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

Armadillo... taste like turkey

So I don’t know if I told you but the area that I’m in is different. Because we are both new so we are opening the area. It’s really hard but we can do it. And the two missionaries that left didn’t leave good records or anything. For example for a direction to a house they would just put a street name but the street is like 3 miles long. So we have had to work with members a lot here. And they all want to help so it makes it easier. But it’s still hard. And I have been told that our area is hard to work with in general. And as a district we had a goal of 35 lessons with a member but we had 39 in the week. That is a ton.  Elder Pineda and I had only 11. But the zone leaders are really pleased with us. He tells me a lot that I have been working hard. That makes me want to work a lot more now. And our area has a lot of country. Our area is really skinny but is super long. We can’t even go into a part of it because the people live so far apart that it’s not worth trekking all the way out there. So during our interviews with President last week I mention cell phones and bikes for us. He said he would think and pray about it.  But it would be nice if we could get those. Ok if you see that I pulled out money from my account don’t worry. I need some money for some garments because I don’t have enough and I want an mp3 player. It’s going to be the same price as a CD player but it’s a lot easier to deal with. So don’t freak-out. And last night I ate armadillo for the first time. It was good tasted like turkey but a little more greasy. Really yummy. And a Christmas miracle happened I got your Christmas package. Woooooooooo. I guess it went to the MTC and an Elder held on to it and then sent it to me when he got to Uruguay. How nice. And if you could get the information about Seth and the leather scripture cases that would be nice. And it would be nice if he could be the go between too. And Mother’s day here is the second Sunday of May not he first. So don’t freak out about that.

What an opportunity we have here in about a week. We get to hear from an actual Prophet in our days. Wow. What a blessing. This has been a focus in our lessons lately because people can actually hear and see it. So I want to express that this is a good time to get answers. When you watch General Conference think of a question about anything and I testify that you will receive an answer. Because it happened to me. The last general conference was on missionary work and at that time I was having concerns about my mission. So that was an answer for me. I testify that this Church is true because it is directly from God and no man could have created it. And thru Jesus we can be saved. I share this little message in his name even Jesus Christ amen.

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Con Amor Elder Salmond- capo, guapo, snaker

T-bo... Jake's new place

So transfers went well. First I woke up at 3 in the morning to catch the bus to Montevideo, and I got there at around 7 in the morning. But I really didn’t sleep on the bus. So I was really tired. Then I talked to other missionaries in the terminal in Montevideo. It’s called tres cruses. And there was a bunch of other missionaries because all the buses go to Montevideo. This country is very centralized. Everything goes or comes in to Montevideo. It is pretty annoying but oh well. But then my other bus for T-bo didn’t leave until 12. So I was stuck in Montevideo for 5 hours. So I walked around Montevideo with the zone leader there. It is giant everything is big and loud. But it was really cool. Then when it came time to leave I got onto a Turil bus. Which is the really nice company for buses because they have two floors and they gave me an alfajor and some coca cola, really nice of them. And it was a little roomier than the other buses I have taken. But the bus to Tacuarembó was long about 6 hours. And it was a lot of country. When I got to T-bo I got my luggage. Which there is no real threat of them being stolen. And I was greeted by 3 other missionaries. Mine was Elder Pineda. And he is new to the area too. So both of us have no information of our area. And it’s been hard. We have had to start from scratch. And the missionaries that left had terrible records. They didn’t put down addresses for investigators. Which they really don’t have them but at least you could describe something. And we actually have a house. It had 4 missionaries in it and it’s huge and pretty nice. I love T-bo. The members here are really strong and very supportive the best I have seen. They fight over our laundry and give us tons of food. I have a feeling I’m going to gain some weight here. But my area only has a couple of streets but is super long. It takes us 40 minutes to get to the bishops house and that is not even the farthest we can go. It’s super long. And a lot of people say we have bikes but we really don’t. So that’s a bit of a bummer. Well I don’t have that much time left so my spiritual thought is going to be a little short. Look at D&C 59:9-10. And tell me what it says and I can promise you it is a great commandment that we need to follow. I love you all so very much bye...and I just bought a switch blade. And I was holding an ostrich egg I think. Well I explain more and answer more questions next week...

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Con Amor Elder Salmond- capo, guapo, snaker

Jake's e-mail today and his first transfer in the field...

So as you know transfers are today. That is why this email is a day late. Transfers are every 6 weeks. So just expect my email to be late every 6 weeks. And transfers are just a phone call from the zone leader. He calls and gives you your new companions name and where you will be transferred to or not. And it takes only 5 minutes, but it seems like forever to get the call. It's kind of funny because my compani9on has been in only two areas for 1 year. Funny. my transfer is.........a place called.......and it's in Spanish........and it's a little up north.......and......it.......is......Tacuarembó. It's really for north and it is really hot there because I was talking with Elder Elliott (he is the other gringo missionary in Dolores) and he was just there and said it's a really good place to be. So I'm leaving tonight at 3:30 in the morning and going all the way down to Montevideo and then going all the way up to Tacuarembó. The bus ride to Montevideo is 5 hours then to Tacuarembó is 6 hours. So it's going to be a long day I think. And I already packed today and I'm just waiting now. And today for p day we had lunch with a bunch of our friends/investigators/converts. It was really fun. I am going to miss Dolores but oh well that's the mission. A couple of other things I want to mention are that my shoe size down here is 44 to 46. So I don't know what scale that is one but you can Google it. And I'm so glad you took on my challenge with 2 Nephi 12:2. And yes the answer is UTAH. Crazy huh? I knew Utah was really special but the scriptures just verify it. I'm so glad you found the answer. At the beginning of last week there was a huge storm and it dumped so much water on us. We were walking then all of the sudden it felt like someone poured a bucket of water on me and within 1 second I was soaked. Crazy then it didn't stop until that night. And when we walked back to our apartment that night it was nuts because the trenches in front of people's houses (which are about 4 feet deep) were full and started to go into the street. The street was literally a river. And it was so cool and scary too. And while I have been here in Dolores I only got packages from you. And I got letters from you, and a sister missionary in Argentina (she is a friend from the MTC and a letter from brother Erickson. it was really nice of him. it helped me a lot. and about the Facebook thing. I want it for after my mission because we can't use Facebook, but I want it now so my friends and investigators can friend me on it. Then when I get home I will have all my contacts. And about the animals here. There is nothing really new or different. But there is a ton of dogs. In the street and as peoples pets. It's really crazy. It's common to see a dog just lying in the middle of the road. And they are just mainly mutts of all different sizes, colors, and breed. Just crazy. Amanda wouldn't like it here. And in one week I probably walk about 15 to 20 miles. But that is just an estimate. And I'm really jealous of all the good movies that are coming out. Man! I'm a little trunkie. Because of that and the email with all the pictures. It looks really nice. Did you have fun? I hope they will be happy. Wish them the best for me please. Well I love you all and I'll have a really good spiritual thought next week...from Tacuarembó...
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Con Amor Elder Salmond- capo, guapo, snake