E-mail from Jake today...

So I’m emailing from Mercedes because we had a meeting here then my companion needed to go to the doctors for his eyes. It was only a checkup for new glasses. But Mercedes is huge compared to Dolores. So a couple things I wanted to mention first. Last week I was putting one of my shirts on and while I was buttoning it up a spider crawled across my chest. Scary. And it has been cooler. It’s like someone switched on the air conditioner. It feels really good. And they say the seasons change almost instantly. So I guess they were right. And carnival was different. It lasts for a week which I didn't know. But no parties that’s only in the places closer to Brazil. But everything was a lot more party like. And kids throw water balloons at you but it’s a good thing South Americans suck at throwing. They are only good with their feet. Because of all the futbol. So none of them hit me. I felt like Samuel the Lamanite on the wall. And I’m still working on my picture situation for you all. I just need to buy a converter which I’m going to do today. And I thought I would never be kissed by random strangers but I guess new things happen all the time on your mission. It’s a greeting here. They kiss you on the check, but missionaries are not allowed to. But every once in a while they get ya. Its gets pretty awkward especially when a man does it. Ewwww... And oh my goodness Star Wars Episode I is coming out in 3D. Wow. You have to let me know how that is. I want to see it. But I think I'll wait for it. And I have been doing as the kings of old have done with their poison. They used to drink a little at a time to get used to it so I wouldn’t kill them. And I have been doing that with the water here. And I haven’t got really sick yet. So it think its working. And it’s true what you said about North Americans. They are seen as money bags here. Everyone mentions something about it. It can get pretty intense sometimes. Especially with other missionaries. So I’m keeping it on the down low. And I’m saying no a lot more too. I do feel a little bad but its either I say no or I go hungry. So...and don’t forget that changes are in 2 weeks. So don’t freak when I email a day later. I wonder if I’m leaving or staying in Dolores. And I had a dream too. I don’t remember what it was about but I was called Elder Salmond in it. So I think the mission is really stuck in my mind now.

It amazes me how little people know about their religion here. People claim to be Catholic, Evangelical, or whatever they claim to be. But they don’t know anything. We ask them simple questions like was Jesus baptized, or about the Atonement and they have no idea what we are talking about. It shocks me a lot. How can you claim to be in a certain religion and not even know why? And there is a section in Preach my Gospel about teaching people with a non Christian background. And I thought I wouldn’t have to use it that much especially for Catholics, but I use this knowledge almost every day. So what point I’m I trying to make? READ THE SCRIPTURES. Most importantly read the Book of Mormon. This book has knowledge and answers that you can’t find anywhere else. And it’s the key stone in our religion. We need to know everything we can about the gospel of Jesus Christ so that when we are questioned we can respond with full confidence what we know. And we can obtain blessings that this gospel has. For example eternal life, eternal families, peace, happiness, joy, and many others. I have experienced what the Book of Mormon can do to someone if they read, ponder and pray about it. It changes someone from an ignorant, rude and truth seeking person into the most beautiful soul who knows what life is about and can see they have changed for the better. They find answers to questions they have had for years and it gives them peace. And to the people who have read it but have lost the light they wanted in the beginning I say to you read the book again and ponder the words. Then ask god, for he is the only one who can give you such a powerful answer, that the Book of Mormon is true. That Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son. Who restored the gospel once again on this earth so that we may return to live with our Heavenly Father? I pray to those who read this message to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it and I can promise you with the fullness of my heart that this book is true. That tens of thousands even millions have died so that we could hold the truth in our hands. They died to give use the knowledge to save our souls from a fallen state, so that we can be as a family for all time and eternity. To know that Christ is our Redeemer and Savior and will return again to judge this telestial world. Once again read the Book of Mormon. I leave you with my thoughts and my ultimate promise in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

-- 
Con Amor Elder Salmond- capo, guapo, snaker

Jake's e-mail 2-20-12

Here is another installment from Jake. We are so happy that he got two of our packages. Sort of surprised too. Maybe having them covered in religious stickers over all of seals really helps. Who knows. Well here you go...

