Its been 1 month.. I say we fast forward a little:)

Hello Everybody,

It's been another week already. It doesn't feel like that at all. But time just seems to fly. So first off thanks for all of the t-shirts and stuff. Those were exactly what I needed. So how is everybody doing? I am doing well. I mean you feel every emotion every day, but all in all, I feel like I am doing well. But all of the letters and support help me feel better most of the time so thank you for that. Mom if you have all of the account info. then by all means go for it. That saves me a lot of trouble. So I really don't have all that much to talk about because everything feels the same. There isn't a change in my day. I get up and do the same schedule everyday.

So I have gotten two letters from brother Moss now. And I really don't know how to answer them because they are in spanish and I just don't know how to answer them. So can you tell him I said thanks for the letters or something? I don't really know what to do? Also I got a letter from Bishop Egan. That was cool to hear from him. He is a cool guy.

So I am still confused on Cory's address? Also how do I send stuff internationally? I don't really know how that goes, so I can't send anything to them.

So of people I have gotten letters from, I have sent written ones out already. And if I get more tonight I will write to those as well. So there isn't a ton to say. Anyway the Packard girls are getting Baptized? That is really cool. You will have to tell them all that I said hi, and I'm sorry I couldn't be there for that. But as you can see I'm a little detained. You'll have to tell me how they are doing after you see them.

So I have seen both Harrison and Jonsen so far. I think they are the only two in here that are from the Kamas area. I have talked to them a few times and they seem to be doing very well. I think Harrison will be out before me because he is going to DC. And I might beat Jonsen because I think he is going to Taiwan or something close to there. It is good to see familiar faces for sure. Especially here haha.

Rach thanks for all of those pictures and whoever else helped. They were perfect. My two favorites are that growly gee-bear and little gack with food all over his face. They both have already made it up on my wall. Thanks for the captions on them too. They were great.

I need more questions or something because I just don't have all that much to write about. So are you guys going to send me an Address book or should I just get one here? So my journal thing has a bunch of pages that aren't useful right now, and not all that many to write on. So maybe some refills for that or something would be nice. I told rach, but they don't have sharpie pens here, and those are the ones that seem to last the longest for me. So if possible some of those would be nice.

So spanish is spanish, I mean I am understanding most of it, but I can't worry about it. Because I am going to learn all of what I can, and if the lord wants me to know how to say things to the investigators then I will be able to. And if not then I guess I don't need to say it. That is kind of how I have been looking at it because it is hard to try and learn a new language. Thankfully I have one of the easier ones to learn. I am thankful for that.

Mom thanks for the update on cheevey. I still haven't heard from him, but I am guessing he is a little busy and worried about the stuff going on with that. So when you see him tell him I said hi and that he should write me. Also I want to here from the Gack Daniel Mimmmmmons as well. Have him draw me somthing or write me something. I miss that little punk. Ok not such the little part haha.

How are those big lellows? Are they still terrorizing the neighborhood? I need some good puppy stories once in a while.

Hmm...So I know I wrote in most of your letters, but there is supposed to be an Apostle tonight talking to us. Because they come once a month, and they haven't had one since June because I guess they get the month of July off or something is what I heard. So hopefully, but we'll see.

Portions removed per fridee's request.. sorry for the unfinished letter but if you are reading this he would love to hear from you!!  Any encouragement I'm sure would be appreciated:)

I love you all,

Elder Wheeler

It sounds like he wants our letters before Tuesday..ha!

Hey Everybody,

So how is everybody? I am doing great. We have the temple to go to in a few minutes. So I figured I would let you guys know how I am doing. The time is flying, I can't believe it has already been a month, but at the same time it feels like I have been here my whole life haha. It is a very weird concept. So if possible, it would be better if I could get letters monday, so then I can have time to answer them all. Because when I get them on tuesday, I don't have a lot of time to answer, because all of the mail seems to come after p-day is over. So just if possible that would be awesome. But if not I understand you are all busy. How are those little fury lellows? I haven't heard any good stories this week about them. What are you all doing for fun? It is still summer for you guys, and I am not hearing about any adventures...Dad I was just realizing we didn't get to go on any hikes or camping trips before I left. I guess we know what we are going to do when I get back right?

Ok so I have a few stories, today we had a meeting with the Argentine consulate. He flew here to sign our stuff instead of making the church fly us all out there. So that was very nice. But he was talking about Argentina for a little bit and was telling everyone else how hot there missions were going to be. And then he said all of the missions I didn't mention yet, well you guys are all going to freeze. And the whole time I was cheering in my head. Because I would much rather be cold than hot. I mean I was raised to liked the cold I guess. But he was just telling everyone that a good sallary for an Argentine, is around 10-12,000 dollars a year. So most of the people are going to be poor. Also he was saying that you will have your personal space invaded a lot. Most of the time because that is just the culture, but other times because people are trying to mug you, so just to be aware. So that was good to hear about.

