27 April 2009

Good morning family! This was a very interesting weekend that just passed. As Mom mentioned, there is some big virus going around, and everyone is making a huge - huge deal about it. It got serious on Saturday, there were a bunch of people passing out free mouth covers all over the streets and everyone was wearing them. I took a few pics of me with mine on just for fun. It felt like Japan or something. Supposedly 6 people have died and a lot are infected, but I haven't seen anything too serious here in my area.

The people are so scared that they actually cancelled all church meetings late Saturday night. We were supposed to have our stake conference but it was cancelled. Sunday, our DL told us that we need to stay in our house until further notice. It made the weekend a little tough because nobody will even shake your hand on the street, they're all too scared. It didn't feel like a Sunday at all. We were in the house until 2 and then we went to the food appointment.

They also cancelled the junta tonight and so my comp. and I are going with our ward mission leader to go walking in the mountains. My area is really big, as I've told you before, and one part of our area is called La Pila, where my mission leader lives. It's the highest part in all of the D.F., and it gets chilly up there. But he told us that there are some cool lakes or something so we are going to go see those this afternoon. I'll take pictures for you and send them. I'm excited for that, it should be a fun evening.

I can't believe Shantaye will be going to Young Women’s already! That's hard to believe.. Everyone is growing up so fast. Happy birthday to Mom by the way!! I hope you have a great day! Sounds like you got some nice gifts from the family. I will tell you happy birthday again in 13 days, but on the phone this time :) 46, still young, don't worry Mumskis :) I love you Mom!! Just wanted to say thank you for everything, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for all of your help that you gave me through my whole life. And also if you didn't borned me. Haha. Love ya!

Yes, I was a little bummed about not getting the packages in time for Easter, but I didn't say anything to my DL. It wouldn't have changed anything, I got the packages eventually. Thank you again! A birthday package with similar stuff will be just perfect, and the stamps also. Thank you. I have enough paper and envelopes still. I can also buy envelopes at the temple and paper anywhere, it's only the stamps I don't know where to get them. I don't need any ties, basketball shorts or socks. I just bought some new socks in Walmart, and I brought enough shorts to last me. But thank you :) Just whatever cool you come up with will be great. A church DVD would be cool to have. I only have the testaments, but it's great to watch with investigators. Also the Joseph Smith movie, the shorter one, that helps them understand a lot better.

I'm excited to hear about Amberlee's call. That is cool that Dallas is going to Chile. Thanks for the updates. Let's still plan on Sunday night at 7 for the phone call, Mother's Day. I am almost positive that I will get a new companion, and it's almost for sure that he is leaving. But there's been some rumors going around that the ZL's are going to move into this area. The Prez is splitting up the zone into two zones, and from what we've heard they will most likely come here. I'll let you know next Monday for sure because we'll find out Sunday night. That means I won't be in this area for my birthday either, but nothing's final. The Prez can change anything that night if he feels he needs to.

I haven't fixed my shoes yet but they haven't been bothering me anymore. There's not near as many hills in this area and so they soles don't slip around, but I'll still try to get them glued down. I think we bought the shoes too big, and that's why this happened. Or they stretched out a lot. Dress shoes always do that, at least the ones I've had.

Remember how my old dress shoes were only a size 9??

Sounds like you had some good food at the Mexican restaurant. I'd like to go to a few with you when I get back to see how the food is, and how authentic it really is.

We have two baptisms set up for this upcoming weekend, Adriana and her daughter Jessica. They really enjoyed the Visitor Center last week, and we went to visit them last Tuesday again. We taught them lesson 3 and baptism. It was such an amazing experience, the Spirit was so so strong! They both want to get baptized and are excited. Adriana still had some doubts and said she needed more time on the repentance part, so we've been helping her and working with her. At the end of the lesson, we all knelt down together and said the final prayer, and I think all of us were in tears. On Thursday, our DL came to talk with them and help them out, and also give them the interview for baptism.

We will visit her all this week to make sure she feels ready and answer any questions she might have, and then this weekend they are going to get baptized.

We are also working with the 9 year old boy, and we are going to try to plan a baptism date for him also, maybe this upcoming weekend. We went to visit him several times but he hasn't been home, so that's made it tough.

We still go out tracting, knocking doors, contacting on the street, checking references. I use a coin to knock doors, or my keys, since the doors are made out of metal. We have a map of the area, but it's really old and doesn't help much. I know the area really well now though, been here for 3 months. That was a really quick 3 months also, crazy how time goes.

I'll definitely look before I jump off of buses. It wasn't going way fast so it wouldn't have hurt too bad, but better to just avoid that all together. That is way neat that Dad and Chez got to go to see SuperCross. I still remember going with the family years ago and it rained on us. I hope you had a good time!

I can't believe that I am going to turn 20 next month. That seems like a really old age, getting out of the teenage stage.. Scary. I have tried to check My LDS mail lately but every time I log on, it says that it can't find the server, like when it's not hooked up to Internet. But only on that page. I will keep trying, but it never seems to be working whenever I get on.

