Dear Mom,
Alright, so I know you want to know who my new companion is so I will get to that first. My new companion is named Elder C, he is from honduras, so I still havent had a latino companion who wasnt from there(my trainer was honduranian as well), But honestly, I am super happy to be with this Elder, he is great, we get along super well and have a great time. Something kind of funny is that to all the people we both look super young, Elder C looks like he is 16 years old, and apparently I look like I am 17, I dont know how true that is, but I am fine with it, if people want to say I am still young I am all for it. The past week has been kind of crazy though, with the changes I had to go to the capital on wednesday, and we had to be there at 9, being out here in solola it is about a 4 hour drive in buses to the capital and then we have to actually get to monte maria in the capital, dragging around all the luggage makes it harder, needless to say we were up super early. and then we didnt get home until about 6 at night, super exhausted but we went to work. The next day we had to go to the capital again because my companion had a meeting, so we did the trip all over again, luckily without luggage though, and got home about the same time. So we have been pretty backed up on sleep, but its alright. Tomorrow there is a meeting for all the leaders in the capital and it will be two days long, I am going to be leaving my area and going on divisions with some people in a place called Patzicia, so while we have been in panajachel, we havent had a very normal day yet.
Something I should probably mention, When we went to the capital for change meeting someone pickpocketed my wallet on a bus, luckily I dont carry my credit cards in my wallet so I only lost some money that was in the wallet and the actual wallet itself, but I will admit I was pretty unhappy at first, anyways, to answer your question about why I took the money off my card, that is why. Also I think my drivers license was in the wallet, so I lost that too, but it was about to expire anyways I think, so oh well.
Everyone is doing the Tough mudder now? thats something I wish I would have been able to do before I left, it looked like a ton of fun, hopefully lots of members in the family continue doing it annually and I can just join in when I come back, I would really love to give it a try. I am kind of crazy like that.
so here is a story I have from this week, I felt it was kind of interesting, on saturday my companion and I were out proselyting and knocking doors, and we were talking about a video game that we both liked, but I had a huge stomach ache and I just felt terrible so I went back to the house and I was sitting there wondering why I just felt so bad in that moment, and it just hit me that it was probably because I was paying more attention to the conversation that we were having, than to the actual work, and I was wishing that I could be home just playing it, haha, in essence I was forgetting I was a missionary, but I was still trying to do missionary stuff. I dont know, I dont think it is bad to talk about stuff like that with your companions, you just cant let it transport you into a different world, you have to be able to stay focused on what is really important in the moment, we left the house after I had that thought and I tried staying focused on the work while talking bit by bit with my companion about it, and things went much better, we had 3 lessons, the time flew by and we had a great time. I guess you just have to keep things in moderation.
Anyways, The juggling is coming along pretty well, I think at least, I can juggle two balls(well I am using fruit actually right now, I dont have anything else round to use), in one hand for about 10 to 15 seconds, its not easy, but its progress, In the beginning I couldnt even get a toss of the two haha, hopefully with time it will get alot better. But I am going to be honest, I am not sure how I am going to learn how to do 3 at the same time, I just dont really know where to go from where I am, I guess I will figure it out.
Well, I think I answered all your questions for the week, at least I hope I did, sorry that there is so much stuff going on and you feel packed, its not fun, I know how you feel, if I missed anything please tell me and hopefully I can answer it, I miss you all and love you!
Love,
Christopher
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
1-24-12
Dear Mom,
We havent made changes yet (transfers), but we do know more or less what is happening, so My companion is leaving and I am staying here. We are going to change meeting tomorrow morning, but he has an interview at nine with the president(thats what happens when someone is usually going up in a leadership position, so he will probably be a zone leader somewhere), so we have to wake up super early because it takes about 4 hours to get to the capital from here, so we will probably be getting up at 3 or 4, not too excited for that. I am a little disappointed with the changes because we thought we were going to stay together for another change as we got closer, and my companion is really awesome, he is the best companion I have had in the mission yet, I will miss him. As far as my new companion, we arent sure yet who it will be, we have a thought, but we arent sure, I think it is going to be a honduranian again, but supposedly the elder we have in mind is a really well behaved and humble one, so I am pretty ready to see what will happen.
