Feliz Navidad!
Well as you all know I am training and I just
finished my first week with my new companion. He is not native, but is from
Guatamala and doesn´t speak one word of english. His name is Elder Santiago.
The first day that we were companions he told me "I was hoping that I
would get you as my companion because I want to learn
english!" hahaha Every day from 11-12 we have language study and he
reads from the english Book of Mormon and I read from the spanish one. I think
it´s more frustrating trying to help him learn english than it was for me to
learn spanish!! But he is an interesting dude, he doesn´t talk much in lessons
and I am pretty much talking throughout the entire lesson. I am exhausted by
the end of the day because I am learning so much and my head is killing me!!
But it´s all good because we are having a lot of success!!!
So everyone out here calls the trainers ¨papa¨
and it´s super funny because I feel like he´s literally my son! He won´t do
anything until I tell him to and he just waits for me to act and then he
follows. I mean I know he only has 3 weeks into his mission but it´s just
funny. He won´t let me go anywhere without being right by my side! Let me tell
ya...before my mission that was one of my biggest pet peeves- when someone just
follows you around, but now I´m a missionary and I have a lot more patience
with that kinda stuff. When I have to go to the bathroom in our house he will
follow me and stand outside the bathroom until I am done!! In the morning if I
put on a black sweater, so will he... If I wear a red tie, so will he!
This kid´s dedication is incredible!! He is very loyal, he also thinks
I´m the most hilarious kid in the world. He laughs at everything I do and he
always tells me how funny I am...I mean I know I´m hilarious but he gives me a
little too much credit ;)
Well my birthday was on Saturday and thank you
all for my birthday wishes and emails!! I have the most amazing friends and
family in the world!! Even though I am thousands of miles away, it makes me
feel like I am right at home!! We had a baptism in our ward in the morning and
it was awesome because the family is less active and we have been working with
them for a while! Their son is 8 years old and one of the members baptized him
and it was awesome!! Then we went to our Christmas party with our president and
a bunch of missionaries here. It was pretty fun!! We had some good food there
and then just got to hang out for a while. Then we came back to our area and
had a few good lessons!! We found 2 new investigators and set a baptismal date
with one!! Last week was awesome!! We have set 3 baptismal dates
last week and found 4 new investigators!! We are super happy for our success
and we are just working our butts off!!
As for District Leader...it´s tough!! I
have to deal with missionaries and other people who have legit problems!! It is
very tough but also very rewarding!! I am happy to be doing it because I love
having the opportunity to serve others. I am here for 19 more months and as
much as I hate to say this- I hope they are the hardest 19 months ever!
Obviosuly at the time I don´t want to have trials, but when they are over, I
can look back and see how much I learned!
Last week, our ward went to the temple to do
baptisms. Denisse and Yazbek both went!! It is awesome because as missionaries,
ultimately our goal is to bring people to the temple and two of my converts did
that last week!! Rosario is showing a lot more interest because of the change
in Denisse! She stopped smoking on Friday night because she said she would stop
on my birthday and I called her this morning and she told me she hasn´t smoked
since then!!! We are hoping to set her baptismal date for the next couple
weeks...we don´t want to pressure her into getting baptized.
Well yesterday I almost died!!! No really...I
LITERALLY thought I was going to die! We went to a members house and they gave
us chicken, rice, and beans...crazy meal huh? They had peppers on the
table and I asked what kind they were. She responded with ¨Chili Manzana¨ which
in english is 'apple chili.' So I didn´t think much of it and I put
a piece in my mouth...biggest regret of my life!!! It was the spiciest thing I
have ever had in my life!!! I´m not kidding it felt like someone stabbed
my stomach with a knife and was torturing my body!! It was the weirdest feeling
in my life!! I didn´t have control of my body, I tried to play it off like I
was okay but I was just dripping sweat and shaking like crazy!! It was one of
the worst experiences I have had on my mission so far!!
Well that was my week!! I am glad you guys
partied it up on my birthday...without me!! hahaha I mean obviously I would
love to be home with you guys during this time of the year but I´m glad you
guys are doing things the way I would want to do things on my birthday!!
Buffalo Wild Wings and a warriors game is perfect!! I am making so many
sacrifices here and being away for these holidays is one of them. But I hope
you guys are feeling the blessings hahaha
Well I hope you all have an amazing Christmas
and enjoy this time! Obviosuly I want to be home tomorrow but I know that won´t
happen and the next best thing I could ask for is to skype with my
family... and that will happen haha!!
Well I love you all and thank you so much for
the support!!
Love,
Elder Mike Payne
Here are some more pictures and captions from Mike!
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| Funniest old grandma in the world! We asked her to pose and that's what she did. She is hilarious! The Mom to Sister Luz |
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| Familia Martel - this is like my seconds family out here! I will probably be hanging with them most of Christmas |
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| My breakfast! I take my vitamins everyday so I don't get sick! |
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