I have a question for you now. What is the main dish for Utah? People always ask me and I have no idea, I just say that we eat a little of everything. I don't know what to say because I don't know if Utah is famous for any foods. Members ask what we eat there, but I can't ever think of anything. Haha. Pastas, meats, rice, everything... Who knows..

And also, do you still have that stack of my pictures from our Thailand trip? I just want to make sure I have all those when I get back, that was my favorite vacation ever. I was thinking about that the other day. Do you have all the pics of me that we took for my mission? Like the ones with the basketball and helmet, and the one with my skull bandanna, and all those?

I was wondering if you could email all those to me, just to have. Is there any way you could do that? Are they on the computer or anything like that? Thank you.

I hope you all have a great week!

Next week I will tell you about the changes.

Happy birthday again Mom!

I love you all!

Elder J.J. Green

20 April 2009

Hello Family

They definitely celebrate Easter a lot differently here than we do back home. But it was interesting to see how a different culture does it. Yes, I was a little upset that my DL wouldn't give me my package before Easter, but I didn't say anything. I just held it all inside and waited until Tuesday and got them then. I thought he'd be nice enough to give it to me early, but he is SO strict with every single little rule that he wouldn't leave the area or meet up with me to give it to me, but oh well. It is what it is.

I'm way excited for Kory and his mission call! Nebraska! That's way sweet. And he leaves soon, July 1st. Thanks for the pictures you sent Dad, those were cool to see. I'm way excited for Kory, he'll love it.

I think I officially have my guess for Amberlee now... I guess that she will serve in New York City, Mandarin speaking. That's my guess :) Hopefully we'll find out in a month or less, right?

Sunday evening sounds great for the phone call on Mother's Day. 7:00 PM my time should work great. I have two numbers at the moment, so first try the number 044 5517682804. I get better service in my house on that phone. But if that one doesn’t work, you can call the same one as you did on Christmas, 044 5554989520, that will be the back up one.

I don't think I will speak in Church this week, we had conference the first week, then fast Sunday, yesterday a family spoke, and next week is Stake Conference. I'm pretty sure I'll be here next change to speak more, which also means I'll be here for my birthday. We already started talking to some members yesterday to see if we can get some cakes and do something fun.

I'm glad you liked the pics I sent, we were in a weird mood. It was the forest smell and trees that got to me, it reminded me of camping at the Spruces with the whole family. I went to Walmart last week to buy some tea, shoe spray (to help them smell better and stay fresh) and print off pictures to send to Calaigh. Next time I go I will ask if they accept gift cards and let you know.

Mom's B-day is coming up really soon, does she have a list yet? How old are you turning Mom? 41? (NOTE from J.J.’s Dad – very funny J.J. That means Mom had your older sister when she was 18 years old! How about 46.)

The climate here has been off and on. It was pretty warm all week, and today it is cloudy and a little chilly. I heard that May and June are the hottest months and then it starts to cool down a little. I don't think it'll get as hot as it does in Utah, and it doesn't get very humid either. It's like Spring weather almost all the time, which is nice.

What did you eat when you went to the authentic Mexican restaurant? Do you remember at all? Just curious to know if they really have that food here or not.

Last week, we went to help one of our investigators clean her new house so she can move into it. We worked there for about 4 or 5 hours, it was tough work. I have about 4 blisters on my hands. The houses here are all made out of cement, including the floors and everything. So we first moved out a lot of junk that was in there, and then we had to even out the floor. Since it is made of cement, people had thrown water on the floor over the years and the water builds up into more cement and so the floor was uneven. I'm not sure what they're called, but we took big metal bars and scrapped the top layers of cement off, it was a lot of work.

We are going back this week to do another room and help her get it all ready. We also went to the Visitor Center with her and her daughter on Thursday, I will send you pictures of that. We have an appointment with her tomorrow and we only need to teach her lesson 3, baptism. So I think we will put a date for baptism and hopefully baptize her this weekend. She's been coming to church, she just says that it is hard to change religion, so we've been going slow. She says she loves the church and feels that it is true, just needed a little bit of time. The Visitor Center really helped out a lot, it's a great tool to have.

I didn't see much of the reenactment of the Savior's crucifixion, just saw everything set up for it. One day we were walking by and there were tons of people dressed up as Roman soldiers and were walking towards the Catholic church, but we didn't stay to watch it. Mostly members told me about what happens.

I did get the packages last Tuesday!! Thank you so much! Those were the best packages I've received so far. Everything was perfect, all the microwavable stuff and everything, I loved it! Thank you again family. :) I love opening packages and seeing what goodies I have inside.

My DL is American, with not much time in the mission, so he's still learning. You can't send the packages to another address, because that is the address for pouch. What I would recommend is to send them a week earlier, so when Pouch comes on Wednesday and my DL goes to pick it up, he will get it to me the following Monday. That's the only advice I have. I'll talk to him tonight though. This is the only DL I've had that wouldn't give me my packages until we had the District Meeting.

