24 August 2009

Thanks for all the emails. I love them. Keep them coming.

Steven, I'm impressed. I can't believe you'll be driving to school without braces. I probably won't recognize your buff self when I get back.

And Dave, good luck in Panama and with your new calling. I probably have no idea how you feel, but it makes me think of yesterday at church. I taught Sunday School about the Sabbath day. I learned I would be teaching when I entered the room, but it turned out well.

Oh, I was thinking the other day, if you ever send another photo I think I would like one of my baptism. I think that would be neat. I got some pictures from Aunt Julie in a letter today. Thanks Julie, I miss eating with you guys.

Oh yeah, I have another story where I felt unqualified this week. We needed to do an intercambio on Friday so Antonio could get a baptism interview. I was sent to a city called Trinidad and my companion was Elder Wally. One week out of the MTC. We flew to Argentina together. Needless to say, we're not the strongest speakers there are. But wow, the day went perfectly. We were lost for a bit, but used our map and we learned a lot. I was able to share some of the tricks I've learned with Elder Wally.

We also went to Paso de los Torros for a baptismal interview for the sisters and I met Sister Wirthlin's friend, but I'm sure she told you that before I did. Oh, and I was wearing my glasses because we were traveling. I sleep well on the buses and don't wear the contacts. On regular days I wear contacts and they work well.

So the trial of the week was we didn't have power from Monday until Friday. There was a miscommunication with the offices in paying the bill. No micro wave, no fridge, no hot water and no lights. We managed. Our neighbors are a member missionary couple. They wired us a light and we showered at their house, but it got worse before it got better. Then I got sick with a cold because it rained all day Wednesday, but thanks to my Nyquil I survived and I'm feeling better. We got our lights back and we had a baptism. I'm happy again. Antionio is 18 and his story is cool. He's one of those people who stopped smoking in one day. Then 2 days before the baptism he was having doubts, but we resolved that through the help of the Spirit and he's doing well.

So Brad met the sister of my companion this week. That's awesome. (And to Brad, yeah, my comp dies [goes home] this change [transfer]. So I don't know if you'll meet him. You'll be leaving when he gets there.)
Good luck with school Steven and Michelle and Mom. I recognized a lot of the teachers you'll have. I set a really high standard for you guys to follow ... yeah right.

Thanks for your prayers. Thanks for everything. I hope this letter was a little more interesting than last week. Love ya lots.

Elder Jeffrey Bryan Whitaker

17 August 2009

Thanks for all the emails. This reply will have more errors than usual because the “y” key doesn't work well, so I'm boycotting it. [But Mom is fixing all the errors.]

This week went well. I'm still in Sarandi del Yi with Elder Calarco. We had a baptism on Saturday. Romina is 8. Her grandma is a member, but her mom isn't. We're working with her mom a bit.

So I gave my talk yesterday. It went well. I was a bit nervous because the topic was members and missionary work, but it went well. I found a quote from President Hinckley that when you save one little girl you save generations. I then told then about all the missionaries we've had in our family as a result of our first ancestors that joined the church. I counted 13 missionaries, but I know I was missing some. You can never know the effects of missionary work. We are all members as a result of some missionary we've never met. That's something to think about.

Well, sorry, I don't really have anything entertaining, or a good story to tell this week. I'll try to do better next week.

Oh, and Dave, congratulations. I'll be looking for that gold trim next time. That sounds awesome.

Oh, yeah. When people ask how I'm doing you have permission to say I'm doing well. I remember people would always ask about Brad and my thought would be, “How should I know? I haven't seen him in 2 Years.”

But okay, we gotta run. We're in Montevideo for a dentist visit and our bus leaves soon.

Thanks for everything. The church is true. I love the people and I love that everyone loves the missionaries.

Me

12 August 2009

Hey everybody, thanks for the emails. And just so you all know, I haven't figured out how to receive or send pictures. Maybe one day I'll figure it out and be able to see them. I have some good photos on my camera, maybe one day you'll be able to see them.

I'm glad the missionaries are exciting the ward about the work. I'm speaking in sacrament meeting next week about missionary work. I'm excited for this.
The temple last week was awesome. I loved it. I thought they would give me headphones but they never came, oh well. We went to the distribution center. I bought their last little hymn book for Laura; she'll be baptized this transfer. We also bought a picture New Testament for Jose's family. I baptized Jose; his dad needs to get divorced and married still. We'll have another baptism this week. Romina is 8 and her grandma is a member; her mom has some things she needs to work on still.

