My new companion is Elder Villacis

Received David's email this morning. Sounds like he's going a bit stir crazy, ready to get to Piura. I think he has a couple weeks left, but not sure how long. May be a bit longer than that. Always fun to follow the ups and downs of missionary life. David is very real in his expressions, a fun read. Have a great week.

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Alright, well we all got new companions this past week...last Wednesday and Thursday, and last Wednesday actually...we were the only missionaries at the CCM... The 11 Americans...and we got to go out on a tour of Lima. That was cool. I took lots of pictures...and picked up some cheap souvenirs (not sure if I spelled that right). So that was a good day...and we finished that up with about 3 hours of straight soccer. It was awesome! And I'm becoming quite the goalie. I made a pretty good first impression with my goalie skills for the new Latin missionaries...and apparently I'm the guy to score on now. So I have my place in the box...which is good 'cause I still can't dribble and shoot all that well.

My new companion is Elder Villacis. He's a cool guy. He is 23 and from Ecuador. He actually has a little brother who is 19...also at the CCM with us. So Brad.... imagine if we were on our missions together right now?? Kind of a weird thought, eh? But he's cool. He can understand English pretty well...but doesn't speak it. It works out nice though because I can say something in English and he can tell me how to say it in Spanish. So I'm liking that. And the Spanish is coming along a lot better. I can teach pretty well in Spanish ...and understand . . . eh . . . most things that are said to me. Still working hard on it, though.

This new group of missionaries is definitely different than the previous group. All of the new Latinos . . . for some reason . . . don't seem to need much sleep. They wake up and like 5:00 a.m....making a ton of noise.... (Ugh.) By the time I get up at 6:30 a.m. most of them are completely dressed and reading scriptures or something. That's not necessarily a bad thing - it's just that among the many rules we have as missionaries, one of my favorite relates to getting eight hours of sleep daily. That's not technically happening, so in the spirit of total compliance with the rules, I would love to have eight instead of say . . . six and a half. Know what I mean?

Let's see, what else? Well, we didn't get to go out teaching on Saturday...for whatever reason...and might not get to go again this weekend, which is terrible really...because frankly...I'm getting a bit of island fever in the CCM and just loved getting out and talking with people. I love it, of course, and am learning a lot. I am just anxious to get out there and talk with people. I am anxious to get to Piura. But, I know my day will come soon enough.

I always knew that I would be battling frustration on my mission, wrestling with challenges, and therefore I think I have dealt well with adversity (or at least I think I am). I want so badly to be completely focused on my mission 100 percent of the time. It is very difficult sometimes to not think about home...or friends...family...music. But I try so hard because I want to be completely focused on the Lord's work here. All of the missionaries seem to go through that together. I am really going to miss Elder Brown when I leave here and he stays in Lima. He and I have become very good friends. But anyway, I really have to thank Brad. He set such a wonderful example of dedicated missionary service. When things get rough and discouraging (and it happens), I think of how Brad served so well. I want to serve like that for Jordan, and others that will follow. I know Brad has been so blessed for his faithful service and continues to be blessed. I mean, come on, he married Whitney, who is awesome, and is really a great brother and friend to me. Brad, I miss you, man. Thanks for your awesome example to me. It is something that really keeps me focused on being my very best.

Thanks so much for all the letters. We get mail about once a week here and I usually get a nice load of Dear Elder letters and usually one mailed letter from the family. Every once in a while I'll get a letter from a BYU friend or something - always a great pleasure. Dad, a favor if you could. Ah, could you tell me more about BYU football? I know you have all the inside scoop, and well, I would love to know how the season goes. From what little Dad has told me (and it's not enough), it sounds like they'll have a great season. Go Cougars! Well, I love you all very much. Thanks for your continued support for me. I am SO happy to be here and love learning and working. I know I will be tested and challenged many times over the next two years, and also know that I grow from each experience. I can't wait to see what comes next!

Forever your Royal son,

Elder Royal