I bought some Christian Cd's from I tunes that are really good. I don't listen to my iPod that much and I got rid of all the music I had on it before. Guess what I learned how to do last week and now I'm a pro at it! Rubix cube! I've always wanted to learn, and now I can finally do it. In about 4 or 5 minutes also, I'm getting pretty fast at it. A missionary taught me how to do it and I learned in about 2 days.

Sunday evenings I'm usually not doing anything. I will make sure to be home that Sunday night so you can call and everything will go smoothly. But again, if I get a new companion I'll have to talk to him and see what his plans are first. But for now lets just plan on this. Changes are May 5th and so we'll have to see what happens then. I think Sunday evening should work just fine.

I should write Grandma and Grandpa again. I'm not sure if they wrote me because I almost never check my LDS mail anymore, every time I get on it doesn't work. But I will try to check it and see if they wrote me, and I'll write them as well. If you could pass that on to people, that I don't use mylds mail hardly ever, that'd be appreciated. Thank you. I sent a letter off to Aunt Kathi, Aunt Theo, and Mark and Tiff several weeks ago. I'm hoping that they've received them by now.

I haven't talked to many friends like Cody or Elliott recently, only Kory and Calaigh. Phil hasn't written me a letter in months. Calaigh tells me that he is living somewhere near downtown, but nobody has contact with him. So I have no idea what's going on with him, but it's not good and I'm worried for him.

Last Wednesday we had our Zone Conference with our Mission Prez, but this time it was a little bit different. An elder brought an investigator to help us out, and he's been an investigator for over 3 years! Only missed church about 2 times he said in the 3 years, and he finally decided to get baptized last week. To start out the conference, some DL's spoke for like 15 minutes, and then this investigator helped us out. We practiced teaching and he gave us some tips from an investigator's view point which really helps out a lot. And he ended up talking for most of the time, we'd ask questions and he'd answer them. He works at a gym and he's a really good motivational speaker, and the Prez said he loved it because he also learned a lot. The conference was about 8 hours long, but it was helpful.

I weighed myself this past week because my comp. and I were curious to our weight, and I haven't weighed myself since the MTC. So we found a little pharmacy and for two pesos you can weigh yourself, and it tells you your height and body fat and all that good stuff. I can't remember what I was at when I first started the mission, or when I left the MTC. I think I was at 172 when I entered the MTC, and 176 when I left. Does that sound right to you? Well, I am now at 82.3 kilograms, or 181 pounds. So I'm actually happy with that. If I've only gained 5 pounds in 8 months of being here, then I can live with that. It feels and looks like I've gained a lot more, so that surprised me. My goal is to come home under 190, so I'll still have a chance to get back into shape again. Haha.

So you want to hear a funny little story of how I almost flew into a pole? You know me and poles, we always seem to have run ins, since I was a little kid in Paris... Haha. OK, so the buses here, you get on from the door in the front, and then to get off there is a door in the back. Well sometimes, if the bus driver sees you and you're a young man, he won't stop the bus completely when you get off, just slow down and you kinda hop off right?

Well my comp. was getting off first, and the bus driver just slowed down for us, didn't stop completely, but that's no big deal. Only going a few miles an hour. So my comp. jumped off, and then I was about to jump off after him. Well the power line poles are made out of pure cement (seems like everything is made of cement here). I was holding onto the railing about to hop off, I had one foot already out the door. But I couldn't see up ahead because I was still mostly inside the bus.

So right when I was about to hop off, I looked out and there was a big cement pole RIGHT there. Haha. So I hurried and grabbed the railing and pulled myself back in as the bus passed the pole, then hopped off. If I would've jumped off at that moment - my momentum would've carried me at about jogging speed head on right into the cement pole. Haha. My comp. and I were laughing pretty hard because he saw the whole thing. But I'm out and I didn't hit the pole, luckily. Might've hurt a little bit. :) And that's my pole story for you.

Well thank you again for the packages, they were perfect! I love you all and I'm excited to talk to you in a few weeks.

Have a great week.
Elder Green

13 April 2009

Hi Family! I hope you had a great Easter this year, sounds like it was a nice, relaxing day. This week was pretty tough for us missionaries, especially my area. They closed a bunch of roads all around our house and filled them with a big carnival/fair. We live right in the middle of Cuajimalpa so we were right in the middle of the big party. They had rides, food, little shops, everything set up, and tons and tons of people. We went to other parts of the area those days but there was almost nobody there, everyone was in the center, so it made the week tough to find new people. Plus, most of our investigators went out of town so we couldn't teach them. They way they celebrate is a lot different than how we do it.
On Thursday, they had a reenactment of the Savior washing his apostles’ feet, then Friday they had His atonement and crucified Him. Then Saturday was the resurrection. We didn't watch any of it, but we saw everything set up for it and member's told us what happens. I thought that was pretty interesting. There is a Catholic church right near our house and that's where they did it all. My DL told me that two packages arrived for me last Wednesday, but he hasn't gotten them to me yet :( I was bummed to not have them for Easter day, but it's ok. His area is right next to mine but wouldn't bring them to me during the week. We met together this morning as a district but he forgot to bring them, so maybe one day I'll get them. I think tomorrow night I should hopefully get them, we'll see. Elder Genea hasn't been a senior companion since I met him, but I've only known him for two changes.