Transfers are today, but Elder Calarco and I are staying. I'm happy for this. At zone conference President da Silva said the new mission goal is a baptism every week. That's what were working for. I really don't know how many lessons we teach a week. Yesterday we had like 8, including converts, less actives, and new members.

It's interesting to me the little things that the Lord blesses us with, the things that don't really matter. For example Elder Calarco got a new suit because his old one was getting too small. I offered to buy it from him and it fits very well. Impeccable. I always wanted a pin striped suit and now I have one. Another thing is we now have bikes. They were donated to us by the Bonefon family. There are so many little things that always fortify my testimony on the mission.

Oh, yeah. Michelle I'm happy for your purple shirt. I bought 1 purple tie this week. It made me think of Aunt Holly. I love my purple ties.
So my group from the MTC arrived today. Wow. I'm so glad I took Spanish all those years.

Well, thanks for everything. Thanks for the prayers. Thanks for the gospel.

Elder Whitaker

3 August 2009

Hey everybody. Thanks for all the emails.

Unfortunately, we don't have much time this week and I don't have time to read any of them. Tomorrow were traveling to Montevideo as a zone to go to the temple. I'm really excited about that.

But the work is progressing. This week we'll baptize Jose de Brum. He's 8 years old. He comes from a humble family. I love visiting them. This Wed we're going to have family night with them. I'm excited.

I finally saw fruits of the ministering angels I've been promised for years. A mad drunk uncle threw what was basically an iron pencil at me the other day and missed. So good.

I'm keeping busy in the work and I don't miss you at all. I'm happy. I see blessings in my life every day.

But I gotta go because we have a discussion in 13 minutes. Love you all. Stay beautiful Michelle.

jef

27 July 2009

Hey everybody. Thanks for the emails. It's nice to have several people writing me.

To answer mom's questions about the health and flus, I'm feeling healthier than I've ever felt in my life. Apparently the water here is okay to drink, because I've been drinking out of the tap water since I got here. I'm trying to eat fruit every morning. All is well. Speaking of food and all, I found the 14th article of faith today in my studies. I found it in Jesus the Christ. I quote, "We believe in enjoying good food." I think I can say I've lived that one all my life. Thanks Mom.

This past saturday was a big day. I got to baptize Cristina. I was very nervous. And the water was COLD. I almost died, and it was worse for Cristina because the font wasn't very full and I had to do it 3 times. Oh well.

We also gave some blessings of healing and helped give the sacrament to a family with sick people. The spirit was very strong watching a newly baptized dad and son give the sacrament to their mom and sister. It reminded me of the times in my life when we did the same thing while camping or during hurricanes.

I had my first interview with President da Silva last week. He was visiting every apartment with his wife. I hope we would pass one of Brad's checks; we cleaned for 3 hours. But I love President da Silva. He's the type of person who always whispers. He told me to thank Mom for raising me the way she did. Thanks.

Before I left a lot of people gave me advice. I don't remember what everyone's advice was. But I remember Sister Tolman's advice. Whenever it's cold and windy I always think of the song "Master the Tempest is Raging." Could you tell here I've done that and I'll continue doing so. It gets pretty cold over here. I even had my first rainy day, and the good news is my rain coat is impeccable' it works great.

So, I'm running out of money from the church account, so there might be activity on my personal debit card this week, just a heads up. Thanks.

Michelle, stay beautiful. Steven....yeah. Wegan, write when you find time, Kyle, love your freaking guts. Davage, stay beautiful, Brad, you owe me pizza, and Steven, keep working out.

Yeah, I´m enjoying myself. The Spanish is coming along. I´m learing a lot. I learned how to appostraphicate words.