Things as far as missionary work are going pretty well right now, another reason its kind of sad to see my companion go, we have really changed the progress of this area here since we arrived in such a short time. We are teaching a man named gustavo right now, he has a baptism date for this saturday, and I cant really see him not wanting to go through with it, but we do have a few more things left to teach, so we will have to see, he is a pretty funny guy though, he has dialysis, but he talks like a gangster in spanish haha, its super funny whenever we are teaching him. Also there is another guy named samuel, he is progressing really well, he is also super smart, the only problem with him is that his parents are pastors, he doesnt live with them still, he is 25, but they have placed a big influence in his life, but I am pretty sure that with enough time, he will be baptized as well.
We walk alot every day (I asked him how much they walked), I dont really know how to measure it, anywhere between 10 miles to 15 probably, we have to go all over the place.
Thats great that you have started doing the choir again (ASO Chorus), I know you enjoy doing it so I am glad that you have something to go to and have a great time. There were tornadoes again though? Is everything alright there? will the church be doing service again? I wish I was there to help.
So things that are new here, not too much, but I have recently decided that I want to learn how to juggle, so every night before bed I am practicing a little, I am trying to fill the little space of time I have between after writing in my journal and eating and such, and then going to sleep, I still have about 20 minutes to fill up usually haha, maybe when I come home if I get good enough Ashley and I can have a competition. (Watch out, Ashley!) Also, I started another journal, its not exactly a journal though, but basically every day I take a scripture I liked during my study that day and then I write what I think about it, I dont really know how much of a reader it will be, but I enjoy doing it and I feel like it is helping me understand the scriptures better, I swap off with each of the Standard works every day.
One of the verses I really enjoyed reading this past week was in Genesis 29 verse 20, because I find that it is completely appliable to the mission as well, I find the more that I love the lord and do this work for him, the shorter the time seems and it is really just flying by, everything else that has happened in my mission up to now just seems like a dream.
Anyways, I think I answered all your questions,if I missed any please tell me, also, I was wondering if you could send me the family photo of us where we are all in the black shirts and it was in winter, I used it in the church newsletter right before I left, and one of the pictures from that set was my facebook profile picture, I dont know if you know which one I am talking about, but it would be cool to get it, also, I dont know if the money from Grandma linda has come, but if you could put that on the card that would be great. I love you mom and I love everyone in the family too, I hope that you are all doing well and cant wait to hear from you again.
Love,
Christopher
We havent made changes yet (transfers), but we do know more or less what is happening, so My companion is leaving and I am staying here. We are going to change meeting tomorrow morning, but he has an interview at nine with the president(thats what happens when someone is usually going up in a leadership position, so he will probably be a zone leader somewhere), so we have to wake up super early because it takes about 4 hours to get to the capital from here, so we will probably be getting up at 3 or 4, not too excited for that. I am a little disappointed with the changes because we thought we were going to stay together for another change as we got closer, and my companion is really awesome, he is the best companion I have had in the mission yet, I will miss him. As far as my new companion, we arent sure yet who it will be, we have a thought, but we arent sure, I think it is going to be a honduranian again, but supposedly the elder we have in mind is a really well behaved and humble one, so I am pretty ready to see what will happen.
Things as far as missionary work are going pretty well right now, another reason its kind of sad to see my companion go, we have really changed the progress of this area here since we arrived in such a short time. We are teaching a man named gustavo right now, he has a baptism date for this saturday, and I cant really see him not wanting to go through with it, but we do have a few more things left to teach, so we will have to see, he is a pretty funny guy though, he has dialysis, but he talks like a gangster in spanish haha, its super funny whenever we are teaching him. Also there is another guy named samuel, he is progressing really well, he is also super smart, the only problem with him is that his parents are pastors, he doesnt live with them still, he is 25, but they have placed a big influence in his life, but I am pretty sure that with enough time, he will be baptized as well.
We walk alot every day (I asked him how much they walked), I dont really know how to measure it, anywhere between 10 miles to 15 probably, we have to go all over the place.
Thats great that you have started doing the choir again (ASO Chorus), I know you enjoy doing it so I am glad that you have something to go to and have a great time. There were tornadoes again though? Is everything alright there? will the church be doing service again? I wish I was there to help.
So things that are new here, not too much, but I have recently decided that I want to learn how to juggle, so every night before bed I am practicing a little, I am trying to fill the little space of time I have between after writing in my journal and eating and such, and then going to sleep, I still have about 20 minutes to fill up usually haha, maybe when I come home if I get good enough Ashley and I can have a competition. (Watch out, Ashley!) Also, I started another journal, its not exactly a journal though, but basically every day I take a scripture I liked during my study that day and then I write what I think about it, I dont really know how much of a reader it will be, but I enjoy doing it and I feel like it is helping me understand the scriptures better, I swap off with each of the Standard works every day.
