28 September 2009

Hi Family!

Sounds like Dad has a super busy schedule, but good that he's keeping busy. I thought of him last week when I was drinking my last Dr. Pepper, my stock has ran out. Time for a "Sev Run". I'm glad you got my photos as well. I don't really have any news ones this week, but I'll keep taking more for your viewing pleasure. :)

I counted the other day, and exactly half of the houses I've lived in have been with members. My first house-no, because we had to search for our house the first day we got here and rented it. My second house-yes. My third house-no. My fourth house-yes. (That is the house where we lived with the famous "Grandma" that everyone knows.) My fifth house (my last area)-no. And then this house, numero seis-yes. So it's been every other so far.

Yes, the members have been taking care of us. On Saturday our ward mission leader and his wife took us out to eat because our food appointment fell through. Our mission leader is Brother Barajas, the family with the son on the mission and they always treat us so nicely, we wash our clothes at their house and everything. Maybe Dad didn't realize when I said my area is rich, way rich. The richest in the mission. I've seen a Lamborghini drive by, there are huge malls everywhere, tons of restaurants, the people here are loaded, you could say... Lots of "mu-lah". So they're not "rather poor to be doing this." Haha.

I'm excited for golfing with Dad when I get home, should be a good time. I don't know why Set's brother was at the changes, but he was. And it was nice to see and talk with him. I'm glad Dad liked the phrase "Nos llevan al baile." You can teach that to Amberlee. Haha. There is only one mission van so the ZL's can't take the elders to their new areas, in fact, only the Assistants get to drive the van, and the secretaries.

In Mexico they use the word "claro" fairly often. There are like 5 ways to say "of course" so it just depends, but yes it is fairly common. Thank you so much for buying me more socks, I really appreciate it. Something that I "need", not just want. Tomorrow we are going to visit a member who sells shoes so I'll see what I can find, and hopefully she'll give me a discount or something. I've found them in shops for 500 pesos, and they're good shoes that will last me. I'll let you know next week what I found. I haven't had to buy any other clothes really. I bought 2 more pairs of garments months ago just to have more. But other than that I haven't bought anything. I've sown (sown? or sowed?) a pair of pants several times because they ripped in the crotch! Haha. But no worries there.

I didn't know Jonathan Call was leaving already. I hope you enjoyed his talk. Yesterday we had our ward conference and it went really well. I like my ward a lot, one of the best I've had. I'm not in the Federal District, I'm in the state still. It's called Naucalpan, but that's also where my very first area was. It's the other side of Naucalpan. If you can find it, there's a big free-way called Periferico (I think that's how you spell it) and it's in my area. There is a big shopping mall called "Satelite" and it's on that big highway, very close to my house. My area has like 20 colonies, it's a big area.

Thanks for Am's email, I enjoy reading those for sure. My comp. is 20 years old, completes years in January. (That's how you say it in Spanish, "complete years") So he's a little bit older than me. Answering Mom's question, my other shoes are holding up...barely. I just found out last night that my other pair now have a small hole in them and water seeps in. I use my slip on shoes for church on Sunday and the other two pairs to work. That's what I was doing before at least.

So did you finally purchase the DVR? Good on ya Pops. Way to be! :) Tiff will have to do a cousins getaway next summer, that'd be fun. Lots of memories up there in Midway.

That's about all the news from this week. Conference next week, I'm excited for that. I can't believe it's here already. We're already in October, crazy sauce.

I love you family! Have a great week! Thanks for all your love and support, you're the best. I love you all!

Love,

Elder Green

21 September 2009

Hi Green Family,

We had another good week here, a lot easier than the last one. We're starting to find some new people to teach but we need to keep looking and find more. We don't have hardly any investigators yet so we're still working on that.

That's tough that Am's companion went home, no fun at all for her. But like you said, it's not her fault and not much she can do about it. I don't have the email you said that Am sent to me. Maybe she sent it to my mylds account? I'll check that after. Elder Green with his Krispy Kreme donuts and Dr. Pepper.

