24 August 2009

Hi Family,

Had a pretty good week this past week. Hope all is going well for all of you. I'll go home and cut up that debit card that you sent me tonight. Thanks for getting another package ready for me, really appreciate it. I can't believe Amberlee is leaving so soon. I said it almost all last week, "My sister is going on her mission in 10 days!" Haha. Or something to that sort... I'm excited for her :)

Not sure who else Dad has left off the list of my baptisms, I don't have a list myself. I guess I could try to think of them all in order and check the list, but I'm not all about the numbers so I never really counted. But ya got a few more to add to the list now. ;) I didn't have to go to that long meeting that was held two weeks ago, just my comp. It started at like 8am. and they got home at around 9:30 at night. I guess there were breaks and they ate and all that, but still long to me.

Sister Patricia Martinez Sanchez and her daughter is Gabriela Martinez Martinez.

The whole English thing comes straight out of Preach My Gospel, so it's not complete blasphemy. Haha. (Not sure if that's spelled with a "f" or "ph". I'll just say "blasfemia" which is Spanish.) I can't remember what page but it says how they need to learn English and how it's important etc. etc. Elder Miranda was actually in the same generation as Crispin, or they started at the same time. But then he went home for a year or so and now came back.

We usually walk to church every week unless it's a busy day and we get behind, then we have to take the bus in the morning. Glad you were able to find my area. There are tons of trains and factories in my area.

Members who are good friend of Patricia and Gabriel.

Now about the whole expense thing. Have I really spent over $120 a month? I went 3 months in Whisky and I almost didn't take out any money at all from my home account, seems wrong. I'll try to be careful, I invite my comp. to eat fast food here sometimes but not very often at all, or I'll just eat it myself and he pays for his food. I need to buy a new backpack so I might take some more money out soon. The one I've had for a year now is about to rip on the shoulder straps.

This Wednesday I complete one year in Mexico! I still remember my first day here perfectly. I'll try to be careful with my money, but if I get 100 from G & G each month, and another 10 from aunt Kathi, seems like I'm right on track. Not like Mum or Dad are payin much right? Or nothing. From what I understand at least. Saving up for my truck though for when I get home, right? Yeah, good idea Pops. ;)

I hope you guys have fun riding this week, sounds like it'll be lots of fun. Hopefully Am gets everything ready to go for next week! Way exciting! Now to answer Mom's question, we leave the morning at 10am, unless we do an hour of language study. I've never studied Spanish much but my comp. might study some English sometimes. (Don't worry, it says it's ok in the rule book.)

I guess Crispin said that he had an ex and she ended up waiting for him and now they're gettin married, pretty cool stuff. I'm excited for him. My comp. has been in this area for one change more than me, not too much. In this area they give us about 400 pesos for transports I think, twice a transfer. Not too much but oh well.

Well, I decided to save the good news for last. Did you catch the "wink" from the beginning of the email?? Or just read over it... It was in the second paragraph. If you want to scroll up and read it, you can. Then you'll know what's about to come... Or you can just keep reading.. Dum dum dum...

Elder Miranda, Patricia, Gabriela and Elder Green.

So yes, we had 2 more baptisms yesterday. It was a super busy day. We got to the church at about 8:45, had the first sacrament meeting, then other classes. Then at 11 the other sacrament, and more classes. Then the baptism was scheduled for 2 o'clock, right after the services. But it ended up starting at around 4, a little behind. The baptism service went great, my comp. baptized one and I baptized the other. It's a mother and daughter. The mom's name is Patricia Martinez Sanchez, and the daughter is Gabriela Martinez Martinez. They were references from some members about a week and a half ago, and they got baptized yesterday. It was really great. They're great people. I'll send a pic in a sec.

After the baptism there was a junta, like every other Sunday night, that was at 5. That was for my comp. and the ZL's and the other DL's. That ended at like 8 or a little after, so we were in the chapel for about 12 hours straight, busy busy day. But the baptism went great.

That's about all the exciting news from this week. Oh yeah, today we played basketball with the zone which was fun. We went to a church that has a indoor gym with wood floors and everything, really fun.

Well, I hope you have a great week!

Tell Am good luck on getting everything ready!

I love you all.

Elder Green

17 August 2009

Hello Family!

