Dear Family and Friends,
So I think last week I told y’all a little about the new area and the new companion, but I wasn’t able to tell y’all about any of our investigators. We are teaching quite a few people.
Oscar Bazan
First off, we have Oscar Bazan. He is in his late 20’s and is married to a member. He has been taking the lessons for a while and he is going to be baptized on the 30th. He is in training at the police academy and he is a pretty cool guy!
This area is so different than all my other areas because the people here are actually established and have money, it’s really weird. People actually keep comitments. Well, we still have areas where it’s not as high class, like Porter (that huge, Mexican trailer park.) But it’s weird. I’ve never taught rich people. Honestly, it’s a little intimidating. I’m not in the inner city anymore!
Cosme Martinez
Next is Cosme Martinez! He is my personal favorite. He is also married to a member. They are 32. They are so cool! Really young and hip.. (did I just say that?) His wife, Maria, had actually been less active for like 15 years but saw the missionaries a couple months ago and asked them where the nearest church was and she has been active ever since! Pretty sweet! So now we are teaching her husband. They have three kids. Cosme jr. and the cutest little girls! I don’t know why but Mexicans always have the cutest kids. So weird. I want to adopt one really bad one day.
ANYWAY Cosme and I hit it off really well. I think he is in love with the fact that I am from Spain. But he loves Real Madrid. It’s ok, repentance works for everyone, right? He always updates me on the Barcelona news haha. But he is really funny. When he opens the door he always says, “oye, que honda hermanos, entren.” haha it’s funny. He is really tall and really lean but he’s got some serious tone.. I think that probably sounds really awkward but we are probably gonna be work out buddies one day. Anyway he used to not be so interested in the missionary lessons but lately he has been listening more and more and is reading the Book of Mormon and yesterday he came to church with his family! It was so good to see them all there together!
Isabel and Ronaldo
Another family we are working with. Well, they actually aren’t married. But there is Isabel (El Salvador) and Ronaldo (Guatemala). Despite his name, Ronaldo is a huge Barcelona fan. They are middle aged. They have lived together for quite a long time, and have three teenage kids that give them a lot of problems. You can tell they have been through a lot of garbage. We have been teaching them together and it’s been going well. We are going to start talking about setting up a wedding with them.
Our last lesson with them, Isabel started crying. She is such a humble, sweet, lady. She was crying because she feels like her family is dysfunctional and her kids are rebelling. Man, it was crazy. I told her that what helped me out in my life when I had strayed a little bit was the example of my mother. Because it’s true. So she decided that she would just try to live the gospel and be a good example. It’s what helped me in the end so I know it will help her kids. they also came to church yesterday!
McCains
There is a sweet family here that we have dinner with Sunday nights. They are the McCains and they go to the English ward. They are true country. I think y’all would like them. Brother McCain got the quote of the week last night when, through a mouthful of some pork roast and mashed potatoes said, “Elder, I don’t lie. I’m a man of God.” I a thick southern drawl, it was about the funniest thing I’d heard all week.
Elder Owens is Great
Elder Owens is awesome! He is really chill and funny. He opens up after a while. He is really quiet and shy around others though. I think he has gotten to feel comfortable around me though. I am trying to help him boost up his confidence on the doorstep and in lessons. Lately, I have been teaching about 90% of the time. That’s not good for comp unity! So we are working on it! I think, the first week I didn’t really know how to deal with it, so I had a “put the team on my back” attitude and just tried to run things the best I could. But that’s not the way it should be. So I am trying to help him be more assertive with people and talk more! It’s pretty fun! There are some awkward situations but it’s hilarious! He is such a good kid!
Alright well, hope y’all have a good week! Love y’all!
Elder Viitanen
P.S. They met Great Khali:
See him here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Khali
