November 30, 2009
Hey hey hey!
Ok so sorry that I am getting around to this a little bit late. We had our zone counsel today, and that went all morning into the afternoon. But it was way cool! It was the first zone counsel that I have participated in as a zone leader, and not the financial secretary. Haha. Elder Ibarra is really doing a good job, though. He will probably end up being a better secretary than I was. But that’s how it should be…always improving.
So this week went pretty well. Our zone had three baptisms. I was able to report to the president last night with a bit less embarrassment. I’m not satisfied with that by any means, but things are coming along here in Piura Central. Things should be even better this week by the way that things are looking. I know that there are still a lot of things we need to do better as zone leaders, especially after going to the conference today…but the biggest thing I see right now is setting the standard in our area. Now, I’m not one to make excuses…but our area is kinda rough. It’s a nicer part of Piura where God is not really the "first" thing on everyone’s list. But, we are working on it and I am really enjoying being in the field again. Also, we have a piano in our capilla so I am playing on Sundays for sacrament meeting. It’s cool but I wish I could play more hymns with both hands. Lots of times I end up playing just the right hand…but it’s better than no piano. So…young future missionaries that know how to play…get to practicing that. Piano playing pays huge dividends - especially outside the states, where few people play.
And since I’m handing out advice for future missionaries, here’s something to the future Elder Kevin Foutz (hopefully my companion in April) (although this advice works for any Spanish speaking missionary). Practice the hymns a lot if you play piano. Get a Spanish Book of Mormon and start reading it. You won’t understand hardly anything, but that’s not the point. Read out loud and try to learn the pronunciation. Understanding the book in Spanish isn’t that important. You can do that in English for now. But read out loud in Spanish to learn the language. It really helps and if you start now it will be a huge head start. I didn’t start until my first area but it helped a ton. I probably read the first 100 pages before really understanding much...but it helps A LOT. Do it!
The heat is coming back. That has become evident in the past week – besides the obvious signs, such as shiny skin from the constant coat of sweat we now carry around…well I guess that’s pretty much it… I started that sentence with the intent of ending with something profound, but that didn’t happen. In short, summer has started. The summer heat here is like Vegas - pretty intense. We do not have AC in my room...but we our place is much cooler because we are on the first of a three story house with only one or two windows, so there is not much sun. It stays a lot fresher. By the way, July is beautiful weather - so you guys will have the best of Peru weather when you pay us a visit. Oh, my new pension is awesome. Her food is ok but she is way cool and does live close. We eat there three times a day. I go to the office...2 or 3 times a week. It will be easy to get my Christmas package because I am still in Piura. Hey, I saw Elder Walker today! That was cool and I told him that you were planning on meeting his family. I totally forgot to ask you to send me a dorky Christmas tie. Pants: Don’t get pants that roll up at the bottom. Just normal pants that don’t have any special kind of cut or fold. Pants like that are dirt pockets and when you take them off it gets dirt EVERYWHERE.
Funny story…here in Peru everyone throws trash right out the front door. Normal. As we were walking down the street, I happened to walk in front of a door just as a lady was throwing a bunch of orange peels into the street. And she hit me with them. I laughed, she hid around the corner of the wall in embarrassment. Does anyone remember the song Hey There Delilah?...the one that was played like 50 times a day on every radio station for three years? The Latino missionaries are convinced that it is a Church song. One of the elders that lives with us is always playing his Church music, and in the middle of hymns and other religious stuff, Hey There Delilah always comes out of nowhere. And no matter what I say… as far as he’s concerned - it’s a Church song. I just find it funny. So I get to listen to that about once a day at least. Still.
Glad to hear BYU beat Utah. I’m sure that was exciting. Hope your Thanksgiving in Provo was fun. Well, I think that’s about it for now. Things are going great out here. I’m happy and healthy and just enjoying my time as a missionary. Elder Ibarra saw fotos of me from when I started the mission and says that I have more of a "man face" now. Wow, I’m growing up. Hooray. December starts tomorrow and that is crazy! I hope that you are all happy, safe, having fun, and following Christ, as you should be. You are all in my prayers. The mission is still amazing and I absolutely love being here. Young men, plan now to serve a mission!! And heck, older young men ( my buddies, classmates, quorum members - you know who you are!!), let’s get them papers in now, ya hear? Jordan, you make sure you’re ready when the time comes. The Lord needs you! Keep being cool, buddy. Well, you guys are amazing and I couldn’t ask for a better family. I love you! Have a great week y’all. Let’s not just profess to have faith in Jesus Christ. Let’s show Him we have it by how we live. The Church is true. Live it.
Elder "Tan Arms" Royal
Posts