One of the verses I really enjoyed reading this past week was in Genesis 29 verse 20, because I find that it is completely appliable to the mission as well, I find the more that I love the lord and do this work for him, the shorter the time seems and it is really just flying by, everything else that has happened in my mission up to now just seems like a dream.
Anyways, I think I answered all your questions,if I missed any please tell me, also, I was wondering if you could send me the family photo of us where we are all in the black shirts and it was in winter, I used it in the church newsletter right before I left, and one of the pictures from that set was my facebook profile picture, I dont know if you know which one I am talking about, but it would be cool to get it, also, I dont know if the money from Grandma linda has come, but if you could put that on the card that would be great. I love you mom and I love everyone in the family too, I hope that you are all doing well and cant wait to hear from you again.
Love,
Christopher
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
1-17-12
Dear Mom,
I am doing pretty well here in panajachel, we are getting pretty close to changes again this upcoming week and so things are feeling a little weird. My companion and I really dont know what is going to happen, it could go either way, I could stay and he could go or vice versa, we just arent sure, he keeps saying I am going to be sent to the capital though, so we will just have to see what ends up happening, I should know next week when I write you all again.
I have had a few chances to play the piano here in the mission, its just we dont have too much time to do that, we would only have p days, and up here in the mountains there arent really any buildings that have a real piano, or even someone who can play the piano, so they usually look over it, but in the actual capital part I know they have alot more pianos and such, so maybe if I ever go there I will have more time to, but no worries, its nothing big.
They took bulldozers out to the land at the lake? that sounds really cool, sad that I am missing out on all that, what is happening out there? what were the final plans on what kind of dock would be built and such? and are they putting some sort of house out there or what is the plan? I am really interested in hearing about it, and I am kind of sad I cant be there to help out with the labor.
Ha, the mailbox thing sounds just like molly, I can see her doing that in my head. Has she had any other crazy ideas lately? Tell her I said hello and that I love and miss her.
Thank you for keeping me updated on the information from my debit card, that helps to know and make sure nothing bad is happening and everything is going where it should be.
Everything here in the mission is flowing along nicely, we have been working hard and having a great time. This past week was long and really short at the same time, I dont really know how to describe it, we taught about 24 lessons, thats kind of usual for here in this area. We did divisions with some other elders in Solola, I went over there to their area and my companion stayed here, we went to this place in the mountains called san jose chacaya, it was great, we were way far up in the mountains and it was just so calm, there was a ton of land, it was a really cool place, so different from what I am used to being in a huge tourist place and seeing all these buildings and northamericans. After divisions this week we also took some time to go to a place in our area called Santa Catarina, its just another little town on the side of the lake, we decided we wanted to go contacting there, but it is really hard because there arent many people who speak spanish, they have a different first language. But it was a really good day, we had two lessons, I really love the mountain people here, even if they have a harder time understanding what we are saying, because they are so much more sincere and genuine than the others that we find in panajachel. They almost always have a real desire to listen when they invite us in, and they also usually are more receptive to the teachings because they havent heard all the negative comments and ideas that others make up about our church.
Other than that not too much has been happening here. A couple of weeks ago we were in a lesson with this man who just cant seem to understand anything we are telling him. He is so full of pride that he automatically assumes he knows more about us and our church than we ourselves know about us. He called us racists, I dont really know his reasoning behind it, I have ideas but its kind of hard to explain through email, anyways it was kind of funny because my companion got a little mad haha, and he never gets mad so it was just kind of surprising and funny to see him do it. Someday that guy will understand though.
So is there anything you wanted to ask me? anything I missed? I hope not, I hope you all know that I love you and miss you and hope that everything is going well with you in Alabama, I wish I could be there with you, but I need to be here right now, Tell everyone I said hi!!
I am doing pretty well here in panajachel, we are getting pretty close to changes again this upcoming week and so things are feeling a little weird. My companion and I really dont know what is going to happen, it could go either way, I could stay and he could go or vice versa, we just arent sure, he keeps saying I am going to be sent to the capital though, so we will just have to see what ends up happening, I should know next week when I write you all again.
