Hola!
How is everybody doing? It looks like you had a lot of fun at the halloween party. It is weird for it to be halloween already, and not any different then the other days. People know about it here, but it's not a holiday. They know about it because they get all of the tv from america just translated so all of the halloween shows are on right now. Ok it's not all from america, but the majority of it is. But anyway thanks for all of the pics and stuff. It is so fun to be able to see how everyone is doing. I am glad you are having some fun.
Let's see this week flew by. It's good because I still have another transfer with this yahoo. They cut this transfer short and added a week to the next. So this week is transfers for everyone else. But for the trainers and trainees it doesn't matter because the new program makes it so that you are there for two transfers. But I already hit a month in Argentina! Is that crazy or what? That means I have already been gone for more than three months. I can't believe that. I mean in the moment it sometimes feels like I am going to be here forever. But then when I look back it has flown. So that is cool.
We are teaching quite a few people. But then there is just not enough time to do everything. We have appointments all throughout the day and just not enough time do everything. So that is hard, but good because I mean we don't have any time to have to worry about. The members are awesome and always tell us that we can come by whenever we need to. So that is comforting. We had a plan to go see one of the counselors in the bishopric for like fifteen or twenty minutes. And it turned out that they had a whole family night planned and so we ended up being there for a lot longer. But it was good because they gave us like three families to go visit. And so it has all been very productive. We just don't have anytime to go visit the new references that we are getting. So That is good. I mean I would much rather it be like this with too much to do rather than not enough. So that has been awesome.
We had a really cool experience on sunday. Because by saturday night we didn't have anybody committed to come to church. So I mean that sucks because we had been trying all week, but things just weren't working out. And then sunday came and it was the primary program. So there were two guys that had kids in the program, but aren't members. So we had two there. And then we have an investigator that we have invited a ton, but just never seems to have the desire to come. And she had come with her brother in the other ward that meets in our building because his kids were giving talks in their ward. So it is just cool how everything works out for you when you do what your supposed to. It is just amazing to see all of the blessing the lord has in store for you if you just do your part of the work. I mean no one is ever perfect, but when you try it is what matters. So that was very cool.
Tell kyle when you see him I am doing exactly what he said. We don't knock doors at all. Because it is just not helpful when there are so many other things that show more results. Especially here because everyone is catholic and when they have a door to stand behind they don't listen to anything that you have to say. So I am just glad that we don't have to do that right now. Because the time takes forever when you aren't teaching people. So I just am happy and content with how everything is working out. I mean the comp is a little difficult sometimes, but that is what happens when you live with someone twentyfour seven. I just need to stay patient and make sure I learn what I need to from him, so I don't have to repeat it later on in my mission. But ya it is going pretty darn good.
Mom I don't know what recipes, just simple stuff that doesn't take forever to make. I was thinking the other day if you send a package that maybe you could send some of the flavor packets from ramen noodles. Because noodles are cheap and that is something easy that I could make. So maybe some sauce recipes for pasta... or something. Don't know because they don't have a ton of ingredients down here. And if they do it doesn't taste a whole lot like it should. Like for example soy sauce is not soy sauce. It was something else haha. Because I figured I would try some for my noodles. No bad idea. It was not right. Not a flavor I can really describe other than it wasn't soy sauce haha. So I don't know just whatever you think will work or can do would be great.
Also tell me when you send packages so we can figure out about how long it takes to get to me. Because not only does it have to go through the mail service, but then it sits in the mission office until someone goes to mendoza and can pick all of the stuff up. So when you do please tell me when. And yes if you want to send a christmas package early I can wait to open it. Just try to remember those guidelines in my first letter. I don't know if it was just the old man being ornery because he had to go get them or what. But ya put some letters or something in them too when you send them please and or pictures. Like if you get something from gack or some of my friends like that. I don't know if you could but you should see if cade would write me something too. And letters from you guys. Because letters are always nice to have to go back and read. But whatever you can do will be fine.
I am still eating my food from my travel kit. I am trying to make it last as long as possible because there is nothing else like it here. I mean there are things that I have found that I like, but at the same time it's just not the same. The milk sitch sucks. But I found some stuff that they make that is yogurt mixed with milk. I had some strawberry stuff last week that was good with cereal, but ya I miss being able to have milk. Because you can't just go get a glass of it and drink it. Anyway it is a good experience to have. I am just glad that it doesn't last forever. haha
Well that is what I have for this week. I hope all is well at home and you are all having fun. I can't wait to hear about it next week, hopefully it will be a good one for you guys as well. Because I am banking on it being a good one for me haha. Anyway I love you all and thanks for everything.
Love,
Elder Wheeler
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
"drumroll...........We had two baptisms this past weekend!"
Hey fam,
How is everybody? I don't really know, because some dingleberry made me come do email at 11 in the morning here so it is like 8 there. So nobody has had a chance to write yet. But ya so I will just give you the update, and hope that I get another chance later on in the day to hear from you. So still send them if you were planning on writing today.
