Monday, September 24, 2012
September 24, 2012
Family! So it's the start of a brand new change, and yep, it is the
very last change. How weird is that? Totally never thought I'd get to
this point, last area, last companion, last everything. I totally
remember buddies I had before who got to their last change, 6 weeks flew
by, and now those dudes have been in their house for a couple of months
now. Don't worry, I'm not getting too ahead of myself, but In-N-Out is
starting to seem less and less far away. Just gotta ratch it on up, and
than ratch it back on down for this very last change, and bam! I'm the
newest resident of Abby manor all over again. So nuts.
So this last change was definitely unlike any others I've had
before. It was a whole different feel being Zone-Leader, and even more
since we officially stopped knocking doors when we began the last
change. I never thought I'd say it, but man did I miss knocking doors.
Since the members didn't really give us any references, it was pretty
much 100% working with less-active members, which is...fun. It can be
super cool when someone gets activated and all that, but I think it's
even harder to activate a less-active person than baptize a person that
doesn't know anything about the Gospel. The less-active kids always have
these weird feuds with other members and for stupid little reasons
refuse to come back to church. You know what I think that means? That
they never really had a testimony to begin with! If someone really
belives in Christ and His Church, than there's no question, they're
going to be there when Sunday rolls around. Despite what some member
might say about them. But I've for sure learned to be SUPER careful with
the things I say to members of the church. Something I definitely
didn't care a ton (at all) about before the Mish. I invite you guys to
do the same. But yeah, we didn't get the chance to baptize anyone this
change, but thats fine, some people plant, some people harvest, it's all
the same work. But I think we've got some opportunities in this next
change, we'll try to make some magic happen.
Elder Garcia is headed home this Thursday. He was a
really...interesting companion, but gotta hand it to him, he made me
laugh a ton. My new companion is named Elder Monteal, (yep, he's
Mexican), and he gets in from Zacatecas at like 5. So we gotta go pick
him up in a little bit. It's Elder Monteal's first go as Zone-Leader, so
that means I'm Senior Comp again and will have to run the show for the
last 6 weeks of der Mish. Should be fun, I'm looking forward to it.
Elder Curtis, the Native-American kid who has been working with us will
be going to Florida! Who knows why, but good for him, right?
So I guess thats whats going on in my life? I guess I've ran out of
super interesting things to say for the last leg of the Mish. Tons of
interesting/weird/funny/
Love,
Elder Abbott
Monday, September 17, 2012
September 17, 2012
It's true, oh man, I feel totally sick right now. So somebody thought it
would be a great idea to hit up the Mexican Circus which was in town,
which you know, sounded like a good idea at the time. Worst idea ever!
Just a bunch of those rides which were specifically designed to make you
feel like somebody punched you in the stomach. And since I was with the
other missionaries, I had to do like every single ride. The rides
themselves weren't even that bad, but they just lasted for forever! Do
you know that one ride, the pirate ship that goes back and forth? I kid
you not I was going back and forth on that thing for half an hour. I've
felt pretty terrible ever since. But you don't really get time to rest
in the Mission, especially on P-Day, so whatever. Sorry if this email
doesn't make any sense, my minds sort of spinning still. But yeah,
lesson learned, no more Mexican Circuses.
So what has gone down this week? The Great Storm of
Torreon. It rained crazy hard out here, totally out of nowhere. Pretty
sure lightning struck out house too one night, because I have never
heard thunder so loud before. More fear than Sammy on the 4th of July.
Check out the pictures I'm sending, total madness. I was totally happy
about it however, way better than it being super hot. Also the 15th of
September went down this week, which is like the Mexican Independence
day. It was pretty good times, tons of drunk dudes who are also fun to
talk to. We had special orders that day to be home by 7:00, so we
decided to take advantage. We ordered Pizza and played UNO late into the
night, there's magic there. Oh, and we had to give another conference
last week which I think went pretty well actually. I think I'm getting
used to this public speaking thing. All in all, the week went by super
fast, and now it's officially the last week of the change, and the last
week of my companion, Elder Garcia. Dude is out of here next week. Weird
to think that my very last change of the mission will be starting up
soon. It's getting close.
So I guess that's my life as of right now, but whats
going on at home? Are Mom and Dad done with their mission? Either way, I
loved the pictures last week, congrats to Randy on being part of the
bishopric and having a full head of hair. Alright, so I guess I don't
have much time this week, but I love all of you guys, and the Church is
true. That's really all you need to know. Take it easy, Famil-y.
Love,
Elder Abbott
Monday, September 10, 2012
September 10, 2012
Family! Another incredibly hot week down. Yes! And I think I'm
starting to sweat less, which you know, is a huge accomplishment.
Although I'm sure I've taught a few lessons with a reder face than the
infamous "hot-face." But it's all good, the fact that I can see the
finish line does put a lot of things in perspective, and you know,
reminds me I won't have to be walking underneath this sun for
forever. Our swimming pool will feel so, so, so good...I don't care if
it will be November. Me and Sam are going in. I hope Sam's still alive
and you guys haven't been keeping a secret like that Greg lost him like a
year ago...I'll keep the faith alive. Alright, so what happened this
week?
