4 June 2011 email

4 June 2011

Como Estan chicos. Como fue su semana? Espanol is muy dificil para mi. Pero yo tengo fe que yo puedo hablar y entender espanol en mi mision. Lo siento por no accentos in esta parafo. No puedo type en espanol tambien.

I liked it that mom told me to memorize a testimony. I was like, “Wow; Mom thinks I am horrible at Spanish.”  Just to let you know, I can bear testimony, I can say a prayer, I can ask simple questions, I can understand about 60% of what is going on now.  I’m just not improving as much as I would like in speaking and it’s because I don't speak too much. So I will be speaking with my companion only in Spanish from now on.  And also, I need to force myself to speak in Spanish at people’s homes.  But the hardest time to speak Spanish is with investigators.  

Speaking of investigators we have 3 more new ones last week.  We have been tearing it up in the Spanish ward.  We have gotten 3 new investigators only in one week.  We had only one new investigator in 3 months previous in the Spanish ward.  So we are now on fire.  We are teaching heaps of lessons now, so now I’m stressing with lessons; before I only had to worry about spiritual thoughts but now I need to worry about lessons.  So I am studying heaps on the lessons again like I did in the MTC. It’s challenging on what to study, 3 hours seems like a lot of time but it really isn't that much. But at least I’m improving in understanding the language. I  can hear and understand better.  Especially my companion. I can understand him real well.  He speaks well but he speaks with a simple vocabulary and with a gringo accent, so I can understand him very clearly.  So that helps a lot.

Elder Gardner and I are getting along well; we are having a fun time even though we are only two of us in the big as flat.  But we have a miracle investigator though.  This 45-50 year old El Salvadorian women came to church about 4 weeks ago.  She came with some members who were her friends.  In our ward we have sacrament meeting at the end so we saw her and met here at sacrament.  We tried to set a time up but she left before it ended.  Then the next week she came to gospel principles and we taught her about the Book of Mormon and gave her one.  We tried setting up a time with her that week for an appointment but she was busy and said to set one up with her the next week.  So then she came to church the next week but she was ill, we gave her a blessing and then she left early so we couldn't set an appointment up for her.  Then this last Sunday she came and Elder Gardner and I taught her the restoration in a classroom in the church.  We asked about the Book of Mormon and she said she has read the Intro like 4 times and has read the Book of Mormon up to Alma 5.  We were amazed.  I have yet to have an investigator read that much of the Book of Mormon, especially in only 2 weeks; most members don't get the far in their life!  And she thought that prophets made sense and she saw how there was a falling away of the priesthood and the church and why Joseph Smith needed to be called to restore the church.  It all made sense to her and she loved it.  She is GOLDEN AS!!!  Next lesson we are going to teach her about prayer and how to come to know that it is true and probably set a baptismal date with her.  So that’s awesome.  She also knows everyone in the church which is basically perfect.  She seems solid as and ready hopefully all goes well with her.  

So we are tearing it up as we like to say it. Also my weight has maintained this week. I have gained no pounds and I think lost a few.  But it’s hard to do this.  When I was told in my last letter to maintain my weight or lose it I was shocked.  Dad told me to not worry about it and stop complaining and just gained the "lord's pounds" so I was like well dad's right I shouldn't care if I gain weight; I could just lose it after Spanish ward or when I get back home.  But then last week dad was like, HOLY CRAP, LOSE LOSE LOSE.  No jk but mom and dad threw it down that I need to lose weight so now I am conscience of it.  I am trying to eat better at home.  I'm TRYING to say no at member’s homes.  I say trying because one time I said I was done after two plates I said, "Estoy Satisfecho hermana," and the family said to me what’s wrong with me and told me to eat more.  I have never been so full in my life at that house. Apparently they made enough food for 3 missionaries because they thought we would still have 3 of us but there were only 2 so they had heaps of food.  But I realized some homes don't mind if I don't finish their food others on the other hand will take offense.  And I when I stop eating there they tell me to eat more and more.  But I will also start doing some more exercises probably start jump roping and giving that a try.  But this was the first week that I didn't gain any weight in the Spanish ward.

Hey Jon have you ever had Completos in Chile? They are pretty good. And I have never had  potatoes with the Chileans over here so I don't know why you had so many but I have not yet met a Chilean de sur parte de Chile.  I always tell members about how my sister went to Italy, my brother went to Chile, (I tell this to the Chileans a lot to make conversation), that my dad went to the Philippines.  They always ask me if Jon still knows Spanish and if he taught me a little of it and I always say he forgot his Spanish and he never taught me jack.  But Jon did do my Spanish homework onetime and I still got a B.  Must show how much he learned in Chile, lol.  I heard that Italians and Spanish can kind of understand each other, not too well, but get the jest of it.