But guess what???? drumroll............We had two baptisms this past weekend. You might have already seen from the pictures, but ya. It was so fun. The other elder in the picture, is one of the zone leaders that lives with us, and was in our area before us. He taught these two kids as well, and the girl asked him to baptize her. And the kid asked me to baptize him. So that was really cool. I had to make sure I did it all right, because it was in spanish haha. But it was a great experience. The two kids mom is a member, but didn't want them to get baptized until they had a testimony. So They have been being taught by the missionaries for a year and a half now. And just waiting for her to say yes. I am just thankful that we had the opportunity to be here when she decided to say yes and they wanted to be baptized. The kid that I baptized was very nervous and threw up a few times before. That is why he isn't very excited in the pictures haha. But after it was all done he was very excited and was feeling a lot better. So since last week that is the big news. It was so cool! I mean obviously this is hard work, but those are the things that make it worth it.
I got an email from Forrest Lucas who if you don't know got his mission call to mexico. Isn't that cool? He is just a good kid and I am so happy for him. So if you see him, tell him hi for me or something. I am just really excited for him.
This week other than the weekend was pretty uneventful. Because that was our focus all week. So we didn't have a lot of time to do anything else. Oh wait something else. We had a family night with one of the hermanas that gives us lunch every week. Because her husband is not a member. She has been a member for like 20 + years. And has been feeding the missionaries forever. So he has had a lot of missionaries come through his house. He is the nicest guy. And I don't know what is stopping him. He has read the book of mormon already, so we didn't really know what to have him do to get an answer. But after we asked him he straight up said that he has never asked to know if it is true. He knows more about the church than I do I'm sure. Because his wife has been an institute teacher and all that. But he commited to read and pray to know if it is true. So it is just cool to be able to work with the members. Because that is where the success comes from. We can find people on the street, but in all reality, the success comes from the members help. It is just so fun. The time is moving pretty quickly. I can't believe I have been here for so long already, but at the same time it feels like forever haha. But everything is good and I hope that all is well at home as well.
Umm there really isn't a whole lot to tell you because I haven't heard from you guys yet.
Dad How was the Birthday? I hope it was good for you because I had my first baptism here on it.haha. When is the pumpkin carving party? Are you guys having one this year? What new is going on with you guys?
Sorry the letter is short, but hopefully I can come back later and write more when I here from you guys. I love you all and hope all is well.
Love,
Elder Wheeler
Part two:
I got all of your letters and time to read them. Someone had to go to mendoza with the other district leaders and the zone leaders, so I am in a trio for a little bit. Both of the kids I am with are really cool, and it is just nice to have a break. But after they got on the bus, we all had the same experience of having to go in the morning and not having any letters. So that was good.
Rach the little girl in the pic is the sister of the two that got baptized, but a different dad. She is a monster though. From the picture I am sure she looks cute, but it´s kind of like topey, she never stops, and she always yells. haha You gotta love the kids.
Eh it´s not really that people don´t like americans, it´s more that they are all catholic. Because as soon as they find out that your american they have twenty different things to ask you about. But the first thing people say as soon as you walk up is that they are catholic, hoping that you won´t talk to them. But in all reality, this just gives us a good place to start.
And the bed sitch. Well let´s just say they don´t make them for anyone that has any height at all. But Elder Obaldia which is the short kid from panama, he almost looks black, I don´t know if I sent pics of him. But he switched me. So I don´t have to be squished in the bottom of a already too short bunkbed. Not that his bed was any longer, but I don´t have a bed right above me, that you can barely roll over under. So ya my feet hang off the end. It is hard to get a good nights sleep.
And mom don´t worry about the late letters I got to read them all, and it is not a problem. Someone just needs to tell me what is going on before we are already at places. Because all of this could have been avoided if he would just tell me things. Because let´s just say he isn´t the best at planning out the day. But oh well. Thanks for the letters they were awesome and I love you all and hope you have a good week!
How is everybody? I don't really know, because some dingleberry made me come do email at 11 in the morning here so it is like 8 there. So nobody has had a chance to write yet. But ya so I will just give you the update, and hope that I get another chance later on in the day to hear from you. So still send them if you were planning on writing today.
But guess what???? drumroll............We had two baptisms this past weekend. You might have already seen from the pictures, but ya. It was so fun. The other elder in the picture, is one of the zone leaders that lives with us, and was in our area before us. He taught these two kids as well, and the girl asked him to baptize her. And the kid asked me to baptize him. So that was really cool. I had to make sure I did it all right, because it was in spanish haha. But it was a great experience. The two kids mom is a member, but didn't want them to get baptized until they had a testimony. So They have been being taught by the missionaries for a year and a half now. And just waiting for her to say yes. I am just thankful that we had the opportunity to be here when she decided to say yes and they wanted to be baptized. The kid that I baptized was very nervous and threw up a few times before. That is why he isn't very excited in the pictures haha. But after it was all done he was very excited and was feeling a lot better. So since last week that is the big news. It was so cool! I mean obviously this is hard work, but those are the things that make it worth it.
I got an email from Forrest Lucas who if you don't know got his mission call to mexico. Isn't that cool? He is just a good kid and I am so happy for him. So if you see him, tell him hi for me or something. I am just really excited for him.
