Email one:
Hola Familia! Well I made it almost a week and I'm still alive. I can do laundry, clean myself, and nourish myself just fine. The food here is bad and literally everything has soy in it. I'm going to see the food lady to see if they can make me some soy free food today so pray for that. We actually got to eat temple breakfast this morning after our session and can I just say, that meal was a heavenly manifestation that God loves his children. It was so good!!!
My companion Elder Tate and I are very different and all I should say is that I hope I learn the lesson Heavenly Father's wants me to learn from him really fast.
My companion Elder Tate and I are very different and all I should say is that I hope I learn the lesson Heavenly Father's wants me to learn from him really fast.
Now on to the good stuff. Spanish is stinkin hard! From day one I think my Spanish teacher has spoken a total of 10 english words. From sun up to sun down, we speak, hear, and learn spanish. Es muy dificil, perro esta bien. I honestly think that I've learned more spanish in 6 days than I have in my year of spanish in school y esta porque por el don de lenguas (that's because of the gift of tongues). I'll attach a lot of pictures because a picture is worth a thousand words so lots of pictures is lots of words so I don't have to write as much right? I'm kidding mom...
I know I'm jumping around a bit but Thursday we walked into class and my teacher said, "Hola clase, you're going to teach your first dicussion in spanish in one hour. good luck!" So one hour later, we were teaching this guy, Edwin, the Lesson on the Restoration. wow...
At least then, we had one hour for preparation.Friday morning we walked into class and saw on the board the words, "Edwin is waiting in room 124 for you right now". So we basically said a quick prayer (in spanish) and grabbed our Preach my Gospels and headed in. We taught the whole lesson in spanish and can I just say, the gift of tongues is real! I would not have been able to say the things i said without it!
Friday and Saturday was more class time and not a whole lot happened although those two days were pretty rough. The days were long and stressful and not a whole lot of good things happened pero esta bien!:)
Sunday was a spiritual harvest! Definately the best day yet! I got to go to choir practice which was a blast and then we had a devotional on baptism by one of the authors of Preach my Gospel! Holy guacamole!!! (este espanol;)
Yesterday was more class but it was pretty good and right now I can barely keep my eyes open to write this email. I promise my email will be longer next week but right now, I need a nap.
Before I go, I'll share with you my testimony in spanish though so you can see how well my spanish is coming along...
Yo se que este es la iglesia de Jesucristo y el es nos Salvador. You testifico que el Libro de Mormon es la palabra de Dios y Jose Smith es un Profeta de dios. Yo se que nos Padre Celestial amar nos y queres a regresamos para el. en el nombre de Jesucristo, amen.
Not bad huh?
P.S. you can email me any day of the week and I'm allowed to read it, I just cant respond until Tuesdays...
Love you guys!
Elder Arkoudas
P.P.S. On second though, I'll figure out how to send you pictures and then I'll do that.
Hola, que tal!? That's Spanish for, "Hello, what's up" just so you know. This week has been absolutely amazing and at the same time, muy loco!!! I have heard probably a total of 10 English words from my Spanish teacher and have learned more Spanish in the 6 days I've been here than in the two school classes I took. On a side note, I apologize for any gramatical, speeling or any other errers in my Ingles. My mind is on full Espanol mode.
The MTC is mostly class time, study time or spirital uplifting time and it is so awesome! This week I learned the importance of paciencia y amor. It's quite an adjustment.
As missionaries do, I'd like to tell you how cool and amazing and extraordinary this gospel is. It purpose is simply for us to live with our father again. He only wants what is best for us and what is best for us is this gospel! Yo se que Jesucristo vives y es nos Salvador. Yo testifico el Libro de Mormon es la palabra de Dios y Jose Smith es un profet de Dios. I love you guys and I thank you so much for your support.
Con todos amor,
Pretty sick!
The boys in my room