I have had a few chances to play the piano here in the mission, its just we dont have too much time to do that, we would only have p days, and up here in the mountains there arent really any buildings that have a real piano, or even someone who can play the piano, so they usually look over it, but in the actual capital part I know they have alot more pianos and such, so maybe if I ever go there I will have more time to, but no worries, its nothing big.
They took bulldozers out to the land at the lake? that sounds really cool, sad that I am missing out on all that, what is happening out there? what were the final plans on what kind of dock would be built and such? and are they putting some sort of house out there or what is the plan? I am really interested in hearing about it, and I am kind of sad I cant be there to help out with the labor.
Ha, the mailbox thing sounds just like molly, I can see her doing that in my head. Has she had any other crazy ideas lately? Tell her I said hello and that I love and miss her.
Thank you for keeping me updated on the information from my debit card, that helps to know and make sure nothing bad is happening and everything is going where it should be.
Everything here in the mission is flowing along nicely, we have been working hard and having a great time. This past week was long and really short at the same time, I dont really know how to describe it, we taught about 24 lessons, thats kind of usual for here in this area. We did divisions with some other elders in Solola, I went over there to their area and my companion stayed here, we went to this place in the mountains called san jose chacaya, it was great, we were way far up in the mountains and it was just so calm, there was a ton of land, it was a really cool place, so different from what I am used to being in a huge tourist place and seeing all these buildings and northamericans. After divisions this week we also took some time to go to a place in our area called Santa Catarina, its just another little town on the side of the lake, we decided we wanted to go contacting there, but it is really hard because there arent many people who speak spanish, they have a different first language. But it was a really good day, we had two lessons, I really love the mountain people here, even if they have a harder time understanding what we are saying, because they are so much more sincere and genuine than the others that we find in panajachel. They almost always have a real desire to listen when they invite us in, and they also usually are more receptive to the teachings because they havent heard all the negative comments and ideas that others make up about our church.
Other than that not too much has been happening here. A couple of weeks ago we were in a lesson with this man who just cant seem to understand anything we are telling him. He is so full of pride that he automatically assumes he knows more about us and our church than we ourselves know about us. He called us racists, I dont really know his reasoning behind it, I have ideas but its kind of hard to explain through email, anyways it was kind of funny because my companion got a little mad haha, and he never gets mad so it was just kind of surprising and funny to see him do it. Someday that guy will understand though.
So is there anything you wanted to ask me? anything I missed? I hope not, I hope you all know that I love you and miss you and hope that everything is going well with you in Alabama, I wish I could be there with you, but I need to be here right now, Tell everyone I said hi!!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
1-10-12
Dear Mom,
Everything here in Guatemala is going pretty well right now. I am glad to hear that braydens finger is starting to get better, I bet he cant wait til he can get that splint off and use his hand like normal again. (He broke it a few weeks ago.) That would be really cool if he went to state, If he doesnt go this time I am sure that in the future if he continues he will.
That Party sounds like it was a ton of fun, that is pretty crazy that they had so much stuff, how many people came over and participated? I hope they do it again sometime when I am back, that sounds like a ton of fun. (We went to my aunt and uncle's home for the Alabama vs LSU Championship Game last night. They had loads of chicken wings and soda!)
Thank you a ton for filling me in on those new callings in the church, I am really interested in hearing about who is doing what and where they are, the idea still seems so strange to me, I am not sure I have really gotten my head around it all the way. (Our church congregation was divided last week.) It sounds like they are filling the callings pretty well though, all of the people seem well put for the job from what I remember. That is awesome that Brother Patterson is in the Young mens presidency now, I am really jealous that I am missing that as a youth, is he still the scoutmaster or are they just having him fill that spot now?
My companion and I are getting along really well, at least from everything I can tell haha, maybe he secretly hates me, I dont know, we seem to have a fun time while we are working so I dont think he does. He hasnt gone to any college yet, but his mom put in his papers for college because he is going home in August this year, I am pretty sure he is planning on going to Utah State. I know that he played Football in Highschool, and also that he likes tennis alot, I dont know, maybe I will ask him a bit more, we have probably talked about it before but I have just forgotten. we like singing songs, not that we are any good at singing, I guess we are musical in that sense? haha
People we are teaching... Its always kind of hard to talk about them when I am on the spot right here at email because I forget things, but I actually have a book that I am going to send you a picture of, I think its really cool, haha, I just put down anyone that we taught during the day and a small summary of what we taught, how they seemed and such, I will try and send that, its kind of new though, I started it at the beginning of the year so I have a ways to go. But we have a few people, A guy named samuel Gonzalez, he is a really great guy, about 25 years old, but his parents are apparently really big pastors, so he is a little worried about what they will think, and what other people will think of him for coming to our church because they know his parents and might think his parents arent firm or something, we are working on the doubt though, he is an outstanding guy and has a great understanding.