This week other than the weekend was pretty uneventful. Because that was our focus all week. So we didn't have a lot of time to do anything else. Oh wait something else. We had a family night with one of the hermanas that gives us lunch every week. Because her husband is not a member. She has been a member for like 20 + years. And has been feeding the missionaries forever. So he has had a lot of missionaries come through his house. He is the nicest guy. And I don't know what is stopping him. He has read the book of mormon already, so we didn't really know what to have him do to get an answer. But after we asked him he straight up said that he has never asked to know if it is true. He knows more about the church than I do I'm sure. Because his wife has been an institute teacher and all that. But he commited to read and pray to know if it is true. So it is just cool to be able to work with the members. Because that is where the success comes from. We can find people on the street, but in all reality, the success comes from the members help. It is just so fun. The time is moving pretty quickly. I can't believe I have been here for so long already, but at the same time it feels like forever haha. But everything is good and I hope that all is well at home as well.
Umm there really isn't a whole lot to tell you because I haven't heard from you guys yet.
Dad How was the Birthday? I hope it was good for you because I had my first baptism here on it.haha. When is the pumpkin carving party? Are you guys having one this year? What new is going on with you guys?
Sorry the letter is short, but hopefully I can come back later and write more when I here from you guys. I love you all and hope all is well.
Love,
Elder Wheeler
Part two:
I got all of your letters and time to read them. Someone had to go to mendoza with the other district leaders and the zone leaders, so I am in a trio for a little bit. Both of the kids I am with are really cool, and it is just nice to have a break. But after they got on the bus, we all had the same experience of having to go in the morning and not having any letters. So that was good.
Rach the little girl in the pic is the sister of the two that got baptized, but a different dad. She is a monster though. From the picture I am sure she looks cute, but it´s kind of like topey, she never stops, and she always yells. haha You gotta love the kids.
Eh it´s not really that people don´t like americans, it´s more that they are all catholic. Because as soon as they find out that your american they have twenty different things to ask you about. But the first thing people say as soon as you walk up is that they are catholic, hoping that you won´t talk to them. But in all reality, this just gives us a good place to start.
And the bed sitch. Well let´s just say they don´t make them for anyone that has any height at all. But Elder Obaldia which is the short kid from panama, he almost looks black, I don´t know if I sent pics of him. But he switched me. So I don´t have to be squished in the bottom of a already too short bunkbed. Not that his bed was any longer, but I don´t have a bed right above me, that you can barely roll over under. So ya my feet hang off the end. It is hard to get a good nights sleep.
And mom don´t worry about the late letters I got to read them all, and it is not a problem. Someone just needs to tell me what is going on before we are already at places. Because all of this could have been avoided if he would just tell me things. Because let´s just say he isn´t the best at planning out the day. But oh well. Thanks for the letters they were awesome and I love you all and hope you have a good week!
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Monday, October 17, 2011
I'm not a gringo!
Hey everybody,
How is it going there? Is it getting cold there? Because it is only getting hotter here. I hope all is well at home, it sounds like the lellows are stinks as usual. But I´m glad to hear about them. So utah won? It is about time. Those kids are scaring me haha. No but seriously, they need to win some of these. I finally got a letter from steve. So good work rach.
So the time for the most parts is flying by. I mean there are times when I wish I could just take a nap or something, but those are the times when I know I just need to work harder. It is great though. The food is good. Still nothing special, but it is good. I was a little sick from it the first couple days here, but other than that I haven´t been sick and it has been great.
One of the hermanas that feeds us made like a roast kind of thing that just tasted like mom´s at home. It was sooo good. (sue) But other than that everthing is pretty bland. So that is something that you could send in a package. Spices and also I need some recipes. Like good cookies or pastas, or just simple ones that don´t take a long time. The bread here is really good. And there is a bakery or a kiosk on every corner. Because if someone doesn´t feel like working they open a kiosk out of there house and so you can get small things, and drinks everywhere. So that is quite convenient. Alot of recipes that are fast and easy is what I need. I have time in the night or in the siesta, but don´t every know what to cook. So that would be wonderful.
Yesterday we went on divisions with the zone leaders. And they only speak spanish but they can understand me pretty well. Becuase we practice every night on the spanish. So it is helping a ton. I mean I understand concepts of what people are saying, but they can ask questions in so many different forms, and so many different ways so I have to have whoever is with me simplify the spansih a little and then I can respond haha. But when we were on divisions no one thought that I was a gringo haha. Until I couldn´t talk to them. hahah but it was fun. It is cool that I don´t look out of place. But multiple people said that I could be from here, or just that I didn´t look like the rest of the gringos haha. That is a very big compliment and something I am thankful for. Except I can´t respond when people ask me questions. But it is fun, and will only get better with time.So that is my story for the week. And I don´t really know a lot of other things to tell you. So if you have questions ask me.
And Ben to answer your question ya, every night it looks like it is going to rain, because there is so much ash in the sky. The wind is blowing it over here as well. But i didn´t realize they had to close the airport. It must be bad over there.
Um mom the church house is like a mile or so not sure, it is like a ten or fifteen minute walk. But all of the church houses down here that I have been to are very nice. They all have a soccer cement hahah. Which usually doubles as a short basketball court. But all of the rims are at like eight or nine feet, so it is not the same.
Sundays are like the worst days for tracting. Because they claim it is the day that everyone is home. Which that part is true. But they don´t work on sunday either for the most part. And that means that they can take an all day siesta. So people get very mad when you interrupt their naps. But we just go to church and lunch and then after the siesta around four or so, we go out and try and find people in the street to teach. But it is the day that we have the worst luck on because no one seems to be out.
