Oct 7th Jake's email

Well this week has been good. It has rained all day this week. And the
streets here are horrible. They have no drainage in them. So when it
starts raining the streets get flooded and it’s about 8 inches of
water. And it’s like a river. And my shoes are not made for that. I
have been walking around in wet shoes for about a week now. And my
other pair of shoes broke. So I can’t use those ones either. But I’m
doing good. The conference was amazing. And yes I did listen to it in
English. I like the voices better and it’s easier to take notes in
English. But I can understand it all if it were in Spanish. And that’s
cool about the new TV. Is it nicer? And how’s the new floor. I bet it’s
amazing. Well as you know changes were this week and I’m staying here
and with Elder Pyeatt. So that wasn’t out of the blue. I guessed the
entire change that would happen. And we had some zone shirts made. It’s
the Mountain Dew logo, but it says Paysan on the mountain part. Its
super cool looking. And I found out the Elder Oaks conference will be
this 27. And is going to be the two missions in Uruguay that are
going. And I bet he is going to drop cain. They are always a lot
stronger to us when they are just talking to missionaries. But in
General Conference they go easier. But that is ok too. Man time just
flies by here. I feel new but I’m almost half done. And now there are
going to be younger missionaries. I’m super excited for it but I’m just
going to feel older. But I guess that’s life. Oh and I still haven’t
bought anything with my birthday money. Everything is too expensive
here and I didn’t find anything I want. And I find myself thinking of
how to prepare others to go on missions because I wasn’t prepared at
all. I just think I could have had a better start. And I could be
better now. And during interviews I told president that and that I was
super discouraged. And he kind of talked to me and told me there is
bigger things awaiting me in the mission. I don’t know I still feel new
and like I can’t speak or teach very well. I’m learning a lot form Elder
Pyeatt thought. He’s from New Mexico. And he can teach really well. So
I’m learning some from him. But what I learned from the scriptures is
all I can do is my best. God is not going to judge me for doing more
than I’m capable. I just know that he is pleased and he will do a lot to
help me. But any advice? I need all the tips I can get. Well how’s
everything back home? Still normal? It’s weird to think that I have been
gone awhile. What’s the biggest difference without me there? Silence, 
peace, no more jokes...? I don’t know because I’m not there. Well
chau...talk to you next week
-- 
Con Amor  Elder Salmond