Well we went finding for 2 hours a day for 5 days of the week, so we were obedient this week.  We had some funny things go down during tracting.  I called a guy a “ma'am”.  Elder Gardner called a women “sir”.  I said the weirdest phrase; I said, "well the worth of every soul is great, mister."  When I said mister I started laughing and just walked away.  

I like to put in sly remarks to people who aren't interested.  When I give my door approach and they say they aren't interested, I then say, "Well would you know someone nearby who would love to be with their family forever and have eternal happiness?"   They usually always say no though, but I want them to see what they are missing before they reject us.  

Also we got bashed again yesterday.  This time around I kept my cool.  I have learned every response from Baptist, and Non-Donom's that no one can out bash me.  I know bashing isn't effective at all but when they clearly won't accept the gospel and they throw down on Mormons and are rude about, it’s in my nature to throw a few stones back.  Like one time a Baptist told me all I need to do is believe in Jesus and I will be saved.  So I told him then all the Mormons in the world are saved then according to his standards.  But then he told me we weren't and that we are trying too much for our salvation.  So I just threw a few scriptures at him and told him “why would a father punish his son if he is trying to hard?” and then just left.  I stopped bashing now, but before in Freshwater and Summerhill it got to my head.  I know it’s ineffective but it gets my blood pumping at times.  But we also encountered some weird people as well.  Also last transfer we were teaching a member in Spanish and I thought we were finished with the lesson, so I came in right after Elder Gardner spoke and told him to read, pray, and go to church and said it in the name of Jesus Christ amen.  But then Alvarado and Gardner started to talk some more and they told me afterwards that the lesson got sidetrack and they were talking about a problem he had in his life.  I felt stupid.  I can just imagine what the member was thinking.  So that was funny.  But that was a while ago.

Elder Gardner is now the District leader as well so that’s cool. I also got interviews with President Simmons on the 21st.  Oh yeah, my B-day ends on the last day of next transfers.  So that can be cool.  Oh did you know that I also teach English families that are Latino descent or their parents speak Spanish?  Well I do well with those families and I have built a lot of trust and friendship with those members.  I’m having fun, it’s hard with Spanish but I’m enjoying the work and having a fun time. Well I got to go.

I love you guys and take care. Be safe and in the words of mom and dad, “Remember who you are.”

te amo

Elder Monson

Email - 30 May 2011

May 30, 2011

Dear Family,

Que honda Cabros? What’s up? The sky?  I thought so. Well it’s transfer week and I am still in the Spanish ward. So that’s good.

My companion is Elder Gardner.  He was with me during the threesome I worked in when I was transferred to the Spanish area. He is from Murray, Utah, like Elder Stoddard (actually he knows Elder Stoddard).  Anyway, he's a good missionary; he came out the same exact time I did so we both have been out for about 7 1/2 months.  So that’s a bit weird.  He is the senior comp, we weren't told who was or wasn't but I issued him the senior title because he can speak Spanish amazingly good.  My Spanish I have now is like the Spanish he had when he started in the MTC.  So he is really good now.  Also, he has been in the area one transfer longer than me so he knows the place better.  We are doing well together.  We have the same vision for the area, and that is to BAPTIZE.  We are in a rebuilding mode but I know we can do it - even if we are gringos.

Well, I just broke commandment #6 and I killed a missionary.  Elder Alvarado is DEAD!  He is gone, flying home right now back to Arizona.  I will tell you a little bit about him. Alvarado and I got along well.  We laughed about everyday and we had a fun time but we also had some complications here and there.  I would say we had a few heated discussions maybe 4 or 5, and like 2 or 3 serious arguments. Nothing like what happened with me and Elder Stoddard which was we had one every other day. But all in all, we got along great.  He told me that he was hard on my because he wanted me to be the future of this ward and to be the best I can be. He says that I’m perfect for the ward, that I and Gardner are a good duo for the ward. That Elder Gardner has things that I don't and I have things that he doesn't.  For example, I can't speak the language and he can, but I have an outgoing, exuberant personality which he doesn't.  I am willing to put myself out there and he's not.  Elder Alvarado thought I was funny as.  But yeah, he's gone and now we took over.  Also, there isn't 2 companionships in this area anymore. Elder DeCamp is gone as well and didn't come back. I think Elder Gardner and I are going to be companions for 1-2 transfers and then we will split up and bring 2 more Elders into the ward.  I heard some native-Spanish speaking Elders are coming in so I bet we'll be with them soon.