Other than that I am doing great, the members take great care of us, the priesthood had an asado and invited us. So that was awesome. Asado is just a bbq. The meat was very good. But that is really the only real other than hamburger or chicken fried steak meat we have had. It is not at all how people described it to be. But ya know that´s how it goes. I hope all is well and that you like the pics. I am not sure which pictures i attached now because it is taking forever. But some are mtc, and the other are in our backyard, and on the hike we took today. the place was called Valle Grande. It was basically a big lake, that we just took pictures and hiked around. It was a waste of a day haha, but it was fun to just hang out with everyone that was there. But ya know people do not understand the meaning of hike here. Maybe there are some that are hard core, but a little walk on a road is considered a hike to them hahah.
Anyway that is all I have for this week. I love you all thanks, for the support, and I hope all is going well.
Love,
Elder Wheeler.
P.S. Happy Bird-Day Dad. I hope you get a rest or something good for your b-day. Maybe rach can let you control the tv for the day or something haha. Anyway I won´t talk to you again before then so I hope that it is great for you.
How is it going there? Is it getting cold there? Because it is only getting hotter here. I hope all is well at home, it sounds like the lellows are stinks as usual. But I´m glad to hear about them. So utah won? It is about time. Those kids are scaring me haha. No but seriously, they need to win some of these. I finally got a letter from steve. So good work rach.
So the time for the most parts is flying by. I mean there are times when I wish I could just take a nap or something, but those are the times when I know I just need to work harder. It is great though. The food is good. Still nothing special, but it is good. I was a little sick from it the first couple days here, but other than that I haven´t been sick and it has been great.
One of the hermanas that feeds us made like a roast kind of thing that just tasted like mom´s at home. It was sooo good. (sue) But other than that everthing is pretty bland. So that is something that you could send in a package. Spices and also I need some recipes. Like good cookies or pastas, or just simple ones that don´t take a long time. The bread here is really good. And there is a bakery or a kiosk on every corner. Because if someone doesn´t feel like working they open a kiosk out of there house and so you can get small things, and drinks everywhere. So that is quite convenient. Alot of recipes that are fast and easy is what I need. I have time in the night or in the siesta, but don´t every know what to cook. So that would be wonderful.
Yesterday we went on divisions with the zone leaders. And they only speak spanish but they can understand me pretty well. Becuase we practice every night on the spanish. So it is helping a ton. I mean I understand concepts of what people are saying, but they can ask questions in so many different forms, and so many different ways so I have to have whoever is with me simplify the spansih a little and then I can respond haha. But when we were on divisions no one thought that I was a gringo haha. Until I couldn´t talk to them. hahah but it was fun. It is cool that I don´t look out of place. But multiple people said that I could be from here, or just that I didn´t look like the rest of the gringos haha. That is a very big compliment and something I am thankful for. Except I can´t respond when people ask me questions. But it is fun, and will only get better with time.So that is my story for the week. And I don´t really know a lot of other things to tell you. So if you have questions ask me.
And Ben to answer your question ya, every night it looks like it is going to rain, because there is so much ash in the sky. The wind is blowing it over here as well. But i didn´t realize they had to close the airport. It must be bad over there.
Um mom the church house is like a mile or so not sure, it is like a ten or fifteen minute walk. But all of the church houses down here that I have been to are very nice. They all have a soccer cement hahah. Which usually doubles as a short basketball court. But all of the rims are at like eight or nine feet, so it is not the same.
Sundays are like the worst days for tracting. Because they claim it is the day that everyone is home. Which that part is true. But they don´t work on sunday either for the most part. And that means that they can take an all day siesta. So people get very mad when you interrupt their naps. But we just go to church and lunch and then after the siesta around four or so, we go out and try and find people in the street to teach. But it is the day that we have the worst luck on because no one seems to be out.
Other than that I am doing great, the members take great care of us, the priesthood had an asado and invited us. So that was awesome. Asado is just a bbq. The meat was very good. But that is really the only real other than hamburger or chicken fried steak meat we have had. It is not at all how people described it to be. But ya know that´s how it goes. I hope all is well and that you like the pics. I am not sure which pictures i attached now because it is taking forever. But some are mtc, and the other are in our backyard, and on the hike we took today. the place was called Valle Grande. It was basically a big lake, that we just took pictures and hiked around. It was a waste of a day haha, but it was fun to just hang out with everyone that was there. But ya know people do not understand the meaning of hike here. Maybe there are some that are hard core, but a little walk on a road is considered a hike to them hahah.
Anyway that is all I have for this week. I love you all thanks, for the support, and I hope all is going well.
Love,
Elder Wheeler.
P.S. Happy Bird-Day Dad. I hope you get a rest or something good for your b-day. Maybe rach can let you control the tv for the day or something haha. Anyway I won´t talk to you again before then so I hope that it is great for you.
Monday, October 10, 2011
"..Some have a few more fuzzy channels than others."
