Hey Family

Well, another week gone. I had some crazy and funny things happen.

I still don't have my tooth fixed. We went in today to get the permanent crown on. He had to fix it a little bit because it was a little too tight in there. When he was looking at it under a magnifying glass he saw the porcelain was cracked. So, I will be going in again on Wednesday.

Something interesting about the break. They found some decay in there the first time I went in. He said they wouldn't have been able to see that on the x-ray or even in an exam. It would have just gotten worse and worse and then absess (abcess)? (I don't know how to spell anymore!) and I would have had to have a root canal. I might have been in Mexico for that. It feels fine. It wasn't really even sensitive at all this week. I really wish we had more teeth as well. It would be much easier. hahaha.

Yesterday I had some good ole American burgers. Of course they had guacamole on them but close enough. I didn't actually taste the guacamole and they were really good.

It's not too bad with waiting for the visa. It's a lot better knowing I'm not the only one that hasn't gotten it. Sister Miller said she heard they are trying to get missionaries there on their transfer day so if you could find that out. we would probably know when. Not sure though.

I definitely couldn't have finished the Book of Mormon that fast without being out here. I'm still enjoying the cold here for as long as I can. Its really weird in Utah. One day is crazy hot, the next its really cold. I don't get it.

I'm kind of glad you didn't send Sadie's broken toe nail. I have found a lot of her hair in my stuff though. So I guess that's some of her I can take to Mexico! HAHAHA. I do actually wish I could help you with the irrigation.

I have now taught myself how to ride with no hands! I guess this much time on a bike, you are bound to learn something.

One time we were riding into an apartment parking lot and someone yelled "F*** Mormons!" So I just stuck my fist out kind of like alright good for you. I didn't really think anything of it at first. Harvey rode by and waved at him and he said "What is that some white power thing? You think I'm cursed or something?" I have no idea why I stuck my fist out but it was pretty funny. He already seemed to have his mind made up about us but I hope I didn't make it worse though.

I went on exchanges this week with the District Leader Elder Nonne. Most of the day, nothing really happened. We were close to the end and he was just driving around trying to think of where to go. He stopped and said "I'm lost. I don't know who to go to." I pulled out our planner and looked at the names. I saw this guys name who we hadn't gone by yet. Elder Nonne said they had a meeting with him the next day so they would just go then. Then he said " well, lets just go anyway. We knocked on his door. Elder Nonne kind of backed away. I didn't really know what was happening because I couldn't see the door very well. the guy answered and he was drunk. He let us in saying he didn't want any prayers or anything like that. He just wanted to talk. He said "I'm drunk. OK? I'm sorry." We said it was alright and he then told us he just found out his dad died and if he had had a gun that would be it. This hit me pretty hard. He started talking about it and talking about Vietnam and him getting shot in the head and still living and about his dad and buddy's he had. I just got the feeling to say something. I tried once but he started to talk. Elder Nonne noticed I had something to say and asked if I did. I didn't really know what to say. But I started anyway. I got a really strong feeling to promise him that we were supposed to be there at that exact time to help him through it. I told him about Gramma and that phone call I received in the MTC. I told him I knew she was there with me right then and that he would see his Dad and live with him again. I was struggling through all of that cause for some reason I was crying and couldn't help it.

I don't know if he will remember any of what I said, but I will. It was a really cool experience. I then asked if he had any alcohol. He did, so I asked if he wanted to dump the rest out with us. He said no. He wanted to finish the rest and then he would be done with drinking. Hopefully he will be. I then asked if he did have a gun in the house. I was a little shaken from the first comment he made when we got there. He said "No, you think I'm suicidal or something?" Me: "Well, from what you said earlier I didn't know." Well, that's the highlights from my week.

I love you and miss you all!

Aaron

April 23rd 2012 (Handwritten)

Hey Mom & Dad!

This P-day hasn't been too great. We pretty much just drove around all day long. The thing with the e-mails is it's hard to write to all of you in one because I can't read through your e-mails. Today when I was writing to Dad, I found out right then that we had to leave early. So, I had to hurry & do the weekly. I really wish they'd give us a half hour more cause we don't really do anything else with that time. 

Oh, we do have a guitar here so I have been able to play a little. That's really nice sometimes.