So for transfer meetings we all meet at the "Buckland" house.  Basically, they are some meeting room right near the temple and the mission offices.  At this transfer, all of my comps were there. So I got a picture of all of them.  I got them all rounded up and I got a picture of Elders Stoddard, DeCamp, Alvarado, Miller, and Gardner.  It was cool!  I have had 5 companions already.

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you guys something last week.  So I bet President Simmons already told Dad this story but I am just going to share it anyway.  Well at Zone Conference, President Simmons told everyone a story that Elder Rakatia, an Elder that Dad is writing to, received his first e-mail from Dad and Dad put President Monson as the title and Elder Rakatia asked his companion if he received a letter from the prophet as well.  Everyone laughed and enjoyed that story.  And the other Elder that Dad is writing to, Elder Vaivela, is actually in my birth place, he is in Freshwater.  And Elder Stoddard, who is now the DL in Manly, which is right below Freshwater, told me that Dad writes some pretty cool stuff.  So there are some stories about what Dad is writing going around the mission.

Also last week, we went bowling again for Alvarado's last time with his favorite LA/RC family, and I bowled the game of my life. I bowled a 178!  I got 5 strikes, including a turkey, and like 3 spares. It was awesome - I printed it out as well. I learned how to spin the ball so I am basically a pro now! ;)

One thing that Elder Gardner and I are going to do is bring the obedience back into the Spanish ward.  Elder Gardner and I are both in agreement that we need to cleanse this place.  So we are striving to be obedient as. And bring the spirit so that we can have success.  We also are deciding not to go bowling anymore because now they have recently added music videos to the screens near the score boards.  It doesn't create the best environment.  It’s not horrible but we really want the spirit here so we can do work.  I am going to miss the bowling but we got better things to do.  We actually decided we will only go bowling if we can bring members and/or investigators and/or RCLA's with us so we can build fellowship.  Also, it would be weird to play with just the 2 of us.

I have also gained 20 pounds in this last transfer but I bet that I won't gain as much weight as I did in the last 6 weeks because we won't be eating as much at member’s home anymore.   So hopefully I don't gain another 20 pounds this next transfer.  If I gain 10-15 pounds more, I will need a new suit and some new clothes because I am almost at my MTC weight and my suit fits perfectly now.  Also, I bought a hard drive so I can store my pictures and also put songs on it. I want you guys to send me some Church songs on USB drives so I can use them in my car.  Also, if you could send me some General Conference talks in Spanish, that would be awesome. So now I can send you my memory cards and just save things on the hard drive. Plus I will mail the CD's shortly.  Well I got to go.

Love,

Elder Monson

David's Email 25 April 2011

G-Day mates. How is everyone doing up in America?! How was your Easter? I'll probably read about it soon. Just to let you know what I do: I usually get your e-mails, I paste them into a word document and then I make the font small and then I print them out. After that I write. So I don't read your emails until after I write.

So yeah, I am in the Spanish ward like I told you guys last week. I am going to gain weight. I have had a meal every day since I have been in here, and some days I have had 2 meals. So I am being fed like crazy and its good food too. So I will try to stay at my weight but I don't think it’s going to happen.

The Spanish is hard! However, I have improved heaps since I got here. My first dinner was with some members. I had no clue what was going on during the whole dinner! But now I know about 50 percent of what’s going on when they are talking. It’s weird as being the gringo, they treat me like a child and when I try to speak Spanish they always congratulate me. It reminds me of the Chinese investigators I had in Summerhill. But I give every spiritual thought when we go to member’s homes and RCLA's (Recent Converts, Less Active). I’m practicing a lot and I’m trying to learn as much as I can.

My comp, Elder Alvarado, is a funny guy. I finally have a companion that I get along with. He is a "native" his parents are from El Salvador but he is from Arizona. He is helping me with my accent but he doesn’t know that much grammar. He can only speak fluently but not read or write as well as he speaks. So to help me, I go to Elder Gardner, the senior companion of the other Elders who live in our apartment, who came out the same time I did but he was in intermediate Spanish. He is pretty good with grammar and speaking Spanish so I ask him a lot of questions. . . . Alvarado won't speak much Spanish to me but I take the opportunities I got to talk to him in Spanish so I can work on my pronunciation.

