Love always,

Brad