I don't have any specifics for my B-day, so just whatever you come up with is great, thank you! :) Congrats to Dad on winning the bracket (March Madness)! Mine wasn't so good this year. I think I'll just hold onto the hammock for now, it'll be a pain to send it home. Plus it'll probably cost me over 50 bucks. I know I took out a lot of money this week, that was an accident. I was going to take out 200 pesos but hit the wrong button and took out 1000, sorry. I'll just save it up so I don't have to take out money for a while.
I didn't realize that Kory was so close to getting his call... I'm not sure where he'll go, didn't think about it too much. But my guess will be Russia. :) Guess we'll see where he ends up going soon. I remembered that I won't be with this companion for Mother's Day, so just whenever. I think the evening will work fine since that works better with yours and my church schedule. I have church at 11, and I'm now an hour ahead of you as of last week. If you could call me again that would be perfect, it's free for me. I didn't speak in Church yesterday because it was Fast Sunday, but I think I will next week. Just a hunch though... We took some pics on my comp's camera, so I'll see if I can send them to you. I can't believe Amberlee is so close to turning her papers in. Where did the time go??

We were lucky enough to have water all last weekend. Our neighbors who live above us went out of town and so we had the one tank to ourselves. They cut the water back a little bit I heard, but didn't turn it off all the way. Supposedly this is something they do every year around these dates, turn off the water.
I'm not sure if they accept gift cards here or not, I've never seen them before. I could hook up my hammock, but I'd have to have a strong place to do it. I don't think I could just hook it up to the wall in my house, but I bet it'd be more comfortable than my bed.

Not sure when the hottest time is here, probably in the next few months to come. It usually stays around the same temperature, but sometimes it gets really hot for a day and then goes back down. We actually got some rain last night which was really nice.

Tomorrow we get to go to the Temple again, that should be nice. It's nice to be able to go once a change now that it is open again. Well I hope you all have a great week!
I love you very much!
Thanks for all your love and support.
Elder Green

6 April 2009

Hi Family! I had a very enjoyable conference weekend this week. I was able to watch it in English again. They had a smaller room with a TV and put it in English. For the Sunday morning session there was an American family in there with us 4 missionaries. It was a couple with 4 young kids. And for the priesthood session two Americans came to watch it. We were able to watch all sessions except the Saturday afternoon session, but we made it back for priesthood. We had to go to an appointment that early afternoon and couldn't make it back in time. I enjoyed the priesthood session the most, the talks were really great. I watched when they called the new apostle, and heard about when Monson talked about the Mexico City temple rededication. That was really neat.

Elder Green, Elder Genoa and Elder Atkinson watching General Conference.

Some of us missionaries were wondering if we can download the conference talks or not... So that's nice to know that we can do it. I think I will print off a few talks to have. My DL has 7 months in the mission, or been out seven months, one change less than I do. So he is still pretty new. He's from Montana I believe. We get along fairly well. His companion is one of my buddies I met here, Elder Genoa from Canada. Genoa has completed 16 months in the mission, I have a picture with him that I will send to you. It's pretty rare that two Americans get put together, but Elder McManama from my district is with an American also I just found out. I'm still in contact with the 3 other missionaries from my generation, we talk regularly by cell phone.

Part of J.J.'s area about 20 minutes from his house.

The teaching has been going well. We started teaching a grandson of a member who lives next to us. The boy is 10 years old and he heard the lessons about a year ago, but never got baptized. His parents want him to get baptized so we have just been teaching him this past week. We could have the baptism this upcoming weekend, but since there won't be water we might have to wait until the next weekend. The water didn't go out last weekend, it’s going to go out this upcoming weekend. All the festivals are going to start this week and most of the roads will be closed down and filled up like a carnival. There are lots of mini rides and things set up and it's going to fill the streets I heard, it’s like a fair with games and food and rides and things like that.

Pathway they take while tracting.

Hopefully my packages will come this Wednesday and I will get them from my DL if they do come. Thank you again. What Mom has planned for my birthday would be fine, or you can just send the items all together and you don't have to wrap them individually if it takes up a lot of room. So whatever you would like to do is fine.

View looking up the pathway.

That is a very interesting story about Spencer Steel. I'm sorry to hear that, but living with the same person and always being with him, especially when you can't choose the person (and it’s not a cute babe) can be very difficult. I've heard stories of elders here who have fought or hit each other. It happened about 3 weeks ago actually, two missionaries that I know. Thank you for the rest of the updates about the Steel's. I remember going to Blake and Jordan's farewells. seems so long ago, yet the time passed so quickly. It's hard to believe they're back and already married.

Thumbs up Elder Green!