I am having a fun time in the Spanish ward. Jon may think I have an even cushier mission now. We don't tract much and all we do is go to member’s homes, and RCLA's homes. Sometimes we find people to teach by looking in a phonebook and finding Spanish names and then knocking on their door. But other than that, it’s impossible to find in a place where few people speak Spanish. The ward is small about 60 people attend on Sunday. . .  But I’m doing my best to learn from Alvarado who has spent more than half of his mission here! And he has 7 baptisms here. This is ridiculous in Sydney. I’m trying to build trust and relationships with the people so that I could get referrals. Alvarado said all of his baptisms in this ward were all from referrals and not from finding. The Spanish people here are mostly El Salvadorians and Chileans. “Como estay, Bien po.” See Jon, who knew I could speak Chileno in Australia. The funny thing was the person who I replaced was Chilean so we had an El Salvadorian and a Chilean missionary in our area who both baptized heaps. Soon we will have all gringos in our area. Alvarado thinks I will be the future of the area. . . . All I need to do is learn Spanish and gain the trust of the members and work hard and serve and I will help this area a lot. I heard some Elders from Mexico might come in soon so that will be good to get some native speakers in our area. I like our foursome though, we are having a blast. And I’m having heaps of fun.

Hey Mother’s Day is coming soon and I have heard nothing about Skype so I think we will just be calling. But I can't wait to hear you guys soon. I’m happy and I’m enjoying the Spanish people. They are fun people. I danced with some Peruvian guy the other day and I got it on my camera so you will see that soon. My comp was laughing his head off at me. Tons of things have happened that have been hilarious. Also our flat is huge. Its 2 stories and tons of space, more than my last 2 flats and my MTC room combined!  Well sorry this is short but because today is a public holiday the library was closed so we had to use some old computers in the mall so we don't have much time. Well, I love you guys and I’ll write heaps next week. Take care and have a good week.

-Elder Monson

David finally got around in sending us some of his pictures from when he left the MTC in December to his 2nd area in Summerhill. 

David and Samuel Smith

On the bus, heading to the airport to fly to Australia



David's 1st area - Freshwater



David's 1st area - Freshwater

Check out the name of the store - where missionaries like to shop

Always was partial to milk and cookies

Just like the way we use to shop at Stop and Shop

David and his companion, Elder Stoddard, at the bus stop

Some of the native birds that perch on the apartment's railing

David sent 27 pictures of these birds.  Ok, we get it, they are colorful!

These lizards are everywhere

David looking pensive as usual

Yeah, its green in Australia

I am sure David sent this picture to scare his parents.  Let's just hope it isn't poisonous!

Who is he kidding, like he is from the hood.

They caught this critter in the church, took 4 of them to finally trap it.

Eating on a prep day

David and his companion with one of his teaching contacts

Elder Monson and Elder Stoddard

Perhaps having too good of a time.

David's 2nd area, he was in a four-some, his companion, Elder Miller, is the one with his arm around David's neck.

When they aren't wearing their white shirts, they are just a bunch of goofy kids.

David always wants to be the tallest in the pictures.

Ninja Elders!

Pictures From the MTC

David's district and showing where they are all going

The 3 Spanish-speaking Elders headed to Australia

David and his companion, Elder DeCamp, with two missionaries headed to South America

A new form of the "Sword of the Spirit"

David with his companion, Elder DeCamp

David's district at the Provo Temple

David wanted to take with him something that would link him to his sister, who went to Italy/Malta and his brother, who went to Chile.  Jon wore ties that he got when we went to pick up Rachael from her mission in Malta.  David loved the "Malta ties" so he took his, Jon's and Todd's (David's brother-in-law who also went to Italy/Malta) ties with him on his mission.  The Elders in his district all liked the Malta ties so they all wore them to the temple on their prep day.  Here they are showing off the power of the Malta ties!

David's district outside enjoying the sun when it came out.

David's desk where he studies Spanish and the gospel.  He is following his brother's advice of laminating and putting up inspiring pictures to keep him in the right frame of mind.