When Nelson's parents came I was pretty happy to meet them. It was nice to talk to someone that talks with you guys fairly often. Elder Harvey didn't really like that they came. He said "We're not supposed to have family or friends over!" I said I thought it was awesome! It's not like it's going to be a weekly thing, not that I would mind that.

I've been annoyed quite a bit lately. I think I need to get out of here. Elder Harvey alright. It's about 50/50. I don't know if I ever told you he moans & stuff when he sleeps. I wake up at 2 or so & try to go back to sleep but it's really hard. He starts moaning & clacking his teeth & stuff. I bang on the wall & yell a little to try to get him to stop. I might yell pretty loud sometimes. I've learned that I have a lot more patience than I ever thought I did.

Oh, this week I saw a guy painting (spray paint) his cowboy boots white. I thought it was pretty funny.

I can't believe Snoodles is gone! She's been around pretty much my whole life. I'm going to miss having her steal dad's last piece of steak!

It's been pretty hot these last few days. I can't believe it was 90 degrees over there. I wonder what it got to here? Yesterday was pretty bad since it was Sunday & we have to wear our suits. Plus at dinner we went in from the heat to the heat & ate hot food! We had Mole'. It's not bad but it's not great either. It's pretty bland & we've had it 3 times. Twice this week!

I went on exchanges again with Elder Kulu on Wednesday. We pretty much just walked all day long. Lessons cancelled , no one was home, & we couldn't find anyone to talk to.

One house we went to a little girl answered, we had taught them the week before, & she yells "The mishery's are here!" Then she looked at my hand & said "You have hair all right there!" I said "Yep." She said "That's gross!" I laughed pretty hard.

So when I talked to the President's wife she said "You're leaving the 30th right?" I said "I hadn't gotten it yet." She said "Oh, you just haven't been to the consulate yet?" So, I think everyone is heading out that day. I guess we'll have to just wait & see.

I have finished the Book of Mormon since I've been here. It's a challenge they give you to do it in 12 weeks. I just wanted to do it.I haven't really done it on my own so I knew it was something I really wanted . I did it in 31 days! One hour a day, about (Sometimes it was 1/2 hour). They had us mark every time Christ is mentioned & when He speaks. I'm really glad I finally did it. I had been working on it before & was almost done, but I had started in Alma & so I just started over.

Tell Ciana I love her & would really like another picture from her!

Sorry I can't be there to help with the pipes dad! I actually would love to do it with you! And that's truly no sarcasm! I miss those days. Just tie Sadie to one that's way askew & throw the ball where you need it to go. That should work!

I love you guys so, so, so much! I couldn't have asked for better parents, EVER! I can't wait to see you again.

I LOVE YOU!!!
Aaron

Below is stuff Aaron had written all around the edges of his letter!

The cereal was Cap'n Crunch's Peanut Butter Crunch! I hope it gets fixed pretty fast! Also, my tooth piece has now popped out so I have a big chunk missing!

Oh, crap! Calling card? I don't really know when I'm leaving but if it's the 30th I don't know if I'll get it in time to call from the airport.

I always think of more to say! Tell Cassie thanks a ton for the birthday card & $!!! Oh, & look for Great Grains Bread! It's cheap & really good. I don't know if it's just local or not.

If you see Hannah Christensen, tell her thanks for the letter.

A BROKEN TOOTH!!

Hey family!

Well last Thursday I was eating cereal. I chomped down on a really hard piece. I just took it out and started eating again and thought I felt a piece of it still in between my teeth. Nope! That was just my tooth. It has a break about the size of a pea that I can wiggle around a little bit. I have an appointment tomorrow finally. I was getting pretty mad with how long it was taking to get that done. It doesn't hurt at all but its annoying and I need it fixed before Mexico.

Well we had 3 baptisms this week. It didn't go very smoothly. Elder Blanc baptized the dad, and when he did he hit his head on the step in the water, didn't plug his nose, and gulped some water. He was fine though.

Then the son, who is 9 yrs. old had to get dunked about 6 times. His legs kept popping up and through all of that Elder Bautista, yes with a name like that he should be pretty good at it, he kept mumbling through the prayer. It was pretty bad.

Still riding bikes everywhere. I'm just trying to hold my weight up. I've gotten down to 215! And eat a ton at their houses. OK, I'll hand write more home.

I love and miss you all!

Aaron

Mom's online friend Joy Nelson, Elder Nelson's mom, found Aaron in his current mission. Mom asked Aaron about his experience when they came to the door? This is his answer...