I haven't done much sit ups or push ups lately, but there are weights in the house that I try to use often. Definitely not the exercise I used to get. Funny how that works.. Before the mish I wanted to gain weight to build more muscle, but it was hard for me to do it. And now I'm gaining the weight but don't want it. Haha. I’m definitely out on my bracket... I only had one team out of four that made it to the final four, UNC. The final game is tonight, hopefully it's a good game if you guys end up watching it.

A view from his area looking over Mexico City.

Yes, I bought my hammock on Thursday morning! It is really cool, I like it a lot. I will send you pics right now. I decided that I won't send it home and just hold onto it, it can be smashed down into a small bag so it’s not an inconvenience. It looks good with the Mexico colors and it's heavy duty, made out of nylon the guy said. I gave him 200 pesos extra and he was very grateful. I just can't use Clorox when I wash it if it ever gets dirty, so don’t let me forget that please. I’ll think and let you know about my guesses for Korn Dog and Amberlee. J.J.'s new Mexico hammock.

Soccer was fun last week, I can still hold my own out on the field. I can call you Mother’s Day night or day I think. I will talk to my comp and see when he’s going to call his family. But I think that any time would work just fine. When would you prefer? Can you see how bad the smog is?!

This week was fairly hot, the summer is on it’s way, that’s for sure. Congrats Dad on winning the golf game with your customers. Our microwave has been working better this week, it doesn’t blow out as much. I know it's not very safe, but the houses are pretty ghetto.

The Mission President lives out there somewhere... It's the rich area.

I’m not sure what the Bishop of the other Ward does here, I never asked him. I’ve only talked to him a few times and I know that he’s from the US.

Spray paint artist using only spray paint! One of the "coolest things I have ever seen".

On Friday night we had a family night with a few members, it was really enjoyable. We played a game at the end and then had some refreshments, we all had a good time. Our Ward Mission Leader came with his family, and later gave us a ride home. He has a red, `92 Ford Explorer, brought back memories driving in that.

Making a spray paint picture.

I will try to send you some pictures right now that I took from this week.

Finished paintings selling for 30 pesos (US$ 2.28) each.

I love you!
Elder Green

30 March 2009

Greetings Family,

Well another week went by, quickly I might add. We had a zone junta on Thursday because of changes there wasn't one on Monday. My district got changed around a little bit, there are now 4 Americans and 2 Mexicans in my district. My new DL is an American that has about 7 months in the mission.

This past Saturday there was an activity in the Church that the Relief Society held. We went at the end of the activity and there were some investigators that sister members brought. So we talked with them and got some appointments set up with them which was really nice. It is always great when the members help out with references because they are usually a lot better than the people we contact, but not always.

We also went to visit a member's brother in law who is sick. He lost his vision because of the illness, not sure what exactly he has, but he can't see now. Not sure if the vision will come back, but we gave him a blessing and then taught the first lesson. It was a really powerful night, and the man was very accepting. Probably only in his early 30s if I had to guess. He really wanted to learn more and read, but can't see. So we are trying to find the Book of Mormon on CDs so he can listen to it. We also told him that his wife and children can help him read it and read together.

Thank you for sending out the TWO packages! I'm very exciting. I'd rather get two small packages than one big one. It feels like Christmas and I'm opening presents. I'm not sure what I want for my birthday yet, but whatever you decide maybe you could please send 3 or 4 packages, even if they're smaller? That's more fun for me to be able to open them and it really feels like my birthday.

I can't believe next week is General Conference already. My last one was the very end of my first change, seems long ago but it came up fast. I remember my institute teacher saying that when I was going to SLCC. He had a missionary out, and he said that he counts by conferences, because they always come up way fast, and there are only four while a missionary is out. So this being my second, means I'm getting to my half way point! Scary!! Not this change, but the next one will be when I complete a year, and changes come up very quick. Each new change goes by faster than the last one I've decided.

I'm sorry to hear about Chez Steel's father. The last time I saw him was when we went up to Idaho and Dad and I rode the dunes.. How are the Steel's doing? Where are Blake and Jordan living now with their wives?

I'm not sure how much I've gained, but I want to weigh myself, well, sort of. I'm a little scared to know at the same time. Haha. But maybe 10 or 15 pounds, not a lot, it's just that I lost any muscle I had and got a pancita, or a little gut. Some members give us vegetables which I really enjoy, but it's not very common. The fruit is what they eat for dessert, they'll give us an orange or mandarin or banana, or something like that. Yes, we have a microwave in our house. But I get scared to use it because almost every time we do it blows the fuse out. But we've changed the fuse like 5 or 6 times now, it's not hard at all.

The juices I drink, I'm not sure if they have a lot of sugar or not, I will check and let you know. I drink milk also, there is a chocolate powder called ChocoMilk that I buy sometimes and mix it with milk for breakfast. I think it's the same type of stuff that Am used to drink for breakfast all the time.

We don't have breakfast very often, unless I buy some donuts the night before. I think I'm going to buy some cereal and milk to have for breakfast. My comp. and I also decided that we want to buy some tea to have at night. Tea fills me up pretty well and I like it, so I think that would be a good idea. We have a 20 liter bottle of water that you can buy for about 25 pesos, but I also have my water bottle with a filter that I bought in the MTC, so I use that mostly.