Hey fam,
How is everybody doing? Ok so the punctuation is not going to be good. Because they put all of the buttons in different spots here. Because they puncuate a little differently. So don´t worry about it. But anyway, it has already been a week it is crazy. My how the time flies. I mean the days take forever. Because all we do is walk and get rejected all day. But ya know that´s how it goes. But I am just staying positive and everything will work out eventually. It is a brand new area for both of us as I think I have told you already, and it wasn´t worked in last transfer. So we didn´t have anything to work on. It is just everything that we find, or the members help us with. They members are very good. They all take very good care of us, they feed us lunch everyday. So really I don´t have to buy groceries or anything like that. I buy juice and other things to drink and I tried the milk, bleh, it is gross. I am guessing the taste is that of russia. Because it is the same process. Just a cardboard box on the shelf that lasts for years. So it doesn´t taste good. But when I get desperate for some cereal, I have to suffer through trying to eat it. But it´s all good.
My companion, well let´s just say he is one of those kids.. It is a very interesting thing. But we are working hard so that is all that matters. I mean everyone is weird in their own ways, just some have a few more fuzzy channels than others. But no it´s good. I mean you have to have the weird experiences to recognize the good ones.
But the zone leaders that live in the same house as us are very fun. I talk to them once we are done planning and everything. Because my comp is a district leader and has to verify with the hermanas in our district. And when the zone leaders don´t have anything I play with them. But this week, we decided that we would just put our beds in the same room. Because one of the rooms is huge and the other is tiny. So we put our bunk bed in with their beds, and then our suitcases and everything in the room we were in. It is a much better plan, and I like it. Because at night I get to practice my spanish. Because both of the zone leaders are natives. So it is helping me to get better at the language. And I can understand most things people say, until they ask me a question and then I am screwed. Because I am usually like five sentences behind figuring out what they are saying. So I don´t realize I am being asked a question until it goes silent and everybody is looking at me. So that is hard, but I mean I am understanding little by little. So that is all that matters.
I haven´t fallen asleep outside of the apartment yet. Haha but the other day my companion was reading something and I was out. I remember him looking something up to read and the next thing I know he was done and patting me on the back to wake up. Ya it was a tiring day. But ya it is fun not being able to understand people. I just smile and have a good old time.
My comp is a space cadet. He confused two of our investigators yesterday, and I had no way of telling him that it was not who he thought it was. And he always is so sure that we should go one direction when the actual direction is the exact opposite of what he thinks always. So it is fun keeping him straight. But ya know it´s all good. But I am getting into things now I think so that is good. Just have to get the language down. Which is just going to take time and practice.
So this past week we have had days of summer and winter. It is very weird. Because the first two days of the week were in the 80s- 90s and then wednesday it went down to like 30 and raining. ok maybe not 30, but it was pretty cold. I wore both jackets and my gloves because it was freezing to me. Oh and a ton of wind. And then the past two days have been back up into the 80s or so. So spring here is just a combination of summer and winter in the same week. So my jackets work great. Thanks Ben. Everyone is jealous because they all have undertaker jackets. hahaha I think ben would know that one. The guy from wwf always wears that black trench coat, and that is just what I think of everytime I see the ones other missionaries wear. But some have cool wool ones. I would have liked to have my wool one, but it would have not made the weight limit if I had it in my bag, so I will just keep my eye out for one here. But ya so far, I haven´t needed anything.
The only thing I haven´t seen in the stores that I might need is the clinical deoderant. Other than that, things are mostly similar. Except for the nasty milk. I like the juice, I think it is similar to that apple stuff we had in russia. Now that I think about it, the more places we go, it feels more and more like Russia. Except for being in a city. We come to the main city for p-day because we have zone activities sometimes. Because that is where the stake center is. But other than that, I am in the country kind of.
I will take more pictures, but this place we are emailing doesn´t have the hook ups that the one we usually go to. So I can´t send any pictures today. So next week I will try. The fruit is good down here. But in all reality everything everyone said is not true. The food is good, but nothing special. We get casseroles and stuff like that. I mean it is good because we don´t have to cook, but it´s not like I will miss it when I am gone. And the fruit is just apples oranges and bananas... so I don´t know what everyone was talking about.
But other than that everything is going good. A funny thing I miss is cars. Because everything is natural gas down here. So they are all tiny cars, like you would see in Europe. Everyone has the same thing, so you don´t see a variety or anything nice. There was a newer hundai that was shiny black. So not really that nice of a car. Something you would see everyday at home, but all of the other elders were like oh wow, look at that car! haha it is just funny.
But thank you all for the support. Sorry if I didn´t answer anything I will try to next week. If you
don´t think you have told me something or you think you might double it, just do it again. Because I would rather hear it twice than not at all so just write it again.
I love you all and hope that all is well at home! I am doing well don´t worry about me.
Love,
Elder Wheeler
How is everybody doing? Ok so the punctuation is not going to be good. Because they put all of the buttons in different spots here. Because they puncuate a little differently. So don´t worry about it. But anyway, it has already been a week it is crazy. My how the time flies. I mean the days take forever. Because all we do is walk and get rejected all day. But ya know that´s how it goes. But I am just staying positive and everything will work out eventually. It is a brand new area for both of us as I think I have told you already, and it wasn´t worked in last transfer. So we didn´t have anything to work on. It is just everything that we find, or the members help us with. They members are very good. They all take very good care of us, they feed us lunch everyday. So really I don´t have to buy groceries or anything like that. I buy juice and other things to drink and I tried the milk, bleh, it is gross. I am guessing the taste is that of russia. Because it is the same process. Just a cardboard box on the shelf that lasts for years. So it doesn´t taste good. But when I get desperate for some cereal, I have to suffer through trying to eat it. But it´s all good.
