Jake's e-mail for today...

So nothing too interesting happened this week. All of investigators who had a date for baptism are being pushed back because of some problems they have. So it looks like just the one for now. Man people can be stubborn here. Oh well I'm learning patience. So how are things at home? I got really trunkie yesterday but I don't remember why? And thanks for the recipes. Because I'm cooking more here than I did at home. Your trip sounds super fun. It's almost like my mission. There is a lot of rain and mud. We walk everywhere. We can see our breath in our house. I have panic attacks. Sounds just the same. But you had food, a heater, cars, you know the basics. Ha ha it's true but I love it here. That is so cool you got some responses and stuff. Sounds like a success in my book. 

Don't worry about the people that are difficult. For example in the first book of Nephi. Nephi and his brothers wanted to wooo some one to get the prize (the plates of brass). They tried everything worldly to woo him. They gave him all of their riches. But the thing that worked is that Nephi didn't change his attitude or his actions but he put his trust in the lord and the lord blessed him. So all we need to do is put our trust in the lord and not change our values or who we are to obtain the prize. But it's also true that Nephi had to kill someone too (hint hint...just kidding). And in doctrine and covenants section 58 verses 3 to 5 I think. It says that there are blessings for us that we can't even imagine. And if we endure the trials that come along with it. And the more tribulations the more blessings we receive. And in D&C 121 it's the story of Joseph Smith in prison and the lord talks to him saying that all of the difficulties and trial he has is for his benefit and learning. So I hope this spiritual thought has helped. And if you want the other end to tell 'you know who' off I have that too. Scriptures about having secret meetings and changing to get gain. Really good stuff. My companion is really good with 'bajar la caña' (telling someone off). But it's always the same person being a chupa media (sucking sock, but here it means brown noser, suck up, etc.). But just endure with the biggest smile you have and it will all work out. It's kind of weird to think but I have changed a lot. I'm not as annoying and childish like back home. My humor has changed. I don't use the Salmond humor as often. I don't know it feels like I'm becoming a man. That and I'm loosing a ton of weight. Hopefully when I get home I will be another person. Well that's all I have to say today. Love ya'll

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Con Amor  Elder Salmond

Jake's e-mail from 5/21/2012

So on Saturday we had a baptism. Whooooooooooooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooo. It was a little chubby nine year old named Franco. He is super cool. He knows a lot about the church because his mom is a member less active. And a couple of days before there was a problem. He said he likes to drink beer. And he is 9 years old. What the heck. So we talked to him and dropped the Cain a little. And he said he would live the word of wisdom. So that was good. My companion performed the baptism and the confirmation. Which is ok. And it has been the first baptism in our area for 6 months. That is a long time. But we have 3 more coming in the next couple of weeks. I'm so happy right now, I might vomit...just kidding. And a couple of weeks ago the youth went to the temple and I asked them to pick up some stuff for me from the distribution center. Like cool pamphlets or DVDs or book. Just whatever. And they said there easy literally nothing. I guess people from Argentina come in and buy everything when a new shipment comes in. so you have to get in there before they do. So it was a bummer but what can you do. And I bought my sleeping bag today to. It's not the very best but it will be sufficient for my needs. And I'm trying to find a new backpack too. Mine is super awesome but it is too big. Walking around with it on makes my back sweaty even though it is cold. So when I take it off I get super cold. And a lot of time there is literally no room in a member's house to put my backpack. So I'm looking for a new one. I have a very specific one in mind but I haven't found it yet. And one of my zone leaders asked if it would be ok if we stayed in the same area as a companionship. We both told him yes. But I doubt it will be executed. But I guess we will see. Two of the other missionaries say that I'm going to be training next change. But I don't feel ready for that and it's too early in my mission. When you get to be a trainer you have a "kid" and you are called the dad. It's a tradition here. But I'm not ready to have a kid...jajaja. So in the last email you mentioned a game called hearts. How do you play that? And could you guys make a list of your favorite scriptures and an explanation of why and send it to me. I just love stuff like that. Well not much else going on here. Love you all bye... oh and did you find more pictures on my phone?

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Con Amor  Elder Salmond

Jake's Post 5/14/2012

So I really don't know what to write since we talked on Skype. Hopefully we have all the bugs fixed by Christmas. But tomorrow we are going to have a zone conference. I want it to come so bad. It is a good break and we have some fun as well. I don't know what the subject is on but I know it will be inspiring.  That is so cool that Jim wants to go out with you guys. I'm a little jealous. If you have a chance tell him I said hi and wish I could be there. Tell me everything. And it's cool about all of the other Bigfoot stuff like the DNA project and the percentages of the DNA. Wow. Really cool stuff. But it stinks that it is confidential because I want to tell people. But I won't. I kind of feel like a spy because I'm in a different country with strange people. Wearing clothes that an FBI agent would wear and be given confidential material. Wow. My dream has come true.  And I'm not going to lie because speaking Spanish to you all was kind of funny because of your faces. It was a mix of I don't understand and? What?. I don't know if my Spanish is even that good. But I can about the gospel the best. But if they turn it to another subject that is where I get a little confused. And after we got done on Skype the mom of the family gave us chorizo. Yummmmmmmmmyyyy. I do have some favors to ask...what is the order of winning hands in poker? And could you send me some instructions for simple but amazing card/magic tricks? The kids here love them. And you talk to the bishop or someone and get my line of authority? And if you can could you laminate it like my patriarchal blessing so it will last forever? and also in that package you are going to send I do have some ideas... a super hero shirt ( like the avengers), candy like Twix or Reese's or starburst, more taco mix, hot coco mix, photos of all the cousins and family and pets and whatever else, a bunch of our recipes that are easy to make (like your yummy cookies), and a really really nice oil vile ( I need one that will last because my other one broke and I cant buy one here), or whatever else you can think of. Sorry that this letter isn't very long...bye