Seems like you all enjoyed the family vacation, that's great to hear. Sorry I couldn't be there with you all, I sure would've loved to though. I'm sure we'll have more family vacations with all of us once Am gets home Dad, don't worry. I hope so at least!

Elder Miranda, Hoyt, Quintero and Green at Elder Miranda's B-day party

Sounds like you all have a busy week planned ahead, hope all goes well and not too stressful. I received the package on Wednesday, not sure if Mom got my message? I sent her one saying I had received it. Thanks for working on another package for me. There's no rush on that one really.

Elder Green and Elder Miranda on Elder Miranda's B-day.

We didn't have any baptisms this week but we had 5 people in Church, so I'm pretty sure we'll have one this weekend. My comp. and I are working hard and have found some really great people. We're hoping to have one this weekend, Rosa Amalia. We've taught her lessons 1, 2, and 4, so we just need to teach 3 which is about baptism and then challenge her. She's came to Church 3 weeks in a row now.

Some towers called "Satellite Towers" in J.J.'s new area.

I think Dad has missed a few baptisms on my list, but not sure. He didn't mention the one I had in Whisky the week before transfers. Don't forget that one.

Elder Garcia called me Saturday night with some great news. He had 4 baptisms yesterday in Whisky. It was Margarita and her 3 kids, the family we were teaching when I was there but couldn't go to church because of the whole election thing that was going on. He said he'd send me a pic of the baptism. I was so happy to hear that. They also have another one planned for next week in that area, so it's nice to see that they are finally having some success there.

Most of J.J.'s new Zone eating at Wendy's.

My talks went pretty well yesterday in both Wards, it was a super busy day. Not a big fan of speaking in Church either, but some things you just gotta do.

This week was really busy and hectic. On Tuesday it was the long meeting for all the leaders, the counsel meeting, then Thursday we had our Zone Conference with the mission president and all that. The mission is really starting to focus on English, and how all the missionaries need to learn it. So we talked a lot about that. My comp. knows a little and likes to practice so I'm always helping him. But the President is really focusing on that a lot this transfer. Bowling on P-day today - J.J. won second place and a "way delicious cookie dough frosty at Wendy's".

I found out that Elder Crispin, my dad, is getting married in October! Crazy. He's getting married in the temple here I think so I'll see if I can go and see him again, I'd sure love that. I couldn't believe it when he told me, way happy for him though.

My comp. right now, Elder Miranda, has 11 months in the mission. Mom asked but I thought I already mentioned that. We have to walk about 20/25 minutes to get to our Church but that's not too bad. Or we can take a bus and get there in like 5 or ten minutes.

J.J. with his "oh so good Dr. Pepper" he bought at 7 Eleven.

I'm glad you were able to find my area on Google Maps. Yes, there is a big train station and a big factory in our area. My house is pretty close to that. The area code that they gave me is 54090, hopefully that helps some. But it seems like you've already found my area. My area is just outside of the City, which means all the transportation is twice as expensive. I'm still in the state like before.

That's exciting that Grandma and Grandpa get home so soon. And also how Amberlee is leaving in just a few short weeks! I hope she's getting everything ready. Very exciting!

That's about all the news from this week. I love you all. Hope you had fun on the family vacation. Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Green

10 August 2009

Hi Family,

Another week gone right by... Sure went by fast, and we had some good success as well. I totally forgot to ask about the zip code :( Sorry Dad, I'll try to get it this week. The reason you're not finding it on GoogleMap is because you spelled it wrong, or at least in the email to me. It's called Tlalnepantla, there's a big college here and everything. Should show up on the map. It's in the state still, kinda near my first area I think, but not too much.

Elder Miranda and Elder Green.

It's interesting that my comp. was called to this mission, so close to his house. I never said that it's hard for me that he is here, I said it would be hard for me to be in a mission so close to my house, like South Salt Lake or something like that. Little misunderstanding there, sorry. We have less than 200 missionaries here now, probably around 180 if I had to guess, and about 15 or 20 sister missionaries. *

"Yes sir! An official Wendy's!"