Another story, so this week we had somebody substitute our class, and he was our investigator for the day. So when we were teaching, my companion for some reason that it would be a great idea to start by teaching him the great apostasy. But right after he said there was an apostasy, he didn't have anything to back it up with. So I was like well we are in this now. I was trying to recover, and get the lesson on a different track, but he just kept saying the same thing over and over again and not backing it up. So needless to say, that lesson was a bust. But that is why we are in the MTC right. Ya I laughed about it for like twenty minutes afterwards, because that is all I could do. So that was a fun experience.

Mom I don't know in what method to get you my info for the bank, because I don't feel like e-mail would be safe. Is there any way you can get my account number, because I think my pin number is saved in my phone or something under the number for america first. Just check and if not, tell me how to get it to you...Just let me know.

 

So I just got back from the temple, and got letters from mom and ben. So I figured I should add to this before sending it off. Mom that was a cool story. I am not worried at all. Because we did initiatories today, and just hearing that blessing again, is amazing, because if I am doing what I am supposed to I will be protected. But I really did like the story. Because I remember you always telling me that when Ben was gone, that boompie? don't know how to spell it, but you always said that he was with him. But I remember being jealous, because I didn't get to be with him. I know that grandma nammie is with me for sure. Because she was always there to make everyone happy. So when I am happy for no reason, I just feel like that could be the reason. I don't know, but thanks for the story I really enjoyed it.

The pants worked great, they seem to be holding up a lot better, thanks for those. So I have gotten three packages so far, I hope that is all you have sent, and I didn't not get one. Also I have heard from a lot of people that it takes forever to send stuff to Argentina, like three months, or something like that. So just be aware. I am sure you know all of the tricks about sending stuff, but everyone says to put pictures of mary or Jesus in a place where they would have to rip it to open the package. Because they claim people won't do that down there. So just what I have heard. Also I haven't heard anything more about the bed nets, so I think you will have to fill me in on everything like that.

I don't really have a lot to say, because once we have gotten into the groove of things it is the same old thing everyday. So if you want more ask me questions, because I don't have very many exciting stories.

I love you all and thanks for the letters and support. I know I have been given the best family ever. So keep it all coming.

Con Amor,

Elder Wheeler

 

P.S. I don't know if I said this earlier, but if I get your letters before tuesday, when I am doing laundry I have plenty of time to answer, but I only had one letter to answer to this morning so if you don't want a really short letter I need it before p-day. Other than that I love hearing from you and will send some out soon.

P.S.S. Again, tell steve to let me know how he is doing. Or just let me know how he is. I would love to hear from him though. And I am just thinking about him and wondering how he is? let me know thanks.

..days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days..

Hey Everybody,

So it has already been another week, crazy huh? I don't think I ever realized what it meant when everyone was saying the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days until I have been here. Because other than that there isn't a way to describe it. But it has been awesome and I am loving it. I love all of the prayers and support you all give me, keep sending them please. You are all also in my prayers. So thanks for all the treats they were awesome. You don't know how much those raisen cookies mean. They just taste like home mom. Thanks so much. I still have one left, because I am trying to saver them. So thank you for that I loved them.

Lets see, oh ya my face wash has been jacked. So I don't know where it went, other than somebody took it when I was in the bathroom. So I could use some of that, also I want some more shirts if possible...Because I have gym everyday, and not enough shirts to last that aren't all sweaty. So maybe some of my jazz ones or something would be cool. If not, it's not a big deal. If you do send a package though, some hi-chews would be awesome, just little things I can take to class. But whatever is fine. Also if possible, I want an address book with all of your address's in it. Because I can only send stuff home, because I don't have anybody elses address's. So I need Cory, Josh, Cade, and Steve's address's for sure, because I need to send them all letters. But I don't know if you could do that. Maybe on facebook or something? Just get on mine and ask steve for cory and joshes, and ask cache for cade's if you can. That is probably a job for Rach. Unless someone else wants to do it. And anybody else that wants a letter from me, I need their address first or a letter with it. Because I've got nothing here. I found Nate on Day two of being here. He seems to be ok, but I could tell he was a little shocked getting thrown into everything. It's weird to think I have already been gone three weeks, my how time flies when you are doing the lords work. We get to teach our teachers as investigators. I think I told you that, but it is fun, because they act as different people and we have to figure out how to teach them. So on monday, we taught our teacher who is playing Antonio which is an investigator he had on his mission. I know it isn't like the real thing but it is still good practice. We taught him, and I could feel the spirit, becuase every question he asked I never had to think of what I needed to say, it just came to me. And I could say most of it in Spanish. So to feel the spirit that strong is just so awesome. Also our other investigator said he missed his family, and stuff like that. And I had an idea pop into my head which wasn't mine, that I should share about my family. So we ran back to the room and I grabbed one of the pictures. The only recent one that I could find with all of us in it was ganz and rach's graduation. haha. But it worked all the same. Because I was able to talk about all of you and how it is such a good feeling to know that we are an eternal family. I love it so much. Because whenever I feel homesick or something, if I think about it in that perspective, two years is nothing. 