We started the bible group but we changed it to a member fireside night where any members can invite others to come, the bible study wasnt working very well and it limited us alot in what we could talk about, now we have the ability to talk about almost all the stuff, we had an investigator come this past week, that was great, its only one but it is more than we have had in the past.
I saw president Brough last Friday, we had a zone conference, it was a pretty good day, we learned alot about certain things, the circle of pride, But mainly about prayer and teaching it to investigators, we have been applying it in our teaching here in our area and we feel like it is really helping us, nothing huge has happened, but I feel like people understand better, and are starting to feel closer to knowing, or recieving a real answer.
We dont Have papusas here, its a completely different culture, actually something really cool about this area that I am in right now is that we are far up in the mountains, and almost all the people we talk to are really mayan, so we are actually talking to the complete lamanites instead of the latinos that have been mixed a bit, its really cool and the culture is a lot different, even from in El Tejar and I was still in the mountains there.
My stomach is fine right now, I have really only gotten sick out in the field two times now, and I am finished with being sick up to now, I might get sick later again, apparently it is supposed to happen each time you switch an area just because its a different area and the food is a little different and all that, and both times I have gotten sick it has been at the beginning of my change in a new area, but thank you for the advice.
I think I got all the questions, Thank you a ton for emailing me mom, Tell everyone at home I said hi and that I love them and hope to hear from them sometime soon!
Love,
Christopher
Here is a picture of me with a turtle, thats still back in El Tejar, I am not really sure why, but I thought you might like it.
Here are some other baptism pictures:
It's my lucky day! Christopher's companion's mom sent me this photo today:
Everything here in Guatemala is going pretty well right now. I am glad to hear that braydens finger is starting to get better, I bet he cant wait til he can get that splint off and use his hand like normal again. (He broke it a few weeks ago.) That would be really cool if he went to state, If he doesnt go this time I am sure that in the future if he continues he will.
That Party sounds like it was a ton of fun, that is pretty crazy that they had so much stuff, how many people came over and participated? I hope they do it again sometime when I am back, that sounds like a ton of fun. (We went to my aunt and uncle's home for the Alabama vs LSU Championship Game last night. They had loads of chicken wings and soda!)
Thank you a ton for filling me in on those new callings in the church, I am really interested in hearing about who is doing what and where they are, the idea still seems so strange to me, I am not sure I have really gotten my head around it all the way. (Our church congregation was divided last week.) It sounds like they are filling the callings pretty well though, all of the people seem well put for the job from what I remember. That is awesome that Brother Patterson is in the Young mens presidency now, I am really jealous that I am missing that as a youth, is he still the scoutmaster or are they just having him fill that spot now?
My companion and I are getting along really well, at least from everything I can tell haha, maybe he secretly hates me, I dont know, we seem to have a fun time while we are working so I dont think he does. He hasnt gone to any college yet, but his mom put in his papers for college because he is going home in August this year, I am pretty sure he is planning on going to Utah State. I know that he played Football in Highschool, and also that he likes tennis alot, I dont know, maybe I will ask him a bit more, we have probably talked about it before but I have just forgotten. we like singing songs, not that we are any good at singing, I guess we are musical in that sense? haha
People we are teaching... Its always kind of hard to talk about them when I am on the spot right here at email because I forget things, but I actually have a book that I am going to send you a picture of, I think its really cool, haha, I just put down anyone that we taught during the day and a small summary of what we taught, how they seemed and such, I will try and send that, its kind of new though, I started it at the beginning of the year so I have a ways to go. But we have a few people, A guy named samuel Gonzalez, he is a really great guy, about 25 years old, but his parents are apparently really big pastors, so he is a little worried about what they will think, and what other people will think of him for coming to our church because they know his parents and might think his parents arent firm or something, we are working on the doubt though, he is an outstanding guy and has a great understanding.
