Jake's Post for April 24, 2012

Wow this week went by really really fast. So last night we went to a member’s house. His name is Santiago. And we made tacos. Like real authentic tacos. Because my companion is from Guatemala so he knows how to do it right. And we bought 2.5 kilos of meat. It’s about 5.5 pounds. So there was a ton and it was so delicious. I used my packets for it. It reminded me so much of home. Un poco trunkie. But it was good. And this week is changes. But I’m staying in T-BO with elder Pineda for another change. Which I understand. We are going to rock this change. Oh I forgot to mention when we went to make tacos we stopped at another member’s house to chat and I saw on the television a commercial for....The Avengers. What the heck it looks so freaking good. I almost started to cry at its magnificence. I got really really home sick when I saw that. I might have to sneak out and watch it. Jaja just kidding. But I do want to hear all about it. And I think winter is coming because it’s starting to get really cold here. And it’s a different kind of cold because of the humidity. I think I need to buy warmer clothing so I took out some money. But I love the cold. I have been hot too long. And it’s so funny because my comp has a snake. Jaja but she is not attractive at all and she has no teeth. Hahaha. And every time we visit she says 'hello my love' to him. It’s so funny. It grosses him out so bad. And now all the members are feeding us lunch and sometimes dinner. I think I’m going to gain all my weight back. It’s a ton of food here. Most of its delicious but others it instant diarrhea. But I haven’t crapped my pants yet.  I have been close a couple of times but not yet. 10 points to me. And also I know I have Facebook now. I saw it hahaah. I had a youth in the ward look me up and there I was. It is so cool. I have like 54 friends and I know most of them. But I’m going to have everyone friend me so be prepared. And I like how you put stuff I wrote in it to. And my photos. But could you put this in for me for the people in T-BO. 'Hola me amigos in Tacuarembó como andan? Si ustedes pueden leer este muy bien pero si no, perdon. Pero yo quiero decir algo que es muy bonita pero no puedo pensar de algo. JAJAJAJA. Vamos Arriba Barrio Ferrocarril’. Well I don’t know if that made sense or not in Spanish. Because a lot of phrases and word in English don't translate over to Spanish. But I hope you loved this email. If you didn’t well...

Oh and for mom and whoever else. Send a separate email with every question you can think of so I can answer them all. I expect it to be at least 5 pages long. And I will answer them all. 

Jake's e-mail for today...

These photos are mainly the pday I had today. All the ones with me in the plaid shirt are from today. Like me kicking a tree to my floating magic trick. Me sitting by a tree or lake. Ya we went all the way into the country for pday to have a picnic. And I also got 'drunk'. Ha-ha. And with the bandana we went to a party at one of the member's house. I think I described them all but if you have comments or questions let me know.

Well Easter here is a lot different because everyone sleeps during the entire week. It’s not just a one day holiday it’s all week. And it made it really hard for us because we didn’t have anyone answer their door. It was really frustrating. Even members didn’t answer their door. So that week went by a little slow but oh well. It’s the mission. And all we did for Easter was work. Nothing new or exciting. And it was kind of funny because I got sick and I took some Benadryl for my nose to clear out and let’s just say it worked, but I took two so it would work really fast. Well let’s just say that I don’t remember that day. All I remember is that it was raining and we visited a family called Roura. But other than that I don’t know. My companion said I was really sleepy and fell asleep a couple of times. Wow. And I think it did that because I’m already tired from everything else and that just pushed me over the edge. And it’s also weird because this has been the most tired I have ever been but yet I still have the strength to do what is necessary. Cool huuh. And yesterday we borrowed the bikes of our zone leaders to go in to the country more and it was really hilly and super far. And turns out that no one really lives out there. So that day was a little fun. But I got to see a lot of country which was nice. And about my speakers I bought those separate from my mp3 and they only cost 35 dollars. Which here is cheap. And it came with two speakers and a sub woofer. And it can get pretty loud. It’s just nice to hear music. 

And that is so cool that Luke turned 16. We are all growing up. Just think in 3 more years he will be in the mission. Cool. And that is some pretty nice stuff he got to. Especially the food. Because here they don’t have things like peanut butter or American candy. Wow. The food here is all pasta and rice. I think I have eaten rice or pasta everyday here. And it’s really nice when they put something on it. It’s usually a sauce called tuco. It’s a mix between taco meat and beef stew. And it has an ok flavor but not when you eat it all the time. That’s when it is nice when they change the recipe a little. But it’s mainly vegetables blended up not meat. But overall I freaking love my mission. I mean I wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world. I know it’s hard and different and hot but wow I learn or do something new each day. I love the people here too they are so nice and are willing to do anything for you. Even give you all they have to help. Which we decline but the people here are really poor. But there is something special here in the members that I haven’t seen anywhere else. It’s quite distinct and I’m loving it. I just love my mission and can’t describe how I feel when I think, hey I’m on a mission. I’m so glad I made the decision to come out here.