Alright mom had some questions so here are some answers. So my district has twelve people in it right now. 8 of us are going to mendoza, and two elders are going to the DR, and two sisters are going to Puerto Rico. So there are two other sisters going with us to Mendoza, and then it is my companion, me, Elder Maughn who is in my room, his comp who is Elder Rogers, a weird cookie I might add. Then Elder Tingy and Elder Myers, as well. We have a lot of fun together. I mean I know I can't not like people, but I am ok with the two elders leaving this week to go to the Dominican Republic. The other two sisters are headed with them to another MTC. But the 8 of us that are going to Mendoza are here for the long haul. But we are gaining one more elder from another district, because he broke his foot, and can't leave yet. So he will be in a trio with the two elders that are in the other room. There is a guy who said he just got back from Mendoza, who is training to be a teacher here. So I will have to see if he knows anything about the bednets. Also no colored pencils that I know of. Anything that I have would be on the floor in my room. And just to add, Rach coloring? How old are we? jk.

How are the pups doing? Those two need to be trained in the back yard or something before they get to go out into the world and see other dogs. Because mr. cow is way to protective of his people. I can't believe he got daisy butt -- from Ben. Him is the favorite. Anyway, I want more recent pics if possible, like maybe some from hawaii or ganz's wedding or something? Just any pics you find along the way that you think I might want would be awesome.

The temple trip is at like three in the afternoon, so no breakfast mom. Also I don't know what kind of money I have on my card, so I don't know when I can use it. What should I do about that? So I haven't eaten at the temple yet because it costs money, and I don't know what I have. I have used about half of the cash that I brought on laundry detergent and those kind of things, so I don't know. Just let me know what you can find out. Would you tell parker's parents that I said hi, and to pass one along to him as well. I need his address too, if you do a book. Tell Nate's family I am keeping an eye out for him, and he seems to be doing well. He is the only American in his room. His companion is from England, and the other too are from finland or something else like that I am not sure. I think it was European. But he looks good.

So I have found that writing letters is better for me. Because I can have more time to do it, so I don't think I will put any little personal ones in the email because there is no time for that. haha. Oh I almost forgot, Dad sorry about last week, when I retyped that email I must have forgotten to put yours on there. I thought I did but I was in a rush so sorry about that, I didn't forget about you. So if I get a letter from any of you, I think I will answer it by mail because I like that better. So that is why I would like people's address's. I will send them all to the mutt this week because that's all I got. Is that one. So I hope you got the thank you cards out to everyone, and the letters I have put in there. Oh also I need luke and seans address's too. Just get me all of them that you can think of. I love you all and thank you for the support, you may not think that those small letters help, but they make the days so much better. So keep them coming. And if anybody wants to write, I would love to here from my friends!!! Any way, Dios ama Ustedes y la Evangelio es verdadero.

 

Con Amor,

Elder Wheeler.

 

P.S. A little testimony in some spanish if I can spell the words right. So don't judge if they are wrong.

Yo se que la iglesia es verdadero. Yo se que Jesucristo es nosotros Salvador y que el Expiacio por nosotros pecados. Yo se que Jose Smith es un profeta de dios. Yo se que el Sacerdocio es la autoridad desde dios. Yo Amo Ustedes. Ustedes son en mi oraciones. En el nombre de Jesucristo Amen. 

"Hole in my pants... i just love that stuff!"