I'll be sure to think of Dad the next time I drink a Dr. Pepper. A member gave us a coupon for a free dozen donuts from Krispy Kreme and they were really good. Can't even remember the last time I had one of those. I know Dad doesn't like them, but I enjoyed em. :)

Mexican flag hanging in the Church on 15 September.

Sorry about not sending any photos last week, I'll see if I can send some real quick today. I have several photos that I want to send to you. Not sure if I've grown or not on the mission, I doubt it. But I will try to check if I can find a place to measure my height. My comp. is a little short, but nothing out of the ordinary. He's a little bit bigger width wise, if that's a nice way to say it. But we're doing fine here together.

Elder Quintero, his "greenie" and Elder Green.

About half the houses I've lived in here have been with members, the other half no. So I guess it just depends really. They don't make a big deal out of that here. That's way cool that you had the missionaries over for dinner at our house. I'm glad you invited them because people always invite us. A pair of worn out shoes!

For example, the member's house that we are at right now, washing our clothes, she just invited us to eat with her and her son is on a mission as well. She's way kind to us. She gave us that coupon for Krispy Kreme and is always way kind to us and helping us out in whatever we need, so I'm glad you helped out the missionaries back home. The husband just got called as the new ward mission leader and he's a way funny guy, so we know this family pretty well. They're way kind to us. J.J.'s side of the room.

Let's for sure plan on golf, I'd really enjoy that. Some classes would really help out. Set's brother isn't a missionary, he's like 30 something years old. Maybe more... But he was at the changes and that's where I ran into him. Great guy. Their closet.

They used to reimburse us for taxis, but just recently they stopped doing it. Not sure what the cause is for that. Supposedly they give us more before changes and we use that on the taxis, but it's the same amount that they give us. Nos llevan al baile. Ha ha. That means "They take us to the dance." But it's slang for "They rip us off." Funny how the slang works here.

Elder Cerano's side of the room.

I'm not sure why our bishop is living in Mexico City, I never asked him. I think he's been here for about 7 years, him and his family. In Mexican Spanish they also use the word "claro" which can mean clear or of course, has two meanings. But in Argentina, in place of using "tu" they use the word "voz", sounds really weird to me. But they both mean "you" informal.

Elder Cerano and Elder Green.

Our Independence Day was really fun. The ward activity was really nice; short, but good. And since you mentioned getting a new care package put together for me... well there is something that I need, more socks. I like the Gold Toe ones that I have but several pairs now have wholes in the bottom. So if you could send maybe like 4 or 5 pairs that would be great. And if Mom could sew a little red onto them like she did with the others so I can recognize that they're mine. They wore out because my shoes started to wear out. I'll send you a picture of one of the pairs of shoes I have, it has a big whole in the bottom, right on the ball of the foot. I will need to buy some new ones soon, so I was thinking maybe an early Christmas present?? Elder Cerano and the trainer.

There is a good brand here called Flexi, it's like the Ecco's of Mexico. They cost about 50 dollars, not too expensive. But the ones I have now I will probably get rid of before I change areas. If it rains water gets in from the bottom very quickly and it's not very padded anymore for walking, obviously. So let me know what I should do there, I'll start looking for new shoes though. Might be tough to find some in this area but I'll keep my eye open. Other than that I can't think of much else that I need right now.

I hope Chez keeps up the success in soccer, sounds like he's got a really good team. Nice work buddy! Where is Dad building this dog house at? Is he building it from scratch or how is he doing it? Yes, I like to share a little something when we eat with the members as well. Usually just a short scripture that I like and a 2 or 3 minute message, nothing long. Short and sweet. Glad the missionaries did that with you.

I heard Trevor was back, that's way exciting. I still remember when he called me to tell me where he was going on his mission. That sure went by fast. Bummer about the Utes not doing so hot this year. But oh well.

I think I'll just hold onto my memory card, it doesn't take up much room. I already bought one that is half decent so you don't have to send me one. Thank you though! Sounds like Tiff's adult get away will be fun. What is the age that qualifies you as an adult? Or do you have to have kids to be included in this? Just curious.

On the Independence Day we worked a little, but knocking doors won't have any success on that day. So we just visited some people mostly, less active families, things like that. Then had the activity in the afternoon. If you haven't been able to find my area yet, the zip code is 53100, or that's part of my area at least. The chapel's address is Lomas Verdes Avenue number 490, fairly close to my house.

