.....Feeling the Gift of Tongues

Hola Familia, 11/24/08
Well, Im probably going to try to make this letter short. But, ill try to get all the major happenings of the week.
First off, my new companion Elder Stirland is pretty cool. He is going to have 1 year this friday in the field so hes pretty excited for that. We will probably have a lil mexican fiesta or something. He will also be my companion for Feliz Navidad and so you might get to say hi to him haha. Ill send you a picture. Its not a very good one, but ill send more in the upcoming weeks, dont worry.
As for my new area, its gorgeous. I think its a lil bit more rural than Apaxco. I took a cool picture looking over my area (well like half of it) and its pretty sweet, hope you like it.
The members are pretty nice and willing to help. Not as cool as the members of the Apaxco rama, but im sure ill just have to get to know them more. Good thing is we get free laundry and free haircuts cause there are 2 members that hook us up.
Lets see, apparently this area is (too hard to baptize) which from the looks of it, its kinda true. However, we are going to work really hard getting referencias from the members and our goal for December is to have 7 baptisms. (Thats more baptisms then the zone leaders have had in this area in the 3 months since ive been here) But we are going to do it, no doubt. We just got to be obedient, pray really hard for guidance and follow the spirit. Its definately do-able.
So, life with 2 gringo americanos here in Mexico is way different then when i had Elder Obregon. We get a lot more cuss words on the street and its actually quite comical. Lets just say Ive learned a lot more mexican swear words this last week. haha.
Well, I think that gift of tongues promise is kicking in pretty good for me. I can teach all the lessons with examples, answering questions and all that good stuff pretty easily now. When members ask us how long we have had in the mission usually we ask how much they think we have. Its kinda funny, usually they think I have more time than my companion and that i have like a year and a half. Its awesome and it makes me feel good knowing my studying every morning has been paying off. (a lot of missionaries slack when it comes to studying spanish cause you can kinda learn everything in the street) I set a goal to study every morning a least a half hour and apparently its paying off. I cant wait for Christmas to talk to Kurt and Johnny and Brad Copple in Spanish (hopefully they will all be there) haha.

Also, shout outs of love to Suzanne and the Essleys! Tell them hi for me.
Oh, and mother, i live above a tienda that sells food and sells xbox games. Its kinda a hangout place where they let highschool kids play xbox. Dont worry i cant play! haha.
Im glad you got to talk a lil bit with Curtis! I gave him that note for ya, i had like 2 seconds to write it, but i thought he would be the fastest mail service! I wish i wouldve known i was going to see him or else i wouldve written you a longer one! Oh and my handwriting is a lot better than that i promise haha

Well, thats about it for this week.
Dont worry mother, im healthy and happy, and just maybe a lil bit sunburnt.
I know this is the work of the Lord. I know that he guides me and helps us as a companionship each day to find the people ready to listen to this great plan of happiness. I know that God lives and loves us and knows us personally. I know if we pray to him, he will answer us. I know that Christ is my Savior and through his atonement, we can return and live together in happiness as a family with God. I am so thankful for the knowledge I have of these truths. In one of your emails dad you mentioned that you hope my testimony grows to be undeniable. I can easily say with all my strength and power that this is the only true Church of Jesus Christ here on the earth. And i could never deny it. In fact, I get pretty fired up when people tell me otherwise. As missionaries we get hundreds of opportunities to talk to people about the truth of the restoration of the gospel, and each day my testimony strengthenes and I know that I am a representative of Jesus Christ.
Well fam, I hope everyone has a great week. Eat lots of turkey for me!
Feliz Dia de las Gracias!
I love you all! Say your prayers, read your scriptures, and be better today than you were the day before.