Oh yeah, we get to go to the temple on the 4th as a zone. I'm excited about that. Sorry for the long letters. I hope it´s entertaining and not a chore to read them.

jephi

20 July 2009

Family,

It’s so good to hear from you all. Thanks so much. That’s interesting that Dad gave a talk on holy temples and holy homes. This morning I think I read that conference talk – Sunday PM session by someone that isn’t a member of the 12 or First Presidency. I wanted to read it because today we’re going to clean the house really good because President da Silva and his wife want to visit all the houses. They will come tomorrow. I read it in Spanish in an effort to increase my language abilities. It helps a lot. I really started enjoying my personal study time. I learn more than I ever did back home. I wish it hadn’t been that way. I finished Our Heritage and there is some stuff in it that I love. I wish I had it in Spanish so I could share it with the members. I also love reading My Missionary Commission by Bruce R. McConkie. So good. I want that in Spanish too. I also learned that one of the prophets (don’t remember who) became fluent in Hawaiian in 3 months. That’s what I hope to accomplish. It’s possible and I have 2 months left.

Zone conference was awesome. I learned so much. I re-learned the 3 reasons for obedience: fear of punishment, desire for reward, and love of God. The first week in the mission the president asked every one why they were serving a mission. I was serving because I wanted blessings in my life, but I’m working on changing that. I’m here because I love my Savior. I can feel the power in this change.

So I’ve got a story from last Pday. I was going to cut my hair. I rigged up the mirrors, got the clippers and the converter, and started. In America the clippers make a nice buzz. With the converter there was barely any sound. This wouldn’t cut my hair. Foolishly, I removed the power converter and tried it. It sounded better, like home. I started and got my right sideburn and around my ear. Pow and smoke! Oh, tomatoe! I put on my beanie and went to the barber, explaining what happened and that I’m really not a stupid American. So good – the first time I ever went to a barber. Good stuff. During the whole ordeal I thought, “venga lo que venga, disfrutalo. (Elder Wirthlin’s Come what may and enjoy [love] it.) It makes for a good story.

And lastly, this is for Brad. When you’re about to leave, any thing that was way nice during the mission that you won’t need when you’re not a missionary, you can send to me. If there is any thing, I don’t know. It was just a thought. And mom, send a sweat shirt if you want to. I’ll live either way. But if you do send something, I made a list of things that would be nice to have that I don’t have – nothing urgent, just if you send something – cherry chapstick, a black sharpie, a big GermX, a tougher brush for getting dirt off shoes that won’t scratch the shoe, a lint roller, and a shoe horn. That’s right, I would like one of Dad’s million shoe horns. Never thought we’d see the day.

Well, love you guys. Thanks for the prayers. Oh, and if all goes right, we should have 4 baptisms in 4 Saturdays. The new mission goal is a baptism a week. That’s what we’re praying for.

Elder J. Whitaker

13 July 2009

Thanks for all the emails. I didn’t think I was going to be getting any because of the vacation, but thanks.

Mom, I was reading the scriptures last week and found one that I would like to be on my plaque. Alma 29:9, where it says this is my glory. I really like it and I found it last week right after you asked what the scripture was.

I like Brad’s advice on washing clothes. I’ll try that. And I liked how he doesn’t think he changed much, because in one month I see plenty of changes I never saw coming. I’ll explain. Every morning I eat a huge bowl of oatmeal. I hate oatmeal!!!! But I load it with sugar and a banana and dulce de leche and it tastes good. In one month I’ve doubled my life-long oatmeal consumption.

The other change is my hair is super long. I can part it Dad!!!! I look like an idiot. The problem with cutting it is we don’t really have mirrors to use. I brought my own little mirror and doubled the apartments mirrorocity. The van has more mirrors than we do. But I’m going to try cutting it later today because we have zone conference tomorrow. I’ll try to take a picture of the part before I chop it all off.

Oh yeah, I don’t have a picture of my family. It doesn’t bother me at all; that’s why I didn’t bring one. But to all the people here it’s an abomination and they can’t believe it. So, if you send one, the people here will be happy.

So we walk everywhere we go, but this week some members lent us bikes for 3 days. And I was like yay, I hate walking. But now I hate biking. My legs get tired and my rear hurts. But I guess after a week of walking again I’ll hate walking. But it’s okay. Everything is all good.

Send hellos to all the people at home, tell Steven he’s a booger, I like Michelle, and I love everyone in the family. Whatever.

We’re teaching a lot of people and we have the spirit with us. It’s truly amazing to be on the Lord’s errand.

Until next time, keep doing what you do, and I will too.

Elder J Whitaker