FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS Elder Vargas

Last Friday (12/5/08) was my comp's (Elder Vargas) birthday in the mission. It was a good day. I don’t have my guitar anymore. I gave it to my comp!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! He loves music, the flute, zampoña, and all that good stuff. He is great - I love him.

I also went to Serpost (the Post Office), and shopping with Presidente, just me and him. It was hilarious. I loved it. He is such an amazing guy, really just like President Fisher, but Latin. It was good to spend some time with him and just chat, not really about the work, but just his family, the 500 baptisms and ya…

Then we came back, ordered some pizza, and sat and ate Doritos, pop, and watched the funeral of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. It was really good and some of the stuff President Monson said at the end - I was like wow!

Cambios! (Changes)

Tommorrow, Elder Vargas heads off to the jungle, and I stay in Villa Sol, and I'm happy. My new comp is from Bolivia, and I still don't know him, but I'll have all the info next week. He gets to Lima on Saturday, I'll be in a "triple" for a few days. (3 Elders together)

Well, I think it's a good thing there is a change, cuz you all know I can get along with everyone, but with Elder Vargas my nerves were tested, haha. Man, he is a good missionary and obedient, but is there such a thing as too obedient? Haha.... no there isn't, but I guess what I'm saying, is he did things in excess, where I didn't see the need, and no, it wasn't breaking rules or anything, but all is well, and I've learned a ton in the short time I was with him.

We have 15 families, it's amazing, and we're teaching like crazy. We had 16 dates for baptism, but lost a few, but now we have 9 solid for the upcoming weeks. One family and 3 more to come in the next month. I'm excited. Well, I love you all, and keep on keeping on.

New Companion - Working Hard

"I’m with a new companion, Elder Vargas. He has 10 months in the mission. He was in my zone already, so I know him. It’s great, he is from Bolivia, lives with his grandpa, and those two are the only members (in his family). He is 26, and was baptized when he was 14. "

"We are working hard, and we can tell the difference. We have ten baptism dates, it’s awesome! And more to come too! The Polanco family (mom & dad) told me that I will be baptizing them within this change (next 5 weeks)."

"We’re finding new people to teach everyday, and working hard with the members, and it shows.... and that’s only in 4 days work! Think what we can do with 5 more weeks, huh? Pretty sweet. I’m excited."