We started the bible group but we changed it to a member fireside night where any members can invite others to come, the bible study wasnt working very well and it limited us alot in what we could talk about, now we have the ability to talk about almost all the stuff, we had an investigator come this past week, that was great, its only one but it is more than we have had in the past.
I saw president Brough last Friday, we had a zone conference, it was a pretty good day, we learned alot about certain things, the circle of pride, But mainly about prayer and teaching it to investigators, we have been applying it in our teaching here in our area and we feel like it is really helping us, nothing huge has happened, but I feel like people understand better, and are starting to feel closer to knowing, or recieving a real answer.
We dont Have papusas here, its a completely different culture, actually something really cool about this area that I am in right now is that we are far up in the mountains, and almost all the people we talk to are really mayan, so we are actually talking to the complete lamanites instead of the latinos that have been mixed a bit, its really cool and the culture is a lot different, even from in El Tejar and I was still in the mountains there.
My stomach is fine right now, I have really only gotten sick out in the field two times now, and I am finished with being sick up to now, I might get sick later again, apparently it is supposed to happen each time you switch an area just because its a different area and the food is a little different and all that, and both times I have gotten sick it has been at the beginning of my change in a new area, but thank you for the advice.
I think I got all the questions, Thank you a ton for emailing me mom, Tell everyone at home I said hi and that I love them and hope to hear from them sometime soon!
Love,
Christopher
Here is a picture of me with a turtle, thats still back in El Tejar, I am not really sure why, but I thought you might like it.
Here are some other baptism pictures:
It's my lucky day! Christopher's companion's mom sent me this photo today:
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
1-3-12
Dear Mom,
Dont worry so much about not writing last week, its not a problem at all, I completely understand, I am sorry that you got sick and were not feeling well. I send the Photos by hooking the camera up to the computer, I am not really sure how else I can because most of the computers here dont have a drive to put in a memory card. The bicycle isnt for us, I dont actually know who it belongs to to be honest haha, but we dont have bikes, nobody in the mission does as far as I know.
I am not sure how much the withdrawal fee here is on the money, I think it varies from atm to atm, but its around 2 dollars to 3 if I converted the money right. I am not sure If I can exchange american dollars for guatemalan money, Its something I am going to have to try, but when I get it from ATMs it comes out in Guatemalan money so its prettty easy that way. Tell Grandma I said thank you so much, that really means alot, we dont actually have a GNC here in Panajachel, but we have gyms that sell protein so I go there for the moment, its the same stuff just not the same store.
Thats terrible that brayden got sick like that right before new years, I can remember when I was sick from Mono during thanksgiving, being sick during holidays is definitely the worst. Tell him I said hi, he is feeling better now right? if not I hope he gets better soon.
Molly is playing super nintendo? where did she get that? or is she playing on my wii? haha, I remember when I left she was starting to do that, she always came down to my room, shes a great kid, Dad says she is growing too and that I wont recognize her when I come back.
They really split the ward??? thats crazy, I never would have expected that to happen... that doesnt really sound like there are alot of youth in our ward now, whats with that? Vestavia hills ward... hmm, I think Birmingham 1rst ward sounds better but oh well. Are you still teaching the Stanleys piano? Brother Patterson is still in our ward right? I will be really disappointed if he isnt, I cant really say I like the change too much, haha, and it doesnt even really affect me, but I am sure The Lord knows what he is doing, even if we cant see or understand why at the moment.
My companion got about the same as me for christmas, it was a great time, my companion is a really nice guy, I dont really know how to describe someone like that to be honest, we work well together.
The past week has been a pretty good week, we have been spending alot of time contacting, but it is really hard to find anyone, we have begun contacting people for the third or fourth time now and alot of times when we talk to someone they will mention that we have already talked to someone, but we have to keep on doing it, there is someone out there waiting for us.
As far as the talks go, I would really like them in a printable form, I think Dad asked me if I might want them on audio files, but printable would be better because I can always read them and study them and such, audio is great but I have to spend a lot of time navigating and it can be hard.
I hope I answered all the questions that you had for me, and I hope that everything is going well with you and the family as you are getting back to work and school, I love you all and enjoy hearing from you and everyone, it really makes my week.
Love,
Christopher
Dont worry so much about not writing last week, its not a problem at all, I completely understand, I am sorry that you got sick and were not feeling well. I send the Photos by hooking the camera up to the computer, I am not really sure how else I can because most of the computers here dont have a drive to put in a memory card. The bicycle isnt for us, I dont actually know who it belongs to to be honest haha, but we dont have bikes, nobody in the mission does as far as I know.