I'll be sure to let you know when the package arrives to me, I'll send Mom a little message. I thought of some new things for the next package if you want to start a list. It's nothing big, so no hurry at all. If you could send me a Rubix Cube to practice because all the ones here are cheap and always break, so the Rubix Cube official brand if you could. Some missionaries have them here and they're a lot easier to use. Also, a couple packages of beef jerky. Calaigh sent me some a while ago and I found out that Garcia LOVES beef jerky, so I want to give him a bag also. So just 2 bags or so would be great, thanks :)

On Saturday we had a baptism that was really great. Oscar Rojas Linares. His wife got baptized a year ago or so along with his 12 year old daughter, and the 9 year old son got baptized the weekend before I came into this area. I'll send you a picture of us with the whole family, along with the bishop because Oscar wanted the bishop to baptize him. It went really well. Last Thursday we went to visit them and it's amazing how much the family is changing for the better. This Gospel really blesses families so so much. There used to be a lot of fighting and abuse in the family, but now it's totally changed and there's so much more love in there house, you can feel the difference just when you walk inside. That was a really good night. Later that night we went to a Family Night with a less active family and talked about faith, played a little game, and then they gave us dinner. Really good week.

We're also teaching a lady named Rosa Amalia who is really great. A member brought her to church two weeks ago and she came again yesterday. We've taught her and she's progressing a lot. Garcia told me today that they're going to have a few baptisms in Whisky, it's a family we were teaching who was really great. They just never went to church because there was a big election for a new governor and all that and they had to help out, but he said they are planned to get baptized soon.

Downstairs their entrance to J.J.'s new place.

Downstairs where they study - notice the pink curtains - used to be the Sister missionaries place.

Next week I get to give 2 talks, one in each Ward. It's going to be a busy day, but shouldn't be too bad. At least I know a little bit ahead of time. One talk is just about missionary work, the other is about "The importance of having and studying the Preach My Gospel manual with your families." So we'll see what I can come up with on that topic...

Good size kitchen and upstairs where they sleep.

That's crazy that Grandma and Grandpa are already home. That time sure went by fast. Cool they could go to Hilary's wedding, sounds like it was really great.

Cool sunset - "looks like ghetto... Fits Mexico well."

Seems like you are all having a fun time on the vacation so far. Sorry I couldn't be there. Sounds like lots of fun. I hope you enjoy it this week! Send some photos next week if you can, I'd love to see them :)

I love you all!
Thanks for the love and support you give me each week!
Elder Green

3 August 2009

Hello Family!

It's been a really busy week here, but things are going well like usual. I got three letters last Wednesday which was really great, thank you again. One from Mom, one from Chez, and one from Am. I think they just got a little delayed and then all came at once. It's great to get snail mail from the family. I also got two postcards from Dad with pretty beach pictures on it, thanks Dad!

I haven't asked for a zip code for this area, I didn't even think about it, but I'll try to get one this week for you all. I don't have any photos because I didn't bring my camera with me, we came at an unexpected time. But I have pics of the new house that I can send you.

Speaking of... our new house is amazing! To start off, we have two areas and two Wards which is a little more extra work, but we're doing ok there. So when I got here we changed houses to the other ward which is better for working and more central to all the places that we work at. There were sister missionaries that used to live in that ward but they moved out several months ago, so we moved into that house.

And of course, the Sister missionaries always have a nicer house, but now we're living there. The house has two levels, a nice kitchen, big closet, very spacious. It's the nicest house I've had my whole mission, and probably the nicest I'll have my whole time in Mexico. Changing houses was a little bit of work but we got it all done and now we're settled in nicely. The members in the two Wards are really great, I like them a lot.

My new companion, Elder Miranda, is a good guy. He has 11 months in the mission and he's from the D.F. He lives right by the temple which is in the East mission, only about a half hour from our area here. He said it's not hard being so close, but I think it'd be hard for me.

This morning we went and played soccer and basketball with the zone which was lots of fun. There are only 14 elders in this zone, every companionship has one American and one Mexican, it's 50-50. No new missionaries came this change so our mission is really short of elders right now. They said that next transfer there will arrive double the missionaries, and by next January half of the mission will be all new elders, over 100.

After playing soccer in the morning, we went to go eat... and boy oh boy was it a treat for me. When I first got here, everyone told me that the one thing I'm going to miss is Wendy's. That's the only fast food that you can't find here in Mexico.