Hey fam,

So I just wrote a whole letter to everyone and it deleted everything. So here is the second attempt and I hope it works. I love you all so much. Your prayers and support mean so much to me and I thank you all for them.
Story time. So the other day when we were walking to the temple, one of the elders behind me said I had a hole in my pants.Yep I sure did, and the garments show through a hole very well when the suit is dark blue. I got to walk around all day with a hole in my pants, it was so fun. Because I just love that stuff. I know most people didn't notice, but I did and it was hard not to pay attention to it. So mom the suit you fixed, came undone or something like that I am not sure. I am sending those pants home, along with all of my thank you cards, and the ctr ring. So if you can fix it let me know because I am keeping the jacket here. So I will use the pants if you send them back but no big deal if not. So just keep your eyes out for that package, it will be going out soon.
But time is seeming to fly, I don't feel like I have been here for two weeks already. So It is surely going by quick. Although the days seem like ages. I am falling asleep through class because I am concentrating so hard to learn the info. So it is hard to stay awake. I have to just step back from it sometimes, because the constant learning is hard to stay focused all of the time and feel like I am getting somewhere with it. So I am sticking with it, and I hope it pays off in the field.

We got a new teacher that has been back from his mission for two months. He also became one of the investigators we have to teach. So now it isn't a secret of who we are teaching. Because it is both of our teachers now. We got the other guy to the point of baptism, and then they didn't have us teach him anymore. So it is just a lot of work, to stay up with everything, and stay awake.

Thank you all for the letters, they help me to get through the day, and I love to hear from you all.

Mom you didn't tell me about T-bird. How is she? What was the verdict?

Dad the Jamboree was in 2005 i believe. Can't you just take your torch down there and burn them? just a thought don't know if it would work.

So my spelling has taken a serious hit because of the spanish. I don't really know how to explain it, but just know if something doesn't look right that is why. Because transitioning back and forth between the two languages, makes it hard. And trying to learn a language is hard work for sure. But I am retaining some of the language.

But for the things I need, I could use my reef flip flops. Any treats you want to send would be nice, because who doesn't like treats right?

I got laundry detergent and I don't know if I said that already because I don't know which letter I am remembering so if there is a duplicate of something in this page that is why. I bought some here so no need to send it but thank you.

I can get pictures in the email, but I only have a short amount of time, so if you send them to me in a letter that would be cooler. If not anything works.

Rach,

I have a friend here that gets to go to the jazz games and sit on the floor. He said he is friends with ronnie brewer. Becuase he lived right next door to him when he was here. He was telling me a story about how he asked him for a ride home and ronnie said it was cool. So as he was getting into the car a bunch of security guards pulled him out and took him away. He said he looked back and ronnie was just laughing the whole time. So that was really cool. It is a dang good thing that you are taking care of my pups. Let gee sleep where he wants, he is in charge. But thank you for the letter, and the package you guys sent. It was awesome. All the pictures were exactly what I needed. Thank you so much. I would love anymore that you can send too. Also ask Jama if he has a brother or relation here. Because there is an elder Featherstone here in my zone. And I think that was jama's last name. So just let me know. Also will you check my emails and just send them on to me if there are friends that sent them. 

Ben,

I would agree paddle boarding would not be as fun without the warm water or the waves. Because Hawaii was the reason it was so fun. I don't know how I would like it here, but who knows it could be the same. I did get both of your letters, so thank you. The advice was awesome and I will be for sure to use it. So thank you. I didn't however find those chocolate bars you were talking about. But I will keep an eye out for them. Thanks again for all the stuff you got me for this. I wouldn't have been able to get it all done without you. You are the best brother ever. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I just want you to know that you are a good example and a big reason that I am serving my mission right now. So thank you for everything. Also mom got me a bottle so I don't need one but thank you anyway.

Ganz,

There is no need to wait for something exciting to happen to write me. I love to hear from you and hear all about the little things those are what are good. So just write me whenever you can and tell me what you did that was fun. That sounds exciting about your house. I hope everything is ok. And I can't believe you didn't tell matter about the little pazzer shrinking people while they sleep. But now that I think about it just having a little pup to sleep by would be awesome. :). I want to see your bike it sounds like it is really fun to go riding.Thanks for the letter and just write me when you can. It was great to hear from you. So I have a quick story for you, my comp. is just like you as a four year old. But it is with a tie instead of shoes. We were in a rush to make it to the session today, and he took like four years to tie his tie. And I was laughing the whole time, because I was thinking of you getting yelled at to let someone else tie your shoes so you could make it to the bus. So that was fun!

Em,

Thank you so much for the letter. It was awesome. I realized how much letters help. And I feel terrible that I did not write to you because I know how much it means for me. So I am sorry I didn't write to you more. But I did love hearing from you and those scriptures were awesome. I won't be able to write again before your birthday. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope it is a good one for you, you deserve it. Is monterdiverdicus still claud-hopping? Is it something he will grow out of or will it always be there? I love you so much and thank you for your example of serving a mission, I do look up to you and you were another big reason I am here right now. So thank you and I love you. Happy Birthday! again.