Email on 28 October 2010

28 October 2010 #3

Hey y'all!  How’s it all going?  Life is going great right now.  I have been happy since the day I got here.  Not that I don't like being with you guys but I am having a wonderful time.  I guess though I am a horrible typer or that I don't make my sentences clear enough because I am typing faster than Mavis Beacon herself.  But you all wrote to me about things I never really meant to say.  One of them is the crying.  You all wrote to me about how it’s okay to cry.  I guess you guys didn't understand my sarcasm or joke but I was joking when I said it’s not manly to cry.  I cry all the time.  You all know that.  I was joking about the sisters too.  It doesn't bother me.  Actually on Tuesday we had Elder Richard G. Scott come and give a talk.  (We had two apostles in a row which never happens) and we all bore testimony afterwards and there was not a single dry eye in each and every one of us in our district.  Elder Scott gave a great talk about the Spirit but I have no time to tell you about it, but I know how much Mom wants to hear it.  Well this week I am more prepared.  I marked everyone's letters to I can answer their questions by mail.  (This week will be a better letter, I promise) also through the week when I thought of saying something to you guys I wrote it down on a card.  So I will be going through that right now.

When I was in line at lunch I started to talk with this Elder behind me named Elder Kent.  I asked him where he was going and he said Chicago Spanish speaking.  Then he asked me where I was going and I said Sydney Spanish speaking, and of course he said that’s where he wanted to go.  (By the way I have gotten that like 30 times now, I guess I got the best mission call ever because that is where everyone wants to go.)  So I asked him where he is from and he said Huntington Beach, CA.  And I was like, “Do you know any Monsons there?”  And he said, “I do.”  I then asked, “Do you know a President Monson there by any chance?”  And he said, “Yeah I do.”  And I said, “Is he a lawyer and his first name Kevin?”  And he said, “Yeah, how do know this?”  (At this point I just should have pointed at my name tag and ask him to take a guess.)  I said, “That’s my Uncle.  And he said, “No way!”  He said he loves President Monson and that Uncle Kevin is his favorite speaker and just gave a talk before Elder Kent left on a mission.  He says Uncle Kevin is hilarious and one of the best speakers ever.  Umm, like yep, that him all right.  So I thought that was cool.

Well Jon everyone loves my Malta ties.  Every Elder in my district wants one but I said no.  But we are all going to wear them on Sunday and take a picture.

Also Dad and Mom, last week I said I got 5 letters.  I meant I got 5 letters the day before.  So I have actually gotten about 20 or more letters.  Everyone I got.  I’m not going to count because the Dear.Elder.com format is like a scroll and they are all mashed together but I have by far the most of any Elder and have gotten more packages than any other Elder too.  I got your Halloween package too - thanks.  I won't eat most of the candy; I think I will just share.  I have actually lost 5 pounds so far.  So I hope to be the only Elder that goes on their mission losing 15 pounds. 

Umm, I had another George Clooney experience.  A companionship came up to me and said they wanted my picture taken because I look like George Clooney.  So I said why not.  So they took my out of the cafeteria and their whole district took pictures of me and called me Elder Clooney.  I guess they saw me many times before during lunch and their whole district thought I looked like G. C.  Now my district calls me Elder Clooney as a joke now, and now everyone thinks I look like him, especially when I come my hair like his.

I am having a blast.  I laugh nearly everyday and something funny always happens.  I am eating healthy and eating a lot of cottage cheese.  My district makes fun of me because I love it so much.  I tell them it’s a magical food, if I just imagine any dinner or food I want, the cottage cheese taste like that.  They also like to make fun of my New Englandness.  They always say, "Well, we do things differently here in Utah than in Rhode Island," and stuff like that; its pretty funny.  It’s also funny about their stereotypes of Rhode Island.  They think people out east are smart and rich and preppy.  Also they make fun of my accent, and I didn't even realize until now that I have one.  I caught myself when I said, "Why aren't you eating your tots?" but I said "taughts" like a New Englander and they always point that out to me.  So I guess I am a true New Englander.  The Spanish is getting tough, I am struggling a bit and I am also struggling on staying focused in my studies but I am improving.  I had to give a door approach in Spanish, which is hard.  The lady at the door said "I play the piano", in Spanish.  So I wanted to say I play the piano too.  But for some reason I confused tocar (to play) with contar (to sing) so I said, “yo conto piano tambien.”  She looked so puzzled and I was like “what, I sing the piano too,” then I realized I was saying sing instead of play and I just couldn't help myself form laughing.  Wow time flies by fast.  It’s been 2 weeks and it has felt like it’s only been about 5 days.  4 Elders and Sisters will leave next Wednesday to go to the Peru MTC.  I will miss them; I have been having a fun time with them.  They are like my other brothers and sisters.  So our district will be very small in next week.  After that week we will only have 2 districts in our zone, so hopefully more districts come in.  Well I am running out of time, I wish I had more but I will be writing letters to you all and answering your questions that you wrote to me.  I promise they will be better than the last letters I wrote to you all.  Well take care.  I love you all.  I hope everything is going fine where you all are at.  I’m loving it here and having a great time.  I am struggling on teaching and Spanish so if you all could pray for me that would be great.  Love you all and I will talk to you soon.