BUT, now there is a Wendy's only about a half hour from my house. So we went there to eat today and it was so good, just like at home. The only thing it was missing was a Dr. Pepper, but you can only find that in 7 Elevens (which I think I have in my area as well) I got a double cheeseburger, no pickle, with fries and a frosty. Very delicious. I've actually started liking tomatoes now, funny huh? The things the mission does to ya... But still not a fan of pickles. That was the highlight of the week for sure.

Thanks for sending another package to me, I'm excited to receive it. I'll be sure to cut up my old debit card really well and then sign my new one. I didn't even realize that my debit card was going to expire, thanks for being on top of things Mom. :)

I hope Chez and Am had a nice b-day. Thank you for the pics, I sure loved them. How did that whole pose thing start? Or where was it at? Was it like a southern Utah trip we went on or something? I can't remember when I started that, but seems like it's pretty famous how eh? :)

Funny how Dad shaved his head, definitely lots of work. I don't even like shaving my face, let alone my head! Ha. I was talking with Garcia and we decided that the only hairstyle you are missing is dread locks, but that would've been perfect when you had long hair, put it into dreads for a few days.

We have a baptism planned for this Saturday, we set the date on Sunday. We taught him the commandments and then set the date for this up coming weekend, hopefully it won't fall through. Elder Garcia stayed in the area and a new American came into the area with him. It's the American Elder's second companion, so Garcia is his "step dad". We still stay in contact by Internet and phone which is nice. He actually called me last night and we talked for like a half hour. Sure miss that kid.

That's about all the news from this week. It was busy with the changing houses situation but now we're all settled in. Hopefully we'll have that baptism this Saturday as well. Sorry there aren't any photos this week, but I'll get twice as many to you next week, deal?

I love you all! Have fun on your vacation! Take lots of pictures for me.

Love,
Elder Green

27 July 2009

Hi Family! Well it was a pretty good week here, we finally had some success. We had one baptism on Saturday which was great. It is the husband of a recently baptized family that we've been visiting a lot, and he's been going to church a lot lately. Then, just out of the blue, he told his wife that he wanted to be baptized. So we went and taught him lesson 3 and put a baptism date for last Saturday and he asked me to baptize him, it went really well.

Elder Green, Brother Celso Angel Lopez Ramirez and Elder Garcia.

But now for the big news on changes.... Dum dum dum... I'm outta here. I'm moving to the complete other side of the mission, the north end. More of less close to where my second area was. It's called Tlalnepantla, way hard to pronounce. haha. I'm excited to go there though, I've heard way good things about this area and I'm ready to get back into civilization again. The District: Elder Garcia, Elder Caldera, Elder Moore and Elder Green.

Elder Garcia was "born" in that area so he told me all about it. It has a Cost-Co, Sam's Club, all that good stuff. AND! The best part is that about 3 months ago or less, they put a Wendy's in there! It's the only Wendy's that is in this mission. There's almost none in all of Mexico, something I've been missing way bad. So I'll try to find that one day too.

My new companion will be Elder Miranda I believe, I'll get more details about him to you next week. I'm excited for the changes but I'm going to miss my comp. The package arrived this week, thank you so much. It was perfect and just in time. Thanks Mom and family. Thank you also for finding that CD, I'm really excited for it. If you could please send me just one note pad of paper to write letters, college ruled with the tear off papers. I can't find it anywhere here, I even looked in and Office Max today and they don't sell it like that. Just one note pad should be plenty for now, thank you :) A rich member's "way nice" Mercedes.

I hope Chez and Am had a good birthday. Sounds like they had a pretty fun time. Congrats to Chez for doing so good in all his soccer tournies, that's impressive! I sent a letter to Aunt Theo last week, but I'll start another one to her here soon. I haven't gotten any letters since Shantaye's last one, which means I've gotten one from each member off the family so far, but if you're sending them once a week then they are way behind. I'm sure they'll get to me eventually.

Teresa didn't make it to church again which was a big let down. Her daughter is like 22 but has a new born baby and is married. We are teaching them both. I'm really going to miss them for sure, they were some of the best that I've meet here in Mexico.