I am not sure how much the withdrawal fee here is on the money, I think it varies from atm to atm, but its around 2 dollars to 3 if I converted the money right. I am not sure If I can exchange american dollars for guatemalan money, Its something I am going to have to try, but when I get it from ATMs it comes out in Guatemalan money so its prettty easy that way. Tell Grandma I said thank you so much, that really means alot, we dont actually have a GNC here in Panajachel, but we have gyms that sell protein so I go there for the moment, its the same stuff just not the same store.
Thats terrible that brayden got sick like that right before new years, I can remember when I was sick from Mono during thanksgiving, being sick during holidays is definitely the worst. Tell him I said hi, he is feeling better now right? if not I hope he gets better soon.
Molly is playing super nintendo? where did she get that? or is she playing on my wii? haha, I remember when I left she was starting to do that, she always came down to my room, shes a great kid, Dad says she is growing too and that I wont recognize her when I come back.
They really split the ward??? thats crazy, I never would have expected that to happen... that doesnt really sound like there are alot of youth in our ward now, whats with that? Vestavia hills ward... hmm, I think Birmingham 1rst ward sounds better but oh well. Are you still teaching the Stanleys piano? Brother Patterson is still in our ward right? I will be really disappointed if he isnt, I cant really say I like the change too much, haha, and it doesnt even really affect me, but I am sure The Lord knows what he is doing, even if we cant see or understand why at the moment.
My companion got about the same as me for christmas, it was a great time, my companion is a really nice guy, I dont really know how to describe someone like that to be honest, we work well together.
The past week has been a pretty good week, we have been spending alot of time contacting, but it is really hard to find anyone, we have begun contacting people for the third or fourth time now and alot of times when we talk to someone they will mention that we have already talked to someone, but we have to keep on doing it, there is someone out there waiting for us.
As far as the talks go, I would really like them in a printable form, I think Dad asked me if I might want them on audio files, but printable would be better because I can always read them and study them and such, audio is great but I have to spend a lot of time navigating and it can be hard.
I hope I answered all the questions that you had for me, and I hope that everything is going well with you and the family as you are getting back to work and school, I love you all and enjoy hearing from you and everyone, it really makes my week.
Love,
Christopher
12-27-11
NOTE from Mom:
This was a sad day for me. I had a stomach virus that had me so out of it that I missed writing my letter to Christopher for the week! After an awesome telephone call Christmas night, where ALL he asked for were letters!....he got no letter from his mom. :( I was so upset when I realized I had missed my chance for him to get my letter before the next week.
BUT...Christopher had taken photos of his home, like I had asked him to. What a champ! Here goes:
12-27-11
Well since there isnt an email to respond to I guess I will try and send some pictures?
The first one is me yesterday on P day, we went down to the side of the lake and took a few pictures, you cant really see the lake very well in the picture, it looks alot better when you are actually there, but its still pretty cool looking.
The second one is the alley that leads up to the door of our house right there, thats from the inside of our house though because I couldnt leave.
Then there is the little outside part of our house right inside of the doorway, and the water pump is on the left, we have to turn it on whenever we want to use water
Then the next is just facing the other way from the door to the inside, the two rooms are the room we go and study in, on the far right, and then the kitchen to the left.
I am going to go ahead and send this email and put more pictures on another.
Email #2:
Here is the rest of the house
The first one is just the other half of the courtyard still facing from the door, the room is where we go and sleep and get dressed and all that stuff, we kind of made a makeshift line to hang our towels on to dry.
The second one is right to the side of the waterpump inside this little hall thing, that sink, its called a pila here, but we wash all our dishes and stuff there, then the door back there is our bathroom and the shower is in there too.
The third one is the room we go and study in, its not too bad, I have never had a whiteboard before, but I am pretty sure its for my comp to do stuff as district leader and whatnot, he studies on the right far side of the room and I study on the left closer to the door.
number four is our kitchen, nothing too fancy about it, we just have a fridge, a stove, a microwave, and a toaster oven, we dont really use them all that much because we dont know how to cook to be honest, just the stove for boiling pasta or the microwave to heat something up.
And the fifth one is where we go to sleep, thats my bed, the stuff thats hanging is all my comps clothes though, its kind of how we have the room set up, his looks the same way facing the other direction.