I love you all and I hope you are all doing well. I went to the temple today, so I am feeling great right now. I just have one more question for mom, what should I do with my drivers license papers? Because I feel like they have important info on them. So just let me know. I love you all and you are all such great examples to me. I can't say in words how much you all mean to me. Thank you again and I hope to hear from you soon. I hope I covered everything because one of these big things already got deleted. So I hope to hear from you all soon.

I love you all,

Elder Wheeler

Things are looking up :) #2

Hey Fam,

I got all of your letters and they are wonderful. They help so much, and I am really grateful to be able to call you guys my family. Rach I am glad you are ok, but I definitely would have laughed at you for falling down the stairs. So I know I need a good laundry bag, because the one I have is garbage. It is already falling apart, so that is one thing I do need. I also would like a water bottle because I always seem to be thirsty. I was going to have you send my red one, but the only problem is that it leaks when it is on it's side. So if you can a different one that doesn't leak would be nice. I am doing well. The first day was rough, because they are doing a new program, where they only talk to us in spanish. So the first day, the teachers did not speak any english. That was hard for sure. We are supposed to speak in as much spanish as we can, but it is difficult, because I don't know the sentence structure and the lesson plans they have here don't teach you that until after you have had time to communicate. So I will need the Lord's help on that one for sure. Mom could you send me a list of all of the people I need to write thank you cards for. Because I forgot everyone that I need to write to. Mom dear elder worked I got your letter. I didn't get any letters last week, so I was wondering if you had forgotten about me, just kidding. I have now gotten three letters and an email from mary. So it has definitely lightened my days when I hear from you. I know I shouldn't be thinking about home, and focusing on the work, but the first few days it was difficult to do. But now I don't have a enought time to do anything, because it is class, which is mostly learning the spanish. I was very frustrated in class last night and my teacher could tell. His name is Hermano Paz Soldan. He is very nice and I like him a lot. He took me aside after class and told me that the Lord had already told him, that I had a purpose, and that if I keep working on it, I will have the words that I need when I need them most. Which is very nice to know, but it is just hard to not know anything. My companion is Elder Sheridan, and no mom he is not a tall guy, he is a short one. Picture george from seinfeld as a wrestler and you got him, minus the balding. I will get some pictures taken and send them home when I can. We only get a half hour on p-day which is tuesdays by the way for email, so if you could write me in a letter, or on dear elder that would be very nice, because then I can have them forever, and be able to write the whole time in email. If that is possible it would be great, but anyway I hear from you is fine. Mom I want pictures of the family and dogs, it doesn't matter what ones but some that I can hang up and see in my room. So if you can that would be great. I really enjoy my district. All of the elders are really easy to get along with, and I have a good time. I think the one I get along least with is my companion, which is how I figured it would be. He isn't a bad guy by any means, but the smellyness? is hard to get past, so it is hard to sit by him all the time, because it kind of makes me sick. But I was thinking today, it might just be getting me ready for the people down there, because deoderant and showering isn't that big of deal to them from what I hear. But I am trying my hardest to get along, and just pray that everything will be ok. We stay with the district almost all day so I don't have to be right next to him and stuff, so we get along, but it will be something to get used to for sure. Everyone here is a byu fan, and that is hard to get past, but none of them in my district act like byu fans which is good. I wear my utah stuff all of the time. I saw candace weller the other day and stopped to chat for a minute, she is leaving within the next week I believe. So that was cool to see someone I knew. I also saw Jonsen Crandall the other day and didn't have time to stop and talk, but then today when I was talking about seeing a friend from high school with my district meaning Jonsen, he was walking by. Which is weird. But I stopped him and we talked for a minute. He said he has been looking for me becasue he thought I came in a week earlier than I did, but that is nice to see familiar faces for sure. Any treats you send me would be awesome, becasue I always seem to need something at night. But other than that if you can think of something I might need send it. Thanks for everything and I will talk to you soon.

Love,

Elder Wheeler

P.S. My exit date is projected around september 27th or something like that.

I don't know if I said in my letter, but we are teaching an investigator, which is really just an actor that is another teacher here. But he only speaks spanish to us and we have to teach him in spanish. This started the first day, and is very challenging. Because i don't know any of the words to make sentences to teach him and he acts confused all the time, because I can't teach it in spanish. We aren't supposed to know that he is a teacher, but there are clues as to it. Because he prays in spanish like only a member could. And when we were in our language study there was another teacher in training. He was watching videos about how to teach and one of the elders pointed out to all of us that it was our investigator, wearing a white name tag, teaching the teachers how to teach. So we have to work very hard to teach the correct stuff in spanish. I am praying my guts out, and could use all of your prayers as well. I hope to hear from you all soon and thank you again for everything.