Week 23 - April 16, 2012

Hi family!

Well, another week crossed off here in Versailles. We get calls on Saturday to see who is getting moved. President told us that our trio companionship would only be for this transfer, so we anticipate at least one, if not two of us leaving here in just over a week. The mission is going to be short one Spanish elder, so we are really confused about how everything is going to shake out. Sometimes they have areas called "zebras" where they teach Spanish and English both, and that doesn't necessarily mean that both elders speak Spanish. Because Versailles is small enough and the Hispanic population is low enough, we think that this might become a zebra area for a while. If it does, I probably won't stay, because I still have lots of things to learn as far as Spanish and teaching goes. If it stays Spanish only, it's all kind of up in the air. I'm kind of ready to leave, because we are running out of work to do, but it isn't unheard of for people to spend 5 and sometimes 6 transfers in their first area. Next time I write I'll know for sure.

On an exchange with our district leader, Elder L. We went and saw Irma's family out on a horse farm. We hope we can get Agustin to the ward temple trip this weekend! :) And the white kid isn't hers -- he just lives on the farm in a different house. Haha.

 The work is kind of dying right now. We're super sad about it. People just aren't keeping commitments very well. No investigators at church. Minimal reading. Occasional praying. We feel like we're explaining it all clearly enough, promising the blessings that come from all of this, etc., but it's hard for them to make it part of their lives if it isn't something that they're used to. The one bright spot is that Gustavo is still reading from the Book of Mormon! We still haven't tackled the Word of Wisdom thing with him yet, just because when we sat down with him last he had some other concerns we tried to work on. We were talking about it yesterday, and we really feel like we go out and do the best that we can, doing what God would have us do, rather than just teaching and baptizing people that aren't ready or understand what it means. God gets that we're doing what we can. We just haven't found the people that are ready.

Our media referral, Yesenia, has ended up being really cool, so that is something positive in our schedules. She's young and has a 9 month old son. She listens intently and seems to enjoy our message. Except that she told us in our third appointment that she's moving to Florida soon to be with the father of her son. We were sort of devastated. She wanted to leave this weekend, but her ride didn't work out, and she hasn't bought a Greyhound ticket yet. So we're going to teach her as long as we can, and if she moves off to Florida, we're positive that the missionaries down there can continue building on the foundation that we are laying.

We had Zone Conference last week, and it was super super good. President and Sister W are so fun, and I'm always impressed when they know my name without looking at my name tag. I just can't imagine being in charge of 180 people and keeping them all straight, but they seem to do a great job.

Our contacting challenge is still going strong. We've managed to get in 30 contacts 3 or 4 days this week, so that's good! It's getting less awkward with time. Haha.

I don't know what else to say. We don't have lots of funny stories or anything in this little town. There isn't a ton out-of-the-ordinary that goes on with us except that we're three white guys trying to speak Spanish in Kentucky. That's weird enough on its own, so I'm kind of glad we don't have too many other weird moments, you know? Haha.

Us and Patricia in her store. She's so fun. :)

Update on our English class -- we've had to cancel it, or it has been cancelled the last few weeks for various reasons. Last night we went to the little store for the class, and Patricia, the owner was there. She said she's super sad, but that the classes just can't continue. Everyone was off playing soccer or doing other fun things in the nice weather. We're sad we won't interact with that group much anymore because they are all so fun. Super super fun people. But now they'll have a few more English words under their belts, and we can talk to them when we see them in town -- maybe get the gospel in their lives. We tried with Patricia, but it didn't work. Maybe with some of the others... maybe.

Anyway, things are going fine with us. We're doing all we can to keep it up and do some good in the world!

Thanks for all y'all do for me!

Much love,

Zac