March 28, 2011 A week of Challenges

I am not going to lie. This week was kind of terrible. I am with Elder Peña (pain yeah) now. Elder Del Angel was taken out of the area for emergency changes to replace an elder in another area. I went into the city to pick up Elder Peña and it has fallen on my shoulders again to teach another elder the area. President Ward told me that I would be teaching him the area for these two weeks and then I would be taken out, but I think I will have to stay here another change. It is very difficult to learn an area including the members, investigators, less active members, bus routes, etc in two weeks. We worked very hard this week and just barely scratched the surface.

Elder Peña is from El Salvador. He has an incredible story. He is the only member in his entire family and a convert of 1 year and 10 months. He has 10 months out on the mission, so that means he was only a member for a year when he left for his mission. Elder Peña always has the biggest grin and he is super positive and encouraging. I really enjoy being with him.

I was bitten by a dog the other day when we went by to visit one of my recent converts. The dog came at me like a bullet and got my leg. It tore my pant leg and broke the skin. The dog was detained and we finished teaching the lesson and left. I went back to the house, washed it off and put some Neosporin on it. I do not think the dog is sick, but I read somewhere that I am supposed to watch it for ten days to see if it gets sick. Days later now, the bite looks pretty good and I don't think I will lose my leg. There is a lady in this area that sews clothes for the missionaries for free, so I will be visiting her today or tomorrow. I am afraid the mission is turning me into a dog hater.

I will not be sending photos for a bit because my camera was stolen this week. Luckily, I have tons of my photos backed up, so I really only lost the most recent ones. I sent home some of the ones that were not backed up yet as well. I do not know what I am going to do yet about obtaining another one or I don't know.

The rest of the week was great though. I am really enjoying talking with Elder Peña and hearing stories from him. I set a baptismal date for one of our investigators for the 10th of April. According to the President, I will be gone by then, but I am still ecstatic that they are getting baptized.

I like that I am always getting more comfortable with the language. I can pretty much understand anyone that talks to me as opposed to people I am used to like members and my companion.

We heard some really loud thunder on Saturday and have had some rain here. The rain makes it hotter because it sends up a hot vapor from the earth and streets. My favorite weather here is overcast without rain and a breeze. Those days are amazing.

Anyways, I enjoy hearing from everyone and hope you all have a good week.