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Con Amor  Elder Salmond- capo, guapo, snaker

Jake's e-mail from April 9, 2012

You know the famous line if you can dodge traffic you can dodge a ball? Well I think I can dodge a ball pretty good know ...Well I got a lot of things to say in this letter so sorry if it seems random or parts don’t make sense. But I would like to get a full depth explanation about the Hunger Games because I have been waiting for the movie forever and now I have to wait another 19 months. Ahhhh. I bet it was really good job. And something amazing happened in our last district meeting. I got my Christmas package from grandma and grandpa. Yummy. Tell them thanks for me. And I got a letter from Elida too. Wow. I was so excited to read it. She mentioned Luke in it when you guys went in and talked with Gary. She is also going to be a manger too. And we also got cell phones too. It makes it way easier and cheaper for us now that we have them. And it’s sad but I forgot how to use a cell phone. So I had to relearn it all. And the situation for my mp3 is that I just transfer music when I write you guys. Because we go to these places called Dcyber. And it’s just like an internet place where you can use the internet or play games or whatever.  And my comp is Elder Pineda from Guatemala. His Spanish is a lot easier to understand than my trainer (or papa). And he is really cool and super friendly. And he is really small too. So it’s a huge contrast from my size to his. And he’s been in the mission about 1 year now. And last week all of our investigators that we kind of picked up from the last Elders ran dry so we are going to start all over again in our area and rework a lot of it. It’s going to be a big challenge. Oh and do you have info on the leather scripture cases from Seth too. I would like to know if I could get some. And with the Facebook thing just accept all who want to be my friend. Because you know I’m so popular. And if they start to write in Spanish to you. Haha sorry. and I thought it was going to be winter here but it’s still a little hot. So I shaved my head. I know right. Just like when I was a kid. And it’s a lot easier to take care of too. And at a member’s house too I saw about 30 second commercial for UFC and I got super trunkie too. Wow it’s been awhile. Any good fights lately? Hey could you send me a Tapout or UFC shirt in a future package...

Well I read in the April Liahona an article by Elder Bednar and he talked about the Atonement. And a lot of people think the Atonement is only for repentance but it can also give us strength in time of need. And he said we should pray to give us strength to change our circumstances not to pray to change our circumstances. That way I think we can learn and adapt better to our challenges. Well take care ya'll. Love ya...

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Con Amor Elder Salmond- capo, guapo, snaker

Jake's e-mail from April 2, 2012

Well I hope you all liked conference. I sure did. We just went into the center of town and went to the Stake Center and watched it there. It was nice because there was a separate room for the gringos so we could watch it in English. It was really really special. It has a lot more meaning for me on my mission than before. I noticed that they used the song I am a Child of God in 5 separate talks and the scripture Moses 1:39 in three other talks. I thought that was interesting. And it went by so fast too. All the sessions flew by even though they were two hours each. But I had a really good time. And also I bought speakers and an mp3 today. I looked and it is just as much money to buy an mp3 than I would have on something that could have had a CD player in it. But don’t stop sending music though because I can transfer the music. And this week was really good. I guess why they let us open the area is because the other Elders that were in our area were not doing a good job and kind of ruined the area. So we have to rebuild it. I’m looking forward to the challenge. And the ward is really willing to help out to. And it started to get cold. And they were right about the humidity being a huge factor. Because it’s a different kind of cold. So I pulled out my electric blanket to use and plugged it in. then I heard a loud buzzing then a pop. And my electric blanket cord exploded. So I might get cold this winter but that’s ok. I got my companion to snuggle with. Jajaja just kidding. Wow Luke is 16. He’s starting to be a grown up. That’s pretty cool. What did he get for his birthday? A car? Jaja. That’s good it’s warming up there I hope it starts to cool off here. Because after 2 days of super cold it went back to super hot. So I officially don’t understand this country. And that’s ok. I will learn. And during conference I got to talk with some sister missionaries that were in my district. There are 3 missionaries in T-bo from my district in the MTC. So it felt like a homecoming. And can’t you believe this transfer I’m going to be out for 6 months wow. What has happened in 6 months back home? Because everything can change. What new, movies, books, people, whatever. I want to know...and sorry if my spelling or grammar is bad because Spanish is killing my English. I love you all and hope you have a great life...
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Con Amor Elder Salmond- capo, guapo, snaker