My companion, well let´s just say he is one of those kids.. It is a very interesting thing. But we are working hard so that is all that matters. I mean everyone is weird in their own ways, just some have a few more fuzzy channels than others. But no it´s good. I mean you have to have the weird experiences to recognize the good ones.
But the zone leaders that live in the same house as us are very fun. I talk to them once we are done planning and everything. Because my comp is a district leader and has to verify with the hermanas in our district. And when the zone leaders don´t have anything I play with them. But this week, we decided that we would just put our beds in the same room. Because one of the rooms is huge and the other is tiny. So we put our bunk bed in with their beds, and then our suitcases and everything in the room we were in. It is a much better plan, and I like it. Because at night I get to practice my spanish. Because both of the zone leaders are natives. So it is helping me to get better at the language. And I can understand most things people say, until they ask me a question and then I am screwed. Because I am usually like five sentences behind figuring out what they are saying. So I don´t realize I am being asked a question until it goes silent and everybody is looking at me. So that is hard, but I mean I am understanding little by little. So that is all that matters.
I haven´t fallen asleep outside of the apartment yet. Haha but the other day my companion was reading something and I was out. I remember him looking something up to read and the next thing I know he was done and patting me on the back to wake up. Ya it was a tiring day. But ya it is fun not being able to understand people. I just smile and have a good old time.
My comp is a space cadet. He confused two of our investigators yesterday, and I had no way of telling him that it was not who he thought it was. And he always is so sure that we should go one direction when the actual direction is the exact opposite of what he thinks always. So it is fun keeping him straight. But ya know it´s all good. But I am getting into things now I think so that is good. Just have to get the language down. Which is just going to take time and practice.
So this past week we have had days of summer and winter. It is very weird. Because the first two days of the week were in the 80s- 90s and then wednesday it went down to like 30 and raining. ok maybe not 30, but it was pretty cold. I wore both jackets and my gloves because it was freezing to me. Oh and a ton of wind. And then the past two days have been back up into the 80s or so. So spring here is just a combination of summer and winter in the same week. So my jackets work great. Thanks Ben. Everyone is jealous because they all have undertaker jackets. hahaha I think ben would know that one. The guy from wwf always wears that black trench coat, and that is just what I think of everytime I see the ones other missionaries wear. But some have cool wool ones. I would have liked to have my wool one, but it would have not made the weight limit if I had it in my bag, so I will just keep my eye out for one here. But ya so far, I haven´t needed anything.
The only thing I haven´t seen in the stores that I might need is the clinical deoderant. Other than that, things are mostly similar. Except for the nasty milk. I like the juice, I think it is similar to that apple stuff we had in russia. Now that I think about it, the more places we go, it feels more and more like Russia. Except for being in a city. We come to the main city for p-day because we have zone activities sometimes. Because that is where the stake center is. But other than that, I am in the country kind of.
I will take more pictures, but this place we are emailing doesn´t have the hook ups that the one we usually go to. So I can´t send any pictures today. So next week I will try. The fruit is good down here. But in all reality everything everyone said is not true. The food is good, but nothing special. We get casseroles and stuff like that. I mean it is good because we don´t have to cook, but it´s not like I will miss it when I am gone. And the fruit is just apples oranges and bananas... so I don´t know what everyone was talking about.
But other than that everything is going good. A funny thing I miss is cars. Because everything is natural gas down here. So they are all tiny cars, like you would see in Europe. Everyone has the same thing, so you don´t see a variety or anything nice. There was a newer hundai that was shiny black. So not really that nice of a car. Something you would see everyday at home, but all of the other elders were like oh wow, look at that car! haha it is just funny.
But thank you all for the support. Sorry if I didn´t answer anything I will try to next week. If you
don´t think you have told me something or you think you might double it, just do it again. Because I would rather hear it twice than not at all so just write it again.
I love you all and hope that all is well at home! I am doing well don´t worry about me.
Love,
Elder Wheeler
Monday, October 3, 2011
First Letter From Argentina!
Hello Everybody,
I don't have a ton of time, so If it is ok I am just going to write one letter. Well the trip down here was interesting to say the least. So as you know having a name at the end of the alphabet sucks. Because when we were checking in, the doufus doing it forgot to check me in with everyone else. So by the time we found that out all my seats were at the back of the plane by myself. So I got to talk to a lot of people. But I just slept most of the time so it wasn't too bad. The plane ride from new york was a little long, but not too bad I slept almos the whole time. And as we thought rach the food on the plane was disgusting. So I ate part of my bread and didn't eat the other stuff because I didn't want to get sick on a flight like that. Especially when you are trapped in. And then when we got to Buenas Aires we had to go through like ten different customs things I swear. But it all worked out. And I still have everything. So that's good.