I'll have to check my bracket to see how I'm doing, probably not so good anymore since Memphis is out. But as long as Pittsburgh is still in it then I'm still alive. I think this year was the best Sweet 16 I've ever had, but then it went down hill from there.

I haven't got the hammock yet, but the guy called me. He said it's done but went out of town for the weekend. He's going to call me tonight and hopefully I'll meet up with him this week.

Yes, right now this is my fourth companion (not including the MTC) and my third area and third zone. I've heard of senior companions getting bummed down to junior quite often here, it seems to be a pretty common thing. But later they move back up to senior comp.

I'll start to think about where Am and Kory might go on their missions. I bet Am will go in the states, but a foreign lingo, but I'll think of a more specific guess. I haven't heard of a lot of sister missionaries that go out of states, but I know there are some.

As a result of the Visitor Center activity we did, we got a few references that we went to check. Most of the references are in the area of our DL because that's where the chapel is, so most people we contacted live near to that.

Yes, last Sunday we went to the Elder's house as a district and hung out and waited for the call on changes. The AP's call the zone leaders and tell them all the changes in that zone, then the zone leaders call each district leader to tell him the changes in the district, and then the DL calls the senior companion to tell the companionship. It's a line of authority. But since we were all together that night, when the DL got the change from the ZL he just told us all in person. We are allowed to watch Disney movies in our mission.

Actually, tonight the zone is getting together and we are watching Coach Carter. I watched it in my first zone with the entire zone. My comp. and I didn't really want to go, but our DL said that the zone leader said we have to go, so we will. That is at 3:30, and then the junta at 6, and then after we are going to play some soccer.

I'm excited to call you again on Mother's Day. You just tell me which dad works best for you and at what time, and then we'll plan on that. I can't believe April is basically here already! Thank you for the story from President Monson, I really enjoyed it. Thank you Mom!

Dad, I will for sure take you to the dunes in St. George one day. I've been twice, they are fun. But there is also a little lake right there, and I heard that they are building a resort on it, so it won't be as fun to ride. I think I like the Idaho dunes better though. Kory went to the St. George dunes just last week, and Calaigh is going to them this upcoming weekend. They are only about 20 minutes from St. George. You actually pass the dunes before you get to St. George when you're driving on the freeway, so they're a little before St. George.

I'll be sure to keep drinking lots of fluids. Bummer that next year's March Madness is in the Energy Solutions Arena, not at the U. I agree with Dad, a nice bike in the back of a pickup is the "purrtiest" thing I've ever seen. It's what I dream about. Haha. But we can worry about that when I get home.

But as of other cool items to buy to remember my mission, there are a few things I want to get, eventually. Like a Mexico soccer jersey and things like that. But I'm not in any hurry to get that, I'll worry about those things when I get closer to the end.

The Visitor Center President is from the USA, yes. There were two senior couples that came from the visitor center to help out, both from the US. I'm not sure if I told you, but the bishop in the other ward that goes to our same chapel is from the US. I heard that there is actually an English ward around here. This area has the most Americans out of all the mission I think.

Next week is the Holy Week, or Good Friday. I'm not sure what it's called in English, but in Spanish it's Semana Santa, or holy week. They are going to shut off all the water in the city for like 3 days apparently, not sure why exactly. But it happens all over the city. Not too excited for that because the little building we live in only has one back up tank of water, and about 9 people live in the building. But I think I'll be able to manage, it's not anything new. At least we can plan ahead this time.

I love you all! I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures of the transportation here. I'll try to get some more pictures tonight of my district or something cool. Hasta luego!

Elder Green

23 March 2009

Well, last night we found out about changes, and we're staying together, just like Dad bet. Good guess. I'm happy about it though, it should be another good change as we get along pretty well.

Sounds like the family had a good, busy week. I hope Chez had fun on his St. Geezy trip. St. George is a fun place to go, especially for the sand dunes. I hope Dad had a happy birthday, sounds like he got some good food from Mom.

Taxi slug bug - very common there.

I definitely miss Mom's home cooking. The reason I am gaining a little weight is because they fry everything here, and I mean about everything. Everything is cooked in grease. Ugh. But that's OK, it is what it is.

That is a big time bummer that the Utes lost first round, that hurt my bracket a little bit. But my bracket is looking pretty good so far. I have to update it still but as of what I had updated, I have 6 circles in my Sweet 16 and 3 X's, so not too bad. I picked Pittsburgh to win it all, not sure if that was a good choice seeing how many turnovers they had their first game that almost cost them. But I didn't do any homework on it so it was all kind of guesses and instincts. We'll see how I do. I have Memphis loosing to Pittsburgh in the final game, with Kansas and UNC in my final four.

Local bus.

