Saltillo

Well the birthday was just the same as every other day in the mission. I just got moved to a new area last Tuesday as well so almost no one knew it was my birthday. All part of the mission right.

I attached a few pictures of my new area. It is up in the mountains more so it stays a little cooler so thats been nice. Where I am at now is called Saltillo. Monterry to Saltillo is kinda like Salt Lake to Logan, but it's still pretty toasty here. Saltillo is pretty good sized. Not as big as Monterrey but still a good sized city. I am living with 3 natives again. My comp is from Guadalajara, Mexico and has very little time in the mission. The other two elders we live with are both from Peru. So yet again I am stuck in an English-less home.

 

Well, things are going good here. I am just trying to get to know the new are and get things running how I want them to. Also enjoying the somewhat cooler weather. Tired as usual but I dont think that will change any time soon. Still no packages but I am sure that they will get here soon. Thanks for all you do for me I love you all and miss you guys.

 

Elder K

 

 

Happy Birthday, Jake!!!

Today is Jake's 20th birthday!

Take a minute and send him a birthday message if you get a chance.

20th B-day

I keep forgetting that my birthday is close. It really doesn't feel any different. This week the big news is transfers. We find out tonight where we will be going and all so you guys will have to wait until next Monday. I am going to send my letter of stories in the mail today so it should come in the next month or so. I hope is sooner than later. We really haven't had much happen this week. We didn't have any baptisms but we have a couple of families that are progressing well so we are hoping that means some baptisms now and then a temple visit in a year. Still haven't gotten any packages but I am sure they will get here. I really hope no one takes the pants because I need them.Thanks for everything I love you all. Happy Father's Day yesterday dad.

Elder K

Baptisms and Butt(on)s

Well this transfer has flown by. We have changes on Tuesday. We have had a lot of blessings this transfer. We have three weeks of baptizing and we are going to try and make it four this Sunday. I put the pictures of our two latest baptisms and also of the river that runs through the super poor part of our area. I didn't even know this part was like this until a couple weeks ago. One side of the river is the big city and the other side is house made of cardboard and tin. Not joking at all. It's another world. The other picture is one that another missionary took of me sleeping on the metro. He thought it was funny so I thought I would send it. I think I have developed the button on the butt like dad has--I fall asleep every time I sit down.

Things are super hot here as usual. I am getting pretty used to it though. It doesn't really affect me as much as before. Everyone is worried that the hurricanes are going to start hitting like last year. It will be interesting to see what happens. You will have to let me know if anything is coming our way. I have no idea of any holidays coming up any time soon here. I think the kids here get out of school in a couple weeks. The school systems here are really wierd--the kids hardly go as it is.

 

Everything is going good here we will see what changes come in the next week. I kinda think I will be going to a new area. It's wierd to think that I will be turning 20 soon. I still feel like a little kid. It also feels like time is on hold in the mission. It feels like you are in a different world and the old world you left behind is just paused till you get back, so I don't really feel older or anything.

 

Ben [Jake's good friend who is on a mission in Brazil] is doing really good from what I know. We try to write every week but it doesn't always happen. Last I heard he has a cast on his hand because he busted it playing soccor. But you know Ben, that doesn't stop him from playing again.

 

I love you all and thank you very much for all you do for me.

 

Elder K

 

 

Hot weather, mission updates and beef jerky

Well, we had another baptism yesterday but I don't have my camera at the moment so pictures will come next week. We also have a couple baptisms that will happen in this coming week. We are really starting to have a lot of success here. The heat isn't as bad as before. It's still just as hot but I feel like I am getting use to it. It doesn't really bother me much. All the missionaries have little sweat rags. Mine started out white...now it's more of a grayish-brown. We have a small swamp cooler that pours right into our bedroom but we are only aloud to turn it on at night to save money. So sleeping is good but the rest of the house is super hot. The houses here are made of 100% concrete and cinder blocks so it's like an oven of a house.

I can't really think of any crazy stories to tell you right now. I think that what I am going to do is hand write all the stories from my journal and mail them. That way I have more time and I have the stories already there to remind me.

Thanks for the boost. The mission is not easy in any way but it is worth it. Some days I might not say that, but things always work out and I realize that things arent as bad as they seem. We always need to remember to take a step back and remember the big picture and where we are at in the plan.

 

Well the focus of the mission has changed a lot the last couple months. We still focus on baptism but it's a lost different than before. We have a lot of new mission goals having to do with less actives, members, and refrences. We also don't have number goals for baptisms. The goal is to see how many weeks you can baptize in a row. It's tough but I like all the changes.

As for the beef jerky, it should be fine. [Mom sent beef jerky in Jake's birthday package, then found out that they might not let it into Mexico because it's a beef product.] Other elders have gotten it from their families but then again who knows. All kinds of things go missing in packages. [Mom also sent two new pairs of pants. She thought about including a note that said, "Please do not steal these. They would be too long for you anyway!" Jake is about 6'4" and weighs about 145lbs. so we don't think his clothes would fit many Mexicans!]

 

Thank you so much for sending all that. I am very greatful for all that you and everyone does for me. I love you all and I will be sure to send a big stash of stories soon.

Elder K