The first night we went straight to president Avila's house which is where the picture was taken that you saw. And then had dinner there. The first few days here I couldn't really eat, because I always felt sick. But other than that it has been good. Then that next day we got our trainers in the afternoon. And we were sitting at lunch right before that and the kids that were going to be doing the training were with us, but we didn't know who we were going to be matched up with. But a kid across from me guessed that he would be my trainer. And then the whole time I was thinking please no! but guess what that is who my trainer is. Jacob Brian Easley. Ya his first and middle name are extremely close to mine. But in know way does he resemble anything of me. I mean don't get me wrong he is a good kid, but wow I am luckin out with the first two. I guess heavenly father doesn't want me to have a companion that is socially normal and that I feel comfortable with. But hey I am just rolling with the punches.
Argentina is interesting to say the least. It is better and worse than I thought at the same time. Some parts are nicer and some are worse than I thought. But that is natural. If you like dogs at all, I don't think that I would suggest coming to get me after the mission. They are everywhere, kind of like we saw in Russia, but worse. And you just feel bad for them the whole time, because most of them are very skinny or sick or old. So that part sucks. And they always have to bark at you when you walk past them. But that is what our pups do when people walk past their fence.
We get to eat with the members everyday for lunch. They have a set schedule of who does it. So we have a built in lunch everyday. Which is basically the only meal that they eat down here anyway. All of the members are very nice. Also one of the lady's washes our clothes for us. It is weird letting someone other than your mom do stuff like that for you. I would gladly do it, if we had the option to. But there is no where for us to clean stuff.
The Area I am in is called San Rafiel which is like a three hour or so bus ride from Mendoza. South. So it is pretty cool down here. As in colder. Everything is so new so that is cool. But people talk to me and expect me to know what they are saying. And when I say I don't understand they say it again just as fast so I just look at my companion and he says it again for me in spanish. Ya that is exactly why I look at you the white kid. So you can tell me again in spanish and I won't understand even more. Ya that sucks, but it is coming little by little. I just have to keep working on it. We are like a half hour walk or so from the city of San Rafiel in a place calledEl cerrito. Which is like little hill or something like that. Ya there are no hills. The place I am in is flat as a pancake, and you can't see any mountains.
So the new program is pretty good. They make the new kids do a ton of the stuff. But it doesn't really work for us. Because my trainer has never been in the area we are. So we are both brand new, and didn't really have any progressing people before this. So ya they are all new and it is just hard. Because if we do find someone to teach, I just sit there and smile. Because for the most part I don't know what people are saying. I mean I can follow the conversation, but by the time I figure something out to say, they move on to something else. So I just sit there more times than not. But again we have to do a ton of the stupid little role plays that don't help me at all. I just have to do it though because it is part of the program and they claim it will help us to progress more.
But our place we live is a little house, it is pretty nice from what I hear. We are with the zone leaders. So it is the four of us which is good. Eventhough they don't speak any english. They are like my best buds already. I talk in spanish to Elder Obaldia and he talks in english to me. Well we both try to do that anyway. He is a short little guy from panama. But he is really cool and fun to be around. And Elder Gonzales is close to my height. And not just a rail like most. He reminds me of Seany a lot. So that is fun, they keep me sane, I don't know if that's how you spell it. But if I didn't have them, I would not be handling this well. So ya it is all fun. I am enjoying it for the most part. I am just going to have to figure out how to work with this kid for another three months. Hey I did two with my mtc companion and he was a weirdo to. Just kidding he isn't really that bad. But seriously. I think you understand what I am saying.
It was really fun to hear from all of you on the phone. That time went by way to quickly. Did you get the phone back by the way? And what about all of the packages?
So about conference, they get it at the stake center. So we all went there and got to watch. But since we are ahead of you guys by three hours. We watched it at 1, 5, 9 for the three on saturday and 1, 5 for the ones on sunday. So that was interesting. Not watching conference at 10, 2, 6. But I am thankful we got to watch it. They have a classroom for all of the elders and sisters that are English speaking so we got to hear it in english as well. It was really good. I enjoyed all five sessions. I am sad that it is already over, and now p-day is about to be over as well. Oh well that's how it goes.
I am not able to print these emails so I don't know what you want to do about that mom. But I have some guidelines or tips when sending boxes. Write directly on the box, because for some reason they take all of the labels off of it when it goes through customs. And also write something on the inside too so that they can know whose it is if they do get taken off. Don't send vitamins, because they fine us when it goes through customs. If anything rattles they cut it open to see what is in it. And other than that it is just random on what ones get checked and what ones don't. They also said the smaller the easier it will be to get through. So it is better to send more of like the small bubble wrap envelopes than one big package or something like that. So that is what they said about all of that, I hope that helps. I think I can get soap and shampoo or anything like that hear. I don't know about the clinical deoderant, I didn't see that anywhere. But they have all of the spray stuff down here. So that is the low down on all of this.
I am doing great, and hope that you all are doing well too. I love you all and hope you enjoy the letter. Anyway I will talk to you all again next week.
Love,
Elder Wheeler
I don't have a ton of time, so If it is ok I am just going to write one letter. Well the trip down here was interesting to say the least. So as you know having a name at the end of the alphabet sucks. Because when we were checking in, the doufus doing it forgot to check me in with everyone else. So by the time we found that out all my seats were at the back of the plane by myself. So I got to talk to a lot of people. But I just slept most of the time so it wasn't too bad. The plane ride from new york was a little long, but not too bad I slept almos the whole time. And as we thought rach the food on the plane was disgusting. So I ate part of my bread and didn't eat the other stuff because I didn't want to get sick on a flight like that. Especially when you are trapped in. And then when we got to Buenas Aires we had to go through like ten different customs things I swear. But it all worked out. And I still have everything. So that's good.