so this  week was different because we went to Paysandú for a zone conference. it was a 3 hour bus ride. and it was at 5 in the morning. it was ok. I got really motion sick trying to sleep. but when we got there it was good. the conference was about the book of Mormon as a tool for conversion. it was really good. and I saw a buddy of mine from the MTC there. and we chatted. the conference lasted all day. and they gave us lunch of pizza and cookies and fries. it was so good I almost cried. and I had to share my testimony is Spanish. which wasn't really hard. but some of the newer missionaries struggled a little. nut they did good for how much time they have been in. The  extra money you guys sent will be needed. I haven't broken into it yet but I will, because my companion spends all of his money about half way thru the month and I do a pretty good job of budgeting. but about this time he has no money and is always asking for mine. but I say no. and he always offers my money to buy stuff for activities and things like that. which sometimes I do buy stuff because I see that its ok, but other times it's just not necessary. so I tell him no and he gets mad at me but I really don't care it's not his money. and at first we used to share food but now I buy my own because he spends his money on junk food like cookies, crackers, and soda. but I like to spend mine on real food. and he eats all of his food as soon as we bring it home. so from now on I buy all my food. and he does whatever he wants. I mean he is a good guy but he gets on my nerves a lot and he is really hypocritical. probably the worst I have known, but I try to look past that and see him as a missionary. and ya he teaches me the ins and outs of missionary work, but not of Spanish, so I fell like I'm lacking in that area. and today is carnival so the entire town of Dolores is shut down. I mean the entire town. there is not one shop open and no one is one the street. it's really strange. and today its cooler because it's raining a lot. and it feels really good. and something cool my shoes are already starting to lose the tread on the bottoms, so that means I'm walking a lot I guess. and I have figured out that I have lost about 25 to 30 pounds. and my goal is to lose a lot less. and I think I will be able to do that.  so how is winter I bet it's amazing. I have forgotten what it feels like to be cool and not sweaty 24/7. I have been in a summer for about 7 months now. it's hot...must be summer (or Uruguay). and last Saturday it was my companions birthday and I bought him and me some ice cream. it was super dulce de leche and it was really yummy, but really expensive. and that night we had 2 parties too. and there was a ton of food and it was great. there was cake pizza cookies and juice. then we went to a members house for another party. the member is kind of crazy but her granddaughter was there. and she is the most beautiful girl I have ever met. so I took a picture hahahaha. and we ate even more food and also received a call from the president to wish him a happy birthday. that's cool about grandma. I hope she is really happy there. I'm glad she finally moved off the mountain. it's better that way. hey I was thinking...and I really want grandma to paint me a picture of Jesus, like the one you guys have. so when  I get home I can have it on my wall. so could you ask her if she could do it and I will be willing to pay her for it too. that would be one of the best things if she could, but if not that's fine too. and when I ask for stuff in my emails, because it seems like I do it a lot, it's not needed right away. its ideas for future packages. so don't feel pressure to send me stuff. and I'm working on the pictures. I just need to buy a converter for my memory card so I can hook it up to the computer. then I can send pictures thru email. and don't be scared to send pictures thru email too.
 
Con Amor  Elder Salmond- capo, guapo, snaker
PS if you could send pictures of my baptism, of Courtland's too, and of the house and of the entire family like cousins  aunts uncles that kind of stuff that would be really sweet. remember I love you all

Jake's e-mail for this last Monday...

Here is Jake's e-mail....

Well I just wanted to let you know that I got your second package. I knew it was mine because it was covered in Catholic stickers. I wonder what people think of that? I love the packages it made my week. This one had the rest of the CDs in it. So I have been listening to them for a week straight. My companion likes to listen to them when we sleep. Ya and it’s really scary when you get woken up in the middle of the night by hidden Bigfoot sounds on your CD. Ya that was pretty scary to my companion. I got really sad because when I heard them it felt like I was camping again and we hit the jackpot of recordings, but then I realized it was my CD. But pretty funny, because my companion freaked out and didn’t know what the sounds were. So I had to explain to him the whole Bigfoot thing in Spanish. And the food in the packages is really yummy. It had been my dinners for the last week. Ahh it reminds me of home. So a couple of interesting things happened this week. First is one night when we were sleeping a huge storm rolled in and we had our windows open. And it started to pour rain. And we were both asleep. But my companion woke up at around 2 in the morning to use the bathroom. When he stepped on the floor it was wet. So he flipped on the lights and that woke me up. And there was about an inch of water in our entire apartment. So we scrambled to clean it up. Something amazing is that none of my stuff got wet, only one book. But my companions stuff was soaked. So there is an amazing blessing. So that was a fun experience. Then the next night another huge wind storm rolled in and almost blew our laundry in the street. So crazy storms. In fact during a storm in the day we got soaked and my companion’s umbrella got shredded by the wind and we saw a power line explode. It was awesome. And I had to talk in sacrament yesterday. That was intense. I didn’t write anything down. I just did it all out of my head. I chose the topic of faith. And it was hard, but I lasted a good 10 minutes. And people said I did a good job, but I think they were just being nice. And the thing about the pictures is that we are not allowed because we can’t look like tourists. And they say not to bring your camera with you because of the chance it might get stolen. Which reminds me of a story my companion told me. His first area was Montevideo and while he was there he was robbed three times. Twice with a gun to his head and another with a knife to his companion throat. Scary!!!!! So it’s safer to not carry it. And my companion being district leader means more meetings on P-day in Mercedes. So that’s a downside to it. And we have a zone conference in Paysandú on Tuesday. So that’s going to be interesting. It’s about a 3 to 4 hour bus ride. But we are staying in Mercedes tonight. So I have a feeling that I’m not going to get much sleep. And people down here get really mad when I speak English. For example Elder Elliot and I teach an English class to the youth. And one of the members of the bishopric came in and got really mad at us for speaking English, in an English class. Weird.