I LOVED Dad's new hair style! Haha. Looks good pops. What else is left?? Seems like you've done it all now with the hair styles right? Did you ever get my letter I sent? Hopefully you did :)

"The boys"

Phil started writing me again. Sounds like he's finally doing better and starting to turn his life back around which is good to hear. He wrote me several weeks back. Zone Leaders and District Leaders with Elder Green at California Pizza Kitchen.

Elder Fajardo on J.J.'s left and Elder Cornelious on J.J.'s right

Glad to hear that GSG is doing so well this year. Please send me a pic of Am's mission picture when you get some copies of it, just an email copy is fine for me. I can't believe that Grandma and Grandpa are coming home soon! Time sure went by fast. Elder Green and his BBQ chicken pizza.

Today we went to eat with the ZL's and the other DL in our zone, it was lots of fun. We went to this mall which is supposedly the nicest mall in Mexico, and boy was it fancy. Made me feel like I was home again. We ate at California Pizza Kitchen and it was way good. I've never eaten there before and everyone gave me crap for not knowing about it. Guess it's pretty famous back home?? It was a fun lunch with all of them. Well, I'm on to my next area tomorrow bright and early. I'm going to miss this area and my comp, but I'm excited for my new area. Elder Mabey, Elder Cornelious and Elder Green drinking their chocolate banana shakes.

I love you all.
Thanks for the emails!
Take care.
Elder Green

20 July 2009

Hi Family!

Happy birthday to Chez tomorrow and Am on the 24th! I hope they both have a great day on their B-days.

Pancakes for breakfast.

Elder Green and Elder Garcia.

Elder Green and Elder Garcia at the dry waterfall.

This week went pretty well, we had our zone conference on Wednesday morning/afternoon. Then after that I went on divisions with Elder Fajardo, the Jr. ZL, I really enjoyed that. He's a way cool guy and he's in the same generation as my which is cool.

In the cave waiting out the pouring rain!

I received a letter from Shantaye which was way cute! Thanks sis!

I didn't get a package yet, hopefully it'll come this Wednesday. If not then it might take some more time because if I get changed next week the package might get sent to this area, but I won't be here, who knows. No worries though.

"This photo is especially for Amberlee! Hehe"

Cooking fire for S'mores.

Eating S'mores...

In the interviews with the Prez on Wednesday we asked him if he would let my comp. and I stay together one more change. We get along really well and we want to be able to baptize together in this area. I don't think he'll let us stay together but who knows, I'll let you know next Monday.

We've been visiting Teresa this week which went really well, she's such a cool lady. She didn't come to church yesterday which was a big bummer because she was all excited to go and was planning on it and everything. Not sure why she couldn't make it, bummer.

More hiking on P-day.

We taught her lesson 2 and she understands so well and is way accepting. The only thing is she has a big smoking problem, like smokes a pack of cigarettes a day. But we taught her Word of Wisdom and she's been improving a ton, only smokes about 4 a day now which is a big improvement. She's a way cool lady, her and her daughter Soña, we always laugh and joke and have fun when we are with them.

"This photo is especially for Amberlee! Hehe"

Elder Garcia says "hello" again, he loved the pic of Dad's purple suit. Thanks for sending it. I didn't get the names or any photos of the baptism two weeks ago because it doesn't count as our baptism, it was the sister missionaries' baptism. We just had to perform the ordinance because the sisters can't do it, obviously.

Sounds like Rosko is a pretty good dog. He looks way cute. Rosko is just a dog name in Spanish, it doesn't have a meaning. Didn't you say the other dog was named Pancho or something like that? Pancho is slang for "problem". Haha.

Sister Lopez giving J.J. a free haircut.

I learned something funny a few weeks ago and forgot to tell you. You know the end piece in the loaf of bread? Well in Spanish that piece is called the "suegra", translated in English it means "mother in law". I asked why it's called that and they said "because nobody likes it or wants it." haha. I thought that was pretty funny.

One more thing. Just a heads up for the next package you send. I was wondering if you could find a CD that is just pure bag pipe music. Church songs or just Scottish songs or something like that, if you can even find one. I love bag pipe music (just like Dad) and I'd love to have one if you could find one. Thanks!

Elder Green and Elder Caldera at the Mexico City Temple.

Well that's about all the news from this week. My comp.'s birthday is the 23rd, pretty funny huh? Lots of b-days this week.

I love you all!

Have a great week!

Love, Elder Green