All in all its not a really bad house, its pretty nice, just kind of weird to have to walk out of the house to go to every other room, but no big deal, other than that just having to turn on the water pump to flush the toilet and use the shower and pila can get a little annoying but its really not that big a deal, and we dont really spend a ton of time in the house anyways so it doesnt matter too much, but thats our house here in panajachel
Not too much has happened since we talked on the phone, but I just want to make sure you know that everything is going great here on the mission. It was awesome getting to talk to everyone and hear their voices. Something I just realized is that one thing I dont have that would be really nice, well two things now that I think about it, is that I have no pictures of the family, except that one you sent me, so maybe someone could send me an album or something? Everyone always asks for pictures of my Family and I dont have any. also something that would be really cool is a calendar for this year, I dont have one, but My comps family makes him some with pictures of his family and stuff, I think they do it at costco, Im not sure though, thats not as important but I thought it might be something cool. Thank you for helping me out so much mom, I love you all and hope that you are all doing well over there and getting ready for the new year, haha,.as missionaries we call this next year our black year (cause we have a whole year where we dont see anyone from our family) but once I am done and finished with 2012 there wont be much left, Tell everyone I said hey and I love and miss them!
Love,
Christopher
This was a sad day for me. I had a stomach virus that had me so out of it that I missed writing my letter to Christopher for the week! After an awesome telephone call Christmas night, where ALL he asked for were letters!....he got no letter from his mom. :( I was so upset when I realized I had missed my chance for him to get my letter before the next week.
BUT...Christopher had taken photos of his home, like I had asked him to. What a champ! Here goes:
12-27-11
Well since there isnt an email to respond to I guess I will try and send some pictures?
The first one is me yesterday on P day, we went down to the side of the lake and took a few pictures, you cant really see the lake very well in the picture, it looks alot better when you are actually there, but its still pretty cool looking.
The second one is the alley that leads up to the door of our house right there, thats from the inside of our house though because I couldnt leave.
Then there is the little outside part of our house right inside of the doorway, and the water pump is on the left, we have to turn it on whenever we want to use water
Then the next is just facing the other way from the door to the inside, the two rooms are the room we go and study in, on the far right, and then the kitchen to the left.
I am going to go ahead and send this email and put more pictures on another.
Email #2:
Here is the rest of the house
The first one is just the other half of the courtyard still facing from the door, the room is where we go and sleep and get dressed and all that stuff, we kind of made a makeshift line to hang our towels on to dry.
The second one is right to the side of the waterpump inside this little hall thing, that sink, its called a pila here, but we wash all our dishes and stuff there, then the door back there is our bathroom and the shower is in there too.
The third one is the room we go and study in, its not too bad, I have never had a whiteboard before, but I am pretty sure its for my comp to do stuff as district leader and whatnot, he studies on the right far side of the room and I study on the left closer to the door.
number four is our kitchen, nothing too fancy about it, we just have a fridge, a stove, a microwave, and a toaster oven, we dont really use them all that much because we dont know how to cook to be honest, just the stove for boiling pasta or the microwave to heat something up.
And the fifth one is where we go to sleep, thats my bed, the stuff thats hanging is all my comps clothes though, its kind of how we have the room set up, his looks the same way facing the other direction.
All in all its not a really bad house, its pretty nice, just kind of weird to have to walk out of the house to go to every other room, but no big deal, other than that just having to turn on the water pump to flush the toilet and use the shower and pila can get a little annoying but its really not that big a deal, and we dont really spend a ton of time in the house anyways so it doesnt matter too much, but thats our house here in panajachel
Not too much has happened since we talked on the phone, but I just want to make sure you know that everything is going great here on the mission. It was awesome getting to talk to everyone and hear their voices. Something I just realized is that one thing I dont have that would be really nice, well two things now that I think about it, is that I have no pictures of the family, except that one you sent me, so maybe someone could send me an album or something? Everyone always asks for pictures of my Family and I dont have any. also something that would be really cool is a calendar for this year, I dont have one, but My comps family makes him some with pictures of his family and stuff, I think they do it at costco, Im not sure though, thats not as important but I thought it might be something cool. Thank you for helping me out so much mom, I love you all and hope that you are all doing well over there and getting ready for the new year, haha,.as missionaries we call this next year our black year (cause we have a whole year where we dont see anyone from our family) but once I am done and finished with 2012 there wont be much left, Tell everyone I said hey and I love and miss them!
Love,
Christopher
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