When they came to the door and said they were the Nelsons it took me awhile to actually get it. Even after I saw her, Elder Harvey answered the door.

It was really cool to see them. They brought a bunch of junk food and cheese balls! I was happy about that because I have been losing weight pretty fast. I'm down to 214.8. I try to eat as much as I can at peoples houses too.

Joy Nelson (Elder Nelson's mom), Aaron & Elder Harvey

Joy, I hope you don't mind that I put your picture on here!! :)

Aaron and his companion Elder Harvey

I have an appointment tomorrow at 11. It took freaking forever for them to actually set that up! I was getting pretty mad. It might be pretty serious. I don't know. It wasn't the Cocoa Roos, it was Captain Crunch. I think the church is going to cover it. I can send you the piece I broke it on. I did save that.

No news on the visa yet. I'm thinking I'll get the call this Thursday. That's when most have gotten it to go to the consulate.

OK gotta go.

Love you!

Aaron

April 16th 2012 (Handwritten)

Hey Mom & Dad!

I did get the Easter card from Ciana, tell her thank you & I love her so so much!

Thank you for the Birthday card! It's ginormous! It really does mean a lot to me every week. I'm really excited that I get to write & more importantly read your e-mails. I miss you a ton!

I don't really know of anything interesting that happened this week. It was pretty boring. We didn't have many lessons. We were just trying to find more people. Oh, my birthday was pretty much the same as every other day. I did get a birthday call from the Mission President's daughter. She is handicapped I guess, and makes sure she calls everyone on their birthday. So that was pretty nice. We did go to a families house, that is getting baptized this Sunday. They are awesome! They bought a cake for me & we ate it there at 8:30 PM. That was a good end to my birthday.

Our bikes are starting to crap out on us. Yesterday on the way to church there was a really loud noise. It sounded like something metal being shot out. We didn't know what happened but Elder Harvey's back tire went flat instantly. My back tire goes flat pretty fast so we have been having to pump it up 2-3 times a day. I'm going to go fix that here soon.

Not much of a P-day. Just did some shopping, laundry, & got mail & played Horse. There's just not much to do. Especially when you are on bikes.

Elder Jarman said that it was only 2 missions that got their visas. He's not sure where the other Elder Draper is going. He doesn't seem very excited to go. He says he really likes it here. I like it here too but I'll be really excited & nervous like always, to go to Mexico.

Don't let Sadie run on that ankle too much. I'm sure she acts like she's fine when she sees that ball. Give her a big hug for me!

I was really happy to hear how much Ciana liked that picture. It took me that whole week since I didn't have much time to just sit & do it. The more I drew the more I remembered. I was wondering if you would notice the yellow caps on the post. I gotta say it was nice to see that yard again. 

Well, I better get to fixing that tire. Tell all the FB people thanks for me. I love you guys so much & I miss you like crazy! Tell me all that is going on over there.

Love you tons!
Aaron

Notes on the envelope: 

Oh the towels work pretty good & dry fast. There was only a blue & green one, no brown one. I'll keep trying them & probably send the others home sometime.

I told Michael to get more music and I said stuff like Coldplay, but I feel like I typed Outcold. So if he asks. I don't know if I did or not.

Also I just went out with a guy that worked with Duane Redetzke at Roto Rooter. His name was Chuck Scott.

Hey family!

Well, I guess a lot of missionaries got their visa's this week. I however, did not. Elder Jarman got his. I don't know if its only for where he is going or what. I guess we shall see if more come in this week.

I don't remember too much from this week. We are riding bikes all over Midvale. I like it a whole lot better than a car. However, in the rain its not too fun. On Wednesday I went on an exchange with Elder Kulu. Jarman went with Harvey. That day it poured like crazy. Kulu and I got soaked. The exchange wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I actually liked it. It just sucks having to pack everything up. One person we went to teach this week went a lot different than we thought it would. We went over there to drop him. He has been really hard to get a hold of and didn't really seem too interested. He has been getting taught for awhile. Well, he was actually really wanting to be baptized but he has a girlfriend there and says she won't marry him if he does. But we are actually going to get her a BOM and she is going to start reading. So, maybe she'll change her mind. She doesn't even go to church. 