Love,

Elder David Monson

David's email on 16 October 2010

Hola Familia!

Everything is going great here at the MTC!  I have been having a great time since the day I left the car.  I love it here.  I have an awesome district.  There are three of us who are going to Australia Sydney Spanish speaking.  My companion Elder DeCamp, he is a nice guy.  He has a strong testimony of the gospel and is a great guy.  The other Elder who is going to Sydney is Elder McNiven, who I really like.  He is funny and a great guy who works real hard and has a very strong testimony.  I like him a lot.  He has a companion who is deaf and is going to California.  There are ten of us in our district.  It is a very strong district and I feel the spirit 24/7. There are two more elders who are very funny who are going to Ecuador, along with two other Sisters.  All four of them will go to the Peru MTC in November.  So they are here for only 3 weeks.  Then there are two more Sisters who are going to California and Salt Lake.  We all are Spanish speaking of course.

The first day of the MTC went nothing like everyone told me.  I got my bags, left Mom and Dad and got my stuff.  I then went to class and we stayed in class the whole day.  They didn't teach us how to pray in Spanish and they still haven't; but today I am teaching myself.  At the end of the day we got settled in our resident halls, which is building 17, top floor.  Everyone is very nice and the Spirit is strong here.  I love it here.  It gets a little nerve racking though that I forgot almost all the Spanish I learned in high school but I know the Lord will help my in my Spanish if I try my hardest.  

2 nights ago I got sick.  I guess Rachael finally gave it to me before I left.  I had a bad sore throat and my nose started to bleed while I was sleeping and then my pillow fell of the bed.  And yes, I am on the top bunk!  It was a horrible night but everything is getting better.  I feel better now.

The food is good. I eat well and I am eating fruits and veggies every meal and I like it.  Just to let you know, I ate a tomato!  I am trying to eat the healthiest I can.  There isn't a lot of healthy food here and there is not cottage cheese.  I exercise every day but Sunday and P-day, which is on Friday's just to let you know, today being the exception.  I usually run a mile a day and after I run a mile I play b-ball or 4 square.

The work is hard but its great.  I get discouraged at times about the language but I know if I keep at it I will get it down.  My companion is from Vernal, Utah.  My days are busy of course; if I am not in class I am either studying, or I am eating.  

I like the Elders and Sisters.  We have a fun time and we are doing great.  I am making close friends but it will be a bummer when 4 of them leave in 3 weeks.  I am not feeling homesick.  I know I am doing the right thing and I feel great about it.  Elder McNiven is our DL. Which wasn't a surprise to me.  He is a great guy and for some reason I just knew he would be the DL, we all did.  

Right now I am washing my clothes, which is a new thing for me. I got your packages and letters. Thanks guys, it means a lot to me.  I have received the most letters out of any other Elders.  They are jealous.  But this DearElder.com thing is great.  I receive my mail every night.  I will get email on my prep day but I only have 30 minutes so I suggest you write me through DearElder.com because if you send those before 12 o’clock, I will get it that day, which is nice. And it’s hard to write an email in 30 minutes.

Oh, I saw Hermana Keller just to let Rebecca know.  She only talked to me in Espanol so I could only understand about half of what she was saying to be.  And no joke a guy at lunch stopped me and told me I look like a young George Clooney.  NO JOKE!  I laughed and said I get that all the time.  So I guess its not a Rhode Island thing.  

Well I love it here.  It’s fun but hard.  I am enjoying every second of it.  The hardest part is teaching and finding how to see the needs of the investigator, but it will come to me.  Then Spanish is a bit hard.  I am struggling a bit but I memorized my purpose in Spanish and I have been practicing as much as I can.  I know I have more to say but I can't think of anything. 

Well everything is great. I love you guys. Hope everything goes well for you all.  Don't worry about me, I’m doing fine.  I will email you guys next Friday around the afternoon time I believe I don't have my schedule on me but I believe that is the time.

Oh yeah, just to let you know, I leave the 13th of December, not the 15th.

Love,

Elder Monson