Well I think that's about all from this week. I'll try to get some photos sent off real quick. If I don't have time now then I'll do it after the junta. I love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Green

14 September 2009

Hi Family,

Thanks for the emails, I always love reading those. Seems like Amberlee is all settled in now and studying hard. I sure remember those days well. Yes, I did write Amberlee a letter and it will go out this week. I really enjoyed the MTC so I hope that she does as well.

My new companion is a really good guy. His name is Elder Cerano from Michoacan. This past week was a little tough because I didn't know the area, we got lost maybe once or twice. But now it's no problem at all. In about one week you can recognize everything and find your way around. My area is super super rich, I think the richest area in all of the mission. There are way nice houses, huge malls everywhere, everyone has cars, it's a nice area. But there are also places to work as well so I really like the area.

The Wendy's is like 5 minutes from my house in bus, and there's a 7 Eleven really close to our house also. So of course, I stocked up on Dr. Pepper for my house :) I have some pics of my comp. and I and also of my house, I'll try to send them to you. Right now we are in a member's house washing clothes and she let us use the Internet, so I'm not sure if I can upload photos here or not. But if not, I'll get them to you soon.

Our house is pretty nice. We live with members which is pretty cool, they really helped us out the first week here. The house is fairly small, probably the smallest I've had but it's clean and not beat up. It's just one room and then the bathroom, but I don't mind it too much.

I bought another memory card so I will start to use that one from now on. My other one had lots of videos on it so I think that's why it filled up so fast.

That's great that Am is already testifying and praying in Spanish, I remember learning that as well. That's some of the first things you learn there. I miss that some days, but then again I don't. :) Glad that Grandma and Grandpa had a nice welcome home talk and party. I can't believe that they're home already.

We went to changes last Tuesday with all the missionaries and I saw Elder Garcia. I gave him the jerky and he was So So excited. He couldn't even believe it. He gave me the biggest hug. He wanted me to tell you thank you very very much from him, he loves it. It was nice to see him and other missionary friends that day.

Yes, the ties Amberlee sent me are very good looking. If you'd like to send some ties that'd be fine with me. I don't know which colors I need, so just whatever you think looks good. The ones she sent me were good quality, American ties. I can find the cheap ones here but I like the nicer ones as well.

Glad to hear that Phil is doing good now. I'd love to go golfing with Dad when I get back, he'll just have to have lots of patience with me. Golf is tough and takes lots of practice but I'd love to learn how and improve my skills.

So being a "dad" is a good experience, you learn lots. Not sure if I like it too much but it's a good opportunity for me. I'll be sure to do the best I can and make the best out of my time while I'm here.

Last Tuesday, when I went to the changes, I ran into a familiar face. I didn't recognize him at first but he noticed me right off the bat. It was Melqui, Set's brother! How cool is that? Ha-ha. I talked with him for a little while which was really neat. I used to play basketball with him when he would come visit Set, but I never was really able to talk to him because I didn't know Spanish. And when I saw him we just starting talking like normal, I didn't even realize it until after. Ha-ha. Funny experience. But it was really cool to see him. He offered to take some things home for me if I needed, but I'm far away from where he lives so I told him that it's OK.

I know that I've spent a little bit of money this week, I'm sorry. I had to buy quite a few things for the house, including food, bathroom supplies, garbage bags, things of that sort. I had to take several taxis to get to my new house and the mission doesn't reimburse you for that anymore.

I did, however, find something I needed with the money that Mortimer's gave me. A new backpack. So I bought that on Saturday, it cost me about 30 dollars. Remember how I told you that I needed one? Well, I finally found one I like. It's a nice Nike one.

My new Ward is great. Our Bishop is way awesome. He's from Argentina and has the funniest accent, but he's a really great guy. The whole Ward and members are great here, really supportive and help out a lot. Tomorrow is the Independence Day here in Mexico, so it's a big party day. We're going to have a little activity in the Church with two Wards, should be pretty fun.

Well that's about all from this week. I love you all. I'm doing great, hanging in there still :) I hope you all have a great week.