Spanish isn't coming along very well. I don't say too much unless I have a part of the lesson. Oh, well. I probably have learned more than I think I have. Whenever someone asks me a question or says something directly to me, I completely blank and don't know what they said. Even the easiest questions. 

Oh, one guy we knocked asked what he could do for us. When Harvey said we were the missionaries the guy just laughed and started to close the door. I couldn't help but laugh out loud. It was the best response I have had yet. 

Well, I gotta go. If I think of anything I will write home.

I love and miss you all!

Aaron

April 9th 2012 (Handwritten)

Hey MoM(?) & Dad,


Sorry my e-mail was so short. I did get all 3 packages. If that’s the right #. Thank you so much for all of it.
I’m pretty short on $ & food so that will help a ton.  I get fed pretty well here so food isn’t too big of a deal. I found like 8 boxes of macaroni so that will help also. We are on bikes now & I like it way better. It’s just more interesting. Harvey I think hates it. He complains about it all the time. I think it’s fun.


Nelson & Ngatu are in a quad!?!? That’s awesome! I haven’t written all of them yet. I haven’t gotten any
news about Tuxtla. I wonder why Nelson does. I’m going to try those towels out for sure. That will save
me a lot of space.


We played V-ball today, finally. Every morning we play B-ball, which I suck at, or soccer. It was really nice
to play V-ball.


I do know Elder Jarmin. He’s 6’8” if you didn’t know & played for BYU. It was pretty fun but there are
some sucky players here too.


Some funny things that happened this week, some kids wanted candy but we didn’t have any. (I do now
though, thanks!) So Blanc gave them Mormon.org cards. Then when we were leaving a girl came back
& asked for a card but we were out. Harvey had one sucker & gave it to her. I told her to hide it & then
told Blanc & Harvey they were all going to run back over when they saw it. I was right! They all started
chasing us, so we took off for the car. It was pretty fun.


Today we got groceries & as we were leaving a guy asked us for a $1. Harvey gave him one & I gave him
about a $1 in change. I guess his car was out of gas. While we were talking with him an old guy came
up to us & said “You want a real challenge?” Take a shot at a 73 yr. old vet of Vietnam! I fought for
separation of state & religion & then I moved here and it’s like another country!” All I said was “Well,
this man just asked for $ so we gave it to him & we’re just talking.” I think he felt kind of dumb because
of his expressions. He kept talking about it & talking down about us. The guy we were talking to kind of
defended us. The old guy finally left. The guy, Ken I think was his name, said he hated when guys twice
(3 almost 4 times) your age do that. He turned out to be a Jehovah’s Witness. He was a really nice guy.


I’m still writing in my journal a half a page to a page every night. Everything is going just fine. I love you
more than you’ll ever know! I don’t have much time left in this P-day so I better go grab some food & a
shower. Thanks again for everything!


I LOVE YOU!!!


Aaron


Also thank Monks for the B-day card & cookie! It was delicious!

Hi Family,

Well, all of the transfer stuff happened this Wednesday. Im still in the same area and everything. Blanc is now the Zone Leader and moved out so I have a nice soft, real bed! Elder Harvey is still my companion.

Easter was alright. We went to a BBQ yesterday. They had carne asada, lime chicken, and hot dogs. They also had cactus. Its alright but not my favorite. They warmed the tortillas in the BBQ and they got really dry once they were out. It was all pretty good but you couldn't let it cool or it tasted way different. They didn't hide eggs like we do. They just had the kids go inside and then spread them all over the yard. I like our way a lot better. Harvey was sick Saturday and Sunday so we went home after the BBQ and he slept for 4 hours and I just studied upstairs. 

Saturday I tried my first goat. Not that great. I don't know if it was just the piece I got or what but it was really chewy. It definitely tastes different than other meat. I also had Cerviche. Cevriche is shrimp or crab or other sea food that isn't cooked by heat. It's soaked in lime juice and then mixed with pretty much pico de gallo. It didn't really taste fishy so I was glad. I'm sure Michael will know more about it.

We had a baptism on Saturday. A 9 yr. old. It was pretty cool. I don't know if I count that as my first one or not because I didn't really teach her much. 

I still don't know anything about my visa. They haven't given the visa waiters more money yet either. So maybe that means we'll be leaving soon or maybe they just forgot about us. I don't know. Well, I will write home with other stuff if I think about it.

I love and miss you all!

Aaron