For dinner, well, we usually don't eat dinner. I have meat and cheese in the house and make sandwiches, but that's about it. If you haven't sent the package yet, you could send that peanut butter and jelly that is in the same jar stuff. But if you already sent it out then that's OK. I don't think it'll get here by Easter, but no worries.

I still remember my Spring Break trip with Cody and everyone had to wait to hear where I was going. Seems like so long ago, but at the same time it feels like yesterday. I will write Grandma and Grandpa an email, I haven't done that for a little bit.

A white "Combi". Some are white and some are green. Just depends on where you are in Mexico City. The State and Federal District charge different prices. This one charges 3 Pesos. In J.J.'s first area they charged 5.5 Pesos.

To answer Mom's question, yes we can flush TP down the toilet in this house, what a blessing eh? My last house also, but my first house we weren't able to. And you are probably right about wanting to save up for a car, not a motorbike. But I want to buy a truck more than anything, and have a bike to through in the back of it. But if we sold the Yamaha would you help me buy a new one? I would want a Honda because I rode my friend's and there is just more power and I think that's the way I would want to go. I don't know if I'd buy a new one because it'd be so expensive, just a used one for half price. But that's just my idea, we don't have to worry about that for a while.

And about the hammock, I meant to say it would be cool to have when I’m older, not holder. Sorry Mom, type-o. The member called me again and said it should be done this Thursday, so hopefully it will be. Dad said I should be nice and give him a tip, so I won't try to talk him down on price. Especially since he lost his job I found out and this is his only income at the moment. I'll give him a little extra, like 100 pesos. I guess that was just my chilango side coming out and trying to negotiate. Chilango means you live in the city, but I think I told you that on the Christmas phone call.

A "Micro". J.J. can't stand up straight in them - too tall!

I'm not sure why my comp. has only had companions for one change, just what the Prez decided I guess. He was senior companion before but then got bumped down. Sorry to hear about Dad's lose in church ball and how he got a little roughed up. But I guess that is church ball for you. Like last year, our other Ward's team almost got into fights every time they played. Church ball, gotta love it.

"Banana Sandwich" is just one of my weird phrases, not anything I learned here. I have lots of weird phrases that my friends and I use to talk, I've just never said them to you parents I guess.

Another Micro.

I'm excited to hear where Kory will go, but it seems weird that the Bishop is taking so long. Kory told me that he's been waiting on the Bishop for quite some time now, not sure why that is.

The 24 hour divisions was something that I've never heard about either. My comp. said that they used to do it, but it's not very common. It was nice to study and plan with the District Leader, but I'm not a fan of 24 hour divisions. And the Prez said that we aren't going to do divisions anymore, he said that a few months back, but our leader just wanted to try and help us in our area I guess.

My comp. went with the DL's companion in their area, and the DL came with me in my area. It was something different and new, but I think I like the normal divisions better, just for the day. Our interviews with the Prez were held in a chapel, just like the conference. I know saying "He falls well with me" doesn't work in English, but that's how it's said in Spanish. Or you can say "He falls fat with me" if you don't like the person. Haha.

I will ship home my hammock once I get it. There are package places in my area so that works out well. I think there is a DHL close by. I took some photos of the transportation so I will send them to you today.

Green and white Combi.

Yesterday, the Visitor Center came to our stake center and set up a little mini visitor center and had an activity. Then us missionaries went out for 3 hours trying to bring people into the chapel. It was very successful and they said that it was the most success they've had doing this activity, and they've been doing it for a year and a half. So we would get people to go inside, and then there were sister missionaries and the visitor center president and his wife who would talk with the people. They also brought poster boards and all that to help explain things about the Church. Basically, a mini visitor center on wheels I guess you could say, but it was fun.

After that, we went to an Elder's house with our district and hung out there waiting for the phone call on changes. We played board games and watched Remember The Titans, so it was a fun evening.

Well, that's about all the news from this week.
I love you!!
Elder Green

Note: J.J.'s Dad asked for some transportation photos. So this week we have LOTS of methods of transportation that J.J. uses!

17 March 2009

Hello again Family. Another week went by very quickly. Next week I will be telling you about changes, who stays, who goes, etc. Sorry this email is a day late, yesterday was a little bit busy. Plus, the Internet here doesn't open until the afternoon, seems like nothing opens early here. Yes, I did receive the email about Doug Butterwick, that is very sad that he passed away. I have kept the Butterwick family in my prayers.

Happy birthday to Dad this Thursday!! You survived half a decade, good on ya. I hope you had a good time at the party and enjoyed your gifts. That is neat that Colton spoke at church. Four and a half months is a long time to wait, but I've heard of longer. My last comp, Elder Nava, had to wait a full year before his call came!! He goes home next week also, that's crazy to think about.

Nice job Chez on the soccer games, sounds like you're quite the star player. Keep it up! Very exciting the Utes made it to the Big Dance, I am going to try to print out a bracket and fill it out. I don't think I'll be able to send it to you, but just for fun I'll fill it out for myself.

The Guitar Hero game sounds like a lot of fun. I've played it a few times but I was never very good at it. I didn't like playing video games for some reason, so I never got into that. But I hope you all are having fun though, that sounds like a nice gift idea from Mom.