Love,
Elder Green

7 September 2009

Hi Family,

Thanks for the emails, always a pleasure. :) Sounds like it was a pretty good week for you, dropping off Am at the MTC and all that. She's now officially on her mission, that came up fast. I'm going to write her a letter and try to send it off this week if I get time. It's going to be a busy busy week. This week is the week of changes, last night they told us who goes, who stays, all that jazz. But I'll get to that later...

Elder Green and Elder Hoyt looking over Mexico City.

Elder Green overlooking Mexico City.

We had one more baptism last Tuesday, her name is Susana Maria Hilda Garibay Bustamante. She is the mother of a member and she's really old, just about to turn 80. She can't walk anymore and is always in a wheelchair. But she's the sweetest little lady ever, she's so cute. We've been working with her for a while and planning the baptism, but she's been sick so we weren't ever able to do it. We had to make the water as hot as possible which isn't very easy her in Mexico. Most of the boilers don't work very well, so we bought 2 irons to heat up the water while it was filling up, along with the boiler. It didn't really help though, it was barely warm. It took three of us to baptize her, my comp. and I and a young man in our ward who is just waiting for his mission call to arrive. I'll send ya some pics. We sat her in a chair, filled the water way high, and tried to baptize her like that. The first time, her knees came out. So we took the chair out and we all just held her in our arms, my comp. said the prayer, and we lowered her into the water real quick. It only took two tries, and I'll never forget that baptism. An experience for sure.

Sister Susana Maria Hilda Garibay Bustamante getting baptized.

I got the package last Wednesday, perfect timing! Thank you so much. It was perfect. I should see Garcia tomorrow and I'll give him some jerky, he'll be excited for that. I talked to him last night, he's going to the zone I was in very first, Culturas. The ties Am sent me are way nice, I love them. I wore one of the yesterday. I'll be sure to tell her thanks. I also got some letters from you, one from Mom, and one from Shantaye. Thanks for the mother's advice Mom, I'll be sure to remember that when I'm raising my own family one day :)

Some of the District inside the cave. Elder Hoyt and Elder Green in the cave.

Inside the cave.

Sounds like Am's mission will be pretty strict, but that's not a bad thing. I'm so excited for her! That's cool that Phil stopped by and visited you. He told me he wanted to a few weeks ago, that he's wanted to for a long time. So I told him to do it because you talked about calling or visiting him as well. Glad he's doing better now.

Elder Green and Elder Miranda in the cave.

When I took the videos of us golfing, I took them with my camera. My 4GB memory is already full, so I just bought another one for 200 pesos. We'll see how long that one lasts me. I'd love to go golfing with Dad when I get home, maybe even take lessons if it's not too expensive. Golf would be a good sport to get good at, especially for business.

Well, now to the changes. They called us last night with the big news. I'm leaving this area and off to a new one. Like I said before, the mission is short of missionaries because none came last change. So most missionaries, in this zone at least, have two areas and two wards. So I am moving to a different area but in the same zone. It's called Lomas Verdes. My best friend in the mission, Elder Hoyt, was in that area for a while and we've gone once or twice to do interviews for them. And my new DL is a way cool guy, he was Hoyt's companion, so I'm pretty excited. He'll help me get to know the area since I have to open it with a new comp. I guess the area is one of the richest ones here, so we'll see how it is. I'm excited for that, but nervous. I don't know who my new comp. is yet, but I'll find out tomorrow. I'm gonna be a dad... I'm going to train a new missionary. I'm way excited for that but a little nervous, especially since I don't know the area. I'll let you know how it goes next week. But that's the big news, I'm gettin' a kid! Wish me luck! I'll be sure to remember how my dad did it and remember all the councils you've given me so I will be able to train him as best as possible.

Other than that, nothing much else is new. I'll send you some pics today as well. I still need to pack tonight and say goodbye to some families. I'm nervous but it should be a good transfer, I'm sure I'll learn a lot.

"A group of us at the golfing range".

J.J. with his "game face on".

Elder Hoyt and Elder Green.

Elder Green and Elder Miranda. Elder Green and Elder Hoyt.