The first night we went straight to president Avila's house which is where the picture was taken that you saw. And then had dinner there. The first few days here I couldn't really eat, because I always felt sick. But other than that it has been good. Then that next day we got our trainers in the afternoon. And we were sitting at lunch right before that and the kids that were going to be doing the training were with us, but we didn't know who we were going to be matched up with. But a kid across from me guessed that he would be my trainer. And then the whole time I was thinking please no! but guess what that is who my trainer is. Jacob Brian Easley. Ya his first and middle name are extremely close to mine. But in know way does he resemble anything of me. I mean don't get me wrong he is a good kid, but wow I am luckin out with the first two. I guess heavenly father doesn't want me to have a companion that is socially normal and that I feel comfortable with. But hey I am just rolling with the punches.
Argentina is interesting to say the least. It is better and worse than I thought at the same time. Some parts are nicer and some are worse than I thought. But that is natural. If you like dogs at all, I don't think that I would suggest coming to get me after the mission. They are everywhere, kind of like we saw in Russia, but worse. And you just feel bad for them the whole time, because most of them are very skinny or sick or old. So that part sucks. And they always have to bark at you when you walk past them. But that is what our pups do when people walk past their fence.
We get to eat with the members everyday for lunch. They have a set schedule of who does it. So we have a built in lunch everyday. Which is basically the only meal that they eat down here anyway. All of the members are very nice. Also one of the lady's washes our clothes for us. It is weird letting someone other than your mom do stuff like that for you. I would gladly do it, if we had the option to. But there is no where for us to clean stuff.
The Area I am in is called San Rafiel which is like a three hour or so bus ride from Mendoza. South. So it is pretty cool down here. As in colder. Everything is so new so that is cool. But people talk to me and expect me to know what they are saying. And when I say I don't understand they say it again just as fast so I just look at my companion and he says it again for me in spanish. Ya that is exactly why I look at you the white kid. So you can tell me again in spanish and I won't understand even more. Ya that sucks, but it is coming little by little. I just have to keep working on it. We are like a half hour walk or so from the city of San Rafiel in a place calledEl cerrito. Which is like little hill or something like that. Ya there are no hills. The place I am in is flat as a pancake, and you can't see any mountains.
So the new program is pretty good. They make the new kids do a ton of the stuff. But it doesn't really work for us. Because my trainer has never been in the area we are. So we are both brand new, and didn't really have any progressing people before this. So ya they are all new and it is just hard. Because if we do find someone to teach, I just sit there and smile. Because for the most part I don't know what people are saying. I mean I can follow the conversation, but by the time I figure something out to say, they move on to something else. So I just sit there more times than not. But again we have to do a ton of the stupid little role plays that don't help me at all. I just have to do it though because it is part of the program and they claim it will help us to progress more.
But our place we live is a little house, it is pretty nice from what I hear. We are with the zone leaders. So it is the four of us which is good. Eventhough they don't speak any english. They are like my best buds already. I talk in spanish to Elder Obaldia and he talks in english to me. Well we both try to do that anyway. He is a short little guy from panama. But he is really cool and fun to be around. And Elder Gonzales is close to my height. And not just a rail like most. He reminds me of Seany a lot. So that is fun, they keep me sane, I don't know if that's how you spell it. But if I didn't have them, I would not be handling this well. So ya it is all fun. I am enjoying it for the most part. I am just going to have to figure out how to work with this kid for another three months. Hey I did two with my mtc companion and he was a weirdo to. Just kidding he isn't really that bad. But seriously. I think you understand what I am saying.
It was really fun to hear from all of you on the phone. That time went by way to quickly. Did you get the phone back by the way? And what about all of the packages?
So about conference, they get it at the stake center. So we all went there and got to watch. But since we are ahead of you guys by three hours. We watched it at 1, 5, 9 for the three on saturday and 1, 5 for the ones on sunday. So that was interesting. Not watching conference at 10, 2, 6. But I am thankful we got to watch it. They have a classroom for all of the elders and sisters that are English speaking so we got to hear it in english as well. It was really good. I enjoyed all five sessions. I am sad that it is already over, and now p-day is about to be over as well. Oh well that's how it goes.
I am not able to print these emails so I don't know what you want to do about that mom. But I have some guidelines or tips when sending boxes. Write directly on the box, because for some reason they take all of the labels off of it when it goes through customs. And also write something on the inside too so that they can know whose it is if they do get taken off. Don't send vitamins, because they fine us when it goes through customs. If anything rattles they cut it open to see what is in it. And other than that it is just random on what ones get checked and what ones don't. They also said the smaller the easier it will be to get through. So it is better to send more of like the small bubble wrap envelopes than one big package or something like that. So that is what they said about all of that, I hope that helps. I think I can get soap and shampoo or anything like that hear. I don't know about the clinical deoderant, I didn't see that anywhere. But they have all of the spray stuff down here. So that is the low down on all of this.
I am doing great, and hope that you all are doing well too. I love you all and hope you enjoy the letter. Anyway I will talk to you all again next week.
Love,
Elder Wheeler
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