The highlight of the week was probably the famous "Consejo." So
there's this meeting that zone-leaders have once a month with the
President, and everyone wonders what happends in these meetings. Atleast
I always have. And last Friday I found out, and it's a lot less
exciting that you're probably thinking, but still cool. With the coolest
parts probably being the free breakfast and lunch provided, can't even
take a solid breakfast for granted. So basically the whole time we
talked about keeping our faith up despite we're going through some
struggles as a Mission. I told you guys that we stopped knocking doors
and all that, right? Well this whole time we've basically been banking
that the members would step it up and give us tons of references to
teach...and guess what, hasn't really happened yet. So we've been sort
of struggling finding things to do, and trying to avoid visiting those
super weird less-active ladies that are in every area. Hasn't been easy
so far, but we gotta keep going at it. It's easy to see that all of it's
going to pay off because Satan is working so hard to prevent it. I'm
sure the changes that we're trying to make will put Mexico back on the
map, spirutually speaking. We're crossing our fingers for a Torreon
Temple within the next 5 years, and the work that we do out here will
definitely be a huge part of we get there or not. Me and my companion
have to give another training meeting tomorrow to the Missionaries about
all the stuff we learned in the Consejo. Wish me luck.
So thats basically my life up to this point, and I should mention
that we somehow managed to eat in a super nice Italian restuarant last
Monday. Thats the first picture I sent. I probably look like a
Misisonary schmutz in these pictures, but I really don't think I'll be
all that weird coming home. My English is sort of terrible, but I'm
going to try to make it better these next couple of weeks. Oh, and Mom
and Dad, I got the package you guys sent. True magic. I already read the
book you sent me, it was awesome, and I read the TIME magazine like 15
times over. Candy was super good as always, and my teeth already hurt,
which is a definite sign I enjoyed the package. You guys are the best
parents ever. Well sir, guess thats all from me this week. Keep doing
what you do, Family. Love you guys, Church is true, Goof and Gaff.
Love,
Elder Abbott
Monday, September 3, 2012
September 3, 2012
Family! Alright, so I think I can send a some-what decent letter this
week (pictures and everything!). Yeah, it's been kind of a stressful
change actually, and I feel like I can never really write you guys. Must
have something to do with all this Zone-Leadering I have to do, which
is a lot more work than I thought it would be. But it's keeping me
honest for my last two months in the Mission. Speaking of which, it's
true, today I complete 22 months as a Missionary. Holy moly. It feels
like a lot more time when I type it out than when I just say it out
loud. So yep, two months mo', and than I have to figure out the rest of
my life. And by that I mean call up Temp-Agency, buy Playstation 3, and
watch Batman 3 (among other things of course). But for the time being, I
still have lots of work to take care before I can call it good out here
in Mexico. And the icing on the cake...I got my flight itenirary today.
I'll be flying into John Wayne Airport, Thursday Nov. 8, and I'll get
in about 11:30AM. So yep, plan your schedules accordingly, take your
vacation days, and we'll parade all the way back home to Via Madera.
Should be fun.
Alright, so what's been going on in my life lately? So
like I said last week, my companion and I had to give that huge
conference to a bunch of Missionaries. I think it went alright, I just
made jokes half the time, but I think we got the message across. To tell
you the truth, pretty sure I feel more comfortable doing public
speaking in Spanish than I do in English...my homecoming talk is going
to be a disaster. Oh, and I turned 21 last week! Sort of old, isn't it?
Legit adult. Sort of. And how was my Birthday? Fantastic. We worked all
day, didn't find anybody cool to teach, and the guy we were going to
baptize didn't even show up to his baptism. Yes! No one even really knew
it was my Birthday either, but thats okay. Honestly, I guess I got to
the point where it's not really that big of a deal. But that doesn't
mean that I'm not super pumped for the packages that I hope are on their
way. Something cool did happen though, a family totally randomly gave
me a giant bag of pretzels! It's true. They went to Utah, bought a
gigantic bag of Pretzels, decided they didn't like it, and so they gave
it to us. Heavenly Father definitely remember it was my Birthday, and he
for sure delivered. I'll should be eating Pretzels for the rest of my
Mission! Best moment ever. What else is going on? My companion Elder
Garcia is in his last change, he's a pretty weird dude, but we're having
a good time. Ther other guy in the pictures is Elder Curtis, he's
Native-American, and has been working with us the past few days for some
reason. Other than that, the work has been hard lately, but we're doing
the best we can with what we got. The results will come, probably not
exactly when I want them too (like now), but they'll come sooner or
later.
And....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GREG AND DAD! Saved the
best part for last. I've probably been stealing the thunder of your
guys' birthdays for way too long, hopefully you guys lived it up now
that I'm in a different country and all. You're both heroes for me, and
If I can be half the man you guys are, I'll be super happy. What did you
guys do? Marie Calendars? Burger King? Limitless oportunidades. Hope
all is well at home, and everyone is taking it easy. I heard Rick got
back, I totally remember his last night at home, we watched a Via Madera
classic, "Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island," good to hear my buddy is back
at home. Well sir, that's all I've got for you guys this week. Keep it
classy.
Love,
Elder Abbott
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)