J.J. golfing.

Well Family, I love you all! Thanks for everything. Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Green

1 September 2009

Hi Family,

So I have a little bit of time this morning so now I can write to you all. We are planning another baptism this afternoon so it's going to be a busy day. Sorry about yesterday, we didn't have much time at all. We had a district activity that took up about the whole day, but it was a blast.

Sounds like Am's goodbye talk was awesome, wish I could've been there. That's very kind of the Mortimer's to donate to my mission funds, I'll be sure to write them a letter to say thank you. I still talk to Kory by Internet and I wrote him a letter last week.

Thanks Mom and Dad for helping out on the mission funds; I was unaware of that. So thank you very much. But I have to buy my own bike?? Bummer. That's why I told Dad to sell my old one so I'd have money to buy the one I wanted when I get home. But oh well. I guess I'll just have to save up and then get it.

Yes, I cut up my credit card in small pieces and threw it away. Don't worry. Seems like you had fun at 5 Mile Pass last week. Strange how much it's changed, that's no fun. But not much you can do.

To answer Dad's question, check out page 128 in Preach My Gospel, that's where you'll find your answer about the English stuff. :)

Yes, my comp. right now is a DL. He went home the first time because he had some problems that he had to take care of is all. When he went to that long meeting I went and worked with a different missionary, it was pretty fun. The juntas every Sunday night are for the DL's and the ZL's, so I don't have to be in them, luckily. :)

Basketball last week was a blast. I can't jump like I used to, but I DID dunk it one time. So I still have something of my legs. But then again, I've only played basketball 3 times in my one year of being in Mexico, so I've lost a lot of what I had before. Hopefully I'll be able to get it all back. I already assigned Chez to that job, he has to get me back in shape. Right buddy?!? Haha. Don't let me down Chez-ro! :)

That's cool that Chez wants a Gold's Gym membership. I have one waiting for me when I get home so then him and I can go together. It's just on hold for these two years while I'm not home, pretty cool. I'm glad I'll have that to come back to.

To answer Mom's question: Yes, the Elder Sorensen that came to our house to visit you all, he got married just this past Saturday. Pretty quick, but I'm happy for him.

When I completed one year in Mexico, we got together with Amalia, the investigator that we have, and we watched Finding Faith In Christ and then ate a cake. It was an enjoyable evening with them. They're so kind to us. She's all ready for baptism but wants to wait and get baptized with her daughter who is 14, so we're still working with her.

Last Saturday, we had to do an interview for other missionaries in another area at night, and then after we didn't have any other appointments, so we crossed the street and went to a little driving range. It was lots of fun! Took some good pics and videos. I love golf, but I'm not very good at it at all. It's fun to play though. So that was a blast to hit some balls with some buddies that night.

I hope everything goes well with Amberlee tomorrow!! Tell her good luck for me! I'm so excited for her! I know she's going to be an amazing missionary. Study hard and work hard. I loved the MTC, it was a great experience for me. I'm sure she'll love it as well. I love ya sis! Way proud of you. :) Write me a letter in Spanish once you start learning it, even if it's a little. Just the best you can.

Well, that's about all the news from this week. Oh yeah, yesterday for our activity, we went to these caves that are in the mountains, it was pretty cool. They are man made because they used to mine there, but we had lots of fun. That's what took up the whole day.

Love you fam! Have a great week! Let me know what Am's blog site is so I can check it out. Also, if you can tell me how to update videos to my blog I can do that for you, because I'm not sure how to send them from email. Thanks.

Love ya!
Elder J.J. Green

31 August 2009

Hi family!

So I don't have much time today. I'll keep it short and maybe we'll come back early tomorrow and I can write more, sorry. I only had time to read the emails but they were great. Be sure to give me Am's MTC address because she'll be there for 2 months so I can write her a letter.

This week went pretty well, can't complain. I have lots of pics but I don’t have time to send them today, obviously. I just wanted to read the emails and let you know that I'm doing great, don't worry about me. :)

Wish I could've been there for Amberlee's farewell talk. Sounds like it went really great.

I love you all. Sorry it's extremely short.

I'll try to write more soon.

Love you all!

J.J.