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Con Amor  Elder Salmond- an instrument in the hands of the LORD

Jake's e-mail from 5/7/2012

Ok so I just read a little that you wrote this week and I'm going to answer some questions that you have that are important. First is that on the 13th of May. This Sunday. I will be using Skype if one member will let me use it. If not just be by the phone. I will call in the afternoon or in the night a little. But I won't call in the morning or before or during church. Your time there is 3 hours behind here. So just be by your ipad or have the phone free. It was actually bad because in the announcements last week it said we would be calling tomorrow but we called president to see what is going on. He said they messed up and it's actually on the 13th. That is why I haven't really given details or it seems like I'm rushing things. So sorry for that. But I'm hoping really bad that I can use Skype. I'm about 85 percent sure that I will be able to. Oh and thanks for the photos from my phone. But I think more photos are in my phone. You can switch them to my memory card and then email them. My comp saw the picture of Felicity. He liked it...but I'm so glad we broke up. I don't want to get distracted. It's good to be free. Plus I'm thinking of plans for my future. I still have the goal of 4 months to have a fiancé. Just kidding, but seriously. Ok, this weather here is so stupid its back to ridiculous heat. But last week I was dying from the cold. What the heck. I just want it to be cold. But at night it's generally cold. So that helps. And about the draft thing. I was going to lie and say that I did it but to tell the truth I don't remember doing it. It may have been when we registered me to vote or something. Honestly I don't know. And you could you do me a favor. Could you send a book of how to play the piano for dummies? Or something like that. I want to expand the horizon of my skills and I think the piano would be a good start. A lot of missionaries learn how to play in the mission. One could start playing hymns in sacrament after 6 months of practice. So I want to learn. And it's crazy because I really don't remember anything from before my mission. Like movies, music, stories, books, or stuff like that. I don't know why. It can get frustrating if I want to reflect upon a good movie but don't remember it. Am I going crazy? And it's the same with my speaking ability. I'm in the phase that a lot of missionaries go through. I don't remember Spanish or English very well. Ahhhhhh...........

Another thing I want to mention is that Luke needs to start preparing for the mission. Unlike me I want him to be prepared. And not have to worry about learning everything a new, but have the skills and knowledge that a missionary needs. So encourage him to study preach my gospel and apply the things it says. And also there is DVDs that we use in the mission for training. They are called preach my gospel DVDs. there is a district 1 and a district 2. If you could buy these and have him watch and study them that could help with his preparation. I love you all. And I think I'm still going strong. I have two investigators with a date for baptism. I know they will be baptized. It's just the waiting that's the killer. I love you all.

Oh and I bought brass knuckles today...

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Con Amor  Elder Salmond- capo, guapo, snaker

Jake's 4/30/2012

Wow so it’s been getting really really cold here. It’s crazy how fast it came on. It’s literally like someone turned a switch. And here in South America it’s a lot different because there is no such thing as a heater for your house. Well there is but it’s just a light bulb that can get hot. But a lot of people use the fireplace for their warmth. But as missionaries we are not allowed to use it. So it’s been really really cold. You know its cold when you can see your breath in your house in the middle of the day. Weird stuff. But I’m glad it’s here. I have been in summer too long. And it feels great. And the other day it was raining really bad and the street was a river. It reminded me of the 50 miler. And I don’t know why. And for about 4 weeks now I haven’t been able to eat a lot. At home I could down 3 or 4 plates of food but now it’s really hard to finish just 2. Its weird but I don’t know why. And I bought a sweater. It took forever. I think 2 hours because the clothes here are made a lot different. And I also had to buy a new belt too. And it’s really cool. Its leather with a stitch work design in it. And yesterday I thought I would have to kill a dog. It was not on a chain and it was barking up a storm and it was charging us bearing all of its teeth. So I thought if it went for me I would take it down with my knife skills. But there is a technique here that people use. If you have your bag in front of you they usually don’t attack or if they do they go for your bag. So then you can do whatever is necessary to get it away. But the dog thing here is pretty bad. And can get scary. For example when there are about 5 dogs that want to kill you. Intense. But we just yell 'fueda che'. And make a loud kissing noise. I don’t know why but it works. It’s a lot different here. Oh or you can throw rocks at them. That works too. And I don’t like to pet any dog here. Whether it is wild or tame. Because they are all nasty with something. Its takes awhile for me to determine if it’s safe to pet or not. And you have to watch your hands. Because if they are at your side the dogs like to bite them. But I haven’t had any really bad experiences just close calls. But I do have a favor to ask of you. Could you send me some pepper spray for the dogs? Because I really don’t want to have to deal with killing a dog or a mauling. So I think it would be safe to have some on me. There is none here. Oh and also in my desk in my room. In the drawer that is above the chair, my phone is in there. Could you take the memory card out and send it to me in a letter. It’s really small so I think it would work in a letter. But it has pictures of my ex's. And for some reason everybody here wants to know about them and see them. So those two favors would help me a lot. I love you all. And remember to drive fast and take chances. Oh and if you’re not cheating you’re not trying.

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Con Amor  Elder Salmond- capo, guapo, snaker