Hey Family (and all others that shall scan this email)!
So I'm finishing my first transfer this week! Fastest 6 weeks of my life...and the second one starts on Thursday, I guess. Elder Yupanqui has been awesome. I don't think I could have asked for a better trainer. Unfortunately, he won't be with me for his last transfer before going home. I was hoping he would stay in San Pedro with me, but he is going somewhere else, Sullana, to be Zone Leader again. Kid has been Zone Leader for like 9 months of his mission. Really awesome guy. I was lucky to have him. But he says that he his happy with the missionary replacing him, to finish my training....whose name I can't remember. So I'll tell you that next week.
Anyway, the last few days have been kinda sad I guess, just trying to accept that my world is going to change again. I had a feeling Elder Yupanqui was gonna leave, so that's that. But if its one thing that I've learned in the past year and a half, it's that Heavenly Father does not allow me to stay comfortable, but for good reason. I was excited to go to BYU the summer I graduated from high school, but it was really difficult for me - being away from home for the first time. I was way excited to serve a mission, but I admit, it was hard to enter the MTC and get that all started - leaving my life behind. The CCM was different though. That place drove me up a wall. I couldn't wait to leave. Ha ha. Getting to Piura was difficult, freaked me out, and now I'm comfortable again here. Sooooo, time to change something and challenge me again. I've thought about that the last few days and have seen a nice pattern of this actually, in the last few years of my life. But also, I noticed that in the end, when I endure, I always turn out happy, so no matter what happens, I know it's going to turn out okay. And each time we are forced to leave our comfort zone, we grow and learn, comfort zone then grows, and things become easier. That's my new philosophy, anyway. So, as hard as it might be for me, for a couple days, Íll be alright, I'm sure of that. Soooo, bring it on! haha.
Well, some fun stories from this week...that I can't remember. But Friday night during a lesson, around 6:30 pm probably, all the power in Piura went out - everywhere! It was awesome. Seriously just pitch black everywhere...so we ended up going to our pension at 7:00 pm to eat, and stayed there for two hours cause we couldn't do much else really. So we just talked with the family there. They are awesome. Oh and all of this with a bunch of candles...so cool. I always wanted a big black out in Vegas or something. It's pretty sweet! And then we got to walk home in the dark at 9:00 pm. Thought for sure I was gonna have my first mugging! But no. We didn't, but...we bought some candles and matches, and while I was paying for it my comp hid behind a corner...so when I turned around... I was totally alone. It was weird. Right then my thoughts just went to thinking about walking home alone from campus at BYU and stuff like that...and it seemed so weird. Because I'm always with someone. So, I can definitely understand why missionaries are weird at first when they get home. I hope I can avoid that weirdness somehow. Anyway, my comp came out like 10 seconds later and we went home, but it was just funny...maybe you had to be there. Yeah, you definitely had to be there.
Still teaching a lot, but still hard to get people to church, and without two times going to church, they cant get baptized...so...that's still a problem here in San Pedro. We did have one though! That was exciting...for the first time in 3 weeks I think. Finally got someone to come. So yay! And ... I guess I'll be continuing to work with our investigators with my new companion by next Sunday, que triste. But, it's fine. I know we'll still work hard and have success, and I'm not too worried about getting along with a new comp. It's all good.
Well, this is random...but with all the walking around, mixed with my awkwardness, I trip a lot, like normal...and I'm really surprised I haven't broken or at least rolled my ankle like 50 times...so I think angels are catching my feet when I trip. haha. That's my new joke anyway. If only I wasn't so awkward........
Well ... that's about all folks. Didn't get my usually 30 Dear Elder letters today...mostly from Dad about BYU football, haha...but that's ok. I did get a letter from the Bringhams. haha... it was cool. So I dunno, the address off hand, but sending it to the mission office works GREAT, because I have gotten a couple now with that address. I think I gave it to Brad, so spread that around, maybe have Jordan put it on Facebook or something. Whatever works haha. Thanks for all your support. Sorry that I am bad at actually writing people back. I'm trying to get better. I have a couple letters in my room right now for people that I'm trying to finish. If I don't write you back, please don't hate me. I try, seriously. So, family members, uncles Dan Bringham, Dan Royal, Kelly family, all y'all that write me that I can't think of everyone right now off hand ... but thanks a ton. :) Can't get enough. And for Jordan, sweet little Jordan, I hope your life is good: school, v-ball, all that good stuff. How are you? And ..how is the Zelda assignment coming along that I gave you? :) The Church is true.
Elder Can't Think of Anything to Put Here Royal
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