So Dad is playing church ball again? Good on ya. Good luck to you and Chez in church ball. I miss playing church ball, last year was the most fun when we won Regions. That is crazy that Hilary is engaged!! Congrats to her. How old is she? Did she graduate just last year?

Thank you for getting a pile of snacks started for me, I love getting packages, it's like Christmas for a missionary. And about the food, it doesn't necessarily have to be healthy food, just something that can fill you up is what I meant :) Thanks.

My companion and I still get along fine, no problems there. He's not a huge talker, maybe about the same as me, but things are going well. If we don't have changes then I would be ok with that, but who knows. We're both thinking that he is going to leave this change, that's what the odds say at least. He's only been with one companion for one change, never more, and he's never been in an area for more than two changes. This is his second change here, and so the odds say he'll leave, but you never know. Guess we'll find out on Sunday night.

I was able to buy something from Walmart to help clean my shirts. I can't remember what brand it is but it's used for collars and sleeves so it should work great. I am wearing more shirts per week(Dad) so you don't have to worry. My shirts just don't get very dirty so that is why I didn't switch them out as often. Ironing is no problem, doesn't take very long. I don't think I've used a normal dryer since I've been in Mexico, or a hot dryer to dry clothes. I always just hang dry my clothes, since the beginning, or the dryer doesn't use heat or something like that. So that's a reason my shirts wrinkle, but not a bid deal.

I still remember when I got my mission call almost a year ago. But I think I got it on the 22nd of March, not the 19th. You can check a 2008 calendar and see which day was a Wednesday that week. Thank you for the list of countries, I will double check it and see if I can think of any others. I was just curious to have it. People ask me if I've ever been to Mexico before my mission, and they also ask if I've traveled a lot. I tell them that I've traveled a lot but it'll be more cool if I have the actual list, thank you.

In my Gospel Principles class there are about 6 people who attend, so not way big. Yes we only have one ward in my area. The members are fairly good at giving us referrals, that is a big help.

I emailed Trevor about a month ago but he never responded. I will try again to see how he is doing. There was a senior couple in my mission, but they went home about 3 months ago. So now we don't have a couple anymore. It was an American couple, the husband spoke Spanish but the wife didn't. They were very nice and helpful.

Now to answer Dad's question, no I haven't been sick much on the mission. I've never thrown up or anything serious like that, just stomach aches sometimes but they don't last long. I think I am used to eating different food so it wasn't a big change for me at all.

Thank you for looking for "good food that will fill me up in the evenings" like Dad said, doesn't necessarily have to be "healthy" like Mom said. Haha. But whatever you send I will be grateful for. That would be pretty banana sandwich if Kory got sent to Mexico, Mexico City West, not likely though since we are in the same ward. Do they look at that? Because I've never heard of two people from the same Ward going to the same mission.

So you didn't end up selling my 450 I take it? What are your plans on that Dad? Just curious. It would be nice to have a bike when I get home, but I would like to buy a newer one. I was thinking a Honda 450, maybe '07 or so. All the new ones are fuel injected and I'm not sure if I would want that or not. If something goes wrong with your bike you can't fix it without a computer, but we'll see down the road.

I guess my letters didn't get sent out last week, the DL was sick that morning and didn't go to Pouch. So they should go out tomorrow and it takes 2 weeks or so for the letters to get there. There is a letter on the way to Aunt Theo though.

I know Dad wished to be a fly on the wall so he could hear my talk, but I don't think he'd understand a single word of it. :) This past week I had divisions with my DL. It was a 24 hour division, something I've never done before nor heard of before. We met up Wednesday at about 2 in the afternoon, worked that day in my area, and then he slept at my house with me. The next day at 2 we ended the divisions. It was a good experience and nice to study with someone different and see how he teaches.

This morning we had interviews with our President and it went well. It was only interviews, we didn't have a conference or anything like that. So we were only there for about a half hour because our district went first. My Prez is a cool guy, he makes me laugh, I like him. (Or as you would say in Spanish, "he falls well with me." Haha.)

I have a question now for you about buying something. I have talked with missionaries who have bought hand made hammocks and they are really cool. I've seen a few of them that a missionary showed me. They are fairly big and it is the color of the Mexican flag. I think it would be cool to have when I'm a holder. The member who makes the hammocks called me and started making it. He said it'll cost 1000 pesos, but I talked with my MTC comp, Elder Florence, who bought one and said I can get it for 900 or possible 800 because the guy needs money. So I will talk to him about the price and try to knock it down a bit. I hope that is ok if I buy it. I think I will have to mail it home to you though because I don't much extra space to carry around. The guy said it would be done today or tomorrow and is going to call me.

I have the address of my house if you want to try to find it on Google. It is: Castillo Ledon number 33. Castillo Ledon is the street name. We live in the center of Cuajimalpa, so if you can find that then I am close to there.

I love you all!

Have a Happy St. Patty's Day.

Elder Green