I have been really interested in the story of the First Vision lately. I read it all of the time. There are a lot of things we learn from it. But what I would like to focus on is that because of one simple question and faith a young boy got to see the father and the son in a vision that would forever more change the course of human kind. Just faith and a question. That is why faith is the first principle in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without faith there is nothing. And faith is a principle of power. For example. The story of Alma and Amulek when they were in prison. Alma cried out "how long must we suffer when we have faith in Jesus Christ" and his prayers were answered because of his faith. The prison walls fell and everyone inside was killed except Alma and Amulek because of their faith. We can learn multiple things from this story. That God answers prayers, God helps us in times of need according to our faith and faith gives us great protection from immoral and spiritual danger. I know that faith is essential in all things we do and when we have faith all things are possible. So let us strive to increase our faith through study of the scriptures, daily prayer, and family home evening. And I know your faith will increase and your testimony as well. I share these things in the name of our beloved savior and redeemer of the world, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

CON AMOR Elder Salmond

PS. A couple more package ideas. The songs I can be your hero, I can see the light from Tangled, and hallelujah by Rufus Wright. And in one of your letters could you send me my CTR ring I forgot it at home. I think it has fallen behind my desk in my room. That would be much appreciated. Oh and thanks for the extra money as well. It will help a ton. Peace out....

Jake's e-mail... February 6, 2012

Here is today's email from Jake...


Letter from Jake Salmond in Dolores Uruguay
February 6, 2012

So this week was pretty new, because of the whole transfer thing. It made it so our numbers for the week are not the best but oh well. We will try harder this week. And to answer some of your questions. My new hat is made out of really tightly woven straw. I don’t know if it looks like the one in cowboys and aliens because I don’t remember it to well. And we are allowed to wear it during proselyting. I feel like a cowboy when I wear it. So that’s nice. And where I do laundry is in my bathroom in a little plastic tub we have. Because its sooooo expensive to wash clothes here. If you were to go to a laundry mat and do it. It would be about 30 dollars. So it’s cheaper to wash it by hand. And not too many problems with bugs yet. Only the cockroaches in our apartment and last week I noticed a web on a coat hanging on our door (using my tracking skills) and I slightly pulled on it and I noticed a huge spider. So I made my companion kill it. It was about 2 inches in diameter. Huge. But other than that it’s pretty normal. And something else exciting happened during the week. I got your package. Woooooooooooooohoooooooooooooo. And it was the one with potatoes, top ramen, caramels, cds, a Jesus picture, CTR rings, a book, and moleskin. And I also got letters from my siblings. The package made my week. One thing though...in it there were cds 5,6,7,8 so I don’t know what happened to 1,2,3,4. So I don’t know. And the music is really sweet. I have been listening to it for a week straight. Love it. And I don’t think my Christmas ones are going to make it to me, so could you tell me what was in them_? It’s been driving me nuts... and it’s been really humid here too. And I have also used my tracking skills a lot just to practice. And what I have learned is that people of South America are very unobservant. So it’s easy to pull pranks on them. And I have noticed a lot more about the people here that I will have to include in a latter letter... do you remember the young man we baptized named Mauro. Well he got the priesthood last Sunday and that was pretty neat. And I forgot to mention that a couple of weeks ago the mother of the bishop died and we went to the funeral. It was like the ones back in the states but when we got to the cemetery it was freaky. It was one of those really old and creepy catholic ones you see in movies. I didn't want to go in because it made me feel really uncomfortable but I had to because of the funeral. It was one of the worst experiences in my mission yet. That feeling is not possible to describe. The entire time I felt that I was going to be stabbed by some maniac like in the movies. It was full of statues of saints and seplicures and stuff like that. The oldest one I saw was from 1840. And there were a lot more older ones that I didn’t get to look at. I don’t want to go back. So what’s new at home? Any good movies lately? How was Texas? What’s it like without me there? Since you know I was the glue of the family-...jaja just kidding, but seriously

The other day I was reading in Mosiah and found a really neat scripture. Its Mosiah 18 verse 9. One sentence I really enjoyed was that we need to stand as a witness of Christ in all things and in all places. Those aren’t the exact words but I enjoyed it because when we are all baptized we take upon us this covenant. To stand as a witness to Him in all things and in all places. And I have experienced in the past when I was nervous or hesitant to make known that I was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And I think we all have either seen this or done it ourselves. But I think to myself why? Why should we withhold the truth? Why should we be embarrassed with our identity? And I can tell you why. It’s Satan. He is the one behind it all. He says to you that they will make fun of you or your will be rejected. I can’t say that this may happen or not, but what I do know is that if we do what is right and stand as a witness for him that he will help us whether it be giving us strength or words in time of need. As a special witness of Jesus Christ by being a missionary I testify of this. Every day I experience all sorts of things but if I do what is right and put my faith in Jesus Christ he will help me. And trust me when I say we need his help. I challenge whoever reads this to be that witness of or beloved savior and redeemer of the world. To stand for in places and times where we know we should. And I promise from the deepest part of my soul that you will, you will be blessed in ways we can even dream of them...

yo les ama y deseo que ustedes son feliz y tienen consuelo en todas las cosas
Con amor- elder salmond capo, guapo, snaker